Which of the following does not produce rateable disability?

• A. Occasional slight
• B. Occasional moderate
• C. Constant minimal
• D. Constant slight

Answer: (C)

Rateable disability means a permanent impairment that reduces earning capacity enough to be compensable. The rating relies on how the impairment persists and how much it actually affects work ability. A condition described as constant but minimal is present all the time, but its severity is so small that it does not measurably impact the ability to earn a living. Because the impairment is essentially too slight to affect work capacity, it does not meet the threshold for rateable disability. The other descriptors imply a level of impairment that is either more persistent or more significant, and those are the types of effects that can be rated for permanent partial disability.