{"id":"F2024L00214","name":"Statement of Principles concerning seborrhoeic keratosis (Reasonable Hypothesis) (No. 19 of 2024)","slug":"statement-of-principles-concerning-seborrhoeic-keratosis-reasonable-hypothesis-no-19-of-2024","collection":"legislative_instrument","jurisdiction":"commonwealth","status":"in_force","isInForce":true,"actNumber":null,"makingDate":null,"administeringDepartment":null,"currentVersion":{"id":105111,"registerId":"commonwealth-F2024L00214-current","compilationNumber":null,"startDate":"2026-04-03","status":"InForce","reasons":null,"registeredAt":null},"sections":[{"sectionNumber":"1","sectionType":"section","heading":"Statement of Principles concerning seborrhoeic keratosis (Reasonable Hypothesis) (No. 19 of 2024)","content":"![Commonwealth Coat of Arms](image.001.png)\n\nStatement of Principles concerning seborrhoeic keratosis (Reasonable Hypothesis) (No. 19 of 2024)\n\nmade under subsection 196B(2) of the\n\nVeterans' Entitlements Act 1986\n\nCompilation No. 1\n\nCompilation date: 28 May 2024\n\nIncludes amendments: Amendment Statement of Principles concerning seborrhoeic keratosis (Reasonable Hypothesis) (No. 38 of 2024) (F2024L00489)\n\nThe day of commencement of this Amendment Statement of Principles concerning seborrhoeic keratosis is 28 May 2024.\n\nAbout this compilation\n\nThis compilation\n\nThis is a compilation of the Statement of Principles concerning seborrhoeic keratosis (Reasonable Hypothesis) (No. 19 of 2024) that shows the text of the law as amended and in force on 28 May 2024.\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 seborrhoeic keratosis (Reasonable Hypothesis) (No. 19 of 2024).\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 seborrhoeic keratosis and death from seborrhoeic keratosis.\n\nMeaning of seborrhoeic keratosis\n\n(2) For the purposes of this Statement of Principles, seborrhoeic keratosis:\n\n(a) means a benign intra-epidermal skin tumour arising from the proliferation of basaloid keratinocytes with histopathological architecture of a papilloma with a flat base and a hyperkeratotic crown; and\n\n(b) includes:\n\n(i) basal cell papilloma;\n\n(ii) dermatosis papulosa nigra;\n\n(iii) pigmented seborrhoeic keratosis;\n\n(iv) seborrhoeic wart;\n\n(v) stucco keratosis; and\n\n(vi) Leser-Trélat sign/disease; and\n\n(c) excludes:\n\n(i) seborrhoeic dermatitis;\n\n(ii) seborrhoeic psoriasis; and\n\n(iii) solar keratosis.\n\n(3) While seborrhoeic keratosis attracts ICD‑10‑AM code L82, in applying this Statement of Principles the meaning of seborrhoeic keratosis 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 seborrhoeic keratosis\n\n(5) For the purposes of this Statement of Principles, seborrhoeic keratosis, in relation to a person, includes death from a terminal event or condition that was contributed to by the person's seborrhoeic keratosis.\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 seborrhoeic keratosis and death from seborrhoeic keratosis 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 seborrhoeic keratosis or death from seborrhoeic keratosis with the circumstances of a person's relevant service:\n\n(1) having sunlight exposure to unprotected skin at the affected site for at least 2,250 hours while in a tropical area, or having equivalent sunlight exposure in other latitude zones (latitude equivalent hours), before clinical onset;\n\n> Note: latitude equivalent hours are defined in the Schedule 1 - Dictionary.\n\n(2) for the Leser-Trélat sign only (sudden onset of >20 new seborrhoeic keratoses within 6 months), having a malignancy excluding non-melanotic malignant neoplasm of the skin, within 1 year before clinical onset;\n\n(3) taking a course of dabrafenib or vemurafenib for the treatment of cancer within 1 year before clinical onset;\n\n(4) inability to obtain appropriate clinical management for seborrhoeic keratosis before clinical worsening.\n\n10 Relationship to service\n\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\n(2) The factor set out in subsection 9(4) applies only to material contribution to, or aggravation of, seborrhoeic keratosis where the person's seborrhoeic keratosis was suffered or contracted before or during (but did not arise out of) the person's relevant service.\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\nlatitude equivalent hours means hours of exposure multiplied by the appropriate latitude weighting factor shown below.\n\n```html\n

