Document ID: chunk:federal_register_of_legislation:F2023C00151:reg:70:p1
Version: federal_register_of_legislation:F2023C00151
Segment Type: reg
Provision Reference: reg 70 (pt 1/25)
Character Range: 192827–195833

70                                        84         77     70     63     56     49            42

This is a table for making age adjustment

Table 3.6.1 is to be applied only to impairment ratings derived from Tables 3.1.1, 3.1.2, 3.2.1, 3.3.1, and 3.3.2.
Table 3.6.1 is not to be applied to impairment ratings derived from Tables 3.1.3, 3.1.4, 3.2.2, 3.2.3, 3.2.4, 3.3.3, or 3.4.1.

CHAPTER 4

EMOTIONAL AND BEHAVIOURAL

INTRODUCTION

This chapter is only to be applied to assess the emotional and behavioural consequences of accepted psychiatric conditions.

Only one final rating is to be determined using this chapter for any psychiatric condition or combination of psychiatric conditions. If one or more of the veteran's psychiatric conditions are not accepted conditions, Chapter 19 (Partially Contributing Impairment) is to be applied.

The emotional and behavioural effects of other accepted non-psychiatric conditions are incorporated in the impairment ratings throughout the Guide and may also be taken into account when assessing lifestyle. Where the emotional and behavioural effects of other accepted conditions are such that they warrant a separate psychiatric diagnosis, that psychiatric condition may only be assessed under this chapter if the condition has been accepted as war-caused or defence-caused.

When applying the tables in this chapter, only the effects of the psychiatric condition are to be taken into account.  For example, inability to work, reduced participation in recreational activities, and increased family conflict may all be present but not necessarily be consequences of the psychiatric condition.

Some conditions that affect emotional and behavioural function may have symptoms that are intermittent in nature.  In these circumstances, Chapter 15 (Intermittent Impairment) should be used, and the rating obtained under that chapter compared with the rating obtained from this chapter. The higher rating is to be taken.

Somatic effects

Psychiatric disease may also be associated with somatic effects such as headache, dyspepsia and psychogenic impotence. If somatic effects occur, they are to be given separate ratings using the respective system-specific tables. It must be clearly established that the somatic effects are part of the psychiatric condition and do not constitute or form part of a separate disease or injury. Conditions in which stress may be implicated as an aetiological agent are not rated under this chapter. These are considered to be separate entitlement issues.

Substance abuse

Substance abuse is to be assessed using Chapter 4 of this Guide. (For purposes of this chapter "substance abuse" includes "substance dependence".) Chapter 4 is also to be used if substance abuse has been diagnosed under a different, but still psychiatric, diagnostic label.

If substance abuse is an accepted condition in its own right, it is to be assessed by applying Tables 4.1 to 4.8.

If substance abuse is not an accepted condition in its own