ÿWPC’ srÚÃß/™ß}ümdL>]êÖÞ |@¼'–-]ÛÒF·ÞÜ€X¬ÀqA‡ê$:޲Á{›{yT™ ÆªuH 6¦Ó()b>Hz6‘ó}U íT¯0ÜõcnvÌa»ÖÄéZŒL³3ߨS¢|r$_õ{À¢PôI}Ä>Sª´åÄQi×·ÿ|·=$9t?³h@Û&:êú‡&ôhGûïù¸ ø Áé¦ÇðÐiQl8^BNÍ@Ï»)’=ùáFpÔ wxÛw€IYÀJ]µ¿‰ÉÂô¿Tÿg–}%žYVÝâJ-Eýr¨î*û9 ¦ÍÈÐhÚöàŒœælJ4 ön¾)lˆš 2Ôö ¸v€ÂnM/´Q‹Œ'Pl”¶Hv>4MØšôtÁ„/¹»®z¸ê~¢•޼ÁËy1·§§ËIK $œx*ô&q ôüHŠF3¬ZôàªjN|v{=—Pw›7ë"ýøüéÏãÅ™å÷ õÖil/µÍW\-iÔâN P~]£†Ñž?þÉŽÊ_gF²üUŠü…|Ì ÈæNÒ¹òc‹’ÆèålÒÔÙ@8ÀÖµÅ6*n“Mò×úä` É*žìzε}D½Ñª´«¢b#Á\UN %k 0:q 1‡« 722 1ud 72Ù 0b ^ m wy 4} ‘   m¢ ¹ NÁ ÆÃ Ɖ ÆO ÆNÛ zÝÒWUN)Ewwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww 0yyyy B 0V3 D3‰ D-¼ 0Kéé AS4Ƈ 0VM 0D£ A«ç˜HP LJ 4000/4050 PCL 5eÈÈ,,,,ÈÈ0(ÖÃ9 Z‹6Times New Roman RegularX(üœ$¡¡ÔUSUS.,Ô(ÀCEKQW]cioAutoList1i.i.i.i.i.i.i.i.i.3#37=CIQYag­­1.a.i.(1)(a)(i)1)a)i)(:$´´Ô2ÀÔÚ  ÚÚ  Ú.Ô3  Ôà0  à«€-â ‚Œ-â€9ø¤¦3|xÿU‹ÿÀÀÀ Level 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5‚Level 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5„Level 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5…Level 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5˜C:\PROGRA~1\COREL\WORDPE~1\TEMPLATE\CUSTOM~1\REVISE~1.WPTC:\Program Files\Corel\WordPerfect Office 2000\Template\Custom WP Templates\revised standard opinion.wpt(í€"  Z6Times New Roman Regular(.G2ûn$¤¤Ý ƒüœ!ÝÔUSUS.,ÔÝ  Ýà  àòòÚ  Ú0Ú  ÚóóÔ€ô òXXÔ d(.3½Þ$££Ý ƒüœ!ÝÔUSUS.,ÔÝ  ÝVVVV'ÿÿdxd)!ÈÈÈÈdxdx( ±þ$’’ò òFigure€Ú  Ú1Ú  Úó ó^_X`YEþÿ<<CÿÿƒLevel 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5(.3½Þ$¢¢Ý ƒüœ!ÝÔUSUS.,ÔÝ  Ý($$””ò òÚ  Ú1Ú  Úó óX[Z&OLE 2.0 Box <=8ÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿCÿÿ HKKKKÝ ƒüœ!ÝÔUSUS.,ÔÝ  ÝÔ_ÔÓ  Óò òÑ8€ôèXdìdÈ8ÑÑ  ÑIN€THE€SUPREME€COURT€OF€TENNESSEEÐ ° ÐSPECIAL€WORKERððS€COMPENSATION€APPEALS€PANELÐ œì ÐAT€NASHVILLEÐ ˆØ ÐÌJUNE,€2002€SESSIONÐ `° Ðó óÓ=ÓÌÓ  Óò òDAVID€C.€MOSS€v.€Ô_ÔFELDKIRCHERÔ_Ô€WIRE€FABRICATING€CO.,€INC.€and€THEÐ 8 ˆ ÐCONNECTICUT€INDEMNITY€COMPANYÐ $ t ÐÌÓgÓÓ€ (À83ÓØ! !Øó óÓ  ÓDirect€Appeal€from€the€Chancery€Court€for€Davidson€CountyÐ ü L  ÐNo.€99„2388„II(I)€Irvin€Ô_ÔKilcreaseÔ_Ô,€Jr.,ChancellorÐ è 8  ÐÓÒÓÌà  àà ` àà ¸ àà  à_______________________________Ð À  ÐÌò òà@ò ò ìàNO.€M2001„01634„Ô_ÔWCÔ_Ô„R3„CV€€„€€Mailed€„€October€11,€2002ó óˆÐ ˜è  Ðà  àà ` àà ¸ àà  à€€€€€€€ò òFiled€„€December€16,€2002ó óÐ „Ô  ÐÌThis€Workerððs€Compensation€Appeal€has€been€referred€to€the€Special€Workersðð€CompensationÐ `° ÐAppeals€Panel€in€accordance€with€Tenn.€Code€Annotated€€ðð€50„6„225(e)€for€hearing€andÐ Lœ Ðreporting€findings€of€fact€and€conclusion€of€law.€€In€this€case,€the€plaintiff€contends€that€the€trialÐ 8ˆ Ðcourt€erred€in€(1)€concluding€that€he€did€not€sustain€work€related€carpal€tunnel€syndrome€and€(2)Ð $t Ðin€assigning€him€a€vocational€impairment€of€ten€percent€(10%)€to€the€body€as€a€whole.