20 C.F.R. § 404.1520

Section 404.1520(a)(4) establishes a five-step process for determining disability, and a claimant who lacks a continuous twelve-month period without substantial gainful activity fails at the first step.

Heiberger v. Berryhill · filed 2018-08-06(a)(4)

Regulations adopted under the Social Security Act establish a five-step process for determining disability. See 20 C.F.R. § 404.1520(a)(4). Under the first step, if there is no continuous twelve-month period without substantial gainful activity, the claimant is not disabled. Id.; see also 20 C.F.R. § 404.1505.

Section 404.1520 requires disability claims to be evaluated through a five-step sequential process, including a step-two determination of whether the claimant has a severe impairment; finding another severe impairment allows the claim to proceed to later steps.

Colston v. Berryhill · filed 2018-09-14

The Social Security regulations provide a five-step sequential evaluation process for determining if a claimant has proven his disability. 20 C.F.R. §§ 404.1520, 416.920. ... The second step requires the claimant to prove that he or she has a severe impairment or combination of impairments. ... However, the ALJ found, at step two of the sequential evaluation process, that Plaintiff did have the severe impairment of obesity, and continued with the sequential analysis. Therefore, any error in failing to find that Plaintiff’s ADHD and learning disorder were also severe impairments was harmless, for purposes of the step two analysis, because the ALJ subsequently considered Plaintiff’s ADHD and learning disorder in assessing his RFC.

Section 404.1520 requires an ALJ determining disability to use a five-step sequential analysis.

McCarthy v. Nancy A. Berryhill, Acting Commissioner, Social Security Administration · filed 2018-10-04

In determining whether a claimant is disabled for purposes of social security benefits, the ALJ follows a five-step sequential analysis. 20 C.F.R. § 404.1520.

Section 404.1520(a)(1) requires disability claims to be evaluated through a five-step sequential process, ending when the Commissioner makes a dispositive finding.

Amburgey v. Comm'r of Soc. Sec. · filed 2018-11-07(a)(1)

“The Commissioner employs a ‘five-step sequential evaluation process’ to determine whether a claimant is disabled.” Keeton, 583 F. App’x at 524 (quoting 20 C.F.R. § 404.1520(a)(1)). Under this five-step process: First, plaintiff must demonstrate that she is not currently engaged in substantial gainful activity at the time she seeks disability benefits. Second, plaintiff must show that she suffers from a severe impairment in order to warrant a finding of disability. A severe impairment is one which significantly limits physical or mental ability to do basic work activities. Third, if plaintiff is not performing substantial gainful activity, has a severe impairment that is expected to last for at least twelve months, and the impairment meets a listed impairment, plaintiff is presumed to be disabled regardless of age, education or work experience. Fourth, if the plaintiff’s impairment does not prevent her from doing her past relevant work, plaintiff is not disabled. For the fifth and final step, even if the plaintiff’s impairment does prevent her from doing her past relevant work, if other work exists in the national economy that plaintiff can perform, plaintiff is not disabled. Winn, 615 F. App’x at 320 (quoting Colvin v. Barnhart, 475 F.3d 727, 730 (6th Cir. 2007)). “The review is terminated if the Commissioner makes a dispositive finding at any stage of this inquiry.”

Section 404.1520 establishes a five-step disability evaluation: a claimant is disabled at step three if an impairment meets or equals a listed impairment and the duration requirement, while later steps assess past work and other available work.

Quisenberry v. Comm'r of Soc. Sec. · filed 2018-11-29(a)(4)(iii) and (d); (a)(4)(iv); (a)(4)(v)

As provided in 20 C.F.R. § 404.1520(a)(4)(iii) and (d), “If you have an impairment(s) that meets or equals one of our listings in appendix 1 of this subpart and meets the duration requirement, we will find that you are disabled,” “without considering your age, education, and work experience.” ... In view of the questions raised regarding the validity of Quisenberry’s test results, Dr. Tripi’s failure to opine on the validity of those results, and the administrative law judge’s reasonable evaluation of the medical record, we are constrained to find that substantial evidence supports the decision of the administrative law judge that Quisenberry’s limitations did not meet or equal an impairment listed in the applicable regulations.

Section 404.1520(a)(4)(iii) treats a claimant as disabled when an impairment meets or medically equals a listed impairment and otherwise proceeds to step four; subsection (a)(4)(v) asks whether a substantial number of jobs exist that the claimant can perform considering residual functional capacity, age, education, and work experience.

Malone v. Berryhill · filed 2018-12-12(a)(4)(iii), (a)(4)(v)

At step three, the ALJ determines whether the claimant’s impairment(s) meet or equal a listed impairment in the Social Security regulations, precluding substantial gainful activity. 20 C.F.R. § 404.1520(a)(4)(iii); 20 C.F.R. Pt. 404, Subpt. P, App. 1. If the claimant’s impairment(s) meet or medically equal a listing, the individual is considered disabled; if a listing is not met, the analysis continues to step four. 20 C.F.R. § 404.1520(a)(4)(iii). ... If he cannot, the ALJ proceeds to step five, in which the ALJ determines whether a substantial number of jobs exist that the claimant can perform in light of his RFC, age, education, and work experience. 20 C.F.R. § 404.1520(a)(4)(v). An individual is not disabled if he can engage in other work. Id.

Section 404.1520 requires disability claims to be evaluated through a five-step sequential process, including a step-two determination of whether the claimant has a severe impairment.

Dunn v. Berryhill · filed 2019-01-09(c)

At step two of the five-step sequential evaluation, an ALJ is tasked with determining whether a claimant has a medically determinable impairment that is “severe” or a combination of impairments that are “severe.” 20 C.F.R. § 404.1520(c). ... Therefore, the Court finds that the ALJ’s determination that Claimant does not have a severe impairment is supported by substantial evidence in the record.

Section 404.1520(a)(4) requires a five-step sequential evaluation of disability: substantial gainful activity, severe impairment, Listings, past relevant work, and other work in the national economy.

Howard v. Commissioner, Social Security Administration · filed 2019-03-08(a)(4)

The Social Security Regulations outline a five-step sequential evaluation process for determining whether a claimant is disabled. 20 C.F.R. §§ 404.1520(a)(4), 416.920(a)(4). The ALJ must evaluate (1) whether the claimant engaged in substantial gainful work; (2) whether the claimant has a severe impairment; (3) whether the severe impairment meets or equals an impairment in the Listings of Impairments; (4) whether the claimant has the residual functional capacity (“RFC”) to perform her past relevant work; and (5) whether, in the light of the claimant’s RFC, age, education, and work experience, there exist other jobs in the national economy the claimant can perform. Id.

Section 404.1520(a)(4) requires the sequential disability evaluation to stop once the claimant is determined to be disabled or not disabled at any step.

Rivera v. Comm'r of Soc. Sec. · filed 2019-03-15(a)(4)

If it is determined that the claimant is or is not disabled at any step of the evaluation process, the evaluation will not progress to the next step.

Section 404.1520(a)(4) requires the Commissioner to use a five-step process to evaluate a disability claim.

Conetta v. Berryhill · filed 2019-03-19(a)(4)

Regulations issued pursuant to the Act set forth a five-step process that the Commissioner must use in evaluating a disability claim.

Section 404.1520 requires disability claims to be evaluated through a five-step sequence, and an omission at step two is harmless when the ALJ evaluates the impairment at later steps and accounts for its limitations in the RFC.

Lopardo v. Berryhill · filed 2019-03-20(a)(4)

The Commissioner evaluates a claimant’s impairment under a five-step sequential evaluation process set forth in the regulations promulgated by the Social Security Administration ("SSA"). See 20 C.F.R. § 404.1520(a)(4)(i)-(v). ... Inasmuch as the ALJ's analysis reveals that he treated Plaintiff's mental impairments as though he had found them severe at stage two of the sequential evaluation process, the omission of depression and anxiety from the listing of severe impairments at step two was harmless.

Section 404.1520(a)(4) requires disability to be evaluated through a sequential five-step inquiry, with the answer at each step determining whether the inquiry proceeds or ends in a disability or non-disability finding.

Ailor v. Saul · filed 2019-04-18(a)(4)

To determine disability within the meaning of the Social Security Act, the ALJ conducts a sequential five-step inquiry, asking (1) Is the claimant presently unemployed? (2) Does the claimant have a severe impairment? (3) Does the claimant’s impairment meet or equal an impairment specifically listed in the regulations? (4) Is the claimant unable to perform a former occupation? and (5) Is the claimant unable to perform any other work in the national economy? Young v. Sec’y of Health & Human Servs., 957 F.2d 386, 389 (7th Cir. 1992); Zalewski v. Heckler, 760 F.2d 160, 162 n.2 (7th Cir. 1985); 20 C.F.R. § 404.1520(a)(4). “An affirmative answer leads either to the next step, or, on steps 3 and 5, to a finding that the claimant is disabled. A negative answer at any point, other than step 3, ends the inquiry and leads to a determination that a claimant is not disabled.” Zalewski, 760 F.2d at 162 n.2.

Section 404.1520 requires disability claims to be evaluated through a five-step sequential process, stopping when a claimant is found disabled or not disabled.

HEARN v. COMMISSIONER OF SOCIAL SECURITY · filed 2019-06-27(a)(4)

To make a disability determination, the ALJ follows a five-step sequential analysis. 20 C.F.R. §§ 404.1520(a), 416.920(a); see also Cruz, 244 F. App’x at 480. If the ALJ determines at any step that the claimant is or is not disabled, the ALJ does not proceed to the next step. 20 C.F.R. §§ 404.1520(a)(4), 416.920(a)(4).

Section 404.1520(a)(4) requires disability determinations to proceed through five sequential questions, ending when a dispositive finding is made.

Brooks-Harris v. Social Security Administration, Commissioner of · filed 2019-07-16(a)(4)

A five-step sequential evaluation applies in disability determinations. 20 C.F.R. § 404.1520. Review ends with a dispositive finding at any step. See Colvin v. Barnhart, 475 F.3d 727, 730 (6th Cir. 2007). The complete review poses five questions: 1. Has the claimant engaged in substantial gainful activity? 2. Does the claimant suffer from one or more severe impairments? 3. Do the claimant's severe impairments, alone or in combination, meet or equal the criteria of an impairment set forth in the Commissioner's Listing of Impairments (the “Listings”), 20 C.F.R. Subpart P, Appendix 1? 4. Considering the claimant's [Residual Functional Capacity], can he or she perform his or her past relevant work? 5. Assuming the claimant can no longer perform his or her past relevant work –– and also considering the claimant's age, education, past work experience, and RFC –– do significant numbers of other jobs exist in the national economy which the claimant can perform? 20 C.F.R. § 404.1520(a)(4).

Section 404.1520(a) requires disability determinations to proceed through a five-step sequential analysis.

Frazier v. Social Security Administration, Commissioner · filed 2019-07-17(a)

Determination of disability under the Social Security Act requires a five step analysis. 20 C.F.R. §§ 404.1520(a). Specifically, the Commissioner must determine in sequence: whether the claimant: (1) is unable to engage in substantial gainful activity; (2) has a severe medically determinable physical or mental impairment; (3) has such an impairment that meets or equals a Listing and meets the duration requirements; (4) can perform his past relevant work, in light of his residual functional capacity [(RFC)]; and (5) can make an adjustment to other work, in light of his residual functional capacity, age, education, and work experience.

Section 404.1520(a) requires disability claims to be evaluated through a five-step process, with the claimant bearing the burden through step four and the Commissioner at step five.

Vega v. Commissioner of Social Security Administration · filed 2019-07-18(a)

To determine whether a claimant is disabled for purposes of the Social Security Act, the ALJ follows a five-step process. 20 C.F.R. § 404.1520(a). The claimant bears the burden of proof on the first four steps, and the burden shifts to the Commissioner at step five.

Section 404.1520 requires the Commissioner to determine disability through a five-step sequence addressing substantial gainful activity, severe impairment, listed impairment, past work, and other work in the national economy based on residual functional capacity.

Smith v. Social Security Administration Commissioner · filed 2019-07-23

Determination of disability under the Act requires a five step analysis. 20 C.F.R. § 404.1520. Specifically, the Commissioner must determine, in sequence: (1) whether the claimant is doing substantial gainful activity; (2) whether the claimant has a severe impairment; (3) whether the impairment meets or is medically equivalent to one listed by the Secretary; (4) whether the claimant is unable to perform his or her past work; and (5) whether the claimant is unable to perform any work in the national economy, based on his residual functional capacity.

Section 404.1520 requires disability claims to be evaluated through a five-step sequential process, ending with whether the claimant can perform other work considering residual functional capacity and vocational factors.

VELOSO v. COMMISSIONER OF SOCIAL SECURITY · filed 2019-07-23(a)

To make a disability determination, the ALJ follows a five-step sequential analysis. 20 C.F.R. §§ 404.1520(a), 416.920(a); see also Cruz, 244 F. App’x at 480. If the ALJ determines at any step that the claimant is or is not disabled, the ALJ does not proceed to the next step. 20 C.F.R. §§ 404.1520(a)(4), 416.920(a)(4). ... At step five, the ALJ must determine whether the claimant is able to do any other work, considering his or her RFC, age, education, and work experience. 20 C.F.R. §§ 404.1520(a)(4)(v), 416.920(a)(4)(v). ... After properly following the five-step disability test, ALJ Lee determined that Plaintiff is not disabled under the Act.

Section 404.1520(a)(4) requires disability claims to be evaluated through a five-step sequence, ending when a claimant is found not disabled at any step.

Goldsberry v. SSA · filed 2019-07-24(a)(4)

The ALJ, when determining disability, conducts a five-step analysis. See Preslar v. Sec’y of Health & Human Servs., 14 F.3d 1107, 1110 (6th Cir. 1994); 20 C.F.R. § 404.1520(a)(4); id. at § 416.920(a)(4). At Step 1, the ALJ considers whether the claimant is performing substantial gainful activity. See Preslar, 14 F.3d at 1110; 20 C.F.R. § 416.920(a)(4)(i). At Step 2, the ALJ determines whether one or more of the claimant’s impairments are severe. Preslar, 14 F.3d at 1110; 20 C.F.R. § 416.920(a)(4)(ii). At Step 3, the ALJ analyzes whether the claimant’s impairments, alone or in combination, meet or equal an entry in the Listing of Impairments. Preslar, 14 F.3d at 1110; 20 C.F.R. § 416.920(a)(4)(iii). At Step 4, the ALJ determines RFC and whether the claimant can perform past relevant work. Preslar, 14 F.3d at 1110; 20 C.F.R. § 416.920(a)(4)(iv). The inquiry at this stage (if applicable) is whether the claimant can still perform that type of work, not necessarily the specific past job. See Studaway v. Sec’y of Health & Human Servs., 815 F.2d 1074, 1076 (6th Cir. 1987). Finally, at Step 5, when the burden shifts to the Acting Commissioner, if the claimant cannot perform past relevant work, the ALJ determines whether significant numbers of other jobs exist in the national economy that the claimant can perform, given the applicable RFC. See Preslar, 14 F.3d at 1110; 20 C.F.R. § 404.1520(a)(4); id. at § 416.920(a)(4)(iv). If the ALJ determines at any step that the claimant is not disabled, the analysis ends at that step. Mowery v. Heckler, 771 F.2d 966, 969 (6th Cir. 1985); 20 C.F.R. § 404.1520(a)(4); id. at § 416.920(a)(4).

