Section 422 (a) Neither the board nor any of its members nor any workers' compensation judge shall be bound by the common law or statutory rules of evidence in conducting any hearing or investigation, but all findings of fact shall be based upon sufficient competent evidence to justify same. All parties to an adjudicatory proceeding are entitled to a reasoned decision containing findings of fact and conclusions of law based upon the evidence as a whole, which clearly and concisely states and explains the rationale for the decisions so that all can determine why and how a particular result was reached. The workers' compensation judge shall specify the evidence upon which the workers' compensation judge relies and state the reasons for accepting it in conformity with this section. When faced with conflicting evidence, the workers' compensation judge must adequately explain the reasons for rejecting or discrediting competent evidence. Uncontroverted evidence may not be rejected for no reason or for an irrational reason; the workers' compensation judge must identify that evidence and explain adequately the reasons for its rejection. The adjudication shall provide the basis for meaningful appellate review.
(b) If any party or witness resides outside of the Commonwealth, or through illness or other cause is unable to testify before the board or a workers' compensation judge, his or her testimony or deposition may be taken, within or without this Commonwealth, in such manner and in such form as the department may, by special order or general rule, prescribe. The records kept by a hospital of the medical or surgical treatment given to an employee in such hospital shall be admissible as evidence of the medical and surgical matters stated therein.
(c) Where any claim for compensation at issue before a workers' compensation judge involves fifty-two weeks or less of disability, either the employee or the employer may submit a certificate by any health care provider as to the history, examination, treatment, diagnosis , cause of the condition and extent of disability, if any, and sworn reports by other witnesses as to any other facts and such statements shall be admissible as evidence of medical and surgical or other matters therein stated and findings of fact may be based upon such certificates or such reports. Where any claim for compensation at issue before a workers' compensation judge exceeds fifty-two weeks of disability, a medical report shall be admissible as evidence unless the party that the report is offered against objects to its admission.
(d) Where an employer shall have furnished surgical and medical services or hospitalization in accordance with the provisions of section 306(f.1), or where the employee has himself procured them, the employer or employee shall, upon request, in any pending proceeding, be furnished with, or have made available, a true and complete record of the medical and surgical services and hospital treatment, including X rays, laboratory tests, and all other medical and surgical data in the possession or under the control of the party requested to furnish or make available such data.
(e) The department may adopt rules and regulations governing the conduct of all hearings held pursuant to any provisions of this act, and hearings shall be conducted in accordance therewith, and in such manner as best to ascertain the substantial rights of the parties.

(422 amended June 24, 1996, P.L.350, No.57)