Matthew Long v. Director, Office of Workers' Compensation Programs Seatrain Lines and Royal Globe Insurance Company

Matthew Long appeals from the decision of the Benefits Review Board (Board) which affirmed the order of the Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) denying his claim for worker’s compensation benefits under section 8(c)(2) and section 8(c)(19) of the Longshoremen and Harbor Worker’s Compensation Act (LHWCA), 33 U.S.C. §§ 908 (c)(2), (19) (1982).

I

FACTUAL BACKGROUND

On October 24, 1973, Long sustained an injury to his back while working for his employer, Seatrain Lines. The injury was diagnosed by his treating physician as a low back strain, acute with sciatic irritation. He aggravated his back condition at work on two subsequent occasions. On August 22, 1975, he experienced acute low back pain extending into his left leg while bending over to pick up an alternator. On April 29, 1976, he experienced left low back pain as he arose from a desk. As a result of this incident, Long experienced a numbness in his left leg and foot.

Long filed a claim for worker’s compensation benefits based on the condition of his left leg under 33 U.S.C. §§ 908 (c)(2) and 908(c)(19) and for the disability resulting from the back injury under section 908(c)(21). The AU denied Long’s claim for compensation…