In the Matter of the Claim of Pamela Vankoevering
Pamela Vankoevering, an office assistant, sustained a work-related neck injury in October 2018. Following surgery and reaching maximum medical improvement, she retired in January 2020. The Workers' Compensation Board (WCB) modified a prior decision, ruling that her disability contributed to her retirement and thus entitled her to a reduced earnings award. The Appellate Division affirmed the WCB's decision, finding substantial evidence supported the conclusion that Vankoevering's disability contributed to her involuntary retirement and that her reduced earnings were a direct result of the disability, not unrelated factors.