20 C.F.R. § 404.1520

At step two, § 404.1520(c) treats an impairment as severe only when it significantly limits a claimant’s physical or mental ability to perform basic work activities.

JEAVONS v. O'MALLEY · filed 2025-05-19(c)

A “severe impairment” is one that “significantly limits [the claimant’s] physical or mental ability to do basic work activities[.]” 20 C.F.R. §§ 404.1520(c), 416.920(c). ... The ALJ’s determination that Jennifer J.’s major depressive disorder and generalized anxiety disorder were not severe is supported by substantial evidence, i.e., “more than a mere scintilla,” which is all that is required to affirm the Commissioner’s determination on appeal.

At Step Two, § 404.1520(c) treats an impairment as severe when it significantly limits a claimant’s physical or mental ability to do basic work activities, and the court applied a de minimis threshold for showing that limitation.

Richard v. Social Security Administration · filed 2025-05-22(c)

A severe impairment or combination of impairments is “any impairment or combination of impairments which significantly limits [a claimant’s] physical or mental ability to do basic work activities.” ... Accordingly, to establish a severe impairment, Plaintiff need only make a “de minimis” showing that her impairment is severe enough to interfere with her ability to do work.

Section 404.1520 requires an ALJ to evaluate the medical severity of a claimant’s impairments at step two, and an impairment is severe when it significantly limits the claimant’s physical or mental ability to do basic work activities.

Price v. Commissioner of Social Security · filed 2025-06-03(a)(4)(ii), (c)

At step two of the sequential evaluation process, the ALJ evaluates the “medical severity” of a claimant’s impairments. 20 C.F.R. §§ 404.1520(a)(4)(ii), 416.920(a)(4)(ii). A “severe impairment” is one that “significantly limits [a claimant’s] physical or mental ability to do basic work activities.” Id. §§ 404.1520(c), 416.920(c).

Section 404.1520(c) requires an impairment to significantly limit a claimant’s physical or mental ability to do basic work activities to qualify as severe at Step Two; a diagnosis alone is insufficient.

Higgins v. Commissioner of Social Security · filed 2025-06-11(c)

“[A]ny impairment or combination of impairments which significantly limits [a person’s] physical or mental ability to do basic work activities” is considered “severe.” 20 C.F.R. § 404.1520(c). ... Though Plaintiff’s COPD is well documented in the available treatment records, and the ALJ found it to be a medically determinable impairment, there is no indication from the records of her COPD resulting in any significant limitations during the period at issue. ... While Plaintiff identifies portions of the record that describe her symptoms and the diagnoses she received, a diagnosis does not itself demonstrate “severe impairment.” See 20 C.F.R. § 404.1520(c) (requiring an “impairment or combination of impairments” that is “severe”).

Section 404.1520(c) requires the ALJ to evaluate whether a claimant has a medically determinable impairment at step two and permits the sequential evaluation to end when the claimant is not disabled at that step.

Kuntz v. Commissioner of Social Security · filed 2025-07-07(c)

At Step Two of the sequential evaluation process, an ALJ must evaluate whether a claimant has a “medically determinable physical or mental impairment.” 20 C.F.R. § 404.1520. ... For all of the reasons set forth above, the undersigned finds the ALD did not err in finding Kuntz was not disabled at Step Two and ending the sequential evaluation there.

Section 404.1520(c) requires the ALJ at step two to determine whether an impairment or combination of impairments significantly limits a claimant’s physical or mental ability to perform basic work activities.

Hamdan v. Commissioner of Social Security · filed 2025-07-11(c)

At step two of the five-step evaluation process, an ALJ must determine the severity of any claimed impairment. 20 C.F.R. §§ 404.1520(c), 416.920(c). A combination of impairments that meets the medical severity requirement also satisfies this step. Id. Therefore, this step “acts as a filter” to deny claims without severe impairment.

At Step Two, § 404.1520(c) treats an impairment as severe only when it significantly limits the claimant’s physical or mental ability to do basic work activities.

Silvestri v. Commissioner of Social Security · filed 2025-03-31(c)

A medically determinable impairment is “severe” if it “significantly limits [the claimant’s] physical or mental ability to do basic work activities.” 20 C.F.R. § 404.1520(c).

Section 404.1520(c) requires an ALJ to treat an impairment as severe only when it significantly limits a claimant’s physical or mental ability to perform basic work activities.

Raab v. O'Malley · filed 2025-08-07(c)

At step two, an ALJ must determine whether the claimant has a medically determinable impairment—or combination of impairments—that is “severe.” 20 C.F.R. § 404.1520(c). To qualify as “severe,” the impairment must significantly limit the claimant’s “physical or mental ability to do basic work activities,” 20 C.F.R. § 404.1520(c), and “must have lasted or must be expected to last for a continuous period of at least 12 months” or be expected to result in death. 20 C.F.R. § 404.1509; see also Titles II & XVI: Med. Impairments That Are Not Severe, SSR 85-28, 1985 WL 56856 (1985) (hereinafter “SSR 85-28”). “Basic work activities” include not only physical functions like walking, standing, lifting, pushing, pulling, carrying, but also cognitive functions like using judgment, and understanding, carrying out, and remembering simple instructions. SSR 85-28, 1985 WL 56856 at *3. An impairment is not severe if “the evidence establishes a slight abnormality that has no more than a minimal effect on an individual’s ability to work.’” Smolen v. Chater, 80 F.3d 1273, 1290 (9th Cir. 1996) (citation modified); see also SSR 85-28, 1985 WL 56856, at *3. ... Based on a detailed review of the entire Administrative Record, the Court finds substantial evidence supports the ALJ’s conclusion Plaintiff’s diabetic retinopathy was not a severe impairment.

Section 404.1520(c) requires an impairment to significantly limit a claimant’s physical or mental abilities to do basic work activities to qualify as severe at Step Two.

Bass v. Commissioner of Social Security · filed 2025-08-19(c)

As relevant to this case, a severe impairment is an impairment that significantly limits a claimant’s physical or mental abilities to do basic work activities. 20 C.F.R. § 404.1520(c); 20 C.F.R. § 404.1521(a) (defining a non-severe impairment).

Section 404.1520(c) requires an impairment to significantly limit a claimant’s physical or mental ability to do basic work activities to qualify as severe at Step Two.

Tavera v. Commissioner of Social Security · filed 2025-09-02(c)

“A ‘severe impairment’ is a medically determinable impairment or combination of impairments that ‘significantly limits [the claimant’s] ability to do basic work activities.’”

Section 404.1520(c) requires the ALJ at step two to determine whether an impairment or combination of impairments significantly limits the claimant's physical or mental ability to perform basic work activities.

Ptak v. Commissioner of Social Security · filed 2025-09-22(c)

The ALJ’s analysis begins in earnest at step two, which required him to determine whether plaintiff had one or more “severe” impairments, i.e., a condition that “significantly limits” the claimant’s physical or mental ability to do “basic work activities.” 20 C.F.R. §§ 404.1520(c), 416.920(c).

Section 404.1520(c) requires an impairment to significantly limit a claimant’s physical or mental ability to do basic work activities to qualify as severe at step two.

Alexandra De Lee v. Bisignano · filed 2025-09-24(c)

At this step, the ALJ determines which of the claimant’s alleged impairments are “severe”; a “severe” impairment is one that “significantly limits” a claimant’s “physical or mental ability to do basic work activities.” 20 C.F.R. § 404.1520(c).

Section 404.1520(c) treats an impairment as severe when it significantly limits a claimant’s physical or mental ability to perform basic work activities; an impairment is non-severe when it has no more than a minimal effect on the ability to work.

(SS) Dawson v. Commissioner of Social Security · filed 2025-08-25(c)

To qualify for benefits, the plaintiff must have an impairment severe enough to significantly limit the physical or mental ability to do basic work activities. See 20 C.F.R. §§ 404.1520(c), 416.920(c). ... An impairment, or combination of impairments, can only be found to be non-severe if the evidence establishes a slight abnormality that has no more than a minimal effect on an individual’s ability to work. See Social Security Ruling (SSR) 85-28; see also Yuckert v. Bowen, 841 F.2d 303, 306 (9th Cir. 1988) (adopting SSR 85-28).

At step two, an impairment is severe only if it significantly limits an individual’s physical or mental abilities to do basic work activities.

Pagan v. O'Malley · filed 2025-10-06(c)

An impairment is considered severe only if it “significantly limits an individual’s physical or mental abilities to do basic work activities.” 20 C.F.R. § 404.1520(c).

Section 404.1520(c) requires an impairment or combination of impairments to significantly limit a claimant’s ability to perform basic work activities to be considered severe at step two.

Capraro · filed 2025-11-24(c)

This appeal turns on the ALJ’s finding at step two that Plaintiff “did not have an impairment or combination of impairments that significantly limited the ability to perform basic work-related activities for 12 consecutive months.” (Tr. 19). After careful consideration, the undersigned finds that the ALJ’s limited analysis regarding Plaintiff’s impairments and symptoms thereof (particularly, Plaintiff’s gastrointestinal symptoms) precludes meaningful review of her decision; thus, it is impossible to determine whether her decision is supported by substantial evidence. ... The ALJ’s lack of reasoning regarding how she determined Plaintiff’s impairments and evaluated Plaintiff’s symptoms precludes the undersigned from considering whether she conducted the proper legal analysis. Because this constitutes reversible error, the undersigned recommends that the Court reverse the ALJ’s decision and remand the case to the Commissioner to address this issue.

Section 404.1520(c) requires a claimant at step two to have an impairment or combination of impairments that significantly limits the ability to perform basic work activities.

Turner · filed 2025-11-18(c)

At step two, the Court must determine whether the applicant has an impairment or combination of impairments that are severe, i.e., whether any of the applicant's impairments or combination of impairments significantly limit her physical or mental ability to do basic work activities. John B. H. v. Saul, No. 4:20-CV-04080-VLD, 2021 WL 1192930, at *16 (D.S.D. Mar. 30, 2021) (citing 20 C.F.R. § 404.1520(c)).

Section 404.1520(c) requires a claimant at step two to have an impairment or combination of impairments that significantly limits the ability to perform basic work activities.

JOHNSTON · filed 2025-12-11(c)

In step two, the Commissioner must determine whether the claimant is suffering from a severe impairment. 20 C.F.R. § 404.1520(c). If the claimant fails to show that her impairments are “severe”, she is ineligible for disability benefits.

At step two, an impairment is severe when it significantly limits a claimant’s physical or mental ability to perform basic work activities.

Lilly · filed 2025-12-17(c)

A “severe” impairment is defined under the regulations as “any impairment or combination of impairments which significantly limits your physical or mental ability to do basic work activities.”2 Griffeth v. Comm’r of Soc. Sec., 217 F. App’x 425, 428 (6th Cir. 2007) (quoting 20 C.F.R. § 404.1520(c)); see also Long v. Apfel, 1 F. App’x 326, 330-32 (6th Cir. 2001).

At step two, the ALJ must determine whether the claimant has a severe impairment; an impairment is not severe only if it has no more than a minimal effect on the ability to work, and if the claimant has at least one severe impairment, the evaluation proceeds to step three.

Robinson · filed 2025-12-17(c)

Step two serves as “a threshold determination meant to screen out weak claims.” Buck v. Berryhill, 869 F.3d 1040, 1048 (9th Cir. 2017) (citing Bowen v. Yuckert, 482 U.S. 137, 146-47 (1987)). The ALJ must determine whether the claimant has a “severe” impairment. 20 C.F.R. § 404.1520(c). An impairment is not severe only if it has no more than a minimal effect on the ability to work. Webb v. Barnhart, 433 F.3d 683, 686-87 (9th Cir. 2005). If the claimant has at least one severe impairment, the evaluation proceeds to step three. 20 C.F.R. § 404.1520(d).

Section 404.1520(c) requires the ALJ to assess whether an impairment significantly limits a claimant’s physical or mental ability to perform basic work activities and to treat it as severe at step two when it does.

SINATRA · filed 2025-12-23(c)

At step two, the ALJ determines whether the claimant has any medically severe impairments. ... An ALJ may find no severity only if the evidence presented establishes no more than “a slight abnormality or combination of slight abnormality” that does not limit basic work activities. ... While some portions of the medical record suggest Philip’s knee and back pain may have fluctuated, the record nevertheless indicates that his lumbar radiculopathy and knee osteoarthritis significantly impacted Philip’s ability to engage in basic work activities. Because “[r]easonable doubts on severity are to be resolved in favor of the claimant” at step two, the ALJ erred by declining to characterize Philip’s lumbar radiculopathy and knee osteoarthritis as severe impairments, Newell, 347 F.3d at 546.

At step two, § 404.1520(c) treats an impairment as severe only when it significantly limits an individual’s ability to perform basic work activities.

