What can I claim secondary to depressive disorder?
16 conditions in the Repatriation Medical Authority's Statements of Principles list depressive disorder as a factor. If DVA has accepted your depressive disorder, each of these has a documented pathway to a further claim.
At a glance
- Accepted conditionDepressive disorder
- Conditions it may open16
- SourceRMA SoPs
- Chart Review$600 + GST
How a secondary claim works
Some Statement of Principles factors are not about service at all — they name another condition. Where DVA has already accepted your depressive disorder, and another condition's SoP lists depressive disorder as a factor, that part of the next claim is already established on your file. How a secondary claim works, in full →
Conditions that list depressive disorder as a factor
Quoted from the instrument. A pathway existing is not the same as a claim succeeding — each factor carries thresholds your record has to satisfy.
Alzheimer disease
RH No. 33 of 2019 · BoP No. 34 of 2019
Reasonable Hypothesis — factor (10): “having major depressive disorder at least ten years before the clinical onset of Alzheimer disease” [clinical onset]
This factor appears in the Reasonable Hypothesis instrument only, which applies to operational service.
Asthma
RH No. 31 of 2021 · BoP No. 32 of 2021
Reasonable Hypothesis — factor (12): “having a clinically significant depressive disorder for at least the six months before the clinical worsening of asthma; Compilation No. 1 Compilation date: 19/09/2022 Authorised Version F2022C00899 registered 19/09/2022” [worsening]
Balance of Probabilities — factor (11): “having a clinically significant depressive disorder for at least the six months before the clinical worsening of asthma” [worsening]
Note: clinically significant and clinical worsening of asthma are defined in the Schedule 1 - Dictionary.
Cerebrovascular accident (stroke)
RH No. 45 of 2024 · BoP No. 46 of 2024
Reasonable Hypothesis — factor (39): “having clinically significant depressive disorder within the 2 years before clinical onset” [clinical onset]
Balance of Probabilities — factor (34): “having clinically significant depressive disorder within the 1 year before clinical onset” [clinical onset]
Note: clinically significant is defined in the Schedule 1 - Dictionary.
Diabetes mellitus
RH No. 48 of 2020 · BoP No. 49 of 2020
Reasonable Hypothesis — factor (7): “for type 2 diabetes mellitus only: (a) having smoked at least five pack-years of tobacco products before the clinical onset of diabetes mellitus, and where smoking has permanently ceased, the clinical onset of diabetes mellitus has occurred within 15 years of cessation; (b) being exposed to second-hand smoke for at least 5,000 hours before the clinical onset of diabetes mellitus, and where exposure to second-hand smoke has permanently ceased, the clinical onset of diabetes mellitus has occurred within 15 years of cessation; (c) being overweight or obese for at least five years before the clinical onset of diabetes mellitus; (d) an inability to undertake moderate physical activity of at least four METs for at least the five years before the clinical onset of diabetes mellitus; (e) having cirrhosis of the liver at the time of the clinical onset of diabetes mellitus; (f) having non-alcoholic steatohepatitis at the time of the clinical onset of diabetes mellitus; (g) having infection with human immunodeficiency virus before the clinical onset of diabetes mellitus; (h) having infection with hepatitis C virus before the clinical onset of diabetes mellitus; (i) having hypertension at the time of the clinical onset of diabetes mellitus; Compilation No. 3 Compilation date: 19/09/2022 Authorised Version F2022C00898 registered 19/09/2022 (j) having chronic renal failure at the time of the clinical onset of diabetes mellitus; (k) having gout or hyperuricaemia at the time of the clinical onset of diabetes mellitus; (l) having posttraumatic stress disorder at the time of the clinical onset of diabetes mellitus; (m) having depressive disorder at the time of the clinical onset of diabetes mellitus; (n) having bipolar disorder at the time of the clinical onset of diabetes mellitus; (o) having schizophrenia at the time of the clinical onset of diabetes mellitus; (p) having bilateral orchiectomy before the clinical onset of diabetes mellitus; (q) having anti-androgen therapy as specified for at least the one year before the clinical onset of diabetes mellitus; (r) being exposed to arsenic as specified before the clinical onset of diabetes mellitus; (s) inhaling, ingesting or having cutaneous contact with a chemical agent contaminated by 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-para-dioxin (TCDD): (i) for a cumulative period of at least 500 hours, within a consecutive period of ten years before the clinical onset of diabetes mellitus; and (ii) where the first exposure occurred at least five years before the clinical onset of diabetes mellitus; and (iii) where that exposure has ceased, the clinical onset of diabetes mellitus has occurred within 25 years of cessation; or Compilation No. 3 Compilation date: 19/09/2022 Authorised Version F2022C00898 registered 19/09/2022 (t) for parous women only, inability to breast feed for a cumulative period of at least six months before the clinical onset of diabetes mellitus” [clinical onset] — factor (20): “having depressive disorder at the time of the clinical worsening of diabetes mellitus” [worsening]
