Judy Scheer v. Frank J. Bisignano, Commissioner of the Social Security Administration

Summary

The United States District Court for the Eastern District of Missouri reviewed the Commissioner of Social Security’s denial of Judy Scheer’s applications for Disability Insurance Benefits and Supplemental Security Income. The court held that the Administrative Law Judge’s assessment of the severity of Scheer’s mental impairments and the persuasiveness of Dr. Spencer’s opinion was supported by substantial evidence. The court affirmed the Commissioner’s decision and ordered that a separate judgment accompany the memorandum and order.

Holdings

1. The ALJ properly evaluated Dr. Spencer's opinion by addressing its supportability and consistency with the examination findings and the record as a whole.
2. The Commissioner's decision must be affirmed because the ALJ's findings were supported by substantial evidence on the record as a whole, even though the evidence might have supported a contrary conclusion.

Questions Presented

1. Whether the ALJ properly evaluated Dr. Spencer's medical opinion concerning the severity of Scheer's mental impairments under 20 C.F.R. § 404.1520c.
2. Whether substantial evidence supported the ALJ's findings that Scheer's mental impairments caused only mild limitations and were non-severe.
3. Whether the Commissioner's denial of DIB and SSI should be affirmed.

Disposition

affirmed