1 Donna E. Shalala, M.D., is substituted for her predecessor Louis W. Sullivan, M.D.,

Secretary of Health and Human Services, pursuant to Fed.R.App.P. 43(c)(1). United States Court of Appeals,

Fifth Circuit.

No. 91-7390.

Neva SPELLMAN, Plaintiff-Appellant,

v.

Donna E. SHALALA, M.D., 1 Secretary of Health and Human Services, Defendant-Appellee.

Sept. 13, 1993.

Appeal from the United States District Court for the Northern District of Texas.

Before GOLDBERG, SMITH, and EMILIO M. GARZA, Circuit Judges.

EMILIO M. GARZA, Circuit Judge:

Neva Spellman appeals the district court's order granting summary judgment for the Secretary

of Health and Human Services ("Secretary"). Spellman argues that the Secretary erred in determining

the onset date of her disabilit y and failed to give proper weight to her treating physician's opinion that

she was incapable of performing sedentary work. Because the Secretary failed to determine properly

the onset date of Spellman's disabilit y, we affirm the district court's judgment in part and reverse and

remand in part.

I

Spellman is a sixty-nine year old woman with a high school education. She worked as an

assistant manager at a credit union for twenty six years, where she supervised thirt een employees,

occasionally travelled, and was on the telephone six hours a day. Between 1982 and 1985, Spellman

suffered from chronic pulmonary disease, gastroesophageal reflux, and several other physical

ailments.

The medical evidence also shows that Spellman complained to her doctors—who were

treating her physical maladies—that she did not sleep well, suffered from chronic fatigue, and was

depressed, anxious, and nervous. While Spellman was hospitalized for acute tracheal bronchitis in2 There is also evidence that Spellman suffered from chronic fatigue and depression before

September 1982. When Spellman was hospitalized for chest pain in 1979, she told her doctor that

she suffered from chronic fatigue. The record also indicates that during her hospital stay she was

given Elavil. In addition, a prescription for Elavil was refilled in May 1982.

3 Dr. Davis began treating Spellman in January 1983 for gastrointestinal and respiratory

difficulties. Dr. Davis was a board-certified surgeon.

4 Dr. Pizette was a board-certified specialist in internal medicine.

5 The three mental health experts were Dr. Madison V. Scott, Ph.D., a psychologist and

consultative examiner for the Social Security Administration, Dr. Enrique Vasallo, M.D., a

board-certified psychiatrist, and Dr. Chip Mattar, Ph.D., a psychologist.

6 The three doctors were Dr. Scott, Dr. J. Randall Price, a psychologist, and Dr. Ben Goodwin,

a psychiatrist. September 1982, her physician reported that she was depressed, and he treated her with Elavil, an

antidepressant drug, during her hospital stay. 2 When Spellman was hospitalized for bronchitis in April

1983, her treating physician, Dr. Milton V. Davis, 3 had Dr. Murray Pizette 4 examine her to determine

the cause of some of her physical ailments. Spellman told Dr. Pizette that she had beco me more

depressed and anxious. Co ncluding that Spellman suffered from mixed anxiety depression, Dr.

Pizette prescribed Sinequan, an antidepressant and antianxiety drug. A couple of months later, the

dosage of Sinequan was increased from 25 mg twice a day to 75 mg twice a day. The record also

indicates that Spell

m an was taking Adapin, an antianxiety and antidepressant drug, in December

1983. In addition, there is evidence that Spellman was taking Xanax and Ativan, which were drugs

for treating anxiety, including anxi et y related to depression. In April 1984, Dr. Davis submitted a

report to Spellman's disabilit y insurer, stating that she was "incapable of minimal (sedentary) work"

due to her respiratory problems.