Balance of Probabilities — factor (7): “for type 2 diabetes mellitus only: (a) having smoked at least five pack-years of tobacco products before the clinical onset of diabetes mellitus, and where smoking has permanently ceased, the clinical onset of diabetes mellitus has occurred within 15 years of cessation; (b) being exposed to second-hand smoke for at least 5,000 hours before the clinical onset of diabetes mellitus, and where exposure to second-hand smoke has permanently ceased, the clinical onset of diabetes mellitus has occurred within 15 years of cessation; (c) being overweight or obese for at least five years before the clinical onset of diabetes mellitus; (d) an inability to undertake moderate physical activity of at least four METs for at least the five years before the clinical onset of diabetes mellitus; (e) having cirrhosis of the liver at the time of the clinical onset of diabetes mellitus; (f) having non-alcoholic steatohepatitis at the time of the clinical onset of diabetes mellitus; (g) having infection with human immunodeficiency virus before the clinical onset of diabetes mellitus; (h) having infection with hepatitis C virus before the clinical onset of diabetes mellitus; (i) having depressive disorder at the time of the clinical onset of diabetes mellitus; (j) having bipolar disorder at the time of the clinical onset of diabetes mellitus; (k) having schizophrenia at the time of the clinical onset of diabetes mellitus; (l) having bilateral orchiectomy before the clinical onset of diabetes mellitus; Compilation No. 3 Compilation date: 19/09/2022 (m) having anti-androgen therapy with a gonadotrophin releasing hormone agonist, including goserelin and leuprorelin, for at least the one year before the clinical onset of diabetes mellitus; or (n) being exposed to arsenic as specified before the clinical onset of diabetes mellitus” [clinical onset] — factor (18): “having depressive disorder at the time of the clinical worsening of diabetes mellitus” [worsening]
Note: one pack-year is defined in the Schedule 1 - Dictionary.
Duodenal ulcer and duodenal erosion
RH No. 49 of 2024 · BoP No. 50 of 2024
Reasonable Hypothesis — factor (20): “being diagnosed by a registered medical practitioner with anxiety disorder, depressive disorder, bipolar disorder, obsessive compulsive disorder or panic disorder at the time of clinical onset or clinical worsening” [onset and worsening]
This factor appears in the Reasonable Hypothesis instrument only, which applies to operational service.
Epilepsy
RH No. 84 of 2022 · BoP No. 85 of 2022
Reasonable Hypothesis — factor (18): “having clinically significant depressive disorder at least 1 year before the clinical onset of epilepsy” [clinical onset] — factor (39): “having clinically significant depressive disorder at least 1 year before the clinical worsening of epilepsy” [worsening]
This factor appears in the Reasonable Hypothesis instrument only, which applies to operational service.
Note: clinically significant is defined in the Schedule 1 - Dictionary.
Gastric ulcer and gastric erosion
RH No. 51 of 2024 · BoP No. 52 of 2024
Reasonable Hypothesis — factor (22): “being diagnosed by a registered medical practitioner with anxiety disorder, depressive disorder, bipolar disorder, obsessive compulsive disorder or panic disorder at the time of clinical onset or clinical worsening” [onset and worsening]
This factor appears in the Reasonable Hypothesis instrument only, which applies to operational service.
Inflammatory bowel disease
RH No. 90 of 2020 · BoP No. 91 of 2020
Reasonable Hypothesis — factor (9): “having a clinically significant depressive disorder or a clinically significant anxiety disorder for at least the one year before the clinical onset of inflammatory bowel disease” [clinical onset] — factor (20): “having a clinically significant depressive disorder or a clinically significant anxiety disorder for at least the one year before the clinical worsening of inflammatory bowel disease” [worsening]
This factor appears in the Reasonable Hypothesis instrument only, which applies to operational service.
Note: clinically significant is defined in the Schedule 1 - Dictionary.
