A DVA claim can mean medical reports, service records and letters that need a response. Our DVA claims lawyers and paralegals help you work through the paperwork and understand the next step.
Whether you are starting a claim or looking for help with an existing matter, tell us where things stand. We can discuss your circumstances in a free, no-obligation consultation.
Contact our team today or call 07 2112 4752.
Types of DVA compensation and support
DVA compensation and support can take several forms. What may be available depends on your accepted conditions, how they affect you, your service and the eligibility requirements applying to your circumstances. These are four common pathways, but they are not an exhaustive list. Depending on your circumstances, more than one may be relevant. KSC can review your situation and explain which pathways may apply.
Permanent Impairment (PI) compensation
Permanent impairment compensation may be available when an accepted service-related injury or disease results in permanent functional impairment. DVA assesses the degree of impairment and its lifestyle effects using the applicable impairment guide. The amount can depend on factors including your impairment points, type of service, age and any relevant previous compensation. Depending on your circumstances, compensation may be paid periodically or converted wholly or partly to an age-adjusted lump sum.
Periodic or lump-sum options may apply
Incapacity payments
Incapacity payments compensate for economic loss when an accepted service-related injury or disease reduces your ability to work or earn. The calculation considers your normal earnings, your actual earnings or ability to earn, how long you have received payments and any applicable superannuation payments or other offsets. Incapacity payments and permanent impairment compensation address different effects of a service-related condition, so a person may be eligible for both.
Income-related compensation
Rehabilitation and treatment support
DVA rehabilitation may include medical management, psychosocial support, assistance with daily functioning and vocational rehabilitation. A rehabilitation program is based on assessed needs and may focus on recovery, independence, returning to suitable work or adjusting to life after service. Access to medical treatment can also be available through separate DVA treatment arrangements.
Support based on assessed needs
Compensation following death
A partner, eligible young person or other dependant may be entitled to compensation and support following a veteran’s death when the relevant MRCA requirements are met. Depending on the circumstances, assistance may include periodic or lump-sum compensation, bereavement payments, funeral expenses, treatment eligibility and education support. Eligibility depends on factors including the circumstances of the veteran’s death, the veteran’s entitlements and the person’s relationship with and dependency on the veteran.
Eligibility and dependency requirements apply
The DVA claims process with KSC Law
Most people who contact us have no idea how complex the DVA claims process is. We do. We manage every step so you do not have to.
Free consultation
A free, no-obligation chat with our legal team. We review your service history and conditions, no cost, no pressure.
Build your case
We work alongside medical specialists, gather the correct service records and meticulously prepare your medical evidence to build a legally sound claim from the start.
Lodge and manage
We lodge your claim with DVA and manage all correspondence, reviews and responses on your behalf, including the full appeals pathway if needed.
Not too late to claim
Whether you’re lodging your first claim, worried about the paperwork, or fighting a decision you believe is wrong, KSC can step in and manage it for you.
DVA claims answered plainly.
Yes. Your initial consultation is free and carries no obligation to proceed. Use it to ask about your claim, the work involved and the proposed fee.
Our fees page explains the fixed-fee approach, no win no fee and the 91% guarantee for DVA compensation. Read it alongside the written costs information for your matter.
Our DVA claims lawyers help prepare your claim, organise supporting evidence and manage correspondence with DVA. Whether you are starting a new claim or already have one underway, we can review where things stand and explain the next steps. We can help with claims for service-related conditions, permanent impairment compensation and decisions that may need to be reviewed or appealed.
We provide DVA claims assistance to current and former ADF members dealing with service-related injuries or illnesses, including physical and psychological conditions. We start by understanding your service, health and any existing claims or decisions, so our advice addresses the entitlements and evidence relevant to your circumstances.
Yes. Depending on your matter, we may offer fixed-fee DVA claims, a no win no fee arrangement, or a combination of both. We use fixed fees and capped costs rather than hourly billing, so the professional fees for the agreed work are explained before we begin. We also explain any foreseeable expenses and the payment arrangements that apply. The particular arrangement depends on your matter and is set out in your written costs agreement before work begins.
Depending on your matter, KSC Law may offer no win, no fee DVA claims. Where a no win no fee arrangement applies, there are generally no professional legal fees to pay upfront. If your claim is unsuccessful, you do not pay our professional fees in accordance with the terms of your costs agreement. Before work begins, we explain the professional fees, work covered, foreseeable expenses and payment arrangements so you know where you stand.
When comparing a DVA claims advocate with a law firm, consider who will handle your matter, what work is included and what assistance is available if you disagree with a decision. KSC Law is a law firm. Our lawyers provide legal advice, supported by paralegals who assist with preparing and managing claims. We explain our role and fees before you decide whether to engage us.
Yes. We can assist with a claim already underway, including where DVA has requested further information or issued a decision you disagree with. If another representative is assisting you, we can discuss the steps involved in a handover. Start with the correspondence and claim information you already have.
Bring any DVA correspondence, decision letters and details of claims already lodged. Relevant service and medical records can also help. You do not need everything organised before contacting us. Start with what you have and we can identify what may be needed for the next stage of your DVA claims process.
Yes. We can review your decision letter and explain the review or appeal pathway that may apply. DVA appeals depend on the decision involved, so send us the determination and its reasons as early as possible. We can identify the relevant pathway, evidence and applicable time limits before recommending the next step.
DVA lawyer fees depend on the assistance required and the costs arrangement applying to your matter. KSC Law uses fixed fees and capped costs rather than hourly billing. Depending on the matter, we may offer fixed fees for particular stages, a no win no fee arrangement, or a combination of both. We explain the proposed fees and foreseeable expenses before work begins, with the full terms set out in your written costs agreement.
Yes. A fixed fee describes how the professional fee for particular work is set, while no win, no fee describes when professional fees become payable. Depending on the matter, KSC Law may offer either arrangement or a combination of both. Where no win no fee applies, there are generally no professional legal fees to pay upfront. The arrangement applying to your matter is explained before work begins and recorded in your written costs agreement.
We explain any foreseeable expenses before work begins and seek your approval for them. Our aim is to give you clarity about the professional fees, expenses and payment arrangements before you decide whether to proceed. The full terms applying to your matter are set out in your written costs agreement and disclosure documents.
No. KSC Law is based in Brisbane and assists clients online across Australia. Whether you are looking for DVA lawyers in Brisbane or need assistance from another state or territory, you can start with a free initial consultation. You do not need to travel to our office.
Fixed fee DVA claims support
KSC Law uses fixed fees agreed before the work begins. Our DVA compensation guarantee means you retain at least 91% of your payment, with our fee reduced if needed to meet that guarantee.
You can read more about our fixed fees and no win no fee approach on our fees page. Ask us to explain the proposed work and costs for your matter before you decide.