Court Opinion

ID: 2706807
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2014-08-05 13:19:29.249449+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T12:56:44.930144
License: Public Domain

[Cite as State ex rel. Parker v. Indus. Comm., 2014-Ohio-2193.]

                              IN THE COURT OF APPEALS OF OHIO

                                   TENTH APPELLATE DISTRICT

State of Ohio ex rel. Art Parker,                      :

                 Relator,                              :

v.                                                     :             No. 13AP-583

Industrial Commission of Ohio                          :          (REGULAR CALENDAR)
and Prenova Inc.,
                                                       :
                 Respondents.
                                                       :

                                         D E C I S I O N

                                       Rendered on May 22, 2014

                 Portman & Foley LLP, and Frederic A. Portman, for relator.

                 Michael DeWine, Attorney General, and Brian J. Becker, for
                 respondent Industrial Commission of Ohio.

                                             IN MANDAMUS

BROWN, J.
        {¶ 1} Relator, Art Parker, has filed an original action requesting that this court
issue a writ of mandamus ordering respondent, Industrial Commission of Ohio, to vacate
its order of June 3, 2013, denying relator's application for permanent total disability
compensation, and to enter an order granting said compensation.
        {¶ 2} This matter was referred to a magistrate of this court pursuant to Civ.R.
53(C) and Loc.R. 13(M) of the Tenth District Court of Appeals. The magistrate issued the
appended decision, including findings of fact and conclusions of law, recommending that
No. 13AP-583                                                                             2

this court deny relator's request for a writ of mandamus. No objections have been filed to
that decision.
       {¶ 3} Finding no error of law or other defect on the face of the magistrate's
decision, this court adopts the magistrate's decision as our own, including the findings of
fact and conclusions of law. In accordance with the magistrate's decision, we deny
relator's requested writ of mandamus.
                                                               Writ of mandamus denied.

                        O'GRADY and LUPER SCHUSTER, JJ., concur.

                                _______________________

                                    APPENDIX A

                            IN THE COURT OF APPEALS OF OHIO

                                TENTH APPELLATE DISTRICT

State of Ohio ex rel. Art Parker,            :

                 Relator,                    :

v.                                           :                    No. 13AP-583

Industrial Commission of Ohio                :               (REGULAR CALENDAR)
and Prenova Inc.,
                                             :
                 Respondents.
                                             :

                            MAGISTRATE'S DECISION
No. 13AP-583                                                                            3

                             Rendered on February 28, 2014

               Portman & Foley LLP, and Frederic A. Portman, for relator.

               Michael DeWine, Attorney General, and Brian J. Becker, for
               respondent Industrial Commission of Ohio.

                                    IN MANDAMUS

      {¶ 4} In this original action, relator, Art Parker, requests a writ of mandamus
ordering respondent Industrial Commission of Ohio ("commission") to vacate the June 3,
2013 order of its staff hearing officer ("SHO") that denies relator's January 16, 2013
application for permanent total disability ("PTD") compensation, and to enter an order
granting the compensation.

Findings of Fact:
       {¶ 5} 1. On June 19, 2000, relator injured his lower back when he lost his balance
walking down stairs. On the date of injury, relator was employed as a carpenter for
respondent Prenova Inc., a state-fund employer. The industrial claim (No. 00-432275) is
allowed for:
               Sprain lumbar region; aggravation of pre-existing
               degenerative joint disease at L-5, S1 (facet arthropathy);
               aggravation of pre-existing disc protrusion at L2-L3, L3-4
               and L5-S1; L4-5 annular rent; aggravation pre-existing disc
               bulge L4-5; L4-5 protruding disc.

      {¶ 6} 2. On December 29, 2009, relator underwent lower back surgery performed
by Larry Todd, D.O. In his operative report, Dr. Todd describes the surgical procedures
performed:
               [One] Posterior spinal fusion and instrumentation at the L4-
               5 and L5-S1 level utilizing Stryker Xia II instrumentation.

               [Two] Infuse bone morphogenic protein for the posterior
               fusion part of the procedure at the L4-5 and L5-S1 level.

               3. On November 9, 2011, treating physician Stephen Altic, D.O., wrote:
No. 13AP-583                                                                          4

              [H]is condition is stable and not much else is able to be done
              in his case and I feel that he is [maximum medical
              improvement]. Since I have now stated that he is
              permanently totally disabled, I am obviously unable to
              continue stating that he is temporarily disabled on a C-84.

        {¶ 7} 4. On November 9, 2011, relator filed an application for PTD compensation.
In support, relator submitted the November 9, 2011 report of Dr. Altic
        {¶ 8} 5. On January 12, 2012, at the commission's request, relator was
examined by Robin G. Stanko, M.D. In his three-page narrative report, Dr. Stanko
opined:
              I feel the claimant could perform activity at sedentary work
              levels, that is, lifting up to 10 lbs. with rare bending and
              twisting activity.

