Opinion ID: 2343923
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: total disability evidence supports denial

Text: The first issue Simmons raises is that the Board erred by not resolving a conflict in the testimony. Dr. Gelman testified regarding the physical examination that he performed on May 7, 1993. Simmons testified that Dr. Gelman did not perform a physical examination of her on that date. Dr. Gelman testified that his examination of Simmons began the moment he saw her. According to Dr. Gelman, his examination included observing Simmons' actions. Those actions included the manner in which Simmons walked into the examining room and her movements within the examining room itself. Simmons contends that Dr. Gelman met her in the examining room. There, he told her that she would have to get a life and deal with the pain. According to Simmons, Dr. Gelman indicated that he had already reviewed her x-rays, which were on the viewing screen. He then escorted her out to the reception area. The record reflects that the Board dealt with this conflict in testimony summarily. The function of reconciling inconsistent testimony or determining credibility is exclusively reserved for the Board. Breeding v. Contractors-One-Inc., Del.Supr., 549 A.2d 1102, 1106 (1988). The Board's decision may not be disturbed by a reviewing court absent an abuse of discretion. Id. Although Simmons alleges that the issue of total disability rested upon the factual conflict between the testimony of Simmons and Dr. Gelman, the Board appears to have based its decision upon the testimony of Simmons' own treating physician. Dr. Kahlbaugh testified that he would have released Simmons to work in April of 1992, if a job were available where she was not at risk of confrontation. The record does not reflect an abuse of discretion with respect to the Board's assessment of any credibility dispute.