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Statement of Principles

Concussion — DVA SoP factors

Every factor in the Repatriation Medical Authority Statements of Principles for Concussion. DVA can only accept a claim for Concussion 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.

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.

Concussion

RH No. 92 of 2018 · BoP No. 93 of 20184 factors

Meaning of concussion: For the purposes of this Statement of Principles, concussion: (a) means a mild traumatic brain injury resulting from the transfer of kinetic energy to the brain from external physical forces, which is manifested by a temporary disturbance in neurological function that does not meet the criteria for moderate to severe traumatic brain injury; and (b) excludes injury from radiation, electricity, heat and surgery.

Reasonable Hypothesis (RH) — Statement of Principles No. 92 of 2018

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

  1. (1)
    experiencing a specified event at the time of the clinical onset of concussion;

    Note: specified event is defined in the Schedule 1 - Dictionary.

  2. (2)
    inability to obtain appropriate clinical management for concussion;

Aggravation-only factors: the factors in subsection 9(2) 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. 93 of 2018

2 factors

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

  1. (1)
    experiencing a specified event at the time of the clinical onset of concussion;

    Note: specified event is defined in the Schedule 1 - Dictionary.

  2. (2)
    inability to obtain appropriate clinical management for concussion;

Aggravation-only factors: the factors in subsection 9(2) 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.

Accepted — what is it worth?

A Statement of Principles decides one thing only: whether DVA accepts liability for concussion. It says nothing about how much you are paid. Compensation is worked out separately, from impairment points under the GARP — so a condition can be accepted and still rate few points, or rate more than you expect once it is combined with everything else on your file.

Part of DVA Claims — Head, brain & nerves — every Statement of Principles covering the head, brain and nerves.

Others in this area:

Dr Thomas Perkins, Veterans Health Centre

Reviewed by Dr Thomas Perkins

Founding doctor, Veterans Health Centre · former RAAF aviation medical officer · 13 years working exclusively with ADF members and veterans. Full profile →