Columbus Steel Erectors Inc. v. George Marshall ( 2023 )


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  •                    RENDERED: MAY 19, 2023; 10:00 A.M.
    NOT TO BE PUBLISHED
    Commonwealth of Kentucky
    Court of Appeals
    NO. 2022-CA-1221-WC
    COLUMBUS STEEL ERECTORS INC.                                       APPELLANT
    PETITION FOR REVIEW OF A DECISION
    v.             OF THE WORKERS’ COMPENSATION BOARD
    ACTION NO. WC-20-91668
    GEORGE MARSHALL; HONORABLE
    PETER J. NAAKE,
    ADMINISTRATIVE LAW JUDGE;
    AND WORKERS’ COMPENSATION                                          APPELLEES
    BOARD
    OPINION
    AFFIRMING IN PART
    AND REVERSING IN PART
    ** ** ** ** **
    BEFORE: THOMPSON, CHIEF JUDGE; CALDWELL AND GOODWINE,
    JUDGES.
    CALDWELL, JUDGE: Columbus Steel Erectors, Inc. (Columbus) petitions for
    review of an opinion of the Workers’ Compensation Board (the Board) affirming
    an award of benefits, but also remanding to the Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) to
    enter an amended order to resolve an alleged hip injury. We affirm the Board’s
    affirmation of the award, but we reverse its remand concerning hip issues. The
    Board should have simply affirmed the ALJ’s decision. The ALJ’s decision must
    be reinstated.
    FACTS
    George Marshall (Marshall) filed a claim alleging work-related injury
    to various body parts stemming from a fall on or about February 11, 2020.
    Following the presentation of evidence, the ALJ determined that Marshall was
    entitled to permanent partial disability (PPD) income benefits and medical benefits
    for right elbow/wrist, and low back injuries1 in an April 2022 Opinion, Order, and
    Award (ALJ decision).
    Among the medical evidence considered by the ALJ were reports by
    Dr. Ellen Ballard and Dr. Jeffrey Fadel. The ALJ found Dr. Fadel’s opinion more
    persuasive than that of Dr. Ballard. Unlike Dr. Fadel, Dr. Ballad concluded there
    was no permanent impairment from any work-related injury.
    Columbus filed a petition for reconsideration, arguing that Dr. Fadel’s
    impairment ratings for the elbow and low back were problematic and should be
    disregarded. Marshall filed a response to Columbus’ petition. But Marshall did
    1
    The ALJ also awarded Marshall temporary total disability (TTD) benefits for the period
    between the February 2020 work injury and June 17, 2021.
    -2-
    not file a petition for reconsideration himself. The ALJ denied Columbus’ petition
    for reconsideration, noting his limited scope of authority on reconsideration. See
    KRS2 342.281 (“The administrative law judge shall be limited in the review to the
    correction of errors patently appearing upon the face of the award, order, or
    decision” when faced with a petition for reconsideration.).
    Columbus filed an appeal with the Board. The Board affirmed the
    ALJ’s decision. But it also remanded to the ALJ to enter an amended order to
    resolve Marshall’s allegation of a work-related right hip injury which, in the
    Board’s view, was noted in ALJ’s decision but not fully resolved by it.
    Columbus filed a petition for our review of the Board’s opinion. It
    contends this Court should reverse the Board’s affirmation of the ALJ’s decision
    and remand to the ALJ to enter an order adopting a 0% impairment rating based on
    Dr. Ballard’s report. It also argues that the Board erred in remanding to the ALJ to
    resolve hip injury issues not raised upon reconsideration to the ALJ or upon appeal
    to the Board. Further facts will be discussed as we consider these arguments.
    ANALYSIS
    Standard of Review
    “This Court’s standard of review in workers’ compensation appeals is
    well-settled in the Commonwealth.” Roberts v. Commonwealth Dodge, 644
    2
    Kentucky Revised Statutes.
