{"id":"F2021L00485","name":"Statement of Principles concerning inguinal hernia (Reasonable Hypothesis) (No. 47 of 2021)","slug":"statement-of-principles-concerning-inguinal-hernia-reasonable-hypothesis-no-47-of-2021","collection":"legislative_instrument","jurisdiction":"commonwealth","status":"in_force","isInForce":true,"actNumber":null,"makingDate":null,"administeringDepartment":null,"currentVersion":{"id":101718,"registerId":"commonwealth-F2021L00485-current","compilationNumber":null,"startDate":"2026-04-03","status":"InForce","reasons":null,"registeredAt":null},"sections":[{"sectionNumber":"1","sectionType":"section","heading":"Statement of Principles concerning inguinal hernia (Reasonable Hypothesis) (No. 47 of 2021)","content":"![Commonwealth Coat of Arms](image.001.png)\n\nStatement of Principles concerning inguinal hernia (Reasonable Hypothesis) (No. 47 of 2021)\n\nmade under subsection 196B(2) of the\n\nVeterans' Entitlements Act 1986\n\nCompilation No. 1\n\nCompilation date: 22 September 2025\n\nIncludes amendments: Amendment Statement of Principles concerning inguinal hernia (Reasonable Hypothesis) (No. 79 of 2025) (F2025L01076)\n\nAbout this compilation\n\nThis compilation\n\nThis is a compilation of the Statement of Principles concerning inguinal hernia (Reasonable Hypothesis) (No. 47 of 2021) that shows the text of the law as amended and in force on 22 September 2025.\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 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 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 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 inguinal hernia (Reasonable Hypothesis) (No. 47 of 2021).\n\n1.  Authority\n\nThis instrument is made under subsection 196B(2) of the Veterans' Entitlements Act 1986.\n\n1.  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\n1.  Definitions\n\nThe terms defined in the Schedule 1 - Dictionary have the meaning given when used in this instrument.\n\n1.  Kind of injury, disease or death to which this Statement of Principles relates\n    1.  This Statement of Principles is about inguinal hernia and death from inguinal hernia.\n\nMeaning of inguinal hernia\n\n1.  For the purposes of this Statement of Principles, inguinal hernia means:\n    1.  a protrusion of intra-abdominal tissue through the abdominal wall either:\n        1.  through the inguinal canal; or\n        2.  through a weakness in the posterior wall of the inguinal canal; and\n    2.  includes direct and indirect inguinal hernia; and\n    3.  excludes femoral hernia.\n2.  While inguinal hernia attracts ICD‑10‑AM code K40, in applying this Statement of Principles the meaning of inguinal hernia is that given in subsection (2).\n3.  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 inguinal hernia\n\n1.  For the purposes of this Statement of Principles, inguinal hernia, in relation to a person, includes death from a terminal event or condition that was contributed to by the person's inguinal hernia.\n\n> Note: terminal event is defined in the Schedule 1 - Dictionary.\n\n1.  Basis for determining the factors\n\nThe Repatriation Medical Authority is of the view that there is sound medical‑scientific evidence that indicates that inguinal hernia and death from inguinal hernia 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\n1.  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 inguinal hernia or death from inguinal hernia with the circumstances of a person's relevant service:\n\n1.  having acute elevation of pressure within the abdominal cavity due to any one of the following:\n    1.  anti-G straining manoeuvre;\n    2.  lifting heavy weights;\n    3.  physical trauma to the abdomen involving a direct blow to the abdomen;\n    4.  pneumoperitoneum induced for laparoscopic surgery;\n    5.  significant coughing;\n    6.  significant sneezing;\n    7.  straining at micturition due to bladder outlet or urethral obstruction; or\n    8.  straining at stool due to constipation or diarrhoea;\n\nwithin the 30 days before the clinical onset of inguinal hernia;\n\nNote: clinical onset is defined in the Schedule 1 – Dictionary.\n\n1.  having chronic elevation of pressure within the abdominal cavity due to any one of the following:\n    1.  ascites;\n    2.  chronic ambulatory or automatic peritoneal dialysis;\n    3.  extensive intra-abdominal neoplastic disease or mass; or\n    4.  pregnancy;\n\nat the time of the clinical onset of inguinal hernia;\n\n> Note: Chronic elevation of pressure may be intermittent or continuous.\n\n1.  undergoing radical retropubic prostatectomy, laparoscopic radical prostatectomy or robot-assisted laparoscopic radical prostatectomy within the five years before the clinical onset of inguinal hernia;\n2.  having chronic onchocerciasis in the presence of a hanging groin at the time of the clinical onset of inguinal hernia;\n\n> Note 1: Onchocerciasis is a parasitic disease caused by the filarial worm Onchocerca volvulus that occurs in sub-Saharan African countries, and in some areas of South America and Yemen. Symptoms include severe itching, disfiguring skin conditions and visual impairment.\n\n> Note 2: hanging groin is defined in the Schedule 1 - Dictionary.\n\n1.  for uretero-inguinal hernia only, having a kidney transplant before the clinical onset of uretero-inguinal hernia;\n2.  having acute elevation of pressure within the abdominal cavity due to any one of the following:\n    1.  