Average DVA Payout for PTSD (2026)

Most veterans with service-related PTSD receive between $48,000 and $290,000 or more in permanent impairment compensation under the MRCA, depending on symptom severity, functional impact, comorbid conditions, and whether you take a lump sum or fortnightly payments. Mild PTSD with limited functional impact sits around 10 to 15 impairment points. Severe PTSD affecting work, relationships, and daily functioning pushes past 30 points, and when combined with comorbid depression, anxiety, or alcohol use disorder, total impairment can exceed 50 points and unlock SRDP (the MRCA’s TPI equivalent). Clear Path Veterans has guided many veterans through the SRDP eligibility process.

PTSD is one of DVA's most commonly accepted conditions. If you experienced a traumatic event during service, you likely meet the SoP criteria. The size of your payout depends on how the condition is assessed, what evidence you provide, and whether you claim all related diagnoses. Clear Path Veterans analysis of MRCA claims shows that the most common impairment range for PTSD is 20–40 points under GARP M Chapter 5.

How DVA calculates your PTSD payout

The GARP M psychiatric assessment (Chapter 11)

PTSD is assessed under GARP M Chapter 11 (Psychiatric Conditions). The assessment must be conducted by a psychiatrist, not a psychologist or GP. It evaluates two components: medical impairment severity and lifestyle effects across four domains.

The psychiatrist assesses your functional capacity across daily living, personal relationships, recreation and community participation, and employment. They use clinical interview (minimum 90 minutes for a proper assessment), review of treatment records, and psychometric tools including the PCL-5 (PTSD Checklist for DSM-5) and PHQ-9 (depression scale).

The medical impairment rating and lifestyle effects rating (0 to 7, averaged across four domains) are combined to produce your total impairment points. These points are then cross-referenced with the compensation factor tables (Table 23.1 for warlike/non-warlike, Table 23.2 for peacetime) and multiplied by the maximum weekly rate of $431.84 to determine your payment.

What PTSD impairment points look like

These are standalone PTSD points. If you also have separately diagnosed depression, anxiety, or alcohol use disorder, each condition attracts its own impairment points that combine with your PTSD rating.

What your payout looks like in dollars

These ranges assume warlike or non-warlike service. Peacetime rates are approximately 40 to 55% lower at the same impairment level.

PTSD only (warlike/non-warlike service)

When PTSD is combined with depression (10 to 20 points), anxiety (5 to 15 points), and/or alcohol use disorder (5 to 15 points), total impairment points can reach 40 to 60 or higher. At 50 combined points: approximately $229.74 per week or $294,000 lump sum (age 35). At 60 points: approximately $303.58 per week or $388,000 lump sum (age 35).

All payments are completely tax-free and exempt from means testing for Service Pension.

What affects your PTSD payout

Clinical severity

The more severe your symptoms and functional impairment, the higher your points. The assessor looks at frequency and intensity of intrusions, level of avoidance, degree of hyperarousal, impact on concentration and memory, and overall functional capacity.

Lifestyle effects

The four-domain lifestyle rating (personal relationships, mobility, recreation/community, employment/domestic) can significantly shift your compensation factor. If PTSD has caused relationship breakdown, social isolation, job loss, or inability to participate in activities you used to enjoy, your lifestyle rating should reflect that. Be thorough when completing the self-assessment form (D2670).

Comorbid conditions

This is where PTSD payouts grow substantially. Depression, anxiety disorder, alcohol use disorder, and adjustment disorder are separately diagnosable conditions with their own SoPs. Each can attract independent impairment points that combine with your PTSD rating. Don’t leave diagnosable conditions unclaimed.

Quality of the psychiatric assessment

A 30-minute assessment will not capture the full picture. GARP M psychiatric assessments should run at least 90 minutes. The psychiatrist needs to document functional impairment across all four lifestyle domains, not just symptom severity. If your assessment was rushed, the impairment rating is probably too low.

Service classification

Warlike/non-warlike service attracts higher compensation factors than peacetime at every impairment level below 80 points.

