Adjustment disorder - A category 1A stressor Factor
RMA definition
The RMA has defined this to mean "one or more of the following severe traumatic events:
- experiencing a life-threatening event;
- being subject to a serious physical attack or assault including rape and sexual molestation; or
- being threatened with a weapon, being held captive, being kidnapped, or being tortured".
Case law
"Experiencing a severe stressor" has been the subject of Federal Court determinations and an Advisory Note. Whilst a category 1A stressor is not exactly the same there are enough similarities for the following advice to be considered:
In assessing whether a particular event is a "severe stressor" as defined, it is necessary to consider both the objective nature of the event and the veteran's subjective knowledge about the event. The authority for this approach is the Federal Court decision in Stoddart, and you should read AN02/2003 Federal Court Decision Stoddart.
Last reviewed for CCPS 15 October 2008.
Preliminary questions [18129]
35945 the veteran has experienced a category 1A stressor at some time.
18137 the veteran has established the causal connection between the category 1A stressor and VEA service for the clinical onset of adjustment disorder.
18139 the veteran has established the causal connection between the category 1A stressor and operational service for the clinical onset of adjustment disorder.
or
18140 the veteran has established the causal connection between the category 1A stressor and eligible service for the clinical onset of adjustment disorder.
Clinical onset and operational service [18139]
37340 on operational service, the veteran experienced a category 1A stressor.
40211 on operational service, the veteran experienced a category 1A stressor within the three months before the clinical onset of the condition under consideration.
40214 the category 1A stressor that the veteran experienced within the three months 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
37352 the veteran experienced the category 1A stressor because of an illness or injury which is identifiable.
40216 as a consequence of the identified illness or injury, the veteran experienced a category 1A stressor within the three months before the clinical onset of the condition under consideration.
37357 the identified illness or injury, as a consequence of which the veteran experienced a category 1A stressor, is causally related to operational service.
Clinical onset and eligible service [18140]
37342 on eligible service, the veteran experienced a category 1A stressor.
37343 as a causal result of eligible service, the veteran experienced a category 1A stressor.
40213 as a causal result of eligible service, the veteran experienced a category 1A stressor within the three months before the clinical onset of the condition under consideration.
40215 the category 1A stressor that the veteran experienced within the three months 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
37352 the veteran experienced the category 1A stressor because of an illness or injury which is identifiable.
40216 as a consequence of the identified illness or injury, the veteran experienced a category 1A stressor within the three months before the clinical onset of the condition under consideration.
37358 the identified illness or injury, as a consequence of which the veteran experienced a category 1A stressor, is causally related to eligible service.