1999/2000 ANNUAL REPORT
8. Formal Investigations

Under section 196E of the VEA, the Repatriation Commission; an ex-service person; or an ESO representing veterans or their dependants may ask the RMA to carry out an investigation in respect of a particular kind of injury, disease or death, or to review the contents of a SOP.

Investigations relating to the following, which were commenced by the RMA in 1998/99, have now been concluded:

1. polycythaemia vera
   
   

2. multiple myeloma, particularly in relation to exposure to benzene;
   

3. malignant neoplasm of the prostate, particularly in relation to the following: analgesic consumption; arsenic injections; and exposure to herbicides, pesticides and solvents;
   

4. Parkinson’s disease and Parkinson’s syndrome, particularly in relation to (a) exposure to carbon tetrachloride; and (b) trauma to the head;

5. migraine or tension type headache, particularly in relation to physical trauma to the head or neck;
   
   
6. cluster headache, particularly in relation to physical trauma to the head or neck;
   
   
7. haemorrhoids, particularly in relation to service activities;
   
   
8. gout, particularly in relation to alcohol consumption; and
   
   
9. gunshot wounds, particularly in relation to the definition and coverage of the term ‘gunshot’.

These investigations resulted in the revocation of existing SOPs and the determination of new SOPs.  New SOPs were determined in relation to secondary parkinsonism and cluster headache syndrome.

Investigations relating to the following, which were commenced by the RMA in 1998/99, and are still continuing, include:

1. goitre, particularly in relation to exposure to radiation in Hiroshima;
   
   
2. malignant neoplasm of the bladder, particularly in relation to occupational exposure to aromatic amines;
   
   
3. chloracne, particularly in relation to exposure to herbicides used in Vietnam, namely 2,4-D; 2,4,5-T; cacodylic acid; or picloram;
   
   
4. Hodgkin’s disease, particularly in relation to exposure to herbicides used in Vietnam, namely 2,4-D; 2,4,5-T; cacodylic acid; or picloram;
   
   
5. malignant neoplasm of the lung, particularly in relation to exposure to herbicides used in Vietnam, namely 2,4-D; 2,4,5-T; cacodylic acid; or picloram;
   
   
6. porphyria cutanea tarda, particularly in relation to exposure to herbicides used in Vietnam, namely 2,4-D; 2,4,5-T; cacodylic acid; or picloram;
   
   
7. soft tissue sarcoma, particularly in relation to exposure to herbicides used in Vietnam, namely 2,4-D; 2,4,5-T; cacodylic acid; or picloram;
   
   
8. acquired cataract, particularly in relation to the required level of exposure to solar radiation;
   
   
9. chronic solar skin damage, particularly in relation to the required level of exposure to solar radiation;
   
   
10. malignant neoplasm of the lip epithelium, particularly in relation to the required level of exposure to solar radiation;
    
    
11. non-melanotic malignant neoplasm of the skin, particularly in relation to the required level of exposure to solar radiation; and
    
    
12. pterygium, particularly in relation to the required level of exposure to solar radiation.

As reported in the 1998/99 Annual report, on 24 February 1999, the Repatriation Commission requested the RMA to conduct an investigation into “alcohol habituation” under section 196E of the VEA.  The Repatriation Commission acknowledged that under section 196E the RMA can only investigate a particular kind of injury disease or death and therefore the preliminary question for the RMA was whether “alcohol habituation” could be categorised as “a particular injury, disease or death”.

In August 1999, the RMA advised the Repatriation Commission that, having considered the matter at length and having regard to sound medical-scientific evidence and the provisions of the VEA, the RMA had formed the view that “habituation” to alcohol, or indeed any other habit which falls within the spectrum of normal human activity, is not a disease under the legislation.

As advised in the 1998/99 Annual report, on 22 April 1999 the Repatriation Commission requested the RMA under section 196E of the VEA to investigate the relationship between eleven diseases and exposure to various drugs including Atebrin, Paludrine, Quinine, Resochin (aka chloroquine), Santochin, Stilbamidine, Plasmochin, Neostam and Sulphonamides that were used during the Australian Army Malaria Experiments which commenced during World War II.

A workshop was organised and took place on 12/13 July 1999 to assist the RMA in clarifying and considering a number of issues.  Attendees at the workshop included a volunteer and representatives involved in the World War II experiments; individuals who have researched the experiments; individuals who have past or current involvement with ethics in medical research; and former and current staff of the Australian Malaria Institute.  In addition there were representatives from ex-service organisations as well as staff from the Department of Veterans’ Affairs and members and staff of the RMA.

Following this workshop, and further discussions with the Repatriation Commission, it was agreed that the RMA would investigate the following conditions:

1. neuropathy; and
   
   
2. aplastic anaemia.

In addition to these conditions, Notices of Investigation relating to the following were gazetted by the RMA in 1999/2000:

3. chronic ulcerative colitis, particularly in relation to stress;
   
   
4. osteoarthrosis;
   
   
5. hypertension, particularly in relation to sleep apnoea;
   
   
6. malignant melanoma of the skin;
   
   
7. motor neurone disease;
   
   
8. malignant neoplasm of the bile duct;
   
   
9. Alzheimer’s disease;
   
   
10. asthma;
    
    
11. carpal tunnel syndrome;
    
    
12. Gulf War syndrome;
    
    
13. mesangial IGA glomurelonenephritis;
    
    
14. bronchiectasis;
    
    
15. dengue fever;
    
    
16. chronic pancreatitis;
    
    
17. giant cell arteritis;
    
    
18. psoriasis;
    
    
19. hypertension;
    
    
20. Meniere’s disease;
    
    
21. tinnitus;
    
    
22. deep vein thrombosis;
    
    
23. chondromalacia patellae; and
    
    
24. multiple chemical sensitivity.

An investigation relating to dementia pugilistica, which was also notified by the RMA in 1999/2000, has been concluded, and resulted in the revocation of existing SOPs and the determination of new SOPs.  The remaining investigations gazetted in 1999/2000 have not been concluded as at 30 June 2000.

In summary, the RMA has thirty-six ongoing investigations as at 30 June 2000.

This page last updated 13 October 2000.