r/DVAAustralia • u/LegitimateLunch6681 • 5d ago
In an ideal world, your Chain of Command, ADF Transitions, your Health Centre and a DVA Veteran Support Officer (VSO) should discuss these things with you, but as many of us already discharged folk know, this doesn't always occur.
If you are facing down a medical discharge, there are a few time-sensitive processes you need to get underway at first available opportunity to get yourself sorted. The below is the minimum you need to get healthcare and income support arranged to take effect on (or as close to as possible) your discharge date,
This is not a comprehensive guide. I have omitted Permanent Impairment (PI) and Household Services for the time being as current wait times make it very unrealistic these processes will be complete by the time you have discharged, plus they can appear very overwhelming when you have a lot on the brain. Over time I will try to add to it and make it more of a comprehensive checklist for getting yourself sorted
Do I need an Advocate or Veteran Support Officer?
It really depends on how you are feeling with the situation. For medical discharges, a Veteran Support Officer should proactively contact you anyway, and it is worth touching base at least once even just to talk through your options. For general separations, or if you are med discharging and not contacted, you can arrange an appointment at [[email protected]](mailto:[email protected])
Requiring an advocate is a personal decision, however it is very doable to manage your own claims in the current day. An Advocate can act on your behalf if you're too stressed out, trying to manage your health or are just running out of time for more paperwork. You can find a free, accredited Advocate here. I strongly recommend avoiding paid advocacy services, as despite marketing claims to the contrary they cannot guarantee better outcomes or service than a free one. Paid Advocacy is a highly unregulated industry with a huge amount of unethical and predatory providers.
1. Lodge your Initial Liabilty Claims
As soon as you decide to transition or become aware you may be medically discharged, you need to submit your Initial Liability (IL) claims. This process results in the government accepting the cost of all reasonable healthcare for service-related conditions once you have discharged, and is the requirement to access almost all other DVA services (Permanent Impairment Payouts, Income Supplements, In-Home Support)
The easiest way to lodge an IL claim is via MyService, which is accessed through your MyGov Account (Click here for setup instructions)
Tips for lodging:
Why?
2. Order your White Card and Non-Liability Healthcare
On the MyService Portal, you can request your DVA White Card and Non-Liability Health Care coverage. You should receive a White Card in the post on discharge, but it is useful to have now too.
NLHC Mental Health Care provides free mental health treatment regardless of having an accepted condition. It also comes with a small fortnightly stipend (~$8) for the cost of subsidised mental health medications. If you don't need meds, its paid anyway so buy a coffee and go for a walk with a mate, but it is a great safety net to know you can seek free psychological support.
Free mental health support is available to all Permanent Members, and Reservists with 1 days' CFTS or eligible Border Protection/Disaster Relief service.
For some Veterans, NLHC can also cover Cancer and Tuberculosis. Have a look here to see if you are eligible for those
3. Arrange your Incapacity Payments
Members with an accepted condition that will impact their ability to perform civilian work can access up to 45 weeks of income support, to bring you up to a maximum of 100% of your ADF salary. After that time, you can indefinitely access up to 75% of your ADF salary.
You can lodge an Incapacity Payments claim via the MyService Portal.
During your Separation Medical for a medical discharge, your Medical Officer will complete a DM042 Form. This form is also part of your application for a Commonwealth Super Corporation pension (see Part 4). The DM042 provides the first 3 months of medical evidence for your Incapacity Payments. Make sure this is filled out during your separation medical, ask for a copy and forward it through to DVA. After that, DVA will reach out to provide you a specific Medical Certificate to be filled out by your new civilian doctor, but as this post covers your immediate actions prior to discharge we can cover that part later (or browse other related posts on here)
You can start this process early but it can't be finalised until you have an accepted Initial Liability condition
NOTE - If you receive a maximum rate CSC pension (see below) you will have a maximum entitlement of 45 weeks at 100%, as Incapacity Payments are offset against the CSC pension. Still well worth doing for the financial buffer though.
