Rodriguez, Jaime

Applicant Jaime Rodriguez claimed a cumulative trauma injury (ADJ7070471) to the bilateral knees, shoulders, and lumbar spine while working as a plant engineer, and a subsequent August 16, 2011 incident (ADJ10027311) where his left knee allegedly locked, causing a fall and injury to his shoulders and back. The WCJ found the 2011 incident a separate and distinct injury rather than a compensable consequence of the cumulative trauma, reasoning that crawlspace conditions (wet plastic, uneven ground, darkness) made the fall plausible irrespective of the knee condition. The Board granted reconsideration, finding that the only medical evidence—AME Dr. Charles Potter's reports—was internally inconsistent and did not constitute substantial evidence on causation. The Board rescinded the F&O and substituted a new F&O ordering development of the record under section 5701 with specific questions for Dr. Potter regarding cumulative injury dates, separateness of the 2011 injury, body parts, and apportionment.