The Landscape Has Changed – And So Should Your Mindset
Let’s be honest about where we’ve come from. There was a time in Defence when you wore your injuries like badges of honour, when “getting on with it” was the unspoken code, and when admitting something hurt was seen as weakness. Those days are behind us, and for good reason.
Defence culture has evolved significantly over the years. We’ve moved from a time when injuries often went unreported, to encouraging incident reporting, and now to a proactive approach where submitting a liability claim alongside your incident report has become best practice. This isn’t just policy evolution, it’s recognition that your service matters, and so does your wellbeing beyond the uniform.
Why This Matters for You Right Now
Here’s what every serving member needs to understand: DVA is significantly more likely to accept claims submitted while you’re still serving. This isn’t about seeking immediate compensation or gaming the system, it’s about securing your future health coverage when the evidence is fresh, the witnesses are available, and the connection to service is undeniable.
Think about it. When you’re 55 and dealing with chronic pain from an injury that happened during a field exercise 20 years ago, will you remember the exact date? Will your section commander still be contactable? Will the medical records be easily accessible? The answer, unfortunately, is often no.
Real-World Impact: The 25-Year Rule That Changes Everything
Consider osteoarthritis claims, one of the most common conditions affecting veterans. DVA recognises that load-bearing activities during service can cause arthritis up to 25 years after discharge, even if you show no symptoms now. But here’s the crucial part that catches too many veterans off guard: you need documented evidence of the precipitating event or sustained activity.
Here’s a scenario that plays out more often than it should: You have a knee arthroscopy for a service-related injury today. Fast-forward 25 years, you’re 60, civilian life has been good to you, but that old knee is shot. You need a replacement, and it’s going to cost tens of thousands of dollars. If you established the service connection early through a liability claim, your claim is far more likely to succeed. If you didn’t? You’re facing an uphill battle to prove something that happened decades ago.
What We Offer Serving Members
We conduct assessments throughout your service career, not just at discharge. For current serving members, our focus is typically on:
- Having conditions formally accepted for liability
- Getting them listed on your DVA White Card
- Ensuring future treatment coverage when needed
- Deferring permanent impairment assessments until transition
This isn’t about rushing to claim everything under the sun. It’s about strategic, thoughtful documentation of legitimate service-related conditions.
The Bottom Line: Act While You Can
You’re not planning to discharge anytime soon? That’s exactly why now is the right time to act. 33% of our enquiries come from serving members with no immediate discharge plans, they’re simply being proactive about their long-term health entitlements.
Your service has already cost you physically. Don’t let it cost you financially in retirement too. Securing future coverage while events are recent and verifiable isn’t just smart planning, it’s essential preparation for the life you’ve earned through your service.
