{"id":"F2021L00004","name":"Statement of Principles concerning anosmia (Reasonable Hypothesis) (No. 19 of 2021)","slug":"statement-of-principles-concerning-anosmia-reasonable-hypothesis-no-19-of-2021","collection":"legislative_instrument","jurisdiction":"commonwealth","status":"in_force","isInForce":true,"actNumber":null,"makingDate":null,"administeringDepartment":null,"currentVersion":{"id":130946,"registerId":"commonwealth-F2021L00004-current","compilationNumber":null,"startDate":"2026-04-03","status":"InForce","reasons":null,"registeredAt":null},"sections":[{"sectionNumber":"1","sectionType":"section","heading":"Statement of Principles concerning anosmia (Reasonable Hypothesis) (No. 19 of 2021)","content":"![Commonwealth Coat of Arms](image.001.png)\n\nStatement of Principles concerning anosmia (Reasonable Hypothesis) (No. 19 of 2021)\n\nmade under subsection 196B(2) of the\n\nVeterans' Entitlements Act 1986\n\nCompilation No. 1\n\nCompilation date: 19 September 2022\n\nIncludes amendments up to: Veterans' Entitlements (Statements of Principles—definition of \"one pack-year\") Amendment Determination 2022 (No. 94 of 2022) (F2022L01128)\n\nThe day of commencement of this Amendment Determination is 19 September 2022.\n\nAbout this compilation\n\nThis compilation\n\nThis is a compilation of the Statement of Principles concerning anosmia (Reasonable Hypothesis) (No. 19 of 2021) that shows the text of the law as amended and in force on 19 September 2022.\n\nThe notes at the end of this compilation (the endnotes) include information about amending laws and the amendment history of provisions of the compiled law.\n\nUncommenced amendments\n\nThe effect of uncommenced amendments is not shown in the text of the compiled law. Any uncommenced amendments affecting the law are accessible on the Legislation Register (www.legislation.gov.au). The details of amendments made up to, but not commenced at, the compilation date are underlined in the endnotes. For more information on any uncommenced amendments, see the series page on the Legislation Register for the compiled law.\n\nApplication, saving and transitional provisions for provisions and amendments\n\nIf the operation of a provision or amendment of the compiled law is affected by an application, saving or transitional provision that is not included in this compilation, details are included in the endnotes.\n\nModifications\n\nIf the compiled law is modified by another law, the compiled law operates as modified but the modification does not amend the text of the law. Accordingly, this compilation does not show the text of the compiled law as modified. For more information on any modifications, see the series page on the Legislation Register for the compiled law.\n\nSelf‑repealing provisions\n\nIf a provision of the compiled law has been repealed in accordance with a provision of the law, details are included in the endnotes.\n\nContents\n\n1 Name\n\n3 Authority\n\n5 Application\n\n6 Definitions\n\n7 Kind of injury, disease or death to which this Statement of Principles relates\n\n8 Basis for determining the factors\n\n9 Factors that must exist\n\n10 Relationship to service\n\n11 Factors referring to an injury or disease covered by another Statement of Principles\n\nSchedule 1 - Dictionary\n\n1 Definitions\n\nEndnotes\n\nEndnote 1—About the endnotes\n\nEndnote 2—Abbreviation key\n\nEndnote 3—Legislation history\n\nEndnote 4—Amendment history\n\n  \n\n1 Name\n\nThis is the Statement of Principles concerning anosmia (Reasonable Hypothesis) (No. 19 of 2021).\n\n3 Authority\n\nThis instrument is made under subsection 196B(2) of the Veterans' Entitlements Act 1986.\n\n5 Application\n\nThis instrument applies to a claim to which section 120A of the VEA or section 338 of the Military Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 2004 applies.\n\n6 Definitions\n\nThe terms defined in the Schedule 1 - Dictionary have the meaning given when used in this instrument.\n\n7 Kind of injury, disease or death to which this Statement of Principles relates\n\n(1) This Statement of Principles is about anosmia and death from anosmia.\n\nMeaning of anosmia\n\n(2) For the purposes of this Statement of Principles, anosmia means an acquired, total and permanent loss of the ability to smell, due to a defect in the olfactory neuroepithelium, olfactory nerves or olfactory neural pathways in the brain.\n\n> Note: Loss of the ability to smell includes loss of the ability to detect odours, discriminate between odours or to identify odours.