€€ForÐ ` Ðreasons€stated€below€we€affirm€the€judgment€of€the€trial€court.Ð üL ÐÌTenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€50„6„225(e)€Appeal€as€of€Right;€Judgment€of€the€Chancery€Court€Affirmed€Ð Ô$ ÐÌGRAY,€SP.€J.,€delivered€the€opinion€of€the€court,€in€whichÐ ¬ü ÐÔ_ÔDROWOTAÔ_Ô,€C.€J.,€and€LOSER,€SP.€J.€joinedÐ ˜è ÐÌGail€V.€Ô_ÔAshworthÔ_Ô,€Gideon€&€Ô_ÔWisemanÔ_Ô,€Nashville,€TN€for€the€Appellant,€David€C.€Moss.Ð pÀ ÐÌRobert€R.€Davies,€Davies€&€Ô_ÔHumphreysÔ_Ô,€Nashville,€TN,€for€the€Appellee,€Ô_ÔFeldkircherÔ_Ô€WireÐ H!˜ ÐFabricating€Co.,€Inc.,€Ð 4"„  ÐÌÌÌÌÓ  Óò òMEMORANDUMó óÐ Ð& "% ÐÓ1 ÓÌà  àThe€parties€stipulated€that€on€the€21òòstóó€day€of€August,€1998€David€C.€Moss€sustained€aÐ ¨(ø#' Ðwork„related€injury€to€his€left€shoulder,€and€that€his€compensation€rate€was€$515€per€week.€Ð ”)ä$( ÐDisputed€was€whether€the€employee€suffered€left€carpal€tunnel€injury€as€a€result€of€this€accidentÐ €*Ð%) Ðon€the€job€and€the€extent€of€vocational€disability,€if€any.Ð l+¼&* ÐÌÐ D-”(, ÐÔ_Ôà  àDavid€C.€Moss,€the€employee„appellant,€is€a€53€year€old€veteran€with€a€GeneralÐ ° ÐEquivalency€Diploma€which€he€earned€in€1967.€€He€completed€vocational€school€as€a€machinistÐ œì Ðin€1977€and€served€a€four€year€apprenticeship€at€TVA€in€Hartsville.€€He€began€employment€atÐ ˆØ ÐFeldkircher€Wire€Fabricating€Co.,€Inc.,€in€January,€1996.€€Ð tÄ ÐÌà  àAfter€the€accident€at€Feldkircher,€Mr.€Moss€was€sent€initially€by€his€employer€to€a€Centra„Ð L œ ÐCare€walk„in€facility.€€The€employer€referred€him€to€Dr.€Thomas€OððBrien,€orthopedic€surgeon,Ð 8 ˆ Ðwho€became€the€treating€physician.€€Dr.€OððBrien€began€treating€Mr.€Moss€on€September€14,Ð $ t Ð1998.€€The€employee€was€referred€by€Dr.€OððBrien€to€Dr.€Joseph€Wieck,€M.€D.€for€evaluation€ofÐ  ` Ðhis€left€shoulder.€€After€treatment€by€Dr.€Wieck,€Mr.€Moss€did€return€to€Dr.€OððBrien€who€treatedÐ ü L  Ðhim€until€September€7òòthóó,€1999.€€Ð è 8  ÐÌà  àOn€October€9,€1998,€a€MRI€revealed€that€Moss€suffered€from€a€torn€rotator€cuff€to€his€leftÐ À  Ðshoulder€and€surgery€was€performed€by€Dr.€Joseph€Wieck,€who€is€in€the€firm€with€Dr.€OððBrien.€Ð ¬ü  ÐThis€surgery€was€a€left€subachromial€decompression€and€distal€clavicle€resection€done€onÐ ˜è  ÐOctober€30,€1998.€€Medical€experts€agree€that€the€surgery€was€not€successful.€Ð „Ô  ÐÌà  àMr.€Moss€followed€up€with€Dr.€Wieck€as€directed€in€November€and€December€of€1998.€Ð \¬ ÐOn€December€18,€1998€Mr.