ÿWPC@ zøÔ7Ï¢G“?¬Ñ2”jp&L¨"6®|#ºÇ\.»ñ#£7øïJê$YSrˆìÅD‡‡NÌ_¡™*Ä& Ex×”D5¤7QŸ´½„ÜìÕœ»‘lnä‘oãÙh=r=š9-!â®YC¼¤¬Ô†$½ÄÖ“lÎ/Î4íÅ÷ˆø)kl]ƒÓ¤Õ Wî^çÆŠª¯F¾mjýnìáé:ö¼ˆÊä§KÅéAæ|JU\†Ñ躇Bñ„æ‘–<íÀC8;X6gÅöeÀmv{оÞÙÑ&¸ y¤¯Î†?ÜœÚxÚDÍ‘ÈÀoÂÿÄs((ƒ0{ùhøfRÛìxhÃO˜o)MùÞÙþ&-Ɖ°Ê3;mkNÌèlN`™ÞǨO¥s‘P-b¢dÙíaëfá,‡Ú@€¾µŠn”ç¥ïqGçi§”ïu z5f(ñW+²k¼+ä3ãÒ¿s'ŠJNãì¡Äf·Ø#ƒÜŠ”¿4g”;68ÕW(„Æ]Ë•„åKA¸f›Ò%FèÈ¢GÖÐÆŠ…¶_j½«ÀsðB†f½V–h´Åõ¾+pk4Òî +Fø»€XÇßäú“³” çg×Ê–ÿD³ZÉ4÷¥ŒÓ_…€—l®ýb#Á\ % UN# 0ˆq UNù ^ G wS zW ÒÑ 4£ · Æ mÈ Æß Æ¥ Æk Æ1 0D÷N;= EEKNM 1uO 72Ä 0cöNY z[ÒÕUN§U@õõõõõõõõõõõõõõõb555555555555555555555555555555555555 0ë==== B (( 0¤E D3é D- 0KII AS”Æç 0¤­ 0DQ A«•˜HP LaserJet 4,ü,,,,,ü0»(ÖÃ9 Z‹6Times New Roman Regular(`£ª$¡¡Ñ€.ÑÑ8€½­»»d»»d8ÑÑ ý ÑÓ  Ó(í€"  Z6Times New Roman Regular‚l”+L  ˜C:\PROGRA~1\COREL\WORDPE~1\TEMPLATE\CUSTOM~1\REVISE~1.WPTC:\Program Files\Corel\WordPerfect Office 2000\Template\Custom WP Templates\revised standard opinion.wpt÷L,+LÐÖ¦k2üÿ¢3|xÿU‹ÿÀÀÀLevel 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5‚Level 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5„Level 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5…Level 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5(#Ã$òòÚ  Ú0Ú  Úóó H3#37=CIQYag­­1.a.i.(1)(a)(i)1)a)i)(;3£$´´Ô2#ÔÚ  Ú0Ú  Ú.Ô3  Ôà0  à˜C:\PROGRA~1\COREL\WORDPE~1\TEMPLATE\CUSTOM~1\REVISE~1.WPTC:\Program Files\Corel\WordPerfect Office 2000\Template\Custom WP Templates\revised standard opinion.wpt(ÈhH  Z 6Times New Roman Regular(ÖÃ9 Z‹(Times New Roman - ù-(|G2’d$¤¤Ý ƒ£ª!ÝÑ€..ÑÑ8€°Ô»»dd8ÑÑ ý ÑÓ  ÓÝ  Ýà  àòòÚ  Ú0Ú  ÚóóÔ€X¤ÃX»»Ô d(|3,$££Ý ƒ£ª!ÝÑ€..ÑÑ8€°Ô»»dd8ÑÑ ý ÑÓ  ÓÝ  ÝVVVV'ÿÿdxd)!ÈÈÈÈdxdx( ±þ$’’ò òFigure€Ú  Ú1Ú  Úó ó^_X`YEþÿ<<CÿÿƒLevel 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5(|3,$¢¢Ý ƒ£ª!ÝÑ€..ÑÑ8€°Ô»»dd8ÑÑ ý ÑÓ  ÓÝ  Ý($$””ò òÚ  Ú1Ú  Úó óX[Z&OLE 2.0 Box <=8ÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿCÿÿ HKKKKÝ ƒ£ª!ÝÑ€.ÑÑ8€°Ô»»ddÈ8ÑÑ ý ÑÓ  ÓÝ  ÝÔ_ÔÔ€¼°Ô»»»ÔÑ8€¤ÃXXdð»»d8ÑÓ  ÓÔ‡îõ÷°ÔÔà@@7 7 ìàIN€THE€SUPREME€COURT€OF€TENNESSEEÐ ° ÐSPECIAL€WORKERSðð€COMPENSATION€APPEALS€PANELÐ Ü, Ðà@@ƒƒìàAT€JACKSONÔ#†¼°Ô»îîõ÷î#ÔÐ X ÐOctober€9,€2001€SessionÐ 4„ ÐÔ‡X¤ÃX»¼°ÔÔÌò òÔ#†¼°Ô»XX¤Ã#ÔDARYL€K.€COLLINSòòóó€v.€TOWER€AUTOMOTIVE€PRODUCTSÐ < Œ ÐCOMPANY,€d/b/a€TOWER€AUTOMOTIVEòòóóÔ‡X¤ÃX»¼°ÔÔó óÐ T ¤ ÐÌà@@¼¼ìàò ò€Direct€Appeal€from€the€Chancery€Court€for€Madison€CountyÐ \ ¬ Ðà@@ôôìàNo.€57071€€€€€€Joe€C.€Morris,€ChancellorÐ Lœ  ÐÌÌà@@ìì*ìàßA€V) °°` d€÷E<` AßÐ l  ÐÌNo.€W2001„00480„Ô_ÔWCÔ_Ô„R3„CV€„€Mailed€November€8,€2001;€Filed€December€17,€Ô_Ô2001Ô_ÔÐ k  ÐÔ#†¼°Ô»XX¤ÃË#ÔÔ‡X¤ÃX»¼°ÔÔÌÌßA€V) °°` dE<ê` AßÐ ë; Ðó óÌÓ  ÓÓ  ÓÔ‡X½¨XXX¤ÃÔÔ#†¼ó4»XX½¨ã#ÔÔ‡X½¨X»¼ó4ÔThis€workersðð€compensation€appeal€has€been€referred€to€the€Special€Workers'€Compensation€AppealsÐ ê: ÐPanel€of€the€Supreme€Court€in€accordance€with€Tennessee€Code€Annotated€ðð€50„6„225(e)(3)€forÐ Ö& Ðhearing€and€reporting€to€the€Supreme€Court€of€findings€of€fact€and€conclusions€of€law.