Dist. Ct. did not err in remanding claimant’s denied application for Social Security disability benefits to ALJ for supplemental findings regarding MRI results, as well as resolution of ultimate question as to whether claimant’s pain was sufficiently debilitating. While claimant argued that he was entitled to outright award of benefits without any remand, where: (1) two treating physicians gave consistent opinions supporting his claim of persistent pain; (2) his long medical history included surgery and several unsuccessful procedures to alleviate said pain; and (3) claimant has had to endure two prior remands over 9-year period to obtain more factual findings, Ct. found that remand was appropriate since record contained some evidence that could be read to undermine claimant’s claim for benefits.
Federal 7th Circuit Court
Civil Court
Social Security