Infected cutaneous sinus tract

Non melanotic malignant neoplasm of the skin - Infected cutaneous sinus tract Factor

Definition and description

The RMA has defined 'sinus tract' as "an abnormal channel or fistula permitting the escape of pus".

An infected cutaneous sinus tract is one where the sinus tract opens to the skin.  It may result from various infections such as a subcutaneous abscess that ruptures to form a fistula to the skin surface, through to osteomyelitis where infection may expand through the bone cortex and spread under the periosteum, with formation of subcutaneous abscesses that may drain spontaneously through the skin.

Establishing the presence of an infected cutaneous sinus tract

If a veteran or member had an infected cutaneous sinus tract he or she probably would have sought medical attention at that time.Such medical treatment would normally be recorded in doctors' notes and/or hospital records. However, these records may have been destroyed or can no longer be obtained. Therefore, if there is a reliable history of appropriate medical treatment at a particular time, this generally will be accepted, unless there is contradictory evidence. Seek medical advice if it is unclear whether the claimed symptoms and treatment at that time can be attributed to an infected cutaneous sinus tract rather than to some other condition.

Last reviewed for CCPS 26 September 2007.

Preliminary questions [12819]

12965 there is some evidence that an infected cutaneous sinus tract may be a factor in the development of the condition under consideration.

27328 the condition under consideration is squamous cell carcinoma, carcinoma in situ, basal cellcarcinoma or basosquamous carcinoma.

12894 the veteran has had an infected cutaneous sinus tract at some time.

12895 the veteran has had an infected cutaneous sinus tract of side and site of the body at some time.

12899  the veteran has established the causal connection between the infected cutaneous sinus tract and VEA service for the clinical onset of non-melanotic malignant neoplasm of the skin.

12901   the veteran has established the causal connection between the infected cutaneous sinus tract and eligible service for the clinical onset of non-melanotic malignant neoplasm of the skin.

or

12900   the veteran has established the causal connection between the infected cutaneous sinus tract and operational service for the clinical onset of non-melanotic malignant neoplasm of the skin.

Clinical onset and operational service [12900]

12897 the veteran had an infected cutaneous sinus tract of side and site of the body for at least the six months before the clinical onset of the condition under consideration.

12896  the infected cutaneous sinus tract of side and site of the body was due to an illness or injury which is identifiable.

31260 as a consequence of the identified illness or injury, the veteran had an infected cutaneous sinus tract of side and site of the body for at least the six months before the clinical onset of the condition under consideration.

12902  the identified illness or injury which caused the infected cutaneous sinus tract at side and site of the body is causally related to operational service.

Clinical onset and eligible service [12901]

31255 the veteran had an infected cutaneous sinus tract of side and site of the body for at least the one year before the clinical onset of the condition under consideration.

12896  the infected cutaneous sinus tract of side and site of the body was due to an illness or injury which is identifiable.

31261 as a consequence of the identified illness or injury, the veteran had an infected cutaneous sinus tract of side and site of the body for at least the one year before the clinical onset of the condition under consideration.

12903  the identified illness or injury which caused the infected cutaneous sinus tract at side and site of the body is causally related to eligible service.