Court Opinion

ID: 9472573
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-05 04:04:14.855058+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T17:43:01.194914
License: Public Domain

WELLFORD, Circuit Judge,
dissenting.
I believe the AU had substantial evidence to support a finding that plaintiff is not disabled due to pain alone. The AU specifically found that, while the medical evidence indicated that plaintiff “has low back pain ... his complaints of constant, severe and disabling pain is [sic] not found to be credible.” As the majority has noted, when a claimant’s testimony of subjective *976pain and discomfort is supported by clinical and diagnostic evidence, the Secretary cannot lightly reject that testimony. Noe v. Weinberger, 512 F.2d 588, 595-96 (6th Cir. 1975). On the contrary, however, “the mere existence of pain is not an automatic ground for proven disability.” Newborn v. Harris, 602 F.2d 105, 107 (5th Cir.1979).
The district court held that the findings of Dr. Shahabi constituted substantial evidence in support of the Secretary’s decision. On January 23, 1981, plaintiff underwent an examination and disability evaluation by Dr. Shahabi. This examination revealed a well nourished and developed obese man, walking with a limping gait. Range of motion of the lumbosacral was restricted, but the range of motion of the cervical spine was unremarkable in all directions. The upper and lower extremities active and passive range of motion and manual muscle testing was good, and no muscle wasting or atrophy was seen. Straight leg raising was restricted to 60 degrees, but unremarkable in a sitting position. Finally, x-rays reveal the heights of the vertebral bodies to be normally maintained. Also observed was a transitional vertebral body at the lumbosacral junction. The majority states that Dr. Shahabi “reported that appellant’s pain during the examination was manifest and that the pain significantly restricted appellant’s movement.” Actually, Dr. Shahabi reported only that plaintiff experienced some pain, particularly when squatting, when the lumbosacral was subjected to palpatation and percussion; straight leg raising (in the right leg only) was restricted by pain to 60 degrees. Dr. Shahabi concluded that plaintiff had degenerative disc disease, and post lumbar laminectomy disc syndrome, however, plaintiff required no ambulatory aids.1
Dr. Martz, plaintiff's treating physician at Doctor’s Hospital, noted that plaintiff’s muscle testing of lower extremities was within normal limits, and no reflex changes were noted. The progress notes from Doctor’s Hospital reveal that plaintiff is able to heel and toe walk and no muscle weakness was noted.
Were it our duty to hear this case de novo, this judge may agree with the result reached by my fellow judges. Our task, however, is to determine whether there is substantial evidence to support the findings of the Secretary, as affirmatively, supported by the district judge. While there is evidence of significant limitation of motion, on plaintiff’s part, there is no evidence of muscle weakness, sensory loss, or significant reflex loss. Therefore, it was properly within the AU’s role as a decision maker to hold as he did after personal observation of King. Credibility, especially concerning alleged pain, is an important factor, and the ALJ has the best opportunity to make such determinations, which should not be discarded lightly. Beavers v. Califano, 577 F.2d 383, 387 (6th Cir.1978). The ALJ’s determination here was not based solely on his observations but also on the entire record in the case. It should also be noted that King’s discomfort may well have been attributed at least in part to his obesity. He conceded that his doctor discussed the advisability of his losing weight, but at the time of hearing he was not dieting. A young man, his weight varied from as much as 325 pounds to 275 pounds. He had a left leg % inch shorter than his right “with unknown etiology,” according to Dr. Shahabi, who also noted “exogenous obesity” in January, 1981.
Concededly, the opinion of a claimant’s long-time treating physician is ordinarily entitled to greater weight than other examining physicians. Bowie v. Harris, 679 F.2d 654, 656 (6th Cir.1982). The Secretary, however, is not bound by the treating physician’s opinion when it is not supported by detailed clinical and diagnostice evidence. Giddings v. Richardson, 480 F.2d 652, 656 (6th Cir.1973). In this case Dr. *977Larrick, the treating doctor, appears not to have conducted any tests, and his report does little in the way of discussing any tests to which he may have had access. His conclusory statement was therefore not entitled to great or determinative effect. 20 C.F.R. § 404.1527 (1982).
I would Affirm the district court.

. The majority understands this statement to mean that such aids would have no therapeutic value. Such a meaning is not expressed by Dr. Shahabi, nor is it logically compelling. More likely, I believe, is that Dr. Shahabi did not think that plaintiff suffered from any ailment which required such remedial measures.