    -3-
    S.W.3d 543, 544 (Ky. App. 2022). Our task is to review the Board’s opinions and
    “to correct the Board only where [the] Court perceives the Board has overlooked or
    misconstrued controlling statutes or precedent, or committed an error in assessing
    the evidence so flagrant as to cause gross injustice.” Id. (quoting Western Baptist
    Hosp. v. Kelly, 
    827 S.W.2d 685
    , 687-88 (Ky. 1992)).
    Columbus’ petition for review first challenges the Board’s affirmance
    of the ALJ’s award of PPD benefits.3 The amount of PPD benefits is calculated
    based on factors including “the permanent impairment rating caused by the
    injury[.]” KRS 342.730(1)(b). Permanent impairment rating means “percentage
    of whole body impairment caused by the injury or occupational disease as
    determined by the [American Medical Association] Guides to the Evaluation of
    Permanent Impairment[.]” KRS 342.0011(35) (internal quotation marks omitted).
    I.     No Reversible Error in Board’s Affirming ALJ’s Award of PPD
    Which Was Based on Dr. Fadel’s Opinion
    Columbus first argues that the Board erred in affirming the ALJ’s
    award of PPD benefits because, in its view, the ALJ improperly relied on Dr.
    Fadel’s opinion rather than Dr. Ballard’s opinion in determining Marshall’s
    permanent impairment rating.
    3
    The petition for review does not clearly and explicitly raise any issues challenging the Board’s
    affirmance of the ALJ’s award of temporary total disability benefits or medical expenses.
    -4-
    Dr. Fadel conducted an independent medical examination (IME) of
    Marshall on June 17, 2021. Dr. Fadel made the following statement about the low
    back condition:
    The lumbar spine pathology found with digital imaging
    will also be rated at this time, despite the fact that
    injection therapy has not been completed and therefore,
    in my view, MMI [maximum medical improvement] in
    its regard has yet to be met. This is being calculated at
    this examination assuming that no further treatment is
    anticipated.
    (Administrative Record (AR), p. 199.) Fadel also stated in his conclusions and
    recommendations: “Mr. Marshall has reached maximum medical improvement as
    of this examination, again if no further treatment is anticipated.” (AR, p. 200).
    Columbus contends the ALJ improperly relied on Dr. Fadel’s
    assessment of impairment from the low back condition since Dr. Fadel issued a
    conditional impairment rating for the low back that was not based on Marshall
    being at MMI. And it further asserts that all conditions from a work injury must be
    at MMI for a physician’s whole person impairment rating to be valid.
    Columbus points out that Dr. Fadel’s impairment rating related to the
    low back is based on Marshall’s condition at the time of examination. And
    according to Columbus, Dr. Fadel stated that further improvement could be
    expected if Marshall received injection therapy.
    -5-
    According to the summary of evidence in the ALJ decision, Dr. Fadel
    “stated injection therapy has yet to be completed for the lumbar spine and MMI
    had not yet been met. A lumbar impairment would be given on the assumption
    that no further treatment was anticipated.” The ALJ also noted in findings of fact
    and conclusions of law that two years had passed since the accident, and that
    Columbus refused to pay for treatment for Marshall’s low back.
    The ALJ emphasized Dr. Fadel’s statement opining Marshall was at
    MMI if no additional treatment would be provided. And based on Columbus’
    refusal to authorize the injection therapy, the ALJ deemed it appropriate to infer or
    assume that Marshall was at MMI for his low back condition. The ALJ also cited
    authority indicating that a need for additional treatment did not necessarily
    preclude a finding of MMI. See Miller v. Go Hire Employment Development, Inc.,
    
    473 S.W.3d 621
    , 632 (Ky. App. 2015); Tokico (USA), Inc. v. Kelly, 
    281 S.W.3d 771
    , 776 (Ky. 2009).
