CAUSAL RELATIONSHIP

(See also AGGRAVATION, PERMANENT TOTAL DISABILITY and SUBSEQUENT CONDITION TRACEABLE TO ORIGINAL INJURY)

Audiologist

Hearing loss must be established by medical evidence. The testimony of an audiologist is therefore insufficient to make a prima facie case for causal relationship and extent of permanent partial disability. ....Virgil Degolier, 60,471 (1983)

Chiropractor

Because the low back is a part of the anatomy falling within the special field of chiropractic, a chiropractor may testify to the causal relationship between the worker's low back condition and the injury. ....Ernest Pfenniger, 41,425 (1973) [dissent]

Chiropractic testimony is sufficient to establish a prima facie case for a causal relationship between an industrial injury and the worker's low back condition, since the treatment of low back conditions is within the "special field" of chiropractic. ....H. U. Shipley, 08,043 (1957)

Physical therapist

*A physical therapist is not qualified to render opinions of medical causation.  ....Juan Muņoz, 05 11698 (2007)  [Editor's Note:  The Board's decision was appealed to superior court under King County Cause No.07-2-38541-0KNT].

Psychologist

A licensed clinical psychologist is competent to testify on the issue of the cause of mental conditions. ....Robert Hedblum, 88 2237 (1989) [Editor's Note: The Board's decision was appealed to superior court under Thurston County Cause No. 89-2-02751-5.]