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Statement of Principles

Bronchiectasis — DVA SoP factors

Every factor in the Repatriation Medical Authority Statements of Principles for Bronchiectasis. DVA can only accept a claim for Bronchiectasis if at least one of these factors is met and connected to your service. Reasonable Hypothesis (RH) applies to operational service; Balance of Probabilities (BoP) applies to peacetime service.

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Source: Repatriation Medical Authority Statements of Principles as held by the Veterans Health Centre. SoPs are amended and replaced regularly; always confirm the current instrument at rma.gov.au before relying on it.

Bronchiectasis

RH No. 30 of 2017 · BoP No. 31 of 201774 factors

Meaning of bronchiectasis: For the purposes of this Statement of Principles, bronchiectasis means: (a) an acquired lung disease with permanent and irreversible, abnormal dilatation of bronchi and bronchioles; and (b) excludes congenital bronchiectasis, and bronchiectasis associated with cystic fibrosis, alpha-1-antitrypsin deficiency, common variable immune deficiency and other genetic disorders.

Reasonable Hypothesis (RH) — Statement of Principles No. 30 of 2017

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 bronchiectasis or death from bronchiectasis with the circumstances of a person's relevant service:

  1. (1)
    having viral or bacterial pneumonia within the ten years before the clinical onset of bronchiectasis;
  2. (2)
    having pertussis within the ten years before the clinical onset of bronchiectasis;
  3. (3)
    having pulmonary tuberculosis or non-tuberculous mycobacterial infection of the lung, before the clinical onset of bronchiectasis;
  4. (4)
    having sarcoidosis of the lung before the clinical onset of bronchiectasis;
  5. (5)
    having bronchial obstruction before the clinical onset of bronchiectasis, where the bronchiectasis is distal to that obstruction;

    Note: bronchial obstruction is defined in the Schedule 1 - Dictionary.

  6. (6)
    inhaling vapours, gases or fumes of a chemical agent from the specified list of chemical agents: (a) resulting in signs and symptoms of severe acute lower respiratory damage requiring medical attention within 48 hours after exposure; and (b) the persistence of respiratory symptoms and signs for at least one week after exposure, within the five years before the clinical onset of bronchiectasis;

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

  7. (7)
    having an occupational lung disease from the specified list of occupational lung diseases at the time of the clinical onset of bronchiectasis;

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

  8. (8)
    inhaling sulphur mustard (mustard gas) before the clinical onset of bronchiectasis;
  9. (9)
    having aspiration pneumonitis within the five years before the clinical onset of bronchiectasis;

    Note: aspiration pneumonitis is defined in the Schedule 1 - Dictionary.

  10. (10)
    having gastro-oesophageal reflux disease, with erosive oesophagitis or oesophageal stricture, within the two years before the clinical onset of bronchiectasis;
  11. (11)
    having allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis at the time of the clinical onset of bronchiectasis;

    Note: allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis is defined in the Schedule 1 - Dictionary.

  12. (12)
    undergoing solid organ or bone marrow transplantation before the clinical onset of bronchiectasis;
  13. (13)
    having fibrosis or fibrosing interstitial lung disease, involving the segment of the lung affected by bronchiectasis, before the clinical onset of bronchiectasis;
  14. (14)
    being exposed to arsenic as specified before the clinical onset of bronchiectasis;

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

  15. (15)
    having a disease from the specified list of connective tissue diseases at the time of the clinical onset of bronchiectasis;

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

  16. (16)
    being infected with human immunodeficiency virus before the clinical onset of bronchiectasis;
  17. (17)
    having a haematological malignancy at the time of the clinical onset of bronchiectasis;
  18. (18)
    being treated with an immunosuppressive drug within the five years before the clinical onset of bronchiectasis;

    Note: immunosuppressive drug is defined in the Schedule 1 - Dictionary.

  19. (19)
    being infected with human T-cell lymphotropic virus type 1 before the clinical onset of bronchiectasis;
  20. (20)
    having inflammatory bowel disease at the time of the clinical onset of bronchiectasis;
  21. (21)
    having severe and persistent asthma within the five years before the clinical onset of bronchiectasis;

    Note: severe and persistent asthma is defined in the Schedule 1 - Dictionary.

