Opinion ID: 2627859
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 6

Heading: sufficiency of the evidence

Text: ¶ 20 Tomlinson does not formally challenge the industrial appeals judge's factual finding that he had an arthritic 50 percent preexisting PPD. However, woven throughout his appeal is an attack on that finding. E.g., App. Br. at 8-15. PSFL argues this issue is not preserved, but since it is raised throughout the case, we will address it briefly. ¶ 21 First, we note that Tomlinson asserts that our review is de novo because, he contends, his argument is primarily about the interpretation of a statute. To the extent that we are reviewing the law, he is correct. However, to the extent that he is challenging the judge's factual finding, he is not. The industrial appeals judge made a factual finding, on the record, that Tomlinson had a 50 percent preexisting PPD of the left leg below the knee. To the extent that factual finding is challenged, we review for substantial evidence. E.g., Ingram, 162 Wash.2d at 522, 173 P.3d 259. ¶ 22 Tomlinson's principle argument is that x-ray findings, while objective in that they can be seen, are not, solely by themselves, proof of a loss of physical function. Cf. In re Johnston, No. 97 4529, 1999 WL 190864 (Wash. Bd. of Indus. Ins. Appeals Mar. 2, 1999). We emphatically agree that x-ray findings alone would be insufficient, but that is not the case before us. The industrial insurance judge concluded that all three physicians who testified, including his treating doctor, agreed that at the time of the industrial injury, Tomlinson's preexisting condition was bone on bone in his weight bearing knee joint. He also found that all three physicians agreed that he had a preexisting 50 percent PPD. In addition, the industrial appeals judge heard Tomlinson's own testimony, which the judge found evasive. He showed lack of candor about his past medical treatment and did not remember injuring his knee and discussing the possible need for a bilateral total knee replacement seven years before his industrial injury. CABR at 9. In short, Tomlinson's own testimony supported the conclusion that he had loss of function before his 1999 industrial injury. We find there was substantial evidence to support the finding of a preexisting PPD.