€€The€trialÐ Â Ðcourt€found€Plaintiff€suffered€permanent€impairment€and€awarded€Plaintiff€twenty„two€percent€(22%)Ð ®þ Ðpermanent€partial€impairment€to€each€upper€extremity.€€Defendant€asserts€that€the€award€of€twenty„Ð šê Ðtwo€percent€(22%)€was€excessive€and€not€supported€by€the€evidence.€€From€our€review€of€the€trialÐ †Ö Ðrecord,€we€affirm€the€trial€courtððs€judgment€as€modified.Ô#†¼ó4»XX½¨¸#ÔÐ r ÐÔ#†¼°Ô»»¼ó4v#ÔÔ‡X¤ÃX»¼°ÔÔÌÓjÓÌò òÓ  ÓTenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€50„6„225(e)€(1999)€Appeal€as€of€Right;€Judgment€of€the€Chancery€CourtÐ >Ž Ðis€Affirmed€as€Modified.ó óÐ .~ ÐÌòòÓ  ÓÓ  ÓÔ#†¼°Ô»àX¤Ã2 #ÔÔ‡X¤ÃX.¼°ÔÔL.€Terry€Ô_ÔLaffertyÔ_Ô,€Sr.€J.óó,€delivered€the€opinion€of€the€court,€in€which€òòJoe€C.€Loser,€Jr.,€Sp.€J.,óó€andÐ !^ ÐòòJanice€M.€Holder,€J.óó,€joined.Ð þ!N  ÐÌÔ_ÔDeanaÔ_Ô€C.€Seymour,€Jackson,€TN,€for€the€appellant,€Tower€Automotive€Products€Company,€Inc.,Ð Þ#." Ðd/b/a€Tower€Automotive.Ð Î$ # ÐÌGeorge€L.€Morrison,€III,€Jackson,€TN,€for€the€appellee,€Daryl€Collins.Ð ®&þ!% ÐÌÓ! ÓÓ  Óò òMEMORANDUM€OPINIONó óÔ#†¼°Ô»XX¤ÃP #ÔÔ‡X¤ÃX»¼°ÔÔÐ Ž(Þ#' ÐÌÔ#†¼°Ô»XX¤Ã» #Ôò òÔ‡¼ó4»»¼°ÔÔÓ  ÓÓ  ÓÔ€X½¨X»¼ó4ÔTRIAL€TESTIMONYÐ n*¾%) ÐÓA ÓÌà  àó óDaryl€Collins,€age€39,€married€with€two€sons,€has€been€employed€at€Tower€AutomotiveÐ F,–'+ ÐCompany,€Inc.,€d/b/a€Tower€Automotive,€hereinafter€Defendant,€for€the€past€17€years.€€PlaintiffððsÐ 2-‚(,ý Ðeducation€consists€of€a€high€school€diploma€and€an€associate's€degree€from€Jackson€StateÐ ° ÐCommunity€College.€€Plaintiffððs€duties€were€primarily€welding€heavy€truck€parts.€€In€1998,€PlaintiffÐ œì Ðbegan€suffering€from€pain€in€both€his€right€and€left€wrists.€€Plaintiff€advised€Defendant€in€JanuaryÐ ˆØ Ðof€1999,€and€underwent€conservative€treatment.€€Defendant€furnished€him€with€the€names€of€threeÐ tÄ Ðphysicians€and€was€seen€by€Dr.€Lewis€Murphy,€who€referred€Plaintiff€to€Dr.€Ronald€Bingham€for€aÐ `° Ðnerve€conduction€examination.€€Dr.€Bingham€referred€Plaintiff€to€Dr.€Michael€Cobb€when€the€testÐ L œ Ðindicated€median€neuropathy€at€both€wrists,€consistent€with€carpal€tunnel€syndrome.€€Dr.€CobbÐ 8 ˆ Ðadvised€Plaintiff€that€carpal€tunnel€release€may€be€necessary€for€both€wrists.€€On€January€20,€2000,Ð $ t ÐDr.€Cobb€performed€carpal€tunnel€release€on€the€right€wrist€and€then€on€February€8,€2000,€carpalÐ  ` Ðtunnel€release€was€performed€on€Plaintiffððs€left€wrist.€€Plaintiff€returned€to€restricted€duty€for€sixÐ ü L  Ðweeks€before€Dr.