Sudden unexplained death

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.

RH No. 45 of 2022 · BoP No. 46 of 202220 factors

Meaning of sudden unexplained death: For the purposes of this Statement of Principles, sudden unexplained death: (a) means death without evidence of disease or injury which could account for the death, and within 24 hours of first onset of symptoms or signs; and (b) includes death delayed beyond 24 hours because of life support by mechanical devices.

Reasonable Hypothesis (RH) — Statement of Principles No. 45 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 sudden unexplained death with the circumstances of a person's relevant service:

(1)
experiencing a major, stressful event that causes an intense emotional or psychological response, within the 24 hours before the sudden unexplained death;
Note: Examples of major, stressful events that can cause an intense emotional or psychological response include an event that involves a direct threat to the person's life, and being assaulted, including sexual assault.
(2)
undertaking a bout of intense physical activity of at least 5 METs within the 24 hours before the sudden unexplained death;
Note: MET is defined in the Schedule 1 - Dictionary.
(3)
receiving a blow to the chest immediately before the sudden unexplained death;
Note: blow to the chest is defined in the Schedule 1 - Dictionary.
(4)
having a BMI of 35 or greater at the time of the sudden unexplained death;
Note: BMI is defined in the Schedule 1 - Dictionary.
(5)
having diabetes mellitus at the time of the sudden unexplained death;
(6)
having epilepsy at the time of the sudden unexplained death;
(7)
having hypertension at the time of the sudden unexplained death;
(8)
having a blood alcohol content of at least 0.15 percent at the time of the sudden unexplained death;
(9)
taking a drug that prolongs the corrected QT interval within the 7 days before the sudden unexplained death;
Note: Many drugs can prolong the corrected QT interval. Examples of drug classes that can prolong the corrected QT interval include anti-arrhythmics, antihistamines, antibiotics, antifungals, diuretics, antidepressants, antipsychotics, opiates and anticancer agents.
(10)
taking a drug from the specified list of drugs within the 24 hours before the sudden unexplained death;
Note: specified list of drugs is defined in the Schedule 1 - Dictionary.

Balance of Probabilities (BoP) — Statement of Principles No. 46 of 2022

10 factors

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

(1)
experiencing a major, stressful event that causes an intense emotional or psychological response, within the 24 hours before the sudden unexplained death;
Note: Examples of major, stressful events that can cause an intense emotional or psychological response include an event that involves a direct threat to the person's life, and being assaulted, including sexual assault.
(2)
undertaking a bout of intense physical activity of at least 5 METs within the 24 hours before the sudden unexplained death;
Note: MET is defined in the Schedule 1 - Dictionary.
(3)
receiving a blow to the chest immediately before the sudden unexplained death;
Note: blow to the chest is defined in the Schedule 1 - Dictionary.
(4)
having a BMI of 35 or greater at the time of the sudden unexplained death;
Note: BMI is defined in the Schedule 1 - Dictionary.
(5)
having diabetes mellitus at the time of the sudden unexplained death;
(6)
having epilepsy at the time of the sudden unexplained death;
(7)
having hypertension at the time of the sudden unexplained death;
(8)
having a blood alcohol content of at least 0.15 percent at the time of the sudden unexplained death;
(9)
taking a drug that prolongs the corrected QT interval within the 7 days before the sudden unexplained death;
Note: Many drugs can prolong the corrected QT interval. Examples of drug classes that can prolong the corrected QT interval include anti-arrhythmics, antihistamines, antibiotics, antifungals, diuretics, antidepressants, antipsychotics, opiates and anticancer agents.
(10)
taking cocaine within the 24 hours before the sudden unexplained death;

Sudden unexplained death — DVA SoP factors