Terry v. Blair, Plaintiff-appellant, v. Shirley S. Chater, Commissioner of the Social Securityadministration,1 Defendant-appellee, 68 F.3d 483 (10th Cir. 1995)
Annotate this CasePlaintiff Terry V. Blair appeals the district court's order affirming the Secretary's determination that he was not disabled, and thus ineligible for Supplemental Security Income under Title XVI of the Social Security Act. Plaintiff contends substantial evidence does not support the Secretary's determination because the administrative law judge (ALJ) failed to consider evidence of Plaintiff's chronic alcohol abuse. Our jurisdiction arises under 42 U.S.C. 405(g) and 28 U.S.C. 1291. We affirm.
Law
In reviewing the ALJ's factual findings,4 we consider the record as a whole and ask whether substantial evidence supports those findings. Coleman v. Chater, 58 F.3d 577, 579 (10th Cir. 1995). Substantial evidence is "such relevant evidence as a reasonable mind might accept as adequate to support a conclusion." Richardson v. Perales, 402 U.S. 389, 401 (1971) (quotation omitted).5
The ALJ is obliged to develop an adequate record in every social security case "consistent with the issues raised." Henrie v. H.H.S., 13 F.3d 359, 360-61 (10th Cir. 1993). "The [ALJ's] duty is one of inquiry, ensuring that the ALJ is informed about facts relevant to his decision and learns claimant's own version of those facts." Id. at 361 (quotations and brackets omitted). The ALJ, however, is not required to be the claimant's advocate. The ultimate burden of proving disability under the applicable standards and regulations remains with the claimant. Id.
Discussion
Although Plaintiff never argued before the ALJ that alcohol contributed to his purported disability, the record contains references to Plaintiff's alcohol abuse. Thus, the ALJ properly developed the record and addressed the matter in his decision. The ALJ noted Plaintiff's past history of severe alcohol abuse and dependency. Vol. II at 15. The ALJ further noted, however, that following Plaintiff's accident, his drinking lessened: " [B]ecause of his decreased drinking, [Plaintiff] should probably function better. The diagnosis was alcohol abuse and dependency which was currently reported to be in remission." Vol. II at 15. The ALJ concluded: "Considering the claimant's alcoholism in the context of the expert opinion [of the examining physician] ... shows that the claimant's impairment is nonsevere, the claimant is fully capable of performing work and would even be better at performing work since he is not drinking." Vol. II at 18.6
Accordingly, Plaintiff's assertion that the ALJ did not consider evidence of his alcohol abuse in denying him benefits is meritless. Because the Secretary's determination is supported by substantial evidence, the judgment of the district court upholding that determination is
AFFIRMED.
Effective March 31, 1995, the functions of the Secretary of Health and Human Services in social security cases were transferred to the Commissioner of the Social Security Administration. P.L. No. 103-296. Pursuant to Fed. R. App. P. 43(c), Shirley S. Chater, Commissioner of the Social Security Administration, is substituted for Donna E. Shalala, Secretary of Health and Human Services, as the defendant in this action. Although we have substituted the Commissioner for the Secretary in the caption, in the text we continue to refer to the Secretary because she was the appropriate party at the time of the underlying decision
This order and judgment is not binding precedent, except under the doctrines of law of the case, res judicata, and collateral estoppel. The court generally disfavors the citation of orders and judgments; nevertheless, an order and judgment may be cited under the terms and conditions of the court's General Order filed November 29, 1993. 151 F.R.D. 470
After examining the briefs and appellate record, this panel has determined unanimously to honor the parties' request for a decision on the briefs without oral argument. See Fed. R. App. P. 34(f); 10th Cir. R. 34.1.9. The case therefore is ordered submitted without oral argument
The parties and the court are familiar with the facts and they need not be repeated here
The correct legal standards for determining disability are encompassed in a five-part test set forth in 20 C.F.R. 416.920. See Bowen v. Yuckert, 482 U.S. 137, 140-42 (1987) (describing five-part test). Plaintiff does not challenge the ALJ's application of these standards
Even accepting Plaintiff's claim that he is an alcoholic, we note that alcoholism alone is not considered disabling. 20 C.F.R. 404.1525(e). Rather, alcoholism together with other impairments must render a claimant unable to undertake "substantial gainful employment." Coleman, 58 F.3d at 579
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