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.
QMEPartially credited · Neurology
Opined post-concussive syndrome with cervical and lumbar strain or sprain with radicular features; found headache and cognitive deficits non-industrial; deferred orthopedic issues to orthopedic PQME.
Dr. Wang doubted applicant's trustworthiness and opined neurological symptoms were non-industrial but deferred orthopedic causation to Dr. Graham.
From the decision · page 2Jonathan L. Wang M.D. is serving as a Qualified Medical Evaluator in the field of
Neurology. Dr. Wang conducted an initial evaluation on April 14, 2020 and
provided a report. After examination and review of the available records, Dr. Wang
opined that Applicant had developed a post-concussive syndrome with cervical and
lumbar strain or sprain with radicular features including headache and neck pain.
Defendant's Exhibit A: Report of Jonathan Wang, M.D. 4/14/2020 p. 15. Dr. Wang
opined that Applicant was not yet permanent and stationary and would benefit from
therapy and other treatment for a traumatic head injury and neck injury as well as
the passage of 12-14 months. He deferred further comment until after receipt and
review of further records. Defendant's Exhibit A: Report of Jonathan Wang, M.D.
4/14/2020 p. 17.
QMERelied upon · Orthopedics
Found cervical strain and lumbar strain industrial and AOE/COE; opined applicant not yet permanent and stationary for lumbar spine; deferred factual dispute about injury mechanism to trier of fact; gave 0% WPI for cervical spine.
Dr. Graham's orthopedic causation opinion was relied upon by the WCJ and WCAB despite applicant's credibility issues and factual disputes about injury mechanism.
From the decision · page 3Scott Graham, M.D. is serving as an Orthopedic PQME. He initially evaluated
Applicant on June 15, 2022 and provided a report. Applicant was described as a
"very poor historian and difficult to extract information from." Dr. Graham noted
a pre-injury of hypertension, headaches and dental pain with reports during the
period from August 24, 2021 to August 13, 2019 with a CT scan of Applicant's
head on February 16, 2018 on which "no acute intracranial abnormalities were
seen." Dr. Graham also noted Applicant's evaluation with Maurice Minervini, D.O.
with Dr. Minervini opining that Applicant has sustained no ratable impairment, was
no long in [need] of future medical care and releasing him to full duty work. Joint
Exhibit 01: Report of Scott Graham, M.D. 6/15/2022 p. 2.
PTPRelied upon
Opined applicant's symptomatology was the result of work-related injuries on August 24, 2019.
PTP opinion supported injury causation and was credited by the WCJ and WCAB.
From the decision · page 8In this case, defendant alleges that the WCJ's finding of injury AOE/COE is not supported
by substantial medical evidence because it was error to find applicant's testimony was credible.
However, the WCJ indicated a finding of injury AOE/COE to the lumbar spine and neck was
supported by the documentary evidence of QME Dr. Graham and PTP Dr. Vanderhyde. (Opinion
on Decision, December 26, 2025, p. 3, § 1.) Applicant's testimony as to the injury was consistent
with what he reported to Dr. Graham and Dr. Vanderhyde. (Joint Ex. 2, medical report of QME
Dr. Graham dated June 15, 2023, p. 11; Joint Ex. 1, medical report of QME Dr. Graham dated
June 15, 2022, p. 12; App. Exh. 2, PTP Initial Report of Dr. Vanderhyde, March 12, 2020, p. 1,
"History of Injury.") Dr. Vanderhyde was of the opinion that applicant's symptomatology was the
result of work-related injuries that occurred on August 24, 2019, during the course of his
employment for defendant. (App. Exh. 2, PTP Initial Report of Dr. Vanderhyde, March 12, 2020,
p. 4, "Causation.")