ÿWPC& õ†X—öÎÚÕÖ Ì7Ûƒû•Ô¦‰/UòÊ*ÊNvã·[ø5~ÇÍ1ÛãÛ~ý­°[ C½t¢h”õ6.g§mV¹_ö‘±&û{ÔÖA´®þ‡.3(áõ6ïúJìx GøÔÙ®ã%dˉÉà¯`†ÀEmÒÑq`úWÛL:Þ´“ ÂåÏx½ðM£Ý6å­½î‰õˆ·~Ñ19eÛW,9äü!!©£5Ì~+’áb­¿BŽ‘é—ë5“˜ÓDØ4‹çãƒ)cWš!z¦]Øâá-ÝS#žþŸ%Óø*’Oeif¨®â›0J1%b#Á\ % ^ # 0ˆ/ U&N· w 4 z Ò— i x mz UN‘ Æß Æ¥ Æk Æ1 1‡÷N~ 72€ 1u²E' 72) 0c[ 1‡¾ 72EwN zÒûûUNÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍb 0ë#### B  0¤+ D3Ï D- 0K// ASzÆÍ 0¤“ 0D7 A«{˜HP LJ 4000/4050 PCL 5eÈÈ,,,,ÈÈ0»m|%+â (`£ª$¡¡Ñ€.ÑÑ8€½­»»d»»d8ÑÑ ý ÑÓ  Ó(í€"  Z6Times New Roman RegularAiê*¢Ø+00 ˜C:\PROGRA~1\COREL\WORDPE~1\TEMPLATE\CUSTOM~1\REVISE~1.WPTC:\Program Files\Corel\WordPerfect Office 2000\Template\Custom WP Templates\revised standard opinion.wpt3|xÿU‹ÿÀÀÀ(ÖÃ9 Z‹6Times New Roman RegularLevel 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5‚Level 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5„Level 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5…Level 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5(нCEKQW]cioAutoList1A:A:A:A:A:A:A:A:A:3#37=CIQYag­­1.a.i.(1)(a)(i)1)a)i)(;3£$´´Ô2#ÔÚ  Ú0Ú  Ú.Ô3  Ôà0  à(š½CEKQW]cioAutoList2A:A:A:A:A:A:A:A:A: ˜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(ÖÃ9 Z ‹6Times New Roman Regular- ù-(|G2$¤¤Ý ƒ£ª!ÝÑ€.ÑÑ8€A¥»»dd8ÑÑ ý ÑÓ  ÓÝ  Ýà  àòòÚ  Ú0Ú  ÚóóÔ€XÙX»»Ô d(|3…$££Ý ƒ£ª!ÝÑ€.ÑÑ8€A¥»»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€A¥»»dd8ÑÑ ý ÑÓ  ÓÝ  Ý($$””ò òÚ  Ú1Ú  Úó óX[Z&OLE 2.0 Box <=8ÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿCÿÿ HKKKKÝ ƒ£ª!ÝÑ€.ÑÑ8€V¹»»ddÈ8ÑÑ ý ÑÓ  ÓÝ  ÝÔ_ÔÔ€¼V¹»»»ÔÑ8€ µXXdì»»d8ÑÓ  ÓÔ‡îK¨î»¼V¹Ôà@@7 7 ìàIN€THE€SUPREME€COURT€OF€TENNESSEEÐ ° ÐSPECIAL€WORKERSðð€COMPENSATION€APPEALS€PANELÐ Ö& Ðà@@ƒƒìàAT€NASHVILLEÔ#†¼V¹»îîK¨î#ÔÐ üL ÐMarch€2001€SessionÐ "r ÐÔ‡X µX»¼V¹ÔÌò òÔ#†¼V¹»XX µ#ÔJAMES€FRISTOEòòóó€v.€CITIZENS€UTILITIES€COMPANY,€òòet€alóó.Ô‡X µX»¼V¹Ôó óÐ  p ÐÌà@@¼¼ìàò ò€Direct€Appeal€from€the€Circuit€Court€for€Putnam€CountyÐ  p Ðà@@ôôìàNo.€99„N0270€€€€€€John€A.€Turnbull,€JudgeÐ  \ ÐÌÌà@@ìì*ìàßA€V) °°` d€÷E<Ï` AßÐ Ð  ÐÌNo.€M2000„01736„WC„R3„CV€„€Mailed€„€August€2,€2001Ð Ë  ÐÔ#†¼V¹»XX µš#ÔÔ‡X µX»¼V¹ÔFiled€„€September€5,€2001Ð ·  ÐÌßA€V) °°` dE<Ž` AßÐ ß Ðó óÌÓ  ÓÓ  ÓThis€workersðð€compensation€appeal€has€been€referred€to€the€Special€Workersðð€CompensationÐ ŠÚ ÐAppeals€Panel€of€the€Supreme€Court€in€accordance€with€òòTennessee€Code€Annotatedóó€ðð€50„6„225(e)(3)Ð vÆ Ðfor€hearing€and€reporting€to€the€Supreme€Court€of€findings€of€fact€and€conclusions€of€law.Ô#†¼V¹»XX µX#ÔÔ‡X µX»¼V¹Ô€€TheÐ b² Ðdefendants€appeal€the€judgment€of€the€trial€court€awarding€the€employee,€a€telephone€lineman,€95%Ð Nž Ðvocational€disability€for€injuries€he€sustained€falling€off€a€telephone€pole.€€The€defendants€assert€thatÐ :Š Ðthe€trial€court€erred€in€determining€Mr.€Fristoeððs€vocational€disability€rating€by€failing€to€giveÐ &v Ðappropriate€consideration€to€the€findings€of€the€treating€physician€in€this€case.