Opinion ID: 2977983
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Applicable statutes and regulation

Text: Section 411(c)(3) of the Act provides, in relevant part: If a miner is suffering or suffered from a chronic dust disease of the lung which (A) when diagnosed by chest roentgenogram [i.e., x-ray], yields one or more large opacities (greater than one centimeter in diameter) and would be classified in category A, B, or C in the International Classification of Radiographs of the Pneumoconioses by the International Labor Organization, (B) when diagnosed by -4- No. 08-3909 Maynard v. Eastern Coal Co. biopsy or autopsy, yields massive lesions in the lung, or (C) when diagnosis is made by other means, would be a condition which could reasonably be expected to yield results described in clause (A) or (B) if diagnosis had been made in the manner prescribed in clause (A) or (B), then there shall be an irrebuttable presumption that he is totally disabled due to pneumoconiosis[.] 30 U.S.C. § 921(c)(3). The enabling regulation for section 411(c)(3) similarly provides that the irrebuttable presumption of total disability, entitling a miner to benefits, may be established through chest x-ray, biopsy or autopsy, or other means of diagnosis in accordance with acceptable medical procedures. See 20 C.F.R. § 718.304(a)-(c). Section 413(b) of the Act directs that “in determining the validity of claims under this part, all relevant evidence shall be considered . . . .” 30 U.S.C. § 923(b). We have held that, although the statute and regulation list the three methods of establishing complicated CWP in the disjunctive, and although any of the three may be sufficient to support a finding of complicated CWP, an ALJ must take into account all of the relevant evidence and determine whether the preponderance of the evidence supports a finding of complicated CWP. Gray, 176 F.3d at 388-90.