Which of the following does not produce ratable disability?

• A. Slight
• B. Minimal
• C. Moderate
• D. Severe

Answer: (B)

Ratable disability means the impairment is severe enough to affect a worker’s ability to earn wages and qualify for permanent disability benefits. In California’s framework, impairment is described in levels—slight, minimal, moderate, and severe. The smallest level, minimal, is considered too minor to translate into a measurable loss of earning capacity, so it does not produce ratable disability. The other levels indicate increasing functional limitations, which can impact work ability and thus generate a ratable permanent disability. So the level that does not produce ratable disability is minimal because it does not meet the threshold for wage-earning capacity loss.