Facts

Cindy Titus applied for disability insurance benefits. The Administrative Law Judge ("ALJ") found that Dr. Joseph Serra's medical opinions, offered in support of Titus' application, unpersuasive because they were unsupported by Dr. Serra's examination findings and were inconsistent with Titus' medical records. As for Titus' statements about the intensity, persistence, and limiting effects of her symptoms, the ALJ concluded they were inconsistent because they were not fully supported by the medical evidence of record. Titus alleged disability due to constant pain and various impairments, but the medical evidence showed Titus received conservative treatment for her impairments. Titus' application was ultimately denied. Subsequently, Titus filed a complaint for judicial review of the unfavorable decision by the Commissioner of the Social Security Administration regarding her application for disability insurance benefits.

PLAINTIFF'S CONTENTIONS: Plaintiff contended that the ALJ improperly analyzed the medical opinions; the ALJ improperly rejected plaintiff's testimony; and the ALJ's step-five findings--that plaintiff was capable of other work than past relevant work--was not supported by substantial evidence. Specifically, plaintiff argued that the ALJ erred by failing to provide adequate reasons to discount the opinions offered by Dr. Joseph Serra, who opined that plaintiff suffered various limitations. Dr. Serra opined that plaintiff could only stand and walk for up to two hours in an eight-hour workday, that she could sit up to four hours in an eight-hour workday, that she could never climb stairs, ladders, or scaffolds, and that she could never stoop, crouch, kneel, or crawl. Had Dr. Serra's opinions been credited, plaintiff would have been deemed disabled.

DEFENDANT'S CONTENTIONS: Defendant denied all contentions.

Result

The decision of the Commissioner of Social Security was affirmed.