James H. Buchanan, Petitioner, v. U.S. Railroad Retirement Board, Respondent, 998 F.2d 1008 (4th Cir. 1993)

James Buchanan seeks review of the Railroad Retirement Board's (Board's) order affirming the Hearings Officer's denial of his claim for a disability annuity under § 2(a) (1) (v) of the Railroad Retirement Act. 45 U.S.C. § 231a(a) (1) (v) (1988). Buchanan argues that the Hearings Officer and the Board failed to accord proper weight to the opinion of his treating physician and improperly discredited Buchanan's testimony regarding his level of pain.

Our review of the record, the opinions of the Hearings Officer and the Board, and the arguments of counsel disclose that the Hearings Officer's and the Board's opinions are supported by substantial evidence and that Buchanan's arguments have no merit. See Duncan v. Railroad Retirement Bd., 375 F.2d 915, 920 (4th Cir. 1966) (appellate court reviews Board's findings for substantial evidence). Accordingly, we affirm on the basis of the well-reasoned opinions of the Hearings Officer and the Board. In re Buchanan, no. 91-632 (R.R.B. Hearings Officer Jun. 20, 1991), aff'd no. 3974 (R.R.B. Jan. 28, 1992).

AFFIRMED