  22. (22)
    having chronic obstructive pulmonary disease at the time of the clinical onset of bronchiectasis;
  23. (23)
    having an episode of acute viral or bacterial lower respiratory tract infection requiring medical treatment, within the one year before the clinical worsening of bronchiectasis;
  24. (24)
    having pertussis within the ten years before the clinical worsening of bronchiectasis;
  25. (25)
    having pulmonary tuberculosis or non-tuberculous mycobacterial infection of the lung before the clinical worsening of bronchiectasis;
  26. (26)
    having sarcoidosis of the lung before the clinical worsening of bronchiectasis;
  27. (27)
    having bronchial obstruction before the clinical worsening of bronchiectasis, where the bronchiectasis is distal to that obstruction;

    Note: bronchial obstruction is defined in the Schedule 1 - Dictionary.

  28. (28)
    inhaling vapours, gases or fumes of a chemical agent from the specified list of chemical agents: (a) resulting in signs and symptoms of severe acute lower respiratory damage requiring medical attention within 48 hours after exposure; and (b) the persistence of respiratory symptoms and signs for at least one week after exposure, within the five years before the clinical worsening of bronchiectasis;

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

  29. (29)
    having an occupational lung disease from the specified list of occupational lung diseases at the time of the clinical worsening of bronchiectasis;

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

  30. (30)
    inhaling sulphur mustard (mustard gas) before the clinical worsening of bronchiectasis;
  31. (31)
    having aspiration pneumonitis within the five years before the clinical worsening of bronchiectasis;

    Note: aspiration pneumonitis is defined in the Schedule 1 - Dictionary.

  32. (32)
    having gastro-oesophageal reflux disease, with erosive oesophagitis or oesophageal stricture, within the two years before the clinical worsening of bronchiectasis;
  33. (33)
    having allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis at the time of the clinical worsening of bronchiectasis;

    Note: allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis is defined in the Schedule 1 - Dictionary.

  34. (34)
    undergoing solid organ or bone marrow transplantation before the clinical worsening of bronchiectasis;
  35. (35)
    having fibrosis or fibrosing interstitial lung disease, involving the segment of the lung affected by bronchiectasis, before the clinical worsening of bronchiectasis;
  36. (36)
    being exposed to arsenic as specified before the clinical worsening of bronchiectasis;

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

  37. (37)
    having a disease from the specified list of connective tissue diseases at the time of the clinical worsening of bronchiectasis;

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

  38. (38)
    being infected with human immunodeficiency virus before the clinical worsening of bronchiectasis;
  39. (39)
    having a haematological malignancy at the time of the clinical worsening of bronchiectasis;
  40. (40)
    being treated with an immunosuppressive drug within the five years before the clinical worsening of bronchiectasis;

    Note: immunosuppressive drug is defined in the Schedule 1 - Dictionary.

  41. (41)
    being infected with human T-cell lymphotropic virus type 1 before the clinical worsening of bronchiectasis;
  42. (42)
    having inflammatory bowel disease at the time of the clinical worsening of bronchiectasis;
  43. (43)
    having severe and persistent asthma within the five years before the clinical worsening of bronchiectasis;

    Note: severe and persistent asthma is defined in the Schedule 1 - Dictionary.

  44. (44)
    having chronic obstructive pulmonary disease at the time of the clinical worsening of bronchiectasis;
  45. (45)
    inability to obtain appropriate clinical management for bronchiectasis;

Aggravation-only factors: the factors in subsections 9(23) to 9(45) 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.

Balance of Probabilities (BoP) — Statement of Principles No. 31 of 2017

29 factors

At least one of the following factors must exist before it can be said that, on the balance of probabilities, bronchiectasis or death from bronchiectasis is connected with the circumstances of a person's relevant service:

  1. (1)
    having viral or bacterial pneumonia within the five years before the clinical onset of bronchiectasis;
  2. (2)
    having pertussis of sufficient severity to require hospitalisation, within the five years before the clinical onset of bronchiectasis;
  3. (3)
    having pulmonary tuberculosis before the clinical onset of bronchiectasis;
  4. (4)
    having sarcoidosis of the lung before the clinical onset of bronchiectasis;
  5. (5)
    having bronchial obstruction before the clinical onset of bronchiectasis, where the bronchiectasis is distal to that obstruction;

    Note: bronchial obstruction is defined in the Schedule 1 - Dictionary.