Fahrer · filed 2026-01-12(c)

Further, as rightly noted by the ALJ, although Plaintiff experienced depression and anxiety, the record does not contain any evidence that these conditions significantly limit her functional abilities—a requirement for an impairment to be found severe. See 20 C.F.R. § 404.1520(c) (noting that an impairment must be “severe,” which means it significantly limits an individual’s ability to perform basic work activities).

Section 404.1520 directs the ALJ, at step two, to determine whether a claimant has a severe impairment.

Westover · filed 2026-01-20(a)(4)(ii)

At step two of the sequential evaluation, the ALJ determines whether a claimant has a “severe” impairment. See 20 C.F.R. §§ 404.1520(a)(4)(ii), 416.920(a)(4)(ii).

At Step Two, the regulation requires an ALJ to assess the severity of a claimant’s impairments; an impairment is severe only if it significantly limits the claimant’s physical or mental ability to perform basic work activities.

Randall v. O'Malley · filed 2025-09-30(a)(4)(ii), (c)

At step two of the five-step sequential analysis, the ALJ must assess the medical severity of a claimant’s impairments. 20 C.F.R. § 404.1520(a)(4)(ii); see also Webb v. Barnhart, 433 F.3d 683, 686 (9th Cir. 2005). ... An impairment or combination of impairments is considered “severe” if it “significantly limits [a claimant’s] physical or mental ability to do basic work activities.” 20 C.F.R. § 404.1520(c). ... Accordingly, the Court concludes that substantial evidence supports the ALJ’s finding at step two that R.R.’s mental impairments are not severe.

Section 404.1520(c) treats an impairment as severe when it significantly limits a claimant’s physical or mental ability to do basic work activities.

Strickland v. O'Malley · filed 2025-09-30(c)

An impairment or combination of impairments is considered “severe” if it “significantly limits [a claimant’s] physical or mental ability to do basic work activities.” 20 C.F.R. § 404.1520(c).

Section 404.1520(c) defines a severe impairment as one that significantly limits a claimant's ability to do basic work activities.

Beckstead · filed 2026-03-16(c)

An impairment or combination of impairments is severe when it “significantly limits [his] ability to do basic work activities.” 20 C.F.R. § 404.1520(c).

Section 404.1520(c) treats an impairment as severe when it significantly limits a claimant's physical or mental ability to perform basic work activities.

Lewis · filed 2026-03-30(c)

An impairment is severe if it significantly limits the claimant’s physical or mental ability to perform basic work. 20 C.F.R. § 404.1520(c). An ALJ’s failure to account for a severe impairment at step two of the sequential analysis is harmless so long as the ALJ continues to the next step and considers the aggregate effects of all the claimant’s limitations.

At step two, a diagnosis alone does not establish a severe mental impairment; the resulting functional limitations must be evaluated.

Maddaloni v. Commissioner of Social Security · filed 2009-08-14(c)

Mere diagnosis alone, however, does not complete the statutory analysis necessary at steps two and three as it does not reveal the degree of functional limitation resulting from the claimant’s mental impairment.

At step two, the section treats an impairment as non-severe when it does not significantly limit a person's physical or mental ability to perform basic work activities.

Acosta v. Astrue · filed 2012-03-02(c)

Further, under Stone’s presumption for a remand, a reviewing court must assume that the ALJ “applied an incorrect standard to the severity requirement unless the correct standard is set forth by reference to [the Stone] opinion or another of the same effect, or by an express statement that the construction [the Fifth Circuit] give[s] to 20 C.F.R. § 404.1520(c) (1984) is used.”

At step two, impairments considered individually and together are nonsevere when their effects are too minimal to be expected to interfere with work.

Wesley v. Commissioner of Social Security · filed 2024-03-20(c)

Finding no evidence of work interference, considering each impairment individually and in combination, the ALJ had substantial evidence to conclude that they were “slight abnormalities that have had such a minimal effect on her that they would not be expected to interfere with her ability to work.” (Tr. 22; see Stone, 752 F.2d at 1101.)

Section 404.1520(c) requires a severe impairment to significantly limit the claimant’s physical or mental ability to perform basic work activities.

Loza v. Apfel · filed 2000-07-13(c)

The ALJ did not set forth the standard as it was construed in Stone, refer to Stone or another decision of this court to the same effect, or expressly state that the construction this court gives to 20 C.F.R. § 404.1520(c) was used. Consequently, in accordance with our holding in Stone, we must assume that the ALJ and Appeals Council applied an incorrect standard to the severity requirement, reverse the magistrate’s judgment dismissing Mr. Loza’s claim, and cause the case to be remanded to the Commissioner for reconsideration.

Section 404.1520 requires a claimant's impairment to significantly limit basic work activities to qualify as severe at step two.

Casselbury v. Colvin · filed 2015-03-13(c)

“An impairment is ‘severe’ if-it ‘significantly limits [the claimant’s] physical or mental ability to do basic work activities.’ ” ... “ALJ Tielens misconstrued the applicable legal standard in making these findings. , As Plaintiff notes in her memorandum, the ALJ erroneously focused on the lack of objective findings in determining that Plaintiffs fibromyalgia was not a medically determinable impairment.”

At step two, the section requires an impairment to significantly limit the claimant’s ability to perform basic work activities.

Gessner v. Berryhill · filed 2018-09-24(c)

Step two of the sequential evaluation “requires the claimant to show that he has an ‘impairment or combination of impairments which significantly limits’ ‘the abilities and aptitudes necessary to do most jobs.’” ... In light of the above evidence, the Court finds that the ALJ erred in finding Plaintiff’s headaches merely a symptom without specifically considering whether they were a separate medically determinable impairment. The above evidence further establishes that Plaintiff’s headaches were more than a slight abnormality and that they significantly limited his abilities to do basic work activities.

Section 404.1520(c) requires an impairment to significantly limit a claimant’s ability to perform basic work activities to be considered severe.

Greenaway v. Berryhill · filed 2019-03-27(c)

For an impairment to be “severe,” a plaintiff must provide evidence that it significantly limits his or her physical or mental ability to perform basic work activities. See20 C.F.R. § 416.920(c); 20 C.F.R. § 404.1520(c).

Section 404.1520 treats an impairment as severe at step two when it significantly limits the claimant's physical or mental ability to perform basic work activities.

(SS) Rodriguez v. Commissioner of Social Security · filed 2023-05-31(c)

At step two of the sequential evaluation, the ALJ must determine if the claimant has a medically severe impairment or a combination of impairments. ... An impairment is severe if it “significantly limits your physical or mental ability to do basic work activities.” See 20 C.F.R. §§ 404.1520(c), 416.921. ... Absent such evidence, the ALJ did not err in failing to conclude at step two that Plaintiff’s alleged back condition was a severe impairment.

Section 404.1520(c) treats an impairment as non-severe only when it is a slight abnormality with no more than a minimal effect on an individual's ability to work.

Vasquez v. Commissioner of Social Security Administration · filed 2023-06-06(c)

At step two of the sequential evaluation process, the ALJ must determine whether Plaintiff suffers from a severe impairment or combination of impairments. Smolen v. Chater, 80 F.3d 1273, 1290–91 (9th Cir. 1996). This is a de minimis screening instrument used to dispose of meritless claims. Id. at 1291. “An impairment or combination of impairments may be found not severe only if the evidence establishes a slight abnormality that has no more than a minimal effect on an individual’s ability to work.” Webb v. Barnhart, 433 F.3d 683, 686 (9th Cir. 2005) (internal quotation marks omitted); see 20 C.F.R. § 404.1520(c).

A severe impairment found at step two advances the disability analysis to step three but does not, by itself, require a particular work restriction.

Worden v. Commissioner of Social Security · filed 2025-06-20(c)

If the ALJ identifies a “severe” impairment at Step Two, the analysis merely continues to Step Three. See 20 C.F.R. § 404.1520(c). Thus, the Court rejects Plaintiff’s argument that because she was found to have a “severe” mental impairment at Step Two, the ALJ was required to impose any particular restriction on her work.

At step two, § 404.1520(a)(4)(ii) requires an ALJ's finding that an impairment is severe to reflect that the impairment satisfies the duration requirement.

Anderson v. Kijakazi · filed 2023-04-03(a)(4)(ii)

First, in determining that Plaintiff’s obesity and anemia were severe at step two, the ALJ necessarily concluded that these impairments met the duration requirement. Tr. 12; see 20 C.F.R. § 404.1520(a)(4)(ii).7 Thus, Defendant’s argument that Plaintiff has not met the duration requirement is entirely misplaced.

Section 404.1520 requires the ALJ to evaluate whether a claimant has a medically severe impairment at step two and to account for that impairment's limitations in later steps.

(SS) Madrid v. Commissioner of Social Security · filed 2023-04-06(c)

The Social Security Regulations set out a five-step sequential evaluation process to be used in determining if a claimant is disabled. 20 C.F.R. § 404.1520;2 Batson v. Comm’r of Soc. Sec. Admin., 359 F.3d 1190, 1194 (9th Cir. 2004). ... Step two: Is the claimant’s alleged impairment sufficiently severe to limit his or her ability to work? If so, proceed to step three. If not, the claimant is not disabled. ... First, the Court finds the failure to discuss the diagnosis of somatoform at step two was error. ... Accordingly, the Court finds the ALJ erred at step two, and the error was not rendered harmless at step four.

Section 404.1520 requires an impairment to be medically determinable before it can be classified as severe at step two.

Alvida L. v. Kijakazi · filed 2023-04-12(c)

The ALJ then goes on to inconsistently find that Plaintiff “meets neither the 1990 criteria nor the 2010 criteria” under SSR 12-2p and thus her fibromyalgia cannot be found to be a “medically determinable impairment” (“MDI”). (Tr. 25-26). However, as is clear, only an MDI can be a “severe” impairment at Step 2. See 20 CFR § 404.1520. Despite this, the ALJ again shifts gears and finds Plaintiff’s fibromyalgia to be a “non-severe impairment causing no more than mild limitations in her ability to work.” (Tr. 26). In other words, he finds it is an MDI.

At step two, the regulation requires the ALJ to consider the combined severity of the claimant’s medically determinable impairments and find an impairment severe when it significantly limits basic work activities and meets the twelve-month duration requirement.

Natal v. Social Security Administration, Commissioner · filed 2022-12-09(a)(4)(ii), (c)–(d)

The second step of the sequential disability evaluation requires the ALJ to consider the combined severity of the claimant’s medically determinable physical and mental impairments. 20 C.F.R. § 404.1520(a)(4)(ii). A medically determinable impairment is severe if it significantly limits a claimant’s physical or mental abilities to do basic work activities and lasts at least twelve months. See 20 C.F.R. § 404.1520(c)–(d). ... As an initial matter, the ALJ identified Ms. Natal’s degenerative disc disease/lumbago as a severe impairment. R. 20. Therefore, the ALJ satisfied step two of the sequential disability analysis. Ms. Natal’s argument that the ALJ erred by not categorizing obesity as severe fails.

At step two, § 404.1520(c) requires determining whether a medically determinable impairment or combination of impairments is severe, meaning it significantly limits the claimant’s physical or mental ability to perform basic work activities.

Button v. Social Security Administration · filed 2021-07-22(c)

At step two of the sequential evaluation process, the ALJ must determine whether the claimant has a medically determinable impairment or combination of impairments that is “severe.” 20 CFR § 404.1520(c). An impairment or combination of impairments is “severe” within the meaning of the Regulations if it significantly limits a claimant’s physical or mental ability to perform basic work activities; conversely, an impairment is not severe if it does not significantly limit a claimant’s physical or mental ability to do basic work activities. Id.; 20 CFR '' 404.1521(a), 416.920(c), 416.921(a).

Section 404.1520(a)(4)(ii) makes step two a limited screening inquiry for medically severe impairments that significantly limit basic work activities; the RFC assessment must account for all impairments, severe and non-severe.

Kuh v. O'Malley · filed 2021-07-29(a)(4)(ii)

Step two is “a de minimus screening device [used] to dispose of groundless claims.” For that reason, “[g]reat care should be exercised in applying the not severe impairment concept.” Notably, however, step two “is not meant to identify the impairments that should be taken into account when determining the RFC” as step two is meant only to screen out weak claims, whereas the crafted RFC must take into account all impairments, both severe and non-severe.

Section 404.1520(c) requires the ALJ at step two to determine whether the claimant has a severe impairment that significantly limits the ability to perform basic work activities.

