Youlanda Williams — ADJ10146961, ADJ10852071

Applicant Youlanda Williams, a special education instructional assistant for Lynwood Unified School District, pursued two claims: a specific injury to her neck on May 21, 2015 (ADJ10146961) and a cumulative trauma claim alleging psychiatric and internal injuries (ADJ10852071). The WCJ found no compensable psychiatric or internal injury, relying on the PQME reporting of Dr. Patrick Link (who reviewed over 3,900 pages of records) over the treating physicians, and finding the applicant not credible. On the neck claim, the WCJ found the PQME reporting of Dr. Marc Freidman more persuasive than Dr. Ha'eri, awarding no permanent disability or future medical care. The WCAB granted reconsideration to correct a clerical error regarding the temporary disability period (from 'July 10, 2015 through January 23, 2016' to 'July 10, 2015 through August 6, 2015') and amend the date of injury, but otherwise affirmed the September 27, 2021 Joint Findings and Orders. The Board reaffirmed that a single physician's relevant and considered opinion may constitute substantial evidence even if inconsistent with other medical opinions.