OAR 436-035-0012: Social-Vocational Factors (Age/Education/Adaptability) and the Calculation of Work Disability

(1) Social-vocational factors. (a) If a worker is eligible for an award for work disability, the factors of age, education, and adaptability are determined under this rule and used to calculate the worker’s social-vocational factor. The social-vocational factor is determined according to the steps described in section (15) of this rule and is used in the calculation of permanent disability benefits. (b) When the date of injury is prior to Jan. 1, 2005, the worker must have ratable unscheduled impairment under OAR 436-035-0019 or OAR 436-035-0330 through 436-035-0450. (2) The age factor is based on the worker’s age at the date of issuance and has a value of 0 or +1. (a) Workers age 40 and above receive a value of + 1. (b) Workers less than 40 years old receive a value of 0. (3) The education factor is based on the worker’s formal education and specific vocational preparation (SVP) time at the date of issuance. These two values are determined by sections (4) and (5) of this rule, and are added to give a value from 0 to +5. (4) A value of a worker’s formal education is given as follows: (a) Workers who have earned or acquired a high school diploma or general equivalency diploma (GED) are given a neutral value of 0. For purposes of this section, a GED is a certificate issued by any certifying authority or its equivalent. (b) Workers who have not earned or acquired a high school diploma or a GED certificate are given a value of +1. (5) A value for a worker’s specific vocational preparation (SVP) time is given based on the jobs successfully performed by the worker in the five years prior to the date of issuance. The SVP value is determined by identifying these jobs and locating their SVP in the Dictionary of Occupational Titles (DOT) or a specific job analysis. The job with the highest SVP the worker has met is used to assign a value according to the following table: [See attached table.] A copy of the Dictionary of Occupational Titles referenced in this rule is available for review during regular business hours at the Workers’ Compensation Division, 350 Winter Street NE, Salem OR 97301, 503-947-7810. (a) For the purposes of this rule, SVP is defined as the amount of time required by a typical worker to acquire the knowledge, skills, and abilities needed to perform a specific job. (b) When a job is most accurately described by a combination of DOT codes, use all applicable DOT codes. If a preponderance of evidence establishes that the requirements of a specific job differ from the DOT descriptions, one of the following may be substituted for the DOT descriptions if it more accurately describes the job: (A) A specific job analysis as described under OAR 436-120-0410, which includes the SVP time requirement; or (B) A job description that the parties agree is an accurate representation of the physical requirements, as well as the tasks and duties, of the worker’s regular job-at-injury. (c) A worker is presumed to have met the SVP training time after completing employment with one or more employers in that job classification for the time period specified in the table. (d) A worker meets the SVP for a job after successfully completing an authorized training program, on-the-job training, vocational training, or apprentice training for that job classification. College training organized around a specific vocational objective is considered specific vocational training. (e) For those workers who have not met the specific vocational preparation training time for any job, a value of +4 is granted. (6) The values obtained in sections (4) and (5) of this rule are added to arrive at a final value for the education factor. (7) The adaptability factor is an evaluation of the extent to which the compensable injury has permanently restricted the worker’s ability to perform work activities. The adaptability factor is determined by performing a comparison of the worker’s base functional capacity to the worker’s residual functional capacity, under sections (8) through (14) of this rule, and is given a value from +1 to +7. (8) For purposes of determining adaptability, the following definitions apply: (a) "Base functional capacity" (BFC) is established under section (9) of this rule and means an individual’s demonstrated ability to perform work-related activities before the date of injury or disease. (b) "Residual functional capacity" (RFC) is established under section (10) of this rule and means an individual’s remaining ability to perform work-related activities at the time the worker is medically stationary. (c) "Sedentary restricted" means the worker only has the ability to carry or lift dockets, ledgers, small tools, and other items weighing less than 10 pounds. A worker is also sedentary restricted if the worker can perform the full range of sedentary activities, but with restrictions. (d) "Sedentary (S)" means the worker has the ability to occasionally lift or carry dockets, ledgers, small tools and other items weighing 10 pounds. (e) "Sedentary/light (S/L)" means the worker has the ability to do more than sedentary activities, but less