Administrative Law: Social Security-Disability-Residual Functioning Capacity-Sufficiency of Evidence

Plaintiff appealed the district court’s judgment affirming defendant’s denial of plaintiff’s application for Social Security disability benefits. An ALJ ruled that plaintiff was not disabled because she had a residual functioning capacity to perform light work with limitations that existed in significant numbers in the national economy. On appeal, plaintiff challenged the ALJ’s rejection of the opinion of one of plaintiff’s treating physicians.

Where the physician merely provided a checkbox opinion that conflicted with his treatment notes and recommended treatment plan, the ALJ was justified in rejecting the opinion.

Judgment is affirmed.

Nolen v. Kijakazi (MLW No. 79534/Case No. 22-1977 – 4 pages) (U.S. Court of Appeals, 8th Circuit, Benton, J.) Appealed from U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Arkansas, Ervin, J. (Stephanie Bartels Wallace, of Jonesboro, AR, for appellant) (Emily Carroll, Special AUSA, of Dallas, TX, for appellee)