Opinion ID: 716356
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Lee's back impairment.

Text: 8 Lee argues that the ALJ erroneously relied on Dr. Ross's orthopedic examination to conclude that he was not disabled. 9 Substantial evidence supports the ALJ's conclusion that Lee retained the residual functional capacity to perform the duties and demands of his past relevant sedentary bank research clerk and radio dispatcher jobs and his light mail handler job. ALJ's Decision at 6. 10 The 1988 treatment reports from the Santa Clara Valley Medical Center indicated that, although Lee suffered from a mild posterior bulging of the disc, (1) there was no compromise of the thecal sac or the nerve roots, (2) Lee's spine mobility was good and (3) his motor strength and reflexes were normal. 11 Likewise, the 1989 to 1992 orthopedic treatment reports from San Francisco General Hospital indicated that (1) Lee could raise his legs in a normal manner, (2) Lee did not experience tenderness in the lumbosacral area of his spine, (3) Lee had a normal gait and (4) at the end of six sessions of physical therapy in 1990, Lee experienced no more pain in his lower back and became asymptomatic. 12 In addition, Dr. Ross's 1991 consultative orthopedic examination indicated that, despite a mild protrusion in Lee's spine, Lee's neurological and muscle examination tested normal. Dr. Ross concluded that Lee (1) could carry twenty-five pounds, (2) could perform occasional lifting of up to fifty pounds, (3) could stand and walk for six hours in an eight-hour period, (4) could sit for six hours in an eight-hour period and (5) had good use of his hands and fingers for repetitive hand finger action. 13 Substantial evidence thus supports the ALJ's conclusion that Lee retained the residual functional capacity to perform light work activities related to his prior bank research clerk, radio dispatcher and mail handler positions. 14