Can You Claim Depression Secondary to Hearing Loss With DVA?

There is no specific hearing loss factor in the Depressive Disorder SoP. Veterans who search for “depression secondary to hearing loss DVA” will often find US VA content and incorrectly assume the same direct pathway exists in Australia. It doesn’t.

This is worth understanding clearly, because veterans who lodge this claim without understanding the framework tend to get rejected, become discouraged, and miss the viable pathways that do exist.

Why there's no direct factor

The Depressive Disorder SoP No. 11/12 of 2024 does not contain a specific hearing loss factor. Tinnitus made the list. Hearing loss alone did not. This doesn’t mean hearing loss and depression aren’t clinically related — they are. But the SoP framework requires evidence meeting the RMA’s scientific standards for inclusion in an SoP instrument, and hearing loss without tinnitus hasn’t cleared that threshold in the current version.

The viable pathways

Pathway 1: Tinnitus as the bridge

This is the most important pathway. Hearing loss and tinnitus almost always coexist in the ADF veteran population. If both are accepted by DVA, the depression claim runs through the tinnitus factor: SoP No. 11 of 2024 factor 9(15) — having severe and permanent tinnitus at the time of clinical onset of depressive disorder. The hearing loss is not the direct anchor. The tinnitus is.

For veterans who have both conditions accepted, this pathway is fully available. If tinnitus has not yet been claimed, lodging a tinnitus claim and then the depression secondary claim is the correct sequence.

Pathway 2: Severe chronic medical condition

SoP No. 11 of 2024 (RH) factor 9(14) and SoP No. 12 of 2024 (BoP) factor 9(11): having a severe, chronic medical condition for a continuous period of at least five years before clinical onset.

Profound bilateral hearing loss that substantially impairs communication and daily function can potentially satisfy this factor. The five-year duration threshold and the “severe” qualifier mean this pathway is not available for mild to moderate hearing loss. A specialist assessment documenting the severity and functional impact is essential.

Pathway 3: Psychosocial stressors

Factor 9(19) in SoP No. 11 of 2024 covers severe psychosocial stressors within two years before clinical onset. Significant hearing loss can contribute to social isolation, communication difficulties, and withdrawal from social activities, but this pathway requires careful medical evidence addressing the specific psychosocial factors in clinical terms rather than a general statement about the impact of hearing loss.

What this means practically

If you have accepted hearing loss and a depression diagnosis, the first step is to check whether tinnitus is also present. If it is, ensure tinnitus is accepted by DVA and run the depression secondary claim through the tinnitus factor. If tinnitus is not present, review the severity and duration of hearing loss for the chronic medical condition pathway.

The sequence matters. Lodge tinnitus before or concurrently with the depression secondary claim if tinnitus is the planned anchor. DVA needs the tinnitus accepted before the depression secondary claim can succeed through that factor.

Frequently asked questions

I have hearing loss but no tinnitus. Can I still claim depression?

The direct pathway does not exist. You would need to rely on the chronic medical condition factor (five-year threshold, severe hearing loss required) or the psychosocial stressors factor with appropriate clinical evidence. A full review of your medical records is needed to assess which pathway, if any, applies.

My hearing loss and tinnitus are both accepted. Which one do I use?

Use the tinnitus factor (9(15)) if your tinnitus meets the “severe and permanent” definition — requires a masking device or causes loss of concentration. It is the more direct and reliable pathway. Your audiologist should confirm this in writing.

Can I get both hearing loss and tinnitus accepted if only one is currently accepted?

Yes. Tinnitus and sensorineural hearing loss are separate conditions under DVA, assessed under separate GARP M tables (Chapter 12 for hearing loss, Chapter 12 also for tinnitus as a separate entry). Each contributes its own impairment points.

The US VA has a direct presumptive link for hearing loss to depression. Does Australia work the same way?

No. The Australian SoP framework is distinct from the US VA presumptive system. Direct pathways under Australian DVA require a specific SoP factor. There is no presumptive link for hearing loss to depression in the Australian Depressive Disorder SoP.