module 7 part 3

Question 1

What is the age adjustment table in PDRS?

Answer 1

A chart that increases PD for older workers and slightly decreases for younger workers.

Question 2

Mnemonic for age adjustment

Answer 2

“AGE ↑ PD.”

Question 3

Why does older age increase PD rating?

Answer 3

Older workers have less ability to retrain or adapt, so disability has greater vocational impact.

Question 4

What is the FEC (Future Earning Capacity) rank?

Answer 4

Each body part is assigned a rank (1–8) to reflect average earning loss for that injury type.

Question 5

How is DFEC factor derived?

Answer 5

DFEC is a statutory multiplier linked to FEC rank to adjust WPI to standard PD.

Question 6

Mnemonic for DFEC

Answer 6

“FEC drives Dollars.”

Question 7

Can DFEC be rebutted?

Answer 7

Yes, but only with strong vocational/economic evidence that actual earning loss differs from the schedule.

Question 8

Who can rebut DFEC?

Answer 8

Vocational experts with labor market data; not the QME.

Question 9

What is the apportionment step in rating?

Answer 9

After final PD % is calculated, non-industrial % is subtracted to find the industrial PD %.

Question 10

Mnemonic for sequence

Answer 10

“WPI → PD → Apportion.”

Question 11

Why must QME describe activities of daily living (ADLs)?

Answer 11

AMA Guides impairment is based on impact on ADLs; required for valid WPI rating.

Question 12

List core ADLs in AMA Guides.

Answer 12

Self-care, communication, physical activity, sensory function, hand activities, sleep, travel.

Question 13

Mnemonic for ADLs

Answer 13

“SCaPSSHT” — Self-care, Communication, Physical, Sensory, Sleep, Hand, Travel.

Question 14

What is add-on for complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS)?

Answer 14

CRPS is rated per AMA Guides neuro/skin sections; can increase WPI significantly if criteria met.

Question 15

How does QME document CRPS?

Answer 15

Must use Budapest/AMA criteria and explain functional loss.

Question 16

What is upper extremity impairment conversion?

Answer 16

Convert hand/finger/arm % to WPI using AMA Guides tables before applying PD adjustments.

Question 17

Mnemonic for extremity conversion

Answer 17

“Extremity → WPI → PD.”

Question 18

Why is laterality important in ratings?

Answer 18

Dominant hand/arm injuries typically result in higher WPI/PD than non-dominant.

Question 19

Can QME assign pain add-ons to psych claims?

Answer 19

No — pain add-on applies to physical WPI, psych ratings use GAF instead.

Question 20

What is GAF scale range?

Answer 20

0–100; lower scores = greater impairment; used to convert psych impairment to WPI.

Question 21

Mnemonic for psych WPI

Answer 21

“GAF Low → PD High.”

Question 22

What is sexual dysfunction impairment rating rule?

Answer 22

Only compensable if direct injury to reproductive organs or documented psychological impairment; must follow AMA criteria.

Question 23

What is sleep disorder impairment rating rule?

Answer 23

Sleep dysfunction is rated only if caused by work injury and documented per AMA Guides.

Question 24

Why are precise anatomic terms needed in WPI?

Answer 24

Vague language prevents correct conversion; body part must match PDRS codes.

Question 25

What is the range of PD % used for indemnity?

Answer 25

PD can range 1%–100%; payments scale with % and pre-injury wages.

Question 26

Mnemonic for PD payout idea

Answer 26

“% Drives Pay.”

Question 27

Why is understanding conversion vital for QMEs?

Answer 27

Even though QME doesn’t set final PD, clear WPI allows fair and defendable ratings, reducing disputes.