Minnock v. Colvin

Record failed to support ALJ’s denial of claimant’s application for Social Security disability benefits, where claimant alleged that his fibromyalgia, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and degenerative disc disease prevented him from working. ALJ failed to adequately explain why claimant’s combined impairments did not meet criteria set forth in Listing 1.04 for spinal diseases, as well as ignored aspects of medical record that would have supported such finding. Moreover, ALJ used only boilerplate language in finding that claimant was not credible when describing intensity, persistence and limiting effects of his symptoms, and record otherwise contained objective medical evidence to support claimant’s subjective complaints. ALJ also failed to explain why claimant’s treating physician’s opinion was not supported by record.