WCPanelIQ
PanelMed-legalDenied

Ryan, Joseph

JOSEPH RYAN, Applicant vs. CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS, Legally Uninsured, Adjusted by STATE COMPENSATION INSURANCE FUND, Defendants

ADJ number
ADJ10256108
Decision date
Date unavailable
District office
Van Nuys
WCJ
—
Claim administrator
State Compensation Insurance Fund (adjusting for California Department of Corrections, legally uninsured)
Commissioners
—

Injury / body parts: cervical spine, thoracic spine, lumbar spine, spinal cord, bilateral knees (patella), hernia, sleep disorder, urinary dysfunction, sexual dysfunction

LC §4663LC §4662LC §4660LC §4660.1LC §4664LC §5900LC §5904LC §5909LC §5950CCR §10600

Summary

Applicant Joseph Ryan, a CDCR employee, was found 100% permanently and totally disabled based on combined spinal injuries (specific injury ADJ10256108 of May 29, 2015 and CT ADJ10255968 from July 12, 2011 to December 11, 2015), supported by AME Dr. Hasday's medical opinion and vocational expert Frank Diaz's opinion. In a 2022 decision, the Board affirmed the combined 100% PTD award under the Benson 'intertwined injuries' exception but remanded solely to determine whether Labor Code section 4663 apportionment to preexisting spinal disease applied. On remand, the WCJ found Dr. Hasday's apportionment opinion did not constitute substantial evidence because the doctor apportioned 'impairment' (causation of injury) rather than 'disability,' and issued an unapportioned combined 100% PTD award. The Board majority denied defendant's petition for reconsideration, holding that the combined-award issue was already final and that Dr. Hasday failed to explain how apportionment factors related to causation of disability rather than injury. Commissioner Razo dissented, arguing Dr. Hasday's apportionment analysis satisfied section 4663.

Issues

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Holding

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Analysis

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Applicant takeaway

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Defense takeaway

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Provider takeaway

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