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Statement of Principles

Endometriosis — DVA SoP factors

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

Endometriosis

RH No. 51 of 2021 · BoP No. 52 of 202117 factors

Meaning of endometriosis: For the purposes of this Statement of Principles, endometriosis: (a) means a condition in females in which functional endometrial tissue occurs outside the uterus, resulting in clinical symptoms and signs or warranting treatment; and (b) excludes adenomyosis.

Reasonable Hypothesis (RH) — Statement of Principles No. 51 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 endometriosis or death from endometriosis with the circumstances of a person's relevant service:

  1. (1)
    having penetrating trauma or surgery involving the site of subsequent endometriosis before the clinical onset of endometriosis;
  2. (2)
    having a caesarean section within the five years before the clinical onset of endometriosis;
  3. (3)
    being underweight for a period of at least one year while aged 18 years or younger before the clinical onset of endometriosis;

    Note: being underweight is defined in the Schedule 1 - Dictionary.

  4. (4)
    taking estrogen only menopausal hormone therapy for the three months before the clinical onset of endometriosis;

    Note: menopausal hormone therapy is defined in the Schedule 1 - Dictionary.

  5. (5)
    taking tamoxifen for the six months before the clinical onset of endometriosis;
  6. (6)
    for parous women only, inability to breast feed for a cumulative period of at least three months before the clinical onset of endometriosis;

    Note: The period of breastfeeding could be cumulative over a number of pregnancies.

  7. (7)
    experiencing severe childhood abuse before the clinical onset of endometriosis;

    Note: severe childhood abuse is defined in the Schedule 1 - Dictionary.

  8. (8)
    having pelvic inflammatory disease or endometritis before the clinical onset of endometriosis;
  9. (9)
    taking estrogen only menopausal hormone therapy for the three months before the clinical worsening of endometriosis;

    Note: menopausal hormone therapy is defined in the Schedule 1 - Dictionary.

  10. (10)
    taking tamoxifen for the six months before the clinical worsening of endometriosis;
  11. (11)
    for parous women only, inability to breast feed for a cumulative period of at least three months before the clinical worsening of endometriosis;

    Note: The period of breastfeeding could be cumulative over a number of pregnancies.

  12. (12)
    having pelvic inflammatory disease or endometritis before the clinical worsening of endometriosis;
  13. (13)
    inability to obtain appropriate clinical management for endometriosis;

Aggravation-only factors: the factors in subsections 9(9) to 9(13) 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. 52 of 2021

4 factors

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

  1. (1)
    having penetrating trauma or surgery involving the site of subsequent endometriosis before the clinical onset of endometriosis;
  2. (2)
    taking tamoxifen for the six months before the clinical onset of endometriosis;
  3. (3)
    taking tamoxifen for the six months before the clinical worsening of endometriosis;
  4. (4)
    inability to obtain appropriate clinical management for endometriosis;

Aggravation-only factors: the factors in subsections 9(3) to 9(4) 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 endometriosis. 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 — Kidneys, bladder & sexual health — every Statement of Principles covering the kidneys, bladder and sexual health.

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 →