Robert Leroy Butler v. Frank J. Bisignano, Commissioner of the Social Security Administration

Summary

The court reviewed a challenge to the Social Security Administration’s decision finding Robert Leroy Butler not disabled. Adopting the magistrate judge’s report and recommendation, the court concluded that the administrative law judge properly evaluated the medical-source opinions and the plaintiff’s obesity and that the decision was supported by substantial evidence. The Commissioner’s decision was affirmed.

Holdings

1. The Commissioner's decision finding plaintiff not disabled was supported by substantial evidence.
2. The reviewing court may not reweigh the evidence or substitute its own judgment for that of the administrative law judge.
3. The administrative law judge followed the proper legal disability framework throughout the five-step sequential evaluation process.

Questions Presented

1. Whether the Commissioner's finding that plaintiff was not disabled was supported by substantial evidence.
2. Whether the administrative law judge improperly evaluated the opinions of medical sources.
3. Whether the administrative law judge improperly considered plaintiff's obesity.
4. Whether the administrative law judge followed the proper five-step sequential disability-evaluation framework.

Disposition

affirmed