Opinion ID: 747186
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Ability to Perform Past Relevant Work

Text: 33 Since the ALJ made no error concerning either the treating physician's or chiropractor's opinions or the credibility assessment, we turn now to review briefly the record as a whole to determine whether there is substantial evidence to support the ALJ's finding that Walters was not disabled within the meaning of the Act. Such evidence clearly exists. 34 The record contains evidence that Walters's hypertension was well-controlled, and no evidence was presented suggesting it was debilitating in any way. Besides his own complaints of dizziness, marked dizziness was observed by a physician only when Walters was lying down. Furthermore, although there is evidence of lower-back problems, there is very little objective, physical evidence showing that the back pains were so severe that he was incapable of lifting 25-30 pounds. Although Mr. Katz advised Walters to refrain from extensive lifting, he gave no indication of what this entailed. See Villarreal, 818 F.2d at 462-63 (noting that the treating physician's use of the phrases heavy labor or a lot of stress provided qualified opinions, at best, as to the degree of disability). On the other hand, many medical tests either failed to confirm the alleged severity or seemed to show that he had full movement of his spine and legs without pain. Finally, Walters's own description of his daily and weekly routine do not contradict the ALJ's conclusion that Walters was able to perform the functions of his past job as a press operator.