Opinion ID: 1436
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 28

Heading: CT Scans

Text: The Board has determined that CT scan evidence should be weighed separately from the chest x-rays. Melnick v. Consolidation Coal Co., 16 B.L.R. 1-31 (1991)(en banc). In the present case, the Employer submitted Dr. Jerome Wiot's interpretation of a CT scan dated February 9, 1998. (EX 1) Dr. Wiot determined the films were of an acceptable quality by ILO standards. (EX I) He further stated that the CT scan showed no evidence of coal workers' pneumoconiosis. There are a few small nondescript nodules noted and a patchy area of air space disease in the superior segment of the right lower lobe. This is not a manifestation of coal dust exposure. (EX 1) [14] The CT scan evidence fails to establish that the Claimant suffers from coal workers' pneumoconiosis.