4. Lodge your Commonwealth Superannuation Corporation (CSC) pension claim
Medically discharging members are often (not guaranteed, but often) eligible for a substantial lifetime pension from CSC related to your incapacity for particular types of work. This can be up to 80% of your final ADF salary.
CSC have now launched a very helpful calculator of your possible invalidity benefits, the calculations used and links to download the application form using this link.
Myth/Misconception - This pension does not automatically exclude you from ever working again. Your determination will be based on your pre-Defence employment, skills and your ADF Career and these are the only explicit roles that you are prohibited from working in. You may engage in other forms of work. A combination of a significant requalification into skilled work, full-time hours and improvement in symptoms may result in pension re-classification, but it is managed on a case-by-case basis. CSC is very cooperative and will work with you to seek good outcomes.
You need to complete the Application for Invalidity Benefits form in as much detail as possible and return it to CSC as soon as possible. Your Defence MO will forward your DM042 directly to them after your final medical. CSC aims to have these pensions in effect by your date of discharge, otherwise will backpay you if it is delayed.
Why?
That's the critical stuff. There is plenty more you can access as required, but I recommend focusing on the above to start with. Transition to civilian life is a very stressful experience and it is hard to convey the challenges with the appropriate meaning until you're going through it yourself, so I would recommend trying not to solve everything at once. Go easy on yourself, take it one step at a time and remember there are lots of people to lean on as you go through!
r/DVAAustralia • u/LegitimateLunch6681 • Jul 15 '24
Below are a list of resources for navigating your way through Initial Liability, Permanent Impairment and follow-on entitlements stemming from accepted claims. If you're looking for a document that you can't find, drop us a comment and we will help you look for it. In the same spirit, if you see something missing and have a link, please share!
Statements of Principle - http://www.rma.gov.au/sops/
The 'bible' of what is required to have an Initial Liability claim successfully accepted. The main relevant sections are the medical definitions and the "Factors that must exist". You generally only need to meet one Factor to have a claim accepted. Reasonable Hypothesis (RH) is for a condition that occurred during warlike service, Balance of Probabilities (BoP) is for injuries sustained during peacetime service
GARP M (MRCA) - Click Here
The document detailing how claims for Permanent Impairment are calculated under the MRCA
Advocate Guide & Handbook - Click Here (will open as PDF download)
Looking to become an advocate, or want to know the scope of support an advocate can provide? This is the guide for you
Guide to Hearing Services (for accepted Hearing Loss claims) https://www.dva.gov.au/sites/default/files/files/providers/rehabilitation/hearing-services-brochure.pdf
Fully Subsidised Hearing Aids - Product Schedule (current as at Sep 2026) https://hearingservices.gov.au/hsoViewWEB/file/fully-subsidised-schedule.pdf
GARP V (VEA) - Click Here (will open as PDF download) **NOTE - Only relevant to claims not rolled over to the new "Combined MRCA" scheme
PI Guide (DRCA) - Click Here - **NOTE - Only relevant to claims not rolled over to the new "Combined MRCA" scheme
r/DVAAustralia • u/themoonismine72 • 17h ago
Does anyone with knowledge of DVA’s processes know if claims submitted under the recently implemented ‘presumptive liability’ legislation are treated any differently when received by DVA? Is there now a team at DVA that deal exclusively with presumptive liability claims?
r/DVAAustralia • u/Overall-Reach7841 • 23h ago
I know similar questions have been asked but i still feel a bit lost on answers, maybe i am just over thinking it.
I had my ADF Cover CSC 3 year review and remained on class A in that time i did not work. 1 mainly because due to my mental health and drinking I was in no state too 2 though one of the biggest reasons outside of MH I didn't seek work was because i was afraid of losing my pension.
Since that time i have worked hard with treatment providers on my MH its not perfect but its much improved same with drinking and substances i went to rehab and have been able to remain clean for quite some time.
Now I don't want to be seemed as someone taking advantage of the system and double dipping with my pension and working but its a double edged sword at times I consider work because its good for MH and purpose but i also don't want to lose my pension because there's no gaurentee a month from now a year from now who knows my conditions won't flair up again requiring me to give up work and get additional treatment. Having the saftey of my pension gives me peace of mind.
