Campbell v. Astrue, 10-1314

Denial of social security benefits reversed

In Campbell v. Astrue, 10-1314, the court reversed and remanded the district court's affirmance of the Social Security Administration's denial of plaintiff's application for disability insurance benefits and supplemental income as, the ALJ erred in deciding to discount plaintiff's treating psychiatrist's assessment of his functional limitations and by failing to apply the factors enumerted in 20 C.F.R. sections 404.1527(d) and 416.927(d) in deciding what weight to give that assessment.

As the court wrote: "An ALJ may not selectively discuss portions of a physician's report that support a finding of non-disability while ignoring other portions that suggest a disability.  Myles v. Astrue, 582 F.3d (7th Cir. 2009).  The ALJ failed to evaluate the entirety of the mental health assessment reviewed by Dr. Powell on December 22, 2005.  The ALJ focused her attention on section V Mental Status, instead of considering the six-page report as a whole."

Related Link:

• Read the Seventh Circuit's Full Decision in Campbell v. Astrue, 10-1314