In 1986, three mental health e xperts 5 examined Spellman; each concluded that Spellman

suffered from a histrionic personality disorder with resulting functional restrictions, particularly an

inabilit y to cope with work-related stress and to behave in an emotionally stable manner. Dr. Mattar

also reported that Spellman was able to function quite well with her personality disorder for decades,

but that her pulmonary problems caused her to be depressed over time. In 1988, Spellman was again

examined by three mental health experts 6

, who found that she suffered from histrionic personalitydisorder accompanied by depressive symptoms. Dr. Goodwin also stated that Spellman had been

unable to function in a work setting for the past five t o six years, and he opined that her mental

condition was deteriorating.

On October 24, 1983, Spellman first filed for disabilit y insurance benefits under Title II of the

Social Security Act, 42 U.S.C. § 401 et seq. (1988), alleging disabilit y from September 8, 1982—the

date she stopped working, due to lung problems. After her application was denied initially and on

reco nsideration, Spellman requested a hearing. A preliminary hearing was held before an

Administrative Law Judge ("ALJ"), who found that Spellman was not disabled because her physical

impairments were not severe. After the Appeals Council denied Spellman's request for review, she

filed an action seeking judicial review in federal district court. The district court remanded the action

for further proceedings consistent with certain new mental impairment regulations promulgated by

the Secretary. After obtaining the mental status reports from Drs. Scott, Vassallo, and Mattar, and

ho lding a supplemental hearing, the ALJ determined that Spellman was not disabled due to her

physical and mental impairments.

After the Appeals Co u ncil adopted the ALJ's recommended decision, the district court

reopened Spellman's action and found that the determination that Spellman's mental disorder did not

prevent her from performing her past relevant work was not supported by substantial evidence. The

district co urt t herefore remanded the case to the Secretary , who ordered another supplemental

hearing. Dr. Price testified at the hearing as a medical advisor. Dr. Price stated that Spellman's

depression appeared to decrease from 1986 through 19 88, while she became more hysterical and

histrionic during that same time period. Dr. Price recommended that Spellman avoid job situations

requiring stressful social interaction, including her former occupation as assistant manager of a credit

union. A vocational expert also testified that Spellman's past work was very stressful and t hat a

person who had difficulty handling stress would be unable to perform Spellman's past work.

Subsequently, the ALJ found that Spellman was not disabled due to her mental impairment,

but the Appeals Council refused to adopt the ALJ's findings and conclusions with regard to

Spellm an's alleged disability. The Appeals Council found that Spellman had chronic obstructivepulmonary disease, gastroesophageal reflux, and leg cramps. The Appeals Council also found that

Spellman had a mental impairment characterized by mood hysteria, a negative affect, depression, and

an inabilit y to cope with work-related stress. The Appeals Council determined that Spellman's

physical impairments were severe as of September 8, 1982, but that she did not have a severe mental

impairment until October 1, 1985. The Appeals Council found that prior to October 1, 1985,

Spellman's impairments limit ed her to sedentary work which did not expose her to environmental or

industrial pollutants. The Appeals Council concluded that Spellman was able to perfo rm her past

relevant work prior t o October 1, 1985, because it was sedentary, and was performed in a clean

environment. The Appeals Council found that the mental demands of Spellman's job exceeded her

residual functio nal capacity as of October 1, 1985, because her mental impairment became severe

after that date. Thus, the Appeals Council concluded that Spellman was disabled beginning October

1, 1985. The district court reopened Spellman's action, and a magistrate judge found that the Appeals

Council's decision was based on substantial evidence. Adopting the magistrate judge's findings, the

district court granted summary judgment for the Secretary. Spellman appeals.

II

On review, this Court determines whether substantial evidence exists in the record as a whole

to support the ALJ's factual findings and whether the proper legal standards were applied. Griego

v. Sullivan, 940 F.2d 942, 945 (5th Cir.1991); V illa v. Sullivan, 895 F.2d 1019, 1021 (5th Cir.1990).

If substantial evidence supports the Secretary's findings, they are conclusive and must be affirmed.