€Cobb€released€him€to€regular€duty€as€a€welder.€Ð è 8  ÐÌà  àAlthough€Plaintiff€returned€to€regular€duty,€he€stated€that€his€hands€still€hurt€every€day,Ð À  Ðhowever€surgery€did€correct€the€numbness.€€He€advised€the€plant€nurse,€Debbie€Ô_ÔBowlinÔ_Ô,€that€hisÐ ¬ü  Ðhands€hurt€occasionally€while€grinding€parts.€€At€home,€Plaintiff€stated€that€he€had€difficulty€playingÐ ˜è  Ð(wrestling)€with€his€eight„year„old€son.€€Due€to€vibration,€he€cannot€use€a€Ô_ÔweedeaterÔ_Ô€for€long€periodsÐ „Ô  Ðof€time€because€of€numbness.€€When€asked€about€his€grip€strength,€Plaintiff€responded,€ð ðAs€far€asÐ pÀ Ðgrip€strength,€Iððve€lost€quite€a€bit€of€grip€strength.€€Itððs€things€that€I€just€took€for€granted€before.ðð€€Ð \¬ ÐPlaintiff€estimated€that€he€lost€thirty€percent€(30%)€grip€strength€in€his€hands€since€the€injury.€Ð H˜ ÐDuring€cross„examination,€Plaintiff€agreed€that€he€had€received€a€pay€raise€since€his€return€to€workÐ 4„ Ðand€is€now€making€a€higher€hourly€rate.€€Also,€Plaintiff€acknowledged€that€he€participated€in€littleÐ  p Ðleague€activities,€throwing€a€football€with€his€son,€and€taking€a€family€vacation€to€Disney€World.€Ð  \ ÐÌà  à€€In€behalf€of€Defendant,€co„workers€of€Plaintiff,€Kenneth€Gilbert,€Jeff€Lowery,€andÐ ä4 Ðsupervisor,€Sam€Ô_ÔLuterÔ_Ô,€testified€that€Plaintiff€was€a€welder€in€heavy€truck€building.€€All€agreed€thatÐ Ð  ÐPlaintiff€returned€to€work,€did€a€fine€job,€never€made€any€complaints€and€was€a€good€worker.€€Ô_ÔLuterÔ_ÔÐ ¼  Ðstated€that€Plaintiff€could€do€various€jobs€in€the€plant.€€Also,€Ô_ÔLuterÔ_Ô€agreed€that€he€had€come€to€workÐ ¨ø Ðfeeling€bad,€but€never€complained€to€his€co„workers.€Ð ”ä ÐÌÓ  Óò òMEDICAL€EVIDENCEÐ l¼ ÐÌó óÓ  Óà  àFor€the€record,€the€C„32€form€of€Dr.€Michael€Cobb€was€made€an€exhibit.€€Dr.€Cobbððs€reportÐ D!” Ðreflect€that€Plaintiff€was€referred€to€him€by€Dr.€Ronald€Bingham€as€the€result€of€a€nerve€conductionÐ 0"€  Ðexamination.€€The€examination€indicated€a€diagnosis€of€carpal€tunnel€syndrome€on€December€19,Ð #l! Ð1999.€€Dr.€Cobb€saw€Plaintiff€on€January€12,€2000,€with€a€complaint€of€pain,€numbness€in€bothÐ $X" Ðhands,€with€the€right€hand€worse€than€the€left.€€Dr.€Cobb€diagnosed€Plaintiff€with€severe€carpalÐ ô$D # Ðtunnel€syndrome,€both€hands,€and€recommended€surgery€for€the€best€chance€of€a€recovery.€Ð à%0!$ ÐOtherwise,€if€decompression€of€the€nerveÔ#†X¤ÃXXX½¨ #ÔÔ‡X½¨XXX¤ÃÔ€is€delayed,€there€is€more€chance€that€Plaintiff€will€haveÐ Ì&"% Ðsome€permanent€neuropathy.€€On€January€20,€2000,€Dr.€Cobb€performed€endoscopic€carpal€tunnelÐ ¸'#& Ðrelease€on€the€right€hand.€€On€February€1,€2000,€Plaintiffððs€only€complaint€was€soreness€to€the€rightÐ ¤(ô#' Ðhand€following€surgery.