R. Augustine v. WCAB (SCI Graterford)

IN THE COMMONWEALTH COURT OF PENNSYLVANIA
Robert Augustine, :
:
Petitioner :
:
v. : No. 713 C.D. 2015
: Submitted: November 13, 2015
Workers’ Compensation Appeal :
Board (SCI Graterford), :
:
Respondent :
BEFORE: HONORABLE DAN PELLEGRINI, President Judge
HONORABLE PATRICIA A. McCULLOUGH, Judge
HONORABLE JAMES GARDNER COLINS, Senior Judge
OPINION NOT REPORTED
MEMORANDUM OPINION BY
SENIOR JUDGE COLINS FILED: December 23, 2015
Robert Augustine (Claimant) petitions for review of the April 7, 2015
order of the Workers’ Compensation Appeal Board (Board) that affirmed the
November 6, 2013 decision and order of the Workers’ Compensation Judge
(WCJ). The WCJ found that Claimant failed to demonstrate that he had suffered
additional injuries as a result of his work injury and that State Correctional
Institutions – Graterford (Employer) had sustained its burden by demonstrating
that Claimant was fully recovered from his work injuries; pursuant to the Workers’
Compensation Act1 (Act), the WCJ denied Claimant’s Review Petition and granted
Employer’s Termination Petitions. For the following reasons, we affirm.
1
Act of June 2, 1915, P.L. 736, as amended, 77 P.S. §§ 1-1041.4, 2501-2708.
On August 9, 2011, Claimant was sitting in a plastic chair when the
legs of the chair gave way, causing Claimant to fall and sustain work-related
injuries described as “sprains/contusions of the cervical and thoracic spine and
bilateral shoulders.” (August 30, 2011 Notice of Compensation Payable; WCJ
Decision, Findings of Fact (F.F.) ¶1.) Employer issued a Notice of Compensation
Payable and in lieu of workers’ compensation benefits, Claimant was paid his full
salary under the Heart and Lung Act.2 (Id. F.F. ¶¶1-2.) On April 26, 2012, Neil
Kahanovitz, M.D., a board-certified orthopedic surgeon who specializes in spinal
conditions, performed an independent medical examination of Claimant and
concluded that Claimant had fully recovered from his work-related injuries. (Id.
¶5a-b.) Relying on Dr. Kahanovitz’s opinion, Employer filed two Termination
Petitions on July 17, 2012. (Id. ¶3.) On August 16, 2012, Claimant filed a Review
Petition alleging that the work-related injuries accepted in the Notice of
Compensation Payable should be expanded to include “cervical disc herniation and
aggravation of cervical degenerative disc disease with radiculopathy.” (Id. ¶4.) In
support of his petition, Claimant relied upon the opinion of Douglas Kimmel, D.O.,
who is board-certified by the American College of Osteopathic and Family
Practitioners; Dr. Kimmel examined Claimant on March 2, 2012, and ordered new
MRI and EMG studies, which he reviewed in forming his opinion that Claimant
was not fully recovered from his injuries and that his accepted injuries should be
expanded. (Id. ¶6a-b, h-I, n.)
Before the WCJ, Employer submitted the deposition testimony of Dr.
Kahanovitz and Claimant submitted the testimony of Dr. Kimmel. (Id. ¶¶5, 6.)
Claimant testified before the WCJ on April 18, 2013. (Id. ¶7.)
2
Act of June 28, 1935, P.L. 477, as amended, 53 P.S. §§ 637–638.
2
In the November 6, 2013 decision, the WCJ found that the testimony
of Dr. Kahanovitz was more credible than the testimony of Dr. Kimmel and that
the testimony of Dr. Kimmel was not credible to the extent Dr. Kimmel opined that
Claimant was not fully recovered from his work injuries and that Claimant had
injuries in addition to those accepted in the Notice of Compensation Payable. (Id.
¶¶8-9.) The WCJ also explicitly rejected Dr. Kimmel’s testimony where it
conflicted with the testimony of Dr. Kahanovitz. (Id.) The WCJ further found that
Claimant’s testimony was not credible and rejected Claimant’s testimony
concerning any ongoing injury as contrary to the credible medical evidence of
record. (Id. ¶10.) Based on these findings, the WCJ denied Claimant’s petition
and granted Employer’s petitions. (Id. Conclusions of Law (C.L.) ¶¶2-3.)
Claimant appealed the WCJ’s decision to the Board.
In its April 7, 2015 decision affirming the WCJ, the Board concluded
that the WCJ did not err and that the issues raised by Claimant on appeal were an
attempt to challenge the WCJ’s credibility determinations. (Board Decision at 6-
7.) Following a thorough review of the record, the Board concluded that Dr.
