Fausto Menchaca — ADJ12718876

Applicant Fausto Menchaca, a painter, claimed a cumulative injury (August 2, 2018 through August 2, 2019) to his knees, shoulders, ankles, back, neck, hands, and fingers. Defendant denied the claim, and the WCJ found no injury AOE/COE, relying heavily on adverse credibility findings stemming from inconsistencies in applicant's testimony. The WCAB granted reconsideration, holding that while a WCJ's credibility findings are entitled to great weight, the question of injury is a medical determination requiring expert medical opinion. Because both the PTP (Dr. Mays) and the PQME (Dr. Fonseca) concluded applicant sustained a cumulative injury based on adequate examinations, histories, and records, the Board found substantial medical evidence supported AOE/COE. The Board rescinded the F&O and found applicant did sustain injury AOE/COE, deferring all other issues.