A knee injury produces no objective disability or work restrictions but the physician prescribes a local knee brace. What is the standard rating for the knee?

• A. 10%
• B. 15%
• C. 20%
• D. 25%

Answer: (C)

In California SIP evaluations, impairment ratings reflect permanent impairment of a body part as defined by the rating schedule, not just current symptoms. When a knee injury produces no objective disability or work restrictions but a local knee brace is prescribed, that brace shows persistent functional impairment of the knee. The rating schedule assigns a standard impairment of 20% for the knee in this situation, recognizing ongoing, lasting limitation even without measurable ROM loss or objective findings. So the brace-plus-no-disability scenario corresponds to a 20% knee impairment. If there were clearer objective disability or greater functional loss, the rating could be higher; with less impairment, lower percentages would apply.