In Brief
A seaman joined a foreign-going vessel but was discharged after nine months, deemed medically unfit for sea service due to Dilated Cardiomyopathy (heart condition). He claimed 100% disability compensation under the National Maritime Board Agreement. The Supreme Court dismissed his appeal, holding that disability compensation requires an accidental injury suffered during employment. Since the seaman's heart condition did not result from an on-board injury and showed no causal connection to his brief maritime service, it did not qualify as a compensable injury. The Court also rejected reliance on disability legislation, finding heart ailments not covered by the statutory definition of disability. Only severance compensation applied."
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