Resources

Guides & Articles

Practical guides for Australian veterans navigating DVA claims, CSC superannuation, health cards, and the medical transition process.

Breaking7 April 2026

Ben Roberts-Smith: from Victoria Cross to war crime charges

Australia's most decorated living soldier was arrested at Sydney Airport and charged with five counts of war crime murder. A complete case timeline from 1978 to 2026.

Featured

VETS Act 2026: What Changes for DVA Claims on 1 July

The VETS Act takes effect 1 July 2026. All new DVA claims move to MRCA. Here’s what changes, what stays the same, and what you should do now.

DVA Claims

Cervical Spondylosis Secondary to Obesity: DVA Secondary Claim

Cervical spondylosis can be claimed secondary to sustained obesity from an accepted service injury. The SoP requires BMI 30+ for 10 years. Here's the pathway and evidence.

14 May 202610 min read

DVA Claims

Peripheral Neuropathy Secondary to Diabetes: DVA Secondary Claim

If diabetes is your accepted DVA condition, peripheral neuropathy developing from it can be claimed as a secondary condition through a direct single-factor SoP link.

12 May 202610 min read

DVA Claims

Lumbar Spondylosis Secondary to Obesity: DVA Secondary Claim

If an accepted service injury led to weight gain and a BMI of 30+ sustained for 10 years, lumbar spondylosis can be claimed as a secondary condition. Here's the SoP factor.

10 May 202610 min read

DVA Claims

Can You Claim Plantar Fasciitis Secondary to a Service Injury With DVA?

If an accepted lower limb injury altered your gait or led to weight gain, plantar fasciitis may be claimable as a secondary condition. Two SoP pathways explained.

8 May 202610 min read

DVA Claims

Can You Claim Osteoarthritis Secondary to a Joint Injury With DVA?

If an accepted service injury involved significant trauma to a joint and you've developed osteoarthritis in that joint, the SoP pathway is well-established. Here's how it works.

6 May 202611 min read

DVA Claims

Can You Claim Depression Secondary to Hearing Loss With DVA?

There's no direct hearing loss factor in the depression SoP. But viable indirect pathways exist. Here's why the direct claim doesn't work and what does.

4 May 202611 min read

DVA Claims

Can You Claim Sleep Apnoea Secondary to Obesity With DVA?

If an accepted service injury reduced your mobility, your BMI rose to 30+, and you developed sleep apnoea, there's a direct SoP pathway. Here's how the obesity cascade works.

2 May 202610 min read

DVA Claims

Can You Claim Depression Secondary to Chronic Pain With DVA?

Chronic pain from accepted MSK conditions is a direct SoP pathway to depression. The factor applies to back injuries, knee conditions, shoulder injuries, and more.

30 April 202612 min read

DVA Claims

Alcohol Use Disorder Secondary to PTSD or Depression: DVA Claims

If PTSD or depression has contributed to problematic alcohol use, there's a direct SoP pathway. The factor explicitly lists PTSD, depression, and anxiety as qualifying conditions.

28 April 202611 min read

DVA Claims

Can You Claim Hypertension Secondary to PTSD With DVA?

The Hypertension SoP contains a direct mental health factor. Accepted PTSD, depression, or anxiety links to hypertension through a single SoP factor with no intermediate steps.

26 April 202612 min read

DVA Claims

Can You Claim GERD Secondary to NSAID Use With DVA?

If you take NSAIDs long-term for an accepted musculoskeletal condition and have developed GERD, there's a direct SoP pathway. Here's how the medication-pathway claim works.

24 April 202611 min read

DVA Claims

Can I Claim DVA While Still Serving in the ADF?

Yes — you can lodge a DVA compensation claim before you discharge. Here's what you can claim, how MRCA applies to serving members, and why lodging early matters.

22 April 202614 min read

DVA Claims

Anxiety Secondary to Tinnitus: DVA Claims Explained

If your tinnitus is accepted by DVA and you've developed anxiety, there's a direct SoP pathway. Here's the factor, the evidence, and how it differs from the depression claim.

20 April 202613 min read

Health & Entitlements

DVA Gold Card Concessions QLD: Full List of Benefits

Queensland offers some of Australia's most valuable DVA Gold Card concessions. Transport, rates, utilities, registration and more, the full list, verified for 2026.

18 April 202610 min read

DVA Claims

Can You Claim Insomnia Secondary to PTSD with DVA?

Insomnia is one of the most common PTSD symptoms, and one of the most under-claimed DVA conditions. The SoP factor is clear. Here's how the claim works.

