QMEs for workers’ compensation claims
Qualified medical evaluations (QME) for complex vision and TBI claims
What to expect from a QME with Dr. Rauchman
Dr. Steven H. Rauchman, MD, provides state-certified Qualified Medical Evaluator (QME)* services for California workers’ compensation cases involving eye injuries, visual dysfunction, and traumatic brain injury. As a board-certified ophthalmologist and TBI researcher, he offers neutral, evidence-based evaluations that help clarify disputed medical questions.
*California QMEs are certified by the Division of Workers’ Compensation Medical Unit to examine injured workers, evaluate disability, and prepare medical-legal reports used in workers’ compensation benefit determinations
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Neutral evaluation of disputed medical issues in California workers’ compensation claims
Review of relevant medical records, diagnostic findings, injury history, and reported symptoms
Opinions grounded in clinical findings, records, and reasonable medical probability
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Evaluation of ocular trauma, visual impairment, and post-injury visual dysfunction
Assessment of symptoms such as blurred vision, double vision, light sensitivity, eye pain, headaches, visual field changes, and reading or tracking difficulty
Analysis informed by Dr. Rauchman’s background in ophthalmology, neuroscience, and traumatic brain injury research
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Evaluation of whether eye, vision, or TBI-related symptoms are medically related to the claimed work injury
Consideration of mechanism of injury, treatment history, objective findings, and prior medical conditions
Clear discussion of disputed medical questions, including AOE/COE when applicable
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Assessment of permanent impairment when medically appropriate
Consideration of apportionment, preexisting conditions, and non-industrial contributing factors
Evaluation of functional limitations and work restrictions related to visual or ocular findings
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Opinions regarding reasonable future medical care related to eye injuries or TBI-associated visual symptoms
Review of whether additional testing, ophthalmic treatment, or specialty follow-up is medically supported
Clear explanation of the medical basis for any recommendations
Common consultation scenarios
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Ocular trauma
Evaluation of workplace eye injuries, related symptoms, clinical findings, and the medical relationship to the claimed incident.
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Post-concussive visual dysfunction
Objective documentation of how vision or neuro-visual conditions affect occupational ability and daily functioning
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Disputed causation
Medical analysis of whether eye, vision, or neuro-visual symptoms are related to the claimed work injury, preexisting conditions, or non-industrial factors
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Permanent impairment cases
Evaluation of whether visual or ocular findings result in ratable impairment under California workers’ compensation standards
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Disability and functional capacity
Objective documentation of how vision or neuro-visual conditions affect occupational ability and daily functioning.
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Future medical care
Review of whether additional ophthalmic testing, treatment, monitoring, or specialty follow-up is medically supported