"The Board is empowered to determine the factual issue of whether a causal relationship exists based upon the record, and its determination will not be disturbed when supported by substantial evidence" (Matter of Sudnik v Pinnacle Envtl. Corp., 190 A.D.3d 1067, 1068 [3d Dept 2021] [internal quotation marks and citations omitted]). In that regard, "[a] claimant bears the burden of establishing, by competent medical evidence, a causal relationship between an injury and his or her employment" (Matter of Maldonado v Doria, Inc., 192 A.D.3d 1247, 1248 [3d Dept 2021] [internal quotation marks and citations omitted]). "In assessing such proof, the Board has broad authority to resolve factual issues based on credibility of witnesses and draw any reasonable inference from the evidence in the record" (Matter of Kennedy v 3rd Track Constructors, 213 A.D.3d 1005, 1007 [3d Dept 2023] [internal quotation marks and citations omitted]; see Matter of Flores v Millennium Servs., LLC, 215 A.D.3d 1146, 1148 [3d Dept 2023]).
Turning first to the question of whether amendment of the claim was proper, "the Board is empowered to determine the factual issue of whether a causal relationship exists based upon the record, and its determination will not be disturbed when supported by substantial evidence" (Matter of Cartafalsa v Zurich Am. Ins. Co., 175 A.D.3d 1762, 1763 [3d Dept 2019] [internal quotation marks, brackets and citations omitted]; accord Matter of Martinez v RNC Indus., LLC, 213 A.D.3d 1109, 1109 [3d Dept 2023]). It is established that "[a] claimant bears the burden of establishing, by competent medical evidence, a causal relationship between an injury and his or her employment" (Matter of Maldonado v Doria, Inc., 192 A.D.3d 1247, 1248 [3d Dept 2021] [internal quotation marks and citations omitted]; see Matter of Issayou v Issayuou Inc., 174 A.D.3d 1277, 1277-1278 [2019], lv denied 34 N.Y.3d 909 [2020]). Further, "the Board is vested with the discretion to assess the credibility of medical witnesses, and its resolution of such issues is to be accorded great deference, particularly with regard to issues of causation" (Matter of Martinez v RNC Indus., LLC, 213 A.D.3d at 1110 [internal quotation marks and citations omitted]; accord Matter of Guna v Delta Airlines, Inc., 202 A.D.3d 1190, 1191 [3d Dept 2022]).
On appeal, claimant argues that, in cases involving exposure to the COVID-19 virus, the Board applies disparate burdens to claimants seeking compensation for a physical injury as compared to those seeking compensation for a psychological injury, in violation of the principle that "psychological or nervous injury precipitated by psychic trauma is compensable to the same extent as physical injury" (Matter of Wolfe v Sibley, Lindsay & Curr Co., 36 N.Y.2d 505, 510 [1975]; see Matter of Wood v Laidlaw Tr., 77 N.Y.2d 79, 82 [1990 ]; Matter of Sakanovic v Utica Mut. Ins. Co., 219 A.D.3d 998, 998-999 [3d Dept 2023]). When seeking workers' compensation benefits, a claimant must establish "by competent medical evidence, a causal relationship between an injury and his or her employment" (Matter of Maldonado v Doria, Inc., 192 A.D.3d 1247, 1248 [3d Dept 2021] [internal quotation marks and citations omitted]; see Matter of DiMeo v Trinity Health Corp., 216 A.D.3d 1349, 1350 [3d Dept 2023]; Matter of Flores v Millennium Servs., LLC, 215 A.D.3d 1146, 1147 [3d Dept 2023]). Additionally, "[f]or a [psychological] injury premised on work-related stress to be compensable, a claimant must demonstrate that the stress that caused the claimed [psychological] injury was greater than that which other similarly situated workers experienced in the normal work environment" (Matter of Kraus v Wegmans Food Mkts., Inc., 156 A.D.3d 1132, 1134 [3d Dept 2017] [internal quotation marks and citations omitted]; see Matter of Rivenburg v County of Albany, 187 A.D.3d 1282, 1283-1284 [3d Dept 2020]).
