The role the physician served, and the weight the opinion carried. Physicians are named here as the decision names them; we do not score them.
QMERelied upon · orthopedic
Diagnosed injury to lumbar spine, bilateral shoulders, and right hand and wrist; opined injury arose out of and in the course of employment due to cumulative trauma from October 24, 2013 to October 24, 2018.
The QME report establishes injury AOE/COE.
From the decision · page 4The March 25, 2019 report of orthopedic QME Dr. Mikhael diagnosed applicant as having
sustained injury to the lumbar spine, bilateral shoulders, and right hand and wrist. (Ex. 25, Report
of Mark Mikhael, M.D., dated March 25, 2019, at p. 9.) The QME concluded that "[i]t is within
[a] reasonable degree of medical probability that the injury sustained by the examinee arose out of
the course of employment due to cumulative trauma from the dates of October 24, 2013 to
October 24, 2018." (Ibid.) Thus, the QME has identified injury AOE/COE.
PTPRelied upon · orthopedic
Identified orthopedic injuries as cumulative trauma while working as fabric cutter; agreed with QME that applicant sustained industrial injury; noted applicant remains temporarily partially disabled.
The treating physician's reports support injury AOE/COE and temporary partial disability.
From the decision · page 4In addition, treating physician Michael Bazel, M.D. has identified orthopedic injuries in
his reporting of November 20, 2018, characterized as a "cumulative trauma, while working as
fabric cutter." (Ex. 11, Reports of Michael Bazel, M.D., dated November 20, 2018, at p. 1.)
Dr. Bazel noted that applicant's clinical findings were consistent with the history provided by
applicant, while instituting both a treatment plan and work restrictions. (Id. at p. 2.) Dr. Bazel's
PTPRelied upon · orthopedic
Supplemental report concurs with QME findings and notes ongoing temporary partial disability.
The treating physician's supplemental report supports injury AOE/COE and ongoing disability.
From the decision · page 5report of June 24, 2019 similarly notes applicant's complaints of orthopedic injury to the neck,
right shoulder, left hand, back, bilateral legs, ankles and heels. (Ex. 12, Reports of Michael Bazel,
M.D., dated June 24, 2019, at p. 2.) Dr. Bazel notes his agreement with QME Dr. Mikhael that
applicant sustained industrial injury and further noted that applicant "remains temporarily partially
disabled from the effects of his cumulative industrial injury." (Id. at p. 3.) And in a supplemental
report of September 24, 2019, Dr. Bazel noted his general concurrence with the findings of the
QME and applicant's ongoing temporary partial disability. (Ex. 18, Report of Michael Baze, M.D.,
dated September 24, 2019, at p. 3.)