Gorman, Jr v. Commissioner of Social Security · filed 2021-08-05(c)

At step two of the sequential evaluation process, the ALJ must determine whether the plaintiff has a severe impairment that significantly limits his or her physical or mental ability to do basic work activities. See 20 C.F.R. § 404.1520(c). The plaintiff bears the burden of presenting evidence establishing severity. Smith v. Comm'r of Soc. Sec., 351 F. Supp. 3d 270, 276 (W.D.N.Y. 2018) (quoting Taylor v. Astrue, 32 F. Supp. 3d 253, 265 (N.D.N.Y. 2012)); see also 20 C.F.R. § 404.1512(a). ... Therefore, the ALJ did not err in concluding Plaintiff’s TBI was a non- severe impairment and Plaintiff fails to provide evidence in the record he was diagnosed with TBI or had additional functional limitations due to his TBI.

Section 404.1520(c) requires a claimant to have an impairment or combination of impairments causing more than minimal limitations in the ability to perform basic work-related activities to qualify as severe at step two; the step-two standard is de minimis and screens out only the weakest claims.

Adams v. Commissioner of Social Security · filed 2021-08-10(c)

At step two of the disability analysis, the ALJ must determine whether a claimant has one or more severe impairments that significantly limit his or her physical or mental ability to do basic work activities. 20 C.F.R. §404.1520(c). “The claimant bears the burden of presenting evidence establishing severity.” Taylor v. Astrue, 32 F. Supp. 3d 253, 265 (N.D.N.Y. 2012), adopted, 32 F. Supp. 3d 253 (N.D.N.Y. 2012). The standard at step two is “de minimis and is meant only to screen out the weakest of claims.” Dixon v. Shalala, 54 F.3d 1019, 1030 (2d Cir. 1995). Nonetheless, the “‘mere presence of a disease or impairment, or establishing that a person has been diagnosed or treated for a disease or impairment’ is not, by itself, sufficient to render a condition ‘severe.’” Taylor, 32 F. Supp. 3d 253 at 265 (quoting Coleman v. Shalala, 895 F. Supp. 50, 53 (S.D.N.Y. 1995)). Rather, “to be considered severe, an impairment or combination of impairments must cause more than minimal limitations in [a claimant’s] ability to perform work-related functions.” Windom v. Berryhill, 2018 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 176372 at *7 (W.D.N.Y. 2018) (internal quotation marks and citations omitted).

Section 404.1520(c) requires the ALJ at step two to determine whether the claimant has a severe impairment or combination of impairments, with an impairment treated as non-severe when it has no more than a minimal effect on the ability to work.

(SS) Nunes v. Commissioner of Social Security · filed 2021-08-19(c)

At step two of the five-step sequential evaluation, the ALJ is required to determine whether a plaintiff has a “severe” medical impairment or combination of impairments. 20 C.F.R. § 404.1520(c). An impairment, or combination of impairments, can be found to be non-severe if the evidence establishes a slight abnormality that has no more than a minimal effect on an individual’s ability to work. See SSR 85–28, 1985 WL 56856 (Jan. 1, 1985); see also Yuckert v. Bowen, 841 F.2d 303, 306 (9th Cir.1988) (adopting SSR 85–28). ... However, even assuming arguendo that the ALJ erred in finding Plaintiff’s chronic migraines, rheumatoid arthritis, and degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine not severe at step two, any such error is harmless because the ALJ considered these impairments at step four of the sequential evaluation.

Section 404.1520(a)(4)(ii) and (c) end the disability analysis at step two when the claimant lacks a severe impairment, so the ALJ need not assess residual functional capacity or obtain vocational-expert testimony.

King v. Kijakazi · filed 2020-08-20(a)(4)(ii), (c)

Step two requires the ALJ to determine whether the claimant has a “severe impairment.” 20 C.F.R. § 404.1520(c). ... Since the ALJ found King not disabled under step two of the disability-determination analysis, Tr. 35-36, he was not required to consider her maximum residual functional capacity or seek additional testimony from a vocational expert. Tr. 108; see 20 C.F.R. §§ 404.1520(a)(4)(ii), (c).

Section 404.1520(c) makes step two turn on whether the claimant has a severe impairment; an impairment that does not significantly limit basic work abilities is not severe.

Wilke v. Saul · filed 2020-09-29(c)

At step two of the sequential analysis, the ALJ determines whether a claimant has a “severe impairment.” 20 C.F.R. § 404.1520(c). “An impairment or combination of impairments is not severe if it does not significantly limit your physical or mental ability to do basic work activities. . .” 20 C.F.R. § 404.1521. ... The Court finds that ALJ’s determination that Plaintiff’s thyroid condition is not a severe impairment to be supported by substantial evidence.

Section 404.1520(c) requires the ALJ at step two to determine whether the claimant has a severe impairment or combination of impairments that significantly limits the ability to perform basic work activities.

REILLY v. SAUL · filed 2020-10-28(c)

At step two, the ALJ must determine whether the claimant has a severe impairment or combination of impairments which significantly limits the claimant’s physical or mental ability to do basic work activities. 20 C.F.R. §§ 404.1520(c); 404.1522.15 ... The burden placed on an applicant at step two is “not an exacting one.”

Section 404.1520(c) defines a severe impairment as one that significantly limits a claimant’s physical or mental ability to do basic work activities.

Montoya v. Social Security Administration · filed 2020-11-05(c)

An impairment is “severe” if it “significantly limits [a claimant’s] physical or mental ability to do basic work activities.” 20 C.F.R. § 404.1520(c). ... Thus, the failure to find a particular impairment severe at step two is not reversible error when the ALJ finds that at least one other impairment is severe.

Section 404.1520(c) requires the ALJ at step two to determine whether the claimant has a severe impairment that significantly limits the ability to perform basic work activities.

Conklin v. Commissioner of Social Security · filed 2021-02-09(c)

At Step Two, the ALJ must determine whether the claimant has a severe impairment that significantly limits his physical or mental abilities to perform basic work activities. 20 C.F.R. §§ 404.1520(c), 416.920(c)). ... Therefore, the Court does not find any error in the ALJ's decision to label plaintiff’s physical impairments as non-severe.

At step two, the ALJ must determine whether the claimant has a severe impairment that significantly limits the claimant's physical or mental ability to do basic work activities.

Eakman v. Commissioner of Social Security · filed 2020-11-19(c)

At step two of the sequential evaluation process, the ALJ must determine whether the plaintiff has a severe impairment that significantly limits her physical or mental ability to do basic work activities. See 20 C.F.R. §§ 404.1520(c), 416.920(c)3.

Section 404.1520(c) treats an impairment as severe when it significantly limits the claimant’s physical or mental ability to do basic work activities.

Hellebrand v. Commissioner of Social Security · filed 2021-03-10(c)

As part of the disability determination process, the Commissioner assesses whether a claimant has shown that she suffers from a “severe” impairment. A severe impairment is an “impairment or combination of impairments which significantly limits [the claimant’s] physical or mental ability to do basic work activities.” A severity analysis is not a high hurdle, but rather a mechanism for weeding out baseless claims. As such, an ALJ must treat any impairment as severe if it has “more than a minimal effect on an individual’s ability to do basic work activities.”

Section 404.1520 makes step two a de minimis screen: an impairment is severe when it significantly limits basic work activities, and the adjudicator must account for all of the claimant’s limitations in the sequential evaluation.

Johnson v.Commissioner Social Security Administration · filed 2021-03-24(a)(4)(ii), (c), (e)

At step two, the ALJ determines whether the claimant’s medically determinable impairment or combination of impairments is severe. 20 C.F.R. §§ 404.1520(a)(4)(ii), 416.920(a)(4)(ii). Step two is a de minimis screening device used to dispose of groundless claims. Bowen, 482 U.S. at 153–54. An impairment is severe if it “significantly limits the claimant’s ability to do basic work activities.” 20 C.F.R. §§ 404.1520(c), 416.920(c). ... If the ALJ identifies at least one severe impairment, the analysis proceeds, and the ALJ is to take into account all of the claimant’s limitations, regardless of whether they are severe or non-severe. ... Therefore, even if the ALJ fails to identify a severe impairment at step two, the error is harmless so long as he considers all of the claimant’s impairments at subsequent steps of the analysis. ... As a result, the ALJ failed to take into account all of Plaintiff’s limitations and erred at step two of the sequential analysis.

Section 404.1520(a) requires the ALJ, at step two of the sequential evaluation, to determine whether the claimant has a medically determinable severe impairment or combination of impairments.

Bennick v. Saul · filed 2021-03-31(a)

At step two of the five-step sequential evaluation process, the ALJ must determine whether a claimant has a medically determinable impairment or a combination of impairments that is severe. 20 C.F.R. § 404.1520(a). ... Regardless, we find that the ALJ did not err in failing to find Bennick’s Chiari malformation a severe impairment. ... Thus, we find that the ALJ’s severity finding was supported by substantial evidence.

Paragraph (c) requires the ALJ to determine at step two whether the claimant has a severe impairment that significantly limits the claimant's physical or mental ability to do basic work activities.

Roberts v. Commissioner of Social Security · filed 2021-08-20(c)

At step two of the sequential evaluation process, the ALJ must determine whether the plaintiff has a severe impairment that significantly limits her physical or mental ability to do basic work activities. See 20 C.F.R. § 404.1520(c). An error in finding an impairment at step two may be harmless where the ALJ identified other severe impairments, proceeded with the subsequent steps, and in those steps specifically considered the plaintiff’s non-severe impairments.

Section 404.1520(a)(4)(ii) and (c) make step two a threshold inquiry: a claimant is not disabled without a medically severe impairment, and an impairment is severe when it significantly limits the claimant’s physical or mental ability to do basic work activities.

Crain v. Commissioner Social Security Administration · filed 2021-08-30(a)(4)(ii), (c)

At step two, a claimant is not disabled if the Commissioner determines the claimant does not have any medically severe impairment or combination of impairments. ... A severe impairment “significantly limits” a claimant’s “physical or mental ability to do basic work activities.”

Section 404.1520(a)(4)(ii) requires the ALJ to proceed beyond step two when the claimant has at least one severe impairment, so failing to classify another impairment as severe at step two is not reversible error if the evaluation continues.

Barksdale v. Kijakazi · filed 2021-08-31(a)(4)(ii)

To advance beyond step two of the sequential evaluation, the ALJ need only find one severe impairment. Allman v. Colvin, 813 F.3d 1326, 1330 (10th Cir. 2016); see also 20 C.F.R. § 404.1520(a)(4)(ii). “As long as the ALJ finds one severe impairment, the ALJ may not deny benefits at step two but must proceed to the next step.” Allman, 813 F.3d at 1330. Put differently, so long as the ALJ finds at least one severe impairment such that the evaluation proceeds beyond step two, any failure to find a particular impairment severe at step two cannot be reversible error.

At step two of the sequential evaluation, an ALJ screens for a severe impairment or combination significantly limiting basic work activities; an error at this step is harmless when the ALJ finds other severe impairments and completes the remaining evaluation.

PHILLIPS v. COMMISSIONER OF SOCIAL SECURITY · filed 2021-09-01(c)

At step two, an ALJ determines whether the plaintiff has a “severe impairment” or combination of impairments that “significantly limits [the plaintiff’s] physical or mental ability to do basic work activities[.]” 20 C.F.R. §§ 404.1520(c), 416.920(c). “The step-two inquiry is a de minimis screening device to dispose of groundless claims.” ... Accordingly, even if the ALJ erred by not finding other severe impairments, including narcolepsy, any such error at step two is harmless based on this record.

Section 404.1520(c) treats an impairment as severe at step two when it significantly limits a claimant’s physical or mental ability to perform basic work activities.

Turner v. Commissioner of Social Security · filed 2021-09-02(c)

An impairment or combination of impairments is “severe” at Step Two if it “significantly limits [the claimant's] physical or mental ability to do basic work activities[.]” 20 C.F.R. § 404.1520(c).

At step two, an ALJ must determine whether a claimant has a severe impairment.

Cardona v. Commissioner of Social Security · filed 2021-09-09(c)

At step two of the sequential analysis, an ALJ must determine if a claimant has a severe impairment.

Section 404.1520’s sequential evaluation requires step two to determine whether the claimant has a severe impairment or combination of impairments that significantly limits basic work activities.

Baldwin v. Social Security Administration · filed 2021-09-09(a)(4)(ii), (c)

At step two of the sequential evaluation, the ALJ determines whether a claimant has a medically severe impairment or combination of impairments. 20 C.F.R. § 404.1520(a)(4)(ii); Williams, 844 F.2d at 750. ... A plaintiff’s impairment or combination of impairments is severe if it “significantly limits [his] physical or mental ability to do basic work activities.” 2 20 C.F.R. § 404.1520(c); Allman v. Colvin, 813 F.3d 1326, 1330 (10th Cir. 2016).

Section 404.1520(c) treats an impairment or combination of impairments as severe when it significantly limits a claimant’s physical or mental ability to do basic work activities, and finding at least one severe impairment satisfies the step-two requirement.

