Asthma — DVA SoP factors

Reasonable Hypothesis (RH) — Statement of Principles No. 31 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 asthma or death from asthma with the circumstances of a person's relevant service:

1. (1)
   being exposed to an immunologic or non-immunologic stimulus within the 24 hours before the clinical onset of asthma; (1A) having a sensitising exposure to an allergen before the clinical onset of asthma;

   Note: immunologic or non-immunologic stimulus is defined in the Schedule 1 - Dictionary.

   Note: sensitising exposure to an allergen is defined in the Schedule 1 - Dictionary.

2. (2)
   for reactive airways dysfunction syndrome only, inhaling very high concentrations of a substance with irritant properties, where such inhalation has resulted in acute toxic lower respiratory tract effects, within the 24 hours before the clinical onset of reactive airways dysfunction syndrome; (a) acids (including acetic and hydrochloric acids); (b) alkalis (including ammonia and hydrazine); (c) biocides (including formalin and fumigating agents); (d) fumes (including diesel exhaust and fire smoke); (e) gases (including chlorine and sulphur dioxide); (f) halogenated derivatives (including trifluoromethane and chlorofluorocarbons); (g) solvents (including perchloroethylene); and (h) sprays (including paints and floor sealant);

   Note: Irritant substances that cause reactive airways dysfunction syndrome include:.

   Note: reactive airways dysfunction syndrome is defined in the Schedule 1 - Dictionary.

3. (3)
   being overweight or obese for at least the five years before the clinical onset of asthma;

   Note: being overweight or obese is defined in the Schedule 1 - Dictionary.

4. (4)
   taking a drug from the specified list of drugs within the 24 hours before the clinical onset of asthma; Compilation No. 1 Compilation date: 19/09/2022 Authorised Version F2022C00899 registered 19/09/2022;

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

5. (5)
   having smoked tobacco products: (a) in an amount of at least one pack-year before the clinical onset of asthma; and (b) if smoking has ceased before the clinical onset of asthma, then that onset occurred within five years of cessation;

   Note: one pack-year is defined in the Schedule 1 - Dictionary.

6. (6)
   having been exposed to second-hand smoke: (a) for at least 1,000 hours within a period of one year before the clinical onset of asthma; and (b) within the five years before the clinical onset of asthma;

   Note: having been exposed to second-hand smoke is defined in the Schedule 1 - Dictionary.

7. (7)
   being exposed to an immunologic or non-immunologic stimulus within the 24 hours before the clinical worsening of asthma;

   Note: clinical worsening of asthma and immunologic or non-immunologic stimulus are defined in the Schedule 1 - Dictionary.

8. (8)
   being overweight or obese for at least the five years before the clinical worsening of asthma;

   Note: being overweight or obese and clinical worsening of asthma are defined in the Schedule 1 - Dictionary.

9. (9)
   taking a drug from the specified list of drugs within the 24 hours before the clinical worsening of asthma;

   Note: clinical worsening of asthma and specified list of drugs are defined in the Schedule 1 - Dictionary.

10. (10)
    having smoked tobacco products: (a) in an amount of at least one pack-year before the clinical worsening of asthma; and (b) if smoking has ceased before the clinical worsening of asthma, then that worsening occurred within six months of cessation;

    Note: clinical worsening of asthma and pack-year are defined in the Schedule 1 - Dictionary.

11. (11)
    having been exposed to second-hand smoke for at least 1,000 hours within the one year before the clinical worsening of asthma;

    Note: clinical worsening of asthma and having been exposed to second-hand smoke are defined in the Schedule 1 - Dictionary.

12. (12)
    having a clinically significant depressive disorder for at least the six months before the clinical worsening of asthma; Compilation No. 1 Compilation date: 19/09/2022 Authorised Version F2022C00899 registered 19/09/2022;

    Note: clinically significant and clinical worsening of asthma are defined in the Schedule 1 - Dictionary.

13. (13)
    having gastro-oesophageal reflux disease at the time of the clinical worsening of asthma;

    Note: clinical worsening of asthma is defined in the Schedule 1 - Dictionary.

14. (14)
    inability to obtain appropriate clinical management for asthma;

Aggravation-only factors: the factors in subsections 9(7) to 9(14) 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.