Opinion ID: 2979604
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: The Law of Social-Security Determinations

Text: The claimant has the ultimate burden of establishing an entitlement to benefits by proving the existence of a disability. 42 U.S.C. § 423(a); Wyatt v. Sec’y Health & Human Servs., 974 F.2d 680, 683 (6th Cir. 1992). The Social Security Act defines a “disability” as an “inability to engage in any substantial gainful activity by reason of any medically determinable physical or mental impairment which can be expected to result in death or which has lasted or can be expected to last for a continuous period of not less than 12 months.” 42 U.S.C. § 423(d)(1)(A). To make a disability determination, an ALJ undertakes a five-step sequential evaluation. Wilson v. Comm’r of Soc. Sec., 378 F.3d 541, 548 (6th Cir. 2004). First, the claimant must demonstrate that she has not engaged in substantial gainful activity during the claimed period of disability. 20 C.F.R. § 404.1520(a)(4)(i). Second, the claimant must show that she suffers from a severe medically-determinable physical or mental impairment. Id. § 404.1520(a)(4)(ii). Third, if the claimant shows that her impairment meets or medically equals one of the impairments listed in 20 C.F.R. pt. 404, subpt. P, app. 1, she is deemed disabled. Id. § 404.1520(a)(4)(iii). Fourth, the ALJ considers the claimant’s residual functional capacity (“RFC”) to determine if she can still perform the work she has performed in the past; if she can, she is not disabled. Id. § 404.1520(a)(4)(iv). Finally, the ALJ determines whether, based on the claimant’s RFC and her age, education, and work experience, the claimant can make an adjustment to other work; if she can, she is not disabled. Id. § 404.1520(a)(4)(v). “The claimant bears the burden of proof during the first four steps, but the burden shifts to the Commissioner at step five.” Wilson, 378 F.3d at 548. Where the medical-vocational grid at 20 C.F.R. Pt. 404, Subpt. P, App. 2 does not account for a claimant’s -3- No. 09-2543 Oliver v. Commissioner of Social Security RFC, “the Commissioner may rely on the testimony of a vocational expert [(“VE”)] to find that the claimant possesses the capacity to perform other substantial gainful activity that exists in the national economy.” Id.