€€For€the€reasons€setÐ b Ðout€in€this€opinion,€we€affirm€the€judgment€of€the€trial€court.Ð þN ÐÓ ÓÌò òÓ  ÓTenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€50„6„225(e)€(1999)€Appeal€as€of€Right;€Judgment€of€the€Circuit€CourtÐ Ö& ÐAffirmed.ó óÐ Â ÐÌòòÓ  ÓÓ  ÓJames€L.€Weatherford,€Sr.J.,Ô#†¼V¹»àX µ…#ÔÔ‡X µX.¼V¹Ôóó,€delivered€the€opinion€of€the€court,€in€which€òòAdolpho€A.€Birch,Ð šê Ðj.,óó€and€òòJoe€C.€Loser,€Jr.,€Ô_ÔSp.J.Ô_Ôóó,€joined.Ð † Ö ÐÌHal€W.€Wilkins,€Nashville,€Tennessee,€for€the€appellants,€Citizens€Utilities€Company€and€CNAÐ ^"®! ÐInsurance€Company.€Ð J#š" ÐÌJames€D.€Ô_ÔMadewellÔ_Ô,€Ô_ÔCookevilleÔ_Ô,€Tennessee,€for€the€appellee,€James€Fristoe.Ð "%r $ ÐÌÓº ÓÓ  Óò òMEMORANDUM€OPINIONó óÔ#†¼V¹»XX µ #ÔÔ‡X µX»¼V¹ÔÐ ú&J"& ÐÌÓ  ÓÔ#†¼V¹»XX µx #ÔÔ€X µX»¼V¹Ôà  àMr.€James€Fristoe€was€54€years€old€at€the€time€of€trial.€€After€graduating€from€high€schoolÐ Ò("$( Ðin€1963,€he€served€3€ðð€€years€in€the€United€States€Marine€Corps€including€a€tour€of€duty€in€VietÐ ¾)%) ÐNam.€€During€his€military€service,€he€installed€telephone€lines€for€the€Marine€Corps.€€After€hisÐ ª*ú%* Ðhonorable€discharge€from€the€service,€he€worked€in€factory€jobs€for€over€a€year,€before€going€to€workÐ –+æ&+ Ðfor€Ohio€Bell€Telephone€Company€as€a€telephone€lineman€in€1968.Ð ‚,Ò', ÐÐ n-¾(-ý Ðà  àIn€1971€Mr.€Fristoe€began€working€for€Citizens€Utilities€as€a€telephone€lineman.€€During€hisÐ ° Ð29€years€working€for€the€company,€Mr.€Ô_ÔFristoeÔ_Ô€received€various€certificates€of€achievement€forÐ œì Ðcompleting€classes€in€the€installation€of€telephone€lines€and€received€awards€for€perfect€workÐ ˆØ Ðattendance.€€He€earned€$51,737.04€in€the€year€1997.€€He€did€not€miss€any€work€because€of€workÐ tÄ Ðrelated€injuries€and€considered€himself€in€good€health.Ð `° ÐÌà  àOn€August€3,€1998,€Mr.€Fristoe€was€working€12€to€15€feet€above€the€ground€on€a€telephoneÐ 8 ˆ Ðpole€when€he€fell€to€the€ground€landing€on€his€feet.€€He€was€unable€to€get€up€and€was€taken€byÐ $ t Ðambulance€to€Cookeville€Regional€Hospital.€€Dr.€Carl€Hollmann,€M.D.,€an€orthopedic€surgeon,Ð  ` Ðtreated€Mr.€Fristoe€at€the€hospital€where€x„rays€confirmed€Mr.€Fristoe€had€fractured€both€ankles€inÐ ü L  Ðthe€fall.€Ð è 8  ÐÌà  àThat€same€day€Dr.€Hollmann€surgically€repaired€a€right€side€fibula€fracture,€put€in€a€plate€andÐ À  Ðscrews€and€placed€his€right€leg€in€a€posterior€splint.€€Mr.€Fristoeððs€left€ankle€was€more€severelyÐ ¬ü  Ðinjured€as€he€had€fractured€his€distal€fibula€and€also€had€a€comminuted€fracture€of€the€tibia€bone€justÐ ˜è  Ðabove€the€ankle.€€As€this€fracture€was€in€many€parts,€Dr.€Hollmann€used€a€plate€and€screws€and€anÐ „Ô  Ðexternal€fixture€for€the€first€several€weeks€after€surgery€to€stabilize€the€fracture.Ð pÀ Ѐ€Ð \¬ Ðà  àDr.€Hollmann€provided€follow€up€treatment€for€approximately€one€year€after€the€injury.€€OnÐ H˜ ÐAugust€14,€1998,€after€Mr.€Fristoe€complained€of€back€pain,€€x„rays€of€his€back€did€not€reveal€anyÐ 4„ Ðcompression€fractures.