Opinion ID: 486459
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Adjustment to Entry-Level Work

Text: 12 Gamer alleges the Secretary failed to follow its own regulations regarding Gamer's ability to adjust to unskilled, entry-level work. Gamer argues that because he is not able to perform a full range of light work, his age requires that he be considered disabled. 13 The regulations state that if a person is closely approaching advanced age (50-54), age, along with a severe impairment and limited work experience, may seriously affect [one's] ability to adjust to a significant number of jobs in the national economy. 20 C.F.R. Sec. 404.1563(c) (1984). The Secretary has adopted a series of grids which take into account these factors. See 20 C.F.R., Pt. 404, App. 2, Tables 1 and 2 (1984). See also Razey v. Heckler, 785 F.2d 1426, 1430 (9th Cir.) (permitting use of the grids in appropriate cases), amended 794 F.2d 1348 (9th Cir.1986). The grids show that a person of Gamer's age, education, and work experience would be considered disabled if that person could only perform sedentary work, but that that same person would not be considered disabled if able to perform light work. See 20 C.F.R., Pt. 404, App. 2, Tables 1 and 2. Compare 20 C.F.R., Pt. 404, App. 2, Secs. 201.10 and 201.14 (1984) with 20 C.F.R., Pt. 404, App. 2, Secs. 202.11 and 202.14 (1984). Capacity to perform a full range of light work includes the capacity to perform sedentary work. 20 C.F.R., Pt. 404, App. 2, Sec. 202.00 (1984). 14 Gamer's argument fails. The regulations do not state that a person of closely advancing age who cannot perform all types of light work is disabled. Nor do they state that a person unable to perform all types of light work is limited to sedentary work. The grids are to be used as guidelines in appropriate cases. See Heckler v. Campbell, 461 U.S. 458, 470, 103 S.Ct. 1952, 1959, 76 L.Ed.2d 66 (1983). It was, therefore, permissible for the ALJ to conclude that a person closely approaching advanced age who can perform some types of light work is not disabled.