Kamco Building Supply Corporation and PA Lumbermen's Mutual Insurance Company v. Eric Heard

• Court: Court of Appeals of Virginia
• Decided: September 25, 2018
• Docket: 0592181
• Status: Unpublished

Opinion

COURT OF APPEALS OF VIRGINIA

Present: Judges Humphreys, Malveaux and Senior Judge Annunziata Argued at Norfolk, Virginia UNPUBLISHED

KAMCO BUILDING SUPPLY CORPORATION AND PA LUMBERMEN’S MUTUAL INSURANCE COMPANY MEMORANDUM OPINION* BY v. Record No. 0592-18-1 JUDGE ROBERT J. HUMPHREYS SEPTEMBER 25, 2018 ERIC HEARD

FROM THE VIRGINIA WORKERS’ COMPENSATION COMMISSION

Ciara Wren Malone (Franklin & Prokopik, PC, on briefs), for appellants.

(Sidney H. Kelsey, Jr., on brief), for appellee. Appellee submitting on brief.

Appellant Kamco Building Supply Corporation and its insurer, Pennsylvania

Lumbermen’s Mutual Insurance Company (collectively, “employer”), appeal the March 23, 2018

decision of the Workers’ Compensation Commission (the “Commission”) affirming the deputy

commissioner’s determination that Eric Heard (“Heard”) was entitled to permanent total

disability benefits. On appeal, employer alleges the following:

1. The Virginia Workers’ Compensation Commission erred, as a matter of law, in finding that the claimant proved permanent and total disability due to inability to use his legs to any substantial degree in any gainful activity.

2. The Virginia Workers’ Compensation Commission erred, as a matter of law, in finding that the claimant proved permanent and total disability pursuant to Virginia Code § 65.2-500(D) and Virginia Code § 65.2-503(C)(1).

* Pursuant to Code § 17.1-413, this opinion is not designated for publication. 3. The Virginia Workers’ Compensation Commission’s application of the statutory and case law was incorrect.

4. The Virginia Workers’ Compensation Commission’s factual findings are not supported by credible evidence.

I. BACKGROUND

On October 17, 2005, Heard suffered a compensable workplace injury. Specifically,

Heard suffered a compensable workplace injury to his left ankle and foot while working as a

commercial truck driver. Heard developed deep vein thrombosis (“DVT”) in his left leg as a

result of the injury. On December 13, 2005, the Commission entered an award order for medical

benefits and temporary total disability benefits beginning on October 26, 2005, and continuing.

By September 2006, Heard developed DVT in his right leg. On November 23, 2009, a deputy

commissioner rendered an opinion holding that the DVT in Heard’s left and right legs was a

compensable consequence of the workplace injury.

On September 22, 2015, Heard filed a request for hearing seeking permanent total

disability benefits after receiving the maximum 500 weeks of indemnity benefits allowed under

Code § 65.2-518, the Virginia Workers’ Compensation Act (the “Act”). Heard asserted that he

had reached the maximum medical improvement for both of his lower extremities and had a

seventy-five percent rating to the left lower extremity and twenty-five percent to the lower right

extremity. In support of his claim, Heard attached responses to a medical questionnaire from his

primary treating physician, Dr. Christopher Paschold (“Dr. Paschold”).1 Heard’s attorney

prepared the medical questionnaire, which required Dr. Paschold to fill in some blanks and check

boxes labeled “Agree” or “Disagree.” In the questionnaire, Dr. Paschold indicated that Heard

suffered a seventy-five percent permanent impairment in his left leg and a twenty-five percent

permanent impairment in his right leg as a result of Heard’s October 17, 2005 accident. Also, in

1 Dr. Paschold is a hematologist and oncologist who has treated Heard since 2005. -2- the section of the questionnaire addressing the combined effect of Heard’s injuries, Dr. Paschold

checked “Agree” to the following statement:

It is my opinion with reasonable medical certainty, that the combined effect of the permanent disability injuries to his lower extremities render him unable to use his extremities in any substantial degree in any gainful employment and due to the fact that Mr. Heard is unable to use his lower extremities to any substantial degree in any gainful employment, it is my opinion that he is permanently unemployable.

Dr. Paschold signed and dated the questionnaire on September 18, 2015.

