Posttraumatic stress disorder - A category 1A stressor Factor
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 12 March 2008
Preliminary questions [1721]
35945 the veteran has experienced a category 1A stressor at some time.
1723 the veteran has established the causal connection between the category 1A stressor and VEA service for posttraumatic stress disorder.
1724 the veteran has established the causal connection between the category 1A stressor and VEA service for the clinical onset of posttraumatic stress disorder.
6367 the veteran has established the causal connection between the category 1A stressor and operational service for the clinical onset of posttraumatic stress disorder.
or
6368 the veteran has established the causal connection between the category 1A stressor and eligible service for the clinical onset of posttraumatic stress disorder.
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.
1725 the veteran has established the causal connection between the category 1A stressor and VEA service for the clinical worsening of posttraumatic stress disorder.
6369 the veteran has established the causal connection between the category 1A stressor and operational service for the clinical worsening of posttraumatic stress disorder.
or
6370 the veteran has established the causal connection between the category 1A stressor and eligible service for the clinical worsening of posttraumatic stress disorder.
Clinical onset and operational service [6367]
37340 on operational service, the veteran experienced a category 1A stressor.
39200 on operational service, the veteran experienced a category 1A stressor before the clinical onset of the condition under consideration.
39204 the category 1A stressor that the veteran experienced 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.
39208 as a consequence of the identified illness or injury, the veteran experienced a category 1A stressor 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 [6368]
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.
39201 as a causal result of eligible service, the veteran experienced a category 1A stressor before the clinical onset of the condition under consideration.
39205 the category 1A stressor that the veteran experienced 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.
39208 as a consequence of the identified illness or injury, the veteran experienced a category 1A stressor 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.
Clinical worsening and operational service [6369]
37340 on operational service, the veteran experienced a category 1A stressor.
37341 as a causal result of operational service, the veteran experienced a category 1A stressor.
39202 as a causal result of operational service, the veteran experienced a category 1A stressor before the clinical worsening of the condition under consideration.
39206 the category 1A stressor that the veteran experienced before the clinical worsening 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.
39209 as a consequence of the identified illness or injury, the veteran experienced a category 1A stressor before the clinical worsening 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.
37359 the clinical onset of the condition under consideration occurred prior to that part of operational service to which the identified illness or injury, as a consequence of which the veteran experienced a category 1A stressor, is causally related.
Clinical worsening and eligible service [6370]
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.
39203 as a causal result of eligible service, the veteran experienced a category 1A stressor before the clinical worsening of the condition under consideration.
39207 the category 1A stressor that the veteran experienced before the clinical worsening 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.
39209 as a consequence of the identified illness or injury, the veteran experienced a category 1A stressor before the clinical worsening 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.
37360 the clinical onset of the condition under consideration occurred prior to that part of eligible service to which the identified illness or injury, as a consequence of which the veteran experienced a category 1A stressor, is causally related.