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SoP Library › Chronic solvent-induced neurocognitive disorder

Statement of Principles

Chronic solvent-induced neurocognitive disorder — DVA SoP factors

Every factor in the Repatriation Medical Authority Statements of Principles for Chronic solvent-induced neurocognitive disorder. DVA can only accept a claim for Chronic solvent-induced neurocognitive disorder 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.

Chronic solvent-induced neurocognitive disorder

RH No. 109 of 2021 · BoP No. 110 of 202110 factors

Meaning of chronic solvent-induced neurocognitive disorder: For the purposes of this Statement of Principles, chronic solvent- induced neurocognitive disorder: (a) means irreversible brain injury meeting the following diagnostic criteria: (i) evidence of significant cognitive decline from a previous level of performance in one or more cognitive domains (complex attention, executive function, learning and memory, language, perceptual-motor, or social cognition) based on:  concern of the individual, a knowledgeable informant, or the clinician that there has been a significant decline in cognitive function; and  a substantial impairment in cognitive performance, documented by standardised neuropsychological testing; (ii) the cognitive deficits interfere with independence in everyday activities; (iii) there must be evidence from the history, physical examination, or laboratory findings that the deficits are aetiologically related to the persisting neurological effects of organic solvents; (iv) the neurocognitive impairments do not occur exclusively during the course of a delirium and persist beyond the usual duration of intoxication and acute withdrawal; (v) the involved organic solvent and duration and extent of exposure are capable of produ

Reasonable Hypothesis (RH) — Statement of Principles No. 109 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 chronic solvent-induced neurocognitive disorder or death from chronic solvent- induced neurocognitive disorder with the circumstances of a person's relevant service:

  1. (1)
    having a severe substance use disorder involving inhalation of a solvent from the Specified List 1 of solvents within the 5 years before the clinical onset of chronic solvent-induced neurocognitive disorder;

    Note: severe substance use disorder and Specified List 1 of solvents are defined in the Schedule 1 - Dictionary.

  2. (2)
    inhaling, ingesting or having cutaneous contact with a solvent from the Specified List 2 of solvents, where inhalation occurred in an unventilated and confined space, on more days than not for a consecutive period of at least 5 years before the clinical onset of chronic solvent-induced neurocognitive disorder, and if exposure has ceased before the clinical onset of chronic solvent-induced neurocognitive disorder, then that onset occurred within 1 year of cessation;

    Note: Specified List 2 of solvents is defined in the Schedule 1 - Dictionary.

  3. (3)
    having at least 50 episodes of acute solvent intoxication due to a solvent from the Specified List 2 of solvents within a consecutive period of 2 years before the clinical onset of chronic solvent-induced neurocognitive disorder, and where the last episode of acute solvent intoxication occurred within the 2 years before the clinical onset of chronic solvent-induced neurocognitive disorder;

    Note: acute solvent intoxication and Specified List 2 of solvents are defined in the Schedule 1 - Dictionary.

  4. (4)
    having an episode of acute solvent intoxication due to a solvent from the Specified List 3 of solvents, with evidence of associated persistent brain damage on imaging, at the time of the clinical onset of chronic solvent-induced neurocognitive disorder;

    Note: acute solvent intoxication and Specified List 3 of solvents are defined in the Schedule 1 - Dictionary.

  5. (5)
    inability to obtain appropriate clinical management for chronic solvent- induced neurocognitive disorder;

Aggravation-only factors: the factors in subsection 9(5) 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. 110 of 2021

5 factors

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

  1. (1)
    having a severe substance use disorder involving inhalation of a solvent from the Specified List 1 of solvents within the 5 years before the clinical onset of chronic solvent-induced neurocognitive disorder;

    Note: severe substance use disorder and Specified List 1 of solvents are defined in the Schedule 1 - Dictionary.

  2. (2)
    inhaling, ingesting or having cutaneous contact with a solvent from the Specified List 2 of solvents, where inhalation occurred in an unventilated and confined space, on more days than not for a consecutive period of at least 10 years before the clinical onset of chronic solvent-induced neurocognitive disorder, and if exposure has ceased before the clinical onset of chronic solvent-induced neurocognitive disorder, then that onset occurred within 1 year of cessation;

    Note: Specified List 2 of solvents is defined in the Schedule 1 - Dictionary.

  3. (3)
    having at least 50 episodes of acute solvent intoxication due to a solvent from the Specified List 2 of solvents within a consecutive period of 1 year before the clinical onset of chronic solvent-induced neurocognitive disorder, and where the last episode of acute solvent intoxication occurred within the 2 years before the clinical onset of chronic solvent-induced neurocognitive disorder;

    Note: acute solvent intoxication and Specified List 2 of solvents are defined in the Schedule 1 - Dictionary.

  4. (4)
    having an episode of acute solvent intoxication due to a solvent from the Specified List 2 of solvents, with evidence of associated persistent brain damage on imaging, at the time of the clinical onset of chronic solvent-induced neurocognitive disorder;

    Note: acute solvent intoxication and Specified List 2 of solvents are defined in the Schedule 1 - Dictionary.

  5. (5)
    inability to obtain appropriate clinical management for chronic solvent- induced neurocognitive disorder;

Aggravation-only factors: the factors in subsection 9(5) 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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