The Army signalman and driver ended his life in January 2016 after being diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder as a result of two horrific experiences while deployed in Afghanistan for seven months.
After their son’s death,Peter and wife Sue went searching for answers.
“Sue contacted DVA to try to get a copy of Shaun’s medical records. The first thing they said to her was that she was not entitled to any money or compensation because she was not his partner or child,” Mr Jenkins told the hearing in Brisbane.
“We didn’t want money,we just wanted answers and wanted to find out what had happened to our son. It came across as though DVA was nothing more than a large insurance company looking at protecting its assets,rather than providing any assistance or support.
“DVA needs to stop being an insurance company. Their staff need to be more empathetic and understanding of the situation of the people contacting them.
“The men and women who are making most of the claims just need help. So,we need the DVA to undertake more education and training.”