16 April 202614 min read

DVA Claims

Depression Secondary to Tinnitus: DVA Claims Explained

Tinnitus is DVA's most accepted condition. If you've developed depression alongside it, you may have a direct SoP pathway to claim it. Here's how it works.

14 April 202614 min read

DVA Claims

DVA Secondary Conditions: Claiming Conditions Caused by Service Injuries

If a DVA-accepted condition caused or worsened another condition, you may be able to claim it. How secondary DVA claims work, which SoP factors apply, and what evidence you need.

12 April 202616 min read

DVA Claims

VETS Act 2026: Complete Guide for Australian Veterans

The VETS Act starts 1 July 2026. What changes, what stays the same, and what you need to do before the deadline. A plain-English guide from Clear Path Veterans.

11 April 202618 min read

DVA Legislation

DVA Presumptive Liability: What the VETS Act Changes for Claims

The VETS Act introduces presumptive liability for common service-related conditions. No SoP factor matching required. Here's what we know so far.

7 April 202610 min read

DVA Compensation

DVA Incapacity Payments Explained: How They Work and What Changes in 2026

How DVA incapacity payments work, how they’re calculated, the 45-week rule, DRCA-to-MRCA transition, offsetting with super, and what changes from 1 July 2026.

6 April 202622 min read

DVA Legislation

SRDP Under the VETS Act: Special Rate Disability Pension Explained

The Special Rate Disability Pension opens to DRCA veterans from 1 July 2026. No alone test. Here's who qualifies, what it pays, and how to get assessed.

5 April 202610 min read

DVA Mental Health

How to Claim DVA Compensation for Anxiety (Without a PTSD Diagnosis)

You don’t need a PTSD diagnosis to claim DVA compensation for anxiety. We explain the anxiety disorder SoP, stressor categories, and the 2025 diagnosis change.

3 April 202620 min read

DVA Claims

How to Claim DVA Compensation for Sleep Apnoea

Sleep apnoea is claimable through DVA but the connection to service is almost always indirect. We explain the SoP factors, the obesity chain connection, and what evidence you need.

1 April 202622 min read

DVA Compensation

Average DVA Payout for Lumbar Spondylosis (2026)

DVA lumbar spondylosis compensation ranges from $37,000 to $171,000+ depending on severity. Here's how it's assessed under GARP M and what affects your payout.

31 March 202614 min read

DVA Claims

DVA Aggravation Claims Explained: When Service Makes an Existing Condition Worse

Pre-existing condition worsened by ADF service? You can still claim through DVA. We explain aggravation claims, clinical worsening factors, and what evidence you need.

29 March 202620 min read

DVA Claims

What Are Statements of Principles and Why They Matter for Your DVA Claim

Statements of Principles determine whether DVA accepts your claim. We explain what SoPs are, how factors work, the two standards of proof, and how to use them.

27 March 202622 min read

DVA Legislation

How the VETS Act Affects DRCA Veterans from 1 July 2026

DRCA veterans gain Gold Card access, SRDP eligibility, VRB appeals, and whole-of-person assessment from 1 July 2026. Here's what changes and what to do.

26 March 202616 min read

DVA Claims

DVA Rehabilitation Programs Explained

DVA funds rehabilitation to help you return to work or manage your conditions. We explain what's covered, how it works, and when it matters for SRDP.

24 March 202610 min read

DVA Claims

DVA Household Services and Attendant Care Explained

DVA can pay for cleaning, gardening, personal care, and home help if your service conditions prevent you from doing it yourself. We explain how.

22 March 202610 min read

DVA Claims

DVA Travel Reimbursement: How to Claim Travel Costs

DVA reimburses travel to approved medical appointments. We explain who's eligible, what's covered, the rates, and how to claim.

19 March 202610 min read

Health Cards

DVA Dental Treatment: What's Covered and What's Not

DVA covers dental treatment in specific situations. We explain what the White Card and Gold Card cover, what the RPBS applies to, and what's on you.

17 March 202610 min read

DVA Legislation

Whole-of-Person Assessment: How DVA Impairment Changes Under the VETS Act

From 1 July 2026, all DVA impairment assessments use GARP M's whole-of-person approach. No more per-condition thresholds. Here's how it works.

16 March 202613 min read

DVA Claims

DVA Glossary of Terms

SoP, GARP, CIS, SRDP, NLHC, VRB. DVA is full of acronyms and jargon that nobody explains. This glossary covers every term you'll encounter in the claims process.

