Federico Razo Becerra — ADJ17320004

Applicant Federico Razo Becerra, a gardener/landscaper, sustained an admitted injury to his right upper extremity on September 15, 2022. The WCJ relied on the primary treating physician (PTP) Dr. Behrman's 18% WPI reporting rather than panel QME Dr. Gjerdrum's findings and awarded 42% PD. Defendant sought reconsideration, arguing the WCJ failed to explain his rejection of the QME and adopted a PD rating inconsistent with the pre-trial conference statement without explanation. The Board granted reconsideration in part, agreeing with the WCJ's concession that he erroneously used the 'J' modifier instead of the correct 'G' modifier, reducing PD from 42% to 34%. The Board affirmed the WCJ's reliance on the PTP's reporting, finding the QME's report did not constitute substantial medical evidence because Dr. Gjerdrum issued his report without reviewing any treatment records and never authored a promised supplemental report.