Cigar smoking

Intervertebral disc prolapse - 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, 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.

Last reviewed for CCPS 16 September 2011.

Investigative Documents

Preliminary questions [25135]

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.

38489  the veteran has established the causal connection between the cigar smoking and VEA service for intervertebral disc prolapse.

38490   the veteran has established the causal connection between the cigar smoking and VEA service for the clinical onset of intervertebral disc prolapse.

38492  the veteran has established the causal connection between the cigar smoking and operational service for the clinical onset of intervertebral disc prolapse.

or

38493  the veteran has established the causal connection between the cigar smoking and eligible service for the clinical onset of intervertebral disc prolapse.

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.

38491   the veteran has established the causal connection between the cigar smoking and VEA service for the clinical worsening of intervertebral disc prolapse.

38494  the veteran has established the causal connection between the cigar smoking and operational service for the clinical worsening of intervertebral disc prolapse.

or

38495  the veteran has established the causal connection between the cigar smoking and eligible service for the clinical worsening of intervertebral disc prolapse.

Clinical onset and operational service [38492]

38496  the veteran smoked at least two cigars per day for a continuous period of at least one year before the clinical onset of the condition under consideration.

38500 where the veteran's cigar smoking has ceased or been reduced below two cigars per day, the clinical onset of the condition under consideration has occurred within two years of that cessation or reduction.

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

Clinical onset and eligible service [38493]

38497  the veteran smoked at least two cigars per day for a continuous period of at least five years before the clinical onset of the condition under consideration.

38501 where the veteran's cigar smoking has ceased or been reduced below two cigars per day, the clinical onset of the condition under consideration has occurred within one year of that cessation or reduction.

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

Clinical worsening and operational service [38494]

38498  the veteran smoked at least two cigars per day for a continuous period of at least one year before the clinical worsening of the condition under consideration.

38502 where the veteran's cigar smoking has ceased or been reduced below two cigars per day, the clinical worsening of the condition under consideration has occurred within two years of that cessation or reduction.

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

9196     the clinical onset of the condition under consideration 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 [38495]

38499  the veteran smoked at least two cigars per day for a continuous period of at least five years before the clinical worsening of the condition under consideration.

38503 where the veteran's cigar smoking has ceased or been reduced below two cigars per day, the clinical worsening of the condition under consideration has occurred within one year of that cessation or reduction.

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

9197     the clinical onset of the condition under consideration occurred prior to that part of eligible service to which the period or periods of cigar smoking are causally related.