SUPERIOR COURT OF NEW JERSEY

APPELLATE DIVISION

DOCKET NO. A-5277-17T1

BRETT G. MOONEN,

Petitioner-Appellant,

v.

BOARD OF TRUSTEES, 

TEACHERS' PENSION 

AND ANNUITY FUND,

Respondent-Respondent.

___________________________

Argued November 20, 2019 – Decided March 6, 2020

Before Judges Koblitz, Gooden Brown and Mawla.

On appeal from the Board of Trustees of the Teachers' 

Pension and Annuity Fund, Department of the

Treasury, TPAF No. 1-10-166995.

Richard A. Friedman argued the cause for appellant 

(Zazzali, Fagella, Nowak, Kleinbaum & Friedman, 

attorneys; Richard A. Friedman, of counsel and on the 

briefs; Edward M. Suarez, Jr., on the briefs).

Austin J. Edwards, Deputy Attorney General, argued 

the cause for respondent (Gurbir S. Grewal, Attorney 

General, attorney; Melissa H. Raksa, Assistant 

NOT FOR PUBLICATION WITHOUT THE

APPROVAL OF THE APPELLATE DIVISION

This opinion shall not "constitute precedent or be binding upon any court." Although it is posted on the 

internet, this opinion is binding only on the parties in the case and its use in other cases is limited. R. 1:36-3.
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Attorney General, of counsel; Austin J. Edwards, 

Deputy Attorney General, on the brief).

PER CURIAM

Petitioner Brett Moonen appeals from a June 12, 2018 final agency 

decision of the Board of Trustees (Board) of the Teachers' Pension and Annuity 

Fund (TPAF), adopting an Administrative Law Judge's (ALJ) initial decision. 

The ALJ affirmed the Board's denial of Moonen's application for accidental 

disability retirement benefits in connection with injuries he sustained following 

an assault by a student. We affirm.

By way of background, a TPAF "member, under [sixty-five] years of age," 

is eligible for an accidental disability retirement pension "if said member is 

permanently and totally disabled as a direct result of a traumatic event occurring 

during and as a result of the performance of his [or her] regular or assigned 

duties." N.J.S.A. 18A:66-39(c). Before considering such an application, a 

physician designated by the Board 

shall have certified to the [B]oard that [the member] is 

physically or mentally incapacitated for the 

performance of duty, and should be retired, and the 

employer shall have certified to the [B]oard that the 

member is permanently and totally disabled as a direct 

result of a traumatic event occurring during and as a 

result of the performance of his regular and assigned 

duties, the time and place where the duty causing the 

disability was performed, that the disability was not the 
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A-5277-17T1

result of his willful negligence[,] and that the member 

should be retired.

[Ibid. (emphasis added).]

In Richardson v. Board of Trustees, Police and Firemen's Retirement 

System, 192 N.J. 189 (2007), the Court clarified the meaning of the term 

"traumatic event" and set forth a five-pronged standard, requiring a pension 

system member seeking accidental disability benefits to prove:

1. that he is permanently and totally disabled;

2. as a direct result of a traumatic event that is

a. identifiable as to time and place,

b. undesigned and unexpected, and

c. caused by a circumstance external to the 

member (not the result of pre-existing 

disease that is aggravated or accelerated by 

the work);

3. that the traumatic event occurred during and as a 

result of the member's regular or assigned duties;

4. that the disability was not the result of the member's 

willful negligence; and

5. that the member is mentally or physically 

incapacitated from performing [the member's] usual or 

any other duty.

[Id. at 212-13.]
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As to the meaning of the "direct result" language, particularly "in cases where

. . . the disability may be causally related in some measure to an antecedent or 

underlying physical condition as well as to the traumatic event," in Gerba v. 

Board of Trustees, Public Employees' Retirement System, 83 N.J. 174, 185

(1980), the Court explained that what is now required "is a traumatic event that 

constitutes the essential significant or the substantial contributing cause of the 

resultant disability" "even though it acts in combination with an underlying 

physical disease." Id. at 186-87.

