Medial tibial stress syndrome (shin splints)

Medial tibial stress syndrome (shin splints) — DVA SoP factors

Every factor in the Repatriation Medical Authority Statements of Principles for Medial tibial stress syndrome (shin splints). DVA can only accept a claim for Medial tibial stress syndrome (shin splints) 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.

Medial tibial stress syndrome (shin splints)

RH No. 96 of 2023 · BoP No. 97 of 202310 factors

Meaning of medial tibial stress syndrome (shin splints): For the purposes of this Statement of Principles, medial tibial stress syndrome (shin splints): (a) means a bone stress reaction or periosteal inflammation manifesting as exercise-induced pain along the posteromedial aspect of the distal two-thirds of the tibia which typically resolves or reduces with rest; and (b) excludes: (i) fracture, including stress fracture; (ii) lower leg tendinopathies or bursitis; (iii) nerve entrapments (sural or superficial peroneal); (iv) popliteal artery entrapment syndrome; (v) acute sprain and acute strain; and (vi) vascular insufficiency.

Reasonable Hypothesis (RH) — Statement of Principles No. 96 of 2023

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 medial tibial stress syndrome (shin splints) or death from medial tibial stress syndrome (shin splints) with the circumstances of a person's relevant service:

(1)
running or jogging an average of at least 30 kilometres per week for the 4 weeks before the clinical onset or clinical worsening of medial tibial stress syndrome (shin splints);
(2)
undertaking weight bearing exercise involving repeated activity of the lower leg on the affected side for: (a) a minimum intensity of 5 METS; and (b) for at least 4 hours per week; and for at least the 4 weeks before the clinical onset or clinical worsening of medial tibial stress syndrome (shin splints);
Note: Examples of weight bearing exercise involving repeated activity of the lower leg at a minimum intensity of 5 METS include marching, sustained brisk walking, playing football, and dancing.
Note: MET is defined in the Schedule 1 - Dictionary.
(3)
increasing the frequency, duration or intensity of weight bearing activity involving the lower leg on the affected side: (a) by at least 100 percent; and (b) to a minimum intensity of 5 METs; and (c) for at least 2 hours per day; within the 2 weeks before the clinical onset or clinical worsening of medial tibial stress syndrome (shin splints);
Note: MET is defined in the Schedule 1 - Dictionary.
(4)
having pes planus of the affected limb before the clinical onset or clinical worsening of medial tibial stress syndrome (shin splints);
(5)
inability to obtain appropriate clinical management for medial tibial stress syndrome (shin splints) before the clinical worsening of medial tibial stress syndrome (shin splints);

Balance of Probabilities (BoP) — Statement of Principles No. 97 of 2023

5 factors

At least one of the following factors must exist before it can be said that, on the balance of probabilities, medial tibial stress syndrome (shin splints) or death from medial tibial stress syndrome (shin splints) is connected with the circumstances of a person's relevant service:

(1)
running or jogging an average of at least 60 kilometres per week for the 4 weeks before the clinical onset or clinical worsening of medial tibial stress syndrome (shin splints);
(2)
undertaking weight bearing exercise involving repeated activity of the lower leg on the affected side for: (a) a minimum intensity of 5 METS; and (b) for at least 6 hours per week; and for at least the 4 weeks before the clinical onset or clinical worsening of medial tibial stress syndrome (shin splints);
Note: Examples of weight bearing exercise involving repeated activity of the lower leg at a minimum intensity of 5 METS include marching, sustained brisk walking, playing football, and dancing.
Note: MET is defined in the Schedule 1 - Dictionary.
(3)
increasing the frequency, duration or intensity of weight bearing activity involving the lower leg on the affected side: (a) by at least 100 percent; and (b) to a minimum intensity of 5 METs; and (c) for at least 4 hours per day; within the 2 weeks before the clinical onset or clinical worsening of medial tibial stress syndrome (shin splints);
Note: MET is defined in the Schedule 1 - Dictionary.
(4)
having pes planus of the affected limb before the clinical onset or clinical worsening of medial tibial stress syndrome (shin splints);
(5)
inability to obtain appropriate clinical management for medial tibial stress syndrome (shin splints) before the clinical worsening of medial tibial stress syndrome (shin splints);

Accepted — what is it worth?

A Statement of Principles decides one thing only: whether DVA accepts liability for medial tibial stress syndrome (shin splints). 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.

Medial tibial stress syndrome (shin splints) may be accepted without proving the link to service

Medial tibial stress syndrome (shin splints) is listed in Part 2 of the determination as attributable to defence service, provided the criteria below are met.

Qualifying service: for more than 28 days; and excluding the first 28 days of defence service.
Onset: during the qualifying service, or within 4 weeks after the last day of that 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.