डीवीए और पूर्व सैनिक: संज्ञानात्मक और मानसिक स्वास्थ्य आकलन

Veterans sometimes notice changes in memory, concentration or mood during or after service. There are many possible causes, and many of them can be treated. A DVA cognitive assessment or mental health assessment can help work out what is going on and what support would help.

This guide explains how the Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA) funds these assessments, how to get mental health care without making a claim, and what changed on 1 July 2026.

Why veterans may notice changes in thinking or mood

DVA’s At Ease guide on cognitive impairment describes several common causes of thinking problems in veterans:

• Traumatic brain injury (TBI): from blasts, falls, vehicle accidents or training injuries. DVA notes that TBI often occurs together with pain and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
• Mental health conditions: depression and PTSD can affect attention, memory and thinking speed.
• Alcohol and other substances: heavy drinking can cause changes in the brain.
• Ageing and dementia: dementia becomes more common as people age. DVA notes that no specific link has been found between war service and dementia.

Poor sleep, chronic pain and some medicines can also affect thinking. Often several of these factors act together, which is why a careful assessment helps.

Signs it may be worth getting checked

Talk with your GP if you or people close to you notice:

• forgetting recent conversations, appointments or instructions more than usual
• losing track in the middle of tasks, or struggling to follow conversations in groups
• taking much longer to plan, organise or make decisions
• getting lost in familiar places, or trouble managing money or medicines
• changes in personality, patience or temper that feel out of character
• problems at work or study that you did not have before

Your GP can check for physical causes, such as thyroid problems, low vitamin levels, sleep apnoea or medicine side effects, and refer you on if needed. Early assessment gives you more options, whatever the cause turns out to be.

Getting mental health care without a claim

Non-Liability Health Care (NLHC) lets eligible veterans get treatment for mental health conditions without making a compensation claim. DVA’s NLHC policy says:

• anyone who is or has been a permanent member of the Australian Defence Force (ADF) is eligible, however long they served
• reservists with continuous full-time service are eligible, and some other reservists may be eligible, for example after disaster relief or border protection service
• any mental health condition can be treated, without needing to show it is linked to service
• a diagnosis is not required, only proof of identity and service

Treatment under NLHC is accessed with a Veteran Card. You can contact DVA or use MyService to check your eligibility and card status.

How DVA funds cognitive and neuropsychological assessments

DVA’s quick guide to funding for cognitive concerns explains that what is covered depends on your card:

DVA’s information for neuropsychologists sets out the main rules for assessments:

• a referral from a medical practitioner is required
• assessments longer than four hours, or with exceptional circumstances, need prior financial authorisation from DVA
• providers who bill DVA must accept the DVA fee as full payment

If your symptoms may be caused by service, the quick guide suggests you can lodge a claim through MyService. An accepted condition can widen what DVA funds in future.

What a cognitive assessment involves

A neuropsychological assessment usually includes:

• an interview about your service, injuries, health, sleep, alcohol use and daily life
• with your consent, input from a partner or family member
• standardised tests of memory, attention, language, speed of thinking and problem-solving
• questionnaires about mood, trauma symptoms and fatigue
• a feedback session and a written report

The results show your strengths as well as areas of difficulty. They can help separate the effects of brain injury, mental health and other factors, and guide treatment such as cognitive rehabilitation or trauma-focused therapy. DVA’s At Ease guide notes that neuropsychological findings can help adapt psychological treatment to a person’s thinking style.

Preparing for the appointment

• bring your Veteran Card and your referral letter
• bring a list of your medicines, and glasses or hearing aids if you use them
• gather any earlier reports, scans or discharge summaries, including relevant service medical records if you have them
• try to sleep well beforehand, and tell the clinician if pain or fatigue is a problem on the day

If talking about service experiences is distressing, let the clinician know. You can take breaks, and you stay in control of what you share.

Assessments for older veterans

For older veterans, an assessment can help detect or rule out dementia, plan care, and support decisions about driving, finances and legal documents. Where there are questions about decision-making, a separate capacity assessment may be needed. Planning early, while a person can take part fully, means their own wishes guide future decisions. A baseline assessment can also make it easier to track any changes over time.

Support for families

Partners and family members are often the first to notice changes, and they may also be carrying a heavy load. With the veteran’s consent, family input can make an assessment more accurate. Families can also get support in their own right, including through Open Arms, which offers counselling for veterans’ families as well as veterans.

The 2026 changes to veterans’ legislation

Parliament passed new veterans’ legislation in February 2025. DVA explains that the Veterans’ Entitlements Act 1986 and the Safety, Rehabilitation and Compensation (Defence-related Claims) Act 1988 closed to new compensation claims on 30 June 2026. From 1 July 2026, new claims are decided under an improved version of the Military Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 2004.

DVA says existing compensation payments under the older Acts continue and are indexed as normal. If you have questions about a claim, contact DVA or a free advocate.

Invictus Health कैसे मदद कर सकता है

Our neuropsychologists provide neuropsychological assessments for memory, attention and thinking concerns, and our psychologists offer counselling in person in Preston or by telehealth across Australia. We have assessment clinics in several states. Neuropsychology reports are reviewed by Dr Judy Tang OAM.

If you want DVA to fund an assessment, you will need a referral from your GP or specialist. Please संपर्क करें to check whether we can bill DVA for your service before booking.

This article is general information. Speak with your GP, DVA or an advocate about your situation. For free 24/7 support, call Open Arms on 1800 011 046. If you are in danger, call 000. For 24-hour crisis support call Lifeline on 13 11 14.