Muratalla, Katrina

Applicant, a licensed vocational nurse, claimed cumulative injury through May 8, 2022. The WCJ found AOE/COE injury to the neck and back, set the section 5412 date of injury as the date of the treating physician's initial report, and found the claim not barred by the statute of limitations. Defendant petitioned for reconsideration, arguing the WCJ improperly found injury to specific body parts (since parts were deferred), used the wrong date of injury, and lacked substantial evidence of causation. The Board granted reconsideration only to correct a clerical error in the date of injury (from June 2, 2022 to June 21, 2022) and otherwise affirmed the F&O. The Board found the PQME's opinion not substantial because it rested on an incorrect legal theory (post-termination defense) and an inadequate medical history, while the treating physician's reports combined with credible applicant testimony constituted substantial evidence.