( Matter of Blanch v. Delta Air Lines, 204 A.D.3d 1203, 1204, 167 N.Y.S.3d 204 [3d Dept. 2022], quoting Matter of Park v. Corizon Health Inc., 158 A.D.3d 970, 971, 70 N.Y.S.3d 613 [3d Dept. 2018], lv denied 31 N.Y.3d 909, 2018 WL 2921794 [2018] ; seeMatter of Johnson v. Adams & Assoc., 140 A.D.3d 1552, 1553, 34 N.Y.S.3d 709 [3d Dept. 2016] ). "In addition, as the party seeking benefits, claimant bears the burden of establishing, by competent medical evidence, a causal connection or relationship between her employment and the claimed disability" ( Matter of Christensen–Mavrigiannakis v. Nomura Sec. Intl., Inc., 175 A.D.3d 1748, 1752, 109 N.Y.S.3d 490 [3d Dept. 2019] [internal quotation marks, brackets and citations omitted]; seeMatter of Richman v. New York State Workers’ Compensation Bd., 199 A.D.3d 1216, 1217, 158 N.Y.S.3d 334 [3d Dept. 2021] ; Matter of Maldonado v. Doria, Inc., 192 A.D.3d 1247, 1248, 143 N.Y.S.3d 439 [3d Dept. 2021] ). As to claimant's request to amend her claim to include the at-issue conditions, "the Board is vested with the authority to resolve conflicting medical opinions and to draw reasonable inferences from record evidence" ( Matter of Blanch v. Delta Air Lines, 204 A.D.3d at 1205, 167 N.Y.S.3d 204 [internal quotation marks and citations omitted]; seeMatter of Schmerler v. Longwood Sch. Dist., 163 A.D.3d 1373, 1374, 81 N.Y.S.3d 669 [3d Dept. 2018], lv denied 32 N.Y.3d 910, 2018 WL 6176216 [2018] ).
. "In addition, as the party seeking benefits, claimant bears the burden of establishing, by competent medical evidence, a causal connection or relationship between [his] employment and the claimed disability" ( Matter of Christensen–Mavrigiannakis v. Nomura Sec. Intl., Inc., 175 A.D.3d 1748, 1752, 109 N.Y.S.3d 490 [3d Dept. 2019] [internal quotation marks, brackets and citations omitted]; seeMatter of Richman v. New York State Workers’ Compensation Bd., 199 A.D.3d 1216, 1217, 158 N.Y.S.3d 334 [3d Dept. 2021] ; Matter of Maldonado v. Doria, Inc., 192 A.D.3d 1247, 1248, 143 N.Y.S.3d 439 [3d Dept. 2021] ). As to claimant's request to amend his claim to include alleged consequential gastrointestinal conditions, "the Board is vested with the authority to resolve conflicting medical opinions and to draw reasonable inferences from record evidence" ( Matter of Blanch v. Delta Air Lines, 204 A.D.3d at 1205, 167 N.Y.S.3d 204 [internal quotation marks and citations omitted]; seeMatter of Schmerler v. Longwood Sch. Dist., 163 A.D.3d 1373, 1374, 81 N.Y.S.3d 669 [3d Dept. 2018], lv denied 32 N.Y.3d 910, 2018 WL 6176216 [2018] ).
"The Board is empowered to determine the factual issue of whether a causal relationship exists based upon the record, and its determination will not be disturbed when supported by substantial evidence" ( Matter of Park v. Corizon Health Inc., 158 A.D.3d 970, 971, 70 N.Y.S.3d 613 [2018] [internal quotation marks and citations omitted], lv denied 31 N.Y.3d 909, 2018 WL 2921794 [2018] ; seeMatter of Johnson v. Adams & Assoc., 140 A.D.3d 1552, 1553, 34 N.Y.S.3d 709 [2016] ). "In addition, as the party seeking benefits, claimant bears the burden of establishing, by competent medical evidence, a causal connection or relationship between her employment and the claimed disability" ( Matter of Christensen–Mavrigiannakis v. Nomura Sec. Intl., Inc., 175 A.D.3d 1748, 1752, 109 N.Y.S.3d 490 [2019] [internal quotation marks, brackets and citations omitted]; seeMatter of Richman v. New York State Workers’ Compensation Bd., 199 A.D.3d 1216, 1217, 158 N.Y.S.3d 334 [2021] ; Matter of Maldonado v. Doria, Inc., 192 A.D.3d 1247, 1248, 143 N.Y.S.3d 439 [2021] ). As to claimant's request to amend her claim to include alleged postconcussion syndrome with associated headaches and anxiety, "the Board is vested with the authority to resolve conflicting medical opinions and to ‘draw reasonable inferences from record evidence’ " ( Matter of Neira–Bernal v. SIG Contr. Corp., 183 A.D.3d 1103, 1104, 124 N.Y.S.3d 85 [2020], quoting Matter of Bagnato v. General Elec., 156 A.D.3d 1268, 1269, 68 N.Y.S.3d 212 [2017] ; seeMatter of Schmerler v. Longwood Sch. Dist., 163 A.D.3d 1373, 1374, 81 N.Y.S.3d 669 [2018], lv denied 32 N.Y.3d 910, 2018 WL 6176216 [2018] ; Matter of Burgos v. Citywide Cent. Ins. Program, 148 A.D.3d 1493, 1494, 51 N.Y.S.3d 214 [2017], affd 30 N.Y.3d 990, 66 N.Y.S.3d 216, 88 N.E.3d 375 [2017] ; Matter of Schwartz v. State Ins. Fund, 120 A.D.3d 1450, 1451, 993 N.Y.S.2d 189 [2014], lv denied 24 N.Y.3d 910, 2014 WL 6609165 [2014] ).
