Court Opinion

ID: 9758246
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-28 23:17:17.84208+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T07:28:48.380444
License: Public Domain

Dissenting Opinion by
Chief Justice LAMBERT.
Like the Workers’ Compensation Board’s majority, I am convinced that Slone v. Jason Coal Co., 902 S.W.2d 820 (Ky.1995), has no application when the initial decision provides an award of medical benefits and only medical benefits are sought at reopening. Therefore, I would reverse.
Depression from chronic pain is a frequent and foreseeable consequence of a back injury. The claimant was awarded medical benefits for a work-related back injury and sought compensation for medication for depression at reopening. The record contained substantial evidence to permit findings that her depression resulted from chronic pain due to her back injury and that reasonable and necessary treatment for the effects of her injury included medication for depression. Therefore, I would remand the claim to the ALJ to determine from the conflicting evidence whether the depression the claimant experienced at reopening was an effect of her back injury and whether the prescribed medications were reasonable and necessary treatment for the condition.