Opinion ID: 666924
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Severity of Corrao's substance addiction

Text: 31 Because we conclude that Corrao was not engaged in SGA, we must next address the Secretary's alternative finding that Corrao is not disabled because he does not have a severe impairment. 32 The severity requirement clearly serves the purpose behind the Social Security Act of awarding SSI only to those claimants whose impairment is severe enough to render them unable to work in our economy. The Supreme Court has recognized that including a severity inquiry at the second stage of the evaluation process permits the Secretary to identify efficiently those claimants whose impairments are so slight that they are unlikely to be found disabled even if the individual's age, education, and experience are considered. Bowen v. Yuckert, 482 U.S. 137, 153, 107 S.Ct. 2287, 2297, 96 L.Ed.2d 119 (1987). 33 An overly stringent application of the severity requirement, however, violates the statute by denying benefits to claimants who do meet the statutory definition of disabled. See Yuckert, 482 U.S. at 156-58, 107 S.Ct. at 2299-300 (O'Connor, J., concurring) (cautioning that facially valid regulation should not be applied to deny benefits to the disabled); Farris v. Secretary of Health & Human Servs., 773 F.2d 85, 89 (6th Cir.1985) (same). In order to standardize applications of the severity requirement, the Secretary promulgated interpretive guidelines, which state that an impairment may be found not severe only when evidence establishes a  'slight abnormality'  that has  'no more than a minimal effect on an individual's ability to work.'  Yuckert v. Bowen, 841 F.2d 303, 306 (9th Cir.1988) (citing Social Security Ruling 85-28, 1985 WL 56856,  3, 1985 SSR LEXIS 19,  7 (1985) (emphasis added)); see also Hudson v. Bowen, 870 F.2d 1392, 1396 (8th Cir.1989) (stating that the sequential evaluation process can be terminated at step two only in cases where there is no more than a minimal effect on the claimant's ability to work). 34 In analyzing a mental impairment such as Corrao's substance abuse addiction, the Secretary must consider the evidence in the case record--the mental status examination and psychiatric history. See 20 C.F.R. Sec. 916.920a(b). In concluding that Corrao does not suffer from a serious impairment, the ALJ failed to consider any of the expert medical testimony, and cited absolutely no evidence to support her conclusion that Corrao's disability is not severe. 35 We review the record as a whole to determine if substantial evidence supports the ALJ's conclusion that Corrao is not disabled. Both Corrao's personal history and the credible medical testimony and reports clearly support the view of this panel that Corrao suffers from a severe impairment and is disabled within the meaning of the Social Security Act. 4 36 Corrao has been hopelessly addicted to heroin for over thirty years and suffers from documented personality disorders. He consumes over twelve beers and a half pint of whisky daily. He has absolutely no relevant work experience and has been unable to hold a job since 1972 due to his uncontrollable addictions and outbursts. Because of his addictions, Corrao is periodically subject to periods of unconsciousness. Attempts to treat Corrao's substance addiction with methodone have been unsuccessful. 37 At the hearing, the medical expert Dr. Wilson testified that Corrao suffers from moderate restrictions in his ability to perform the activities of daily living. He suffers from marked restrictions in his ability to maintain social functioning, and his deficiencies in concentration would result in frequent failure to complete tasks in a timely manner. Finally, Dr. Wilson indicated that in a work-like setting Corrao would suffer from repeated episodes of deterioration, which would cause him to withdraw from that situation. This testimony combined with Corrao's personal history indicate that Corrao's heroin addiction clearly meets the requirements for listed impairments such that he is disabled within the meaning of the Social Security Act. 5 20 C.F.R. Pt. 404, Subpt. P. App. 1 Sec. 12.09; 20 C.F.R. Secs. 916.920a & 916.925 (1993).