€€On€September€18,€1998,€the€cast€on€the€right€leg€was€removed€and€onÐ  p ÐNovember€13,€1998,€the€cast€was€removed€from€the€left€leg.€€Ð  \ Ѐ€Ð øH Ðà  àAs€of€December€4,€1998,€Mr.€Fristoe€still€had€swelling€in€both€ankles.€€Dr.€HollmannÐ ä4 Ðprescribed€exercises€to€work€on€improving€range€of€motion.€€On€March€12,€1999,€Dr.€Ô_ÔHollmannÔ_ÔÐ Ð  Ðreferred€Mr.€Fristoe€for€6€weeks€of€physical€therapy.€€During€early€May€of€1999,€Mr.€Ô_ÔFristoeÔ_ԀР¼  Ðreturned€to€work€at€Citizens€Utilities€doing€limited€computer€work€and€follow€up€€phone€callsÐ ¨ø Ðregarding€repairs.Ð ”ä Ðà  àÌà  à€On€July€28,€1999,€Dr.€Hollmann€found€that€Mr.€Fristoe€had€reached€maximum€medicalÐ l¼ Ðimprovement,€discharged€Mr.€Fristoe€from€treatment€and€restricted€him€from€climbing€or€returningÐ X ¨ Ðto€his€job€as€a€telephone€repairman.€After€using€up€his€vacation€days€and€short€term€disability,€Mr.Ð D!” ÐFristoe€was€placed€on€long€term€disability.Ð 0"€  Ѐ€€€€€€€Ð #l! Ðà  à€€Dr.€Hollmann€characterized€the€injury€to€the€left€ankle€as€severe€and€the€injuries€to€the€rightÐ $X" Ðankle€and€back€as€mild.€€Dr.€Ô_ÔHollmannÔ_Ô€found€that€Mr.€Ô_ÔFristoeÔ_Ô€had€ð ðsignificant€impairmentðð€to€theÐ ô$D # Ðleft€ankle€and€assigned€a€4%€anatomical€impairment€rating€to€the€body€as€a€whole€based€on€hisÐ à%0!$ Ðfinding€that€the€left€ankle€was€essentially€ankylosed€„„€stiff€and€without€movement€in€a€neutralÐ Ì&"% Ðposition.€€Dr.€Ô_ÔHollmannÔ_Ô€also€assigned€a€7%€anatomical€impairment€rating€to€the€body€as€a€wholeÐ ¸'#& Ðbased€on€Mr.€Fristoeððs€limp€and€combined€this€with€the€4%€impairment€rating€to€arrive€at€a€totalÐ ¤(ô#' Ðimpairment€rating€€of€9%€to€the€body€as€a€whole.Ð )à$( ÐÌà  àDr.€Ô_ÔHollmannÔ_Ô€testified€that€Mr.€Ô_ÔFristoeÔ_Ô€had€ð ðdouble€troubleðð€because€€the€severe€fracture€toÐ h+¸&* Ðthe€left€ankle€placed€€additional€stress€on€the€right€lower€extremity€and€this€prolonged€his€recovery.Ð ° ÐHe€did€not€assign€an€impairment€rating€to€the€right€ankle€based€on€his€finding€that€Mr.€Fristoe€hadÐ œì Ðfull€range€of€motion.€He€described€the€right€ankle€as€ð ðnormal€if€not€very€close€to€it.ððÐ ˆØ ÐÌà  à€Dr.€Hollmann€felt€that€the€additional€stress€on€his€back€from€the€limp€and€the€left€ankleÐ `° Ðinjury€could€cause€back€pain.€He€stated€that€Mr.€Fristoeððs€limp€was€permanent€and€restricted€himÐ L œ Ðfrom€climbing€€or€returning€to€work€as€a€telephone€repairman.€€He€stated€that€he€would€have€troubleÐ 8 ˆ Ðwalking€up€inclines€and€up€and€down€stairs.€€Ð $ t ÐÌà  àDr.€Hollmann€was€asked€about€future€employment:Ð ü L  ÐÌÓ€ (н83ÓØ! !ØÝ"‚3£"ÝÝ  ÝÝ‚3£ò#ÝÔ2нÔÚ  ÚQÚ  Ú:Ô3  Ôà0  àÝ  ÝWhat€about€acquiring€any€type€of€employment€requiring€him€to€stand€on€his€feet€all€day?݃3£ò#$ÝŒÐÔ$ (#(# ÐŒÝ  ÝØ! !ØÓ€ (š½88ÓÌÝ"‚3£"ÝÝ  ÝÝ‚3£µ%ÝÔ2š½ÔÚ  ÚAÚ  Ú:Ô3  Ôà0  àÝ  ÝI€think€it€would€limit€him.݃3£µ%â%݌Ьü (#(# ÐŒÝ  Ýà  àÌà  àOn€November€10,1999,€Dr.