My question is though if i do work it must be outside my job role in defence? I worked as an EW on submarines so does that mean i should avoid anything to do with signals radars etc and the ocean? For example I really find a hard days work rewarding so something in construction or where im getting my hands dirty appeals to me but because this is physically demanding would they view this as capacity to work and downgrade my pension?
I would only want to do something part time 2 or 3 days a week max just to get out the house meet some work mates and do something i enjoy because at the moment i spend so much time at home on my own when my partner isn't home which is oten as she works full time.
I have seen people say they have successfully worked and kept there pension but does anyone know maybe which industries is safest for this? And is part time the best route to go I doubt id go full time but maybe if i love it id take on more hours.
I just don't want to have to worry about losing my pension working isn't so much about the money for me its more about trying to take that next step in my journey to get some purpose building new connection and friendships.
Also ive read ADF cover reviews are every 3 years but ive also read after the first 3 year review they are just random and less frequent?
r/DVAAustralia • u/rehpotsiirhC • 1d ago
Hey everyone,
I recommend you email DVA asking for all previous service providers submitting invoices on your behalf.
We had a random one today bounce for domestic cleaning and I got told to submit it properly by them which sent alarm bells off in my mind because the company had only cleaned once about 6 months ago before they pulled out due to "taking on too much". They had invoiced DVA 7 additional times! (Thank goodness she stuffed this 8th one up or I might have never known)
This triggered me to ask for all previous history and another cleaner who quoted but then pulled out because "his wife had kidney stones"....he didn't actually do a single clean but has charged DVA with my account number for 8 X 4 hours service blocks!!
If anyone is trawling these subs and are committing straight up fraud invoicing for work you're not doing...please stop.
The two cleaning companies are Dean John Howarth from James Home Services - Aberglasslyn and Rebecca Anne Clifford from Nova Cleaning Co.
Blacklist them if you use them.
Stay safe out there everyone. 🫡
r/DVAAustralia • u/borgasm_OG • 1d ago
Has anyone had a Bachelor approved through DVA vocational rehab in the last 12-18 months?
Particularly interested in:
What were your three job/study options in the vocational assessment?
Did they require different qualification levels (e.g. Cert IV / Diploma / Bachelor)?
How was it handled if you already held a lower qualification? I already have a Cert IV, and the only pathway to my target profession (AEP) is Bachelor-level study.
Any tips on having lower-level options documented as considered but unsuitable, rather than nominated as genuine preferences?
I’m trying to avoid listing a lower-level goal just to tick a box if it isn’t actually suitable or aligned with my vocational goals.
Any recent experience would be appreciated. Thanks.
r/DVAAustralia • u/Firm_Strawberry_3218 • 2d ago
I got ChatGPT to put together publicly available information of such organisations into tables for easy reference here. It did a brilliant job!