€€Plaintiff€was€ordered€to€commence€grip€exercises.Ð )à$( ÐÌà  àPlaintiff€agreed€to€undergo€the€same€procedure€on€his€left€hand.€€On€February€8,€2000,€Dr.Ð h+¸&* ÐCobb€performed€endoscopic€carpal€tunnel€release€on€the€left€hand.€€Dr.€Cobbððs€report€reflects€thatÐ ° Ðon€February€18,€2000,€Plaintiff€was€to€start€grip€exercises€on€the€left€hand,€and€Plaintiff€wasÐ œì Ðfurnished€a€note€permitting€a€return€to€work,€but€with€restrictions€of€avoiding€vibratory€tools,€noÐ ˆØ Ðlifting€greater€than€20€pounds,€and€no€repetitive€grasping€or€wrist€motion.€€On€March€6,€2000,Ð tÄ ÐPlaintiff€advised€Dr.€Cobb€that€he€still€had€some€soreness€in€his€left€hand€after€doing€some€strenuousÐ `° Ðyard€work.€€He€had€a€good€range€of€motion€and€fair€grip.€€Dr.€Cobb€advised€Plaintiff€that€he€couldÐ L œ Ðreturn€to€light€duty€work€for€six€weeks.€€On€March€30,€2000,€Plaintiff€had€generalized€soreness€onÐ 8 ˆ Ðthe€left,€and€good€range€of€motion€and€grip.€€As€of€April€27,€2000,€Plaintiff€had€no€residualÐ $ t Ðnumbness€or€tingling,€but€still€had€some€discomfort€of€the€base€of€the€left€hand,€none€of€the€right€andÐ  ` Ðthe€right€hand€is€better€than€it€was.€€The€examination€indicated€that€Plaintiff€had€good€grip€and€hasÐ ü L  Ðreturned€to€regular€work.€Ð è 8  ÐÌà  àDr.€Cobb€opined€that€Plaintiff€had€zero€percent€(0%)€permanent€impairment.€Ð À  ÐÌà  àAt€the€request€of€counsel,€Dr.€Joseph€C.€Ô_ÔBoalsÔ_Ô,€III,€an€orthopedic€specialist,€examinedÐ ˜è  ÐPlaintiff€on€June€28,€2000.€€Dr.€Ô_ÔBoalsÔ_Ô€obtained€Plaintiffððs€medical€history,€including€his€twoÐ „Ô  Ðsurgeries€for€carpal€tunnel€syndrome,€and€noted€that€Plaintiff€complained€of€some€decreased€gripÐ pÀ Ðstrength€and€soreness€in€his€hands€while€performing€his€job.€€The€physical€examination€indicated€aÐ \¬ Ðnegative€Ô_ÔPhalenÔ_Ôððs€test€bilaterally,€grip€strength€measurements€showed€an€average€grip€strength€of€97Ð H˜ Ðpounds€on€the€right€and€99€pounds€on€the€left.€€In€utilizing€Table€34,€page€65,€of€the€AMAÐ 4„ ÐGuidelines€for€an€impairment€rating,€Dr.€Ô_ÔBoalsÔ_Ô€opined€that€Plaintiff€suffered€an€impairment€ratingÐ  p Ðof€ten€percent€(10%)€of€each€upper€extremity.€€Plaintiff€was€to€avoid€repetitive€work€and€heavyÐ  \ Ðgripping.€Ð øH ÐÌà  àIn€his€cross„examination€deposition,€Dr.€Ô_ÔBoalsÔ_Ô€stated€that€he€uses€strength€data€supplied€byÐ Ð  Ðthe€Ô_ÔJamarÔ_Ô€Company,€a€device€used€for€testing.€€Dr.€Ô_ÔBoalsÔ_Ô€stated€that€118€pounds€was€a€normal€gripÐ ¼  Ðstrength.€€Dr.€Ô_ÔBoalsÔ_Ô€stated€that€the€118€pounds€was€not€based€on€any€charts€contained€in€the€AMAÐ ¨ø ÐGuidelines,€because€the€guides€are€statistically€incorrect,€old,€outdated€and€therefore€he€does€not€useÐ ”ä Ðthem€anymore.