On February 22, 2016, sixty-three-year-old Brett Moonen, then an

eighteen-year veteran science teacher in the Camden School District, applied for 

accidental disability retirement benefits based on injuries sustained on 

November 13, 2015, when he was assaulted by a student. On December 1, 2016, 

the Board denied Moonen's application. "Although the Board found that the 

incident described was identifiable as to time and place and . . . was undesigned 

and unexpected, there [was] no evidence in the record of direct causation of a 

total and permanent disability." Specifically, "the Board could find no evidence 

that the event was objectively capable of causing a reasonable person in similar 

circumstances to suffer a disabling mental injury." Additionally, the Board 

determined Moonen was "not totally and permanently disabled from the 
5

A-5277-17T1

performance of [his] regular and assigned job duties," and "not physically or 

mentally incapacitated from the performance of [his] usual or other duties that 

[his] employer [was] willing to offer."

After Moonen filed an administrative appeal of the Board's decision, on 

January 13, 2017, the matter was transmitted to the Office of Administrative 

Law (OAL) as a contested case. See N.J.S.A. 52:14B-1 to -15; N.J.S.A. 52:14F1 to -13. During the ensuing OAL hearing, conducted on August 2 and 23, 2017, 

Moonen, and two experts testified, David Ellis, Ph.D., Moonen's treating 

neuropsychologist, and Mark Chelder, Ph.D., a neuropsychologist designated by 

the Board. Additionally, numerous medical reports by both of the two testifying 

experts as well as non-testifying medical professionals were admitted into 

evidence. 

Moonen detailed his educational background and job duties as a teacher. 

He also testified about the incident, his injuries, his resulting symptoms, his 

treatment, and his preexisting medical conditions. According to Moonen, at 

approximately 2:00 p.m. on November 13, 2015, while his students were 

completing their lab assignment, three unfamiliar students entered his

classroom, roamed around, and refused to leave despite Moonen's request. 

When one of the students approached Moonen "menacing[ly]," "scared to death" 
6

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and fearing that the student was going to harm him, Moonen threw "a beaker of 

vinegar" "at [the student's] shirt." After throwing the vinegar, Moonen had no 

memory of what transpired until he "was being picked [up] off the floor by . . . 

the security guards." He knew he had been "knocked unconscious" but "did not 

know how long [he] was knocked out." After he was picked up, he was "very 

confused," "dizzy," and unable to "stand by [him]self right away." He felt "pain 

on the [left] side of [his] head as if [he] had been hit with something." His 

"vision was blurry" and his "hearing was affected."

After the assault, Moonen was transported by ambulance to Our Lady of 

Lourdes Hospital where he underwent a CT scan and was diagnosed with "left 

temporal intracranial hemorrhage," described as "a bleed in the brain." 

Thereafter, Moonen was transported by ambulance to Cooper Hospital's trauma

unit where he underwent a sonogram, was again diagnosed with "intracranial 

hemorrhage," and released around 4:30 p.m. the following day with instructions 

to follow up with Dr. Jonathan Bussey, a neurologist. On December 3, 2015, 

Moonen followed up with Dr. Bussey, who determined that a subsequent CT 

scan showed "complete resolution of the hemorrhage and no other intracranial 

pathology." However, if Moonen's "post[]concussive issues continue[d]," 
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Bussey recommended that he "follow up with the concussion specialists at 

Cooper." 

Subsequently, on December 10, 2015, Moonen was examined by Dr. Tariq

Siddiqi, a worker's compensation doctor, who diagnosed him with postconcussion syndrome and headaches, and recommended vestibular therapy three 

times per week for four weeks. By January 25, 2016, Dr. Siddiqi determined 

Moonen was able to return to work at "full duty." However, Moonen was too 

afraid to return to teaching, and only returned to Camden High School once after 

the incident "to turn in" a computer he had borrowed from the school.

Moonen "anticipated that [he] would" have "panic attacks" if he had to 

return to the classroom because he continued to have "anxiety" and difficulty 

sleeping as a result of the assault. His anxiety also caused "ang[er]" and 

"impatien[ce]," which he feared would be unleashed on the students and school 

staff. Aside from the anxiety, since the assault, Moonen struggled with "typing"

and "writ[ing,]" which impeded his ability to "function as a teacher." He also 

"had a hard time going up and down stairs," which would make it difficult for 

him to navigate the school. Additionally, he "constantly" felt "dizzy," and his 

"memory was severely damaged," which made it difficult to "remember 

[students'] names" or create and follow lesson plans. At home, Moonen had 
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difficulty with household tasks, such as shopping, cooking, and paying bills, and 

never drove alone if he was unfamiliar with the route.

