The role the physician served, and the weight the opinion carried. Physicians are named here as the decision names them; we do not score them.
otherRelied upon
Noted decedent was not taking medications at evaluation in 2017; noted allergies to Soma, Ibuprofen, and seafood; decedent complained of severe musculoskeletal pain.
From the decision · page 4the applicant was then evaluated by occupational medicine physician Marvin Pietruszka,
M.D. In a report dated July 10, 2017, Dr. Pietruszka noted that the applicant was "currently not
taking any medications" and that the applicant had been taking Naprosyn but that it had been
discontinued by Dr. Perelman in 2015. (July 10, 2017 report at pp. 2, 4.) Dr. Pietruszka noted that
decedent was allergic to Soma, Ibuprofen, and seafood. (July 10, 2017 report at p. 3.) the applicant
complained to Dr. Pietruszka of musculoskeletal pain at a constant severity of 9/10 in the spine
and radiating to the upper extremities and the buttock. (July 10, 2017 report at p. 4.)
PTPRelied upon · orthopedist
Diagnosed acute cervical, dorsal and lumbar spine strain and left shoulder strain due to specific November 25, 2014 injury; found permanent impairment and need for further medical treatment; noted allergies to Motrin and Soma.
From the decision · page 3Decedent was evaluated by primary treating physician orthopedist Ronald B. Perelman
who issued a narrative report on January 26, 2015. Dr. Perelman was given a history of the applicant experiencing pain in his neck, middle back, low back, left shoulder and hand and wrists
on November 25, 2014 while packing bread and work. Decedent was seen by U.S. Healthworks
who diagnosed him with "acute stress disorder" and returned the applicant to work without
restrictions. However, the decedent then saw his personal doctor who diagnosed the decedent with
cervical spondylosis and lumbosacral spondylosis. He was then first seen by Dr. Perelman on
December 8, 2014. (January 26, 2015 report at p. 2.) Dr. Perelman diagnosed the applicant with
acute cervical, dorsal and lumbar spine strain and left shoulder strain which he felt was due to a
specific November 25, 2014 injury. (January 26, 2015 report at p. 12.) Dr. Perelman noted that
Mr.
QMERelied upon · orthopedist
Diagnosed cervical, lumbosacral, left shoulder, wrist and hand, and right foot strains; found permanent impairment only in right shoulder; no prophylactic work restrictions or need for future medical treatment.
From the decision · page 3the applicant was then seen by panel qualified medical evaluator orthopedist John L.
Howard, M.D. who was given a history of orthopedic pain beginning in June of 2014 continuing
through decedent's last day of work on November 25, 2014. (December 7, 2015 report at p. 3)
Like Dr. Perelman, Dr. Howard noted that the applicant was allergic to Soma and Motrin
(December 7, 2015 report at p. 6). Dr. Howard diagnosed the applicant with having had cervical,
QMERecord developed further · internist
Opined that the stroke was industrial because hypertension was aggravated by steroids and NSAIDs used to treat orthopedic injury; noted hypertension worsened after industrial injury; testified that medication use in 2015 possibly contributed to permanent hypertension increase and stroke.
The WCJ rejected Dr. Perry's opinion due to lack of evidence of medication use near stroke date, but the WCAB found the record insufficient and ordered further development to clarify causation and medical probability.
From the decision · page 4After the applicant's death, internist panel qualified medical evaluator Ira J. Perry, M.D.
analyzed the issue of whether the applicant's death could be considered industrial. Dr. Perry noted
that, while the applicant had a history of hypertension predating the industrial injury, his
hypertension worsened after the industrial injury. (December 15, 2021 report at p. 163.) Dr. Perry
opined that the stroke was industrial because the applicant's hypertension had been aggravated by
steroids and NSAIDs used to treat decedent's orthopedic injury. (December 15, 2021 report at p.
164.)