WAC 296-20-240   Categories of permanent cervical and cervico-dorsal impairments.  (1) No objective clinical findings are present. Subjective complaints may be present or absent.

     (2) Mild cervico-dorsal impairment, with objective clinical findings of such impairment with neck rigidity substantiated by X-ray findings of loss of anterior curve, without significant objective neurological findings.

     This and subsequent categories include the presence or absence of pain locally and/or radiating into an extremity or extremities. This and subsequent categories also include the presence or absence of reflex and/or sensory losses. This and subsequent categories also include objectively demonstrable herniation of a cervical intervertebral disc with or without discectomy and/or fusion, if present.

     (3) Mild cervico-dorsal impairment, with objective clinical findings of such impairment, with neck rigidity substantiated by X-ray findings of loss of anterior curve, narrowed intervertebral disc spaces and/or osteoarthritic lipping of vertebral margins, with significant objective findings of mild nerve root involvement.

     This and subsequent categories include the presence or absence of any other neurological deficits not otherwise specified in these categories with the exception of bladder and/or bowel sphincter impairments.

     (4) Moderate cervico-dorsal impairment, with objective clinical findings of such impairment, with neck rigidity substantiated by X-ray findings of loss of anterior curve, narrowed intervertebral disc spaces and/or osteoarthritic lipping of vertebral margins, with objective findings of moderate nerve root involvement with weakness and numbness in one or both upper extremities.

     (5) Marked cervico-dorsal impairment, with marked objective clinical findings of such impairment, with neck rigidity substantiated by X-ray findings of loss of anterior curve, narrowed intervertebral disc spaces and/or osteoarthritic lipping of vertebral margins, with objective findings of marked nerve root involvement with weakness and numbness in one or both upper extremities.



[Order 74-32, § 296-20-240, filed 6/21/74, effective 10/1/74.]