Post-traumatic stress disorder is one of the most recognised mental health conditions among Australian veterans, and one DVA strongly supports. It can develop after exposure to traumatic events in service, and whatever shape it takes, help and compensation are available, and reaching out for them is a strength.
This guide explains how DVA approaches a PTSD claim, the treatment you can access now, and where to find support. For the wider picture, see our DVA medical conditions hub.
Article at a glance
- Widely recognised: PTSD is one of the most established service-related conditions.
- Treatment without acceptance: mental health care can be funded before a claim is decided.
- Often comes with others: depression, anxiety and alcohol use frequently sit alongside it.
- A diagnosis is the starting point: usually from a psychiatrist or psychologist.
PTSD and military service
PTSD can develop after experiencing or witnessing traumatic events, something service can involve more than most occupations. It can bring intrusive memories, disturbed sleep, heightened alertness, avoidance of reminders, and changes in mood and outlook. The effects can be significant, and they can surface during service or years after discharge. Importantly, PTSD rarely travels alone: depression, anxiety and alcohol use commonly develop alongside it, which is why it helps to look at the whole picture rather than one condition in isolation.
Treatment you can access now
Through DVA’s Non-Liability Health Care, anyone with at least one day of ADF service can have treatment for any mental health condition, including PTSD, funded by DVA without first having to prove it is service-related. That means you can start getting help straight away, while a compensation claim is still being worked through. You do not need to wait for a claim to be decided.
Can you claim PTSD through DVA?
Yes. Beyond funded treatment, PTSD can be claimed for compensation where it connects to your service. It is assessed against the relevant Statement of Principles, which for PTSD sets out the kinds of traumatic experiences recognised as contributing factors. A claim can be accepted where service caused the condition or materially aggravated it. The applicable legislation, MRCA, DRCA or the VEA, depends on when and where you served. Because PTSD so often brings other conditions with it, it is worth claiming the related conditions, such as depression, anxiety or alcohol dependence, at the same time.
The evidence that helps
- A diagnosis from a psychiatrist or psychologist
- Your treatment history, including counselling, programs or medication
- Details connecting the trauma to your service
- A picture of how symptoms affect your daily life, work and relationships
A clear, well-documented diagnosis is the foundation. Our guide on getting the right DVA diagnosis covers how to approach that.
How PTSD is assessed for compensation
Once a mental health condition is accepted, its impact is assessed for permanent impairment using the recognised psychiatric rating approach, which looks at how the condition affects areas such as self-care, relationships, work and social function. Because PTSD so often coexists with depression and anxiety, the mental health conditions are usually assessed together rather than separately. How much it contributes depends on that individual assessment, so it is best confirmed case by case rather than estimated in advance.
Frequently asked questions
Can I get treatment before my claim is accepted?
Yes. Through Non-Liability Health Care, treatment for any mental health condition can be funded with as little as one day of ADF service, regardless of whether the condition is yet accepted as service-related.
Can I claim PTSD along with depression or anxiety?
Yes. They are separate conditions that often coexist, and each can be claimed. Where they overlap, it helps to have them assessed together.
Where can I get support right now?
Open Arms provides free, confidential counselling for veterans and families, 24 hours a day, on 1800 011 046. If you need to talk to someone urgently, Lifeline is available any time on 13 11 14. Your GP can also help you start a mental health care plan.
Ready to make a claim for PTSD?
Our expert team can help you connect PTSD to your service and prepare a claim, while you access the treatment available to you now.
Related from KSC Law
- DVA medical conditions hub
- DVA depression claims
- DVA anxiety claims
- Mental health for Australian veterans