4.5.1 Overview of Medical Connections to Service

What are Statements of Principles?

The Statements of Principles (SoPs) are legislative instruments that provide exclusive factors determined by the Repatriation Medical Authority RMA to be the cause of certain diseases, injuries or deaths, based on sound medical-scientific evidence. SoPs are based on the most up to date national and international medical-scientific knowledge. There are two SoPs for each medical condition, one for operational and war-like service and one for other eligible service.    

How are SoPs used?

The SoPs alone determine what factors can be said to cause a medical condition that is the subject of a claim for disability compensation payment. A veteran or dependant can look at the list of factors listed in SoP as causing a condition and see if any might be applicable to their particular circumstances. All decision-makers must decide whether any of the factors in the SoP for the condition being investigated apply to the person making the claim, and whether the factor(s) are related to the person's service.     

Investigation and review of Statements of Principles by the RMA

The RMA investigates requests for new SoPs or changes to existing SoPs either formally or  informally. It can also investigate on its own initiative. A review of an existing SoP, or the decision not to issue a SoP, may be based on new medical research or on a medical opinion.     

Review of RMA decisions on Statements of Principles by the SMRC

The Specialist Medical Review Council SMRC can review a formal decision on a SoP. The SMRC is required to review all the information that was available to the RMA when it determined a SoP or chose not to issue a SoP in respect of a medical condition. Oral and written submissions that address the information that was available to the RMA may also be considered in the review.