Board medical consultant

The worker suffered a compensable right hand/forearm injury (carpal tunnel syndrome) and sought entitlement for chronic pain disability (CPD) and full loss of earnings (LOE) benefits.

The Appeals Resolution Officer denied the CPD claim, finding that the worker's pain in other areas was likely due to non-compensable neck and shoulder conditions, and that the criteria for CPD were not met.

However, the Officer granted full LOE benefits from April 26, 2009, to the start of the labour market re-entry program, as the employer could not provide suitable permanent modified work.