Document ID: chunk:federal_register_of_legislation:F2016L01332:reg:81:p3
Version: federal_register_of_legislation:F2016L01332
Segment Type: reg
Provision Reference: reg 81 (pt 3/6)
Character Range: 146377–149214

table in respect of the thoraco­lumbar spine. No rating is to be selected from this ta­ ble in respect of the cervical spine.

Step 3: (Omit this step if you are not assessing an impairment of the thoraco­ lumbar spine.) Compare the rating obtained in Step 1 in respect of impairment of the thoraco-lumbar spine with the rating obtained in Step 2. Take the higher rating.

  Step 4: Make any applicable age adjustment to the functional impairment rating for the spine by applying Table 3.6.1.

The functional impairment rating obtained in Step 4 is to be age adjusted by applying Table 3.6.1. Unlike the situation which applies to the upper and lower limbs there is no maximum value of the impairment rating of the spine. Hence whatever the rating obtained by application of Table 3.6.1 is the rating to be given. (The reason is that the maximum rating for limbs is determined by reference to the rating given for amputation of the limb, but there is no such thing as amputation of the spine.)

    Step 5: Determine if any Other Impairment rating applies to the spine.

    The Other Impairment ratings of the spine are those due to crush fractures of the vertebrae.

    Other Impairment Table 3.3.3

CRUSH FRACTURES OF THE VERTEBRAE

        Impairment
        Ratings Criteria

        NIL  No fracture of the vertebrae.

        TWO Crush fracture with minor compression (less than 25%)
                 only.

        FIVE Crush fracture of one vertebra (compression of 25%-
                 50%).
                   * Crush fracture of a single vertebra with more than
                 50% compression.
                   * Crush fracture of two or more vertebrae with more than 25% compression of each.

   No age adjustment permitted for this table

Where applicable, two ratings are to be selected from this table
- one for the cervical spine and one for the thoraco­lumbar spine.

Step 6: Compare the impairment rating obtained in Step 4 with the impairment rating obtained in Step 5. Take the higher rating.

    After applying Chapter 19 (Partially Contributing Impairment), the functional impairment rating due to loss of range of movement of the spine is to be compared with the functional impairment due to any crush fractures.

The higher of these two ratings is the final functional impairment rating for the cervical or thoraco-lumbar spine, as the case may be.

 The assessment of other effects of spinal conditions.

 If a spinal condition causes an effect on limb function, then that effect on limb function is also to be assessed under Parts 3.1 or 3.2 (together with the effect of any other accepted conditions contributing to loss of function of the same limb); and if a spinal condition causes a sensory loss, then that sensory loss is also to be assessed under Table 5.4 (together