Anosmia — DVA SoP factors

Reasonable Hypothesis (RH) — Statement of Principles No. 19 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 anosmia or death from anosmia with the circumstances of a person's relevant service:

1. (1)
   having sinusitis for at least the two years before the clinical onset of anosmia;
2. (2)
   having perennial allergic rhinitis for at least the two years before the clinical onset of anosmia;

   Note: perennial allergic rhinitis is defined in the Schedule 1 - Dictionary.

3. (3)
   having an autoimmune disease from the specified list of autoimmune diseases at the time of the clinical onset of anosmia;

   Note: specified list of autoimmune diseases is defined in the Schedule 1 - Dictionary.

4. (4)
   having sarcoidosis at the time of the clinical onset of anosmia;
5. (5)
   having Paget's disease of bone affecting the skull at the time of the clinical onset of anosmia;
6. (6)
   having a neurological disease from the specified list of neurological diseases at the time of the clinical onset of anosmia;

   Note: specified list of neurological diseases is defined in the Schedule 1 - Dictionary.

7. (7)
   having hepatic encephalopathy at the time of the clinical onset of anosmia;
8. (8)
   having chronic renal failure at the time of the clinical onset of anosmia;

   Note: chronic renal failure is defined in the Schedule 1 - Dictionary.

9. (9)
   having diabetes mellitus before the clinical onset of anosmia;
10. (10)
    having a disorder of mental health from the specified list of disorders of mental health at the time of the clinical onset of anosmia;

    Note: specified list of disorders of mental health is defined in the Schedule 1 - Dictionary.

11. (11)
    having a condition or procedure from the specified list of conditions and procedures, which damages the olfactory neuroepithelium, the olfactory bulb or the olfactory neural pathways in the brain at the time of the clinical onset of anosmia;

    Note: specified list of conditions and procedures is defined in the Schedule 1 - Dictionary.

12. (12)
    being treated with a drug which is associated in the individual with: (a) the development of anosmia within three weeks of commencing drug therapy, in the absence of clinical or laboratory evidence of anosmia prior to commencing drug therapy; and (b) the persistence of anosmia after discontinuing drug therapy;
13. (13)
    undergoing a course of therapeutic radiation for cancer, where the olfactory neuroepithelium, olfactory bulb, or olfactory neural pathways in the brain were in the field of radiation, within the 30 days before the clinical onset of anosmia;
14. (14)
    receiving an intranasal application of a preparation containing zinc gluconate or zinc sulphate within the 48 hours before the clinical onset of anosmia;
15. (15)
    taking intranasal cocaine such that there is destruction of the nasal septum, palate or paranasal sinuses before the clinical onset of anosmia;
16. (16)
    inhaling fumes from a metal from the specified list of metals, or a compound containing a metal from the specified list of metals, for a cumulative period of at least 5,000 hours before the clinical onset of anosmia and where that exposure has ceased, the clinical onset of anosmia has occurred within one year of cessation;

    Note: fumes and specified list of metals are defined in the Schedule 1 - Dictionary.

17. (17)
    inhaling fumes from a volatile substance from the specified list of volatile substances for a cumulative period of at least 5,000 hours before the clinical onset of anosmia and where that exposure has ceased, the clinical onset of anosmia has occurred within one year of cessation;

    Note: fumes and specified list of volatile substances are defined in the Schedule 1 - Dictionary.

18. (18)
    experiencing acute, symptomatic poisoning from a neurotoxic substance from the specified list of neurotoxic substances within the 30 days before the clinical onset of anosmia;

    Note: specified list of neurotoxic substances is defined in the Schedule 1 - Dictionary.

19. (19)
    where smoking has not ceased prior to the clinical onset of anosmia, having smoked at least 20 pack-years of tobacco products before the clinical onset of anosmia;

    Note: pack-year of tobacco products is defined in the Schedule 1 - Dictionary.

20. (20)
    having pellagra at the time of the clinical onset of anosmia;

    Note: pellagra is defined in the Schedule 1 - Dictionary.

21. (21)
    having vitamin B12 deficiency at the time of the clinical onset of anosmia;
22. (22)
    having envenomation by the Australian mulga snake (Pseudoechis australis) or the South African Berg adder (Bitis atropos) at the time of the clinical onset of anosmia;