SINCE the last shots of the Vietnam War were fired 41 years ago, veterans have battled every day.

Financial and mental health issues are the new battlefront for this nation's returned soldiers.

Veterans are calling out for the government to amp up their compensation payments to get it to a value that is "fair".

The Disability Compen- sation for veterans payment is 65% of the minimum wage after tax and has been so since the early 1950s.

Gordon Neilsen served two tours in Vietnam and is an active member of the RSL, VSASA and Legacy groups in Warwick.

"It's just one of those things, where it seems politicians don't care," Mr Nielsen said.

"They're not the least

bit interested, and they haven't been for 15 years," he said.

Mr Neilsen said it was a cause the Australian Federation of Totally and Permanently Incapacitated Ex-Servicemen and Women had long been campaigning to change.

"That's why I spend time with VSASA, the RSL and Legacy," he said.

"That's how you put a bit back in to the service."

John Skinner said the psychological effects of war were not ones to be overlooked.

Having served one tour in Vietnam, Mr Skinner is one of the 56% of Australia's Vietnam War veterans who suffers from PTSD.

"I was in a mine explosion," he said.

"I was 21 at the time. Just kids we were.

"Eventually the PTSD gets at you.

"As I got older I had more health problems, and the stress got to me."

Mr Skinner said it was public perception that threw returned soldiers into the pits.

"They were saying we're all mad," he said.

"People said they're likely to pull a knife on you, and stab you."

Veteran Johno Felton runs Warwick's Suicide Prevention Group and said while most of his mates

from Vietnam had battled mental health issues,

there was a new wave of sufferers returning from Afghanistan.

"With these younger ones coming through, it's more of an issue then we've had," Mr Felton said.

"No one knew what to do with us either; wives became carers, or they just let us out with medication."

The government has invested $1 million to continue suicide prevention in the ex-service community, including extending the Operation Life suicide awareness and prevention workshops.

However, the Department of Veterans' Affairs recommended a family doctor as being the best place to start when trying to overcome PTSD.

The doctor can make referrals for specialists.