When you have multiple service-related conditions, a critical question arises. Do you lodge them all at once in one massive claim, or do you submit them one by one?
This is one of the most important strategic decisions you will make. Getting it wrong can lead to significant delays, weaker evidence, and frustrating outcomes. This article explains the risks of the common approaches and introduces a smarter way to plan your DVA journey.
The "Everything at Once" approach and Its risks
This is when a veteran bundles every single condition they have into one large, complex claim and lodges it all at the same time. While it might feel efficient, it has serious potential downsides.
- The "Weakest Link" Problem. If just one condition in the bundle has weak or incomplete evidence, it can hold up the entire claim while DVA requests more information.
- Stale Medical Evidence. A huge claim can take a very long time for DVA to process. By the time a delegate gets to assessing the last few conditions in the bundle, the supporting medical reports could be considered old.
- Decision-Maker Fatigue. A massive, disorganised claim is much harder for a DVA delegate to process. This can increase the risk of errors or misinterpretations.
The "One by One" approach and its risks
This is the opposite strategy, where a veteran lodges claims one at a time, often waiting for one to be approved before starting the next. This approach also has major risks.
- It Is Incredibly Slow. This method can stretch the DVA process out over many years, significantly delaying your access to critical financial and healthcare benefits.
- It Misses the Connections. Lodging claims in isolation fails to show DVA the interconnected nature of your conditions. For example, it doesn't clearly show how a service-related knee injury has led to a subsequent back problem and associated mental health struggles.
[Blockquote]
The best DVA strategy isn't about lodging one claim or ten claims. It's about lodging the right claims at the right time.
The solution is smart sequencing
Smart sequencing is the art of strategically grouping and timing your claims to build momentum and tell a clear story. It involves a personalised approach based on a few key principles.
- Group Related Conditions. Lodge claims for conditions that are medically linked at the same time (for example, a knee injury and the resulting gait and back problems). This tells a stronger, more logical story.
- Lead with Your Strongest Case. Where possible, start with the claims that have the clearest and most undeniable evidence. A successful approval builds momentum for your entire case.
- Plan for the Flow-on Claims. Structure your initial liability claims to create a clear pathway for subsequent claims like Permanent Impairment and Incapacity Payments.
Building your personalised claim strategy
There is no "one size fits all" answer to claim strategy. The right sequence for you depends entirely on your service history, the strength of your medical evidence, and your long-term goals.
This is where an expert advocate can be invaluable. We analyse your entire situation to develop a personalised roadmap, ensuring your claims are lodged in the most strategic way possible to maximise your success.
]How you claim is just as important as what you claim. A smart strategy can be the difference between a frustrating, multi-year battle and a smooth, successful outcome.
