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Disabilities: gouty arthritis, carpal tunnel syndrome, chronic pancreatitis, chronic bronchitis, and polysubstance abuse
Notice of Decision: Fully Favorable
Administrative Law Judge: Robert D. Gill
Office of Disability Adjudication & Review (ODAR): Miami-Dade & Monroe County, Florida (including the Florida Keys (Key West))
FINDINGS OF FACT AND CONCLUSIONS OF LAW
After careful consideration of the entire record, I make the following findings:
1. The claimant has not engaged in substantial gainful activity since October 31, 2004, the date the application for supplemental security income was filed (20 CFR 416.920(b) and 416.971 et seq.).
2. The claimant has the following severe impairments: gouty arthritis, carpal tunnel syndrome, chronic pancreatitis, chronic bronchitis, and polysubstance abuse (20 CFR 416.920(c)).
3. The severity of the claimant's gouty arthritis meets the criteria of section 14.09A of 20 CFR Part 404, Subpart P, Appendix 1 (20 CFR 416.920(d)).
In making this finding, I considered all symptoms and the extent to which these symptoms can reasonably be accepted as consistent with the objective medical evidence and other evidence, based on the requirements of 20 CFR 416.929 and SSRs 96-4p and 96-7p. I have also considered opinion evidence in accordance with the requirements of 20 CFR 416.927 and SSRs 96-2p, 96-5p, 96-6p and 06-3p.
Section 14.00D6 explains that the spectrum of inflammatory arthritis includes a vast array of disorders that differ in cause, course, and outcome. Clinically, inflammation of major peripheral joints may be the dominant manifestation causing difficulties with ambulation or fine and gross movements; there may be joint pain, swelling, and tenderness. The arthritis may affect other joints, or cause less limitation in ambulation or the performance of fine and gross movements.
However, in combination with extra-articular features, including constitutional symptoms or signs (severe fatigue, fever, malaise, and involuntary weight loss), inflammatory arthritis may result in an extreme limitation. Section 14.09A provides that inflammatory arthritis is of listing level severity when there is persistent inflammation or persistent deformity of: 1. one or more major peripheral weight-bearing joints resulting in the inability to ambulate effectively (as defined in 14.00C6); or 2. One or more major peripheral joints in each upper extremity resulting in the inability to perform fine and gross movements effectively (as defined in 14.00C7).
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Awarded: Confidential