America Guandique vs. State of California, Department of Motor Vehicles

The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board denied the defendant's petition for reconsideration, upholding the finding of permanent total disability for the applicant. The defendant argued that the administrative law judge erred in combining two separate injuries and in relying on medical opinions. However, the Board found substantial evidence supported the conclusion that the applicant's injuries were inextricably intertwined and that her disabilities should be added, not combined. The Board affirmed that the finding of permanent total disability under Labor Code Section 4660 was well-supported, rendering other arguments moot.