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Under s196E of the Veterans' Entitlements Act 1986 the Repatriation
Commission, an ex-service person or eligible dependant, or an
Ex-service Organisation (ESO) representing veterans or their dependants,
may ask the Repatriation Medical Authority to carry out an investigation in
respect of a particular kind of injury, disease or death, or to review the
contents of a Statement of Principles.
The following investigations have been concluded in 2003-2004:
1. macular degeneration
2. melioidosis
3. Gulf War syndrome
4. obesity
5. restless legs syndrome
6. hypertension
7. non-Hodgkin's lymphoma
8. subarachnoid haemorrhage
9. pleural plaque
10. ischaemic heart disease
11. myeloma
12. malignant neoplasm of the colorectum
13. osteomyelitis
14. Brodie's abscess
15. endometriosis
16. diabetes mellitus
17. tinea
18. malignant neoplasm of the testis and paratesticular tissue
19. hiatus hernia.
The investigations related to restless legs syndrome [5], pleural plaque [9] and endometriosis [15] resulted in
the determination of new Statements of Principles concerning restless legs syndrome, pleural plaque and endometriosis.
The investigations related to osteomyelitis [13] and Brodie's abscess [14] resulted in the determination of new
Statements of Principles concerning osteomyelitis.
The investigation related to obesity [4] resulted in the Authority gazetting a Declaration stating that it did
not propose to make a Statement of Principles concerning obesity for the reason that obesity is not a ‘disease'
as defined in section 5D of the VEA. However, the Authority determined new Statements of Principles concerning
morbid obesity as a result of this investigation.
The investigation related to Gulf War syndrome [3] resulted in the Authority gazetting a Declaration stating that
it did not propose to make a Statement of Principles concerning Gulf War syndrome for the reason that Gulf War
syndrome is not a 'disease' as defined in section 5D of the VEA.
All other investigations finalised during 2003-04 resulted in the
revocation of existing Statements of Principles and the determination of new Statements of Principles.
The following investigations previously notified have not been concluded as
at 30 June 2004:
1. malignant neoplasm of the oral cavity or hypopharynx;
2. malignant neoplasm of the salivary gland;
3. non melanotic malignant neoplasm of the skin;
4. neoplasm of the pituitary gland;
5. rheumatoid arthritis;
6. haemorrhoids;
7. gastro-oesophageal reflux disease;
8. Jakob-Creutzfeldt disease;
9. leptospirosis
10. spondylolisthesis and spondylosis;
11. seizures;
12. epilepsy;
13. malignant neoplasm of the small intestine
14. asbestosis;
15. chronic bronchitis & emphysema;
16. inguinal hernia;
17. sleep apnoea.
The following investigations notified in the gazette during 2003-2004 have
not been concluded as at 30 June 2004:
1. dermatomyositis;
2. malignant neoplasm of the larynx;
3. malignant neoplasm of the prostate;
4. malignant neoplasm of the breast;
5. malignant neoplasm of the thyroid gland;
6. acute myeloid leukaemia;
7. chronic lymphoid leukaemia;
8. seborrhoeic dermatitis;
9. soft tissue sarcoma;
10. malignant neoplasm of the lung;
11. Hodgkin's disease;
12. myelodysplastic disorder;
13. peripheral neuropathy;
14. Malignant neoplasm of the pancreas;
15. osteoathrosis;
16. rotator cuff syndrome;
17. fracture;
18. Achilles tendonitis or bursitis;
19. acute sprains & acute strains;
20. plantar fasciitis;
21. metastatic carcinoma of unknown primary;
22. narcolepsy;
23. Paget's disease of bone;
24. steatohepatitis;
25. external burns;
26. cervical spondylosis;
27. thoracic spondylosis;
28. lumbar spondylosis;
29. toxic encephalopathy;
30. sudden unexplained death;
31. lateral epicondylitis;
32. pulmonary barotrauma;
33. bipolar disorder;
34. caisson disease;
35. Meniere's disease;
36. motor neuron disease;
37. intervertebral disc prolapse;
38. peptic ulcer disease.
Subsequent to the notification of an investigation related to chronic lymphoid leukaemia [7] in the gazette on
16 July 2003, the Specialist Medical Review Council (SMRC) issued declarations Nos. 9 and 10 dated 25 September
2003 in relation to chronic lymphoid leukaemia (Matter No. 2002/3), which were notified in the gazette of 1 October
2003. Declaration No. 9 directed the RMA to conduct an investigation into chronic lymphoid leukaemia in regard
to the Statement of Principle determined under s196B(2). Declaration
No. 10 recommended that the RMA carry out an investigation into chronic lymphoid leukaemia in regard to the Statement
of Principle determined under s196B(3). The Authority advertised two further investigations into chronic lymphoid
leukaemia in accordance with these declarations, in each case specifying that the investigation would be conducted
in conjunction with that investigation advertised on 16 July 2003.
As at 30 June 2004, the RMA had also received nine requests for review
under sub- section 196E(1)(f) of the VEA in respect of which it decided not
to carry out an investigation. These decisions not to carry out an
investigation were made under section 196CA, and in each case written
reasons were provided to the person or organisation making the request.
No requests for review under sub-section 196E(1)(e) were refused. No
requests for review were refused under sub-section 196C (4).
In summary, as at 30 June 2004, the RMA has completed 19 investigations and
decided not to undertake 9 investigations over the 12-month period, and has
ongoing investigations in respect of 55 conditions.
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This page last updated 20 September 2004.
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