Hesseltine v. Colvin, No. 14-2780 (8th Cir. 2015)
Annotate this CaseHesseltine is “within the Borderline range of mental functioning.” She graduated from high school in 2003, reading at a sixth grade level. Hesseltine underwent several childhood surgeries to treat a leg impairment caused by Perthes disease, which cuts off blood flow to the hip. From 2004 to 2005, Hesseltine worked irregularly as a cook’s helper. From 2005 to 2007, Hesseltine worked part-time at a laundry business with the help of a job coach. In 2009, Hesseltine worked briefly as a casino housekeeper. In 2006, Hesseltine was diagnosed with polycystic ovarian syndrome, she manages her syndrome with medication. In 2007, a doctor observed limitation in flexion of her left hip and knee, “probably due to obesity.” Hesseltine lives with her husband and performs some household tasks, but reported that she could not walk more than a block without needing to rest and could lift a gallon of milk at a maximum. Hesseltine applied for disability insurance benefits. An ALJ denied the application, finding that her combination of impairments did not meet or medically equal a listed impairment in 20 C.F.R. 404, and that there were jobs in the economy that Hesseltine could perform. The Eighth Circuit remanded; the ALJ failed to sufficiently address whether her impairments medically equal Listing 12.05C.
Court Description: Kelly, Author, with Murphy and Colloton, Circuit Judges] Civil case - Social Security. While the ALJ summarily concluded claimant's combination of impairments did not medically equal the criteria of Listing 12.05C, she did not provide the reasons for her conclusion, and since the court cannot determine whether there was sufficient evidence to support the decision, the matter is remanded for further proceedings. Judge Colloton, dissenting.
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