Policy items #96.20, Board Officers, and #96.30, Disability Awards Officers and Adjudicators in Disability Awards, of Volume II of the Rehabilitation Services & Claims Manual ("RSCM") have been revised to (1) remove the criterion for the worker's self referral; and (2) confirm that Board officers decide whether a compensable actual or potential permanent disability exists, and if such a determination is made, Board officers in Disability Awards then determine the extent of the disability. These changes will remedy the ambiguity and confusion concerning when referrals must be made to the Disability Awards Department.

Policy items #96.20 and #96.30 of Volume I of the RSCM have also been slightly revised, to direct readers to the relevant Volume II policies for all decisions, including appellate decisions made on or after July 2, 2004.

These amendments took effect on July 2, 2004, and apply to all decision, including appellate decisions, made on or after that date.