Moonen acknowledged that, prior to the assault, he "had a stroke in 

January of 2015," that left him with "coordination" "problems . . . with [his] 

right hand." Moonen was also "taken to the ER of Our Lady of Lourdes and 

evaluated for a possible stroke" in June 2015. However, according to Moonen, 

he had recovered sufficiently from the stroke incidents to return to work. 

Moonen also acknowledged "a history of migraine variances" since he was about 

thirty-years-old, that caused "dizziness," "problems with [his] speech" and 

"decreased peripheral vision." Additionally, before the assault, Moonen was 

"diagnosed . . . with white matter disease," a "non-traumatic brain injur[y]" 

caused by "clogged or . . . blocked blood vessels," as well as "chronic 

microvascular ischemic disease." He also suffered from "depression," for which 

he was prescribed medication. 

Instead of returning to Camden High School after Dr. Siddiqi "cleared 

[him]," Moonen used his "sick days" and consulted with other doctors. On 

March 24, 2016, Moonen was examined by Dr. Glenn McLintock, his primary 

care physician since 2012. In a letter to the Board, Dr. McLintock stated that as 

a result of the assault, Moonen was suffering from cognitive impairments, 
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hearing loss, balance problems, obstructive sleep apnea, anxiety, and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) requiring continuing psychiatry. McLintock 

acknowledged that Moonen had "a history of previous stroke," and had "tested 

positive for [chronic autosomal dominant arteriopathy and subcortical infarcts 

and leukoencephalopathy (CADASIL)], a condition that . . . predispose[s] [you] 

to ischemic stroke."

Nonetheless, McLintock opined that Moonen's disabling "symptoms did 

not occur until after the assault." Without the assault, McLintock believed 

Moonen "would likely still be able to work as a teacher." However, given the 

amount of time that had elapsed since the assault, McLintock believed "it [was]

unlikely that [Moonen would] recover from these deficits." According to 

McLintock, given the "memory deficits and difficulties with executive function, 

not to mention the PTSD and anxiety symptoms that would be triggered by 

returning to the classroom," Moonen was "totally and permanently disabled 

from the performance of work duties as a teacher" as "a direct result of the 

traumatic assault of November 13, 2015."

Likewise, Dr. Herman Barb, Moonen's treating psychiatrist since 2003, 

stated in a January 23, 2017 report that Moonen was "sufficiently cognitively 

and emotionally impaired from the assault" that he was "totally and permanently 
10 A-5277-17T1

disabled" as a direct result, and "mentally incapacitated from performing his 

usual work duties or any other duty." Barb referred Moonen to Dr. Ellis for 

treatment, which began on March 2, 2016. During the course of treatment, Ellis 

conducted a comprehensive neuropsychological examination of Moonen, as a 

result of which Ellis diagnosed Moonen with "post concussive disorder," mild 

neuro-cognitive disorder "due to traumatic brain injury," "mild vascular neurocognitive disorder," PTSD, anxiety, and depression. 

Ellis explained that the neuropsychological examination involved 

"specific discreet tests" as well as "omnibus tests" that evaluated multiple areas

of "brain function," including executive functioning,1"sensory functioning, 

motor functioning[,]

[2]

and emotional [issues]." The tests consisted of both 

"objective" and "subjective" elements. According to Ellis, while the "objective 

tests have right and wrong answers," he believed Moonen was being honest with 

his answers to the subjective tests "from looking at consistent patterns in the 

tests themselves." 

1

 Ellis described executive functioning as "the ability to plan, . . . organize and 

. . . think through things."

2

 Ellis testified "motor issues . . . basically measure . . . fine . . . and gross motor 

ability."
11 A-5277-17T1

Based on Moonen's test scores, Ellis concluded Moonen had deficiencies 

in "attention," "concentration," "verbal memory," "motor behaviors," and 

"executive functioning." Ellis explained that "[t]he attention concentration 

areas" indicated "that [Moonen] was having difficulty . . . paying attention to 

whatever was being asked at times." Ellis testified that although Moonen's

deficits in these areas were not "in the severely impaired range," when 

considering Moonen's "previous education and . . . skill levels, both as a 

graduate of West Point as well as then getting his MBA, these performance areas 

[were] quite deficient," and made teaching "impossible." Comparing Moonen 

to other "brain injured" patients, Ellis concluded "he was more similar to the 

mild traumatic brain injury" patients. 

