Veterans Knowledge HubYour condition, evidence & Statements of Principles
How DVA decides whether your condition is linked to service, what a Statement of Principles (SoP) is, what makes a claim complete, and how to get treatment while you wait.
Quick answer
EditorialMost claims use a SoP
OfficialUnless presumptive liability or the new on-duty rule applies, DVA usually checks your claim against the Statement of Principles for your condition.
3 things make a claim complete
OfficialA completed form, proof of identity and a diagnosis for each condition. Missing items put your claim on hold.
Treatment while you wait
OfficialPAMT may cover treatment for 20 common conditions if you lodge by 30 June 2027. NLHC covers mental health care without a claim.
Don't pay for reports DVA didn't ask for
OfficialDVA only pays for medical assessments it has approved with a TRN. Check first before you book.
How DVA decides if a condition is linked to service
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For claims lodged from 1 July 2026, a DVA decision-maker (called a Delegate) first checks your identity, your service and your diagnosis. They then work through the ways a condition can be accepted, in this order:
- Presumptive liability – for listed conditions and types of service, DVA accepts the link without you having to prove it. There is no separate application.
- Medical event on duty – an injury (not a disease) that happened while you were on duty, such as a fracture, heart attack or stroke. The cause doesn't need to be service, but you need a diagnosis and proof you were on duty.
- The usual tests – your condition must be linked to your service, for example it came from something that happened in service or is attributable to service. For most of these claims, DVA applies a Statement of Principles (SoP).
Being enlisted is not enough on its own. You generally need to have been on duty, or doing something authorised, required or incidental to your duties. Some off-duty activities may count, but this is decided case by case.
Source: DVA – How we will assess your claim ; DVA – Presumptive liability ; DVA – On duty
Statements of Principles in plain English
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A SoP is a legal document for one medical condition. It lists the known causes (called factors) that science says can lead to that condition. SoPs are made by the Repatriation Medical Authority (RMA), an independent body of medical experts.
- They are binding. DVA, the Veterans' Review Board, the Administrative Review Tribunal and the courts must all follow them.
- Two versions. Most conditions have two SoPs, one for each standard of proof (see the next section). The definition of the condition is the same in both, but the more generous version often lists more factors, or needs less exposure.
- One factor is enough – but it must be met in full and be related to your service.
- Not every condition has one. If the RMA hasn't made a SoP for your condition, DVA can still decide the claim. It then decides the claim on the medical evidence, such as a doctor’s opinion.
- SoPs change. The RMA reviews and updates them. DVA applies the SoP in force when it makes its decision.
Source: RMA – FAQs ; CLIK – 3.5.3 Reasonable hypothesis cases
Which standard of proof applies to you
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The type of service linked to your condition decides which standard of proof, and which SoP, DVA uses.
| Your service when the factor happened | Standard of proof | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| Warlike or non-warlike (operational) service, hazardous service, British nuclear test service | Reasonable hypothesis (more generous) | If the evidence points to a reasonable link that fits a SoP factor, the claim succeeds unless it can be disproved beyond reasonable doubt. |
| Peacetime (other) service | Balance of probabilities | The link must be 'more likely than not'. |
- Mixed service? Many people have both. What matters is when the cause (the exposure or event) happened. DVA guidance says the reasonable hypothesis link should be checked first.
- It can affect your payment. Permanent impairment compensation is usually higher for conditions linked to warlike or non-warlike service.
Source: RMA – FAQs ; CLIK – 3.5.2 Applying the correct standard of proof ; DVA – How we will assess your claim
How to look up and read a SoP
Guidance
You don't need to read a SoP to make a claim. DVA and your advocate apply it. But a quick look can show you what kind of evidence may matter.
- Go to the RMA SoP search and find your condition by name or body system.
- Open the current SoP that matches your service: Reasonable Hypothesis or Balance of Probabilities. The condition page links to the latest version on the Federal Register of Legislation.
- Read the 'Kind of injury, disease or death' section first. It explains exactly what the SoP covers. Your diagnosis needs to fit it.
- Read the list of factors. Look for any that match what happened in your service, such as an injury, a trauma, a type of work, or a level of exposure over time.
- Check the definitions in Schedule 1. Words like a type of 'trauma' or 'loud noise' often have a precise meaning.
Source: RMA – FAQs ; RMA – SOPs
What makes a claim 'complete'
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Since 31 March 2025, DVA only moves complete claims on to assessment. A complete claim has three things:
- A fully completed claim form (in MyService or on paper).
- Correct proof of identity for your situation.
- A medical diagnosis from a qualified medical practitioner for each condition you claim.
If something is missing, DVA tells you what it needs and holds the claim until you send it. Your lodgement date is still recorded, so you can still get support such as PAMT straight away.
DVA says it may help pay for a diagnosis where this is required. For complex conditions without a diagnosis, you may be referred to an Independent Medical Examiner at no cost to you.
