Opinion ID: 576259
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Evaluation of Anthony's Claims

Text: 31 Our function on review of the Secretary's denial of disability benefits is to determine whether substantial evidence exists in the record as a whole to support the Secretary's factual findings. Fraga, supra, 810 F.2d at 1302. If the Secretary's findings are supported by substantial evidence, they are conclusive and must be affirmed. 42 U.S.C. § 405(g); Richardson v. Perales, 402 U.S. 389, 91 S.Ct. 1420, 1422, 28 L.Ed.2d 842 (1971). Substantial evidence is that which is relevant and sufficient for a reasonable mind to accept as adequate to support a conclusion; it must be more than a scintilla, but it need not be a preponderance. Richardson, 91 S.Ct. at 1427. This Court may not reweigh the evidence or try the issues de novo. Cook v. Heckler, 750 F.2d 391, 392 (5th Cir.1985). Rather, conflicts in the evidence are for the Secretary to resolve. Patton v. Schweiker, 697 F.2d 590, 592 (5th Cir.1983). 32 Anthony alleges disability as of December 15, 1979. Based on Anthony's earnings history, her insured status expired on June 30, 1985. 42 U.S.C. §§ 416(i)(3), 423(c)(1). Thus, to prove that she is entitled to disability benefits, Anthony must not only prove that she is disabled, but that she became disabled prior to the expiration of her insured status. 42 U.S.C. § 423(a), (c); Owens v. Heckler, 770 F.2d 1276, 1280 (5th Cir.1985). 33 The Secretary engaged in the sequential evaluation process, but determined at the second step that Anthony's physical impairment was not severe, reciting our standard in Stone, supra. 34 Although the question is indeed a close one, we conclude that the record furnishes minimally adequate support for the Secretary's finding that Anthony did not establish a severe impairment. 35 The record does not reveal that Anthony ever received a definite diagnosis of a muscular disease; moreover, even if Dr. Mishra's diagnoses could be construed as indicating that Anthony suffers from some type of muscular dystrophy, Dr. McIlwain noted that Anthony could walk without assistance, could get up and down on the examining table, and needed no assistance during the examination. He essentially found nothing wrong with her. Dr. McIlwain's report constitutes substantial evidence that Anthony did not suffer from a severe physical impairment. Although muscle weakness was observed in several of Anthony's other examinations, her physical, neurological motor examinations have been essentially normal. Anthony herself related at the administrative hearing that she is able to care for her personal needs, cooks meals, drives her car once or twice a week, and regularly attends church service and related activities. 36 With regard to Anthony's mental health, the record indicates that at most she suffers from depression and mood swings due to her perceived physical deterioration. The record does not, however, disclose that treatment has been recommended for her condition. A psychiatric review technique form completed by the ALJ on April 22, 1986 concluded that Anthony's impairment from her mood disorder is not severe. We believe that this finding is supported by substantial evidence; the record does not show any limitation experienced by Anthony due to her mood condition. 37 Finally, Anthony also complained of pain to the Secretary. The ALJ found Anthony's subjective complaints of pain unsubstantiated by objective medical findings, and therefore, not credible. Anthony argues that pain can be considered disabling, despite the absence of supporting medical evidence for the pain itself, if linked to a medically determinable impairment. Hollis v. Bowen, 837 F.2d 1378, 1384 (5th Cir.1988). However, not all pain is disabling; moreover, subjective evidence need not be credited over conflicting medical evidence. Jones v. Heckler, 702 F.2d 616, 621 n. 4 (5th Cir.1983). At a minimum, objective medical evidence must demonstrate the existence of a condition that could reasonably be expected to produce the level of pain or other symptoms alleged. Owens, supra, 770 F.2d at 1281. 38 The only medication for pain Anthony has taken is Anacin # 3, and at the administrative hearing she testified that her only medication was for her allergies. Her physical examinations reveal that Anthony could engage in nearly a full range of motion without significant tenderness or pain. According to the record, Anthony is able to engage in a wide variety of activities, including visiting family and friends, attending church, dressing and bathing herself, preparing her own lunch, and driving an automobile once or twice a week. The Secretary's finding of no severe impairment due to pain is supported by substantial evidence.