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SoP Library › Gluteal tendinopathy

Statement of Principles

Gluteal tendinopathy — DVA SoP factors

Every factor in the Repatriation Medical Authority Statements of Principles for Gluteal tendinopathy. DVA can only accept a claim for Gluteal tendinopathy if at least one of these factors is met and connected to your service. Reasonable Hypothesis (RH) applies to operational service; Balance of Probabilities (BoP) applies to peacetime service.

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Source: Repatriation Medical Authority Statements of Principles as held by the Veterans Health Centre. SoPs are amended and replaced regularly; always confirm the current instrument at rma.gov.au before relying on it.

Gluteal tendinopathy

RH No. 94 of 2023 · BoP No. 95 of 202318 factors

Meaning of gluteal tendinopathy: For the purposes of this Statement of Principles, gluteal tendinopathy means a symptomatic inflammatory or degenerative disease of the gluteus medius or gluteus minimus tendons at or near their insertion into the greater trochanter of the hip.

Reasonable Hypothesis (RH) — Statement of Principles No. 94 of 2023

At least one of the following factors must as a minimum exist before it can be said that a reasonable hypothesis has been raised connecting gluteal tendinopathy or death from gluteal tendinopathy with the circumstances of a person's relevant service:

  1. (1)
    running or jogging an average of at least 30 kilometres per week for the 4 weeks before the clinical onset or clinical worsening of gluteal tendinopathy;
  2. (2)
    undertaking weight bearing exercise involving repeated activity of the hip on the affected side for: (a) a minimum intensity of 5 METS; and (b) for at least 4 hours per week; and for at least the 4 weeks before the clinical onset or clinical worsening of gluteal tendinopathy;

    Note: Examples of weight bearing exercise involving repeated activity of the hip at a minimum intensity of 5 METS include marching, sustained brisk walking, climbing stairs, playing football, and dancing.

    Note: MET is defined in the Schedule 1 - Dictionary.

  3. (3)
    increasing the frequency, duration or intensity of activity involving the hip on the affected side: (a) by at least 100 percent; and (b) to a minimum intensity of 5 METs; and (c) for at least 2 hours per day; within the one week before the clinical onset or clinical worsening of gluteal tendinopathy;

    Note: MET is defined in the Schedule 1 - Dictionary.

  4. (4)
    having direct trauma to the affected tendon within the 4 weeks before the clinical onset or clinical worsening of gluteal tendinopathy;

    Note: direct trauma to the affected tendon is defined in the Schedule 1 - Dictionary.

  5. (5)
    having surgery to the hip of the affected side within the 4 weeks before the clinical onset or clinical worsening of gluteal tendinopathy;
  6. (6)
    having a systemic inflammatory disease before the clinical onset or clinical worsening of gluteal tendinopathy;

    Note: systemic inflammatory disease is defined in the Schedule 1 - Dictionary.

  7. (7)
    having a significantly abnormal gait for at least the 4 weeks before the clinical onset or clinical worsening of gluteal tendinopathy;
  8. (8)
    being obese at the time of the clinical onset or clinical worsening of gluteal tendinopathy;

    Note: being obese is defined in the Schedule 1 - Dictionary.

  9. (9)
    inability to obtain appropriate clinical management for gluteal tendinopathy before the clinical worsening of gluteal tendinopathy;

Balance of Probabilities (BoP) — Statement of Principles No. 95 of 2023

9 factors

At least one of the following factors must exist before it can be said that, on the balance of probabilities, gluteal tendinopathy or death from gluteal tendinopathy is connected with the circumstances of a person's relevant service:

  1. (1)
    running or jogging an average of at least 60 kilometres per week for the 4 weeks before the clinical onset or clinical worsening of gluteal tendinopathy;
  2. (2)
    undertaking weight bearing exercise involving repeated activity of the hip on the affected side for: (a) a minimum intensity of 5 METS; and (b) for at least 6 hours per week; and for at least the 4 weeks before the clinical onset or clinical worsening of gluteal tendinopathy;

    Note: Examples of weight bearing exercise involving repeated activity of the hip at a minimum intensity of 5 METS include marching, sustained brisk walking, climbing stairs, playing football, and dancing.

    Note: MET is defined in the Schedule 1 - Dictionary.

  3. (3)
    increasing the frequency, duration or intensity of activity involving the hip on the affected side: (a) by at least 100 percent; and (b) to a minimum intensity of 5 METs; and (c) for at least 4 hours per day; within the one week before the clinical onset or clinical worsening of gluteal tendinopathy;

    Note: MET is defined in the Schedule 1 - Dictionary.

  4. (4)
    having direct trauma to the affected tendon within the 4 weeks before the clinical onset or clinical worsening of gluteal tendinopathy;

    Note: direct trauma to the affected tendon is defined in the Schedule 1 - Dictionary.

  5. (5)
    having surgery to the hip of the affected side within the 4 weeks before the clinical onset or clinical worsening of gluteal tendinopathy;
  6. (6)
    having a systemic inflammatory disease before the clinical onset or clinical worsening of gluteal tendinopathy;

    Note: systemic inflammatory disease is defined in the Schedule 1 - Dictionary.

  7. (7)
    having a significantly abnormal gait for at least the 4 weeks before the clinical onset or clinical worsening of gluteal tendinopathy;
  8. (8)
    being obese at the time of the clinical onset or clinical worsening of gluteal tendinopathy;

    Note: being obese is defined in the Schedule 1 - Dictionary.

  9. (9)
    inability to obtain appropriate clinical management for gluteal tendinopathy before the clinical worsening of gluteal tendinopathy;

A VHC Diagnostic Assessment addresses each of these factors one by one against your service record and clinical history. See how a VHC DVA claim works, see all fees ($600 + GST per stage) or book an appointment.

Accepted — what is it worth?

A Statement of Principles decides one thing only: whether DVA accepts liability for gluteal tendinopathy. It says nothing about how much you are paid. Compensation is worked out separately, from impairment points under the GARP — so a condition can be accepted and still rate few points, or rate more than you expect once it is combined with everything else on your file.

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Presumptive liability · from 1 July 2026

Gluteal tendinopathy may be accepted without proving the link to service

Gluteal tendinopathy is listed in Part 2 of the determination as attributable to defence service, provided the criteria below are met.

  • Qualifying service: for more than 28 days; and excluding the first 28 days of defence service.
    Onset: during the qualifying service, or within 4 weeks after the last day of that service.

A diagnosis is still required, and the presumption may not apply where there is clear evidence of a cause other than service. "Onset" means when an injury was sustained, or when all the signs and symptoms of a disease were first present — not the date of diagnosis. Applies to claims made on or after 1 July 2026.

How presumptive liability works →

Part of DVA Claims — Hips & groin — every Statement of Principles covering the hips and groin.

Others in this area:

Femoroacetabular impingement syndromeInguinal herniaLabral tearTrochanteric bursitisVaricocoeleBilateral Hip - OsteoarthritisSee all →
Dr Thomas Perkins, Veterans Health Centre

Reviewed by Dr Thomas Perkins

Founding doctor, Veterans Health Centre · former RAAF aviation medical officer · 13 years working exclusively with ADF members and veterans. Full profile →