Opinion ID: 63376
Heading Depth: 4
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: 04, which describes disorders of the spine:

Text: 1.04 Disorders of the spine (e.g., herniated nucleus pulposus, spinal arachnoiditis, spinal stenosis, osteoarthritis, degenerative disc disease, facet arthritis, vertebral fracture), resulting in compromise of a nerve root (including the cauda equina) or the spinal cord. With: A. Evidence of nerve root compression characterized by neuro-anatomic distribution of pain, limitation of motion of the spine, motor loss (atrophy with associated muscle weakness or muscle weakness) accompanied by sensory or reflex loss and, if there is involvement of the lower back, positive straight-leg raising test (sitting and supine) [or two other sets of symptoms not relevant here]. 20 C.F.R. Pt. 404, Subpt. P. App. 1 § 1.04. “For a claimant to show that his impairment matches a listing, it must meet all of the specified medical criteria.” Sullivan v. Zebley, 493 U.S. 521, 530 (1990). Zimmerman argues that his impairment met or equaled this listing because there was evidence that his pain radiated from his back to his left hip and leg, he had limited range of motion in 9 No. 07-20766 his spine, and he had a positive straight leg raising test. As to the requirement of evidence of nerve root compression, he notes that although his MRIs did not reveal this, a treating physician noted that his MRIs were blurred and MRI studies were limited due to his size. We acknowledge that Zimmerman provided some evidence that his impairments might meet the Listing 1.04 requirements. However, we find that substantial evidence supports the ALJ’s contrary conclusion that Zimmerman’s impairment failed to meet or equal the criteria in the listing. First, Dr. Hanley reported in June 2004 that “[e]xamination of [Zimmerman’s] lower extremities shows sensory intact,” suggesting that the “sensory or reflex loss” requirement was not met. In addition, Dr. Hanley found that Zimmerman’s motor strength was “5/5 in all muscle groups,” suggesting no motor loss. Finally, there was no direct indication of nerve root compression. In light of this evidence, we may not substitute our judgment for that of the ALJ. F. Determination that Zimmerman retained ability to perform work existing in significant numbers in the national economy Zimmerman’s final argument is that the ALJ erred in concluding that Zimmerman retains the ability to perform work existing in significant numbers in the national economy. To make this determination, the ALJ posed hypothetical questions to the vocational expert about what jobs a person with Zimmerman’s limitations would be able to perform. See Bowling, 36 F.3d at 436 (holding that vocational expert testimony must be based on a hypothetical question that includes all limitations supported by the record). His questions included all limitations supported by the record, including the need to alternate sitting and standing at will; the need to avoid lifting more than twenty pounds at a time; the need to avoid heights and climbing; and the need for low stress and limited public contact. Zimmerman’s suggestion that the hypothetical questions were insufficient is essentially a restatement of his earlier arguments 10 No. 07-20766 that the ALJ did not adequately consider his obesity-related and mental impairments, arguments we have already rejected. The vocational expert testified that based on these limitations, Zimmerman could perform three jobs existing in significant numbers: small products assembler (200,000 jobs nationally and 1000 locally), hardware assembler (40,000 jobs nationally and 300 locally), and “assembler/bench assembler/lawn and garden equipment” (20,000 jobs nationally and 150 locally). Zimmerman argues that this case must be remanded because (1) “bench assembler/lawn and garden machinery assembler” is a skilled position and therefore outside Zimmerman’s RFC and (2) “bench assembler” and “small products assembler” are actually the same job. These arguments are without merit: even if we disregarded the availability of the job of bench assembler, there are 240,000 jobs remaining for Zimmerman in the national economy.3 Thus, there is no reason to remand on this ground.