Michael Tiscareno — ADJ10607060, ADJ10607085

Firefighter Michael Tiscareno sustained a specific injury on 09/26/2016 (shoulders and knees) and a cumulative trauma injury through 09/26/2016 (neck, back, shoulders, knees, elbows). The AME, Dr. Lavorgna, opined that the multiple injured body parts interacted synergistically, justifying addition of permanent disability impairments rather than combining via the Combined Values Chart (CVC), resulting in 100% permanent total disability on the CT claim. Defendant petitioned for reconsideration, arguing the WCJ improperly added the impairments instead of combining them and that the AME's opinion was not substantial medical evidence. The WCJ recommended denial, finding the AME's opinion well-reasoned and consistent with Kite. The WCAB adopted the WCJ's report and denied reconsideration, relying on the AME's expertise and neutrality under Power v. WCAB.