6/5/2020
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indicate that when private respondent was given medical attention at the
Philippine General Hospital, he consistently complained of back pains as
shown in the Clinical Abstract and Discharge Summary. Thereafter, he was
finally diagnosed with "ISCHEMIC HEART DISEASE; CORONARY ARTERY
DISEASE, 3 VESSEL CAD." We also note that Dr. Efren Vicaldo is a
Cardiologist at the Philippine Heart Center. Therefore, Dr. Vicaldo's diagnosis
and assessment should be given credence.
xxxx
Thus, We see no reason to disturb the NLRC's findings and conclusion on this
point xxx
xxxx
The POEA SEC provides a Schedule of Disability or Impediment for Injuries
Suffered and Diseases Including Occupational Diseases or Illness
Contracted. Here, private respondent has been diagnosed to be suffering
from the "Hypertensive Cardiovascular Disease, Coronary Artery Disease;
S/P percutaneous coronary intervention." Cardiovascular diseases are
classes of diseases that involve the heart and blood vessels (arteries and
veins). The term cardiovascular diseases must be understood not only in its
generic form but also in its plural sense, x x x
Corollarily, cardiovascular disease is listed as an occupational disease under
the POEA SEC. xxx
xxxx
It is sufficient that the foregoing elements be established by substantial
evidence or such relevant evidence as a reasonable mind to accept [sic] as
adequate to justify a conclusion. In this case, private respondent's medical
history and condition was well-documented. When private respondent
consulted the ship doctor, [Dr.] Lana Strydom, he had been complaining of
back pain post lifting and bending and was diagnosed of Mechanical Lower
Back Pain with Muscle Spasm. He then had a blood pressure of 177/119.
After being repatriated xxx, Dr. Eduardo Buan found that private respondent
was suffering [from] Coronary Artery Disease, Three-Vesel Involvement.
Thereafter, private respondent underwent Percutaneous Transcoronary
Angioplasty at the Philippine General Hospital. Obviously, these signs and
symptoms did not develop overnight.
The significance of the Medical Referral Letter, Clinical Abstract and
Discharge Summary cannot be overemphasized. They confirmed that private
respondent began to experience the signs and symptoms of hypertensive
cardiovascular disease such as back pains and fatigue which persisted when
subjected to stress at work until he underwent angioplasty. It is undisputed
that private respondent was deployed with petitioners for more than twelve
(12) years. Given the arduous nature of his job, it must have at least
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10/20