Kneeling or squatting

Osteoarthritis - Kneeling or squatting Factor

This contention only applies to osteoarthritis of a knee joint.  The SoP requirements are for:

• a cumulative period of at least one hour each day on more days than not,
• for a continuous period of at least one year (in reasonable hypothesis cases), or two years (in balance of probability cases).

The RMA has made it quite clear that more activity over a lesser period won't satisfy the SoP requirements.  'More days than not' is the RMA's way of accounting for working weeks and weekends.

In a military setting occupations requiring kneeling or squatting may include working in stores, construction, or vehicle workshops.  Some fitness regimes may also involve the required amount of kneeling or squatting.  Combat patrols would involve extensive periods of kneeling or squatting.

Occupations such as tiling, carpet laying and gardening may involve much kneeling and squatting.

However, every case should be considered individually as, for example, not all construction workers would satisfy the requirement and there may be other occupations which may involve significant periods of kneeling or squatting.

Information about the nature and scope of various service occupations is contained in Physical requirements, duties, and workplace hazards of specific military occupations.

Last reviewed for CCPS 10 June 2012.

Investigative Documents

Preliminary questions [31447]

31449  the veteran has claimed osteoarthritis of a relevant joint for kneeling and squatting.

or

31458   the veteran has claimed osteoarthritis of an unspecified relevant joint for kneeling or squatting.

4061     the veteran has osteoarthritis of one or both knees.

31450  the veteran has established the causal connection between kneeling and squatting and VEA service for osteoarthritis.

31451   the veteran has established the causal connection between kneeling and squatting and VEA service for the clinical onset of osteoarthritis.

31453  the veteran has established the causal connection between kneeling and squatting and operational service for the clinical onset of osteoarthritis.

or

31454  the veteran has established the causal connection between kneeling and squatting and eligible service for the clinical onset of osteoarthritis.

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.

31452   the veteran has established the causal connection between kneeling and squatting and VEA service for the clinical worsening of osteoarthritis.

31455  the veteran has established the causal connection between kneeling and squatting and operational service for the clinical worsening of osteoarthritis.

or

31456  the veteran has established the causal connection between kneeling and squatting and eligible service for the clinical worsening of osteoarthritis.

Clinical onset and operational service [31453]

31459 the veteran knelt or squat for a cumulative period of at least one hour each day on more days than not for a continuous period of at least one year.

31461 the veteran knelt or squat for a cumulative period of at least one hour each day on more days than not for a continuous period of at least one year before the clinical onset of the condition under consideration.

31463 operational service made a material contribution to the veteran's kneeling or squatting for a cumulative period of at least one hour each day on more days than not for a continuous period of at least one year before the clinical onset of the condition under consideration.

Clinical onset and eligible service [31454]

31460 the veteran knelt or squat for a cumulative period of at least one hour each day on more days than not for a continuous period of at least two years.

31462 the veteran knelt or squat for a cumulative period of at least one hour each day on more days than not for a continuous period of at least two years before the clinical onset of the condition under consideration.

31466 the clinical onset of the condition under consideration occurred within the 25 years following the continuous period of at least two years during which the veteran knelt or squatted for a cumulative period of at least one hour each day on more days than not.

31465 eligible service made a material contribution to the balance of probabilities Statement of Principles requirements for kneeling or squatting before the clinical onset of the condition under consideration.

Clinical worsening and operational service [31455]

31459 the veteran knelt or squat for a cumulative period of at least one hour each day on more days than not for a continuous period of at least one year.

31468 the veteran knelt or squat for a cumulative period of at least one hour each day on more days than not for a continuous period of at least one year before the clinical worsening of the condition under consideration.

31470 the continuous period of at least one year during which the veteran knelt or squatted for a cumulative period of at least one hour each day on more days than not commenced after the clinical onset of the condition under consideration.

31469 operational service made a material contribution to the veteran's kneeling or squatting for a cumulative period of at least one hour each day on more days than not for a continuous period of at least one year before the clinical worsening of the condition under consideration.

Clinical worsening and eligible service [31456]

31460 the veteran knelt or squat for a cumulative period of at least one hour each day on more days than not for a continuous period of at least two years.

31464 the veteran knelt or squat for a cumulative period of at least one hour each day on more days than not for a continuous period of at least two years before the clinical worsening of the condition under consideration.

31467 the clinical worsening of the condition under consideration occurred within the 25 years following the continuous period of at least two years during which the veteran knelt or squatted for a cumulative period of at least one hour each day on more days than not.

31471 the continuous period of at least two years during which the veteran knelt or squatted for a cumulative period of at least one hour each day on more days than not commenced after the clinical onset of the condition under consideration.

31472 eligible service made a material contribution to the balance of probabilities Statement of Principles requirements for kneeling or squatting before the clinical worsening of the condition under consideration.