Opinion ID: 462376
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Failure to Consider All Impairments in Combination

Text: Mrs. Gibson asserts three bases of error concerning the ALJ's consideration of her impairments. First, Mrs. Gibson contends that the ALJ failed to consider each and every alleged impairment. Second, she argues that the ALJ failed to consider all of the impairments in combination. Last, she argues that the ALJ's conclusory statement that all impairments were considered in combination is an inadequate basis for this court's review because the ALJ did not state the weight accorded each impairment and the reason for his decision on each impairment. This court agrees that the ALJ failed to consider each impairment alleged by Mrs. Gibson and the combined effect of those impairments. Clearly, the ALJ must consider every impairment alleged. Simmons, 602 F.2d at 1236; Walden, 672 F.2d at 839. The ALJ properly considered and discussed in this case the impairments of arthritis, iritis, hypertension, pain, bronchitis, and urinary incontinence. He failed to address, however, Mrs. Gibson's claimed impairments of psoriasis, nervousness, anxiety, dizziness, and forgetfulness. He did not discuss whether these claimed impairments were sufficiently severe--either singularly or in combination--to create a disability. The ALJ must address the degree of impairment caused by the combination of physical and mental medical problems. Strickland v. Harris, 615 F.2d 1103, 1110 (5th Cir. 1980) (emphasis in original); see also Hudson v. Heckler, 755 F.2d 781, 785 (11th Cir.1985). The ALJ also failed to state the weight accorded each item of impairment evidence and the reasons for his decisions on such evidence. The ALJ must state specifically the weight accorded each item of evidence and the reasons for his decision. Hudson, at 785-86; Cowart v. Schweiker, 662 F.2d 731, 735 (11th Cir.1981). These failures mandate a reversal of the administrative finding that Mrs. Gibson was not diabled. On remand, the ALJ should consider each impairment singularly and in combination to determine disability. The court refers the Secretary and the ALJ to Correcting Errors Without a New Trial, 1 Ga. St. L. Rev. 1 (1984), to note that error can be corrected without a retrial by compliance with applicable legal standards.