TPD Claims
TPD claims for depression,
handled with care.
Some injuries are visible. Others are not, and the impact is just as life changing. If depression has reached the point where working is no longer sustainable, a TPD claim exists to provide financial support. KSC Law is veteran owned and veteran led, so we understand the pressures of service and the reality behind these claims.
Understand your condition
Understanding major depression in the veteran community
Depression is more than feeling low. It is a complex medical condition that affects how you think, feel and function day to day. For many Australian veterans it is shaped by service experiences, the challenges of transition, and the cumulative weight of physical and psychological stress. It can exist on its own or alongside anxiety, PTSD or chronic pain.
Depression is both physiological and psychological. It affects brain chemistry, energy levels, concentration and emotional regulation. It may not be visible to others, but its impact is real, particularly when it comes to holding down work.
About depression
How depression affects your daily life and work
Many veterans who pursue a TPD claim for depression describe a gradual loss of capacity. A slow shift from managing life to struggling through it.
Cognitive fatigue, often described as brain fog. Difficulty concentrating, making decisions or finishing tasks.
Loss of motivation. Even simple daily routines can feel overwhelming.
Social withdrawal. Pulling away from colleagues, friends and family.
Disrupted sleep. Insomnia or constant fatigue affecting your energy levels.
Emotional strain. Irritability, numbness or persistent low mood.
Many veterans push through for years before reaching a point where continuing work is no longer sustainable. It is not about effort or resilience. Just like a physical injury, there comes a point where you cannot keep pushing through.
Eligibility
Can you claim TPD for depression?
Yes. TPD is assessed on your overall ability to work, taking all of your conditions together rather than each one in isolation. The insurer looks at the combined effect and decides whether, as a whole, they prevent you from returning to work. Even where no single condition would meet the threshold on its own, the cumulative impact may still qualify.
There is a common assumption that TPD claims are mostly for physical injuries. In reality they apply to any condition that stops you working, including depression. The test is whether your impairment prevents you working in roles you are reasonably suited to by education, training or experience, in line with the definition in your policy.
What you will need
A formal diagnosis
Insurers rely on a documented diagnosis from a treating professional as the starting point for any psychological claim.
Medical evidence
Reports from the psychologists, psychiatrists and GPs treating you, addressing your condition over time.
Evidence of work capacity
Documentation showing how the condition affects your ability to work. This is the part most claims get wrong.
The biggest challenge with a psychological claim is that the evidence does not always capture the full extent of your lived experience, or how the condition affects your capacity to work. That is why getting the right support early makes a real difference.
Could you have a TPD claim?
Total and Permanent Disability cover is held inside most super funds. Answer a few quick questions to see if you may be able to claim. This is a guide only, not a determination.
This is a general guide only, not an assessment of your policy or eligibility. TPD outcomes depend on your individual super fund or insurance policy terms. This does not constitute legal, financial or medical advice. Book a free consultation for a personalised assessment.
Our process
How a depression claim works with KSC.
We work directly with your treating professionals so your reports meet the threshold the insurer applies, translate medical evidence into functional impact, and manage the process end to end.
Step 1
Private consultation
We respond quickly. You speak with someone who understands your situation and can assess your eligibility.
Step 2
Evidence strategy
We work with your mental health team to gather the right reports, and make sure they address work capacity rather than diagnosis alone.
Step 3
Claim management
We handle the process end to end, including insurer questions, delays and pushback, so you are not managing it alone.
Step 4
Outcome
If your claim succeeds, the payout provides financial breathing room and space to focus on your recovery.
Common questions about TPD claims for depression
Can I claim TPD for depression if I am already on a DVA pension?
Yes. A TPD claim is separate from payments made through DVA, and receiving a DVA pension does not prevent you from claiming. There may be financial and entitlement considerations between the two, so it is worth understanding how they interact before you proceed.
Which super funds cover depression under TPD?
Most major super funds include TPD insurance, and it can cover a claim arising from depression where the condition results in an inability to work. What matters is the disability definition in your particular policy, which is one of the first things we check.
Do I need a formal diagnosis?
In most cases yes. A formal diagnosis is an important part of the claim, because insurers rely on medical evidence to assess your condition. You will also need supporting reports that address how your condition affects your ability to work, which is the part we help make sure is covered properly.
What if depression is not my only condition?
That works in your favour. TPD is assessed on the combined effect of all your conditions, not each one separately. Depression alongside chronic pain, PTSD or a physical injury is common, and the cumulative impact is what the insurer must consider.
My claim was already declined. Is that the end of it?
No. A decline is a decision on the evidence in front of the assessor at the time. Psychological claims are declined more often than physical ones, usually because the medical evidence addressed diagnosis rather than work capacity. That can be corrected.
Other claim types
You may be entitled to more than TPD.
Many veterans have overlapping entitlements across DVA, CSC superannuation and TPD insurance. We review all three as part of your initial consultation.
Veterans & Defence
DVA Claims
Service-related injuries, permanent impairment, incapacity payments, and appeals through VRB reviews.
PI payment up to
$580,000 +
Military Superannuation
CSC Claims
Military superannuation, medical discharge entitlements, pension arrears, invalidity benefits, and lifetime pension claims.
Typical entitlement range
$100,000 – $2M +
Australian Defence Force
Abuse Claims
Physical, psychological or sexual abuse during ADF service. You have legal rights we help you access them.
Our commitment
Safe, private & judgment free
You’ve earned support. Let us help you claim it.
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