Statement of Principles concerning trigeminal neuropathy No. 82 of 1995 (Cth)

Instrument No.82 of 1995

Statement of Principles

concerning

TRIGEMINAL NEUROPATHY

ICD CODE: 350.8

Veterans’ Entitlements Act 1986
subsection 196B(3)

1.         Being of the view that, on the sound medical-scientific evidence available to the Repatriation Medical Authority, it is more probable than not that trigeminal neuropathy and death from trigeminal neuropathy can be related to eligible war service (other than operational service) rendered by veterans and defence service (other than hazardous service) rendered by members of the Forces, the Repatriation Medical Authority determines, under subsection 196B(3) of the Veterans’ Entitlements Act 1986, that the factors that must exist before it can be said that, on the balance of probabilities, trigeminal neuropathy or death from trigeminal neuropathy is connected with the circumstances of that service, are:

(a)       suffering multiple sclerosis before the clinical onset of trigeminal neuropathy; or

(b)       suffering a tumour within the region of the trigeminal nerve before the clinical onset of trigeminal neuropathy; or

(c)       suffering a vascular anomaly within the region of the trigeminal nerve before the clinical onset of trigeminal neuropathy; or

(d)       suffering from a surgical complication within the region of the trigeminal nerve before the clinical onset of trigeminal neuropathy; or

(e)       suffering trauma within the region of the trigeminal nerve before the clinical onset of trigeminal neuropathy; or

(f)        being treated with hydroxystilbamidine isethionate within the 6 months before the clinical onset of trigeminal neuropathy; or

(g)       inability to obtain appropriate clinical management for the trigeminal neuropathy.

2.         Subject to clause 3 (below) at least one of the factors set out in paragraphs 1(a) to 1(g) must be related to any service rendered by a person.

3.         The factor set out in paragraph 1(g) applies only where:

(a)       the person’s trigeminal neuropathy was contracted prior to a period, or part of a period, of service to which the factor is related; and

(b)       the relationship suggested between the trigeminal neuropathy and the particular service of a person is a relationship set out in paragraph 8(1)(e), 9(1)(e) or 70(5)(d) of the Act.

4.         For the purposes of this Statement of Principles:

“ICD code” means a number assigned to a particular kind of injury or disease in the tenth edition of the International Classification of Diseases 9th Revision, effective date of 1 October 1993, copyrighted by the US Commission on Professional and Hospital Activities, and having the Library of Congress number 77-94472;

“multiple sclerosis” means a demyelinating disorder in which there is focal destruction of myelin sheaths in the central nervous system accompanied by an inflammatory response, attracting an ICD code of 340;

“trigeminal neuropathy” means a syndrome in which there is a disorder of sensation confined to the distribution of the fifth cranial nerve, attracting an ICD code 350.8;

“tumour” means an abnormal growth, and includes benign and malignant lesions.

Dated this       Twentieth           day of              February    1995

The Common Seal of the    )

Repatriation Medical Authority                   )

was affixed to this instrument   )

in the presence of:   )

KEN DONALD

CHAIRMAN