Upon reviewing his medical history, Ellis acknowledged that Moonen had 

"a stroke in 2015" that left him with residual numbness, tingling, weakness in 

his right hand, and a "[t]ransient [i]schemic [a]ttack" (TIA) related to

CADASIL. Ellis admitted that the side effects of a stroke included memory loss 

and problems with organization and attention. He also acknowledged that prior 

to the assault, Moonen had "a history of dizziness" and "feeling off balance." 

Additionally, prior to the assault, he had been diagnosed with "widespread 

confluent white matter hyperintensities," "in both hemispheres" of the brain, 
12 A-5277-17T1

(also known as white matter disease), which symptoms included "trouble with 

memory," "balance," and "problem solving." 

Notwithstanding these preexisting conditions as well as any treatment 

effect from the "fifty-five" times he saw Moonen, Ellis concluded that "[i]n [his]

professional neuropsychological/medical opinion[,] the test data . . . indicated 

continued and permanent neuropsychological impairments that were a direct 

consequence of the work related injur[ies] on November 13, 2015." Ellis opined

to "a reasonable degree of medical/neuropsychological certainty" that as a result 

of "both traumatic brain injury, and [PTSD]" stemming from the work-related 

injury, "Moonen was permanently disabled" and unable "to successfully 

complete his job as a teacher."

In contrast, Dr. Chelder disagreed with Ellis' opinion that Moonen was 

totally and permanently disabled from the performance of his duties as a teacher. 

On August 24, 2016, Chelder conducted an evaluation of Moonen, which 

included "a clinical interview," the administration of "a self-directed 

[p]ersonality [a]ssessment," and a review of Moonen's medical background, 

symptoms, current treatment, work history, and ability to return to work. 

Chelder also reviewed the "[j]ob [d]escription . . . provided . . . by the State." 
13 A-5277-17T1

Based on his past medical history, Chelder found it noteworthy that since 

he was thirty-years-old, Moonen reported significant "[m]igraine headaches,"

with stroke-like symptoms, "that included peripheral vision problems, language

problems[,] and paresthesias which [was] . . . numbness and tingling." Chelder 

also stressed that Moonen had in fact suffered a stroke in January 2015, as a 

result of which he "[d]eveloped right-sided numbness and decreased motor 

function," and suffered stroke-like symptoms in June 2015, including "[v]ertigo, 

syncope and dizziness." Additionally, according to Chelder, "prior MRIs 

revealed significant[] '[w]hite matter disease.'" Chelder also noted that Moonen

had "a prior history of depression and had been treating with anti-depressant 

medications," and suffered from "sleep apnea," which required him to regularly 

use a "CPAP machine" when sleeping. 

Chelder also reviewed a December 2, 2015 report prepared by Dr. Steven 

Russell Messe, a neurologist, who examined Moonen at the request of 

McLintock. In the report, Dr. Messe noted that "[o]rientation, fund of 

knowledge, attention and concentration, language skills and executive functions 

were all within normal limits." Similarly, Chelder reviewed Dr. Bussey's 

December 3, 2015 report, indicating that while Moonen "report[ed] having some 

thought cloudiness and memory issues," Bussey's examination revealed that 
14 A-5277-17T1

Moonen's "speech was within normal limits, [his] memory appeared intact, [and 

his] fund of information was normal." 

Chelder questioned Ellis' omission of certain test scores from his report. 

According to Chelder, "[b]y highlighting the areas of deficit" and omitting other 

scores, Ellis prevented "the reader" from "plac[ing] the full evaluation in 

perspective," and left the reader "guessing about the rest of [Moonen's] 

performance."

3

 Additionally, Chelder disagreed with Ellis' diagnosis of PTSD. 

Chelder testified that the personality assessment he performed on Moonen

"revealed a normal range profile" with no indications that Moonen had 

"increased depression, increased anxiety[,] or anything related to [PTSD]." 

Although Chelder agreed with Ellis that Moonen suffered from "[m]ild 

[n]eurocognitive [d]isorder," he "believe[d] that the cognitive deficits as 

measured by . . . Ellis' evaluation [were not] as severe as . . . Ellis was 

interpreting them to be." 

