https://www.vhc.org.au/blog Guides on DVA claims, impairment assessments, the GARP, and appeals — written by a doctor. en-AU Sun, 13 Sep 2026 23:00:00 GMT https://www.vhc.org.au/blog/date-of-clinical-onset-dva-claims https://www.vhc.org.au/blog/date-of-clinical-onset-dva-claims Sun, 13 Sep 2026 23:00:00 GMT DVA claims Why the imaging date is not the date of clinical onset in a DVA claim: CLIK 3.4.4 and 3.4.4.1, Re Robertson, Cornelius, Lees and Gosewinckel, what Boys does and does not decide, and the approach a delegate should take. https://www.vhc.org.au/blog/senate-votes-against-dva-allied-health-cap https://www.vhc.org.au/blog/senate-votes-against-dva-allied-health-cap Fri, 11 Sep 2026 23:00:00 GMT DVA policy The Senate has voted against DVA's $5,000 allied health cap — an urgency motion on 8 September and reversal amendments on 10 September. What the votes do, what they don't, and where the 1 July 2027 policy now stands. https://www.vhc.org.au/blog/dva-rejected-claim-nothing-in-medical-records https://www.vhc.org.au/blog/dva-rejected-claim-nothing-in-medical-records Fri, 11 Sep 2026 23:00:00 GMT Appeals DVA refused your claim because there is nothing in your service medical records? The statutory duty to allow for missing records, DVA's own guidelines on credible statements, the case law on retrospective diagnosis, and the five steps to take. https://www.vhc.org.au/blog/dva-compensation-mental-health-ptsd-depression-anxiety https://www.vhc.org.au/blog/dva-compensation-mental-health-ptsd-depression-anxiety Fri, 11 Sep 2026 23:00:00 GMT DVA claims DVA compensation for PTSD, depression and anxiety: initial liability, permanent impairment and incapacity payments, who can now diagnose, comorbidity, and how the Statements of Principles factors work. https://www.vhc.org.au/blog/non-liability-health-care-mental-health https://www.vhc.org.au/blog/non-liability-health-care-mental-health Fri, 11 Sep 2026 23:00:00 GMT DVA healthcare Non-Liability Health Care (mental health) explained: eligibility including reservists with CFTS, what DVA funds, how to apply via MyService, starting treatment before the card arrives, and backdated reimbursement. https://www.vhc.org.au/blog/best-dva-advocate-how-to-choose https://www.vhc.org.au/blog/best-dva-advocate-how-to-choose Fri, 11 Sep 2026 23:00:00 GMT Advocacy How to choose a DVA advocate: ATDP accreditation levels, free ESO advocates vs paid claims agents, what the Repatriation Commission says about commission-based fees, ten questions to ask, red flags, and how to report misconduct. https://www.vhc.org.au/blog/dva-veterans-health-check https://www.vhc.org.au/blog/dva-veterans-health-check Fri, 11 Sep 2026 23:00:00 GMT DVA healthcare The Veterans' Health Check explained: eligibility, MBS items 701/703/705/707 and DVA MT equivalents, the mandatory clause 2.15.10 content, and the PC-PTSD-5, K10 and AUDIT-C screening thresholds. https://www.vhc.org.au/blog/veteran-card-eligibility-gold-white-orange https://www.vhc.org.au/blog/veteran-card-eligibility-gold-white-orange Fri, 11 Sep 2026 23:00:00 GMT DVA benefits Veteran Card eligibility explained: White, Gold and Orange card criteria, the 60 impairment point Gold Card threshold, SRDP vs VEA Special Rate (TPI), and the VETS Act changes from 1 July 2026. https://www.vhc.org.au/blog/dva-aids-equipment-rap https://www.vhc.org.au/blog/dva-aids-equipment-rap Fri, 11 Sep 2026 23:00:00 GMT DVA healthcare What DVA funds through RAP: aids, equipment and home modifications, the four assistance dog types and their eligibility, medical grade footwear, hearing services via the HSP, and optical