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.
PTPPartially credited · Orthopaedic Surgeon
Diagnosed left gastrocnemius strain, left knee sprain, and left thigh muscle strain; prescribed treatment and work restrictions; discharged applicant from care with no restrictions and no need for future medical care as of 9/18/2023.
Dr. Chen's reports document applicant's complaints and unresolved symptoms but ultimately found applicant P&S with no need for future care.
From the decision · page 6On 4/06/2023, applicant was examined by Fulton Chen, M.D. Under mechanism of injury,
Dr. Chen noted applicant was in the process of pulling a hose and stepped on a tube, causing him
to slip and twist his left leg without a fall. He diagnosed applicant with left gastrocnemius strain,
left knee sprain, and left thigh muscle strain. He noted that the primary concern would be left calf
strain, and prescribed Motrin and ice. Applicant was placed off work from 4/06/2023 through
4/10/2023, with work restrictions of occasionally standing, walking, and bending at the waist, no
torso/spine twist, no climbing ladders, no use of scaffolds, lifting/carry/push/pull limited to no
more than 10 pounds, and sit down job only. (Exhibit K)
secondary_treaterGiven great weight
Diagnosed radiculopathy in the lumbar region; specified work restrictions and opined applicant unable to perform usual work.
His evaluation supported the finding of ongoing lumbar issues and work restrictions.
From the decision · page 8lumbar manipulation and myofascial release of left calf and hamstring. Dr. Pedreiro opined
applicant was unable to perform his usual work and specified work restrictions of "no repetitive
bending, lifting, and squatting more than 20 lbs, no repetitive stairs." (Exhibit 1)
QMERelied upon · Orthopaedic Surgeon
Diagnosed left calf muscle strain and left lumbago and sciatica; opined injury caused by industrial accident; found no basis for apportionment; deferred permanent disability rating pending MRI review; ultimately found MMI as of 3/04/2024.
His thorough evaluation and deposition testimony provided substantial evidence supporting compensability and causation of lumbar spine injury as a compensable consequence.
From the decision · page 8On 3/04/2024, Orthopaedic Surgeon QME, Ramon the applicant, M.D. evaluated applicant and
reviewed 266 pages of medical records, including applicant's deposition transcript. He diagnosed
applicant with left calf (gastrocnemius) muscle strain, and left lumbago and sciatica. Dr. the applicant
opined applicant had reached maximum medical improvement as of the date of the examination,
3/04/2024. He found applicant's diagnosis and disability were caused by the 4/06/23 injury, with
signs and symptoms of lumbago and sciatica at the left lower extremity related by compensable
consequence. He indicated there was no basis for apportionment, and assigned work preclusions
of no lifting greater than 25 pounds, no push/pulling greater than 25 pounds, no repetitive bending,
and no ladder climbing. Dr. the applicant refrained from providing an impairment rating until he was
able to review the results of an MRI scan of applicant's lumbar spine. (Exhibit 8)
PTPGiven great weight
Reviewed QME report; returned applicant to modified work with restrictions; opined applicant not permanent and stationary as of 10/22/2024.
Her opinion supported ongoing treatment and non-P&S status.
From the decision · page 10On 10/22/2024, primary treating physician Sova Khuong, D.C., noted she had reviewed
the 7/25/2024 report of QME Ramon the applicant, M.D., who found industrial causation of the left
calf and a compensable consequence injury with lumbago and left sciatica. Dr. Khuong returned
applicant to modified work on 10/22/2024 with restrictions of no lift, push, pull to 25 pounds, no
repeated squatting and no climbing ladders, and opined applicant was not permanent and
stationary. (Exhibit 2)