€€Dr.€Ô_ÔBoalsÔ_Ô€acknowledged€that€had€he€used€the€AMA€Guidelines,€Plaintiff€would€haveÐ €Ð Ðhad€a€normal€grip€strength.€€Dr.€Ô_ÔBoalsÔ_Ô€agreed€that€grip€strength€could€improve€up€to€a€year€followingÐ l¼ Ðsurgery.€Ð X ¨ ÐÌÓ  Óà @ àà @ àò òLEGAL€ANALYSISÐ 0"€  ÐÌó óÓ  Óà  àDefendant€asserts€that€the€trial€courtððs€award€is€excessive€and€is€not€supported€by€aÐ $X" Ðpreponderance€of€the€evidence.€€Furthermore,€this€Court€should€give€greater€weight€to€the€opinionÐ ô$D # Ðof€Dr.€Michael€Cobb,€treating€physician,€since€Dr.€Cobbððs€opinion€as€to€impairment€is€based€uponÐ à%0!$ Ðthe€AMA€Guidelines€to€the€Evaluation€of€Permanent€Impairment€as€required€by€Tennessee€CodeÐ Ì&"% ÐAnnotated€ðð€50„6„204(d)(3).€€Dr.€Ô_ÔBoalsÔ_Ô,€Plaintiffððs€expert,€did€not€base€his€opinion€on€the€AMAÐ ¸'#& ÐGuidelines,€but€on€guides€supplied€by€the€Ô_ÔJamarÔ_Ô€Company.€€Therefore,€Plaintiffððs€vocationalÐ ¤(ô#' Ðdisability€as€a€result€of€this€injury€is€minimal,€if€any.€Ð )à$( ÐÌà  àAppellate€review€of€findings€of€fact€is€òòde€novo€óóupon€the€record€of€the€trial€court€accompaniedÐ h+¸&* Ðby€a€presumption€of€correctness€of€the€findings,€unless€the€preponderance€of€the€evidence€isÐ ° Ðotherwise.€€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€50„6„225(e)(2).€€This€standard€requires€this€Panel€to€conduct€anÐ œì Ðindependent€examination€of€the€record€to€determine€where€the€preponderance€lies.€€òòStory€v.€Legion,Ð ˆØ ÐIns.€Co.,€óó3€S.W.3d€450,€451€(Tenn.€Sp.€Workers€Comp.€1999);€òòÔ_ÔGallowayÔ_Ô€v.€Memphis€Drum€Serv.,Ð tÄ Ðóó822€S.W.2d€584,€586€(Tenn.€1991).€€Where€the€trial€court€has€seen€and€heard€the€witnesses,Ð `° Ðespecially€whereÔ#†X¤ÃXXX½¨k#Ô€issues€of€credibility€are€involved,€a€reviewing€court€must€give€considerableÐ L œ Ðdeference€to€the€trial€courtððs€findings.€€òòÔ_ÔFerrellÔ_Ô€v.€Ô_ÔCignaÔ_Ô€Property€&€Ô_ÔCasÔ_Ô.€Ins.€Co.,€óó33€S.W.3d€731,Ð L œ Ð734€(Tenn.€2000).€€No€such€deference€is€warranted€in€reviewing€documentary€proof.€€òòWells€v.Ð < Œ ÐTennessee€Bd.€of€Regents,€óó9€S.W.3d€779,€783„84€(Tenn.€1999).€€The€extent€of€vocational€disabilityÐ , | Ðis€a€question€of€fact€to€be€determined€from€all€of€the€evidence,€including€lay€and€expert€testimony,Ð  l  Ðif€any.€€òòStory,€óó3€S.W.3d€at€456;€òòÔ_ÔWorthingtonÔ_Ô€v.€Ô_ÔModineÔ_Ô€Mfg.€Co.,€óó798€S.W.2d€232,€234€(Tenn.€1990).€Ð  \  ÐÌà  àWhen€medical€testimony€may€differ,€it€is€within€the€discretion€of€the€trial€court€to€determineÐ ì<  Ðwhich€expert€testimony€to€accept.€€òòÔ_ÔKellermanÔ_Ô€v.€Food€Lion,€Inc.,€óó929€S.W.2d€333,€335€(Tenn.€Sp.Ð Ü,  ÐWorkers€Comp.€1996);€òòJohnson€v.€Ô_ÔMidwescoÔ_Ô,€Inc.,€óó801€S.W.2d€804,€806€(Tenn.€1990).