The federal government has cut red tape to fast track veterans' medical claims.
The Department of Veterans' Affairs (DVA) has reduced the requirements for liability for five medical conditions, reducing the time taken to process around 600 claims a year.
There are now 13 medical conditions streamlined for acceptance of liability under the Veterans' Entitlements Act 1986 or the Military Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 2004.
If a veteran's doctor diagnoses one of the 13 conditions, DVA can accept it as service-related, which means less paperwork and reduced processing time.
Veterans' Affairs Minister Dan Tehan said the department was moving to a more client-focused model and examining further streamlining options.
"Our veterans have told me that reducing DVA claims processing times and making the claims process easier to complete were important improvements," Mr Tehan said.
"Streamlining the liability component of claims for these medical conditions, once diagnosed, will reduce the amount of paperwork required by veterans and doctors to link them to military service.
"This change will also mean DVA can focus on ensuring veterans have access to appropriate medical care, rehabilitation and compensation for their service-related health conditions."
The medical conditions are: chondromalacia patella, internal derangement of the knee, malignant melanoma, pterygium, tinea of the skin, achilles tendinopathy and bursitis, acquired cataract, non-melanotic malignant neoplasm of the skin, plantar fasciitis, sensorineural hearing loss, shin splints, solar keratosis, and tinnitus.
- Veterans and Veterans Families Counselling Service can be reached 24 hours a day across Australia for crisis support and free confidential counselling. Phone 1800-011-046.