Stigall v. Anchorage Municipality Police & Fire Retirement Board

OPINION

RABINOWITZ, Chief Justice.

INTRODUCTION

Appellant Gary Stigall was hired as a firefighter by the Greater Anchorage Area Borough in December, 1971. Prior to his employment as a firefighter, Stigall had suffered a hearing loss while serving in the military. He received a permanent disability benefit for his injury. Stigall’s hearing ability neither worsened nor improved during his tenure as a firefighter. His job performance was consistently rated as good to excellent throughout his tenure.

Stigall filed a claim for permanent nonoccupational disability benefits in November, 1980. 1 He…