€€The€medicalÐ Ì  Ðexpert€proof€in€this€record€consists€of€the€C„32€Standard€Form€Medical€Report€of€Dr.€Michael€Cobb,Ð ¼  Ðthe€C„32€form€of€Dr.€Joseph€Ô_ÔBoalsÔ_Ô,€III,€and€the€cross„examination€deposition€of€Dr.€Ô_ÔBoalsÔ_Ô.€€The€trialÐ ¬ü Ðcourt€found€in€its€findings€that€Dr.€Cobb€had€assessed€a€0€percent€(0%)€impairment€to€PlaintiffÐ œì Ðalthough€Dr.€Cobb€believed€that€Plaintiff€had€a€very€severe€carpal€tunnel€condition.€€Dr.€Ô_ÔBoalsÔ_ÔÐ ŒÜ Ðopined€that€Plaintiff€had€a€ten€percent€(10%)€disability€to€each€upper€extremity€due€to€loss€of€gripÐ |Ì Ðstrength.€Ð l¼ ÐÌà  àThe€extent€of€an€injured€workerððs€disability€is€an€issue€of€fact.€€òòÔ_ÔJaskeÔ_Ô€v.€Murray€Ohio€Mfg.Ð Lœ ÐCo.,€Inc.,€óó750€S.W.2d€150,€151€(Tenn.€1988).€€Also,€we€are€aware€of€the€requirements€of€TennesseeÐ <Œ ÐCode€Annotated€ðð€50„6„204(d)(3)€„€determination€by€physicians€for€the€degree€of€anatomicalÐ ,| Ðimpairment€based€upon€the€American€Medical€Association€Guides€to€Evaluation€of€PermanentÐ l ÐImpairment€or€the€Manual€for€Orthopedic€Surgeons€in€Evaluating€Permanent€Physical€Impairment.Ð  \ ÐIn€his€C„32€form,€Dr.€Cobb€found€on€April€27,€2000,€after€a€Ô_ÔTPDÔ_Ô,€that€Plaintiff€demonstrated€a€goodÐ üL Ðgrip€on€his€exam.€€Dr.€Cobb€opined,€utilizing€the€AMA€Guides,€that€Plaintiff's€percentage€ofÐ ì< Ðimpairment€was€zero€percent€(0%).€€In€contrast,€Dr.€Ô_ÔBoalsÔ_Ô,€utilizing€the€AMA€Guides€in€his€C„32Ð Ü, Ðform,€opined€that€Plaintiff€sustained€a€ten€percent€(10%)€impairment€to€each€upper€extremity.€€Dr.Ð Ì  ÐÔ_ÔBoalsÔ_Ô€stated:Ð ¼!  ÐÌà8  àIn€my€opinion€this€gentlemanððs€impairment€is€based€upon€the€anatomic€change€whichÐ œ#ì! Ðresults€from€carpal€tunnel€surgery€that€is€best€reflected€by€his€grip€strength€loss.€€AtÐ Œ$Ü" Ðhis€age€of€38,€he€should€have€an€average€grip€strength€of€approximately€118€pounds.€Ð |%Ì # ÐHis€strength€index€on€the€right€is€19€and€on€the€left€16.€€This€would€qualify€himÐ l&¼!$ Ðunder€Table€34,€page€65,€of€the€AMA€Guidelines€for€an€impairment€rating€of€10%Ð \'¬"% Ðof€each€upper€extremity.€ÐL(œ#&Ð Ð  ÐÌà8  àHe€should€avoid€repetitive€work€and€heavy€gripping€in€the€future€to€preventÐ ,*|%( Ðrecurrence.Ð+l&)Ð Ð  ÐÐ  ,\'* Ðà  àIn€his€cross„examination€deposition€by€Defendant,€Dr.€Ô_ÔBoalsÔ_Ô€testified€that€he€gave€PlaintiffÐ ° Ða€grip€strength€test.€€Plaintiff€was€found€to€have€ninety„seven€(97)€pounds€of€grip€strength€on€theÐ  ð Ðright€and€ninety„nine€(99)€pounds€on€the€left.€€This€determination€was€based€upon€strength€dataÐ à Ðsupplied€by€the€Ô_ÔJamarÔ_Ô€Company.€€Dr.€Ô_ÔBoalsÔ_Ô€agreed€that€the€118€pound€average€grip€strength€was€notÐ €Ð Ðbased€upon€any€charts€contained€in€the€AMA€Guidelines€because€they€are€outdated,€statisticallyÐ pÀ Ðincorrect€and€old.