According to MIL-STD-1876, NITRIDING, GASEOUS ATMOSPHERE PROCESSING FOR,the definition is "The case depth is the distance from the nitrided surface to the point where the maximum of the core hardness specified on the engineering drawing is obtained"
According to MIL-STD-1878, CARBURIZING, GASEOUS ATMOSPHERE PROCESS FOR "For gears, general practice is to specify effective case depth as measured to Rockwell HRC 50, equivalent at the pitch circle contact point of tooth"
According to MIL-S-12515C, SURFACE HARDENING: FLAME AND INDUCTION (FOR FERROUS ALLOYS) the effective case depth depends on the carbon content of the material,
for 0.28 to 0.32 35RC
for 0.33 to 0.42 40RC
for 0.43 to -.52 45RC
for 0.53 and over 50RC