Chelder concluded that:

It [was his] professional opinion, rendered with a 

reasonable degree of clinical certainty, that the results 

of th[e] present psychological evaluation do not provide 

sufficient evidence that [Moonen's] mild cognitive 

deficits can be causally related to the work place assault 

3

 Chelder testified that he had requested the "raw testing data for a more 

complete analysis of [Ellis'] evaluation" but it was never provided.
15 A-5277-17T1

that occurred on [November 13, 2015]. Prior to this 

injury, [Moonen's] brain scans revealed evidence of 

atrophy and white matter disease that certainly could be 

causing the isolated mild cognitive deficits . . . . In 

addition, there was no evidence that [Moonen] 

continued to experience any elevated levels of 

psychological distress. 

It [was his] opinion, therefore, that [Moonen] 

cannot be considered permanently and totally disabled 

from performing the job duties of a [t]eacher as there is 

no consistent evidence of a significant psychological 

disorder. In addition, there was limited evidence of 

significant neurocognitive dysfunction.

Following the hearing, the ALJ affirmed the Board's denial of accidental 

disability retirement benefits. Concluding that the "case involve[d] a physical 

assault in Camden High School and the alleged resulting residual mental 

disorders," the judge determined that "[t]he analysis" was governed by the 

"standards articulated in Richardson." "[B]ased upon a review of the totality of 

the evidence," the judge found that Moonen "was not permanently and totally 

disabled and unable to perform the duties and functions of his job." 

In his comprehensive twenty-one page decision, the judge initially posited 

that "[t]he outcome of th[e] case turn[ed] on the credibility of the medical 

experts." Although, the judge found that both Ellis and Chelder were "credible, 

competent witnesses," the judge determined that Chelder "presented a more 

logical and persuasive opinion as to the issue of permanent and total disability 
16 A-5277-17T1

and [Moonen's] ability to perform the functions and duties of his job as a 

teacher." 

Specifically, the judge described Ellis' "objective findings" as 

"confusing," "incomplete," "conclusory in nature and ill supported by any 

concrete evidence." According to the judge, Ellis "candidly acknowledged that 

his opinion was influenced by [Moonen's] subjective complaints," and 

"conceded that Moonen had a family history of dementia" and a history of 

"several cerebral vascular accidents[,] including a stroke[]." Ellis also "agreed 

that Moonen suffer[ed] from 'white-matter disease,' tested positive for 

CADASIL[,] and ha[d] a history of migraines since age thirty." "Yet, it was his 

opinion that 'his disability was all related to the November 2015 assault.'" The 

judge also pointed out that "Ellis found that Moonen's executive functions were 

disabled following the 2015 incident," despite "Dr. Messe not[ing] that 

Moonen's executive functions were all within normal limits" and "Dr. Bussey 

diagnos[ing] Moonen with only temporary conditions consisting of a contusion 

and loss of consciousness." 

Conversely, according to the judge, Chelder "made objective findings 

which, when compared to the demands of [Moonen's] duties, led to a conclusion 

that Moonen is not permanently and totally disabled from working as a teacher." 
17 A-5277-17T1

In fact, Chelder's finding "that Moonen's cognitive dysfunction was not severe 

enough to interfere with his ability to teach" was confirmed by Ellis' "finding 

that Moonen's issues with verbal memory, concentration, and motor behaviors 

'were not severe.'" Additionally, while Chelder's finding that Moonen did not 

exhibit symptoms of PTSD was based on his administration of a "personality 

assessment," Ellis "admitted that the tests he conducted relat[ing] to PTSD and 

emotional issues were self-reported and subjective." 

The judge acknowledged that "[a]s a general rule, 'where the medical 

testimony is in conflict, greater weight should be accorded to the testimony of 

the treating physician' as opposed to an evaluating physician, who has only met 

with the employee on one occasion." However, the judge noted that "this

guidepost [was] not un-waivable." The judge determined that "[o]n balance, . . .

Chelder offered a more logical explanation in evaluating [Moonen's] 

condition[s]." As a result, the judge "afford[ed] greater weight to his opinions 

regarding the nature and permanency of those conditions." 

The judge explained: 

Chelder[] provided credible testimony and a sound 

medical opinion that was based on a detailed and 

thorough review of medical records and hands-on 

evaluation of [Moonen]. He opined, to a reasonable

degree of medical certainty, that [Moonen] is able to 

perform his duties as a teacher and the cause of any 
18 A-5277-17T1

dysfunction is not the result of the incident[,] but rather 

of the "white matter"[4]in his brain. Ultimately, 

[Moonen] has not presented a more compelling case for 

total and permanent disability than respondent has for 

non-disability.

