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Statement of Principles

Influenza — DVA SoP factors

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

Influenza

RH No. 44 of 2017 · BoP No. 45 of 201712 factors

Meaning of influenza: For the purposes of this Statement of Principles, influenza means: (a) an acute respiratory tract infection due to the influenza virus and characterised by fever, cough, shortness of breath, headaches, myalgia, conjunctivitis and pneumonia; and (b) includes infection with human and animal influenza subtypes.

Reasonable Hypothesis (RH) — Statement of Principles No. 44 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 influenza or death from influenza with the circumstances of a person's relevant service:

  1. (1)
    being exposed to influenza virus as specified, within the three weeks before the clinical onset of influenza;

    Note: being exposed to influenza virus as specified and influenza virus are defined in the Schedule 1 - Dictionary.

  2. (2)
    for avian influenza only, being exposed to an avian influenza virus as specified, within the three weeks before the clinical onset of influenza;

    Note: being exposed to an avian influenza virus as specified and influenza virus are defined in the Schedule 1 - Dictionary.

  3. (3)
    for swine influenza only, being exposed to a swine influenza virus as specified, within the three weeks before the clinical onset of influenza;

    Note: being exposed to a swine influenza virus as specified and influenza virus are defined in the Schedule 1- Dictionary.

  4. (4)
    inability to obtain influenza vaccination between ten days and six months before the clinical onset of influenza;
  5. (5)
    for severe influenza only: (a) having a medical condition as specified at the time of the clinical onset of influenza; or (b) being in the third trimester of pregnancy or the following six weeks before the clinical onset of influenza;

    Note: medical condition as specified and severe influenza are defined in the Schedule 1 - Dictionary.

  6. (6)
    inability to obtain appropriate clinical management for influenza;

Aggravation-only factors: the factors in subsection 9(6) 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. 45 of 2017

6 factors

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

  1. (1)
    being exposed to influenza virus as specified, within the three weeks before the clinical onset of influenza;

    Note: being exposed to influenza virus as specified and influenza virus are defined in the Schedule 1 - Dictionary.

  2. (2)
    for avian influenza only, being exposed to an avian influenza virus as specified, within the three weeks before the clinical onset of influenza;

    Note: being exposed to an avian influenza virus as specified and influenza virus are defined in the Schedule 1 - Dictionary.

  3. (3)
    for swine influenza only, being exposed to a swine influenza virus as specified, within the three weeks before the clinical onset of influenza;

    Note: being exposed to a swine influenza virus as specified and influenza virus are defined in the Schedule 1 - Dictionary.

  4. (4)
    inability to obtain influenza vaccination between ten days and six months before the clinical onset of influenza;
  5. (5)
    for severe influenza only: (a) having a medical condition as specified at the time of the clinical onset of influenza; or (b) being in the third trimester of pregnancy or the following six weeks before the clinical onset of influenza;

    Note: medical condition as specified and severe influenza are defined in the Schedule 1 - Dictionary.

  6. (6)
    inability to obtain appropriate clinical management for influenza;

Aggravation-only factors: the factors in subsection 9(6) 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 influenza. 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 — Infections & tropical disease — every Statement of Principles covering infections and tropical disease.

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 →