42 U.S.C. § 405(g) (1988) ; Richardson v. Perales, 402 U.S. 389, 390, 91 S.Ct. 1420, 1422, 28

L.Ed.2d 842 (1971); S elders v. Sullivan, 914 F.2d 614, 617 (5th Cir.1990). Substantial evidence

is that which is rel evant and sufficient for a reasonable mind to accept as adequate to support a

conclusion. R ichardson, 402 U.S. at 401, 91 S.Ct. at 1427; S elders, 914 F.2d at 617. It is more

than a mere scint illa, and less than a preponderance. M oore v. Sullivan, 919 F.2d 901, 904 (5th

Cir.1990). "This Court may not reweigh the evidence or try the issues de novo. Conflicts in evidence

are for the Secretary

and not the courts to resolve." Selders, 914 F.2d at 617 (citation omitted).

We review the district court's grant of a summary judgment motion de novo. D avis v. Illinois7 Social Security Rulings are "binding on all components of the Administration. These rulings

represent precedent final opinions and orders and statements of policy and interpretations that

have been adopted by the Administration." 20 C.F.R. § 422.406(b)(1) (1991); see also Hall v.

Schweiker, 660 F.2d 116, 119 n. 4 (5th Cir. Unit A Sept. 1981). Central R.R., 921 F.2d 616, 617-18 (5th Cir.1991). Summary judgment is appropriate if the record

discloses "that there is no g enuine issue of material fact and that the moving party is entitled to a

judgment as a matter of law." Fed.R.Civ.P. 56(c). A party seeking summary judgment bears t he

initial burden of identifying those portions of the pleadings and discovery on file, together with any

affidavits, which it believes demonstrate the absence of a genuine issue of material fact. C elotex

Corp. v. Catrett, 477 U.S. 317, 325, 106 S.C t. 2548, 2554, 91 L.Ed.2d 265 (1986). Once the

movant carries its burden, the burden sh ift s t o the non-movant to show that summary judgment

should not be granted. I d. at 324 -25, 106 S.Ct. at 2553-54. While we must "review the facts

drawing all inferences most favorable to the party opposing the motion," Reid v. State Farm Mut.

Auto. Ins. Co., 784 F.2d 577, 578 (5th Cir.1986), that party may not rest upon mere allegations or

denials in its pleadings, but must set forth specific facts showing the existence of a genuine issue for

trial. A nderson v. Liberty Lobby, Inc., 477 U.S. 242, 256-57, 106 S.Ct. 2505, 2514, 91 L.Ed.2d 202

(1986).

A

Spellman argues that the Appeals Council failed to comply with Social Security Ruling 83-20 7

("SSR 83-20"), because its determination of the onset date of her disabilit y was arbitrary, and

therefore not based on an informed judgment. Spellman also claims that the Appeals Council failed

to comply with SSR 83-20 by failing to consult a medical advisor in determining the onset day of her

disabilit y.

Spellman alleges a disabilit y onset date of September 8, 1982, which was the date she stopped

working. The Appeals Council, however, determined that the onset date was October 1, 1985. In

determining the onset date of Spellman's disabilit y, the Appeals Council found that the first evidence

of a significant mental impairment was in April 1986, when Spellman had her first consultative mental

status evaluation. The Appeals Council also found that no medical evidence indicated that Spellman'smental impairment was severe before April 1986. The Appeals Council apparently so found because

none of the medical reports before April 1986 stated that Spellman's abilit y to function was restricted

by her mental impairment. Nevertheless, the Appeals Council concluded that it was "reasonable to

assume that [Spellman's] mental impairment was severe as of October 1, 1985, approximately six

months prior to the April 29, 1986, psychological examination," and that consequently, Spellman was

disabled as of October 1, 1985, because "the mental demands of the work exceeded [her] residual

functional capacity." Record Excerpts for Spellman, tab 5, at 11-12.