        {¶ 9} 6. On January 12, 2012, Dr. Stanko completed a Physical Strength Rating
form. On the form, Dr. Stanko indicated by his mark that relator is capable of sedentary
work.
        {¶ 10} 7. On March 8, 2012, at relator's request, vocational consultant Stephen
Phillips, an employee of Medvopro, issued a six-page narrative report captioned
"Employability Assessment." In his report, Mr. Phillips concludes that relator is unable
to perform sustained remunerative employment. Mr. Phillips explains:
              He reports constant pain in his lower back with numbness
              and weakness in both legs as well as radiculopathy down the
              right lower extremity. His physical limitations have caused
              him to do his ADL's at a slower rate. He has to stop and rest.
              He requires assistance from his daughters. He can only
              engage in an activity for a few minutes and then must rest for
              a long period of time. He can drive but only for short
              distances. He has to change positions every two hours.

              He is in chronic severe pain for which he takes narcotic
              medication. This limits his ability to drive to a place of
              employment and then engage in work around machinery or
              other activities where an altered state of consciousness can
              be a safety hazard for themselves or others. Driving is also
              difficult and aggravates his conditions. The medication will
              also adversely affect cognitive abilities such as problem
              solving, focus, attention to detail, and memory. These are
              also accentuated by sleep depravation due to being awake a
              lot at night due to pain. Lack of restorative sleep places an
No. 13AP-583                                                                 5

           individual at risk due to a slower reaction time, ability to
           concentrate on tasks, and to exercise good judgment in
           situations.

           His work history is limited to building maintenance repair
           which is a medium strength range job in the skilled level. He
           has done this work all his life successfully until the date of
           injury. The injury drastically changed his physical abilities.
           Thus, the positive attributes such as past academic skills,
           intelligence, work history, ability to learn, consistent work
           history, past learned skills, which served in attaining this
           career are now inhibited by the changed circumstances.
           Success in the past based on positive attributes can no longer
           be a predictor of current status. They are only an indicator of
           what worked in the past when he was healthy. As he is no
           longer at the same physical functioning level, he must be
           evaluated according to his current status and not his past
           status. There is no evidence that his education provides for
           direct entry into skilled work. There are no jobs existing in
           significant numbers in the national economy that he is able
           to perform.

           ***

           He does not have the capacity to perform writing or business
           correspondence or complex decision making. He presents as
           having marked limitations in his ability to do complex tasks
           and participate in normal work routine because of his
           physical difficulties. He cannot perform within the usual and
           customary expectations of a normal work routine; he would
           be unable to maintain a consistent pace or to be persistent in
           a work like task. His condition precludes his ability to attend
           and concentrate or to be productive enough to complete a
           normal work routine or to perform at a level commensurate
           with production or quota demands.

           At the age of 61 he is at a disadvantage in seeking
           employment in this day of high unemployment and against
           younger able bodied individuals competing for the limited
           jobs available, especially in any low strength jobs. Age
           discrimination does exist as well as prejudice against
           disabled or physically limited individuals. This creates an
           additional barrier to employment.

           The report by Dr. Robin Stanko MD opining ability to work
           in a sedentary capacity when compared to other available
           documentation does not present a credible conclusion. The
No. 13AP-583                                                                    6

             weight of evidence leads to a conclusion of his inability to
             sustain remunerative employment.

             Per MCO medical management guidelines, an injured worker
             is to be periodically evaluated for vocational rehabilitation
             services and then offered such services, unless during the
             evaluation process, the injured worker is found to be not
             eligible or feasible for services. Feasibility as defined by the
             BWC Chapter 4 guidelines states, "feasibility for vocational
             services means that there is a reasonable probability that the
             injured worker will benefit from services at this time and
             return to work as a result of these services." There was no
             documentation provided that services were offered or turned
             down or that he was even informed of the availability of
             possible services. He has not been in vocational
             rehabilitation in the past and given the facts of the case
             would be found non-feasible for services by BWC.

             Training is not an option even though he has a high school
             education, at his age o[f] 61, length of time since his last
             academic experience- 42 years, and lack of information
             revealing on-going or recent academic studies, individuals
             normally find academic retraining to be very difficult. When
             the on-going physical issues and medication issues are
             considered it makes training even more difficult. From the
             physical standpoint he would have difficulty attending
             classes for several hours a day. He is in chronic pain and
             even with the ability to change position would not be able to
             endure the physical necessity to attend classes. Depression
             will also affect motivation and the ability to be self directing
             and focus on long term goals of schooling. At this age, the
             BWC is not willing to engage in long term training services
             and available short term training is above his physical and
             psychological capacity.

