Pipe smoking

Acquired cataract - Pipe smoking Factor

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

• the quantity smoked (ascertain tobacco smoked per week in grams or ounces; 1 ounce = 28 grams);
• 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, e.g. 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.

Note: The SOP factor dealing with pipe smoking covers only the smoking of tobacco. It does not include non-tobacco products such as marijuana or hashish. This is because the RMA SOP factors refer to "cigarettes or the equivalent thereof in other tobacco products".

Last reviewed for CCPS 20 August 2008.

Investigative Documents

Preliminary questions [30785]

22895 there is some evidence that pipe smoking may be a factor in the development of the condition under consideration.

39910  the veteran has established the causal connection between the pipe smoking and VEA service for acquired cataract.

30787   the veteran has established the causal connection between the pipe smoking and VEA service for the clinical onset of acquired cataract.

30789  the veteran has established the causal connection between the pipe smoking and operational service for the clinical onset of acquired cataract.

or

30791  the veteran has established the causal connection between the pipe smoking and eligible service for the clinical onset of acquired cataract.

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.

39911   the veteran has established the causal connection between the pipe smoking and VEA service for the clinical worsening of acquired cataract.

39912  the veteran has established the causal connection between the pipe smoking and operational service for the clinical worsening of acquired cataract.

or

39913  the veteran has established the causal connection between the pipe smoking and eligible service for the clinical worsening of acquired cataract.

Clinical onset and operational service [30789]

30793  the veteran had smoked at least 10 pack years of pipe tobacco before the clinical onset of the condition under consideration.

4911     the veteran has some period or periods of pipe smoking that are causally related to operational service.

Clinical onset and eligible service [30791]

30795  the veteran had smoked at least 20 pack years of pipe tobacco before the clinical onset of the condition under consideration.

4913     the veteran has some period or periods of pipe smoking that are causally related to eligible service.

Clinical worsening and operational service [39912]

39922  the veteran had smoked at least 10 pack years of pipe tobacco before the clinical worsening of the condition under consideration.

4911     the veteran has some period or periods of pipe smoking that are causally related to operational service.

9204     the clinical onset of the condition under consideration occurred prior to that part of operational service to which the period or periods of pipe smoking are causally related.

Clinical worsening and eligible service [39913]

39923  the veteran had smoked at least 20 pack years of pipe tobacco before the clinical worsening of the condition under consideration.

4913     the veteran has some period or periods of pipe smoking that are causally related to eligible service.

9205     the clinical onset of the condition under consideration occurred prior to that part of eligible service to which the period or periods of pipe smoking are causally related.