Ischaemic heart disease - Clinically significant depressive disorder Factor
Meaning of depressive disorder
The depressive disorder must be diagnosed by a psychiatric specialist and the report conform with the Repatriation Commission Guidelines for Psychiatric Compensation Claims.
Clinically significant
The ischaemic heart disease SOP requires the depressive disorder to be clinically significant for at least 5 years. The RMA has defined clinically significant as "sufficient to warrant ongoing management, which may involve regular visits (for example, at least monthly), to a psychiatrist, counsellor or general practitioner".
Generally it would be expected that if a depressive disorder warranted treatment then treatment would be sought. However, where treatment was not sought, a person's depressive disorder 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. However, it is unlikely that this situation (ie of warranting ongoing management but not seeking or obtaining treatment) could have continued for 5 years.
Last reviewed for CCPS 27 April 2010.
Investigative Documents
| Type | Title | PDF Format | Word Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| Medical Report | Depressive Disorder |
Preliminary questions [33430]
25245 there is some evidence that a clinically significant depressive disorder may be a factor in the development or worsening of the condition under consideration.
25246 the veteran has had depressive disorder at some time.
39978 depressive disorder means a major depressive episode, recurrent major depressive disorder, dysthymic disorder, depressive disorder not otherwise specified, substance-induced mood disorder with depressive features, or mood disorder due to a general medical condition with depressive features, or with major depressive-like episodes.
25248 the veteran's identified illness or injury was clinically significant.
33431 the veteran has established the causal connection between the depressive disorder and VEA service for ischaemic heart disease.
33432 the veteran's identified illness or injury was clinically significant for at least five years before the clinical onset of ischaemic heart disease.
38897 the veteran has established the causal connection between the depressive disorder and VEA service for the clinical onset of ischaemic heart disease.
33433 the veteran has established the causal connection between the depressive disorder and operational service for the clinical onset of ischaemic heart disease.
or
38899 the veteran has established the causal connection between the depressive disorder and eligible service for the clinical onset of ischaemic heart disease.
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.
33435 the veteran's identified illness or injury was clinically significant for at least five years before the clinical worsening of ischaemic heart disease.
38898 the veteran has established the causal connection between the depressive disorder and VEA service for the clinical worsening of ischaemic heart disease.
33434 the veteran has established the causal connection between the depressive disorder and operational service for the clinical worsening of ischaemic heart disease.
or
38900 the veteran has established the causal connection between the depressive disorder and eligible service for the clinical worsening of ischaemic heart disease.
Clinical onset and operational service [33433]
25253 the identified illness or injury, which was clinically significant, is causally related to operational service.
Clinical onset and eligible service [38899]
25255 the identified illness or injury, which was clinically significant, is causally related to eligible service.
Clinical worsening and operational service [33434]
25253 the identified illness or injury, which was clinically significant, is causally related to operational service.
33436 the clinical onset of ischaemic heart disease occurred prior to that part of operational service to which the identified illness or injury, which was clinically significant, is causally related.
Clinical worsening and eligible service [38900]
25255 the identified illness or injury, which was clinically significant, is causally related to eligible service.
38901 the clinical onset of ischaemic heart disease occurred prior to that part of eligible service to which the identified illness or injury, which was clinically significant, is causally related.