McKenzie v. Kijakazi (CONSENT) · filed 2021-09-14(c)

An impairment or combination of impairments is “severe” if it “significantly limits [the plaintiff’s] physical or mental ability to do basic work activities”7 and persists for at least twelve consecutive months. 20 C.F.R. §§ 404.1520(c) and 416.920(c); 404.1505(a) and 416.905(a). ... Because the ALJ found that Plaintiff has at least one severe impairment, the ALJ was not required to identify all of Plaintiff’s severe impairments before moving to step three of the sequential evaluation process.

Section 404.1520(c) requires an impairment to significantly limit a claimant’s physical or mental ability to do basic work activities to qualify as severe at step two.

Lamphier-Deuel v. Commissioner of Social Security · filed 2021-09-20(c)

“An impairment is ‘severe’ if it ‘significantly limits [the claimant's] physical or mental ability to do basic work activities.’” Casselbury v. Colvin, 90 F. Supp. 3d 81, 92–93 (W.D.N.Y. 2015) (quoting Eralte v. Colvin, No. 14 Civ. 1745(JCF), 2014 WL 7330441, at *10 (S.D.N.Y. Dec. 23, 2014): 20 C.F.R. § 404.1520(c)). ... Based on the foregoing, substantial evidence supports the ALJ’s finding that Plaintiff’s IBS was not a severe impairment.

At step two, a severe impairment is one that significantly limits a claimant’s physical or mental ability to do basic work activities.

Bonar v. Commissioner of Social Security · filed 2021-09-20(c)

At step two of the sequential evaluation process, it is Plaintiff’s burden to demonstrate she has a severe impairment. See Jones v. Comm’r of Soc. Sec., 336 F.3d 469, 474 (6th Cir. 2003); Harley v. Comm’r of Soc. Sec., 485 F. App’x 802, 803–04 (6th Cir. 2012). A severe impairment is “any impairment or combination of impairments which significantly limits [the claimant’s] physical or mental ability to do basic work activities,” 20 C.F.R. §§ 404.1520(c), 416.920(c), and which lasts or can be expected to last “for a continuous period of not less than 12 months.” 42 U.S.C. § 423(d)(1)(A).

Section 404.1520(c) treats an impairment as severe at step two only when it significantly limits the claimant’s ability to perform basic work activities.

(SS) McKenzie v. Commissioner of Social Security · filed 2021-09-21(c)

For an impairment to be “severe,” it must “significantly limit[]” the claimant’s “ability to do basic work activities.” 20 C.F.R. §§ 404.1520(c), 416.920(c).

At step two, § 404.1520 requires a claimant to show an impairment or combination of impairments that significantly limits the ability to perform basic work activities.

Dorsey v. Commissioner of Social Security · filed 2021-09-21(a)(4)(ii)

Step two of the sequential evaluation process operates as a threshold inquiry. McDaniel v. Bowen, 800 F.2d 1026, 1031 (11th Cir. 1986); Gray v. Comm’r of Soc. Sec., 550 F. App’x 850, 853 (11th Cir. 2013) (per curiam). At step two, a claimant must show that he or she suffers from an impairment or combination of impairments that significantly limits his or her physical or mental ability to do basic work activities. See 20 C.F.R. §§ 404.1520(a)(4)(ii), 404.1521.

At Step Two, § 404.1520 requires a medically determinable impairment or combination of impairments that significantly limits the claimant’s ability to perform basic work activities, and failure to expressly identify an impairment may be harmless when the impairment is considered later.

Jones v. Saul · filed 2021-09-21(a)(4)(ii)

At Step Two of the five-step sequential evaluation used to determine whether a claimant is disabled, the ALJ must determine whether the claimant has a “severe” impairment which lasted or is expected to last for at least twelve months. See 20 C.F.R. §§ 404.1509, 416.909. To show that an impairment is severe, a claimant must show that he has (1) a medically determinable impairment or combination of impairments, which (2) significantly limits his physical or mental ability to perform basic work activities, without regard to age, education, or work experience. See 20 C.F.R. §§ 404.1520(a)(4)(ii), (c); 404.1521(a), 416.920(a)(4)(ii), (c); 416.921(a). ... Even if the ALJ technically erred in not explicitly including chronic pain after traumatic injury or mild-to-moderate facet arthropathy in Step Two, given the ALJ’s inclusion and discussion of these diagnoses in her subsequent analysis and their close relationship to Plaintiff’s severe impairment of a history of gunshot wounds, the ALJ’s failure to include them at Step Two was, at most, a harmless error. See, e.g., Maziarz v. Secretary of Health & Human Servs., 837 F.2d 240, 244 (6th Cir. 1987); Lorence v. Astrue, 691 F. Supp.2d 1008, 1028 (D. Minn. 2010).

Section 404.1520 requires an ALJ to use a five-step disability evaluation and, when an impairment is found severe at step two, to explain its limitations in the RFC or explain why the RFC already accounts for it.

Woodward v. Commissioner of Social Security · filed 2021-09-28(a)(4)(ii)

An ALJ must perform a “five-step sequential evaluation” to determine if a claimant is disabled. 20 C.F.R. § 404.1520(a)(1). ... At step two, the ALJ added cervical spine multi-level degenerative disc disease as a severe impairment as of December 1, 2014. ... But the RFCs for both before and after December 1, 2014, were identical. ... So, the ALJ “needed to articulate what [Woodward’s] significant limitations were from that impairment, or if there were not any such limitations, state that the [impairment] [was] a non-severe impairment. The [ALJ] cannot have it both ways.” ... Or, the ALJ needed to explain how the RFC for the period before December 1, 2014, already fully accounted for the additional severe impairment. She did neither.

At step two, § 404.1520(c) requires a claimant to have a severe impairment that significantly limits the ability to perform basic work activities.

Harvey v. Commissioner of Social Security · filed 2021-09-29(c)

The regulations establish that claimants must have a “severe impairment,” which is defined as a condition “which significantly limits [an individual’s] physical or mental ability to do basic work activities.” 20 C.F.R. § 404.1520(c).

At step two, § 404.1520(c) treats an impairment as severe when it has more than a minimal effect on the claimant’s ability to perform basic work activities.

Coop v. Kijakazi · filed 2021-10-01(c)

Here, as in Yuckert, the ALJ’s analysis is erroneous, as the ALJ appears to rely solely on the language of § 404.1520(c) in holding that Plaintiff did not have a medically determinable severe impairment because her ability to work was not “significantly limited.” In requiring Plaintiff to show a “significant limitation,” the ALJ ignored or overlooked the very narrow construction of the severity regulation. The correct severity standard, as explained in Yuckert, SSR 85-28, and subsequent cases, is whether Plaintiff has an impairment (or combination of impairments) that has more than a minimal effect on her ability to do basic work activities. If so, Plaintiff has a “severe impairment,” and the sequential analysis should proceed beyond step two.

Section 404.1520(c) requires the ALJ to determine at step two whether the claimant has a severe medically determinable impairment or combination of impairments.

Leigh v. Kijakazi · filed 2021-10-12(c)

At step 2 of the sequential evaluation process, the ALJ is tasked with determining whether a claimant has a medically determinable impairment that is severe, or a combination of impairments that are severe. See 20 C.F.R. § 404.1520(c), 20 C.F.R. § 416.920(c)). ... Here, the ALJ determined that Plaintiff had a severe physical impairment and non-severe mental impairments. (Tr. 18-19.)

At step two, an impairment is not severe only when it has no more than a minimal effect on the claimant's ability to perform basic work activities.

Slaughter v. Commissioner of Social Security · filed 2021-10-12(c)

Under the Commissioner’s five-step process for evaluating disability claims, an individual’s impairment is not severe if it does not “significantly limit” the individual’s “physical or mental ability to do basic work activities.” 20 C.F.R §§ 404.1520(c), 404.1522, 416.920(c). Basic work activities include “[p]hysical functions such as walking, standing, sitting, lifting, pushing, pulling, reaching, carrying, or handling.” 20 C.F.R. § 404.1522(b)(1). A medically-determinable impairment is not severe “only if it is a slight abnormality which has such a minimal effect on the individual that it would not be expected to interfere with the individual’s ability to work.”

Section 404.1520(c) requires the ALJ to determine at step two whether the claimant has a severe impairment, applying a threshold that excludes an impairment only when it has no more than a minimal effect on work.

Dickerson v. Commissioner of Social Security · filed 2021-10-27(c)

At step two, the ALJ must determine if the claimant suffers from any impairments that are “severe.” 20 C.F.R. § 404.1520(c). “An impairment or combination of impairments may be found not severe only if the evidence establishes a slight abnormality that has no more than a minimal effect on an individual’s work.” Webb v. Barnhart, 433 F.3d 683, 686–87 (9th Cir. 2005) (internal quotation marks and citations omitted). As long as the claimant has at least one severe impairment, the disability inquiry moves on to step three. See 20 C.F.R. § 404.1520(d). ... The ALJ here analyzed all of Plaintiff’s mental health diagnoses—somatic symptom disorder, major depressive disorder, and unspecified anxiety disorder—together. See AR at 25–27. In doing so, though, the ALJ failed to adequately address somatic symptom disorder. ... The ALJ thus erred in failing to properly consider whether Plaintiff’s somatic symptom disorder was a severe impairment at step two.

At Step Two, finding any severe impairment satisfies the threshold for continuing the disability analysis, so an ALJ need not identify every severe impairment.

Guthrie v. Social Security Administration, Commissioner · filed 2021-11-19(a)(4)(ii)

But Guthrie is incorrect that the classification of her chronic knee pain as “not severe” means that the ALJ’s decision was unsupported by substantial evidence. ... However, as to the argument that the ALJ must have found Guthrie’s knee pain “severe,” the court notes that the “finding of any severe impairment, whether or not it qualifies as a disability and whether or not it results from a single severe impairment or a combination of impairments that together qualify as severe,” satisfies Step Two. Jamison, 914 F.2d at 588 (emphasis added). ... In other words, regardless of whether the ALJ should have determined that Guthrie’s chronic knee pain was severe, the ALJ answered “yes” to the Step Two threshold inquiry and therefore proceeded to Step Three on the basis of Guthrie’s other impairments. See Tuggerson-Brown, 572 F. App’x at 951.

At step two, failure to classify an additional impairment as severe is harmless when the ALJ finds at least one severe impairment, proceeds beyond step two, and considers the medical evidence.

Haws v. Commissioner of Social Security · filed 2021-11-23(a)(4)(ii), (c)

“As long as a claim is not denied at step two, it is generally unnecessary for the ALJ to have specifically found any additional alleged impairment to be severe.” ... “As long as the ALJ determines that the claimant has at least one severe impairment and proceeds to discuss all of the medical evidence, any error regarding failure to list a specific impairment as severe at step two is harmless.” ... For that reason, Plaintiff’s arguments that the ALJ erred in finding his neuropathy was not severe are unavailing.

At step two, § 404.1520(a)(4)(ii) requires a finding of not disabled when the claimant has no severe medically determinable impairment or severe combination that meets the duration requirement; if the impairments are not severe, the evaluation need not proceed to step three.

Szmania v. Commissioner of Social Security · filed 2021-11-30(a)(4)(ii)

Pursuant to the regulations, at step two, if a claimant does “not have a severe medically determinable physical or mental impairment that meets the duration requirement . . . or a combination of impairments that is severe and meets the duration requirement, we will find that [the claimant is] not disabled.” 20 C.F.R. § 404.1520(a)(4)(ii). As previously considered above, based on the ALJ’s determination that Plaintiff did not have any severe impairments during the adjudicated period, the ALJ reasonably found him not disabled at step two. See 20 C.F.R. § 404.1520(d). Because Plaintiff’s impairments were found not severe at step two, the ALJ was not required to proceed to step three or analyze whether Plaintiff’s impairments met the criteria for a listing.

Section 404.1520 uses step two as a screening inquiry for whether an impairment is severe, and an error at that step is harmless when the impairment is considered in the later RFC analysis.

Franchino v. Commissioner of Social Security Administration · filed 2021-12-03(c)

An impairment is not severe if it does not significantly limit the claimant’s ability to do basic work activities. 20 C.F.R. § 404.1520(c). ... Because step two was ultimately resolved in Plaintiff’s favor, the ALJ’s failure to address sleep apnea at step two was harmless error. ... When an ALJ erroneously fails to designate an impairment as severe but nevertheless resolves step two in the claimant’s favor, prejudice results only if the ALJ subsequently fails to consider the impairment at all in subsequent steps. ... Here, the record indicates the ALJ did consider Plaintiff’s sleep apnea in assessing her RFC. ... Therefore, while the ALJ may have erred in not addressing sleep apnea at step two, any error was harmless.

Section 404.1520(a) requires a five-step disability evaluation, and a step-two error is harmless when the ALJ considers the impairment in the remaining analysis.