             ***

             With consideration given to the information on file, the age,
             and current physical limitations, it is my opinion based on
             the information contained in this report that Art Parker is
             limited in his ability to compete in today's labor market. Art
             Parker is a very unlikely candidate for any sustained,
             remunerative employment.

(Emphasis sic.)
No. 13AP-583                                                                    7

      {¶ 11} 8. Following a June 4, 2012 hearing, an SHO issued an order denying
relator's PTD application. The SHO's order of June 4, 2012 explains:
             The Injured Worker is a 62-year-old male with a high school
             diploma, with the last two years of his high school experience
             being spent in vocational school. His work experience
             consisted of approximately 40 years with the same
             Employer, working as a carpenter in building maintenance
             repair. The Staff Hearing Officer finds one active claim
             relevant to the Injured Worker's pending application for
             permanent total disability compensation, claim 00-432275,
             which relates to a 06/19/2000 industrial injury that
             occurred when he lost his balance while he was descending a
             flight of stairs and fell. Treatment under the claim has
             included a major lumbar surgery consisting of an L4-5 and
             L5-S1 decompressive laminectomy and fusion with cage
             implantation and bone graft. Current treatment is
             conservative. The Injured Worker testified that he lives
             alone, does his own cooking, laundry, and shopping, and
             tends to livestock on his property. According to his IC-2
             Application and his testimony at hearing, the Injured Worker
             last worked in any capacity in December of 2009, leaving the
             work force just prior to his lumbar fusion surgery.

             Dr. Stanko, a physical medicine and rehabilitation specialist,
             examined the Injured Worker on 01/12/2012 with regard to
             the allowed conditions of the claim and the permanent total
             impairment issue. Based on his examination findings and
             review of file documentation, Dr. Stanko concluded that the
             Injured Worker is capable of sedentary work activity, with a
             limitation against more than rare bending and twisting
             activity.

             Based on the report from Dr. Stanko, which is persuasive,
             the Staff Hearing Officer finds that when only the
             impairment arising from the allowed conditions of the claim
             is considered, the Injured Worker has the residual functional
             capacity to perform sedentary work activity as described in
             the report. Furthermore, when his degree of medical
             impairment is considered in conjunction with his non-
             medical disability factors, the Staff Hearing Officer finds that
             the Injured Worker is capable of sustained remunerative
             employment and is not permanently and totally disabled.

             The Staff Hearing Officer finds that while the Injured
             Worker's age is an impediment to his potential for returning
             to the workforce, it is not an insurmountable barrier to that
No. 13AP-583                                                                   8

           potential. Individuals of the Injured Worker's age have
           sufficient time to acquire new jobs skills, at least through
           informal means such as short-term or on-the-job-training,
           that could serve to enhance their potential for re-
           employment. In this regard, the Staff Hearing Officer finds
           that subsequent to his recovery from and stabilization after
           his 2009 surgery, the Injured Worker has not initiated any
           contact with the Bureau of Workers' Compensation
           Rehabilitation Division with regard to his feasibility for
           vocational rehabilitation services, or made any other effort to
           re-train or to acquire new skills. As set forth in State ex rel.
           Speelman v. Indus. Comm., 73 Ohio App.3d 757, 598 N.E.2d
           192 (1992), and more recently in State ex rel. Cunningham v.
           Indus. Comm., 91 Ohio St.3d 261, 744 N.E.2d 711 (2001), the
           Commission, when considering a claim for permanent total
           disability, may consider not only past employment skills, but
           also those skills which may reasonably be developed;
           accordingly, the Staff Hearing Officer may take into account
           the lack of effort by an Injured Worker to pursue new skills
           that might have led to a return to employment.

           The Staff Hearing Officer finds that the Injured Worker's
           high school diploma is a vocational asset with regard to his
           re-employment potential, despite the following facts. The
           Injured Worker testified to difficulties in reading and writing
           due to a diagnosis of dyslexia, indicating that he did not
           graduate high school until age 20, after pursuing vocational
           classes in machine drafting in order to finish. He further
           testified that he never used this vocational training in his
           work as a carpenter and in building maintenance and repair.
           On his IC-2 Application, however, the Injured Worker
           reported no self-limitations with his ability to perform basic
           math. Notwithstanding his literacy difficulties, the Injured
           Worker had a long and successful career for one Employer as
           a carpenter and in building maintenance. The Staff Hearing
           Officer finds that the added significance of this finding lies in
           the fact that the Injured Worker's work in this capacity is
           properly classified at the skilled level of employment, as
           indicated in the vocational assessment report from Mr.
           Phillips dated 03/08/2012, submitted on the Injured
           Worker's behalf. As such, despite his literacy problems, the
           Injured Worker was able to learn the skills necessary to
           perform skilled work activity successfully for approximately
           40 years, presumably through informal means such as short-
           term or on-the-job training as opposed to any formal
           program. The Staff Hearing Officer finds that on his IC-2
           Application, the Injured Worker indicated that his work in
No. 13AP-583                                                                 9

