Long and Repatriation Commission (Veterans' entitlements)

This matter concerned an appeal by Mr Long against a decision of a delegate of the Repatriation Commission regarding his claim for a disability pension. The dispute centred on whether Mr Long suffered from certain medical conditions, specifically Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, Alcohol Use Disorder, Substance Use Disorder, and Depressive Disorder, and crucially, whether these conditions were connected to his eligible defence service. The decision was made by Mrs J C Kelly, Senior Member, of the Tribunal.

The Tribunal was required to determine whether Mr Long suffered from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, Alcohol Use Disorder, and Persistent Depressive Disorder, and Cannabis Use Disorder. Furthermore, it had to assess whether any of these diagnosed conditions were connected to his defence service, applying the relevant Statements of Principles (SoPs) for Substance Use Disorder and other conditions.

In its reasoning, the Tribunal considered the applicable SoPs for Substance Use Disorder, noting that Instrument No. 4 of 2009 had been replaced by SoP No. 60 of 2017. Despite considering the factors outlined in both SoPs for connecting Substance Use Disorder to service, the Tribunal was not satisfied on the balance of probabilities that any of these factors were met. Consequently, the Tribunal varied the delegate's decision, finding that Mr Long did not suffer from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder or Alcohol Use Disorder during the assessment period. While it was determined that Mr Long did suffer from Persistent Depressive Disorder and Cannabis Use Disorder during the assessment period, the Tribunal concluded that neither of these conditions was connected to his service.