External
This question is asked as a prompt to the assessor to ensure that initial liability has been accepted in relation to the specific impairment under investigation.
The assessor must ensure that:
- there has been an acceptance of liability for the injury which the claimant says has resulted in the impairment currently under investigation;
- the claimed impairment does, in fact, result from the injury for which liability has been accepted; and
- the claimed impairment is not more properly identified as a separate injury or aggravation, which requires a fresh investigation of initial liability. (Note the policy on General Rigours of Service below)
If the assessor is satisfied in relation to each of these points, the question should be answered “YES”.
If the assessor is not satisfied that initial liability has been accepted, the question should be answered “NO”. In this case, the liability status of the condition leading to the impairment must be fully investigated.