Opinion ID: 3016222
Heading Depth: 4
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Donatelli’s Residual Functional Capacity4

Text: While the ALJ found that Donatelli is unable to perform his past relevant work, he also found that Donatelli retains the residual functional capacity to perform light work with occasional stooping, kneeling, crawling, climbing, and balancing. In arriving at this finding, the ALJ cites doctors’ reports, which state that Donatelli’s condition has improved, that he suffered only a minimal decrease in strength, and that he could return to light duty. Additionally, a report of Dr. Ramalingam Ravishankar noted that Donatelli stopped using a sequential simulator and had no significant pain in his legs. Donatelli previously used the simulator device to provide relief when he suffered from back pain. 4 Donatelli alleges that he is disabled as a result of diabetes and hypertension, in addition to his back pain. The ALJ found that the diabetes and hypertension are controlled by medication and have not caused organ damage and therefore are not severe. Donatelli does not contest these findings in his appeal. Therefore, we focus only on the ALJ’s findings regarding Donatelli’s back pain, and express no opinion as to the other conditions. 7 The ALJ also noted that Dr. Eric Altschuler wrote a report in December 2001. In this report, Dr. Altschuler stated that Donatelli’s “strength, sensation and reflexes are normal.” Considering these reports, the ALJ determined that the medical evidence does not entirely support Donatelli’s allegations and that he retains the residual functional capacity to perform light work with occasional stooping, kneeling, crawling, climbing and balancing.5 We find that the ALJ’s finding is supported by substantial evidence.