Opinions of the United
2008 Decisions States Court of Appeals
for the Third Circuit
5-29-2008
Miller v. Comm Social Security
Precedential or Non-Precedential: Non-Precedential
Docket No. 07-2975
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Recommended Citation
"Miller v. Comm Social Security" (2008). 2008 Decisions. Paper 1108.
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NOT PRECEDENTIAL
UNITED STATES COURT OF APPEALS
FOR THE THIRD CIRCUIT
___________
No. 07-2975
___________
ROBERT E. MILLER,
Appellant
v.
*MICHAEL J. ASTRUE, COMMISSIONER SOCIAL SECURITY
* (Pursuant to Rule 43(c), F.R.A.P.)
___________
On Appeal from the United States District Court
for the Western District of Pennsylvania
(D.C. Civil No. 06-cv-00789)
District Judge: The Honorable William L. Standish
___________
Submitted Under Third Circuit LAR 34.1(a)
May 20, 2008
BEFORE: SMITH and NYGAARD, Circuit Judges,
and STAFFORD,* District Judge.
Filed May 29, 2008
*.
Honorable William H. Stafford, Jr., Senior District Judge for the United States
District Court for the Northern District of Florida, sitting by designation.
___________
OPINION OF THE COURT
___________
NYGAARD, Circuit Judge.
Robert E. Miller applied for disability insurance benefits and supplemental security
income. The ALJ found that Miller was not disabled under the Social Security Act
because the Appeals Council denied his request for review, and the ALJ’s decision
became the final decision of the Commissioner. The District Court rejected Miller’s
appeal. We will affirm.
On appeal, Miller challenges the District Court's legal conclusions and the ALJ's
factual findings regarding his disability. We agree with the District Court and will adopt
its reasoning as set forth in its thorough opinion. There was substantial evidence in the
record to support the ALJ's conclusion that Miller’s abdominal tumor, appendectomy and
obesity were not severe impairments. See Fargnoli v. Massanari, 247 F.3d 34, 38 (3d Cir.
2001). Further, there is substantial evidence in the record to support the ALJ’s finding
that there was no spinal disorder resulting in the compression of a nerve root or the spinal
cord. The ALJ properly considered, discussed and weighed the relevant evidence
pertaining to Miller’s disability allegations. The ALJ examined reports from Miller’s
treating physician and medical center as well as from consultative examiners. The ALJ
2
discussed Miller’s history, symptoms, and treatment for each condition. Our review
shows that the ALJ accorded great weight to the opinions of the treating doctors.
Further, although Miller takes issue with a discrepancy between the Vocational
Expert's testimony and the examples of jobs the ALJ found he could perform, there is
substantial evidence to support the finding that Miller is able to perform a limited range
of sedentary work and that such work exists in the national economy. See 42 U.S.C. §§
423(d)(2)(A), 1382c(a)(3)(B); see also Jones v. Barnhart, 364 F.3d 501, 505-06 (3d Cir.
2004).1
Finally, the ALJ's RFC finding is also supported by substantial evidence and the
hypothetical question posed to the Vocational Expert accurately reflected Miller’s
established physical impairments. See Burns v. Barnhart, 312 F.3d 113, 123 (3d Cir.
2002).
For the reasons set forth above, we will affirm the final order of the District Court.
1.
We note that Dr. Kasdan, Miller’s treating physician, opined that Miller could
perform light work. The ALJ gave Miller the benefit of the doubt and found that he could
only perform sedentary work.
3