What pain is not ratable?

• A. 0%
• B. 25%
• C. 5%
• D. 10%

Answer: (B)

Pain alone isn’t a standalone impairment. In California SIP evaluations, the percentage impairment is tied to measurable loss of function or structural/neurological deficits, not simply how much pain a person reports. A level of pain described as twenty-five percent would imply a separate, pure pain impairment, which the rating guidelines do not provide. Instead, any pain that is present is considered only insofar as it accompanies and is supported by objective impairment findings.

That’s why a moderate to substantial pain level (like twenty-five percent) isn’t ratable on its own. The rating should come from the actual functional deficits demonstrated on exam or tests. Smaller, verifiable impairments (where there is objective loss or limitation) may be reflected in the overall score, but there isn’t a separate twenty-five percent pain category to assign by itself.