Permanent impairment assessments for compensation claims
This resource provides an overview of the information required for Permanent Impairment assessments and offers guidance to support completion by medical providers. There is also a downloadable Provider Checklist. The DVA Veteran Compensation Assessments for Medical Providers: Quick Reference Guide covers DVA's information requirements and common reporting issues that may impact assessment quality or timeliness.
Permanent Impairment assessment aims to determine the impact of a veteran’s service-related condition(s) on their overall function. DVA asks for information such as the severity of the condition, previous and current treatment, the veteran’s functional status, and a small number of examination findings. The assessment should be based on the veteran’s average impairment over recent months – not how their impairment appears on their best or worst day.
Complete all sections of the assessment
Medical Impairment Assessment forms can seem repetitive, however each question addresses a legislative need. Incomplete forms are a common reason for delays in claims being assessed. To minimise additional assessments and processing delays:
- do not leave questions or tables blank
- answer every question where possible
- indicate when information is unavailable or cannot be determined.
Report the veteran's usual level of impairment
Permanent impairment assessments should be based on the veteran’s average impairment over recent months, rather than their level of impairment during an isolated episode or particularly good or bad day.
Focusing on the veteran's worst days may overstate their usual level of impairment and raise questions about treatment efficacy or the presence of other contributing conditions. Conversely, focusing on their best days may not reflect the veteran's typical experience and could underestimate the impact of their condition.
Consider whether impairment is consistent with the condition
Most acute injuries and infections resolve without long-term impairment. Where ongoing impairment is reported following an acute injury, consider whether another diagnosis may better explain the veteran's current symptoms or functional limitations. Sequela conditions need to be considered separately to the original injury.
Where impairment appears inconsistent with what would usually be expected for the condition, consider whether other health conditions may be contributing and document this in the assessment.
Complete apportionment carefully
Apportionment requires identification of all conditions contributing to the impairment, including conditions that have not had liability accepted by DVA.
When completing apportionment tables:
- include all contributing conditions
- allocate percentage contributions to each condition. There is no science to this – we just need your best estimate
- ensure the total equals 100%.