Section 404.1520 requires disability claims to be evaluated through a five-step sequence, stopping when a claimant is found disabled or not disabled, and the later steps assess listed impairments, residual capacity and past work, and other work.

ALI v. COMMISSIONER OF SOCIAL SECURITY · filed 2019-07-25(a)

To make a disability determination, the ALJ follows a five-step sequential analysis. 20 C.F.R. §§ 404.1520(a), 416.920(a); see also Cruz, 244 F. App’x at 480. If the ALJ determines at any step that the claimant is or is not disabled, the ALJ does not proceed to the next step. 20 C.F.R. §§ 404.1520(a)(4), 416.920(a)(4). ... In her decision on December 28, 2016, ALJ Lissek properly applied the five-step disability test before determining that Plaintiff was not disabled. (R. 21-28.)

Subsection (f) directs the Commissioner to determine whether a claimant can perform past relevant work at step four, while subsection (g) requires the Commissioner to establish at step five that the claimant can perform other work existing in significant numbers in the national or local economy.

de Flores v. Commissioner of Social Security Administration · filed 2019-07-26(f), (g)

At step four, the Commissioner determines whether the claimant can still perform “past relevant work.” 20 C.F.R. § 404.1520(f). If the claimant can perform past relevant work, she is not disabled. ... At step five, the Commissioner must establish the claimant can perform other work existing in significant numbers in the national or local economy. Bowen v. Yuckert, 482 U.S. 137, 141-42 (1987); 20 C.F.R. § 404.1520(g). If the Commissioner meets this burden, the claimant is not disabled.

Section 404.1520(a)(4)(iii) requires the ALJ to determine at step three whether a claimant’s impairments meet or equal a listed impairment.

Lynch v. Commissioner of Social Security · filed 2019-07-30(a)(4)(iii)

At step three of the sequential process, the ALJ must determine if a claimant’s impairments meet or equal a listed impairment. 20 C.F.R. § 404.1520(a)(4)(iii). ... The ALJ’s determination that Plaintiff’s impairments did not meet or equal Listing 1.02B was supported by substantial evidence in the record as a whole. Therefore, Plaintiff has not identified an error in the ALJ’s step three finding.

Section 404.1520 requires the ALJ to use a sequential evaluation in which a severe impairment leads to consideration of whether it meets or medically equals a listed impairment before the later work-capacity steps.

Curiel v. Commissioner of Social Security · filed 2019-08-02(a)(4)(ii), (a)(4)(iii), (a)(4)(v), (c)

Once an ALJ determines that a claimant suffers a severe impairment, the ALJ must determine whether the impairment meets or is medically equivalent to one of the listed impairments. See 20 C.F.R. § 404.1520(c), (d). ... Given that the 2012 MRI was the only evidence of nerve root compression that Plaintiff pointed to in the record, the ALJ did not err in finding that Plaintiff did not meet the requirements of Listing 1.04(A).

Section 404.1520 requires disability claims to be evaluated through a five-step sequence: substantial gainful activity, severe impairment, listed impairment, residual functional capacity for past work, and other work.

Terry v. Berryhill · filed 2019-08-02(a)(4)(i)–(v)

The ALJ uses a five-step evaluation to determine whether a person has a disability under the Social Security Act. 20 C.F.R. § 404.1520(a)(4)(i–v). ... The ALJ first looks at whether the applicant is currently engaged in substantial gainful activity (“SGA”). See 20 C.F.R. § 404.1520(a). ... The ALJ then analyzes in the second step whether the applicant has a medically determinable impairment, or a combination of impairments, that meets the definition of “severe.” See 20 C.F.R. § 404.1520(a)(4)(ii). ... Third, the ALJ must determine whether the applicant’s impairments either meet or medically equal the criteria of an appendix 1 listing. 20 C.F.R. § 404.1520(a)(4)(iii). If so, then the applicant is disabled. Id. ... Fourth, if he has the RFC to perform the requirements of his past relevant work, the applicant is not disabled, and the analysis ends here. See 20 C.F.R. § 404.1520(a)(4)(iv). But if the applicant does not have the RFC, then the analysis goes on to the fifth and final step. Id. ... Finally, if the ALJ determines the applicant does not have adequate RFC then the ALJ will evaluate the applicant’s ability to do any other work given his RFC, age, education, and work experience. See 20 C.F.R. § 404.1520(a)(4)(v). If the applicant cannot perform other work, then he qualifies as disabled. Id.

Section 404.1520 requires disability claims to be evaluated through a five-step sequential process, including consideration of severe impairments, listed impairments, past work, and other work accommodating the claimant's residual functional capacity.

Schmaling v. Social Security Administration, Commissioner of · filed 2019-07-24

Disability is evaluated pursuant to a five-step analysis summarized as follows: 1. If claimant is doing substantial gainful activity, he is not disabled. 2. If claimant is not doing substantial gainful activity, his impairment must be severe before he can be found to be disabled. 3. If claimant is not doing substantial gainful activity and is suffering from a severe impairment that has lasted or is expected to last for a continuous period of at least twelve months, and his impairment meets or equals a listed impairment, claimant is presumed disabled without further inquiry. 4. If claimant’s impairment does not prevent him from doing his past relevant work, he is not disabled. 5. Even if claimant’s impairment does prevent him from doing his past relevant work, if other work exists in the national economy that accommodates his residual functional capacity (“RFC”) and vocational factors (age, education, skills, etc.), he is not disabled.

Section 404.1520(f) places the burden at Step 4 on the claimant to show inability to return to past relevant work and requires findings on residual functional capacity and past-work demands, while subsection (g) shifts the burden at Step 5 to the Commissioner to show that the claimant can perform other work.

DALTON-BRIGHT v. SOCIAL SECURITY ADMINISTRATION COMMISSIONER · filed 2019-08-06(f), (g)

The ALJ reached Step 4 of the sequential evaluation process, at which stage the claimant bears the burden of proving inability to return to past relevant work. ... At this step, the commissioner must make findings of the plaintiff’s RFC and the physical and mental demands of past work and determine whether the plaintiff’s RFC would permit performance of that work. ... In the alternative, the ALJ reached Step 5 of the sequential evaluation process, at which stage the burden of proof shifts to the commissioner to show that a claimant can perform work other than her past relevant work. ... The record must contain substantial evidence in support of the commissioner’s findings regarding the plaintiff’s RFC to perform such other work.

Section 404.1520(a)(4) requires the Commissioner to evaluate disability claims through a sequential five-step process, including determining the severity of impairments at step two.

Miller v. Berryhill · filed 2019-08-14(a)(4)

The Commissioner determines whether a claimant qualifies for disability pursuant to a sequential five-step process. See 20 C.F.R. § 404.1520(a)(4). First, the Commissioner determines whether the claimant is engaged in any substantially gainful activity. See id. at § 404.1520(b). If so, the claimant is not disabled. See id. Second, the Commissioner determines the medical severity of the claimant’s condition and its duration relative to the twelve-month requirement of 20 C.F.R. § 404.1509. See id. at § 404.1520(c). If the claimant does not have “any impairment or combination of impairments which significantly limits [his or her] physical or mental ability to do basic work activities[,]” then the claimant is not disabled. See id. ... The ALJ’s analysis as to Plaintiff’s diabetes is confined to step two of the analytical framework—the “de minimis screening device” “[used] to dispose of groundless claims.” ... Yet the ALJ summarily concluded at the outset that Plaintiff’s diabetes was nonsevere based on a screening device designed to dispose of de minimis problems and meritless claims. He did not analyze the impairment further. ... This was error.

Section 404.1520 establishes a five-step disability evaluation that ends when a claimant is found disabled or not disabled; at step four, a claimant who retains the RFC to perform past work is not disabled.

Zimmerman v. Commissioner of Social Security Administration · filed 2019-08-15(a)(4), (e), (f)

The Commissioner employs a five-step sequential process to evaluate SSI and DIB claims. 20 C.F.R. §§ 404.1520(a)(4), 416.920(a)(4); see also Heckler v. Campbell, 461 U.S. 458, 460–462 (1983). To establish disability the claimant bears the burden of showing he (1) is not working; (2) has a severe physical or mental impairment; (3) the impairment meets or equals the requirements of a listed impairment; and (4) the claimant’s RFC precludes him from performing his past work. 20 C.F.R. §§ 404.1520(a)(4), 416.920(a)(4). At Step Five, the burden shifts to the Commissioner to show that the claimant has the RFC to perform other work that exists in substantial numbers in the national economy. Hoopai v. Astrue, 499 F.3d 1071, 1074 (9th Cir. 2007). If the Commissioner conclusively finds the claimant “disabled” or “not disabled” at any point in the five-step process, she does not proceed to the next step. 20 C.F.R. §§ 404.1520(a)(4), 416.920(a)(4). Here, Plaintiff was denied at Step Four of the evaluation process. Step Four requires a determination of whether the claimant has sufficient RFC to perform past work. 20 C.F.R. §§ 404.1520(e), 416.920(e). RFC is defined as that which an individual can still do despite her limitations. 20 C.F.R. §§ 404.1545, 416.945. A RFC finding is based on the record as a whole, including all physical and mental limitations, whether severe or not, and all symptoms. SSR 96-8p. If the ALJ concludes the claimant has the RFC to perform past work, the claim is denied. 20 C.F.R. §§ 404.1520(f), 416.920(f).

Section 404.1520(a)(4) requires the Commissioner to evaluate disability claims sequentially through five questions: substantial gainful activity, severe impairment, listed impairment, past relevant work, and other work in the national economy.

BROWNLEE v. SAUL · filed 2019-08-16(a)(4)

“The Commissioner uses a five-step ptocess to evaluate disability claims.” Hancock, 667 F.3d at 472 (citing 20 C.F.R. §§ 404.1520(a)(4); 416.920(a)(4)). “Under this process, the Commissioner asks, in sequence, whether the claimant: (1) worked during the alleged period of disability; (2) had a severe impairment, (3) had an impairment that met or equaled the requitements of a listed impairment; (4) could return to her past relevant work; and (5) if not, could perform any other work in the national economy.” Id.

Section 404.1520 requires disability claims to be evaluated through five sequential steps, with the claimant bearing the burden through the first four steps and the Commissioner at the fifth.

Verbois v. Berryhill · filed 2019-08-20(a)(4), (b), and (c)

In determining disability, the Commissioner (through an ALJ) works through a five-step sequential evaluation process. See 20 C.F.R. § 404.1520(a)(4). The burden rests upon the claimant throughout the first four steps of this five-step process to prove disability. If the claimant is successful in sustaining his or her burden at each of the first four steps, the burden shifts to the Commissioner at step five. See Muse v. Sullivan, 925 F.2d 785, 789 (5th Cir. 1991) (explaining the five-step process). First, the claimant must prove he or she is not currently engaged in substantial gainful activity. 20 C.F.R. § 404.1520(b). Second, the claimant must prove his or her impairment is “severe” in that it “significantly limits your physical or mental ability to do basic work activities…” 20 C.F.R. § 404.1520(c).

Section 404.1520 establishes a five-step sequential process for determining disability, with the claimant bearing the burden through steps one through four and the Commissioner bearing it at step five.

Ewing v. Commissioner of Social Security · filed 2019-08-21

The Commissioner has established a five-step sequential evaluation process for determining whether a claimant is disabled within the meaning of the Act. See 20 C.F.R. § 404.1520. The claimant bears the burden of proof during steps one through four. Valentine v. Comm’r of Soc. Sec. Admin., 574 F.3d 685, 689 (9th Cir. 2009). At step five, the burden shifts to the Commissioner. Id.

Section 404.1520 requires disability claims to be evaluated through a five-step sequence, including a severity determination at step two before proceeding further.

Ertel v. Berryhill · filed 2019-08-21(b)

To decide if a claimant is entitled to benefits, an Administrative Law Judge (“ALJ”) conducts a five-step inquiry. 20 C.F.R. §§ 404.1520, 416.920. The steps are: ... (2) Is the claimant’s impairment severe? If not, the claimant is found not disabled. If so, proceed to step three. ... Here, the ALJ erred at step two when she failed to acknowledge Plaintiff’s cognitive disorder as a severe impairment. ... For the foregoing reasons, the matter is remanded for further proceedings. On remand, the ALJ must evaluate Plaintiff’s cognitive disorder as a severe impairment at step-two and include limitations imposed by Plaintiff’s cognitive disorder in the ALJ’s overall evaluation of Plaintiff. The ALJ must consider the impact of Plaintiff’s cognitive disorder and other impairments, as well as the entire medical record, on her RFC.

Section 404.1520 requires disability claims to be evaluated through a five-step sequential process addressing substantial gainful activity, severe impairment, listed impairment, past relevant work, and other available work.

Hetelekidis v. Saul · filed 2019-08-22

The Second Circuit employs a five-step analysis, based on 20 C.F.R. § 404.1520, to determine whether an individual is entitled to disability benefits: First, the [Commissioner] considers whether the claimant is currently engaged in substantial gainful activity. If he [or she] is not, the [Commissioner] next considers whether the claimant has a “severe impairment” which significantly limits his [or her] physical or mental ability to do basic work activities. If the claimant suffers such an impairment, the third inquiry is whether, based solely on medical evidence, the claimant has an impairment which is listed in Appendix 1 of the regulations. If the claimant has such an impairment, the [Commissioner] will consider him [or her] disabled without considering vocational factors such as age, education, and work experience; the [Commissioner] presumes that a claimant who is afflicted with a “listed” impairment is unable to perform substantial gainful activity. Assuming the claimant does not have a listed impairment, the fourth inquiry is whether, despite the claimant’s severe impairment, he [or she] has the residual functional capacity to perform his [or her] past work. Finally, if the claimant is unable to perform his [or her] past work, the [Commissioner] then determines whether there is other work which the claimant could perform.