€Ô_ÔDonitaÔ_Ô€Ô_ÔKeownÔ_Ô€examined€Mr.€Fristoe€to€evaluate€him€for€SocialÐ „Ô  ÐSecurity€Disability.€€She€found€soft€tissue€swelling€over€both€ankles€and€lower€extremities,€reducedÐ pÀ Ðrange€of€motion€in€the€left€ankle€and€a€minor€reduction€of€range€of€motion€in€the€right€ankle.€Dr.Ð \¬ ÐÔ_ÔKeownÔ_Ô€found€that€he€should€sit€no€more€than€6€hours€in€an€8€hour€day,€walk€or€stand€only€2€hoursÐ H˜ Ðin€an€8€hour€day€and€lift€15€pounds€only€episodically€from€a€seated€position.Ð 4„ ÐÌà  àOn€November€17,€1999,€Dr.€Robert€Landsberg,€M.D.,€an€orthopedic€surgeon€inÐ  \ ÐÔ_ÔGoodlettsvilleÔ_Ô,€Tennessee,€conducted€an€independent€medical€examination€and€diagnosed€status€postÐ øH ÐÔ_ÔpilonÔ_Ô€intra„articular€fracture€of€the€left€ankle€with€post„traumatic€arthritis,€stiffness€and€Ô_ÔantalgicÔ_Ô€gait.Ð ä4 ÐÌà  àDr.€Landsberg€testified€that€after€standing€for€a€few€minutes€Mr.€Fristoe€developedÐ ¼  Ðdiscoloration€in€the€foot€with€some€mottling.€€€He€also€noted€that€Mr.€Fristoe€walked€with€a€limp,Ð ¨ø Ðused€a€cane€for€distance€walking,€and€had€wasting€of€the€left€calf€muscle.€€He€did€find€a€slightÐ ”ä Ðamount€of€motion€in€the€left€ankle€but€no€side€to€side€motion.€€Mr.€Fristoe€was€still€having€pain€andÐ €Ð Ðswelling€in€the€left€ankle,€and€in€€Dr.€Landsbergððs€opinion€eventually€an€ankle€arthrodesis€or€fusionÐ l¼ Ðwould€be€required€due€to€arthritis.€Ð X ¨ ÐÌà  àDr.€Landsberg€agreed€with€Dr.€Hollmannððs€finding€of€gait€abnormality,€but€found€thatÐ 0"€  Ðaccording€to€the€Guides€when€a€patient€requires€part€time€use€of€a€cane€for€distance€walking€as€Mr.Ð #l! ÐÔ_ÔFristoeÔ_Ô€does,€€the€patient€qualifies€for€a€€15%€impairment€rating€to€the€whole€person€for€the€gaitÐ $X" Ðabnormality.€€Dr.€Ô_ÔLandsbergÔ_Ô€also€questioned€how€Dr.€Hollmann€arrived€at€a€combined€impairmentÐ ô$D # Ðrating€of€9%€as€the€7%€and€4%€ratings€Dr.€Hollmann€assigned€would€combine€for€an€11%€wholeÐ à%0!$ Ðperson€rating€according€to€the€Combined€Values€Chart.Ð Ì&"% ÐÌà  àAlternatively,€Dr.€Landsberg€found€that€the€Guides€provided€for€a€6%€whole€personÐ ¤(ô#' Ðimpairment€rating€for€decreased€range€of€motion€which€could€not€be€combined€with€the€gaitÐ )à$( Ðabnormality€rating.€€He€also€stated€that€€the€Guides€provided€a€6%€whole€person€impairment€ratingÐ |*Ì%) Ðfor€degenerative€arthritis€which€could€be€combined€with€a€8%€whole€person€impairment€rating€forÐ h+¸&* Ðan€intra„articular€ankle€fracture€with€displacement€for€a€total€14%€impairment€rating.€€Ð ° ÐÌà  àAccording€to€Dr.€Landsberg,€the€Guides€recommend€using€the€higher€of€these€two€ratings€andÐ ˆØ Ðtherefore€he€assigned€a€15%€whole€person€impairment€rating€due€to€gait€abnormality€secondary€toÐ tÄ Ðthe€left€ankle€intra„articular€fracture.Ð `° ÐÌà  à€He€found€that€the€right€ankle€had€good€motion€but€not€normal€motion€and€still€hadÐ 8 ˆ Ðtenderness€and€discomfort€over€the€plate€that€might€be€relieved€upon€its€removal.