RALPHS GROCERY CO.; SEDGWICK CLAIMS MANAGEMENT SERVICES, KEVIN MORALES, WORKERS’ COMPENSATION APPEALS BOARDSTATE OF CALIFORNIAKEVIN MORALES, Applicant,vs.RALPHS GROCERY CO.; SEDGWICK CLAIMS MANAGEMENT SERVICES, Defendant(s).Case No. ADJ2778117 (RIV 0032584)OPINION AND ORDER GRANTING PETITION FOR RECONSIDERATION AND DECISION AFTER RECONSIDERATION Defendant seeks reconsideration of the October 8, 2009, Findings and Award, wherein the workers’ compensation administrative law judge (WCJ) found that applicant, while employed as a forklift operator during the period July 5 1985, through February 19, 2000, sustained industrial injury to his bilateral wrists and bilateral elbows, causing permanent disability of 37 percent. The WCJ found that defendant failed to meet its burden of proof on apportionment. Defendant contends the WCJ erred in finding that defendant did not meet its burden of proof on apportionment. We have considered the Petition for Reconsideration and applicant’s Answer, and we have P reviewed the record in this matter. The WCJ prepared a Report & Recommendation of Judge on Petition for Recon (Report), recommending that the petition be denied. For the reasons discussed below, we will grant the petition for reconsideration and amend i the Findings and Award to find 18 /2 percent permanent disability, after apportionment of 50 percent to applicant’s non-industrial peripheral neuropathy. , BACKGROUND The WCJ summarized the background of this case at pages 1-2 of his Report: “The applicant, while employed during the period July 5, 1985 through February 19, 2000, as a forklift operator, by Ralphs Grocery Company, sustained injury arising out of and occurring in the course of employment to both wrists and elbows. As a result of the injury, the applicant underwent bilateral carpal tunnel release H surgery. “The parties utilized the services of Dr. V. P. Dhalla, M.D., to serve