ALJ Error – Disability Benefits

By: Derek Hawkins//March 18, 2019//

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7^th Circuit Court of Appeals

Case Name: Danny J. Ray v. Nancy A. Berryhill

Case No.: 18-2229

Officials: WOOD, Chief Judge, and KANNE, and ST. EVE, Circuit Judges.

Focus: ALJ Error – Disability Benefits

Danny Ray applied for Supplemental Security Income and Disability Insurance Benefits based on a host of physical disorders and mental conditions. An administrative law judge found that Ray was severely impaired by most of his physical conditions, but she denied benefits after finding that he could perform his past relevant work as a school bus monitor. Ray challenges that finding, arguing that the ALJ erroneously discredited him, failed to treat his prior job as “composite,” and improperly assessed his functional abilities compared to the job requirements for a bus monitor in the general economy. The district court affirmed the ALJ’s decision. We agree with Ray and vacate the judgment.

Vacated and Remanded

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Derek A Hawkins is trademark corporate counsel for Harley-Davidson. Hawkins oversees the prosecution and maintenance of the Harley-Davidson’s international trademark portfolio in emerging markets.

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