anti-G straining manoeuvre;\n    2.  lifting heavy weights;\n    3.  physical trauma to the abdomen involving a direct blow to the abdomen;\n    4.  pneumoperitoneum induced for laparoscopic surgery;\n    5.  significant coughing;\n    6.  significant sneezing;\n    7.  straining at micturition due to bladder outlet or urethral obstruction; or\n    8.  straining at stool due to constipation or diarrhoea;\n\nwithin the 30 days before the clinical worsening of inguinal hernia;\n\n1.  having chronic elevation of pressure within the abdominal cavity due to any one of the following:\n    1.  ascites;\n    2.  chronic ambulatory or automatic peritoneal dialysis;\n    3.  extensive intra-abdominal neoplastic disease or mass; or\n    4.  pregnancy;\n\nat the time of the clinical worsening of inguinal hernia;\n\n> Note: Chronic elevation of pressure may be intermittent or continuous.\n\n1.  undergoing radical retropubic prostatectomy, laparoscopic radical prostatectomy or robot-assisted laparoscopic radical prostatectomy within the five years before the clinical worsening of inguinal hernia;\n2.  having chronic onchocerciasis in the presence of a hanging groin at the time of the clinical worsening of inguinal hernia;\n\n> Note 1: Onchocerciasis is a parasitic disease caused by the filarial worm Onchocerca volvulus that occurs in sub-Saharan African countries, and in some areas of South America and Yemen. Symptoms include severe itching, disfiguring skin conditions and visual impairment.\n\n> Note 2: hanging groin is defined in the Schedule 1 - Dictionary.\n\n1.  for perforated inguinal hernia only, having a colonoscopy where the colonoscope enters the inguinal hernia within the 24 hours before the perforation of the inguinal hernia;\n2.  inability to obtain appropriate clinical management for inguinal hernia.\n\n1.  Relationship to service\n    1.  The existence in a person of any factor referred to in section 9, must be related to the relevant service rendered by the person.\n    2.  The factors set out in subsections 9(6) to 9(11) apply only to material contribution to, or aggravation of, inguinal hernia where the person's inguinal hernia was suffered or contracted before or during (but did not arise out of) the person's relevant service.\n2.  Factors referring to an injury or disease covered by another Statement of Principles\n\nIn this Statement of Principles:\n\n1.  if a factor referred to in section 9 applies in relation to a person; and\n2.  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\nclinical onset means the point backwards in time from the date of presentation to a registered medical practitioner first confirming the presence of inguinal hernia, to the date at which the signs and/or symptoms of the inguinal hernia were persistently present, as assessed by a registered medical practitioner.\n\nhanging groin means a sac of atrophic skin containing enlarged, sclerosed inguinal or femoral lymph glands.\n\ninguinal hernia—see subsection 7(2).\n\nMRCA means the Military Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 2004.\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\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 how an amendment is to be made. If, despite the misdescription, the amendment can be given effect as intended, then the misdescribed amendment can be incorporated through an editorial change made under section 15V of the Legislation Act 2003.\n\nIf a misdescribed amendment cannot be given effect as intended, the amendment is not incorporated and “(md not incorp)” is added to the amendment history.\n\n> Note: Endnote 2—Abbreviation key\n\n| ad = added or inserted                         | orig = original                     |\n| ---------------------------------------------- | ----------------------------------- |\n| am = amended                                   | par = paragraph(s)/subparagraph(s)  |\n| amdt = amendment                               | /sub‑subparagraph(s)                |\n| c = clause(s)                                  | pres = present                      |\n| C[x] = Compilation No. x                       | prev = previous                     |\n| Ch = Chapter(s)                                | (prev…) = previously                |\n| def = definition(s)                            | Pt = Part(s)                        |\n| Dict = Dictionary                              | r = regulation(s)/rule(s)           |\n| disallowed = disallowed by Parliament          | reloc = relocated                   |\n| Div = Division(s)                              | renum = renumbered                  |\n| exp = expires/expired or ceases/ceased to have | rep = repealed                      |\n| effect                                         | rs = repealed and substituted       |\n| F = Federal Register of Legislation            | s = section(s)/subsection(s)        |\n| gaz = gazette                                  | Sch = Schedule(s)                   |\n| LA = Legislation Act 2003                      | Sdiv = Subdivision(s)               |\n| LIA = Legislative Instruments Act 2003         | 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| o = order(s)                                   | commenced or to be commenced        |\n| Ord = Ordinance                                |                                     |\n\n> Note: Endnote 3—Legislation