Opinion ID: 610035
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Parker's Mental Impairment

Text: 31 Parker asserts that the Secretary erred in finding her mental impairment to be nonsevere. The Secretary determined that Parker had possible anxiety, but absolutely no evidence [existed] of a mental impairment of any significant variety. (App. 27.) 32 In Farris v. Secretary of Health and Human Services, 773 F.2d 85 (6th Cir.1985), we stated that an impairment can only be considered nonsevere where it is a slight abnormality which has such minimal effect on the individual that it would not interfere with that individual's ability to work, regardless of age, education, and work experience. Id. at 90 (citations omitted). Further, when evaluating claims of mental impairment, the Secretary considers the effect of the mental impairment on four areas of function: daily living activities; social functioning; concentration, persistence, and pace; and deterioration or decompensation in work or work-like settings. 20 C.F.R. §§ 404.1520a(b)(3) and 416.920a(b)(3). 33 Parker was involved with several daily activities. No evidence existed that her social behavior was other than ordinary. Although she testified that her concentration was poor because she read books but then was unable to remember the storylines the next day, Parker also testified that she did crossword puzzles and other activities that require concentration. The Secretary also noted that Parker apparently never sought treatment for her mental impairment, nor did objective testing show that her accident resulted in any dysfunction of the brain. Even if Parker did suffer from some anxiety, we find substantial evidence exists to support the finding that Parker's mental impairment was nonsevere. 34 AFFIRMED.