Opinion ID: 42660
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Evaluation of Impairments

Text: Hurley argues that the ALJ erred in failing to evaluate all of Hurley’s impairments individually and in combination. An ALJ must consider each impairment alleged. Gibson v. Heckler, 779 F.2d 619, 623 (11th Cir. 1986). “Where a claimant has alleged several impairments, the Secretary has a duty to consider the impairments in combination and to determine whether the combined impairments render the claimant disabled.” Jones, 941 F.2d at 1533. The ALJ properly evaluated all of Hurley’s impairments. The ALJ made specific statements explaining that the medical evidence established that Hurley had a combination of severe impairments, but these impairments did not meet or medically equal the listed impairment in Appendix 1, Subpart P, Regulations No. 4. The ALJ explicitly found that Hurley has degenerative disc disease of the lumbar nad cervical spine, asymptomatic hepatitis C infection, probable arthritis in the left knee, mild cerebellar disease due to chronic alcohol abuse, somatoform and substance-induced disorders, a major depressive disorder, a possible cognitive disorder, and a substance addition disorder. Although there was no medical 7 evidence to support Hurley’s claims of numbness in his left hand and side effects from his medication, the ALJ implicitly addressed these alleged impairments through the hypothetcials. Substantial evidence supports the conclusion that the ALJ considered the individual and combined effects of Hurley’s impairments. See Wilson, 284 F.3d at 1224.