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).
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 using psychiatric assessment criteria. The assessment measures symptom severity and functional impact. Impairment points range from minimal for well-managed mild depression to significant points for severe, persistent depression with major functional impairment.
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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