Employer contested Heard’s claim, arguing that the statute of limitations in Code

§ 65.2-601 barred Heard’s claim as it was based on bilateral lower extremity injuries as a result

of the workplace accident on October 17, 2005. Employer also contended that Heard was not

permanently and totally disabled as contemplated by Code § 65.2-503(C) and that Heard could

use his legs in gainful employment.

On February 6, 2017 and June 2, 2017, a hearing was held before a deputy commissioner.

There, Heard testified that he worked as a commercial truck driver and restaurant waiter at the

time of his injury. Heard described how he used his legs to a substantial degree while working

both jobs. Heard then testified regarding his current physical limitations as a result of his injury.

Heard agreed that while his legs “swell every day[,]” he is currently “okay as far as walking and

taking a smoke break, or going to the store, or [sic] any short period of time.” Heard also noted

that he frequently drives his wife because she has “panic attacks.” When asked about using his

legs “in a substantial degree,”2 Heard testified that after an hour his lower legs start “to get

numb, because of the lack of circulation . . . so I have to stand up and kind of get everything

moving around[.]”

2 Heard defined “substantial degree” as using his legs for “probably . . . an hour.” -3- At one point during his testimony, Heard summarized his actual functional limitations

following the injury and described the difficulties that he encountered in performing a

“Functional Capacity Evaluation” with Dr. Maurice Schwartz, a hematologist. This included

using his legs to climb and descend steps, kneel, squat, and crouch, all of which created swelling

and “extreme pain” in his lower extremities and feet. Finally, on direct examination, Heard

testified that Dr. Paschold changed his impairment classification from moderate to severe

because he started experiencing more numbness in both legs and because his right lower leg

“started turning blue.”

Following the first hearing, Dr. Paschold’s de bene esse deposition from February 1,

2017, was entered into evidence.3 There, Dr. Paschold noted his belief that Heard was incapable

of using his legs in employment since writing a “To Whom It May Concern” letter dated October

26, 2006, which stated that Heard “is currently totally disabled and unable to work secondary to

severe postphlebitic syndrome and pain for his recurrent DVT.”4 Further, Dr. Paschold indicated

that he has not changed his opinion that Heard has remained incapable of performing any form of

employment since completing an “Estimated Physical Capabilities Form” on September 21,

2007.

3 Dr. Paschold also participated in a discovery deposition on September 14, 2016. The transcript was entered into evidence and considered by the Commission in determining whether Heard met his evidentiary burden. During this deposition, Dr. Paschold explained that it was his opinion, “with reasonable medical certainty, that the combined effect of [Heard’s] permanent disability injuries to the lower extremities render him unable to use his extremities in any substantial degree and any gainful employment” and that Heard “is permanently disabled.” Although Dr. Paschold was unable to provide a specific definition of “gainful employment” at the time, he stated that Heard “can’t work in any meaningful capacity.” 4 Post-phlebetic syndrome (PTS) also known as postphlebitic syndrome and venous stress disorder is a medical condition that may occur as a long-term complication of deep vein thrombosis (DVT). See Susan R. Kahn & Jeffrey S. Ginsberg, Relationship Between Deep Venous Thrombosis and the Post-thrombotic Syndrome, Arch Intern Med., 17-26 (2004). -4- During the second hearing on June 2, 2017, employer introduced surveillance videos of

Heard’s activities on multiple days in July 2016. The surveillance videos showed Heard at

home, at a store, and driving a vehicle. When asked about the surveillance videos, Heard

testified “I wasn’t driving a truck and I wasn’t waiting tables. What I was doing, I let my dog

outside, I sat outside in my front yard, a friend of mine, I drove their car to the grocery store

[sic], that’s about all I saw in it.” According to Heard, the surveillance videos did not show him

using his legs in a “substantial degree” or performing any “gainful employment.”

In an opinion dated October 10, 2017, the deputy commissioner found the claim timely

and concluded that Heard proved that he was permanently and totally disabled as contemplated

by Code § 65.2-503(C)(1). According to the deputy commissioner, Heard met his burden of

proof “through his credible testimony regarding his symptoms and limitations and the opinions

of Dr. Christopher Paschold, the hematologist and oncologist who provided treatment to him

beginning in 2005.” In doing so, the deputy commissioner explicitly addressed each of

employer’s concerns regarding the reliability and sufficiency of Dr. Paschold’s medical opinions,

finding them without merit. The deputy commissioner also found that employer’s surveillance

videos of Heard’s activities were “considered but not found to undermine Heard’s testimony

about his physical abilities” and that “[n]othing in the surveillance is found to undermine

Dr. Paschold’s opinions.” As noted by the deputy commissioner, “Code § 65.2-503(C)(1) does

not require that a claimant be bedridden or unable to perform any physical activities in order to

qualify for compensation for permanent total disability.”

