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Valerie Rebeles — ADJ10401484

VALERIE REBELES, Applicant vs. KAISER FOUNDATION HOSPITAL; permissibly self-insured, administered by SEDGWICK CLAIMS MANAGEMENT SERVICES, Defendants

ADJ number
ADJ10401484
Decision date
Sep 27, 2026
District office
Oakland
WCJ
—
Claim administrator
Sedgwick Claims Management Services (administrator for permissibly self-insured Kaiser Foundation Hospital)
Commissioners
CRAIG L. SNELLINGS, COMMISSIONER, KATHERINE A. ZALEWSKI, CHAIR

Injury / body parts: bilateral knees, left knee, right knee

LC §5410LC §5803LC §5804LC §5903LC §5952

Summary

Applicant Valerie Rebeles, a home health aide, sustained an industrial injury to her bilateral knees on March 23, 2016, resulting in a stipulated award of 52% permanent disability in October 2019. After timely filing a petition to reopen for new and further disability, AME Dr. Lavorgna opined that her condition worsened (requiring use of a scooter) and recommended adding rather than combining the bilateral knee impairments to accurately reflect her true disability. The WCJ awarded 64% PD using the combined values chart. On reconsideration, the Board amended the award to 74% PD, finding Dr. Lavorgna's opinion was substantial medical evidence that rebutted the CVC under Vigil because the worsened condition's impact on ADLs supported addition of the impairments.

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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