We affirm. "Whether a compensable accident has occurred is a question of fact to be resolved by the Board and its determination will not be disturbed when supported by substantial evidence" ( Matter ofIssayou v. Issayuou Inc., 174 A.D.3d 1277, 1277, 105 N.Y.S.3d 616 [2019] [internal quotation marks and citation omitted], lv denied 34 N.Y.3d 909, 2020 WL 728741 [2020] ; seeMatter of Hanley v. Trustees of Columbia Univ., 189 A.D.3d 1847, 1847, 138 N.Y.S.3d 249 [2020] ). "A claimant bears the burden of establishing, by competent medical evidence, a causal relationship between an [alleged] injury and his or her employment" ( Matter ofMaldonado v. Doria, Inc., 192 A.D.3d 1247, 1248, 143 N.Y.S.3d 439 [2021] [internal quotation marks and citations omitted]). "Moreover, the Board is vested with the discretion to assess the credibility of medical witnesses, and its resolution of such issues is to be accorded great deference, particularly with regard to issues of causation" ( Matter of Derouchie v. Massena W.–WC–Smelter, 160 A.D.3d 1310, 1311, 75 N.Y.S.3d 655 [2018] [internal quotation marks and citations omitted]; seeMatter of Hanley v. Trustees of Columbia Univ., 189 A.D.3d at 1848, 138 N.Y.S.3d 249 ).
In a January 2020 notice of decision, a Workers' Compensation Law Judge, among other things, formally established the claim for a work-related injury to the right shoulder. "A claimant bears the burden of establishing, by competent medical evidence, a causal relationship between an [alleged] injury and his or her employment" (Matter of Maldonado v Doria, Inc., 192 A.D.3d 1247, 1248 [2021] [internal quotation marks and citations omitted]; see Matter of Bland v Gellman, Brydges & Schroff, 151 A.D.3d 1484, 1487 [2017], lv dismissed and denied 30 N.Y.3d 1035 [2017], cert denied __ U.S. __, 139 S.Ct. 240 [2018]). "In reviewing a Board decision concerning the medical question of causality, we will look to the record to determine whether, read as a totality, it contains substantial and adequate opinion evidence to support the Board's finding" (Matter of Rossi v Albert Pearlman Inc., 188 A.D.3d 1362, 1363 [2020] [internal quotation marks and citations omitted]; see Matter of Gallo v Village of Bronxville Police Dept., 120 A.D.3d 849, 850 [2014]).
In a January 2020 notice of decision, a Workers’ Compensation Law Judge, among other things, formally established the claim for a work-related injury to the right shoulder. "A claimant bears the burden of establishing, by competent medical evidence, a causal relationship between an [alleged] injury and his or her employment" ( Matter ofMaldonado v. Doria, Inc., 192 A.D.3d 1247, 1248, 143 N.Y.S.3d 439 [2021] [internal quotation marks and citations omitted]; see Matter ofBland v. Gellman, Brydges & Schroff, 151 A.D.3d 1484, 1487, 58 N.Y.S.3d 225 [2017], lv dismissed and denied 30 N.Y.3d 1035, 69 N.Y.S.3d 233, 91 N.E.3d 1212 [2017], cert denied ––– U.S. ––––, 139 S. Ct. 240, 202 L.Ed.2d 161 [2018] ). "In reviewing a Board decision concerning the medical question of causality, we will look to the record to determine whether, read as a totality, it contains substantial and adequate opinion evidence to support the Board's finding" ( Matter ofRossi v. Albert Pearlman Inc., 188 A.D.3d 1362, 1363, 134 N.Y.S.3d 579 [2020] [internal quotation marks and citations omitted]; seeMatter of Gallo v. Village of Bronxville Police Dept., 120 A.D.3d 849, 850, 991 N.Y.S.2d 174 [2014] ).
Although the physician who performed an independent medical examination of claimant on behalf of the carrier in July 2019 diagnosed claimant with chronic post-Lyme disease and opined that there "appear[ed] to be a cause and effect relationship" between claimant's injuries and the June 2013 tick bites, "the Board is vested with the authority to resolve conflicting medical opinions" ( Matter of Rapaglia v. New York City Tr. Auth., 179 A.D.3d 1257, 1260, 117 N.Y.S.3d 347 [2020] [internal quotation marks and citation omitted]). As the Board's ultimate conclusion – that claimant failed to discharge his "burden of establishing, by competent medical evidence, a causal relationship between [his] injury and his ... employment" ( Matter ofMaldonado v. Doria, Inc., 192 A.D.3d 1247, 1248, 143 N.Y.S.3d 439 [2021] [internal quotation marks and citation omitted]; seeMatter of Smith v. Rochester–Genesee Regional Transp. Auth., 174 A.D.3d 1264, 1267, 104 N.Y.S.3d 425 [2019] ) – is supported by substantial evidence in the record as a whole, it will not be disturbed.