€€He€stated€that€Mr.Ð $ t ÐÔ_ÔFristoeÔ_Ô€would€probably€always€have€a€little€stiffness€and€discomfort€in€his€right€ankle,€€but€becauseÐ  ` Ðhe€had€good€range€of€motion€an€impairment€rating€was€not€warranted€according€to€the€AMA€Guides.Ð ü L  ÐÌà  àDr.€Ô_ÔLandsbergÔ_Ô€was€not€asked€to€examine€his€back€and€therefore€did€not€assign€an€impairmentÐ Ô$  Ðrating€for€this€injury.€€In€his€opinion,€€Mr.€Ô_ÔFristoeÔ_Ôððs€back€trouble€would€be€related€to€his€fall€from€theÐ À  Ðtelephone€pole€on€August€3,€1998,€as€he€had€not€had€any€back€trouble€for€over€15€years€prior€to€theÐ ¬ü  Ðdate€of€the€fall.€€He€also€stated€that€Mr.€Ô_ÔFristoeÔ_Ôððs€limp€was€irritating€his€back.Ð ˜è  ÐÌà  àDr.€Landsberg€assigned€restrictions€of€no€squatting,€no€climbing,€and€to€limit€walking€to€15Ð pÀ Ðto€20€minutes€at€a€time.€€He€also€advised€Mr.€Fristoe€to€€use€a€cane€for€long€distances€and€avoidÐ \¬ Ðuneven€ground€and€inclines.Ð H˜ ÐÌà  àOn€March€13,€2000,€Dr.€Sam€T.€Barnes,€M.D.,€orthopedic€surgeon,€who€practices€with€Dr.Ð  p ÐHollmann€at€the€Upper€Cumberland€Orthopedic€Surgery€Group,€examined€Mr.€Fristoe€focusingÐ  \ Ðprimarily€on€his€back€complaints.€€Mr.€Fristoe€complained€of€low€back€pain,€pain€radiating€down€intoÐ øH Ðhis€left€thigh€with€numbness€in€his€big€toe€and€an€abnormal€skin€sensation€of€his€left€thigh.Ð ä4 ÐÌà  àDr.€Barnes€found€decreased€knee€jerks€or€reflexes€on€the€left€side,€suspected€that€he€had€anÐ ¼  Ðinjury€to€his€left€L„4€nerve€root,€and€prescribed€physical€therapy€and€medication.€€An€MRI€confirmedÐ ¨ø Ða€lateral€disc€protrusion€or€ruptured€disc€at€L4„5,€which€did€not€appear€to€be€pressing€on€the€nerve.€Ð ”ä ÐBased€on€these€test€results,€€Dr.€Barnes€declined€to€refer€Mr.€Fristoe€to€a€neurosurgeon€€and€optedÐ €Ð Ðto€continue€with€physical€therapy€and€pain€medication.Ð l¼ ÐÌà  àDr.€Barnes€assigned€a€5%€anatomical€impairment€rating€to€the€body€as€a€whole€based€on€L4Ð D!” ÐÔ_ÔradiculopathyÔ_Ô.€€He€related€the€€ruptured€disc€and€nerve€type€pain€in€his€left€leg€to€the€fall€he€sustainedÐ 0"€  Ðat€work.€Dr.€Barnes€stated€that€if€you€added€his€5%€impairment€rating€for€the€back€with€Dr.Ð #l! ÐHollmannððs€9%€impairment€rating€for€the€left€ankle,€€it€would€total€14%€impairment€to€the€body€asÐ $X" Ða€whole.€€Likewise,€€if€you€were€to€add€the€5%€impairment€to€Dr.€Landsbergððs€15%€impairmentÐ ô$D # Ðrating€for€the€left€ankle,€€there€would€be€a€combined€value€of€19%€to€the€body€as€a€whole.Ð à%0!$ ЀÌà  àDr.€Barnes€assigned€restrictions€of€lifting€no€more€than€15€pounds,€no€strenuous€physicalÐ ¸'#& Ðactivity€,€no€running€,€squatting€stooping€or€bending€and€no€prolonged€standing€or€sitting.€€Dr.€BarnesÐ ¤(ô#' Ðconsidered€prolonged€standing€and€sitting€to€be€more€than€an€hour€and€a€half.€€€In€Dr.€BarnesÐ )à$( Ðopinion,€Mr.€Fristoe€could€work€an€8€hour€work€day€and€a€40€hour€work€week€if€he€abided€by€hisÐ |*Ì%) Ðrestrictions.Ð h+¸&* Їà  à€€€€€€€€Mr.