Condition Guides

Browse condition-specific guides to understand what DVA generally considers, what evidence you need, and how to prepare your claim.

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Showing 28 conditions
Mental HealthNLHC

PTSD (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder)

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder is a mental health condition that can develop after experiencing or witnessing a traumatic event. It is one of the most frequently claimed conditions by Australian veterans. Symptoms can include flashbacks, nightmares, severe anxiety, and difficulty with everyday activities. The current SoP for PTSD (effective from 19 January 2026) enforces strict DSM-5 criteria. Your diagnosis must specifically meet DSM-5 diagnostic criteria — older DSM-IV diagnoses may need to be updated by your treating specialist. The SoP requires a defined Criterion A stressor involving actual or threatened death, serious injury, or sexual violence. These thresholds are from current SoP instruments. Always verify the current instrument at rma.gov.au.View guide
Mental HealthNLHC

Depressive Disorder (Major Depression)

Depressive disorder, also known as major depressive disorder or clinical depression, involves persistent feelings of sadness, loss of interest, and difficulty functioning. It is very common among veterans and can develop on its own or alongside other conditions like PTSD. The SoP requires a clinical diagnosis meeting DSM-5 criteria. For Reasonable Hypothesis, a severe stressor or cumulative stressors during service must be established. Clinical assessment must differentiate from adjustment disorder and PTSD. Note: the SoP for adjustment disorder requires symptom onset within exactly 3 months of the identified service stressor — if symptoms appear later, a different diagnosis (such as PTSD or depressive disorder) may be more appropriate. These thresholds are from current SoP instruments. Always verify the current instrument at rma.gov.au.View guide
Mental HealthNLHC

Anxiety Disorder (Generalised Anxiety)

Anxiety disorder involves persistent and excessive worry that is difficult to control. It can cause restlessness, fatigue, difficulty concentrating, irritability, muscle tension, and sleep problems. Many veterans experience anxiety related to their service experiences. The SoP requires a clinical diagnosis meeting DSM-5 criteria for a specific anxiety disorder (generalised anxiety, social anxiety, panic disorder, etc.). DVA generally considers the distinction between anxiety disorder, adjustment disorder, and PTSD carefully — ensure your diagnosis is specific. Unlike PTSD, Anxiety Disorder does not strictly require a Criterion A life-threatening trauma for diagnosis — it can arise from a broader range of service-related stressors. These thresholds are from current SoP instruments. Always verify the current instrument at rma.gov.au.View guide
Mental HealthNLHC

Alcohol Use Disorder

Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD) is a medical condition characterised by difficulty controlling alcohol use despite negative consequences. It is recognised as a diagnosable condition, not a personal failing. The SoP requires a clinical diagnosis meeting DSM-5 criteria for alcohol use disorder (not just heavy drinking). The clinical threshold distinguishes between alcohol use disorder and social drinking patterns. Many veterans develop AUD as a way of coping with service-related stress, trauma, or other mental health conditions. DVA generally considers AUD in the context of other service-related conditions such as PTSD or depression. Where AUD is related to another accepted condition, it may be claimed as a secondary condition. Depending on your circumstances, your advocate or DVA may advise on how to structure multiple related claims. These thresholds are from current SoP instruments. Always verify the current instrument at rma.gov.au.View guide
HearingPAMT

Tinnitus

Tinnitus is a persistent ringing, buzzing, hissing, or other noise in one or both ears that is not caused by an external sound. It is extremely common among veterans due to exposure to loud noise during service — weapons fire, machinery, aircraft, and explosions. Tinnitus is commonly claimed alongside sensorineural hearing loss. The SoP recognises acoustic trauma at peak levels of 140 dB(C) or cumulative exposure above 85 dB(A) LAeq,8h as causative factors. Under current DVA rules, tinnitus remains a separately compensable condition and does not strictly require compensable hearing loss to be accepted. These thresholds are from current SoP instruments. Always verify the current instrument at rma.gov.au.View guide
HearingPAMT

