Fitzgerald, Kelsi

Applicant Kelsi Fitzgerald alleged a cumulative trauma injury ending January 1, 2019 to her upper extremities and respiratory system in the form of rheumatoid arthritis and sarcoidosis. The WCJ found industrial injury based on QME rheumatologist Dr. Melvin Britton's opinion that workplace mental stress aggravated applicant's pre-existing, admittedly non-industrial conditions. Defendant sought reconsideration, arguing the industrial injury finding was not supported by substantial medical evidence. The Board agreed, holding that Dr. Britton's opinions—repeatedly couched as 'I feel' and acknowledging another physician 'might come to another conclusion'—were speculative and not based on reasonable medical probability. The Board granted reconsideration, rescinded the Findings and Award, and remanded for further development of the record on the issue of industrial causation.