WCB Decisions Rendered October 5, 2021
(1) Variance Requests This claim is established for the lower back, left leg hematoma and right leg laceration from a 1995 accident, Claimant was classified in 1996 and moved out of state in 2003. In 2018, osteoarthritis was raised in both hips, but the carrier's IME found that the right hip arthritis was unrelated, and disallowed the claim to amend ANCR. In 2019, an MG-2 was filed requesting a queen-sized electric adjustable bed frame, but no statement as to causal relationship was attached. In 2021, after several re-submissions, the carrier denied the MG-2, citing no evidence of fall risk, or limitations in activities of daily living, or a change in condition. New notes indicated that claimant needed a cane, slept in a recliner, and stated that an "orthopedic mattress without an industrial frame is useless." The ECLJ granted the MG-2 and the carrier appealed on the grounds that claimant needed an unrelated right hip surgery, causal relationship was...