Gupton v. Builders Transp. 105 N.C. App. An employee seeking disability compensation must establish the existence and extent of her disability. 113 N.C. App. 102 N.C. App.
Disability refers to decreased earning capacity.
A reduction in wages resulting from a compensable injury will only support permanent partial disability and not a total disability. Once the Commission approves a Form 21 Agreement between the parties, the employee receives the benefit of a presumption that she is totally disabled. 121 N.C. App. Thus, the approval of the Form 21 by the Commission relieves the employee of her initial burden. 101 N.C. App.