Eastwood v. Department of Labor

Kulik, A.C.J.

¶1 RCW 51.32.160(l)(a) provides that workers whose original workers’ compensation claims have been closed may seek to reopen their claim for further benefits upon establishing an “aggravation” of the disability. The claimant must show objective medical evidence of worsening. Here, expert opinion was not based on objective findings. Therefore, we reverse the superior court and reinstate the Board of Industrial Insurance Appeáls’ decision denying a compensable aggravation.

FACTS

¶2 The facts and procedural history of this case are undisputed. On December 16, 1999, Terri L. Eastwood…