Opinion ID: 1215989
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 5

Heading: residual effects of industrial injuries

Text: The court of appeals decision in affirming the ALJ failed to consider claimant's lack of shoulder mobility. This position is contrary to the rule we recently enunciated concerning a shoulder/arm disability: In determining whether a disability is scheduled or unscheduled, the combined effects of the original injury on all portions of the body should be considered. Pain, swelling, or any other impairment to an unscheduled portion of the body, if it affects function at all, transforms a scheduled injury into an unscheduled injury. (Citations omitted) Dye v. Industrial Comm'n, 153 Ariz. 292, 294, 736 P.2d 376, 378 (1987) (emphasis added). [1] In testifying, both doctors acknowledged some restriction in shoulder movement. Injuries affecting body parts, such as shoulders, not listed on the statutory schedule, A.R.S. § 23-1044(B), entitle the claimant to unscheduled classifications pursuant to A.R.S. § 23-1044(C). Dye, supra at 293, 736 P.2d at 377. In reviewing the record, there is evidence that claimant's injury affects her shoulder function. Under the rationale set forth in Dye, the decision that the claimant's injury is scheduled is not reasonably supported by the evidence.