Curtis B. v. Frank Bisignano, Commissioner of Social Security

Summary

The United States District Court for the District of Utah reviewed a Social Security Administration decision denying Curtis B.'s applications for disability insurance benefits and supplemental security income. The court held that the ALJ's residual functional capacity determination and evaluation of medical opinions were supported by substantial evidence and affirmed the Commissioner's decision.

Holdings

1. The ALJ's determination that Plaintiff could perform medium work with specified limitations was supported by substantial evidence.
2. The ALJ adequately evaluated PA Stirling's opinion and reasonably assigned it minimal weight because it was inconsistent with the overall record, including treatment records and examination findings.
3. Any error in the ALJ's treatment of Dr. Larsen's suggested limitations was harmless because those limitations did not necessarily conflict with the medium-work residual functional capacity or the occupations identified by the vocational expert.

Questions Presented

1. Whether the ALJ's determination that Plaintiff could perform medium work was supported by substantial evidence.
2. Whether the ALJ properly evaluated the opinion of physician assistant Todd Stirling.
3. Whether the ALJ properly evaluated Dr. Steven Larsen's suggested physical limitations and, if not, whether any error was harmless.

Disposition

affirmed