Section 404.1520(a) requires disability claims to be evaluated through a five-step sequential process, including whether the claimant can perform past relevant work and, if not, other work in the national economy.

STOWE v. SAUL · filed 2019-08-26(a)

“The Commissioner uses a five-step process to evaluate disability claims.” ... “Under this process, the _ Commissioner asks, in sequence, whether the claimant: (1) worked during the alleged period of disability; (2) had a severe impairment; 3) had an impairment that met or equaled the requirements of a listed impairment; (4) could return to her past relevant work; and (5) if not, could perform any other work in the national economy.”

Section 404.1520(a)(4) requires disability claims to be evaluated through a sequential process addressing work activity, impairment severity, residual functional capacity, and vocational factors.

Avant v. Berryhill · filed 2019-08-28(a)(4)

The Social Security Administration has promulgated a sequential process to determine whether a claimant qualifies for disability benefits. See 20 C.F.R. § 404.1520(a)(4). The determination involves a step-by-step analysis of the claimant’s current work activity, the severity of the claimant’s impairments, the claimant’s residual functional capacity and his or her age, education and work experience.

Section 404.1520 requires the Commissioner to evaluate adult disability claims through a five-step sequential process, including consideration of substantial gainful activity, severe impairment, listed impairments, residual functional capacity and past work, and other work in the national economy.

Widener v. Social Security Administration Commissioner · filed 2019-08-29

To determine whether the adult claimant suffers from a disability, the Commissioner uses the familiar five-step sequential evaluation. He determines: (1) whether the claimant is presently engaged in a “substantial gainful activity”; (2) whether the claimant has a severe impairment that significantly limits the claimant’s physical or mental ability to perform basic work activities; (3) whether the claimant has an impairment that meets or equals a presumptively disabling impairment listed in the regulations (if so, the claimant is disabled without regard to age, education, and work experience); (4) whether the claimant has the Residual Functional Capacity (RFC) to perform his or her past relevant work; and (5) if the claimant cannot perform the past work, the burden shifts to the Commissioner to prove that there are other jobs in the national economy that the claimant can perform. See Cox, 160 F.3d at 1206; 20 C.F.R. §§ 404.1520(a)-(f).

Section 404.1520(a)(4) requires disability determinations to proceed through a five-step sequential evaluation addressing work activity, impairments, the Listings, past relevant work, and other jobs in the national economy.

Massie v. Commissioner of Social Security · filed 2019-08-29(a)(4)

Administrative regulations require a five-step sequential evaluation for disability determinations. 20 C.F.R. § 404.1520(a)(4). Although a dispositive finding at any step ends the ALJ’s review, see Colvin v. Barnhart, 475 F.3d 727, 730 (6th Cir. 2007), the complete sequential review poses five questions: 1. Has the claimant engaged in substantial gainful activity?; 2. Does the claimant suffer from one or more severe impairments?; 3. Do the claimant’s severe impairments, alone or in combination, meet or equal the criteria of an impairment set forth in the Commissioner’s Listing of Impairments (the “Listings”), 20 C.F.R. Subpart P, Appendix 1?; 4. Considering the claimant’s RFC, can he or she perform his or her past relevant work?; and 5. Assuming the claimant can no longer perform his or her past relevant work -- and also considering the claimant’s age, education, past work experience, and RFC -- do significant numbers of other jobs exist in the national economy which the claimant can perform?

Section 404.1520 requires the Commissioner to evaluate disability through a five-step sequential process, including substantial gainful activity, impairment severity, the Listings, residual functional capacity and past work, and other work.

Gusch v. Commissioner of Social Security · filed 2019-08-30(a)-(g)

The Commissioner must follow a five-step sequential evaluation to determine whether a claimant is disabled within the meaning of the Act. 20 C.F.R. § 404.1520(a).

Section 404.1520(a) requires disability claims to be evaluated through a five-step sequential process, beginning with whether the claimant is engaging in substantial gainful activity.

Mack v. Commissioner of Social Security · filed 2019-08-30(a)

The Social Security Administration has established a five-step sequential evaluation process for determining if a person is disabled. 20 C.F.R. §§ 404.1520(a), 416.920(a). The five steps are: (1) whether the claimant is currently engaging in substantial gainful activity; (2) whether the claimant has a medically determinable severe impairment(s); (3) whether such impairment(s) meets or equals an impairment set forth in the Listings; (4) whether the impairment(s) prevents the claimant from returning to his past relevant work; and, if so, (5) whether the claimant is able to perform other work as it exists in the national economy. 20 C.F.R. §§ 404.1520(a)(4)(i)-(v), 416.920(a)(4)(i)-(v). ... The ALJ employed the five-step analysis in reviewing Mack’s claim and concluded at step five “there were jobs that existed in significant numbers in the national economy that [Mack] could have performed.” A.R. 22. Because the Court concludes the ALJ properly applied Section 423(d)(1)(A) of the Act via the five-steps, the Court will overrule this objection.

Section 404.1520 requires disability claims to be evaluated through five sequential steps, including work activity, impairment severity, listed impairments, residual-functional-capacity-based past work, and other work in the national economy.

Andrews v. Commissioner of Social Security · filed 2019-09-03

The Commissioner has established a five-step sequential analysis to determine whether a claimant satisfies the above criteria. See 20 C.F.R. § 404.1520(a)(4)(i)-(v). At step one, the Commissioner considers the claimant’s work activity. 20 C.F.R. § 404.1520(a)(4)(i). If the claimant is engaged in “substantial gainful activity,” the Commissioner must find that the claimant is not disabled. 20 C.F.R. § 404.1520(b). ... At step four, the Commissioner considers whether, in view of the claimant’s RFC, the claimant is capable of performing work that he or she has performed in the past (“past relevant work”). 20 C.F.R. § 404.1520(a)(4)(iv). If the claimant is capable of performing past relevant work, the Commissioner must find that the claimant is not disabled. 20 C.F.R. § 404.1520(f). ... At step five, the Commissioner considers whether, in view of the claimant’s RFC, the claimant is capable of performing other work in the national economy. 20 C.F.R. § 404.1520(a)(4)(v). In making this determination, the Commissioner must also consider vocational factors such as the claimant’s age, education and work experience. Id. If the claimant is capable of adjusting to other work, the Commissioner must find that the claimant is not disabled. 20 C.F.R. § 404.1520(g)(1). If the claimant is not capable of adjusting to other work, the analysis concludes with a finding that the claimant is disabled and is therefore entitled to benefits. Id.

Section 404.1520 requires an ALJ to use a five-step sequential evaluation to determine whether a claimant is disabled, including evaluating the claimant’s residual functional capacity and ability to perform past relevant work.

Cuevas v. Commissioner of Social Security · filed 2019-09-05

An ALJ must follow a five-step sequential evaluation to determine whether a claimant is disabled within the meaning of the Act. ... The ALJ then proceeds to step four and determines whether the claimant’s RFC permits him or her to perform the requirements of his or her past relevant work. 20 C.F.R. § 404.1520(f). If the claimant can perform such requirements, then he or she is not disabled.

Section 404.1520 requires an ALJ to use a five-step sequential evaluation, and the regulation in effect when the claim is decided governs even when the alleged onset date predates an amendment.

Gibbons v. Commissioner of Social Security · filed 2019-09-05(g)

Applying that logic here, the amended rule, not Curry, governs. ... For these reasons, the Court concludes that the ALJ did not apply the wrong standard. Rather, the ALJ properly applied the regulations in effect at the time of decision, notwithstanding that Gibbons’s alleged onset date preceded the effective date of those regulations.

Section 404.1520(a) requires disability claims to be evaluated through a five-step sequential process, including determining whether the claimant has a severe impairment.

NASH v. BERRYHILL · filed 2019-09-05(a)

The Commissioner has provided the ALJ with a five-step sequential analysis to use when evaluating the disabled status of each claimant. 20 C.F.R. §404.1520(a). The ALJ must determine: (1) whether the claimant is currently engaged in substantial gainful activity; (2) if not, whether the claimant has a severe impairment; (3) if the claimant has a severe impairment, whether it meets or equals the criteria listed in 20 C.F.R., pt. 404, subpt. P., appx. 1; (4) if the impairment does not satisfy one of the impairment listings, whether the claimant=s impairments prevent him from performing his past relevant work; and (5) if the claimant is incapable of performing his past relevant work, whether he can perform any other work which exists in the national economy, in light of his age, education, work experience and residual functional capacity. 20 C.F.R. §404.1520.

Section 404.1520(a) establishes a five-step sequential process for deciding whether an adult claimant is disabled.

Cooper v. Social Security Administration Commissioner · filed 2019-09-06(a)

To determine whether the adult claimant suffers from a disability, the Commissioner uses the familiar five-step sequential evaluation. He determines: (1) whether the claimant is presently engaged in a “substantial gainful activity”; (2) whether the claimant has a severe impairment that significantly limits the claimant’s physical or mental ability to perform basic work activities; (3) whether the claimant has an impairment that meets or equals a presumptively disabling impairment listed in the regulations (if so, the claimant is disabled without regard to age, education, and work experience); (4) whether the claimant has the Residual Functional Capacity (RFC) to perform his or her past relevant work; and (5) if the claimant cannot perform the past work, the burden shifts to the Commissioner to prove that there are other jobs in the national economy that the claimant can perform.

Section 404.1520 requires the Commissioner to use a five-step sequential process to determine disability and stop reviewing the claim once disability or nondisability is established.

Haywood v. Berryhill · filed 2019-09-06(a)

In determining whether a person is disabled, the Commissioner is required to perform a five-step sequential analysis. See 20 C.F.R. §§ 404.1520(a), 416.920(a); Hess v. Commissioner of Soc. Sec., 931 F.3d 198, 201 (3d Cir. 2019). If a finding of disability or nondisability can be made at any point in the sequential process, the Commissioner will not review the claim further. See 20 C.F.R. §§ 404.1520(a)(4), 416.920(a)(4).

Section 404.1520(a)(4) establishes a five-step sequential evaluation process for disability claims, and the inquiry ends when disability can be decided at an earlier step.

Evans v. Saul · filed 2019-09-09(a)(4)

Regulations issued by the Commissioner establish a five-step sequential evaluation process to be followed in a disability case. 20 C.F.R. §§ 404.1520(a)(4), 416.920(a)(4). ... If a decision regarding disability can be made at any step of the process, then the inquiry ceases. See 20 C.F.R. §§ 404.1520(a)(4), 416.920(a)(4). ... Here, the analysis ended at step four when the ALJ determined that the plaintiff had the capability to perform her past relevant work, and therefore was not disabled.

Section 404.1520(a)(4) establishes a five-step disability determination, with the claimant bearing the burden through step four and the agency bearing it at step five.

Slocum v. Saul · filed 2019-09-10(a)(4)

The Commissioner has established a five-step process for determining disability within the meaning of the Act. A claimant bears the burden of proof at steps one through four in order to make a prima facie showing of disability. If a claimant establishes a prima facie case, the burden of proof then shifts to the agency at step five.

Section 404.1520 requires disability claims to be evaluated through a five-step sequential process, including assessment of substantial gainful activity, severe impairment, listed impairments, past work, and other available work.

Guija v. Colvin · filed 2019-09-10

The Commissioner has adopted a five-step sequential evaluation for adjudication of disability claims, set forth at 20 C.F.R. § 404.1520. The Second Circuit describes the process as follows: First, the [Commissioner] considers whether the claimant is currently engaged in substantial gainful activity. If he is not, the [Commissioner] next considers whether the claimant has a “severe impairment” which significantly limits his physical or mental ability to do basic work activities. If the claimant suffers such an impairment, the third inquiry is whether, based solely on medical evidence, the claimant has an impairment which is listed in Appendix 1 of the regulations. If the claimant has such an impairment, the [Commissioner] will consider his disabled without considering vocational factors such as age, education, and work experience .... Assuming the claimant does not have a listed impairment, the fourth inquiry is whether, despite the claimant's severe impairment, he has the residual functional capacity to perform his past work. Finally, if the claimant is unable to perform his past work, the [Commissioner] then determines whether there is other work which the claimant could perform.

Section 404.1520(a)(4)(iii) makes Step Three the point at which the agency decides whether a claimant's impairment meets or equals a listed impairment, in which event the claimant is disabled subject to the duration requirement.

Hill v. Kijakazi · filed 2019-09-11(a)(4)(iii)

If the ALJ concludes that the claimant’s impairments meet or equal one of the listed disabilities and meet the duration requirement, the ALJ will conclude that the claimant is disabled. 20 C.F.R. § 404.1520(a)(4)(iii) & (d).

Section 404.1520 requires an ALJ to evaluate disability through a five-step sequence covering substantial gainful activity, severe impairment, listed impairments, past relevant work, and other work in the national economy.

Holmes v. Commissioner of Social Security · filed 2019-09-12

When determining whether an individual is disabled,4 an ALJ must follow the five-step sequential inquiry set forth in the Code of Federal Regulations (“Regulations”), determining as appropriate whether the claimant (1) is currently employed or engaging in substantial gainful activity; (2) has a severe impairment; (3) has an impairment or combination of impairments that meets or medically equals one listed in the Regulations; (4) can perform past relevant work; and (5) retains the ability to perform any work in the national economy. 20 C.F.R. §§ 404.1520, 416.920; see also Phillips v. Barnhart, 357 F.3d 1232, 1237 (11th Cir. 2004).

Section 404.1520 requires an ALJ to use a five-step inquiry to determine whether a claimant is disabled.

Cummings v. Saul · filed 2019-09-12

In determining whether a claimant suffers from a disability, an ALJ must conduct a standard five-step inquiry, which involves analyzing: “(1) whether the claimant is currently employed; (2) whether the claimant has a severe impairment; (3) whether the claimant’s impairment is one that the Commissioner considers conclusively disabling; (4) if the claimant does not have a conclusively disabling impairment, whether [s]he can perform her past relevant work; and (5) whether the claimant is capable of performing any work in the national economy.” Kastner v. Astrue, 697 F.3d 642, 646 (7th Cir. 2012) (citing 20 C.F.R. § 404.1520).

Section 404.1520 establishes a five-step process for deciding disability claims, including a step-two requirement that the claimant have a severe impairment.

