Statement of Principles concerning chronic multisymptom illness (Reasonable Hypothesis) (No. 3 of 2020) (Cth)

Statement of Principles concerning CHRONIC MULTISYMPTOM ILLNESS (Reasonable Hypothesis) (No. 3 of 2020) The Repatriation Medical Authority determines the following Statement of Principles under subsection 196B(2) of the Veterans' Entitlements Act 1986.

Dated 28 February 2020

The Common Seal of the Repatriation Medical Authority was affixed to this instrument at the direction of:

Professor Nicholas Saunders AO Chairperson

Contents 1 Name 2 Commencement 3 Authority 4 Repeal 5 Application 6 Definitions 7 Kind of injury, disease or death to which this Statement of Principles relates 8 Basis for determining the factors 9 Factors that must exist 10 Relationship to service 11 Factors referring to an injury or disease covered by another Statement of Principles Schedule 1 - Dictionary 1 Definitions

1 Name This is the Statement of Principles concerning chronic multisymptom illness (Reasonable Hypothesis) (No. 3 of 2020). 2 Commencement This instrument commences on 23 March 2020. 3 Authority This instrument is made under subsection 196B(2) of the Veterans' Entitlements Act 1986. 4 Repeal The Statement of Principles concerning chronic multisymptom illness No. 55 of 2014 (Federal Register of Legislation No. F2014L00524) made under subsections 196B(2) and (8) of the VEA is repealed. Note: The Statement of Principles concerning chronic multisymptom illness (No. 55 of 2014) was determined following an investigation concerning Gulf War syndrome which commenced on 31 October 2012. Although that investigation concerned the health of Gulf War veterans, the Statement of Principles concerning chronic multisymptom illness (Reasonable Hypothesis) (No. 3 of 2020) applies to all veterans and serving members with relevant service who have an illness which meets the definition. 5 Application This instrument applies to a claim to which section 120A of the VEA or section 338 of the Military Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 2004 applies. 6 Definitions The terms defined in the Schedule 1 - Dictionary have the meaning given when used in this instrument. 7 Kind of injury, disease or death to which this Statement of Principles relates (1) This Statement of Principles is about chronic multisymptom illness and death from chronic multisymptom illness. Meaning of chronic multisymptom illness (2) For the purposes of this Statement of Principles, chronic multisymptom illness means a condition characterised by multiple somatic symptoms which has been diagnosed by a specialist physician or a psychiatrist and which meets the following criteria: