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SoP Library › Heat-induced burn

Statement of Principles

Heat-induced burn — DVA SoP factors

Every factor in the Repatriation Medical Authority Statements of Principles for Heat-induced burn. DVA can only accept a claim for Heat-induced burn 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.

Heat-induced burn

RH No. 1 of 2024 · BoP No. 2 of 202416 factors

Meaning of heat-induced burn: For the purposes of this Statement of Principles, heat-induced burn: (a) means an injury to the skin and external body covering tissues due to transfer of energy into the tissue with external contact with flame, or heat; and (b) includes burns of deep tissues and organs that are part of a multiple burn injury that includes injury to the skin and external body covering tissues; and (c) excludes: (i) freezing cold injury (frostbite); (ii) electrical contact or electrical flash burns (electrical injury); (iii) chemical burns; (iv) radiation burns due to ionising radiation; (v) isolated retinal burn of the eye; (vi) photocontact dermatitis; (vii) friction burns (abrasion); and (viii) isolated burn of the internal body organs such as the respiratory tract, gastrointestinal tract and internal genitourinary tract.

Reasonable Hypothesis (RH) — Statement of Principles No. 1 of 2024

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 heat-induced burn or death from heat-induced burn with the circumstances of a person's relevant service:

  1. (1)
    having exposure to a heat source sufficient to cause at least erythema at the affected area of the body at the time of the clinical onset of heat- induced burn;
  2. (2)
    having exposure to high intensity, focussed ultrasound sufficient to cause at least erythema at the affected area of the body at the time of the clinical onset of heat-induced burn;
  3. (3)
    having exposure to ultraviolet radiation sufficient to cause at least erythema at the affected area of the body at the time of the clinical onset of heat-induced burn;

    Note: Some examples of potential ultraviolet radiation exposure include sun exposure, electric welding arc exposure, and PUVA therapy for skin conditions.

  4. (4)
    having exposure to solar radiation sufficient to cause at least erythema at the affected area of the body at the time of the clinical onset of heat- induced burn;
  5. (5)
    having laser applied, sufficient to cause at least erythema, at the affected area of the body at the time of the clinical onset of heat- induced burn;
  6. (6)
    having exposure to infrared radiation sufficient to cause at least erythema at the affected area of the body at the time of the clinical onset of heat-induced burn;
  7. (7)
    having exposure to radiofrequency or microwave radiation sufficient to cause at least erythema at the affected area of the body at the time of the clinical onset of heat-induced burn;
  8. (8)
    inability to obtain appropriate clinical management for heat-induced burn before the clinical worsening of heat-induced burn;

Aggravation-only factors: the factors in subsection 9(8) 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. 2 of 2024

8 factors

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

  1. (1)
    having exposure to a heat source sufficient to cause at least erythema at the affected area of the body at the time of the clinical onset of heat- induced burn;
  2. (2)
    having exposure to high intensity, focussed ultrasound sufficient to cause at least erythema at the affected area of the body at the time of the clinical onset of heat-induced burn;
  3. (3)
    having exposure to ultraviolet radiation sufficient to cause at least erythema at the affected area of the body at the time of the clinical onset of heat-induced burn;

    Note: Some examples of potential ultraviolet radiation exposure include sun exposure, electric welding arc exposure, and PUVA therapy for skin conditions.

  4. (4)
    having exposure to solar radiation sufficient to cause at least erythema at the affected area of the body at the time of the clinical onset of heat- induced burn;
  5. (5)
    having laser applied, sufficient to cause at least erythema, at the affected area of the body at the time of the clinical onset of heat- induced burn;
  6. (6)
    having exposure to infrared radiation sufficient to cause at least erythema at the affected area of the body at the time of the clinical onset of heat-induced burn;
  7. (7)
    having exposure to radiofrequency or microwave radiation sufficient to cause at least erythema at the affected area of the body at the time of the clinical onset of heat-induced burn;
  8. (8)
    inability to obtain appropriate clinical management for heat-induced burn before the clinical worsening of heat-induced burn;

Aggravation-only factors: the factors in subsection 9(8) 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 heat-induced burn. 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.

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Presumptive liability · from 1 July 2026

Heat-induced burn may be accepted without proving the link to service

Heat-induced burn is listed in Part 2 of the determination as attributable to defence service, provided the criteria below are met.

  • Qualifying service: Any defence service.
    Onset: during the qualifying service.

A diagnosis is still required, and the presumption may not apply where there is clear evidence of a cause other than service. "Onset" means when an injury was sustained, or when all the signs and symptoms of a disease were first present — not the date of diagnosis. Applies to claims made on or after 1 July 2026.

How presumptive liability works →

Part of DVA Claims — Skin — every Statement of Principles covering the skin.

Others in this area:

AlbinismChemical burnChilblainsChloracneCut, stab, abrasion and lacerationDiscoid lupus erythematosusFrostbiteHerpes simplexSee all →
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 →