Perry Morefield — ADJ12533356

Applicant Perry Morefield, a mental health associate, sustained a cumulative trauma injury to his bilateral wrists (carpal tunnel syndrome) ending July 25, 2018. The WCJ initially awarded 50% permanent disability, rejected the PQME's apportionment, and miscalculated average weekly wages (treating $2,475.72 biweekly earnings as weekly earnings). Defendant sought reconsideration, challenging the PD rating method, the wage calculation, and the denial of a temporary disability overpayment credit. The Board granted reconsideration, amended the PD finding to 48% (because the WCJ improperly instructed the DEU rater to add range-of-motion impairment that PQME Dr. Balfour did not recommend), corrected the average weekly wage to $1,237.86 (TD rate $825.24), and recalculated additional TD owed to $8,707.53. The Board affirmed the rejection of apportionment for failure to comply with Escobedo and denied the overpayment credit.