Maria Alcantar Aceves — ADJ13007518, ADJ13007517

Applicant, a correctional officer, sustained an admitted specific injury to her right shoulder (ADJ13007518) and a cumulative trauma injury to her cervical spine, bilateral upper extremities, and carpal tunnel (ADJ13007517). PQME Dr. Michel Gagnon initially assigned a 'strict' AMA Guides rating of 2% WPI for the right shoulder, then in a subsequent report applied an Almaraz/Guzman analysis to reach a more accurate 9% WPI rating by analogy to the glenohumeral joint based on a 25% loss of strength. The WCJ adopted Dr. Gagnon's Almaraz/Guzman opinion and found the date of injury in the CT claim to be 1/22/2021 under Labor Code section 5412. Defendant petitioned for reconsideration challenging both the Almaraz/Guzman rating and the date of injury. The WCAB denied reconsideration, adopting and incorporating the WCJ's report and finding Dr. Gagnon's opinion to be substantial medical evidence.