Opinion ID: 782372
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: The role of obesity in a multiple factors analysis.

Text: 17 Although Celaya did not meet the listing criterion for obesity, that does not mean that the ALJ should ignore it. The argument that since plaintiff did not meet the listed criteria for obesity, her obesity need not be considered in a multiple impairments analysis gets things backwards. If a claimant does meet the listing criterion for one or more impairments, she is judged to be disabled without the need to conduct any further analysis. It is precisely when a condition falls short of the criterion, as here, that such an analysis is appropriate. See 42 U.S.C. § 423(d)(2)(B) (In determining whether an individual's... impairments are of sufficient medical severity that such ... could be the basis of eligibility under this section, the Secretary shall consider the combined effect of all the individual's impairments without regard to whether any such impairment, if considered separately, would be of such severity.), 20 C.F.R. §§ 404.1545(e), 416.945(e) (we will consider the limiting effects of all your impairment(s), even those that are not severe, in determining your residual functional capacity.). Furthermore, agency ruling SSR 96-8p states that 18 [i]n assessing RFC, the adjudicator must consider limitations and restrictions imposed by all of an individual's impairments, even those that are not severe. While a not severe impairment may not significantly limit an individual's ability to do basic work activities, it may — when considered with limitations or restrictions due to other impairments — be critical to the outcome of a claim. 19 Celaya's diabetes and hypertension were admittedly each a severe impairment — i.e., one that imposes significant restrictions in the ability to perform basic work activities, id. — without themselves being dispositive at step three. Logically, her obesity, though barely short of the criterion, may have fallen into the same category. Given the potential effect of obesity on these conditions, the ALJ had a responsibility to consider their interactive effect. In determining whether a claimant equals a listing under step three of the Secretary's disability evaluation process, the ALJ must explain adequately his evaluation of alternative tests and the combined effects of the impairments. Marcia v. Sullivan, 900 F.2d 172, 176 (1990); see also Social Security Ruling 83-19, at 91. The ALJ was responsible for determining the effect of Celaya's obesity upon her other impairments, and its effect on her ability to work and general health, given the presence of those impairments. Defendant admits that the ALJ did not do so, even implicitly. On remand, that determination must be made. 2 20