DVA Compensation Claims
We help veterans get the compensation they're entitled to under Australian law.
If you served in the Australian Defence Force and sustained an injury or illness connected to your service, you may be entitled to compensation through the Department of Veterans' Affairs. The system covers everything from lump-sum payments for permanent conditions to ongoing income support if you can't work.
DVA administers two main compensation Acts we work across. The Military Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 2004 (MRCA) applies to injuries and diseases from 1 July 2004 onward. The Safety, Rehabilitation and Compensation (Defence-related Claims) Act 1988 (DRCA) covers peacetime injuries before that date. Some veterans have entitlements under both Acts. Knowing which Act applies, and why, is the first step in building a strong claim.
Every DVA compensation claim is assessed against a Statement of Principles (SoP). These are legally binding documents issued by the Repatriation Medical Authority that set out the factors DVA must consider when deciding whether your condition is service-related. If your evidence satisfies a SoP factor, DVA is required to accept your claim. The challenge is knowing which SoP applies to your specific condition, what each factor means in plain English, and how to frame your evidence to satisfy it.
Most rejected DVA claims fail not because the condition isn't real, but because the evidence doesn't adequately address the relevant SoP factors. Common problems include claimant reports that don't make the connection to service explicit, medical reports that address the diagnosis but not the causation, and service histories that don't identify the specific activities that created exposure to the risk factor. These are fixable problems, but only if they're identified before lodgement.
A decision-ready claim is one where the DVA delegate has everything needed to make a determination without sending the file back for more information. That means a correctly completed claimant report, a supporting statement that links your service activities to your conditions using the relevant SoP factors, and medical evidence that meets DVA's evidentiary standards. Clear Path Veterans prepares and lodges DVA compensation claims to this standard on your behalf.
What falls under DVA compensation claims
DVA compensation is a pathway, not a single payment. It starts with establishing that your condition is connected to your service, and from there different entitlements open up depending on your circumstances.
How we help
We review your full service and medical history to identify every condition that may be claimable, including conditions you might not have considered.
We prepare your supporting statement using a structured methodology that links your service activities directly to your conditions, grounded in the relevant Statements of Principles.
We gather and organise your evidence including service records, medical reports, and buddy statements. We identify gaps before DVA does and fill them before lodgement.
We lodge decision-ready claims so DVA delegates have everything they need to make a determination without sending your file back for more information.
We manage your claim through to determination and advise you on next steps, whether that's a PI assessment, incapacity claim, or if needed, an appeal.
What to expect when you work with us
Discovery Call
We have an initial conversation to understand your service history, your conditions, and what you've already done with DVA. This is free and there's no obligation.
Document Collection
We request your service records, gather your medical evidence, and identify what else we need. We tell you exactly what's required and why.
Claim Preparation
We draft your supporting statements, align your evidence to the relevant SoP factors, and prepare your claim to decision-ready standard.
Lodgement and Management
We lodge with DVA and monitor progress. If DVA comes back with questions or requests, we handle it.
Next Steps
Once liability is accepted, we advise you on your downstream entitlements, PI, incapacity, health cards, and help you access them.
Common questions
Ready to get started?
Book a free consultation and we'll walk you through your options. No jargon, no pressure, just a straight conversation about what you may be entitled to and how we can help.
Book a free consultationThe information on this page is general in nature and does not constitute legal, medical, or financial advice. Clear Path Veterans Pty Ltd (ABN 78 690 447 879) is not a law firm and our team are not registered legal practitioners. For medical concerns, consult a qualified health professional. For legal advice, consult a lawyer experienced in military compensation law. Individual circumstances vary and outcomes depend on the specific facts of each case.