Document name

Pre-Existing Conditions – Aggravation or Acceleration

Document number

PRO 12/2017

POL 12/2017, Pre-Existing Conditions – Aggravation or Acceleration establishes guidelines for injury claims where pre-existing conditions exist.

1. Once Operations staff determine the worker has a pre-existing condition that may affect their recovery from the work-related injury, they must determine:
   1. The extent of the work-related injury.
   2. The extent of the aggravation or acceleration of the pre-existing condition by the work-related injury.
   3. If the worker has recovered from the work-related injury.
2. Operations staff will gather information about the pre-existing condition from:
   1. The worker.
   2. Health care providers by obtaining medical confirmation of the pre-existing condition.
   3. Past and present employers and coworkers, and other insurers, if necessary.
3. Operations staff will review:
   1. Any history of prior problems in the same or nearby areas of the body as the work-related injury.
   2. The effect(s) of any pre-existing condition on the worker leading up to the work injury (i.e., pre-injury status).
   3. Relevant medical reports regarding the worker’s pre-existing condition.
4. Operations staff may request a WCB Medical Consultant’s opinion to help clarify the extent of a work-related injury in relation to a pre-existing condition.
5. Operations staff will notify workers when compensation benefits will be terminated once they have recovered from the injury and are able to return to pre-injury employment or suitable productive employment (POL 11/2021, Terminating Benefits – Notice Period).