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Living with the ongoing effects of a service-related sprain or strain can affect everything from your work capacity to your daily routine. We have supported over 9,000 veterans through complex DVA claims, including acute sprain and strain claims, and we know what DVA requires to assess these injuries properly.
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Expert Assistance With Your Acute Sprain & Strain Claims
We'll discuss your injury, your service history and how your sprain or strain affects your daily life. We'll explain whether your condition is likely to qualify for DVA entitlements, what the claims process involves and what evidence DVA will need. You'll leave with a clear picture of your options: no obligation, no pressure.
We gather your existing medical records and complete all required DVA documentation. For sprain and strain claims, we connect you with qualified musculoskeletal specialists who are familiar with DVA assessment requirements and can properly document the severity of your condition. Your claim is completed, lodged and ready for assessment.
Once your claim is lodged, we liaise with DVA and advocate for your entitlements throughout the assessment process. You can focus on your health while we handle the back-and-forth. We will document your service-related injury clearly so DVA can assess the entitlements available for your condition.
Hear from Hundreds of Veterans
Great to deal with, very knowledgeable and helpful every step of the way.
I am absolutley grateful for the team at Veterans First Consulting in their support through my DVA permanent impairment claim. The outcome I received reflected proper preparation and expert advocacy. If you're a veteran considering a DVA claim: don't go it alone. The expertise VFC provides is worth it.
Professional and caring, a great experience with all the members of the Veterans First team from start to finish. Highly recommend making contact.
Was very helpfull, they helped guide me through the confusing paper work and new the proccess well. I couldnt have done it with out them. Thank you to everyone in the VFC team.
Veterans First offered a great advocate experience. Good communication during the entire process and taking the stress and hassle out of arranging appointments.
I put off putting in my claims for a long time intimidated by the process doing it myself. I’m glad I made the decision to go with Veterans first. I have treatment plans for my conditions and a very generous payout thanks to the team.
The best firm to do PI claims specifically for defence members active or inactive.
Veterans First were extremely helpful in putting together my claim and dealt with DVA on my behalf. They kept me in the loop at all times throughout the whole process. Thanks to Fiona, Kim and the team at Veterans First. I highly recommend.
Great service, no fuss from a very professional team. I got all my DVA stuff sorted that I jad been putting off, with a great result.
Was recommend to me from friend, i found Very helpful and very experienced, i would recommend to others.
From the first phone call, they told me: "Personalised DVA claims. Done once. Done right." That stuck with me, and they backed it up the entire way through. They took something that could've been stressful and made it straightforward. And the result was nothing short of life changing. Highly recommended
Great service, great team. Provided good support throughout every step of the process.
VFC made the entire DVA process as simple and as stress free as you could ever want it. The consistent updates and explanation of what things mean took the uncertainty out of the process .They honestly hold clients interests as a priority.
Five stars still isn’t enough for Veterans First, so professional to deal with and made something so daunting and overwhelming a smooth and simple process. The outcome I got I don’t think I would’ve been able to get on my own.
I can’t recommend Veterans First Consulting highly enough. They submitted my claims to DVA and took care of organising all the required appointments. Their team was consistently supportive and made what could have been a stressful experience feel smooth and manageable.
My experience with Veterans First Consulting has been superb. Had I not made the initial call then I would still be suffering with medical issues. Their knowledge of and experience in dealing with DVA is second to none and without their assistance and guidance I would not be in the position that I am today.
I had the absolute pleasure of dealing with the team at Veteran’s First. They made the whole process a breeze with no stress at all. The team were all extremely helpful, friendly and professional. I’d highly recommend Veterans First to any Veteran thinking about going through with the DVA process.
The only reason I give Veterans First 5 stars is there isn't a higher option. They were incredible. They achieved an outcome I could not have gotten myself.Working with them was the best financial decision I have ever made. You don't need to deal with DVA directly. Well done team. From my family, thank you.
