STATE OF MAINE SUPERIOR COURT CIVIL ACTION KENNEBEC, ss. DOCKET NO. AP-07-27 \ f ' V (V\J- l'\ (S I\.J - 1..//'. ,,' f'f'<"rJ ' f b; L:' ,.J V . ( (
SUSAN A. THOMAS
Petitioner
v. DECISION AND ORDER DONALD L. GARBRECHT MAINE STATE RETIREMENT LAW LIBRARY SYSTEM,
Respondent
This case is in front of the court on petitioner's M.R. Civ. P. SOC petition for
judicial review of the final agency action of Maine State Retirement System Board of
Trustees (MSRS) affirming the decision of the Executive Director denying petitioner's
application for disability retirement benefi ts.
Petitioner began working as a clerk typist for the Maine Deparbnent of Defense
on December 31,2002. She applied for disability retirement benefits on May 6,2005 due
to fibromyalgia. Subsequently she amended her application to add the conditions of
severe pain, fatigue, numbness and memory loss. On September 26,2005, the Executive
Director of MSRS denied the application on the ground that petitioner's fibromyalgia
did not make it impossible for her to perform the duties of her employment position. In
December of 2005, petitioner filed an addendum to her application adding the
conditions of depression, anxiety, pain and numbness. After reviewing the new
conditions and additional medical evidence, the Executive Director determined that
petitioner's fibromyalgia "pre-existed her membership in the MSRS, that she had fewer
than five continuous. creditable years of service and that she has not shown that there
had been a substantial aggravation of her incapacity caused by an accident or injury 2
received in the line of duty from events or circumstances not usually encountered
within the scope of her employment." The Executive Director also concluded that
information did not support a finding of additional conditions and denied the
application.
Petitioner appealed the decision to the Board of Trustees of MSRS, they upheld
the decision of the Executive Director by decision on February 13, 2007 after a hearing
on June 30, 3006.
Standard of Review:
Pursuant to M.R. Civ.P. 80C, this Court reviews an agency's decision directly for
abuse of discretion, errors of law, or findings not supported by the evidence. Centamore
v. Dep't of Human Services, 664 A.2d 369, 370 (Me. 1995). "An administrative decision
will be sustained if, on the basis of the entire record before it, the agency could have
fairly and reasonably found the facts as it did." Seider v. Board of Exam'r of Psychologists,
2000 ME 206 CjI9, 762 A.2d 551,555 (Me. 2000) (citing CWCO, Inc. v. Superintendent of Ins.,
1997 ME 226, CjI6, 703 A.2d 1258, 1261 (Me. 1997)). In reviewing the decisions of an
administrative agency, the Court should "not attempt to second-guess the agency on
matters falling within its realm of expertise" and the Court's review is limited to
"determining whether the agency's conclusions are unreasonable, unjust or unlawful in
light of the record." Imagineering v. Superintendent of Ins., 593 A.2d 1050, 1053 (Me.
1991). The focus on appeal is not whether the Court would have reached the same
conclusion as the agency, but whether the record contains competent and substantial
evidence that supports the result reached by the agency. CWCO, Inc., 1997 ME 226, 703
A.2d 1258, 1261. "Inconsistent evidence will not render an agency decision
unsupported." Seider, 762 A.2d 551 (citations omitted). The burden of proof rests with 3
the party seeking to overturn the agency's decision, and that party must prove that no
competent evidence supports the Board's decision. Id. "[Petitioner] must prove that no
competent evidence supports the Board's decision and that the record compels a
contrary conclusion." Bischoff v. Board of Trustees, 661 A.2d 167, 170 (Me. 1995). Factual
determinations must be sustained unless shown to be clearly erroneous. Imagineering,
593 A.2d at 1053 (noting that the Court recognizes no distinction between the clearly
erroneous and substantial evidence in the record standards of review for factual
determinations made by administrative agencies).
Discussion:
Petitioner argues that MSRS' decision was based on the existence of fibromyalgia
prior to September 2001. 1 She argues that MSRS' only basis for finding that she had
fibromyalgia prior to September 2001 is the opinion of the medical board. Accordingly
petitioner argues that the determination of the hearing officer that she was not entitled
to cross-examine the Medical Board violated the Maine APA and her due process rights.
Additionally she argues that MSRS' decision is not supported by substantial evidence.
1. Cross-Examination of the Medical Board
Petitioner cites 5 M.R.S.A. § 9057:
4. Prefiling Testimony. Subject to these requirements, an agency may, for the purposes of expediting adjudicatory proceedings, require procedures for the prefiling of all or part of the testimony of any witness in written form. Every such witness shall be subject to oral cross-examination.
I This is important because"An MSRS member with fewer than 5 years of continuous creditable service immediately preceding that member's application for a disability retirement benefit is not eligible for that benefit if the disability is the result of a physical or mental condition which existed before the member's membership in the retirement system." 5 M.R.S.A. § 17924(2). 4
Petitioner argues that this provision requires that she have the opportunity to cross-
examine the medical board especially in light of the Board's change of opinion as to the
timing of her fibromyalgia diagnosis.