           carpentry and building maintenance required him to read
           work orders, close out work orders, and buy orders. Mr.
           Phillips' report further indicates that throughout his career,
           the Injured Worker demonstrated average general learning
           ability, average verbal aptitude, and average numerical
           aptitude, as well as above-average spatial aptitude, form
           perception, and manual dexterity. Based on these facts, the
           Staff Hearing Officer finds that the Injured Worker was able
           to rise above the limitations caused by his reading/writing
           difficulties and perform successfully at the skilled level of
           employment for approximately 40 years. The Staff Hearing
           Officer finds no persuasive evidence on file to support a
           finding that the Injured Worker no longer retains his
           demonstrated capacity to learn work skills through informal
           means. As such, the Staff Hearing Officer finds that the
           Injured Worker has sufficient intelligence and aptitudes to
           obtain and perform jobs consistent with his claim-related
           functional limitations. In addition, the Staff Hearing Officer
           specifically rejects that portion of Mr. Phillips' 03/08/2012
           vocational assessment report indicating that the Injured
           Worker developed no skills from his past work that are
           transferable to jobs at the sedentary level; the specific
           findings cited above from Mr. Phillips' report regarding his
           average and above-average aptitudes contradict such an
           opinion.

           Finally, the Staff Hearing Officer finds that the Injured
           Worker is currently vocationally qualified to obtain and
           perform jobs at the sedentary level consistent with Dr.
           Stanko's report. The Staff Hearing Officer bases this finding
           in part on the Dictionary of Occupational Titles, which
           identifies positions [and] the requirements of which fall
           within Dr. Stanko's restrictions and for which the Injured
           Worker is either qualified or can qualify with minimal
           training. In addition, the Staff Hearing Officer finds that the
           Injured Worker retains his demonstrated capacity for job
           skill acquisition, at least through informal means such as
           short-term or on-the-job training, an exercise of which could
           serve to widen the scope of employment options available to
           him.

           Therefore, because the Injured Worker has the residual
           functional capacity to perform sedentary work activity as
           described by Dr. Stanko in his 01/12/2012 report when only
           the impairment arising from the allowed conditions of the
           claim is considered, because the Injured Worker is qualified
           by age, skilled work history, and demonstrated capacity for
No. 13AP-583                                                                            10

              job skill acquisition to obtain and perform jobs at that level
              as described, and because he retains the capacity to acquire
              new skills, at least through informal means, that could serve
              to enhance his potential for re-employment, the Staff
              Hearing Officer finds that the Injured Worker is capable of
              sustained remunerative employment and is not permanently
              and totally disabled. Accordingly, the IC-2 Application filed
              11/09/2011 is denied.

       {¶ 12} 9. In early November 2012, relator was referred to a vocational
rehabilitation program sponsored by the Ohio Bureau of Workers' Compensation
("bureau").
       {¶ 13} 10. On December 24, 2012, vocational rehabilitation case manager
Stephen Phillips, signed bureau form RH-21 captioned "Vocational Rehabilitation
Closure Report." The closure report indicated that relator's rehabilitation file was closed
on December 19, 2012. The Stephen Phillips who signed the closure report is the same
person who authored the March 8, 2012 report previously mentioned. In the closure
report, Mr. Phillips states:
              He had a vocational evaluat[io]n on 12/14/12 which opined,
              "The vocational evaluation indicates a poor prognosis for
              successful completion of a vocational rehabilitation plan
              ending in job placement. He cannot do SE/SJ or SE/DJ as he
              does not have a job to return to. He cannot do DE/SJ as the
              POR has opined that he is not capable of performing the
              required job duties. He does not have transferable skills
              within the sedentary to light strength range. He is not able to
              sustain an 8 hour day of work based on the performance
              during the assessment. He does possess a high school
              diploma and does not have any computer training. However,
              based on the achievement scores in reading and math, he
              does not have the academic abilities to benefit from training.
              He is a very slow reader and reports someone told him he is
              dyslexic. He does not have the skills for clerical work. He
              would be too slow in production work and he had low
              dexterity scores. All his aptitude scores were low and he
              evidenced no ability in any of them to indicate possible
              success in a job field. He is [i]n chronic pain for which he
              takes narcotic medication. He is not a feasible candidate for
              vocational rehabilitation services leading to employment."
              He graduated from High School in 1970 though he did repeat
              two years. He was not in the military. He is in chronic severe
              pain for which he takes narcotic medication. This limits his
No. 13AP-583                                                                       11

