Court Opinion

ID: 2754067
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2014-11-21 17:01:21.180614+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T11:26:46.564667
License: Public Domain

In the United States Court of Federal Claims
                              OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
                                   Filed: October 31, 2014

** * * * * * * * * * * * * * *                              UNPUBLISHED
ELENA KARBUSHEVA,            *
                             *
          Petitioner,        *                              No. 13-040V
                             *
v.                           *
                             *                              Special Master Dorsey
SECRETARY OF HEALTH          *
AND HUMAN SERVICES,          *                               Dismissal Decision; Multiple
                             *                               Vaccines; Failure to File an
          Respondent.        *                               Expert Report.
                             *
** * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Elena Karbusheva, Pro Se, Boise, Idaho
Julia McInerny, United States Dep’t of Justice, Washington, DC, for respondent.

                                   DISMISSAL DECISION 1

         On January 11, 2013, Ms. Elena Karbusheva (“Ms. Karbusheva” or “petitioner”) filed a
petition, pro se, pursuant to the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program, 2 alleging that
she suffered from “Giana – Barre (sic) syndrome, 3 Landry’s ascends paralyses 4 (sic), lupus,
encephalopasy5 (sic), high blood pressure, chronicle 6 (sic) hepatitis B and diabetes.” Petition
(“Pet.”) at 1. Ms. Karbusheva states that these diseases occurred after she was vaccinated. Id.

1
  Because this unpublished decision contains a reasoned explanation for the action in this case,
the undersigned intends to post this decision on the United States Court of Federal Claims’
website, in accordance with the E-Government Act of 2002, Pub. L. No. 107-347, § 205, 116
Stat. 2899, 2913 (codified as amended at 44 U.S.C. § 3501 and note (2006)). In accordance with
Vaccine Rule 18(b), a party has 14 days to identify and move to delete medical or other
information that satisfies the criteria in § 300aa-12(d)(4)(B). Further, consistent with the rule
requirement, a motion for redaction must include a proposed redacted decision. If, upon review,
the undersigned agrees that the identified material fits within the requirements of that provision,
such material will be deleted from public access.
2
  The National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program is set forth in Part 2 of the National
Childhood Vaccine Injury Act of 1986, Pub. L. No. 99-660, 100 Stat. 3755, codified as amended,
42 U.S.C. §§ 300aa-1 to -34 (2006) (Vaccine Act or the Act). All citations in this decision to
individual sections of the Vaccine Act are to 42 U.S.C. § 300aa.
3
  “Guillain-Barré syndrome”
4
  “Land’s Ascending Paralysis”
5
  “Encephalopathy”
6
  “Chronic”
                                                1
         Ms. Karbusheva’s vaccination record shows that she received a number of vaccinations
from March 16, 2009, through January 14, 2011. See Petitioner’s Exhibit 9 (“Pet. Ex.”). The
information in the record does not show entitlement to an award under the Act. For the reasons
that follow, this case is dismissed for insufficient proof.

I.     Factual Background

        Ms. Karbusheva was born in Russia on January 6, 1963, but she lived in Uzbekistan just
prior to moving to the United States. Pet. Ex. 21 at 1. An overview of Ms. Karbusheva’s
medical history is set forth in petitioner’s exhibit 21. She attended medical school in Uzbekistan
and then worked as an obstetrician/gynecologist. Id. at 1. In 2009, Ms. Karbusheva came to the
United States as a refugee. Id.

        Since arriving in the United States, Ms. Karbusheva has been seen by many physicians
and health care providers. She has filed numerous medical records in this case, some of which
will be summarized below in order to provide an overview of the facts that have been reviewed
and considered by the undersigned.

         As stated above, Ms. Karbusheva’s vaccination record shows that she received a number
of vaccinations from March 16, 2009, through January 14, 2011. 7 Pet. Ex. 9 at 1-2. On June 28,
2012, Ms. Karbusheva underwent an MRI of her brain which showed “several hyperintense
lesions” which were thought to be “early chronic microvascular changes.” Pet. Ex. 17 at 1. An
MRI of her cervical and lumbar spine performed on the same day showed cervical “foraminal
stenosis” 8 and “multilevel lumbar spondylosis” 9 with a “mass affect on the left S1 nerve root.”
Id. at 2.