    In taking note of Dr. Fadel’s statements about whether Marshall was
    at MMI, the ALJ perhaps recognized that Dr. Fadel’s report may in some ways
    appear internally inconsistent on this issue. An ALJ has the sole discretion to
    resolve conflicts in the evidence and to draw reasonable inferences from the
    evidence and to believe or reject parts of the evidence regardless of whether it
    comes from the same witness. Miller, 
    473 S.W.3d at 629
    .
    -6-
    The Board may not substitute its judgment for that of the ALJ on the
    weighing of the evidence. But it does conduct a limited review to determine if
    findings are supported by substantial evidence or if the ALJ’s decision should be
    disturbed as clearly erroneous, an abuse of discretion, outside the ALJ’s powers, or
    resulting from fraud or lack of compliance with KRS Chapter 342’s requirements.
    Dreisbach Wholesale Florists, Inc. v. Leitner, 
    655 S.W.3d 763
    , 767 (Ky. App.
    2022) (citing KRS 342.285(2); Western Baptist, 827 S.W.2d at 687).
    In affirming the ALJ, the Board noted similarities between the present
    case and Miller, 
    473 S.W.3d at 621
    . Specifically, the doctor’s opinions relied on
    by the ALJ in both cases contained similar language – stating a condition was at
    MMI assuming no further treatment would be provided. See 
    id. at 626
    . So, as in
    Miller, the Board concluded the ALJ could reasonably infer that Marshall was at
    MMI because he had not received the treatment upon which the physician’s
    opinion was contingent. See 
    id. at 633
    . Deferring to the ALJ’s authority to weigh
    the evidence, the Board’s opinion also concluded that the ALJ provided an
    “adequate rationale” and that Dr. Fadel’s impairment rating complied with AMA
    guidelines.
    The Board rejected Columbus’ argument that this case is
    distinguishable based on “certainty” in Dr. Fadel’s opinion about Marshall’s low
    back condition not being at MMI. Instead, the Board construed Dr. Fadel’s
    -7-
    opinion regarding whether the low back condition was at MMI as “fully
    contingent” on receiving treatment which Marshall did not receive (the injection
    therapy). And the Board concluded similar inferences could be made in this case
    as in Miller and Tokico and that both those cited cases supported the ALJ’s
    reliance on Dr. Fadel’s low back impairment rating.
    Columbus contends that the Board misconstrued Miller and Tokico
    and points out both cases quoted W.L. Harper Construction Co. v. Baker, 
    858 S.W.2d 202
    , 204 (Ky. App. 1993) (involving issues about temporary total
    disability under former statutes).4 Columbus argues that Baker distinguishes
    between future treatment that would improve a medical condition and future
    treatment needed only for symptom maintenance such as pain medicine or physical
    therapy. It also argues that despite the Board’s noting the ALJ did not rely on
    Baker, the Board failed to fully analyze Baker or the context of precedent. And it
    alludes to Baker’s statement that “just because some treatment is still necessary,
    such as drug treatment or physical therapy, does not preclude a finding that the
    condition is stabilized if the underlying condition causing the disability has become
    stable and no additional treatment will improve the condition.” 
    Id.
    4
    As noted by our Supreme Court in an unpublished opinion, KRS Chapter 342 did not define the
    term temporary total disability or TTD at the time Baker was rendered, but such a definition was
    later provided under the 1996 amendments to KRS Chapter 342 and included a requirement that
    the claimant had not reached MMI. Sights Denim Systems v. Debortoli, No. 2003-SC-0239-WC,
    
    2004 WL 868588
    , at *3-4 (Ky. Apr. 22, 2004).
    -8-
    In its petition for review, Columbus asserts that the Board’s opinion
    failed to take note that the physician opinion at issue in Miller “could be construed
    by the ALJ to be referencing only maintenance treatment instead of treatment that
    would improve the claimant’s condition.” Furthermore, it argues that Miller is
    distinguishable because the physician opinion at issue there alluded only to
    unspecified treatment – which might have only included pain medicine – rather
    than the specific treatment recommended by Dr. Fadel here (injection therapy).
