The family of an army veteran who killed himself believes the rejection of his compensation claim by the Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA) pushed him to take his own life.
Minister for Defence Personnel and Veterans’ Affairs Dan Tehan has told 7.30 he has now ordered the Defence Department and DVA to review their handling of the case.
Jesse Bird, 32, took his own life last month, just weeks after losing a claim for permanent impairment he had been pursuing for almost two years.
The decision came despite DVA accepting initial liability, in August 2016, for Mr Bird’s post-traumatic stress disorder, major depressive disorder and alcohol abuse.