Rangel, Yolanda

Applicant Yolanda Rangel suffered a July 2016 industrial injury to her lumbar spine, both knees, and right arm, resolved by a stipulated award in July 2020. She filed a timely Petition to Reopen for New and Further Disability in May 2021, and the QME, Dr. Stone, issued reports indicating possible worsening, a compensable right shoulder consequence requiring an MRI, and ongoing psychological symptoms. The WCJ ordered further discovery—an MRI of the right shoulder, further QME reporting on the knees, and a psychological medical-legal evaluation—without yet deciding the merits of the reopening claim. Defendant petitioned for reconsideration arguing no evidence of new and further disability and that no additional discovery was warranted. The Board found the timeliness finding was a final order subject to reconsideration but treated defendant's challenge to the discovery orders under the removal standard, and denied the petition because defendant showed no significant prejudice or irreparable harm.