Opinion ID: 3034197
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Finding of Total Permanent Disability

Text: The petitioners also challenge the ALJ’s finding that Brunetti was totally, rather than partially, disabled, and argue that the Board erred in affirming the ALJ’s decision. To establish a prima facie case of permanent total disability, a claimant must prove that 6 he is unable to perform his previous job because of a work-related injury. The burden then shifts to the employer to show that there are other suitable jobs available to the claimant. See McCabe v. Sun Shipbuilding & Dry Dock Co., 602 F.2d 59, 62 & n.7 (3d Cir. 1979); Am. Stevedores, Inc. v. Salzano, 538 F.2d 933, 935-36 (2d Cir. 1976). The employer can carry this burden by showing suitable alternative employment in the claimant’s geographical area that the claimant is capable of performing, considering his age, work experience, and physical restrictions, and that the claimant could secure if he diligently tried. Wilson v. Crowley Maritime, 30 Ben. Rev. Bd. Serv. 199, 203 (1996). If the employer can show suitable alternative employment, then the claimant is not totally disabled. A.G. Ship acknowledged that Brunetti was not able to return to his job as a lasher, but argued that suitable alternative employment was available. The ALJ examined reports from two vocational experts, Dr. Rosenberg and Ms. Havassy, and found that Brunetti had demonstrated an inability to perform his job and that A.G. Ship did not show suitable alternative employment. Dr. Rosenberg, Brunetti’s vocational expert, reviewed Brunetti’s medical records from 2000 to 2005 and his disability award from the Social Security Administration, interviewed him, and performed educational testing that showed Brunetti’s reading and math skills to be below high school level. Dr. Rosenberg said that Brunetti had a “strong, continuous work ethic” and that he was “convinced he would work if he were able to,” but that because of his visual impairment and inability to orient 7 to his environment, Brunetti was totally disabled. (App. 737). Ms. Havassy interviewed Brunetti and reviewed his medical records and came to a different conclusion: she said that Brunetti could perform sedentary to light work as long as it did not involve lifting heavy objects, heights, or operating heavy machinery. Her labor market survey included a number of possible jobs, including working at a car dealership, as a sales associate at Home Depot, and as a dispatcher for an alarm company. Ms. Havassy acknowledged that she had not reviewed Dr. Warren’s report from February 5, 2005, when he wrote that Brunetti was totally disabled from gainful employment. The ALJ noted that Dr. Rosenberg examined Ms. Havassy’s report and agreed with her that without his severe eye problems Brunetti would probably be able to work in some of the customer service capacities Ms. Havassy had suggested. However, Dr. Rosenberg wrote, Brunetti could not perform these jobs because his visual impairment meant that he could not orient to his environment. None of the jobs would have allowed Brunetti to keep his head in a constant, still position; without this stability, Brunetti suffers dizziness, disorientation, and the turning in of his right eye. Ms. Havassy considered Brunetti to have a “minimal visual problem,” which Dr. Rosenberg argued did not represent the actual severity of Brunetti’s impairment. (App. 738). Dr. Rosenberg’s findings were also supported by some of the medical opinions in the record. Dr. Warren concluded that Brunetti was totally disabled, and Dr. Kapoor noted in her report that 8 Brunetti was “unable to work in any capacity” because of the persistent intensity of his symptoms, which were made worse with motion. (App. 147). The ALJ found Dr. Rosenberg’s report and interpretation of Brunetti’s situation to be more accurate and persuasive than Ms. Havassy’s. He pointed out that Ms. Havassy’s report did not take into account the frequency of Brunetti’s symptoms, which could impair his reliability as an employee, or the fact that Brunetti and his wife had already made many household changes to accommodate his condition. The ALJ also found that Ms. Havassy underestimated Brunetti’s physical limitations, and that all of the jobs suggested by Ms. Havassy were customer service-based, which would be very difficult for Brunetti, given his frequently occurring symptoms and his disorientation when there is a great deal of activity around him or when he talks on the phone. In addition, the ALJ noted that Brunetti had no experience in an office setting and was unfamiliar with computers and paperwork, having worked in shipyards his entire adult life. The ALJ found that A.G. Ship did not meet its burden of establishing that suitable alternative employment was available, and concluded that Brunetti was totally, permanently disabled. The Board found that the ALJ had rationally credited Dr. Rosenberg’s testimony, in conjunction with the opinions of Dr. Warren and Dr. Kapoor, that Brunetti was incapable of employment because of his eye disorder. The Board also found that the ALJ rationally rejected the positions identified by Ms. Havassy because they “fall beyond the scope of claimant’s overall capabilities.” (App. 16). We find that on the issue of the 9 severity of Brunetti’s disability and suitable alternative employment, the Board adhered to the applicable scope of review and did not commit any errors of law. The ALJ examined the record as a whole and his findings were supported by substantial evidence.