Sensorineural Hearing Loss

Sensorineural hearing loss is permanent hearing damage caused by injury to the inner ear or auditory nerve. In veterans, it is most commonly caused by exposure to loud noise during service. It often occurs alongside tinnitus. The RMA SoP specifies a peak sound pressure level of at least 140 dB(C) for acute acoustic trauma, or cumulative noise exposure above 85 dB(A) averaged over 8 hours (LAeq,8h) for chronic noise-induced hearing loss. DVA generally considers service in infantry, artillery, armoured corps, aviation, and naval engineering as meeting noise exposure thresholds. These thresholds are from current SoP instruments. Always verify the current instrument at rma.gov.au.View guide
PhysicalPAMT

Lumbar Spondylosis (Lower Back Degeneration)

Lumbar spondylosis is degenerative change in the lower spine — essentially wear and tear in the vertebrae, discs, and joints of the lower back. It is extremely common among veterans due to the physical demands of military service including heavy lifting, load carrying, and repetitive physical activity. The RMA SoP requires evidence of cumulative physical loading of the lumbar spine. This includes lifting loads of at least 25 kg while standing, or at least 10 kg while seated, performed for a sufficient cumulative duration during service. Activities such as carrying heavy packs, lifting equipment, and physical training contribute to this threshold. The SoP requires a cumulative load-factor of 150,000 (Reasonable Hypothesis) or 300,000 (Balance of Probabilities) within specific timeframes. Calculate load-factor by multiplying weight lifted (kg) by frequency and duration. Example: carrying a 30kg pack for 1,000 hours = load-factor of 30,000. Detail specific weights carried and frequency/duration in your claim evidence. Note: unlike degenerative spondylosis (wear-and-tear), intervertebral disc prolapse requires evidence of an acute physical trauma or a specific massive lifting event — if you experienced a sudden disc injury, clearly describe the incident including date, activity, weight involved, and immediate symptoms. These thresholds are from current SoP instruments. Always verify the current instrument at rma.gov.au.View guide
PhysicalPAMT

Thoracolumbar Spondylosis (Mid-Lower Back)

Thoracolumbar spondylosis involves degenerative changes across the thoracic (mid-back) and lumbar (lower-back) spine. It is common in veterans who endured prolonged physical demands including load carrying, vehicle operations, and manual handling tasks.View guide
Physical

Cervical Spondylosis (Neck Degeneration)

Cervical spondylosis is degenerative change in the neck (cervical spine). In veterans it is commonly caused by head-borne loads (helmets, night-vision goggles), vehicle operations, and accumulated physical stress during service. The SoP requires evidence of sustained physical loading of the cervical spine, including activities involving prolonged neck flexion, heavy helmet wear, or overhead work during service. The SoP requires physical loading applied directly to the head/neck region (e.g. combat helmets with NVGs). SoP Instrument 11 and 12 of 2023. These thresholds are from current SoP instruments. Always verify the current instrument at rma.gov.au.View guide
PhysicalPAMT

Osteoarthritis of the Knee

Osteoarthritis of the knee is a degenerative joint condition where the cartilage in the knee wears down over time, causing pain, stiffness, and reduced mobility. It is very common among veterans due to the physical demands of service — running, marching, load carrying, and knee injuries. The SoP recognises several pathways including: direct joint trauma during service, physical loading of the joint over time, and BMI above 25 for a cumulative period. For knee osteoarthritis, the SoP also considers activities involving repeated bending, kneeling, squatting, or running on hard surfaces. The SoP requires proof of repeated weight-bearing activity of high intensity — specify activities such as pack marching or repetitive jumping/landing in your evidence. These thresholds are from current SoP instruments. Always verify the current instrument at rma.gov.au.View guide
PhysicalPAMT

Osteoarthritis of the Hip

Osteoarthritis of the hip is degenerative wear in the hip joint, causing pain, stiffness, and reduced mobility. Veterans commonly develop hip osteoarthritis from load carrying, running, marching, and hip injuries during service. The SoP recognises several pathways including: direct joint trauma during service, physical loading of the joint over time, and BMI above 25 for a cumulative period. These thresholds are from current SoP instruments. Always verify the current instrument at rma.gov.au.View guide
PhysicalPAMT

Rotator Cuff Syndrome (Shoulder)

