Powell v. Celebrezze

230 F. Supp. 142, 1964 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 6951
CourtDistrict Court, W.D. Arkansas
DecidedJune 8, 1964
DocketCiv. A. No. 872
StatusPublished
Cited by3 cases

This text of 230 F. Supp. 142 (Powell v. Celebrezze) is published on Counsel Stack Legal Research, covering District Court, W.D. Arkansas primary law. Counsel Stack provides free access to over 12 million legal documents including statutes, case law, regulations, and constitutions.

Bluebook
Powell v. Celebrezze, 230 F. Supp. 142, 1964 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 6951 (W.D. Ark. 1964).

Opinion

JOHN E. MILLER, Chief Judge.

Plaintiff, after having exhausted all administrative remedies, seeks review of a final decision of the defendant Secretary denying his disability benefits under Title 42 U.S.C. § 401 et seq. The case is now before the court on cross motions for summary judgment. The parties have submitted briefs in support of their respective contentions, which the court has considered along with the record.

The pleadings, administrative transcript, and briefs disclose the following facts which are not disputed. The plaintiff was born June 13, 1914, in Patmos, Arkansas. He attended school through the 12th grade at Spring Hill, Arkansas. He was first employed in 1937 by Dravo Contracting Company of Pennsylvania. His work activity consisted of bending sheet metal and running an overhead crane. This employment lasted one year. He was next employed by Nevill Tire Company in Pennsylvania as a pipe fitter and repair worker for one year. For two years he was employed by Continental Oil Company in Neoplatt, Louisiana, as a pipe fitter and laborer with some experience running a paraffin cleaning machine. Because of his pipe fitting experience he was employed next by Nichols Drilling Company as a roughneck on drilling rigs at Neoplatt. He worked in and around the oil fields of Neoplatt, Louisiana, area until he entered the Army. While in military service 3% years, he served primarily as a military policeman. After his release from the service he spent two more years roughnecking in the oil fields. He then farmed for four years and later returned to the oil fields where he spent the next five to six years. While working in the oil fields in the Neoplatt, Louisiana, area in 1960, he was admitted to the VA Hospital at Shreveport, Louisiana, to determine the cause of profuse rectal bleeding.

Upon entry into the VA Hospital and examination of the plaintiff, he was found to be suffering from rectal cancer, and a colostomy was recommended. On May 17, 1960, the plaintiff’s entire colon was removed. Dr. Joel W. Williamson, who performed the operation, in a VA Clinic Report, dated July 21, 1960, stated:

“Patient was typed and matched for three units of blood; and on 17 May 60, an abdominoperineal procedure was done without too much difficulty. There was so much sigmoid colon involved that the colon had to be removed in two segments, as described in the operative report and pathology report. Postoperatively, the patient was maintained on intravenous fluids, electromytes, and vitamins for the first three postoperative days. He also had Levin tube and Wangensteem suction in place during this time. The colostomy clamp was removed at the end of 48 hours. [144]*144Colostomy was then dressed as needed. At the end of the first three postoperative days, patient was started on graduated diet, which was slowly increased to a regular type diet. Heat cradle and soaks to the perineum were given, three times daily, as hygiene measures. Patient was maintained on intravenous Terramyein until he could tolerate it by the oral route. Sedation in moderate amounts was given. Patient began to run febrile elevations, and it was thought that he might be developing a deep pelvic abscess. Terramycin was discontinued and Declomycin was started. Patient continued to be relatively asymptomatic as to examination, but continued to run temperature elevation. On 31 May 60, he developed a severe thrombophlebitis of the left leg. He was started on conservative measures, consisting of elevation of leg on pillow, heat cradle to leg, buccal Varidase, and antibiotics. On 2 June 60, antibiotics were changed to Chloromycetin in therapeutic doses. He continued to run temperature elevation. Chloromycetin was discontinued on 13 June 60, as was Altafur, and Combiotic started. At this time, patient had moderate diarrhea, which was controlled with Kaopectate. On 13 June 60, patient had mild chest pain. X-rays were suggestive of pneumonitis, but in view of the thrombophlebitis, it was thought that small pulmonary emboli were a possibility. Patient was then started on maintenance doses of Dicumarol. This therapy was continued, with daily prothrombin times and prescribed amounts of Dicumarol as indicated by the daily prothrombin time. Prothrombin times were kept at a level of approximately twice the normal value. This was continued until the time of discharge. Thrombophlebitis slowly subsided. Swelling of the leg almost completely disappeared. Left leg was wrapped daily with Ace bandages. Patient was gradually ambulated in a wheel chair and then ambulated to tolerance. He continued to have some swelling of his lower left leg and foot after considerable walking; however, this was painful to the patient. Perineal wound continued to heal in from the depths outwards and was almost completely healed at the time of discharge. Colostomy is functioning properly, and patient was fitted with a permanent type of colostomy bag. Patient was instructed and advised to dilate colostomy stoma with a lubricated gloved finger periodically. He was also advised to continue physical activity to tolerance while at home. He was discharged CBOC on 7-21-60, and requested to return to Tumor Board in two months (9-21-60).”

The VA clinical records also disclose two other entries made by Dr. Williamson, which appear at page 88 of the transcript, in which he stated:

“9-21-60 — Patient had abdominoperineal resection, complicated postoperatively with thrombophlebitis and phlebothrombosis, in May, 1960, and was discharged from the hospital for follow-up in July, 1960. He has done well while at home except for some swelling of the legs. Patient wears Ace bandages, and it is recommended that he wear elastic stockings. Perineal incision is nicely healed. Colostomy is functioning well. Abdominal examination otherwise is negative. Weight is 191 lb. He is to return from Tumor Board follow-up in three months (12-21-60).
“12-21-60 — Patient is relatively asymptomatic in regard to abdomen and perineum. Colostomy is functioning well and is dilated digitally by patient every other day. He has not had any digestive disturbances or any abdominal symptoms.
[145]*145“Exam, of abdomen is negative. It shows well-functioning colostomy and well-healed abdominal incision. There are no palpable masses in the liver or under the abdominal wall.
“Patient continues to have some difficulty with pain in legs, as well as swelling of legs. This is worse in left leg. It responds satisfactorily to rest and elevation. Return for Tumor Board in three months (3-22-61).”

On September 22, 1961, plaintiff was given a consultative examination in connection with his disability application by Dr. Richard J. Sehneble of Texarkana, Arkansas. In his report to the State Department of OASI dated September 23, 1961, Dr. Sehneble stated:

“Physical examination showed a somewhat obese white male, who appeared to be in good health, having a height of 5 feet 7 inches, weight 193, temperature 98.2. The blood pressure was 150/90 in both arms, pulse rate was 92. The pupils were round and equal and reacted normally. The fundi were normal. The nasal septum was deviated to the left. Examination of the ears, mouth and throat were normal. Carotid pulsations were normal. The thyroid was not enlarged. There were no enlarged lymph nodes. The lungs were clear to percussion and auscultation. The heart was normal in size. The rhythm was regular and no murmurs were heard.

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Related

McCalip v. Richardson
333 F. Supp. 1207 (D. Nebraska, 1971)
Bugdnewicz v. Celebrezze
249 F. Supp. 139 (E.D. Pennsylvania, 1966)
Watson v. Gardner
246 F. Supp. 837 (N.D. Georgia, 1965)

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Bluebook (online)
230 F. Supp. 142, 1964 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 6951, Counsel Stack Legal Research, https://law.counselstack.com/opinion/powell-v-celebrezze-arwd-1964.