Hamlin V. Barnhart

Edward Hamlin seeks review of a denial of disability insurance benefits under Title II of the Social Security Act. Mr. Hamlin filed for benefits in 1993. An administrative law judge (ALJ) denied his claim, and both the Appeals Council and the district court affirmed the ALJ's decision. Mr. Hamlin appeals, raising the same issues he posed before the district court. Essentially he contends the ALJ's rejection of his disability claim was not based on substantial evidence. Specifically, Mr. Hamlin asserts the ALJ erred in finding he had a residual function capacity (RFC) for a wide range of medium work by failing to properly consider the opinions of his treating doctors and in not treating as credible his assertions of disabling pain. We reverse and remand to the Commissioner of the Social Security Administration for further proceedings in accordance with this opinion. *fn1