This section outlines the two elements of the assessment of degree of incapacity [2] using GARP [2].
According to subsection 5D(2), incapacity from a war or defence-caused disease or injury is a reference to the effects of that injury or disease, and not a reference to the injury or disease itself.
Guide to the Assessment of Rates of Veterans' Pensions.
Medical impairment is the
Physical loss is the loss of, or disturbance to, any body part or system. Examples of physical loss include discomfort, pain and poor prognosis.
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Functional loss is measured by reference to an individual's performance efficiency compared with that of an average, healthy person of the same age and sex. This comparison is made using defined vital functions in the vital functions' tables in GARP [2]. The vital functions identified are:
Each functional loss associated with an accepted condition is identified and rated individually.
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Medical impairment is measured in [glossary:impairment points:], out of a maximum rating of 100. On this scale zero corresponds to nil or negligible impairment from accepted conditions [2], and 100 points corresponds to death. The impairment points are percentages of the impairment of the whole person. The final impairment rating is a combination of all ratings from all accepted conditions.
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If it is not possible to assess the impairment of an accepted condition that has previously been assessed using an earlier edition of GARP, then the impairment rating that was last given for the accepted condition would be used. If the impairment had not been previously assessed, and it is impossible to assess the impairment using GARP, then a best estimate must be made using whatever medical and other evidence is available concerning the extent of the impairment.
CCPS Research Library
Guide to the Assessment of Rates of Veterans' Pension - GARP 5 [9]
CCPS Research Library
Guide to the Assessment of Rates of Veterans' Pension - GARP 5 [9]
CCPS Research Library
Guide to the Assessment of Rates of Veterans' Pension - GARP 5 [9]
CCPS Research Library
Guide to the Assessment of Rates of Veterans' Pension - GARP 5 [9]
CCPS Research Library
Guide to the Assessment of Rates of Veterans' Pension - GARP 5 [9]
A lifestyle effect is a disadvantage, resulting from an accepted condition [2] that limits or prevents the fulfilment of a role that is normal for a veteran of the same age without the accepted condition. GARP [2] rates four components of a veteran's life that may be affected by war-caused incapacity:
Personal relationships refer to the veteran's ability to take part in and maintain customary social, sexual and interpersonal relationships. GARP attempts to establish how the physical and psychological effects of accepted conditions affect these relationships.
Mobility refers to the veteran's ability to move about effectively in carrying out the ordinary activities of life. GARP measures the effects of the accepted conditions on the veteran's mobility. It allows for the veteran's ability to use available forms of transport. Both physical and psychological impediments to mobility are taken into account when determining a mobility rating.
Recreational and community activities refer to the veteran's ability to take part in any activities of the veteran's choosing. When determining a rating the limitation placed by the accepted condition on the veteran's normal recreational and community activities is measured. The need to modify recreational activities or seek alternatives is taken into account.
Employment activities refers to the veteran's ability to work and domestic activities refers to the veteran's ability to sustain effective routines in a domestic environment The effects of the accepted conditions on the veteran's ability to work and/or perform domestic activity is taken into account.
Lifestyle effects are used to calculate an overall lifestyle rating. The rating is expressed as a number on a scale from zero to seven. A zero rating indicates that the veteran's lifestyle is only negligibly affected by the accepted condition. A rating of seven indicate that the effect of the accepted conditions on a veteran's lifestyle is of the utmost severity.
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Veterans can use three optional methods to have their lifestyle effects rated:
A person’s lifestyle rating is expected to be broadly consistent with the degree of medical impairment from the accepted conditions. In most cases, a lifestyle rating that falls within the shaded area of Table 23.1 of GARP V is broadly consistent with the degree of medical impairment. Accordingly GARP V states:
“The self-assessed rating should not usually be queried although further information may be requested if necessary. It is expected that the self-assessed lifestyle rating would be broadly consistent with the level of impairment. A delegate may reject a self-assessment of lifestyle rating because it overestimates, or underestimates, the level of rating that is broadly consistent with the level of impairment from accepted conditions”
However, 'broad consistency' is not equivalent to the shaded area only. As lifestyle ratings are inherently subjective, it is possible for a client's self-assessed lifestyle rating to be above the shaded area, should the effect on the client's lifestyle warrant it. The lifestyle effects of a knee injury on a professional triathlete are likely to be greater than the lifestyle effects of a knee injury on a person who enjoys only sedentary activities.
In addition to this, the DVA form D2670 – Lifestyle Rating (the form sent to clients to enable them to choose the optional methods of lifestyle assessment in accordance with Chapter 22) states, “The Department relies on your honesty when filling in the self assessment. However, we will check a small number of forms and may ask for more information. It is important that you fill in the self assessment carefully.”
Delegates should accept a client self-assessed rating unless there is evidence to indicate that it is a vast over or underestimation. That a self-assessed lifestyle rating falls outside the shaded area does not automatically invalidate the self-assessed rating, except in situations where it is clear that the self-assessed rating is not supported by the evidence.
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