Using a hand-held vibrating percussive industrial tool

Note:  This contention applies to osteoarthritis of an upper limb joint only for reasonable hypothesis cases, and to the joint of the hand, wrist or elbow only for balance of probability cases.

The RMA has defined a vibrating percussive industrial tool  to mean: 'a pneumatic or power tool commonly used in an industrial setting which imparts significant vibration and impaction force to the joints of the upper limb and excludes tools weighing less than one kilogram'.

Examples

A pneumatic tool is any tool driven by compressed air.  Jack hammers, pneumatic drills, compacters, large pop rivet guns [of the sort used on construction sites], sand blasting equipment and spray painting equipment are all pneumatic tools.  Power tools include hammer-drills, jigsaws, and chain saws.  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 [12492]

12523 there is some evidence that using a hand-held vibrating percussive industrial tool may be a factor in the development or worsening of the condition under consideration.

41720 the veteran has osteoarthritis of a joint of the upper limb.

12524 the veteran has used a hand-held vibrating percussive industrial tool at some time.

12532 the veteran has used a hand-held vibrating percussive industrial tool on more days than not for at least 10 years.

12525  the veteran has established the causal connection between using a hand-held vibrating percussive industrial tool and VEA service for osteoarthritis.

12526   the veteran has established the causal connection between using a hand-held vibrating percussive industrial tool and VEA service for the clinical onset of osteoarthritis.

12528  the veteran has established the causal connection between using a hand-held vibrating percussive industrial tool and operational service for the clinical onset of osteoarthritis.

or

12529  the veteran has established the causal connection between using a hand-held vibrating percussive industrial tool 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.

12527   the veteran has established the causal connection between using a hand-held vibrating percussive industrial tool and VEA service for the clinical worsening of osteoarthritis.

12530  the veteran has established the causal connection between using a hand-held vibrating percussive industrial tool and operational service for the clinical worsening of osteoarthritis.

or

12531  the veteran has established the causal connection between using a hand-held vibrating percussive industrial tool and eligible service for the clinical worsening of osteoarthritis.

Clinical onset and operational service [12528]

12534 the veteran used a hand-held vibrating percussive industrial tool on more days than not for at least 10 years before the clinical onset of the condition under consideration.

12538 operational service made a material contribution to the veteran's use of a hand-held vibrating percussive industrial tool on more days than not for at least 10 years before the clinical onset of the condition under consideration.

Clinical onset and eligible service [12529]

25632 the veteran has osteoarthritis of the hand, wrist, or elbow joint only.

25597 the veteran used a hand-held vibrating percussive industrial tool on more days than not for at least 10 years within the 25 years before the clinical onset of the condition under consideration.

12540 eligible service made a material contribution to the veteran's use of a hand-held vibrating percussive industrial tool on more days than not for at least 10 years within the 25 years before the clinical onset of the condition under consideration.

Clinical worsening and operational service [12530]

12536 the veteran used a hand-held vibrating percussive industrial tool on more days than not for at least 10 years before the clinical worsening of the condition under consideration.

25599 the 10 year period during which the veteran used a hand-held vibrating percussive industrial tool on more days than not commenced after the clinical onset of the condition under consideration.

12541 operational service made a material contribution to the veteran's use of a hand-held vibrating percussive industrial tool on more days than not for at least 10 years before the clinical worsening of the condition under consideration.

Clinical worsening and eligible service [12531]

25632 the veteran has osteoarthritis of the hand, wrist, or elbow joint only.

25601 the veteran used a hand-held vibrating percussive industrial tool on more days than not for at least 10 years within the 25 years before the clinical worsening of the condition under consideration.

25599 the 10 year period during which the veteran used a hand-held vibrating percussive industrial tool on more days than not commenced after the clinical onset of the condition under consideration.

12542 eligible service made a material contribution to the veteran's use of a hand-held vibrating percussive industrial tool on more days than not for at least 10 years within the 25 years before the clinical worsening of the condition under consideration.