The essentials for lodging a DVA claim

Taking the time to prepare carefully can make all the difference.

If you have developed a physical or mental health condition as a result of your service, you may be eligible to make a claim to the Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA).

Navigating the claims process can sometimes be tricky but taking the time to prepare carefully could make all the difference. Based on our experience supporting veterans every day, here are four key things to consider before making a DVA claim. 

1. Get help from a qualified advocate

To give yourself the best chance of making a successful DVA claim, work with a qualified advocate who can advise if your claim has merit, make sure you’ve got all the documentation and evidence you need, and guide you through the process. 

A good advocate will be able to help you make sure you’ve dotted every i and crossed every t. 

RSL Queensland’s team of advocates provide this support at no cost, helping you feel confident and informed along the way. 

2. Get a diagnosis from a medical professional

It’s crucial that your condition has been diagnosed by a qualified medical practitioner for every claimed condition. For certain conditions this may be your General Practitioner (GP) or a specialist.   

Examples of specialists include: dermatologists, orthopaedic surgeons and psychiatrists.

3. Prove your injury or medical condition was caused by your service 

If you are claiming an injury sustained while you were serving, you will need to provide your service medical records confirming the date and details of the injury. 
Even though some conditions may not be evident until years after you have left Defence, it may still be possible to claim, as long as the condition(s) can be linked back to your service.

For example, some conditions, like spinal osteoarthritis, can be related to lifting or carrying items of heavy weight during service.

4. Make sure you have all relevant supporting documentation

Processing delays may occur when a claim is submitted to DVA without the evidence necessary to support the claim. You may need to provide relevant supporting documentation, which may include:

• Defence records

• Treatment records from your doctor

• Specialist reports

• Diagnostic reports

• Incident reports

• Witness statements 

Our advocates can provide guidance on how to access these records to help you prepare a comprehensive claim.

Find out more about how RSL Queensland can help you with your DVA claim.