€Moss€was€admitted€to€the€VA€Medical€Center€on€an€emergency€basisÐ H˜ Ðfor€gastrointestinal€hemorrhage€and€acute€blood€loss€anemia€caused€by€prescribed€medication€byÐ 4„ ÐDr.€Wieck.€€Ð  p ÐÌà  àAfter€this€hospitalization€Mr.€Moss€returned€to€work€at€Feldkircher€at€the€same€rate€ofÐ øH Ðpay.€€He€voluntarily€discontinued€his€employment€with€Feldkircher€because€he€thought€that€heÐ ä4 Ðwas€unduly€criticized€by€his€supervisor€for€not€performing€his€work€fast€enough.€€Prior€toÐ Ð  Ðresigning€Mr.€Moss€had€interviewed€with€a€former€employer,€TVA,€and€was€pretty€much€assuredÐ ¼  Ðthat€he€would€be€hired€there.€€Within€three€days€of€leaving€Feldkircher€Mr.€Moss€was€employedÐ ¨ø Ðby€TVA€at€over€$6.00€per€hour€more€than€he€was€making€at€Feldkircher.€€Ð ”ä ÐÌà  àThree€medical€experts€testified€in€this€case.€€Ð l¼ ÐÌà  àDr.€Thomas€OððBrien,€the€treating€physician,€testified€that€he€first€saw€Mr.€Moss€onÐ D!” ÐSeptember€14,€1998.€€After€conducting€a€physical€and€neurological€examination,€Dr.€OððBrienÐ 0"€  Ðdiagnosed€that€the€employee€suffered€from€cervical€radiculopathy€and€impingement€syndrome€ofÐ #l! Ðthe€left€shoulder.€€Seeing€Mr.€Moss€on€September€28,€1998€Dr.€OððBrien€found€that€symptomsÐ $X" Ðwere€unchanged€and€a€MRI€was€ordered.€€This€scan€showed€inflammation€of€the€left€shoulderÐ ô$D # Ðrotator€cuff€and€impingement€syndrome.€€Mr.€Moss€was€referred€by€Dr.€OððBrien€to€Dr.€JosephÐ à%0!$ ÐWieck€who€performed€surgery€on€the€employee.Ð Ì&"% ÐÌà  àMr.€Moss€returned€to€Dr.€OððBrien€on€February€15,€1999€at€which€time€Dr.€OððBrien€foundÐ ¤(ô#' Ðhis€symptoms€unchanged.€€At€that€visit€Dr.€OððBrien€determined€that€Mr.€Moss€had€reachedÐ )à$( Ðmaximum€medical€improvement€and€that€for€the€loss€of€motion€in€his€left€shoulder€he€suffered€aÐ |*Ì%) Ðseven€(7%)€percent€permanent€partial€impairment€to€the€left€upper€extremity€which€equates€to€aÐ h+¸&* Ðfour€(4%)€percent€permanent€partial€disability€to€the€body€as€a€whole.€€Dr.€OððBrien€placed€aÐ ° Ðrestriction€of€no€repetitive€overhead€lifting€on€Mr.€Moss.€€Dr.€OððBrien€testified€that€Mr.€MossÐ œì Ðwas€not€having€symptoms€of€carpal€tunnel€syndrome.Ð ˆØ ÐÌà  àMr.€Moss€was€seen€again€by€Dr.€OððBrien€on€March€30,€June€21,€July€26,€and€SeptemberÐ `° Ð7,€1999€by€Dr.€OððBrien.€€At€the€last€visit€Mr.€Moss€made€no€complaint€of€hand€or€arm€pain,Ð L œ Ðtingling€or€numbness.€€Ð 8 ˆ ÐÌà  àDr.€OððBrien€was€asked€in€his€deposition€to€look€at€Table€27€on€page€61€of€the€òòAMAÐ  ` ÐGuidelinesóó€which€is€a€table€for€assignment€of€permanent€impairment€for€resection€of€the€distalÐ ü L  Ðclavicle.€€It€was€testified€by€Dr.