Opinion ID: 706033
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Were credibility findings made

Text: 57 If the ALJ decides not to credit a claimant's testimony as to her pain, he must articulate explicit and adequate reasons for doing so. Failure to articulate the reasons for discrediting subjective pain testimony requires, as a matter of law, that the testimony be accepted as true. Cannon v. Bowen, 858 F.2d 1541, 1545 (11th Cir.1988). The ALJ did not make a specific findings as to Appellant's credibility. He appears to have credited her testimony about her daily activities, yet discredited her testimony as to the extent of her disabling pain. [W]here proof of a disability is based upon subjective evidence and a credibility determination is, therefore, a critical factor in the Secretary's decision, the ALJ must either explicitly discredit such testimony or the implication must be so clear as to amount to a specific credibility finding. id. at 1255. We cannot say that the implication as to Appellant's credibility is obvious from the ALJ's report. Although this circuit does not require an explicit finding as to credibility, ... the implication must be obvious to the reviewing court. Tieniber v. Heckler, 720 F.2d 1251, 1255 (11th Cir.1983). The missing (or implicit) credibility determination is vital to our review of the ALJ's decision because a claimant's testimony typically conveys more than a simple statement as to the subjective pain she suffers. Appellant testified that she is unable to sit for long periods of time, has numbness and loss of grip strength in her left hand--which causes her to drop things, and frequent headaches interfering with concentration. These and other complaints, including pain, provide the basis for assessing the overall functional capacity of the individual. If these complaints are rejected, the reasons should be expressed. In this setting, the testimony of a vocational expert would have been important in determining the claimant's realistic ability to find work which she is capable of performing. In the case before us, the ALJ made no specific finding as to Appellant's credibility. The ALJ failed to identify any inconsistencies between Appellant's statements to her physicians and those she has made to the Secretary, through her application for disability benefits and during her administrative hearing; and no vocational expert was called. The ALJ found that: 58 The medical evidence establishes that while the claimant has an impairment which could be expected to produce some discomfort on attempts at strenuous exertion, such condition is not one that would preclude engagement in all work activity. 59 T. 19. 60 A clearly articulated credibility finding with substantial supporting evidence in the record will not be disturbed by a reviewing court. MacGregor v. Bowen, 786 F.2d 1050, 1054 (11th Cir.1986). A lack of an explicit credibility finding becomes a ground for remand when credibility is critical to the outcome of the case. Smallwood v. Schweiker, 681 F.2d 1349, 1352 (11th Cir.1982). While an adequate credibility finding need not cite particular phrases or formulations ... broad findings that [a claimant] lacked credibility and could return to her past work alone are not enough to enable us to conclude that [the ALJ] considered her medical condition as a whole. Jamison v. Bowen, 814 F.2d 585, 588-90 (11th Cir.1987). If proof of disability is based upon subjective evidence and a credibility determination is, therefore, critical to the decision, the ALJ must either explicitly discredit such testimony or the implication must be so clear as to amount to a specific credibility finding. Tieniber v. Heckler, 720 F.2d 1251, 1255 (11th Cir.1983) (ALJ did not specifically address testimony by claimant and her daughter about claimant's pain). Explicit credibility findings are necessary and crucial where subjective pain is an issue. Walden v. Schweiker, 672 F.2d 835, 839 (11th Cir.1982).