Clyde v. Commissioner of Social Security · filed 2019-09-13(a)(4), (c)

The Social Security Administration’s regulations establish a five-step process for determining a disability claim. 20 C.F.R. §§ 404.1520(a)(4); 416.920(a)(4). ... First, the Court concludes that the ALJ properly followed the five-step analysis. Specifically, in addressing the “severe impairments” requirement in step two, Barnhart, 540 U.S. at 24 (citing 20 C.F.R. §§ 404.1520(c), 416.920(c)) (internal quotation marks omitted), the ALJ found that there was no evidence of a disorder of the spine resulting in compromise of nerve root or the spinal cord and, thus, Plaintiff’s degenerative disc disease of the cervical and lumbar spine while severe, did not meet or medically equal the severity of one of the listed impairments in 20 C.F.R. § 404, Subpart P, Appendix 1 to qualify as a “severe impairment.” ... As such, the Court is satisfied that the ALJ properly conducted the five-step analysis.

Section 404.1520(a)(4) requires disability claims to be evaluated through five sequential steps: substantial gainful activity, severe impairment, listed impairment, residual functional capacity and past work, and capacity for other work.

Rogers v. Commissioner of Social Security Administration · filed 2019-09-17(a)(4)

The Commissioner follows a five-step sequential evaluation process to assess whether a claimant is disabled. 20 C.F.R. § 404.1520(a)(4). This process is defined as follows: Step one asks is the claimant “doing substantial gainful activity[?]” If yes, the claimant is not disabled; step two considers if the claimant has a “severe medically determinable physical or mental impairment[.]” If not, the claimant is not disabled; step three determines whether the claimant’s impairments or combination thereof meet or equal an impairment listed in 20 C.F.R. Pt. 404, Subpt. P, App.1. If not, the claimant is not disabled; step four considers the claimant’s residual functional capacity and past relevant work. If claimant can still do past relevant work, then he or she is not disabled; step five assesses the claimant’s residual functional capacity, age, education, and work experience. If it is determined that the claimant can make an adjust6ment to other work, then he or she is not disabled. 20 C.F.R. § 404.1520(a)(4)(i)-(v).

Section 404.1520 requires disability claims to be evaluated through a five-step sequence, including consideration of substantial gainful activity, impairment severity, listed impairments, past work, and other available work in light of the claimant’s residual functional capacity and vocational factors.

Hope v. Social Security Administration, Commissioner of · filed 2019-09-17

Disability is evaluated pursuant to a five-step analysis summarized as follows: 1. If claimant is doing substantial gainful activity, he is not disabled. 2. If claimant is not doing substantial gainful activity, his impairment must be severe before he can be found to be disabled. 3. If claimant is not doing substantial gainful activity and is suffering from a severe impairment that has lasted or is expected to last for a continuous period of at least twelve months, and his impairment meets or equals a listed impairment, claimant is presumed disabled without further inquiry. 4. If claimant’s impairment does not prevent him from doing his past relevant work, he is not disabled. 5. Even if claimant’s impairment does prevent him from doing his past relevant work, if other work exists in the national economy that accommodates his residual functional capacity (“RFC”) and vocational factors (age, education, skills, etc.), he is not disabled. Walters v. Comm’r of Soc. Sec., 127 F.3d 525, 529 (6th Cir. 1997) (citing 20 C.F.R. § 404.1520). A claimant’s residual functional capacity (“RFC”) is assessed between steps three and four and is “based on all the relevant medical and other evidence in your case record.” 20 C.F.R. §§ 404.1520(a)(4) and -(e), 416.920(a)(4), -(e).

Section 404.1520 requires an ALJ to use a five-step process to determine disability, including assessing the claimant’s residual functional capacity at step four.

Wrenn v. Social Security Administration, Commissioner · filed 2019-09-20

Pursuant to 20 C.F.R. § 404.1520, an ALJ must follow a five-step sequential process for determining disability. At step four, the ALJ must assess the claimant’s residual functional capacity.

Section 404.1520 requires the ALJ to assess impairment severity at steps two and three, determine at step three whether the claimant meets a listed impairment, and assess residual functional capacity if no listing is met.

WHEELER v. SAUL · filed 2019-09-20(a)(4)(ii), (a)(4)(iii), (e)

Steps two and three of the ALJ’s five-step sequential evaluation process are at the heart of Wheeler’s challenge. As the regulations provide, in relevant part, an ALJ considers at step two “the medical severity of [the claimant’s] impairment(s).” 20 C.F.R. § 404.1520(a)(4)(ii). ... At step three, the ALJ “also consider[s] the medical severity of [the claimant’s] impairment(s).” 20 C.F.R. § 404.1520(a)(4)(iii). If the claimant has “an impairment(s) that meets or equals one of [the] listings in appendix 1 of [subpart P] and meets the duration requirement”, the claimant will be found disabled. Id. ... If the claimant’s “impairment(s) does not meet or equal a listed impairment, [the ALJ] will assess and make a finding about [the claimant’s] residual functional capacity”. 20 C.F.R. § 404.1520(e). ... Under the circumstances here, this distinction coupled with the ALJ’s conclusory analysis at step three impedes meaningful review of his step three decision. ... This Court is not suggesting that this Listing was met, but the law requires the ALJ to provide a full explanation of why he concluded none of Wheeler’s impairments met this Listing or any other relevant Listing. He did not do this.

Section 404.1520(a)(4) establishes a five-step sequential evaluation for deciding whether a claimant is disabled, beginning with substantial gainful activity and progressing through severity, the listings, residual functional capacity and past work, and adjustment to other work.

Ruiz v. Commissioner of Social Security Administration · filed 2019-09-23(a)(4)

The Commissioner follows a five-step sequential evaluation process to assess whether a claimant is disabled. 20 C.F.R. § 404.1520(a)(4). This process is defined as follows: Step one asks is the claimant “doing substantial gainful activity[?]” If yes, the claimant is not disabled; step two considers if the claimant has a “severe medically determinable physical or mental impairment[.]” If not, the claimant is not disabled; step three determines whether the claimant’s impairments or combination thereof meet or equal an impairment listed in 20 C.F.R. Pt. 404, Subpt. P, App.1. If not, the claimant is not disabled; step four considers the claimant’s residual functional capacity and past relevant work. If claimant can still do past relevant work, then he or she is not disabled; step five assesses the claimant’s residual functional capacity, age, education, and work experience. If it is determined that the claimant can make an adjust6ment to other work, then he or she is not disabled. 20 C.F.R. § 404.1520(a)(4)(i)-(v).

Section 404.1520 requires disability claims to be decided through a five-step sequential inquiry, with the claimant bearing the burden through step four and the Commissioner bearing it at step five.

ALDRICH v. SAUL · filed 2019-09-23(a)(4)

The regulations promulgated by the Commissioner of Social Security provide for a five-step sequential analysis to determine whether a Social Security claimant is disabled.8 20 C.F.R. § 404.1520. The sequential inquiry is terminated when “a question is answered affirmatively or negatively in such a way that a decision can be made that a claimant is or is not disabled.” Pitzer v. Sullivan, 908 F.2d 502, 504 (9th Cir. 1990). During the first four steps of this sequential inquiry, the claimant bears the burden of proof to demonstrate disability. Valentine v. Comm’r Soc. Sec. Admin., 574 F.3d 685, 689 (9th Cir. 2009). At step five, the burden shifts to the Commissioner “to show that the claimant can do other kinds of work.” Id. (quoting Embrey v. Bowen, 849 F.2d 418, 422 (9th Cir. 1988)).

Section 404.1520 requires an ALJ to evaluate disability claims through a five-step sequential inquiry, with the burden shifting to the Commissioner at step five after the claimant carries the burden through steps one to four.

Reyes v. Saul · filed 2019-09-24

In determining whether a claimant suffers from a disability, an ALJ must conduct a standard five-step inquiry, which involves analyzing: “(1) whether the claimant is currently employed; (2) whether the claimant has a severe impairment; (3) whether the claimant’s impairment is one that the Commissioner considers conclusively disabling; (4) if the claimant does not have a conclusively disabling impairment, whether [s]he can perform her past relevant work; and (5) whether the claimant is capable of performing any work in the national economy.” Kastner v. Astrue, 697 F.3d 642, 646 (7th Cir. 2012) (citing 20 C.F.R. § 404.1520). If the claimant meets her burden of proof at steps one through four, the burden shifts to the Commissioner at step five.

Section 404.1520(a)(4) requires disability claims to be evaluated through a five-step sequential process covering substantial gainful activity, severe impairment, listed impairments, past relevant work, and other available work.

Reed v. Berryhill · filed 2019-09-25(a)(4)

In all Social Security cases, an ALJ utilizes a five-step sequential evaluation in determining whether the claimant is disabled: (1) whether the claimant is engaged in substantial gainful activity; (2) if not, whether the claimant has a severe impairment; (3) if so, whether the severe impairment meets or equals an impairment in the Listing of Impairment in the regulations; (4) if not, whether the claimant has the RFC to perform her past relevant work; and (5) if not, whether, in light of the claimant’s RFC, age, education and work experience, there are other jobs the claimant can perform.

Section 404.1520(a) requires disability determinations to proceed through a five-step sequential analysis.

Earp v. Social Security Administration, Commissioner · filed 2019-09-26(a)

A determination of disability under the Social Security Act requires a five-step analysis. 20 C.F.R. § 404.1520(a).

Section 404.1520(a) requires an ALJ to evaluate disability through a five-step sequential process.

Zimmerman v. Commissioner of Social Security · filed 2019-09-27(a)

Social Security Administration regulations require an ALJ to follow a five-step sequential analysis in making a disability determination. See 20 C.F.R. §§ 404.1520(a), 416.920(a); Heston v. Commissioner of Social Security, 245 F.3d 528, 534 (6th Cir. 2001). The Sixth Circuit has outlined the five steps as follows: First, the claimant must demonstrate that he has not engaged in substantial gainful activity during the period of disability. 20 C.F.R. § 404.1520(a)(4)(i). Second, the claimant must show that he suffers from a severe medically determinable physical or mental impairment. Id. § 404.1520(a)(4)(ii). Third, if the claimant shows that his impairment meets or medically equals one of the impairments listed in 20 C.F.R. Pt. 404, Subpt. P, App. 1, he is deemed disabled. Id. § 404.1520(a)(4)(iii). Fourth, the ALJ determines whether, based on the claimant’s residual functional capacity, the claimant can perform his past relevant work, in which case the claimant is not disabled. Id. § 404.1520(a)(4)(iv). Fifth, the ALJ determines whether, based on the claimant’s residual functional capacity, as well as his age, education, and work experience, the claimant can make an adjustment to other work, in which case the claimant is not disabled. Id. § 404.1520(a)(4)(v).

Section 404.1520(a)(4) sets out the five-step sequential procedure for determining Social Security disability claims.

Woods v. Berryhill · filed 2019-09-28(a)(4)

The Social Security Act has established a five-step sequential evaluation procedure for determining Social Security disability claims. See 20 C.F.R. § 404.1520(a)(4); Garrison, 759 F.3d at 1010.

Section 404.1520(a)(1) requires disability claims to be evaluated under a five-step sequential process, with the evaluation ending when the claimant is found disabled or not disabled at a step.

Talamantes v. Berryhill · filed 2019-09-30(a)(1)

The Regulations prescribe a “five-step sequential evaluation process” to determine whether a claimant is disabled. 20 C.F.R. § 404.1520(a)(1). If, at any step of the process, the ALJ finds that the claimant is either disabled or not disabled, the ALJ will make his determination as to disability and will not continue with a consideration of the remaining steps. Jd. at § 404.1520(a)(4).

Section 404.1520(a)(4) requires the Commissioner to evaluate disability claims in five steps: current work, severe impairment, listed impairment, past work, and ability to perform other work in the national economy.

Kirby v. Social Security Administration, Commissioner · filed 2019-09-30(a)(4)

The Regulations provide a five-step process for determining whether a claimant is disabled. ... 20 C.F.R. § 404.1520(a)(4)(i-v). The Commissioner must determine in sequence: (1) whether the claimant is currently employed; (2) whether the claimant has a severe impairment; (3) whether the claimant’s impairment meets or equals an impairment listed by the [Commissioner]; (4) whether the claimant can perform his or her past work; and (5) whether the claimant is capable of performing any work in the national economy.

Section 404.1520 requires disability claims to be evaluated through five sequential steps, including assessing at step four whether the claimant can perform past relevant work based on the claimant’s residual functional capacity.

Keplar v. Commissioner of Social Security · filed 2019-09-30(a)(4)

To determine whether a claimant is disabled, the Social Security Regulations (Regulations) prescribe “a five-step, sequential evaluation process.” ... Under this process, an ALJ must determine whether the claimant: (1) is performing substantial gainful activity; (2) has a severe impairment; (3) has a severe impairment that meets or equals an impairment specifically listed in 20 C.F.R. Part 404, Subpart P, Appendix 1; (4) has the RFC to engage in his past relevant work; and (5) can perform other jobs in the national economy given his RFC, age, education, and work experience. ... As noted above, at step four of the sequential evaluation process, the ALJ must assess the claimant’s RFC and his ability to perform his past relevant work. 20 C.F.R. §§ 404.1520(a)(4)(iv), 404.1545.

Section 404.1520 establishes a five-step sequential evaluation for disability claims and treats a claimant who meets a listed impairment at step three as disabled without proceeding further.

Gordon v. Commissioner of Social Security · filed 2019-09-30(d)

The applicable regulations set forth a five-step analysis the Commissioner must follow in determining eligibility for disability benefits. 20 C.F.R. §§ 404.1520 and 416.920. See Bapp v. Bowen, 802 F.2d 601, 604 (2d Cir. 1986); Berry v. Schweiker, 675 F.2d 464 (2d Cir. 1982). If the claimant meets the criteria at any of the five steps, the inquiry ceases and the claimant is not eligible for disability benefits. 20 C.F.R. §§ 404.1520 and 416.920. The first step is to determine whether the applicant is engaged in substantial gainful activity during the period for which the benefits are claimed. 20 C.F.R. §§ 404.1520(b) and 416.920(b). The second step is whether the applicant has a severe impairment which significantly limits the physical or mental ability to do basic work activities, as defined in the relevant regulations. 20 C.F.R. §§ 404.1520(c) and 416.920(c). Third, if there is an impairment and the impairment, or its equivalent, is listed in 20 C.F.R. Part 404, Subpart P, Appendix 1 of the regulations (“Appendix 1” or “the Listings”), and meets the duration requirement of at least 12 continuous months, there is a presumption of inability to perform substantial gainful activity, and the claimant is deemed disabled, regardless of age, education, or work experience. 42 U.S.C. §§ 423(d)(1)(A) and 1382a(c)(3)(A); 20 C.F.R. §§ 404.1520(d) and 416.920(d).