Rotator cuff syndrome covers a range of shoulder conditions including tendinopathy, tears, and impingement of the rotator cuff muscles and tendons. Veterans commonly develop these from overhead activities, lifting, carrying heavy loads, and shoulder injuries during service. The SoP specifies overhead work or activities involving repeated arm elevation above shoulder height as contributing factors. Military activities such as weapons handling, vehicle maintenance, and stores loading are commonly cited. SoP 109 and 110 of 2022. The SoP requires repetitive or sustained activities of the affected shoulder — highlight specific physical trades involving overhead lifting in your evidence. These thresholds are from current SoP instruments. Always verify the current instrument at rma.gov.au.View guide
PhysicalPAMT

Plantar Fasciitis

Plantar fasciitis is inflammation of the thick band of tissue (plantar fascia) that runs along the bottom of the foot. It causes stabbing pain in the heel, especially with the first steps in the morning. It is common among veterans due to prolonged marching, running, and standing in military boots. SoP 82 and 83 of 2023. Link condition to prolonged weight-bearing activities and specific combat footwear usage in your evidence.View guide
Physical

Lateral Epicondylitis (Tennis Elbow)

Lateral epicondylitis, commonly known as tennis elbow, is pain and inflammation on the outside of the elbow caused by overuse of the forearm muscles. In veterans it is commonly caused by repetitive gripping, lifting, and manual handling tasks during service.View guide
Physical

Erectile Dysfunction

Erectile dysfunction (ED) is the persistent inability to achieve or maintain an erection sufficient for sexual activity. In veterans, it is commonly linked to psychiatric conditions (PTSD, depression), medications for those conditions, or physical injuries sustained during service.View guide
Physical

Bruxism (Teeth Grinding)

Bruxism is the involuntary grinding, clenching, or gnashing of teeth, often during sleep. In veterans it is commonly linked to PTSD, anxiety, and stress from service. It can cause significant dental damage, jaw pain, and headaches.View guide
Disease

Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)

Irritable Bowel Syndrome is a common digestive condition causing abdominal pain, bloating, and changes in bowel habits (diarrhoea, constipation, or both). In veterans it is often linked to stress, anxiety, PTSD, or gastrointestinal infections acquired during deployment.View guide
Disease

Hypertension (High Blood Pressure)

Hypertension is persistently elevated blood pressure. In veterans it can be linked to service-related stress, PTSD, obesity related to service conditions, or other accepted conditions that contribute to cardiovascular risk.View guide
Physical

Dermatitis / Eczema

Dermatitis and eczema are inflammatory skin conditions causing redness, itching, and irritation. In veterans these can be linked to exposure to irritants during service (fuels, chemicals, tropical environments) or can be aggravated by stress from service-related mental health conditions.View guide
DiseaseNLHC

Malignant Neoplasm (Cancer)

Malignant neoplasm is the medical term for cancer. Veterans may develop cancer as a result of exposure to hazardous substances during service — chemical agents, radiation, asbestos, burn pit smoke, contaminated water, or sun exposure. Each type of cancer has its own SoP with specific factors.View guide
PhysicalPAMT

Medial Tibial Stress Syndrome (Shin Splints)

Medial tibial stress syndrome, commonly known as shin splints, is pain along the inner edge of the shinbone caused by repeated stress to the bone and surrounding tissue. It is very common in veterans due to running, marching, and other weight-bearing training activities during service. SoP 96 and 97 of 2023.View guide
PhysicalPAMT

Sprain and Strain

Sprain and strain covers injuries where a ligament is stretched or torn (sprain) or a muscle or tendon is stretched or torn (strain). These injuries are very common among veterans due to physical training, lifting, running, jumping, and operational activities during service. This SoP covers sprains and strains in any part of the body. SoP 27 and 28 of 2020. Note: some body regions have their own dedicated SoP — for example, rotator cuff syndrome (shoulder), internal derangement of the knee, and joint instability each have separate SoPs with different factors. If your injury matches a dedicated condition, use that condition guide instead.View guide
Physical