frequencies. https://www.vhc.org.au/blog/coordinated-veterans-care-cvc-program https://www.vhc.org.au/blog/coordinated-veterans-care-cvc-program Fri, 11 Sep 2026 23:00:00 GMT DVA healthcare The DVA CVC Program explained: the six clause 28 eligibility criteria, complex care needs, what the care plan must contain, the 90-day cycle, UP01 to UP06 item numbers, and Gold vs White Card coverage. https://www.vhc.org.au/blog/dva-allied-health-treatment-cycle https://www.vhc.org.au/blog/dva-allied-health-treatment-cycle Fri, 11 Sep 2026 23:00:00 GMT DVA healthcare The DVA allied health treatment cycle: 12 sessions or one year, the D0904 referral, the mandatory end of cycle report, the 16 disciplines covered, TPI exemptions, and its removal on 1 July 2027. https://www.vhc.org.au/blog/provisional-access-to-medical-treatment-pamt https://www.vhc.org.au/blog/provisional-access-to-medical-treatment-pamt Fri, 11 Sep 2026 23:00:00 GMT DVA benefits PAMT explained: the 20 covered conditions, eligibility to 30 June 2027, treatment to 31 December 2027, the Treatment Confirmation Form your GP completes, what is excluded, and D9338 reimbursement. https://www.vhc.org.au/blog/dva-household-services https://www.vhc.org.au/blog/dva-household-services Fri, 11 Sep 2026 23:00:00 GMT DVA benefits DVA household services compensation explained: the $633.47 weekly MRCA limit, what is and is not covered, the eight MRCA s215 criteria, the D9319 claim form, and the OT assessment DVA must request. https://www.vhc.org.au/blog/is-there-a-time-limit-on-dva-claims https://www.vhc.org.au/blog/is-there-a-time-limit-on-dva-claims Thu, 10 Sep 2026 23:00:00 GMT DVA claims No time limit applies to lodging DVA claims. The misquoted 25-year rule is a causation window inside certain Statement of Principles factors, measured from trauma to clinical onset — not a lodgement deadline. https://www.vhc.org.au/blog/dva-allied-health-cap-5000 https://www.vhc.org.au/blog/dva-allied-health-cap-5000 Sun, 06 Sep 2026 23:00:00 GMT DVA policy The $5,000 DVA allied health cap from 1 July 2027 explained: what it covers, the exemption for clinical need, the numbers behind it, and the controversy. https://www.vhc.org.au/blog/tinnitus-hearing-australia-referral-cbt https://www.vhc.org.au/blog/tinnitus-hearing-australia-referral-cbt Sun, 06 Sep 2026 23:00:00 GMT Conditions DVA's Hearing Australia tinnitus pathway explained: the referral, CBT with a psychologist, and how treatment before determination interacts with a permanent impairment claim under MRCA s73. https://www.vhc.org.au/blog/initiating-medical-discharge-adf https://www.vhc.org.au/blog/initiating-medical-discharge-adf Sun, 06 Sep 2026 23:00:00 GMT CSC How ADF medical discharge works: the CMECR and MECRB process, PM609, AD523 and AD524, the separation health examination and DM042, and the difference between DVA and CSC. https://www.vhc.org.au/blog/royal-commission-defence-veteran-suicide https://www.vhc.org.au/blog/royal-commission-defence-veteran-suicide Sun, 06 Sep 2026 23:00:00 GMT DVA policy The Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide explained: the 122 recommendations, the Interim Report\u2019s claims backlog and legislative reform demands, the Commissioners\u2019 findings, and what has been implemented since \u2014 the VETS Act and the Defence and Veterans\u2019 Service Commission. https://www.vhc.org.au/blog/what-is-the-garp-dva-impairment-guide https://www.vhc.org.au/blog/what-is-the-garp-dva-impairment-guide Sun, 06 Sep 2026 23:00:00 GMT GARP series Plain English guide to GARP M 2026, the DVA impairment guide. What impairment points are, how conditions are combined, functional loss versus Other Impairment, age