In an injury with two distinct disabilities (grip loss and atrophy), which rating method is used?

• A. Combine the ratings
• B. Only the greater of the two
• C. Only the lesser of the two
• D. Both the grip loss and the atrophy

Answer: (A)

When there are multiple impairments from one injury, you don’t just pick the bigger one or add them up. California uses the Combined Values Chart to blend the individual impairment percentages into a single overall rating. For grip loss and atrophy, you’d determine each impairment first, then apply the chart to arrive at one combined rating that reflects how the two conditions together affect function.

This is why this approach is best: it captures the cumulative impact without double-counting or overestimating. For example, if grip loss is 25% and atrophy is 15%, the chart yields a single rating around 36% rather than 25% or 15% or a straight addition. The other options—taking only the greater, only the lesser, or simply adding the two—do not accurately represent the combined effect.