14 March 202620 min read

DVA Claims

How to Claim DVA Compensation for Back Pain and Spinal Conditions

DVA doesn’t accept claims for “back pain.” It accepts thoracolumbar spondylosis, cervical spondylosis, and disc prolapse. Here’s exactly how the SoPs work and what evidence you need.

12 March 202622 min read

DVA Compensation

Average DVA Payout for Rotator Cuff Syndrome (2026)

DVA rotator cuff compensation ranges from $37,000 to $147,000+ depending on severity and shoulder function. Here's how it's assessed and what you can claim.

10 March 202614 min read

Advocacy

What Does a DVA Advocate Do? (2026)

A DVA advocate prepares, lodges, and manages your claim through the DVA system. We explain what they actually do, when you need one, and the difference it makes.

9 March 202618 min read

CSC Superannuation

How CSC, DVA, and Centrelink Work Together (2026)

CSC invalidity, DVA compensation, and Centrelink all pay different things. We explain what stacks, what offsets, and how to get the most from all three.

7 March 202620 min read

DVA Legislation

VETS Act 2026: What Changes for DVA Claims on 1 July

The VETS Act takes effect 1 July 2026. All new DVA claims move to MRCA. Here’s what changes, what stays the same, and what you should do now.

5 March 202620 min read

CSC Superannuation

Retrospective Medical Discharge Explained (2026)

Left the ADF without a medical discharge but your conditions should have qualified you? We explain the A-RETRO process for retrospective invalidity benefits.

4 March 202616 min read

CSC Superannuation

DFRDB vs MSBS vs ADF Cover Compared (2026)

Which military super scheme are you on? We compare DFRDB, MSBS, and ADF Cover, covering invalidity classifications, benefit structures, and what each means for you.

2 March 202618 min read

DVA Legislation

VETS Act 2026: What to Do Before 1 July

The VETS Act closes the VEA and DRCA to new claims on 1 July 2026. We explain who benefits from claiming now, who should wait, and exactly what’s changing.

27 February 202622 min read

DVA Claims

DVA Advocate vs DIY: Should You Claim Alone?

Can you lodge a DVA claim yourself? Yes. Should you? We compare the DIY approach to using an advocate, covering success rates, common mistakes, and when it matters most.

25 February 202618 min read

DVA Claims

DVA Claims in 2026: The Real Numbers

95,650 claims on hand. 349-day average. 4.55 conditions per claim. We break down DVA’s 2026 claims data and explain what it actually means for you.

22 February 202616 min read

DVA Health Cards

DVA Gold Card vs NLHC: What’s the Difference?

Gold Card covers everything. NLHC covers mental health without a claim. We explain what each provides, who qualifies, and when you need both.

20 February 202616 min read

DVA Claims

DVA Claims for Female Veterans (2026)

A practical guide for women who served in the ADF. We cover the conditions, SoP factors, and DVA entitlements most relevant to female veterans, including MST-related claims.

17 February 202620 min read

DVA Claims

How to Make a DVA Claim (2026)

Step-by-step guide to lodging a DVA claim. We cover which Act applies, what evidence you need, how SoPs work, and how to build a claim DVA can’t refuse.

15 February 202624 min read

DVA Compensation

Average DVA Payout for Back Injuries (2026)

Most veterans with service-related back conditions receive between $5,000 and $180,000+ in permanent impairment compensation. Here is how DVA scores lumbar spondylosis, thoracic spondylosis, and disc conditions.

12 February 202615 min read

DVA Compensation

Average DVA Payout for Depression (2026)

Most veterans with service-related depression receive between $25,000 and $280,000+ in permanent impairment compensation. Here is how DVA scores depression, SoP factors, and how it interacts with other conditions.

10 February 202614 min read

DVA Compensation

Average DVA Payout for Knee Osteoarthritis (2026)

DVA knee osteoarthritis compensation ranges from $37,000 to $171,000+ depending on severity and whether both knees are affected. Here's how it works.

9 February 202614 min read

DVA Compensation

Average DVA Payout for Knee Injuries (2026)

Most veterans with service-related knee conditions receive between $5,000 and $150,000+ in permanent impairment compensation. Here is how DVA scores knee injuries and what bilateral claims are worth.

7 February 202614 min read

DVA Compensation

Average DVA Payout for Hearing Loss (2026)

Most veterans with service-related hearing loss receive between $0 and $200,000+ in permanent impairment compensation. Here is how binaural hearing loss percentage converts to impairment points and what your claim could be worth.