than the full range of light activities. A worker is also sedentary/light if the worker can perform the full range of light activities, but with restrictions. (f) "Light (L)" means the worker has the ability to occasionally lift 20 pounds and can frequently lift or carry objects weighing up to 10 pounds. (g) "Medium/light (M/L)" means the worker has the ability to do more than light activities, but less than the full range of medium activities. A worker is also medium/light if the worker can perform the full range of medium activities, but with restrictions. (h) "Medium (M)" means the worker can occasionally lift 50 pounds and can lift or carry objects weighing up to 25 pounds frequently. (i) "Medium/heavy (M/H)" means the worker has the ability to do more than medium activities, but less than the full range of heavy activities. A worker is also medium/heavy if the worker can perform the full range of heavy activities, but with restrictions. (j) "Heavy (H)" means the worker has the ability to occasionally lift 100 pounds and the ability to frequently lift or carry objects weighing 50 pounds. (k) "Very Heavy (V/H)" means the worker has the ability to occasionally lift in excess of 100 pounds and the ability to frequently lift or carry objects weighing more than 50 pounds. (l) "Restrictions" means that, by a preponderance of medical opinion, the worker is permanently limited from: (A) Sitting, standing, or walking less than two hours at a time; or (B) Working the same number of hours as were worked at the time of injury, including any regularly worked overtime hours; or (C) Frequently performing at least one of the following activities: stooping, bending, crouching, crawling, kneeling, twisting, climbing, balancing, reaching, pushing, or pulling; or (D) Frequently performing at least one of the following activities involving the hand: fine manipulation, squeezing, or grasping. (m) "Occasionally" means the activity or condition exists up to 1/3 of the time. (n) "Frequently" means the activity or condition exists up to 2/3 of the time. (o) "Constantly" means the activity or condition exists 2/3 or more of the time. (9) Base Functional Capacity. Base functional capacity (BFC) is established by using the following classifications: sedentary (S), light (L), medium (M), heavy (H), and very heavy (VH) as defined in section (8) of this rule. The strength classifications are found in the Dictionary of Occupational Titles (DOT). Apply the subsection in this section that most accurately describes the worker’s base functional capacity. (a) The highest strength category of the jobs successfully performed by the worker in the five years prior to the date of injury. (A) A combination of DOT codes when they describe the worker’s job more accurately. (B) A specific job analysis, which includes the strength requirements, may be substituted for the DOT descriptions if it most accurately describes the job. If a job analysis determines that the strength requirements are in between strength categories then use the higher strength category. (C) A job description that the parties agree is an accurate representation of the physical requirements, as well as the tasks and duties, of the worker’s regular job-at-injury. If the job description determines that the strength requirements are in between strength categories then use the higher strength category. (b) A second-level physical capacity evaluation as defined in OAR 436-010-0005 and 436-009-0060(2) performed prior to the date of the work injury. (c) For those workers who do not meet the requirements under section (5) of this rule, and who have not had a second-level physical capacity evaluation performed prior to the work injury or disease, their prior strength is based on the worker’s job at the time of injury. (d) When a worker’s highest prior strength has been reduced as a result of an injury or condition which is not an accepted Oregon workers’ compensation claim the base functional capacity is the highest of: (A) The job at injury; or (B) A second-level physical capacities evaluation as defined in OAR 436-010-0005 and 436-009-0060(2) performed after the injury or condition which was not an accepted Oregon workers’ compensation claim but before the current work related injury. (10) Residual Functional Capacity. Residual functional capacity (RFC) is established by using the following classifications: restricted sedentary (RS), sedentary (S), sedentary/light (S/L), light (L), medium/light (M/L), medium (M), medium/heavy (M/H), heavy (H), and very heavy (VH), and restrictions as defined in section (8) of this rule. (a) Medical findings. Residual functional capacity is evidenced by the attending physician’s release unless a preponderance of medical opinion describes a different RFC. (b) Other medical opinions. For the purposes of subsection (a) of this section, the other medical opinion must include at least a second-level physical capacity evaluation (PCE) or work capacity evaluation (WCE) as defined in OAR 436-010-0005 and 436-009-0060(2) or a medical evaluation that addresses the worker’s capability for lifting, carrying, pushing, pulling, standing, walking, sitting, climbing, balancing, stooping, bending, kneeling, crouching, crawling, and