SOP Bulletin No. 64

Decision Support Unit

4 — th Floor AMP Place, 10 Eagle St Brisbane  3 — rd Floor Blackburn House, 199 Grenfell St Adelaide

Intranet site:  http://intranet/nat/comp/dp/Nop/dsu/dsudefault.htm

30 October 2002

RELEASE NOTES - CCPS VERSION 2002/09

Version 2002/09 of the Medical Knowledge Base for CCPS was released into production today.  This Bulletin provides a summary of the new and amended SOPs that this version of CCPS incorporates.  This Bulletin also details changes to some existing rulebases and commentary.

New SOPs incorporated into CCPS	Idiopathic fibrosing alveolitis
SOP amendments incorporated into CCPS	Cervical spondylosis Colorectal adenoma Lumbar spondylosis MN of the colorectum Secondary Parkinsonism Thoracic spondylosis
Enhancements of CCPS rulebases and commentary	Acute myeloid leukaemia Myelodysplastic disorder
Additional amendments - not noteworthy	MN bone or articular cartilage Multiple sclerosis

New SOPs incorporated into CCPS

Idiopathic Fibrosing Alveolitis

This SOP is not 'new' but has been unincorporated for some time.  The only factor is the inability to obtain appropriate clinical management.  In the 12 months to 30.6.02 this SOP was used for 37 disability claims and 28 death claims.

SOP amendments incorporated into CCPS

Cervical Spondylosis

The new factor Carrying loads on the head will be difficult to satisfy because of the weights involved (15 kilograms to a cumulative total of 72,000 kg for operational service, 25 kilograms to a cumulative total of 120,000 kg for eligible service).  6 reams of A4 paper weighs less than 15 kilograms.

For information about the SOP see SOP Bulletin No. 60 of 7/06/02

Colorectal adenoma

In eligible service cases the inability to undertake more than a mildly strenuous level of physical activity, and being obese factors only apply if the colorectal adenoma is adenoma of the colon. Thus if the colorectal adenoma is adenoma of the rectum and the case has eligible service only, these factors will be greyed out. Whether the condition is adenoma of the colon or the rectum will be identified by the ICD or diagnostic label that you have entered on the Condition Encoder.

For information about the SOP see SOP Bulletin No. 62 of 9/08/02

Lumbar Spondylosis and Thoracic Spondylosis

The claimant questionnaire that can be used to investigate Manually lifting or carrying loads while weight bearing refers to weights of at least 25 kg.  This is the minimum weight specified in the SOP for operational service cases.  If dealing with a claim that has only eligible service, change the weight specified in Question 1 to read 35 kg.

The SOP factor for Repetitive or persistent flexion, extension or twisting requires that such activity be carried out on more days than not for at least 10 years.  For those members with at least 10 years eligible service, this factor may be easily met.

For information about the SOPs see SOP Bulletin No. 60 of 7/06/02

MN of the colorectum

In eligible service cases the inability to undertake more than a mildly strenuous level of physical activity, and being obese factors only apply if the malignant neoplasm is malignant neoplasm of the colon. Thus if the disease is malignant neoplasm of the rectum and the case has eligible service only, these factors will be disabled. Whether the condition is malignant neoplasm of the colon or the rectum will be identified by the ICD code or diagnostic label that you have entered on the Condition Encoder.

The situation is similar for operational service cases in that the Exposure to respirable asbestos fibres factor only applies if the neoplasm is malignant neoplasm of the colon.

For information about the SOP see SOP Bulletin No. 62 of 9/08/02

Secondary Parkinsonism

The SOP factor Lesion affecting the brain stem has been treated as two contentions in CCPS - Lesion affecting the brain stem which deals with lesions due to disease and Severe trauma to the head which deals with lesions due to trauma.

For information about the SOP see SOP Bulletin No. 58 of 22/04/02

Enhancements of CCPS rulebases and commentary

Acute myeloid leukaemia

Myelodysplastic disorder

The hotwords dealing with benzene have been amended and expanded as a result of additional information obtained about:

• benzene in petroleum products
• use of benzene in RAAF workshops and Stores Depot packing rooms in WW2
• levels of benzene exposure associated with various activities.

Although this new information may not answer all your questions about possible benzene exposure during service, it should help you make informed judgements on individual cases.

If, during the investigation of a case, further authoritative information comes to light about possible benzene exposure during military service, please refer this material to the DSU so that it may be incorporated into CCPS commentary advice.

Additional amendments

Amendments to the following incorporated conditions are included in this release. However, there are no noteworthy CCPS features:

MN bone or articular cartilage

Multiple Sclerosis

Remember! If you are having any problems with SOPs, or SOPs in CCPS, talk to us!