adjustment, and the 10 point threshold. https://www.vhc.org.au/blog/whats-in-the-garp-chapter-map https://www.vhc.org.au/blog/whats-in-the-garp-chapter-map Sun, 06 Sep 2026 23:00:00 GMT GARP series Map of every chapter in GARP M 2026: body system chapters 1 to 12, cross cutting chapters 13 to 17, the combining maths in 18 to 21, lifestyle in 22, and the compensation chapters 23 to 26. https://www.vhc.org.au/blog/garp-chapter-1-cardiorespiratory-impairment https://www.vhc.org.au/blog/garp-chapter-1-cardiorespiratory-impairment Sun, 06 Sep 2026 23:00:00 GMT GARP series GARP M 2026 Chapter 1 in plain English: cardiorespiratory impairment, METs and effort tolerance, spirometry, combining rules, cardiac failure, and the Other Impairment tables. https://www.vhc.org.au/blog/dva-presumptive-liability-explained https://www.vhc.org.au/blog/dva-presumptive-liability-explained Sun, 06 Sep 2026 23:00:00 GMT DVA policy DVA presumptive liability explained from the instrument itself: the four criteria, onset defined as first symptoms not diagnosis, the 47 Part 2 conditions with their service thresholds, the 45 sequelae, and the firefighter, Point Cook, F-111 and occupational exposure cohorts. https://www.vhc.org.au/blog/garp-chapter-2-hypertension-vascular https://www.vhc.org.au/blog/garp-chapter-2-hypertension-vascular Sun, 06 Sep 2026 23:00:00 GMT GARP series GARP M 2026 Chapter 2 in plain English: hypertension and non-cardiac vascular conditions, aneurysm, peripheral arterial disease, varicose veins, lymphoedema and Raynaud's. https://www.vhc.org.au/blog/garp-chapter-3-spine-and-limbs https://www.vhc.org.au/blog/garp-chapter-3-spine-and-limbs Sun, 06 Sep 2026 23:00:00 GMT GARP series GARP M 2026 Chapter 3 in plain English: spine and limbs, lower limbs as a single unit, the walking table, cervical and thoracolumbar movement and tolerance, upper limb ratings and resting joint pain. https://www.vhc.org.au/blog/garp-chapter-4-emotional-behavioural https://www.vhc.org.au/blog/garp-chapter-4-emotional-behavioural Sun, 06 Sep 2026 23:00:00 GMT GARP series GARP M 2026 Chapter 4 in plain English: psychiatric impairment, subjective and manifest distress, functional effects, occupation, domestic, social, leisure and therapy tables, and how substance abuse is treated. https://www.vhc.org.au/blog/aggravation-vs-causation-dva-claims https://www.vhc.org.au/blog/aggravation-vs-causation-dva-claims Sun, 06 Sep 2026 23:00:00 GMT DVA claims Causation versus aggravation in DVA claims: MRCA sections 7 and 27, material contribution as a more-than-trivial contribution, clinical onset versus clinical worsening in the SoPs, the aggravation-only factors, and what evidence a worsening claim requires. https://www.vhc.org.au/blog/garp-chapter-5-neurological https://www.vhc.org.au/blog/garp-chapter-5-neurological Sun, 06 Sep 2026 23:00:00 GMT GARP series GARP M 2026 Chapter 5 in plain English: neurological impairment, cognition and communication tables, sensory and cranial nerve loss, and how it interacts with Chapters 3, 15 and 16. https://www.vhc.org.au/blog/garp-chapter-6-gastrointestinal https://www.vhc.org.au/blog/garp-chapter-6-gastrointestinal Sun, 06 Sep 2026 23:00:00 GMT GARP series GARP M 2026 Chapter 6 in plain English: gastrointestinal impairment, ingestion, nutrition and faecal excretion tables, reflux, ulcers, bowel, liver, pancreas and gall bladder, plus hernias and obesity. https://www.vhc.org.au/blog/garp-chapter-7-hearing-loss-tinnitus https://www.vhc.org.au/blog/garp-chapter-7-hearing-loss-tinnitus Sun, 06 Sep 2026 23:00:00 GMT GARP series GARP M 2026 Chapter 7 in plain English: hearing loss and tinnitus, audiogram