PDFWAC 388-449-0050

How does the department determine the severity of multiple impairments?

(1) If you have more than one impairment, we decide the overall severity rating by determining if your impairments have a combined effect on your ability to be gainfully employed.
(2) When you have two or more diagnosed impairments that limit work activities, we assign an overall severity rating as follows:
Your Condition
Severity Rating
(i) All impairments are mild and there is no cumulative effect on basic work activities.
Mild
(ii) All impairments are mild and there is a significant cumulative effect on one or more basic work activities.
Moderate
(iii) Two or more impairments are of moderate severity and there is a very significant cumulative effect on basic work activities.
Marked
(iv) Two are more impairments are of marked severity.
Severe
[Statutory Authority: RCW 74.04.005, 74.04.050, 74.04.055, 74.04.057, 74.04.510, 74.08.090, 74.08A.100, 74.04.770, 74.04.0052, 74.04.655, 74.08.043, 74.08.335, and 2011 1st sp.s. c 36. WSR 12-10-042, § 388-449-0050, filed 4/27/12, effective 6/1/12.]