Average DVA payout for lumbar spondylosis (2026)

Where lumbar spondylosis sits on the impairment scale

0102030405060708090100

The shading spans the worked examples below.

What lumbar spondylosis pays at 2026 rates

These examples run typical ratings through DVA's compensation tables. Operations service (warlike or non-warlike) pays more than peacetime service at the same rating, up to 80 points where they meet.

Illustrative ratings before any age adjustment, using the lifestyle rating DVA treats as typical for each rating. Weekly amounts at 1 July 2026 rates; lump sums for a man aged 40 (slightly higher for women). Estimates only.
Example	Points	Operations service	Peacetime service
About a quarter of movement lost Range of movement 10	10	$49.66/wk $60,685 lump sum	$27.74/wk $33,898 lump sum
Half of movement lost, pain at rest Range of movement 20 combined with pain 5	24	$114.98/wk $140,506 lump sum	$64.42/wk $78,721 lump sum
Three-quarters lost, significant pain Range of movement 30 combined with pain 10	37	$176.27/wk $215,402 lump sum	$98.87/wk $120,819 lump sum

Estimate your own

Run your own numbers

Estimate under the MRCA at 1 July 2026 rates. Takes about a minute.

Your conditions and how severe they are

Combined impairment points0

0102030405060708090100

How much do your conditions affect daily life?Relationships, getting around, recreation, work and home.

Where did the conditions come from?

Operations overseas Peacetime service Not sure

Your age

Sex

MaleFemale

Estimated lump sum

An estimate only, not what DVA will decide. Based on GARP M 2026 and DVA's published maximum of $447.39 a week.

Get a free claim check

How DVA rates lumbar spondylosis

Back conditions are assessed under Part 3.3 of GARP M 2026:

Range of movement (Table 3.3.1): for the thoraco-lumbar spine, 10 points for about a quarter of movement lost, 20 for half, 30 for three-quarters and 40 for almost all, up to 50.
Use of the spine (Table 3.3.2): 0, 2, 5, 10 or 15 points based on what you can and can't do.

The higher of those two is taken and adjusted for age (Table 3.6.1). Frequent pain that continues at rest can attract a further rating from Table 3.4.1 (0, 2, 5, 10 or 15 points), combined with the rest using the Combined Values Chart.

Is lumbar spondylosis accepted on diagnosis?

From 1 July 2026, thoraco-lumbar (lumbar) spondylosis is accepted on diagnosis if you have either:

more than 200 days of peacetime service, not counting your first 200, with onset during service or within 25 years; or
more than 133 days of warlike or non-warlike service, not counting your first 133.

Thoraco-lumbar disc prolapse has its own, longer service tests.

All new claims are decided under the MRCA from 1 July 2026. If you lodged before then, your claim is decided under the Act that applied when you lodged. What changed.

Common questions

Is lumbar spondylosis automatically accepted by DVA?

It is if you have more than 200 days of peacetime service (excluding the first 200) with onset within 25 years, or more than 133 days of warlike or non-warlike service (excluding the first 133).

How many points is lumbar spondylosis?

It depends on how much movement you've lost and how much pain you have. A quarter of movement lost is 10 points and half is 20. Frequent pain at rest gets its own rating of up to 15 points, which is combined with the movement rating rather than simply added.

Average DVA payout for lumbar spondylosis in 2026