Morbid obesity — DVA SoP factors

Reasonable Hypothesis (RH) — Statement of Principles No. 43 of 2022

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

1. (1)
   having a caloric intake that is excessive for energy needs for at least the 5 years before the clinical onset of morbid obesity;
2. (2)
   taking a drug from the specified list of drugs for at least the 6 months before the clinical onset of morbid obesity;

   Note: specified list of drugs is defined in the Schedule 1 - Dictionary.

3. (3)
   taking an antipsychotic drug for at least the 3 months before the clinical onset of morbid obesity;
4. (4)
   taking at least 5 milligrams of prednisone per day, or equivalent glucocorticoid therapy, for at least the 3 months before the clinical onset of morbid obesity;

   Note: equivalent glucocorticoid therapy is defined in the Schedule 1 - Dictionary.

5. (5)
   having binge eating disorder or night eating syndrome for at least the 1 year before the clinical onset of morbid obesity;

   Note: binge eating disorder and night eating syndrome are defined in the Schedule 1 - Dictionary.

6. (6)
   having a clinically significant disorder of mental health as specified for at least the 2 years before the clinical onset of morbid obesity;

   Note: clinically significant disorder of mental health as specified is defined in the Schedule 1 - Dictionary.

7. (7)
   having Cushing syndrome for at least the 3 months before the clinical onset of morbid obesity; Morbid Obesity (Reasonable Hypothesis) (No. 43 of 2022.);
8. (8)
   having hypothyroidism, including Hashimoto thyroiditis that has resulted in hypothyroidism, for at least the 3 months before the clinical onset of morbid obesity;
9. (9)
   having a hypothalamic disorder causing excessive eating for at least the 3 months before the clinical onset of morbid obesity;

   Note: hypothalamic disorder is defined in the Schedule 1 - Dictionary.

10. (10)
    inability to sleep for an average of more than 5 hours per night for at least the 5 years before the clinical onset of morbid obesity;
11. (11)
    undertaking night shift work on at least 500 occasions within a continuous period of at least the 5 years before the clinical onset of morbid obesity;

    Note: night shift work is defined in the Schedule 1 - Dictionary.

12. (12)
    in a person with a prior history of a regular smoking habit as specified, permanently ceasing to smoke within the 2 years before the clinical onset of morbid obesity;

    Note: regular smoking habit as specified is defined in the Schedule 1 - Dictionary.

13. (13)
    having consumed a cumulative total of at least 50 kilograms of alcohol from drinking beer within the 5 years before the clinical onset of morbid obesity;

    Note: Alcohol consumption is calculated utilising the Australian Standard of 10 grams of alcohol per standard alcoholic drink.

14. (14)
    experiencing severe childhood abuse before the clinical onset of morbid obesity;

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

15. (15)
    having a caloric intake that is excessive for energy needs for at least the 5 years before the clinical worsening of morbid obesity;
16. (16)
    taking a drug from the specified list of drugs for at least the 6 months before the clinical worsening of morbid obesity;

    Note: specified list of drugs is defined in the Schedule 1 - Dictionary.

17. (17)
    taking an antipsychotic drug for at least the 3 months before the clinical worsening of morbid obesity;
18. (18)
    taking at least 5 milligrams of prednisone per day, or equivalent glucocorticoid therapy, for at least the 3 months before the clinical worsening of morbid obesity;

    Note: equivalent glucocorticoid therapy is defined in the Schedule 1 - Dictionary.

19. (19)
    having binge eating disorder or night eating syndrome for at least the 1 year before the clinical worsening of morbid obesity; Morbid Obesity (Reasonable Hypothesis) (No. 43 of 2022.);

    Note: binge eating disorder and night eating syndrome are defined in the Schedule 1 - Dictionary.

20. (20)
    having a clinically significant disorder of mental health as specified for at least the 2 years before the clinical worsening of morbid obesity;

    Note: clinically significant disorder of mental health as specified is defined in the Schedule 1 - Dictionary.

21. (21)
    having Cushing syndrome for at least the 3 months before the clinical worsening of morbid obesity;
22. (22)
    having hypothyroidism, including Hashimoto thyroiditis that has resulted in hypothyroidism, for at least the 3 months before the clinical worsening of morbid obesity;
23. (23)
    having a hypothalamic disorder causing excessive eating for at least the 3 months before the clinical worsening of morbid obesity;

    Note: hypothalamic disorder is defined in the Schedule 1 - Dictionary.

24. (24)
    inability to sleep for an average of more than 5 hours per night for at least the 5 years before the clinical worsening of morbid obesity;
25. (25)
    undertaking night shift work on at least 500 occasions within a continuous period of at least the 5 years before the clinical worsening of morbid obesity;

    Note: night shift work is defined in the Schedule 1 - Dictionary.

26. (26)
    in a person with a prior history of a regular smoking habit as specified, permanently ceasing to smoke within the 2 years before the clinical worsening of morbid obesity;

    Note: regular smoking habit as specified is defined in the Schedule 1 - Dictionary.

27. (27)
    having consumed a cumulative total of at least 50 kilograms of alcohol from drinking beer within the 5 years before the clinical worsening of morbid obesity;

    Note: Alcohol consumption is calculated utilising the Australian Standard of 10 grams of alcohol per standard alcoholic drink.

28. (28)
    inability to obtain appropriate clinical management for morbid obesity;

Aggravation-only factors: the factors in subsections 9(15) to 9(28) 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.