Opinion ID: 2280019
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: income benefits.

Text: The claimant asserts in his cross-appeal that the ALJ erred by finding that his injury produced no permanent impairment rating. He argues that Dr. Bonnarens assigned the 0% rating in February 2008 based on a physical examination performed in August 2007 and failed to consider the subsequent treatment notes from Dr. Dovan, who recommended a revision of the SLAP tear surgery. He maintains that no reasonable person would fail to conclude that a permanent impairment rating resulted from his injury. He emphasizes that it required surgery and the implantation of two metallic screws in his shoulder; required extensive post-surgical treatment and physical therapy; and resulted in a recommendation that he undergo a surgical revision. Although the evidence would have supported a finding that the claimant's injury produced a permanent impairment rating, we are not convinced that it compelled such a finding. The date that an injured worker reaches MMI and the assessment of a permanent impairment rating under the American Medical Association's Guides to the Evaluation of Permanent Impairment (Guides) are medical questions to be answered by the medical experts. [18] Dr. Dovan opined in December 2008 that the claimant reached MMI on May 30, 2007 but stated previously that MMI occurred in February 2008; Dr. Grossfeld anticipated that the claimant would reach MMI at five months post-surgery, i.e., in mid-July 2007; Dr. Bonnarens opined that he reached MMI in August 2007. Drs. Dovan and Fishbein opined that the injury warranted a permanent impairment rating under the Guides; Dr. Bonnarens opined that it did not. When confronted with conflicting medical opinions, such as were present in this case, the ALJ may decide whom and what to believe. [19] A different ALJ might have decided the claim differently. The fact remains, however, that the evidence the injury warranted a permanent impairment rating was not so overwhelming as to render the decision that was made unreasonable. The decision of the Court of Appeals is affirmed. All sitting. All concur.