requirements, accepted percentage hearing loss, age adjustment for presbyacusis, paired organs, and other ear nose and throat conditions. https://www.vhc.org.au/blog/garp-chapter-8-visual-impairment https://www.vhc.org.au/blog/garp-chapter-8-visual-impairment Sun, 06 Sep 2026 23:00:00 GMT GARP series GARP M 2026 Chapter 8 in plain English: visual impairment, corrected visual acuity, Esterman visual field grids, miscellaneous visual function, binocular ratings and other ocular impairment. https://www.vhc.org.au/blog/garp-chapter-9-renal-urinary https://www.vhc.org.au/blog/garp-chapter-9-renal-urinary Sun, 06 Sep 2026 23:00:00 GMT GARP series GARP M 2026 Chapter 9 in plain English: renal function, creatinine clearance, nephrectomy and transplant ratings, lower urinary tract function, incontinence and urinary tract infections. https://www.vhc.org.au/blog/garp-chapter-10-sexual-function-reproduction https://www.vhc.org.au/blog/garp-chapter-10-sexual-function-reproduction Sun, 06 Sep 2026 23:00:00 GMT GARP series GARP M 2026 Chapter 10 in plain English: sexual function, reproduction and breasts, age at onset ratings, impotence, infertility and reduced fertility, and cyclical conditions under Chapter 15. https://www.vhc.org.au/blog/garp-chapter-11-skin https://www.vhc.org.au/blog/garp-chapter-11-skin Sun, 06 Sep 2026 23:00:00 GMT GARP series GARP M 2026 Chapter 11 in plain English: skin impairment, symptom duration ratings, solar skin lesions, embarrassment criteria, and interaction with Chapters 3, 15, 16 and 17. https://www.vhc.org.au/blog/garp-chapter-12-endocrine-haemopoietic https://www.vhc.org.au/blog/garp-chapter-12-endocrine-haemopoietic Sun, 06 Sep 2026 23:00:00 GMT GARP series GARP M 2026 Chapter 12 in plain English: endocrine and haemopoietic impairment, diabetes mellitus table, endocrine disorders table, blood conditions and intermittent episodes. https://www.vhc.org.au/blog/garp-chapter-13-negligible-impairment https://www.vhc.org.au/blog/garp-chapter-13-negligible-impairment Sun, 06 Sep 2026 23:00:00 GMT GARP series GARP M 2026 Chapter 13 in plain English: negligible impairment, when a nil rating is correct, and why an accepted condition rated nil today protects a reassessment later. https://www.vhc.org.au/blog/garp-chapter-14-malignant-conditions https://www.vhc.org.au/blog/garp-chapter-14-malignant-conditions Sun, 06 Sep 2026 23:00:00 GMT GARP series GARP M 2026 Chapter 14 in plain English: malignant conditions, Table 14.1 malignant disorders, Table 14.2 life expectancy, the 70 point shortcut and the five year remission rule. https://www.vhc.org.au/blog/garp-chapter-15-intermittent-impairment https://www.vhc.org.au/blog/garp-chapter-15-intermittent-impairment Sun, 06 Sep 2026 23:00:00 GMT GARP series GARP M 2026 Chapter 15 in plain English: intermittent impairment, attack severity levels, duration bands, grading codes, frequency thresholds, grouping different attack types and the avoidance rating. https://www.vhc.org.au/blog/garp-chapter-16-activities-of-daily-living https://www.vhc.org.au/blog/garp-chapter-16-activities-of-daily-living Sun, 06 Sep 2026 23:00:00 GMT GARP series GARP M 2026 Chapter 16 in plain English: activities of daily living, grading codes, the sum to impairment conversion, ADL Other Impairment, and when the rating combines with other conditions. https://www.vhc.org.au/blog/garp-chapter-17-disfigurement https://www.vhc.org.au/blog/garp-chapter-17-disfigurement Sun, 06 Sep 2026 23:00:00 GMT GARP series GARP M 2026 Chapter 17 in plain English: disfigurement and social impairment, the disfigurement table, the definition of avoidance and ordinary public places, and how the