    And it argues that Miller does not indicate physicians could assign impairment
    ratings when additional treatment would improve the claimant’s condition.
    But Columbus fails to point to any actual language in Dr. Fadel’s
    report stating that injection therapy would actually improve the low back
    condition, such as repairing the herniated disc which Dr. Fadel found to exist. And
    perhaps Dr. Fadel’s report could be reasonably construed as indicating that the
    injection therapy was for pain or symptom management rather than actually
    changing a medical condition. For example, Dr. Fadel’s report takes note injection
    therapy was recommended by a pain management physician and would be
    administered by an interventional pain management physician.
    We recognize that the ALJ and Board may not have explicitly
    discussed whether the injection therapy appeared to be merely for pain and
    symptom management in the manner we have discussed. Nonetheless, this factor
    -9-
    indicates to us that the Board’s assessment of the evidence as supporting the ALJ’s
    reliance on Dr. Fadel’s report does not amount to flagrant error resulting in gross
    injustice. See Roberts, 644 S.W.3d at 544.
    Furthermore, contrary to Columbus’ arguments, we do not perceive
    that the Board ignored or misconstrued controlling authority. See id. Despite
    Columbus’ arguments that the dissent in Miller advocates for a better approach,5 a
    dissenting opinion is not binding authority. And despite any faults Columbus finds
    with the majority opinion in Miller, Miller states a principle recognized in
    precedent from our Supreme Court – which we lack authority to overrule under
    SCR6 1.030(8)(a). 
    473 S.W.3d at 632
     (“The need for additional treatment does not
    preclude a finding that a worker is at MMI.”) (quoting Tokico, 281 S.W.3d at 776).
    5
    Judge Kramer’s dissent asserted that whether a claimant had reached MMI did not depend on
    whether the employer had volunteered to pay for treatment which would improve a medical
    condition and that it was improper to rely on a physician’s conditional impairment rating. And
    the dissent further stated:
    If Miller wished to obligate her employer to pay for the medical treatment she
    needed in order to reach MMI and secure a valid WPI rating for the purpose of
    receiving PPD, her proper course of action would have been to have sought an
    interlocutory determination of her employer’s liability and an interlocutory award
    of medical benefits. If successful, she could have then held her claim in abeyance
    until she achieved MMI. But having submitted her claim for final adjudication
    based solely upon Dr. Hughes’ invalid WPI rating, her evidence, such as it was,
    simply could not have supported an award of PPD.
    Miller, 
    473 S.W.3d at 636
     (Kramer, J., dissenting) (citation omitted).
    6
    Rules of the Supreme Court.
    -10-
    (Miller also notes that Tokico cited Baker, 
    858 S.W.2d at
    204 for the quoted
    statement. See 
    473 S.W.3d at 632
    .)
    Despite any factual distinctions with the case at hand (such as the
    claimant in Tokico actually receiving the recommended treatment), our Supreme
    Court expressly stated in Tokico that the need for further treatment did not preclude
    a finding of MMI. 281 S.W.3d at 776. And it affirmed the Board’s affirmance of
    the ALJ’s resolution of conflicting medical evidence as it rejected arguments that
    the ALJ was compelled to believe one physician over another. Id. Likewise, the
    Board here properly affirmed the ALJ’s resolution of conflicting medical evidence
    – including possible inconsistencies in the language of Dr. Fadel’s report.
    In sum, the Board properly deferred to the ALJ’s weighing of
    conflicting medical evidence and there is no reason for us to correct its affirmation
    of the ALJ’s award of PPD benefits based on Dr. Fadel’s report. However, we
    agree with Columbus that the remand to resolve hip injury issues must be reversed.