Leaving the ADF is very daunting, especially if it is due to medical matters. Veterans First consulting were there to support me from the very first phone call. I would have never been able to navigate through all the doctor’s appointments and discharge obligations without their help.
They walked me through the whole initial liability process and all conditions were accepted. During the permanent impairment stage, the Veterans First team were easy to talk to and I received maximum compensation. I was particularly impressed that when I asked to speak to the Director he called me within a few hours.
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Couldn’t recommend them enough. Any veterans out there that need to put claims in without dealing with dva direct this is the place to go.
Veterans First Consulting were very helpful, supportive and professional making the process very smooth.
Veteran First provided outstanding service. The team was professional, friendly, and always willing to help. Communication was clear and timely, and I felt respected and supported throughout. I highly recommend them to any veteran looking for reliable and genuine support.
Very happy dealing with VFC. They took the dramas out of the DVA paperwork and booked all required medical appointments. Had my own gp out of his depth with DVA paperwork and when he left the practice I changed to VFC and was very happy with the communication and outcome.
These guys are life savers, couldn't have done it without them. Top tier service
The team made the whole process super simple and hassle free. I got a geat result and it was very much worth the fee.
Great to deal with, very knowledgeable and helpful every step of the way.
I am absolutley grateful for the team at Veterans First Consulting in their support through my DVA permanent impairment claim. The outcome I received reflected proper preparation and expert advocacy. If you're a veteran considering a DVA claim: don't go it alone. The expertise VFC provides is worth it.
Professional and caring, a great experience with all the members of the Veterans First team from start to finish. Highly recommend making contact.
Was very helpfull, they helped guide me through the confusing paper work and new the proccess well. I couldnt have done it with out them. Thank you to everyone in the VFC team.
Veterans First offered a great advocate experience. Good communication during the entire process and taking the stress and hassle out of arranging appointments.
I put off putting in my claims for a long time intimidated by the process doing it myself. I’m glad I made the decision to go with Veterans first. I have treatment plans for my conditions and a very generous payout thanks to the team.
The best firm to do PI claims specifically for defence members active or inactive.
Veterans First were extremely helpful in putting together my claim and dealt with DVA on my behalf. They kept me in the loop at all times throughout the whole process. Thanks to Fiona, Kim and the team at Veterans First. I highly recommend.
Great service, no fuss from a very professional team. I got all my DVA stuff sorted that I jad been putting off, with a great result.
Was recommend to me from friend, i found Very helpful and very experienced, i would recommend to others.
From the first phone call, they told me: "Personalised DVA claims. Done once. Done right." That stuck with me, and they backed it up the entire way through. They took something that could've been stressful and made it straightforward. And the result was nothing short of life changing. Highly recommended
Great service, great team. Provided good support throughout every step of the process.
VFC made the entire DVA process as simple and as stress free as you could ever want it. The consistent updates and explanation of what things mean took the uncertainty out of the process .They honestly hold clients interests as a priority.
Five stars still isn’t enough for Veterans First, so professional to deal with and made something so daunting and overwhelming a smooth and simple process. The outcome I got I don’t think I would’ve been able to get on my own.
I can’t recommend Veterans First Consulting highly enough. They submitted my claims to DVA and took care of organising all the required appointments. Their team was consistently supportive and made what could have been a stressful experience feel smooth and manageable.
My experience with Veterans First Consulting has been superb. Had I not made the initial call then I would still be suffering with medical issues. Their knowledge of and experience in dealing with DVA is second to none and without their assistance and guidance I would not be in the position that I am today.
I had the absolute pleasure of dealing with the team at Veteran’s First. They made the whole process a breeze with no stress at all. The team were all extremely helpful, friendly and professional. I’d highly recommend Veterans First to any Veteran thinking about going through with the DVA process.
The only reason I give Veterans First 5 stars is there isn't a higher option. They were incredible. They achieved an outcome I could not have gotten myself.Working with them was the best financial decision I have ever made. You don't need to deal with DVA directly. Well done team. From my family, thank you.
