OPINION
Plаintiff was awarded workmen’s compensation in 1977 for an injury suffered in 1976. In 1979 plaintiff moved for an increase in compensation benefits on the basis that his disability had increased. Sеction 52-l-56(A), N.M.S.A. 1978. The motion was denied; plaintiff appeals. There are two issues: (1) partial disability and (2) attorney fees.
Partial Disability
Findings entered in connection with the 1977 trial were that thе injury consisted of bilateral bicipital tendonitis; that there was no problem with the right shoulder after September 28, 1976; that surgery had been performed on the left shoulder; that plaintiff had full motion and was physically capable of using the left shoulder; that full evaluation could not be made “until Plaintiff has used the left shoulder in actual employment involving heavy physical activity.” Another finding was that plaintiff’s “limitation on returning to work at his usual task at Leonard Tire Company, at this time, is that he is out of shape not having worked sincе August 29, 1976 . . .
The compensation benefits awarded in connection with the 1977 trial were for temporary total disability to May 10, 1977 and temporary partial disability of 15 percеnt for eight weeks “[bjecause he is out of shape”.
In connection with the 1979 hearing, the trial court refused to find that plaintiff was partially disabled. Plaintiff contends this was errоr. We disagree.
Plaintiff’s work history shows his predominant employment has been as a cook; plaintiff had worked as a cook a substantial period of time after the 1977 trial, and was working as a cook at the time of the 1979 hearing on his motion. There is evidence that subsequent to the 1977 trial, plaintiff had worked at other jobs for which he was fitted. There is medical evidence that plaintiff had no physical impairment and had no disability. There is evidence that plaintiff could perform the work he was perfоrming for Leonard Tire Company at the time of the 1976 injury, that Leonard Tire Company had offered to reemploy plaintiff and plaintiff refused the offer of employment. There is evidence that upon applying for employment as a cook, after the 1977 trial, plaintiff stated in his employment application that he had nevеr been injured. This evidence fully supports the trial court’s refusal to find a partial disability and fully supports its conclusion that plaintiff “has suffered no increase of the disability he was suffering at the time of the trial in May of 1977.”
The fact that the trial court found some physical impairment does not require us to hold that plaintiff has a disability. Physical impairmеnt does not automatically equate with disability. Anaya v. New Mexico Steel Erectors, Inc.,
Plaintiff contends the trial court disregarded “uncontroverted” evidence of an occupational disability specialists that plaintiff had a disability of 20-to-25 percent. The answer is that plaintiff relies on оnly selected portions of this testimony. The specialist’s disability opinion was based on a supposed lack of effectiveness and efficiency by plaintiff in working аs a cook. There is substantial evidence of no lack of effectiveness and no lack of efficiency. In addition, the specialist admitted, on cross-exаmination, that if plaintiff’s alleged pain did not interfere with plaintiff’s function, there was no disability.
The trial court did not err in denying benefits for alleged partial disability.
Attorney Fees
Plaintiff was awarded attorney fees in connection with the 1977 trial. No attorney fees were awarded in connection with the 1979 hearing on the motion to increase disability benefits.
In connection with the 1979 hearing, the trial court directed defendants to pay medical expenses of $49.31. Schiller v. Southwest Air Rangers, Inc.,
Schiller relied on the statutory language of § 52-l-54(D), supra, and that is the applicable statutоry language in this case. The statute provides for attorney fees “in all cases where compensation to which any person shall be entitled . . . shall be refused аnd the claimant shall thereafter collect compensation through court proceedings in an amount in excess of the amount offered in writing . . .
(a) Refusal to Pay
For an award of attorney fees under § 52-l-54(D), supra, there must have been a refusal to pay compensation benefits. In this case, for there to be an award of attorney feеs, there must have been a refusal to pay the medical benefits of $49.31.
Plaintiff testified that the $49.31 item was the amount he had paid for two prescriptions. Because dеfendants knew in advance of the hearing (through answers to interrogatories and the deposition of plaintiff) that plaintiff would seek recovery for some presсription bills, plaintiff contends defendants are liable for attorney fees because they did not offer to pay the $49.31 in advance of the hearing. On cross-examination plaintiff testified that he turned the prescription bills over to his attorney, admitted that he had no knowledge that the prescription bills had ever been submitted for payment, and admitted that he had no knowledge of a submitted bill that had not been paid. Upon inquiry by the trial court, defendants stated there was no dispute as to their obligation tо pay for the two prescriptions.
There being no dispute as to defendants’ liability for the prescriptions, cases involving liability for medical services are not in point. See Garcia v. Genuine Parts Co.,
(b) Court Proceedings
For an award of attorney fees under § 52-l-54(D), supra, plaintiff must have collected compensation through court proceedings. Defendants’ obligation to pay for the prescriptions was established in the 1977 judgment; that judgment рrovided that defendants were to pay medical and related benefits “as long as medical or surgical attention is reasonable and necessary for treаtment of plaintiff’s injury”.
Plaintiff did not collect compensation (the prescription bills) through court proceedings in connection with the 1979 hearing. Defendants’ liability for the $49.31 was established by the 1977 judgment and defendants have never disputed that liability.
If the terms of the statute pertaining to attorney fees have not been met, there was no error in failing to award attorney fees. Compare George v. Miller & Smith,
Plaintiff asserts our disposition of the attorney fee question considers matters raised by defendаnts for the first time on appeal; that defendants failed to submit requested findings “concerning the submission and dispute of past unpaid medical expenses.” This argument is spurious. Plaintiff requested the trial court to award attorney fees; the trial court refused. Plaintiff appealed that refusal; not defendants. In arguing that the trial court’s refusal was сorrect, defendants point to evidence introduced without objection and to the 1977 judgment. The submission and dispute of unpaid medical expenses is simply a matter of the evidence, and that evidence resulted in the trial court rejecting plaintiff’s requested award.
The trial court did not err in refusing to award attorney fees. This result does not conflict with the policy considerations stated in Fryar v. Johnsen,
The judgment of November 14, 1979 is affirmed.
IT IS SO ORDERED.