Rating Hernias - Rating Tip of the Week

A common error in hernia cases is that the evaluator will reference Table 6-9, Class 1, page 136 (5th ed.) and assign impairment based on the last qualifier:

Occasional mild discomfort at site of defect but not precluding most activities of daily living.

However, the error is that the first qualifier is not met:

Palpable defect in supporting structure of abdominal wall.

Therefore, if a palpable defect is not present at MMI then there is no ratable impairment based on the Hernia rating criteria in the Guides.