Claimant worked for the Employer as a pickup and delivery driver for 15 years. Claimant would handle freight and perform heavy lifting. In the morning he would deliver freight, in the afternoon he would pick up freight. When Claimant moved freight, it would weigh anywhere from five to hundreds of pounds. He did not have an assistant. Claimant was never a manager or a supervisor. Claimant never worked with a computer in his job.
Claimant primarily drove a GMC Brigadier, which was a manual truck without air-ride seats. Claimant also occasionally drove Volvo trucks. Claimant testified that all of the trucks were "raggedy."
On October 13, 2013, Claimant had a weekly paycheck of 1,300 and made 65,000 a year. He made that amount from 2010 through 2013. Claimant, typically, worked 40-50 hours a week.
Claimant did not complete high school; he did obtain his GED. Claimant did not receive any education or training after receiving his GED.
Prior to October 13, 2013, Claimant testified he had back pain for a long time. Eventually, he reported his pain to Jim Vicorelli, the Terminal Manager. Mr. Vicorelli told Claimant to go to his primary care doctor ("PCP"). Claimant did go to his PCP, who did not treat him but referred him to Dr. Forget. Dr. Forget performed two back surgeries; one on November 21, 2013, and one in December of 2014. Following the surgeries, Claimant continued to have chronic constant pain in his back that radiated down both legs into his feet. The doctor released Claimant from treatment for his back on February 16, 2015.
Claimant believes his back injury was caused by getting in and out of the truck, bouncing in the truck, not having power steering, pulling on "raggedy" trailer doors, and handling freight over many years.
Claimant was diagnosed with diabetes in 2009. He has neuropathy in both feet that manifested with numbness, tingling, and burning. His feet would swell in the truck, and it would hurt to wear shoes.
In 2005, Claimant had bilateral carpal and cubital tunnel surgery. He returned to work with no restrictions. The carpal and cubital tunnel syndromes made it hard to steer, shift, and handle freight.
In 2010, Claimant's PCP diagnosed him with depression. He was given medication, but it did not alleviate his symptoms. He was drinking too much and sleeping a lot. After his back surgeries, his symptoms worsened. As a result, his PCP gave him additional medications to treat his depression.
Claimant currently takes medication for his depression and diabetes. After he was released from treatment, Claimant has not taken any prescription medication for his back, carpal tunnel syndrome, or cubital tunnel syndrome. Claimant does take over-the-counter Tylenol PM.
Revised Form 31 (3/97)
Page 5
Issued by DIVISION OF WORKERS' COMPENSATION
Injury # 13-102356
Claimant did not return to work for Employer following his back surgeries. He has constant pain in his feet, hands, and back. On a typical day, he tries to walk and move around. He does not use a computer.
Claimant believes he cannot perform any work, other than manual labor, because he does not have any education or training past 11th grade.
On cross-examination, Claimant testified that he went to his PCP for his back complaints on his own. He also treated with Dr. Forget on his own. Employer did not send Claimant to either doctor, and his Employer did not pay for the treatment he received.
When Dr. Forget released Claimant, he did not give Claimant any restrictions. On May 19, 2014, Dr. Hagan first diagnosed Claimant with peripheral neuropathy. On January 26, 2015, Claimant was examined to determine if he had RSD in his lower extremities.
None of Claimant's treating doctors told him his work was the cause of his back complaints. None of Claimant's treating doctors put any restrictions on his ability to work. Claimant testified that Dr. Forget suggested Claimant not go back to driving a truck.
Claimant's diabetes was diagnosed during a routine DOT examination in 2005. Claimant had not had any symptoms before that time. Later, Claimant began to experience dizziness and was placed on diabetes medication. Claimant does not wear special shoes or socks due to his diabetic neuropathy. Claimant does not eat a special diet to maintain healthy blood sugar levels; he just "watches what he eats" and does not drink too much alcohol. Claimant testified he could still work with his diabetes, but the numbness in his hands made it difficult to use the clutch in the truck.
Claimant was "somewhat satisfied" with the carpal and cubital tunnel surgeries. However, the numbness and tingling in his hands did return. Claimant never went back to the surgeon to tell him his symptoms had returned. Claimant was released without restrictions following his c