High Court: Substantial Evidence Supported PTD Award under Odd-Lot Doctrine

The Iowa Supreme Court on Friday reinstated an award of permanent total disability benefits to a 54-year-old welder with a chronic lung condition based on the odd-lot doctrine, continuing a trend in finding substantial evidence to support the decisions of the state Workers' Compensation Commission. While the evidence indicated that Deborah Frank had the ability to undertake some chores around her house and take care of her goats, the court said substantial evidence still supported the commission's finding that Frank was basically unemployable due to her limited vocational sk...