Acute lymphoblastic leukaemia/lymphoblastic lymphoma — DVA SoP factors

Reasonable Hypothesis (RH) — Statement of Principles No. 33 of 2021

At least one of the following factors must as a minimum exist before it can be said that a reasonable hypothesis has been raised connecting acute lymphoblastic leukaemia/lymphoblastic lymphoma or death from acute lymphoblastic leukaemia/lymphoblastic lymphoma with the circumstances of a person's relevant service:

1. (1)
   having received a cumulative equivalent dose of at least 0.01 sievert of ionising radiation to the bone marrow at least one year before the clinical onset of acute lymphoblastic leukaemia/lymphoblastic lymphoma;

   Note: cumulative equivalent dose is defined in the Schedule 1 - Dictionary.

2. (2)
   taking an alkylating agent or a DNA topoisomerase II inhibitor for the treatment of a malignant neoplasm before the clinical onset of acute lymphoblastic leukaemia/lymphoblastic lymphoma, and: (a) the first exposure occurred at least one year before the clinical onset of acute lymphoblastic leukaemia/lymphoblastic lymphoma; and (b) if exposure ceased before the clinical onset of acute lymphoblastic leukaemia/lymphoblastic lymphoma, then that onset occurred within 20 years of cessation;
3. (3)
   undergoing organ or tissue transplantation, excluding corneal transplant, before the clinical onset of acute lymphoblastic leukaemia/lymphoblastic lymphoma; Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia/Lymphoblastic Lymphoma (Reasonable Hypothesis) (No. 33 of 2021);

   Note: organ or tissue transplantation is defined in the Schedule 1 - Dictionary.

4. (4)
   being exposed to benzene as specified: (a) for a cumulative total of at least 2,500 hours within a continuous period of five years before the clinical onset of acute lymphoblastic leukaemia/lymphoblastic lymphoma; and (b) where the first exposure in that period occurred at least five years before the clinical onset of acute lymphoblastic leukaemia/lymphoblastic lymphoma;

   Note: being exposed to benzene as specified is defined in the Schedule 1 - Dictionary.

5. (5)
   being exposed to benzene: (a) in an amount greater than ten ppm-years of cumulative exposure before the clinical onset of acute lymphoblastic leukaemia/lymphoblastic lymphoma; and (b) where the first exposure occurred at least five years before the clinical onset of acute lymphoblastic leukaemia/lymphoblastic lymphoma;

   Note: ppm-years is defined in the Schedule 1 - Dictionary.

6. (6)
   inability to obtain appropriate clinical management for acute lymphoblastic leukaemia/lymphoblastic lymphoma;

Aggravation-only factors: the factors in subsection 9(6) apply only to material contribution to, or aggravation of, the condition where it was suffered or contracted before or during (but did not arise out of) the person’s relevant service.