€OððBrien€that€Table€27€calls€for€a€ten€(10%)€percent€impairment€toÐ è 8  Ðthe€upper€extremity€and€that€he€did€not€consider€that€table€in€assigning€a€seven€(7%)€percent€leftÐ Ô$  Ðupper€extremity€impairment€to€Mr.€Moss.€€€Dr.€OððBrienððs€rating€was€based€upon€evaluation€ofÐ À  Ðloss€of€motion€left€upper€extremity.Ð ¬ü  ÐÌà  àFor€an€independent€medical€evaluation€Mr.€Moss€chose€to€be€seen€by€Dr.€Lloyd€A.Ð „Ô  ÐWalwyn,€an€orthopedic€surgeon,€on€August€11,€1999.€€After€taking€oral€history€from€Mr.€MossÐ pÀ Ðand€examination€and€review€of€medical€records,€Dr.€Walwyn€assigned€Mr.€Moss€a€forty„fourÐ \¬ Ð(44%)€percent€left€upper€extremity€impairment€which€he€testified€is€equivalent€to€a€twenty„sixÐ H˜ Ð(26%)€percent€whole€body€impairment.€€Included€in€the€impairment€rating€by€Dr.€Walwyn€wasÐ 4„ Ðthe€loss€of€motion€to€the€left€upper€extremity,€carpal€tunnel€syndrome€and€ten€(10%)€percentÐ  p Ðupper€extremity€impairment€which€is€six€(6%)€percent€to€the€body€as€a€whole€for€the€resection€ofÐ  \ Ðthe€distal€clavicle.€€Dr.€Walwyn€testified€that€Mr.€Moss€suffered€a€mild€entrapment,€medial€andÐ øH Ðulnar€neuropathy€at€his€left€wrist.€€He€testified€that€the€medial€and€ulnar€neuropathies€were€workÐ ä4 Ðrelated.€€Ð Ð  ÐÌà  àNo€treatment€was€provided€by€Dr.€Walwyn.Ð ¨ø ÐÌà  àAt€employerððs€request€Mr.€Moss€was€seen€by€Dr.€Roy€Terry,€an€orthopedic€surgeon,€forÐ €Ð Ðan€independent€medical€evaluation.€€Dr.€Terry€first€saw€Mr.€Moss€on€January€11,€2000.€€AfterÐ l¼ Ðtaking€a€history,€reviewing€the€medical€records€and€examination€of€Mr.€Moss,€Dr.€TerryÐ X ¨ Ðrecommended€to€Mr.€Moss€that€he€undergo€an€arthrogram€to€determine€if€there€was€a€rotator€cuffÐ D!” Ðtear.€€Mr.€Moss€agreed€and€the€arthrogram€was€performed€on€February€14,€2000.€€Follow„upÐ 0"€  Ðappointment€with€Mr.€Moss€was€February€29,€2000€and€Dr.€Terry€went€over€the€results€of€theÐ #l! Ðarthrogram€with€Mr.€Moss.€€It€was€negative€for€rotator€cuff€tear.Ð $X" ÐÌà  àDr.€Terry€testified€that€the€medical€records€EMG€was€positive€for€carpal€tunnel€syndrome.€Ð à%0!$ ÐHe€did€not€evaluate€whether€€carpal€tunnel€syndrome€was€related€to€Mr.€Mossðð€work.€€Ð Ì&"% ÐÌà  àAccording€to€Dr.€Terry€Mr.€Moss€did€not€have€a€good€result€from€his€surgical€procedureÐ ¤(ô#' Ðand€that€Mr.€Moss€could€qualify€for€an€additional€six€(6%)€percent€whole€body€permanent€partialÐ )à$( Ðimpairment€based€on€a€condition€for€the€excision€of€the€distal€clavicle.€€Ð |*Ì%) ÐÐ h+¸&* Ðà  àFor€injuries€occurring€on€or€after€July€1,€1985€appellant€review€is€de€novo€upon€the€recordÐ ° Ðof€the€trial€court,€accompanied€by€a€presumption€of€correctness€of€the€findings€of€fact,€unless€theÐ œì Ðpreponderance€of€the€evidence€is€otherwise.