DVA Psychiatric Report Requirements: What Veterans Should Know
A psychiatric report is a critical piece of evidence for DVA mental health compensation claims. Understanding what DVA requires in these reports can help you know what to expect from your assessment and why certain information is gathered.
This article explains the key components of a DVA-compliant psychiatric report and why each element matters for your claim.
The Purpose of a DVA Psychiatric Report
DVA uses psychiatric reports to make decisions about compensation claims. A well-prepared report provides DVA with the evidence needed to:
- Confirm that you have a diagnosable mental health condition
- Determine whether your condition is related to your ADF service
- Assess the severity and permanence of your condition
- Calculate appropriate compensation levels
Key Components of a DVA Psychiatric Report
The Repatriation Commission’s Guidelines for Psychiatric Compensation Claims outline specific requirements. Reports should follow RANZCP (Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists) practice guidelines and include:
1. Clinical History
A comprehensive history including:
- Personal and family background
- Educational and occupational history
- Relationship and social history
- Medical and psychiatric history (including previous treatments)
- Substance use history
2. Military Service History
Detailed documentation of your ADF service including:
- Dates and duration of service
- Branch and units served
- Deployments and operational service
- Rank and role
- Circumstances of discharge
3. Stressful Events and Trauma Exposure
The DVA Guidelines specifically require “precise details about any particular events that were experienced, witnessed or learned about by the claimant, before, during or after military service that could be aetiologically relevant for any diagnosed psychiatric disorders.”
This includes:
- Specific traumatic events during service
- Operational stressors
- Any relevant events before or after service
- How you responded to these events at the time and subsequently
4. DSM-5 Diagnosis
This is a critical requirement. DVA requires diagnoses to be made according to the DSM-5 (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition) classification. This is because the Statements of Principles (SOPs) used by DVA to assess claims are based on DSM-5 criteria.
The report must:
- Clearly state the diagnosis or diagnoses using DSM-5 terminology
- Explain how each DSM-5 criterion is met
- Indicate if conditions are in remission (full or partial) and when remission occurred
Important: DVA cannot confirm a psychiatric diagnosis unless reasonably satisfied that all DSM-5 diagnostic criteria are met. A “working” or presumptive diagnosis is not sufficient for claim purposes.
5. Causal Relationship to Service
The report must provide an opinion on whether there is a causal or aggravating relationship between your diagnosed condition and your military service. This is more than just a temporal connection — it needs to establish how service-related factors contributed to the development or worsening of your condition.
The condition may be:
- Directly caused by service-related events
- Aggravated by service (a pre-existing condition worsened by service)
- Arising from the nature of military service itself
6. Current Symptoms and Mental State Examination
A detailed description of your current presentation, including:
- Current symptoms and their frequency/severity
- Results of the mental state examination
- Impact on daily functioning, work, and relationships
7. Psychometric Testing Results
Standardised psychological tests provide objective measures to support clinical findings. Common tests used include measures of PTSD symptoms, depression, anxiety, and general psychological distress.
8. Treatment History and Prognosis
The report should address:
- Current treatments (medications and therapies)
- Whether current treatment is optimal
- Nature of the condition (permanent or temporary, stable or fluctuating)
- Potential for benefit from further treatment or rehabilitation
9. Impairment Assessment
For permanent impairment claims, the report must include an assessment of the degree of impairment using DVA’s specified assessment forms. This determines compensation levels for permanent conditions.
10. Risk Assessment
The Guidelines require the report to highlight any perceived self-harm or suicide risk, including an opinion about whether DVA processes might heighten or aggravate this risk. If risk is identified, the assessor should notify your GP (with your consent).
What Happens if a Report Doesn’t Meet Requirements?
If a psychiatric report doesn’t adequately address DVA’s requirements, several things may happen:
- DVA may request additional information from the assessing psychiatrist
- A second opinion may be sought
- Claim processing may be delayed while information gaps are addressed
This is why it’s important to choose an assessor experienced with DVA requirements — a complete, compliant report the first time helps avoid delays.
2025 Changes: Expanded Diagnosis Options
From 2025, DVA now accepts diagnoses for depression and anxiety disorders from:
- Treating Clinical Psychologists with an ongoing relationship
- Treating General Practitioners with an ongoing relationship
- Clinical Psychologist reports from Defence service or within 1 year of separation
However, for other mental health conditions (including PTSD), a psychiatrist’s diagnosis is still required. In complex cases or where evidence is conflicting, DVA may still request an independent psychiatric assessment.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long should a DVA psychiatric report take to prepare?
Following a comprehensive assessment, report preparation typically takes 1-2 weeks. Complex cases may take longer. Be wary of services promising same-day reports, as thorough reports require time to prepare properly.
Will I receive a copy of the report?
You can request a copy of your psychiatric report. However, in some cases, assessors may recommend that you receive the report through your GP, particularly if sensitive information or risk factors are identified.
What if I have multiple conditions?
A comprehensive assessment should identify all relevant psychiatric conditions, not just your primary complaint. Each condition will be diagnosed separately and its relationship to service assessed. This is important because many veterans have co-occurring conditions.
What is a Statement of Principles (SOP)?
SOPs are legislative instruments prepared by the Repatriation Medical Authority that DVA uses to determine claims. They define conditions and specify the factors that can connect a condition to service. Your psychiatric report needs to address the relevant SOP factors for your condition.
Book with March Ahead
March Ahead provides comprehensive DVA psychiatric assessments that meet all DVA reporting requirements. Our reports follow RANZCP guidelines, use DSM-5 diagnostic criteria, and address all elements required by DVA.
Related Resources
- Related: What is a DVA Psychiatric Assessment?
- Related: Choosing an Independent Psychiatric Assessor
- Service page: DVA Psychiatric Assessments