Source: DVA – Streamlining compensation claims processing ; DVA – Making a claim for a service-related condition
Diagnosis, medical evidence and linking it to service
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What to send when you lodge:
- The diagnosis for each condition, using its exact medical name (for example 'tinnitus', not 'ear problems').
- Any medical evidence you already have, such as GP or specialist reports, test results and Defence medical records.
- Anything that links the condition to service, such as incident reports or a written statement about what happened.
You don't need to pay for extra reports first. DVA says you don't need to arrange extra medical assessments or compensation reports before you lodge, unless DVA asks. If DVA needs more, it contacts you and tells you whether it will pay.
DVA only pays for an assessment it has requested and approved. Approval comes with a Transaction Reference Number (TRN), which DVA sends to your doctor. If you book an assessment yourself without a TRN, you may have to pay for it.
Source: DVA – Making a claim for a service-related condition ; DVA – Don't be left with the bill for an unsolicited medical assessment ; DVA – How to apply for Initial Liability in MyService
Getting treatment while you wait: PAMT and NLHC
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Provisional Access to Medical Treatment (PAMT) lets DVA pay for treatment of 20 common conditions before it decides your claim.
- Conditions: Achilles tendinopathy and bursitis, chondromalacia patella, cut/stab/abrasion/laceration, dislocation, fracture, internal derangement of the knee, intervertebral disc prolapse, joint instability, labral tear, lumbar spondylosis, non-melanotic malignant neoplasm of the skin, osteoarthritis, plantar fasciitis, rotator cuff syndrome, sensorineural hearing loss, shin splints, solar keratosis, sprain and strain, thoracic spondylosis and tinnitus.
- Who: former ADF members, part-time reservists, cadets and declared members.
- Dates: lodge your claim by 30 June 2027. Treatment can continue until your claim (and any review) is decided, or 31 December 2027, whichever comes first.
- How: after you lodge, DVA sends you a 'Treatment confirmation' form. Your GP checks your condition is on the list and sends the form to DVA.
- If your claim is refused, DVA won't ask you to pay back the treatment costs.
Mental health, cancer and TB: PAMT doesn't cover mental health conditions. Instead, Non-Liability Health Care pays for treatment of any mental health condition without a claim or a proven link to service, and no diagnosis is needed to apply. There is also free treatment for cancer and pulmonary TB for eligible veterans.
Source: DVA – Get treatment while you wait on a claim (PAMT) ; DVA – 2026–27 Budget measures ; DVA – Non-Liability Health Care (mental health)
Commonly claimed conditions and their SoPs
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These conditions come up often in veterans' claims. Each name links to the RMA page with its current SoPs. The plain descriptions are general only. Your doctor's diagnosis must match the SoP's own definition.
| Condition (RMA SoP page) | In plain words | Treatment while you wait |
|---|---|---|
| Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) | A mental health condition that can follow a frightening or traumatic event. It may cause flashbacks, nightmares, feeling on edge and avoiding reminders. | NLHC (mental health) |
| Depressive disorder | Low mood or loss of interest that lasts and affects daily life, sleep, energy and concentration. | NLHC (mental health) |
| Anxiety disorder | Worry or fear that is hard to control and gets in the way of everyday life. | NLHC (mental health) |
| Adjustment disorder | Strong emotional or behaviour changes in response to a stressful life event or change. | NLHC (mental health) |
| Alcohol use disorder | A health condition where it is hard to control drinking, even when it causes problems. | NLHC (mental health) |
| Tinnitus | Ringing, buzzing or hissing in the ears with no outside sound. | PAMT |
| Sensorineural hearing loss | Permanent hearing loss from damage to the inner ear or hearing nerve, often linked to loud noise. | PAMT |
| Thoracolumbar spondylosis (mid and lower back), including lumbar spondylosis | Wear-and-tear changes in the bones, discs and joints of the spine. The RMA says lumbar spondylosis is now covered by this SoP. | PAMT (lumbar and thoracic spondylosis) |
| Cervical spondylosis | Wear-and-tear changes in the neck part of the spine. | Not on the PAMT list |
| Osteoarthritis (for example knee or hip) | Joint damage where the cartilage wears down, causing pain and stiffness. | PAMT |
| Internal derangement of the knee | Damage inside the knee joint, such as to a ligament or cartilage. | PAMT |
| Rotator cuff syndrome | Pain and weakness from damage to the muscles and tendons around the shoulder. | PAMT |
| Sprain and strain | An injury to a ligament (sprain) or a muscle or tendon (strain). | PAMT |
| Shin splints (medial tibial stress syndrome) | Pain along the shin bone, often from running or marching. | PAMT |
| Plantar fasciitis | Pain under the heel from strain on the band of tissue along the sole of the foot. | PAMT |
| Sleep apnoea | Breathing stops and starts during sleep, which can cause snoring and daytime tiredness. | Not on the PAMT list |
| Hypertension | High blood pressure that stays high over time. | Not on the PAMT list |
Not listed here? Search the full RMA SoP list. From 1 July 2026, some conditions may also be accepted through presumptive liability without using a SoP.