€€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€50„6„225(e)(2).€€The€reviewing€€€Ð ˆØ Ѐcourt€shall€conduct€an€independent€examination€of€the€record€to€determine€where€theÐ tÄ Ðpreponderance€of€the€evidence€lies.€€òòWingert€v.€Government€of€Sumneróó,€908€S.W.€2d€921,€922Ð `° Ð(Tenn.€Sp.€Workersðð€Comp.€1995)€The€standard€governing€appellant€review€of€findings€of€fact€byÐ L œ Ða€trial€court€requires€the€Special€Workersðð€Compensation€Appeals€Panel€to€examine€in€depth€aÐ 8 ˆ Ðtrial€courtððs€factual€findings€and€conclusions.€€òòGAF€Building€Materials€vs.€Georgeóó,€47€S.W.3dÐ $ t Ð430,€432€(Tenn.€2001).€€Conclusions€of€law€are€subject€to€de€novo€review€on€appeal€withoutÐ  ` Ðpresumption€of€correctness.€€òòPresley€v.€Bennettóó,€860€S.W.€2d€857,€859€(Tenn.€1993).Ð ü L  ÐÌà  àWhen€the€trial€judge€has€seen€and€heard€a€witnessðð€testimony,€considerable€deferenceÐ Ô$  Ðmust€be€accorded€on€review€to€the€trial€courtððs€finding€of€credibility€and€the€weight€given€to€thatÐ À  Ðtestimony.€€òòTownsend€v.€Stateóó€826€S.W.€2d€434,€437€(Tenn.€1992);€òòHumphreys€v.€DavidÐ ¬ü  ÐWitherspoon,€Inc.óó,€734€S.W.2d€315€(Tenn.€1987).€€When€the€medical€testimony,€however,€isÐ ˜è  Ðpresented€by€deposition,€this€court€may€make€an€independent€assessment€of€the€medical€proof€toÐ „Ô  Ðdetermine€where€the€preponderance€of€the€evidence€lies.€€òòCooper€v.€Insurance€Company€of€NorthÐ pÀ ÐAmericaóó€884€S.W.€2d€446,€451€(Tenn.€1994).€€òòCooper€v.€INAóó,€884€S.W.2d€446,€451€(Tenn.Ð \¬ Ð1994);€òòLanders€v.€Firemanððs€Fund€Ins.€Co.óó,€775€S.W.€2d€355,€356€(Tenn.€1989).€€Ð H˜ ÐÌà  àThe€Chancellor€found€that€Mr.€Moss€was€given€a€meaningful€return€to€work€andÐ  p ÐTennessee€Code€Annotated€50„6„241(a)(1)€to€be€applicable.€€This€section€provides€that€when€anÐ  \ Ðemployee€is€returned€to€employment€at€a€wage€equal€to€or€greater€than€the€wage€the€employeeÐ øH Ðwas€receiving€at€the€time€of€injury€the€maximum€permanent€partial€disability€award€is€two€andÐ ä4 Ðone„half€(2€ðð)€times€the€medical€impairment€rating€determined€pursuant€to€the€revisions€of€theÐ Ð  ÐAmerican€Medical€Association€Guide€to€the€Evaluation€of€Permanent€Impairment€(AmericanÐ ¼  ÐMedical€Association,€the€Manual€for€Orthopedic€Surgeons€in€Evaluating€Permanent€PhysicalÐ ¨ø ÐImpairment€(American€Academy€of€Orthopedic€Surgeons)€or€in€cases€not€covered€an€impairmentÐ ”ä Ðrating€by€an€appropriate€method€used€and€accepted€by€the€medical€community.Ð €Ð ÐÌà  àIn€òòNewton€v.€Scott€Health€Care€Ctróó.€914€S.W.2d€884€at€886€it€was€held€that€to€determineÐ X ¨ Ðwhether€there€had€been€a€meaningful€return€to€work,€the€court€must€focus€on€ð ðthe€reasonablenessÐ D!” Ðof€the€employer€in€attempting€to€return€the€employee€to€work€and€the€reasonableness€of€theÐ 0"€  Ðemployee€in€failing€to€return€to€work.