    II.    Remand to Discuss Hip Issues Must be Reversed
    Columbus points out Marshall did not preserve any issues about an
    alleged hip injury through filing a petition for reconsideration, appeal or cross-
    appeal. It also argues the Board erred in sua sponte remanding for resolution of an
    unpreserved issue of fact. And it contends the ALJ’s “stated considerations
    regarding Dr. Freedberg ruling out a right hip injury are sufficient to dispense with
    -11-
    that aspect of the claim in any event.” Marshall does not substantively respond to
    these arguments about the alleged impropriety of the remand in his brief, although
    he generally urges this Court to affirm the Board’s opinion and remand for further
    proceedings.
    Though we need not resolve whether the Board may ever properly
    remand for further findings on issues not raised by parties on reconsideration or
    appeal,7 here we agree with Columbus. The remand for further discussion of hip
    issues was improper and must be reversed based on the record and applicable law.
    7
    Kentucky appellate precedent concerning whether one must file a petition for reconsideration
    of initial decisions in Workers’ Compensation cases to preserve certain types of errors for appeal
    has changed over the years in response to amendments to KRS 342.281 as described by our
    Supreme Court:
    In Eaton Axle Corp. v. Nally, Ky., 
    688 S.W.2d 334
     (1985), and in Osborne
    v. Pepsi Cola, Ky., 
    816 S.W.2d 643
     (1991), we held that patent errors in an ALJ’s
    opinion and award are unpreserved for appeal if not asserted in a petition for
    reconsideration. However, those cases involved errors of fact, not law, and turned
    on the language of KRS 342.285(1), viz:
    An award or order of the administrative law judge as
    provided in KRS 342.275, if petition for reconsideration is not
    filed as provided for in KRS 342.281, shall be conclusive and
    binding as to all questions of fact.
    The error in Eaton Axle was the Board’s failure to make findings of fact
    with respect to the issue of notice. Eaton Axle, 
    688 S.W.2d at 337
    . The error in
    Osborne was the ALJ’s finding that the injury was not work related despite a
    stipulation by the parties to the contrary. Osborne, 
    816 S.W.2d at 644
    .
    Smith v. Dixie Fuel Co., Ky., 
    900 S.W.2d 609
     (1995), suggested that
    Eaton Axle and Osborne might apply to an erroneous calculation of an award as
    occurred here. 
    Id. at 610
    . However, Dixie Fuel turned on a 1994 amendment of
    KRS 342.281 that added the following sentence: “The failure to file a petition for
    reconsideration shall not preclude an appeal on any issue.” 1994 Ky. Acts, ch.
    -12-
    KRS 342.285(1) states the ALJ’s factual findings are “conclusive and
    binding” unless a petition for reconsideration is filed.
    KRS 342.285(2) provides the Board shall not substitute its judgment
    on the ALJ’s weighing of evidence on factual issues but shall conduct a limited
    review to decide whether the ALJ’s decision must be disturbed based on specific
    grounds including acting outside the ALJ’s authority, fraud, lack of compliance
    with KRS Chapter 342, clear error based on the evidence in the record, or abuse of
    discretion.
    KRS 342.285(3) provides the Board shall “enter its decision
    affirming, modifying, or setting aside the order, decision, or award, or in its
    discretion remanding the claim to the administrative law judge for further
    181, Part 14, § 75. That sentence was deleted after Dixie Fuel was rendered. 1996
    Ky. Acts (1st Ex.Sess.), ch. 1, § 14. Thus, Dixie Fuel cannot be cited for the
    proposition that a patent error of law not presented in a petition for
    reconsideration is unpreserved for appellate review.
    Brown v. Cabinet for Families and Children, No. 2003-SC-0449-WC, 
    2004 WL 2913233
    , at *2-
    3 (Ky. Dec. 16, 2004).
    We recognize this unpublished opinion is not binding authority. See Kentucky Rules of
    Appellate Procedure (RAP) 41(A); former Kentucky Rules of Civil Procedure (CR) 76.28(4)(c).
    However, our Supreme Court’s summary of prior changes in precedent and in KRS 342.281 in
    Brown is accurate and does not appear to have been duplicated in published precedent.
