Publication:Sea Talk Autumn 2005/Military rehabilitation - a case study

'by Sharon Patrick

(Please note this is a scenario based upon a common injury.)

Leading Seaman James Cleary is 33 and has been in the Navy for 13 years. He is married with two children. During his time in the Navy he has stayed fit by doing PT and a number of Navy approved activities, including football, jogging and weight lifting.

In October 2004, LS Cleary noticed that his right knee was starting to hurt while jogging. He left it for two months, but the pain and inconvenience eventually forced him to go to the base doctor, where he was diagnosed with repetitive strain in his knee. LS Cleary submitted a claim for compensation under the Military Rehabilitation and Compensation Scheme (MRCS) and his knee condition was recognised as a service-related injury.

Under the MRCS, which began last July 1, LS Cleary had a rehabilitation program designed for him by Defence Health Services. This meant that he was on restricted duties while his knee was healing. He had regular physiotherapy and medical check ups during this time, to ensure that his knee would heal correctly and quickly.

Both the cost of the civilian physiotherapist and the check ups were paid for by the ADF, as part of the rehabilitation program.

LS Cleary had been serving in HMAS Darwin at the time of diagnosis and was posted to a shore establishment for the duration of his rehabilitation program. As a result he lost seagoing allowance. Since LS Cleary lost seagoing allowance as a direct result of the service-related injury, it was paid under the MRCS until his return to HMAS Darwin. Had LS Cleary's service injury meant that he was not able to return to HMAS Darwin, his seagoing allowance would have been paid until the end of his posting to that ship.

If LS Cleary's knee had not fully healed he would have been eligible for permanent impairment compensation under the MRCS.

The aim of MRCS is to rehabilitate any person with a service-related illness or injury and return that person to work in the ADF. If this is not possible and the person has to be medically discharged, the Department of Veterans' Affairs (DVA) will work with that person to help him or her find a civilian job. DVA will also pay the person any compensation they may be entitled to, while serving in the ADF and after discharge.For more information on MRCS call DVA on 1300 550 461 or visit www.mrcs.gov.au

(Please note this is a scenario based upon a common injury.)