ðð€Ð #l! ÐÌà  àWe€agree€with€the€trial€court€that€given€the€restriction€and€the€lack€of€proof€of€employerÐ ô$D # Ðharassment€the€employeeððs€decision€to€discontinue€employment€with€Feldkircher€wasÐ à%0!$ Ðunreasonable.€€We€find€the€employee€was€given€a€meaningful€return€to€work.Ð Ì&"% ÐÌà  àThe€plaintiff€in€a€workerððs€compensation€case€has€the€burden€of€proving€causation€andÐ ¤(ô#' Ðpermanency€of€an€injury€by€a€preponderance€of€the€evidence€and,€in€all€but€the€most€obviousÐ )à$( Ðcases€permanency€must€be€established€by€expert€medical€testimony.€€òòHill€v.€Royal€Ins.€Co.óó,€937Ð |*Ì%) ÐS.W.2d€873,€876€(Tenn.€1996)€Proof€of€permanency€must€be€more€than€ð ðpossibleðð,€òòSingleton€v.Ð h+¸&* ÐPro€Con€Productsóó,€788€S.W.2d€809€811„12€(Tenn.€1990)€must€be€ð ðreasonably€certainðð€òòKerr€v.Ð ° ÐMagic€Chef,€Inc.óó€793€S.W.2d€927,€929€(Tenn.€1990)€or€preponderate€in€ð ðfavor€of€permanencyððÐ œì ÐòòOwens€Illinois,€Inc.€v.€Laneóó€576€S.W.2d€348,€350€(Tenn.€1978).€€Ð ˆØ ÐÌà  àMr.€Moss€raises€two€issues€on€appeal.€€The€first€is€whether€the€trial€court€erred€in€findingÐ `° Ðthat€Mr.€Moss€did€not€sustain€work„related€carpal€tunnel€syndrome.Ð L œ ÐÌà  àWe€agree€with€the€trial€court€that€Mr.€Moss€has€failed€to€meet€the€burden€of€proof€and€notÐ $ t Ðprovided€sufficient€evidence€that€he€suffered€from€work„related€carpal€tunnel€syndrome.€€Mr.Ð  ` ÐMoss€relies€on€the€finding€of€Dr.€Walwyn€regarding€possible€work„related€carpal€tunnelÐ ü L  Ðsyndrome.€€Dr.€Walwyn€testified€that€the€carpal€tunnel€syndrome€arose€out€of€Mr.€Mossðð€ongoingÐ è 8  Ðemployment€with€Feldkircher,€even€though€it€might€not€be€a€direct€result€of€the€August,€1998Ð Ô$  Ðaccident.€€We€take€however€that€Dr.€Walwyn€examined€Mr.€Moss€only€on€one€occasion,€and€theÐ À  Ðtest€results€from€this€examination€were€only€equivocal.€Dr.€Walwyn€testified€that€he€could€notÐ ¬ü  Ðdetermine€if€the€test€results€were€positive€or€negative.€€In€addition,€Mr.€Moss€offers€no€evidenceÐ ˜è  Ðto€support€the€claim€that€his€day„to„day€activities€at€Feldkircher€could€have€produced€his€carpalÐ „Ô  Ðtunnel€injuries.€€Ð pÀ ÐÌà  àMedical€evidence€shows€that€Mr.€Moss€may€suffer€from€carpal€tunnel€in€some€form.€€Dr.Ð H˜ ÐWieck€recommended€that€Mr.€Moss€undergo€a€procedure€known€as€carpal€tunnel€release.€€InÐ 4„ ÐDecember,€1998€an€EMG€showed€the€presence€of€carpal€tunnel€in€Mr.€Moss.€€Mr.€Moss€testifiedÐ  p Ðthat€he€has€suffered€a€loss€of€gripping€power,€especially€in€his€left€hand;€he€claimed€no€suchÐ  \ Ðsymptom€existed€prior€to€the€August,€1998€accident€at€Feldkircher.