CompFox AI Summary
The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board denied reconsideration of a decision that apportioned 25% of the applicant's permanent spinal disability to non-industrial factors. The applicant argued that the Agreed Medical Examiner established his permanent total disability was solely due to surgeries for industrial cumulative trauma. However, the Board found the defendant met its burden of proof for apportionment, as the AME's testimony supported that the applicant's pre-existing spondylolisthesis contributed to the need for two-level spinal surgery. The Board adopted the WCJ's report and affirmed the original award.
Full Decision Text1 Pages
The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board denied reconsideration of a decision that apportioned 25% of the applicant's permanent spinal disability to non-industrial factors. The applicant argued that the Agreed Medical Examiner established his permanent total disability was solely due to surgeries for industrial cumulative trauma. However, the Board found the defendant met its burden of proof for apportionment, as the AME's testimony supported that the applicant's pre-existing spondylolisthesis contributed to the need for two-level spinal surgery. The Board adopted the WCJ's report and affirmed the original award.
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