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 · orthopedics
Dr. Scheel reviewed extensive medical records and opined with reasonable medical probability that the applicant's orthopedic diagnoses and resulting disability were in part caused by her employment with In-Home Supportive Services.
Dr. Scheel's opinion was based on a comprehensive review of 1581 pages of medical records and an evaluation of the applicant's employment history, providing substantial evidence supporting the claim.
From the decision · page 11On May 12, 2022, applicant was evaluated by PQME Dr. Carla Scheel in
connection with her claimed injuries against IHSS. Dr. Scheel was provided with
1581 pages of records for review, including medical records dating back to 2012
and those as recent as November 8, 2021. (See Applicant's Exhibit 9 at pgs., 3,
7 and 36, EAMS Doc ID 76029048.) With respect to her industrial injuries, the
record review demonstrates that applicant began treating in January 2016 in
connection with her left wrist injury sustained at Alsco. (Id. at p. 20.) The review
confirms that the first report discussing a possible cumulative trauma is the AME
report from Dr. Mandel quoted above. Thereafter the next report discussing a
cumulative trauma is the report from PTP Dr. Morris, likewise quoted above.
PTPPartially credited · orthopedics
Dr. Morris opined that the applicant gradually began to experience pain in her neck, back, shoulders, and hands starting March 2016, consistent with a cumulative trauma injury.
Dr. Morris was the applicant's primary treating physician who first reported the cumulative trauma injury and temporary disability in June 2019, supporting the timing of the claim.
From the decision · page 11In fact, the first report addressing applicant's claimed cumulative trauma injury
at IHSS is the report from her then PTP Dr. Jerry Morris dated June 18, 2019 at
which time applicant reported that "she gradually began to experience pain in
her neck, back, shoulders, and hands in March 2016." (See Applicant's Exhibit
5, EAMS Doc ID 76029352.) After examination and with no record review, Dr.
Morris opined,
AMEPartially credited · orthopedics
Dr. Mandel examined the applicant in May 2018 for a specific trauma claim against Alsco and mentioned the presence of a cumulative trauma injury but did not connect it to IHSS employment.
Dr. Mandel's report was considered but did not establish causation related to IHSS employment, providing limited support for the cumulative trauma claim timing.
From the decision · page 10Petitioner offered no medical evidence. Applicant however, offered several
medical reports from applicant's treating physicians, a report from AME Dr.
Mark Mandel, who served as the AME in applicant's specific trauma claim
versus Alsco, and the report from PQME Dr. Carla Scheel, the PQME obtained
in this cumulative trauma case against IHSS.