€€Ð øH ÐÌà  àDr.€OððBrien€testified€that€Mr.€Moss€neither€exhibited€or€complained€of€any€carpal€tunnelÐ Ð  Ðsymptoms.€€Accordingly€Dr.€OððBrien€chose€not€to€assign€an€impairment€rating€for€carpal€tunnelÐ ¼  Ðsyndrome.€€Dr.€Terry€did€not€make€an€independent€investigation€in€the€existence€of€carpal€tunnelÐ ¨ø Ðin€Mr.€Moss.€€Additionally€to€date€Mr.€Moss€has€yet€to€seek€medical€treatment€for€his€carpalÐ ”ä Ðtunnel€injuries.€€Given€the€medical€testimony€before€us,€we€find€the€evidence€does€notÐ €Ð Ðpreponderate€against€the€ruling€of€the€trial€court.€€Ð l¼ ÐÌà  àThe€second€issue€Mr.€Moss€raises€is€whether€the€trial€courtððs€assignment€of€a€ten€(10%)Ð D!” Ðpercent€vocational€impairment€rating€was€against€the€preponderance€of€the€evidence.€€TheÐ 0"€  ÐChancellor€in€his€memorandum€outlines€the€testimony€given€by€the€three€medical€experts.€€HisÐ #l! Ðmemorandum€is€correct€in€that€Dr.€OððBrien€gave€the€employer€an€impairment€to€the€left€upperÐ $X" Ðextremity€of€seven€(7%)€percent€which€equates€to€a€four€(4%)€percent€to€the€body€as€a€whole.€€HeÐ ô$D # Ðfurther€points€out€that€Dr.€OððBrien€did€not€change€the€impairment€rating.€€Dr.€Roy€Terry€did€notÐ à%0!$ Ðassign€a€permanent€impairment€rating.Ð Ì&"% ÐÌà  àIn€his€memorandum€the€Chancellor€points€out€the€percentage€of€anatomical€impairmentÐ ¤(ô#' Ðassigned€by€Dr.€Lloyd€Walwyn.Ð )à$( ÐÌà  àMr.€Moss€contends€that€the€Chancellor€based€his€vocational€disability€upon€the€four€Ô_Ô(4%)Ð h+¸&* Ðpercent€permanent€partial€impairment€to€the€body€as€a€whole€given€by€Dr.€OððBrien€and€that€usingÐ ° Ðthe€multiplier€of€2€ðð€time€the€impairment€arrived€at€a€ten€(10%)€percent€vocational€disability.€Ð œì ÐWe€cannot€agree€that€this€is€the€case.€€The€Chancellor€did€rely€on€the€testimony€of€Dr.€OððBrien€asÐ ˆØ Ðto€the€carpal€tunnel€syndrome€injury.€€The€Chancellor€also€stated€ð ð...€plaintiff€was€given€aÐ tÄ Ðmeaningful€return€to€work€and€the€2€ðð€times€cap€appliesðð.€€This€does€not€necessarily€mean€thatÐ `° Ðthe€Chancellor€multiplied€the€impairment€rating€of€four€(4%)€percent€by€2€ðð€and€arrived€at€tenÐ L œ Ð(10%)€percent.€€This€Court€agrees€with€the€appellant€that€based€upon€the€expert€medicalÐ 8 ˆ Ðtestimony€he€is€entitled€to€an€additional€six€(6%)€percent€for€the€clavicle€resection.€€TheÐ $ t Ðanatomical€impairment€to€the€body€as€a€whole€is€ten€(10%)€percent.