Dyslipidaemia

Atherosclerotic peripheral vascular disease - Dyslipidaemia Factor

Dyslipidaemia

RMA definition of dyslipidaemia used in SoPs 2006 - present

• Alzheimer-type dementia
• Cerebrovascular accident
• Ischaemic heart disease
• Retinal vascular occlusive disease

For the purposes of these Statements of Principles, the RMA definition for dyslipidaemia is:

"generally means evidence of a persistently abnormal lipid profile after the accurate evaluation of serum lipids following a 12 hour overnight fast, and estimated on a minimum of two occasions as a:

(a)   total serum cholesterol level greater than or equal to 5.5 mmol/L; or

(b)   serum triglyceride level greater than or equal to 2.0 mmol/L; or

(c)   having a high density lipoprotein cholesterol level less than 1.0 mmol/L".

There are minor differences in these definitions and you will need to check that the definition is met for the particular condition being investigated (see hotwords for the conditions and relevant definition).

General information about dyslipidaemia

Lipids are naturally occurring substances consisting of fatty acids.  The term dyslipidaemia describes the presence of abnormal lipid levels.  Hyperlipidaemia, hypertriglyceridaemia and hypercholesterolaemia are forms of dyslipidaemia.

Signs and symptoms

Dyslipidaemia does not usually cause any symptoms although unsightly xanthomas (fatty fibrous changes in the skin associated with the formation of yellow or yellowish-brown plaques, nodules or tumours) are sometimes a feature of some lipid disorders.  However, the presence of dyslipidaemia as defined by the RMA can be established only by laboratory analysis of a blood sample (usually after fasting).

Establishing onset

Only a blood test can establish the onset of dyslipidaemia and the result of such a test would normally be recorded in doctors' notes and/or hospital records.  However, if these records have been destroyed or can no longer be obtained and there is a reliable history of dyslipidaemia at a particular time, this generally will be accepted, unless there is contradictory evidence.  Obtain medical advice if it is unclear whether the claimed symptoms and treatment at that time can be attributed to dyslipidaemia rather than to some other condition.

LAST REVIEWED FOR CCPS 20 DECEMBER 2002.

PRELIMINARY QUESTIONS [9250]

29977 there is some evidence that dyslipidaemia may be a factor in the development or worsening of the condition under consideration.

7927     the veteran has had dyslipidaemia at some time.

9319     the veteran has established the causal connection between the dyslipidaemia and VEA service for atherosclerotic peripheral vascular disease.

9322     the veteran suffered from the dyslipidaemia before the clinical onset of atherosclerotic peripheral vascular disease of side and site of the body.

9320     the veteran has established the causal connection between the dyslipidaemia and VEA service for the clinical onset of atherosclerotic peripheral vascular disease.

9324     the veteran has established the causal connection between the dyslipidaemia and operational service for the clinical onset of atherosclerotic peripheral vascular disease.

or

9325     the veteran has established the causal connection between the dyslipidaemia and eligible service for the clinical onset of atherosclerotic peripheral vascular disease.

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.

9323     the veteran suffered from the dyslipidaemia before the clinical worsening of atherosclerotic peripheral vascular disease of side and site of the body.

9321     the veteran has established the causal connection between the dyslipidaemia and VEA service for the clinical worsening of atherosclerotic peripheral vascular disease.

9326     the veteran has established the causal connection between the dyslipidaemia and operational service for the clinical worsening of atherosclerotic peripheral vascular disease.

or

9327     the veteran has established the causal connection between the dyslipidaemia and eligible service for the clinical worsening of atherosclerotic peripheral vascular disease.

CLINICAL ONSET AND OPERATIONAL SERVICE [9324]

25967  the dyslipidaemia is causally related to operational service.

CLINICAL ONSET AND ELIGIBLE SERVICE [9325]

25968  the dyslipidaemia is causally related to eligible service.

CLINICAL WORSENING AND OPERATIONAL SERVICE [9326]

25967  the dyslipidaemia is causally related to operational service.

9328     the clinical onset of atherosclerotic peripheral vascular disease of side and site of the body occurred prior to that part of operational service to which the dyslipidaemia is causally related.

CLINICAL WORSENING AND ELIGIBLE SERVICE [9327]

25968  the dyslipidaemia is causally related to eligible service.

9329     the clinical onset of atherosclerotic peripheral vascular disease of side and site of the body occurred prior to that part of eligible service to which the dyslipidaemia is causally related.