Section 404.1520 requires an ALJ to determine disability through a five-step sequential analysis using the evidence in the claimant’s case record, including a step-two determination of whether the impairment is severe based solely on medical evidence.

CARMONA v. BERRYHILL · filed 2019-10-11

To determine whether a claimant is disabled, the ALJ must conduct a five-step sequential analysis using all evidence in the claimant’s case record. 20 C.F.R. § 404.1520. At step two, the ALJ must determine—“solely on the basis of medical evidence”—whether the claimed impairment is “severe.”

Section 404.1520 places the burden on the claimant through step four and, once the claimant cannot perform past work, requires the Commissioner to show at step five that the claimant can perform other gainful work.

Bernier v. Berryhill · filed 2019-10-18(a)(4)(iv)-(v)

If the claimant’s impairment does not meet or equal one of the listed impairments, as a fourth step, he will have to show that he cannot perform his former work. See 20 C.F.R. §§ 404.1520(a)(4)(iv) and 416.1520(a)(4)(iv). If the claimant shows he cannot perform his former work, the burden shifts to the Commissioner to show that the claimant can perform other gainful work. See Balsamo, 142 F.3d at 80 (citations omitted). Accordingly, a claimant is entitled to receive disability benefits only if he shows he cannot perform his former employment, and the Commissioner fails to show that the claimant can perform alternate gainful employment. See 20 C.F.R. §§ 404.1520(a)(4)(v) and 416.920(a)(4)(v); see also Balsamo, 142 F.3d at 80 (citations omitted).

Section 404.1520 requires an ALJ to evaluate disability claims through a five-step sequence, including severity, listed impairments, past work, and other work.

Haynes v. Commissioner of Social Security · filed 2019-10-21

To determine whether a plaintiff is disabled, the ALJ considers the following five questions in order: (1) Is the plaintiff presently unemployed? (2) Does the plaintiff have a severe impairment? (3) Does the impairment meet or medically equal one of a list of specific impairments enumerated in the regulations? (4) Is the plaintiff unable to perform her former occupation? and (5) Is the plaintiff unable to perform any other work? 20 C.F.R. § 404.1520.

Section 404.1520(a)(4) requires disability determinations to proceed through a five-step sequence addressing substantial gainful activity, severe impairments, the Listings, past relevant work, and other work in the national economy.

Wolder v. Commissioner of Social Security · filed 2019-10-30(a)(4)

Administrative regulations require a five-step sequential evaluation for disability determinations. 20 C.F.R. § 404.1520(a)(4). Although a dispositive finding at any step ends the ALJ’s review, see Colvin v. Barnhart, 475 F.3d 727, 730 (6th Cir. 2007), the complete sequential review poses five questions: 1. Has the claimant engaged in substantial gainful activity?; 2. Does the claimant suffer from one or more severe impairments?; 3. Do the claimant’s severe impairments, alone or in combination, meet or equal the criteria of an impairment set forth in the Commissioner’s Listing of Impairments (the “Listings”), 20 C.F.R. Subpart P, Appendix 1; 4. Considering the claimant’s RFC, can he or she perform his or her past relevant work?; and 5. Assuming the claimant can no longer perform his or her past relevant work -- and also considering the claimant’s age, education, past work experience, and RFC -- do significant numbers of other jobs exist in the national economy which the claimant can perform?

Section 404.1520(a) requires disability claims to be evaluated under a five-step sequential process, including determining at step three whether the claimant's impairment meets or equals a listed impairment.

HEDGLIN v. BERRYHILL · filed 2019-11-05(a)

The Commissioner has provided the ALJ with a five-step sequential analysis to use when evaluating the disabled status of each claimant. 20 C.F.R. §404.1520(a). The ALJ must determine: (1) whether the claimant is currently engaged in substantial gainful activity; (2) if not, whether the claimant has a severe impairment; (3) if the claimant has a severe impairment, whether it meets or equals the criteria listed in 20 C.F.R., pt. 404, subpt. P., appx. 1; (4) if the impairment does not satisfy one of the impairment listings, whether the claimant’s impairments prevent him from performing his past relevant work; and (5) if the claimant is incapable of performing his past relevant work, whether he can perform any other work which exists in the national economy, in light of his age, education, work experience and residual functional capacity. 20 C.F.R. §404.1520. The claimant carries the initial burden of demonstrating by medical evidence that he is unable to return to his previous employment (steps 1-4). Dobrowolsky, 606 F.2d at 406. Once the claimant meets this burden, the burden of proof shifts to the Commissioner to show that the claimant can engage in alternative substantial gainful activity (step 5). Id.

Section 404.1520(a)(4) establishes a five-step disability evaluation, and a claimant engaged in substantial gainful activity at step one is not disabled.

Edwards v. Commissioner of Social Security · filed 2019-11-06(a)(4)

At the first step of the five-step disability analysis, an ALJ must determine if the claimant was engaging in SGA; if so, the claim will be denied without consideration of the medical evidence. 20 C.F.R. §§ 404.1520(a)(4)(), 404.1520(b), 416.920(a)(4)(), 416.920(b).

Section 404.1520(a)(4) requires disability determinations to use a five-step sequential evaluation.

Maddy v. Commissioner of Social Security · filed 2019-11-06(a)(4)

Administrative regulations require a five-step sequential evaluation for disability determinations.

Section 404.1520 requires disability claims to be evaluated through a five-step sequence: substantial gainful activity, severe impairment and duration, listed impairment, past relevant work, and adjustment to other work.

Campbell v. Social Security Administration, Commissioner · filed 2019-11-07

In order to determine if a claimant has a disability, the SSA regulations mandate that an ALJ must follow a five-step sequential evaluation while evaluating a disability claim. See 20 C.F.R. §§ 404.1520; 416.920. Pursuant to the regulations, the ALJ must proceed with his analysis as follows: 1. Is the claimant engaged in substantial gainful activity? If “yes” the claimant is not disabled, and the analysis ends here. If the answer is “no,” proceed to the next step of the analysis. 20 C.F.R. § 404.1520. 2. Does the claimant have a medically determinable physical or mental impairment or combination of impairments that meets the duration requirements of 20 C.F.R. § 404.1509? If “no,” the claimant is not disabled. If “yes,” proceed to the next step of the analysis. Id. 3. Does the claimant have an impairment that equals a listed impairment in 20 C.F.R. § 404, Subpart P Appendix 1 and meets the durational requirements of 20 C.F.R. § 404.1509? If “yes” the claimant is disabled. If “no,” proceed to the next step of the analysis. Id. 4. Does the claimant have the residual functional capacity (RFC) to return to past relevant work? If “yes” the claimant is not disabled. If no, proceed to the final step of the analysis. Id. 5. Does the claimant’s RFC, age, education, and work experience allow him or her to make an adjustment to other work? If “no,” the claimant is disabled. If “yes,” the claimant is not disabled. Id.

Section 404.1520 requires a five-step sequential evaluation of disability: substantial gainful activity, severe impairment, listed impairment, past relevant work, and other work considering the claimant’s RFC and vocational factors; the inquiry ends if nondisability is found at any step.

Ngo v. Berryhill · filed 2019-11-12

The Commissioner assesses a claimant’s impairment under a “five-step sequential evaluation process” outlined in the statute. See 20 C.F.R. § 404.1520. Under this process, the hearing officer must decide: (1) whether the claimant is engaged in “substantial gainful activity”; (2) whether the claimant suffers from a “severe impairment”; (3) whether the impairment “meets or equals” one of the listed impairments contained in Appendix 1 to the regulations; (4) whether the claimant’s residual functional capacity (“RFC”)2 precludes him from engaging in previous relevant employment; and (5) whether the claimant’s RFC precludes him from doing any work considering the claimant’s age, education, and work experience. See id. If the hearing officer concludes at any step of the evaluation process that the claimant is not disabled, the inquiry does not continue to the next step. See 20 C.F.R. § 404.1520.

Section 404.1520 establishes a five-step sequential process for determining whether a claimant is disabled.

Fletcher v. Commissioner of Social Security · filed 2019-11-12

The Commissioner has established a five-step sequential evaluation process to determine whether an individual is disabled under the Act. See 20 C.F.R. §§ 404.1520, 416.920. The Supreme Court of the United States recognized the validity of this analysis in Bowen v. Yuckert, and it remains the proper approach for analyzing whether a claimant is disabled.

Section 404.1520(a) establishes a five-step sequential process for determining disability, and the evaluation stops when the issue can be resolved at an earlier step.

Boles v. Social Security Administration · filed 2019-11-12(a)

The Commissioner utilizes a five-step sequential evaluation process to determine whether a claimant is disabled. 20 C.F.R. §§ 404.1520(a), 416.920(a). If the issue of disability can be resolved at any point during the evaluation, the ALJ does not proceed to the next step and the claim is not reviewed further. Id. §§ 404.1520(a)(4), 416.920(a)(4). At step one, the claimant must show that he is not engaged in “substantial gainful activity” at the time disability benefits are sought; at step two, the ALJ considers whether one or more of the claimant’s alleged impairments are “severe” in nature; at step three, the ALJ determines whether the impairments at issue meet or equal one of the Listings contained in the regulatory List of Impairments; at step four, the ALJ considers the claimant’s residual functional capacity (“RFC”) and determines whether the claimant can still perform past relevant work; at step five, the burden of proof shifts to the ALJ to assess whether the claimant, after establishing that past relevant work is no longer possible, is capable of performing other types of work.

Section 404.1520(a)(4) requires the Commissioner to evaluate a disability claim through a five-step sequence addressing work activity, severity of impairment, listed impairments, past relevant work, and other available work.

Jones v. Berryhill · filed 2019-11-13(a)(4)

Regulations issued pursuant to the Act set forth a five-step process that the Commissioner must use in evaluating a disability claim. See 20 C.F.R. §§ 404.1520(a)(4), 416.920(a)(4); see also Burgess, 537 F.3d at 120 (describing the five-step process). First, the Commissioner must determine whether the claimant is currently engaged in any “substantial gainful activity.” 20 C.F.R. §§ 404.1520(a)(4)(I), 416.920(a)(4)(I). Second, if the claimant is not engaged in substantial gainful activity, the Commissioner must decide if the claimant has a “severe medically determinable physical or mental impairment,” 20 C.F.R. §§ 404.1520(a)(4)(ii), 416.920(a)(4)(ii), which 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). Third, if the claimant’s impairment is severe and is listed in 20 C.F.R. Part 404, Subpart P, Appendix 1, or is equivalent to one of the listed impairments, the claimant must be found disabled regardless of his age, education, or work experience. See 20 C.F.R. §§ 404.1520(a)(4)(iii), 404.1520(d), 416.920(a)(4)(iii), 416.920(d). Fourth, if the claimant’s impairment is not listed and is not equal to one of the listed impairments, the Commissioner must review the claimant’s RFC to determine if the claimant is able to do work he or she has done in the past, i.e., “past relevant work.” 20 C.F.R. §§ 404.1520(a)(4)(iv), 416.920(a)(4)(iv). If the claimant is able to do such work, he or she is not disabled. 20 C.F.R. §§ 404.1520(a)(4)(iv), 416.920(a)(4)(iv). Finally, if the claimant is unable to perform past relevant work, the Commissioner must decide if the claimant’s RFC, in addition to his or her age, education, and work experience, permits the claimant to do other work. 20 C.F.R. §§ 404.1520(a)(4)(v), 416.920(a)(4)(v). If the claimant cannot perform other work, he or she will be deemed disabled. 20 C.F.R. §§ 404.1520(a)(4)(v), 416.920(a)(4)(v).

Section 404.1520 requires disability claims to be evaluated through a five-step sequence, including determining whether the claimant can perform past relevant work and, if not, whether the claimant can perform other work in the national economy.

Garatea v. Commissioner Social Security Administration · filed 2019-11-16(b), (c), (d), (e)

At step one, the Commissioner determines whether a claimant is engaged in “substantial gainful activity.” If so, the claimant is not disabled. ... At step two, the Commissioner determines whether the claimant has a “medically severe impairment or combination of impairments.” ... At step three, the Commissioner determines whether claimant’s impairments, singly or in combination, meet or equal “one of a number of listed impairments that the [Commissioner] acknowledges are so severe as to preclude substantial gainful activity.” ... At step four, the Commissioner determines whether the claimant, despite any impairment(s), has the residual functional capacity (“RFC”) to perform “past relevant work.” ... If the claimant cannot perform past relevant work, the burden shifts to the Commissioner. At step five, the Commissioner must establish that the claimant can perform other work. ... If the Commissioner meets its burden and proves that the claimant is able to perform other work which exists in the national economy, the claimant is not disabled.

Section 404.1520(a)(4) requires disability claims to be evaluated through a five-step sequence, with the answer at each step determining whether the evaluation proceeds or results in a disability or nondisability finding.

Malone v. Saul · filed 2019-11-22(a)(4)

A determination of disability under the Social Security Act requires a five-step analysis. 20 C.F.R. § 404.1520(a). The Commissioner must determine in sequence: (1) Is the person presently unemployed? (2) Is the person’s impairment severe? (3) Does the person's impairment meet or equal one of the specific impairments set forth in 20 C.F.R. Pt. 404, Subpt. P, App. 1? (4) Is the person unable to perform his or her former occupation? (5) Is the person unable to perform any other work within the economy? An affirmative answer to any of the above questions leads either to the next question, or, on steps three and five, to a finding of disability. A negative answer to any question, other than step three, leads to a determination of “not disabled.”

Section 404.1520 establishes a five-step sequential process for determining whether a claimant is disabled.

Wacker v. Commissioner of Social Security · filed 2019-11-25

The Commissioner has established a five-step sequential evaluation process to determine whether an individual is disabled under the Act. See 20 C.F.R. §§ 404.1520, 416.920. The Supreme Court of the United States recognized the validity of this analysis in Bowen v. Yuckert, and it remains the proper approach for analyzing whether a claimant is disabled. 482 U.S. 137, 140-42, 107 S. Ct. 2287, 2291, 96 L. Ed. 2d 119 (1987).

Section 404.1520(a) requires the ALJ to use a five-step sequential evaluation to determine whether a claimant is disabled.

Barran v. Berryhill · filed 2019-11-26(a)

For purposes of the Social Security Act, a claimant is disabled if the claimant is unable “to engage in any substantial gainful activity by reason of any medically determinable physical or mental impairment which can be expected to result in death or which has lasted or can be expected to last for a continuous period of not less than 12 months.” 42 U.S.C. § 423(d)(1)(A). In order to determine whether a claimant meets this definition, the ALJ employs a five-step sequential evaluation. Parra v. Astrue, 481 F.3d 742, 746 (9th Cir. 2007); 20 C.F.R. §§ 404.1520(a), 416.920(a).