Ð  ` ÐÌà  àIn€making€a€determination€of€the€vocational€impairment€the€Chancellor€considered€all€ofÐ è 8  Ðthe€pertinent€factors€including€the€lay€and€expert€testimony,€employeeððs€age€and€education,€skillsÐ Ô$  Ðand€training,€local€job€opportunities,€capacity€to€work€and€types€of€employment€available€in€theÐ À  Ðclaimantððs€disabled€condition€and€after€a€review€of€all€the€facts€the€Chancellor€held€that€plaintiffÐ ¬ü  Ðhad€sustained€a€vocational€impairment€of€ten€(10%)€percent€to€the€body€as€a€whole.Ð ˜è  ÐÌà  àThe€multiplier€at€Tennessee€Code€Annotated€50„6„241(a)(1)€which€is€€2€ðð€times€theÐ pÀ Ðanatomical€impairment€is€not€mandatory.€€Considering€the€evidence€in€the€case€including€that€theÐ \¬ Ðemployee€resigned€Ô_ÔFeldkircherÔ_Ô€and€within€three€days€was€employed€by€TVA€at€$6€more€per€hour,Ð H˜ Ðwe€do€not€find€that€the€preponderance€of€the€evidence€supports€a€higher€vocational€impairment.€€Ð 4„ ÐÌà  àThe€judgment€of€the€trial€court€is€affirmed.€€Costs€are€assessed€to€the€appellant.Ð  \ ÐÌÌà  àà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À àà  à____________________________Ð Ð  Ðà  àà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À àà  àTom€E.€GrayÐ ¼  Ðà  àà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À àà  àSpecial€JudgeÐ ¨ø ÐÌÌÌÌÌÌÌà  àÌÌÌà  àÐ  Ì&"% ÐÔ‡¼µ´»XXÔÑ8€ôèXXdìXdì8ÑÑ  ÑÑ  Ñà@™ ™ ìàÔ#†XôèX»¼µ´%T#ÔԇîXXôèÔIN€THE€SUPREME€COURT€OF€TENNESSEEˆÐ ° Ðà@kk$ìàAT€NASHVILLEÔ#†XôèXîÉT#ÔÔ‡¼µ´»XXôèԈРÖ& ÐÌÔ#†XôèX»¼µ´`U#ÔÌò òÔ‡¼µ´»XXôèÔÓ  ÓDAVID€C.€MOSS€òòóóv.€Ô_ÔFELDKIRCHERÔ_Ô€WIRE€FABRICATING€CO.,€INC.,€òòetÐ úJ Ðalóó.Ô#†XôèX»¼µ´½U#Ôó óÐ  ^ ÐÓÜUÓÌà@› › ìàò òChancery€Court€for€Davidson€CountyˆÐ  ^ Ðà@"ìàNo.€99„2388„II(I)ˆÐ ú J ÐÌÌà@ìì*ìàßA€V) °°` d€÷E<½` A߈Ð ¾  ÐÌà@‚‚ìàNo.€M2001„01634„SC„WCM„CVˆÐ ¹  ÐÌßA€V) °°` dE<` AßÐ ‘á  Ðó óÌÔ‡¼µ´»XXôèÔÔ#†XôèX»¼µ´AX#Ôà@±±&ìàò òJUDGMENTó óÔ‡¼µ´»XXôèÔÔ#†XôèX»¼µ´£X#ԈРŒÜ ÐÌòòóóÔ‡¼µ´»XXôèÔÔ#†XôèX»¼µ´Y#ÔÌÔ‡¼µ´»XXôèÔÔ#†XôèX»¼µ´EY#Ôà  àThis€case€is€before€the€Court€upon€the€motion€for€review€filed€by€David€C.€Moss€pursuantÐ P  Ðto€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð50-6-225(e)(5)(B),€the€entire€record,€including€the€order€of€referral€to€theÐ <Œ ÐSpecial€Workersðð€Compensation€Appeals€Panel,€and€the€Panelððs€Memorandum€Opinion€settingÐ (x Ðforth€its€findings€of€fact€and€conclusions€of€law.€Ð d ÐÌà  àIt€appears€to€the€Court€that€the€motion€for€review€is€not€well„taken€and€is€thereforeÐ ì< Ðdenied.€€The€Panelððs€findings€of€fact€and€conclusions€of€law,€which€are€incorporated€byÐ Ø( Ðreference,€are€adopted€and€affirmed.€€The€decision€of€the€Panel€is€made€the€judgment€of€theÐ Ä ÐCourt.Ð ° ÐÌà  àCosts€are€assessed€to€David€C.€Moss,€for€which€execution€may€issue€if€necessary.Ð ˆØ ÐÔ‡XôèXXXôèÔÔ‡¼µ´»XXôèÔÔ#†XôèX»¼µ´5]#ÔÌÌÌÌÌÌÌÔ_ÔDROWOTAÔ_Ô,€C.J.,€NOT€PARTICIPATINGÔ#†XôèXXXôè]#Ô