Kahanovitz’s testimony was unequivocal, that the WCJ gave a clear explanation of
why Dr. Kahanovitz’s testimony was accepted and Dr. Kimmel’s was not, and that
the WCJ’s decision was supported by substantial evidence. (Id.) Claimant
petitioned this Court for review of the Board’s decision.3
Before this Court, Claimant argues that the Board erred in concluding
that the WCJ’s decision to grant Employer’s Termination Petitions was supported
3
This Court’s review of an order of the Board is limited to determining whether the WCJ’s
findings of fact are supported by substantial evidence, whether an error of law was committed or
whether constitutional rights were violated. Bufford v. Workers’ Compensation Appeal Board
(North American Telecom), 2 A.3d 548, 551 (Pa. 2010).
3
by substantial evidence. Claimant contends that Dr. Kahanovitz failed to
unequivocally address the injury to Claimant’s shoulder and that Employer,
therefore, failed to sustain its burden under the Act. Claimant also argues that
Employer failed to demonstrate that his ongoing symptoms are unrelated to his
work-related injury. We disagree and we conclude, as the Board did, that
Claimant’s arguments are essentially an attempt to challenge the WCJ’s credibility
determinations on appeal.
In workers’ compensation matters, the WCJ is empowered to weigh
evidence and determine the credibility of witnesses; as the exclusive finder of fact,
the WCJ’s findings are conclusive on appeal. Daniels v. Workers’ Compensation
Appeal Board (Tristate Transport), 828 A.2d 1043, 1052 (Pa. 2003). Where an
employer has filed a termination petition, the employer must prove by competent
medical evidence that addresses all of the claimant’s compensable injuries that the
disability related to the compensable injury has ceased. Casne v. Workers’
Compensation Appeal Board (Stat Couriers, Inc.), 962 A.2d 14, 16 (Pa. Cmwlth.
2008); Carpentertown Coal & Coke Co. v. Workmen’s Compensation Appeal
Board (Seybert), 623 A.2d 955, 957 (Pa. Cmwlth. 1993).
In arguing that Employer failed to meet its burden, Claimant focuses
on Dr. Kahanovitz’s statement during his deposition that he did not examine the
Claimant’s shoulder. (Kahanovitz Deposition at 31-32.) Claimant contends that
Dr. Kahanovitz’s testimony is not competent medical evidence because the
accepted injuries included bilateral shoulder strains and contusions. Claimant’s
argument is not supported by Dr. Kahanovitz’s testimony.
On cross-examination by Claimant’s counsel, Dr. Kahanovitz
testified:
4
[Dr. Kahanovitz]: I didn’t examine the shoulder. As you know—as I
stated earlier, my practice is restricted to the spine, so that I only
examined this individual with respect to any spinal complaints he
might of had.
[Claimant’s Counsel]: You’re not offering an opinion regarding the
shoulder condition as you’re testifying here today?
[Dr. Kahanovitz]: That’s correct. I mean, other than the contusion,
which obviously would have healed within that time frame, I’m not
offering any opinions relative to any shoulder disorder or dysfunction.
[Claimant’s Counsel]: You’re not offering any opinion regarding the
shoulder strain, correct?
[Dr. Kahanovitz]: Other than the fact that if it involved the trapezius,
it would—which is where his complaints centered, that would have
been recovered. If it was within the shoulder joint, I am not.
(Id.) Claimant’s injury was not to the shoulder joint; the Notice of Compensation
Payable clearly states that Claimant sustained “sprains/contusions of the cervical
and thoracic spine and bilateral shoulders.” (August 30, 2011 Notice of
Compensation Payable; WCJ Decision, F.F. ¶1.) Dr. Kahanovitz testified that, in
his opinion, Claimant was fully recovered from his work-related injuries, injuries
which Dr. Kahanovitz detailed in his testimony and specifically addressed,
including Claimant’s shoulder injuries. (Kahanovitz Deposition at 12, 16-17, 19.)
In determining whether the testimony of a medical witness is
unequivocal, we examine the testimony as a whole and do not take words or
phrases out of context. Bemis v. Workers’ Compensation Appeal Board
(Perkiomen Grille Corp.), 35 A.3d 69, 72 (Pa. Cmwlth. 2011). If, after examining
the testimony as whole, we conclude that the medical expert has laid a foundation
5
and, based on this foundation, has reached a certain, specific consistent opinion,
then the medical witness’ opinion is not equivocal and is sufficient as a matter of
law. Id. Dr. Kahanovitz’s testimony contains no equivocation. Dr. Kahanovitz
testified at length why and how he concluded that Claimant was fully recovered
from his sprains/contusions of the cervical and thoracic spine and bilateral
shoulders, discussing his physical examination of Claimant and his review of
Claimant’s injury, medical records and past tests. (Kahanovitz Deposition at 12-
26.); see also Southwest Airlines v. Workers’ Compensation Appeal Board (King),
985 A.2d 280, 286 (Pa. Cmwlth. 2009) (discussing the type of medical evidence
examined by a testifying physician that supports the legal conclusion that the
physician’s testimony is competent). The small section of Dr. Kahanovitz’s
deposition highlighted by Claimant merely underscores the careful and specific
nature of Dr. Kahanovitz’s testimony as a whole. Dr. Kahanovitz’s testimony is
neither equivocal nor incompetent and is fully sufficient as a matter of law to
support the conclusion that Claimant has fully recovered from his work-related
injuries.
