Billy Gibson v. Commissioner of Social Security

Summary

The United States District Court for the Eastern District of Tennessee reviews a Social Security disability determination under 42 U.S.C. § 405(g). The court concludes that substantial evidence supported the ALJ’s formulation of the claimant’s residual functional capacity and finding that he could perform medium work, and it denies relief and affirms the ALJ’s decision.

Holdings

1. The ALJ had sufficient evidence in the record to formulate Gibson's residual functional capacity and make the disability determination.
2. Substantial evidence supported the ALJ's determination that Gibson retained the ability to perform medium-exertion work.
3. The ALJ properly evaluated Gibson's reported symptoms under Social Security Ruling 16-3p and reasonably found that the symptoms were less limiting than alleged because Gibson's statements were inconsistent with the overall record.
4. The ALJ adequately acknowledged evidence that could support a more restrictive exertional limitation and explained why other evidence supported the conclusion that Gibson could perform medium work.

Questions Presented

1. Whether substantial evidence supported the ALJ's residual functional capacity determination that Gibson could perform medium-exertion work.
2. Whether the ALJ improperly evaluated Gibson's subjective symptom reports under Social Security Ruling 16-3p.
3. Whether the ALJ adequately explained the evidentiary basis for the residual functional capacity determination and built a logical bridge between the evidence and the conclusion.

Disposition

affirmed