Opinion ID: 3004583
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: The ALJ’s December 21, 2011, Decision

Text: Applying the familiar five-step analysis laid out in 20 C.F.R. § 416.920(a)(4), the ALJ concluded that Minnick is not disabled. At step one, she found that Minnick was not engaged in substantial gainful activity since the alleged disability onset date. At step two, the ALJ found that Minnick suffered from several severe impairments, but at step three concluded that Minnick’s impairments did not meet or equal any listed impairment. In reaching her conclusion, the ALJ discredited Minnick because his hearing testimony and manner during the hearing were inconsistent with his earlier descriptions of his disabling limitations. The ALJ also discredited one of Minnick’s treating physicians, Dr. Kachmann, because, according to the ALJ, Dr. Kachmann rendered inconsistent assessments and his findings were beyond the scope of his expertise. At step four, the ALJ found that Minnick cannot perform his past work, but can hold a job that limits his activity according to the RFC. At the fifth and final step, the ALJ relied on the VE’s testimony and concluded that Minnick could work in various unskilled, sedentary occupations, such as optical final assembler, addresser, or telephone order clerk. On January 5, 2012, Minnick filed a request for review with the Appeals Council of the Office of Disability Adjudication and Review. The Appeals Council denied Minnick’s request for review, at which point Minnick filed a civil action in federal court. The district court affirmed the ALJ’s decision on September 27, 2013. On appeal, Minnick argues that (1) the ALJ committed legal error by failing to adequately articulate why the claimant’s combined impairments did not produce findings of equal medical significance to the criteria of Listing 1.04, and 10 No. 13-3626 (2) the ALJ erred by assessing an RFC that is not supported by substantial evidence.