Veteran-led · Est. 2022
Built by veterans,
for veterans.
The DVA system is complex, and most veterans don't have the time or energy to fight it alone. Clear Path exists to take that weight off your shoulders and make sure nothing gets left on the table.
Book a discovery callThe team
2022
CEO & Co-Founder
Mitchell Leeson
Mitchell Leeson served seven years in the Royal Australian Navy as a Marine Technician, working across naval propulsion and engineering systems. His service exposed him to the same physical demands, noise, physical load, and operational stress, that drive the majority of DVA compensation claims.
When Mitch transitioned out of the ADF, he navigated the DVA system himself and saw firsthand how disorganised, slow, and opaque the process was for veterans without specialist support. Many of his peers were either unaware of their entitlements or had claims rejected due to inadequate preparation.
He co-founded Clear Path Veterans in 2022 to fix that gap. As CEO, Mitch oversees all client engagements, leads claim strategy for musculoskeletal, hearing, and mental health conditions, and manages DVA liaison across initial liability, permanent impairment, and incapacity payment claims.
Mitch specialises in building claims that satisfy Statement of Principles requirements from day one, reducing the need for reconsiderations and appeals, and getting veterans their entitlements faster. His approach is grounded in the same thoroughness he applied as a naval technician: get it right before it leaves the workshop.
Co-Founder
Luke Martin
Luke Martin served twelve years in the Royal Australian Navy across multiple deployments. Over that career he accumulated the kind of service-related conditions, hearing damage, musculoskeletal wear, and the cumulative toll of sustained operational tempo, that form the core of most DVA compensation claims.
After leaving the ADF, Luke navigated the DVA claims process himself and identified the structural problem: veterans were submitting claims without understanding how DVA assesses them, what evidence was required, or how the relevant Statements of Principles connected to their conditions. The result was unnecessary rejections and years of delayed entitlements.
He co-founded Clear Path Veterans in 2022 alongside Mitch Leeson to build a better model. Luke brings eight years of background in application design and systems thinking to the claims process, his focus is on building decision-ready submissions that give DVA delegates everything they need to say yes, structured and evidenced to the standard DVA actually requires.
Luke specialises in MRCA and DRCA claims, SoP factor mapping, CSC invalidity classification, and complex claims involving multiple conditions across legislative periods. He works directly on every claim Clear Path Veterans prepares.
Clear Path Veterans is an independent veteran advocacy consultancy, not affiliated with RSL, DVA, or any government body. We do not provide legal advice. Our co-founders are not registered legal practitioners. Our advocacy is grounded in direct personal experience of the DVA claims system and expert knowledge of Statements of Principles, GARP M impairment assessments, and DVA processes.
How we got here
2007
Luke enlists in the Royal Australian Navy straight out of school in 2007. Mitch follows in 2008. Two mates, same service, different ships.
How we got here
Luke enlists in the Royal Australian Navy straight out of school in 2007. Mitch follows in 2008. Two mates, same service, different ships.
Built on experience.
Years of combined ADF service between our co-founders
DVA entitlement types covered across MRCA, DRCA, and VEA
Day typical turnaround from consultation to DVA lodgement
Built on
experience.
Years of combined ADF service between our co-founders
DVA entitlement types covered across MRCA, DRCA, and VEA
Day typical turnaround from consultation to DVA lodgement
Independent advocates with no ties to DVA, insurers, or legal firms. We work for you.
What we stand for
01
Clarity
The DVA system is complicated. We make it simple. Every veteran we work with understands exactly what they are claiming, why, and what to expect.
02
Advocacy
We are in your corner from first conversation to final determination. When DVA pushes back, we push back harder.
03
Integrity
We only take on claims we believe in. If we do not think you have a strong case, we will tell you that up front.
04
Results
We prepare every claim to decision-ready standard. The goal is not just to lodge, it is to win.
Ready to take the first step?
Book a free discovery call. No cost, no obligation, just a straight conversation about what you may be entitled to.
Book a discovery callResults
What our work looks like in practice
These are real outcomes from veterans Clear Path Veterans has supported. Names and identifying details have been changed to protect privacy. Each case reflects the claim as lodged and the outcome received.
Navy veteran, 14 years service, PTSD and hearing loss
MRCA initial liability + permanent impairment
Served across multiple deployments with operational trauma exposure and years of engine room noise. DVA accepted PTSD (SoP 101/2014) and bilateral sensorineural hearing loss (SoP 35/2017). PI assessment: 30 points PTSD, 10 points hearing loss, 5 points tinnitus. Total 45 impairment points. Lump sum compensation plus ongoing incapacity payments while unable to work.
Initial liability accepted in 97 days. PI assessment completed 4 months later.
Army veteran, 8 years service, lumbar spondylosis and knee OA
MRCA initial liability + permanent impairment
Infantry corps veteran with years of pack marching, field exercises, and parachute training. DVA accepted lumbar spondylosis (SoP 63/2017 via Factor 14, carrying loads of at least 20 kg) and bilateral knee osteoarthritis (SoP 61/2017 via Factor 14(c), cumulative load carriage). PI assessment: 15 points lumbar, 10 points bilateral knee OA, 5 points cervical spondylosis as secondary condition. Total 30 impairment points.
All three conditions accepted within 112 days of lodgement.
Air Force veteran, 20 years service, CSC invalidity reclassification
CSC invalidity, MSBS Class C to Class B
Medically discharged with multiple musculoskeletal conditions and depression. Originally classified as Class C (able to work in pre-discharge role). Clear Path Veterans gathered updated specialist reports demonstrating significant functional decline since original classification. CSC reclassified to Class B, resulting in a substantially higher ongoing invalidity pension.
Application to reclassification decision: 5 months.
Navy veteran, 12 years service, retrospective invalidity classification
CSC invalidity, voluntary discharge challenged under Whiteman principle
Voluntarily discharged with service-related shoulder injuries and anxiety. Never received an invalidity classification because discharge was recorded as voluntary. Clear Path Veterans applied for retrospective invalidity classification under the Whiteman principle, demonstrating that the veteran had service-related conditions at time of separation that affected capacity to perform ADF duties. CSC granted Class B invalidity.
Application to determination: 22 months.
Army veteran, partner, Gold Card and partner service pension
VEA, dependant entitlements
Surviving spouse of a Vietnam veteran. Had never claimed DVA entitlements. Clear Path Veterans identified eligibility for the DVA Gold Card (covering all medical treatment) and the partner service pension under the VEA. Both applications accepted. The partner now receives ongoing income support and full healthcare coverage through DVA.
Both entitlements granted within 6 weeks of lodgement.
These case studies are illustrative of the types of claims Clear Path Veterans supports. Individual outcomes depend on the specific facts of each case, the veteran's service history, and the available evidence. Past outcomes do not guarantee future results.