Opinion ID: 470129
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Whether Substantial Evidence Supports the Secretary's Decision.

Text: 18 Driggins contends that: (1) the objective medical evidence of record alone requires a finding of disability; (2) no substantial evidence exists to support the Secretary's finding that he had an exertional capacity to perform sedentary work; and (3) the Secretary failed to consider evidence of subjective pain. We disagree. 19 Judicial review of a disability decision is limited to a determination of whether substantial evidence supports the Secretary's decision. 42 U.S.C. Sec. 405(g); Bogard v. Heckler, 763 F.2d 361, 362-63 (8th Cir.1985). Additionally, based on our discussion in part B of this opinion, we limit the scope of our review to the period from March 26, 1976 through March 3, 1977. 20 The record evidence of Driggins' medically determined impairments do not meet or equal one of the listed impairments of 20 C.F.R., Appendix I, Subpart P Sec. 1.05 (disorders of the spine). First, substantial evidence exists to support the Secretary's finding that the medical evidence fails to establish significant deterioration of Driggins' lower back condition prior to March 1977. Further, the record reveals that during the period at issue, Driggins: (1) sought medical care infrequently, if at all; (2) underwent no active treatment; and (3) only took aspirin during the day to relieve his pain. As such, Driggins' condition failed to meet the requirements of a listed impairment. 21 Although the objective medical evidence reveals that after his back surgery Driggins suffered from poor flexation, tenderness in the fourth and fifth vertebrae, straight-leg raising limited to 40-50 degrees, limited range of motion, and some pain, most of the doctors believed that Driggins was capable of some degree of productive activity. However, Driggins submits that his treating physician believed that Driggins was totally disabled. In light of the conflicting medical testimony, we believe the ALJ properly rejected the testimony of Driggins' treating physician as conclusory. Smith v. Heckler, 760 F.2d 184, 187 (8th Cir.1985); Beasley v. Califano, 608 F.2d 1162, 1165-66 (8th Cir.1979). Resolution of conflicts in testimony are the province of the Secretary and not the courts. Beasley, supra, 608 F.2d at 1166. Based on the record as a whole, we conclude that substantial evidence supports the conclusion that Driggins' back injury and pain would not have prevented him from engaging in sedentary work from March 26, 1976 through March 3, 1977. 22 On remand from the district court, the Appeals Council ordered a supplemental hearing to determine the existence of substantial gainful employment opportunities in which Driggins could engage considering his age, education, work experience and limitations due to medical impairments. Driggins contends that at the supplemental hearing, the ALJ made no mention of the pain factor in the hypothetical question to the vocational expert and that the ALJ and vocational expert failed to consider Driggins' pain. As such, Driggins asserts that the vocational expert's testimony cannot support a finding of no disability during this time period. Again, we disagree. 23 This court has previously determined that hypothetical questions posed to vocational experts must precisely set out all of the claimant's impairments. O'Leary v. Schweiker, 710 F.2d 1334, 1343 (8th Cir.1983) (citation omitted). Careful review of the record of the supplemental hearing demonstrates that although the ALJ did not specifically mention Driggins' claims of pain, the hypothetical question included all of the exertional impairments produced by the pain, according to Driggins' own testimony. 2 2] As such, the record indicates that the vocational expert assumed, as the basis of her opinion, all of the exertional impairments claimed by Driggins. We believe that this way of asking the question gave Driggins the full benefit of his own version of the facts, and that the vocational expert's testimony constituted substantial evidence of the availability of appropriate employment for Driggins from March 26, 1976 through March 3, 1977. Thus, our review of the evidence convinces us that the ALJ fully considered Driggins' allegations of pain in light of his testimony and the medical evidence, and that the evidence fully supports the finding that he could perform sedentary work during this time. 24 Accordingly, we affirm the denial of benefits and the opinion of the district court.