rating combines. https://www.vhc.org.au/blog/garp-chapter-18-combined-values-chart https://www.vhc.org.au/blog/garp-chapter-18-combined-values-chart Sun, 06 Sep 2026 23:00:00 GMT GARP series GARP M 2026 Chapter 18 in plain English: the Combined Values Chart, whole person impairment, worked example, and the exceptions in Chapters 3 and 4. https://www.vhc.org.au/blog/garp-chapter-19-partially-contributing-impairment https://www.vhc.org.au/blog/garp-chapter-19-partially-contributing-impairment Sun, 06 Sep 2026 23:00:00 GMT GARP series GARP M 2026 Chapter 19 in plain English: partially contributing impairment, the contribution fractions, the reduction table, and the difference between Chapter 19 and Chapter 20 apportionment. https://www.vhc.org.au/blog/garp-chapter-20-apportionment https://www.vhc.org.au/blog/garp-chapter-20-apportionment Sun, 06 Sep 2026 23:00:00 GMT GARP series GARP M 2026 Chapter 20 in plain English: apportionment, when it applies, the worked example turning 20 points into 25, and the guarantee that it can never leave you worse off. https://www.vhc.org.au/blog/garp-chapter-21-paired-organs https://www.vhc.org.au/blog/garp-chapter-21-paired-organs Sun, 06 Sep 2026 23:00:00 GMT GARP series GARP M 2026 Chapter 21 in plain English: the paired organs policy for vision, kidneys, testes, ovaries and adrenals, and why limbs are excluded. https://www.vhc.org.au/blog/garp-chapter-22-lifestyle-effects https://www.vhc.org.au/blog/garp-chapter-22-lifestyle-effects Sun, 06 Sep 2026 23:00:00 GMT GARP series GARP M 2026 Chapter 22 in plain English: lifestyle effects, personal relationships, mobility, recreation and community, employment and domestic activities, self assessment options and the lifestyle questionnaire. https://www.vhc.org.au/blog/garp-chapter-23-compensation-tables https://www.vhc.org.au/blog/garp-chapter-23-compensation-tables Sun, 06 Sep 2026 23:00:00 GMT GARP series GARP M 2026 Chapter 23 in plain English: calculating permanent impairment compensation, Tables 23.1 and 23.2, compensation factors, the shaded area and the maximum weekly amount. https://www.vhc.org.au/blog/garp-chapter-24-lump-sums https://www.vhc.org.au/blog/garp-chapter-24-lump-sums Sun, 06 Sep 2026 23:00:00 GMT GARP series GARP M 2026 Chapter 24 in plain English: converting weekly permanent impairment compensation into a lump sum, conversion percentages, Australian Government Actuary factors and the notification requirement. https://www.vhc.org.au/blog/garp-chapter-25-old-vea-drca-conditions https://www.vhc.org.au/blog/garp-chapter-25-old-vea-drca-conditions Sun, 06 Sep 2026 23:00:00 GMT GARP series GARP M 2026 Chapter 25 in plain English: working out MRCA permanent impairment compensation for a person with old VEA or old DRCA accepted conditions, the baseline deduction and the 5 point threshold. https://www.vhc.org.au/blog/garp-chapter-26-baseline-impairment-ratings https://www.vhc.org.au/blog/garp-chapter-26-baseline-impairment-ratings Sun, 06 Sep 2026 23:00:00 GMT GARP series GARP M 2026 Chapter 26 in plain English: calculating baseline impairment ratings for the five cohorts, converting DRCA whole person impairment to impairment points, and the unrounded VEA rating. https://www.vhc.org.au/blog/what-happens-at-a-permanent-impairment-assessment https://www.vhc.org.au/blog/what-happens-at-a-permanent-impairment-assessment Sun, 06 Sep 2026 23:00:00 GMT GARP series What to expect at a DVA permanent impairment assessment under GARP M 2026: the questions, the examination, how long it takes, and what happens afterwards. https://www.vhc.org.au/blog/how-to-prepare-for-a-dva-impairment-assessment