Court Opinion

ID: 4506373
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2020-02-11 15:06:45.338738+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T15:04:22.896944
License: Public Domain

NOT FOR PUBLICATION WITHOUT THE
                               APPROVAL OF THE APPELLATE DIVISION
        This opinion shall not "constitute precedent or be binding upon any court." Although it is posted on the
     internet, this opinion is binding only on the parties in the case and its use in other cases is limited. R. 1:36-3.

                                                        SUPERIOR COURT OF NEW JERSEY
                                                        APPELLATE DIVISION
                                                        DOCKET NO. A-1357-18T3

JASON PRENDEVILLE,

         Petitioner-Appellant,

v.

BOARD OF TRUSTEES,
POLICE AND FIREMEN'S
RETIREMENT SYSTEM,

         Respondent-Respondent.

                   Argued January 22, 2020 – Decided February 11, 2020

                   Before Judges Gilson and Rose.

                   On appeal from the Board of Trustees of the Police and
                   Firemen's Retirement System, Department of the
                   Treasury, PFRS No. 3-85947.

                   Arthur J. Murray argued the cause for appellant
                   (Alterman & Associates, LLC, attorneys; Stuart J.
                   Alterman, of counsel; Arthur J. Murray, on the brief).

                   Laura Drahushak, Deputy Attorney General, argued the
                   cause for respondent (Gurbir S. Grewal, Attorney
                   General, attorney; Donna Arons, Assistant Attorney
                   General, of counsel; Laura Drahushak, on the brief).
PER CURIAM

      Jason Prendeville appeals a final decision of the Board of Trustees, Police

and Firemen's Retirement System (PFRS).         The Board adopted the initial

decision of the Administrative Law Judge (ALJ), denying Prendeville's

application for accidental disability retirement benefits. The ALJ found, and the

Board agreed, Prendeville was not permanently and totally disabled from

performing his duties as a corrections officer, and his disability claim was not

the direct result of a traumatic event. Because we conclude the Board's decision

"is supported by sufficient credible evidence on the record as a whole," R. 2:11-

3(e)(1)(D), we affirm.

      In July 2015, Prendeville applied for accidental disability retirement

benefits, claiming he suffered from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), post-

concussion syndrome, and other cognitive and neurological deficits following

an incident that occurred nearly two years prior. At the time of the incident,

Prendeville was working as a senior corrections officer for the Juvenile Justice

Commission. The facts pertaining to that event are essentially undisputed.

      Prendeville was injured when he attempted to quell a melee involving

approximately thirty youthful-offender inmates. He was struck in the head by

"something" that caused blood to "gush[] from [his] nose at a high rate."

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Prendeville was treated in the emergency room for head, nose, and neck injuries;

he did not lose consciousness; he neither sustained broken bones nor required

stitches. Shortly thereafter, Prendeville claimed he experienced anxiety attacks

and cognitive and neurological deficits. He did not return to work.

      The Board denied Prendeville's application.         Following denial of

Prendeville's reconsideration application, the matter was transmitted to the

Office of Administrative Law as a contested case.

      During the ensuing two-day testimonial hearing before the ALJ,

Prendeville testified on his own behalf and presented the testimony of George

A. Peters, Ph.D., an expert in neuropsychology, and Vasko K. Gulevski, M.D.

an expert in neurology. At the time of the hearing, both experts were still

treating Prendeville in connection with his worker's compensation claim. Drs.

Peters and Gulevski agreed that Prendeville is permanently and totally disabled.

The Board presented the competing testimony of its experts: Mark J. Chelder,

Ph.D., a neuropsychology expert, and Steven M. Lomazow, M.D., a neurology

expert. The Board's experts opined Prendeville is not disabled and can return to

work. The ALJ also considered documentary evidence, including the experts'

reports and Prendeville's medical records.

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                                       3
      The ALJ discussed at length the testimony adduced at the hearing, which

is part of the record. The evidence required the ALJ to assess Prendeville's

credibility and to determine which party's medical experts were more credible.

      Although he noted Prendeville "appeared to be a credible witness," the

ALJ ultimately determined Prendeville "embellish[ed] the facts of the incident

and the credible expert testimony of Dr. Chelder established that [Prendeville]

was magnifying his symptoms." Indeed, the ALJ observed Prendeville did not

stutter or exhibit any memory issues while testifying during the hearing. Those

observations were contrary to Prendeville's testimony that his "[s]tuttering . . .

manifest[ed] under stress" and his "memory was horrible"; he "would be in the

middle of a conversation and forget what [he] was saying . . . ."