The judge therefore concluded that Moonen neither proved "by a 

preponderance of the credible evidence that he [was] permanently and totally 

disabled from his regular and assigned duties as [a] teacher, . . . that he [was] 

physically incapacitated from performing his usual or any other duty that his 

employer [was] willing to offer," nor that "his disability occurred as a direct 

result of a traumatic event, as the work accident was not the essential significant 

or substantial contributing cause of [Moonen's] disability." After considering 

Moonen's exceptions, on June 12, 2018, the Board adopted the ALJ's decision, 

and this appeal followed. 

On appeal, Moonen argues "the ALJ's determinations of expert witness 

credibility were not supported by substantial evidence in the record," and "the 

ALJ failed to give due consideration and weight to the expert testimony of 

[Moonen's] treating neuropsychologist, or to the reports of [Moonen's] other 

long-time treating doctors." Moonen asserts that "[i]nstead, the ALJ uncritically 

accepted conclusions by [the Board's] expert that were insufficiently grounded 

4

 We presume this reference is to Moonen's diagnosis of white matter disease.
19 A-5277-17T1

in the underlying medical facts," particularly since the Board's expert "failed to 

review all of the medical information" he believed was "necessary to fully 

evaluate Moonen's cognitive disability claim." According to Moonen, because 

the ALJ's findings are "riddled with material factual errors and inconsistencies 

with the evidence of record," the Board's adoption of the ALJ's decision "is a 

textbook example of an arbitrary, capricious, and unreasonable . . . 

administrative action." We disagree.5

"Our review of administrative agency action is limited." Russo v. Bd. of 

Trs., Police & Firemen's Ret. Sys., 206 N.J. 14, 27 (2011). Reviewing courts 

presume the validity of the "administrative agency's exercise of its statutorily 

delegated responsibilities." Lavezzi v. State, 219 N.J. 163, 171 (2014). For 

those reasons, "an appellate court ordinarily should not disturb an administrative 

agency's determinations or findings unless there is a clear showing that (1) the 

agency did not follow the law; (2) the decision was arbitrary, capricious, or 

unreasonable; or (3) the decision was not supported by substantial evidence." In 

5

 Moonen correctly points out that the ALJ mistakenly stated in his analysis that 

he "return[ed] to work" after the assault. However, inasmuch as the ALJ 

credited Moonen's account that "[h]e did not return [to work]" after he was 

cleared by Siddiqi "because he was afraid of being assaulted again by students," 

based on the totality of the record, we deem this error to be of no moment. See

Gerba, 83 N.J. at 189.
20 A-5277-17T1

re Virtua-West Jersey Hosp. Voorhees for a Certificate of Need, 194 N.J. 413, 

422 (2008). "The burden of demonstrating that the agency's action was 

arbitrary, capricious[,] or unreasonable rests upon the [party] challenging the 

administrative action." In re Arenas, 385 N.J. Super. 440, 443-44 (App. Div. 

2006).

"Where . . . the [agency's] determination is founded upon sufficient 

credible evidence seen from the totality of the record and on that record findings 

have been made and conclusions reached involving agency expertise, the agency 

decision should be sustained." Gerba, 83 N.J. at 189. "[T]he test is not whether 

an appellate court would come to the same conclusion if the original 

determination was its to make, but rather whether the factfinder could 

reasonably so conclude upon the proofs." Brady v. Bd. of Review, 152 N.J. 197, 

210 (1997) (quoting Charatan v. Bd. of Review, 200 N.J. Super. 74, 79 (App. 

Div. 1985)). That said, appellate courts review de novo an agency's 

interpretation of a statute or case law. Russo, 206 N.J. at 27.

Applying these principles, we are satisfied the medical testimony and 

records support the ALJ's decision and the Board's adoption of that decision. 

Because the Board's determination was amply supported by credible evidence, 

and was neither arbitrary, capricious, nor unreasonable, we discern no basis to 
21 A-5277-17T1

intervene. The crux of Moonen's challenge is that the ALJ erred in his 

assessment of the testimony and credibility of the experts, and thus erred in 

concluding he failed to meet his burden of proof. An individual seeking 

accidental disability retirement benefits must prove a disabling permanent 

injury, and must produce "such expert evidence as is required to sustain that 

burden." Patterson v. Bd. of Trs., State Police Ret. Sys., 194 N.J. 29, 51 (2008). 