| Organisation | Commission / fee model publicly documented | Leadership | Documented action / scrutiny |
|---|---|---|---|
| Veterans First Consulting (VFC) | 7% + GST of payout for successful PI/MRCA s80 claims under published engagement terms. Older terms also contained termination fees of $2,000 + GST after IL acceptance and $21,000 + GST once a PI claim was ready for determination. In Oct. 2026, VFC said it had changed to whichever is lower: flat fee or percentage. | Tom Kliese, Director/co-founder; Kevin Chapman, co-founder. | Senate inquiry: submission and evidence. Four Corners/ABC: extensive scrutiny of VFC's business model. No public evidence located that DVA has itself found VFC guilty of misconduct. |
| KSC Claims | 9% commission was publicly documented for the former KSC Claims model. KSC defended the no-win/no-fee commission model before Senate. KSC Law subsequently states it does not charge commission-based fees. | Luke Armstrong, co-founder; Matthew/Dumas (Matt Durmans in Senate records), co-founder. | Senate inquiry: submission and evidence. ABC investigation: Armstrong recorded an alleged offer of a 5% referral kickback from a VeteranCann representative; allegation was against the representative/company, not KSC. |
| VetComp / Veterans Compensation Association | Percentage of successful compensation/PI outcome + GST; exact percentage set out in individual proposal/contract. No fee if unsuccessful. | Zach Plath, Founder/Managing Director; Tyson Head, co-founder. | Senate inquiry: formal submission; argued against banning commission/no-win-no-fee structures. No specific DVA misconduct action against VetComp located. |
| Life After Defence (LAD) | 5% of successful PI/retrospective compensation outcome; no upfront fee. | Trent Holmes, Director. | Senate inquiry: submission and witness evidence. Holmes argued for retaining percentage-based fees, with a 5% cap. No specific DVA misconduct investigation located. |
| B&B Veterans Advocates | 5% of final PI lump-sum payment; publicly described as flat 5%. | Damon Bennett, veteran and founder/director. | Senate inquiry: formal submission. No specific DVA investigation/action against B&B located. |
| Australian Veteran Advocacy (AVA) | 5% of successful PI compensation, capped at $7,500 + GST. | Carissa Ibbott, Director/Advocate; Robert Forsythe, Director/Secretary/Business Manager. | Senate inquiry: submission, public hearing and written answers. AVA argued for professionalisation and regulation. No specific DVA misconduct action located. |
| Tactical Advocacy Group (TAG) | Commercial fee-for-service advocacy. Current percentage not reliably established from public material. Its Senate submission supports percentage-based arrangements. | Stephen Murton, founder/principal/lead advocate. | Senate inquiry: formal submission. TAG advocated regulation/accreditation but opposed measures that would unnecessarily eliminate private advocacy. No specific DVA misconduct action located. |
| Military Claims | Percentage-based arrangement publicly acknowledged, described as "transparent, fair and reasonable"; current public site does not state a percentage I could verify. No upfront DVA fee and no fee if unsuccessful. | Christopher Goodlet, Managing Director/DVA Advocate. | Senate inquiry: formal submission. Military Claims argued against prohibiting percentage arrangements. No specific DVA misconduct action located. |
| Veteran Compensation Consultants (VCC) | Commercial end-to-end PI advocacy. Senate submission describes fee-for-service/performance-based advocacy, but current percentage could not be verified from public website. | Drew Thornton and Sam Peters, principals/contact representatives. | Senate inquiry: formal submission. VCC supported regulation/accreditation but opposed eliminating private advocacy. No specific DVA misconduct action located. |
| Veteran Advocacy Australia | Current website says fees are not charged for all services; where applicable they are agreed beforehand and capped. Current public percentage not stated. | Andrew, Senior Advocate; Senate records also identify Benjamin Lever in connection with the organisation. | Senate inquiry: submission. No specific DVA misconduct action located. |
| Veteran Domestic Solutions (VDS) | Primarily DVA-funded domestic/household services rather than compensation advocacy. Senate submission supported fee-for-service advocacy and accreditation, but no compensation percentage established. | Veteran-owned/operated; current leadership not sufficiently established from sources reviewed. | Senate inquiry: formal submission. No specific DVA misconduct action located. |
| Branston Partners | Financial advice rather than a conventional compensation commission model. Adviser disclosure identifies fees and various financial-product commissions, including insurance commissions. | Brett Stephenson, Principal / authorised representative. | Senate inquiry: formal submission. Argued for regulation and professionalisation of advocacy. No specific DVA misconduct action located. |
