Plantar fasciitis - Having a BMI of at least 30 Factor
RMA definition
Body Mass Index (BMI) has been defined by the RMA to mean
W/H2 where:
W is the person’s weight in kilograms and
H is the person’s height in metres.
[Note: For Imperial weights and measures, BMI = wt. in lbs/(ht in inches2) x 703.1].
A person with a BMI of at least 30 is considered to be obese.
The RMA has also issued a SOP for morbid obesity. If there is a history of having BMI of at least 30 but the claim does not succeed via this factor, you will be asked to consider whether there is a history of morbid obesity, as this is an extreme form of obesity.
Establishing the presence of obesity
If it is not possible to obtain specific height/weight measurements, a medical comment that the veteran or member was obese will be sufficient. If height/weight measurements can be obtained, the BMI formula should be applied.
A history of obesity may be documented in the evidence. However, the veteran or member may not have sought medical attention and the condition may not have been recorded in medical records. In addition, doctors' and hospitals' records may have been destroyed or can no longer be obtained. Therefore, a statement by the veteran about his or her weight at a particular time will generally be accepted, unless there is contradictory evidence. This weight can then be used to calculate the veteran's BMI.
Last reviewed for CCPS 24 May 2007.
Investigative Documents
| Type | Title | PDF Format | Word Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| Claimant Report | Obesity | ||
| Medical Report | Obesity |
Preliminary questions [37748]
37749 there is some evidence that having a BMI of at least 30 may be a factor in the development or worsening of the condition under consideration.
37750 the veteran has had a BMI of at least 30 at some time.
37751 the veteran has established the causal connection between having a BMI of at least 30 and VEA service for the condition under consideration.
37752 the veteran has established the causal connection between having a BMI of at least 30 and VEA service for the clinical onset of the condition under consideration.
37754 the veteran has established the causal connection between having a BMI of at least 30 and operational service for the clinical onset of the condition under consideration.
or
37755 the veteran has established the causal connection between having a BMI of at least 30 and eligible service for the clinical onset of the condition under consideration.
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.
37753 the veteran has established the causal connection between having a BMI of at least 30 and VEA service for the clinical worsening of the condition under consideration.
37756 the veteran has established the causal connection between having a BMI of at least 30 and operational service for the clinical worsening of the condition under consideration.
or
37757 the veteran has established the causal connection between having a BMI of at least 30 and eligible service for the clinical worsening of the condition under consideration.
Clinical onset and operational service [37754]
37760 the veteran had a BMI of at least 30 at the time of the clinical onset of the condition under consideration.
37762 the veteran's BMI of at least 30 was caused by operational service.
or
9004 the veteran has a history of morbid obesity.
9007 the veteran was morbidly obese at the time of the clinical onset of the condition under consideration.
9005 the morbid obesity is causally related to operational service.
Clinical onset and eligible service [37755]
37760 the veteran had a BMI of at least 30 at the time of the clinical onset of the condition under consideration.
37763 the veteran's BMI of at least 30 was caused by eligible service.
or
9004 the veteran has a history of morbid obesity.
9007 the veteran was morbidly obese at the time of the clinical onset of the condition under consideration.
9006 the morbid obesity is causally related to eligible service.
Clinical worsening and operational service [37756]
37761 the veteran had a BMI of at least 30 at the time of the clinical worsening of the condition under consideration.
37762 the veteran's BMI of at least 30 was caused by operational service.
37764 the clinical onset of the condition under consideration occurred prior to that part of operational service which caused the BMI of at least 30.
or
9004 the veteran has a history of morbid obesity.
9008 the veteran was morbidly obese at the time of the clinical worsening of the condition under consideration.
9005 the morbid obesity is causally related to operational service.
9009 the clinical onset of the condition under consideration occurred prior to that part of operational service to which the morbid obesity is causally related.
Clinical worsening and eligible service [37757]
37761 the veteran had a BMI of at least 30 at the time of the clinical worsening of the condition under consideration.
37763 the veteran's BMI of at least 30 was caused by eligible service.
37765 the clinical onset of the condition under consideration occurred prior to that part of eligible service which caused the BMI of at least 30.
or
9004 the veteran has a history of morbid obesity.
9008 the veteran was morbidly obese at the time of the clinical worsening of the condition under consideration.
9006 the morbid obesity is causally related to eligible service.
9010 the clinical onset of the condition under consideration occurred prior to that part of eligible service to which the morbid obesity is causally related.