Messmer v. Deluxe Cabinet Works

Claimant seeks review of an order of the Workers’ Compensation Board that upheld employer’s denial of his aggravation claim. We reverse.

In 1987, claimant injured his neck and right shoulder at work. Employer accepted the claim, which had been diagnosed as thoraco-cervical strain and myofascitis. The following month, claimant’s physician diagnosed degenerative disc disease in his neck. Employer neither accepted nor denied compensability of that disease, but authorized surgery for it, which was performed in 1988. In 1989, the claim was closed by determination order, which awarded permanent…