Section 404.1520 requires disability claims to be evaluated through a five-step sequential process, and the analysis must properly account for relevant evidence when applying those steps.

SEARLES v. COMMISSIONER OF SOCIAL SECURITY · filed 2019-11-27(b)

The Commissioner has promulgated regulations6 for determining disability that require application of a five-step sequential analysis. See 20 C.F.R. § 404.1520. ... In this case, the ALJ failed to properly consider the nature of Plaintiff’s treatment at Crossroads Partial Care in her step three analysis. ... The matter must therefore be remanded to the ALJ so that Plaintiff’s treatment at Crossroads Partial Care is properly considered in the sequential step analysis.

Section 404.1520(a)(4) requires disability claims to be evaluated through a five-step sequential process covering work, severity, listed impairments, past work, and other work.

Clark v. Saul · filed 2019-12-18(a)(4)

Disability is determined according to a five-step, sequential evaluation process. 20 C.F.R. § 404.1520(a)(4). To determine disability, the ALJ follows the familiar five-step process, considering whether: (1) the claimant was employed; (2) she was severely impaired; (3) her impairment was, or was comparable to, a listed impairment; (4) she could perform past relevant work; and if not, (5) whether she could perform any other kind of work.

Section 404.1520(a)(4)(iv) requires considering whether a claimant can perform past work, and subsection (v) denies benefits if the SSA shows that a claimant who cannot return to past work can adjust to other employment given the claimant’s residual functional capacity, age, education, and work experience.

Katz v. Commissioner Social Security · filed 2019-12-20(a)(4)(iv) (a)(4)(v)

As stated in the regulation, a claimant must not have substantial gainful employment and must have a severe impairment or combination of impairments. 20 C.F.R. § 404.1520(a)(4)(i), (ii). He must also have either a qualifying disability or lack the residual functional capacity to perform his past work. Id. § 404.1520(a)(4)(iii), (iv). Finally, even if the claimant could not return to past work, benefits will be denied if the SSA can show that someone with the claimant’s residual functional capacity, age, education, and work experience could adjust to other employment. Id. § 404.1520(a)(4)(v).

Section 404.1520 requires the Commissioner to determine disability through a five-step sequential evaluation: substantial gainful activity, severe impairment, listing-level severity, residual functional capacity and past relevant work, and other work in the national economy.

Zych v. Commissioner of Social Security · filed 2020-01-03

The Commissioner must follow a five-step sequential evaluation to determine whether a claimant is disabled within the meaning of the Act. 20 C.F.R. § 404.1520(a). At step one, the claimant must demonstrate that he is not engaging in substantial gainful activity. 20 C.F.R. § 404.1520(b). At step two, the claimant must demonstrate that he has a severe impairment or combination of impairments that limits the claimant’s ability to perform physical or mental work-related activities. 20 C.F.R. § 404.1520(c). If the impairment meets or medically equals the criteria of a disabling impairment as set forth in Appendix 1 of Subpart P of Regulation No. 4 (the “Listings”), and satisfies the durational requirement, the claimant is entitled to disability benefits. 20 C.F.R. § 404.1520(d). If the impairment does not meet the criteria of a disabling impairment, the Commissioner considers whether the claimant has sufficient RFC for the claimant to return to past relevant work. 20 C.F.R. § 404.1520(e)-f). If the claimant is unable to return to past relevant work, the burden of proof shifts to the Commissioner to demonstrate that the claimant could perform other jobs which exist in significant numbers in the national economy, based on claimant’s age, education and work experience. 20 C.F.R. § 404.1520(g).

At step five, the Commissioner must show that a claimant unable to perform past relevant work can perform other work existing in significant numbers in the national economy.

Chhay v. Commissioner Social Security Administration · filed 2020-01-03(e) & (f)

At step five, the Commissioner must establish that the claimant can perform other work. Yuckert, 482 U.S. at 141–42; 20 C.F.R. §§ 404.1520(e) & (f), 416.920(e) & (f). If the Commissioner meets its burden and proves that the claimant is able to perform other work which exists in the national economy, the claimant is not disabled. 20 C.F.R. §§ 404.1566, 416.966. ... Accordingly, the ALJ failed to meet the Commissioner’s step five burden.

Section 404.1520(a)(4) establishes a five-step disability-evaluation process: the claimant bears the burden through step four, and the Commissioner bears it at step five.

Bartram v. Commissioner of Social Security · filed 2020-01-08(a)(4)

The Commissioner has established a five-step sequential evaluation process for determining whether a claimant is disabled within the meaning of the Social Security Act. 20 C.F.R. § 404.1520(a)(4); Lounsburry v. Barnhart, 468 F.3d 1111, 1114 (9th Cir. 2006). In steps one through four, the burden of proof rests upon the claimant to establish a prima facie case of entitlement to disability benefits. ... If the claimant cannot engage in his previous occupations, the ALJ proceeds to step five and the burden shifts to the Commissioner to demonstrate that (1) the claimant is capable of performing other work; and (2) such work exists in “significant numbers in the national economy.” 20 C.F.R. § 404.1560(c)(2); Beltran v. Astrue, 700 F.3d 386, 388-89 (9th Cir. 2012).

Section 404.1520 establishes a five-step sequential disability analysis, and the evaluation stops when a claimant is found disabled or not disabled at any step.

VILLALOBOS v. COMMISSIONER OF SOCIAL SECURITY · filed 2020-01-07(a)

To make a disability determination, the ALJ follows a five-step sequential analysis. 20 C.F.R. §§ 404.1520(a), 416.920(a); see also Cruz, 244 F. App’x at 480. If the ALJ determines at any step that the claimant is or is not disabled, the ALJ does not proceed to the next step. 20 C.F.R. §§ 404.1520(a)(4), 416.920(a)(4).

Section 404.1520 requires an ALJ to evaluate disability through a five-step sequential inquiry addressing work status, impairment severity, listed impairments, past relevant work, and the ability to perform other work in the national economy.

Russell v. Saul · filed 2020-01-10

In determining whether a claimant suffers from a disability, an ALJ must conduct a standard five-step inquiry, which involves analyzing: “(1) whether the claimant is currently employed; (2) whether the claimant has a severe impairment; (3) whether the claimant’s impairment is one that the Commissioner considers conclusively disabling; (4) if the claimant does not have a conclusively disabling impairment, whether he can perform his past relevant work; and (5) whether the claimant is capable of performing any work in the national economy.” Kastner v. Astrue, 697 F.3d 642, 646 (7th Cir. 2012) (citing 20 C.F.R. § 404.1520).

Section 404.1520 requires an ALJ to evaluate a disability claim through five sequential steps, ending with whether the claimant can adjust to other work.

Manning v. Social Security Administration, Commissioner · filed 2020-01-13

To determine if a claimant has a disability, the SSA regulations mandate that an ALJ must follow a five-step sequential evaluation while evaluating a disability claim. See 20 C.F.R. §§ 404.1520; 416.920. Pursuant to the regulations, the ALJ must proceed with his analysis as follows: 1. Is the claimant engaged in substantial gainful activity? If “yes” the claimant is not disabled, and the analysis ends here. If the answer is “no,” proceed to the next step of the analysis. 20 C.F.R. § 404.1520. 2. Does the claimant have a medically determinable physical or mental impairment or combination of impairments that meets the duration requirements of 20 C.F.R. § 404.1509? If “no,” the claimant is not disabled. If “yes,” proceed to the next step of the analysis. Id. 3. Does the claimant have an impairment that equals a listed impairment in 20 C.F.R. § 404, Subpart P Appendix 1 and meets the durational requirements of 20 C.F.R. § 404.1509? If “yes” the claimant is disabled. If “no,” proceed to the next step of the analysis. Id. 4. Does the claimant have the residual functional capacity (“RFC”) to return to past relevant work? If “yes” the claimant is not disabled. If no, proceed to the final step of the analysis. Id. 5. Does the claimant’s RFC, age, education, and work experience allow him or her to make an adjustment to other work? If “no,” the claimant is disabled. If “yes,” the claimant is not disabled.

Section 404.1520 requires the Commissioner to determine disability through a five-step sequential evaluation process.

Delana v. Berryhill · filed 2020-01-15

To determine whether a claimant is disabled, the Commissioner engages in a five-step evaluation process. See 20 C.F.R. § 404.1520; Bowen v. Yuckert, 482 U.S. 137, 140-42 (1987). The Commissioner begins by deciding whether the claimant is engaged in substantial gainful activity. If the claimant is working, disability benefits are denied. Next, the Commissioner decides whether the claimant has a “severe” impairment or combination of impairments, meaning that which significantly limits her ability to do basic work activities. If the claimant’s impairment(s) is not severe, then she is not disabled. The Commissioner then determines whether claimant’s impairment(s) meets or equals one of the impairments listed in 20 C.F.R., Part 404, Subpart P, Appendix 1. If claimant’s impairment(s) is equivalent to one of the listed impairments, she is conclusively disabled. At the fourth step, the Commissioner establishes whether the claimant can perform her past relevant work. If so, the claimant is not disabled. Finally, the Commissioner evaluates various factors to determine whether the claimant is capable of performing any other work in the economy. If not, the claimant is declared disabled and becomes entitled to disability benefits.

Section 404.1520(a)(4) establishes a sequential five-step process for deciding disability claims, and the analysis ends in a finding of non-disability when the claimant fails at an earlier step.

Burnette v. Commissioner of Social Security · filed 2020-01-28(a)(4)

The regulations promulgated by the Commissioner prescribe a five-step sequential evaluation process for determining whether a claimant meets the Act’s definition of disabled. See 20 C.F.R. § 404.1520. The Commissioner’s process is essentially as follows: [I]f the Commissioner determines (1) that the claimant is not working, (2) that [s]he has a ‘severe impairment,’ (3) that the impairment is not one [listed in Appendix 1 of the regulations] that conclusively requires a determination of disability, and (4) that the claimant is not capable of continuing in [her] prior type of work, the Commissioner must find [her] disabled if (5) there is not another type of work the claimant can do. Burgess, 537 F.3d at 120 (quoting Green-Younger v. Barnhart, 335 F.3d 99, 106 (2d Cir. 2003)); accord 20 C.F.R. § 404.1520(a)(4). If the answer at any of the previously mentioned steps is “no,” the analysis stops and the ALJ must find that the claimant does not qualify as disabled under the Act.

Section 404.1520 requires the Commissioner to use a five-step sequential process to decide disability claims and stop once disability or non-disability is established.

Antony v. Saul · filed 2020-01-29(a)(4)

The Commissioner must perform a five-step analysis to determine whether a particular claimant has met his burden of establishing disability. See 20 C.F.R. §§ 404.1520, 416.920; Plummer v. Apfel, 186 F.3d 422, 427-28 (3d Cir. 1999). If the Commissioner makes a finding of disability or non-disability at any point in the sequential process, the Commissioner will not review the claim further. See 20 C.F.R. §§ 404.1520(a)(4), 416.920(a)(4)(i).

Section 404.1520 establishes a five-step sequential evaluation for disability claims, with the vocational steps requiring consideration of the claimant's medical and vocational factors and residual functional capacity.

Lewis v. Commissioner of Social Security · filed 2020-02-10(a)(4)(i)-(iv)

As noted above, the Commissioner uses a five-step evaluation process to determine whether a claimant is disabled. 20 C.F.R. § 404.1520(a)(4)(i)-(iv). Scheck, 357 F.3d at 699-700. Steps four and five are the “vocational” steps where the ALJ must consider the medical and vocational factors to determine whether a claimant meets the statutory definition of disability. 20 C.F.R. § 404.1520(a)(4)(i)-(iv). If a finding of disability is not made on medical factors alone, after step three, the ALJ assesses the claimant's residual functional capacity ("RFC") for use at the fourth and fifth steps.

At step four, the regulation requires consideration of whether the claimant can perform past relevant work; if not, step five shifts the burden to the Commissioner to show the claimant can perform other work existing in significant numbers in the national economy.

Alexander v. Berryhill · filed 2020-02-10(a)(4)(iv), (a)(4)(v)

Step Four requires the Commissioner to consider whether the claimant retains the RFC to perform past relevant work (PRW). 20 C.F.R. § 404.1520(a)(4)(iv). The claimant bears the burden of demonstrating he is no longer able to return to his PRW. Pate-Fires, 564 F.3d at 942. If the Commissioner determines the claimant cannot return to his PRW, the burden shifts to the Commissioner at Step Five to show the claimant retains the RFC to perform other work that exists in significant numbers in the national economy. Id.; 20 C.F.R. § 404.1520(a)(4)(v).

Section 404.1520 requires a five-step disability determination, including consideration of residual functional capacity and past relevant work when an impairment is not listed.

Staley v. Commissioner of Social Security · filed 2020-02-20(b)-(f)

The applicable regulations set forth a five-step analysis the Commissioner must follow in determining eligibility for disability benefits. 20 C.F.R. §§ 404.1520 and 416.920. ... As a fourth step, however, if the impairment or its equivalent is not listed in Appendix 1, the Commissioner must then consider the applicant’s “residual functional capacity,” which is the ability to perform physical or mental work activities on a sustained basis, notwithstanding the limitations posed by the applicant’s collective impairments, see 20 C.F.R. 404.1520(e)-(f), and 416.920(e)-(f), and the demands of any past relevant work (“PRW”).

Section 404.1520 requires disability claims to be evaluated through a five-step process addressing substantial gainful activity, severity, listed impairments, residual functional capacity and past work, and other available work.

Howell v. Commissioner of Social Security · filed 2020-02-21

In determining disability, the ALJ considers a five-step evaluation process. See 20 C.F.R. § 404.1520. First, the claimant must prove he is not currently engaged in substantial gainful activity. Id. Second, the claimant must prove his impairment is “severe” in that it “significantly limits his physical or mental ability to do basic work activities . . . .” Id. Third, the claimant must show he is disabled by proving that his impairments meet or are medically equivalent to one of the impairments listed at 20 C.F.R. Part 404, Subpart P, App. 1. Id. Before considering step four, the ALJ must determine the claimant’s residual functional capacity (RFC), meaning his ability to do physical and mental work activities on a sustained basis despite limitations from his impairments. Id. At step four, the claimant bears the burden of proving that he does not have the RFC to perform past relevant work. Id. If the claimant is successful at all four of the preceding steps, the burden shifts to the Commissioner to prove, considering claimant’s RFC, age, education, and past work experience, that he is capable of performing other work. Id. If the Commissioner proves other work exists which the claimant can perform, the claimant is given the chance to prove that he cannot, in fact, perform that work. Id.

