Criteria: Table 18-3 Ratings Determining Impairment Associated With Pain (576), Table 18-5 Assessment of Pain Behavior (580), Table 18-6 Worksheet for Calculating Total Pain-Related Impairment Score (584), Table 18-7 Determining Impairment Class on the Basis of Total Pain-Related Impairment Score (584)
Guidance: Headaches are considered in Chapter 18, Pain. Section 18.3, Integrating Pain-Related Impairment into the Conventional Impairment Rating System provides the guidance on assessing and characterizing pain and converting this into a quantitative impairment rating. If the individual is credible and the condition is considered ratable, i.e., a well-established pain syndrome without significant, identifiable organ dysfunction to explain the pain, such as headache, then a pain related impairment score can be calculated according to Table 18-7. It is important to note that the impairment rating score is not an impairment rating. This score is used to describe the severity of the pain and up to a 3% whole person impairment may be provided based upon this pain related score. Thus, a quantitative 0-3% whole person impairment may be provided for headache according to the Fifth Edition of the Guides.
