Thoracic spondylosis (degenerative disease of the mid-back vertebrae) is less common than lumbar spondylosis but shares the same service-related causes. Load carriage, physical training, and occupational demands on the thoracic spine create the cumulative damage that drives degeneration.
The thoracic spine is affected by the same SoP pathways as the lumbar spine, including load carriage, trauma, and whole-body vibration. Veterans with lumbar spondylosis often have concurrent thoracic involvement that goes unidentified because symptoms are attributed to the lumbar region.
Why Thoracic Spondylosis is common in the ADF
Heavy pack carriage and body armour loading affect the entire spine, not just the lumbar region. Veterans who carried significant loads over extended periods often show multi-level spinal degeneration. Thoracic spondylosis should be assessed whenever lumbar spondylosis is being claimed.
Medical access
Provisional Access to Medical Treatment (PAMT)
Thoracic Spondylosis is on the PAMT list. This means you can access funded medical treatment while your DVA claim is being assessed — you do not need to wait for a liability decision to start treatment.
Physiotherapy and spinal rehabilitation
Specialist medical consultations
Imaging as clinically indicated
Pain management programs
Deadline: PAMT applications for Thoracic Spondylosis must be lodged by 30 June 2026. After this date, PAMT will no longer be available as the VETS Act takes effect. Do not wait.
Statement of Principles — in plain English
DVA assesses your claim against a Statement of Principles (SoP). Here are the key factors that most commonly apply to Thoracic Spondylosis claims, translated from the legal language.
Carrying loads totalling at least 25 kg for qualifying periods
Same thresholds as lumbar spondylosis: at least 100 hours in a 10-year period
Trauma to the thoracic spine during service
Physical trauma to the thoracic region during service activities
Whole-body vibration from vehicle operations
Operating vehicles over uneven terrain for at least 1000 hours in a 10-year period
Conditions that commonly develop alongside
Veterans with Thoracic Spondylosis often develop related conditions that may also be claimable. These are worth assessing at the same time as your primary claim.
What to expect for impairment points
Thoracic spondylosis is assessed separately from lumbar spondylosis, with impairment points based on range of motion, pain, and functional limitation in the thoracic region. It contributes additional impairment points to your combined score when claimed alongside lumbar disease.
Use the DVA PI Points CalculatorWhat a strong Thoracic Spondylosis claim looks like
MRI or CT of the thoracic spine
Orthopaedic or specialist report confirming diagnosis
Service records establishing load-carriage history
DVA currently takes 3–6 months to decide most initial liability claims. Complex or multi-condition claims can take longer. Lodging a complete, decision-ready claim upfront reduces back-and-forth.
Processing times guideCommon questions about Thoracic Spondylosis claims
Ready to claim Thoracic Spondylosis?
Book a free consultation and we'll walk you through whether your condition meets the SoP factors, what evidence you need, and how to build a decision-ready claim.
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