Statement of Principles concerning pilonidal sinus No. 176 of 1995

Overview

The Statement of Principles concerning pilonidal sinus, first introduced in 1995 under section 196B(2) of the Veterans’ Entitlements Act 1986, was enacted to address the gap in recognising the connection between pilonidal sinus conditions and the operational service rendered by veterans. This legislation was developed by the Repatriation Medical Authority and aims to establish the minimum criteria that must exist for a reasonable hypothesis to be raised that a veteran's pilonidal sinus or death from pilonidal sinus is related to their service. This includes specific occupational factors such as being employed as a hairdresser, occupationally required to milk cows or shear sheep, or regularly driving vehicles for at least three months within six months before the onset or worsening of the condition. The policy objective is to ensure that veterans who have been affected by pilonidal sinus as a result of their service can access appropriate entitlements and support.

Scope and Application

The Statement of Principles concerning Pilonidal Sinus, governed by Instrument No. 176 of 1995 and amended by Instrument No. 312 of 1995, applies to veterans, members of peacekeeping forces, and individuals who have performed hazardous service within the Australian Defence Force. This legislative instrument was made under section 196B(2) of the Veterans’ Entitlements Act 1986 and specifies the medical-scientific evidence necessary to establish a connection between pilonidal sinus and service conditions. The statement outlines the specific factors that must be present to link the onset or worsening of pilonidal sinus to the service circumstances, including employment as a hairdresser, occupational duties involving milking cows or shearing sheep, and regular driving of vehicles for at least three months before the clinical onset or worsening of the condition. The principles are intended to assist in determining eligibility for veterans' entitlements under the Act, with particular attention to the inability to obtain appropriate clinical management for pilonidal sinus. The legislation has a national reach as it pertains to veterans across Australia, and its application is extended through amendments that refine the criteria for connecting pilonidal sinus with service conditions.

Key Provisions

The Statement of Principles concerning Pilonidal Sinus, which was made under section 196B(2) of the Veterans’ Entitlements Act 1986, outlines the factors that must exist for a veteran to establish a connection between their pilonidal sinus and their service. Specifically, section 1 of the Statement of Principles identifies several conditions that must be met. These include being employed as a hairdresser, milking cows or shearing sheep, or regularly driving a vehicle with two or more wheels within six months before the clinical onset of pilonidal sinus (subsection 1(a) to 1(c)). Additionally, the Statement specifies that certain conditions apply if the pilonidal sinus developed before the service or if there is a clinical worsening of the condition (subsection 1(d) to 1(e)). The Statement of Principles imposes obligations on veterans seeking to establish a link between their service and their pilonidal sinus. They must demonstrate that at least one of the specified conditions outlined in section 1 occurred before or during their service. For conditions outlined in subsections 1(d) and 1(e), veterans must also prove a specific relationship between their service and the pilonidal sinus as per subsection 1(d) to 1(e) of the Veterans’ Entitlements Act 1986. This involves providing evidence that meets the criteria set out in the Statement of Principles. Failure to meet the requirements of the Statement of Principles may have legal consequences. Although the Statement of Principles itself does not specify penalties, the Veterans’ Entitlements Act 1986 outlines potential outcomes for veterans who provide false or misleading information. Such actions can lead to the denial of benefits or even legal action for fraud under the Act. The severity of the penalties can vary, but they may include fines and imprisonment depending on the circumstances and the discretion of the court.