Amyloidosis

Definition

The RMA has defined amyloidosis to mean the accumulation of insoluble fibrillar proteins (amyloid) in organs or tissues of the body such that vital function is compromised.

General information

Amyloidosis may be associated with chronic diseases, either infectious (tuberculosis, bronchiectasis, osteomyelitis, leprosy) or inflammatory (rheumatoid arthritis, granulomatous ileitis).  Amyloid is also associated with multiple myeloma, Hodgkin’s disease, other tumours and familial Mediterranean fever.  Amyloidosis may be familial and unassociated with other disease.  The precise aetiology of amyloidosis is unknown.  It occurs commonly throughout the animal kingdom and man, usually in response to the ageing process.  Its true prevalence in the population is not known.  Manifestations are non-specific, determined by the organ or system affected.  Amyloidosis may be suspected on the basis of symptoms and signs, usually in the presence of other disease, but it can be diagnosed only by biopsy.

Establishing a history of amyloidosis

The clinical presentation of amyloidosis is extremely diverse and no consistent pattern of 'appropriate symptoms' can be specified.  If a veteran or member had been found to have amyloidosis this would be recorded in doctors' notes and/or hospital records.  Therefore, if a history of amyloidosis is contended, this will need to be confirmed with the veteran's doctor, and, if practicable, a copy of relevant histopathology reports should be obtained.

LAST REVIEWED FOR CCPS 21 FEBRUARY 2014.

PRELIMINARY QUESTIONS [17102]

17516 there is some evidence that amyloidosis may be a factor in the development or worsening of the condition under consideration.

17349 the veteran has suffered from amyloidosis at some time.

17351  the veteran has established the causal connection between amyloidosis and VEA service for carpal tunnel syndrome.

17358 the veteran suffered from amyloidosis at the time of the clinical onset of the condition under consideration.

17352   the veteran has established the causal connection between amyloidosis and VEA service for the clinical onset of carpal tunnel syndrome.

17354  the veteran has established the causal connection between amyloidosis and operational service for the clinical onset of carpal tunnel syndrome.

or

17355  the veteran has established the causal connection between amyloidosis and eligible service for the clinical onset of carpal tunnel syndrome.

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.

17359 the veteran suffered from amyloidosis at the time of the clinical worsening of the condition under consideration.

17353   the veteran has established the causal connection between amyloidosis and VEA service for the clinical worsening of carpal tunnel syndrome.

17356  the veteran has established the causal connection between amyloidosis and operational service for the clinical worsening of carpal tunnel syndrome.

or

17357  the veteran has established the causal connection between amyloidosis and eligible service for the clinical worsening of carpal tunnel syndrome.

CLINICAL ONSET AND OPERATIONAL SERVICE [17354]

17360  the amyloidosis is causally related to operational service.

CLINICAL ONSET AND ELIGIBLE SERVICE [17355]

17361  the amyloidosis is causally related to eligible service.

CLINICAL WORSENING AND OPERATIONAL SERVICE [17356]

17360  the amyloidosis is causally related to operational service.

17362 the clinical onset of the condition under consideration occurred prior to that part of operational service to which amyloidosis is causally related.

CLINICAL WORSENING AND ELIGIBLE SERVICE [17357]

17361  the amyloidosis is causally related to eligible service.

17363 the clinical onset of the condition under consideration occurred prior to that part of eligible service to which amyloidosis is causally related.