Our team has had nearly two decades of experience dealing with both the Department of Defence & Department of Veteran Affairs.

Dr Davin Lim has been the go-to dermatologist for area health since 2006 & was the primary investigative dermatologist for the deseal/reseal F111 program. He has completed over 200 high level reports in this time.

Our dermatologists can provide a written report about your skin related issues brought on by service. This report addresses how your skin has affected you whilst in the military & how it affects you now & in the future.

It depends on the forms & questioning. It can take as little as 15 minutes to complete, or conversely an in-depth report may take up to 4 hours.

Your dermatologist will already have been given many documents relevant to your claim. Be prepared to discuss- 

• How your skin ailment came about
• What treatment you have had both in the military & civilian life
• Any investigations
• Your current medication
• Medical and accident history
• How the injuries affect you day-to-day, both at home and at work
• A physical examination is often conducted on the day

We address all types of claims, including-

• Liability
• Permanent impairment
• Impact & incapacity on ADLs/ activities on daily living
• Fitness for duty assessments

In the evaluation of impairment resulting from skin disorders the actual functional loss is the prime consideration, rather than the extent of cutaneous involvement.

Examples are-

• 0% WPI The condition is absent on examination or if present can easily be reversed by appropriate medication or treatment AND causes no interference with activities of daily living when present.
• 5% WPI The condition requires treatment for lengthy periods AND causes no interference with activities of daily living when present.
• 40% WPI The condition requires treatment for periods in aggregate up to 4 months per year AND causes major interference with activities of daily living when present.

When evaluating impairment due to facial injury such as excision of skin cancers related to military service, our dermatologists will consider 3 main factors.

1. Functional components are considered. Examples include the impact on eating, communication & respiration.
2. Cosmetic effects should be considered.  Cosmetic defects should be assessed when all feasible cosmetic operations have been completed. Examples include the visual effects of scarring from trauma & most commonly treatment of skin cancers involving the face & neck.
3. Facial disfigurement may result in behavioural changes. This aspect of impairment looks at “Psychiatric and Behavioural Disorders”.

The most common skin ailments related to service include chronic sun damage & the consequences of UV exposure. This includes-

• Solar keratosis & actinic keratosis, including pre-cancerous lesion on the lips
• Non-melanoma skin cancers including BCCs, IECs & SCCs
• Melanoma & melanoma in situ
• Rare tumours, AFX, DFSP, Merkel cell carcinoma

The White Card relevant to dermatology is a treatment card that can provide you with dermatology treatment for accepted service-related injuries or conditions.

If you are eligible the White Card can also provide you with medical treatment for: Skin cancer (malignant neoplasm) covered under non-liability health care.

You can also access a range of services and support.

You may be eligible for a White Card for skin related issues if you are a current or former Australian Defence Force (ADF) member, including reservists, with a service-related injury or condition accepted by DVA.

Confirm with our receptionist at Cutis Dermatology that you have a White Card & ask them if you are covered for skin related treatments. They will-

1.   Ask you what conditions you have on your card, and they will ask if you have a referral.
2.   In some cases we may need to get prior approval from DVA.

3. We will then tell you if we can provide the service on your White Card.

The Gold Card is a treatment card that provides you with clinically required treatment for all medical conditions, including skin. You can also access a range of services and support. The Gold Card has been redesigned and is also known as the Veteran Gold Card or a Repatriation Health Card for all conditions.

This covers you for skin cancer treatment as well as skin cancer preventive treatments such as photodynamic therapy.

Our Specialists have undergone an additional 5 years of training in skin. This means we have the skill sets & knowledge to deal with difficult skin problems, including severe sun damage & skin ailments that are beyond the scope of skin cancer doctors & GPs.

Dermatologists are also granted access to specialized treatments including Photodynamic Therapy for sunspots & skin cancers. Importantly we have admitting rights to hospitals such as Greenslopes.

The primary reason is UV exposure. Even if you have a desk job, ex-service men & women spend more time outdoors from an occupation point of view as compared to civilian counterparts. All aspects of military service are considered in the context of UV radiation, including your trade, as well as compulsory activities including unit PT.

Some trades are at a much higher risk of skin cancer, primarily due to significant UV exposure that cannot be avoided. Examples include-

• RAAF service men & women: Tarmac duties on the flight line. The ever-present danger of FODs entails removal of hats & other pieces of clothing. Spending hours on the tarmac increases UV exposure time.
• Navy: reflection of the water, especially patrolling
• Army: Infantry, do you really carry a bottle of sunscreen, or would you rather carry an extra clip of ammo or water rations?

Our dermatologists see extremes of sun damage & skin cancer resulting from military service. For actinopaths (marked sun damage) it is as often as 8-12 weeks, whilst if you are of low risk, once every 24 months.

PDT or photodynamic therapy is a treatment for superficial skin cancers & sun damage. This treatment is covered if you have a Gold Card or a White Card for skin. PDT uses a light sensitive gel that is preferentially absorbed by abnormal cells in the skin. This gel is then activated with blue &/or red light. This chemical reaction kills the cancer.

PDT is indicated for superficial basal cell cancers, IECs & solar keratosis, or actinic keratosis. Our dermatologists will guide you through the indication & treatment.