Sirett and Secretary, Department of Social Services (Social services second review)

This matter concerned an appeal by Mr Sirett against a decision of the Secretary of the Department of Social Services affirming a determination that he did not qualify for a Disability Support Pension (DSP). The core of the dispute revolved around whether Mr Sirett had accumulated 20 or more impairment points under the relevant Impairment Tables during the period in question, as required for DSP eligibility. The Administrative Appeals Tribunal (AAT) considered the appeal.

The Tribunal was required to determine whether Mr Sirett's conditions met the criteria for a DSP, specifically whether the assessment of his impairments under the Impairment Tables resulted in a score of 20 points or more. This involved a detailed examination of the medical evidence and its application to the specific requirements of the social security legislation and associated tables.

Member D K Grigg, in considering the evidence, found that the medical reports and assessments did not establish that Mr Sirett's impairments reached the threshold of 20 points. The Tribunal concluded that the evidence presented did not demonstrate the necessary level of functional impairment to warrant the grant of a DSP. Consequently, the decision under review, which affirmed the denial of the DSP, was affirmed by the Tribunal.