Formal rating determinations are evidence only as to which aspect?

• A. The credibility of the evaluating physician's conclusions
• B. The final approval for medical benefits
• C. The relationship between the described disability and the permanent disability percentage
• D. The overall severity of any impairment without regard to disability percentage

Answer: (C)

Formal rating determinations show how the medical impairment described by the physician translates into a permanent disability percentage. They provide evidence of the link between what the impairment is and the PD percentage that results, which is used for benefit calculations. They aren’t about whether medical benefits are approved by themselves, nor do they address the credibility of the physician’s conclusions, nor do they measure overall severity without regard to the resulting disability percentage.