Title: 

APD 032870

Significant Decision

Date: 

December 9, 2003

Issues: 

Disabilty/Existence-Duration, Existence of Compensable Inj

Table of Contents

APD 032870

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 October 15, 2003. The hearing officer determined that the claimant (appellant) did not sustain a compensable injury on ______________, and did not have disability. The claimant appeals these determinations. The respondent (carrier) urges affirmance of the hearing officer’s decision.

DECISION

Affirmed.

Whether the claimant sustained a compensable injury was a factual question for the hearing officer to resolve. The hearing officer is the sole judge of the weight and credibility of the evidence (Section 410.165(a)) and resolves the conflicts and inconsistencies in the evidence including the medical evidence (Texas Employers Insurance Association v. Campos, 666 S.W.2d 286 (Tex. App.-Houston [14th Dist.] 1984, no writ)). Nothing in our review of the record indicates that the hearing officer’s compensability determination is so against the great weight and preponderance of the evidence as to be clearly wrong or unjust. Cain v. Bain, 709 S.W.2d 175, 176 (Tex. 1986). As a finding of compensability is a threshold requirement to establish disability (Section 401.011(16)), we perceive no error in the determination that the claimant did not have disability.

The hearing officer’s decision and order are affirmed.

The true corporate name of the insurance carrier is (a self-insured governmental entity) and the name and address of its registered agent for service of process is

RB

(ADDRESS)

(CITY), TEXAS (ZIP CODE).

Chris Cowan

CONCUR:

Thomas A. Knapp – Appeals Judge

Robert W. Potts – Appeals Judge