Jorge Ramos — ADJ13084476

Jorge Ramos, a corrections officer for the City of Santa Ana Police Department (permissibly self-insured, administered by AdminSure, Inc.), was found by the WCJ to have sustained industrial injury in the form of diabetes, hypertension, and respiratory/pulmonary and heart conditions, with 100% industrial disability from the heart and respiratory disorders. Defendant sought reconsideration, arguing the WCJ failed to honor off-the-record stipulations limiting QME Dr. Lineback's reporting to diabetes/hypertension and AME Dr. Green's reporting to pulmonary/respiratory issues, and that the parties were bound by AME Dr. Green's opinion on respiratory causation. The WCJ had relied on QME Dr. Lineback's opinion over AME Dr. Green's, finding Dr. Green's incubation-period reasoning speculative and thus not substantial evidence. The Appeals Board granted reconsideration, finding the record required further development because it was not persuaded there was substantial evidence to support the WCJ's decision. The Board deferred issuance of a final decision pending further study of the factual and legal issues.