Source: RMA – SOPs ; DVA – PAMT ; DVA – Non-Liability Health Care (mental health)
Practical tips
Guidance
- One condition, one diagnosis. Claim each condition separately, and make sure each one has its own diagnosis.
- Describe what happened in service. Dates, postings, duties, incidents and exposures help DVA match your claim to the right SoP factor and standard of proof.
- Answer DVA quickly. DVA says it will contact you about every 30 days while it works on your claim. Fast replies help keep it moving.
- If you're refused, read the reasons. They usually show what was missing: the diagnosis, the link to service or the SoP factor. Your decision letter sets out your review rights and time limits.
- Get free help. Call 1800 VETERAN (1800 838 372), use DVA's Claims Lodgement Assistant program, or talk to a free, trained ESO advocate.
Source: DVA – Making a claim for a service-related condition ; DVA – Single review pathway
Veteran experiences (5)
Experience
Claimed condition did not match the scans
QuestionWhat happened: A veteran’s medical imaging documented significant ankle ligament and tendon injuries that required surgery, but the claim lodged on their behalf referred to degenerative joint disease or osteoarthritis. They were concerned that the claimed condition did not accurately reflect the medical evidence.
What other veterans said: Commenters emphasised making sure medical reports clearly describe any relationship between the original accepted injury and later degeneration or arthritis, rather than assuming that relationship will be inferred.
Check the official rule: DVA – How we will assess your claim
Evidence buried in hundreds of pages of records
Outcome not knownWhat happened: A veteran found that the evidence needed for a DVA claim was already contained in their service and medical records, but spread across hundreds of pages and difficult to locate. The experience showed how the effort required to identify a small number of relevant records can become a barrier to completing a claim.
Check the official rule: DVA – How we will assess your claim
Is my tinnitus evidence enough?
QuestionWhat happened: A veteran lodged a tinnitus claim supported by an audiology report, a Tinnitus Functional Index and service records showing relevant exposure history. While the claim remained at Initial Liability, they were unsure whether that evidence was sufficient or whether DVA was likely to request anything further.
What other veterans said: The discussion showed uncertainty about what evidence and treatment steps are required for a tinnitus claim. Rather than relying on another veteran's claim pathway, the current DVA requirements for the relevant claim type should be checked.
Check the official rule: DVA – How we will assess your claim
DVA asked for an X-ray, the GP wanted an MRI
QuestionWhat happened: DVA requested an X-ray for a veteran’s claim, while the veteran’s GP believed an MRI would provide more useful information. Because the veteran had access to treatment funding, they were unsure whether the funding would cover the GP-recommended MRI or only the investigation specifically requested by DVA.
What other veterans said: Commenters distinguished imaging requested for a claim assessment from imaging funded as treatment. Where a clinician believed additional imaging was medically necessary, commenters described the clinician contacting DVA or the delegate rather than the veteran trying to resolve the clinical justification themselves.
Check the official rule: DVA – How we will assess your claim
Complex claim sent to an outside assessor
QuestionWhat happened: A veteran was told that their claim had been classified as complex and referred for an assessment through MLCOA. They were concerned about the referral and wanted to know whether an assessment by their own GP could be used instead.
What other veterans said: Other veterans with claims described as complex reported that they were still able to use their own GP or treating specialists rather than an external assessment provider in some circumstances. Experiences varied, so veterans can ask DVA why a particular assessor has been requested.
Check the official rule: DVA – How we will assess your claim
Experiences collected October 2026. Got a correction? Use the feedback form.
Official sources
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- dva.gov.auDVA – How we will assess your claimView source
- dva.gov.auDVA – Presumptive liabilityView source
- dva.gov.auDVA – On dutyView source
- rma.gov.auRMA – FAQsView source
- rma.gov.auRMA – SOPsView source
- clik.dva.gov.auCLIK – 3.5.2 Applying the correct standard of proofView source
- clik.dva.gov.auCLIK – 3.5.3 Reasonable hypothesis casesView source
- dva.gov.auDVA – Streamlining compensation claims processingView source
- dva.gov.auDVA – Making a claim for a service-related conditionView source
- dva.gov.auDVA – Don't be left with the bill for an unsolicited medical assessmentView source
- dva.gov.auDVA – Get treatment while you wait on a claim (PAMT)View source
- dva.gov.auDVA – 2026–27 Federal Budget: new measures for health providersView source
- dva.gov.auDVA – Non-Liability Health Care (mental health)View source
- dva.gov.auDVA – Free treatment for cancer and pulmonary TBView source
All links opened and checked 2026-10-02.