Mental Health
DVA Depression Claims
Depressive disorders (including major depressive disorder and persistent depressive disorder) are claimable through DVA when they are caused or aggravated by ADF service. Depression is one of the most common sequelae of PTSD and chronic pain conditions, and can also be claimed in its own right.
DVA assesses depression under the Statement of Principles for Depressive Disorder. The SoP covers both direct service stressors (operational stress, traumatic events, demanding working environments) and physical conditions that commonly lead to depression (chronic pain, hearing loss, mobility impairment).
Reviewed by Luke Martin · Co-Founder, Clear Path Veterans · Updated May 2026
Why Depression is common in the ADF
ADF service creates conditions that are strongly associated with depression: prolonged separation from family, loss of comrades, exposure to trauma, occupational stress, physical injury, and the challenges of transition to civilian life. Depression often develops or worsens after discharge, when the protective structure of military life is removed.
Medical access
Provisional Access to Medical Treatment (PAMT)
Depression is not currently on the PAMT list. However, if your Depression 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 Depression claims, translated from the legal language.
Experiencing a severe psychosocial stressor during service
A stressor of sufficient severity to markedly exceed normal human experience, occurring within 2 years before onset
Experiencing a mild-to-moderate psychosocial stressor within service
Relevant stressors occurring within 1 year before onset of the depressive episode
Having a physical illness, disability, or chronic pain condition that caused or contributed to depression
Accepted physical condition that plausibly contributed to the depressive episode
Conditions that commonly develop alongside
Veterans with Depression 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
Depression is assessed for impairment under GARP M Chapter 7 (Mental Disorders) using psychiatric evaluation criteria. The assessment focuses on symptom severity, treatment response, and functional impact on daily life and work capacity. Your treating psychiatrist or psychologist provides the clinical assessment; DVA then maps this to an impairment rating.
Impairment points for depression typically follow this pattern: mild depression that is well-managed with treatment may attract 5–10 impairment points; moderate depression with significant functional impact on work, relationships, and daily activities commonly falls in the 10–20 point range; severe or treatment-resistant depression with major functional impairment can attract 20 or more points. The functional impact, not the diagnosis label alone, drives the rating.
When depression is claimed as a sequela of PTSD or a physical condition (such as chronic pain or hearing loss), the impairment from depression is assessed separately and added to your overall Combined Impairment Score using DVA's whole-person formula. This means the same psychiatric report that supports your PTSD assessment can also generate additional impairment points for co-occurring depression. Veterans with both PTSD and depression should ensure both conditions are assessed and listed on their claim.
Key evidence for a strong depression impairment assessment: a detailed psychiatric report that quantifies functional impairment (not just diagnosis), documented treatment history showing treatment response and current stability, and a statement from your treating clinician describing the impact on employment capacity, relationships, and daily function. Vague diagnoses without functional descriptors typically produce lower impairment ratings.
Use the DVA PI Points CalculatorWhat a strong Depression claim looks like
Psychiatric or psychologist diagnosis using DSM-5 criteria
Service records or statutory declaration establishing the causative stressors
Treatment records showing the history and course of the condition
GP referral and ongoing treatment history
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 Depression claims
Ready to claim Depression?
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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The information on this page is general in nature and does not constitute legal, medical, or financial advice. Clear Path Veterans Pty Ltd (ABN 78 690 447 879) is not a law firm and our team are not registered legal practitioners. For medical concerns, consult a qualified health professional. For legal advice, consult a lawyer experienced in military compensation law. Individual circumstances vary and outcomes depend on the specific facts of each case.