Worldmark the Club v. Travis

Employer seeks review of a Workers’ Compensation Board order setting aside employer’s denial of claimant’s claim based on a combined low-back condition. The Board determined that the combined condition was compensable because claimant’s work injury was the major contributing cause of his need for treatment. ORS 656.005(7)(a)(B). We affirm.

We take the following undisputed facts from the record. ORS 656.298(7). In 1970, before working for employer, claimant experienced back problems and underwent a lumbar laminectomy at L4-L5. After the surgery, claimant was essentially pain free, except for…