  6. (6)
    inhaling vapours, gases or fumes of a chemical agent from the specified list of chemical agents: (a) resulting in signs and symptoms of severe acute lower respiratory damage requiring medical attention within 48 hours after exposure; and (b) the persistence of respiratory symptoms and signs for at least one week after exposure, within the two years before the clinical onset of bronchiectasis;

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

  7. (7)
    having aspiration pneumonitis within the two years before the clinical onset of bronchiectasis;

    Note: aspiration pneumonitis is defined in the Schedule 1 - Dictionary.

  8. (8)
    having gastro-oesophageal reflux disease, with erosive oesophagitis or oesophageal stricture, at the time of the clinical onset of bronchiectasis;
  9. (9)
    having allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis at the time of the clinical onset of bronchiectasis;

    Note: allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis is defined in the Schedule 1 - Dictionary.

  10. (10)
    undergoing solid organ or bone marrow transplantation before the clinical onset of bronchiectasis;
  11. (11)
    having fibrosis or fibrosing interstitial lung disease, involving the segment of the lung affected by bronchiectasis, before the clinical onset of bronchiectasis;
  12. (12)
    being exposed to arsenic as specified before the clinical onset of bronchiectasis;

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

  13. (13)
    having a disease from the specified list of connective tissue diseases at the time of the clinical onset of bronchiectasis;

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

  14. (14)
    having inflammatory bowel disease at the time of the clinical onset of bronchiectasis;
  15. (15)
    having an episode of acute viral or bacterial lower respiratory tract infection requiring medical treatment, within the six months before the clinical worsening of bronchiectasis;
  16. (16)
    having pertussis of sufficient severity to require hospitalisation, within the five years before the clinical worsening of bronchiectasis;
  17. (17)
    having pulmonary tuberculosis or non-tuberculous mycobacterial infection of the lung before the clinical worsening of bronchiectasis;
  18. (18)
    having sarcoidosis of the lung before the clinical worsening of bronchiectasis;
  19. (19)
    having bronchial obstruction before the clinical worsening of bronchiectasis, where the bronchiectasis is distal to that obstruction;

    Note: bronchial obstruction is defined in the Schedule 1 - Dictionary.

  20. (20)
    inhaling vapours, gases or fumes of a chemical agent from the specified list of chemical agents: (a) resulting in signs and symptoms of severe acute lower respiratory damage requiring medical attention within 48 hours after exposure; and (b) the persistence of respiratory symptoms and signs for at least one week after exposure, within the two years before the clinical worsening of bronchiectasis;

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

  21. (21)
    having aspiration pneumonitis within the two years before the clinical worsening of bronchiectasis;

    Note: aspiration pneumonitis is defined in the Schedule 1 - Dictionary.

  22. (22)
    having gastro-oesophageal reflux disease, with erosive oesophagitis or oesophageal stricture, at the time of the clinical worsening of bronchiectasis;
  23. (23)
    having allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis at the time of the clinical worsening of bronchiectasis;

    Note: allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis is defined in the Schedule 1 - Dictionary.

  24. (24)
    undergoing solid organ or bone marrow transplantation before the clinical worsening of bronchiectasis;
  25. (25)
    having fibrosis or fibrosing interstitial lung disease, involving the segment of the lung affected by bronchiectasis, before the clinical worsening of bronchiectasis;
  26. (26)
    being exposed to arsenic as specified before the clinical worsening of bronchiectasis;

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

  27. (27)
    having a disease from the specified list of connective tissue diseases at the time of the clinical worsening of bronchiectasis;

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

  28. (28)
    having inflammatory bowel disease at the time of the clinical worsening of bronchiectasis;
  29. (29)
    inability to obtain appropriate clinical management for bronchiectasis;

Aggravation-only factors: the factors in subsections 9(15) to 9(29) 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.

A VHC Diagnostic Assessment addresses each of these factors one by one against your service record and clinical history. See how a VHC DVA claim works, see all fees ($600 + GST per stage) or book an appointment.

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Founding doctor of the Veterans Health Centre in Ipswich, Queensland, and one of Australia's most experienced practitioners in veterans' medicolegal medicine.

Dr Perkins has spent more than thirteen years working exclusively with current and former ADF members — treating their conditions, writing their reports and navigating the DVA system alongside them. With over 100,000 claims submitted and 2,000 Permanent Impairment Assessments completed, he has seen precisely what separates an accepted claim from a rejected one at every level, from initial liability to the Veterans' Review Board.

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