Ramirez, Aurelio

Applicant Aurelio Ramirez, a tire technician, had three consolidated claims involving a right index finger injury (ADJ10594852), a back injury (ADJ10882630), and a hernia (ADJ10882589). The WCJ awarded combined permanent disability of 47% in ADJ10594852 by improperly combining QME Dr. Harris's 38% finger rating with QME Dr. Fisher's 15% back rating (which belonged to the separate back claim ADJ10882630), and granted defendant a TD overpayment credit. On reconsideration, the Board affirmed that Dr. Harris's reporting on the finger injury and grip loss constituted substantial medical evidence, but rescinded the F&A because the WCJ erroneously combined ratings across two separate injury claims contrary to the parties' stipulations and erroneously awarded a cross-claim credit. The Board substituted findings of 38% PD for the finger in ADJ10594852, 15% PD for the back in ADJ10882630, denied the TD overpayment credit, deferred attorney's fees, and returned the matter to the trial level.