Opinion ID: 776411
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Legal framework for evaluating disability claims

Text: 11 A person is considered disabled under the Social Security Act if [s]he is unable 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 twelve months. 42 U.S.C. § 1382c(a)(3)(A). Furthermore, 12 an individual shall be determined to be under a disability only if [her] physical or mental impairment or impairments are of such severity that [s]he is not only unable to do [her] previous work but cannot, considering [her] age, education, and work experience, engage in any other kind of substantial gainful work which exists in the national economy, regardless of whether such work exists in the immediate area in which [s]he lives, or whether a specific job vacancy exists for [her], or whether [s]he would be hired if [s]he applied for work. 13 42 U.S.C. § 1382c(a)(3)(B). The burden lies with the claimant to prove that she is disabled. Casey v. Sec'y of Health & Human Servs., 987 F.2d 1230, 1233 (6th Cir. 1993). 14 A five-step analysis is utilized for evaluating disability claims. 20 C.F.R. § 404.1520. The claimant must first show that she is not engaged in substantial gainful activity. 20 C.F.R. § 404.1520(b). Next, the claimant must demonstrate that she has a severe impairment. 20 C.F.R. § 404.1520(c). A finding of disabled will be made at the third step if the claimant can then demonstrate that her impairment meets the durational requirement and meets or equals a listed impairment. 20 C.F.R. § 404.1520(d). If the impairment does not meet or equal a listed impairment, the fourth step requires the claimant to prove that she is incapable of performing work that she has done in the past. 20 C.F.R. § 404.1520(e). Finally, if the claimant's impairment is so severe as to preclude the performance of past work, then other factors, including age, education, past work experience, and residual functional capacity, must be considered to determine if other work can be performed. 20 C.F.R. § 404.1520(f). The burden shifts to the Commissioner at this fifth step to establish the claimant's ability to do other work. Tyra v. Sec'y of Health & Human Servs., 896 F.2d 1024, 1028 (6th Cir.1990). 15