Lumbar Spondylosis (Lower Back Degeneration)

This guide covers what DVA looks for when assessing this condition, including the relevant Statement of Principles factors, the evidence you should gather, and common preparation tips. Expand each section for more detail.

You are reviewing the condition-specific guidance to understand what evidence and preparation DVA expects.

Physical EligibleVETS Act 2026

Also known as: Lower Back ConditionLumbar 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.

Provisional Access to Medical Treatment ()Lumbar spondylosis is on the PAMT list. You may be able to access treatment while your claim is assessed.

DVA uses Statements of Principles () from the Repatriation Medical Authority to determine whether a condition can be linked to service. For Lower Back Condition, DVA generally considers the following factors:

Carrying loads of at least 25 kilograms while on foot for at least 4 hours per day, on at least 30 days within a 12-month period during service — document specific weights (e.g. 30kg packs, webbing, weapons)
Being obese for at least 10 years, where the obesity was contributed to by service conditions
Having a lumbar disc injury or trauma to the lumbar spine during service
Performing activities with repeated lumbar loading — such as running, marching, parachuting, or vehicle driving over rough terrain
Having a physical task requiring heavy lifting, frequent bending, or whole-body vibration for a cumulative period during service
Flying in high-performance aircraft with sustained G-forces
Achieving a cumulative load-factor of at least 150,000 (RH) or 300,000 (BoP) — calculated from weight carried multiplied by duration and frequency of carrying

Reference: SoP No. 62 of 2019 (Reasonable Hypothesis) / SoP No. 63 of 2019 (Balance of Probabilities). Key threshold: cumulative load-factor of 150,000 (RH) or 300,000 (BoP). RH applies to operational/warlike service; BoP applies to peacetime service. Verify at rma.gov.au.Source: rma.gov.au — verify this directly with DVA for your circumstances.

DVA uses two different standards of proof depending on your type of service. Understanding which applies to you can help you prepare your evidence.

Reasonable Hypothesis (RH)Applies to: operational, warlike, or non-warlike serviceUnder the Reasonable Hypothesis standard (operational/warlike/non-warlike service), DVA generally considers that carrying heavy loads, repetitive physical tasks, or sustaining a relevant injury during service — with clinical onset of lumbar spondylosis within a relevant period — is sufficient to raise a reasonable hypothesis.

Balance of Probabilities (BoP)Applies to: peacetime serviceUnder the Balance of Probabilities standard (peacetime service), DVA generally considers that the veteran must show it is more likely than not that lumbar spondylosis was caused or materially contributed to by physical activities or injuries during service.

In plain EnglishIf you had operational or warlike service, the Reasonable Hypothesis (RH) standard applies — this is a lower threshold. If your service was peacetime only, the stricter Balance of Probabilities (BoP) standard applies. SoP instruments are updated periodically by the RMA. Always verify the current instrument at rma.gov.au/sops.

Benefit of the doubt: DVA is legally required to give you the benefit of the doubt if evidence is evenly balanced (s119 , s335 ). Learn more

DVA generally considers the standard of proof based on your service type. Verify this directly with DVA or a qualified advocate.

When you lodge a lumbar spondylosis claim, you may be asked about how your condition relates to your service. The factors below are drawn from the published RMA Statements of Principles for lumbar spondylosis. Understanding them can help you prepare your evidence and know what to expect.

RH + BoPApplies under both and

RH onlyOperational/warlike service only

BoP onlyPeacetime service only

Factors relating to onset

RH + BoPOnsetBefore clinical onset

Having a lumbar intervertebral disc prolapse before clinical onset of lumbar spondylosisEvidence that may help: Medical imaging and clinical records showing the disc prolapse