Hutton v. Flemming

188 F. Supp. 238, 1960 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 3278
CourtDistrict Court, D. Kansas
DecidedJune 18, 1960
DocketCiv. A. No. W-2006
StatusPublished
Cited by5 cases

This text of 188 F. Supp. 238 (Hutton v. Flemming) is published on Counsel Stack Legal Research, covering District Court, D. Kansas primary law. Counsel Stack provides free access to over 12 million legal documents including statutes, case law, regulations, and constitutions.

Bluebook
Hutton v. Flemming, 188 F. Supp. 238, 1960 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 3278 (D. Kan. 1960).

Opinion

HILL, Chief Judge.

Plaintiff has made timely application to this Court, seeking the review of a final decision of the Secretary of Health, Education and Welfare (Title 42 U.S.C.A. § 405(g), which determined that plaintiff did not qualify for the so-called “disability freeze” provision of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C.A. §§ 416(i) (1) (A) and 415 (e) (4) (A).

In this action this Court is limited to a consideration of the record (42 U.S.C.A. § 405(g)) and must treat any factual findings as conclusive where supported by substantial evidence. Both parties have moved for summary judgment; supporting their motions by oral argument and-memoranda.

From the record it appears the plaintiff is 51 years old, married, and has one child under the age of 18 years. He received a grammar school education and completed three years of high school. His rather varied work history reveals restaurant work; roofing salesman; crew leader or supervisor building airplanes at Beech Aircraft Company during the war. He was self-employed at one period, operating a luncheonette. He has experience as a motor car salesman. He has been service manager and done supervisory work and management work.

In his application to establish a period of disability, plaintiff stated he first became unable to work in July, 1955, because of “Heart Trouble and Back Injury”. At the time he ceased working he was employed as a service manager at Swenson’s Motor Company, Wichita, Kansas.

The evidence indicates plaintiff fell from a ladder in May of 1955 hurting his back. Upon his return to work he suffered a heart attack following which he was hospitalized. He was hospitalized again in September, 1955, for two or three weeks. In 1956 he progressed to the point of selling by telephone from his home. He was employed by Osborne Continental Restaurant from January, 1957, to May, 1957. In July, 1957, he was employed by a motor car dealer as a salesman, approximately half-time.

During July, 1957, while moving cars, he suffered chest pain, his physician had him hospitalized and he has not worked since.

The medical evidence consists of reports from Doctors Ernest P. Carreau, M.D.; Wirt A. Warren, M.D., dated May 16, 1956, March 13, 1958, September 8, 1958; Paul Binter, M.D.; Edward Tihen, M.D;; Don Miller, M.D.

The term “disability” when it is used in a proceeding to establish a wage freeze, such as here, has been defined by [240]*240Congress in the applicable statutory law as, “ * * * inability to engage in any substantial gainful activity by reason of any medically determinable physical or mental impairment which can be expected to result in death or to be of long-continued and indefinite duration.” Title 42 U.S.C.A. § 416(i) (1) (A). This rule was applied and unless the Secretary’s ruling fails to meet the test of substantial evidence to support it, it must stand. With this latter rule in mind the Court has carefully considered the record which is now before the Court.

The record discloses in connection with the fall suffered by this plaintiff in 1955, Dr. Carreau in his medical report indicates objective findings as follows:

“Mild degenerative changes dorsal sacral spine, narrowing of lumbar sacral inter space. Minimal hyper-trophic spurring dorsal area calcification between D-10 and D-ll.”

Treatment:

“Relief of pain and muscle spasm, hard bed, bed rest, diathermy to low back, postural advice.”

The Doctor has not seen the plaintiff since August 7, 1955.

With regard to the “Heart condition” the medical report of Dr. Warren of May 16, 1956, discloses:

“Dizzy spells.” “Choking spells in neck, ‘also’ ‘pain with it.’ Pain in rt. anterior chest radiating toward rt. arm. Feeling as if there were a ‘staub’ in It. side of chest. ‘Discomfort’ in arterior chest on exertion.” “Pain in rt. leg below knee.”
(b) “December 16, 1955.” “Abnormal E.K.G.” — old myocardial infarction. (Anterolateral wall).”

Diagnosis stated as follows:

“1.) Arteriosclerotic Heart Disease with old myocardial infarction and anginal syndrome.
2. ) Painful shoulder syndrome rt.
3. ) Marked functional ‘overlay’.”

Dr. Warren prescribed treatment of adequate rest, nitroglycerin, and phenobarbital. Doctor Warren indicated the condition was static and that it was unlikely the angina will decrease but the plaintiff should be much better as far as neurotic symptoms are concerned when compensation claim is settled. Further, under remarks, the Doctor stated:

“Condition and complaints vary with seeming nearness of settlement of compensation claims. Has been advised that he could perform light work — hasn’t succeeded in securing same — also hasn’t looked very hard. Suggest referral to Voc. Rehab. Service and expediting of settlement of compensation claim.”

Doctor Warren furnished a letter to the-Bureau dated March 13, 1958, reading as follows:

“The following is excerpted from a letter to this patient’s attorney on November 3,1955.
“ ‘Mr. Hutton suffered a myocardial infarction about Aug. 6, 1955. The condition was of moderate severity and he has been making quite satisfactory progress except for the fact that he required re-hospitalization from Sept. 16th to 24th because of angina pectoris due to the impairment of the blood supply to the heart muscle. Since being released from the hospital the second time his progress has been quite satisfactory.
“ ‘Since Aug. 6,1955 his disability evaluation has been, of course, 100%. The degree, -of permanent disability which he may have received cannot be evaluated at the present time.’ ”
“Mr. Hutton attempted to return to work in June, 1957, but was forced to stop working because of the severity of his angina. In my opinion he is still totally disabled due to ischemic heart disease. (See previous reports supplied your Bureau in 1956. )”

The medical report of Dr. Paul A. Binter, M.D. of Wichita, indicated as follows:

[241]*241“ * * * Pain radiating into throat and arms with exertion.” E.K.G., etc,. (Chest film) are presently normal.”

The Doctor prescribed routine treatment with nitroglycerin and the condition was said to be static. Under remarks it was stated:

“Severe angina pectoris — abnormal lab findings but this is not unusual.”

Dr. Edward N. Tihen, of the Wichita Clinic, conducted an examination of the plaintiff and his report of May 13, is as follows:

“The patient is a slender 50 year old man who is not in apparent distress. His height is five feet eight inches and weight is 139 pounds. The temperature is normal. The pulse is 84 and regular in rhythm. The blood pressure is 154/90. The pupils are equal and react normally to light and accommodation. The head and neck are otherwise not remarkable. The pharynx is normal. The thyroid gland is not enlarged. The lungs are clear to percussion and auscultation. Examination of the heart shows a normal sinus rhythm with no murmurs or gross enlargement. Examination of the abdomen shows no distension, rigidity, abnormal tenderness or palpable masses.

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Bluebook (online)
188 F. Supp. 238, 1960 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 3278, Counsel Stack Legal Research, https://law.counselstack.com/opinion/hutton-v-flemming-ksd-1960.