We give "due regard to the opportunity of the one who heard the witnesses to 

judge . . . their credibility," In re Taylor, 158 N.J. 644, 656 (1999) (quoting 

Close v. Kordulak Bros., 44 N.J. 589, 599 (1965)), and defer to credibility 

findings "that are often influenced by matters such as observations of the 

character and demeanor of witnesses and common human experience that are 

not transmitted by the record." State v. Locurto, 157 N.J. 463, 474 (1999).

Both "the credibility of the expert and the weight to be accorded his 

testimony rests in the domain of the trier of fact." Angel v. Rand Express Lines, 

Inc., 66 N.J. Super. 77, 85-86 (App. Div. 1961). See also LaBracio Family 

P'ship v. 1239 Roosevelt Ave., Inc., 340 N.J. Super. 155, 165 (App. Div. 2001)

("[T]he weight to be given to the evidence of experts is within the competence 

of the fact-finder."). "To aid such determinations, our courts have developed a 

guidepost—where the medical testimony is in conflict, greater weight should be 
22 A-5277-17T1

accorded to the testimony of the treating physician." Bialko v. H. Baker Milk 

Co., 38 N.J. Super. 169, 171 (App. Div. 1955). However, this guidepost is not 

conclusive, and the factfinder is not obligated to accept an expert's opinion, even 

if the expert was "impressive." State v. Carpenter, 268 N.J. Super. 378, 383 

(App. Div. 1993). Indeed, the factfinder may accept some of the expert's 

testimony and reject the rest, Todd v. Sheridan, 268 N.J. Super. 387, 401 (App. 

Div. 1993), even if that testimony is unrebutted by any other evidence. Johnson 

v. Am. Homestead Mortg. Corp., 306 N.J. Super. 429, 438 (App. Div. 1997). 

In essence, the factfinder, must use "common sense and ordinary 

experience," In re Yaccarino, 117 N.J. 175, 196 (1989), particularly "when, as 

here, the factfinder is confronted with directly divergent opinions expressed by 

the experts." State v. M.J.K., 369 N.J. Super. 532, 549 (App. Div. 2004). "[T]he 

expert's statements are to be sifted . . . like other testimony." Angel, 66 N.J. 

Super. at 86. Factors to consider in evaluating "[t]he testimonial and 

experiential weaknesses of the [expert] witness," include "his status as a general 

practitioner, testifying as to a specialty," "the fact that his conclusions are based 

largely on the subjective complaints of the patient or on a cursory examination," 

and whether his "premises, as well as his ultimate conclusions," are
23 A-5277-17T1

"contradicted by rebuttal experts and by other evidence of the opposing party." 

Ibid. (citing Panko v. Grimes, 40 N.J. Super. 588, 596 (App. Div. 1956)).

In turn, while the Board is less constrained in reviewing findings based 

upon expert witness testimony, see ZRB, LLC v. N.J. Dep't of Envtl. Prot., 403 

N.J. Super. 531, 561 (App. Div. 2008), ultimately, "the choice of accepting or 

rejecting the testimony of witnesses rests with the administrative agency, and 

where such choice is reasonably made, it is conclusive on appeal." Renan Realty 

Corp. v. State, Dep't of Cmty. Affairs, Bureau of Hous. Inspection, 182 N.J. 

Super. 415, 421 (App. Div. 1981). Here, the Board's adoption of the ALJ's 

factual findings, based on the ALJ's credibility determinations, is reasonable and 

supported by the record. "That [the ALJ] gave more weight to the opinion of 

one physician as opposed to the other provides no reason to reverse this 

[decision]." Smith v. John L. Montgomery Nursing Home, 327 N.J. Super. 575, 

579 (App. Div. 2000). "We rely upon the expertise of the [Board] to separate 

legitimate from illegitimate claims," Patterson, 194 N.J. at 51, and we are 

satisfied that the Board's "determination [here] is founded upon sufficient 

credible evidence seen from the totality of the record." Gerba, 83 N.J. at 189. 

See R. 2:11-3(e)(1)(D). 
24 A-5277-17T1

To the extent we have not addressed a particular argument, it is because 

either our disposition makes it unnecessary or the argument was without 

sufficient merit to warrant discussion in a written opinion. R. 2:11-3(e)(1)(E).

Affirmed.