Back issues seem to be far more common among military pilots than many think. A-10, T-37, T-38 and all the fast jet communities have many people dealing with neck and back issues.

If you do the VA route for disability remember to put a check in the box on your FAA physical which asks if you are receiving disability payments. You must then explain for what and what you are doing about it. For most it would be the diagnosis (i.e. traumatic arthritis) and "treated with diet and exercise" or whatever applies.