             ability to drive to a place of employment and then engage in
             work around machinery or other activities where an altered
             state of consciousness can be a safety hazard for themselves
             or others. Driving is also difficult and aggravates his
             conditions. The medication will also adversely affect
             cognitive abilities such as problem solving, focus, attention
             to detail, and memory. These are also accentuated by sleep
             deprivation due to being awake a lot at night due to pain.
             Lack of restorative sleep places an individual at risk due to a
             slower reaction time, ability to concentrate on tasks, and to
             exercise good judgment in situations. His work history is
             limited to building repairer. He has done this work all his life
             successfully until the date of injury. * * * Training is not an
             option. At his age, length of time since his last academic
             experience, and lack of information revealing on-going or
             recent academic studies, individuals normally find academic
             retraining to be very difficult. When the on-going physical
             issues and medication issues are considered it makes
             training even more difficult. From the physical standpoint he
             would have difficulty attending classes for several hours a
             day. He is in chronic pain and even with the ability to change
             position would not be able to endure the physical necessity to
             attend classes. It will also affect motivation and the ability to
             be self-directing and focus on long term goals of schooling.
             At this age, the BWC is not willing to engage in long term
             training services and available short term training is above
             his physical and psychological capacity. He is at maximum
             medical improvement. Thus no significant improvement can
             be expected which will alter his employability potential. The
             MCO agrees that he is not appropriate or feasible for
             vocational rehabilitation. Feasibility as defined by the BWC
             Chapter 4 guidelines states, "feasibility for vocational
             services means that there is a reasonable probability that the
             injured worker will benefit from services at this time and
             return to work as a result of these services." In short he can
             not obtain and sustain remunerative employment to which
             this case manager agrees.

      {¶ 14} 11. On December 24, 2012, Mr. Phillips, acting as disability manager for
WorkReady Ltd., wrote to relator:
             Please allow this letter to provide formal notification that
             your vocational rehabilitation file has been closed on
             12/19/12 for the following reason: you are not feasible for
             vocational rehabilitation services leading to employment.
             You were referred to WorkRead[y] Ltd. in an effort to offer
             you case management services since you meet the eligibility
No. 13AP-583                                                                        12

             requirements to participate in the Bureau of Workers'
             Compensation's (BWC) vocational rehabilitation program.

      {¶ 15} 12. On January 14, 2013, Dr. Altic wrote to relator's counsel:

             I last evaluated this gentleman on 11/08/2012 and he had
             continued unrelenting lumbar axial pain with bilateral lower
             extremity radicular pain. While there were as many
             inconsistencies in his FCE as reported, this gentleman was
             evaluated by vocational rehab and they found him unfeasible
             and unable to obtain or sustain gainful remunerative
             employment. I certainly agree with that vocational rehab
             assessment which is reiteration of my previous statement.
             While I have indicated some restrictions on a Medco-14, this
             gentleman is obviously not bedridden and is capable of some
             degree of function which that Medco-14 reflects. He is simply
             not capable of any sustained gainful remunerative
             employment.

             Therefore, my opinion that I rendered to you of 11/09/2011
             is still valid, that this gentleman is so impaired by his lumbar
             conditions allowed in this claim which include multilevel
             disc issues, 722.2 at L2-L3, L3-L4, L5-S1, as well as 722.10 at
             L4-L5, 722.2 L4-L5, and spondylosis 721.3, that he is so
             functionally       impaired     by    these    conditions    and
             symptomatically impaired, that he is permanently totally
             disabled from all gainful remunerative employment. In fact,
             if anything over the past year, his condition has progressed
             symptomatically.

      {¶ 16} 13. On January 16, 2013, relator filed his second application for PTD
compensation. In support, relator submitted the January 14, 2013 report from Dr. Altic.
Relator also submitted the March 8, 2012 report of Mr. Phillips, the December 19, 2012
closure report signed by Mr. Phillips on December 24, 2012, and Mr. Phillips'
December 24, 2012 letter to relator.
      {¶ 17} 14. On April 10, 2013, at the commission's request, relator was examined
by Brian E. Higgins, D.O. In his four-page narrative report, Dr. Higgins opines:
             Mr. Parker is capable of sedentary work. He will require
             frequent position changes every 10-15 minutes, going from
             sitting to standing and reverse. He has limited walking
             abilities. He may walk for about 10-15 minutes at a time. He
             can exert minimal force up to 10 pounds occasionally with a
             negligible amount of pushing.
No. 13AP-583                                                                            13

      {¶ 18} 15. Dr. Higgins also completed a Physical Strength Rating form. On the
form, Dr. Higgins indicated by his mark that relator is capable of sedentary work. In the
space provided, under the pre-printed query "[f]urther limitations, if needed," Dr. Higgins
wrote in his own hand:
             Change position [every] 10-15 min[utes]. Limited working
             time.

      {¶ 19} 16. Earlier, on October 11, 2012, upon referral of Dr. Altic, relator
underwent a functional capacities evaluation ("FCE") performed by Scott Secrest. In his
two-page narrative report, Mr. Secrest opined:
             Mr. Parker's abilities and response to testing were very
             typical of client's [sic] with low back injuries. Although he
             demonstrates somewhat competitive abilities in isolation, he
             demonstrates a marked increase in pain behaviors and
             reported symptoms with cumulative tasks, particularly with
             sustained sitting or sustained standing.

