ANTONIO ZAMORA vs. AT&T COMMUNICATIONS, OLD REPUBLIC INSURANCE

The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board denied defendant AT&T Communications' petition for reconsideration regarding a Joint Findings and Award (F&A). The F&A found that applicant Antonio Zamora sustained new and further disability from a cumulative injury (right hip, hypertension, diabetes) and a separate new injury (right shoulder). Defendant challenged the WCJ's reliance on Dr. David Heskiaoff's orthopedic impairment findings and argued that increased impairment for hypertension and diabetes should be attributed to the new injury based on Dr. Stewart Lonky's reports. The Board affirmed the WCJ's decision, finding Dr. Heskiaoff's reports constituted substantial medical evidence and that Dr. Lonky's opinions on apportionment lacked the necessary specificity and reasoning.