Opinion ID: 3215867
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Freeman Seeks Compensation

Text: Freeman’s father, Ezra Freeman (“Ezra”), was an employee at Paducah Gaseous Diffusion Plant (the “Plant”). Ezra died in 1991. In 2003, Freeman filed a claim for compensation under Parts B and E of the EEOICPA. She asserted that her father developed lung cancer and emphysema as a result of hazardous exposure to “beryllium and/or welding fumes” at the Plant. This claim was denied in 2006. In that same year, Freeman filed another claim for compensation under Part B only. She submitted additional medical evidence and alleged that her father had CBD. A District Medical Consultant reviewed the evidence submitted by Freeman and opined that the records showed a clinical course consistent with chronic respiratory disorder and a diffusion lung capacity defect. 3 No. 15-6189, Freeman v. U.S. Dep’t of Labor However, the doctor opined that Ezra’s medical records—although they showed findings consistent with CBD—did not support a diagnosis of CBD. Taking into account this medical opinion, the DOL applied the presumption of beryllium exposure, but found that only two of the five pre-1993 criteria were met: restrictive or obstructive lung physiology testing and a clinical course consistent with a chronic respiratory disorder. Because Freeman failed to show three of the five criteria, Freeman’s claim was denied in 2007. Thereafter, Freeman submitted additional medical evidence, and the DOL vacated its 2007 denial to determine whether this new evidence made a difference to Freeman’s claim. The DOL then had a second District Medical Consultant review Freeman’s claim. This medical doctor concluded that the records reflected a clinical course consistent with a chronic respiratory disorder and the pulmonary function tests showed an obstructive physiology and a diffusion capacity defect consistent with CBD, but that Ezra’s x-rays and CT scans did not “show characteristic abnormalities of CBD,” nor did his lung pathology reports show findings consistent with CBD, “even on an at least as likely as not basis.” Based on this report, a Claims Examiner issued a recommended decision denying Freeman’s claim. Freeman objected to the recommendation and requested a hearing. After a hearing, the DOL denied Freeman’s claim again in August 2009, the “Final Decision.” Freeman then filed a request for reconsideration which was denied in October 2009. After an unsuccessful attempt at reopening her case, Freeman filed a second request to reopen based upon more evidence of beryllium exposure, but that request was denied in April 2014.