Question
If a head injury resulted in both decreased intellect and a seizure disorder, can both be rated?
Answer
In the Fourth Edition, if a head injury resulted in both decreased intellect (Mental Status and Integrative Function) and a seizure disorder, both of these problems could be rated and the ratings would be combined. In the Fifth Edition, seizures and other episodic disorders have been moved into the category of Consciousness and Awareness. Thus, either the seizure disorder or the diminished intellect can be rated, and that rating represents the major cerebral impairment. This common combination of problems will receive lower ratings under the Fifth Edition.
Christopher R. Brigham, MD
Question
What do you do if numeric ratings of impairment are required for a mental disorder, since no numbers are provided in the Guides in Chapter 14?
Answer...
