According to the American Medical Association guidelines, the impairment rating is concluded by the examining physician, and is the physician’s way of determining whether the patient has returned to normal body function of daily activities or whether the patient will suffer from loss of bodily functions. According to the AMA, an impairment is the loss of, loss of use of, or significant limitation of use of a body function, part or system. The losses suffered by a patient as they relate to various body functions and parts are specifically referenced. Such losses are graded according to AMA guidelines and present as specific permanent impairments and losses to body functions. By virtue of the validity of the assessment criteria and through the utilization of approved AMA criteria, grading schemes and protocol regarding the examination procedures, an impairment percentage may be stated by a physician.
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