             He demonstrates safe work abilities between the sedentary
             and light physical demand level. He meets all of the
             requirements for the sedentary level but meets only partial
             requirements for the light level (Specific abilities are
             identified on page 3 of this report). However, even within a
             sedentary-light capacity, Mr. Parker will most certainly
             require additional accommodations to allow for regular
             postural/positional adjustments between sitting, standing,
             and walking.

             Therefore, in my overall analysis, Mr. Parker demonstrates
             competitive vocational abilities within a Sedentary-Light
             physical demand level and with regularly scheduled
             opportunities to make positional adjustments between
             sitting, standing, and walking.

      {¶ 20} 17. Following a June 3, 2013 hearing, an SHO issued an order denying
relator's second PTD application. The SHO's order of June 3, 2013 explains:
             The Injured Worker was previously denied permanent total
             disability benefits by the Indus. Comm. from a hearing on
             06/04/2012. The circumstances from the last application for
             permanent total disability compensation are nearly identical
             to the present application.
No. 13AP-583                                                                  14

           The Injured Worker's last application was supported by Dr.
           Altic. The current application is supported by Dr. Altic. Dr.
           Altic in his report of 01/14/2013 in support of the current
           application references his last report of 11/09/2011 and
           states the circumstances are still the same, and that his
           opinion is still the same. Dr. Altic does state in his report of
           01/14/2013 that if anything the Injured Worker's condition
           has progressed since his evaluation of the Injured Worker on
           11/09/2011. Dr. Altic's statement regarding a "progression"
           in the Injured Worker's condition is vague, and provides a
           modicum of evidence of a deterioration in the Injured
           Worker's condition since the last determination on this issue
           from the hearing on 06/04/2012.

           Stephen Phillips provided an Employment Assessment
           report, dated 03/08/2012 on behalf of the Injured Worker,
           in support of the last application. Stephen Phillips, now on
           behalf of the Bureau of Workers' Compensation, has
           provided an employment assessment report related to the
           Injured Worker['s] new application for Permanent Total
           Disability. The Staff Hearing Officer in his order of
           06/04/2012 referred to Mr. Phillips' 03/08/2012 report and
           accepted some of his findings, but the Staff Hearing Officer
           by denying the previous application rejected Mr. Phillips'
           opinion that the Injured Worker could not return to work.

           In light of the fact that both the opinions from Dr. Altic and
           Mr. Phillips were implicitly rejected by the Staff Hearing
           Officer in his decision denying permanent total disability at
           hearing on 06/04/2012, the current reports from Dr. Altic
           and Mr. Phillips, expressing virtually identical opinions in
           support of the present application as in the last application
           for permanent total disability, do not represent credible or
           persuasive evidence of new and changed circumstances since
           the previous denial of the Injured Worker's application for
           permanent total disability compensation.

           The only obvious change in the facts since the last
           application for permanent total disability was denied is that
           the Injured Worker is one year older.

           The Staff Hearing Officer in the order of 06/04/2012 relied
           upon the 01/12/2012 report from Dr. Stanko. Dr. Stanko at
           that time found the Injured Worker was limited to sedentary
           work, with a limitation against more than rare bending and
           twisting activity. The Injured Worker as regards the present
           application was examined by Dr. Higgins on 02/04/2013
No. 13AP-583                                                                 15

           [sic]. Dr. Higgins states in his report that the Injured Worker
           retains the capacity to engage in sedentary work with further
           limitations of needing to change positions frequently and
           limit his walking to about 10 -- 15 minutes at a time. Dr.
           Higgins' findings are found compatible with those previously
           found by Dr. Stanko.

           A functional capacity evaluation was performed on the
           Injured Worker by Scott Secrest on 10/11/2012. Mr. Secrest
           states the [sic] the Injured Worker met all the requirements
           for sedentary levels of activity and that he had some capacity
           to perform light levels of activity. Mr. Secrest concluded,
           "Therefore, in my overall analysis, Mr. Parker demonstrates
           competitive vocational abilities within a sedentary-light
           physical demand level with regularly scheduled
           opportunities to make positional adjustments between
           sitting, standing and walking."

           Based on the reports from Stanko, Higgins, and Secrest, the
           Injured Worker is found as related to the allowed conditions
           in the claim capable of sedentary work.

           The disability factors are the same as were presented in the
           last application except, as previously stated, the Injured
           Worker is one year older.

           The Injured Worker is now 63 years of age. His age is a
           negative factor, but it would not prevent the Injured Worker
           from working.

