Anxiety disorders (including generalised anxiety disorder, panic disorder, and social anxiety disorder) are claimable through DVA when caused or aggravated by ADF service. Anxiety frequently co-occurs with PTSD and depression and can be claimed alongside both.
Under the MRCA, anxiety disorders are assessed against specific Statements of Principles. The SoP covers both operational stressors and the cumulative effect of demanding service environments on mental health.
Why Anxiety is common in the ADF
Military service involves sustained high-stress environments, operational deployments, and significant life disruption that can cause or worsen anxiety disorders. Combat exposure, hostile threat environments, and ongoing fear for personal safety during operations are particularly significant risk factors.
Medical access
Provisional Access to Medical Treatment (PAMT)
Anxiety is not currently on the PAMT list. However, if your Anxiety is related to a mental health condition, you may be eligible for Non-Liability Health Care (NLHC) — which provides funded mental health treatment without a liability determination. Speak to your GP about a DVA mental health referral.
Statement of Principles — in plain English
DVA assesses your claim against a Statement of Principles (SoP). Here are the key factors that most commonly apply to Anxiety claims, translated from the legal language.
Experiencing a severe psychosocial stressor within service
Stressor of sufficient severity to markedly exceed normal human experience, within 2 years of onset
Sustained occupational stress during service
Ongoing occupational stress that a reasonable person would consider significant, within 1 year before onset
Conditions that commonly develop alongside
Veterans with Anxiety often develop related conditions that may also be claimable. These are worth assessing at the same time as your primary claim.
What to expect for impairment points
Anxiety disorders are assessed for permanent impairment under GARP M using psychiatric assessment. The points range from minimal for mild, well-managed anxiety to significant points for severe anxiety with major functional impairment. Anxiety is often claimed alongside PTSD and depression, with combined impairment points calculated under the whole-person formula.
Use the DVA PI Points CalculatorWhat a strong Anxiety claim looks like
Psychiatric or psychologist diagnosis using DSM-5 criteria
Service records or statutory declaration establishing causative stressors
Ongoing treatment records and GP referrals
DVA currently takes 3–6 months to decide most initial liability claims. Complex or multi-condition claims can take longer. Lodging a complete, decision-ready claim upfront reduces back-and-forth.
Processing times guideCommon questions about Anxiety claims
Ready to claim Anxiety?
Book a free consultation and we'll walk you through whether your condition meets the SoP factors, what evidence you need, and how to build a decision-ready claim.
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