A recurrence is not a new injury but merely another period of incapacitation resulting from a previous injury. Atkins Nursing Home v. Gray, 54 Ark. App. 125, 923 S.W.2d 897 (1996). A recurrence exists when the second complication is a natural and probable consequence of a prior injury. Weldon v. Pierce Bros. Constr., 54 Ark. App. 344, 925 S.W.2d 179 (1996). Only where it is found that a second episode has resulted from an independent intervening cause is liability imposed upon the second carrier.
In my opinion, Dr. Sharma lacks credibility. The Commission has a duty to translate the evidence on all the issues before it into findings of fact. Stone v. Dollar GeneralStores, 91 Ark. App. 260, 209 S.W.3d 445 (2005); Weldon v. Pierce Bros. Const. Co., 54 Ark. App. 344, 925 S.W.2d 179 (1996). Moreover, the Commission has the authority to resolve conflicting evidence and this extends to medical testimony.
The Commission has a duty to translate the evidence on all the issues before it into findings of fact. Weldon v. Pierce Bros. Const. Co., 54 Ark. App. 344, 925 S.W.2d 179 (1996). Moreover, the Commission has the authority to resolve conflicting evidence and this extends to medical testimony. Foxx v. American Transp., 54 Ark. App. 115, 924 S.W.2d 814 (1996).
The Commission has a duty to translate the evidence on all the issues before it into findings of fact. Weldon v. Pierce Bros. Const. Co., 54 Ark. App. 344, 925 S.W.2d 179 (1996). Moreover, the Commission has the authority to resolve conflicting evidence and this extends to medical testimony. Foxx v. American Transp., 54 Ark. App. 115, 924 S.W.2d 814 (1996).
The Commission has a duty to translate the evidence on all the issues before it into findings of fact. Weldon v. Pierce Bros. Const. Co., 54 Ark. App. 344, 925 S.W.2d 179 (1996). Moreover, the Commission has the authority to resolve conflicting evidence and this extends to medical testimony. Foxx v. American Transp., 54 Ark. App. 115, 924 S.W.2d 814 (1996).
Further . . . while medical opinions are admissible and frequently helpful in workers' compensation cases, they are not conclusive.A.G. Weldon v. Pierce Brothers Construction, 54 Ark. App. 344, 925 S.W.2d 179 (1996). The Commission has the authority to accept or reject medical opinions, and its resolution of the medical evidence has the force and effect of a jury verdict.
He argues that the injury is either a recurrence of his 1996 compensable injury, an aggravation of the 1996 injury, or a new gradual onset injury. A recurrence is not a new injury but merely another period of incapacitation resulting from a previous injury. Atkins Nursing Home v. Gray, 54 Ark. App. 125, 923 S.W.2d 897 (1996). A recurrence exists when the second complication is a natural and probable consequence of a prior injury. Weldon v. Pierce Bros. Constr., 54 Ark. App. 344, 925 S.W.2d 179 (1996). The only evidence which Mr. Crudup presented concerning a causal connection between the 1996 ganglion cyst injury and the 1997 carpal tunnel syndrome was his own testimony that the two injuries caused pain in the same area of his wrist and that he had been to see the company nurse and complained about pain in his right wrist several times after the cyst removal surgery in 1996.
We do not agree. A recurrence exists when the second complication is a natural and probable consequence of the prior injury; it is not a new injury but merely another period of incapacitation resulting from a previous injury. Weldon v. Pierce Bros. Constr., 54 Ark. App. 344, 925 S.W.2d 179 (1996); Atkins Nursing Home v. Gary, 54 Ark. App. 125, 923 S.W.2d 897 (1996). An aggravation is a new injury resulting from an independent incident and, being a new injury with an independent cause, must meet the requirements for a compensable injury. Crudup v. Regal Ware, Inc., 341 Ark. 804, 20 S.W.3d 900 (2000).
Rather, appellant argues that it should not be responsible for appellee's injury because it was nothing more than a recurrence of his prior back injuries. [5] A recurrence exists when the second complication is a natural and probable consequence of a prior injury. Weldon v. Pierce Bros. Constr., 54 Ark. App. 344, 925 S.W.2d 179 (1996). In support of its argument, appellant points to appellee's numerous prior back injuries and argues that, contrary to his assertion, appellee had complained of additional back pain after August 19, 2002, because he filed an AR-C form on February 11, 2003, seeking additional medical expenses and benefits from Wal-Mart with regard to a compensable injury he suffered while employed there.
[2] In determining the sufficiency of the evidence to sustain the findings of the Commission, we review the evidence in the light most favorable to the Commission's findings and affirm if they are supported by substantial evidence. Weldon v. Pierce Bros. Constr., 54 Ark. App. 344, 925 S.W.2d 179 (1996). Substantial evidence is such relevant evidence as a reasonable mind might accept as adequate to support a conclusion.