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Carpal tunnel syndrome is compression of the median nerve as it passes through the wrist, causing pain, numbness, tingling, and weakness in the hand. It is common among veterans who performed repetitive hand and wrist activities, used vibrating tools or equipment, or sustained wrist injuries during service. SoP 93 and 94 of 2021. Note: this guide covers carpal tunnel syndrome (median nerve entrapment at the wrist) only. Other nerve compression conditions — such as cubital tunnel syndrome (ulnar nerve at the elbow), cervical radiculopathy (nerve compression in the neck), or thoracic outlet syndrome — have separate SoPs and are not covered by this guide.View guide
PhysicalPAMT

Internal Derangement of the Knee

Internal derangement of the knee is a chronic knee disorder caused by structural damage to the ligaments or meniscus inside the knee joint. This includes torn meniscus, torn cruciate ligaments (ACL, PCL), and torn collateral ligaments (MCL, LCL). It is very common among veterans due to physical training, sports, operational activities, and traumatic knee injuries during service. SoP 7 and 8 of 2019. Note: this guide covers structural knee damage from ligament or meniscus injury only. It does not cover osteoarthritis of the knee (which is a separate degenerative condition with its own SoP) or degenerative meniscal tears. If you have a knee sprain or strain that has not progressed to a chronic knee disorder, the sprain and strain guide may be more appropriate.View guide
Disease

Migraine

Migraine is a neurological condition causing recurrent episodes of moderate-to-severe headache, often with nausea, sensitivity to light or sound, and sometimes visual disturbances (aura). It is common among veterans, particularly those who have experienced concussion, traumatic brain injury, or blast exposure during service. SoP 7 and 8 of 2018 (RH amended by SoP 98 of 2018). Note: migraine is a specific diagnosis — it is not the same as tension-type headache or other headache conditions, which have their own separate SoPs. This guide covers migraine only.View guide
PhysicalPAMT

Intervertebral Disc Prolapse

Intervertebral disc prolapse is a condition where the soft centre of a spinal disc pushes through the outer ring, often pressing on nearby nerves. This can cause pain, numbness, or weakness in the neck, back, arms, or legs depending on the location. It is commonly known as a herniated disc, slipped disc, or prolapsed disc. DVA currently uses two separate Statements of Principles — one for cervical disc prolapse (in the neck) and one for thoracolumbar disc prolapse (in the mid-to-lower back). This guide covers both. Note: disc prolapse is a structural disc injury — it is different from spondylosis, which is gradual wear-and-tear degeneration of the spine. If your condition is degenerative disc disease or spondylosis, see the relevant spondylosis guide instead.View guide
Disease

Sleep Apnoea

Sleep apnoea is a condition where your breathing repeatedly stops and starts during sleep. The most common form is obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA), where the throat muscles relax and block the airway. Central sleep apnoea (CSA) is less common and occurs when the brain does not send the right signals to control breathing during sleep. DVA uses a single Statement of Principles covering all types — obstructive, central, and mixed. This guide covers all three. SoP 68 and 69 of 2022. Note: sleep apnoea is different from snoring alone. Diagnosis usually requires a formal sleep study (polysomnography or home sleep test) — this is critical evidence for your claim.View guide
Mental HealthNLHC

Adjustment Disorder

Adjustment disorder is a mental health condition where you develop a significant emotional or behavioural reaction to an identifiable stressor — such as a difficult posting, workplace conflict, relationship breakdown, or other life event connected to your service. It is diagnosed when your reaction is stronger than expected or causes problems with daily functioning, but does not meet the full criteria for PTSD, depression, or anxiety disorder. If your doctor has diagnosed you with PTSD, depressive disorder, or anxiety disorder, use those specific guides instead — this guide is for adjustment disorder only. SoP 58 and 59 of 2025. Note: adjustment disorder is typically time-limited and is expected to improve within six months after the stressor ends. If your symptoms persist or worsen, your doctor may reassess your diagnosis.View guide

Can't find your condition?

These guides cover 28 commonly claimed conditions. DVA accepts claims for many other conditions linked to service. If your condition is not listed here, you can still prepare a claim.

Consider speaking with your GP or treating doctor about whether your condition may be connected to your service. They can provide a diagnosis and, if appropriate, a nexus statement linking the condition to your service.

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This is a guide only. Always verify with DVA directly or with a qualified advocate before lodging a claim.