Williams v. Saul · filed 2021-12-03(a), (a)(4)

In making this determination at the administrative level, the ALJ follows a five-step sequential evaluation process. 20 C.F.R. §404.1520(a). ... Step 2 of the sequential analysis that governs Social Security appeals is a “de minimis screening device to dispose of groundless claims.” ... In the instant case, we conclude that any error in finding that Williams’ migraines and fibromyalgia were not severe impairments is harmless because the ALJ considered both of these impairments in the remaining analysis.

At Step Two, a claimant must show at least one severe impairment; once that threshold is met, the ALJ must consider all impairments, including non-severe ones, in the remaining steps.

Revello v. Commissioner of Social Security · filed 2021-12-22(a)(4)(ii), (c)

At Step Two, a claimant has the burden to show that she has at least one “severe impairment.” 20 C.F.R. § 404.1520(a)(4)(ii), (c). A “severe impairment” is a medical condition that has more than minimal effect on mental or physical function and is expected to last for 12 months or cause death. 20 C.F.R. §§ 404.1509, 404.1522; Salmi v. Sec’y of Health & Human Servs., 744 F.2d 685, 691 (6th Cir. 1985). This is a threshold inquiry “intended to ‘screen out totally groundless claims.’” Nejat v. Comm’r of Soc. Sec., 359 F. App’x 574, 576 (6th Cir. 2009) (quoting Farris v. Sec’y of Health & Human Servs., 773 F.2d 85, 89 (6th Cir. 1985)). If the claimant doesn’t show she has at least one “severe” impairment, she’s categorically not disabled. 20 C.F.R. § 404.1520(c). If she does satisfy this minimal burden, the ALJ has to consider all of her impairments (even ones that aren’t “severe”) at the remaining steps in the sequential evaluation process.

Section 404.1520(a)(4)(ii) requires the ALJ to determine whether a medically determinable impairment, alone or in combination with other impairments, is severe and expected to last more than twelve months.

Barnes v. Commissioner of Social Security Administration · filed 2022-01-10(a)(4)(ii)

Once established, the ALJ then considers whether the impairment, individually or in combination with other impairments, is “severe” and expected to last more than twelve months. 20 C.F.R. §§ 404.1520(a)(4)(ii), 416.920(a)(4)(ii). ... It is clear that the ALJ did not consider whether Plaintiff’s CRMO was a medically determinable impairment at all, let alone determine whether it was a severe one. ... The Court finds error here.

Section 404.1520(c) requires an impairment to significantly limit a claimant’s ability to do basic work activities to be considered severe at step two.

AL-UQDAH v. COMMISSIONER OF SOCIAL SECURITY · filed 2022-01-11(c)

At step two, the ALJ decides whether the plaintiff has a “severe impairment” or combination of impairments that “significantly limits [the plaintiff’s] physical or mental ability to do basic work activities[.]” 20 C.F.R. §§ 404.1520(c), 416.920(c). If the plaintiff does not have a severe impairment or combination of impairments, then the inquiry ends because the plaintiff is not disabled. Otherwise, the ALJ proceeds to step three. ... Accordingly, right knee dysfunction does not constitute a severe medically determinable impairment because it does not more than minimally limit the claimant’s ability to engage in work-related activities. (20 CFR 404.1520(c), 20 CFR 404.1522, 20 CFR 416.920(c), 20 CFR 416.922; SSR 85-28). R. 24. The Court finds no error with the ALJ’s analysis in this regard.

Section 404.1520(a)(4)(ii) requires an ALJ to consider whether a claimant has a severe impairment or combination of impairments at step two, and finding any severe impairment satisfies that requirement.

Herod v. Social Security Administration, Commissioner · filed 2022-01-19(a)(4)(ii)

At step two, an ALJ must consider whether the claimant has a severe impairment or combination of impairments. 20 C.F.R. §§ 404.1520(a)(4)(ii), 916.920(a)(4)(ii). The finding of any severe impairment satisfies this requirement.

At step two, the regulation requires an impairment or combination of impairments to significantly limit a claimant’s physical or mental ability to perform basic work activities.

Paige v. Commissioner of the Social Security Administration · filed 2022-01-19(a)(4)(ii)

At step two of the sequential evaluation, an ALJ must determine whether a claimant has a “severe” impairment. See 20 C.F.R. §§ 404.1520(a)(4)(ii) & 416.920(a)(4)(ii). To determine if a claimant has a severe impairment, the ALJ must find that an impairment or combination of impairments significantly limits the claimant’s physical or mental ability to do “basic work activities.” See 20 C.F.R. § 416.920(c).

At step two, an error in failing to consider an additional impairment is harmless when the ALJ finds another severe impairment, makes benefits available beyond step two, and proceeds to step three.

Turner v. Kijakazi · filed 2022-01-20(a)(4)(ii)

Plaintiff argues that the ALJ erred at step two by failing to consider Plaintiff’s diagnosis of TBI. Even if the court assumes that the ALJ erred in that regard, any such error is harmless because the ALJ determined that Plaintiff had other severe impairments, concluded that Plaintiff could not be denied benefits at step two, and proceeded to step three.

Section 404.1520(a)(ii) does not require an administrative law judge to designate every impairment as severe or non-severe.

Shuwaili v. Commissioner of Social Security · filed 2022-01-21(a)(ii)

The fact that ALJ Pickett did not assign a designation to Plaintiff’s coronary artery disease at step two was not reversible error. The regulations do not require an administrative law judge to designate each impairment as “severe” or “non-severe.” 20 C.F.R. § 404.1520(a)(ii).

At step two, § 404.1520(c) treats an impairment as severe when it significantly limits a claimant’s physical or mental ability to perform basic work activities.

Marc P. v. Kijakazi · filed 2022-01-25(c)

Second, if a claimant does not have any impairment or combination of impairments which significantly limit her physical or mental ability to do basic work activities, then she does not have a severe impairment and is not disabled. 20 C.F.R. § 404.1520(c). ... Here, the Appeals Council was tasked with reviewing the medical record before it and determining if, by a preponderance of the evidence, Plaintiff had any severe physical impairment at Step 2. The longitudinal weight of the evidence clearly shows that Plaintiff met his Step 2 burden regarding his back impairment. I conclude that the Appeals Council erred both when it found that the records relating to Plaintiff’s back surgery did not reasonably relate to the relevant period and in adopting the ALJ’s Step 2 finding.

Section 404.1520(c) makes step two a threshold inquiry into whether the claimant has at least one severe impairment warranting continuation of the sequential evaluation.

Martin v. Saul · filed 2022-01-26(c)

The inquiry at step two is only whether the claimant has at least one severe impairment that justifies the ALJ’s proceeding to the next step of the sequential process. 20 C.F.R. §§ 404.1520(c), 416.920(c).

Section 404.1520(a)(4)(ii) requires the ALJ to determine at step two whether the claimant has a severe medically determinable impairment, rejecting only the most trivial impairments.

Marshall v. Social Security Administration, Commissioner · filed 2022-01-31(a)(4)(ii)

At step two of the sequential evaluation process, the ALJ must gauge whether the claimant has a medically determinable impairment (or combination of impairments) that is severe. 20 C.F.R. § 404.1520(a)(4)(ii). This step in the disability evaluation process is a “threshold inquiry,” under which “only the most trivial impairments are to be rejected.”

At step two, § 404.1520(c) requires a claimant to show that medically determinable impairments significantly limit basic work activities.

Nelson v. Commissioner of Social Security · filed 2022-02-01(c)

At step two, a claimant must make a threshold showing that her medically determinable impairments significantly limit her ability to perform basic work activities. See Bowen v. Yuckert, 482 U.S. 137, 145 (1987); 20 C.F.R. § 404.1520(c). Plaintiff must provide medical evidence of a medically determinable impairment; symptoms alone “will not be found to affect [a claimant’s] ability to do basic work activities unless medical signs or laboratory findings show that a medically determinable impairment is present.” 20 C.F.R. § 404.1529(b); see id. § 404.1521 (“[A] physical or mental impairment must be established by objective medical evidence from an acceptable medical source.”). If “an individual alleges symptoms, but the medical signs and laboratory findings do no substantiate any medically determinable impairment capable of producing the individual’s alleged symptoms, we will not evaluate the individual’s symptoms at step two of our two-step evaluation process.” SSR 16-3p. Because Plaintiff failed to provide any medical signs or laboratory findings that show that a medically determinable impairment was present during the relevant disability period, the ALJ did not err by not evaluating Plaintiff’s symptom testimony at step two.

Section 404.1520(c) requires the Commissioner to determine at step two whether a claimant has a severe impairment before continuing through the sequential evaluation process.

Robertson v. Saul · filed 2022-02-01(c)

Second, the claimant must have a severe impairment. 20 C.F.R. § 404.1520(c). The Social Security Act defines “severe impairment” as “any impairment or combination of impairments which significantly limits [claimant’s] physical or mental ability to do basic work activities. . . .” Id. “‘The sequential evaluation process may be terminated at step two only when the claimant’s impairment or combination of impairments would have no more than a minimal impact on [his or] her ability to work.’” Page v. Astrue, 484 F.3d 1040, 1043 (8th Cir. 2007) (quoting Caviness v. Massanari, 250 F.3d 603, 605 (8th Cir. 2001), citing Nguyen v. Chater, 75 F.3d 429, 430-31 (8th Cir. 1996)). ... Accordingly, the Court finds that remand is required because the ALJ’s determination that Plaintiff’s depression was not a severe impairment is not supported by substantial evidence.

Section 404.1520(c) treats an impairment as severe only when it significantly limits a claimant’s physical or mental ability to do basic work activities.

Abel v. Kijakazi · filed 2022-02-01(c)

A severe impairment is one which significantly limits a person’s physical or mental ability to do basic work activities. 20 C.F.R. § 404.1520(c). ... In her decision dated September 5, 2019, the ALJ concluded that the record did not evidence a severe hand impairment because Plaintiff’s treatment notes to date at that time did not contain such a diagnosis, and tests showed normal blood flow, intact sensation, and symmetric strength. Tr. 112, 455, 465, 501, 504. As the Commissioner acknowledges, although later evidence may support a finding of impairment with a later onset date, the record before the ALJ at the time of her decision did not substantiate a medically determined hand impairment, much less a severe one, for the relevant period at issue here.

Section 404.1520(a)(4)(ii) requires a claimant to show a severe impairment or combination of impairments to proceed past step two of the disability evaluation.

Parrott v. Commissioner, Social Security Administration · filed 2022-02-04(a)(4)(ii)

The Social Security regulations set forth a five-step, sequential evaluation process to determine when a claimant is disabled. 20 C.F.R. § 404.1520(a)(4). To get past step two, the claimant must show that he has a severe impairment or combination of impairments. Id. § 404.1520(a)(4)(ii).

Section 404.1520 requires an ALJ at step two to evaluate the medical severity of medically determinable impairments, and an impairment is severe when it significantly limits the claimant’s physical or mental ability to do basic work activities.

Hasenmeier v. Commissioner of Social Security · filed 2022-02-04(a)(4)(ii), (c)

At step two of the sequential evaluation, an ALJ considers the “medical severity” of a claimant’s medically determinable impairments. 20 C.F.R. § 404.1520(a)(4)(ii). A “severe impairment” is defined as “any impairment or combination of impairments which significantly limits [a claimant’s] physical or mental ability to do basic work activities.” 20 C.F.R. § 404.1520(c). ... Here, the ALJ rated Plaintiff’s degree of limitation as mild in all four areas. Those ratings determinations were supported by substantial evidence. Accordingly, the ALJ did not err when determining that Plaintiff’s depression was not severe.

At step two of the five-step disability evaluation under 20 C.F.R. § 404.1520, failing to identify a particular severe impairment is harmless when the ALJ finds another severe impairment and proceeds to later steps.

Lugo v. Saul · filed 2022-02-07(a)(4)(ii)

The ALJ’s failure to classify Lugo’s sacroiliitis, osteoarthritis, and/or myalgias as severe impairments at step two of the sequential analysis does not amount to reversible error. ... Here, the ALJ determined that Lugo’s degenerative disc disease, obesity, depression, and anxiety satisfied step two and proceeded to the subsequent steps of the analysis. ... Accordingly, “any error at Step Two would not alter the remainder of the five-step process, much less the overall outcome.”

Section 404.1520(c) directs the ALJ to determine whether a claimant has a severe impairment or combination of impairments that significantly limits the ability to perform basic work activities.

SLEAP v. COMMISSIONER OF SOCIAL SECURITY · filed 2022-02-16(c)

At step two, the ALJ determines whether the claimant has demonstrated a “severe impairment” or “combination of impairments” that significantly limits his physical or mental ability to do basic work activities. 20 C.F.R. § 404.1520(c); see Bowen, 482 U.S. at 146-47 n.5. ... Here, applying the appropriate reviewing standard, I find that the ALJ’s severity determinations were extensive and supported by substantial evidence.

