Inhaling respirable crystalline silica dust

There is no Repatriation Medical Authority (RMA) definition of this Statement of Principle (SOP) factor.

The most common forms of crystalline silica are quartz, cristobalite and tridymite.  Crystalline silica is the principle component of sandstone and other rocks.

Examples of occupations with respirable crystalline silica dust exposure

Additional information about the scope and nature of particular service occupations may be located in Physical requirements, duties, and workplace hazards of specific military occupations which also contains an embedded hotword: Military occupations with fumes and irritants component.

Last reviewed for CCPS 20 April 2005.

Investigative Documents

Preliminary questions [24550]

24551 there is some evidence that inhaling respirable crystalline silica dust may be a factor in the development or worsening of the condition under consideration.

24552 the veteran has inhaled respirable crystalline silica dust as defined in the Statements of Principles for chronic bronchitis and / or emphysema at some time.

24554  the veteran has established the causal connection between inhaling respirable crystalline silica dust and VEA service for chronic bronchitis and / or emphysema.

24555   the veteran has established the causal connection between inhaling respirable crystalline silica dust and VEA service for the clinical onset of chronic bronchitis and / or emphysema.

24557  the veteran has established the causal connection between inhaling respirable crystalline silica dust and operational service for the clinical onset of chronic bronchitis and / or emphysema.

or

24558  the veteran has established the causal connection between inhaling respirable crystalline silica dust 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.

24556   the veteran has established the causal connection between inhaling respirable crystalline silica dust and VEA service for the clinical worsening of chronic bronchitis and / or emphysema.

24559  the veteran has established the causal connection between inhaling respirable crystalline silica dust and operational service for the clinical worsening of chronic bronchitis and / or emphysema.

or

24560  the veteran has established the causal connection between inhaling respirable crystalline silica dust and eligible service for the clinical worsening of chronic bronchitis and / or emphysema.

Clinical onset and operational service [24557]

24561 the veteran has inhaled respirable crystalline silica dust as defined in the Statements of Principles for chronic bronchitis and / or emphysema for a period or periods of time totalling at least 370 days.

24562 the veteran has inhaled respirable crystalline silica dust as defined in the Statements of Principles for chronic bronchitis and / or emphysema for a period or periods of time totalling at least 370 days before the clinical onset of chronic bronchitis and / or emphysema.

24567 operational service made a material contribution to the veteran's inhalation of respirable crystalline silica dust as defined in the Statements of Principles for chronic bronchitis and / or emphysema for a period or periods of time totalling at least 370 days before the clinical onset of chronic bronchitis and / or emphysema.

Clinical onset and eligible service [24558]

24564 the veteran has inhaled respirable crystalline silica dust as defined in the Statements of Principles for chronic bronchitis and / or emphysema for a period or periods of time totalling at least 925 days.

24565 the veteran has inhaled respirable crystalline silica dust as defined in the Statements of Principles for chronic bronchitis and / or emphysema for a period or periods of time totalling at least 925 days before the clinical onset of chronic bronchitis and / or emphysema.

24568 eligible service made a material contribution to the veteran's inhalation of respirable crystalline silica dust as defined in the Statements of Principles for chronic bronchitis and / or emphysema for a period or periods of time totalling at least 925 days before the clinical onset of chronic bronchitis and / or emphysema.

Clinical worsening and operational service [24559]

24561 the veteran has inhaled respirable crystalline silica dust as defined in the Statements of Principles for chronic bronchitis and / or emphysema for a period or periods of time totalling at least 370 days.

24563 the veteran has inhaled respirable crystalline silica dust as defined in the Statements of Principles for chronic bronchitis and / or emphysema for a period or periods of time totalling at least 370 days after the clinical onset and before the clinical worsening of chronic bronchitis and / or emphysema.

24569 operational service made a material contribution to the veteran's inhalation of respirable crystalline silica dust as defined in the Statements of Principles for chronic bronchitis and / or emphysema for a period or periods of time totalling at least 370 days after the clinical onset and before the clinical worsening of chronic bronchitis and / or emphysema.

Clinical worsening and eligible service [24560]

24564 the veteran has inhaled respirable crystalline silica dust as defined in the Statements of Principles for chronic bronchitis and / or emphysema for a period or periods of time totalling at least 925 days.

24566 the veteran has inhaled respirable crystalline silica dust as defined in the Statements of Principles for chronic bronchitis and / or emphysema for a period or periods of time totalling at least 925 days after the clinical onset and before the clinical worsening of chronic bronchitis and / or emphysema.

24570 eligible service made a material contribution to the veteran's inhalation of respirable crystalline silica dust as defined in the Statements of Principles for chronic bronchitis and / or emphysema for a period or periods of time totalling at least 925 days after the clinical onset and before the clinical worsening of chronic bronchitis and / or emphysema.