Opinion ID: 2264940
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: The decision is supported by substantial competent evidence

Text: The ALJ and the Board both determined that overcompensation use from the crush injury to Redd's left hand caused Redd's right upper extremity injuries. The ALJ, the Board, and the parties do not articulate this point, but the secondary injury rule authorizes the award for the right upper extremity injuries under these facts. The rule provides when a primary injury under the Work[ers] Compensation Act is shown to have arisen out of and in the course of employment every natural consequence that flows from the injury, including new and distinct injury, is compensable if it is a direct and natural result of the primary injury.  (Emphasis added.) Jackson v. Stevens Well Service, 208 Kan. 637, 643, 493 P.2d 264 (1972). This is what Redd claims. Whether a secondary injury is compensable as a natural and probable consequence of the primary injury depends upon the facts. In agreeing with Redd, the ALJ relied upon the medical testimony of Drs. Melhorn, Gluck, Murati, and Stein to conclude the injury to Redd's right upper extremity was caused by its overcompensation use after the left-hand thumb crush injury. In rejecting Kansas Truck Center's argument that the award should be limited to Redd's left hand and thumb, the ALJ found Redd underwent surgery to his right upper extremity in connection with treatment for the crush injury. Dr. Melhorn conducted these surgeries, and he testified the insurer approved of, and paid for, all of the procedures. The Board agreed with the ALJ on this point. In finding causation existed for the injuries to both the left and right upper extremities, the Board cited Redd's testimony that he returned to full duty work despite his light duty restrictions, but to do so he had to compensate for his injured left hand. The Board found this led to symptoms in his right hand and right arm within 3 to 4 weeks. The Board also found support in Dr. Melhorn's opinion for its conclusion that Redd's subsequent work activities contributed to the right upper extremity injuries, which required surgery. But Kansas Truck Center urges that the Board's causation finding regarding the injuries to the upper right extremity should be reversed because Redd's testimony was not credible, the doctor's testimony was insufficient, and the weight of the medical testimony did not support a causation finding that the left hand crush injury caused problems with the right upper extremities. All three arguments fail under our standard of review. First, Kansas Truck Center attacks the credibility of Redd's testimony supporting causation because, the employer argues, Redd did not report the upper right extremity problem to his treating physicians while he was still employed by the company. This argument is without merit because it involves a credibility determination made by the Board. This court will not reassess credibility on appeal. Frick Farm Properties v. Kansas Dept. of Agriculture, 289 Kan. 690, 709-10, 216 P.3d 170 (2009). Redd testified he told his supervisor, an insurance company adjuster, and his doctor, while still employed, that he was experiencing pain in his right hand. The ALJ found this testimony credible and relied upon it when determining Redd properly notified his employer regarding the injuries to both his left and right extremities. The Board's findings are consistent with this credibility determination. The Board held Redd notified his employer, the insurance carrier, and Redd's doctor that he was having problems with his right upper extremity. The ALJ personally observed Redd's demeanor and found his testimony credible. We will not disturb this determination. Second, Kansas Truck Center argues Dr. Melhorn, the doctor the Board relied upon, did not specifically state there was causation or that it was within a reasonable degree of medical certainty. Kansas Truck Center also challenges Dr. Melhorn's causation finding as not credible, claiming the doctor testified Redd's complaints were unverifiable and noted Redd did not exhibit optimal effort during the grip tests. But this misstates Dr. Melhorn's testimony and involves another credibility determination. Dr. Melhorn concluded Redd's work activities contributed to his right upper extremity injuries. Dr. Melhorn conducted surgery on Redd's upper right extremity while acting as the treating physician and assigned an impairment rating for the right arm. As to the veracity of Redd's complaints, Dr. Melhorn acknowledged he was unable to verify them through objective testing, but he further testified he believed the impairment rating was appropriate considering Redd's medical history, the physical exam, and a nerve conduction study. Dr. Melhorn also testified he did not have a reason to disbelieve Redd's complaints. Accordingly, the record supports the Board's reliance on Dr. Melhorn's testimony. Third, Kansas Truck Center argues the Board's causation finding contradicts the weight of the medical testimony. Conceivably, this argument might have greater strength under the revised statutory standard of review under the KJRA discussed above, which requires examining the evidence both supporting and detracting from the agency's findings. K.S.A.2009 Supp. 77-621(d). But the argument certainly fails under the standard of review applicable under K.S.A. 77-621(c)(7) for this appeal because it was reasonable for the Board to principally rely upon Redd's treating physician, whose testimony supported the Board's finding. Both Drs. Melhorn and Murati found causation. Their conclusions were buttressed by Redd's testimony that symptoms in his right hand began 3 to 4 weeks after he began working while favoring it. Ultimately, this was another credibility determination. It was reasonable for the Board to accept the treating physician's testimony, which was supported by Dr. Murati. We will not disturb this finding. We hold the Board's causation decision was supported by substantial competent evidence in light of the record as whole.