What are Statements of Principles?
The Statements of Principles (SoPs[glossary:):] are legislative instruments that provide exclusive factors determined by the Repatriation Medical Authority [glossary:(:]RMA[glossary:):] to be the cause of certain diseases, injuries or deaths, based on sound medical-scientific evidence.
Statements of Principles
Two SoPs for each condition
There are two SoPs for each medical condition, one for operational and war-like service and one for other eligible service. This is because the different types of service attract different standards of proof for determining claims. These standards of proof are the:
- reasonable hypothesis for operational service, [glossary:peacekeepin:] — [glossary:g service:], or hazardous service, and
- balance of probabilities for eligible war service or defence service.
SoP for operational, peacekeeping or hazardous service
Section 196B VEA SoP for operational, hazardous, peacekeeping service
Section 196B(14) VEA factors causing or contributing to an injury, disease or death related to service
The RMA decides whether there is sound medical-scientific evidence that indicates that a particular kind of injury, disease or death can be related to operational service, peacekeeping service or hazardous service. In order for there to be a reasonable hypothesis connecting such an injury or disease or death with service, it must be possible that a causal connection between a factor in the relevant SoP and service can be established. If this is the case a SoP will be determined for that condition setting out:
- the factors that must as a minimum exist, and
- which of those factors must be related to service rendered by a person.
SoP for eligible or defence service
Section 196B(3) VEA SoP for eligible defence service
Section 196B(14) VEA factors causing or contributing to an injury, disease or death related to service
The RMA decides whether according to the sound medical-scientific evidence available, it is more probable than not that a particular kind of injury, disease or death can be related to eligible war service (other than operational service) or defence service (other than hazardous service). If this is the case, a SoP will be determined for that condition setting out:
- the factors that must exist, and
- which of those factors must be related to service rendered by a person.
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Section 196B(3) VEA SoP for eligible or defence service
Section 196B(14) VEA factors causing or contributing to an injury, disease or death relating to service
Types of Service
Causal Connection of Injury or Disease with Service