Title: 

APD 012168

Significant Decision

Date: 

October 30, 2001

Issues: 

Extent of Injury

Table of Contents

APD 012168

This appeal arises pursuant to the Texas Workers’ Compensation Act, TEX. LAB. CODE ANN. § 401.001 et seq. (1989 Act). A contested case hearing was held on August 14, 2001. With respect to the single issue before her, the hearing officer determined that the appellant’s (claimant) _____________, compensable injury does not include her psychological condition. In her appeal, the claimant essentially argues that the hearing officer’s extent-of-injury determination is against the great weight of the evidence. In its response to the claimant’s appeal, the respondent (carrier) urges affirmance.

DECISION

Affirmed.

The hearing officer did not err in determining that the claimant’s compensable injury did not include her psychological condition. That issue presented a question of fact for the hearing officer. The hearing officer is the sole judge of the weight and credibility of the evidence. Section 410.165(a); Texas Employers Ins. Ass’n v. Campos, 666 S.W.2d 286 (Tex. App.-Houston [14th Dist.] 1984, no writ). There was conflicting evidence on the extent-of-injury issue. It was for the hearing officer, as the trier of fact, to resolve the conflicts and inconsistencies in the evidence and to determine what facts had been established. Garza v. Commercial Ins. Co., 508 S.W.2d 701 (Tex. Civ. App.-Amarillo 1974, no writ). We find no merit in the claimant’s assertion that the hearing officer failed to consider the expert evidence in resolving the issue before her. A review of the hearing officer’s decision demonstrates that she considered the conflicting evidence on the issue of whether the claimant’s injury aggravated her admittedly preexisting psychological problems and was not persuaded that the claimant sustained her burden of proving that her psychological condition was aggravated by her compensable injury. Nothing in our review of the record reveals that the hearing officer’s determination in that regard is so contrary to the great weight and preponderance of the evidence as to be clearly wrong or manifestly unjust. As such, no sound basis exists for us to reverse the extent-of-injury determination on appeal. Cain v. Bain, 709 S.W.2d 175, 176 (Tex. 1986).

The hearing officer’s decision and order are affirmed.

The true corporate name of the insurance carrier is CHURCH MUTUAL INSURANCE COMPANY and the name and address of its registered agent for service of process is

CT CORPORATION SYSTEM

350 NORTH ST. PAUL STREET

DALLAS, TEXAS 75201.

Elaine M. Chaney – Appeals Judge

CONCUR:

Thomas A. Knapp – Appeals Judge

Robert W. Potts – Appeals Judge