Opinion ID: 584559
Heading Depth: 4
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Dr. Willard O. Elyea, M.D.

Text: 11 In a letter dated April 14, 1987, Dr. Elyea, Ms. Scivally's physician, summarized his treatment of the claimant. He first treated her on November 18, 1986. X-rays showed a narrowing of the L5-S1 disc space, as well as osteoporosis and degenerative arthritis. Dr. Elyea explained that he had prescribed Tolectin DS for Ms. Scivally shortly after the accident. He changed this prescription to Clinoril 200mg on November 24, 1986. Dr. Elyea treated Ms. Scivally again on December 8 and 29, 1986, and on January 19, February 19 and April 3, 1987. The letter indicated that Ms. Scivally was seen by Dr. Imana, a neurosurgeon, for her pain. In Dr. Imana's opinion, the cause of the pain was degenerative arthritis, which was aggravated by the accident. Dr. Elyea's letter concluded: 12 The patient at this point is unable to work at her present job because she has limited capacity for the function of her lumbar spine. The diagnosis remains Degenerative Arthritis, Osteoporosis, and Trauma to the Lumbar Spine. Because of the extensiveness to her disease [sic] it is highly doubtful that this patient will be able to return to any position that requires long standing, sitting for prolonged periods of time, any heavy lifting or any abnormal position for her back and anything that requires strength in her lower extremities. 13 On June 18, 1987, Dr. Elyea completed a spinal disorder form for the Bureau of Disability Determination Services (BDDS) based on his most recent examination of the claimant on May 26, 1987. The report indicated that Ms. Scivally experienced pain in the lower back and neck, that her reflexes were OK and that there was no sensory loss or atrophy. He also noted that Ms. Scivally walks unassisted. The claimant's range of motion in the lumbosacral spine was limited. Her flexion measured 75 degrees and the extension measured 10 degrees. 1 The physician also noted paravertebral muscle spasms in both the cervical and lumbosacral spine with decalcification of the lumbosacral spine. When questioned about possible nerve root compression, the doctor noted that the straight leg raising test was positive on the left at 60 degrees. He diagnosed Ms. Scivally's condition as degenerative disease at multiple levels of the spine and osteoporosis. In response to a question concerning Ms. Scivally's ability to perform work-related activities, Dr. Elyea wrote unable to operate forklift. 14 On September 14, 1987, Dr. Elyea filled out a physical capacities evaluation on behalf of Ms. Scivally. In this report, he stated that the claimant could sit, stand or walk for one hour at a time, and for a total of two hours over an eight hour day. The evaluation also indicated that Ms. Scivally could not bend at all and could occasionally squat, crawl, climb, reach and lift up to ten pounds. According to Dr. Elyea, Ms. Scivally was totally restricted from driving automotive equipment, moderately restricted from exposure to marked changes in temperature and humidity and mildly restricted for unprotected heights, being around moving machinery and exposure to dust, fumes and gases. 15 The BDDS obtained a telephone report from Dr. Elyea on September 21, 1987. The doctor stated that he last examined Ms. Scivally on August 22, 1987. He noted that she experienced some stomach discomfort from her pain medication, but the condition was not severe. In reference to her back problems, the doctor reported: 16 Her back condition is not getting any better. She has flexion of 45 degrees and 10 degree extension. This occurs with pain. She also has mild cervical spondylosis which causes her some pain. She also has pain from her osteoporosis of the spine. The pain that she describes is not more than what would be expected for someone with her conditions. She takes Advil and Motrin for her pain which controls it pretty well. As long as she does not try to do any heavy work. [sic] She is able to walk without any assistance. 17