SoP LibraryTraumatic contusion or haematoma

Statement of Principles

Traumatic contusion or haematoma — DVA SoP factors

Every factor in the Repatriation Medical Authority Statements of Principles for Traumatic contusion or haematoma. DVA can only accept a claim for Traumatic contusion or haematoma 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.

Traumatic contusion or haematoma

RH No. 43 of 2024 · BoP No. 44 of 20244 factors

Meaning of traumatic contusion or haematoma: For the purposes of this Statement of Principles, traumatic contusion or haematoma: (a) means a blood collection in the skin, tissue or organ as a result of application of physical force causing tissue damage and internal bleeding; and (b) includes traumatic contusion of organs including the heart, pericardium, lung, pleura, liver, spleen, and kidneys, bone, joint, eye, orbit; and (c) excludes: (i) blood collections associated with a fracture; and (ii) blood collections associated with subarachnoid haemorrhage, subdural haemorrhage, extradural haemorrhage or cerebrovascular accident;

Reasonable Hypothesis (RH) — Statement of Principles No. 43 of 2024

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 traumatic contusion or haematoma or death from traumatic contusion or haematoma with the circumstances of a person's relevant service:

  1. (1)
    having trauma involving the affected site within the 24 hours before clinical onset;
  2. (2)
    inability to obtain appropriate clinical management for traumatic contusion or haematoma before clinical worsening;

Aggravation-only factors: the factors in subsection 9(2) 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. 44 of 2024

2 factors

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

  1. (1)
    having trauma involving the affected site within the 24 hours before clinical onset;
  2. (2)
    inability to obtain appropriate clinical management for traumatic contusion or haematoma before clinical worsening;

Aggravation-only factors: the factors in subsection 9(2) 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.

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.

About Dr Thomas Perkins

One doctor. Every report.

Founding doctor of the Veterans Health Centre in Ipswich, Queensland, and one of Australia's most experienced practitioners in veterans' medicolegal medicine.

Dr Perkins has spent more than thirteen years working exclusively with current and former ADF members — treating their conditions, writing their reports and navigating the DVA system alongside them. With over 100,000 claims submitted and 2,000 Permanent Impairment Assessments completed, he has seen precisely what separates an accepted claim from a rejected one at every level, from initial liability to the Veterans' Review Board.

Every chart review, diagnostic assessment, impairment rating and appeal that leaves this clinic is personally overseen by Dr Perkins. No template, no locum, no hand-off.

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