When both instability and thigh atrophy are present, how is the overall rating determined?

When both instability and thigh atrophy are present, how is the overall rating determined?

• A. The rating for instability
• B. The rating for thigh atrophy
• C. The disability producing the greater rating only
• D. All of the ratings for the greatest disability and approximately one half of the lesser disability

Answer: (C)

When two impairments affect the same limb, the overall rating is based on the more severe limitation. The disability produced by the greater impairment drives the rating, and the lesser impairment does not add to it. This prevents double-counting overlapping functional losses. For example, if instability is rated higher than thigh atrophy, the overall rating equals the higher one, not the sum of both.

When two impairments affect the same limb, the overall rating is based on the more severe limitation. The disability produced by the greater impairment drives the rating, and the lesser impairment does not add to it. This prevents double-counting overlapping functional losses. For example, if instability is rated higher than thigh atrophy, the overall rating equals the higher one, not the sum of both.