SSR 83-20 prescribes the policy and procedure by which the Secretary should determine the

onset date of a disabilit y. S ee SSR 83-20 (1983). SSR 83-20 stresses that "[i]n many claims, the

onset date of [a disabilit y] is critical; it may affect the period for which the individual can be paid and

may even be determinative of whether the individual is entitled to or eligible for any benefits." I d.

As a result, "it is essential that the onset date be correctly established and supported by the evidence."

Id. "Factors relevant to the determination of disability onset include the individual's allegation, the

work history, and the medical evidence." I d.; see also Ivy v. Sullivan, 898 F.2d 1045, 1048 (5th

Cir.1990). These three factors are often evaluated together. SSR 83-20. The starting point of

determining the onset date is the claimant's allegation as to when the disabilit y began, id.; Ivy, 898

F.2d at 1048, and the date the disability caused the claimant to stop work is often very significant.

SSR 83-20. Nevertheless, the medical evidence is the primary element in the determination of onset

of disabilit y. I

d. "The claimant's stated onset date is used as the est ablished onset date when it is

consistent with available evidence." I vy, 898 F.2d at 1048. SSR 83-20 recognizes that with slowly

progressive impairments, including mental impairments, "it is sometimes impossible to obtain medical

evidence establishing the precise date an impairment became disabling." SSR 83-20. Accordingly,

[i]n such cases, it will be necessary to infer the onset date from the medical and other

evidence that describe the history and symptomatology of the disease process. Particularly

in the case of slowly progressive impairments, it is not necessary for an impairment to have

reached list ing severity (i.e., be decided on medical gr o unds alone) before onset can be

established. ....

Precise Evidence Not Available—Need for Inferences

In some cases, it may be possible, based on the medical evidence to reasonably infer

that the onset o f a disabling impairment occurred some time prior to the date of the firstrecorded medical examination, e.g., the date the claimant stopped working. How long the

disease may be determined to have existed at a disabling level of severity depends on an

informed judgment of the facts in the particular case. This judgment, however, must have a

legitimate medical basis. At the hearing, the administrative law judge (ALJ) should call on

the services of a medical adv isor when onset must be inferred. If there is information

indicating that additional medical evidence is available, such evidence should be secured

before inferences are made.

If reasonable inferences about the progression of the impairment cannot be made on

the basis of the evidence i n file and additional medical evidence is not available, it may be

necessary to explore other sources of documentation.

Id. (emphasis added).

While there are no cases in this Circuit that discuss or apply the above-quoted provision of

SSR 83-20, both the Ninth and Sixth Circuits have applied that provision. In B lankenship v. Bowen,

874 F.2d 1116 (6th Cir.1989), the claimant filed for disability insurance benefits, alleging disability

due to physical and mental impairments since 1979. I d. at 1117. Three psychiatrists found that the

claimant suffered from a mental impairment before 1985, and in November 1985 another psychiatrist,

Dr. Lury, found that the claimant suffered from a psyc hiat ric disorder that left him 1007 disabled.

Id. at 1118-20. Dr. Lury also opined that the claimant's mental deterioration was of a progressive

nature. I d. at 1120. The ALJ concluded that the claimant suffered from both a physical impairment

and a progressive mental disorder since 1979, but was not disabled until November 1985. I d. The

ALJ found that prior to November 1985, the claimant's mental disabilit y was not functionally limit ing

and that the claimant's physical impairment limit ed the claimant to low stress wor k. Id. The ALJ

determined that the claimant's mental disabilit y was of such severity in November 1985 t hat it

restricted the claimant's functional capacity. I d. The ALJ therefore found that the claimant was

disabled beginning in November 1985. Id. After the district court affirmed the ALJ's decision, the

Sixth Circuit found that the claimant's mental impairments were of a slowly progressive nature, and

that as a result, the onset date of the disability was not clear from the medical evidence. S ee id. at

