Portal vein thrombosis — DVA SoP factors

Reasonable Hypothesis (RH) — Statement of Principles No. 107 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 portal vein thrombosis or death from portal vein thrombosis with the circumstances of a person's relevant service:

1. (1)
   having cirrhosis of the liver at the time of the clinical onset of portal vein thrombosis;
2. (2)
   having a disorder that is associated with a hypercoagulable state at the time of the clinical onset of portal vein thrombosis;

   Note: hypercoagulable state is defined in the Schedule 1 - Dictionary.

3. (3)
   having an intra-abdominal malignant neoplasm or a myeloproliferative neoplasm at the time of the clinical onset of portal vein thrombosis;

   Note: myeloproliferative neoplasm is defined in the Schedule 1 - Dictionary.

4. (4)
   having abdominal surgery within the 6 months before the clinical onset of portal vein thrombosis;

   Note: Examples of abdominal surgery include bariatric surgery, colorectal surgery, hepatic resection, splenectomy and endoscopic treatment of gastro-oesophageal varices.

5. (5)
   being at an altitude of at least 3,000 metres for a continuous period of at least the 28 days before the clinical onset of portal vein thrombosis;
6. (6)
   having an autoimmune disease from the specified list of autoimmune diseases at the time of the clinical onset of portal vein thrombosis;

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

7. (7)
   taking a drug from the specified list of drugs within the 30 days before the clinical onset of portal vein thrombosis;

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

8. (8)
   taking didanosine for at least the 3 years before the clinical onset of portal vein thrombosis;
9. (9)
   having compression of the portal vein at the time of the clinical onset of portal vein thrombosis;

   Note: Examples of a mass or structure that can cause compression of the portal vein include an abscess or hydatid cyst in the liver, retroperitoneal haematomas and neoplasms, excluding pregnancy.

10. (10)
    having infection or inflammation involving the portal vein or a contiguous tissue or organ at the time of the clinical onset of portal vein thrombosis;

    Note: Examples of infection or inflammation involving a contiguous tissue or organ include acute and chronic pancreatitis, appendicitis, diverticulitis and liver abscess.

11. (11)
    having active tuberculosis disease involving the abdomen at the time of the clinical onset of portal vein thrombosis;

    Note: active tuberculosis disease is defined in the Schedule 1 - Dictionary.

12. (12)
    having cytomegalovirus infection of new onset within the 30 days before the clinical onset of portal vein thrombosis;
13. (13)
    having infection with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) within the 2 months before the clinical onset of portal vein thrombosis;

    Note: SARS-CoV-2 is the virus which causes coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

14. (14)
    having chronic infection with hepatitis B virus at the time of the clinical onset of portal vein thrombosis;

    Note: chronic infection with hepatitis B virus is defined in the Schedule 1 - Dictionary.

15. (15)
    having chronic infection with hepatitis C virus at the time of the clinical onset of portal vein thrombosis;

    Note: chronic infection with hepatitis C virus is defined in the Schedule 1 - Dictionary.

16. (16)
    having foreign body penetration or occlusion of the portal vein, splenic vein or superior mesenteric vein within the 30 days before the clinical onset of portal vein thrombosis;

    Note: Examples of circumstances where foreign body penetration or occlusion of the portal vein, splenic vein or superior mesenteric vein may occur include the ingestion of fish bones, toothpicks or metal wires and the migration of a pancreatic stent.

17. (17)
    having blunt trauma to the abdomen within the 30 days before the clinical onset of portal vein thrombosis;

    Note: Circumstances in which blunt trauma to the abdomen can occur include falls, motor vehicle accidents and a blow to the abdomen.

18. (18)
    undertaking underwater diving with compressed air within the 24 hours before the clinical onset of portal vein thrombosis;
19. (19)
    being obese at the time of the clinical onset of portal vein thrombosis;

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

20. (20)
    undergoing a liver transplant or stem cell transplant within the 2 months before the clinical onset of portal vein thrombosis;
21. (21)
    inability to obtain appropriate clinical management for portal vein thrombosis;

Aggravation-only factors: the factors in subsection 8(21) 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.