Opinion ID: 3059245
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Second Step – Severe Impairments

Text: On appeal, Kuhl challenges only the ALJ’s findings as to the second step. Specifically, Kuhl argues that ALJ erred in finding that her depression was not a severe impairment. An impairment is “severe” if it “significantly limits [a] claimant’s physical or mental ability to do basic work activities.” Crayton v. Callahan, 120 F.3d 1217, 1219 (11th Cir. 1997); 20 C.F.R. §§ 404.1520(c), 416.920(c). “Basic work activities” include: physical functions such as walking, standing, sitting, lifting, pulling, reaching, carrying or handling; capacities for seeing, hearing and speaking; understanding, carrying out and remembering simple instructions; use of judgment; responding appropriately to supervision, coworkers and usual work situations; and dealing with changes in a routine work setting. 20 C.F.R. §§ 404.1521(b), 416.921(b). “An impairment can be considered as not severe only if it is a slight abnormality which has such a minimal effect on the individual that it would not be expected to interfere with the individual’s ability to work, irrespective of age, education, or work experience.” McCruter v. Bowen, 791 F.2d 1544, 1546 (11th Cir. 1986). The claimant’s “burden at step two is mild” and 4 “allows only claims based on the most trivial impairments to be rejected.” McDaniel v. Bowen, 800 F.2d 1026, 1031 (11th Cir. 1986).