11Assigning an impairment rating

11 Assigning an impairment rating

(1) In assigning an impairment rating:

(a) an impairment rating can only be assigned in accordance with the rating points in each Table; and

(b) a rating cannot be assigned between consecutive impairment ratings; and

Example: A rating of 15 cannot be assigned between 10 and 20.

(c) if an impairment is considered as falling between 2 impairment ratings, the lower of the 2 ratings is to be assigned and the higher rating must not be assigned unless all the descriptors for that level of impairment are satisfied; and

(d) a rating cannot be assigned in excess of the maximum rating specified in each Table.

(2) In deciding whether an impairment has no, mild, moderate, severe or extreme functional impact upon a person, the relative descriptors for each impairment rating in a Table should be compared to determine which impairment rating is to be applied.

Descriptors involving performing activities

(3) When determining whether a descriptor applies that involves a person performing an activity, the descriptor applies if that person can do the activity normally and on a repetitive or habitual basis and not only once or rarely.

Example: If, under Table 2, a person is being assessed as to whether they can unscrew a lid of a soft drink bottle, the relevant impairment rating can only be assigned where the person is generally able to do that activity whenever they attempt it.

Episodic and fluctuating conditions

(4) When assessing impairments caused by conditions that have stabilised as episodic or fluctuating a rating must be assigned, which reflects the overall functional impact of those impairments, taking into account the severity, duration and frequency of the episodes or fluctuations as appropriate.

No impairment resulting from a condition

(5) To avoid doubt, where a person’s diagnosed condition results in no impairment, the impairment should be assessed as having no functional impact and a zero rating must be assigned.