Section 404.1520(a)(4)(ii) requires an ALJ to determine at step two whether a claimant has a severe impairment, but failing to label an impairment severe is harmless when the ALJ considers it at later steps.

Bellomy v. Commissioner of Social Security · filed 2022-02-22(a)(4)(ii)

Step two of the sequential evaluation process requires the ALJ to determine whether a claimant suffers from a severe impairment. See 20 C.F.R. § 404.1520(a)(4)(ii). ... Even assuming that Plaintiff proved her gastropareses, nausea, and vomiting are severe impairments (it being unclear whether nausea and vomiting would qualify as “impairments” at this step), the ALJ’s failure to find them severe at step two is harmless. The ALJ’s Decision makes clear that she considered all of these matters at later steps of the sequential inquiry.

Section 404.1520(c) directs the ALJ, at step two, to determine whether an impairment or combination of impairments significantly limits the claimant’s ability to perform basic work activities.

Chaney v. Commissioner of Social Security · filed 2022-03-01(c)

At step two of the disability analysis, the ALJ determines whether the claimant has an impairment, or combination of impairments, that is “severe” within the meaning of the Act, in that it imposes significant restrictions on the claimant’s ability to perform basic work activities. Id. § 404.1520(c). ... As set forth above, the ALJ provided a host of reasons for her determination that Plaintiff’s mental health impairments were non-severe during the relevant time period. The Court finds these reasons appropriate and rejects Plaintiff’s challenge to their sufficiency.

Section 404.1520(c) requires an impairment to be treated as severe when it significantly limits a claimant’s physical or mental ability to do basic work activities.

Lynch v. Commissioner of Social Security · filed 2022-03-02(c)

Once an ALJ has determined a claimant has a medically determinable impairment, the ALJ must then determine whether that impairment is “severe” for purposes of Social Security regulations. See 20 C.F.R. § 404.1520(a)(4)(ii). As noted supra, the regulations define a “severe” impairment as an “impairment or combination of impairments which significantly limits [the claimant’s] physical or mental ability to do basic work activities . . .” 20 CFR § 404.1520(c). “Basic work activities” are defined as “the abilities and aptitudes necessary to do most jobs.” 20 C.F.R. § 404.1522(b). Examples include: (1) physical functions such as walking, standing, sitting, lifting, pushing, pulling, reaching, carrying, or handling; (2) capacities for seeing, hearing, and speaking; (3) understanding, carrying out, and remembering simple instructions; (4) use of judgment; (5) responding appropriately to supervision, co- workers, and usual work situations; and (6) dealing with changes in a routine work setting. Id. The Sixth Circuit construes the step two severity regulation as a “de minimis hurdle,” Rogers, 486 F.3d at 243 n.2, intended to “screen out totally groundless claims.” Farris v. Sec’y of Health & Human Servs., 773 F.2d 85, 89 (6th Cir.1985). See also Anthony v. Astrue, 266 F. App’x 451, 457 (6th Cir. 2008). Thus, if an impairment has “more than a minimal effect” on the claimant’s ability to do basic work activities, the ALJ must treat it as “severe.” SSR 96–3p, 1996 WL 374181, at *1 (July 2, 1996).

Section 404.1520 uses a five-step disability evaluation that includes determining at step two whether an impairment is severe; a step-two error is harmless when the claimant proceeds and the impairment is considered in the residual functional capacity.

Sister-Perez v. Commissioner of Social Security Administration · filed 2022-03-09(a)(4)(ii)

At step two, the ALJ determines whether the claimant has a “severe” medically determinable physical or mental impairment. 20 C.F.R. § 404.1520(a)(4)(ii). ... Once established, the ALJ then considers whether the impairment, individually or in combination with other impairments, is “severe” and expected to last more than twelve months. 20 C.F.R. §§ 404.1520(a)(4)(ii), 416.920(a)(4)(ii). ... Thus, because the ALJ considered all the impairments, whether severe or non-severe, in determining Plaintiff’s residual function capacity and because step two was decided in Plaintiff’s favor, the Court finds any alleged error is harmless and cannot be the basis for a remand.

At step two under § 404.1520(a)(4)(ii), an ALJ's failure to address an impairment is not harmless when the limitations imposed by that impairment are not considered at a later step.

Westphale v. Kijakazi · filed 2022-03-16(a)(4)(ii)

Step two is intended to be a “de minimis screening device [used] to dispose of groundless claims.”104 It is “not meant to identify the impairments that should be taken into account when determining the RFC.”105 And yet the Ninth Circuit has held that an ALJ’s failure to address an impairment at step two is harmless error only if the ALJ considered the limitations imposed by the impairment at a later step in the sequential disability evaluation.106 Here, the ALJ’s error at step two was not harmless because he did not later consider the limitations imposed by fibromyalgia and RA. The ALJ’s error at step two was harmful and requires remand.

At Step Two, a claimant must show at least one severe medically determinable impairment.

Burge v. Commissioner of Social Security · filed 2022-03-15(a)(4)(ii), (c)

At Step Two, a claimant has the burden to show that he has at least one “medically determinable impairment” that is a “severe impairment.” 20 C.F.R. § 404.1520(a)(4)(ii), (c). ... If the claimant doesn’t show she has at least one “severe” impairment, she’s categorically not disabled. 20 C.F.R. § 404.1520(c).

Section 404.1520 requires an ALJ, at step two of the disability evaluation, to determine whether the claimant has a severe impairment.

Ardis v. Commissioner of Social Security · filed 2022-03-18(a)(4)(ii)

Step two of the sequential evaluation process requires the ALJ to determine whether a claimant suffers from a severe impairment. See 20 C.F.R. § 404.1520(a)(4)(ii).

Section 404.1520(a)(4)(ii) requires a claimant to show a severe medically determinable impairment at step two of the disability evaluation.

Zingale v. Commissioner of Social Security · filed 2022-03-18(a)(4)(ii)

At Step Two of the sequential analysis, claimant has the burden of proving he or she has a severe medically determinable impairment, in order to establish disability within the meaning of the Act. ... While the ALJ declined to designate Plaintiff’s anxiety and vocal cord issues as “severe” (Tr. 13), his alleged failure to do so does not necessarily signify error. Because an ALJ must move on to the subsequent steps in the sequential evaluation even if only one impairment is designated as “severe,” an ALJ is not required to analyze the remainder of a claimant’s impairments to determine whether they too are severe.

Section 404.1520 treats step two as a threshold inquiry into whether the claimant has a severe impairment, and omitting an additional impairment can be harmless when the claim proceeds beyond step two.

Arnette v. Commissioner of the Social Security Administration · filed 2022-03-18(a)(4)(ii), (c)

Step Two is a threshold determination of whether a claimant has a severe impairment (or combination of impairments) that meets the twelve-month duration requirement and significantly limits the claimant’s ability to do basic work activities. 20 C.F.R. §§ 404.1520(a)(4)(ii), 416.920(a)(4)(ii). A severe impairment is one that “significantly limits [a claimant’s] physical or mental ability to do basic work activities.” 20 C.F.R. §§ 404.1520(c), 416.920(c). ... Here, the court finds that the ALJ’s failure to list lumbar DDD and shoulder DJD as severe impairments may be considered harmless error. “As long as a claim is not denied at step two, it is generally unnecessary for the ALJ to have specifically found any additional alleged impairment to be severe.”

Section 404.1520(a)(4)(ii) requires an ALJ at step two to evaluate the severity of a claimant’s impairments, and an omission at that step does not require remand when the impairments are considered in the residual functional capacity assessment.

Warren v. Commissioner, Social Security · filed 2022-03-21(a)(4)(ii)

At step two, the ALJ considered the severity of each of the impairments that Plaintiff claimed prevented him from working, finding several of Plaintiff’s impairments to be severe and finding Plaintiff’s hepatitis C and history of substance abuse to be non-severe. Tr. 18; see 20 C.F.R. §§ 404.1520(a)(4)(ii), 416.920(a)(4)(ii). ... Here, Plaintiff argues that the ALJ failed to evaluate his impairments of attention deficit disorder (“ADD”), anxiety and panic attacks, social anxiety, and photosensitivity of the sun at step two. ECF No. 16 at 1. While the ALJ does not address these impairments at step two, they were addressed in Plaintiff’s RFC. ... Accordingly, even though the ALJ did not address these conditions at step two, they were discussed and considered in the formulation of Plaintiff’s RFC. Because Plaintiff made the threshold showing that several of his impairments were severe, the ALJ continued with the sequential evaluation process and properly considered all impairments when determining Plaintiff’s RFC. See 20 C.F.R. §§ 404.1545(a)(2), 416.945(a)(2). Any step two error, therefore, would not necessitate remand.

Section 404.1520(a)(4)(ii) requires the ALJ to determine at step two whether the claimant has a severe impairment or combination of impairments, and the ALJ erred by finding Amiel's narcolepsy nonsevere without substantial-evidence support.

Amiel v. Commissioner of Social Security · filed 2022-03-22(a)(4)(ii)

At step two, an ALJ considers whether a claimant has a severe impairment or combination of impairments. 20 C.F.R. § 404.1520(a)(4)(ii). ... Substantial evidence does not support the ALJ’s finding that Amiel’s narcolepsy is nonsevere. Remand is warranted because the ALJ failed to adequately consider Amiel’s fatigue in assessing the RFC and evaluating her symptoms.

At step two, § 404.1520 requires the ALJ to consider the medical severity of a claimant’s impairments and treats an impairment as severe when it significantly limits the ability to perform basic work activities.

Berkos v. Commissioner of Social Security Administration · filed 2022-03-22(a)(4)(ii), (c)

Step Two of the sequential evaluation requires the ALJ to “consider the medical severity of [a claimant’s] impairment(s).” 20 C.F.R. §§ 404.1520(a)(4)(ii), 416.920(a)(4)(ii). The claimant bears the burden at this step to show that he has a severe impairment. See Bowen v. Yuckert, 482 U.S. 137, 146 n.5 (1987). A severe impairment is one that “significantly limits [a claimant’s] physical or mental ability to do basic work activities.” 20 C.F.R. §§ 404.1520(c), 416.920(c). ... Therefore, the court is constrained to remand this matter for further consideration of Plaintiff’s right knee impairment.

At step two, § 404.1520(c) treats an impairment as severe when it significantly limits a claimant’s physical or mental ability to perform basic work activities.

Hunter v. Commissioner of Social Security · filed 2022-03-23(c)

“severe” is a term of art in the social security context. A “severe impairment” is an impairment or combination of impairments that “significantly limits [the claimant’s] physical or mental ability to do basic work activities.” 20 C.F.R. §§ 404.1520 (c), 416.920 (c); compare 20 C.F.R. §§ 404.1522 (a), 416.922 (a) (defining non-severe impairment as one that “does not significantly limit [the claimant’s] physical or mental ability to do basic work activities”).

Section 404.1520(a)(4)(ii) requires the ALJ to determine at step two whether the claimant's medically determinable impairments are severe before evaluating whether the claimant meets a listing.

Tolan v. Saul · filed 2022-03-28(a)(4)(ii)

Before evaluating whether Plaintiff met a listing based on her current impairments, the ALJ considered whether Plaintiff’s current impairments were (1) medically determinable or non-medically determinable, and (2) severe or non-severe; this step is essentially a threshold test. 20 C.F.R. § 404.1520(a)(4)(ii); SSR 85-28, 1985 WL 56856.

At step two, § 404.1520(c) requires denial only when no impairment or combination significantly limits the claimant's ability to perform basic work activities, and any severe impairment is enough to pass that step.

Daniels v. O'Malley · filed 2022-03-29(c)

“This step acts as a filter; if no severe impairment is shown the claim is denied, but the finding of any severe impairment, whether or not it qualifies as a disability and whether or not it results from a single severe impairment or a combination of impairments that together qualify as severe, is enough to satisfy the requirement of step two.” Jamison v. Bowen, 814 F.2d 585, 588 (11th Cir. 1987). See also 20 C.F.R. §§ 404.1520(c), 416.920(c).

At step two, § 404.1520(c) requires an impairment to significantly limit a claimant’s physical or mental ability to do basic work activities to qualify as severe.

Allen v. Saul · filed 2022-03-30(c)

The Social Security Act defines a “severe” impairment as one “which significantly limits [a claimant’s] physical or mental ability to do basic work activities.” 20 C.F.R. § 404.1520(c). ... Moreover, Allen has not pointed to any evidence that these conditions are severe. In sum, there is minimal evidence that Allen’s left knee or headaches “significantly limit[ed] [his] physical or mental ability to do basic work activities.” 20 C.F.R. § 404.1520(c).