€Ð ` ° ÐÌà  àAs€suggested€by€Defendant,€the€statute,€Tennessee€Code€Annotated€ðð€50„6„204(d)(3),€clearlyÐ @  Ðprovides€the€guidelines€physicians€are€required€to€use€in€determining€anatomical€impairment.€€InÐ 0 € ÐòòSandra€G.€Jackson€v.€Goodyear€Tire€&€Rubber€Co.óó,€No.€W1999„01691„Ô_ÔWCÔ_Ô„R3„CV,€2001€WLÐ  p  Ð303508€(Tenn.€Sp.€Workers€Comp.€2001),€a€Panel€of€this€Court€ruled€that€Dr.€Ô_ÔBoalsÔ_Ô'€opinionÐ `  Ðregarding€grip€strength€should€be€disallowed€for€failure€to€comply€with€the€statutory€requirement€ofÐ P  ÐTennessee€Code€Annotated€ðð€50„6„204(d)(3).€€As€in€òòJackson,€óóour€inquiry€does€not€end.€€Dr.€Ô_ÔBoalsÔ_ÔÐ ð@  Ðopined€that€Plaintiffððs€impairment€is€based€upon€an€anatomic€change€which€results€from€carpalÐ à0  Ðtunnel€surgery.€€Plus,€Plaintiff€is€to€avoid€repetitive€work€and€heavy€gripping€in€the€future.€Ð Ð  ÐApparently,€the€trial€court€found€the€expert€opinion€of€Dr.€Ô_ÔBoalsÔ_Ô€more€pertinent€as€to€someÐ À Ðimpairment.€Ð ° ÐÌà  àIn€assessing€the€extent€of€an€employeeððs€vocational€disability,€the€trial€court€may€considerÐ à Ðthe€employeeððs€skills€and€training,€education,€age,€local€job€opportunities,€anatomical€impairmentÐ €Ð Ðrating,€and€the€employeeððs€capacity€to€work€at€the€kinds€of€employment€available€in€the€employeeððsÐ pÀ Ðdisabled€condition.€€The€employeeððs€own€assessment€of€his€or€her€physical€condition€cannot€beÐ `° Ðdisregarded.€€The€trial€court€is€not€bound€to€accept€physiciansðð€opinions€regarding€the€extent€ofÐ P  ÐPlaintiffððs€disability,€but€should€consider€all€the€evidence,€both€expert€and€lay€testimony,€to€decideÐ @ Ðthe€extent€of€an€employeeððs€disability.€€òòWalker€v.€Saturn€Corp.óó,€986€S.W.2d€204,€207„08,€(Tenn.Ð 0€ Ð1998).€Ð  p ÐÌà  àIn€reviewing€the€trial€courtððs€decision,€the€trial€court€commented€on€Plaintiffððs€longÐ P Ðemployment€history,€his€age,€educational€background€and€although€still€working,€still€suffers€fromÐ ð@ Ðpain,€soreness€and€a€loss€of€grip€strength.€€Plaintiff,€based€upon€his€prior€work€experience,€beforeÐ à0 Ðinjury,€now€believes€he€has€lost€thirty€percent€(30%)€grip€strength€in€his€current€work.€€An€injuredÐ Ð  Ðemployee€is€competent€to€testify€as€to€his€own€assessment€of€his€physical€condition€and€suchÐ À! Ðtestimony€should€be€regarded€in€assessing€vocational€disability.€€òòÔ_ÔMcIlvainÔ_Ô€v.€Russell€Stove€Candies,Ð °"  ÐInc.,€óó996€S.W.2d€179€(Tenn.€1999).€€From€our€independent€€review€of€the€record,€and€considerationÐ  #ð! Ðof€applicable€law,€we€cannot€say€that€the€evidence€preponderates€against€the€trial€courtððs€finding€asÐ $à" Ðto€the€extent€of€Plaintiffððs€permanent€disability.