Sykes v. Apfel
United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit
228 F.3d 259 (2000)
- Written by Heather Whittemore, JD
Facts
Clifton Sykes (plaintiff) suffered from several medical issues including a shoulder injury, obstructive pulmonary disease, left-eye blindness, and depression. Sykes applied for disability benefits from the Social Security Administration (SSA) (defendant). The administrative-law judge concluded that based on his exertional limitations, Sykes was able to perform light work. Exertional limitations are limitations that affect a person’s ability to meet physical demands of a job, such as sitting, standing, lifting, and carrying. All other limitations are nonexertional. The administrative-law judge denied Sykes’s application after applying the SSA’s medical-vocational guidelines (the grids) to Sykes’s exertional limitations and finding jobs that existed for Sykes in the national economy. The SSA appeals council denied Sykes’s request for a review, and the district court upheld the administrative-law judge’s denial of benefits. Sykes appealed.
Rule of Law
Issue
Holding and Reasoning (Becker, C.J.)
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