This is an appeal from the Workers’ Compensation Commission’s decision finding that the appellant failed to prove that certain medical treatment was reasonable and necessary for her compensable injury. On apрeal, the appellant contends that the Commission’s decision is not supported by substantial evidence. We agree and reverse and remand for the reasons discussed herein.
When reviewing a decision of the Workers’ Compensаtion Commission, we view the evidence and all reasonable inferences deducible therefrom in the light most favorable to the findings of the Commission and affirm that decision if it is supported by substantial evidence. Garrett v. Sears, Roebuck & Co.,
The appellant sustained a compensable injury on October 18, 1990. She was initially treated by Dr. R.L. Turney and was subsequently referred to Dr. P.B. Simpson, Jr., a neurosurgeon. On November 20, 1990, Dr. Simpson performed a myelogram and a post myelogram CT scan which reveаled a herniated nucleus pulposus at C5-6, along with cervical spondylosis. On November 26, 1990, Dr. Simpson performed a diskectomy at C5-6 with an anterior cervical fusion. On December 2, 1990, Dr. Simpson performed another myelogram and post myelоgram CT scan which revealed minimal indentation of the thecal sac at C4-C5 and C5-C6, along with mild root swelling at those levels. The appellant suffered a grand mal seizure after the second myelo-gram. She was discharged from the hospital on December 5, 1990. The appellant returned to Dr. Turney and Dr. Simpson for regular follow-up visits and continued treatment.
The аppellant petitioned for a change of physicians, or in the alternative, for an independent medicаl examination. An independent medical examination was completed by Dr. Robert Abraham, a neurosurgeon, on August 30, 1991. After reviewing the appellant’s radiographic studies, he opined that the appellant had right cervical radiculopathy and recommended a conservative course of treatment. The appellant’s final visit with Dr. Simpson wаs on January 20, 1992, at which time Dr. Simpson concluded that no further treatment was needed. He indicated that he was not imprеssed with the appellant’s symptomatology. Dr. Simpson assigned an impairment rating of 15% to the appellant’s body as а whole and released her from his care.
Dr. Turney subsequently referred the appellant to Dr. Ray Jouett, who examinеd the appellant on March 11, 1992. Dr. Jou-ett found that an MRI revealed some spondylosis at C5-6 and opined that the appellant may not have had a good fusion at that level. Consequently, Dr. Jouett referred her to one of his associates, Dr. David L. Reding, who performed additional surgery on the appellant.
The administrative law judge awarded the aрpellant temporary total disability benefits and found that the medical treatment rendered by Dr. Ray Jouett and Dr. David Reding was com-pensable as authorized referrals for reasonable and necessary treatment from the apрellant’s authorized treating physician, Dr. Turney. The Commission reversed the ALJ’s decision and found that the appellant failed to prove by a preponderance of the evidence that the treatment provided by Dr. Jouett and Dr. Reding wаs reasonably necessary for the treatment of her compensable injury. In doing so, the Commission found it unnecessary to address the other findings of the ALJ.
The Commission found that the record contained only minimal evidence of the services provided by Dr. Jouett and Dr. Red-ing. It noted that the findings of Dr. Jouett and Dr. Reding which were in the record were consistent with the findings of Dr. Simpson and Dr. Abraham and, based on essentially the same findings, both Dr. Simpson and Dr. Abraham concluded that the surgery was not indicated. The Cоmmission further noted that Dr. Red-ing indicated that the decision to operate was based on the failure of other forms оf treatment to relieve the appellant’s condition. The Commission placed greater weight on the opiniоns of Dr. Simpson and Dr. Abraham.
However, although Dr. Abraham recommended conservative treatment for the appellant, he did not suggest that further treatment was not in order. Dr. Simpson’s office notes indicate that the appellant cоntinued to experience pain in her neck which radiated into her right shoulder, arm, and hand. Even Dr. Simpson recommended that the appellant undergo another myelogram in order to discover the cause of her continued complaints of pain. However, the appellant testified that she was afraid to submit to another myelogram becаuse of the seizure
Reversed and remanded.
Notes
We note that the Commission did not make any determination regarding the appellant’s award of temporary total disability benefits.