\n\n(3) While anosmia attracts ICD‑10‑AM code R43.0, in applying this Statement of Principles the meaning of anosmia is that given in subsection (2).\n\n(4) For subsection (3), a reference to an ICD-10-AM code is a reference to the code assigned to a particular kind of injury or disease in The International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems, Tenth Revision, Australian Modification (ICD-10-AM), Tenth Edition, effective date of 1 July 2017, copyrighted by the Independent Hospital Pricing Authority, ISBN 978-1-76007-296-4.\n\nDeath from anosmia\n\n(5) For the purposes of this Statement of Principles, anosmia, in relation to a person, includes death from a terminal event or condition that was contributed to by the person's anosmia.\n\n> Note: terminal event is defined in the Schedule 1 - Dictionary.\n\n8 Basis for determining the factors\n\nThe Repatriation Medical Authority is of the view that there is sound medical‑scientific evidence that indicates that anosmia and death from anosmia can be related to relevant service rendered by veterans, members of Peacekeeping Forces, or members of the Forces under the VEA, or members under the MRCA.\n\n> Note: MRCA, relevant service and VEA are defined in the Schedule 1 - Dictionary.\n\n9 Factors that must exist\n\nAt least one of the following factors must as a minimum exist before it can be said that a reasonable hypothesis has been raised connecting anosmia or death from anosmia with the circumstances of a person's relevant service:\n\n(1) having sinusitis for at least the two years before the clinical onset of anosmia;\n\n(2) having perennial allergic rhinitis for at least the two years before the clinical onset of anosmia;\n\n> Note: perennial allergic rhinitis is defined in the Schedule 1 - Dictionary.\n\n(3) having an autoimmune disease from the specified list of autoimmune diseases at the time of the clinical onset of anosmia;\n\n> Note: specified list of autoimmune diseases is defined in the Schedule 1 - Dictionary.\n\n(4) having sarcoidosis at the time of the clinical onset of anosmia;\n\n(5) having Paget's disease of bone affecting the skull at the time of the clinical onset of anosmia;\n\n(6) having a neurological disease from the specified list of neurological diseases at the time of the clinical onset of anosmia;\n\n> Note: specified list of neurological diseases is defined in the Schedule 1 - Dictionary.\n\n(7) having hepatic encephalopathy at the time of the clinical onset of anosmia;\n\n(8) having chronic renal failure at the time of the clinical onset of anosmia;\n\n> Note: chronic renal failure is defined in the Schedule 1 - Dictionary.\n\n(9) having diabetes mellitus before the clinical onset of anosmia;\n\n(10) having a disorder of mental health from the specified list of disorders of mental health at the time of the clinical onset of anosmia;\n\n> Note: specified list of disorders of mental health is defined in the Schedule 1 - Dictionary.\n\n(11) having a condition or procedure from the specified list of conditions and procedures, which damages the olfactory neuroepithelium, the olfactory bulb or the olfactory neural pathways in the brain at the time of the clinical onset of anosmia;\n\n> Note: specified list of conditions and procedures is defined in the Schedule 1 - Dictionary.\n\n(12) being treated with a drug which is associated in the individual with:\n\n(a) the development of anosmia within three weeks of commencing drug therapy, in the absence of clinical or laboratory evidence of anosmia prior to commencing drug therapy; and\n\n(b) the persistence of anosmia after discontinuing drug therapy;\n\n(13) undergoing a course of therapeutic radiation for cancer, where the olfactory neuroepithelium, olfactory bulb, or olfactory neural pathways in the brain were in the field of radiation, within the 30 days before the clinical onset of anosmia;\n\n(14) receiving an intranasal application of a preparation containing zinc gluconate or zinc sulphate within the 48 hours before the clinical onset of anosmia;\n\n(15) taking intranasal cocaine such that there is destruction of the nasal septum, palate or paranasal sinuses before the clinical onset of anosmia;\n\n(16) inhaling fumes from a metal from the specified list of metals, or a compound containing a metal from the specified list of metals, for a cumulative period of at least 5,000 hours before the clinical onset of anosmia and where that exposure has ceased, the clinical onset of anosmia has occurred within one year of cessation;\n\n> Note: fumes and specified list of metals are defined in the Schedule 1 - Dictionary.