Respondent argues that 5 M.R.S.A. §9057(4) applies only to witnesses and that the
Medical Board's role is as an advisor to MSRS, thus its memorandum provided to MSRS
is provided in this advisory capacity and is not pre-filed "testimony." This view is
greatly substantiated by the statutory scheme establishing the Medical Board. 5
M.R.S.A. § 17106(1) requires that the board of trustees of MSRS "designate a medical
board or boards each to be composed of physicians not eligible to participate in the
retirement system." Under powers and duties, 5 M.R.S.A. § 17106(3)(D) provides:
The medical board or other physician designated by the board shall, at the request of the executive director, review the file of an applicant for disability retirement and as requested shall respond on any or all of the following ... D. Inform the executive director and board in writing of its view as to the existence of a disability enlisting an applicant to benefits ...
The statute establishes the Medical Board not as a third party witness to provide
expert testimony at a hearing, rather it is a wing of MSRS that provides its report and
information directly to the Executive Director and Board of Trustees.
2. Substantial Evidence in Support of MSRS Decision
The court must give great deference to the factual determinations of the agency. The
essential question is whether petitioner's fibromyalgia predated her employment in
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STATE OF MAINE SUPERIOR COURT CIVIL ACTION KENNEBEC, ss. DOCKET NO. AP-07-27 \ f ' V (V\J- l'\ (S I\.J - 1..//'. ,,' f'f'<"rJ ' f b; L:' ,.J V . ( (
SUSAN A. THOMAS
Petitioner
v. DECISION AND ORDER DONALD L. GARBRECHT MAINE STATE RETIREMENT LAW LIBRARY SYSTEM,
Respondent
This case is in front of the court on petitioner's M.R. Civ. P. SOC petition for
judicial review of the final agency action of Maine State Retirement System Board of
Trustees (MSRS) affirming the decision of the Executive Director denying petitioner's
application for disability retirement benefi ts.
Petitioner began working as a clerk typist for the Maine Deparbnent of Defense
on December 31,2002. She applied for disability retirement benefits on May 6,2005 due
to fibromyalgia. Subsequently she amended her application to add the conditions of
severe pain, fatigue, numbness and memory loss. On September 26,2005, the Executive
Director of MSRS denied the application on the ground that petitioner's fibromyalgia
did not make it impossible for her to perform the duties of her employment position. In
December of 2005, petitioner filed an addendum to her application adding the
conditions of depression, anxiety, pain and numbness. After reviewing the new
conditions and additional medical evidence, the Executive Director determined that
petitioner's fibromyalgia "pre-existed her membership in the MSRS, that she had fewer
than five continuous. creditable years of service and that she has not shown that there
had been a substantial aggravation of her incapacity caused by an accident or injury 2
received in the line of duty from events or circumstances not usually encountered
within the scope of her employment." The Executive Director also concluded that
information did not support a finding of additional conditions and denied the
application.
Petitioner appealed the decision to the Board of Trustees of MSRS, they upheld
the decision of the Executive Director by decision on February 13, 2007 after a hearing
on June 30, 3006.
Standard of Review:
Pursuant to M.R. Civ.P. 80C, this Court reviews an agency's decision directly for
abuse of discretion, errors of law, or findings not supported by the evidence. Centamore
v. Dep't of Human Services, 664 A.2d 369, 370 (Me. 1995). "An administrative decision
will be sustained if, on the basis of the entire record before it, the agency could have
fairly and reasonably found the facts as it did." Seider v. Board of Exam'r of Psychologists,
2000 ME 206 CjI9, 762 A.2d 551,555 (Me. 2000) (citing CWCO, Inc. v. Superintendent of Ins.,
1997 ME 226, CjI6, 703 A.2d 1258, 1261 (Me. 1997)). In reviewing the decisions of an
administrative agency, the Court should "not attempt to second-guess the agency on
matters falling within its realm of expertise" and the Court's review is limited to
"determining whether the agency's conclusions are unreasonable, unjust or unlawful in
light of the record." Imagineering v. Superintendent of Ins., 593 A.2d 1050, 1053 (Me.
1991). The focus on appeal is not whether the Court would have reached the same
conclusion as the agency, but whether the record contains competent and substantial
evidence that supports the result reached by the agency. CWCO, Inc., 1997 ME 226, 703
A.2d 1258, 1261. "Inconsistent evidence will not render an agency decision
unsupported." Seider, 762 A.2d 551 (citations omitted). The burden of proof rests with 3
the party seeking to overturn the agency's decision, and that party must prove that no
competent evidence supports the Board's decision. Id. "[Petitioner] must prove that no
competent evidence supports the Board's decision and that the record compels a
contrary conclusion." Bischoff v. Board of Trustees, 661 A.2d 167, 170 (Me. 1995). Factual
determinations must be sustained unless shown to be clearly erroneous. Imagineering,
593 A.2d at 1053 (noting that the Court recognizes no distinction between the clearly
erroneous and substantial evidence in the record standards of review for factual
determinations made by administrative agencies).
