Title: MICHAEL STEVENS V COAL TRANSPORT ; HON . J . KEVIN KING, ADMINISTRATIVE LAW JUDGE ; AND WORKERS' COMPENSATION BOARD

State: kentucky

Issuer: Kentucky Supreme Court

Document:

IMPORTANTNOTICE NOT TO BEPUBLISHED OPINION THIS OPINIONISDESIGNATED "NOT TO BE PUBLISHED." PURSUANT TO THERULES OF CIVIL PROCEDUREPROMULGATED BYTHE SUPREME COURT, CR 76.28 (4) (c), THIS OPINION ISNOT TO BE PUBLISHEDAND SHALL NOTBE CITED OR USED ASAUTHORITYINANYOTHER CASE INANY COURTOF THIS STATE. MICHAEL STEVENS V COAL TRANSPORT ; HON . J . KEVIN KING, ADMINISTRATIVE LAW JUDGE ; AND WORKERS' COMPENSATION BOARD AFFIRMING MODIFIED : March 25, 2003 RENDERED : March 20, 2003 NOT TO BE PIiOISHED APPEAL FROM COURT OF APPEALS 2001-CA-1636-WC WORKERS' COMPENSATION BOARD NO . 99-WC-79538 MEMORANDUM OPINION OF THE COURT APPELLEES An Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) dismissed a claim for ongoing medical treatment and permanent disability benefits based upon findings that the claimant's work-related injury caused only a temporary strain and that his ongoing complaints were related to an underlying degenerative condition and pre-existing disc herniation . The decision has been affirmed by the Workers' Compensation Board (Board) and the Court of Appeals . Nonetheless, the claimant continues to maintain that the decision was clearly erroneous in view of the ALJ's failure to make a specific finding that the pre- existing conditions were actively disabling before he was injured . We affirm . At the time of his injury, the claimant worked as a truck driver for a coal transport company . He had experienced problems with his back as early as 1989 or 1990, when he came under Dr . Lowe's care and was diagnosed with a compression fracture in the lower thoracic spine . In 1995, Dr . Lowe found degenerative changes at L2 through S1, significant bulges at L3/4, L4/5, and a "large" herniated disc at L5/S1 . Although he discussed surgery, it was not performed. Medical records indicated that the claimant had significant flare-ups of back pain in 1996 and 1998 for which he sought treatment and was prescribed pain medication . The claimant admitted that he had periodic back problems after 1995 but pointed out that he did not miss work . On or about March 26, 1999, the claimant was hauling a load of coal and felt something pop in his back when one of the tires on his truck hit a hole in the road . After informing his supervisors, he was sent home . He returned to work about two weeks later but was unable to continue performing the same job . Eventually, he went to work for another company as a loader operator but continued to have problems with his back . In November, 1999, the claimant experienced a flare-up of back pain while deer hunting and sought treatment . He again sought treatment for back pain in February, 2000, and quit working altogether on medical advice . The claimant's medical records indicated that he saw Dr . Chaffin on March 30 and April 5, 1999, complaining of significant low back pain . Testing revealed a history of "old trauma," chronic low back pain, and no significant changes since a 1998 MRI . There continued to be evidence of degenerative changes and the L5/S1 herniation . Dr . Lowe testified that the claimant had back injuries in 1990, 1995, and 1999 . Although the L5/S1 herniation seemed less severe than it had in 1995, he noted that the claimant was able to work until after the 1999 incident . Dr. Lowe concluded, therefore, that the condition had become dormant until being aroused by the 1999 injury . On cross-examination, he acknowledged that the claimant had been treated periodically after 1995 and that the condition had been exacerbated on other occasions before 1999 . He also acknowledged that, had he been requested to do so, he would have assigned the same 13% impairment rating in 1995 that he assigned after the 1999 incident . Dr . Sheridan examined the claimant and determined that he had experienced no more than a lumbar strain . Although the injury caused a temporary disability, it caused no permanent physiological change or impairment . In his opinion, any ongoing problems were due to the claimant's pre-existing physical condition . Dr . Rapier determined that a history of trauma to the thoracic and lumbar spine had aggravated pre-existing dormant degenerative disc disease and assigned a 5% impairment . He apportioned causation equally to : a pre-existing active condition, the arousal of a pre-existing dormant condition by the injury, and the injury, itself. Dr . Jenkinson examined the claimant and noted an exaggerated gait, decreased lumbar range of motion, slightly decreased straight leg raises, and