Case ID: f-appx_45/html/0198-01.html
Source: Caselaw Access Project
Author: {"author": "RENDELL, Circuit Judge.", "license": "Public Domain", "url": "https://static.case.law/"}
Date Created: 2024-08-24T03:29:51.129683

Maria A. CRUZ, Appellant, v. COMMISSIONER OF SOCIAL SECURITY.
    No. 02-1376.
    United States Court of Appeals, Third Circuit.
    Submitted July 30, 2002.
    Decided Aug. 15, 2002.
    Before BECKER, Chief Judge, ROTH and RENDELL, Circuit Judges.
   OPINION OF THE COURT

RENDELL, Circuit Judge.

Maria Cruz sought disability benefits in accordance with the Social Security Act, claiming that her epilepsy was severe enough to render her disabled. Ms. Cruz was formerly a fast-food worker and she last worked full-time in 1995.

The Administrative Law Judge (“ALJ”) determined that she was not disabled, and that the seizures she experienced were controlled when she adhered to her prescribed medication regimen. The District Court reviewed this case pursuant to 42 U.S.C. §§ 405(g) and 1383(c)(3), and we have jurisdiction on appeal pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1291.

We review the Commissioner’s decision to ensure that it is supported by “substantial evidence” which is “such relevant evidence as a reasonable mind might accept as adequate to support a conclusion.” Richardson v. Perales, 402 U.S. 389, 401, 91 S.Ct. 1420, 28 L.Ed.2d 842 (1971).

The ALJ considered that Ms. Cruz had seizures during her previous employment and still continued to work. Although the ALJ acknowledged that Ms. Cruz’s claimed impairment was “severe,” the ALJ also recognized that her epilepsy could be controlled adequately through the proper administration of medication and therefore should not limit her ability to work. The ALJ found no evidence that Ms. Cruz was required to operate any hazardous machinery or to work at unprotected heights in her job as a fast food worker. Ms. Cruz engaged in daily activities, completing basic household tasks such as cooking and cleaning in addition to taking care of her own child. The ALJ concluded that Ms. Cruz was capable of returning to a job similar to her past employment.

The District Court carefully reviewed the evidence in this case, as well as the ALJ’s opinion, and disposed of each of Ms. Cruz’s arguments in a detailed and thoughtful manner, and specifically concluded that the ALJ properly considered the state agency physician’s findings. We concur with the District Court that on the basis of substantial evidence in the record, the ALJ correctly determined that Ms. Cruz’s epilepsy was not severe enough to interfere with her ability to perform her past employment. Because we will affirm, we need not reach the Commissioner’s argument that the ALJ’s alternative fifth step finding is supported by substantial evidence.

Accordingly, we will affirm.