Statement of Principles concerning reiter's syndrome No. 17 of 1998

Overview

The Veterans’ Entitlements Act 1986, enacted by the Australian Parliament, was designed to address the specific needs of veterans, members of Peacekeeping Forces, and members of the Forces by providing them with various entitlements related to their service. In 1998, the Repatriation Medical Authority issued an instrument to revoke and replace the previous Statement of Principles concerning Reiter's syndrome (ICD code: 099.3). This legislative instrument aimed to provide updated and more precise criteria for the recognition of Reiter’s syndrome and related deaths in veterans, thereby ensuring that those affected receive appropriate entitlements and benefits. The policy objective of this revision was to reflect the latest medical-scientific evidence and better support veterans who have been diagnosed with or have died from Reiter’s syndrome, ensuring their conditions are appropriately linked to their service.

Scope and Application

This legislative instrument, under the Veterans’ Entitlements Act 1986, pertains to the recognition and assessment of Reiter’s syndrome, a condition marked by acute onset peripheral arthritis associated with urethritis and/or cervicitis, as well as death resulting from this syndrome. Specifically, the Repatriation Medical Authority has revoked an earlier instrument and established a new Statement of Principles concerning Reiter’s syndrome, which applies to veterans, members of Peacekeeping Forces, and members of the Armed Forces. The legislation identifies that there is sufficient medical-scientific evidence linking Reiter’s syndrome and death from the syndrome to relevant service rendered by these individuals. It specifies that at least one factor related to the individual's service must be present to establish a reasonable hypothesis connecting their condition with their service, such as suffering from an enteric bacterial infection or a sexually acquired infection within 60 days before the onset or worsening of Reiter’s syndrome, or being unable to obtain appropriate clinical management. The instrument also clarifies that certain factors apply only to cases where the syndrome was contracted before or during service, but not arising out of it. The legislative instrument applies to all matters covered by section 120A of the Veterans’ Entitlements Act 1986.

Key Provisions

This legislative instrument, Instrument No.17 of 1998, addresses Reiter’s syndrome under the Veterans’ Entitlements Act 1986. Section 1 revokes the previous Instrument No.31 of 1994 and establishes a new Statement of Principles concerning Reiter’s syndrome and death from Reiter’s syndrome (section 2). Reiter’s syndrome, as defined in section 2(b), is an acute onset peripheral arthritis of more than one month's duration associated with urethritis and/or cervicitis, with the relevant ICD code 099.3. The Repatriation Medical Authority, as noted in section 3, relies on medical-scientific evidence to establish a connection between Reiter’s syndrome and service rendered by veterans, Peacekeeping Forces members, or Forces members. The Act imposes specific requirements on individuals seeking to claim entitlements related to Reiter’s syndrome (section 4). For a reasonable hypothesis to be raised connecting Reiter’s syndrome or death from the condition with the circumstances of a person’s service, at least one of the factors outlined in section 5 must be related to the relevant service. These factors include suffering from an enteric bacterial infection or a sexually acquired infection of the urethra not more than 60 days before the clinical onset or worsening of Reiter’s syndrome, or the inability to obtain appropriate clinical management for the syndrome. Sections 5(c) to 5(e) apply specifically to the material contribution to, or aggravation of, Reiter’s syndrome if the condition was suffered or contracted before or during service. The instrument also specifies the scope of relevant service, which includes operational service, peacekeeping service, or hazardous service (section 7). It applies to all matters to which section 120A of the Act pertains (section 8). There are no explicit offences, penalties, or consequences mentioned for breach in the instrument itself. However, under the general provisions of the Veterans’ Entitlements Act 1986, any false statements or fraudulent claims made in the pursuit of entitlements could lead to criminal charges, including fines and imprisonment, depending on the severity of the breach. Civil consequences may also include the recovery of any benefits already paid out under false pretenses.