Court Opinion

ID: 4696055
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2021-06-16 16:05:13.680193+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T08:05:38.543802
License: Public Domain

IN THE COURT OF APPEALS OF IOWA

                                  No. 20-0986
                              Filed June 16, 2021

SHERILYN FASIG SNITKER,
     Plaintiff-Appellant,

vs.

SEABRIGHT INSURANCE COMPANY, and BIRDNOW ENTERPRISES, INC.
d/b/a BIRDNOW MOTORS,
       Defendants-Appellees.
________________________________________________________________

      Appeal from the Iowa District Court for Polk County, Lawrence P. McLellan,

Judge.

      Sherilyn Fasig Snitker appeals the district court ruling on judicial review

upholding a workers’ compensation benefits award. AFFIRMED.

      Laura Schultes of RSH Legal, P.C., Cedar Rapids, for appellant.

      Michael R. Faz and L. Tyler Laflin of Engles, Ketcham, Olson & Keith, P.C.,

Omaha, Nebraska, for appellees.

      Considered by Bower, C.J., and Doyle and Mullins, JJ.
                                           2

BOWER, Chief Judge.

       Sherilyn Fasig Snitker appeals the district court’s ruling on judicial review

upholding the workers’ compensation commissioner’s determination she suffered

forty-percent industrial disability rather than total disability. We affirm.

       On February 8, 2013, Snitker was working as a sales consultant for Birdnow

Enterprises, Inc. doing business as Birdnow Motors, when she fell twice on ice

while moving vehicles in the lot. After the second fall, she felt pain in her back and

left work.   The employer and its insurer (collectively “Birdnow”) acknowledge

Snitker suffered a work-related injury and paid workers’ compensation benefits

while Snitker obtained medical care for her pain symptoms, including physical

therapy, medication management, injections, radio frequency ablation, and

eventually a lumbar laminectomy and fusion on July 9, 2014. Snitker worked part-

time as recommended by medical providers but eventually ceased working for

Birdnow. All parties acknowledge Snitker has suffered some industrial disability,

the disagreement is about the extent of that disability.

       Whether Snitker suffered a forty-percent industrial disability is a mixed

question of law and fact. See Neal v. Annett Holdings, Inc., 814 N.W.2d 512, 525

(Iowa 2012).     We review the commissioner’s findings of fact for substantial

evidence and “engage in a ‘fairly intensive review of the record to ensure that the

fact finding is itself reasonable.’” Id. (citation omitted). But “in considering findings

of industrial disability, we recognize the commissioner is routinely called upon to

make such assessments and has a special expertise in the area that is entitled to

respect by a reviewing court.”        Id. at 527.     When a party challenges the

commissioner’s application of law to facts, we will not reverse the commissioner’s
                                            3

decision unless it is “irrational, illogical, or wholly unjustifiable.” Larson Mfg. Co. v.

Thorson, 763 N.W.2d 842, 857 (Iowa 2009).

               An employee who suffers a “permanent disability” is entitled
       to compensation. The amount of compensation for an unscheduled
       injury resulting in permanent partial disability is based on the
       employee’s earning capacity. Earning capacity is determined by an
       evaluation of several factors, including “functional disability . . . age,
       education, qualifications, experience, and inability to engage in
       similar employment.” Personal characteristics of the employee that
       affect employability may be considered. In determining industrial
       disability, the commissioner “is not required to fix disability with
       precise accuracy.”

Neal, 814 N.W.2d at 526 (citations omitted).

       Snitker was seen by Timothy Miller, M.D., on May 22, 2014, and again on

December 1, following the laminectomy surgery.               Dr. Miller stated Snitker

appeared to have a good response to the surgery with marked improvement in

radicular function.    She had no residual pain in the lower extremity.               He

recommended some changes to her prescribed medications. Dr. Miller found

Snitker had reached maximum medical improvement (MMI). While he agreed

Snitker had ongoing back problems, he did not believe there was clear indication

her sacroiliitis was directly related to her fall at work. As a result of the injury and

ongoing impairment, he assessed a twenty-one percent whole person impairment

but did not feel the need to impose any permanent restrictions. After a course of

physical therapy, Snitker was again evaluated by Dr. Miller on February 4, 2015.

He noted Snitker had made substantial progress.

