Huicochea, Candelaria

Applicant Candelaria Huicochea sustained an admitted industrial injury to her left foot/ankle on March 27, 2012, when her foot caught on a rug. After a protracted procedural history involving multiple evaluators and remands for development of the record, the WCJ issued a May 8, 2024 F&A finding injury to the left ankle, left leg, lumbar spine, and RSD, along with 24% PPD, but ordered further development of the record on PD because RSD and lumbar spine had not been rated. Defendant sought reconsideration arguing the lumbar and RSD findings lacked substantial medical evidence and that the PD calculation improperly used the section 4660.1 1.4 modifier despite a pre-2013 injury date. The Board granted reconsideration, rescinded the F&A, and substituted a new F&A that deferred the permanent disability issue while affirming the findings of industrial injury to the lumbar spine and RSD. The matter was returned to the trial level for further proceedings.