1122. Consequently, the court reversed the district court's judgment and remanded the case to the

Secretary for a redetermination of the onset date, instructing the Secretary to obtain additional

m edical evidence regarding the progression of the claimant's mental impairment and to consult a

medical advisor pursuant to SSR 83-20. S ee id. at 1124; s ee also id. (Nelson, J., concurring) ("SSR8 The Seventh Circuit has held that, where there is a complete medical chronology of a

claimant's impairment, the ALJ may choose an appropriate onset date of disability, without the aid

of a medical advisor. See Pugh v. Bow en, 870 F.2d 1271, 1278 & n. 9 (7th Cir.1989); contra id.

at 1279 (Fairchild, J., dissenting) (stating that the ALJ had to infer the onset date of disability

because the exact onset date was unclear, and that therefore the ALJ should have consulted a 83-20, as I read it, makes it clear that in a case such as this the ALJ is not to determine the onset date

without having called on the services of a medical advisor.").

In Morgan v. Sullivan, 945 F.2d 1079 (9th Cir.1991), the claim ant filed for disability

insurance benefits, alleging disabilit y since 1977 due to physical and mental impairments. I d. at 1081.

The ALJ found that the claimant had no medically determinable mental impairment before 1979, and

that he was not disabled because he could perform his past relevant work. I d. On appeal, the Ninth

Circuit stated that while the first unambiguous evidence of a mental impairment was in 1980, there

was evidence that the claimant may have suffered from a disabling mental impairment prior to 1979,

because there were medical reports stating that the claimant suffered from a great deal of stress. S ee

id. at 1081-82. In addition, one report in early 1980 stated that the claimant's condition had become

progressively worse in the past year. I d. at 1082. Citing B lankenship, the Ninth Circuit stated that

SSR 83-20 "suggests that w hen t he evidence regarding date of onset of mental impairment is

ambiguous, as it is here, the ALJ should determine the date based on an informed inference." I d. at

1082. The Ninth Circuit found that such an inference was not possible without the assistance of a

medical advisor, and that because the ALJ failed to consult a medical advisor, the ALJ's onset date

determination was not based on an informed inference. See i d. at 1083. The Ninth Circuit reversed

the district court's judgment and remanded, instructing the ALJ to redetermine the onset date of the

mental impairment with the assistance of a medical advisor, pursuant to SSR 83-20. See id.

Because a correct determination of the onset date of a disability is critical, see SSR 83-20,

we agree with the Sixth and Ninth Circuits' interpretation of SSR 83-20. We therefore hold that in

cases invo lving slowly progressive impairments, when the medical evidence regarding the onset date

of a disabilit

y is ambiguous and the Secretary must infer the onset date, SSR 83-20 requires that that

inference be based on an informed judgment. The Secretary cannot make such an inference without

the assistance of a medical advisor. 8 S ee DeLorme v. Sullivan, 924 F.2d 841, 848 (9th Cir.1991) ("Inmedical advisor in inferring the onset date, pursuant to SSR 83-20). The holding in Pugh is

inapposite here because the medical chronology of Spellman's mental impairment is incomplete. the event that the medical evidence is not definit e concerning the onset date [of a disability] and

medical inferences need to be made, SSR 83-20 requires the [ALJ] to cal l upon t he services of a

medical advisor and to obtain all evidence which is available to make the determination.").

The medical evidence with regard to the onset dat e o f Spellman's disability is ambiguous,

because it is unclear when Spellman's mental impairment first rest rict ed her functional capacity.

Although Spellman was diagnosed as depressed and prescribed medication for anxiety and depression

b efo re Oct o ber 1, 1985, both parties agree that Spellman never had a consultative mental status

examination by a mental health professional prior to Dr. Scott's examination in April 1986. S ee Brief

for Spellman at 31; Brief for Secretary at 13. In addition, the Appeals Council failed to explain why

October 1, 1985 was the proper onset date, and nothing in the record suggests that October 1, 1985

was significant with regard to Spell man's disability. The fact that the Appeals Council arbitrarily

selected an o nset dat e six months prior to the first mental evaluation suggests that the medical

evidence was ambiguous with regard to the onset date. The evidence in the record indicates that

Spellman may have suffered from a disabling mental impairment before October 1, 1985. Spellman

quit work on September 8, 1982. There is evidence that Spellman had been treated by physicians for

depression and anxiety before April 1986. Furthermore, there is evidence that Spellman suffered from

chronic fatigue during the relevant period, which may have indicated a men t al impairment. Dr.