Ischaemic heart disease
RH No. 27 of 2025 · BoP No. 28 of 2025
Reasonable Hypothesis — factor (27): “having one of following clinically significant disorders of mental health for at least the 5 years before clinical onset or clinical worsening; (a) adjustment disorder; (b) agoraphobia; (c) anxiety disorder; (d) depressive disorder; (e) panic disorder; (f) posttraumatic stress disorder; (g) schizophrenia; or (h) social anxiety disorder” [onset and worsening]
Balance of Probabilities — factor (19): “having one of following clinically significant disorders of mental health for at least the 5 years before clinical onset or clinical worsening; (a) adjustment disorder; (b) agoraphobia; (c) anxiety disorder; (d) depressive disorder; (e) panic disorder; (f) posttraumatic stress disorder; (g) schizophrenia; or (h) social anxiety disorder” [onset and worsening]
Note: clinically significant disorder of mental health is defined in the Schedule 1 - Dictionary.
Neurocognitive disorder with lewy bodies
RH No. 35 of 2019 · BoP No. 36 of 2019
Reasonable Hypothesis — factor (1): “having major depressive disorder at least ten years before the clinical onset of neurocognitive disorder with Lewy bodies” [clinical onset]
This factor appears in the Reasonable Hypothesis instrument only, which applies to operational service.
Parkinson's disease and secondary parkinsonism
RH No. 55 of 2016
Reasonable Hypothesis — factor (1): “for Parkinson's disease only: (a) inhaling, ingesting or having cutaneous contact with a pesticide from the specified list of pesticides, for a cumulative period of at least 1 000 hours, before the clinical onset of Parkinson's disease; (b) having moderate to severe traumatic brain injury more than 15 years before the clinical onset of Parkinson's disease; (c) inhaling trichloroethylene vapour in an enclosed space, or having cutaneous contact with trichloroethylene, for a cumulative period of at least 2 000 hours, at least 20 years before the clinical onset of Parkinson's disease; (d) an inability to undertake any physical activity greater than three METs for at least ten years within the 20 years before the clinical onset of Parkinson's disease; (e) consuming an average of at least one litre of milk per day for at least the 15 years before the clinical onset of Parkinson's disease; (f) consuming an average of at least 150 grams of cheese per day for at least the 15 years before the clinical onset of Parkinson's disease; (g) having clinically significant depressive disorder or generalised anxiety disorder at least 15 years before the clinical onset of Parkinson's disease; or (h) in a person with a history of a regular smoking habit as specified, having not smoked for at least the five years before the clinical onset of Parkinson's disease; Parkinson's Disease and Secondary Parkinsonism (Reasonable Hypothesis) (No. 55 of 2016) Veterans' Entitlements Act 1986” [clinical onset] — factor (35): “having clinically significant depressive disorder or generalised anxiety disorder for at least the five years before the clinical worsening of Parkinson's disease or secondary parkinsonism” [worsening]
This factor appears in the Reasonable Hypothesis instrument only, which applies to operational service.
Note: specified list of pesticides is defined in the Schedule 1 - Dictionary.
Note: clinically significant is defined in the Schedule 1 - Dictionary.
Periodic limb movement disorder
RH No. 19 of 2023 · BoP No. 20 of 2023
Reasonable Hypothesis — factor (9): “having a clinically significant depressive disorder or posttraumatic stress disorder at the time of the clinical onset of periodic limb movement disorder” [clinical onset] — factor (18): “having a clinically significant depressive disorder or posttraumatic stress disorder at the time of the clinical worsening of periodic limb movement disorder” [worsening]
This factor appears in the Reasonable Hypothesis instrument only, which applies to operational service.
Note: clinically significant is defined in the Schedule 1 - Dictionary.
Peripheral artery disease
RH No. 70 of 2020 · BoP No. 71 of 2020
Reasonable Hypothesis — factor (17): “having a clinically significant depressive disorder for at least five years before the clinical onset of peripheral artery disease” [clinical onset] — factor (35): “having a clinically significant depressive disorder for at least five years before the clinical worsening of peripheral artery disease” [worsening]
This factor appears in the Reasonable Hypothesis instrument only, which applies to operational service.
Note: clinically significant is defined in the Schedule 1 - Dictionary.