reaching. If multiple levels of lifting and carrying are measured, an overall analysis of the worker’s lifting and carrying abilities should be provided in order to allow an accurate determination of these abilities. When the worker fails to cooperate or complete a residual functional capacity (RFC) evaluation, the evaluation must be rescheduled or the evaluator must estimate the worker’s RFC as if the worker had cooperated and used maximal effort. (c) Work capacity diminished in part by a superimposed condition, a pre-existing condition that is part of a combined condition denial, or a combined condition denied in its entirety. Residual functional capacity is a measure of the extent to which the worker’s capacity to perform work is diminished by the compensable injury. If the worker’s capacity to perform work is diminished in part by a superimposed condition, a pre-existing condition that is part of a combined condition denial , or a combined condition denied in its entirety, the worker’s residual functional capacity must be adjusted based on an estimate of what the worker’s capacity to perform work would be if it had not been diminished by the superimposed condition, the pre-existing condition that is part of a combined condition denial, or the combined condition denied in its entirety . (d) When the worker is not medically stationary. Except for a claim closed under ORS 656.268(1)(c), if a worker is not medically stationary, residual functional capacity is determined based on an estimate of what the worker’s capacity to perform work would be if measured at the time the worker is likely to become medically stationary. (e) When the worker is not medically stationary and work capacity is diminished in part by a superimposed condition, a pre-existing condition that is part of a combined condition denial, or a combined condition denied in its entirety . Except for a claim closed under ORS 656.268(1)(c), if a worker is not medically stationary and the worker’s capacity to perform work is diminished in part by a superimposed condition, a pre-existing condition that is part of a combined condition denial , or a combined condition denied in its entirety, residual functional capacity is determined based on an estimate of what the worker’s capacity to perform work would be if measured at the time the worker is likely to become medically stationary and if the worker’s capacity to perform work had not been diminished by the superimposed condition, the pre-existing condition that is part of a combined condition denial, or the combined condition denied in its entirety . (f) Lifting capacity. For the purposes of the determination of residual functional capacity, the worker’s lifting capacity is based on the whole person, not an individual body part. (g) Injuries before Jan. 1, 2005. If the date of injury is before Jan. 1, 2005, residual functional capacity is determined under this section and is further adjusted based on an estimate of what the worker’s capacity to perform work would be if it had only been diminished by a compensable injury to the hip, shoulder, head, neck, or torso. (11) In comparing the worker’s base functional capacity (BFC) to the residual functional capacity (RFC), the values for adaptability to perform a given job are as follows: [See attached table.] (12) For those workers who have an RFC between two categories and who also have restrictions, the next lower classification is used. (For example, if a worker’s RFC is S/L and the worker has restrictions, use S). (13) When the date of injury is on or after Jan. 1, 2005, determine adaptability by finding the adaptability value for the worker’s extent of total impairment on the adaptability scale below; compare this value with the residual functional capacity scale in section (11) of this rule and use the higher of the two values for adaptability. Adaptability Scale: [See attached table.] (14) When the date of injury is before Jan. 1, 2005, for those workers who have ratable unscheduled impairment found in rules OAR 436-035-0019 or OAR 436-035-0330 through 436-035-0450, determine adaptability by applying the extent of total unscheduled impairment to the adaptability scale in section (13) of this rule and the residual functional capacity scale in section (11) of this rule and use the higher of the two values for adaptability. (15) To determine the social-vocational factor value, which represents the total calculation of age, education, and adaptability, complete the following steps. (a) Determine the appropriate value for the age factor using section (2) of this rule. (b) Determine the appropriate value for the education factor using sections (4) and (5) of this rule. (c) Add age and education values together. (d) Determine the appropriate value for the adaptability factor using sections (7) through (14) of this rule. (e) Multiply the result from step (c) by the value from step (d) for the social-vocational factor value. (16) Prorating or interpolating between social-vocational values is not allowed. All values must be expressed as whole numbers. [ED. NOTE: To view attachments referenced in rule text, click here to view rule.]