Lee v. Freightliner Corp.

Claimant seeks review of an order of the Workers’ Compensation Board which reversed the referee’s award of permanent total disability and awarded him 55 percent unscheduled disability of the low back. We review de novo and reverse.

Claimant is 62 years old, obese and has a tenth-grade education. He worked for 30 years as a cook before going to work for employer, where he was a janitor, a molder and, finally, a rinse/paint box operator. While working there, he suffered two compensable acute lumbar strains. The first occurred in June, 1979, resulting in a 10 percent unscheduled disability award.…