At step two, the regulation requires the ALJ to determine whether a medically determinable impairment meets the durational requirements and significantly limits the claimant's ability to perform basic work activities.

Wood v. Commissioner Social Security Administration · filed 2022-03-30(a)(4)(ii), (c)

At step two, the ALJ must determine if the claimant has a medically determinable impairment that meets the durational requirements and “significantly limits [the claimant’s] physical or mental ability to do basic work activities ....” 20 C.F.R. §§ 404.1520(a)(4)(ii), 404.1520(c). ... The ALJ thus reasonably relied on substantial evidence in finding that Plaintiff's unspecified neurocognitive disorder was not severe.

Section 404.1520 uses a five-step disability evaluation, with step two requiring a severe impairment that significantly limits the claimant's ability to perform basic work activities.

Lisa M. v. Kijakazi · filed 2022-03-30(c)

Ms. M’s first objection to the R&R is based upon the second of a five-step process required to make a disability claim evaluation. 20 C.F.R. § 404.1520. ... More specifically, a disability claimant “must have a severe impairment” which “significantly limits [the claimant’s] physical or mental ability to do basic work activities.” 20 CFR § 404.1520(c).

Section 404.1520 requires an ALJ at step two to determine whether a claimant has a medically severe impairment or combination of impairments that significantly limits the ability to do basic work activities.

(SS) Burns v. Commissioner of Social Security · filed 2022-03-31(a)(4)(ii), (c)

At the second step, the ALJ assesses whether the claimant has a “medically severe impairment or combination of impairments that significantly limits his ability to do basic work activities.” Webb v. Barnhart, 433 F.3d 683, 686 (9th Cir. 2005); 20 C.F.R. § 404.1520(a)(4)(ii). ... and second, it allows the ALJ to determine whether the alleged impairments are “severe” within the meaning of 20 C.F.R. § 404.1520(c). ... The ALJ’s failure to consider all of plaintiff’s impairments, including those found non-severe, warrants remand.

At step two, an impairment is severe only if it significantly limits a claimant's physical or mental ability to do basic work activities, and omitting an additional severe impairment is not reversible error when the ALJ continues the sequential analysis and considers the impairment in determining the residual functional capacity.

Quillen v. Commissioner of Social Security · filed 2022-03-31(c)

The Commissioner’s regulations define a "severe impairment" as one "which significantly limits [the claimant's] physical or mental ability to do basic work activities, ... ." 20 C.F.R. §404.1520(c). ... However, the finding of a severe impairment at step two of the sequential analysis is only a threshold determination; where, as here, the ALJ has found at least one severe impairment, the sequential analysis will continue and the failure to include other severe impairments is not itself reversible error. ... In this case, the ALJ found at step two that Plaintiff suffers severe impairments; the failure to find additional severe impairments at step two is therefore “legally irrelevant,” see McGlothin v. Comm’r of Soc. Sec., 299 F. App’x 516, 522 (6th Cir. 2008), so long as the ALJ continued the sequential analysis and considered Plaintiff’s severe and non-severe impairments in determining Plaintiff’s RFC. See id.

Section 404.1520(a)(4)(ii) requires the ALJ to find a severe impairment at Step Two to avoid a no-disability determination, but does not require identifying every severe impairment once one severe impairment is found.

Smith v. Social Security Administration, Commissioner · filed 2022-04-08(a)(4)(ii)

At Step Two, the ALJ considers the “medical severity” of the claimant’s impairments. Schink v. Comm’r of Soc. Sec., 935 F.3d 1245, 1264–65 (11th Cir. 2019) (citing 20 C.F.R. § 404.1520(a)(4)(ii)). ... Regardless, the “finding of any severe impairment, whether or not it qualifies as a disability and whether or not it results from a single severe impairment or a combination of impairments that together qualify as severe,” satisfies Step Two. Jamison v. Bowen, 814 F.2d 585, 588 (11th Cir. 1987). ... “[T]he regulations state that the only consequence of the analysis at [S]tep [T]wo is that, if the ALJ finds no severe impairment or impairments, he should reach a conclusion of no disability. . . . [I]t is apparent that there is no need for an ALJ to identify every severe impairment at [S]tep [T]wo.” Tuggerson-Brown, 572 F. App’x at 951 (citing 20 C.F.R. § 404.1520(a)(4)(ii)).

At step two, § 404.1520(c) treats an impairment as severe when it significantly limits a claimant’s physical or mental ability to perform basic work activities.

Young v. Saul · filed 2022-04-12(c)

A “severe” impairment is that “which significantly limits [the claimant’s] physical or mental ability to do basic work activities.” 20 C.F.R. § 404.1520(c); Ford, 950 F.3d at 1148 (same) (citing 20 C.F.R. § 404.1520(a)(4)(ii)).

Section 404.1520 requires step two to assess whether an impairment is severe and meets the duration requirement, with severity measured by whether it significantly limits basic work activities.

Metcalf v. Social Security Administration · filed 2022-04-19(a)(4)(ii), (c)

Step two of the ALJ’s required analysis involves a determination of whether the claimant has an impairment or combination of impairments which is “severe” and meets the duration requirement. 20 C.F.R. §§ 404.1520(a)(4)(ii); 416.920(a)(4)(ii). If not, benefits are denied. Id. A “severe” impairment significantly limits a claimant’s ability to perform basic work activities. 20 C.F.R. §§ 404.1520(c); 416.920(c). ... Again, the ALJ did not discuss the headache medical evidence at all, which calls into question his step two finding and requires reversal.

At step two, an ALJ may proceed when at least one impairment is severe, but must account for the limiting effects of other impairments at later steps.

Reives v. Kijakazi · filed 2022-05-10(a)(4)(ii)

Since, again, an ALJ need find only one severe impairment to proceed past Step Two, any error in classifying additional impairments as non-severe has no effect on the ultimate outcome of the decision, so long as the ALJ, based on substantial evidence, accounts for the “true” limiting effects of those impairments at the later steps of the sequential evaluation.

Section 404.1520(a)(4)(ii) requires the ALJ at step two to determine whether a claimant has a severe impairment.

Cady v. Commissioner of Social Security · filed 2022-05-12(a)(4)(ii)

Step two of the sequential evaluation process requires the ALJ to determine whether a claimant suffers from a severe impairment.

Section 404.1520(c) requires the ALJ at step two to determine whether a claimant has a severe impairment that significantly limits the ability to perform basic work activities.

Weiss v. Kijakazi · filed 2022-05-19(c)

At step two of the sequential process, the ALJ must determine whether claimant suffers from a “severe” impairment, i.e., one that significantly limits her physical or mental ability to do basic work activities. 20 C.F.R. §§ 404.1520(c), 416.920(c). ... Plaintiff has not met her burden in demonstrating fibromyalgia is a severe medically determinable impairment.

Section 404.1520(c) requires a claimant to show a severe impairment or combination of impairments that significantly limits the ability to perform basic work activities.

LOURENCO v. COMMISSIONER OF SOCIAL SECURITY · filed 2022-05-26(c)

At step two, the ALJ determines whether the claimant has demonstrated a “severe impairment” or “combination of impairments” that significantly limits his physical or mental ability to do basic work activities. 20 C.F.R. § 404.1520(c); see Bowen, 482 U.S. at 146-47 n.5. ... As such, the ALJ appropriately considered Plaintiff’s Hepatitis C and provided an adequate explanation for finding it to be non-severe. For these reasons, I find that the ALJ’s Hepatitis C determination at step two was based on substantial evidence.

Under the sequential evaluation, a claimant who has at least one severe impairment proceeds beyond step two, so an error in classifying additional impairments as non-severe is harmless when the ALJ continues the analysis.

KURZ v. COMMISSIONER OF SOCIAL SECURITY · filed 2022-05-27(a)(4)(ii)

Because the ALJ found that multiple of Plaintiff’s impairments were “severe” at the second step of the sequential analysis, which is a “de minimis screening device to dispose of groundless claims,” the ALJ continued with the sequential evaluation process. Newell v. Comm’r of Soc. Sec., 347 F.3d 541, 546 (3d Cir. 2003). Thus, the Court finds that any error by the ALJ by not finding other of Plaintiff’s alleged impairments to be “severe” at step two was harmless error.

Section 404.1520(c) treats an impairment as severe only when it has more than a minimal effect on a claimant’s ability to perform basic work activities.

Gibbs v. Social Security Administration · filed 2022-06-17(c)

For fibromyalgia to be a severe impairment, Ms. Gibbs must prove that it had more than a minimal impact on her ability to do basic work activities. 20 C.F.R. 404.1520(c).

At step two, § 404.1520(a)(4)(ii) requires the ALJ to consider the severity of a claimant’s impairments; finding any severe impairment permits the evaluation to proceed, so failure to classify another impairment as severe is harmless.

Fournier v. Kijakazi (CONSENT) · filed 2022-06-23(a)(4)(ii)

At step two of the sequential evaluation process, “the ALJ must consider the medical severity of the claimant’s impairments.” ... In other words, “the finding of any severe impairment, whether or not it qualifies as a disability and whether or not it results from a single severe impairment or a combination of impairments that together qualify as severe, is enough to proceed with the rest of the five-step analysis.” ... Thus, if the ALJ finds a severe impairment and proceeds to step three of the process, any failure to find a claimant’s other conditions to be severe impairments is considered harmless error.

At Step Two, an impairment is severe only if it significantly limits a claimant's physical or mental ability to perform basic work activities.

Ingargiola v. Kijakazi · filed 2022-06-27(c)

A severe impairment is an impairment or combination of impairments that significantly limits a claimant’s physical or mental ability to perform basic work activities.

At Step Two, § 404.1520 requires an impairment to significantly limit a claimant’s ability to perform basic work activities to be severe.

Tyler v. Social Security Administration · filed 2022-06-28(a)(4)(ii), (c)

A “severe” impairment significantly limits a claimant’s ability to perform basic work activities. 20 C.F.R. §§ 404.1520(c); 416.920(c).

At step two, § 404.1520(c) requires a claimant to show an impairment that significantly limits the ability to perform basic work activities.

Evens v. Commissioner of Social Security · filed 2022-06-30(c)

At step two of the sequential evaluation process, the ALJ must determine whether the plaintiff has a severe impairment that significantly limits his physical or mental ability to do basic work activities. See 20 C.F.R. §§ 404.1520(c), 416.920(c). ... In this case, plaintiff has not met his burden of presenting evidence that the impairment is severe. ... In sum, plaintiff has failed to show any greater limitations to his ability to work because of the three-day hospitalization and cardiac issue.

At step two, the regulation requires evaluating whether the claimant has a severe impairment or combination of impairments that significantly limits the ability to perform basic work activities.

Heller v. Commissioner of Social Security · filed 2022-07-07(c)

As stated above, at Step 2, the ALJ is required to the addresses whether the claimant has a severe impairment or combination of impairments that “significantly limits . . . physical or mental ability to do basic work activities.” 20 C.F.R. § 404.1520(c).

At step two, an ALJ must determine whether a medically determinable impairment is severe, but failing to label an additional impairment severe is not reversible error when the ALJ considers all impairments in the RFC analysis.

Delbo v. Commissioner of Social Security Administration · filed 2022-07-07(c)

Once an ALJ has determined a claimant has a medically determinable impairment, the ALJ must then determine whether that impairment is “severe” for purposes of Social Security regulations. See 20 C.F.R. §§ 404.1520(a)(4)(ii), 416.920(a)(4)(ii). ... When the ALJ considers all of a claimant’s impairments in the remaining steps of the disability determination, the failure to find additional severe impairments at Step Two does “not constitute reversible error.” ... The ALJ considered Delbo’s impairments, severe and non-severe, in the RFC analysis. There is no error.

Section 404.1520 requires a claimant at step two to have an impairment or combination of impairments that is severe and meets the duration requirement, with severity meaning a significant limitation on basic work activities.

Simpkins v. Social Security Administration · filed 2022-07-12(a)(4)(ii), (c)

The ALJ properly assessed these claims at step two. ... Step two involves a determination of whether the claimant has an impairment or combination of impairments which is “severe” and meets the duration requirement. 20 C.F.R. §§ 404.1520(a)(4)(ii); 416.920(a)(4)(ii). If not, benefits are denied. Id. A “severe” impairment significantly limits a claimant’s ability to perform basic work activities. 20 C.F.R. §§ 404.1520(c); 416.920(c).

At step two, § 404.1520(a)(4)(ii) requires the ALJ to determine whether a claimant has a severe medically determinable impairment or combination of impairments; failure to identify every severe impairment is harmless when the ALJ finds another severe impairment and considers all impairments at the later steps.

Sherer v. Social Security Administration, Commissioner · filed 2022-07-29(a)(4)(ii)

At step two of the disability evaluation test, the ALJ must determine if the claimant has any severe impairment. The ALJ is not required, however, to identify all of the claimant’s severe impairments. Rather, the ALJ’s “finding of any severe impairment, whether or not it results from a single severe impairment or a combination of impairments that qualifies as ‘severe’ is enough to satisfy step two.”

