Boys v Repatriation Commission (Veterans' Entitlements) [2022] FCA 257

Federal Court of Australia

Boys v Repatriation Commission (Veterans' Entitlements) [2022] FCA 257 Appeal from: Boys and Repatriation Commission (Veterans' Entitlements) [2020] AATA 2116

File number(s): VID 528 of 2020

Judgment of: O'CALLAGHAN J

Date of judgment: 23 March 2022

Catchwords: DEFENCE AND WAR – veterans' affairs – appeal from decision of the Administrative Appeals Tribunal affirming decision of the Veterans' Review Board, affirming decision of the Repatriation Commission finding that the appellant's cervical spondylosis was not related to service and rejecting the appellant's application for assessment of disability pension at the special rate under the Veterans' Entitlements Act 1986 (Cth) – where respondent accepted the Administrative Appeals Tribunal made errors of law – where decision clearly correct on the material before it – appeal dismissed

Legislation: Administrative Appeals Tribunal Act 1975 (Cth) s 44 Veterans' Entitlements Act 1986 (Cth) ss 24, 24(1)(c), 68, 70, 70(1), 70(5), 70(5)(a), 70(5)(b), 120, 120(4),120A(2), 120B, 120B(2), 120B(3), 196B, 196B(3), 196B(8), 196B(14), 196B(14)(b), 196B(14)(c) Statement of Principles concerning cervical spondylosis No. 34 of 2005 (Cth) Statement of Principles concerning cervical spondylosis No. 66 of 2014 (Cth) Statement of Principles concerning cervical spondylosis No. 67 of 2014 (Cth) cll 3, 3(b), 3(b)(ii), 6, 6(f)

Cases cited: Gorton v Repatriation Commission [2001] FCA 286; (2001) 63 ALD 723 Hill v Repatriation Commission [2005] FCAFC 23; (2005) 218 ALR 251 Lees v Repatriation Commission (2002) 125 FCR 331 Repatriation Commission v Gorton (2001) 110 FCR 321 Repatriation Commission v Gosewinckel [1999] FCA 1273; (1999) 59 ALD 690 Repatriation Commission v Keeley (2000) 98 FCR 108 Repatriation Commission v Thompson (2001) 107 FCR 235