Reese v. Social Security Administration, Commissioner

Plaintiff Reese filed an action in United States District Court seeking judicial review of the final decision of the Commissioner of Social Security denying the application for disability insurance benefits and supplemental security income. The case centers on an administrative law judge's determination that Reese retained the residual functional capacity to perform a significant number of jobs existing in the national economy, thus was not disabled within the meaning of the Social Security Act. The court examined whether substantial evidence supported the Commissioner's decision and whether the correct legal standards were applied.

The United States District Court affirmed the Commissioner's decision, finding that the ALJ applied the proper legal framework and the denial of benefits was supported by substantial evidence.

Whether the Administrative Law Judge properly evaluated the medical opinion evidence and the claimant's subjective complaints of pain, and whether the step-five determination that the claimant could perform other work was supported by substantial evidence in the record.

The case illustrates the heavy burden claimants face in overturning agency disability determinations and reinforces the deference federal courts give to administrative fact-finding under the substantial evidence standard.