Skip to main content
Living with depression while trying to work through DVA paperwork is difficult. We've helped over 9,000 veterans secure their rightful entitlements under MRCA, including many with service-related depression. Let us handle your claim so you can focus on your health.
Veterans Helped
5-Star Reviews
Callback Time
Team of Experts
Expert Assistance With Your Depression Claim
We start with a conversation about your situation, service history and symptoms. We explain whether you’re likely eligible for DVA entitlements and support, how the depression claims process works and what evidence you'll need. This consultation focuses on assessing your eligibility, and you will leave with a clear understanding of your options and next steps.
Our team completes all required DVA documentation and can connect you with a suitable psychiatrist who has experience with DVA assessment requirements. For DVA permanent impairment and incapacity assessments, mental health conditions must be assessed by a psychiatrist rather than a psychologist or GP. We then lodge a complete and properly documented claim with DVA.
Once your claim is lodged, we liaise with DVA and advocate for your entitlements throughout. You focus on your health and treatment while we handle the administration and communication. Our role is to help present how your depression affects your daily life so your claim reflects your situation clearly.
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.
.png)
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 Depression Claims
Depression claims need clear evidence showing how the condition relates to your service and affects your daily life. In many cases, DVA will also require specialist psychiatric evidence, not a psychologist or GP report alone. Our team understands these requirements and helps prepare your claim from the start.
Many veterans are unsure how depression is assessed or how impairment points and lifestyle ratings apply. We help document the impact on your work capacity, relationships and daily activities, so your claim reflects your situation as clearly as possible under MRCA.
Have other questions?
Contact us so we can help.
Yes. Depression is a recognised condition under MRCA if it's linked to your ADF service. This includes depression caused directly by service experiences or depression that developed as a secondary condition to another accepted injury or illness. Explore mental health entitlements and support in our DVA Mental Health Claim guide.
Yes. Many veterans have multiple conditions, and depression often occurs alongside PTSD, anxiety or physical injuries. We help you claim for all your service-related conditions in a single comprehensive application. Discover multiple condition claims in our What Can I Claim From the DVA? guide.
Yes. Under the Non-Liability Health Care (NLHC) program, eligible veterans can access fully funded treatment for mental health conditions, including alcohol use disorder, even if DVA hasn't accepted the condition as service-related or a claim hasn't been lodged.In most cases, you qualify if you're a current or former full-time ADF member, or a reservist with at least one day of continuous full-time or other qualifying service. Treatment is usually accessed through a Veteran White Card, which covers mental health care provided by a GP or mental health professional who accepts DVA payment. Learn more about NLHC and free mental health treatment.
You’ll need medical evidence showing your depression diagnosis, service records and documentation linking the two. For permanent impairment assessments, DVA requires a psychiatrist assessment to formally assess the severity and functional impact of your condition, while your GP or psychologist can also provide supporting evidence for initial liability. Your treating doctors can also provide supporting statements. We help gather this evidence and present it effectively. Learn more about the claims process in our How to Make a DVA Claim guide.
Depression claims typically take 18 to 24 months from lodgement to determination. The timeline depends on factors like how quickly your psychiatrist assessment can be completed and DVA's current workload. Working with professionals who are experts in the process can help avoid delays from incomplete applications. Learn more about timeframes in our DVA Claims Timeframe guide.
DVA assesses your entitlements based on impairment points and lifestyle rating, which are determined through a psychiatrist's assessment. Impairment points vary depending on the severity and functional impact of your condition. See our DVA Depression Guide for an overview of how DVA determines benefit levels under legislation.
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.
Yes. If your depression has worsened since your original claim, you can apply for a reassessment of your permanent impairment. This reassessment can lead to changes in your impairment points and overall entitlements if your condition has worsened. Learn more about reclassification in our DVA Impairment Points Table guide.
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.
Zero upfront fees – only pay for successful claims
9,000+ veterans served – we know what we're doing
Protected by our fee cap guarantee