In the November 6, 2013 decision, the WCJ clearly and thoroughly
explained why Dr. Kahanovitz was credited and Dr. Kimmel was not:
8. [This WCJ] finds the testimony of Dr. Kahanovitz more credible
and convincing [than] the testimony of Dr. Kimmel. Dr. Kahanovitz’s
opinion that Claimant is fully recovered from his work-related
sprains/contusions of the cervical and thoracic spines and bilateral
shoulders and is capable of returning to work in an unrestricted
capacity is accepted in its entirety as fact. Dr. Kahanovitz’s opinion
that Claimant did not sustain any additional injuries as a result of the
August 9, 2011 work injury is also accepted in its entirety as fact.
Significant to this WCJ’s determination are the following facts: 1) Dr.
Kahanovitz’s credentials as a Board-Certified Orthopedic Surgeon
6
that specializes in conditions of the spine; 2) the August 17, 2011
cervical MRI study failed to show any acute, traumatic disc
herniations or abnormalities when compared to a pre-injury MRI
study performed on November 24, 2003; 3) Claimant’s normal
physical examination with substantial evidence of illness behavior and
symptoms magnification; and 4) the lack of clinical correlation
between Claimant’s subjective complaints of pain and the findings on
diagnostic testing.
9. This WCJ finds the testimony of Dr. Kimmel not credible and
convincing to the extent that Claimant has ongoing work-related
injuries from which he is not fully recovered, cannot return to work as
a Corrections Officer, and that he sustained additional injuries as a
result of the August 9, 2011 work injury. Dr. Kimmel’s testimony is
rejected where it conflicts with the testimony of Dr. Kahanovitz.
Significant to this WCJ’s determinations are the following facts: 1)
Dr. Kimmel’s failure to obtain Claimant’s complete pre-injury
medical history including involvement in at least six car accidents; 2)
Dr. Kimmel’s failure to provide Dr. Hutt who interpreted the MRI
done on May 4, 2012 with the MRI prior studies for review and
comparison; 3) Dr. Kimmel’s lack of objective findings on physical
examination; 4) Dr. Kimmel’s failure to explain the clinical
correlation between Claimant’s subjective complaints of pain and the
findings on diagnostic testing; 5) Dr. Kimmel’s testimony that
Claimant’s financial situation has compromised his medical care when
Claimant was continued to receive his full salary under the Heart &
Lung Act; and 6) Dr. Kimmel’s failure to review the records of the
physicians that treated Claimant before Dr. Kimmel’s initial
evaluation on March 2, 2012.
(WCJ Decision, F.F. ¶¶8-9.) In addition to thoroughly discussing the findings
related to the credibility of each doctor’s testimony, the WCJ stated the following
regarding Claimant’s credibility:
10. The WCJ finds, after considering all of the evidence in its
entirety, that the testimony of Claimant is not credible and not
convincing to the extent that it contradicts the credible evidence of
7
record. This Judge rejects Claimant’s testimony as to any ongoing,
residual effects of his work injury as same is in contradiction with the
credible medical evidence of record. Significant to this WCJ
determination are the following facts: 1) this WCJ’s observation of
Claimant’s demeanor during his testimony; 2) Claimant’s failure to
give a complete medical history to [his] treating physician including
significant prior injuries to his neck and back as a result of at least six
car accidents; 3) Claimant’s testimony regarding a difficult financial
situation despite his continued receipt of his full salary under the
Heart & Lung Act; and 4) the illness behavior and symptom
magnification demonstrated by Claimant on physical examination as
documented by multiple physicians.
(Id. F.F. ¶10.) The record contains no credible evidence of any ongoing symptoms
or additional injuries related to Claimant’s work injury. The only evidence
concerning ongoing symptoms or additional injuries was offered by Claimant and
the WCJ did not find Claimant credible. In contrast, the record contains ample,
credible evidence that Claimant is fully recovered. Accordingly, the WCJ’s
decision to grant Employer’s Termination Petitions and to deny Claimant’s Review
Petition is supported by substantial evidence.
The order of the Board is affirmed.
__________ ___________________________
JAMES GARDNER COLINS, Senior Judge
8
IN THE COMMONWEALTH COURT OF PENNSYLVANIA
Robert Augustine, :
:
Petitioner :
:
v. : No. 713 C.D. 2015
:
Workers’ Compensation Appeal :
Board (SCI Graterford), :
:
Respondent :
ORDER
AND NOW, this 23rd day of December, 2015, the Order of the
Workers’ Compensation Appeal Board in the above-captioned matter is hereby
AFFIRMED.
__________ ___________________________
JAMES GARDNER COLINS, Senior Judge