Goodwin also stated in 1988 that Spellman's mental impairment was of a slowly progressive nature,

and that Spellman had been unable to work for the past five or six years.

The Appeals Council's finding that Spellm an's mental impairment was not severe before

October 1, 1985 apparently was based on the absence of reports prior to April 1986 stating that

Spellman's ability to function was restricted by her depression. However, lack of evidence alone is

not sufficient to support a finding that an impairment did not exist at a disabling level of severity. S ee

Lichter v. Bowen, 814 F.2d 430, 431 (7th Cir.1987) (holding that ALJ improperly rejected claimant's

disability onset date on the ground that claimant failed to produce medical evidence support ing9 Although a medical advisor, Dr. Price, testified at the second supplemental hearing, Dr. Price

was questioned regarding whether or not the mental evaluations performed after 1985 established

disability. Neither the ALJ nor Spellman's counsel questioned Dr. Price about whether Spellman's

mental impairment affected her ability to work prior to her first psychiatric examination by Dr.

Scott in April 1986. The Secretary argues that because Spellman failed to question the medical

advisor about the onset date of her disability, the Secretary did not have to consult a medical

advisor in determining the disability's onset date. We disagree. SSR 83-20 places the burden of

consulting a medical advisor on the Secretary, not the claimant.

10 Spellman argues that the record strongly supports a disability onset date of September 8,

1982, and that, therefore, a remand is unnecessary. Because Spellman's disability action has been

pending since 1982, it is understandable that Spellman prefers that we make the final

determination. However, a remand is necessary because the Secretary must redetermine the onset

date after consulting a medical advisor.

11 The Appeals Council based its determination that the onset date of Spellman's disability was

October 1, 1985, on its finding that Spellman's mental impairment was not severe prior to that

date. Spellman argues that the Appeals Council failed to apply the proper legal standard in

determining the severity of her mental impairment under step two of the five-step sequential

procedure for determining whether a claimant is disabled. See 20 C.F.R. § 404.1520(c) (1992).

"An impairment can be considered as not severe only if it is a slight abnormality

which has such minimal effect on the individual that it would not be expected to

interfere with the individual's ability to work, irrespective of age, education or

work experience.'

Estran v. Heckler, 745 F.2d 340, 341 (5th Cir.1984) (quoting Brady v. Heckler, 724 F.2d alleged onset date, court stated that lack of evidence not determinative so long as alleged onset date

was cons ist ent wit h medical evidence and that ALJ should have applied SSR 83-20); s ee also

Swanson v. Secret ary of Health & Human Services, 763 F.2d 1061, 1065 (9th Cir.1985) ("[T]he

critical date is the date o f onset o f disability, n ot the date of diagnosis."). We conclude that the

Appeals Council's determination of the onset date was not based on a "legitimate medical basis," and,

therefore, was not "an informed judgment of the facts." We also conclude that because Spellman's

mental impairment was of a slowly progressive nature, and the medical evidence was ambiguous with

regard to the disability onset date, the Appeals Council could not have inferred an onset date based

on an informed judgment of the facts without consulting a medical advisor. 9 Therefore, we remand

this case to the Secretary, 10 see Nolen v. Sullivan, 939 F.2d 516, 520 (7th Cir.1991) (where Secretary

gave no reason for its determination of onset date of disability, case remanded for redetermination

of onset dat e pursuant to SSR 83-20), and instruct the Secretary to consult a medical advisor in

redetermining the onset date of Spellman's disability. 11914, 920 (11th Cir.1984)). In Stone v. Heckler, 752 F.2d 1099 (5th Cir.1985), we stated

that "unless the correct standard is used [in determining the severity of an impairment], the

claim must be remanded to the Secretary for reconsideration." Id. at 1106. We agree

with Spellman that the Secretary failed to indicate that it evaluated the severity of her

mental disability in accordance with Estran and Stone. On remand, the Secretary should

reconsider the facts in light of the proper standard set forth in those cases. See Stone, 752