normal reflexes . He reported relatively small disc herniations at L3/4 and L5/S1 but no significant nerve root compression. He diagnosed chronic, non-specific back pain for which he recommended physical therapy . Psychological testimony indicated that Dr . Shraberg found no impairment . In contrast, Drs . Johnson and Granacher assigned an impairment in the range of 12-15% . Noting that the claimant had minimal academic skills and a below average intellect, they attributed his psychological problems to chronic pain and uncertainty concerning his economic future . In concluding that the injury caused a temporary lumbar strain that resolved after six months but caused no permanent impairment, the ALJ relied upon testimony from the claimant, his treatment history, and Dr. Sheridan's testimony . Noting the history of prior back complaints, the prior findings of disc bulging and herniation, and the post- injury flare-up while hunting, the ALJ attributed the claimant's ongoing complaints to the underlying degenerative condition and pre-existing disc herniation . Thus, although the claimant was awarded a period of temporary total disability from April 2 through June 2, 1999, and medical expenses for treatment of the injury, the claims for permanent disability and for ongoing medical treatment were denied . Petitioning for reconsideration, the claimant requested specific findings that the pre-existing degenerative condition and disc herniation were not actively disabling and whether there was a permanent psychological or psychiatric impairment . Relying on Dr. Shraberg's testimony, the ALJ determined that there was no permanent psychiatric impairment . Findings concerning the other issues were refused, however, on the ground the issues were adequately addressed in the opinion . Thus, the claimant appealed . Noting that the arousal of a pre-existing condition and the worsening of a pre-existing condition are compensable if due to a work-related injury, he has maintained that the ALJ made insufficient findings to conclude that he had no work- related impairment . AMA impairments are not assigned until after the injured worker has reached maximum medical improvement following an injury, at which point any residual impairment is viewed as being permanent . See W . L . Harper Construction Co . v . Baker , Ky.App ., 858 S.W.2d 202 (1993) . Since December 12, 1996, income benefits for partial disability are based upon the degree of AMA impairment that the work-related injury causes rather than upon evidence of an actual inability to work . Likewise, an award of income benefits for total disability requires a finding that the work-related injury caused a permanent impairment . Hill v. Sextet Mining Corp . , Ky., 65 S.W.3d 503, 508 (2001) . Dr . Chaffin's testing revealed no change since before the injury . Dr . Sheridan testified that the claimant's injury caused only a temporary strain and no permanent physical change or impairment . Although Dr. Lowe testified that the 1999 injury exacerbated the claimant's pre-existing condition, he testified that he would have assigned the same impairment in 1995 that he did after the injury . Only Dr. Rapier attributed a portion of the claimant's impairment to the injury and to the arousal of a pre- existing dormant condition . The ALJ stated, however, that he was more persuaded by Dr . Sheridan's testimony . In other words, the ALJ determined that no permanent physical change or impairment resulted from the March, 1999, incident . Absent any permanent physical change, it was unnecessary for the ALJ to determine the extent of any pre-existing impairment or to determine that no impairment was due to the arousal of a pre-existing condition. The decision of the Court of Appeals is affirmed . All concur . COUNSEL FOR APPELLANT : Leonard Joseph Stayton P.O . Box 1386 Inez, KY 41224 COUNSEL FOR APPELLEE : Kamp T . Purdy Ferreri & Fogle 300 E . Main Street, Suite 500 Lexington, KY 40507 MICHAEL STEVENS V #Uv"Int (1011d of Wentuckg APPEAL FROM COURT OF APPEALS 2001-CA-1636-WC WORKERS' COMPENSATION BOARD NO . 99-WC-79538 COAL TRANSPORT ; HON . J . KEVIN KING, ADMINISTRATIVE LAW JUDGE ; AND WORKERS' COMPENSATION BOARD ORDER MODIFYING OPINION ON THE COURT'S OWN MOTION On the Court's own motion, the Opinion of the Court rendered on March 20, 2003, is modified by the substitution of a new page one, hereto attached, in lieu of page one of the Opinion as originally rendered . Said modification does not affect the holding of the Opinion, but is made only to correct a typographical error on page one (2001-CA-0259-WC to 2001-CA-1636-WC) . ENTERED : March , 2003 2002-SC-0259-WC APPELLANT . APPELLEES