This appeal arises pursuant to the Texas Workers’ Compensation Act, TEX. LAB. CODE ANN. § 401.001 et seq. (1989 Act). A contested case hearing (CCH) was held on February 21, 2006. The hearing officer determined that the ___, compensable injury does not extend to and include an injury to the left wrist, left hand and left carpal tunnel syndrome.

The appellant (claimant) appealed on a sufficiency of the evidence basis. The respondent (self-insured) responded, urging affirmance.

DECISION

Reversed and remanded for reconstruction of the record.

The CCH record has not been received by the Appeals Panel. Efforts to locate the record of the proceedings have been unsuccessful. Section 410.203(a)(1) requires the Appeals Panel to consider the record developed at the CCH. Accordingly, the decision and order of the hearing officer are reversed and the case is remanded for reconstruction of the CCH record or the forwarding of the CCH record if it can be located.

Pending resolution of the remand, a final decision has not been made in this case. However, since reversal and remand necessitate the issuance of a new decision and order by the hearing officer, a party who wishes to appeal from such new decision must file a request for review not later than 15 days after the date on which such new decision is received from the Texas Department of Insurance, Division of Workers’ Compensation, pursuant to Section 410.202 which was amended June 17, 2001, to exclude Saturdays and Sundays and holidays listed in Section 662.003 of the Texas Government Code in the computation of the 15-day appeal and response periods. See Appeals Panel Decision 92642, decided January 20, 1993.

Thomas A. Knapp
Appeals Judge

CONCUR:

Robert W. Potts
Appeals Judge

Margaret L. Turner
Appeals Judge