Specialist Medical Review Council

Declarations

Section 196W
Veterans’ Entitlements Act 1986

Re: Statements of Principles Nos. 55 and 56 of 2014

in respect of Chronic Multisymptom Illness

Request for Review Declaration No. 33

In relation to the Repatriation Medical Authority (the RMA) Statements of Principles Nos. 55 and 56 of 2014 concerning chronic multisymptom illness made under subsections 196B of the Veterans' Entitlements Act 1986 (the VEA), the Council under subsection 196W(5) of the VEA:

DECLARES that there is insufficient sound medical-scientific evidence on which the RMA could have relied to amend the Statements of Principles to include the following factor(s):

-        depleted uranium;

-        oil well smoke;

-        medical countermeasures (such as pyridostigmine bromide, and vaccinations for anthrax, plague, pertussis);

-        contaminated food and water;

-        chemical and biological weapons; and

-        pesticide exposure (including N,N-diethyl-m-toluamide (DEET)).