Mr. Fuchs

The worker, a roofer for 34 years, objected to a decision denying initial entitlement for a gradual onset disablement injury to his low back.

The worker argued that his heavy physical work significantly contributed to his multi-level lumbar degeneration, relying on medical and ergonomic opinions from OHCOW.

The Appeals Resolution Officer denied the appeal, finding insufficient evidence that the worker's duties accelerated or aggravated his degenerative changes.

The Officer noted that emerging scientific evidence suggests such changes are primarily genetic, and attributed the worker's ongoing back pain to non-compensable left hip arthritis.