Opinion ID: 59773
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: Duty to Fully and Fairly Develop the Record

Text: Next, Hernandez claims that the Commissioner failed to fully and fairly develop the record regarding Hernandez’s literacy, arguing that “[t]he ALJ’s cumulative failures to make and/or document the relevant inquiries regarding [Hernandez’s] language abilities deprives his finding on this matter of substantial supporting evidence.” To determine whether the ALJ fully and fairly developed the record, we ask whether the record contained sufficient evidence for him to make an informed decision. See Brock v. Chater, 84 F.3d 726, 728 (5th Cir. 1996). So long as such evidence exists, the ALJ need not have supplemented the record with additional evidence. See 20 C.F.R. §§ 404.1516, 416.916; Anderson v. Sullivan, 887 F.2d 630, 634 (5th Cir. 1989). Here, there was sufficient evidence in the record for the ALJ to make his determination regarding Hernandez’s literacy and ability to communicate in English. First, the ALJ heard Hernandez’s testimony regarding Hernandez’s formal education, vocational training, military service, math ability, ability to read and write in English, and ability to make change at the store, and followed 6 No. 07-30816 up on this testimony by asking Hernandez about Hernandez’s ability to read the newspaper and whether Hernandez had a valid driver’s license. Second, Hernandez stated in the disability reports that he can speak English and read and write “a little” English, and also reported that he can follow spoken or written instructions. Finally, although Hernandez contends that he was initially unable to respond to several questions at the hearing, the transcript indicates that he could readily understand and answer those questions once they were rephrased.