Opinion ID: 854868
Heading Depth: 4
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Dr. Onady’s letter

Text: Between the second and third hearings, Dr. Onady wrote a letter at the request of Gayheart’s counsel. She explained that Gayheart “still suffers from frequent panic attacks, irritability, has a low frustration level, and extreme social anxiety, even with medications.” In her opinion, Gayheart was “not capable of being dependable and reliable to the extent that he would be able to work on a normal basis.” She acknowledged that “his alcohol consumption does not help his depression,” but noted that alcohol was “not the root of the problem, and the severity of his symptoms as well as the frequency would still persist if he were no longer drinking alcohol.” 4. The ALJ’s decision and the appeal to the district court After reviewing the evidence in the record and having heard the testimony at the three hearings, the ALJ denied Gayheart’s claim for DIB. The ALJ concluded that Gayheart suffered severe impairments, but that the combination of those impairments did not meet or medically equal any of the listed impairments in 20 C.F.R. Part 404, No. 12-3553 Gayheart v Commissioner of Social Security Page 11 Subpart P, Appendix 1, nor precluded Gayheart from being able to perform jobs that exist in significant numbers in the national economy. Gayheart’s requested review of the ALJ’s decision by the Appeals Council was denied, making the Commissioner’s denial of DIB final. He then sought review of that decision in the federal district court as allowed by 42 U.S.C. § 405(g). The assigned magistrate judge issued a Report and Recommendation concluding that the ALJ’s decision was not based on substantial evidence because it failed to accord proper weight to the opinions of Gayheart’s treating psychiatrist and therapists. He further concluded that the “proof of disability is overwhelming” and that the case should be remanded to the Commissioner for an immediate award of benefits rather than for reconsideration. But the district court sustained the Commissioner’s objections to the Report and Recommendation, finding that the ALJ gave adequate reasons for discounting the opinions of Gayheart’s treating psychiatrist and therapists and that the ALJ applied the correct legal criteria in reaching a decision that is supported by substantial evidence. The court therefore affirmed the Commissioner’s denial of DIB and ordered the case terminated. This timely appeal followed.