Court Opinion

ID: 4166511
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2017-05-05 14:22:12.446436+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T14:37:56.974437
License: Public Domain

STATE OF WEST VIRGINIA

                                   SUPREME COURT OF APPEALS
                                                                                    FILED
CONSTANCE NESGODA,                                                                  May 5, 2017
Claimant Below, Petitioner                                                    RORY L. PERRY II, CLERK
                                                                            SUPREME COURT OF APPEALS
                                                                                OF WEST VIRGINIA

vs.)       No. 16-0520 (BOR Appeal No. 2050895)
                       (Claim No. 2014014329)

GENESIS HEALTHCARE CORPORATION,
Employer Below, Respondent

                                      MEMORANDUM DECISION
      Petitioner Constance Nesgoda, by Samuel F. Hanna, her attorney, appeals the decision of
the West Virginia Workers’ Compensation Board of Review. Genesis Healthcare Corporation,
by Evan J. Jenkins, its attorney, filed a timely response.

        The issue on appeal is whether carpal tunnel syndrome and a ganglion cyst of the right
wrist are compensable conditions of the claim. On July 31, 2014, the claims administrator issued
a decision denying the additional conditions of carpal tunnel syndrome and a ganglion cyst of the
right wrist. Also on July 31, 2014, the claims administrator denied the request for a consultation
with an upper extremity specialist.1 On October 9, 2015, the Office of Judges affirmed the claims
administrator’s decision denying the additional conditions of carpal tunnel syndrome and a
ganglion cyst of the right wrist. The Office of Judges reversed the claims administrator’s
decision denying the request for a consultation with an upper extremity specialist. The Order was
affirmed by the Board of Review on May 3, 2016. The Court has carefully reviewed the records,
written arguments, and appendices contained in the briefs, and the case is mature for
consideration.

       This Court has considered the parties’ briefs and the record on appeal. The facts and legal
arguments are adequately presented, and the decisional process would not be significantly aided
by oral argument. Upon consideration of the standard of review, the briefs, and the record
presented, the Court finds no substantial question of law and no prejudicial error. For these
reasons, a memorandum decision is appropriate under Rule 21 of the Rules of Appellate
Procedure.

1
    This issue is not on appeal before the Court.
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         Ms. Nesgoda, an employee of Genesis Healthcare Corporation, suffered a compensable
injury on October 19, 2013, during the course of her employment. No report of injury or decision
holding the claim compensable was submitted into evidence. An April 14, 2014, MRI report of
the right wrist revealed a 21 x 5 millimeter ganglion cyst along the volar aspect of the radial
styloid process. There was minor reactive arthrosis involving the scaphotrapezium joint with
some associated synovitis. There was moderate effusion and subluxation of the distal radial ulnar
joint which could represent a degree of joint dysfunction. There was minor tenosynovitis of the
adjacent extensor carpi ulnaris tendon. There was possible tiny degenerative perforation in the
radial side of the otherwise intact triangular fibrocartilage. There were scattered minor
degenerative cysts throughout many of the carpal bones with minor osteoarthritis involving the
first carpal metacarpal. The remainder of the wrist was unremarkable.

        From April 14, 2014, through August 6, 2014, Ms. Nesgoda was treated by Cesar J.
Bravo, M.D., of the Carilion Clinic. The notes indicated that Ms. Nesgoda suffered a rotator cuff
tear with impingement. It was noted that she had a wrist splint on and complained of thumb pain.
She was advised to complete physical therapy, which was subsequently noted to have helped. A
functional capacity evaluation was ordered. The results recommended Ms. Nesgoda be placed in
a light physical demand classification. Dr. Bravo opined that she was at maximum medical
improvement. A nerve conduction study performed on June 11, 2014, revealed moderate to
severe carpal tunnel entrapment due to increased latencies. On July 31, 2014, the claims
administrator denied Ms. Nesgoda’s request to add the additional conditions of carpal tunnel
syndrome and a ganglion cyst of the right wrist. By a separate decision on the same day, the
claims administrator denied the request for a consultation with an upper extremity specialist.

        Joseph Grady, M.D., completed an independent medical evaluation on September 25,
2014. Dr. Grady noted that the ganglion cyst was not evident on examination and was not
causing any symptoms. In relation to the carpal tunnel syndrome diagnosis, Dr. Grady stated it
was difficult to trace the carpal tunnel syndrome to the compensable injury. However, he opined
that based on the mechanism of injury, it was certainly very possible that it could have occurred
as a result of that episode. Dr. Grady noted that Ms. Nesgoda does have extensive degenerative
changes in her right wrist and hand. He did not believe that the changes were causing her current
symptoms or limiting her ability to return to employment. On April 28, 2015, a report by A.
Bobby Chhabra, M.D., was completed. Dr. Chhabra stated the etiology and progression of Ms.
Nesgoda’s carpometacarpal osteoarthritis was due to heredity, overuse, and some traumatic
components.

        On October 9, 2015, the Office of Judges determined that the diagnosis of right carpal
tunnel syndrome and ganglion cyst were not compensable components of the claim. The Office
of Judges determined that both diagnoses were the result of naturally occurring degenerative and
osteoarthritic processes. The Office of Judges examined the April 14, 2014, MRI report and
concluded that it showed clear degenerative disease in the right wrist. Dr. Grady stated it was
difficult to say specifically that the carpal tunnel syndrome was due to the episode of the October
19, 2013, injury. Dr. Grady noted that the ganglion cyst was not evident on examination and was
not causing any symptoms. The Office of Judges found the report of Dr. Chhabra to be
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persuasive. Dr. Chhabra stated that the etiology and progression of Ms. Nesgoda’s
carpometacarpal osteoarthritis was not related to the compensable injury. The Office of Judges
found that the visit with Dr. Chhabra was a reasonably required medical treatment but did not
elaborate on why it was reasonable. The Board of Review adopted the findings of the Office of
Judges and affirmed its Order on May 3, 2016.

        After review, we agree with the consistent decisions of the Office of Judges and Board of
Review. The evidence of record supports the conclusion that Ms. Nesgoda’s possible carpal
tunnel syndrome and ganglion cyst were degenerative in nature. The upper extremity specialist,
Dr. Chhabra, and Dr. Grady could not conclusively trace the carpal tunnel syndrome symptoms
to the compensable injury. Further, Dr. Chhabra found that the possible carpal tunnel syndrome
and ganglion cyst were due to other factors that were not work-related.

        For the foregoing reasons, we find that the decision of the Board of Review is not in clear
violation of any constitutional or statutory provision, nor is it clearly the result of erroneous
conclusions of law, nor is it based upon a material misstatement or mischaracterization of the
evidentiary record. Therefore, the decision of the Board of Review is affirmed.

                                                                                        Affirmed.

ISSUED: May 5, 2017

CONCURRED IN BY:
Chief Justice Allen H. Loughry II
Justice Robin J. Davis
Justice Menis E. Ketchum
Justice Elizabeth D. Walker

DISSENTING:
Justice Margaret L. Workman

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