Maguire, Christopher

Applicant Christopher Maguire, a correctional officer, sustained a cumulative industrial injury (May 10, 2018 - May 10, 2019) to his bilateral shoulders, heart, lumbar spine, bilateral hips, abdomen, and groin. The WCJ's November 4, 2025 F&A found 48% permanent disability based on apportionment findings of PQMEs Dr. Amster (pain medicine) and Dr. Schmitz (internal/cardiovascular). Applicant sought reconsideration, arguing that the apportionment opinions did not constitute substantial medical evidence because the physicians failed to provide a 'how and why' analysis and relied on general population statistics and unsupported assumptions. The Appeals Board granted reconsideration, finding that the apportionment opinions of both Dr. Amster (age-related degeneration/obesity to spine and hips) and Dr. Schmitz (general data for hypertension; speculative preexisting abdominal weakness for hernia) lacked the specificity, reasoning, and supporting evidence required under Escobedo and Gatten. The Board rescinded the F&A, substituted a new F&A finding no legal basis for apportionment, and returned the matter to the trial level for recalculation of permanent disability and attorney fees.