Statements of Principles (SoPs) are legal instruments created by the Repatriation Medical Authority (RMA). They set out the medical-scientific factors that DVA uses to determine whether a condition is service-related.
Each SoP lists specific "factors" that can establish a connection between a condition and service. For example, the PTSD SoP includes factors like experiencing a traumatic event during service.
There are two standards: the "reasonable hypothesis" standard (generally for operational service) and the "balance of probabilities" standard (for peacetime service). The reasonable hypothesis standard is lower — making it easier to establish service connection.
You do not need to know the specific SoP for your condition — DVA and your clinician use them during assessment. However, understanding what factors apply can help you gather the right evidence.
SoPs are regularly updated and can be found at rma.gov.au.