Clara Bautista, Celia

Applicant Celia Clara Bautista claimed a cumulative industrial injury (September 5, 2015 to September 5, 2019) in the form of uterine cancer and to the right foot while employed by Cal Central Harvesting, Inc., a permissibly self-insured employer. The WCJ found industrial injury relying on PQME internist/pulmonologist Stewart Lonky, M.D. Defendant sought reconsideration arguing Dr. Lonky's opinions were not substantial medical evidence because his specialty is pulmonology and he did not adequately address the exposure period and cancer latency. The Board found Dr. Lonky's scope of expertise unclear (he deferred cancer questions to oncology and pathology specialists) and noted a prior unfulfilled order to obtain gastroenterology and oncology evaluations. The Board granted reconsideration and amended the decision to defer the industrial injury issues pending further development of the medical record.