\n\n(17) inhaling fumes from a volatile substance from the specified list of volatile substances for a cumulative period of at least 5,000 hours before the clinical onset of anosmia and where that exposure has ceased, the clinical onset of anosmia has occurred within one year of cessation;\n\n> Note: fumes and specified list of volatile substances are defined in the Schedule 1 \\- Dictionary.\n\n(18) experiencing acute, symptomatic poisoning from a neurotoxic substance from the specified list of neurotoxic substances within the 30 days before the clinical onset of anosmia;\n\n> Note: specified list of neurotoxic substances is defined in the Schedule 1 - Dictionary.\n\n(19) where smoking has not ceased prior to the clinical onset of anosmia, having smoked at least 20 pack-years of tobacco products before the clinical onset of anosmia;\n\n> Note: one pack-year is defined in the Schedule 1 - Dictionary.\n\n(20) having pellagra at the time of the clinical onset of anosmia;\n\n> Note: pellagra is defined in the Schedule 1 - Dictionary.\n\n(21) having vitamin B12 deficiency at the time of the clinical onset of anosmia;\n\n(22) having envenomation by the Australian mulga snake (Pseudoechis australis) or the South African Berg adder (Bitis atropos) at the time of the clinical onset of anosmia.\n\n10 Relationship to service\n\nThe existence in a person of any factor referred to in section 9, must be related to the relevant service rendered by the person.\n\n11 Factors referring to an injury or disease covered by another Statement of Principles\n\nIn this Statement of Principles:\n\n(1) if a factor referred to in section 9 applies in relation to a person; and\n\n(2) that factor refers to an injury or disease in respect of which a Statement of Principles has been determined under subsection 196B(2) of the VEA;\n\nthen the factors in that Statement of Principles apply in accordance with the terms of that Statement of Principles as in force from time to time.\n\nSchedule 1 \\- Dictionary\n\nNote: See Section 6\n\n1 Definitions\n\nIn this instrument:\n\nanosmia—see subsection 7(2).\n\nchronic renal failure means:\n\n(a) having a glomerular filtration rate of less than 15 mL/min/1.73 m2 for a period of at least three months; or\n\n(b) a need for renal replacement therapy (dialysis or transplantation) for treatment of complications of decreased glomerular filtration rate which would otherwise increase the risk of morbidity and mortality; or\n\n(c) undergoing chronic dialysis.\n\nfumes means combustion products, aerosols, vapours or dust arising through industrial processes or from workplace practices that involve the refining, manufacture or use of the stated material.\n\nMRCA means the Military Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 2004.\n\norganic solvents means oxygenated, aliphatic or aromatic solvents.\n\none pack-year means the amount of tobacco consumed in smoking 20 cigarettes per day for a period of 1 year, or an equivalent amount of tobacco products.\n\n> Note 1: An equivalent amount of tobacco products is 7,300 grams of smoking tobacco by weight, either in cigarettes, pipe tobacco or cigars, or a combination of same. For pipe tobacco, cigars or combinations of multiple tobacco types, 1 gram of tobacco is considered to be equal to one cigarette.\n\n> Note 2: Pack-years are calculated by dividing the number of cigarettes smoked per day by 20 and multiplying this number by the number of years the person has smoked. For example, smoking 10 cigarettes per day for 10 years is equal to 5 pack-years, and smoking 40 cigarettes per day for 10 years is equal to 20 pack-years.\n\npellagra means chronic nicotinic acid deficiency, characterised by skin changes, nervous dysfunction and diarrhoea.\n\nperennial allergic rhinitis means chronic or frequently recurrent rhinitis as distinct from rhinitis that is purely seasonal.\n\nrelevant service means:\n\n(a) operational service under the VEA;\n\n(b) peacekeeping service under the VEA;\n\n(c) hazardous service under the VEA;\n\n(d) British nuclear test defence service under the VEA;\n\n(e) warlike service under the MRCA; or\n\n(f) non-warlike service under the MRCA.\n\n> Note: MRCA and VEA are also defined in the Schedule 1 - Dictionary.