PTPRelied upon · psychiatry
Found applicant sustained a psychiatric injury due 100% to occupational physical injury of the left wrist, but no ratable psychiatric impairment and no need for future medical treatment to the psyche at this time.
Dr. Dorsey's report was considered substantial on causation but did not support a rating for disability impairment as the psyche injury was predominantly caused by a physical injury.
From the decision · page 10The psychiatric permanent and stationary report of treating psychiatrist, E.
Richard Dorsey, M.D., dated 2/27/2023, while finding that applicant sustained
a psychiatric injury due 100% to occupational physical injury of the left wrist,
found that applicant had sustained no ratable psychiatric impairment. Dr. Dorsey
determined that he did not find any need for future medical treatment to the
psyche at this time. Dr. Dorsey's 2/27/2023 report (Exhibit G), is silent as to
whether or not applicant sustained any temporary total or temporary partial
disability as a result of the injury to his psyche, but did indicate that applicant
was mentally able to resume is former job (probation correctional officer) or to
continue with his current job (delivery truck driver for a different employer),
without any restrictions. The only of Dr. Dorsey's earlier reports, specifically
Exhibit 2-M, dated 7/24/2020, that actually addresses applicant's disability
status, indicates that Dr. Dorsey did determine applicant was temporarily
QMERelied upon · psychiatry
Found applicant sustained an industrial psychiatric injury due to the orthopedic injury, with MMI as of 4/7/2022, estimated GAF 66 (6% WPI), apportioned 85% to industrial injury, but permanent disability to psyche precluded by LC 4660.1(c)(1).
Dr. Lee's report was found more persuasive on the need for further medical treatment, but did not support a rating for disability impairment as the psyche injury was predominantly caused by a physical injury.
From the decision · page 11The Panel QME in psychiatry, Allen H. Lee, M.D., in his 4/7/2022 report
(Exhibit 3), found that applicant sustained an industrial psychiatric injury due to
the impact of the orthopedic industrial injury. He found applicant to have
reached MMI as of the date of the examination (4/7/2022), and that from a
psychiatric standpoint, applicant was likely temporarily partially disabled since
he stopped work in May of 2018 until 4/7/2022. Dr. Lee estimates applicant's
GAF score to be a 66, a 6% whole person impairment, if applicant was entitled
to psychiatric impairment. Dr. Lee apportions 85% of the psychiatric
impairment to the orthopedic industrial injury and 15% to non-industrial factors.
However, permanent disability to the psyche is precluded based on LC Section
4660.1(c)(1), insofar as it is predominantly caused by a physical injury.
Therefore, applicant is not entitled to an increased rating by reason of injury to
the psyche. Dr. Lee opines that applicant's psychiatric treatment has been
reasonable and necessary, and he should be afforded psychiatric follow-up care
with Dr. Dorsey.