Leaving the ADF is very daunting, especially if it is due to medical matters. Veterans First consulting were there to support me from the very first phone call. I would have never been able to navigate through all the doctor’s appointments and discharge obligations without their help.
They walked me through the whole initial liability process and all conditions were accepted. During the permanent impairment stage, the Veterans First team were easy to talk to and I received maximum compensation. I was particularly impressed that when I asked to speak to the Director he called me within a few hours.
Couldn’t recommend them enough. Any veterans out there that need to put claims in without dealing with dva direct this is the place to go.
Veterans First Consulting were very helpful, supportive and professional making the process very smooth.
Veteran First provided outstanding service. The team was professional, friendly, and always willing to help. Communication was clear and timely, and I felt respected and supported throughout. I highly recommend them to any veteran looking for reliable and genuine support.
Very happy dealing with VFC. They took the dramas out of the DVA paperwork and booked all required medical appointments. Had my own gp out of his depth with DVA paperwork and when he left the practice I changed to VFC and was very happy with the communication and outcome.
These guys are life savers, couldn't have done it without them. Top tier service
The team made the whole process super simple and hassle free. I got a geat result and it was very much worth the fee.
Why Veterans Choose Us for Acute Sprain & Strain Claims
Sprain and strain claims can be considered under MRCA when the injury is service-related and causes ongoing symptoms or lasting functional impact. Our team understands how DVA assesses musculoskeletal injuries under GARP M and helps prepare your claim with clear medical evidence from the start.
Many veterans underestimate how much a sprain or strain can affect daily life, especially when the injury happened years ago. We help document the impact of pain, restricted movement and reduced function, so DVA has the information needed to assess your condition.
Have other questions?
Contact us so we can help.
Sprains and strains are among the conditions DVA often assesses through streamlined or straight-through processing pathways. These pathways can speed up liability decisions when the evidence is clear, but acceptance is never automatic, and your claim must still meet the relevant Statement of Principles.
Yes. If you have several service-related injuries, you can include them all in one claim. Multiple conditions affecting the same body system are combined under MRCA's ‘whole-person’ approach, which can help you meet the 10-point threshold required for permanent impairment entitlements. Details are in our top 20 accepted conditions under MRCA guide.
Initial liability claims typically take around 12 months, though this may vary. Permanent impairment claims can take a further 12 months or longer, depending on complexity and the need for specialist assessments. Most claims currently take about 18–24 months from lodgement to final outcome. Working with an experienced advocate helps reduce delays caused by incomplete documentation. Refer to our guide on DVA claims timeframes.
Impairment points depend on the severity and location of your injury, how it affects your range of motion and whether you experience ongoing pain. Spinal and joint sprains are assessed under Chapter 3 of GARP M, which looks at functional loss and pain levels. Points vary widely depending on your specific circumstances.
We don't charge any upfront fees for our initial consultation, and we clearly explain our fee structure before you decide to proceed. Our focus is on providing specialist DVA claims support, and all costs are discussed and agreed with you in advance.
Absolutely. Under MRCA, there is no legislated time limit for lodging a claim. Even if your sprain happened a number of years ago, you may still be able to claim, provided we can gather strong medical and service evidence linking your current condition to your service. See our guide on what you can claim from DVA.
You'll need medical records documenting your diagnosis, treatment history and current symptoms. For permanent impairment, you'll also need a specialist assessment confirming your condition is permanent and unlikely to improve. We help gather this evidence and connect you with appropriate medical providers.
DVA policy specifically states that delegates should not assume sprains and strains are temporary. Each case must be assessed on its own evidence. If your medical records show your condition is permanent and stable, you may qualify for permanent impairment entitlements. Learn more about DVA permanent impairment claims.
Join thousands of veterans in getting the support they deserve. Leave us a note and our experts will be in touch shortly to discuss your new claim or claim reassessment.
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