Interim payments

If your PTSD hasn’t stabilised (you’re still in active treatment and symptoms fluctuate), you can receive interim PI payments at a minimum of 10 impairment points while the condition stabilises. If the final assessment comes in lower than the interim level, DVA cannot recover the difference.

The SoP factors DVA uses to accept PTSD claims

PTSD requires experiencing a specific type of stressor event as defined by SoP 97/2022 (reasonable hypothesis) or SoP 98/2022 (balance of probabilities).

There is no “Category 2 stressor” in the PTSD SoP. Category 2 stressors appear in the Adjustment Disorder and Depression SoPs. If your traumatic experiences are limited to Category 2 events (bullying, harassment, sustained workplace conflict, witnessing non-violent death), they won’t satisfy the PTSD SoP but may support claims for Adjustment Disorder, Anxiety Disorder, or Depression.

How to get assessed and what evidence you need

• Formal DSM-5-TR diagnosis from a psychiatrist. Not a GP or psychologist for permanent impairment assessment purposes.
• Psychiatrist report conforming to Repatriation Commission Guidelines addressing functional impairment across all GARP M domains, treatment history, medication, prognosis, and detailed assessment of impact on daily living, relationships, work capacity, and social participation.
• PCL-5 and PHQ-9 psychometric testing administered by the psychiatrist.
• Documentation of stressor events: deployment histories, incident reports, unit records, after-action reports, and buddy statements from colleagues who were present during stressor events.
• Treatment records from psychologists, counsellors, GPs, and any DVA-funded treatment.

Common mistakes to avoid: not claiming all diagnosable comorbid conditions (depression, anxiety, alcohol use disorder each deserve separate claims); underreporting symptoms to the assessing psychiatrist; accepting an assessment that lasted less than 90 minutes; confusing clinical onset with the date you sought treatment (onset is retrospectively when DSM-5-TR criteria were first met, after the one-month duration requirement).

Frequently asked questions

How much is DVA PTSD compensation?

PTSD compensation under the MRCA ranges from approximately $48,000 for mild cases (10 points, lump sum at age 35) to $290,000 or more for severe cases (50 points, lump sum at age 35). Combined with comorbid conditions like depression and anxiety, total compensation can exceed $300,000. All payments are tax-free.

Can I claim PTSD and depression as separate conditions?

Yes. PTSD and depression are covered by different Statements of Principles and each attracts independent impairment points under GARP M. The points combine under the whole-of-person approach. You should also consider claiming anxiety disorder and alcohol use disorder if they are separately diagnosable.

What stressor events qualify for a DVA PTSD claim?

The PTSD SoP requires Category 1A stressors (life-threatening events, serious assault, being threatened with a weapon) or Category 1B stressors (killing or maiming, witnessing killing or critical injury, corpse clearance). Category 2 stressors (harassment, bullying, workplace conflict) do not qualify for PTSD but may support Adjustment Disorder or Depression claims.

Do I need a psychiatrist for a DVA PTSD assessment?

For permanent impairment assessment, yes. GARP M psychiatric assessments must be conducted by a psychiatrist. GPs and psychologists can provide supporting evidence and treatment, but the PI assessment requires a psychiatrist’s report.

How long does a DVA PTSD claim take?

From initial submission to final PI outcome, PTSD claims typically take 12 to 24 months. The initial liability determination averages around 108 days for recent MRCA claims. The permanent impairment assessment occurs after liability is accepted and after the condition has stabilised.

Can I get interim PTSD payments while my condition stabilises?

Yes. If your PTSD is not yet permanent and stable but you have at least 10 impairment points, DVA must offer interim permanent impairment payments. If the final assessment comes in lower than the interim level, DVA cannot recover the difference.

Does non-operational PTSD qualify for DVA compensation?

Yes. PTSD can arise from events during training, non-operational postings, and in-barracks service, provided the stressor meets Category 1A or 1B criteria. Sexual assault, serious accidents, and witnessing traumatic events during non-operational service all qualify.