      Turning to his assessment of the experts, the ALJ recognized all four

"medical experts proved to be credible, competent witnesses."          Citing the

general rule we espoused long ago in a workers' compensation case, the ALJ

aptly observed a treating physician's testimony should be accorded more weight

than an evaluating physician when the medical evidence is in conflict. See

Bialko v. Baker Milk, Co., 38 N.J. Super. 169, 171-72 (App. Div. 1955). The

ALJ recognized, however, that "this guidepost [was] not unwaivable" and noted

that other factors to consider in exposing "weaknesses" in expert testimony

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included whether the expert's "conclusions [were] based largely on the

subjective complaints of the patient or on a cursory examination," or were

"support[ed] in the records from other physicians . . . ." See Angel v. Rand

Express Lines, Inc., 66 N.J. Super. 77, 86 (App. Div. 1961). With those legal

principles in view, the ALJ ultimately determined the Board's experts "presented

a more logical and persuasive opinion as to the issue of permanent and total

disability and [Prendeville]'s ability to perform the functions and duties of his

job."

        Assessing Prendeville's experts, the ALJ afforded both witnesses the

consideration to which they were entitled as his treating physicians, finding

"they presented credible and sincere testimony" and "their opinions were

influenced by [Prendeville]'s subjective complaints that were strengthened by

the objective findings." But, the ALJ concluded "their findings were conclusory

in nature and ill supported by any concrete evidence."

        For example, the ALJ cited various concerns with Dr. Peters' testimony,

particularly during cross-examination:

             Dr. Peters noted that although Prendeville complained
             of many issues with intellectual function, his actual
             scores on the test were high-normal.            Also,
             [Prendeville's] complaints about speech were not
             supported by [Dr. Peters'] findings when he noted that
             Prendeville was "fluent and engaged in conversation."

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                                         5
               . . . [Dr. Peters also] indicate[d] that he was relying on
               Prendeville's history as reported to him. In fact, Dr.
               Peters noted that he was "not a detective" and "I don't
               ask for corroboration" of any information provided.

      Conversely, the ALJ cited examples of Dr. Chelder's testimony,

describing the results of the personality assessment test that a neuropsychologist

had administered to Prendeville. Those results "revealed a tendency toward mild

symptom exaggeration. As such, test findings would need to be interpreted with

caution as they may have overestimated levels of psychological dysfunction."

Dr. Chelder "did not believe that there were ongoing issues related to post -

concussive syndrome as the evidence for concussion was limited." Accordingly,

the ALJ accepted Dr. Chelder's "objective findings" underscoring the expert's

conclusion that: "Prendeville was . . . not permanently and totally disabled from

performing his job as a corrections officer with respect to his psychological

functioning.     There was insufficient evidence of a disabling psychological

disorder due to the findings of symptom exaggeration on personality testing."

      Considering the testimony of the opposing neurological experts, the ALJ

noted both doctors found no objective evidence that Prendeville suffered a

concussion.     Regarding Prendeville's expert, the ALJ observed, "On cross -

examination, Dr. Gulevski conceded that [Prendeville]'s motor exam was normal

along with the sensory examination. In fact, no records confirm the fact that

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Prendeville suffered a concussion[;] only the self-reporting by Prendeville

himself." Similarly, on behalf of the Board, Dr. Lomazow cited "[t]wo MRIs of

the brain demonstrat[ing] very mild nonspecific white matter changes" to

support his conclusion that "[t]here is absolutely no objective evidence with

respect to a concussion." Instead, Dr. Lomazow opined Prendeville exaggerated

his symptoms.

      After Prendeville filed exceptions and the agency replied, the Board

adopted the ALJ's decision "with modification." 1 This appeal followed.

      On appeal, Prendeville raises the following points for our consideration:

                                   POINT I

            THE . . . BOARD'S FAILURE TO GIVE GREATER
            WEIGHT TO THE TESTIMONY OF [DRS.] PETERS
            AND GULEVSKI GIVEN THE FACT THEY WERE
            TREATING EXPERTS AS OPPOSED TO [DRS.]
            CHELDER AND LOMAZOW, WHO WERE
            EXAMINING EXPERTS, LED TO A CLEARLY
            ERRONEOUS DETERMINATION.