€Fristoe€testified€that€he€continues€to€walk€with€a€limp,€both€ankles€hurt,€and€that€hisÐ ° Ðleft€ankle€swells€when€he€walks.€€He€did€not€feel€that€there€were€any€jobs€he€could€do€other€thanÐ œì Ðpossibly€a€part€time€position€at€a€convenience€store,€but€he€would€still€require€modifications€whenÐ ˆØ Ðcarrying€stock.€€He€stated€that€he€had€acquired€no€other€job€skills€for€other€types€of€employment.€€€Ð tÄ ÐHe€admitted€that€he€had€not€tried€to€find€employment€since€his€accident.Ð `° Ðà  àÌà  àThe€trial€court€found€that€Mr.€Fristoe€had€sustained€a€19%€anatomical€impairment€€and€usingÐ 8 ˆ Ða€multiplier€of€5€€awarded€a€95%€permanent€partial€disability€to€the€body€as€a€whole.Ð $ t ÐÌÓ  ÓANALYSIS€€Ð ü L  ÐÓUEÓÌà  àReview€of€findings€of€fact€by€the€trial€court€shall€be€òòde€novoóó€upon€the€record€of€the€trial€court,Ð Ô$  Ðaccompanied€by€a€presumption€of€the€correctness€of€the€finding,€unless€the€preponderance€of€theÐ À  Ðevidence€is€otherwise.€€òòTenn.€Code€Ann.€óóðð€50„6„225(e)(2).òò€€Stone€v.€City€of€Ô_ÔMcMinnvilleÔ_Ôóó,€896€S.W.2dÐ ¬ü  Ð548,€550€(Tenn.€1995).€€The€application€of€this€standard€requires€this€Court€to€weigh€in€more€depthÐ ˜è  Ðthe€factual€findings€and€conclusions€of€the€trial€courts€in€workersðð€compensation€cases.€€òòCorcoranÐ „Ô  Ðv.€Foster€Auto€Ô_ÔGMCÔ_Ô,€Inc.óó,€746€S.W.2d€452,€456€(Tenn.€1988).Ð pÀ ÐÌà  àWhere€the€trial€judge€has€seen€and€heard€witnesses,€especially€where€issues€of€credibility€andÐ H˜ Ðweight€of€oral€testimony€are€involved,€on€review€considerable€deference€must€still€be€accorded€toÐ 4„ Ðthose€circumstances.€€òòHumphrey€v.€David€Ô_ÔWitherspoonÔ_Ô,€Incóó.,€734€S.W.2d€315€(Tenn.€1987).Ð  p ÐÌà  àWhen€the€medical€testimony€is€presented€by€deposition,€as€it€was€in€this€case,€this€Court€isÐ øH Ðable€to€make€its€own€independent€assessment€of€the€medical€proof€to€determine€where€theÐ ä4 Ðpreponderance€of€the€evidence€lies.€€òòCooper€v.€Insurance€Co.€of€North€Americaóó,€884€S.W.2d€446,Ð Ð  Ð451€(Tenn.€1994).Ô‡ X µXXX µÔ€Ô#†X µXX X µ™K#ÔÐ ¼  ÐÌà  àThe€defendants€raise€one€issue€in€this€appeal:Ð ”ä ÐÌà  àò òWhether€the€trial€court€erred€in€determining€Mr.€Fristoeððs€vocational€disability€rating.Ð l¼ Ðó óÌà  àThe€defendants€argue€that€the€trial€court€failed€to€give€appropriate€consideration€to€theÐ D!” Ðfindings€and€opinions€of€Dr.€Ô_ÔHollmannÔ_Ô,€the€treating€physician.Ð 0"€  ÐÌà  àIn€its€ruling€from€the€bench€the€trial€court€noted:€ð ðAfter€reviewing€portions€of€the€AMAÐ $X" ÐGuides€that€[Dr.€Ô_ÔHollmannÔ_Ô]€referred€to,€especially€the€combined€values€table,€itððs€difficult€toÐ ô$D # Ðunderstand€how€he€arrived€at€9€percent€to€the€body€based€upon€the€ankle€injury.ðð€€The€trial€courtÐ à%0!$ Ðfound€that€ð ðthe€rating€of€Dr.€Landsberg€is€a€more€accurate€rendition€of€the€AMA€Guidelines.ðð€€TheÐ Ì&"% Ðcourt€also€found€Dr.