Cynthia A. Gilbert v. Frank Bisignano, Commissioner of Social Security

Summary

The United States District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania reviewed the Commissioner of Social Security’s denial of Cynthia A. Gilbert’s claim for disability insurance benefits. The court held that the administrative law judge’s residual functional capacity determination was supported by substantial evidence and affirmed the Commissioner’s decision.

Holdings

1. The ALJ's residual-functional-capacity determination was supported by substantial evidence and was reached through a correct application of the governing law.
2. The ALJ was not required to include the claimant's preferred limitations concerning being off task, unscheduled breaks, or absenteeism because the record supported the restrictions imposed in the RFC.
3. The ALJ did not err by declining to include additional exertional limitations for COPD, congestive heart failure, back pain, hip pain, knee pain, insomnia, panic disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, or fatigue because the claimant identified no functional limitations attributable to those conditions during the relevant period.

Questions Presented

1. Whether the ALJ's residual-functional-capacity determination was supported by substantial evidence.
2. Whether the ALJ was required to include additional limitations for impairments found severe, including major depressive disorder and generalized anxiety disorder.
3. Whether the ALJ failed to account for alleged insomnia, panic disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, fatigue, back pain, hip pain, right knee pain, congestive heart failure, and COPD during the relevant period.

Disposition

affirmed