Eligibility for Free Treatment of Anxiety/Depression, PTSD and Malignant Neoplasms (Cancers)

Veterans with eligible service who have malignant neoplasms (cancers), pulmonary tuberculosis, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety disorder or depression are eligible for treatment of those disabilities regardless of whether or not they have been accepted as war- or defencecaused. Approval for treatment for these conditions can be fast tracked by providing a medical diagnosis, from a suitably qualified medical practitioner, conforming to the diagnostic requirements of DSM IV. This is available under both the VEA (Defence/operational service) and MRCA (for those with Operational service only). ! Anxiety/Depression ! PTSD and ! Malignant conditions (cancer) Anxiety is normal in the face of a threat or when experiencing events such as a job interview, moving house or an important occasion. In contrast, anxiety disorders are generally more severe, longer lasting and tend to interfere with everyday life. Anxiety is one of the most common mental health problems with almost 1 in 10 Australians experiencing an anxiety disorder at some point in their lives. Anxiety affects many veterans and their family members, just as it does the general community. There is a range of anxiety disorders including: ! Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) ! Panic disorder and agoraphobia ! Generalized anxiety disorder ! Social phobia. Signs and symptoms of anxiety may include: ! ! ! ! ! ! ! Nausea Chest pain or discomfort Muscular aches, pains and headaches Trembling, shaking or dizziness Sweating Feeling as if you are choking or having trouble breathing Fearing that you are losing control or going crazy

! Excessive worrying ! Constant and persistent thoughts about a particular situation or event. These are only a few signs and the signs do vary. Some of these can also be symptoms of medical problems and it is important that you DO NOT assume that any of these are just anxiety. Please have them checked out by your doctor as soon as possible. If you think anxiety might be interfering with your life, you should talk to your General Practitioner (GP). For more information about anxiety and looking after your mental health, visit www@ease.dva.gov.au. Depression is one of the most common mental health problems, with around 1 in 5 Australians experiencing it at least once in their lifetime. With depression, everyday activities such as getting out of bed, going to work, seeing friends may become very difficult. Symptoms of depression may include one or more of the following: ! Loss of energy ! Loss of interest in activities previously enjoyed ! Changes in appetite, sleep pattern or weight ! Feelings of guilt, worthlessness or hopelessness ! Poor concentration ! Reduced libido ! Suicidal thoughts. For more information about depression and looking after your mental health visit www@ease.dva.gov.au. To apply for treatment for depression or anxiety disorders, a psychiatrist must first diagnose you. Your GP will be able to assist you with a referral. DVA may, in some circumstances, arrange for a psychiatric assessment but will need your authority to do so. You can access services that are clinically necessary for the treatment of your anxiety or depression. These services include psychological or psychiatric treatment, counseling and pharmaceuticals. Once your eligibility is determined you will be notified in writing. If you are eligible and you are not already an existing Repatriation Health Card holder, you will be issued with a Repatriation Health Card For Specific Conditions (White Card). If you already have a White card, your new entitlement will be added to your existing treatment entitlements covered by this card. To access treatment for anxiety or depression, you will need to consult with your GP or Local Medical Officer (LMO). Your GP or LMO will monitor

your care and arrange access to other medical and allied health services where clinically required. You may also be entitled to receive counseling and other services from the VVCS - Veterans and Veterans Families Counseling Service. For information on accessing the services provided by the VVCS, refer to Factsheet: VCS 01: General information about VVCS Veterans and Veterans Families Counselling Service, or visit the DVA website. PTSD Benefits (Psychiatric Treatment / Counselling) All Australian veterans with operational service, who are diagnosed by a psychiatrist as having PTSD, irrespective of whether the illness is related to service, are eligible for treatment of this condition at DVA expense. If you are seeking psychiatric treatment for PTSD and are not already covered by DVA for this treatment, you or your doctor should advise DVA of your condition. DVA will need a psychiatrists diagnosis of your PTSD in order to accept the diagnosis and provide treatment for your condition. In special circumstances, a diagnosis made by a general practitioner may be accepted. In either case a detailed report must be provided to support the diagnosis. Once your PTSD has been accepted for treatment by DVA, you will be issued with a Repatriation Health Card For Specific Conditions (White Card) which will allow you to receive treatment for PTSD at DVA expense. If you or your immediate family members are seeking counselling services, you can contact the VVCS directly and DVA does not have to be notified. If you believe your PTSD was caused by your service you may also wish to lodge a claim to have liability for the PTSD accepted by DVA. This may entitle you to additional benefits. Health services for veterans with Cancer All Australian veterans are eligible for treatment for malignant cancer at DVA expense for services provided through DVA arrangements, where a request has been lodged and accepted by DVA for treatment of this condition. This includes veterans who are eligible to receive treatment under the Veterans Entitlement Act 1986 (VEA), the Australian Participants in British Nuclear (Treatment) Act 2006 (APTA), and former members of the Australian Defence Force (ADF) and current part-time reservists who have warlike or non-warlike service under the Military Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 2004 (MRCA) on or after 1 July 2004. If you already hold a Repatriation Health Card For All Conditions (Gold

Card) you may obtain health care for your cancer at DVAs expense for services provided through DVA arrangements. If you already hold a Repatriation Health Card For Specific Conditions (White Card) and DVA accepts your claim for treatment of cancer, you may obtain health care for your cancer at DVAs expense in the same way that you obtain treatment for other accepted disabilities. If you are not a Gold or White Card holder, you can lodge a claim for treatment of malignant cancer with DVA. You will need to provide a diagnosis of your condition from a fully qualified medical practitioner. If your claim for treatment is accepted by DVA you will receive a White Card that will enable you to obtain health care at DVAs expense through DVA arrangements for treatment of your cancer only.
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