        Ms. Karbusheva underwent a physical examination by Dr. Kathleen Sutherland on
November 30, 2010. Dr. Sutherland documented that Ms. Karbusheva looked well, was
ambulating and that she did not have inflammation of her joints. Pet. Ex. 21. Dr. Sutherland
also noted that Ms. Karbusheva had no evidence of significant respiratory limitations but that she

7
  On March 16, 2009, Ms. Karbusheva received a hepatitis B vaccine. On March 20, 2009, Ms.
Karbusheva received the Td (Tetanus diphtheria) vaccine. On April 16, 2009, and September 16,
2009, she received her second and third hepatitis B vaccinations. On February 1, 2010, Ms.
Karbusheva received the 2009-2010 H1N1 vaccine. On February 12, 2010, she received the
varicella vaccine. On June 30, 2010, Ms. Karbusheva received the Tdap and Measles, Mumps,
Rubella (MMR) vaccines. On August 4, 2010, Ms. Karbusheva received an MMR vaccine. On
January 14, 2011, Ms. Karbusheva received another Td vaccination. On February 3, 2011, she
received a Fluvirin vaccine. Pet. Ex. 9 at 1-2.
8
  “Foraminal Stenosis” is the narrowing of the cervical disc space caused by enlargement of a
joint (the uncinate process) in the spinal canal. http://www.spine-health.com/glossary/foraminal-
stenosis.
9
  Lumbar spondylosis “describes bony overgrowths (osteophytes), predominantly those at the
anterior, lateral, and, less commonly, posterior aspects of the superior and inferior margins of
vertebral centra (bodies). This dynamic process increases with, and is perhaps an inevitable
concomitant, of age.” http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/249036-overview.
                                                2
did complain of “diffuse myalgias and arthralgias.” Id. Dr. Sutherland also noted that Ms.
Karbusheva had hypothyroidism. Id.

        On February 7, 2011, Ms. Karbusheva underwent a neurological consultation with Dr.
Jackie J. Whitesell. Ms. Karbusheva complained of numbness in her feet and chronic back pain.
Pet. Ex. 34 at 1. Dr. Whitesell noted that Ms. Karbuseheva reported back pain that she attributed
to mercury and dioxin exposure in the 1990s. Ms. Karbusheva also reported left sided weakness
and vision loss which occurred in 1995, and which Ms. Karbusheva associated with her exposure
to toxins. Id. Dr. Whitesell’s impressions were as follows:

           1.    Numbness and burning pain in her feet…if she has a peripheral
                neuropathy, it is quite mild.
           2.   Chronic daily headaches…
           3.   Abnormal MRI of the brain…However, I think the likelihood of her
                having MS at this point is low.
           4.   Neck pain and low back pain…
           5.   Hearing loss.
           6.   Vitamin B12 deficiency.

Pet. Ex. 34 at 19-20.

         An EMG study that was performed on April 8, 2011, on Ms. Karbusheva’s left leg
showed that Ms. Karbusheva had “evidence of mild subacute or chronic L5/S1 radiculopathy in
the left leg without ongoing denervation.” Pet. Ex. 33 at 2.

      Ms. Karbusheva underwent a neuropsychological consultation on June 2, 2011, with Clay
H. Ward, PhD. Pet. Ex. 41 at 3. Dr. Ward reported the following history, as provided by Ms.
Karbusheva:

           The patient…presents with “systematic stress.” She …is having problems
           with her asthma and pain in her shoulder and back…in the past she has been
           poisoned with mercury…she also had “micro strokes”…She has been on
           disability in the past because of the mercury poisoning…this occurred in
           about 1986 or 1987…in 1995 she had a chloremic allergy reaction…she also
           had a small stroke in 2009. She is reporting problems with concentration,
           fatigue and a high level of stress.

       Pet. Ex. 41 at 3.

       Dr. Ward’s diagnosis was “major depressive disorder versus adjustment reaction with
depressed mood, pain disorder associated with psychological and medical conditions and rule out
cognitive disorder.” Pet. Ex. 41 at 4. In a follow up visit on June 28, 2011, Dr. Ward’s
diagnosis also included probable “somatization disorder.” Pet. Ex. 41 at 1.

      Ms. Karbusheva saw Dr. Whitesell in a follow-up visit on July 19, 2011, with a chief
complaint of “low back pain.” Pet. Ex. 34 at 11. Dr. Whitesell noted that Ms. Karbusheva had

                                                3
an abnormal MRI which showed “chronic small vessel ischemic change[s]” in the brain. Id. at
13. Dr. Whitesell did not find any evidence of nerve problems but suspected that Ms.
Karbusheva’s chronic L5-S1 radiculopathy10 had progressed. Pet. Ex. 34 at 13.