       On April 22, 2015, Snitker participated in a functional capacity evaluation

(FCE) with E3 Work Therapy Services. The evaluation was deemed valid, and

based on the results, Snitker was placed in the light duty job category.
                                         4

        On May 11, Dr. Miller wrote: “After reviewing the recommended FCE, while

patient during testing showed material handling of only approximately [twenty-five]

pounds, I do not believe within a reasonable degree of medical certainty that she

requires any restrictions in her present job based on previous evaluation.”

        On September 30, Snitker was evaluated by Maruti Kari, M.D., for chronic

back pain. Dr. Kari recommended a series of caudal epidural lysis of adhesion

procedures followed by one or two sacroiliac joint injections on the right. Snitker

saw Dr. Kari again on November 11 and December 16 for improved but continuing

pain.   On January 18, 2016, Dr. Kari re-evaluated Snitker following further

treatment. Snitker then rated her pain at six of ten. She was diagnosed with

lumbar radiculopathy, sacroiliitis, and post laminectomy pain syndrome.1

        Snitker participated in an independent medical examination (IME) with

Dr. Robin Sassman on May 17, 2016. Dr. Sassman conducted a records review

and physical examination and made no finding Snitker was malingering or

exaggerating her symptoms.      Based on Snitker’s report she had suffered no

previous low back symptoms or low back injury, Dr. Sassman concluded the

current pain, loss of range of motion, and course of treatment were the result of an

aggravation of underlying degenerative disease. Dr. Sassman did not find Snitker

at MMI but instead recommended she seek out further opinions regarding whether

another surgical repair would be useful. Based on her reduced range of motion,

Dr. Sassman assessed a twenty-eight percent whole person impairment.

1 Dr. Kari also noted Snitker was involved in a motor vehicle accident on October 3,
2015, where she ended up upside down in a field and did not sustain any new
injuries.
                                         5

Dr. Sassman also recommended restrictions limiting lifting, pushing, pulling, and

carrying to ten pounds rarely from the floor to waist; lifting, pushing, pulling and

carrying ten pounds occasionally from waist to shoulder; lifting, pushing, pulling,

and carrying ten pounds rarely above shoulder height; and limiting sitting, standing,

and walking to occasional basis and with frequent position changes. In addition,

she recommend no climbing on ladders and rarely using stairs.

       On March 2, 2017, Snitker filed a petition for arbitration, contending she was

permanently and totally disabled due to her work injury with Birdnow. Birdnow

disputed the extent of her disability, and a hearing before a deputy commissioner

was held on April 26, 2018.

       Snitker testified about her work history and stated she enjoyed her work for

Birdnow in car sales. However, after her injury, she was working only twenty-four

hours a week, which translated into decreased sales and commissions. She found

it hard to make a living working only part-time and decided to voluntarily leave her

employment. Her job duties as a car salesperson included showing the vehicle,

coming to a sales agreement with customers, delivering the vehicles, and moving

them around the lot. Snitker had also worked as a finance manager in car sales

and helped process credit applications. Snitker testified it was important to be

known as an honest sales person. While she worked for Birdnow Motors, she

received no disciplinary action for dishonesty.

       Snitker testified that despite the many and varied treatments she has

undergone over the years to help manage her pain, she continues to experience

symptoms, which interfere with her daily life. She does everything more slowly.

She is on medication she feels has diminished her mental sharpness and memory.
                                           6

Snitker stated she struggles both mentally and physically. She is in pain twenty-

four hours a day and sleeps poorly, waking up from pain throughout the night. She

has hired help for tasks such as lawn care and snow removal. Snitker testified she

is limited in how long she can tolerate sitting, standing, and walking.

       Snitker testified she had qualified for Social Security (SS) Disability Benefits

and submitted the disability determination report signed on September 13, 2017.

The report indicated there had been a psychiatric review technique assessment,

which noted Snitker “has had treatment for mostly physical ailments though

symptoms and treatment of depression were noted in the file.” This section of the

report concluded:

               Despite her symptoms, [Snitker] is able to complete activities
       of daily living and mostly reported physical ailments for functional
       limitations. She endorse no issues with interpersonal relationships
       or authority.     She endorsed some issues with memory and
       concentration but is able to follow directions. The claimant’s
       statements regarding her functional limitations related to her mental
       [medically determinable impairments (MDIs)] are mostly consistent.
       [Snitker’s] MDI is considered under listing 12.04 but does not meet
       or equal listing severity or cause more than a minimal effect on her
       functioning. These conditions are therefore considered non-severe.

