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Impairments / Pain
Impairment · 2005 PDRS Section 2

Pain add-on: PD rating

A pain add-on of up to 3% WPI on top of a ratable impairment (AMA Guides Chapter 18). The pain add-on is capped at 3% WPI (AMA Guides Chapter 18).

WPI → PD rating
Pain is added, not multiplied: up to 3% WPI can be combined with the impairment it accompanies before the ×1.4 step. On its own it does not produce a standalone rating.
The occupational and age steps and the final dollar figure depend on the specific job and birth date — the calculator computes them exactly.

How the pain add-on works: Chapter 18 pain is not a standalone rating — the schedule allows up to 3% WPI added on top of a ratable impairment (18.00.00.00), capped at 3% across the entire case, and it borrows the FEC rank of the body part it attaches to. The add-on rides the host impairment through the pipeline; it never rates alone.

Impairments in this system · 1

Pain - use FEC rank for involved body part

Pain rating FAQ

How is a pain add-on injury rated for permanent disability in California?
The pain add-on is capped at 3% WPI (AMA Guides Chapter 18). The WPI is multiplied by 1.4 to get the standard rating (dates of injury on or after 2013 under SB 863), then adjusted for the worker’s occupation and age, apportioned under Lab. Code §4663, and combined with any other impairments.
What body parts are in the Pain add-on section of the PDRS?
The 2005 PDRS lists 1 impairment here. A pain add-on of up to 3% WPI on top of a ratable impairment (AMA Guides Chapter 18).
Does the occupation change a pain add-on rating?
Yes — after the ×1.4 step, the occupational group applies a variant that raises or lowers the standard rating. See the occupation pages for how each group treats this region.
Is this a legal PD rating?
No — it’s an estimate for informational use. Confirm every rating against the DEU. RateString rates strict AMA Guides 5th-edition values under the 2005 PDRS.
Related: how occupation adjusts a rating · weekly rate caps by year · what comp pays
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Estimates for informational use only. Always verify ratings against the DEU. Not legal advice.

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