Latitude

Latitude weighting factor

Tropical

23.5° North - 23.5° South

1.0

Subtropical

> 23.5° - 35° North

> 23.5° - 35° South

0.75

0.75

Warm temperate

> 35° - 45° North

> 35° - 45° South

0.5

0.5

Cool temperate

> 45° - 65° North

> 45° - 65° South

0.25

0.25

\n```\n\nNote: Sunlight exposure is calculated as the sum of sunlight exposure in each separate latitude, accounting for the different sunlight intensity in each latitude (weighting factor).\n\nSum of sunlight exposure = (hours spent in tropical latitude x tropical latitude weighting factor) + (hours spent in subtropical latitude x subtropical latitude weighting factor) + (hours spent in warm temperate latitude x warm temperate latitude weighting factor) + (hours spent in cool temperate latitude x cool temperate latitude weighting factor)\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 defined in the Schedule 1 - Dictionary.\n\nseborrhoeic keratosis—see subsection 7(2).\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 seborrhoeic keratosis (Reasonable Hypothesis) (No. 19 of 2024) | 28 February 2024F2024L00214 | 26 March 2024 | |\n| Amendment Statement of Principles concerning seborrhoeic keratosis (Reasonable Hypothesis) (No. 38 of 2024) | 26 April 2024F2024L00489 | 28 May 2024 | |\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(2)……….. | am No. 38 of 2024 |","sortOrder":0}],"analysis":{"flash_summary":{"complexity_score":4,"scope_assessment":{"changed":true,"description":"Endnote 4 records an amendment to subsection 9(2). The current text of subsection 9(2) requires a malignancy (explicitly excluding non-melanotic malignant neoplasm of the skin) within 1 year before clinical onset for the Leser–Trélat sign to qualify. That amendment narrows and clarifies the qualifying malignancy criterion and imposes a 1‑year window (subsection 9(2); Endnote 4)."},"complexity_factors":["Technical medical definition and listed inclusions/exclusions for seborrhoeic keratosis (subsection 7(2)–(4)).","Quantitative sunlight threshold and latitude-equivalent hours calculation with weighting table (subsection 9(1); Schedule 1).","Multiple discrete causal factors with specific time windows and drug exposures (subsections 9(2)–(3)).","Cross-references to entitlement claim provisions under the VEA and MRCA and to other Statements of Principles (section 5; section 11).","Requirement that any listed factor be related to the person’s relevant service and limited operation of factor 9(4) where condition pre-existed service (section 10).","Reliance on ICD-10-AM coding yet overriding the code with an express statutory definition (subsection 7(3)–(4)).","Amendment history affecting a key factor (subsection 9(2) amended — Endnote 4), creating interpretive/transition issues."],"plain_english_summary":"This instrument sets the medical criteria used to decide whether seborrhoeic keratosis (and death from it) can be reasonably hypothesised to be connected to a person’s relevant service under the VEA or the MRCA. It defines the condition, lists the qualifying factors (for example, a specified amount of latitude-weighted sun exposure, a recent malignancy for the Leser–Trélat sign, recent use of dabrafenib or vemurafenib, or inability to obtain appropriate clinical care), and gives the method for calculating sunlight exposure."},"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":"This is a standard, narrowly-scoped Statement of Principles instrument that performs its intended function: establishing specific causal factors for a single medical condition in the veterans' compensation scheme. It has not expanded beyond its original purpose."},"complexity_factors":["Specialised medical terminology requiring definitions (7 sub-types of seborrhoeic keratosis listed, 3 excluded conditions)","Mathematical calculation requirement for sun exposure using latitude weighting factors (4-zone table with multipliers: 1.0, 0.75, 0.5, 0.25)","Conditional logic with specific temporal requirements (3 factors require 'within 1 year before clinical onset')","Factor-specific limitations (subsection 9(2) applies only to Leser-Trélat sign; subsection 9(4) has restricted application to pre-existing conditions)","Cross-referencing mechanism in section 11 linking to other Statements of Principles","Dual statutory framework application (VEA and MRCA with 6 defined service types)"],"plain_english_summary":"This instrument sets when seborrhoeic keratosis can be accepted as connected to military service, guiding the Repatriation Medical Authority and claims under the VEA and MRCA. It defines the medical/scientific basis and the specific circumstances that satisfy the \"reasonable hypothesis\" test.\n\nNotably it recognises sun exposure with a latitude-weighted calculation, certain cancer-related triggers and lack of treatment as possible links — key because it determines taxpayer-funded compensation and reflects geographic differences in service risk."}},"importantCases":[],"_links":{"self":"/api/acts/statement-of-principles-concerning-seborrhoeic-keratosis-reasonable-hypothesis-no-19-of-2024","history":"/api/acts/statement-of-principles-concerning-seborrhoeic-keratosis-reasonable-hypothesis-no-19-of-2024/history","analysis":"/api/acts/statement-of-principles-concerning-seborrhoeic-keratosis-reasonable-hypothesis-no-19-of-2024/analysis","conflicts":"/api/acts/statement-of-principles-concerning-seborrhoeic-keratosis-reasonable-hypothesis-no-19-of-2024/conflicts","importantCases":"/api/acts/statement-of-principles-concerning-seborrhoeic-keratosis-reasonable-hypothesis-no-19-of-2024/important-cases","documents":"/api/acts/statement-of-principles-concerning-seborrhoeic-keratosis-reasonable-hypothesis-no-19-of-2024/documents"}}