KSC Law

05/09/2026

Incapacity payments and Permanent Impairment compensation are not the same payment.

Under the MRCA, they compensate for different types of loss:

• Incapacity payments compensate for economic loss where an accepted service-related condition prevents a veteran from working or reduces the veteran’s capacity to work. The amount is generally linked to earnings and work capacity, and the payments are generally taxable.

• Permanent Impairment compensation compensates for the permanent effects of an accepted condition, including functional loss and the impact on the veteran’s lifestyle. It is assessed using impairment points and a lifestyle rating, and may be paid periodically or converted to a lump sum.

A veteran may potentially receive both because one payment concerns the effect on earning capacity, while the other concerns the veteran’s permanent impairment and lifestyle effects.

However, eligibility and the amount payable depend on the accepted conditions, medical evidence and the individual circumstances of the claim.

From 1 July 2026, all new incapacity and Permanent Impairment claims are determined under the MRCA.

Contact KSC Law for an obligation-free discussion about your DVA entitlements.

04/09/2026

KSC Law CEO Luke Armstrong recently joined the True Blue Yarn podcast to share his journey from serving in the Air Force to helping veterans navigate the DVA and CSC claims systems.

The conversation covers common challenges veterans face, retrospective invalidity, appeals, important deadlines and the need for greater accountability across the system.

Check out Episode 4, “A Yarn With Luke Armstrong, KSC Law”, now available on the True Blue Yarn YouTube channel.

Luke Armstrong served in the Air Force as an Airfield Defence Guard...

02/09/2026

A Class C classification does not mean CSC thinks there is nothing wrong with you.

CSC determines your invalidity classification by assessing how your retiring impairments affect your capacity for civilian employment. CSC considers:

• Your skills, qualifications and experience
• The types of civilian employment you could reasonably undertake
• The impact of your retiring impairments on your capacity to perform that work

A Class C outcome may still mean CSC accepts that you have physical or mental impairments. However, CSC has assessed your incapacity for relevant civilian employment at a level that does not qualify for a Class A or Class B invalidity pension.

The real issue is whether CSC has correctly assessed:

• Your retiring impairments
• The relevant civilian employment
• Your skills, qualifications and experience
• The effect of your impairments on your capacity for that employment
• The available medical and employment evidence

If you believe your Class C classification does not properly reflect your capacity for civilian employment, the decision may be worth reviewing.

02/09/2026

Being injured in a fight or assaulted outside an ADF workplace does not automatically mean the resulting condition falls outside DVA coverage.

Under the MRCA, the location of the incident is only one part of the assessment. The central question is whether the injury or diagnosed condition has the required connection to Defence service.

Service does not need to be the sole, dominant or immediate cause. However, it is not enough that Defence service merely provided the setting. There must be a genuine connection between the circumstances of service and the injury or condition.

Relevant circumstances may include whether:

• The incident involved another ADF member
• It arose from a service-related relationship or conflict
• It occurred at a Defence activity, function or accommodation
• Defence duties or service circumstances contributed to it
• It resulted in a diagnosed physical or psychological condition

These factors do not automatically establish DVA liability. Each claim depends on its individual circumstances and evidence.

DVA’s MRCA policy recognises claims involving physical abuse that occurred off duty or off base. It also acknowledges that incidents may not have been reported, witnessed or documented at the time.

A credible statutory declaration may be sufficient to establish that physical abuse occurred where there is no contradictory evidence. However, the veteran must still establish:

• The assault or physical abuse occurred
• A diagnosed medical condition exists
• The incident was connected to Defence service
• The diagnosed condition is connected to the incident

A completely private altercation will not necessarily be covered simply because those involved were serving members. Equally, an incident is not automatically excluded because it happened after hours, off base or outside an ADF workplace.

The location matters, but it does not decide the claim by itself.

31/08/2026

At this point, your DVA claim could qualify as a long-term relationship.

If you are tired of waiting without knowing what is happening, KSC Law can help you understand where your claim stands and what options may be available.

30/08/2026

Stop Making These DVA Claim Mistakes

Even strong claims can be delayed by avoidable errors. The most common issues we see are:

❌ Missing medical evidence
❌ Incomplete forms or supporting documents
❌ Not identifying all relevant conditions
❌ Delays responding to DVA requests
❌ Poorly prepared submissions

The reality is that many veterans wait months longer than necessary because their claim was not properly prepared from the start.

At KSC Law, we help veterans build strong, evidence-based claims to give them the best chance of success and avoid unnecessary delays.

📞 Need help with a DVA claim? Contact our team for an obligation-free discussion.

29/08/2026

TRUE OR FALSE: Does CSC only consider my ADF medical records?

❌ False.

When assessing an invalidity classification, CSC may also consider your:

• civilian employment history
• qualifications and experience
• medical evidence provided by you
• capacity to undertake appropriate civilian work

Your ADF medical records are important, but they are not the whole picture.

Make sure CSC has the evidence needed to understand how your conditions affect your actual capacity to work

27/08/2026

Your DVA claim shouldn’t be the hottest topic at the BBQ. 🔥⁠
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Let KSC Law handle it, so you can get back to discussing the important things, like who burnt the snags. 🔥🌭

26/08/2026

🐾 Happy International Dog Day from KSC Law!

For many veterans, dogs are much more than companions. They can provide comfort, routine, a sense of safety and trusted support through life’s challenges.

Today, we celebrate the incredible bond between veterans and their dogs, and recognise the positive difference they make every day.

Give your four-legged mate an extra treat from all of us at KSC Law! 🐶

26/08/2026

Received a CSC Class C decision? 😤😡

Class C generally means CSC has assessed your incapacity for civilian employment at less than 30%, so an ongoing invalidity pension is not payable.

But that may not be the end of the road. 🛣️

If the decision does not reflect how your conditions affect your ability to work, you may have options to challenge it. If you disagree with a Class C outcome, you may have options to seek reconsideration of the decision.

Before accepting Class C, make sure the decision properly considers your medical conditions, work history and realistic capacity for civilian employment.