Frank Deville — ADJ9932404

Applicant Frank Deville claimed cumulative industrial injury to his nervous system, respiratory system, skin, and internal systems from heat and chemical (lead) exposure while working as a furnace and blast operator for Exide Technologies from December 1986 through August 2014. The WCJ found compensable injury limited to sleep disturbance (6% WPI related to musculoskeletal pain), awarded 13% permanent partial disability, found no temporary disability, and disallowed the EDD lien. The WCJ relied on the panel QMEs (Drs. Richman, Hardy, and Sanathara) as better reasoned than applicant's treating physicians, finding the claimed lead toxicity and cognitive decline (attributed to early Alzheimer's) non-industrial. Applicant, represented by a guardian, was precluded from testifying and his deposition was excluded, leaving only the paper record. On reconsideration, the Board affirmed, finding the record supported the WCJ's findings and that applicant's petitions lacked clear arguments and record citations.