THE WORKERS’ COMPENSATION BOARD ABUSED ITS DISCRETION BY IGNORING UNCONTRADICTED EVIDENCE OF THE EXTENT OF CLAIMANT’S IMPAIRMENT (THIRD DEPT).

The Third Department, reversing the Workers’ Compensation Board, determined the uncontested evidence demonstrated claimant’s shoulder was 35% impaired, not 15% impaired as found by the Board:

Whether to grant an application for reopening or rehearing in the interest of justice is a matter left to the Board’s discretion and our review of that decision is limited to whether there was an abuse of that discretion … . Upon our review of the Board’s decision, we find that such discretion was abused here. Although the C-4.3 form notes that claimant’s left shoulder is 15% impaired, it directs that the orthopedic surgeon’s findings are set forth in the attached medical narrative. The substance of the attached medical narrative clearly sets forth in detail that claimant sustained a 35% SLU of the left shoulder — attributing 15% to full thickness rotator cuff tear, 10% distal clavicle excision and 10% mild loss of internal and external rotation. The carrier, who received the medical narrative along with the C-4.3 form, specifically accepted the medical opinion without objection. “Notably, while the Board is free to reject the opinion of an expert where it finds such to be unconvincing or incredible, it may not reject an uncontradicted opinion that is properly rendered” … . Matter of Taylor v Buffalo Psychiatric Ctr., 2021 NY Slip Op 06021, Third Dept 11-4-21