Villanueva, Jaime

Applicant Jaime Villanueva sustained an admitted September 8, 2020 injury to his lumbar spine while working as a carpenter for Daley's Drywall & Taping. The WCJ found PQME Dr. Bruce Huffer's reporting was substantial evidence and awarded 0% permanent disability based on his DRE Lumbar Category I finding. Applicant petitioned for reconsideration, arguing Dr. Huffer's reporting was not substantial evidence and that he had verifiable radiculopathy warranting higher PD. The Board granted reconsideration, finding Dr. Huffer's six reports conclusory, based on a three-year-old examination, and failing to discuss the substantial record evidence of lumbar radiculopathy (including reports from Drs. Niizawa, Talwar, Behravan, Barreto, and Chow). The Board rescinded the F&A and returned the matter to the trial level to develop the record, noting that returning to Dr. Huffer was not practicable and that an AME or section 5701 regular physician should be considered.