At step two, § 404.1520(c) requires the ALJ to determine whether the claimant has a severe impairment; failure to address a supported condition's severity can require remand when the court cannot determine whether it affected the disability determination.

Halina M. v. Kijakazi · filed 2022-08-01(c)

Second, if a claimant does not have any impairment or combination of impairments which significantly limit her physical or mental ability to do basic work activities, then she does not have a severe impairment and is not disabled. 20 C.F.R. § 404.1520(c). ... The ALJ found Dr. Chopra’s opinion “persuasive” regarding these diagnoses but inexplicably does not identify CRPS as a medically determinable impairment as would appear to be dictated by the evidence of record and application of SSR 03-2p and also does not evaluate CRPS at Step 2. (Tr. 78). ... Yet, the ALJ did not directly address the issues of whether CRPS was a medically determinable impairment in this case or a severe impairment at Step 2, and he did not discuss or impliedly apply the principles enunciated in SSR 03-2p. While doing so might not ultimately change the outcome of Plaintiff’s application for DIB, it is impossible for the Court to unscramble the egg and determine if it might. ... On balance, and for the reasons articulated above, the Court concludes that the interests of justice and the applicable standard of review warrant a remand and further consideration of this claim.

At step two, the regulation requires evaluating whether the claimant has a severe impairment or combination of impairments, and omitted severe impairments must be considered in determining residual functional capacity.

Colgrove v. O'Malley · filed 2022-08-11(a)(4)(ii)

Step Two: Does the claimant have a medically-severe impairment or combination of impairments? 20 C.F.R. §§ 404.1520(a)(4)(ii), 416.920(a)(4)(ii). ... Plaintiff argues the ALJ erred finding the following impairments non-severe: edema, OSA and hypoxemia. The Court agrees. ... Here, the ALJ failed to take into account Plaintiff’s severe impairments of edema, OSA and hypoxemia when determining the RFC. As such, remand is necessary to allow the ALJ to consider these particular impairments (edema, OSA and hypoxemia) in determining Plaintiff’s RFC.

At step two, § 404.1520(c) requires a severe impairment, but finding any one severe impairment is enough to proceed to the next step; the ALJ need not identify every severe impairment.

Tippenhaver v. Commissioner of Social Security · filed 2022-08-12(c)

The ALJ did not err at step two. As noted above, at step two, the ALJ found Plaintiff to have several severe impairments – obesity, spine disorders, essential hypertension, and diabetes mellitus. Tr. 12. He also found Plaintiff’s mental impairments to be non-severe. Tr. 13. However, the ALJ did not address (at step two) whether Plaintiff’s shoulder impairment was severe (or not severe). But he was not required to do so given that he found Plaintiff to have at least one severe impairment and, consequently, proceeded to the next step of the sequential evaluation. See Jamison, 814 F.2d at 588 (“[T]he finding of any severe impairment, whether or not it qualifies as a disability and whether or not it results from a single severe impairment or a combination of impairments that together qualify as severe, is enough to satisfy the requirement of step two.”).

At step two, the regulation requires determining whether the claimant has a severe impairment or combination of impairments that significantly limits the ability to perform basic work activities.

Knox v. Commissioner of Social Security · filed 2022-08-16(c)

At step two, the ALJ decides whether the plaintiff has a “severe impairment” or combination of impairments that “significantly limits [the plaintiff’s] physical or mental ability to do basic work activities[.]” 20 C.F.R. §§ 404.1520(c), 416.920(c). ... At a minimum, the ALJ erred in failing to determine, at step two of the sequential evaluation process, whether Plaintiff’s obesity amounted to a medically determinable impairment and, if so, whether that impairment was severe.

Section 404.1520(c) requires a claimant to have a severe impairment—one that significantly limits the ability to perform basic work activities—to continue past step two of the disability evaluation.

Parker v. Kijakazi · filed 2022-08-22(c)

At Step 2, the Commissioner must determine whether a claimant has a severe impairment. 20 C.F.R. § 404.1520(c). A severe impairment is “any impairment or combination of impairments which significantly limits [claimant’s] physical or mental ability to do basic work activities.” 20 C.F.R. § 404.1521. ... The Court finds the ALJ’s determination that Plaintiff’s degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine is not a severe impairment to be supported by substantial evidence. An impairment is severe if it significantly limits the ability to do basic work activities. 20 C.F.R. § 404.1520(c). Here, the medical evidence does not support that Plaintiff’s degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine significantly limits Plaintiff’s ability to do basic work activities.

At step two, Section 404.1520 requires the ALJ to determine whether the claimant has a severe impairment or combination of impairments; once at least one impairment is severe, the evaluation proceeds to later steps.

Rodriguez-Feliciano v. Commissioner of Social Security · filed 2022-08-24(a)(4)(ii)

Step two requires the ALJ to determine whether plaintiff has “a severe medically determinable physical or mental impairment” or severe combination of impairments. 20 C.F.R. § 404.1520(a)(4)(ii). ... If the ALJ finds that at least one of the claimant’s impairments is severe, the step two inquiry is resolved in the claimant’s favor and the ALJ may move ahead with the subsequent steps. Hickman v. Comm'r of Soc. Sec., 399 F. App'x 300, 302 (9th Cir. 2010).

At step two, an impairment is severe when it significantly limits the claimant’s physical or mental ability to perform basic work-related activities for 12 consecutive months.

Potter v. Social Security Administration · filed 2022-08-25(c)

A “severe” impairment significantly limits the claimant’s physical or mental ability to perform basic work-related activities for 12 consecutive months. 20 CFR §§ 404.1520(c), 404.1509.

At Step Two, § 404.1520(c) requires the ALJ to determine whether the claimant has a severe medically determinable impairment or combination of impairments.

WILLIAMSON v. KIJAKAZI · filed 2022-08-29(c)

At Step Two of the Social Security Administration’s sequential analysis, the ALJ must determine whether the claimant has a medically determinable impairment that is severe or a combination of impairments that is severe. See 20 C.F.R. § 404.1520(c).

Section 404.1520(c) requires an impairment to significantly limit a claimant’s ability to perform basic work activities to be considered severe at step two.

(SS) Abdulkareem v. Commissioner of Social Security · filed 2022-08-31(c)

To qualify for benefits, the plaintiff must have an impairment severe enough to significantly limit the physical or mental ability to do basic work activities. See 20 C.F.R. §§ 404.1520(c), 416.920(c). ... Here, the ALJ erred in determining that Plaintiff’s hernia constituted no more than a non-severe impairment during the time between onset and surgical treatment. ... Because the ALJ’s error at step two would have been harmful only if it resulted in a failure to consider related limitations in determining Plaintiff’s residual function capacity, the ALJ’s error at step two was harmless. The Plaintiff’s level of impairment, including her hernia, was still considered, and the ALJ’s error was immaterial to the ultimate disability determination.

Section 404.1520 places the determination whether an impairment is severe at step two of the five-step disability evaluation, with the severity inquiry focused on whether it significantly limits basic work activities.

Bozeman v. Kijakazi · filed 2022-08-31(a)(4)(ii)

At step two, which is at issue in this matter, the ALJ determines whether the individual has an impairment or combination of impairments that is “severe.” Id. §§ 404.1520(c), 416.920(c). ... At a minimum, the record presented contradictory evidence of whether Plaintiff’s impairments or combination of impairments were severe. Thus, the ALJ could not “determine clearly” the effect of Plaintiff’s impairments and should have continued the sequential evaluation process. See SSR 85-28, 1985 WL 56856, at *4; Gilbert, 175 F.3d at 605. By concluding the analysis of Plaintiff’s mental health impairments at step two, the ALJ, who failed to comply SSR 85-28, committed legal error.

Section 404.1520 requires the ALJ to determine at step two whether the claimant has a severe impairment.

(SS) Rummel v. Commissioner of Social Security · filed 2022-09-01

At step two, the ALJ is to distinguish between those impairments that are “severe” and “non-severe.” 20 C.F.R. § 404.1520.

At step two, § 404.1520(a)(4)(ii) requires the ALJ to determine whether the claimant has a severe medically determinable physical or mental impairment.

Cornett v. Commissioner of Social Security Administration · filed 2022-09-02(a)(4)(ii)

At step two, the ALJ determines whether the claimant has a “severe” medically determinable physical or mental impairment. 20 C.F.R. § 404.1520(a)(4)(ii). ... In addition, the Court finds that the portions of the record cited to by the ALJ in discussing the functional areas constitute substantial evidence to support the conclusion that Plaintiff’s mental impairments are not severe. (See R. at 17).

Section 404.1520(a)(4)(ii) requires an ALJ at step two to determine whether the claimant has a medically determinable severe impairment.

Bauman v. Kijakazi · filed 2022-09-06(a)(4)(ii)

At step two of the sequential evaluation process, the ALJ must determine whether the claimant has any medically determinable severe impairments. 20 C.F.R. § 404.1520(a)(ii). ... The Court finds Plaintiff has not pointed to any additional evidence that indicates these impairments caused more than a minimal limitation on her ability to engage in work-related function, or were not already accounted for in the ALJ’s step two findings and the RFC.

Section 404.1520(a)(4)(ii) makes step two a threshold inquiry into whether each impairment is medically determinable and severe or non-severe.

Cook v. Saul · filed 2022-09-06(a)(4)(ii)

At step two of the sequential evaluation process, the ALJ considers whether a claimant’s impairment is (1) medically determinable or non-medically determinable, and (2) severe or non-severe; this step is essentially a threshold test. 20 C.F.R. § 404.1520(a)(4)(ii); SSR 85-28, 1985 WL 56856.

At step two, § 404.1520(c) requires a finding of no severe impairment when an impairment does not significantly limit basic work activities.

Jenkins v. Saul · filed 2022-09-12(c)

To the extent that this may be construed as a claim that the ALJ’s finding at step two was not supported by substantial evidence, the notes from that visit (in addition to being well outside the relevant period) indicate relatively mild symptoms and a conservative course of treatment involving stretches, custom orthotics, and ibuprofen. Id. These records do not establish an impairment that would significantly limit Jenkins’s ability to perform basic work-related activities for 12 consecutive months. See 20 C.F.R. § 404.1520(c).

At step two, finding at least one severe impairment is enough to continue the sequential evaluation.

SKAGGS v. COMMISSIONER OF SOCIAL SECURITY · filed 2022-09-15(c)

Having found at least one severe impairment at step two, the ALJ continued in the sequential evaluation. That was all that was required at step two.

At step two, Section 404.1520(a)(4)(ii) requires a claimant to establish a severe impairment or combination of impairments that significantly limits the ability to perform basic work activities and meets the applicable durational requirements.

Smith v. Saul · filed 2022-09-16(a)(4)(ii)

At step two of the sequential process, the ALJ must determine that the claimant has a severe mental or physical impairment that has or is expected to last twelve months or will result in death. 20 C.F.R. §§ 404.1509, 404.1520(a)(4)(i)-(ii); 416.909, 416.920(a)(4)(i)-(ii). ... In this case, the ALJ acknowledged that he must determine whether Smith’s impairments or combination of impairments are severe. (Tr. 16.) ... The Court has reviewed the entire transcript and the parties’ briefs and finds that the ALJ gave good reasons, supported by substantial evidence, for finding that the fractures were not severe medical impairments.

Section 404.1520(c) makes Step Two a threshold inquiry requiring an impairment to significantly limit basic work activities, but a severe finding alone does not establish disabling limitations at later steps.

Jackson v. Kijakazi · filed 2022-09-29(c)

At Step Two, the Commissioner considers whether a claimant has “any impairment or combination of impairments which significantly limits [the claimant’s] physical or mental ability to do basic work activities…” 20 C.F.R. § 404.1520(c). “Consideration of all impairments, severe and non-severe, is required when assessing a claimant’s RFC.” Schink v. Comm'r of Soc. Sec., 935 F.3d 1245, 1268 (11th Cir. 2019) (per curiam). However, the Step Two “severe impairment” inquiry is merely “a ‘threshold inquiry’ and ‘allows only claims based on the most trivial impairments to be rejected.’ ” Id. at 1265 (quoting McDaniel v. Bowen, 800 F.2d 1026, 1031 (11th Cir. 1986)). “[A]n ‘impairment is not severe only if the abnormality is so slight and its effect so minimal that it would clearly not be expected to interfere with the individual’s ability to work, irrespective of age, education or work experience.’ ” Id. (citation omitted) (quoting McDaniel, 800 F.2d at 1031)). Thus, the mere fact that an impairment is found “severe” at Step Two does not mean it will result in disabling limitations at the later steps.