S.C. Code § 42-11-120
The procedure for determining claims for benefits from an occupational disease shall be the same as that followed in determining other claims under this title, save that if any medical question shall be in controversy the commission may, upon its own motion, and shall, upon motion of either party to the proceeding, refer the question to the medical board as provided in this chapter for investigation and report. A medical question shall be deemed to include any issue concerning the existence, cause and duration of a disease or disability, the date of disablement, the degree of disability and the proportion thereof attributable to a noncompensable cause and any other matter necessarily pertinent thereto requiring the opinion of experts.
S.C. Code § 42-11-120