Document ID: chunk:federal_register_of_legislation:F2024L01706:front:0:p1
Version: federal_register_of_legislation:F2024L01706
Segment Type: other
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Character Range: 0–3226

Statement of Principles
concerning
ARACHNOID CYST
 (Balance of Probabilities)
(No. 12 of 2025)
The Repatriation Medical Authority determines the following Statement of Principles under subsection 196B(3) of the Veterans' Entitlements Act 1986.

Dated 17 December 2024.

Professor Terence Campbell AM
Chairperson
by and on behalf of
The Repatriation Medical Authority

Contents
1 Name
2 Commencement
3 Authority
4 Repeal
5 Application
6 Definitions
7 Kind of injury, disease or death to which this Statement of Principles relates
8 Basis for determining the factors
9 Factors that must exist
10 Relationship to service
11 Factors referring to an injury or disease covered by another Statement of Principles
Schedule 1 - Dictionary
1 Definitions

 1.                Name
This is the Statement of Principles concerning arachnoid cyst (Balance of Probabilities) (No. 12 of 2025).
 1.                Commencement
              This instrument commences on 28 January 2025.
 1.                Authority
This instrument is made under subsection 196B(3) of the Veterans' Entitlements Act 1986.
 1.                Repeal
The Statement of Principles concerning arachnoid cyst (No. 92 of 2015) Federal Register of Legislation No. F2015L00925) made under subsection 196B(3) of the VEA is repealed.
 1.                Application
This instrument applies to a claim to which section 120B of the VEA or section 339 of the Military Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 2004 applies.
 1.                Definitions
The terms defined in the Schedule 1 - Dictionary have the meaning given when used in this instrument.
 1.                Kind of injury, disease or death to which this Statement of Principles relates
        1.           This Statement of Principles is about arachnoid cyst and death from arachnoid cyst.
Meaning of arachnoid cyst
 1.           For the purposes of this Statement of Principles, arachnoid cyst:
         1.           means a benign, noncancerous cerebrospinal fluid-filled sac (pseudocyst), lined with arachnoid membrane, and occurring within the cranium or spinal canal; and
         2.           excludes arachnoid cyst associated with autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease.
Note 1: Most arachnoid cysts are asymptomatic. Neurological symptoms or obstructive hydrocephalus can be caused by mass effect or altered cerebrospinal fluid flow dynamics. Clinical manifestations of an intracranial arachnoid cyst can include headache, cranial nerve dysfunction, nausea, vomiting and seizures. Clinical manifestations of a spinal arachnoid cyst can include back pain, gait and balance problems and sphincter disturbance.
Note 2: Clinical worsening can include arachnoid cyst enlargement, rupture, or haemorrhage.
Death from arachnoid cyst
 1.           For the purposes of this Statement of Principles, arachnoid cyst, in relation to a person, includes death from a terminal event or condition that was contributed to by the person's arachnoid cyst.
Note: terminal event is defined in the Schedule 1 – Dictionary.
 1.                Basis for determining the factors
On the sound medical‑scientific evidence available, the Repatriation Medical Authority is of the view that it is more probable than