The Importance of a Medical Discharge

Having your discharge status formally changed to medical can provide lifelong benefits and the official recognition you deserve for your service-related conditions.

Unlock a DVA Gold Card

A successful application is a direct pathway to a Veteran Gold Card, providing comprehensive healthcare coverage for all your medical conditions.

Formal Recognition

It officially acknowledges that your ADF career was ended by service-related conditions, providing validation and correcting your permanent service record.

Who May Be Eligible?

Veterans who were discharged for non-medical reasons (e.g., end of contract) but had documented conditions at the time that should have triggered a medical review.

Our approach

It's not too late to correct the record and claim the DVA support you were denied.

Case review & evidence gathering

We prepare a comprehensive, legally-sound submission to the relevant Defence authority (not DVA). This document formally argues the case for why you should have been medically separated from service.

Submission to the defence authority

Following a successful decision, we guide you on the crucial next steps. This includes immediately lodging claims for the new DVA entitlements that become available to you, such as the Gold Card.

Unlocking your new entitlements

Following a successful decision, we guide you on the crucial next steps. This includes immediately lodging claims for the new DVA entitlements that become available to you, such as the Gold Card.

Timelines for a Retrospective Case

This is a complex and lengthy process that involves Defence, not DVA. Timelines are often long and can vary significantly.

2-4 mths

Case Building

Gathering all historical medical evidence and service records.

1-2 wks

Submission

Your comprehensive case is formally submitted for review.

6+ mths

Defence Review

The defence authority reviews all evidence. This is typically the longest stage.

Conclusion

Decision & Next Steps

A final decision is issued. If successful, we begin securing your new DVA entitlements.

Frequently Asked Questions

Clear Path Veterans

Retrospective Medical Discharges