                                   POINT II

            THE . . . BOARD'S FAILURE TO ACKNOWLEDGE
            THAT ITS EXPERT'S CONCURRENCE WITH

1
   The Board's modification "reject[ed] statements" on one page of the ALJ's
nineteen-page decision regarding an unrelated incident from another decision by
the ALJ. Prendeville has not raised any concerns about those unrelated
references. Having considered the entire record before the ALJ, our review is
not hampered by those references.
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                                       7
             BOTH [DRS.] PETERS AND GULEVSKI THAT
             PRENDEVILLE WAS     NOT    FIT  TO   BE
             DESIGNATED    AS  [MAXIMUM     MEDICAL
             IMPROVEMENT (MMI)] AS OF THE DATE HE
             TESTIFIED, WHICH WAS MORE THAN [FOUR-
             AND-A-HALF] YEARS POST INCIDENT, LED TO
             A CLEARLY ERRONEOUS DETERMINATION.

                                   POINT III

             THE . . . BOARD'S FAILURE TO RECOGNIZE
             THAT PRENDEVILLE HAD ESTABLISHED ALL
             CRITERIA UNDER THE DSM-V FOR A
             DIAGNOSIS OF PTSD LED TO A CLEARLY
             ERRONEOUS RESULT.

             A. [to E].[2] [DR.] CHELDER, THE BOARD'S HIRED
             EXAMINING EXPERT, CONCURRED WITH [DR.]
             PETERS          THAT     PRENDEVILLE       HAD
             ESTABLISHED CRITERIA A[, C, D, E, AND F]
             UNDER DSM-V FOR A DIAGNOSIS OF PTSD.

             F. ALTHOUGH [DRS.] CHELDER AND PETERS
             DISAGREED OVER WHETHER OR NOT
             PRENDEVILLE HAD ESTABLISHED CRITER[ION]
             B UNDER THE DSM-V FOR A DIAGNOSIS OF
             PTSD, THE MEDICAL RECORDS MOVED INTO
             EVIDENCE COUPLED WITH [DR.] PETERS'
             TESTIMONY SUBSTAN[T]IATE CRITERI[ON] B
             OF PTSD.

                                   POINT IV

             THE . . . BOARD SUBMITTED NO EVIDENCE TO
             REFUTE THE TESTIMONY THAT THE JUVENILE
             JUSTICE COMMISSION OFFERS NO RESTRICTED

2
    We have condensed the related subpoint headings for the sake of brevity.
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                                        8
            DUTY OR LIGHT DUTY TO CORRECTIONS
            OFFICERS.

      "Our review of administrative agency action is limited." Russo v. Bd. of

Trs., Police & Firemen's Ret. Sys., 206 N.J. 14, 27 (2011). Reviewing courts

presume the validity of the "administrative agency's exercise of its statutorily

delegated responsibilities." Lavezzi v. State, 219 N.J. 163, 171 (2014). For

those reasons, "an appellate court ordinarily should not disturb an administrative

agency's determinations or findings unless there is a clear showing that (1) the

agency did not follow the law; (2) the decision was arbitrary, capricious, or

unreasonable; or (3) the decision was not supported by substantial evidence." In

re Virtua-West Jersey Hosp. Voorhees for a Certificate of Need, 194 N.J. 413,

422 (2008).    "The burden of demonstrating that the agency's action was

arbitrary, capricious or unreasonable rests upon the [party] challenging the

administrative action." In re Arenas, 385 N.J. Super. 440, 443-44 (App. Div.

2006).

      "[T]he test is not whether an appellate court would come to the same

conclusion if the original determination was its to make, but rather whether the

factfinder could reasonably so conclude upon the proofs." Brady v. Bd. of

Review, 152 N.J. 197, 210 (1997) (quoting Charatan v. Bd. of Review, 200 N.J.

Super. 74, 79 (App. Div. 1985)). "Where . . . the determination is founded upon

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sufficient credible evidence seen from the totality of the record and on that

record findings have been made and conclusions reached involving agency

expertise, the agency decision should be sustained." Gerba v. Bd. of Trs., Pub.

Emps.' Ret. Sys., 83 N.J. 174, 189 (1980), overruled on other grounds by

Maynard v. Bd. of Trs., Teachers' Pension & Annuity Fund, 113 N.J. 169 (1988).

That said, appellate courts review de novo an agency's interpretation of a statute

or case law. Russo, 206 N.J. at 27.