    The current version of KRS 342.281 does not explicitly state whether the failure to file a
    petition for reconsideration precludes appeal on any issues.
    -13-
    proceedings in conformity with the direction of the board.” (Emphasis added.)
    Alternatively, “the board may, before decision and upon a sufficient showing of
    fact, remand the claim to the administrative law judge.” KRS 342.285(3).
    (Emphasis added.)
    Obviously, some degree of discretion in the Board’s power to remand
    is explicitly recognized in KRS 342.285(3). But our Supreme Court has
    recognized that the Board’s discretion to remand is not unlimited:
    If the ALJ has made all necessary findings to resolve the
    issue at hand and the Board has erred in remanding for
    additional, unneeded findings that would be of no
    additional value in resolving the issues in the case, if for
    no other reason than judicial economy alone, that
    decision, just as any other, is subject to review and
    reversal by the appellate courts.
    Tryon Trucking, Inc. v. Medlin, 
    586 S.W.3d 233
    , 238 (Ky. 2019).
    “[T]he Board should have wide latitude and deference in whether to
    remand a particular issue to the ALJ for additional findings and analysis” but the
    Board does not have “absolute discretion” to remand. 
    Id.
     So, like other workers’
    compensation issues, a reviewing court must “assess the Board’s decision to
    remand based upon whether it has ‘overlooked or misconstrued controlling statutes
    or precedent, or committed an error in assessing the evidence so flagrant as to
    cause gross injustice.’” 
    Id.
     (quoting Western Baptist, 827 S.W.2d at 687-88).
    -14-
    Under the circumstances presented here, we conclude that the Board
    overlooked or misconstrued controlling authority in ordering the remand for
    further findings on an issue not raised in reconsideration proceedings or on appeal.
    Furthermore, the Board remanded for further findings which were unnecessary for
    resolving the issues before it. Thus, we must correct the Board by reversing the
    remand for further discussion of hip issues. See Medlin, 586 S.W.3d at 238.
    Any issues about the existence or extent of a work-related hip injury
    appear to be primarily factual issues. And clearly the Board remanded to the ALJ
    to issue an amended order based on the Board’s sua sponte determination that the
    ALJ had failed to make essential findings concerning the existence or extent of any
    work-related hip injury.
    Though one does not have to file a petition for reconsideration to
    preserve issues of law,8 any failure to make essential findings on a factual issue is a
    patent error and must be brought to the ALJ’s attention through a petition for
    reconsideration to properly preserve this issue. See Anderson v. Mountain
    Comprehensive Health Corporation, 
    628 S.W.3d 10
    , 16-17 (Ky. 2021)
    (recognizing that a “petition for reconsideration is required where the ALJ fails to
    8
    “Pursuant to our interpretation of KRS 342.285 and the plain language contained therein,
    issues regarding questions of law need not be preserved pursuant to a petition for
    reconsideration, but rather, may be appealed directly to the Board.” Brasch-Barry General
    Contractors v. Jones, 
    175 S.W.3d 81
    , 83 (Ky. 2005).
    -15-
    make an essential finding of fact, and in such reconsideration, the ALJ is limited to
    review of errors patently appearing upon the face of the award, order, or decision”
    though determining that the ALJ had not failed to make essential findings of fact in
    that case and that the alleged error was not patently obvious based on the record).
    See also Wilkerson v. Kimball International, Inc., 
    585 S.W.3d 231
    , 236-37 (Ky.
    2019).
    To the extent that the ALJ’s discussion of hip issues did not provide
    essential findings of fact, we agree with Columbus that this issue was not
    preserved since Marshall did not file a petition for reconsideration. And as
    Columbus alternatively argues, the ALJ’s discussion of hip issues – albeit limited –
    could also be construed as finding no work-related hip injury based on the medical
    evidence. Marshall does not explicitly dispute this in his brief.