Discussion:
Petitioner argues that MSRS' decision was based on the existence of fibromyalgia
prior to September 2001. 1 She argues that MSRS' only basis for finding that she had
fibromyalgia prior to September 2001 is the opinion of the medical board. Accordingly
petitioner argues that the determination of the hearing officer that she was not entitled
to cross-examine the Medical Board violated the Maine APA and her due process rights.
Additionally she argues that MSRS' decision is not supported by substantial evidence.
1. Cross-Examination of the Medical Board
Petitioner cites 5 M.R.S.A. § 9057:
4. Prefiling Testimony. Subject to these requirements, an agency may, for the purposes of expediting adjudicatory proceedings, require procedures for the prefiling of all or part of the testimony of any witness in written form. Every such witness shall be subject to oral cross-examination.
I This is important because"An MSRS member with fewer than 5 years of continuous creditable service immediately preceding that member's application for a disability retirement benefit is not eligible for that benefit if the disability is the result of a physical or mental condition which existed before the member's membership in the retirement system." 5 M.R.S.A. § 17924(2). 4
Petitioner argues that this provision requires that she have the opportunity to cross-
examine the medical board especially in light of the Board's change of opinion as to the
timing of her fibromyalgia diagnosis.
Respondent argues that 5 M.R.S.A. §9057(4) applies only to witnesses and that the
Medical Board's role is as an advisor to MSRS, thus its memorandum provided to MSRS
is provided in this advisory capacity and is not pre-filed "testimony." This view is
greatly substantiated by the statutory scheme establishing the Medical Board. 5
M.R.S.A. § 17106(1) requires that the board of trustees of MSRS "designate a medical
board or boards each to be composed of physicians not eligible to participate in the
retirement system." Under powers and duties, 5 M.R.S.A. § 17106(3)(D) provides:
The medical board or other physician designated by the board shall, at the request of the executive director, review the file of an applicant for disability retirement and as requested shall respond on any or all of the following ... D. Inform the executive director and board in writing of its view as to the existence of a disability enlisting an applicant to benefits ...
The statute establishes the Medical Board not as a third party witness to provide
expert testimony at a hearing, rather it is a wing of MSRS that provides its report and
information directly to the Executive Director and Board of Trustees.
2. Substantial Evidence in Support of MSRS Decision
The court must give great deference to the factual determinations of the agency. The
essential question is whether petitioner's fibromyalgia predated her employment in
September 2001. While petitioner is correct that there was no diagnosis of fibromyalgia
prior to her 2001 employment, there is copious evidence to indicate that she had the
condition prior to 2001. The medical board's February 2,2006 memorandum (R. at 20.5)
assembles a multitude of pain-creating conditions of the petitioner prior to her 2001
employment to describe the condition ultimately diagnosed as fibromyalgia. 5
The entry is:
The petition is DENIED and the decision of the Maine State Retirement System is AFFIRMED.
AprilK 2008 Date Filed __3:LJ/LJ1~9'-1-/-uO~7 _ Kennebec Docket No. _----"AJ:.P-'JOCL7-"'-~2~7 _ County
Action _---JPpe"'-JtL-..i.LJt.....iJ..Jou..DU---.fJ..-Jou..rL----JRl1.Jet:CJl/....dJ..Je~lw_.l_· _ 80C J.JABAR
Susan A. Thomas VS. Maine State Retirement System Plaintiff's Attorney Defendant's Attorney Charles R. Priest, Esq. James M. Bowie, AAG PO Box 5140 6 State House Station 31 Grove Street Augusta, ME 04333-0006 Augusta Maine 04332 Christopher L. Mann, AAG
Date of Entry
3/19/07 Petition for Review of Final Agency Action, filed. s/Priest, Esq.
3/26/07 Letter entering appearance, filed. s/Bowie, AAG ( on shelf) 4/17/07 Administrative Record, filed. Gail Wright, Executive Director (in vault)
4/18/07 Notice of briefing schedule mailed to attys of record.
5/24/07 Brief For Appellant, Susan A. Thomas, filed. s/Priest, Esq.
6/1/07 Addition to Administrative Record (Deposition Transcript of Hugh T. Corbett), filed. s/Bowie, AAG (in vault)
6/27/07 Respondent's Memorandum Of Law In Opposition To The Petition For Review, filed 6/25/07, with Exhibits A and B. s/Bowie, AAG
7/16/07 Reply Brief for Appellant, Susan A. Thomas, filed. s/Priest, Esq.
10/30/07 Letter entering appearance, failed. s/Mann, AAG
Notice of Setting tor /tplJil a:,.. J.l?,/)(, ~ent to attorneys of record.
4/8/08 H~aring held with the Hon. Justice JOBP-ph Jabar. Charles Priest, Esq. Petitioner and Christopher Mann, AAG for the Respondent. Oral arguments made to the court. Court to take matter undervisement.
4/9/08 DECISION AND ORDER, Jabar, J. The petition is DENIED and the decision of the Maine Statp. Retirement System if AFFIRMED. CopiQS to attys.of record. Copies to repositories