       Snitker’s residual functional capacity (RFC) was evaluated, and her

exertional limitations included, but were not limited to, occasional lifting or carrying

twenty pounds, frequently lifting or carrying ten pounds, standing or walking a total

of four hours of eight, sitting (with normal breaks) about six hours in an eight-hour

workday, and occasional climbing stairs or ramps. The report noted a medical

records review “reveals [Snitker] does have a history of degenerative disc disease

of her lumbosacral spine.” The report states:

       [Snitker] has a severe medically determinable impairment that does
       not meet or equal any listings. Considered is 1.04 for degenerative
                                         7

      disc disease and status post-operative intervention as described
      above. There is no evidence to support any foot pathology and
      little/no evidence of any significant ongoing radicular pathology in the
      lower extremities that would account for her complaints of foot pain.
      Treating sources do not make specific recommendations regarding
      [RFC]. [Snitker’s] allegations are only partially consistent with the
      evidence of medical record due to discrepancies described above.
      All considered she would remain capable of the RFC as outlined.

The report indicates Snitker “is limited to less than a full range of light work.”

      Under the heading of “vocational explanation” the report states:

      Although there are a few sedentary jobs in the same industry, they
      are not jobs that would be reasonable transfers in that they require
      skills that differed from the claimant’s past duties and would require
      more than a minimal vocational adjustment. She does not have the
      vocational skills that would give her an advantage in the workplace
      to transfer to a significant amount of those possible options.

The disability adjudicator determined Snitker was “disabled.”

      The owner of Birdnow testified at the hearing that over time he began to

doubt the veracity of Snitker’s complaints. He said he saw her walking without a

limp and she did not appear to be as incapacitated as she claimed.

      Birdnow submitted several exhibits, including Dr. Miller’s report following a

second IME on December 20, 2017. In the December 2017 report, Dr. Miller

opined:

      I believe this patient’s condition does arise directly from injury
      suffered February 8, 2013 that exacerbated an underlying condition
      of degenerative changes with spondylolisthesis. I do believe as
      stated previously that the injury February 8 was a material factor in
      her need for further treatment including surgery.
             Based on my evaluation of this patient I believe that no further
      treatment is necessary for this patient other than the previously
      recommended modest medication management I had discussed at
      the time I felt she was at MMI in February 2015 . . . . Based on her
                                          8

       ability to function in my examination and the videotape[2] I reviewed,
       combined with the lack of benefit of multiple procedures, and lack of
       recommended surgical procedures by [surgeon] Dr. Buchanan, I
       would recommend no further interventional treatment of any type be
       offered in the future. I again stated she is at [MMI] and has been
       since I saw her In February 2015. [MMI] does not imply the patient
       has reached the initial baseline prior to injury, simply that the patient
       has been stable and is likely to remain stable at present condition for
       the next six months. She clearly meets the definition.
                With regard to permanent impairment of this patient I
       previously estimated permanent impairment of this patient using the
       AMA fifth guidelines to be [twenty-one percent]. I do believe that was
       an error, and since the patient had a two level fusion she should have
       been placed at [twenty-two percent], with [one percent] additional for
       the second level as is recommended in the ROM method. This
       evaluation based on the charts on page 384. I will state that I believe
       Dr. Sassman made a couple errors in [her] attempt to rate this lady’s
       impairment, which I reviewed. First [s]he referenced a DRE category
       for the neck on page 392 stating this would give a [twenty-eight
       percent] impairment. I believe this is simply an error that [s]he
       would’ve likely caught it [s]he had completed h[er] evaluation using
       the DRE method. However, [s]he instead chose to go to the ROM
       method. While this is allowable, a review of the AMA 6th guidelines
       states that the ROM method is notoriously unreliable and shows too
       much interindividual variation. For that reason it was removed in the
       subsequent guidelines.

       Birdnow also submitted a report following the second FCE conducted by E3

Work Therapy Services on February 15, 2018.              That report concluded the

evaluation was invalid because Snitker over-reported symptoms and under-

reported abilities when compared to observations made while Snitker was

distracted.

       Dr. Miller reviewed this FCE and, on March 3, 2018, prepared a revised

opinion:

             Since the [FCE] is invalid, and felt to underestimate [Snitker’s]
       residual capacity, and since [her surgeon] has not replied with safety

2This videotape was offered into evidence by Birdnow. The video is approximately
twenty-minutes of footage taken during Snitker’s wedding celebration, which
Birdnow provided to Dr. Miller.
                                            9

       concerns, I am left with a situation where I must estimate residual
       capacity by observation.
               I would assign the following permanent restrictions related to
       [Snitker’s] February 8, 2013 work injury, to a level of medical
       certainty, for full time [forty-]hour per week employment: Lifting,
       maximum [forty pounds], repeated lifting during the day of [thirty
       pounds]. No nonmaterial handling restrictions, with the exception of
       deep squat greater than [ninety] degrees, including no restriction on
       sitting, walking, standing, bending, climbing, reaching including
       overhead. [Snitker] should need no more than routine breaks during
       the day.