€Ð €%Ð # ÐÌÓ  Óò òCONCLUSIONÐ `'°"% ÐÌÓ  Óà  àó óWe€find€that€the€portion€of€Dr.€Ô_ÔBoalsÔ_Ô'€testimony€relating€to€Plaintiffððs€loss€of€grip€strengthÐ @)$' Ðshould€be€disregarded.€€However,€with€such€disregard,€there€are€sufficient€facts€in€the€record€toÐ 0*€%( Ðsupport€the€vocational€impairment€awarded€by€the€trial€court.€€We€note€that€the€trial€court€madeÐ  +p&) Ðseparate€awards€to€each€arm.€€Tennessee€Code€Annotated€ðð€50„6„207(3)(A)(ii)(w)€providesÐ ,`'* Ðscheduled€benefits€for€the€loss€of€two€(2)€arms,€therefore,€we€modify€the€award€to€twenty„twoÐ ° Ðpercent€(22%)€permanent€partial€disability€to€both€arms€which€will€neither€increase€nor€decrease€theÐ  ð Ðaward€but€will€conform€the€trial€courtððs€judgment€to€the€statute.Ð à ÐÌà  àFor€the€above€reasons,€the€judgment€of€the€Chancery€Court€of€Madison€County€is€affirmedÐ pÀ Ðas€modified.€€Costs€on€appeal€are€taxed€to€Defendant.à p àÐ ` ° ÐÌà  àÌà  à€Ð 0 € ÐÌÌÌà  àà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À àà  à___________________________________€Ð ð@  Ðà  àà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À àÔ% € Ôà  àL.€TERRY€Ô_ÔLAFFERTYÔ_Ô,€SENIOR€JUDGEÐ à0  ÐÌÐ  À Ðà@7 7 ìàÔ‡¼°Ô»XX¤ÃÔIN€THE€SUPREME€COURT€OF€TENNESSEEˆÐ ° Ðà@==ìàSPECIAL€WORKERSðð€COMPENSATION€APPEALS€PANELˆÐ È Ðà@''%ìàAT€JACKSONˆÐ à0 Ðà@ºº"ìàOctober€9,€€2001€ˆÐ øH ÐÌò òÓ  ÓDARYL€K.€COLLINS€v.€TOWER€AUTOMOTIVE€PRODUCTSÐ ( x ÐCOMPANY,€d/b/a€TOWER€AUTOMOTIVEó óÐ @  ÐÓµZÓÌà@§ § ìàò òChancery€Court€for€Madison€CountyˆÐ p À Ðà@ßß%ìàNo.€€57071ˆÐ ˆØ  ÐÌà@ìì*ìàßA€V) °°` d€÷E<·` A߈Ð ¸  ÐÌà@ÐÐìàNo.€W2001„00480„Ô_ÔWCÔ_Ô„R3„CV€„€Filed€December€17,€2001ˆÐ ß/  ÐÌßA€V) °°` dE<` AßÐ _ Ðó óÌà@PP&ìàò òJUDGMENTó óˆÐ 6† ÐÌòòóóÌÔ‡¼ó4»»¼°ÔÔà  àà ` àThis€case€is€before€the€Court€upon€the€entire€record,€including€the€orderÐ ~Î Ðof€referral€to€the€Special€Workers'€Compensation€Appeals€Panel,€and€the€Panel'sÐ à ÐMemorandum€Opinion€setting€forth€its€findings€of€fact€and€conclusions€of€law,€whichÐ ¢ò Ðare€incorporated€herein€by€reference;Ð ´ ÐÌà  àà ` àWhereupon,€it€appears€to€the€Court€that€the€Memorandum€Opinion€of€theÐ Ø( ÐPanel€should€be€accepted€and€approved;€andÐ ê: ÐÌà  àà ` àIt€is,€therefore,€ordered€that€the€Panel's€findings€of€fact€and€conclusionsÐ !^ Ðof€law€are€adopted€and€affirmed,€and€the€decision€of€the€Panel€is€made€the€judgmentÐ  "p Ðof€the€Court.Ð 2#‚ Ѐ€Ð D$” Ðà  àà ` àCosts€on€appeal€are€taxed€to€the€Appellant,€Tower€Automotive€ProductsÐ V%¦  ÐCompany,€d/b/a€Tower€Automotive,€for€which€execution€may€issue€if€necessary.Ð h&¸!! ÐÌà  àà ` àIT€IS€SO€ORDERED.Ð Œ(Ü## ÐÌÔ#†¼°Ô»»¼ó4G]#ÔÔ‡¼°Ô»»¼°ÔÔÌà  àà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À àà  àPER€Ô_ÔCURIAMÔ_ÔÐ È+'& ÐÔ#†¼°Ô»»¼°Ôäa#ÔÔ#†X¤ÃX»¼°ÔšY#Ô