(Percentage Whole Person Impairment)
When evaluating impairment due to facial injury or disease, three factors need to be considered.
Firstly, the functional components of the face must be evaluated (for example the effects of the condition on communication, respiration, eating, visual function, hearing, etc).
Secondly, the cosmetic effects should be considered. These are not truly an impairment, but for the purposes of evaluation are deemed to be equivalent to certain impairments. These deemed values are set out below. Cosmetic defects should be assessed when all feasible cosmetic surgery has been completed and should take into account the beneficial effects of the use of cosmetics etc.
Thirdly, facial disfigurement may result in behavioural changes. These should be assessed in accordance with the criteria in Table 5.1 "Psychiatric and Behavioural Disorders".
Where more than one deformity is present from the same band or different bands, a value should be allotted to each and these should be combined using the Combined Values Table (Table 14.1).
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%DESCRIPTION OF LEVEL OF IMPAIRMENT
0 — Normal facial appearance
OR
Any scarring above the brow line
5 — ANY ONE of the following:
.cutaneous scars or pigmentation
.unilateral facial paralysis
.distortion of the nose
.loss of deformity of the outer ear
10 — ANY ONE of the following:
.disfigurement of the orbit
.bilateral facial paralysis
.depression of the cheek
.depression of the frontal bones
.severe scarring below the upper lip
15 — Loss of part of nose
25 — Loss of the entire nose
35 — Severe disfigurement of the entire area between the brow and the upper lip on BOTH sides.