       Birdnow also submitted an industrial disability assessment by Ted P.

Stricklett, M.S., conducted in February 2018. Stricklett determined there were

positions available to Snitker based on Dr. Miller’s restrictions including, but not

limited to, collection representative, inside sales clerk, office clerk, telephone sales

representative, and customer service associate. Given the region where Snitker

lived and Dr. Miller’s recommended work restrictions, Stricklett believed Snitker’s

loss of earning capacity—industrial disability—as a result of the work-related injury

at approximately thirty-five percent.

       On July 18, 2018, the deputy commissioner issued an arbitration decision

finding Snitker suffered an industrial disability of forty percent. On intra-agency

appeal, the commissioner adopted the deputy’s findings and conclusions.

       Snitker filed an application for judicial review. The district court concluded

the agency’s findings were supported by substantial evidence and its conclusions

were not irrational, illogical, or wholly unjustifiable.

       Snitker appeals, asserting some of the agency’s fact findings were incorrect,

which in turn affected its weighing of medical and vocational opinions and resulted

in a ruling that is not supported by substantial evidence and an application of law

to fact that was irrational, illogical, and wholly unjustifiable.
                                        10

      As is often repeated: “Our decision is controlled in large part by the

deference we afford to decisions of administrative agencies.” Cedar Rapids Cmty.

Sch. Dist. v. Pease, 807 N.W.2d 839, 844 (Iowa 2011). “Judicial review of workers’

compensation cases is governed by Iowa Code chapter 17A. On our review, we

determine whether we arrive at the same conclusion as the district court.” Warren

Props. v. Stewart, 864 N.W.2d 307, 311 (Iowa 2015) (citation omitted). An agency

findings of fact are upheld if supported by substantial evidence. See Pease, 807

N.W.2d at 845. “‘Substantial evidence’ means the quantity and quality of evidence

that would be deemed sufficient by a neutral, detached, and reasonable person,

to establish the fact at issue when the consequences resulting from the

establishment of that fact are understood to be serious and of great importance.”

Iowa Code § 17A.19(10)(f)(1).

      We set out the deputy’s findings adopted by the commissioner:

              The primary dispute in this matter is the extent of the
      claimant’s disability. . . .
              The experts agree claimant sustained ongoing chronic back
      pain as a result of her fall on February 8, 2013, which aggravated an
      underlying, and [formerly] asymptomatic, degenerative disease in
      the lumbar and sciatic region. As a result of this injury, [Snitker] has
      underwent physical therapy, medication management, fusion
      surgery, injections, and a spinal cord stimulator trial.
              Currently, she is on a battery of medications including
      narcotics which she takes up to four pills a day.
              Despite these multiple treatment modalities, [Snitker]
      continues to suffer from burning pain in her back which prevents her
      from working in the same capacity as she had prior to the injury.
              The symptoms recorded by Dr. Sassman during the 2015
      [IME] and those recorded by Dr. Miller in the 2017 [IME] are quite
      different. Dr. Sassman found [Snitker] to have decreased sensation
      in the lumbar region, positive straight leg raise tests bilaterally, and
      an antalgic gait. Dr. Miller did not find any of these. Dr. Miller's
      results, however, were more in line with the physical examination of
      Dr. Kari on January 4, 2018. Dr. Kari recorded [Snitker]'s symptoms
      to include an antalgic gait, tenderness in bilateral buttock and
                                           11

