DEFENCE COMPENSATION ADVICE - NO 23
">Commonwealth Employees Rehabilitation And Compensation Act 1988
">AMERICAN MEDICAL ASSOCIATION GUIDE TO EVALUATION OF PERMANENT IMPAIRMENT
">1. I refer to DCA No. 20 of 16 March 1990.
2. As promised, attached is a copy of the AMA `Guides to the Evaluation of Permanent Impairment'. This guide should only be used where the Permanent Impairment Guide prepared under section 28 of the Act does not provide an assessment for a particular impairment.
3. Concerning assessments of impairment in respect of thumb injuries, you will note that while there is no difference in the condition of `ankylosis of any joints of the thumb' in Table 9.1 and `total loss of movement of joint of the thumb' in Table 9.3, the former table provides an assessment of 15% WPI whilst the latter table provides an assessment of 5% WPI.
4. Where the medical evidence indicates that the claimant has `ankylosis of any joints of the thumb' or `a total loss of movement of any joints of the thumb', Table 9.1 should be used. Comcare are in the process of amending Table 9.3 to delete `total loss of movement of joint of thumb'.
5. If you have any enquiries, please contact Paul Reis on (06) 266 8640.
BRIEN A. ARMSTRONG
A/DRDDFC
May 1990.
PLEASE ANSWER THE QUESTIONS BELOW, SIGN THE FORM AND RETURN IT TO THIS OFFICE WITHIN 21 DAYS.
NAME
">:......................................................................................">
FILE REFERENCE
">:......................................................................................">
QUESTIONS:
Have you engaged in any employment (including self- employment) during the past six months?
"> YES .................... NO ....................">
If YES, state:
">Employer's name :...............................................................">
">Employer's address :...............................................................">
"> ...............................................................">
">Type of work :...............................................................">
">Gross weekly earnings $....................per week">
">Period, or periods of employment: From / / to / /">
Do you receive a pension, allowance or benefit (other than compensation) from any Commonwealth Department or Authority, e.g. the Department of Social Security. Department of Veterans' Affairs or Australian Government Retirement Benefits Office?
"> YES .................... NO ....................">
If YES, please state:
">Type of payment :...............................................................">
Name of paying Dept or Authority
">:...............................................................">
DECLARATION
">I DECLARE that to the best of my knowledge and belief the information given in this statement is true and correct in every particular.
PLEASE SIGN BELOW
">Signature:................................................ Date..........................">
Telephone No. ................................................
Should any of the above details change, you should advise this Office PROMPTLY to avoid the inconvenience which may result from an underpayment or overpayment of compensation.