5 February 202614 min read

DVA Legislation

Royal Commission into Veteran Suicide: What’s Actually Changed

The Royal Commission delivered 122 recommendations. The Government agreed to 114. By early 2026, 32 are implemented and 89 are in progress. Here’s what it means for your DVA claim right now.

31 January 202620 min read

DVA Appeals

How to Appeal a DVA Decision (2026)

Got a DVA claim rejected? We explain your appeal options step by step, including the VRB outreach process, time limits, and what changed from April 2025.

28 January 202622 min read

DVA Compensation

SRDP Explained: Special Rate Disability Pension Under MRCA (2026)

The Special Rate Disability Pension (SRDP) is the highest level of DVA income support for veterans who can’t work due to accepted conditions. We explain eligibility criteria, payment rates, offsetting rules, and what changes from 1 July 2026.

26 January 202618 min read

DVA Health Cards

DVA White Card Explained (2026)

What does the DVA White Card cover, who’s eligible, and how do you get one? We explain NLHC, accepted conditions, what’s covered, and the path to a Gold Card.

23 January 202616 min read

DVA Compensation

Average DVA Payout for Tinnitus in 2026

Tinnitus is one of the most commonly claimed conditions through DVA. Most veterans with moderate tinnitus receive between $5,000 and $30,000 in permanent impairment compensation. Here is exactly how DVA calculates your payout.

21 January 202614 min read

DVA Compensation

Average DVA Payout for Hearing Loss and Tinnitus (2026)

Most veterans with hearing loss and tinnitus receive $20,000 to $170,000+ in DVA compensation. Here's how it's calculated and what affects your payout.

20 January 202616 min read

DVA Claims

Paid DVA Advocates: What the Senate Inquiry Found

Commission-based DVA advocates now handle 18% of all claims. The Senate is investigating. We explain what’s happening and how to protect yourself.

18 January 202616 min read

DVA Compensation

DVA Permanent Impairment Points Explained (GARP M)

How DVA calculates your permanent impairment points and what they mean for your compensation. GARP M, lifestyle ratings, and the key thresholds that unlock Gold Card, SRDP, and more.

16 January 202614 min read

DVA Mental Health

How to Claim DVA Compensation for PTSD

Having a PTSD diagnosis and operational service is not enough. DVA assesses claims against a specific SoP that requires your stressors to fall into defined categories. Here is what you need to get it right.

13 January 202614 min read

DVA Claims

How Long Does a DVA Claim Take? Processing Times 2026

DVA claims are taking 127 to 349 days depending on when you lodged. Both numbers are real, they just measure different things. Here's what the data actually means and how to avoid the delays.

11 January 202612 min read

DVA Health Cards

DVA Gold Card Eligibility: Who Qualifies and What Changes on 1 July 2026

The DVA Gold Card covers all clinically necessary medical treatment for any condition. From 1 July 2026, thousands of DRCA veterans who have never had access will get their first pathway in.

8 January 202614 min read

DVA Legislation

DVA Acts Explained: MRCA, DRCA, and What Changes on 1 July 2026

Australia's veteran compensation system runs across multiple Acts with different rules and entitlements. From 1 July 2026, all new claims go through one Act. Here's what that means for you.

6 January 202618 min read

DVA Claims

PFAS Exposure and DVA Claims: What Veterans Need to Know

Served at a PFAS-contaminated Defence base? We explain the 28 affected sites, the health risks, and why claiming through DVA is harder than it should be.

3 January 202618 min read

CSC Superannuation

CSC Invalidity Classification Explained: Class A, Class B, and Class C

Your CSC invalidity classification determines whether you receive an ongoing pension and how much. The difference between Class A and Class B can be tens of thousands of dollars a year.

1 January 202615 min read

DVA Claims

How to Find a DVA Advocate in Australia (2026)

Free ESO volunteers, private firms, law firms. Here's how to find the right DVA advocate, what to ask before you sign anything, and the red flags that should send you elsewhere.

29 December 202518 min read

DVA Claims

DVA Advocates Near Me: Find Help in Your Area (2026)

Looking for a DVA advocate near you? Here's why location matters less than you think, how to find ESO advocates by state, and how to get the right local specialists for your claim.

27 December 202514 min read

DVA Compensation

Average DVA Payout for PTSD (2026)

DVA PTSD compensation ranges from $48,000 to $290,000+ depending on severity and comorbid conditions. Here's how it's calculated and what maximises your payout.

23 December 202516 min read