Cessation or reduction of therapeutic or illicit drugs

As a cause of depressive disorder, this SOP factor applies only for substance-induced mood disorder with depressive features.  As an aggravating factor, it applies to all types of depressive disorder.

The RMA has not provided a definition for this factor.

A therapeutic drug is a drug used to treat a disease or condition.

An illicit drug means a controlled substance or precursor (any chemical that is transformed into another), the import, export, production, sale or possession of which is prohibited or restricted by law.

The SOP factor requires:

having ceased or reduced therapeutic or illicit drugs within the one month before the clinical onset/worsening of depressive disorder.

The psychiatric report that conforms with the Repatriation Commission Guidelines for Psychiatric Compensation Claims will include history of any drug taking, illicit or otherwise, in the month before onset or worsening of depressive disorder.

Last reviewed for CCPS 16 September 2011.

Preliminary questions [39694]

39701 there is some evidence that the cessation or reduction of therapeutic or illicit drugs may be a factor in the development or worsening of the condition under consideration.

39726  the veteran has established the causal connection between the cessation or reduction of therapeutic or illicit drugs and VEA service for depressive disorder.

39677   the condition under consideration is substance-induced mood disorder with depressive features.

39733   the veteran experienced cessation or reduction of therapeutic or illicit drugs within the one month before the clinical onset of the condition under consideration.

39727   the veteran has established the causal connection between the cessation or reduction of therapeutic or illicit drugs and VEA service for the clinical onset of the condition under consideration.

39729  the veteran has established the causal connection between the cessation or reduction of therapeutic or illicit drugs and operational service for the clinical onset of the condition under consideration.

or

39730  the veteran has established the causal connection between the cessation or reduction of therapeutic or illicit drugs and eligible service for the clinical onset of the condition under consideration.

or

7334     the clinical onset of the condition under consideration occurred after the end of the veteran's last period of VEA service.

7335     the condition under consideration permanently worsened.

39734   the veteran experienced cessation or reduction of therapeutic or illicit drugs after the clinical onset of the condition under consideration and within the one month before its clinical worsening.

39728   the veteran has established the causal connection between the cessation or reduction of therapeutic or illicit drugs and VEA service for the clinical worsening of the condition under consideration.

39731  the veteran has established the causal connection between the cessation or reduction of therapeutic or illicit drugs and operational service for the clinical worsening of the condition under consideration.

or

39732  the veteran has established the causal connection between the cessation or reduction of therapeutic or illicit drugs and eligible service for the clinical worsening of the condition under consideration.

Clinical onset and operational service [39729]

39735 the cessation or reduction of therapeutic or illicit drugs within the one month before the clinical onset of the condition under consideration was caused by operational service.

39739 the cessation or reduction of therapeutic or illicit drugs within the one month before the clinical onset of the condition under consideration, which was caused by operational service, was due to the veteran's serious default, wilful act or serious breach of discipline.

Clinical onset and eligible service [39730]

39736 the cessation or reduction of therapeutic or illicit drugs within the one month before the clinical onset of the condition under consideration was caused by eligible service.

39740 the cessation or reduction of therapeutic or illicit drugs within the one month before the clinical onset of the condition under consideration, which was caused by eligible service, was due to the veteran's serious default, wilful act or serious breach of discipline.

Clinical worsening and operational service [39731]

39737 the cessation or reduction of therapeutic or illicit drugs after the clinical onset of the condition under consideration and within the one month before its clinical worsening was caused by operational service.

39741 the cessation or reduction of therapeutic or illicit drugs after the clinical onset of the condition under consideration and within the one month before its clinical worsening, which was caused by operational service, was due to the veteran's serious default, wilful act or serious breach of discipline.

Clinical worsening and eligible service [39732]

39738 the cessation or reduction of therapeutic or illicit drugs after the clinical onset of the condition under consideration and within the one month before its clinical worsening was caused by eligible service.

39742 the cessation or reduction of therapeutic or illicit drugs after the clinical onset of the condition under consideration and within the one month before its clinical worsening, which was caused by eligible service, was due to the veteran's serious default, wilful act or serious breach of discipline.