Opinion ID: 852817
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: Finding Caskey Unable to Work After February 8, 2000

Text: As to its claim of erroneous finding that Caskey was unable to work after February 8, 2000, Dial-X argues that the doctor released Caskey to light duty work effective that date, that the doctor's findings were uncontroverted but ignored by the Board, that the doctor's later opinion of continuing total disability is not based on any medical information, and that the Board's holding is clearly erroneous because it is contrary to the undisputed evidence. [10] Central to this Dial-X claim are the following passages from the Conclusions and Award section of the Board's decision: 2. On February 8, 2000, Dr. Shugart first opined Plaintiff could work with a five to ten pound restriction and no repetitive bending and twisting. He maintained this opinion up until April 6, 2000, when he recommended the Plaintiff go on disability. Between February and April, Plaintiff's symptoms had not significantly worsened, according to the medical history and reports provided. The undersigned [Single Hearing Member] thus concludes Plaintiff would have been unable to work between February 8th and April 6, 2000. 3. Plaintiff's condition has not improved since April 6, 2000. He remains temporarily, totally disabled to the date of hearing, and is entitled to benefits in connection therewith.... 4. Further, Plaintiff is entitled to additional temporary total disability benefits until he is found to be at maximum medical improvement, or as otherwise released by his treating physician.... [11] We first note that the date of February 8, 2000, stated in the Conclusions and Award section of the Board's decision as to when Dr. Shugart first opined Plaintiff could work, is slightly inconsistent with the Board's own findings and with the evidence, reflecting a scrivener's error. It was, rather, on March 9, 2000, that Dr. Robert M. Shugart, M.D. saw Caskey and described his work status as at this time, light duty, 5-10 lb. No repetitive bending or twisting. [12] Dial-X itself refers to this evidence when identifying the point when Dr. Shugart released Caskey back to work with restrictions. [13] Likewise, earlier in its decision at Finding 2, the Board's decision referred to Dr. Shugart's releasing Caskey for limited work as occurring on March 9, 2000. [14] Dial-X further asserts, however, that the Board improperly concluded that Caskey has not improved since April 6, 2000 and that he remains temporarily, totally disabled to the date of hearing, and is entitled to benefits in connection therewith. [15] Dial-X urges that Dr. Shugart's initial opinion releasing Caskey to limited work on February 8, 2000 (corrected to March 9, 2000), coupled with the absence of change noted by Dr. Shugart between then and April 6, demonstrates the absence of support for the Board's conclusion of ongoing total disability. In its findings, the Board noted that on April 6, 2000, Dr. Shugart recommended disability for the Plaintiff, stating there was no work he could perform in his current condition. [16] There is evidence in the record that supports this finding. Dr. Shugart's medical entry on that date states in relevant part: Diagnosis: status post laminotomy discectomy left L4-5, herniated disk 11-29-99. Present condition: Tony Returns. He still has the pain. David Bojrab, M.D. felt that a stimulator was an option for him. There is nothing else we can really do as far as his neuropathic pain. Physical Examination: unchanged. Medical Decision Making: I think Tony is at maximum medical improvement; permanent partial impairment rating according to American Medical Association Guidelines to the Evaluation of Permanent Impairment, Fourth Edition would be lumbosacral category 3 with a 10% whole person impairment rating. My recommendation is for disability. He really cannot sit, stand, lift, and has to do significant lying down during the day. Because of that, I now feel that recommendation is for disability.... I do feel that he is at maximum medical improvement. [word obscured] status: Disability recommended since he is unable to do even sedentary work secondary to pain and inability to sit, stand, for any period of time. [17] We understand the Board's findings and conclusion to express its determination that, although Dr. Shugart initially believed, on March 9, 2000, that Caskey could resume light, limited work, by the time of his examination on April 6, Dr. Shugart revised his opinion in light of the pervasive effects of the injury to conclude that Caskey was in fact totally disabled, which opinion the Board found credible and accepted.