Cigar smoking

Acquired cataract - 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 August 2008.

Investigative Documents

Preliminary questions [30784]

22889 there is some evidence that cigar smoking may be a factor in the development of the condition under consideration.

39906  the veteran has established the causal connection between the cigar smoking and VEA service for acquired cataract.

30786   the veteran has established the causal connection between the cigar smoking and VEA service for the clinical onset of acquired cataract.

30788  the veteran has established the causal connection between the cigar smoking and operational service for the clinical onset of acquired cataract.

or

30790  the veteran has established the causal connection between the cigar 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.

39907   the veteran has established the causal connection between the cigar smoking and VEA service for the clinical worsening of acquired cataract.

39908  the veteran has established the causal connection between the cigar smoking and operational service for the clinical worsening of acquired cataract.

or

39909  the veteran has established the causal connection between the cigar smoking and eligible service for the clinical worsening of acquired cataract.

Clinical onset and operational service [30788]

30792  the veteran had smoked at least 10 pack years of cigars before the clinical onset of the condition under consideration.

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

Clinical onset and eligible service [30790]

30794  the veteran had smoked at least 20 pack years of cigars before the clinical onset of the condition under consideration.

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

Clinical worsening and operational service [39908]

39920  the veteran had smoked at least 10 pack years of cigars before the clinical worsening of the condition under consideration.

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 [39909]

39921  the veteran had smoked at least 20 pack years of cigars before the clinical worsening of the condition under consideration.

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.