Section 404.1520(a)(4) places the residual-functional-capacity assessment at step four of the disability inquiry, with the claimant bearing the burden to prove a more restrictive RFC.

Salerno v. Berryhill · filed 2020-02-24(a)(4)

The ALJ’s RFC assessment is step four of the five-step analysis. Thus, the Plaintiff has the burden to prove a more restrictive RFC than the ALJ found. 20 C.F.R. § 404.1520; Smith v. Berryhill, 740 F. App'x 721, 726 (2d Cir. 2018) (“[Plaintiff] had a duty to prove a more restrictive RFC, and failed to do so.”).

Section 404.1520(a) requires disability claims to be evaluated through a five-step sequential process, including assessing substantial gainful activity, impairment severity and listings, past relevant work, and other work in the national economy.

VETTERLY v. BERRYHILL · filed 2020-02-24(a)

The Commissioner has provided the ALJ with a five-step sequential analysis to use when evaluating the disabled status of each claimant. 20 C.F.R. §404.1520(a). The ALJ must determine: (1) whether the claimant is currently engaged in substantial gainful activity; (2) if not, whether the claimant has a severe impairment; (3) if the claimant has a severe impairment, whether it meets or equals the criteria listed in 20 C.F.R., pt. 404, subpt. P., appx. 1; (4) if the impairment does not satisfy one of the impairment listings, whether the claimant’s impairments prevent him from performing his past relevant work; and (5) if the claimant is incapable of performing his past relevant work, whether he can perform any other work which exists in the national economy, in light of his age, education, work experience and residual functional capacity. 20 C.F.R. §404.1520.

Section 404.1520(a)(4) establishes a five-step disability-benefits evaluation and ends the evaluation when the ALJ finds a claimant disabled or not disabled at any step.

McFarland v. Berryhill · filed 2020-02-24(a)(4)

Social Security Act regulations create a five-step process to determine whether a claimant is entitled to disability benefits. See 20 C.F.R. § 404.1520. The steps are: (1) Is the claimant currently performing substantial gainful activity (SGA)? (2) Does the claimant have a severe impairment? (3) Does the impairment meet or equal an impairment listed in Appendix I? (4) Does the impairment prevent the claimant from performing past relevant work? (5) Does the impairment prevent the claimant from doing any other work? Bryant v. Colvin, 861 F.3d 779, 782 n.3 (8th Cir. 2017) (citing 20 C.F.R. § 404.1520(a)(4)). If the ALJ concludes a claimant is disabled or not disabled at any step of the process, the evaluation ends. 20 C.F.R. § 404.1520(a)(4).

Section 404.1520 establishes a five-step sequential process for deciding disability claims, and a disability or nondisability finding at any step ends the inquiry without considering later steps.

(SS) Martinez v. Commissioner of Social Security · filed 2020-02-28

“The Social Security Regulations set out a five-step sequential process for determining whether a claimant is disabled within the meaning of the Social Security Act.” Tackett v. Apfel, 180 F.3d 1094, 1098 (9th Cir. 1999) (citing 20 C.F.R. § 404.1520); see also 20 C.F.R. § 416.920. ... “If a claimant is found to be ‘disabled’ or ‘not disabled’ at any step in the sequence, there is no need to consider subsequent steps.” Tackett, 180 F.3d at 1098 (citing 20 C.F.R. § 404.1520); 20 C.F.R. § 416.920.

Section 404.1520 establishes a five-step disability evaluation in which the claimant bears the burden through step four, the Commissioner bears it at step five, and disability requires satisfying each step and the duration requirements.

Chiccola v. Commissioner of Social Security · filed 2020-03-03(b)-(f)

Under this five-step sequential analysis, the claimant has the burden of proof in Steps One through Four. Walters, 127 F.3d at 529. The burden shifts to the Commissioner at Step Five to establish whether the claimant has the residual functional capacity to perform available work in the national economy. Id. The ALJ considers the claimant’s residual functional capacity, age, education, and past work experience to determine if the claimant could perform other work. Id. Only if a claimant satisfies each element of the analysis, including inability to do other work, and meets the duration requirements, is she determined to be disabled. 20 C.F.R. §§ 404.1520(b)-(f); see also Walters, 127 F.3d at 529.

Section 404.1520 requires an ALJ to evaluate disability through a five-step sequence covering substantial gainful activity, severity, listed impairments, past work, and other work in the national economy.

Luz R v. Saul · filed 2020-03-03

The ALJ must follow five steps in evaluating a claim of disability. See 20 C.F.R. §§ 404.1520, 416.920. First, if a claimant is working at a substantial gainful activity, she is not disabled. 20 C.F.R. § 404.1520(b). 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). Third, if a claimant’s impairments meet or equal an impairment listed in 20 C.F.R. Part 404, Subpart P, Appendix 1, she is disabled. 20 C.F.R. § 404.1520(d). Fourth, if a claimant’s impairments do not prevent her from doing past relevant work, she is not disabled. 20 C.F.R. § 404.1520(e). Fifth, if a claimant’s impairments (considering her residual functional capacity, age, education, and past work) prevent her from doing other work that exists in the national economy, then she is disabled. 20 C.F.R. § 404.1520(f). Significantly, the claimant bears the burden of proof at steps one through four, but the Commissioner bears the burden at step five. Wells v. Barnhart, 267 F. Supp. 2d 138, 144 (D. Mass. 2003) (five-step process applies to both SSDI and SSI claims).

Section 404.1520 requires a five-step process for deciding disability claims: assess substantial gainful activity, severe impairment, and listed-impairment equivalence; assess residual functional capacity and past relevant work; and, if necessary, assess the claimant’s ability to perform other work existing in significant numbers in the national economy.

Santiago v. Berryhill · filed 2020-03-06

The Commissioner engages in a five-step evaluation process to determine whether a claimant is disabled. See 20 C.F.R. § 404.1520; Bowen v. Yuckert, 482 U.S. 137, 140-42 (1987). The first three steps involve a determination as to whether the claimant is currently engaged in substantial gainful activity; whether he has a severe impairment; and whether his severe impairment(s) meets or medically equals the severity of a listed impairment. At Step 4 of the process, the ALJ must assess the claimant’s RFC – that is, the most the claimant is able to do despite his physical and mental limitations, Martise v. Astrue, 641 F.3d 909, 923 (8th Cir. 2011) – and determine whether the claimant is able to perform his past relevant work. Goff v. Barnhart, 421 F.3d 785, 790 (8th Cir. 2005) (RFC assessment occurs at fourth step of process). If the claimant is unable to perform his past work, the Commissioner continues to Step 5 and determines whether the claimant can perform other work as it exists in significant numbers in the national economy. If so, the claimant is found not to be disabled, and disability benefits are denied.

Section 404.1520(a) requires the Commissioner to determine disability through a sequential five-step analysis addressing substantial gainful activity, severe impairment, the Listings, past relevant work, and adjustment to other work.

Hearring v. Social Security Administration, Commissioner · filed 2020-03-12(a)

Determination of disability under the Social Security Act requires a five step analysis. 20 C.F.R. §§ 404.1520(a) & 416.920(a). Specifically, the Commissioner must determine in sequence: whether the claimant: (1) is unable to engage in substantial gainful activity; (2) has a severe medically determinable physical or mental impairment; (3) has such an impairment that meets or equals a Listing and meets the duration requirements; (4) can perform his past relevant work, in light of his residual functional capacity; and (5) can make an adjustment to other work, in light of his residual functional capacity, age, education, and work experience.

Section 404.1520(a)(4) requires disability claims to be evaluated in five sequential steps: current employment, severe impairment, listed impairment, past work, and the ability to perform other work in the national economy.

Rogers v. Social Security Administration Commissioner · filed 2020-03-16(a)(4)

The Regulations provide a five-step process for determining whether a claimant is disabled. 20 C.F.R. § 404.1520(a)(4)(i-v). The Commissioner must determine in sequence: (1) whether the claimant is currently employed; (2) whether the claimant has a severe impairment; (3) whether the claimant’s impairment meets or equals an impairment listed by the [Commissioner]; (4) whether the claimant can perform his or her past work; and (5) whether the claimant is capable of performing any work in the national economy.

Section 404.1520 requires an ALJ to determine disability through a five-step sequential inquiry addressing work activity, severe impairment, listed impairments, past relevant work, and other work in the national economy.

Bright v. Commissioner of Social Security · filed 2020-03-16

When determining whether an individual is disabled,12 an ALJ must follow the five-step sequential inquiry set forth in the Code of Federal Regulations (“Regulations”), determining as appropriate whether the claimant (1) is currently employed or engaging in substantial gainful activity; (2) has a severe impairment; (3) has an impairment or combination of impairments that meets or medically equals one listed in the Regulations; (4) can perform past relevant work; and (5) retains the ability to perform any work in the national economy. 20 C.F.R. §§ 404.1520, 416.920; see also Phillips v. Barnhart, 357 F.3d 1232, 1237 (11th Cir. 2004).

Under the sequential evaluation, an impairment addressed at Step 2 must still be considered with other impairments at Step 3; treating it as nonexistent cannot be harmless merely because another impairment was found severe.

Moore v. Social Security Administration · filed 2020-03-19(c), (d)

See 20 C.F.R. §§ 404.1520(a), 404.1520(b) (2019) (Step 1); 20 C.F.R. § 404.1520(c) (2019) (Step 2); 20 C.F.R. §§ 404.1520(d), 404.1525, 404.1526 (2019) (Step 3); 20 C.F.R. § 404.1520(e-f) (2019) (Step 4); 20 C.F.R. § 404.1520(g) (2019) (Step 5). ... Because the ALJ found that Moore’s fibromyalgia was not a medically determinable impairment, whatsoever, in Step 2, the ALJ did not consider a combination of anxiety and fibromyalgia in Step 3; she only considered Moore’s anxiety. R. at 26-27. Because Step 3 requires the ALJ to consider a “combination of impairments,” regardless of severity, see Heatly, supra, if the ALJ erred by failing to find that fibromyalgia was an impairment in Step 2, then the ALJ necessarily erred by failing to consider fibromyalgia in Step 3, meaning that the Step 2 error cannot be deemed harmless.

Section 404.1520 sets out a five-step process for determining disability: substantial gainful activity, severe impairment, listed impairment, past work, and other work.

Vavra v. Kijakazi · filed 2020-03-19

The Commissioner has established a five-step evaluation process to determine whether an individual is disabled as defined by the Social Security Act. 20 C.F.R. §§ 404.1520, 416.920. ... The five-step process is as follows: First, the [Commissioner] considers whether the claimant is currently engaged in substantial gainful activity. If he is not, the [Commissioner] next considers whether the claimant has a “severe impairment” which significantly limits his physical or mental ability to do basic work activities. If the claimant suffers such an impairment, the third inquiry is whether, based solely on medical evidence, the claimant has an impairment which is listed in Appendix 1 of the regulations. If the claimant has such an impairment, the [Commissioner] will consider him disabled without considering vocational factors such as age, education, and work experience; the [Commissioner] presumes that a claimant who is afflicted with a “listed” impairment is unable to perform substantial gainful activity. Assuming the claimant does not have a listed impairment, the fourth inquiry is whether, despite the claimant’s severe impairment, he has the residual functional capacity to perform his past work. Finally, if the claimant is unable to perform his past work, the [Commissioner] then determines whether there is other work which the claimant could perform. Under the cases previously discussed, the claimant bears the burden of the proof as to the first four steps, while the [Commissioner] must prove the final one.

Section 404.1520 requires an ALJ to evaluate disability through five steps: substantial gainful activity, severe impairment, listed impairment, past relevant work, and other work available in the national economy.

McCaskill v. Commissioner of Social Security · filed 2020-03-23

In order to determine whether a claimant is disabled within the meaning of the SSA, the ALJ must follow a five-step evaluation process as promulgated by the Commissioner: 1. First, the [Commissioner] considers whether the claimant is currently engaged in substantial gainful activity [“Step One”]. 2. If he is not, the [Commissioner] next considers whether the claimant has a “severe impairment” which significantly limits his physical or mental ability to do basic work activities [“Step Two”]. 3. If the claimant suffers such an impairment, the third inquiry is whether, based solely on medical evidence, the claimant has an impairment which is listed in Appendix 1 of the regulations [“Step Three”]. If the claimant has such an impairment, the [Commissioner] will consider him disabled without considering vocational factors such as age, education, and work experience. 4. Assuming the claimant does not have a listed impairment, the fourth inquiry is whether, despite the claimant’s severe impairment, he has the Residual Functional Capacity (“RFC”) to perform his past work [“Step Four”]. 5. Finally, if the claimant is unable to perform his past work, the [Commissioner] then determines whether there is other work which the claimant could perform [“Step Five”]. 20 C.F.R. § 404.1520.

Section 404.1520 requires the sequential evaluation to assess residual functional capacity from all relevant evidence and, at step four, compare that capacity with the demands of past relevant work; if the claimant can do that work, the analysis ends with a finding of not disabled.

Anderson v. Berryhill · filed 2020-03-20(a)(4)(iv), (e)

The RFC determination is “based on all the relevant medical and other evidence in [the claimant’s] case record.” Id. ... At the fourth step, the ALJ compares a claimant’s RFC “with the physical and mental demands of [the claimant’s] past relevant work.” § 404.1520(f). “If [a claimant] can still do this kind of work, [the SSA] will find that [the claimant is] not disabled.” Id.

Section 404.1520(g) requires the Commissioner at step five to show, considering the claimant’s relevant vocational factors and RFC, that the claimant can perform other work existing in significant numbers in the national economy.

Boyd v. Berryhill · filed 2020-03-26(g)

At the fifth step of the sequential analysis, the Commissioner must show that, considering the claimant’s age, education, work experience and RFC, the claimant could perform other work existing in significant numbers in the national economy. 20 C.F.R. §§ 404.1520(g), 404.1566, 416.920(g), 416.966.

Section 404.1520(a)(4) requires disability claims to be evaluated through five sequential steps: substantial gainful activity, severe impairment, listed impairment, past relevant work, and other work.

Hurry v. Berryhill · filed 2020-03-27(a)(4)

In all Social Security cases, an ALJ utilizes a five-step sequential evaluation in determining whether the claimant is disabled: (1) whether the claimant is engaged in substantial gainful activity; (2) if not, whether the claimant has a severe impairment; (3) if so, whether the severe impairment meets or equals an impairment in the Listing of Impairment in the regulations; (4) if not, whether the claimant has the RFC to perform her past relevant work; and (5) if not, whether, in light of the claimant’s RFC, age, education and work experience, there are other jobs the claimant can perform.

