Dr. Filippone

The worker appealed a decision denying entitlement to bilateral adhesive otitis media as a recurrence of a 1983 workplace injury (right ear barotrauma).

The worker argued the condition was caused by repeated barotrauma exposures from mine cage descents.

The Appeals Resolution Officer found the bilateral condition was not medically compatible with the original unilateral injury.

Relying on contemporaneous medical reports indicating the worker had bilateral ear problems since childhood, the Officer concluded the condition was unrelated to the compensable event and dismissed the appeal.