Opinion ID: 1886051
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: law a. finding of permanent partial disability.

Text: As this Court has stated in cases too numerous to mention, if the decision of MWCC was based on substantial evidence, this Court is not authorized to reverse. This Court cannot pass upon the weight of evidence where the same is conflicting in substantial particulars and to determine where the preponderance lies. See, e.g., Hamilton Mfg. Co. v. Kern, 242 So.2d 441, 444 (Miss. 1970); Hemphill Drug Co. v. Mann, 274 So.2d 117, 119 (Miss. 1973). The burden of proof was on Davis to establish his disability. American Potash & Chem. Corp. v. Rea, 228 So.2d 867 (Miss. 1969). Medical findings are required to uphold an award of permanent disability in any degree based upon the occurrence of a back injury. In the absence of medical proof, the burden is not met by the claimant's testimony alone. Harris v. Chicago Mill & Lumber Co., 441 So.2d 557 (Miss. 1983); Dunn, Mississippi Workers Compensation, § 118.2 at p. 40 (Supp. 1986). The statutory definition of disability to require support by medical findings logically applies to back complaints because this is not an uncomplicated ailment. Cole v. Superior Coach Corp., 234 Miss. 287, 106 So.2d 71 (1958). Only medical experts can qualify to give a prognosis and project a disability as continuing indefinitely into the future. Id. at 291, 106 So.2d 71; Dunn, § 118.2 at p. 41. The existence of permanent disability is a factual determination. Dillingham Mfg. Co. v. Upton, 252 Miss. 281, 172 So.2d 766 (1965). The Administrative Judge's opinion clearly shows his factual determination was that none of the doctors recommended surgery, limitations or restrictions on Davis' activities. (R. 30) None of the doctors assigned any degree of permanent partial impairment to the body as a whole from a medical standpoint. The absence of these medical findings was sufficient to meet the substantial evidence test relied on by the MWCC. Since we are not authorized to reverse, Davis' request for a finding that he was permanently partially disabled must be denied.