Physical trauma

External bruise - Physical trauma Factor

Physical trauma means a knock, blow, hit or firm compression (as may occur with seat belt injuries).  Physical trauma does not have to be severe in order to cause an external bruise.  Some people bruise more easily than others because of an underlying fragility.

A history of physical trauma may be documented in the evidence.  However, unless the trauma was severe, the person probably would not have sought medical attention.  In addition, doctors' notes and hospitals' records may have been destroyed or can no longer be obtained.  If clinical records cannot be obtained, a statement regarding the circumstances of the physical trauma that caused the bruise will generally be accepted, unless there is contradictory evidence.

Last reviewed for CCPS 12 March 2008.

Investigative Documents

Preliminary questions [7086]

7088     the veteran has had physical trauma to the area of side and site of the body at some time.

7093     the veteran satisfies the occurrence provisions for the physical trauma and VEA service for the clinical onset of external bruise.

7096     the veteran had physical trauma to the area of side and site of the body within the 72 hours before the clinical onset of the condition under consideration.

or

7101     the veteran had physical trauma to the area of side and site of the body within the 24 hours before the clinical onset of the condition under consideration.

7090     the veteran has established the causal connection between the physical trauma and VEA service for the clinical onset of external bruise.

7094     the veteran has established the causal connection between the physical trauma and operational service for the clinical onset of external bruise.

or

7095     the veteran has established the causal connection between the physical trauma and eligible service for the clinical onset of external bruise.

Clinical onset and operational service [7094]

7097     on operational service, the veteran had physical trauma to the area of side and site of the body within the 72 hours before the clinical onset of the condition under consideration.

7098     the physical trauma to the area of side and site of the body within the 72 hours before the clinical onset of the condition under consideration, on operational service, was due to the veteran's serious default, wilful act or serious breach of discipline.

or

7089     the veteran had physical trauma to the area of side and site of the body before the clinical onset of the condition under consideration as a consequence of an illness or injury which is identifiable.

7099     the veteran had physical trauma to the area of side and site of the body within the 72 hours before the clinical onset of the condition under consideration as a consequence of an illness or injury which is identifiable.

7100     the identified illness or injury which caused the physical trauma to the area of side and site of the body is causally related to operational service.

Clinical onset and eligible service [7095]

7102     on eligible service, the veteran had physical trauma to the area of side and site of the body within the 24 hours before the clinical onset of the condition under consideration.

7103     as a causal result of eligible service, the veteran had physical trauma to the area of side and site of the body within the 24 hours before the clinical onset of the condition under consideration.

7104     the physical trauma to the area of side and site of the body within the 24 hours before the clinical onset of the condition under consideration, on eligible service, was due to the veteran's serious default, wilful act or serious breach of discipline.

or

7089     the veteran had physical trauma to the area of side and site of the body before the clinical onset of the condition under consideration as a consequence of an illness or injury which is identifiable.

7105     the veteran had physical trauma to the area of side and site of the body within the 24 hours before the clinical onset of the condition under consideration as a consequence of an illness or injury which is identifiable.

7106     the identified illness or injury which caused the physical trauma to the area of side and site of the body is causally related to eligible service.