A permanent impairment decision reflects the accepted conditions and degree of impairment assessed at a particular time. If an accepted condition subsequently deteriorates, or another service-related condition is accepted, the veteran may be able to claim further permanent impairment compensation.
A DVA PI reassessment does not automatically result in a higher payment. Under the Military Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 2004 (MRCA), deterioration of an accepted condition generally must produce an increase of at least five impairment points before additional DVA compensation becomes payable. The increased impairment must also be likely to continue indefinitely, and the relevant condition or conditions must be stable.
Since 1 July 2026, all new permanent impairment claims, including new claims arising from the worsening of former VEA or DRCA conditions, have been assessed under the improved MRCA. Claims lodged under the VEA or DRCA before that date generally continue under the legislation under which they were made.
When can deterioration support further compensation?
A deterioration DVA claim may be available where a veteran has already been paid, or is entitled to be paid, permanent impairment compensation and one or more accepted conditions later deteriorate.
DVA policy distinguishes natural deterioration from aggravation. Natural deterioration occurs where the accepted condition becomes worse through its ordinary progression. Aggravation involves the condition being made worse by another event, exposure or cause and may require separate consideration of liability.
For further compensation based on natural deterioration, DVA generally requires evidence that the accepted condition has worsened, the whole-person impairment has increased by at least five impairment points, the increased impairment is likely to continue indefinitely and the relevant condition or conditions have stabilised.
Stability does not necessarily mean that symptoms never fluctuate. The important issue is whether the condition is unlikely to improve to any major degree and whether the lasting level of impairment can be assessed reliably.
What evidence shows lasting deterioration?
Updated evidence should explain what has changed since the previous permanent impairment assessment. It should distinguish a lasting deterioration from a temporary flare-up or short-term response to treatment.
Relevant evidence may include current imaging, specialist reports, clinical examination findings, treatment records, medication changes and evidence of surgery or other interventions. Functional evidence can also show changes in mobility, communication, concentration, self-care, relationships, employment or ordinary daily activities.
The practitioner should be given the earlier permanent impairment decision and relevant medical reports. A useful opinion will compare the veteran’s previous and current presentation, identify the accepted condition responsible for the change and explain whether the increased impairment is likely to continue indefinitely.
A deterioration DVA claim should not rely only on a statement that symptoms are worse. The evidence should address the relevant criteria in the Guide to Determining Impairment and Compensation 2026, known as GARP M 2026, and explain how the change affects the applicable impairment rating. DVA uses GARP M to assess medical impairment, lifestyle effects and compensation under the MRCA.
Why the five-point rule is not simple arithmetic
The five-point requirement generally concerns an increase in the veteran’s whole-person impairment, not merely a five-point increase assigned to one condition in isolation.
Under the MRCA, service-related conditions are assessed together using the whole-person methodology. Multiple impairment ratings are combined under GARP M 2026 rather than simply added together. An individual condition may deteriorate by five points without necessarily increasing the final combined whole-person rating by five points.
Previous points, compensation and accepted conditions can therefore affect the result. For veterans with earlier VEA or DRCA conditions, DVA may also need to establish a baseline impairment rating and determine the increase above that baseline under the post-1 July 2026 arrangements.
This is why a simple before-and-after calculator may be misleading. It may not apply the correct combination methodology, baseline assessment, lifestyle rating or earlier compensation rules.
A new condition and deterioration are different claims
A further permanent impairment assessment may arise because an accepted condition has deteriorated or because another service-related condition has been accepted. These are not necessarily treated in the same way.
A deterioration DVA claim concerns worsening of a condition already included in the earlier permanent impairment assessment. A newly accepted condition may support a claim for additional DVA compensation through the provisions applying to another accepted condition.
The earlier decision should be reviewed before lodging either claim. It should identify which conditions were assessed, the impairment points assigned, the GARP tables used, the lifestyle rating and whether the determination was interim or final.
If the new medical issue has not yet been accepted as service-related, an initial liability claim may also be required. A permanent impairment claim cannot substitute for establishing liability for a new condition.
When can a further claim be made?
A veteran generally cannot make another permanent impairment claim for the same conditions while an earlier claim remains unresolved. The earlier claim will usually need to be finally determined, either because the review period has expired or the available review process has concluded.
If the veteran believes the original impairment assessment was incorrect, the appropriate step may be a permanent impairment review rather than a new deterioration claim.
A review challenges the original decision. A deterioration claim is different because it relies on evidence that an accepted condition became materially worse after the earlier assessment. Identifying which situation applies is important because the evidence, process and potential date of payment may differ.
How the date of effect is determined
For deterioration claims lodged from 1 July 2026, additional DVA compensation is generally payable from the later of the date of the permanent impairment claim or the date on which the impairment became permanent and stable and the required five-point increase existed.
A medical practitioner may provide an estimated date on which the increased impairment became permanent and stable. If that date is later than the claim date, the date of effect is generally the first day of that calendar month. If the claim date is later, compensation ordinarily begins from the claim date.
Delay in lodging can therefore affect the amount payable. A veteran should not assume that further compensation will automatically be backdated to the date symptoms first worsened.
What to check before accepting the decision
Before accepting the outcome of a DVA PI reassessment, check which accepted conditions were included and whether DVA treated the application as deterioration, another accepted condition or a new liability claim.
Compare the current medical findings with the earlier decision. Confirm that DVA applied the correct GARP M 2026 tables, combined the impairment ratings correctly and assessed the change in whole-person impairment rather than focusing only on one diagnosis.
The decision should also identify the lifestyle rating, any baseline applied for former VEA or DRCA conditions, previous compensation taken into account and the effective date used for any further payment.
If the dispute concerns an error in the original assessment rather than later deterioration, the appropriate course may be a permanent impairment review. Review deadlines can be strict, so the decision letter and available review pathway should be checked promptly.
Before lodging a further permanent impairment claim
A deterioration DVA claim requires evidence of a lasting and compensable change, not simply a report that the veteran continues to experience symptoms. The earlier decision, current medical evidence and applicable GARP M 2026 criteria should be considered together.
KSC Law can review the earlier permanent impairment determination, updated evidence and DVA’s new assessment. We can identify whether the matter is properly framed as a DVA PI reassessment, a claim involving another accepted condition, a new liability claim or a permanent impairment review, and explain whether the evidence may support additional DVA compensation.