When both instability and thigh atrophy are present what is the rating?

When both instability and thigh atrophy are present what is the rating?

• A. The rating for the instability.
• B. The rating for thigh atrophy.
• C. All of the rating for the greatest disability And approximately one half of the lesser disability.
• D. The disability producing the greater rating only.

Answer: (D)

When more than one impairment results from the injury, you use the higher rating as the overall permanent disability rating. The overall rating should reflect the most limiting factor, not add or average multiple impairments. The idea of combining the greater rating with a portion of the lesser comes from a different method (the combined values approach) and isn’t used here. So, with both instability and thigh atrophy, the final rating is simply the higher of the two impairments.

When more than one impairment results from the injury, you use the higher rating as the overall permanent disability rating. The overall rating should reflect the most limiting factor, not add or average multiple impairments. The idea of combining the greater rating with a portion of the lesser comes from a different method (the combined values approach) and isn’t used here. So, with both instability and thigh atrophy, the final rating is simply the higher of the two impairments.