Javier v. Goldcoast, Inc.

WIGGINTON, Judge.

Appellant appeals that portion of the deputy commissioner’s order apportioning out 50 percent of appellant’s permanent total disability award due to a preexisting impairment. We reverse.

On March 23, 1984, the approximately 43-year-old appellant suffered an indisputably compensable heart attack at work, leaving him with a guarded prognosis and a five- to seven-year life expectancy. According to the medical evidence at the time of his heart attack, he suffered two preexisting conditions: arteriosclerotic coronary artery disease, which results in a 75 percent medical impairment…