The 7th Circuit Court of Appeals has issued a favorable decision in a Social Security case.
The case ruled that Social Security Administrative Law Judges must pay close attention to the testimony of the disabled person.
If the testimony is consistent with the medical records, and the doctors’ opinions, the Judge cannot just ignore or discount it.
In this case, a lady in her thirties, had suffered severe spine and head injuries and had constant headaches, and needed powerful pain medications.
She also had to spend a lot of time laying down.
The Social Security Judge ruled that she could work a sit down job.
This contradicted the ruling of the Agency consulting doctor who did not believe she could work.
This court case should make Administrative Law Judges think very carefully when they are weighing the testimony of a claimant.