\n\nspecified list of autoimmune diseases means:\n\n(a) Behcet disease;\n\n(b) eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis (Churg-Strauss syndrome);\n\n(c) granulomatosis with polyangiitis (Wegener granulomatosis);\n\n(d) IgG4-related disease;\n\n(e) rheumatoid arthritis;\n\n(f) Sjogren syndrome;\n\n(g) systemic lupus erythematosus; or\n\n(h) systemic sclerosis.\n\nspecified list of conditions and procedures means:\n\n(a) a head injury;\n\n(b) an infection;\n\n(c) an injury to the cribriform plate;\n\n(d) a primary or secondary neoplasm; or\n\n(e) a surgical procedure.\n\nspecified list of disorders of mental health means:\n\n(a) alcohol-induced major neurocognitive disorder,  \namnestic-confabulatory type, persistent;\n\n(b) alcohol use disorder; or\n\n(c) anorexia nervosa.\n\nspecified list of metals means:\n\n(a) cadmium;\n\n(b) chromium;\n\n(c) lead;\n\n(d) mercury;\n\n(e) nickel; or\n\n(f) zinc.\n\nspecified list of neurological diseases means:\n\n(a) Alzheimer disease;\n\n(b) cerebrovascular accident;\n\n(c) frontotemporal dementia;\n\n(d) migraine;\n\n(e) multiple sclerosis;\n\n(f) myasthenia gravis;\n\n(g) neurocognitive disorder with Lewy bodies;\n\n(h) neuromyelitis optica;\n\n(i) Parkinson's disease or secondary parkinsonism;\n\n(j) subarachnoid haemorrhage; or\n\n(k) temporal lobe epilepsy.\n\nspecified list of neurotoxic substances means:\n\n(a) ammonia;\n\n(b) barbituric acid;\n\n(c) chlorine; or\n\n(d) formaldehyde.\n\nspecified list of volatile substances means:\n\n(a) acetone;\n\n(b) acetophenone;\n\n(c) acrylate;\n\n(d) ammonia;\n\n(e) benzene;\n\n(f) butyl acetate;\n\n(g) carbon disulphide;\n\n(h) carbon monoxide;\n\n(i) chlorine;\n\n(j) chloromethane;\n\n(k) ethyl acetate;\n\n(l) fluoride;\n\n(m) formaldehyde;\n\n(n) hydrazine;\n\n(o) hydrogen selenide;\n\n(p) hydrogen sulphide;\n\n(q) methylacrylate;\n\n(r) methyl ethyl ketone;\n\n(s) organic solvents;\n\n(t) petroleum;\n\n(u) phosphorous oxychloride;\n\n(v) sulphur dioxide;\n\n(w) toluene;\n\n(x) trichloroethylene; or\n\n(y) xylene.\n\n> Note: organic solvents is also defined in the Schedule 1 - Dictionary.\n\nterminal event means the proximate or ultimate cause of death and includes the following:\n\n(a) pneumonia;\n\n(b) respiratory failure;\n\n(c) cardiac arrest;\n\n(d) circulatory failure; or\n\n(e) cessation of brain function.\n\nVEA means the Veterans' Entitlements Act 1986.\n\n> Note: Endnotes\n\n> Note: Endnote 1—About the endnotes\n\nThe endnotes provide information about this compilation and the compiled law.\n\nThe following endnotes are included in every compilation:\n\nEndnote 1—About the endnotes\n\nEndnote 2—Abbreviation key\n\nEndnote 3—Legislation history\n\nEndnote 4—Amendment history\n\nAbbreviation key—Endnote 2\n\nThe abbreviation key sets out abbreviations that may be used in the endnotes.\n\nLegislation history and amendment history—Endnotes 3 and 4\n\nAmending laws are annotated in the legislation history and amendment history.\n\nThe legislation history in endnote 3 provides information about each law that has amended (or will amend) the compiled law. The information includes commencement details for amending laws and details of any application, saving or transitional provisions that are not included in this compilation.\n\nThe amendment history in endnote 4 provides information about amendments at the provision (generally section or equivalent) level. It also includes information about any provision of the compiled law that has been repealed in accordance with a provision of the law.\n\nMisdescribed amendments\n\nA misdescribed amendment is an amendment that does not accurately describe the amendment to be made. If, despite the misdescription, the amendment can be given effect as intended, the amendment is incorporated into the compiled law and the abbreviation “(md)” added to the details of the amendment included in the amendment history.\n\nIf a misdescribed amendment cannot be given effect as intended, the abbreviation “(md not incorp)” is added to the details of the amendment included in the amendment history.