Document ID: chunk:federal_register_of_legislation:F2017C00786:body:0:p2
Version: federal_register_of_legislation:F2017C00786
Segment Type: other
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Character Range: 2762–5774

of Principles is about otitis media and death from otitis media.

         (b) For the purposes of this Statement of Principles, "otitis media" means an infective or inflammatory process within the middle ear.  This definition of otitis media excludes cholesteatoma of the middle ear or isolated perforation of the tympanic membrane.

         (c) Otitis media attracts ICD-10-AM code H65, H66 or H67.

         (d) In the application of this Statement of Principles, the definition of "otitis media" is that given at paragraph 3(b) above.

Basis for determining the factors

    4. On the sound medical-scientific evidence available, the Repatriation Medical Authority is of the view that it is more probable than not that otitis media and death from otitis media can be related to relevant service rendered by veterans or members of the Forces under the VEA, or members under the Military Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 2004 (the MRCA).

Factors that must be related to service

    5. Subject to clause 7, at least one of the factors set out in clause 6 must be related to the relevant service rendered by the person.

Factors

    6. The factor that must exist before it can be said that, on the balance of probabilities, otitis media or death from otitis media is connected with the circumstances of a person's relevant service is:

         (a)               having an upper respiratory tract infection within the seven days before the clinical onset of otitis media; or

         (b)               having a partial or complete obstruction of the Eustachian tube of the affected side within the seven days before the clinical onset of otitis media; or

         (c)               having allergic rhinitis within the seven days before the clinical onset of otitis media; or

         (d)               having a malignant neoplasm of the nasopharynx at the time of the clinical onset of otitis media; or

         (e)               having received a cumulative equivalent dose of at least 20 sieverts of ionising radiation to the temporal bone of the affected side within the three years before the clinical onset of otitis media; or

         (f)                undergoing a course of therapeutic radiation for cancer, where the affected ear was in the field of radiation, within the three years before the clinical onset of otitis media; or

         (g)               having a rupture of the tympanic membrane of the affected side within the seven days before the clinical onset of otitis media; or

         (h)               experiencing otitic barotrauma within the seven days before the clinical onset of otitis media; or

         (i)                 having tuberculosis at the time of the clinical onset of otitis media; or

         (j)                 having an upper respiratory tract infection within the seven days before the clinical worsening of otitis media; or

         (k)               having allergic rhinitis within the seven days before the clinical worsening of otitis media;