Opinion ID: 2978627
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Disability appeal: standard of review

Text: This Court reviews the district court’s decision de novo. Bass v. McMahon,499 F.3d 506, 509 (6th Cir. 2007). Our review of the Commissioner’s decision is limited to determining whether the factual findings are supported by substantial evidence and whether the correct legal standards were applied. 42 U.S.C. § 405(g); Colvin v. Barnhart, 475 F.3d 727, 729-30 (6th Cir. 2007). “Substantial evidence is more than a scintilla of evidence but less than a preponderance; it is such relevant evidence as a reasonable mind might accept as adequate to support a conclusion.” Cutlip v. Sec’y Health & Human Servs., 25 F.3d 284, 286 (6th -9- No. 08-3848 Cunningham v. Comm’r of Social Security Cir. 1994) (per curiam) (citation omitted). “If the Commissioner’s decision is supported by substantial evidence, we must defer to that decision even if there is substantial evidence in the record that would have supported an opposite conclusion,” Colvin, 475 F.3d at 730 (quotation marks and citation omitted), and “even if the reviewing court would decide the matter differently.” Cutlip, 25 F.3d at 286. “This court does not try the case de novo, nor resolve conflicts in the evidence, nor decide questions of credibility.” Id. at 286 (citations omitted). To make a determination as to disability, an ALJ undertakes a five-step sequential evaluation. 20 C.F.R. § 404.1520(a)(4)(i)-(v). First, the ALJ determines whether the claimant is engaged in substantial gainful activity; if he is, he is not disabled. Id. § 404.1520(a)(4)(i). Second, the ALJ determines whether the claimant suffers a severe medically determinable physical or mental impairment; if he does not, he is not disabled. Id. § 404.1520(a)(4)(ii). Third, if the claimant shows that his impairment meets or equals one of the impairments listed in 20 C.F.R. Pt. 404, Subpt. P. App.1, he is deemed disabled. Id. § 404.1520(a)(4)(iii). Fourth, the ALJ considers the claimant’s residual functional capacity (“RFC”) to determine if he can still perform the work he has performed in the past; if he can, he is not disabled. Id. § 404.1520(a)(4)(iv). Finally, the ALJ determines whether, based on the claimant’s RFC and his age, education, and work experience, the claimant can make an adjustment to other work; if he can, he is not disabled. Id. § 404.1520(a)(4)(v). “The claimant bears the burden of proof during the first four steps, but the burden shifts to the Commissioner at step five.” Wilson v. Comm’r of Soc. Sec., 378 F.3d 541, 548 (6th Cir. 2004) (citation omitted). Once the burden shifts, “the Commissioner must identify a significant number of jobs in the economy that accommodate the claimant’s residual functional capacity and vocational profile.” Id. (citation omitted). “[T]he Commissioner may rely on the testimony of a vocational expert to find that the claimant - 10 - No. 08-3848 Cunningham v. Comm’r of Social Security possesses the capacity to perform other substantial gainful activity that exists in the national economy.” Id. (citation omitted). Here, the ALJ determined that Cunningham successfully moved through the first four steps of the sequential evaluation process, but, based on the testimony of the VE, denied Cunningham’s claim at the fifth step. We review the ALJ’s decision regarding this fifth step.