Document ID: chunk:federal_register_of_legislation:F2023L00164:clause:1_1:p2
Version: federal_register_of_legislation:F2023L00164
Segment Type: clause
Provision Reference: sch 1 cl 1 (pt 2/2)
Character Range: 18141–19910

means surgery to permanently connect two or more adjacent vertebrae in the spine, eliminating motion between them.
                                     terminal event means the proximate or ultimate cause of death and includes the following:
         (a)           pneumonia;
         (b)           respiratory failure;
         (c)           cardiac arrest;
         (d)           circulatory failure; or
         (e)           cessation of brain function.
                                     thoracolumbar spondylosis—see subsection 7(3).
                                     trauma to the thoracolumbar spine means a discrete event involving the application of significant physical force to the thoracolumbar spine that causes:
(a)          damage to the thoracolumbar spine; and
(b)          the development within 24 hours of the event occurring, of symptoms and signs of pain and tenderness and either altered mobility or range of movement of the thoracolumbar spine. In the case of sustained unconsciousness or the masking of pain by analgesic medication, these symptoms and signs must appear on return to consciousness or the withdrawal of the analgesic medication; and
(c)          the persistence of these symptoms and signs for a period of at least 7 days following their onset, save for where medical intervention for the trauma to the thoracolumbar spine has occurred and that medical intervention involves one of the following:
(i)            immobilisation of the thoracolumbar spine by splinting, or similar external agent;
(ii)         injection of a corticosteroid or local anaesthetic into the thoracolumbar spine; or
(iii)       surgery to the thoracolumbar spine.
                                     VEA means the Veterans' Entitlements Act 1986.