Opinion ID: 164123
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Alleged Mental Impairment

Text: We conclude that the ALJ erred by failing to address whether Mrs. Lamb suffers from a severe mental impairment. As noted above, Dr. Nael diagnosed -12- Mrs. Lamb as suffering from depression, and there are also references to the fact that she suffers from depression, and was prescribed Zoloft to treat her depression, in the records of Dr. Pelofsky and Dr. Hancock. Thus, there is sufficient evidence in the record to establish that Mrs. Lamb suffers from a mental impairment, and the ALJ therefore erred by failing to evaluate the severity of her mental impairment in accordance with the procedures set forth in 20 C.F.R. § 404.1520a (2001). See Cruse v. United States Dep’t of Health & Human Servs. , 49 F.3d 614, 617 (10th Cir. 1995) (“When there is evidence of a mental impairment that allegedly prevents a claimant from working, the [ALJ] must follow the procedure for evaluating mental impairments set forth in 20 C.F.R. § 404.1520a and the Listing of Impairments and document the procedure accordingly.”). The order of the district court is REVERSED, and this case is REMANDED to the district court with instructions to remand the case to the Commissioner for further proceedings before the ALJ. Entered for the Court Wade Brorby