Opinion ID: 3003116
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Ziegler’s Physical Condition

Text: The first mistake Ziegler assigns to the ALJ is crediting the opinion of Pankratz over that of Dr. Bush. According to Ziegler, the ALJ should not have relied on Pankratz’s conclusion that Ziegler was capable of performing jobs at the light or medium exertional level. Ziegler argues that the more‐detailed findings in the report show that he was not able to perform even sedentary work. Indeed, the report notes that Ziegler was able to sit or walk only occasionally and stand, reach, or bend only infrequently. But Ziegler is wrong to believe that these limitations preclude him from performing light work. A job is in the light work category “when it requires a good deal of walking or standing, or when it involves sitting most of the time with some pushing and pulling of arm or leg controls.” 20 C.F.R. § 404.1567(b). Ziegler may be correct that he could not perform a job that required “a good deal of walking or standing,” but his argument ignores the remainder of the definition. Based on the complete definition of light work, Pankratz’s bottom‐line conclusion is not contradicted by his detailed report. The ALJ was, therefore, free to rely on Pankratz’s conclusion to disbelieve the conclusion of Dr. Bush. The ALJ was mistaken in thinking that Dr. Bush made his conclusion without seeing Pankratz’s report, but the error is immaterial. The ALJ properly considered Dr. Bush’s opinion and found Pankratz’s opinion to be more persuasive. We have reviewed the two reports: Pankratz’s report and conclusions total 14 pages and contain the results of dozens of tests. Dr. Bush’s report is 4 pages long and seems to contain little more than Ziegler’s own self‐reported symptoms. The ALJ’s decision to credit Pankratz’s report over Dr. Bush’s is supported by substantial evidence. See Ketelboeter v. Astrue, 550 F.3d 620, 625 (7th Cir. 2008).