Koskinen

INTRODUCTION

Kimberly Koskinen sought service-related disability retirement after an on-the-job automobile accident which she claimed resulted in a permanent psychiatric disability. Mendocino County Employees’ Retirement Association, Board of Retirement (Board) denied her a service-related disability retirement but approved a nonservice-related disability retirement. Koskinen challenged that determination by petition for writ of mandate in the superior court, which was denied. She appeals from that denial, asserting only that the court failed to exercise its independent judgment. We disagree and affirm.

PROCEDURAL AND FACTUAL BACKGROUND

We set forth only those facts relevant to the single issue raised on appeal. Because no issue of substantial evidence has been raised, we set forth the summary of the factual background taken from the superior court’s order. “[Koskinen] was employed by the County of Mendocino as an Eligibility Worker from 1993 until 2007. By all accounts, she was a diligent and productive employee. On

1 September 12, 2007 [Koskinen] was involved in a two car collision on Highway 20 while traveling to work in Ukiah. [Koskinen] unsuccessfully tried to return to…