           The Injured Worker has a high school education. He
           reportedly has dyslexia, but this condition has not prevented
           the Injured Worker from learning new tasks or from
           performing a multiple of various duties in this job as a
           carpenter and in building maintenance and repair. The
           Injured Worker in his 40 year career in building
           maintenance was responsible for maintaining 8 stores. To
           understand and maintain this number of buildings, verifies
           that the Injured Worker is an intelligent and extremely
           capable individual and able to learn a wide variety of
           complicated tasks. The Injured Worker stated in his
           application that his job required him to read work orders,
           close out work orders, and buy orders and pick up materials.
           The Injured Worker's past work appears to have required
           some sedentary work skills.
No. 13AP-583                                                                                16

              The Injured Worker because of the work injury is not capable
              of the hands on type work that he did in the past, but his
              understanding of operations and building materials would
              indicate that the Injured Worker could still work in some
              type of building maintenance as a manger. His capacity to
              understand building operations would appear to more than
              compensate for his limitations caused by his dyslexia. In
              addition, the Injured Worker would appear to be able to
              work in a sedentary capacity in a retail environment advising
              customers on the correct materials and tools and
              requirements needed to complete any home building project.

              Unrelated to building maintenance, the Injured Worker
              would appear to have the ability to monitor security cameras,
              as long as he had the capacity to change positions on a
              frequent basis.

              Each application for permanent total disability must be
              evaluated on its own merits, but that does not mean that a
              final order on the same issue can be disregarded. On
              virtually the same evidence as is at issue in the present
              application for permanent total disability, a Staff Hearing
              Officer on 06/04/2012 found that the Injured Worker was
              capable of sustained remunerative employment of a
              sedentary nature. The evidence as regards the present
              application is virtually the same as that evaluated by the Staff
              Hearing Officer on 06/04/2012.

       {¶ 21} 18. On July 9, 2013, relator, Art Parker, filed this mandamus action.

Conclusions of Law:
       {¶ 22} It is the magistrate's decision that this court deny relator's request for a writ
of mandamus, as more fully explained below.
       {¶ 23} Relator's first application for PTD compensation was denied by an SHO
who heard the application on June 4, 2012. Just one year later, on June 3, 2013,
another SHO heard relator's second PTD application. It was indeed appropriate for the
commission, through its SHO of June 3, 2013, to consider the prior denial of PTD
compensation in adjudicating the second PTD application.
       {¶ 24} In his June 3, 2013 order, the SHO observed that the circumstances from
the "last" application are "nearly identical" to the "present" application.
No. 13AP-583                                                                              17

       {¶ 25} Explaining his observation, the SHO of June 3, 2013 began his analysis by
comparing the November 9, 2011 report of Dr. Altic submitted by relator in support of
his first PTD application with the January 14, 2013 report of Dr. Altic submitted by
relator in support of his second PTD application. Noting that Dr. Altic stated in his
January 14, 2013 report that "if anything over the past year, his condition has
progressed symptomatically," the SHO states that Dr. Altic's statement is "vague, and
provides a modicum of evidence of a deterioration in the Injured Worker's condition
since the last determination on this issue from the hearing on 06/04/2012."
       {¶ 26} Here, relator asserts that Dr. Altic's January 14, 2013 statement regarding
the progression of symptoms is not vague, but "in fact it is clear." (Relator's brief, 8.)
Relator asserts here that the SHO "knows that this means there is a worsening of
symptoms" because the SHO indicated that it provides a modicum of evidence of a
deterioration. (Relator's brief, 8.)
       {¶ 27} Relator seems to miss the point of the SHO's analysis or comparison of
Dr. Altic's reports. In his January 14, 2013 report, Dr. Altic fails to explain how relator's
condition has progressed symptomatically.         Because Dr. Altic fails to explain the
progression of symptoms, the SHO correctly concluded that the statement is vague.
       {¶ 28} In any event, the SHO of June 3, 2013 did not rely on Dr. Altic's reports in
determining residual functional capacity. Rather, the SHO relied upon the reports of
Drs. Stanko and Higgins and the FCE report of Mr. Secrest in determining residual
functional capacity.   It was within the fact finding discretion of the SHO to reject
Dr. Altic's January 14, 2013 report on the basis expressed in the order. While relator
disagrees with the SHO's explanation for rejecting Dr. Altic's report, the SHO's
explanation resides within the SHO's discretion in determining the weight to be given
the evidence before him.
       {¶ 29} Relator also argues that the SHO of June 3, 2013 "erred by not considering
the newest reports by Dr. Altic and Stephen Phillips." (Relator's brief, at 8.) Relator's
argument is undermined by the very argument relator previously submitted regarding
Dr. Altic's January 14, 2013 report. As just noted, the SHO addressed Dr. Altic's report,
but found it unpersuasive.
       {¶ 30} The SHO's order of June 3, 2013 states in part:
No. 13AP-583                                                                          18

               Stephen Phillips provided an Employment Assessment
               report, dated 03/08/2012 on behalf of the Injured Worker,
               in support of the last application. Stephen Phillips, now on
               behalf of the Bureau of Workers' Compensation, has
               provided an employment assessment report related to the
               Injured Worker['s] new application for Permanent Total
               Disability. The Staff Hearing Officer in his order of
               06/04/2012 referred to Mr. Phillips' 03/08/2012 report and
               accepted some of his findings, but the Staff Hearing Officer
               by denying the previous application rejected Mr. Phillips'
               opinion that the Injured Worker could not return to work.