Based on all of the evidence presented, the deputy commissioner concluded that “Heard

proved that he is entitled to compensation for permanent total disability under [Code]

§ 65.2-503(C)(1).” Thereafter, the deputy commissioner awarded Heard compensation in the

amount of $608.79 per week beginning August 1, 2015 and continuing, medical benefits

-5- pursuant to Code § 65.2-603, and attorney’s fees. Employer subsequently requested a review by

the full Commission of the award of permanent total disability benefits.

In an opinion dated March 23, 2018, the Commission affirmed the decision of the deputy

commissioner. The Commission indicated that after reviewing the entire record, “including the

previous Opinions and awards, depositions, hearing testimony, the surveillance video, the

designated medical records, the position statements, the parties’ Written Statements, and the

October 10, 2017 Opinion,” Heard “proved permanent and total disability pursuant to . . . Code

§ 65.2-500(D) and . . . Code § 65.2-503(C)(1).” The Commission noted that the surveillance

videos did not prove that Heard could use his lower extremities in any gainful employment.

And, similar to the deputy commissioner, the Commission found that “Dr. Paschold’s opinion as

the treating physician is entitled to great weight” and that he “issued reasonable opinions

regarding maximum medical improvement and permanent impairment.” The Commission noted

that Dr. Paschold “was certain the deep vein thromboses, thrombophlebitis, and postphlebitic

syndrome resulted from [Heard’s] work-related injury.”

Based on the record before it, the Commission found no error in the deputy

commissioner’s determination. Employer now appeals that decision.

II. ANALYSIS

A. Standard of Review

On appeal from the Commission, “this Court reviews the evidence in the light most

favorable to the prevailing party[.]” Van Buren v. Augusta Cty., 66 Va. App. 441, 444, 787

S.E.2d 532, 533 (2016) (quoting Town & Country Hosp., LP v. Davis, 64 Va. App. 658, 660,

770 S.E.2d 790, 791 (2015)). “[T]his Court is only bound by the ‘Commission’s findings of fact

as long as there was credible evidence presented such that a reasonable mind could conclude that

the fact in issue was proved, even if there is evidence in the record that would support a contrary

-6- finding.’” Newport News Shipbuilding & Dry Dock Co. v. Wardell Orthopaedics, P.C., 67

Va. App. 404, 412-13, 796 S.E.2d 461, 466 (2017) (quoting Anderson v. Anderson, 65 Va. App.

354, 361, 778 S.E.2d 132, 136 (2015)). “In determining whether credible evidence exists to

support the commission’s findings of fact, ‘the appellate court does not retry the facts, reweigh

. . . the evidence, or make its own determination of the credibility of the witnesses.’” Tex Tech

Indus. v. Ellis, 44 Va. App. 497, 504, 605 S.E.2d 759, 762 (2004) (quoting Wagner Enters. v.

Brooks, 12 Va. App. 890, 894, 407 S.E.2d 32, 35 (1991)).

B. Sufficiency of the Evidence

All of employer’s assignments of error can be summarized as follows: that Heard did not

present credible evidence from which the Commission could conclude that he is entitled to

permanent and total disability benefits pursuant to Code §§ 65.2-500(D) and 65.2-503(C)(1).

Employer has attempted to reframe what is fundamentally a single insufficiency of the evidence

argument into four redundant assignments of error in an effort to persuade this Court to instead

conduct a de novo review of the evidence. We decline to do so.

Code § 65.2-503(C)(1) provides compensation for “permanent and total incapacity” for

“loss of . . . both legs.” In construing this section, however, “the permanent loss of the use of a

member shall be equivalent to the loss of such member, and for the permanent partial loss or loss

of use of a member, compensation may be proportionately awarded.” Code § 65.2-503(D)

(emphasis added). “‘Total and permanent loss’ or ‘loss of use’ do not mean that the leg is

immovable or that it cannot be used in walking around the house, or even around the block.”

