N. Grunenko

The worker objected to the denial of a psychological assessment referral, a change in their suitable employment or business (SEB) profile, and the adjustment of loss of earnings benefits.

The Appeals Resolution Officer denied the worker's objections, finding no evidence of a psychotraumatic injury and upholding the SEB change due to the worker's limited cooperation with labour market re-entry.

Furthermore, upon reviewing newly obtained medical records showing a significant pre-existing chronic low back condition, the Officer rescinded the previous allowance for a permanent aggravation, limiting entitlement to a temporary aggravation that resolved by January 2007.

The worker objected to the limitation of entitlement for a right knee injury sustained at work.

The worker had a pre-existing, non-compensable right knee condition that required surgery prior to the workplace accident.

The WSIB allowed the claim on an aggravation basis but limited entitlement to when the aggravation ceased in late 2009.

The Appeals Resolution Officer upheld the decision, finding that the medical evidence demonstrated the worker had recovered to his pre-accident state by late 2009, and subsequent problems in early 2010 were related to the pre-existing condition rather than the compensable aggravation.

The worker appealed the denial of entitlement for high blood pressure and the reduction of his loss of earnings benefits to partial benefits.

The worker claimed his high blood pressure was caused by stress related to his compensable 2002 motor vehicle accident and neck injury.

The Appeals Resolution Officer found that the high blood pressure was a non-compensable condition, citing pre-existing stressors and family history.

Because the worker's non-compensable high blood pressure prevented him from participating in a recommended Functional Restoration Program, the reduction of his loss of earnings benefits was upheld.

The appeal was denied.

The worker appealed a decision denying entitlement for hearing loss and tinnitus allegedly resulting from a 1977 workplace accident where he was struck on the chin.

The Appeals Resolution Officer found no medical evidence linking the hearing loss and tinnitus, which were first reported in 1985, to the 1977 accident.

The appeal was denied.

The worker objected to the denial of two days of lost time benefits following a workplace exposure to air freshener fumes that triggered a migraine headache.

The initial denial was based on the worker's failure to seek immediate medical attention and obtain medical authorization for the time off.

The Appeals Resolution Officer allowed the objection, noting the worker's long-term employment, lack of prior claims, employer confirmation of the incident, and the fact that the delay in seeking medical attention occurred over a weekend.

The worker appealed the denial of entitlement for noise-induced hearing loss.

The worker was employed by a railway from 1965 to 1999.

An audiogram from 2007 showed hearing loss of 17.75 dB in the right ear and 24 dB in the left ear.

Under WSIB policy, entitlement to health care benefits requires an adjusted hearing loss of at least 22.5 dB in each ear.

Because the worker's right ear hearing loss was only 17.75 dB, the Appeals Resolution Officer found there was insufficient hearing loss to allow the claim.

The appeal was dismissed.

The worker suffered a right leg laceration at work in June 2004.

Over a year later, the worker claimed entitlement for a right knee meniscus tear, arguing it was related to the original accident or a premature return to work.

The Appeals Resolution Officer denied the objection, finding that medical evidence from the time of the original injury showed no knee joint involvement and that the subsequent meniscus tear was not causally related to the workplace accident.