Shingles and postherpetic neuralgia
RH No. 27 of 2023 · BoP No. 28 of 2023
Reasonable Hypothesis — factor (8): “having a depressive disorder at the time of the clinical onset of shingles or postherpetic neuralgia” [clinical onset]
This factor appears in the Reasonable Hypothesis instrument only, which applies to operational service.
Tinnitus
RH No. 84 of 2020 · BoP No. 85 of 2020
Reasonable Hypothesis — factor (39): “having a clinically significant depressive disorder or a clinically significant anxiety disorder at the time of the clinical onset of tinnitus” [clinical onset] — factor (77): “having a clinically significant depressive disorder or a clinically significant anxiety disorder at the time of the clinical worsening of tinnitus” [worsening]
This factor appears in the Reasonable Hypothesis instrument only, which applies to operational service.
Note: clinically significant is defined in the Schedule 1 - Dictionary.
Vascular neurocognitive disorder
RH No. 9 of 2023 · BoP No. 10 of 2023
Reasonable Hypothesis — factor (13): “having depressive disorder at least 5 years before the clinical onset of vascular neurocognitive disorder” [clinical onset] — factor (32): “having depressive disorder at least 5 years before the clinical worsening of vascular neurocognitive disorder” [worsening]
Balance of Probabilities — factor (10): “having depressive disorder at least 5 years before the clinical onset of vascular neurocognitive disorder” [clinical onset] — factor (23): “having depressive disorder at least 5 years before the clinical worsening of vascular neurocognitive disorder” [worsening]
Other accepted conditions that also open alzheimer disease
If any of these is also on your file, it reaches some of the same conditions depressive disorder does.
What DVA means by depressive disorder
A claim is tested against the definition first. If the diagnosis on your file does not meet this wording, the factors below never get reached — so it is worth checking that what your doctor wrote matches what the instrument requires.
Depressive disorder, for the purposes of the Statement of Principles, for the purposes of this Statement of Principles, depressive disorder means: (a) major depressive disorder; or (b) major depressive episode; or (c) persistent depressive disorder (including dysthymia); or (d) depressive disorder due to another medical condition; or (e) substance/medication-induced depressive disorder; or (f) premenstrual dysphoric disorder; or (g) other specified depressive disorder or unspecified depressive disorder; where: (3) major depressive disorder meets the following criteria (derived from DSM-5-TR): (a) Five (or more) of the following symptoms have been present during the same 2-week period and represent a change from previous functioning; at least one of the symptoms is either depressed mood or loss of interest or pleasure. (i) Depressed mood most of the day, nearly every day, as indicated by either subjective report (e.g., feels sad, empty, hopeless) or observation made by others (e.g., appears tearful).
Aggravation-only factors. In this instrument, subsections 9(31) to 9(60) apply only to material contribution to, or aggravation of, depressive disorder where it was already present before or during service. If service caused depressive disorder outright, those factors are not available to you.
RH No. 11 of 2024 · BoP No. 12 of 2024 · 43 factors
What could support a claim for depressive disorder?
The Statement of Principles for depressive disorder names 3 other conditions among its own factors. If any of these is already accepted on your file, it may be the factor that carries a depressive disorder claim — quoted here from the instrument.
Epilepsy
Reasonable Hypothesis — factor (14): “having epilepsy at the time of the clinical onset of major depressive disorder, major depressive episode, persistent depressive disorder or premenstrual dysphoric disorder” [clinical onset]
Reasonable Hypothesis — factor (44): “having epilepsy at the time of the clinical worsening of depressive disorder” [worsening]
Tinnitus
Reasonable Hypothesis — factor (15): “having severe and permanent tinnitus at the time of the clinical onset of major depressive disorder, major depressive episode, persistent depressive disorder or premenstrual dysphoric disorder” [clinical onset]
Reasonable Hypothesis — factor (45): “having severe and permanent tinnitus at the time of the clinical worsening of depressive disorder” [worsening]
Substance use disorder
Reasonable Hypothesis — factor (27): “having an alcohol use disorder or a substance use disorder at the time of the clinical onset of substance/medication-induced depressive disorder” [clinical onset]
Reasonable Hypothesis — factor (57): “having an alcohol use disorder or a substance use disorder at the time of the clinical worsening of depressive disorder” [worsening]
Reviewed by Dr Thomas Perkins
Founding doctor, Veterans Health Centre · former RAAF aviation medical officer · 13 years working exclusively with ADF members and veterans. Full profile →
Depressive disorder accepted?
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