Pantry Pride v. Backus, 18 Va. App. 176, 179, 442 S.E.2d 699, 701 (1994) (quoting Virginia

Oak Flooring Co. v. Chrisley, 195 Va. 850, 857, 80 S.E.2d 537, 541 (1954)). Rather, the terms

“mean that the injured employee is unable to use it in any substantial degree in any gainful

employment.” Chrisley, 195 Va. at 857, 80 S.E.2d at 541.

-7- To meet his burden of proof under this section, Heard was required to prove by a

preponderance of the evidence that he is unable to use his permanently impaired legs in gainful

employment. See id. In addition, Heard was required to “establish that he has achieved

maximum medical improvement and . . . his functional loss of capacity [must] be quantified or

rated.” Cafaro Constr. Co. v. Strother, 15 Va. App. 656, 661, 426 S.E.2d 489, 492 (1993)

(referencing Hungerford Mech. Corp. v. Hobson, 11 Va. App. 675, 401 S.E.2d 213 (1991)).

These are fundamentally factual determinations within the purview and expertise of the

Commission. Therefore, unless we can say as a matter of law that Heard’s evidence failed to

sustain his burden of proof, the Commission’s findings are binding and conclusive upon us. See

Tomko v. Michael’s Plastering Co., 210 Va. 697, 699, 173 S.E.2d 833, 835 (1970).

Employer argues that Heard’s evidence was insufficient as a matter of law to prove

permanent total disability because Heard “cannot show that he is unable to use his legs to a

substantial degree in any gainful employment.” According to employer, the Commission only

relied upon Heard’s testimony and Dr. Paschold’s opinion in finding that Heard sustained his

burden in proving permanent total disability. Employer claims that “[n]either is sufficient to

show [Heard] is incapable of using his legs to any substantial degree in gainful employment.”

Employer argues that, rather than addressing activities that he cannot complete, Heard’s

testimony “shows all of the activities he could do.” Employer also questions Dr. Paschold’s

opinions because they allegedly only focused upon Heard’s “inability to do his pre-injury

position” and because Dr. Paschold “[did] not comment on if [Heard] could use his legs for any

other type of employment.”

Regarding employer’s argument as to the conflicting medical opinions between various

physicians and the weight that should not have been assigned to Dr. Paschold’s opinions, such

arguments are appropriate before the Commission, but not on appeal. Such an argument

-8- concerns only the weight of the evidence assigned by the factfinder, not its probative or legal

sufficiency. It is well-settled that “‘[m]atters of weight and preponderance of the evidence, and

the resolution of conflicting inferences fairly deducible from the evidence, are within the

prerogative of the commission and are conclusive and binding’ on this Court.” Herbert Clements

& Sons, Inc. v. Harris, 52 Va. App. 447, 458, 663 S.E.2d 564, 570 (2008) (quoting Kim v.

Sportswear, 10 Va. App. 460, 465, 393 S.E.2d 418, 421 (1990)). As a result, the Commission

was free to give great weight to Dr. Paschold’s opinion that Heard is unable to use his lower

extremities in any gainful employment and that Heard is permanently and totally disabled.

Likewise, the Commission was free to discount or disregard any medical opinions to the

contrary, which it clearly did. The same analysis applies to the Commission’s role in assigning

credibility to Heard’s testimony and other evidence in the record.

After reviewing the record, we hold that evidence in the record before us supports the

findings and decision of the Commission. Indeed, the evidence overwhelmingly supports the

Commission’s factual finding that Heard has a functional, permanent loss of use of both legs.

Notably, the Commission explicitly stated that it had reviewed the entire record “including the

previous Opinions and awards, depositions, hearing testimony, the surveillance video, the

designated medical records, the position statements, the parties’ Written Statements, and the

October 10, 2017 Opinion” before finding that Heard proved his permanent and total disability.

It is clear that the Commission relied upon significantly more evidence in the record than

employer claims. Moreover, the Commission analyzed the significance of Dr. Paschold’s

testimony and opinions in detail and assigned them great weight. Although employer points to

contrary evidence in the record, we are bound to disregard such evidence on appeal as it was

implicitly rejected by the Commission as the factfinder. See Pro-Football Inc. v. Paul, 39

Va. App. 1, 11, 569 S.E.2d 66, 71-72 (2002).

-9- III. CONCLUSION

For the foregoing reasons, we hold that the record supports the Commission’s judgment

that Heard is permanently and totally disabled as contemplated by Code § 65.2-503(C).

Therefore, the Commission’s judgment is affirmed.

Affirmed.

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