The link to relevant service is not tested until the last stage of the decision making process. The SOPs do not set out how a connection to service is made – that is done by applying the liability provisions of the legislation to the evidence. If the requirements of a SOP factor are met, the link to service must come via one of the heads of liability described at 3.2 [2] above.
Links
[1] https://clik.dva.gov.au/user/login?destination=comment/reply/19038%23comment-form
[2] https://clik.dva.gov.au/military-compensation-mrca-manuals-and-resources-library/policy-manual/ch-3-liability/32-heads-liability