Virula, Ingris

Applicant Ingris Virula sustained a specific injury (right elbow) on December 7, 2017 and a cumulative trauma injury (cervical, thoracic, lumbar spine, shoulders, elbows, wrists, hands, hips, knees) over the period July 26, 2017 to July 26, 2018 while working as a warehouse worker for Wing Lee Farm Corporation. The WCJ relied on the reports of primary treating physician Khalid Ahmed, M.D., over the panel QME Sam Ahdab, M.D., and PQME Paul Bouz, M.D., finding 67% permanent disability after apportionment in the cumulative trauma case and no permanent disability in the specific injury case. Defendant sought reconsideration, arguing Dr. Ahmed's reports did not constitute substantial medical evidence and that it was entitled to an EDD credit for duplicate payments. The Board affirmed reliance on Dr. Ahmed as substantial medical evidence, but rescinded the F&Os to issue a joint decision, deferred the EDD lien/credit issue (which was raised at trial but never addressed), deferred the permanent and stationary date (because the August 20, 2018 date was clearly erroneous and conflicting reports existed), and clarified the PD finding as 67%. The matter was returned to the WCJ for further proceedings.