               In light of the fact that both the opinions from Dr. Altic and
               Mr. Phillips were implicitly rejected by the Staff Hearing
               Officer in his decision denying permanent total disability at
               hearing on 06/04/2012, the current reports from Dr. Altic
               and Mr. Phillips, expressing virtually identical opinions in
               support of the present application as in the last application
               for permanent total disability, do not represent credible or
               persuasive evidence of new and changed circumstances since
               the previous denial of the Injured Worker's application for
               permanent total disability compensation.

       {¶ 31} How can one read the above-quoted portion of the SHO's order of June 3,
2013 and then conclude that the SHO "erred by not considering the newest reports by Dr.
Altic and Stephen Phillips"? One cannot. Clearly, the SHO addressed the reports.
       {¶ 32} It is clear that the SHO's order of June 3, 2013 rejects Dr. Altic's
January 14, 2013 report and it rejects the December 24, 2012 closure report authored
and signed by Mr. Phillips. But rejection of those reports is obviously not a failure to
consider those reports, as relator here seems to suggest.
       {¶ 33} Relator further argues that the SHO's order of June 3, 2013 errs when it
finds that the reports of Drs. Stanko and Higgins are compatible. According to relator,
Dr. Higgins' report "is much more informative." (Relator's brief, 9.) Clearly, the SHO
viewed the reports as being similar as to their opinions on residual functional capacity.
That is, both doctors found that relator was capable of sedentary work with specified
limitations.    Clearly, the SHO did not err when he stated that the reports are
"compatible."
       {¶ 34} Ohio Adm.Code 4121-3-34(B)(2)(a) states:
No. 13AP-583                                                                           19

              "Sedentary work" means exerting up to ten pounds of force
              occasionally (occasionally: activity or condition exists up to
              one-third of the time) and/or a negligible amount of force
              frequently (frequently: activity or condition exists from one-
              third to two-thirds of the time) to lift, carry, push, pull, or
              otherwise move objects. Sedentary work involves sitting
              most of the time, but may involve walking or standing for
              brief periods of time. Jobs are sedentary if walking and
              standing are required only occasionally and all other
              sedentary criteria are met.

              As earlier noted, in his April 10, 2013 report, Dr. Higgins opines:
              Mr. Parker is capable of sedentary work. He will require
              frequent position changes every 10-15 minutes, going from
              sitting to standing and reverse. He has limited walking
              abilities. He may walk for about 10-15 minutes at a time. He
              can exert minimal force up to 10 pounds occasionally with a
              negligible amount of pushing.

              According to relator:
              Dr. Higgins states that Relator can exert "minimal force up
              to 10 pounds occasionally with a negligible amount of
              pushing." Sedentary work means being able to exert a
              negligible amount of force "frequently". Dr. Higgins says
              Relator cannot. Sedentary work also permits exertion of a
              negligible amount of force frequently to lift, carry, push or
              pull or otherwise move objects. Dr. Higgins states Relator
              can exert only a minimal force up to 10 pounds occasionally
              with a negligible amount of pushing. The SHO failed to apply
              Dr. Higgins' findings to [Ohio Adm.Code] 4121-[3]-
              34(B)(2)(a).

(Relator's brief, 10-11.)

       {¶ 35} Contrary to relator's suggestion, Dr. Higgins' statement that relator "can
exert minimal force up to 10 pounds occasionally" is not inconsistent with the definition
of sedentary work. Dr. Higgins' statement is the equivalent of saying that relator can
"exert up to 10 pounds of force occasionally" which is within the definition.
       {¶ 36} Accordingly, for all the above reasons, it is the magistrate's decision that
this court deny relator's request for a writ of mandamus.

                                          /S/ MAGISTRATE
No. 13AP-583                                                                 20

                                     KENNETH W. MACKE

                          NOTICE TO THE PARTIES

           Civ.R. 53(D)(3)(a)(iii) provides that a party shall not assign
           as error on appeal the court's adoption of any factual finding
           or legal conclusion, whether or not specifically designated as
           a finding of fact or conclusion of law under Civ.R.
           53(D)(3)(a)(ii), unless the party timely and specifically
           objects to that factual finding or legal conclusion as required
           by Civ.R. 53(D)(3)(b).