NOTICE OF INVESTIGATION – OCCIPITAL NEURALGIA
Section 196G of the
Veterans' Entitlements Act 1986
The Repatriation Medical Authority (the Authority) gives notice under section 196G of the Veterans' Entitlements Act 1986 (the VEA) that it intends to carry out an investigation pursuant to subsection 196B(4) of the VEA to find out whether Statements of Principles may be determined in respect of OCCIPITAL NEURALGIA.
The Authority invites the following persons and organisations to make written submissions to the Authority in respect of the investigation:
- a person eligible to make a claim for pension under Part II or Part IV of the VEA;
- a person eligible to make a claim for compensation under section 319 of the Military Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 2004 (the MRCA);
- an organisation representing veterans, Australian mariners, members of the Forces, members of the Peacekeeping Forces, members within the meaning of the MRCA, or their dependants;
- the Repatriation Commission or the Military Rehabilitation and Compensation Commission; and
- a person having expertise in a field relevant to the investigation.
The Authority will hold its first meeting for the purposes of this investigation on 1 April 2025.
Under the VEA, the Authority is required to find out whether there is information available about how OCCIPITAL NEURALGIA may be suffered or contracted, or death from OCCIPITAL NEURALGIA may occur, and the extent to which OCCIPITAL NEURALGIA or death from OCCIPITAL NEURALGIA may be war-caused, defence-caused, a service injury, a service disease or a service death. Persons and organisations wishing to make a submission can use the RMA website http://www.rma.gov.au/investigations/ to electronically lodge the submission and supporting information. Alternatively, submissions can be sent by email to info@rma.gov.au or posted to the address below. The RMA Submission Guidelines are available online for guidance. The RMA Secretariat may be contacted at the address, telephone number or email address below for further assistance.
All submissions must be in writing and received by the Authority no later than 24 March 2025.
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| PROFESSOR TERENCE CAMPBELL AM CHAIRPERSON 18/ 2 / 2025 By and on behalf of The Repatriation Medical Authority |
Repatriation Medical Authority, GPO Box 1014, Brisbane, Qld 4001
Telephone: (07) 3815 9404. Email: info@rma.gov.au
Overview
The Veterans' Entitlements Act 1986 was enacted by the Parliament of Australia to provide a comprehensive framework for the entitlements of veterans, including pensions and other benefits. One of the issues the Act aims to address is the determination of whether certain medical conditions, such as occipital neuralgia, may be related to service and thus warrant specific benefits or recognition. The Repatriation Medical Authority, as the body responsible for investigating such matters under the Act, has initiated an investigation into occipital neuralgia to determine if it can be considered war-caused, defence-caused, or a service injury. The primary policy objective behind this investigation is to ensure that veterans who suffer from this condition receive the appropriate recognition and entitlements under the Act.
Scope and Application
The Repatriation Medical Authority (RMA) has announced an investigation under section 196G of the Veterans' Entitlements Act 1986 (VEA) to determine whether Statements of Principles may be established for occipital neuralgia, a condition potentially related to military service. The investigation is aimed at understanding how occipital neuralgia may be suffered or contracted, and the extent to which it may be attributable to war or service causes. The RMA invites submissions from a range of stakeholders including veterans eligible for pensions or compensation under the VEA or the Military Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 2004, representatives of veterans and service personnel, relevant commissions, and experts in fields pertinent to the investigation. Submissions can be made electronically via the RMA website, by email, or by post, and must be received by 24 March 2025. The RMA is mandated to evaluate available information regarding the onset, causation, and severity of occipital neuralgia in relation to military service, and this investigation will inform potential updates to the legislative framework governing veterans' entitlements.
Key Provisions
The primary sections of the Notice of Investigation (C2025G00082) under section 196G of the Veterans' Entitlements Act 1986 (VEA) concern the Repatriation Medical Authority's (the Authority) intention to investigate whether Statements of Principles can be determined regarding OCCIPITAL NEURALGIA. This investigation is initiated pursuant to subsection 196B(4) of the VEA (section 196G). The Authority's aim is to ascertain information about how OCCIPITAL NEURALGIA may be suffered or contracted, or death from OCCIPITAL NEURALGIA may occur, and to what extent these conditions may be war-caused, defence-caused, a service injury, a service disease, or a service death. Submissions are invited from specific persons and organisations, including those eligible to make claims under the VEA or Military Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 2004 (MRCA), relevant representative organisations, the Repatriation Commission or Military Rehabilitation and Compensation Commission, and individuals with expertise in relevant fields. The first meeting for this investigation is scheduled for 1 April 2025. Submissions can be made electronically via the RMA website, by email, or by post, and must be received by 24 March 2025.
The obligations imposed on the parties or entities governed by this investigation include the submission of written information by the specified groups. Eligible claimants, representatives, and experts are required to provide their insights and relevant information to the Authority to aid in determining whether OCCIPITAL NEURALGIA should be recognised as a war-related condition. The Repatriation Commission or Military Rehabilitation and Compensation Commission may also be required to contribute their expertise and relevant data. The Authority mandates that all submissions be made in writing and adhere to the provided guidelines, ensuring that the investigation is comprehensive and informed by a range of relevant perspectives.
Failure to comply with the requirements set forth in the Notice of Investigation may result in the exclusion of pertinent information from the investigation, potentially impacting the outcome of the determination regarding OCCIPITAL NEURALGIA. While the Notice does not explicitly state specific penalties for non-compliance, it underscores the importance of timely and proper submissions to ensure the investigation's thoroughness and accuracy. The Authority's decision-making process, informed by the submissions, will ultimately determine the eligibility of OCCIPITAL NEURALGIA as a war-related condition, which could have significant implications for affected veterans and their entitlements.