Thoracic Spondylosis - Being obese Factor
The SOPs for cervical, lumbar and thoracic spondyloses include factors for “being obese". This term is defined in the SOP. The RMA has also issued a SOP for morbid obesity. If there is a history of "being obese" but the claim for spondylosis 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.
RMA definition of being obese
In this Statement of Principles the Repatriation Medical Authority has defined being obese as meaning "an increase in body weight by way of fat accumulation which results in a Body Mass Index (BMI) of 30 or greater.
The measurement used to define “being obese” is the Body Mass Index (BMI).
The BMI = W/H2 and where:
W is the person’s weight in kilograms and
H is the person’s height in metres".
(For Imperial weights and measures, BMI = wt. in lbs/(ht in inches2) x 703.1).
This definition excludes weight gain not resulting from fat deposition such as gross oedema, peritoneal or pleural effusion, or muscle hypertrophy. "Being obese" develops when energy intake is in excess of expenditure for a sustained period of time.
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 whether the veteran was obese at that time.
Last reviewed for CCPS 14 December 2005.
Investigative Documents
| Type | Title | PDF Format | Word Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| Claimant Report | Obesity | ||
| Medical Report | Obesity |
Preliminary questions [32065]
17512 there is some evidence that obesity may be a factor in the development or worsening of the condition under consideration.
587 the veteran has a history of obesity.
25529 the veteran has been obese for a period of at least 10 years at some time.
25530 the veteran has established the causal connection between the long term obesity and VEA service for the condition under consideration.
8661 the veteran has established the causal connection between the long term obesity and VEA service for the clinical onset of the condition under consideration.
8663 the veteran has established the causal connection between the long term obesity and operational service for the clinical onset of the condition under consideration.
or
8664 the veteran has established the causal connection between the long term obesity 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.
25531 the veteran has established the causal connection between the long term obesity and VEA service for the clinical worsening of the condition under consideration.
25533 the veteran has established the causal connection between the long term obesity and operational service for the clinical worsening of the condition under consideration.
or
25532 the veteran has established the causal connection between the long term obesity and eligible service for the clinical worsening of the condition under consideration.
Clinical onset and operational service [8663]
8665 the veteran was obese for at least 10 years before the clinical onset of the condition under consideration.
591 the obesity was caused by operational service.
or
9004 the veteran has a history of morbid obesity.
24666 the veteran was morbidly obese for at least 10 years before the clinical onset of the condition under consideration.
9005 the morbid obesity is causally related to operational service.
Clinical onset and eligible service [8664]
8666 the veteran was obese for at least 10 years within the 25 years before the clinical onset of the condition under consideration.
3407 the obesity was caused by eligible service.
or
9004 the veteran has a history of morbid obesity.
24667 the veteran was morbidly obese for at least 10 years within the 25 years before the clinical onset of the condition under consideration.
9006 the morbid obesity is causally related to eligible service.
Clinical worsening and operational service [25533]
25534 the veteran was obese for at least 10 years before the clinical worsening of the condition under consideration.
591 the obesity was caused by operational service.
17309 the clinical onset of the condition under consideration occurred prior to that part of operational service which caused the obesity.
or
9004 the veteran has a history of morbid obesity.
24668 the veteran was morbidly obese for at least 10 years before 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 [25532]
25535 the veteran was obese for at least 10 years within the 25 years before the clinical worsening of the condition under consideration.
3407 the obesity was caused by eligible service.
17310 the clinical onset of the condition under consideration occurred prior to that part of eligible service which caused the obesity.
or
9004 the veteran has a history of morbid obesity.
24669 the veteran was morbidly obese for at least 10 years within the 25 years before 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.