Opinion ID: 2135435
Heading Depth: 4
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Vocational & Educational Retraining

Text: Approximately 6 to 8 months after suffering his injury, the Shepherd claimant independently applied for assistance with the South Dakota Department of Vocational Rehabilitation. This was in addition to the work being done by a private rehabilitation consultant hired by the insurer. Petersen was advised by the Department in its June 1988 Decision, to obtain extensive vocational counseling, and that Claimant should engage in vocational counseling with a serious attempt on the part of the Claimant to determine a new vocation that is appropriate for him within his physical limitations. [9] Petersen then waited some two and a half years before retaining Mr. Richard Ostrander for vocational counseling. Petersen's actions do not evidence someone who is interested in getting rehabilitated vocationally when contrasted with those of the Shepherd claimant. With regards to educational retraining, Petersen gave the following testimony on cross examination at the Department's second hearing in March of 1992: MR. HARALDSON: Now, I asked you in your deposition whether you had any interest or intention of getting a job or being employed, and you said no. Is that your recollection? PETERSEN: Yes. MR. HARALDSON: And I asked you the same question with respect to any interest or intention of getting an education of any kind, and your answer was no. Is that your recollection? PETERSEN: Yes. MR. HARALDSON: I take it you have not pursued, since the deposition of May of `91, any further information or applications concerning education of yourself or any kind of training program as we sit here today? PETERSEN: Well, I don't feel I have the ability to go MR. HARALDSON: Well, is the answer yes or no, you have or you haven't? PETERSEN: I don't feel I have the ability to go to school eight hours a day and, no, I haven't. MR. HARALDSON: So you have not pursued any education programs or information about them? PETERSEN: No. MR. HARALDSON: Now, Drs. Benson and Johnson released you to work or go back to school in 1987. Did you make any efforts between `87 and January of `91 to investigate or enroll or attend any educational or retraining programs during that time? PETERSEN: No. Petersen's testimony is clear that he made no attempt, and had no desire to reeducate himself so that he might become employed again, even though any retraining would have been at Employer's expense.