F.2d at 1106 (We will "assume that the ALJ and Appeals Council have applied an

incorrect standard to the severity requirement unless the correct standard is set forth by

reference to this opinion or another of the same effect, or by an express statement that the

construction we give to 20 C.F.R. § 404.1520(c) (1984) is used.").

12 The Secretary argues that Spellman waived this issue, because she failed to argue below that

she was physically incapable of performing her past relevant work. Therefore, the Secretary

claims that the only issue before this Court is Spellman's mental ability to perform her past

relevant work. We disagree with the Secretary, because the record indicates that Spellman

adequately argued below that she was physically incapable of performing her past relevant work. B

Spellman next argues that the Secretary was required to give controlling weight to her treating

physician's opinion that she was physically incapable of engaging in sedentary work. 12 The Appeals

Council determin ed t hat Spellman suffered from chronic obstructive bronchopulmonary disease,

gastroesophageal reflux, and leg cramps. The Appeals Council found that while these were severe

physical impairment s, Spellman still was able to perform sedentary work, which did not involve

environmental or industrial pollutants. The Appeals Council concluded that Spellman was able to

perform her past relevant work because it required sedentary exertion and was performed in a clean

environment . Dr. Davis, Spellman's treating physician, however, indicated on an insurance form

dated April 1983 that Spellman suffered from "severe limitation of functional capacity; incapable of

minimal (sedentary) activity." Record on Appeal, vol. 2, at 128.

"If

... a treating source's opinion on the issue(s) of the nature and severity of [the claimant's]

impairment(s) is well-supported by medically acceptable clinical and laboratory diagnostic techniques

and is not inconsistent with the other substantial evidence in [the claimant's] case record, ... it [will

be given] controlling weight." 20 C.F.R. 404.1527(d)(2) (1992). The ultimate determination of

disability lies with the Secretary:

[The Secretary] is responsible for m aking the determination or decision about whether [a

claimant] meets the statutory definition of disabilit y. In so doing, we review all of the medical

findings and other evidence that [a claimant] is disabled. A statement by a medical source that

[a claimant is] "disabled" or "unable to w o rk" does not mean that [the Secretary] willdetermine that [a claimant] is disabled.

20 C.F.R. 404.1527(e)(1).

Dr. Davis indic at ed that Spellman was totally disabled due to chronic obstructive

bronchopulmonary disease, aspiration bronchitis, gastroesophageal reflux, which were accompanied

by dyspnea, fatigue, and cough. There is some evidence in the record, however, that those physical

impairments did not affect Spellman's abilit y to perform h er past job as an assistant manager of a

bank. Spellman's bronchial condition responded well to treatment, and her coughing improved over

time. Spellman's lungs were normal, although there was occasional rhonchi and wheezes, and she had

good air entry. In addition, there is evidence that Spellman jumped rope for short periods, did small

household tasks, read, gardened, fished in warm weather while sitting down, went shopping

occasionally, and engaged in a exercise regimen in order to improve her exercise tolerance. Spellman

also continued to smoke cigarettes every day, despite her doctor's request that she quit. The Appeals

Council acted within its discretion in rejecting the treating physician's opinion that Spellman could

not perform sedentary work, because Dr. Davis's opinion was inconsistent with the other substantial

evidence in the record.

III

For the foregoing reasons, we AFFIRM the district court's judgment in part, and REVERSE

and REMAND in part. The Secretary is instructed on remand to redet ermine the onset date of

Spellman's disability with the assistance of a medical advisor, pursuant to SSR 83-20.