https://www.vhc.org.au/blog/how-to-prepare-for-a-dva-impairment-assessment Sun, 06 Sep 2026 23:00:00 GMT GARP series How to prepare for a DVA permanent impairment assessment under GARP M 2026: measurements, attack diary, test currency rules, medication list and what to bring. https://www.vhc.org.au/blog/dva-impairment-points-worked-example https://www.vhc.org.au/blog/dva-impairment-points-worked-example Sun, 06 Sep 2026 23:00:00 GMT GARP series Worked example of GARP M 2026 impairment points: back, lower limbs and resting joint pain combined through the Combined Values Chart, then converted to a weekly payment. https://www.vhc.org.au/blog/garp-words-explained https://www.vhc.org.au/blog/garp-words-explained Sun, 06 Sep 2026 23:00:00 GMT GARP series Plain English glossary of GARP M 2026 and DVA claim terms: impairment points, functional loss, Other Impairment, combined values chart, apportionment, baseline impairment rating and more. https://www.vhc.org.au/blog/mistakes-that-cost-veterans-impairment-points https://www.vhc.org.au/blog/mistakes-that-cost-veterans-impairment-points Sun, 06 Sep 2026 23:00:00 GMT GARP series Common mistakes in DVA permanent impairment assessments under GARP M 2026, and how to avoid each one. https://www.vhc.org.au/blog/when-to-ask-for-a-dva-reassessment https://www.vhc.org.au/blog/when-to-ask-for-a-dva-reassessment Sun, 06 Sep 2026 23:00:00 GMT GARP series When to request a DVA permanent impairment reassessment under GARP M 2026: the 5 point threshold, why high ratings are harder to move, good reasons to ask and the evidence needed. https://www.vhc.org.au/blog/mental-health-dva-claims-ptsd https://www.vhc.org.au/blog/mental-health-dva-claims-ptsd Sat, 05 Sep 2026 23:00:00 GMT Conditions DVA mental health claims explained: DSM-5 diagnosis, documenting stressors, free non-liability mental health care and how impairment is rated. https://www.vhc.org.au/blog/hearing-loss-and-tinnitus-dva-claims https://www.vhc.org.au/blog/hearing-loss-and-tinnitus-dva-claims Sat, 05 Sep 2026 23:00:00 GMT Conditions Claiming hearing loss and tinnitus with DVA: audiometry, noise exposure, what the Statements of Principles require and how it is rated. https://www.vhc.org.au/blog/retrospective-medical-discharge-csc https://www.vhc.org.au/blog/retrospective-medical-discharge-csc Sat, 05 Sep 2026 23:00:00 GMT CSC Retrospective medical discharge (A-RETRO) explained: what CSC assesses, who should apply, and the medical evidence it takes. https://www.vhc.org.au/blog/appeal-a-dva-decision-vrb https://www.vhc.org.au/blog/appeal-a-dva-decision-vrb Sat, 05 Sep 2026 23:00:00 GMT Appeals How to appeal a rejected DVA claim: what review involves, what evidence overturns a determination, and the mistake most appeals make. https://www.vhc.org.au/blog/permanent-impairment-assessment-explained https://www.vhc.org.au/blog/permanent-impairment-assessment-explained Sat, 05 Sep 2026 23:00:00 GMT Permanent impairment How DVA permanent impairment assessments work: GARP ratings, lifestyle effects, permanence, stability and what the rating pays. https://www.vhc.org.au/blog/statement-of-principles-explained https://www.vhc.org.au/blog/statement-of-principles-explained Sat, 05 Sep 2026 23:00:00 GMT DVA claims What a DVA Statement of Principles is, how SoP factors are proved, and why the wording of your medical evidence decides the claim. https://www.vhc.org.au/blog/how-to-make-a-dva-claim-step-by-step https://www.vhc.org.au/blog/how-to-make-a-dva-claim-step-by-step Sat, 05 Sep 2026 23:00:00 GMT DVA claims How to make a DVA claim in 2026: diagnosis, Statements of Principles, lodging via MyService, processing times and what to do if refused.