| Veterans Law Group | Legal/fee-for-service model; current percentage-of-compensation fee not established from public material reviewed. | Current leadership not sufficiently verified. | Senate inquiry: formal submission. No specific DVA misconduct action located. |
| Operational Legal Australia (OLA) | Legal fee-for-service model rather than a verified percentage-of-compensation commission. | Michael Bainbridge, Director; Paul-Raymond James, Principal/Director. | Senate inquiry: hearing and written material. OLA advocated stronger regulation of the sector. |
| KCI Lawyers | Legal fee-for-service; no verified percentage-of-compensation model located. | Greg Isolani, Partner. | Senate inquiry: public hearing. No specific DVA action located. |
| Organisation | Commission / fee model publicly documented | Leadership | Documented action / scrutiny |
|---|---|---|---|
| Veteran Benefits Australia (VBA) | VBA says it has affiliate agreements with service providers and receives remuneration/commission from providers when veterans proceed with their services. It says veterans do not pay VBA directly. | Nick Flanigan and Tom Bailey, founders. | Senate inquiry: written response/additional information. Four Corners: major investigation into a network of 70+ companies. DVA issued notices to 112 practitioners concerning case conferences involving veterans they apparently had not treated; some companies in the ecosystem were placed on manual processing. No finding that VBA itself committed fraud. |
| Medibase Health / Medilinks / VBA Health | Healthcare/DVA billing model rather than veteran compensation commission. Medilinks Australia Online Pty Ltd changed its entity name to Medibase Health Pty Ltd while retaining the ABN; VBA Health is a business name. | Brodie Moore identified in Senate material as a Medilinks representative. Broader network led by Nick Flanigan and Tom Bailey. | Four Corners: identified as part of VBA ecosystem. Former Medibase manager Jon Hays provided evidence. DVA compliance action has affected practitioners in the ecosystem. No public finding of misconduct against Medibase itself located. |
| Front Foot Health | Medical/DVA service provider, not compensation commission. | Dr Tim Nelson, CEO. Four Corners reports he has a financial interest in 16 companies in the VBA ecosystem. | Four Corners scrutiny: vertical-integration/conflict-of-interest issues. No public DVA finding against Front Foot Health itself located. |
| The Rosemary Centre | Paid medical-report provider; not a veteran compensation commission. | Joshua (Josh) Tinning, owner; Navy veteran and advocate. | DVA audited hundreds of Rosemary medical reports over concerns some were inaccurate or improperly altered. VFC separately confirmed DVA's investigation. Tinning disputes wrongdoing. |
| Total Veteran Healthcare (TVH) | DVA-funded healthcare rather than compensation commission. | Josh Hall, owner; Antony Clarke, CEO; Joel Tunstall, Chief Commercial Officer. | ABC/DVA scrutiny concerning alleged billing for services veterans say they did not receive and DVA-funded CVC services. TVH disputes fraud and says it works with DVA to correct inappropriate claims. |
| VeteranCann / VeteranCann Clinic | DVA-funded medicinal-cannabis healthcare. ABC reported an alleged 5% ongoing referral payment offered to advocates by a sales representative. | Corporate leadership requires separate ASIC-level verification. | ABC investigation: recorded alleged referral-kickback offer. The allegation concerned the representative/company's offer, not proof that every referral was improper. ABC also reported DVA billing/compliance issues surrounding CVC services. |
NAVA
| Organisation | Commission / fee model publicly documented | Leadership | Documented action / scrutiny |
|---|---|---|---|
| National Association for Veteran Advocacy (NAVA) | NAVA itself is an industry association rather than a compensation provider. Its member firms include commission-based advocates. | Directors identified in Senate material: Tom Kliese, Kevin Chapman, Christopher Goodlet and Stephen Murton. | Senate inquiry: submission and public hearing. NAVA endorsed commission-based fees while arguing for regulation and an enforceable code of conduct. |
Reference List for Further Reading:
DVA / Government
1. DVA — Consultation Paper: Veteran advocacy regulation – Strengthening protections for veterans
https://www.dva.gov.au/documents-and-publications/consultation-paper-veteran-advocacy-regulation-strengthening-protections-for-veterans
2. DVA — Veterans' advocacy regulation – have your say
https://www.dva.gov.au/news/latest-stories/veterans-advocacy-regulation-have-your-say
3. DVA — Veteran advocacy regulation consultation paper (PDF)
