Veteran’s compensation claim dumped by DVA after ankle injury progresses to amputation
When Corporal Davin “Bear” Bretherton’s old ankle injury tragically resulted in his leg being amputated, the Department of Veterans Affairs made him resubmit his compo claim — because he no longer had an ankle.
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When Corporal Davin “Bear” Bretherton’s old ankle injury tragically resulted in his leg being amputated, the Department of Veterans Affairs made him resubmit his compo claim — because he no longer had an ankle.
The former Digger was trapped in hospital for months waiting for the claim to go through so that he could get the specialist equipment needed for him to be released.
“The paperwork said I was in for an ankle injury and because I didn’t have an ankle any more they refused to deal with my case,” he said.
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Mr Bretherton’s story comes as former deputy prime minister and Vietnam veteran Tim Fischer has called for government red tape to be streamlined to end “waste of vital life” among military veterans.
“DVA would not process my claim so they could not modify my house and therefore I was not allowed out of hospital,” Mr Bretherton said. “I was in a pretty bad place.”
It took another two months for him to put in a new claim. All that time he remained trapped in his hospital bed. “At one stage I took a wheelchair and tried to wheel myself home. The police had to come and get me,” he said.
The former 1RAR soldier had injured his ankle jumping from an armoured personnel carrier and was eventually discharged from the army suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder from his time serving in Somalia.
“After my leg was amputated I was stuck in no man’s land. That’s the frustration veterans have with the administrative side of things — we are tethered to a system that doesn’t work,” he said.
Once he was home Mr Bretherton struggled and eventually attempted to take his own life. “The problem is that there are so many veterans struggling with the same issue with DVA and it just goes on,” he said.
Mr Fischer told The Daily Telegraph: “It is an area of deep concern. There are too many who are taking that dreadful step, as recorded by the figures post-Afghanistan.
“This is such a waste of vital life among a cohort of Australians who have served their country.
“Every reasonable action, including streamlining of bureaucracy, must be taken to address barriers to proper treatment,” he said.
The Daily Telegraph’s Save Our Heroes campaign has backed calls from the mother of navy officer David Finney for a royal commission into military suicide, after he killed himself when his pleas for help to the DVA went unheeded.
Julie-Ann Finney said her son’s death was part of a hidden epidemic affecting hundreds of former and serving Defence personnel who were victims of institutional neglect and mistreatment.
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CONCERNS OVER INSURANCE PERSIST
An insurance company that came under fire during the aged care royal commission will take over the armed forces healthcare contract today.
Earlier this year, former defence minister Christopher Pyne announced Bupa would replace Medibank, a move that had some medical practitioners concerned. It can be revealed the Australian Medical Association raised 21 concerns over potential impact on clinical decision-making and extra red tape. Since then the AMA met with Bupa and the ADF’s Joint Health Command, and amended a number of their clauses before releasing a new set of terms and conditions.
But a third of the concerns are yet to be addressed, including privacy and fee issues when treating 80,000 Australian Defence Force personnel.
AMA president Dr Tony Bartone (pictured) said they will be watching “very closely” over the coming months.
“Anything which impacts on the level of care will be a concern and we have identified issues already with Bupa,” Dr Bartone said. “We will rely on feedback from various members and if we get informed about concerns, we will respond in a timely manner.”
Bupa Health Services’ priority will be ensuring a “smooth transition”, managing director Emily Amos said. “We’ve listened to the AMA and other medical providers and made changes where it makes for a better outcome for everyone.”
Military researcher Deborah Morris also raised concerns about continuity of care.
“The government is saying money for a royal commission is better spent on mental health,” she said. “But the change of contracts will further limit the capacity for veterans to engage with mental health providers.”
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