There's no average DVA payout for a knee injury, lumbar spondylosis or osteoarthritis. If DVA accepts the condition as service-related, permanent impairment compensation depends on how much it limits you, how it affects your daily life, and your type of service.
Is there an average DVA payout for knee injuries and back conditions?
Two veterans with the same diagnosis can receive very different amounts. DVA combines the impairment from all your accepted conditions into a rating from 0 to 100 points, adds a lifestyle rating from 0 to 7, and applies the compensation factor for your type of service. Earlier compensation is taken into account, and a lump sum also depends on your age. Someone else's knee or back payout doesn't predict yours.
You need at least 10 impairment points from your accepted conditions to receive permanent impairment compensation. A knee replacement or worsening arthritis can lead to a reassessment of your impairment.
How much the payout can be
| Impairment points | Weekly rate, warlike or non-warlike service | Weekly rate, peacetime service |
|---|---|---|
| 80 | $447.39 | $447.39 |
| 50 | $238.01 | $132.87 |
| 30 | $138.69 | $77.40 |
| 20 | $99.32 | $55.48 |
| 10 | $49.66 | $27.74 |
These are DVA's published MRCA rates from 1 July 2026, using the higher expected compensation factor for each level. Your lifestyle rating can move the amount up or down. See the full impairment points table.
Knee and joint conditions DVA accepts automatically
From 1 July 2026, presumptive liability means DVA accepts these conditions as service-related without you proving the link, if your service meets the criteria:
- an acute meniscal tear of the knee, an acute articular cartilage tear, a fracture, dislocation, sprain or strain that began during any defence service
- internal derangement of the knee that began during service or within a year after it
- chondromalacia patella, patellar tendinopathy and iliotibial band syndrome (runner's knee), after more than 28 days of service, beginning during service or within 4 weeks after it
- osteoarthritis of a joint of the leg, after more than 200 days of peacetime service with onset during service or within 25 years after it, or more than 133 days of warlike or non-warlike service
- rotator cuff syndrome of the shoulder, after more than 210 days of peacetime service or 120 days of warlike or non-warlike service, beginning during service or within a month after it
Lumbar spondylosis, disc prolapse and other back conditions
Thoracolumbar spondylosis, which includes lumbar spondylosis, is presumed service-related after more than 200 days of peacetime service with onset during service or within 25 years after it, or after more than 133 days of warlike or non-warlike service. A thoracolumbar disc prolapse is presumed after more than 148 weeks of peacetime service with onset within 5 years, or more than 504 days of warlike or non-warlike service with onset within 10 years.
The service periods count full-time service, exclude the first part of service, and don't apply if there's clear evidence something other than service caused the condition. If presumptive liability doesn't apply, DVA assesses the claim against the Statements of Principles.
Read the presumptive liability determination
Read about DVA accepted conditions, impairment points and aids and equipment such as mobility aids.
Checked against DVA's website on 25 September 2026.