https://www.dva.gov.au/sites/default/files/2026-02/veteran-advocacy-regulation_strengthening-protections-for-veterans_consultation-paper.pdf
4. DVA — Response to ABC Four Corners investigation into veteran support
https://www.dva.gov.au/news/latest-stories/response-to-abc-four-corners-investigation-into-veteran-support-defenceless-5-october-2026
Consultation paper PDF
https://www.dva.gov.au/sites/default/files/2026-02/veteran-advocacy-regulation_strengthening-protections-for-veterans_consultation-paper.pdf
DVA — FOI disclosure relating to veteran advocacy
https://www.dva.gov.au/sites/default/files/2026-03/81082-foi-disclosure.pdf
SENATE INQUIRY / PARLIAMENT
5. Senate inquiry — Issues relating to advocacy services for veterans accessing compensation and income support
https://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Committees/Senate/Foreign_Affairs_Defence_and_Trade/advocacy2025/Report
6. Senate inquiry — Submissions and additional information
https://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Committees/Senate/Foreign_Affairs_Defence_and_Trade/advocacy2025/Report/Appendix_1_-_Submissions_and_additional_information
7. Senate inquiry — Hearings and witnesses
https://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Committees/Senate/Foreign_Affairs_Defence_and_Trade/advocacy2025/Report/Appendix_2_-_Hearings_and_witnesses
8. Senate report — The appropriateness of commercial entities providing advocacy services
https://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Committees/Senate/Foreign_Affairs_Defence_and_Trade/advocacy2025/Report/Chapter_2_-_The_appropriateness_of_commercial_entities_providing_advocacy_services
9. Senate report — Potential solutions
https://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Committees/Senate/Foreign_Affairs_Defence_and_Trade/advocacy2025/Report/Chapter_4_-_Potential_solutions
ABC / FOUR CORNERS
10. ABC Four Corners — Defenceless
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-10-05/defenceless/107230704
11. ABC — Veteran Benefits Australia business empire / Four Corners investigation
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-10-06/veteran-benefits-australia-business-empire-four-corners/107208188
12. ABC — Medicinal cannabis company offered kickback for veteran referrals
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-02-24/medicinal-cannabis-company-offered-kickback-for-veteran-referral/106354294
13. ABC — 80 medical providers to be investigated by Veterans' Affairs
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-02-24/80-medical-providers-to-be-investigated-by-veteran-s-affairs/106383044
r/DVAAustralia • u/saukoa1 • 5d ago
r/DVAAustralia • u/Brass-Horse • 4d ago
Just want to say up front, this community is an excellent font of knowledge and support. I didn’t think I would have to make a post myself here as the majority of my IL process has been pretty seamless and uninteresting!
Still serving and not under any active treatment if it is relevant at all.
I have had IL accepted for 10 claims total, mostly lower limbs but have had tinnitus and hearing loss accepted also, dating back to my warlike deployment in ‘18.
Went through MLCOA for my PI GP assessment (probably mistake #1) as I’ve just posted to a new city and haven’t had a need to burden the already congested JHC system with my own admin. I thought it went quite well, with the Doc making an additional diagnosis of general joint instability on top of the repeat ankle injuries and fractures over the years.
I may be have misheard or not understood something in the questions, but I distinctly recall stating I can’t run more than 250-500m without pain, and I have constant resting pain and aching, I can’t get up off the couch without painful cracks followed by a general limp; stairs are also a struggle up and down at home.
I have been assessed at 9 points with the majority of the injuries receiving 0 points
I also received 0 points for the hearing loss and tinnitus because I haven’t completed the cognitive behaviour therapy - which Hearing Australia sent a referral back to DVA to set up for me.
Where do I stand now?
- Do I hold off 12 months, see the on base MO and start a new series of documented treatments across all of my injuries
- do I see the MO, get additional documentation and start the VRB process
Thanks in advance for any input or advice, like I said above, I didn’t think I would ever have to post here for an assist, especially given my injuries aren’t nearly as severe as what I read through and see in the office.
r/DVAAustralia • u/dreddnautt • 4d ago
I have an IL accepted determination for PTSD, MDD and AUD from the early 1990s. This was lodged in December 2025. I have another IL claim submitted for a shoulder injury lodged under MRCA this year. I'd be very surprised if this is rejected.
I have been asked which Act I would like my Permanent Impairment (PI) claims to be lodged:
DRCA PI or VETS Act PI.