       In one of Ms. Karbusheva’s most current medical records filed in this case, dated August
14, 2012, neurosurgeon Dr. Ronald E. Jutzy notes that Ms. Karbusheva had a “left L5 and/or S1
radiculopathy” but “no objective reflex loss or motor atrophy.” Pet. Ex 36 at 1. Dr. Jutzy
recommended conservative treatment. Id.

II.    Procedural Background

        Ms. Karbusheva filed her case pro se, and the case was initially assigned to Special
Master Laura Millman. Special Master Millman provided a list of vaccine attorneys for Ms.
Karbusheva to contact to assist in representing her. See Order dated January 23, 2013. The case
was reassigned to the undersigned on February 11, 2013. An initial status conference was held
on April 4, 2013. Ms. Karbusheva participated in the status conference with the assistance of her
interpreter, Alexander Bazarsky. Ms. Julia Mclnerny appeared on behalf of respondent. Ms.
Maria Keith, the court interpreter, also participated in the status conference with the consent of
Ms. Karbusheva. At that status conference, Ms. Karbusheva agreed to try to retain an attorney to
represent her. Prior to the status conference, Ms. Karbusheva had filed many of her medical
records. During the status conference, she also agreed to file additional information to support
her claim. See Order filed April 5, 2013.

         On April 15, 2013, Ms. Karbusheva filed information regarding her physician visits and
documents related to her application for Social Security Supplemental Income. She included a
list of 81 health care visits from February 2010 through March 2013. Ms. Karbusheva also filed
a VAERs report dated December 17, 2012, and a description of the adverse events which she
believes to be related to her vaccinations, including a lengthy description of her health problems,
and a list of her medications. On May 3, 2013, Ms. Karbusheva filed duplicates of the records
previously filed on April 15, 2013, as well as some immunization records.

        On June 4, 2013, the undersigned held a second status conference. Ms. Karbusheva
appeared representing herself and Ms. Julia McInerny appeared on behalf respondent. A court
interpreter again participated with the consent of petitioner. Ms. Karbusheva stated during the
status conference that she had not yet obtained counsel to represent her. The undersigned
requested that Ms. Karbusheva file the records of the hospitalizations that she mentioned during
the status conference, as well as any other records related to her alleged vaccine injury, and a
copy of a lawsuit that she filed in state court against the physician who administered the vaccines
to her, as discussed during the status conference. Ms. Karbusheva was again encouraged to
continue seeking to retain an attorney to represent her in this matter. See Scheduling Order filed
June 5, 2013.

10
  Radiculopathy is defined as a “disease of the nerve roots, such as from inflammation or
impingement by a tumor or bony spur.” Dorland’s Illustrated Medical Dictionary (“Dorland’s”),
32nd Ed. at 1571.
                                                 4
        On July 10, 2013, Ms. Karbusheva filed a set of documents labeled as “Petition to add
Respondent’s to Suit.” This set of documents included a letter from the CEO of a hospital
regarding Ms. Karbusheva’s concerns about the treatment she received in the emergency
department of that hospital in January and February 2013. The documents also included an
email from the American Civil Liberties Union to Ms. Karbusheva, a copy of the civil docket for
a lawsuit that Ms. Karbusheva filed in U.S. District Court for the District of Idaho on February
14, 2013, against a total of 31 defendants including various physicians, health centers, and
representatives from various health care facilities. The action was dismissed for lack of
jurisdiction on March 8, 2013.

       Also included in the documents filed by Ms. Karbusheva on July 10, 2013, is what
appears to be a request by Ms. Karbusheva for this court to provide her with a “neurologist and
rheumatologist from another state.” See “Petition to add Respondent’s to Suit”, ECF No. 12,
July 10, 2013, PDF pg. 20 of 20.

        By order dated July 17, 2013, Ms. Karbusheva was again encouraged to retain an
attorney to represent her. See Scheduling Order, July 17, 2013. On August 22, 2013, the
undersigned ordered that Ms. Karbusheva file any additional records in support of her claim as
well as a notice of completion, indicating that all relevant records had been filed, by September
20, 2013. Respondent was ordered to file a response to petitioner’s filings by October 23, 2013.
In addition, respondent requested the opportunity to file a motion to dismiss and the Rule 4
report by October 23, 2013. This request was granted. See Respondent’s Motion to Modify July
22, 2013 Scheduling Order, filed Aug. 21, 2013, ECF No. 16, at 2.

