AMA Criteria for Impairment Associated with Dysfunction of the Facial Nerve (Cranial Nerve VII)

The level of impairment associated with a disorder of the facial nerve can be estimated based on the AMA criteria.

Parameters:

(1) loss of taste

(2) unilateral or bilateral facial weakness

Loss of Taste	Facial Weakness	Percent Whole Person Impairment
none	none	0%
complete loss of taste in anterior tongue	mild to moderate unilateral weakness	1 – 4%
NA	severe unilateral weakness; mild to moderate bilateral weakness	5 – 19%
NA	severe bilateral weakness	20 – 45%

where:

• Severe weakness may involve > 75% facial involvement and the inability to control eyelid closure.

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