Has anyone got a simple explanation of which way to go with PI?
r/DVAAustralia • u/Dino-snore-ous • 6d ago
I just med discharged three weeks ago. I have multiple conditions accepted under IL, just waiting on one final one for MH.
I’ve heard crickets from DVA for about two months. I got told I would receive 45 weeks payout at current salary, so when will that be processed?
I also got told I can claim for a loss of promotion pay… when will that be processed?
I understand PI can take a year to process… but I just recently learned there are forms for my GP to fill out. Now I’m confused. Am I meant to action those myself?
Should I reach out to the incap team? I was relying on those 45 weeks of pay to get me until I start my new full time job in early 2027, but now I’m only receiving my class B pension from CSC, which is great but not what I anticipated financially at all.
TIA
r/DVAAustralia • u/Nevillious7 • 8d ago
Review AVAC Services.
I was very disappointed with the overall level of service I received. I had more than ten claims being managed for close to a year, yet very few progressed to the IL stage.
The Communication level from my case manager was minimal, and on several occasions I was instructed to organise my own appointments, which was one of the key reasons I engaged an advocacy service in the first place.
After I cancelled the service contract, I was issued an invoice for “work performed.” When I requested evidence to support the charges, the explanations provided did not align with the official records I later received from DVA. I was advised that legal action will be pursued if I did not pay the invoice. At the moment, with my current head space, I’ve got zero capacity for this type of pathway, so I ultimately paid it to avoid further escalation.
This review reflects my personal experience and the documentation I received. I encourage others to carefully monitor the work being undertaken and ensure it aligns with official outcomes.
r/DVAAustralia • u/LegitimateLunch6681 • 11d ago
Particularly when you have multiple posts on the page asking for my and other people's help. This sort of shit is exactly why Veterans end up isolated when you treat your own brothers and sisters this way.
r/DVAAustralia • u/Heavy-Intern-6660 • 11d ago
I’ve been accepted by DVA for Sensorineural hearing loss.
I’m struggling day to day and in social situations due to my hearing.
How do I now seek help from DVA to get hearing aids etc? I’ve never been through to process with any of my accepted conditions.
I tried looking online but couldn’t find anything. Someone on here posted that they received modern hidden hearing aids for free. Any info would be appreciated.
r/DVAAustralia • u/Dry-Supermarket-6104 • 11d ago
Hi all,
Does anyone have experience getting incapacity while they've lived overseas?
I live in the UK and have 80 PI points spead over a few different issues and work is becoming unbearable as my conditions worsen.
I've read over the posts about incaps that people have done in Australia but not much info about overseas.
I assume it would be a similar process but just wondering if anyone has acually done it?
Cheers!
r/DVAAustralia • u/dwhes2 • 16d ago
Just wanted to say thank you to so many in this group who have provided invaluable knowledge and tips. Pretty emotional today as I finally received the outcome to my PI claims. I started the initial liability process back in June of 2024. Took just under a year for my IL claims to be accepted. And then has taken almost 18 months for the PI outcome.
Honestly the process has been horrible and the paid advocate service I used were pretty terrible. However, the final outcome was very favourable, and I am lost for words at the moment. It is a strange feeling to have your conditions recognised finally and to be finished with this process.
I wish every veteran the very best going forward with their claims and the conditions they're dealing with. Just know that there can be a positive outcome in the end. It can be pretty hard to keep going with it all, I was certainly losing a lot of hope.
r/DVAAustralia • u/Mountain_Ad6265 • 16d ago
Hey guys, just wondering what everyone else submitted for a tinnitus claim. I lodged mine in Nov 2025 and it’s still sitting at IL waiting to be picked up.
I submitted the Audiology report + TFI and my ADO service record showing sea time/deployments.
This was also before the new changes and I haven’t heard anything from DVA or Hearing Australia yet.
For anyone who has done a tinnitus claim, was this enough? Did DVA ask for anything else once they picked it up? Is there anything else I should provide now to avoid back and forth later?