€Ô_ÔLandsbergÔ_Ô€demonstrated€his€knowledge€in€applying€the€Guidelines€such€that€Ð ¸'#& Ðhis€testimony€that€could€not€be€cross„examined€effectively.€€The€trial€court€also€pointed€out€thatÐ ¤(ô#' Ðwhile€Dr.€Ô_ÔLandsbergÔ_Ô€€found€some€movement€in€the€left€ankle€where€Dr.€Hollmann€found€none,€Dr.Ð )à$( ÐLandsberg€still€gave€a€higher€rating€than€Dr.€Ô_ÔHollmannÔ_Ô.€€The€trial€court€concluded:€ð ðFor€theseÐ |*Ì%) Ðreasons,€I€accept€the€impairment€rating€of€Dr.€Landsberg€as€being€more€persuasive€to€the€Court.ððÐ h+¸&* Ðà  àÌà  àThe€trial€court€has€the€discretion€to€accept€the€opinion€of€one€medical€expert€over€anotherÐ œì Ðmedical€expert€òòÔ_ÔKellermanÔ_Ô€€v.€Food€Lion,€Inc.,óó€929€S.W.2d€333€(Tenn.€1996);€òòJohnson€v.€Ô_ÔMidwescoÔ_Ô,Ð ˆØ ÐInc.óó,€801€S.W.2d€804,€806€(Tenn.€1990).Ð tÄ Ðà  àÌà  àð ðAs€in€many€workers'€compensation€cases,€there€is€a€conflict€of€medical€testimony€as€toÐ L œ Ðcausation€and€degree€of€permanent€impairment€between€a€treating€and€an€evaluating€physician.Ð 8 ˆ ÐWhile€a€treating€physician's€testimony€is€entitled€to€considerable€weight,€òòóóno€rule€of€law€requires€theÐ $ t Ðtrial€court€to€accept€the€testimony€of€a€treating€physician€over€any€other€conflicting€medicalÐ  ` Ðtestimony.òòóóðð€(Citations€omitted)€1997€Tenn.€LEXIS€622,òò€€Ring€v.€Ô_ÔCKRÔ_Ô€Industriesóó.€(Tenn.€1997).Ð ü L  Ѐ€Ð è 8  Ðà  àThe€trial€court€carefully€considered€the€medical€testimony,€reviewed€the€guidelines€and€foundÐ Ô$  Ðthat€the€rating€of€19%€was€appropriate€and€supported€by€the€preponderance€of€the€evidence.€€AsÐ À  Ðnoted€above,€€the€trial€court€€explained€the€basis€of€its€decision€to€accept€Dr.€Ô_ÔLandsbergÔ_Ôððs€impairmentÐ ¬ü  Ðrating€over€that€of€Dr.€Ô_ÔHollmannÔ_Ô,€the€treating€physician.€€This€Panel€has€reviewed€the€medical€proofÐ ˜è  Ðin€this€case€and€finds€that€the€evidence€fully€supports€the€€finding€of€the€trial€court.€€€€Ð „Ô  ÐÌà  àThe€extent€of€vocational€disability€is€a€question€of€fact€to€be€determined€from€all€of€theÐ \¬ Ðevidence,€including€lay€and€expert€testimony€òòTenn.€Code€Ann.óó€ðð€50„6„241(c);€òòÔ_ÔWorthingtonÔ_Ô€v.€Ô_ÔModineÔ_ÔÐ H˜ ÐManufacturing€Co.óó,€798€S.W.2d€232,€234€(Tenn.€1990).€€€The€assessment€of€this€disability€is€basedÐ 4„ Ðon€all€pertinent€factors,€including€lay€and€expert€testimony,€the€employee's€age,€education,€skills€andÐ  p Ðtraining,€local€job€opportunities,€and€capacity€to€work€at€the€types€of€employment€available€in€hisÐ  \ Ðdisabled€condition.€€òòOrman€v.€Williams€Ô_ÔSonomaÔ_Ô,€Inc.óó,€€803€S.W.2d€672,€678€(Tenn.€1991).€The€testÐ øH Ðis€whether€there€has€been€a€decrease€in€the€employee's€capacity€to€earn€wages€in€any€line€of€workÐ ä4 Ðavailable€to€the€employee.€òòCorcoran€v.€Foster€Auto€Ô_ÔGMCÔ_Ô,€Incóó.,€746€S.W.2d€452,€459€(Tenn.€1988).Ð Ð  Ðà  à€Ð ¼  Ðà  àThe€claimantððs€own€assessment€of€his€physical€condition€and€resulting€disabilities€isÐ ¨ø Ðcompetent€testimony€and€cannot€be€disregarded.€€òòTom€Still€Transfer€Co.€v.