Court Opinion

ID: 9453444
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-04 18:13:18.754148+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T17:33:39.378391
License: Public Domain

On Rehearing En Banc.
The Court on its own motion has heretofore ordered this ease to be reheard en banc. Since that time the statute has been amended by P.L. 90-248, 81 Stat. 821 (approved Jan. 2, 1968), § 158(b) providing, among other things, the following:
“(2) For purposes of paragraph (1) (A)—
(A) an individual (except a widow, surviving divorced wife, or widower for purposes of section 202(e) or (f)) shall be determined to be under a disability only if his physical or mental impairment or impairments are of such severity that he is not only unable to do his previous work but cannot, considering his age, education, and work experience, engage in any other kind of substantial gainful work which *411exists in the national economy, regardless of whether such work exists in the immediate area in which he lives, or whether a specific job vacancy exists for him, or whether he would be hired if he applied for work. For purposes of the preceding sentence (with respect to any individual), ‘work which exists in the national economy’ means work which exists in significant numbers either in the region where such individual lives or in several regions of the country.”
The Act further provides that it is applicable to cases- pending in courts where “the decision in such civil action has not become final” prior to its effective date (January 2, 1968). P.L. 90-248, § 158(e)(2)(B).
The Court is of the opinion that because of these statutory changes the case should be reconsidered by the Secretary in the light of the new statute. Accordingly, the Court takes this action. The prior order putting the case en banc is vacated. The opinion and judgment of the panel of August 29, 1967, is likewise vacated. The judgment of the District Court is vacated. The cause is remanded to the District Court with directions to remand it to the Secretary for further proceedings in the light of the statutory changes.