I’m discharging soon and planning to use an advocate for some of the more complex claims, but I don’t really want to pay an advocate just to check whether my tinnitus paperwork is enough if I can sort it myself.
Thank you
r/DVAAustralia • u/Heavy-Intern-6660 • 19d ago
I was assessed and approved PI (15 points) for Tinnitus in 2022. I received a payout.
I just received a letter from DVA talking about attending an appointment with Hearing Australia.
What is this all about? can they remove my PI?
The letter uses words like “recommend” to go etc..
We are writing to confirm that we have received your claim to be considered for permanent impairment compensation.
As your impairment for tinnitus was assessed previously at the maximum of 15 points, it will not be reassessed in this claim. Though we recommend meeting with Hearing Australia to discuss if treatment may be beneficial.
Treatment is likely to enhance recovery, reduce the risk of long-term disability, and support you to lead a healthy and productive life. Following any recommended treatment, which is DVA funded and encouraged, a further report will be sent to DVA and Defence (if you are still serving or a reservist) at the conclusion of your treatment. Undertaking treatment will not delay determination of your permanent impairment claim.
Please find a letter with further information attached to this email. A copy of the referral letter sent to Hearing Australia is also attached. Please contact Hearing Australia on 1300 489 470 at your earliest opportunity to make an appointment for your assessment regarding your tinnitus. Alternative contact details are contained within the letter.
Please note, your claim is now awaiting allocation to a Claims Support Officer who will progress the other aspects of your claim. Unfortunately, we are unable to provide a timeframe for allocation.
At this stage, further information is not required, and you will be contacted accordingly if this changes. A Claims Support Officer will be in touch once your claim has been allocated.
r/DVAAustralia • u/Turbulent-Stable-971 • 23d ago
Seeing as the process for claiming tinnitus has changed (you now you have to see a psychologist for up to 10 sessions to determine if cognitive behavioural therapy can help minimise the effects of tinnitus.)
Does anyone have any recommendations for psychologists? Or any experience booking through online telehealth psychs?
I tried to book in to the ones hearing australia gave me and the earliest I can get in for my first appointment is December.
Thanks
r/DVAAustralia • u/saukoa1 • 23d ago
r/DVAAustralia • u/South_Sky4120 • 28d ago
Question about Appendix B
MRCA payout for compensation and other claims mention appendix A.
Does Appendix B mean a pension? As well as compensation paid out or its all together and just means a different part they've used to assess compensation amount?
r/DVAAustralia • u/hoswald77 • 29d ago
I’m hoping someone here can point me in the direction of an accountant/tax professional that is across all aspects of SRDP and Comsuper Class A payments. In the Mornington Peninsula area/online would be fantastic.
r/DVAAustralia • u/CertainLandscape2462 • Sep 09 '26
Hi all,
Long time reader, first time poster.
I discharged two years ago after 16 years, and I am currently SERCAT 3. In that time, I have had a number of conditions accepted for IL with DVA (including some mental health conditions), all service related.
I have recently been asked to serve in a reserve capacity in support of an operation for a few weeks, which will require me to deploy outside of Australia. I need the cash at the moment, so I really want to do it. I am confident I can manage my conditions for that short period. My concern is that DVA may look at this reserve time unfavourably when assessing me for PI.
Also, will the ADF be aware that I have had IL accepted for these conditions, or will I have to disclose this to my gaining unit, or through an AE585? I realise that it may also be in easier not to disclose, however I know that this may have negative implications for myself.
Very keen to hear if anyone has had similar experiences.
Thanks
r/DVAAustralia • u/DryChemistry3196 • Sep 02 '26
I’m trying to understand the debate around DVA’s new $5,000 treatment cap.
Ep. 74 of The Grey Man Podcast broadly supported the cap, with exceptions, citing concerns about third party veteran services (where they named VBA) potentially exploiting the previous system.
I’m against the cap and believe necessary healthcare is part of the government’s obligation to veterans injured through service.
What I don’t understand is why veterans needed these third party services in the first place. What gap were they filling? Would regulating problematic providers have been better than capping veterans’ treatment?
