Clemente v. Schweiker
The plaintiff initiated an action under 42 U.S.C. § 405 to appeal a final decision by the defendant, which had denied his application for a period of disability and disability insurance benefits. An Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) previously concluded in May 1982 that the 62-year-old plaintiff, a longshoreman suffering from chronic bronchitis, emphysema, arthritis, and other severe conditions, was not disabled, deeming his impairments mild and resulting from the aging process. The District Judge found that the ALJ had misapplied 20 C.F.R. § 404.1521 by focusing on the plaintiff's ability to perform 'most jobs' rather than assessing whether his impairments significantly limited his ability to perform 'basic work activities,' such as lifting. Medical reports from treating physician Dr. Harold Coppersmith and consulting neurologist Dr. Stephen Gilbert consistently indicated the plaintiff's inability to perform heavy work and, in Dr. Gilbert's opinion, rendered him totally disabled due to conditions like cervical spondylosis, labyrinthine disturbance, and cervical radiculitis. Consequently, the case was remanded for further proceedings within 120 days, instructing the ALJ to properly consider the plaintiff's residual functional capacity, age, education, and past work experience as required by law.