    The ALJ’s summary of evidence discussed medical evidence noting
    complaints of hip pain and diagnostics conducted on Marshall’s hips. For
    example, the ALJ took note of Marshall’s reporting a right hip injury to Dr.
    Freedberg and Dr. Freedberg initially diagnosing a sprain or strain to the hip
    pending further testing. The ALJ also noted Dr. Freedberg’s finding no acute
    pathology in a hip MRI9 though Dr. Freedberg checked yes in response to a
    question on a form regarding whether Marshall suffered a right hip strain/sprain.
    9
    Magnetic resonance imaging.
    -16-
    And the ALJ noted Dr. Fadel diagnosed Marshall as suffering from hip pain, but
    Dr. Fadel also opined that “Marshall’s right hip pain was a result of referred pain
    from the back, and was not ratable.”
    The ALJ did not assess any impairment ratings related to Marshall’s
    hip, but he had previously noted Dr. Fadel did not consider any hip injury ratable
    in the summary of evidence. The ALJ also did not expressly state whether
    Marshall was entitled to medical benefits for any hip injury. There was no separate
    heading in the ALJ’s findings of fact and conclusions of law about hip injury
    issues – although hip issues were briefly discussed in analysis of low back issues.
    In the findings of fact and conclusions of law about the low back
    injury, the ALJ noted: “Dr. Freedberg’s notes demonstrate that he suspected and
    investigated a hip injury as the reason for Mr. Marshall’s right groin and thigh
    pain, but ruled it out after he prescribed an MRI and injections.” He further found
    that Dr. Freedberg’s records and report supported Dr. Fadel’s opinion about the
    low back injury.
    Ultimately, the ALJ stated he relied on Dr. Fadel’s testimony to find a
    14% impairment to the body as a whole resulting from right elbow and low back
    injuries – thus implicitly also relying on Dr. Fadel’s not finding a ratable
    impairment from a hip injury. But the ALJ did not expressly find whether there
    was a work-related hip injury and if so, whether such injury was permanent.
    -17-
    In contrast, the ALJ expressly found there was a work-related neck
    injury but that it was temporary and was resolved by the date of Dr. Fadel’s IME
    (June 17, 2021) – thus resulting in no permanent impairment. Additionally, the
    ALJ separately found work-related injuries to Marshall’s right elbow/wrist and
    lower back and assessed permanent impairment ratings for these injuries.
    Despite the less detailed discussion of hip issues than other bodily
    conditions, the ALJ’s decision as a whole indicates the ALJ found no work-related
    hip injury based on the medical evidence including Dr. Fadel’s and Dr.
    Freedberg’s opinions. And clearly, the ALJ’s decision found no permanent
    impairment resulting from a work-related hip injury. So, we question the need to
    remand for further findings to resolve allegations of a hip injury.
    In sum, the ALJ either failed to make essential findings of fact which
    Marshall was required to raise in a petition for reconsideration to obtain further
    relief on hip issues or the ALJ essentially found no work-related hip injury – a
    finding which Marshall did not challenge by appeal to the Board. Either way, the
    Board’s remand for further discussion of hip issues was improper and must be
    reversed with directions to reinstate the ALJ’s decision.
    Further issues raised in the briefs which are not discussed herein have
    been determined to lack merit or relevancy to our resolution of petition for review.
    -18-
    CONCLUSION
    For the reasons stated herein, we AFFIRM that part of the Board’s
    opinion affirming the ALJ’s decision to award Marshall benefits, but we
    REVERSE that part of the Board’s opinion remanding for further discussion of hip
    injury issues and REINSTATE the ALJ’s Opinion, Award, and Order as entered in
    April 2022.
    ALL CONCUR.
    BRIEF FOR APPELLANT:                      BRIEF FOR APPELLEE:
    Jeremy N. Faulk                           Haley S. Stamm
    Louisville, Kentucky                      Fort Mitchell, Kentucky
    -19-