Claim for Liability and/or Reassessment of Compensation under MRCA (D2051)

Under s 319 of the Military Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 2004 (Cth) (MRCA), a claim may be made for acceptance of liability for a service injury or disease and for compensation. A liability claim must be in writing, be given to the Military Rehabilitation and Compensation Commission, and meet any form and content requirements (s 319(2)); s 323 governs when a claim is taken to have been given. The Commission must accept liability for a service injury or disease once a claim is made and the statutory tests are met (s 23). Since 1 July 2026 (the date of commencement defined in s 5) the MRCA is the only Act under which new claims for these benefits can be made (s 3). D2051 is DVA's paper form for serving and former ADF members, including Reservists and cadets. DVA says most people claim online through MyService.

When you need it

• You are a serving or former ADF member (including a Reservist or cadet) claiming for an injury or disease you believe was caused, contributed to or aggravated by service.
• A condition DVA has already accepted has become worse, or your circumstances have changed, and you want the compensation reassessed.
• You prefer, or need, to claim on paper rather than through MyService.

1. 1

   Part A - representative

   Say whether you nominate a representative (ex-service organisation, legal or other), give their details and training level, and have them sign on page 9.

2. 2

   Parts B and C - personal and service details

   Give your DVA file number or UIN if known, name, date of birth, addresses, contacts and next of kin, then your service type and service details (service number or PMKeyS number, arm of service, unit, dates, rank).

3. 3

   Part D - injuries or diseases

   List new conditions at Q16 and previously accepted conditions that have worsened at Q17. For each new condition complete an Injury or Disease Details Sheet, and have your doctor complete the medical practitioner section with a diagnosis. Give your bank details at Q19.

4. 4

   Parts E to H - background and other payments

   Answer the tobacco and alcohol questions, give your GP's details, tick the benefits you seek (incapacity payments, treatment, rehabilitation, permanent impairment and others), say whether you want to be assessed for veteran payment, and disclose any common law claims and other compensation or benefits.

5. 5

   Parts I and J - authorisations and signatures

   Read the authorisations and declarations and sign. If a legal representative or approved person signs for you, they complete Part J and attach a certified copy of their authority.

• DVA recommends lodging online through MyService. The paper form can be emailed as a PDF to compensation.claims@dva.gov.au, posted to Department of Veterans' Affairs, GPO Box 9998, Brisbane QLD 4001, or handed in at a DVA Veterans' Access Network office (form notes; s 323).
• Provide proof of identity with the claim (originals or certified copies from DVA's approved list) and the supporting documents in the checklist on page 16.
• Common law claims must be notified to the Commission in writing within 7 days of making them (ss 390, 391), and recovery of damages from a third party within 28 days (s 400). These are strict liability offences.

• Get a diagnosis first. The checklist says a diagnosis is essential before lodging, and each new condition needs its own details sheet completed by a doctor.
• Attach a statement explaining how you say each condition relates to your service, as the checklist requests.
• Do not lodge a second liability claim for a condition while an earlier one is still undetermined (s 322). Free advocacy is available through ex-service organisations; see DVA's advocacy pages.