\n\n> Note: Endnote 2—Abbreviation key\n\n|                                                | o = order(s)                        |\n| ---------------------------------------------- | ----------------------------------- |\n| ad = added or inserted                         | Ord = Ordinance                     |\n| am = amended                                   | orig = original                     |\n| amdt = amendment                               | par = paragraph(s)/subparagraph(s)  |\n| c = clause(s)                                  | /sub‑subparagraph(s)                |\n| C[x] = Compilation No. x                       | pres = present                      |\n| Ch = Chapter(s)                                | prev = previous                     |\n| def = definition(s)                            | (prev…) = previously                |\n| Dict = Dictionary                              | Pt = Part(s)                        |\n| disallowed = disallowed by Parliament          | r = regulation(s)/rule(s)           |\n| Div = Division(s)                              |                                     |\n| exp = expires/expired or ceases/ceased to have | reloc = relocated                   |\n| effect                                         | renum = renumbered                  |\n| F = Federal Register of Legislation            | rep = repealed                      |\n| gaz = gazette                                  | rs = repealed and substituted       |\n| LA = Legislation Act 2003                      | s = section(s)/subsection(s)        |\n| LIA = Legislative Instruments Act 2003         | Sch = Schedule(s)                   |\n| (md) = misdescribed amendment can be given     | Sdiv = Subdivision(s)               |\n| effect                                         | SLI = Select Legislative Instrument |\n| (md not incorp) = misdescribed amendment       | SR = Statutory Rules                |\n| cannot be given effect                         | Sub‑Ch = Sub‑Chapter(s)             |\n| mod = modified/modification                    | SubPt = Subpart(s)                  |\n| No. = Number(s)                                | underlining = whole or part not     |\n|                                                | commenced or to be commenced        |\n\n> Note: Endnote 3—Legislation history\n\n| Name                                                                                                                          | Registration              | Commencement      | Application, saving and transitional provisions |\n| ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | ------------------------- | ----------------- | ----------------------------------------------- |\n| Statement of Principles concerning anosmia (Reasonable Hypothesis) (No. 19 of 2021)                                           | 4 January 2021F2021L00004 | 25 January 2021   |                                                 |\n| Veterans' Entitlements (Statements of Principles—definition of \"one pack-year\") Amendment Determination 2022 (No. 94 of 2022) | 26 August 2022F2022L01128 | 19 September 2022 |                                                 |\n\n> Note: Endnote 4—Amendment history\n\n| Provision affected                             | How affected      |\n| ---------------------------------------------- | ----------------- |\n| Section 2……………….                               | rep LA s 48D      |\n| Section 4……………….                               | rep LA s 48C      |\n| Subsection 9(19) note..                        | rs No. 94 of 2022 |\n| Schedule 1 – Dictionary – one pack-year...…….. | rs No. 94 of 2022 |","sortOrder":0}],"analysis":{"flash_summary_failed":{"failed":true,"reason":"Unauthenticated. Configure AI_GATEWAY_API_KEY or use a provider module. Learn more: https://ai-sdk.dev/unauthenticated-ai-gateway","source":"analysis-cron"},"flash_summary":{"complexity_score":6,"scope_assessment":{"changed":true,"description":"The instrument was amended by the Veterans' Entitlements (Statements of Principles—definition of \"one pack‑year\") Amendment Determination 2022 (No. 94 of 2022), which updated the Schedule 1 definition of one pack‑year and the note to subsection 9(19). That amendment (registered 26 August 2022, commenced 19 September 2022) alters how tobacco exposure is measured for factor 9(19), and therefore changes the scope of which smoking histories meet the smoking‑related factor (see Endnotes 3–4 and Schedule 1, and subsection 9(19))."