Cigar smoking

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease - Cigar smoking Factor

If there is a history of cigar smoking it will be necessary to obtain information about:

• the quantity smoked (the number of cigars smoked per week);
• when this took place; and
• the reasons for smoking.

The evidence gathered should be as complete and accurate as possible.  Information already held in departmental files, eg in previous statements and clinical notes, should not be overlooked.  Conflicting evidence should be resolved.

Before a causal link between a smoking habit and service may be established, consideration must be given to Repatriation Commission Guideline CM5030 - Guideline for claims assessors on smoking and alcohol related conditions and military service.

Last reviewed for CCPS 20 April 2005.

Investigative Documents

 Preliminary questions [24520]

26916 there is some evidence that cigar smoking may be a factor in the development or worsening of the condition under consideration.

4915     the veteran has ever smoked cigars.

24522  the veteran has established the causal connection between the cigar smoking and VEA service for chronic bronchitis and / or emphysema.

24523   the veteran has established the causal connection between the cigar smoking and VEA service for the clinical onset of chronic bronchitis and / or emphysema.

24525  the veteran has established the causal connection between the cigar smoking and operational service for the clinical onset of chronic bronchitis and / or emphysema.

or

24526  the veteran has established the causal connection between the cigar smoking and eligible service for the clinical onset of chronic bronchitis and / or emphysema.

or

7334     the clinical onset of the condition under consideration occurred after the end of the veteran's last period of VEA service.

7335     the condition under consideration permanently worsened.

24524   the veteran has established the causal connection between the cigar smoking and VEA service for the clinical worsening of chronic bronchitis and / or emphysema.

24527  the veteran has established the causal connection between the cigar smoking and operational service for the clinical worsening of chronic bronchitis and / or emphysema.

or

24528  the veteran has established the causal connection between the cigar smoking and eligible service for the clinical worsening of chronic bronchitis and / or emphysema.

Clinical onset and operational service [24525]

24529 the veteran has smoked at least five pack years of cigars before the clinical onset of chronic bronchitis and / or emphysema.

4921     the veteran has some period or periods of cigar smoking that are causally related to operational service.

Clinical onset and eligible service [24526]

24530 the veteran has smoked at least ten pack years of cigars before the clinical onset of chronic bronchitis and / or emphysema.

4922     the veteran has some period or periods of cigar smoking that are causally related to eligible service.

Clinical worsening and operational service [24527]

24531 the veteran has smoked at least five pack years of cigars before the clinical worsening of chronic bronchitis and / or emphysema.

4921     the veteran has some period or periods of cigar smoking that are causally related to operational service.

24532 the clinical onset of chronic bronchitis and / or emphysema occurred prior to that part of operational service to which the period or periods of cigar smoking are causally related.

Clinical worsening and eligible service [24528]

24533 the veteran has smoked at least ten pack years of cigars before the clinical worsening of chronic bronchitis and / or emphysema.

4922     the veteran has some period or periods of cigar smoking that are causally related to eligible service.

24534 the clinical onset of chronic bronchitis and / or emphysema occurred prior to that part of eligible service to which the period or periods of cigar smoking are causally related.