REPATRIATION MEDICAL AUTHORITY
INSTRUMENT NO. 43 OF 2009
VETERANS’ ENTITLEMENTS ACT 1986
MILITARY REHABILITATION AND COMPENSATION ACT 2004
EXPLANATORY NOTES FOR TABLING
- The Repatriation Medical Authority (the Authority) has determined, under subsection 196B(2) & (8) of the Veterans’ Entitlements Act 1986 (the VEA) Statement of Principles Instrument No. 43 of 2009.
2. This instrument amends Instrument No. 89 of 2007 Statement of Principles concerning ischaemic heart disease (‘the Instrument’) by:
- expanding existing factors "(v)(iv)" and "(rr)(iv)" concerning 'panic disorder' in clause 6 to include 'a clinically significant anxiety spectrum disorder';
- deleting existing factors "(v)(v)" and "(rr)(v)" concerning "phobic anxiety" from clause 6;
- inserting a new definition for "a clinically significant anxiety spectrum disorder as specified" in clause 9; and
- revising the existing definition of "phobic anxiety" in clause 9.
3. The Instrument also specifies a date of effect for the amendment in accordance with sub-section 12(1)(a) of the Legislative Instruments Act 2003.
4. This new instrument incorporates by reference the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition, Text Revision (DSM-IV-TR), American Psychiatric Association, Washington DC 2000. A copy of this document is available from the offices of the Repatriation Medical Authority, Level 8, Bank of Queensland Building, 259 Queen St, Brisbane Queensland 4000, by contacting the Registrar on telephone (07) 3815 9404.
5. Prior to determining this instrument, the Authority advertised its intention to undertake an investigation in relation to ischaemic heart disease in the Government Notices Gazette of 27 August 2008, and circulated a copy of the notice of intention to investigate to a wide range of organisations representing veterans, service personnel and their dependants. The Authority invited submissions from the Repatriation Commission, organisations and persons referred to in section 196E of the VEA, and any person having expertise in the field. Two submissions were received for consideration by the Authority during the investigation.
6. The determining of this new instrument finalises the investigation in relation to ischaemic heart disease as advertised in the Government Notices Gazette of 27 August 2008.
7. A list of references relating to the above condition is available to any person or organisation referred to in subsection 196E(1)(a) to (c) of the VEA. Any such request must be made in writing to the Repatriation Medical Authority at the following address:
The Registrar
Repatriation Medical Authority Secretariat
GPO Box 1014
BRISBANE QLD 4001