       lumbosacral area, normal sensation, negative straight leg raise tests,
       negative facet loading maneuvers and positive sacroiliac tests.
                Based in part on the invalid [FCE] as well as the observations
       of Dr. Miller who most recently saw [Snitker] in a medical capacity, it
       is determined that [Snitker] has not sustained a permanent total
       disability.
                Even under the work restrictions assessed by Dr. Sassman,
       [Snitker] would still be able to undertake many of the tasks that she
       had prior to the work injury. Her previous job as a sales associate
       required very little lifting. She has been involved in processing
       financial paperwork, credit applications, and sales documents.
       Further, she has spent the last [twenty] years in a sales position.
       Since [Snitker]’s resignation from the defendant employer in March
       2017, it does not appear that she has made any efforts to find new
       employment. Her initial Social Security disability application was
       denied because she was working part-time and earning a substantial
       income. It was not until she added a mental component to her injury
       that the Social Security Administration found the [Snitker] to be
       disabled.
                There is no evidence in this case the [Snitker] has sustained
       a mental injury arising out of and in the course of her employment.
       [Snitker] testified that the medications that she takes renders her
       incapable of performing the more complicated financial duties that
       she undertook as a car salesperson; however, there are many jobs
       in the sales field which do not require extensive financial paperwork.
                The vocational report prepared by Mr. Strick[lett] suggested
       the [Snitker] has sustained a nearly [sixty] percent loss of income and
       [thirty-five] percent decrease in earning capacity. Prior to her
       voluntary discharge from the defendant employer, [Snitker] was
       working approximately [twenty-four] hours a week. The work
       restrictions recommended by Dr. Sassman place [Snitker] in the light
       to sedentary work category. [Snitker’s] past work experience in sales
       give her the skills to be able to work light to sedentary positions such
       as collection representative, inside sales clerk, office clerk,
       telephone sales representative, and customer service associate.
                Taking all the foregoing into consideration, it is determined the
       [Snitker] has sustained a [forty] percent industrial loss.

       Snitker objects to the emphasized language, arguing these findings were

“key” to the agency’s ruling and were “completely wrong.” She notes there was no

initial denial of her claim for SS disability benefits and the SS finding of disability is

not based on mental-health conditions. We agree the agency’s language is an

erroneous interpretation of the SS determination of disability, which we set forth
                                        12

more fully above [at pages 6-7].3 But we are not convinced this misinterpretation

of the SS benefit award detracts from the agency’s ultimate ruling of industrial

disability. The question is not whether the evidence supports a finding different

than that of the agency but whether there is substantial evidence supporting the

findings made. Pease, 807 N.W.2d at 844–45.

       Snitker objects to the agency’s “implied” finding she was not credible. She

explains why her wedding video is not an accurate representation of her

capabilities. The deputy agreed, writing, “I find that the surveillance video holds

little value. It is a video of only a small section of one special day and does not

provide insight as to claimant’s day to day abilities.” The agency made no explicit

finding of credibility.   The deputy accurately noted the employer testified he

became more skeptical of Snitker’s abilities as time passed. And the deputy

accurately reported the second FCE was found to be invalid.

3 The SSA notice of award does note two claims for benefits and the deputy may
have been confused by that. However, one claim was for disability benefits and
the other was for disabled widow’s benefits. The award letter reads in part:
              You are entitled to monthly disability benefits beginning March
       2016.
              You are also entitled to disabled widow’s benefits . . .
       beginning September 2016. We are sending you another letter about
       these benefits.
Snitker’s disability benefits start date was based on the date of her application.
       With respect to Snitker’s disability claim, she asserted she became disabled
on February 8, 2013. However, the evaluator determined:
              You said you are disabled because of low back and feet pain.
       You said your condition prevent you from working as of 02-08-2013.
       Additional information indicates that you were working and your
       earnings were considered substantial. Due to Social Security
       Administrative rules, you cannot be considered disabled if you are
       working and your earnings are considered substantial. Therefore,
       the earliest date you can be considered disabled is 12-31-2014.
       Disability is established as of 12-31-2014.
                                             13

       The agency found Snitker’s “past work experience in sales give her the skills

to be able to work light to sedentary positions such as collection representative,

inside sales clerk, office clerk, telephone sales representative, and customer

service associate.” The agency rationally explained Dr. Miller’s observations of

Snitker’s symptoms and restrictions were “more in line with the physical

examination of Dr. Kari on January 4, 2018” than Dr. Sassman’s. The agency

noted Snitker takes “a battery of medications,” which she testified “renders her

incapable of performing the more complicated financial duties that she undertook

as a car salesperson.” Yet, the agency found “there are many jobs in the sales

field which do not require extensive financial paperwork.” The agency also noted

Stricklett’s vocational report suggested Snitker sustained a thirty-five percent

decrease in earning capacity.          From our review of the record the agency

considered proper factors pertinent to industrial disability and its determination was

not irrational, illogical, or wholly unjustifiable.

       Because there is substantial evidence supporting the agency’s pertinent

factual findings and the agency’s industrial disability determination was based on

proper factors and rationally explained, we affirm.

       AFFIRMED.