Document ID: chunk:federal_register_of_legislation:F2023C00151:reg:70:p10
Version: federal_register_of_legislation:F2023C00151
Segment Type: reg
Provision Reference: reg 70 (pt 10/25)
Character Range: 219965–223073

of speech and gestures, recognition of sights and sounds, spatial and temporal orientation. "Expression" is the capacity to convey the content of one's mind to others.

Comprehension and expression are to be rated separately, by applying Tables 5.2 and 5.3 respectively. Impairment ratings from these tables are to be combined when criteria from both are applicable. Impairment ratings from these tables are not to include communication deficits that were present before the onset of the condition.

Tables 5.2 and 5.3 are to be applied to rate neurological or neuromuscular conditions as well as local lesions involving the mechanisms of speech production. Communication may also be restricted by vision loss, hearing loss, or loss of hand function. Ratings are then to be made from Chapter 8, Chapter 7, or Chapter 3 respectively, instead of Tables 5.2 and 5.3.

Comprehension

Table 5.2 is to be applied to rate limitation of auditory or visual comprehension. Only one impairment rating is to be given from this table. If more than one criterion is applicable that which results in the higher rating is to be chosen.

Expression

Table 5.3 is to be applied to rate limitation of speech production, as well as written and unspoken methods of expression. Only one impairment rating is to be made from this table. If more than one criterion is applicable, that which results in the higher rating is to be chosen.

Evaluation of speech production takes into account:

 audibility: the ability to speak loudly enough to be heard;
 intelligibility: the ability to articulate and to link phonetic units of speech with sufficient accuracy to be understood;
 functional efficiency: the ability to speak quickly enough, and to sustain the rate for a period; and
 retrieval and manipulation of language elements: expression of ideas.

Functional Loss Table 5.2
LOSS OF NEUROLOGICAL FUNCTION: COMPREHENSION
Impairment Ratings                            Criteria
NIL                                           Normal or nearly normal comprehension.
FIVE                                          Can understand movies, radio programs or group discussions, but with some difficulty. Comprehension is good in most situations, but understanding is difficult in large groups, or when tired and upset. Has difficulty coping with rapid changes of topic.
TEN                                              Can understand speech face-to-face, but confusion or fatigue occurs rapidly in any group. Is unable to cope with rapid change in topic, or with complex topics: is able to grasp the meaning of TV serials, but not more complex ideas.
                                               Mild dyslexia: is able to grasp the meaning of basic newspaper and magazine articles, but has difficulty understanding details. Is unable to follow the storyline in books.
TWENTY- FIVE                                     Can understand only simple sentences, and follow simple conversion when some points are repeated
                                               Moderate dyslexia: reading comprehension is limited to sentences