},"complexity_factors":["Technical medical definition of anosmia that departs from the ICD code and requires clinical determination (s7(2)–(4)).","Many discrete, medically specific factors and listed conditions (s9; Schedule 1 lists: autoimmune, neurological, psychiatric, metals, volatile substances, neurotoxins, etc.), increasing factual complexity.","Temporal and exposure thresholds that require history and measurement (e.g. 2 years for sinusitis/allergic rhinitis s9(1)–(2); 5,000 cumulative hours for inhalation exposures s9(16)–(17); 30‑day and 48‑hour windows s9(13)–(14)).","Interlocking definitions and cross-references in the Dictionary (Schedule 1) — e.g. chronic renal failure, one pack‑year, perennial allergic rhinitis — which affect application and evidentiary standards.","Requirement that any listed factor must be ‘related to the relevant service’ (s10) — creates an additional causal, evidentiary step for claimants and decision makers.","Cross-application where a listed factor is itself an injury/disease covered by another Statement of Principles, requiring reference to other determinations (s11).","Statutory provenance and evidential posture: instrument is the RMA's view of 'sound medical‑scientific evidence' under s8 and is applied by claims processes under VEA/MRCA (s3, s5) — tension between clinical proof and statutory 'reasonable hypothesis' standard.","Administrative and proof burdens on claimants to establish onset timing, exposure histories, medication timelines, and continuation/cessation of exposures (numerous s9 clauses).","Amendment history and evolving definitions (endnotes) mean applicants and advisers must track changes to interpret key terms (e.g. one pack‑year)."],"plain_english_summary":"This Statement of Principles sets out the medical criteria used to decide whether anosmia (an acquired, total and permanent loss of smell) or death contributed to by anosmia can be connected to a person’s military or relevant service. It lists specific diseases, exposures, drugs, procedures and time thresholds which, if present and shown to be related to relevant service, are sufficient to raise a reasonable hypothesis for entitlement under the VEA/MRCA claims process."},"kimi_summary":{"content_quality":"ok","complexity_score":4,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"This instrument remains tightly focused on its original purpose: establishing the medical criteria for linking anosmia to military service. The 2022 amendment (No. 94 of 2022) was a technical update to refine the definition of 'one pack-year' for smoking-related claims, clarifying the calculation method and equivalent tobacco weights. This did not expand the scope beyond anosmia or alter the fundamental structure of the 2021 instrument."},"complexity_factors":["22 distinct causal factors in Section 9 with varying temporal requirements (e.g., 'at least two years before', 'within 30 days before', 'at the time of')","8 defined terms in Schedule 1 Dictionary, plus 7 'specified lists' containing multiple sub-items (autoimmune diseases, neurological diseases, metals, volatile substances, etc.)","Cross-referencing mechanism in Section 11 linking to other Statements of Principles for conditions mentioned in Section 9 factors","Precise medical definitions required (e.g., 'chronic renal failure' requires specific GFR measurements or dialysis status)","Mathematical calculation required for 'pack-years' with conversion rules for non-cigarette tobacco products","Dual statutory framework application (VEA and MRCA) with different service categories (operational, peacekeeping, hazardous, warlike, non-warlike)","Note references throughout requiring reader to flip to Dictionary for full definitions"],"plain_english_summary":"This Statement of Principles sets the medical test for when total, permanent loss of smell (anosmia) is treated as related to Defence service under veterans’ law. It guides the Repatriation Medical Authority and DVA decision‑makers assessing claims by veterans, peacekeepers and current/former personnel, listing medical factors (diseases, injuries, exposures, treatments) that can establish a “reasonable hypothesis” of service connection. Its outcome decides access to compensation, treatment and rehabilitation."}},"importantCases":[],"_links":{"self":"/api/acts/statement-of-principles-concerning-anosmia-reasonable-hypothesis-no-19-of-2021","history":"/api/acts/statement-of-principles-concerning-anosmia-reasonable-hypothesis-no-19-of-2021/history","analysis":"/api/acts/statement-of-principles-concerning-anosmia-reasonable-hypothesis-no-19-of-2021/analysis","conflicts":"/api/acts/statement-of-principles-concerning-anosmia-reasonable-hypothesis-no-19-of-2021/conflicts","importantCases":"/api/acts/statement-of-principles-concerning-anosmia-reasonable-hypothesis-no-19-of-2021/important-cases","documents":"/api/acts/statement-of-principles-concerning-anosmia-reasonable-hypothesis-no-19-of-2021/documents"}}