Opinion ID: 2978337
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: McGrew’s injury and medical history

Text: On February 5, 2002, McGrew fell and injured her back and right wrist while at work. After her work injury, McGrew experienced “chronic pain in her lower back that radiates to her left hip and thigh.” McGrew claims that “she also suffers from a host of other medical conditions including cervical degenerative disc disease requiring surgical intervention, chronic fatigue, peripheral neuropathy, fibromyalgia syndrome, tremors, Barrett’s esophagus, a history of Epstein-Barr virus since 1994, and depression.” After her work injury, McGrew visited several medical professionals.1 In mid-2003, Dr. Richard Jones provided McGrew with chiropractic care for a lumbar strain and neuropathy and considered McGrew temporarily disabled from June through October 2003. In July 2003, McGrew visited a neurologist, Dr. Lawrence P. Goldstick. Dr. Goldstick’s examination revealed “evidence of a peripheral neuropathy of unclear etiology” and a “slight tremor.” Dr. Goldstick noted that McGrew’s symptoms may have been related to an Epstein-Barr virus or to fibromyalgia. In July 2005, Dr. Goldstick referred McGrew to Dr. Thomas Henderson who, after examination, diagnosed McGrew with fibromyalgia and a history of chronic fatigue syndrome. In August 2005, another neurologist, Dr. David Kirschman, examined an earlier MRI and determined that McGrew had a herniated intervertebral disc. Dr. Kirschman recommended surgery, 1 McGrew does not dispute the ALJ’s findings with regard to her mental impairments and therefore those examinations are not detailed here. -2- No. 08-4561 McGrew v. Comm’r of Soc. Sec. and McGrew underwent cervical surgery on August 24, 2005. After the surgery, McGrew continued to complain of neck and back pain. Dr. Goldstick conducted a follow-up examination of McGrew in December 2005. Dr. Goldstick noted that McGrew “has evidence for multiple problems including fibromyalgia, fibrositis, and chronic fatigue syndrome,” and that she continued to have a slight tremor. Dr. Goldstick stated, “I feel that the patient is disabled relating to her multiple medical problems.” In addition, Dr. Goldstick completed a one-page physical capacities evaluation worksheet. Dr. Goldstick indicated on the worksheet that McGrew could sit for two hours at a time, but only three hours total per eighthour day; stand or walk only one hour per eight-hour day; and occasionally lift six to ten pounds and occasionally carry up to five pounds.