      Pursuant to N.J.S.A. 43:16A-7(a)(1), a PFRS member may apply for

accidental disability retirement benefits. In Richardson v. Board of Trustees,

Police & Firemen's Retirement Systems, 192 N.J. 189, 212-13 (2007), the Court

held that a claimant for accidental disability retirement benefits must prove:

            1. that he is permanently and totally disabled;

            2. as a direct result of a traumatic event that is

                   a. identifiable as to time and place,

                   b. undesigned and unexpected, and

                   c. caused by a circumstance external to the
                   member (not the result of pre-existing disease
                   that is aggravated or accelerated by the work);

            3. that the traumatic event occurred during and as a
            result of the member's regular or assigned duties;

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                                       10
            4. that the disability was not the result of the member's
            willful negligence; and

            5. that the member is mentally or physically
            incapacitated from performing his usual or any other
            duty.

      Relevant here, the Court observed a "permanent and total disability"

precludes an employee, due to mental or physical impairment, "from performing

his own or any other available job." Id. at 195. An individual seeking accidental

disability retirement benefits must prove a disabling permanent injury, and must

produce "such expert evidence as is required to sustain that burden." Patterson

v. Bd. of Trs., State Police Ret. Sys., 194 N.J. 29, 51 (2008).

      Applying these principles, we are satisfied the medical testimony and

records support the ALJ's decision and the Board's adoption of that decision.

We reject Prendeville's argument raised in point I of his brief that the Board

erred by failing "to give greater weight" to the testimony of his treating

physicians than the Board's non-treating experts. As stated above, the ALJ

carefully examined the legal precedent, but found the Board's experts were more

persuasive. Giving "due regard" to the ALJ's opportunity to hear the witnesses

and judge their credibility, as we must, In re Taylor, 158 N.J. 644, 656 (1999),

we defer to his credibility findings, which "are often influenced by matters such

as observations of the character and demeanor of witnesses and common human
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                                       11
experience that are not transmitted by the record." State v. Locurto, 157 N.J.
463, 474 (1999).

      We further note, the ALJ as the factfinder here, was not obligated to accept

any expert's opinion, even if the expert was "impressive," State v. Carpenter,

268 N.J. Super. 378, 383 (App. Div. 1993), and may accept some of the expert's

testimony and reject the rest, Todd v. Sheridan, 268 N.J. Super. 387, 401 (App.

Div. 1993), even if that testimony is unrebutted by any other evidence, Johnson

v. Am. Homestead Mortg. Corp., 306 N.J. Super. 429, 438 (App. Div. 1997),

particularly "when, as here, the factfinder is confronted with directly divergent

opinions expressed by the experts," State v. M.J.K., 369 N.J. Super. 532, 549

(App. Div. 2004).     Importantly, "the choice of accepting or rejecting the

testimony of witnesses rests with the administrative agency, and where such

choice is reasonably made, it is conclusive on appeal." Renan Realty Corp. v.

State, Dep't of Cmty. Affairs, Bureau of Hous. Inspection, 182 N.J. Super 415,

421 (App. Div. 1981).

      According     the   appropriate   deference   to   the   ALJ's   credibility

determinations, we conclude there is substantial evidence in the record to

support the ALJ's factual findings and legal conclusions, which the Board

adopted. "We rely upon the expertise of the [Board] to separate legitimate from

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illegitimate claims," Patterson, 194 N.J. at 51, and we are satisfied that the

Board's "determination [here] is founded upon sufficient credible evidence seen

from the totality of the record . . . ." Gerba, 83 N.J. at 189; R. 2:11-3(e)(1)(D).

      We have considered Prendeville's remaining contentions in light of the

record and applicable legal principles, and conclude they are without sufficient

merit to warrant discussion in our written opinion. R. 2:11-3(e)(1)(E). We add

only the following brief comments regarding point II of his brief.

      Prendeville contends the Board erred in finding he was not totally and

permanently disabled because both of his experts and the Board's

neuropsychologist opined Prendeville would not achieve MMI and he continues

to receive workers' compensation benefits.            Prendeville's argument is

unavailing. Although a work-related injury may satisfy workers' compensation

requirements, it does not necessarily constitute an "accidental disability" for

pension retirement purposes where, as here, the credible medical evidence in the

record indicates the injury was not the direct result of a traumatic event. Gerba,
83 N.J. at 184.

      Affirmed.

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