Meza, Guadalupe

Applicant Guadalupe Meza, a 68-year-old cook helper, sustained a low back injury on 9/9/2021 while employed by Team San Jose. The WCJ awarded an unapportioned 27% permanent disability based on the reports of treating physician Dr. Kaisler-Meza, who rated applicant under DRE Category III. Defendant sought reconsideration, arguing the 27% award and the rejection of apportionment were not supported by substantial medical evidence. The WCAB denied reconsideration, adopting the WCJ's Report, holding that Dr. Kaisler-Meza's DRE III rating was well-supported by the medical record (including the radiculopathy findings of Drs. Tran and Klassen) and that QME Dr. Klassen's apportionment opinions were conclusory and failed to satisfy the Escobedo standard.