        On September 10, 2013, petitioner filed exhibits 1-208 on CD. The exhibits included a
number of documents previously filed, a document entitled “Petition”, a discussion of
petitioner’s concerns regarding the care she received at a third-party facility, and what appears to
be a request that this court join Ms. Karbusheva’s claims against the State of Idaho to the petition
that she has filed in this court.

       A status conference was held on September 26, 2013. Ms. Karbusheva, respondent’s
counsel and a court interpreter participated. During the status conference, Ms. Karbusheva
informed the undersigned that she had retained an attorney, Ms. Simina Vourlis, to represent her.
Based on this development, all deadlines were suspended to allow Ms. Vourlis to make an
appearance in the case. See Order filed September 26, 2013. On October 24, 2013, a consent
motion to substitute Attorney Simina Vourlis in place of Ms. Karbusheva was filed and granted.

        A status conference was held on December 19, 2013. Ms. Vourlis appeared on behalf of
Ms. Karbusheva, and Ms. McInerney appeared on behalf of respondent. During the status
conference, the parties generally discussed the vaccinations that Ms. Karbusheva received, the
medical records and, more specifically, the vaccines which may have been administered to Ms.
Karbusheva outside of the applicable statute of limitations period. The parties also discussed the
fact that the H1N1 vaccination that Ms. Karbusheva received on February 1, 2010, is not covered
by the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program. Finally, the parties discussed the
ambiguity that existed with respect to Ms. Karbusheva’s alleged injuries and the fact that Ms.
Karbusheva has filed various pleadings against entities that are not subject to this court’s

                                                 5
jurisdiction. As Ms. Vourlis had only recently entered her appearance, she requested additional
time to review the petition and the numerous exhibits that had been filed. Petitioner’s counsel
was asked to file a status report by February 24, 2014, updating the court on the status of her
review of the records. See Order filed December 20, 2013.

        The next status conference was held on April 24, 2014. Ms. Simina Vourlis appeared on
behalf of Ms. Karbusheva. Ms. Julia McInerny appeared on behalf of respondent. By her
request, Ms. Karbusheva also participated in the status conference with the assistance of a court
translator. During the status conference, Ms. Karbusheva expressed her desire to terminate her
attorney-client relationship with Ms. Vourlis. Although the undersigned inquired whether it was
possible for Ms. Karbusheva and Ms. Vourlis to continue working together, after hearing Ms.
Vourlis’s concerns about proceeding and Ms. Karbusheva’s consent to allow Ms. Vourlis to
withdraw as her counsel, the undersigned granted Ms. Vourlis’s motion to withdraw. The
undersigned explained to Ms. Karbusheva that at this point, in order to proceed with her case,
she would need to file a report from a medical doctor in support of her claim. Ms. Karbusheva
inquired as to what type of medical doctor she needed to support her claim and how to locate and
retain the expert. The undersigned explained that she could not offer any legal advice to Ms.
Karbusheva on how prosecute her claim and encouraged Ms. Karbusheva to seek the advice of
another attorney. Ms. Karbusheva was ordered to retain another attorney or to file an expert
report in her case by June 23, 2014. If she was unable to do so, Ms. Karbusheva was informed
that a Show Cause Order would be issued. See Order filed April 28, 2014.

        On May 14, 2014, Ms. Karbusheva filed a letter type document with a number of
attachments. In these attached documents, Ms. Karbusheva stated that she would represent
herself without an attorney or without medical experts. See “Letter” filed May14, 2014, ECF
No. 28, at 2. She described her attempts to contact other attorneys to represent her and her
ongoing health problem. Ms. Karbusheva also filed emails and letters describing various issues
and health problems. Ms. Karbusheva did not, however, file any expert report, or any evidence
to support her vaccine injury claim.

        On June 19, 2014, after another request by Ms. Karbusheva, her deadline to file an expert
report or retain an attorney was extended to August 15, 2014.

        On July 7, 2014, Ms. Karbusheva filed a “Motion for added continue law case for period
2013-2014 that VICP doesn’t work.” Ms. Karbusheva also filed documents, including a second
order of dismissal of her lawsuit filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of Idaho and a
petition requesting compensation from St. Luke’s Health System, Family Medicine Health
Center, and the State of Idaho, seeking twenty million dollars in damages. She also filed a
motion to use medical literature in her case and filed several articles on medical conditions. Ms.
Karbusheva did not, however, file an expert report.

