Opinion ID: 3048416
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: McMahon’s Subjective Symptoms

Text: 14 Case: 14-10597 Date Filed: 09/24/2014 Page: 15 of 17 McMahon argues that the ALJ did not properly evaluate her subjective complaints. We disagree. When a claimant attempts to establish disability through her own testimony about her subjective symptoms, a three-part “pain standard” applies. Wilson v. Barnhart, 284 F.3d 1219, 1225 (11th Cir. 2002). The pain standard requires: “(1) evidence of an underlying medical condition; and (2) either (a) objective medical evidence confirming the severity of the alleged pain; or (b) that the objectively determined medical condition can reasonably be expected to give rise to the claimed pain.” Id. If the ALJ determined that the claimant has a medically determinable impairment that could reasonably be expected to produce the pain or other symptoms, then the ALJ evaluates the extent to which the intensity and persistence of those symptoms limit her ability to work. 20 C.F.R. § 404.1529(b). At this stage, the ALJ considers the claimant’s history, the medical signs and laboratory findings, the claimant’s statements, statements by treating and nontreating physicians, and other evidence of how the pain affects the claimant’s daily activities and ability to work. Id. § 404.1529(a). A claimant’s testimony supported by medical evidence that satisfies the pain standard is sufficient to support a finding of disability. Foote v. Chater, 67 F.3d 1553, 1561 (11th Cir. 1995). If the ALJ decides not to credit a claimant’s testimony about her symptoms, the ALJ “must articulate explicit and adequate 15 Case: 14-10597 Date Filed: 09/24/2014 Page: 16 of 17 reasons for doing so. Failure to articulate the reasons for discrediting subjective pain testimony requires . . . that the testimony be accepted as true.” Id. at 1561-62. Here, the ALJ properly applied the pain standard, found that McMahon had medically determinable impairments (apart from her alcohol dependence) that could reasonably be expected to produce the alleged symptoms (primarily panic attacks and an inability to concentrate), but did not credit McMahon’s statements about the intensity and persistence of those symptoms. Further, the ALJ articulated specific reasons for discrediting McMahon’s statements regarding the intensity, persistence, and limiting effects of her symptoms, explaining that: (1) McMahon provided minimal evidence regarding her disability; (2) up until September 30, 1997, the record showed that McMahon had problems, but those problems were all related to her alcoholism; (3) McMahon not only attended college during this time period, but also graduated from college; and (4) there was no evidence to corroborate McMahon’s alleged panic attacks. The ALJ properly discredited McMahon’s subjective symptom testimony, and that credibility finding is supported by substantial evidence.5 D. Severity of Other Mental Impairments Without Alcohol 5 McMahon also complains that the ALJ did not consider her husband’s 2009 questionnaire. The ALJ was not required to explicitly address this piece of evidence in her decision, especially given that it was duplicative of McMahon’s testimony, which the ALJ found not credible. 16 Case: 14-10597 Date Filed: 09/24/2014 Page: 17 of 17 Finally, substantial evidence supports the ALJ’s determination that McMahon’s remaining mental impairments would have resulted in only mild limitations in the functional areas of activities of daily living, social functioning, and concentration, persistence, and pace, as well as no episodes of decompensation. The record showed that McMahon had intact mental functioning and improvement during periods when she was not drinking alcohol. During these times, she also successfully worked and went to school. Thus, the record contains relevant evidence that a reasonable person would accept as adequate to support a finding that McMahon’s other mental impairments would not have a more than minimal impact on her ability to perform basic work activities if she stopped using alcohol. See Moore, 405 F.3d at 1211.