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PanelQMEGranted in Part

Juan Ayala — ADJ10325909, ADJ10072782

JUAN AYALA, Applicant vs. CEJA-REYES; MEADOWBROOK INSURANCE GROUP, administering for STAR INSURANCE COMPANY, Defendants

ADJ number: ADJ10325909, ADJ10072782
Decision date: Oct 29, 2026
District office: Sacramento
WCJ: —
Claim administrator: Meadowbrook Insurance Group, administering for Star Insurance Company
Commissioners: CRAIG L. SNELLINGS, COMMISSIONER, KATHERINE A. ZALEWSKI, CHAIR, LISA A. SUSSMAN, DEPUTY COMMISSIONER

Injury / body parts: lumbar spine, right hip, right knee, left knee, circulatory system (hypertension)

LC §4650LC §4659LC §4663LC §4664LC §5313LC §5806LC §5807LC §5900LC §5903LC §5909LC §5952

Summary

Applicant Juan Ayala, a field worker, sustained admitted cumulative injury (1996-2014) to his lumbar spine, right hip, both knees, and circulatory system (hypertension). The WCJ found him 100% permanently totally disabled by relying on PQME Dr. Chitnis's opinion to rebut the Combined Values Chart (CVC) and add orthopedic impairments under Kite/Vigil, as well as on vocational expert Scott Simon's opinion that applicant lost 100% access to the open labor market. Defendant petitioned for reconsideration, challenging the substantiality of both opinions and the WCJ's rejection of apportionment. The Board granted reconsideration only to amend the Award to name STAR Insurance Company, clarify compliance, and reserve jurisdiction on the life pension rate and commencement date, otherwise affirming the finding of permanent total disability and the rejection of apportionment.

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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Similar decisions

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Full case search with summaries, PDFs, holdings, and filters is included with Member. This block is a decorative placeholder so the page layout is visible without exposing restricted text. Sign in or subscribe to Member to read the complete decision. The panel considered the record, the applicable statutes, and the arguments of the parties. Member is $25/month or $250/year and includes the weekly email digest, full case search, and bookmarks.

Full case search with summaries, PDFs, holdings, and filters is included with Member. This block is a decorative placeholder so the page layout is visible without exposing restricted text. Sign in or subscribe to Member to read the complete decision. The panel considered the record, the applicable statutes, and the arguments of the parties. Member is $25/month or $250/year and includes the weekly email digest, full case search, and bookmarks.

Full case search with summaries, PDFs, holdings, and filters is included with Member. This block is a decorative placeholder so the page layout is visible without exposing restricted text. Sign in or subscribe to Member to read the complete decision. The panel considered the record, the applicable statutes, and the arguments of the parties. Member is $25/month or $250/year and includes the weekly email digest, full case search, and bookmarks.

Full case search with summaries, PDFs, holdings, and filters is included with Member. This block is a decorative placeholder so the page layout is visible without exposing restricted text. Sign in or subscribe to Member to read the complete decision. The panel considered the record, the applicable statutes, and the arguments of the parties. Member is $25/month or $250/year and includes the weekly email digest, full case search, and bookmarks.

Full case search with summaries, PDFs, holdings, and filters is included with Member. This block is a decorative placeholder so the page layout is visible without exposing restricted text. Sign in or subscribe to Member to read the complete decision. The panel considered the record, the applicable statutes, and the arguments of the parties. Member is $25/month or $250/year and includes the weekly email digest, full case search, and bookmarks.

Full case search with summaries, PDFs, holdings, and filters is included with Member. This block is a decorative placeholder so the page layout is visible without exposing restricted text. Sign in or subscribe to Member to read the complete decision. The panel considered the record, the applicable statutes, and the arguments of the parties. Member is $25/month or $250/year and includes the weekly email digest, full case search, and bookmarks.

Full case search with summaries, PDFs, holdings, and filters is included with Member. This block is a decorative placeholder so the page layout is visible without exposing restricted text. Sign in or subscribe to Member to read the complete decision. The panel considered the record, the applicable statutes, and the arguments of the parties. Member is $25/month or $250/year and includes the weekly email digest, full case search, and bookmarks.