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Statement of Principles

Sprain and strain — DVA SoP factors

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

Sprain and strain

RH No. 27 of 2020 · BoP No. 28 of 202010 factors

Meaning of sprain and strain: For the purposes of this Statement of Principles, sprain: (a) means an injury involving the tearing or stretching of one or more joint ligaments, associated with the onset of pain and tenderness at that site within the 24 hours following the injury; and (b) includes complete tear or rupture of a ligament; and (c) excludes recurrent sprain due to joint instability.

Reasonable Hypothesis (RH) — Statement of Principles No. 27 of 2020

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 sprain or strain or death from sprain or strain with the circumstances of a person's relevant service:

  1. (1)
    experiencing a significant physical force applied to or through the affected joint, at the time of the clinical onset of a sprain to that joint ligament;

    Note: Examples of activities and circumstances involving significant physical force applied to or through the affected joint include falls, collisions, lifting weights, running, jumping or stepping down from a height, throwing objects and climbing.

  2. (2)
    forceful stretching or high intensity use of a muscle or tendon at the time of the clinical onset of a strain to that muscle or tendon;

    Note: Examples of activities and circumstances involving forceful stretching or high intensity use of a muscle or tendon include lifting weights, push ups, pull ups, throwing objects, running, kicking, jumping and climbing.

  3. (3)
    experiencing a significant physical force applied to or through the affected joint, at the time of the clinical worsening of a sprain to that joint ligament;

    Note: Examples of activities and circumstances involving significant physical force applied to or through the affected joint include falls, collisions, lifting weights, running, jumping or stepping down from a height, throwing objects and climbing.

  4. (4)
    forceful stretching or high intensity use of a muscle or tendon at the time of the clinical worsening of a strain to that muscle or tendon;

    Note: Examples of activities and circumstances involving forceful stretching or high intensity use of a muscle or tendon include lifting weights, push ups, pull ups, throwing objects, running, kicking, jumping and climbing.

  5. (5)
    inability to obtain appropriate clinical management for sprain or strain;

Aggravation-only factors: the factors in subsections 9(3) to 9(5) 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. 28 of 2020

5 factors

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

  1. (1)
    experiencing a significant physical force applied to or through the affected joint, at the time of the clinical onset of a sprain to that joint ligament;

    Note: Examples of activities and circumstances involving significant physical force applied to or through the affected joint include falls, collisions, lifting weights, running, jumping or stepping down from a height, throwing objects and climbing.

  2. (2)
    forceful stretching or high intensity use of a muscle or tendon at the time of the clinical onset of a strain to that muscle or tendon;

    Note: Examples of activities and circumstances involving forceful stretching or high intensity use of a muscle or tendon include lifting weights, push ups, pull ups, throwing objects, running, kicking, jumping and climbing.

  3. (3)
    experiencing a significant physical force applied to or through the affected joint, at the time of the clinical worsening of a sprain to that joint ligament;

    Note: Examples of activities and circumstances involving significant physical force applied to or through the affected joint include falls, collisions, lifting weights, running, jumping or stepping down from a height, throwing objects and climbing.

  4. (4)
    forceful stretching or high intensity use of a muscle or tendon at the time of the clinical worsening of a strain to that muscle or tendon;

    Note: Examples of activities and circumstances involving forceful stretching or high intensity use of a muscle or tendon include lifting weights, push ups, pull ups, throwing objects, running, kicking, jumping and climbing.

  5. (5)
    inability to obtain appropriate clinical management for sprain or strain;

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 sprain and strain. 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

Sprain and strain may be accepted without proving the link to service

Sprain and strain 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 — Bones & joints — every Statement of Principles covering the bones and joints.

Others in this area:

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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 →