Reference
DVA Glossary
Every acronym and term in the DVA system, explained in plain English. Click any term to jump to its definition, or follow the links to our detailed guides.
A
Additional Disablement Amount(ADA)
A new payment under the improved MRCA (from 1 July 2026) for veterans over pension age with high levels of impairment. Similar to the VEA’s Extreme Disablement Adjustment. Comes with a Gold Card.
TPI and SRDP explainedAdministrative Review Tribunal(ART)
The second level of external review for DVA decisions, replacing the AAT from October 2024. More formal than the VRB. You’ll generally need legal representation.
How to appeal a DVA decisionAlternative Dispute Resolution(ADR)
The VRB’s process for resolving appeals without a formal hearing. Includes outreach, online dispute resolution, two-party conferences, and case appraisals. The majority of VRB applications are resolved through ADR.
DVA appeals guideB
Balance of probabilities
The standard of proof DVA applies to claims from peacetime service. Requires that it’s more likely than not (over 50% probability) that a SoP factor was present. Higher threshold than reasonable hypothesis.
How to make a DVA claimC
Clinical onset
The date when a condition’s symptoms first became persistent or met diagnostic criteria. This is distinct from the date of diagnosis or the date of the exposure that caused it. DVA uses clinical onset to determine which legislation and SoP factors apply.
Combined Impairment Score(CIS)
Your total impairment score across all accepted conditions, calculated using the Combined Values Chart in GARP M Chapter 18. Individual condition scores don’t simply add together — the formula accounts for diminishing impact of additional impairments.
PI points explainedCombined Values Chart
The table in GARP M Chapter 18 used to combine impairment ratings from multiple conditions into a single Combined Impairment Score. Two conditions scoring 10 points each produce a combined score of approximately 19, not 20.
PI points explainedCommonwealth Superannuation Corporation(CSC)
Administers military superannuation schemes (MSBS, DFRDB, ADF Cover). Handles invalidity classifications for medically discharged veterans. Separate from DVA.
CSC classifications explainedD
DFRDB
Defence Force Retirement and Death Benefits scheme. The oldest military super scheme, covering members who joined before 1 October 1991. Invalidity benefits are calculated as a percentage of final salary.
CSC classifications explainedDisability Compensation Payment(DCP)
The fortnightly compensation payment under the VEA for veterans with accepted service-related conditions. Paid as a percentage of the General Rate or at the Special Rate (TPI).
DRCA
Safety, Rehabilitation and Compensation (Defence-related Claims) Act 1988. Covers service-related conditions for service before 1 July 2004 that don’t fall under the VEA. PI compensation is a lump sum, assessed condition by condition. Closes to new claims on 1 July 2026.
The three DVA Acts explainedDVA
Department of Veterans’ Affairs. The Australian Government department responsible for administering compensation, health care, and support for veterans and their families.
G
Gold Card
The DVA Gold Card covers all clinically necessary medical treatment for all conditions, whether service-related or not. Eligibility under the MRCA generally requires 60+ combined impairment points or SRDP. The most valuable healthcare entitlement DVA provides.
Gold Card eligibility explainedGARP M
Guide to the Assessment of Rates of Pension under the MRCA. The manual DVA uses to assess permanent impairment. Contains the tables, scoring criteria, and Combined Values Chart that determine your impairment points and lump sum compensation.
PI points explainedI
Impairment points
The score assigned by DVA after assessing the permanent functional impact of your accepted conditions under GARP M. Determines your PI lump sum payment and eligibility for Gold Card (60+ points) and SRDP (50+ points).
PI points explainedIncapacity payments
Ongoing fortnightly payments under the MRCA for veterans whose accepted conditions reduce their ability to work. Based on the difference between your pre-injury earnings (Normal Earnings) and what you’re currently earning or could earn (Actual Earnings).
Incapacity payments serviceInitial liability claim
The first stage of a DVA claim where you ask DVA to accept a condition as service-related. Success means the condition goes on your White Card and you can access funded treatment. This does not automatically trigger compensation — PI is a separate claim.
How to make a DVA claimL
Lifestyle effects rating
Assessed separately from clinical impairment under GARP M. Measures how your conditions affect mobility, recreation, relationships, and employment. Categorised from ‘none’ to ‘total’ and acts as a multiplier on your impairment points when calculating compensation.
PI points explainedM
MRCA
Military Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 2004. Covers service from 1 July 2004 onward. PI compensation can be a lump sum, periodic payments, or a combination. Impairment is assessed on a whole-of-person basis. From 1 July 2026, all new claims are assessed under an improved MRCA.
The three DVA Acts explainedMSBS
Military Superannuation and Benefits Scheme. Covers ADF members who joined between 1 October 1991 and 30 June 2016. Invalidity benefits depend on your classification (Class A, B, or C) and your years of service.
CSC classifications explainedMyService
DVA’s online portal at dva.gov.au/myservice. Used to lodge claims, track claim progress, apply for NLHC, and manage your DVA entitlements.
