Alcohol Use Disorder - A clinically significant psychiatric condition Factor
RMA definition
In the SOP for alcohol dependence and alcohol abuse the RMA has defined "a clinically significant psychiatric condition" to mean "any Axis 1 or Axis II disorder of mental health that attracts a diagnosis under DSM-IV-TR which is sufficient to warrant ongoing management, excluding alcohol-related disorders. The ongoing management may involve regular visits (for example, at least monthly), to a psychiatrist, clinical psychologist or general practitioner".
General information
Axis 1 disorders cover clinical disorders such as mood disorders, substance-related disorders, and adjustment disorders. Common Axis 1 disorders include depressive disorder, anxiety disorder, posttraumatic stress disorder, bipolar disorder, ADHD, and schizophrenia. Alcohol dependence and alcohol abuse are also Axis 1 conditions but they are excluded by the definition in the alcohol dependence/abuse SOP.
Axis 2 disorders cover various personality disorders and mental retardation.
The diagnosis of a psychiatric condition must be made by a psychiatrist
Generally it would be expected that if a psychiatric condition warranted treatment then treatment would be sought. However, where treatment was not sought, a person's psychiatric condition might still meet the definition of "clinically significant" if there was persuasive and professional evidence, based on a comprehensive clinical history, that ongoing management had been warranted
Last reviewed for CCPS 9 September 2009.
Preliminary questions [26318]
39687 the veteran has had an Axis 1 or 2 psychiatric condition (excluding alcohol-related disorders) at some time.
4648 an Axis 1 or 2 psychiatric condition means any Axis 1 or 2 disorder of mental health attracting a diagnosis under DSM-IV-TR (excluding alcohol-related disorders).
26043 the identified illness or injury, a psychiatric condition, has been clinically significant at some time.
26320 the veteran has established the causal connection between the psychiatric disorder and VEA service for the condition under consideration.
22877 the identified illness or injury, a psychiatric condition, was clinically significant at the time of the clinical onset of the condition under consideration.
26322 the veteran has established the causal connection between the psychiatric disorder and VEA service for the clinical onset of the condition under consideration.
26327 the veteran has established the causal connection between the psychiatric disorder and operational service for the clinical onset of the condition under consideration.
or
26328 the veteran has established the causal connection between the psychiatric disorder 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.
35214 the identified illness or injury, a psychiatric condition, was clinically significant at the time of the clinical worsening of the condition under consideration.
26326 the veteran has established the causal connection between the psychiatric disorder and VEA service for the clinical worsening of the condition under consideration.
26329 the veteran has established the causal connection between the psychiatric disorder and operational service for the clinical worsening of the condition under consideration.
or
26330 the veteran has established the causal connection between the psychiatric disorder and eligible service for the clinical worsening of the condition under consideration.
Clinical onset and operational service [26327]
26044 the identified illness or injury, a clinically significant psychiatric condition, is causally related to operational service.
Clinical onset and eligible service [26328]
26045 the identified illness or injury, a clinically significant psychiatric condition, is causally related to eligible service.
Clinical worsening and operational service [26329]
26044 the identified illness or injury, a clinically significant psychiatric condition, is causally related to operational service.
6029 the clinical onset of the veteran's condition under consideration occurred prior to that part of operational service to which the identified illness or injury, a clinically significant psychiatric condition, is causally related.
Clinical worsening and eligible service [26330]
26045 the identified illness or injury, a clinically significant psychiatric condition, is causally related to eligible service.
6030 the clinical onset of the veteran's condition under consideration occurred prior to that part of eligible service to which the identified illness or injury, a clinically significant psychiatric condition, is causally related.