Opinion ID: 1193780
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Warden's prior medical history

Text: In November 1973, Warden was injured while employed with Missouri Beef Packers, Inc. Dr. Johnson, the treating orthopedic surgeon, performed a surgery in December 1975, consisting of a laminectomy and two-level fusion from L5 to S1. In August 1976, Dr. Johnson released Warden with a 12% impairment with no complaints in regard to his back. In August 1979, Warden was injured while working for a television and appliance retail store. As a result of his injury, Dr. Kiefer performed a lumbar laminectomy at the L4-L5 level beneath the fusion. Dr. Kiefer reported a good recovery, but recommended less strenuous employment. In February 1980, Dr. Kiefer rendered a 20% impairment and specified that the impairment was in addition to anything that Warden may have received for his first lumbar laminectomy. In October 1980, Warden returned to Dr. Kiefer complaining of walking difficulty, low back pain, and pain and numbness in his right leg. In June 1981, a panel evaluation was conducted at the request of the surety. The panel of doctors noted Warden's low back pain, pain and numbness of his right leg, back spasms, difficulty standing, and bowel problems. In January 1994, Idaho Vocational Rehabilitation referred Warden to Dr. Weiss for evaluation due to his continuing low back problems from the 1973 and 1979 injuries, and for an elbow injury he sustained while working in 1991. At the 1994 examination, Warden complained of a loss of feeling in his right foot. The doctor at that time limited Warden to light work. At that examination, Warden was barely able to lift three pounds because of the low back pain in the right lower lumbar region. Warden advised the doctor that the back problems were ongoing since 1973.