N
Non-Liability Health Care(NLHC)
Free treatment for mental health conditions (any diagnosis) for veterans with at least one day of continuous full-time ADF service. No compensation claim required. Also covers cancer and tuberculosis for veterans with eligible service. One of the most underused DVA entitlements.
White Card and NLHC explainedO
Orange Card
A DVA health card issued to some VEA veterans with older entitlements. Provides access to treatment for specific conditions. Less common than the White Card or Gold Card.
Outreach
A private, non-adversarial discussion between a veteran (and their advocate) and a VRB Conference Registrar or Senior Member. The first step in the VRB’s ADR process. Designed to identify gaps in the case and set a plan to resolve the application, often without a formal hearing.
DVA appeals guideP
PAMT
Provisional Access to Medical Treatment. DVA-funded treatment for certain conditions while your liability claim is being assessed. Covers mental health conditions, cancer, and some musculoskeletal conditions. Closes on 30 June 2026 when the VETS Act takes effect.
Permanent Impairment(PI)
A lump sum (or periodic) compensation payment under the MRCA for the lasting functional impact of your accepted conditions. Assessed under GARP M after your condition has stabilised. This is a separate claim from the initial liability claim — DVA doesn’t assess it automatically.
PI assessment serviceR
Reasonable hypothesis
The standard of proof DVA applies to claims from warlike and non-warlike service. Requires only that a reasonable hypothesis connects your condition to service through a SoP factor. Lower threshold than balance of probabilities.
How to make a DVA claimRehabilitation Appliances Program(RAP)
DVA-funded aids and appliances for veterans with accepted conditions. Covers hearing aids, orthopaedic braces, TENS machines, mobility aids, CPAP machines, home modifications, and more. Prescribed by your treating practitioner and approved by DVA at no cost.
Repatriation Medical Authority(RMA)
The independent body that creates Statements of Principles (SoPs) for all conditions claimable through DVA. The RMA defines the specific factors that must be present for a condition to be connected to service.
Repatriation Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme(RPBS)
The DVA equivalent of the PBS. Veterans with a White Card or Gold Card pay lower co-payments for medications related to their covered conditions. Show your card at the pharmacy.
White Card explainedS
Section 352D report
The report DVA prepares within 28 days of a VRB application, containing all evidence relevant to the review. Previously known as the section 137 report. Includes your DVA file: medical records, service records, delegate’s notes, and SoP analysis.
DVA appeals guideSpecial Rate Disability Pension(SRDP)
The MRCA’s highest ongoing compensation payment (approximately $1,850 per fortnight, tax-free). Requires 50+ impairment points, inability to work more than 10 hours per week, and confirmation that rehabilitation won’t help. No ‘alone test’ unlike the VEA’s TPI.
TPI and SRDP explainedStatement of Principles(SoP)
A legislative instrument defining the specific factors that must be present for a condition to be connected to service. Every claimable condition has its own SoP, with measurable criteria (exposure thresholds, time periods, stressor categories). Your claim succeeds or fails based on whether your evidence satisfies at least one SoP factor.
How SoPs workT
Tinnitus Functional Index(TFI)
A 25-question questionnaire measuring how tinnitus affects eight areas of your life. DVA uses the TFI score to determine your tinnitus impairment rating: 0–25 = 0 points, 26–53 = 5 points, 54–72 = 10 points, 73–100 = 15 points. Must be administered by an audiologist for ratings of 10 or 15.
Average DVA payout for tinnitusTotally and Permanently Incapacitated(TPI)
The Special Rate of Disability Compensation Payment under the VEA. Same payment rate as SRDP but requires the ‘alone test’ — your accepted conditions must be the sole or dominant reason you can’t work. From 1 July 2026, VEA veterans denied TPI can apply for SRDP instead.
TPI and SRDP explainedV
VEA
Veterans’ Entitlements Act 1986. Covers veterans with qualifying service (operational, warlike, or non-warlike) before 1 July 2004. Compensation is a fortnightly Disability Compensation Payment, not a lump sum. Closes to new claims on 1 July 2026.
The three DVA Acts explainedVeterans’ Review Board(VRB)
The first level of external review for DVA decisions. Independent, informal, free, and designed for veterans. From 21 April 2025, all DVA decisions (including DRCA) go to the VRB first. Most applications are resolved through ADR without a formal hearing.
DVA appeals guideVETS Act
The Veterans’ Entitlements, Treatment and Support (Simplification and Harmonisation) Act. Takes effect 1 July 2026. Consolidates new claims under an improved MRCA. Closes the VEA and DRCA to new claims. Opens SRDP and Gold Card pathways to VEA and DRCA veterans for the first time.
What changes on 1 July 2026W
White Card
The DVA White Card provides free medical treatment for your accepted service-related conditions. Also covers all mental health conditions (via NLHC) for veterans with at least one day of continuous full-time ADF service, regardless of whether they’re accepted as service-related.
White Card explainedWhole-of-person assessment
The MRCA’s approach to impairment assessment, where all accepted conditions are combined into a single Combined Impairment Score using the Combined Values Chart. This contrasts with the DRCA’s condition-by-condition approach, where each condition must independently meet a minimum threshold.
PI points explainedStill confused by the DVA system?
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