Pepper v. Astrue, No. 12-2261 (7th Cir. 2013)
Annotate this CaseIn 2008, Pepper, then 54 years old, applied for Supplemental Security Disability Insurance Benefits, alleging that she became unable to work in November 1998 as a result of numerous physical and mental impairments. The alleged onset date was later amended to October 2002, when Pepper last worked. Extensive medical records show that Pepper sought treatment for numerous health concerns over the years. At various times, Pepper has been assessed as having ongoing neck pain and limited range of motion in her neck, degenerative disc disease in her spine, left knee problems, migraine headaches, problems with her vision, diabetes, asthma, mitral valve prolapse, sciatica, dyslipidemia, hyperglycemia, hypertension, allergic rhinitis, obesity, plantar fasciitis in her left heel, caregiver stress, and depression. An ALJ denied the claim and the district court affirmed. The Seventh Circuit affirmed, rejecting arguments that the ALJ erred when addressing Pepper’s residual function capacity and that the ALJ’s credibility determination was inadequately supported and patently wrong. Substantial evidence supported denial of benefits.
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