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 March 20, 2003. The hearing officer determined that the respondent (claimant) sustained a compensable repetitive trauma injury with a date of injury of _____________, and that she had disability from September 30, 2002, through the date of the hearing. The appellant (carrier) appeals this decision. The claimant urges affirmance.
DECISION
Affirmed.
The hearing officer did not err in making the complained-of determinations. Whether the claimant’s work activities were sufficiently repetitive to cause bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) and whether the compensable injury rendered the claimant unable to obtain or retain employment at her preinjury wage were factual determinations for the hearing officer to resolve. We have routinely held that the cause of CTS can be established by the testimony of the claimant alone if found credible by the hearing officer. See, e.g., Texas Workers’ Compensation Commission Appeal No. 961008, decided July 1, 1996; Texas Workers’ Compensation Commission Appeal No. 941077, decided September 26, 1994; and Houston Independent School District v. Harrison, 744 S.W.2d 298 (Tex. App.-Houston [1st Dist.] 1987, no writ). In the instant case, in addition to the claimant’s testimony, there are medical opinions that support the hearing officer’s decision. Section 410.165(a) provides that the contested case hearing officer, as finder of fact, is the sole judge of the relevance and materiality of the evidence as well as of the weight and credibility that is to be given the evidence. It was the hearing officer’s prerogative to believe all, part, or none of the testimony of any witness, including that of the claimant. Aetna Insurance Company v. English, 204 S.W.2d 850 (Tex. Civ. App.-Fort Worth 1947, no writ). Nothing in our review of the record indicates that the hearing officer’s decision is so against the great weight and preponderance of the evidence as to be clearly wrong or manifestly unjust. Cain v. Bain, 709 S.W.2d 175, 176 (Tex. 1986).
The true corporate name of the insurance carrier is COMMERCE & INDUSTRY COMPANY and the name and address of its registered agent for service of process is
CORPORATION SERVICE COMPANY
800 BRAZOS, SUITE 750, COMMODORE 1
AUSTIN, TEXAS 78701.
Chris Cowan – Appeals Judge
CONCUR:
Robert W. Potts – Appeals Judge
Margaret L. Turner – Appeals Judge