Being Medically Discharged from the ADF? Here’s What to Do About Your DVA Claim
If you’re facing a medical discharge from the ADF, it’s important to start planning early, particularly when it comes to your DVA claim.
The steps you take before you discharge can have a significant impact on your financial security and access to medical treatment moving forward.
In this short video, we outline what you need to know. Below, we break it down in more detail.
Why acting early is critical
One of the biggest risks during medical discharge is a gap in income and support.
Once you leave the ADF:
- Your ADF salary stops
- You transition out of the Defence system
- Your access to support depends on your DVA entitlements.
If your claims are not already in place, this can lead to delays in payments and treatment.
Get legal advice early
Seeking legal advice early in the process can make a significant difference.
Early advice can help you:
- Identify the right claims to lodge
- Ensure your evidence is strong
- Avoid delays or missed opportunities
- Put a clear strategy in place before discharge.
This is particularly important where multiple injuries or conditions are involved.
Make sure your medical evidence is strong
Your DVA claim will rely heavily on medical evidence.
Before discharge, it’s important to ensure you have:
- Clear documentation of your service-related injuries
- Medical reports linking your conditions to your service
- Evidence of how your injuries impact your ability to work and function.
Strong evidence at this stage can significantly improve the outcome of your claim.
Focus on the right injuries
Not all injuries are treated equally under DVA legislation.
Part of a strong claim involves understanding:
- Which conditions are most likely to be accepted
- Which injuries may lead to higher impairment ratings
- How different conditions interact under the legislation.
A targeted approach can help maximise your entitlements.
Lodge your claim before discharge
One of the most important steps is to lodge your DVA claim before your discharge date.
Why?
Because if your claim is accepted before you leave:
- Your DVA payments can start immediately after discharge
- Your medical expenses will be covered
- You can avoid unnecessary delays or financial stress.
Waiting until after discharge can slow the process significantly.
Consider your CSC pension entitlements
In addition to your DVA claim, you may also be entitled to benefits through the Commonwealth Superannuation Corporation (CSC).
This can include:
- Invalidity pensions
- Other superannuation-related entitlements.
Understanding how your DVA claim and CSC entitlements interact is an important part of planning your transition.
Why experience matters
Medical discharge can be a complex and stressful process, but you don’t have to navigate it alone.
With more than 25 years’ experience assisting ADF members and veterans, we’ve helped thousands of clients:
- Prepare and lodge DVA claims
- Maximise their entitlements
- Transition out of service with the right support in place.
Start with a free discussion
If you are being medically discharged, or expect that you may be, now is the time to act.
Contact TGB Lawyers today for a free initial consultation to make sure your DVA claim is on the right track before you leave the ADF.
T: 1800 730 842
Or fill out this short form and we will be in touch very soon.