Opinion ID: 201501
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 5

Heading: Wright's Second Appeal

Text: 17 Wright filed a second appeal on June 3, 2002, in which he submitted an APS from a new neurologist, Dr. Bryan Lieberman. See id. at A285-326. Dr. Lieberman diagnosed Wright with sleep apnea and memory disorder. See id. at A355-56. In describing Wright's cognitive deficit, Dr. Lieberman termed it a neurologic cognitive disorder including impaired memory, attention, and executive function, as well as daytime somnolence, and fatigue. Id. Dr. Lieberman concluded that the above deficit disables [Wright] for his job — working as a software engineer. Id. 18 Hartford referred Wright's entire file to two Independent Medical Examiners at the University Disability Consortium for review — Dr. Alvin McElveen, Neurologist, and Milton Jay, Ed.D, Neuropsychologist. Upon review of Wright's case file, Dr. McElveen concluded that sleep apnea had been documented; thus the medical evidence support[ed] cognitive impairment as a result of the physical conditions present on 10/28/2001. Dr. McElveen referred to Dr. Jay's report for an assessment of the effect of any impairments on Wright's cognitive functioning. Id. at A351. Dr. Jay concluded that, although sleep apnea had been confirmed by a polysomnogram ordered by Dr. Lieberman, the medical evidence did not confirm that the apnea was causing even mild difficulties in cognition secondary to interrupted sleep and subsequent fatigue. Id. at A338. 19 Based on the opinions of Drs. Jay and McElveen, the additional medical records from Drs. Cohen and Lieberman, the information submitted by Wright in his appeal, and all the other information already in the claim file, Hartford reiterated its denial on October 2, 2002. Hartford reasoned that even assuming minor cognitive difficulties existed, none were severe enough to prevent Wright from performing the essential functions of his occupation. See id. at A352-54.