Opinion ID: 20701
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Reliance on Medical-Vocational Guidelines

Text: 61 Newton argues that the ALJ should not have used the medical vocational guideline grids, 20 C.F.R. Pt. 404, Subpt. P, App. 2 (Grids), when determining whether there is work in the national economy that Newton could perform despite her disability. Newton alleges that she has significant nonexertional impairments that preclude the application of the Grids and require the use of a vocational expert to establish that jobs exist which the claimant can perform. 62 If impairments are solely exertional or the nonexertional impairments do not sufficiently affect the claimant's residual functional capacity, then the Commissioner may rely exclusively on the Grids to determine whether there is other work in the economy that the claimant can perform. See Fraga, 810 F.2d at 1304. If, however, the claimant suffers from nonexertional impairments or a combination of exertional and nonexertional impairments, then the Commissioner must rely on a vocational expert to establish that such jobs exist in the economy. Id. In this case, the ALJ did not rely on a vocational expert. 63 Newton testified that she had nonexertional impairments including pain, swelling, and the inability to stand or sit for limited periods of time. Pertusi stated that Newton's fatigue precluded her from working an eight-hour day. The ALJ rejected these claims of nonexertional impairment, however, concluding that they were not credible. 64 While an ALJ's assessment of a claimant's credibility is accorded great deference, the record does not contain substantial evidence to support the ALJ's decision that Newton had no significant nonexertional impairments. During the pertinent time period, Newton was hospitalized several times due to SLE flare-ups, had approximately nine emergency room visits, made numerous office visits, had abnormal laboratory results, and complained frequently of fatigue, weakness, swelling, and pain. While mild or moderate pain will not render a claimant disabled, see Richardson v. Bowen, 807 F.2d 444, 448 (5th Cir. 1987), the ALJ ignored Newton's claims of severe fatigue, weakness, and swelling, all of which are completely consistent with a diagnosis of SLE. 65 The ALJ rejected Newton's claims of nonexertional impairments without citing to any contrary evidence in the record. There was overwhelming evidence in the administrative record establishing that Newton suffered significant nonexertional impairments. The ALJ's finding of no significant nonexertional impairments is not supported by substantial evidence and is remanded for further consideration. 66