       On July 14, 2014, petitioner filed a “Motion to direct me to University Clinic to
California State or Taxes 11 (sic) State for exam and diagnosed Lupus and Neurological
Diagnose” along with a memorandum. On July 18, 2014, petitioner filed a “Motion to add

11
     “Texas”
                                                6
document Health Professionals Certification of Disability.” These filings did not contain an
expert report.

       From June 16, 2014, to September 16, 2014, Ms. Karbusheva sent numerous emails to
the undersigned’s law clerk and they have been noted on the CM/ECF docket as informal email
communications. On October 31, 2014, copies of the emails were filed as Court’s Exhibits A
through K.

        The undersigned issued an Order to Show Cause on August 25, 2014, ordering Ms.
Karbusheva to file an expert report in support of her claim, or her petition would be dismissed.
Ms. Karbusheva sent additional emails to the undersigned’s law clerk on July10, 2014, and July
18, 2014. See Court Exhibits F and G. On September 11, 2014, petitioner filed a “motion for a
ruling on the record and PDF 01-208.” She also filed a “motion for add my expertise of my
health that attached on 21 pages.” To date, Ms. Karbusheva has failed to file an expert report in
support of her claim as ordered on August 25, 2014.

III.   Requirement for an Expert Report or Supportive Medical Records

       Petitioner bears the burden of proving a prima facie case by a preponderance of the
evidence. See 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-13(a)(1)(A); see also Moberly v. Sec’y of Health & Human
Services, 592 F.3d 1315, 1320 (Fed. Cir. 2010). To prove causation, petitioner must “show by
preponderant evidence that the vaccination brought about [the] injury by providing: (1) a medical
theory causally connecting the vaccination and injury; (2) a logical sequence of cause and effect
showing that the vaccination was the reason for the injury; and (3) a showing of proximate
temporal relationship between vaccination and injury.” Moberly, 592 F.3d at 1322 (citing
Althen v. Sec’y of Health & Human Servs., 418 F.3d 1274, 1278 (Fed. Cir. 2005).

        The preponderance standard applies to each element of petitioner’s proof. For example,
with regard to the medical theory, the theory must be “persuasive” – that is, specific to
petitioner’s case and supported by a “reputable”, i.e., reliable, scientific or medical explanation.
Moberly, 592 F.3d at 1322 (holding that “[a] petitioner must provide a reputable medical or
scientific explanation that pertains specifically to petitioner’s case”); Althen, 418 F.3d at 1278
(holding that “[a] persuasive medical theory is demonstrated by ‘proof of a logical sequence of
cause and effect showing that vaccination was the reason for the injury[,]’ the logical sequence
being supported by ‘reputable medical or scientific explanation[,]’ . . .”(citing Grant v. Sec’y of
Health & Human Servs., 956 F.2d 1133, at 1148 (Fed. Cir. 1992).

       A petitioner may not be awarded entitlement under the Vaccine Act based a petitioner’s
claims alone. Rather, the petition must be supported by either medical records or by the opinion
of a competent physician. See 42 § 300aa-13(a)(1). In this case, because the medical records do
not support Ms. Karbusheva’s claims, a medical opinion must be offered in support.

       Ms. Karbusheva has not offered a supportive expert report in support of her claim.
Further, none of Ms. Karbusheva’s treating physicians attribute any of her conditions to her
vaccinations. There is also no preponderant evidence in the record of: (1) a medical theory
causally connecting the vaccine and Ms. Karbusheva’s injury; (2) a logical sequence of cause

                                                  7
and effect showing that the vaccine(s) was the reason for her injury; and (3) a showing of a
proximate temporal relationship between the vaccine and his injury. Althen v. Sec’y of Health &
Human Servs., 418 F.3d 1274, 1278 (Fed. Cir. 2005); 42 U.S.C. § 300aa–13(a)(1) (requiring
proof by a preponderance of the evidence).

IV.    Conclusion

        Therefore, Ms. Karbusheva’s petition is hereby DENIED. Thus, this case is DISMISSED
for insufficient proof. In the absence of a motion for review, the Clerk is directed to enter
judgment accordingly.

       IT IS SO ORDERED.

                                           _________________________
                                           Nora Beth Dorsey
                                           Special Master

                                              8
               Notice of filing Court Exhibits A through F

    Courts Exhibits                                    Date of E-mail
A                                              June 16, 2014
B                                              June 26, 2014
C                                              June 29, 2014
D                                              July 1, 2014
E                                              July 1, 2014
F                                              July 10, 2014
G                                              July 18, 2014
H                                              August 1, 2014
I                                              August 5, 2014
J                                              September 9, 2014
K                                              September 16, 2014

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