€Wayóó,€482€S.W.2d€775,Ð ”ä Ð777€(Tenn.€1972).€€The€trial€court€found€Mr.€Ô_ÔFristoeÔ_Ôðð€s€testimony€to€be€ð ðcompletely€credibleðð€andÐ €Ð Ðthat€from€all€the€testimony€ð ðhe€has€significant€restrictions€in€his€ability€to€carry€on€the€normalÐ l¼ Ðfunctions€in€life.ððÐ X ¨ Ðà  àÌà  àIn€determining€vocational€disability,€the€trial€court€referred€to€Mr.€Ô_ÔFristoeÔ_Ôððs€age€of€54,€highÐ 0"€  Ðschool€education,€and€long€work€history€of€being€a€telephone€linemanð!ð€a€job€which€he€is€nowÐ #l! Ðrestricted€from€resuming.€€It€also€considered€that€while€his€right€ankle€had€stiffness€and€swelling,€itÐ $X" Ðdid€not€qualify€for€an€impairment€rating.€€The€trial€court€indicated€that€it€did€not€award€impairmentÐ ô$D # Ðfor€the€right€ankle,€€but€did€factor€its€condition€in€when€arriving€at€the€multiple€in€this€case.Ð à%0!$ ÐÌà  àAfter€reviewing€the€record€and€making€our€own€independent€assessment€of€the€medical€proofÐ ¸'#& Ðin€this€case,€we€find€that€the€evidence€does€not€preponderate€against€the€finding€of€the€trial€court€asÐ ¤(ô#' Ðto€Mr.€Fristoeððs€vocational€disability.Ð )à$( ÐÌÐ h+¸&* ÐÓ  ÓCONCLUSIONò ò€ó óÐ ° ÐÓ²cÓÌà  àThe€judgment€of€the€trial€court€is€affirmed.€Costs€of€this€appeal€are€taxed€to€the€defendants.Ð ŒÜ ÐÌà  àà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À àà  à___________________________________€Ð d´ Ðà  àà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À àà  àJAMES€L.€Ô_ÔWEATHERFORDÔ_Ô,€Ô_ÔSR.J.Ô_ÔÐ  P   ÐÔ‡¼V¹»XX µÔÓ  Óà@@7 7 ìàIN€THE€SUPREME€COURT€OF€TENNESSEEÐ ° ÐSPECIAL€WORKERSðð€COMPENSATION€APPEALS€PANELÐ Â ÐÌÔ#†X µX»¼V¹Æe#ÔÌò òÔ‡¼V¹»XX µÔJAMES€Ô_ÔFRISTOEÔ_Ôòòóó€v.€CITIZENS€UTILITIES€COMPANY,€òòet€alóó.Ô#†X µX»¼V¹¤f#Ôó óÐ Ò" ÐÌà@@¼¼ìàò òCircuit€Court€for€Putnam€CountyÐ Ò " Ðà@@ôôìàNo.€99„N0270Ð ¾  ÐÌÌà@@ìì*ìàßA€V) °°` d€÷E<` AßÐ ‚Ò  ÐÌNo.€M2000„01736„Ô_ÔWCÔ_Ô„R3„CV€„€Filed€„€September€5,€2001Ð }Í  ÐÌßA€V) °°` dE<T` AßÐ U¥  Ðó óÌÓ  ÓÓ  ÓÔ‡¼V¹»XX µÔÔ#†X µX»¼V¹!i#ÔÌÌÓiÓÓ  Óò òJUDGMENTó óÔ‡¼V¹»XX µÔÔ#†X µX»¼V¹i#ÔÐ (x ÐÌÓ  ÓÔ‡¼V¹»XX µÔÔ#†X µX»¼V¹ói#ÔÔ‡¼V¹»XX µÔÔ#†X µX»¼V¹5j#ÔÔ‡ X µXXX µÔà  àThis€case€is€before€the€Court€upon€the€entire€record,€including€the€order€of€referral€to€theÐ P ÐSpecial€Workersðð€Compensation€Appeals€Panel,€and€the€Panelððs€Memorandum€Opinion€setting€forthÐ ì< Ðits€findings€of€fact€and€conclusions€of€law,€which€are€incorporated€herein€by€reference.Ð Ø( ÐÌà  àWhereupon,€it€appears€to€the€Court€that€the€Memorandum€Opinion€of€the€Panel€should€beÐ ° Ðaccepted€and€approved;€andÐ œì ÐÌà  àIt€is,€therefore,€ordered€that€the€Panelððs€findings€of€fact€and€conclusions€of€law€are€adoptedÐ tÄ Ðand€affirmed,€and€the€decision€of€the€Panel€is€made€the€judgment€of€the€Court.Ð `° ÐÌà  àCosts€will€be€paid€by€the€defendants,€for€which€execution€may€issue€if€necessary.Ð 8ˆ ÐÌà  àIT€IS€SO€ORDERED.Ð !`  ÐÌÌÌà  àà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À àà  àPER€CURIAMÐ À$ $ Ðà  àÔ#†X µXX X µwj#Ô