history\n\n| Name                                                                                                  | Registration                 | Commencement      | Application, saving and transitional provisions |\n| ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | ---------------------------- | ----------------- | ----------------------------------------------- |\n| Statement of Principles concerning inguinal hernia (Reasonable Hypothesis) (No. 47 of 2021)           | 27 April 2021F2021L00485     | 24 May 2021       |                                                 |\n| Amendment Statement of Principles concerning inguinal hernia (Reasonable Hypothesis) (No. 79 of 2025) | 10 September 2025F2025L01076 | 22 September 2025 |                                                 |\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(1)………..                            | rs No. 79 of 2025 |\n| Schedule 1 – Dictionary – clinical onset……...…. | ad No. 79 of 2025 |","sortOrder":0}],"analysis":{"flash_summary":{"complexity_score":4,"scope_assessment":{"changed":true,"description":"The 2025 amendments revised subsection 9(1) and added/altered the clinical onset definition in Schedule 1 (see Endnote 4). Those changes modify the timing and evidentiary test for when a factor raises a reasonable hypothesis, thereby altering which service-related events or histories can qualify under the Statement of Principles."},"complexity_factors":["Narrow medical scope but technical definitions (inguinal hernia meaning, terminal event, hanging groin) in Schedule 1.","Multiple temporal thresholds and trigger windows (e.g. 30 days before clinical onset, five years before onset, 24 hours before perforation) in section 9.","Different causal categories (acute vs chronic intra‑abdominal pressure, surgical antecedents, specific infectious conditions, inability to obtain care) in section 9.","Cross-references to other laws and statements (applies to claims under VEA s120A and MRCA s338; factors in other Statements of Principles may apply) in sections 3 and 11.","Reliance on medical assessment concepts (clinical onset as a retrospective assessment by a registered medical practitioner) added in Schedule 1 affects evidentiary tests.","Amendments recorded in endnotes change particular subsections and definitions, requiring users to track version history (Endnote 3–4)."],"plain_english_summary":"This instrument sets the medical criteria for when an inguinal hernia (and death from it) can be reasonably linked to Australian veterans’ or service members’ service for the purposes of VEA and MRCA claims. The Repatriation Medical Authority specifies defined medical events, time windows and conditions that must be present to raise a “reasonable hypothesis” that the hernia was related to service, so claimants and decision-makers use these criteria to determine entitlement to compensation or rehabilitation."},"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"},"kimi_summary":{"content_quality":"ok","complexity_score":4,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"The legislation remains tightly focused on its original purpose: establishing the medical nexus requirements for inguinal hernia claims. The 2025 amendment added a definition of 'clinical onset' and restructured subsection 9(1), but did not expand the scope beyond inguinal hernia or introduce new categories of eligibility."},"complexity_factors":["Multiple nested lists with sub-paragraphs (e.g., 9(1)(a)(i)-(viii))","Dual structure for onset vs. worsening — factors are essentially duplicated (sections 9(1)-9(5) for onset, 9(6)-9(10) for worsening)","Specific temporal requirements (30 days, 5 years, 24 hours) that must be precisely calculated","Cross-references to external medical classification systems (ICD-10-AM Tenth Edition)","Defined terms in Schedule 1 that modify operational meaning (e.g., 'clinical onset', 'hanging groin', 'terminal event')","Conditional application — section 10(2) limits factors 9(6)-9(11) to aggravation cases only where pre-existing condition existed","Incorporation by reference to other Statements of Principles (section 11)"],"plain_english_summary":"This Statement of Principles sets the medical rules for determining whether an inguinal hernia is connected to military service, affecting veterans, current/former defence members and decision-makers assessing compensation under the VEA and MRCA. It matters because it names specific medical factors that, if linked to service, meet the \"reasonable hypothesis\" test for a service-related condition.\n\nThe 2025 update clarifies \"clinical onset\" as symptoms being persistently present, traced back from the first doctor-confirmed diagnosis."}},"importantCases":[],"_links":{"self":"/api/acts/statement-of-principles-concerning-inguinal-hernia-reasonable-hypothesis-no-47-of-2021","history":"/api/acts/statement-of-principles-concerning-inguinal-hernia-reasonable-hypothesis-no-47-of-2021/history","analysis":"/api/acts/statement-of-principles-concerning-inguinal-hernia-reasonable-hypothesis-no-47-of-2021/analysis","conflicts":"/api/acts/statement-of-principles-concerning-inguinal-hernia-reasonable-hypothesis-no-47-of-2021/conflicts","importantCases":"/api/acts/statement-of-principles-concerning-inguinal-hernia-reasonable-hypothesis-no-47-of-2021/important-cases","documents":"/api/acts/statement-of-principles-concerning-inguinal-hernia-reasonable-hypothesis-no-47-of-2021/documents"}}