* This order and judgment is not binding precedent, e xcept under the

doctrines of law of the case, res judicata, and col lateral estoppel. The court generally disfavors the citation of orders and judg ments; nevertheless, an order and judgment may be cited under the terms and condi tions of 10th Cir. R. 36.3. 

## F I L E D United States Court of Appeals Tenth Circuit 

### DEC 2 1998 

### PATRICK FISHER Clerk UNITED STATES COURT OF APPEALS FOR THE TENTH CIRCUIT
BOBBY JOE FLANDERS,

Plaintiff-Appellant,
v. KENNETH S. APFEL, Commissioner of Social Security,

Defendant-Appellee. No. 97-2354 (D.C. No. CIV-96-1128-JP) (D. N.M.)

ORDER AND JUDGMENT *

Before PORFILIO , BARRETT , and KELLY , Circuit Judges.

After examining the briefs and appellate record, th is panel has determined unanimously to grant the parties’ request for a dec ision on the briefs without oral argument. See Fed. R. App. P. 34(f) and 10th Cir. R. 34.1.9. Th e case is therefore ordered submitted without oral argument.1 The parties proceeded before a magistrate judge. See 28 U.S.C. § 636. -2- Claimant Bobby Joe Flanders appeals the district court’s order 1 affirming the Commissioner’s decision to deny his applicationfor supplemental security income benefits. The Commissioner determined that claimant was not disabled within the meaning of the Social Security Act at st ep five of the sequential evaluation process, see Williams v. Bowen , 844 F.2d 748, 750-52 (10th Cir. 1988) (discussing five steps). On appeal, claimant conte nds (1) the Commissioner erred in relying on the Medical-Vocational Guidelines, 20 C.F.R. Pt. 404, Subpt. P, App. 2 (the grids), to determine he was not disable d, (2) the Commissioner failed to consider his impairments in combination, and (3) the Commissioner failed to develop the medical record. We affirm. We review the Commissioner’s decision to determine whether it is supported by substantial evidence and whether corre ct legal standards were applied. See Hawkins v. Chater , 113 F.3d 1162, 1164 (10th Cir. 1997). Substantial evidence is “‘such relevant evidence as a reasonable mind might accept as adequate to support a conclusion.’” Soli z v. Chater , 82 F.3d 373, 375 (10th Cir. 1996) (quoting Richardson v. Perales , 402 U.S. 389, 401 (1971) (further quotation omitted)). We may neither rewei gh the evidence nor substitute our judgment for that of the Commissioner. See Casias v. Secretary of Health & Human Servs. , 933 F.2d 799, 800 (10th Cir. 1991).-3-

Claimant first alleges his nonexertional impairment s of constant pain, side effects of medication, and depression precluded app lication of the grids. The ALJ found no objective medical evidence of a condition reasonably expected to cause disabling pain and noted that claimant had not soug ht treatment for severe pain. The ALJ also evaluated the side effects of claimant ’s medication on his residual functional capacity (RFC), noting that he had not c omplained to his physician about the side effects and concluding that they did not compromise his RFC. No objective evidence supports claimant’s allegation t hat he suffers from severe depression. Accordingly, because the ALJ determine d that claimant’s nonexertional impairments did not limit his abilityto work, application of the grids was proper. See Castellano v. Secretary of Health & Human Servs. , 26 F.3d 1027, 1030 (10th Cir. 1994) (affirming application of grids where ALJ rejected alleged nonexertional impairment). Claimant next asserts that the Commissioner failed to consider the combination of his impairments on his ability to wo rk. The ALJ specifically stated that claimant “has experienced work-related limitations due to the combined effects of his hypertension medications, his diabetes mell itus, and occasional flareups of gout in his big toes.” Aplt . App. vol. II at 12 (emphasis added). Claimant complains that the ALJ did not al so factor in his pain, depression, and renal insufficiency. The ALJ foundno objective evidence of2 Claimant also failed to present this issue to the Appeals Council, but we do

not deem it waived for that reason. At that time he did not have notice of James v. Chater , 96 F.3d 1341, 1344 (10th Cir. 1996) (holding issu e not raised to Appeals Council henceforth may be deemed waived). -4- these conditions and therefore was not required to consider their effect on claimant’s RFC. Accordingly, the Commissioner’s evaluation of the combination of claimant’s impairments is supported by substanti al evidence. Claimant next argues that the ALJ ignored the medical evidence of record concerning his kidney disease and pain. The ALJ’s findings that those conditions did not limit claimant’s RFC are supported by subst antial evidence in the record considered as a whole. See Cruse v. United States Dep’t of Health & Human Servs. , 49 F.3d 614, 617 (10th Cir. 1995) (reviewing court examines administrative record as a whole). Claimant also a lleges that the ALJ improperly failed to order new medical records, but this argum ent was not presented to the district court. 2 Absent compelling reasons, especially when claimant was represented by counsel, we do not address arguments not raised in the district court. See Crow v. Shalala , 40 F.3d 323, 324 (10th Cir. 1994). Nevertheless, the argument is without merit. Before an ALJ is obligated to obtain additional evidence, there must be “some objective evidence in the record suggesting the existence of a condition which could have a materia l impact on the disability decision requiring further investigation.” Hawkins , 113 F.3d at 1167. Claimant-5-

did not produce “evidence sufficient to suggest a r easonable possibility that a severe impairment exists;” consequently, the ALJ wa s not required to obtain additional medical or psychological information. Id. The judgment of the United States District Court fo r the District of New Mexico is AFFIRMED.

Entered for the Court

James E. Barrett Senior Circuit Judge