WCPanelIQ
PanelQMEMed-legalDenied

Mata, Albert

ALBERT MATA, Applicant vs. STATE OF CALIFORNIA - DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS & REHABILITATION, legally uninsured, administered by STATE COMPENSATION INSURANCE FUND, Defendants

ADJ number
ADJ9025732
Decision date
Apr 6, 2023
District office
Salinas
WCJ
Kathleen A. Chassion
Claim administrator
State Compensation Insurance Fund (administering legally uninsured State of California - Department of Corrections & Rehabilitation)
Commissioners
—

Injury / body parts: psyche, circulatory system, hypertensive heart disease

LC §4662

Summary

Albert Mata, a correctional officer, claimed a cumulative psychiatric injury (plus circulatory/hypertensive heart disease) over a 1990-2012 period. The WCJ found him permanently totally (100%) disabled on a psychiatric basis, relying on applicant's vocational expert Scott Simon's opinion that Mata was precluded from vocational rehabilitation and participation in the labor force. Defendant (CDCR, administered by SCIF) sought reconsideration, arguing that Simon's vocational reports and the medical reports were not substantial evidence because Simon relied on AMA Guides impairment criteria rather than permanent work restrictions. The WCAB denied reconsideration, holding that psychiatric impairment is evaluated under the GAF scale (not AMA Guides Chapter 14), and that a vocational expert may permissibly base amenability opinions on the medical-legal evaluators' descriptions of psychiatric functioning. The Board adopted the WCJ's Report, finding Simon's opinions constituted substantial evidence.

Issues

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Holding

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