Section 404.1520 requires an ALJ to evaluate a disability claim through a five-step sequential process, including consideration of the claimant’s ability to perform past work and other work.

MacNeil v. Social Security Administration, Commissioner · filed 2020-03-30

In order to determine if a claimant has a disability, the SSA regulations mandate that an ALJ must follow a five-step sequential evaluation while evaluating a disability claim. See 20 C.F.R. §§ 404.1520; 416.920. Pursuant to the regulations, the ALJ must proceed with his analysis as follows: 1. Is the claimant engaged in substantial gainful activity? If “yes” the claimant is not disabled and the analysis ends here. If the answer is “no,” proceed to the next step of the analysis. 20 C.F.R. § 404.1520. 2. Does the claimant have a medically determinable physical or mental impairment or combination of impairments that meets the duration requirements of 20 C.F.R. § 404.1509? If “no,” the claimant is not disabled. If “yes,” proceed to the next step of the analysis. Id. 3. Does the claimant have an impairment that equals a listed impairment in 20 C.F.R. § 404, Subpart P Appendix 1 and meets the durational requirements of 20 C.F.R. § 404.1509? If “yes” the claimant is disabled. If “no,” proceed to the next step of the analysis. Id. 4. Does the claimant have the residual functional capacity (RFC) to return to past relevant work? If “yes” the claimant is not disabled. If no, proceed to the final step of the analysis. Id. 5. Does the claimant’s RFC, age, education, and work experience allow him or her to make an adjustment to other work? If “no,” the claimant is disabled. If “yes,” the claimant is not disabled. Id.

Section 404.1520(a) establishes a five-step sequential disability-evaluation process, but the steps may involve overlapping reasoning.

Jeske v. Saul · filed 2020-04-02(a)

The five-step evaluation process comprises sequential determinations that can involve overlapping reasoning. See 20 C.F.R. § 404.1520(a)(4). This is certainly true of step three and the RFC determination that takes place between steps three and four: an impairment so severe that it is presumptively disabling will generally, if not always, leave the claimant without functional capacity to work—that’s why the impairment triggers a presumption of disability in the first place. See id. § 404.1520(d)–(e).

Section 404.1520 establishes a five-step sequential process for an ALJ to determine whether a claimant is disabled.

DRZAL v. COMMISSIONER OF SOCIAL SECURITY · filed 2020-03-31

The Act establishes a five-step sequential process for evaluation by the ALJ to determine whether an individual is disabled. See 20 C.F.R. § 404.1520.

Section 404.1520 requires the Commissioner to determine disability-benefit eligibility through a five-step sequential analysis.

Rutledge v. Commissioner of Social Security · filed 2020-03-31(a)(4)

The applicable regulations set forth a five-step analysis the Commissioner must follow in determining eligibility for disability benefits.

At Step Five, the Commissioner must decide whether the claimant can perform other work existing in significant numbers in the national economy; if the Commissioner meets that burden, the claimant is not disabled.

McKnight v. Commissioner Social Security Administration · filed 2020-04-08(g)(1)

If the Commissioner reaches Step Five, he must determine whether the claimant is able to do any other work that exists in the national economy. ... If the Commissioner meets this burden, the claimant is not disabled. 20 C.F.R. §§ 404.1520(g)(1), 416.920(g)(1).

Section 404.1520(a)(4) requires an ALJ to use a five-step sequential evaluation process to determine disability, including deciding at step two whether the claimant has a severe medically determinable impairment.

Ibraham v. Saul · filed 2020-04-10(a)(4)

To determine whether a claimant is disabled, the ALJ employs a five-step sequential evaluation process. 20 C.F.R. § 404.1520(a)(4). That process requires the ALJ to ask, in the following order: (1) whether the claimant is not currently engaged in substantial gainful activity; (2) whether the claimant has a severe medically determinable physical or mental impairment; (3) whether the impairment meets the criteria of any listing in 20 C.F.R. Part 404, Subpart P, Appendix 1; (4) whether the claimant’s RFC renders him unable to perform his past relevant work; and (5) whether the claimant’s RFC, age, education, and work experience make him unable to adjust to other work existing in significant numbers in the national economy. Id.

Section 404.1520 requires an ALJ to use a five-step sequential disability analysis and stop once a claimant is found disabled or not disabled.

CHURCH v. BERRYHILL · filed 2020-04-13(a)

To make a disability determination, the ALJ follows a five-step sequential analysis. 20 C.F.R. §§ 404.1520(a), 416.920(a); see also Cruz, 244 F. App’x at 480. If the ALJ determines at any step that the claimant is or is not disabled, the ALJ does not proceed to the next step. 20 C.F.R. §§ 404.1520(a)(4), 416.920(a)(4).

Section 404.1520(a) directs the Commissioner to use a five-step sequential evaluation to determine whether an adult claimant is disabled.

Stanley v. Social Security Administration Commissioner · filed 2020-04-14(a)

To determine whether the adult claimant suffers from a disability, the Commissioner uses the familiar five-step sequential evaluation. He determines: (1) whether the claimant is presently engaged in a “substantial gainful activity”; (2) whether the claimant has a severe impairment that significantly limits the claimant’s physical or mental ability to perform basic work activities; (3) whether the claimant has an impairment that meets or equals a presumptively disabling impairment listed in the regulations (if so, the claimant is disabled without regard to age, education, and work experience); (4) whether the claimant has the Residual Functional Capacity (RFC) to perform his or her past relevant work; and (5) if the claimant cannot perform the past work, the burden shifts to the Commissioner to prove that there are other jobs in the national economy that the claimant can perform. See Cox, 160 F.3d at 1206; 20 C.F.R. §§ 404.1520(a)-(f).

Section 404.1520(a) requires an ALJ to evaluate disability through a five-step sequential process addressing substantial gainful activity, severity, listed impairments, past relevant work, and other work in the national economy.

HILE v. BERRYHILL · filed 2020-04-21(a)

The Commissioner has provided the ALJ with a five-step sequential analysis to use when evaluating the disabled status of each claimant. 20 C.F.R. §404.1520(a). The ALJ must determine: (1) whether the claimant is currently engaged in substantial gainful activity; (2) if not, whether the claimant has a severe impairment; (3) if the claimant has a severe impairment, whether it meets or equals the criteria listed in 20 C.F.R., pt. 404, subpt. P., appx. 1; (4) if the impairment does not satisfy one of the impairment listings, whether the claimant’s impairments prevent him from performing his past relevant work; and (5) if the claimant is incapable of performing his past relevant work, whether he can perform any other work which exists in the national economy, in light of his age, education, work experience and residual functional capacity.

Section 404.1520 requires the Commissioner to determine disability through a five-step sequential evaluation process, including consideration of past relevant work and, if necessary, other work.

Granata v. Berryhill · filed 2020-04-22

The regulations promulgated by the Commissioner prescribe a five-step sequential evaluation process for determining whether a claimant meets the Act’s definition of disability. See 20 C.F.R. § 404.1520. The Commissioner’s process is essentially as follows: The first step of this process requires the [Commissioner] to determine whether the claimant is presently employed. If the claimant is not employed, the [Commissioner] then determines whether the claimant has a “severe impairment” that limits [his] capacity to work. If the claimant has such an impairment, the [Commissioner] next considers whether the claimant has an impairment that is listed in Appendix 1 of the regulations. When the claimant has such an impairment, the [Commissioner] will find the claimant disabled. However, if the claimant does not have a listed impairment, the [Commissioner] must determine, under the fourth step, whether the claimant possesses the [RFC] to perform [his] past relevant work. Finally, if the claimant is unable to perform [his] past relevant work, the [Commissioner] determines whether the claimant is capable of performing any other work.

Section 404.1520(a) requires disability claims to be evaluated through a five-step sequential process addressing current substantial gainful activity, severe impairment, listed impairments, past work, and other work.

Myers v. Berryhill · filed 2020-04-24(a)

To determine whether a claimant is disabled, the Commissioner engages in a five-step evaluation process. See 20 C.F.R. § 404.1520. Those steps require a Plaintiff to show that he or she: (1) is not engaged in substantial gainful activity; (2) has a severe impairment or combination of impairments which significantly limits his or her physical or mental ability to do basic work activities or (3) has an impairment which meets or exceeds one of the impairments listed in 20 C.F.R., Part 404, Subpart P, Appendix 1; (4) is unable to return to his or her past relevant work; and (5) the impairments prevent him or her from doing any other work. Id.

Section 404.1520(a)(4) requires disability claims to be evaluated through a five-step sequential process addressing substantial gainful activity, severe impairment, the Listings, past relevant work, and other work in the national economy.

Terrell v. Saul · filed 2020-05-01(a)(4)

In all Social Security cases, an ALJ utilizes a five-step sequential evaluation to determine whether the claimant is disabled, which considers: (1) whether the claimant is engaged in substantial gainful activity; (2) if not, whether the claimant has a severe impairment; (3) if so, whether the severe impairment meets or equals an impairment in the Listing of Impairments in the regulations; (4) if not, whether the claimant has the RFC to perform her past relevant work; and (5) if not, whether, in light of the claimant’s RFC, age, education and work experience, there are other jobs the claimant can perform.

Section 404.1520 requires an ALJ to evaluate disability claims through a five-step sequential process, including whether the claimant can adjust to other work based on residual functional capacity, age, education, and work experience.

Harrison v. Social Security Administration, Commissioner · filed 2020-05-04

In order to determine if a claimant has a disability, the SSA regulations mandate that an ALJ must follow a five-step sequential evaluation while evaluating a disability claim. See 20 C.F.R. §§ 404.1520; 416.920. Pursuant to the regulations, the ALJ must proceed with his analysis as follows: ... 5. Does the claimant’s RFC, age, education, and work experience allow him or her to make an adjustment to other work? If “no,” the claimant is disabled. If “yes,” the claimant is not disabled. Id.

Section 404.1520 establishes a five-step sequential process for determining whether an individual is disabled.

Drum v. Commissioner of Social Security · filed 2020-05-04

The Commissioner has established a five-step sequential evaluation process to determine whether an individual is disabled under the Act. ... The Supreme Court of the United States recognized the validity of this analysis in Bowen v. Yuckert, and it remains the proper approach for analyzing whether a claimant is disabled.

Section 404.1520(a)(4) requires the Commissioner to evaluate disability claims through a five-step sequential process.

Fetes v. Commissioner of Social Security · filed 2020-05-11(a)(4)

To guide the assessment of whether a claimant is disabled, the Commissioner has promulgated a “five-step sequential evaluation process.” 20 C.F.R. §§404.1520(a)(4), 416.920(a)(4).

Section 404.1520 requires an ALJ to determine disability through a five-step inquiry addressing current employment, severe impairment, listed-level disability, ability to perform past relevant work, and ability to perform other work in the national economy.

Dukich v. Saul · filed 2020-05-13

In determining whether a claimant suffers from a disability, an ALJ must conduct a standard five-step inquiry, which involves analyzing: “(1) whether the claimant is currently employed; (2) whether the claimant has a severe impairment; (3) whether the claimant’s impairment is one that the Commissioner considers conclusively disabling; (4) if the claimant does not have a conclusively disabling impairment, whether [s]he can perform her past relevant work; and (5) whether the claimant is capable of performing any work in the national economy.” Kastner v. Astrue, 697 F.3d 642, 646 (7th Cir. 2012) (citing 20 C.F.R. § 404.1520).

Section 404.1520(a)(4), together with its step-specific provisions, requires disability claims to be evaluated in five sequential steps, with the claimant bearing the burden through step four and the Commissioner at step five.

Bell v. Commissioner Social Security Administration · filed 2020-05-14(a)(4)

In determining disability, the Commissioner (through an ALJ) works through a five-step sequential evaluation process. See 20 C.F.R. § 404.1520(a)(4). The burden rests upon the claimant throughout the first four steps of this five-step process to prove disability. If the claimant is successful in sustaining his or her burden at each of the first four steps, the burden shifts to the Commissioner at step five. See Muse v. Sullivan, 925 F.2d 785, 789 (5th Cir. 1991) (explaining the five-step process). First, the claimant must prove he or she is not currently engaged in substantial gainful activity. 20 C.F.R. § 404.1520(b). Second, the claimant must prove his or her impairment is “severe” in that it “significantly limits your physical or mental ability to do basic work activities…” 20 C.F.R. § 404.1520(c).

Section 404.1520(a) requires an ALJ to evaluate disability claims through a five-step sequential analysis, with the claimant bearing the initial burden through steps one to four and the Commissioner bearing the burden at step five.

GARDNER v. COMMISSIONER OF SOCIAL SECUIRTY · filed 2020-05-15(a)

The Commissioner has provided the ALJ with a five-step sequential analysis to use when evaluating the disabled status of each claimant. 20 C.F.R. §404.1520(a). The ALJ must determine: (1) whether the claimant is currently engaged in substantial gainful activity; (2) if not, whether the claimant has a severe impairment; (3) if the claimant has a severe impairment, whether it meets or equals the criteria listed in 20 C.F.R., pt. 404, subpt. P., appx. 1; (4) if the impairment does not satisfy one of the impairment listings, whether the claimant’s impairments prevent him from performing his past relevant work; and (5) if the claimant is incapable of performing his past relevant work, whether he can perform any other work which exists in the national economy, in light of his age, education, work experience and residual functional capacity. 20 C.F.R. §404.1520. The claimant carries the initial burden of demonstrating by medical evidence that he is unable to return to his previous employment (steps 1-4). Dobrowolsky, 606 F.2d at 406. Once the claimant meets this burden, the burden of proof shifts to the Commissioner to show that the claimant can engage in alternative substantial gainful activity (step 5). Id.

Section 404.1520(a)(4) requires disability claims to be evaluated through five sequential steps, with the inquiry ending if the claimant is found not disabled at any step.

Barbare v. Saul · filed 2020-06-18(a)(4)

An ALJ determining whether a claimant is disabled, and thus eligible for disability insurance benefits, follows a five-step inquiry. Monroe v. Colvin, 826 F.3d 176, 178-79 (4th Cir. 2016); see also 20 C.F.R. § 404.1520(a)(4). This inquiry, performed sequentially, examines whether a claimant: (1) worked during the alleged period of disability; (2) had a severe impairment; (3) had an impairment that met or equaled the requirements of a listed impairment; (4) could return to her past relevant work; and (5) if not, could perform any other work in the national economy. Hancock v. Astrue, 667 F.3d 470, 472 (4th Cir. 2012). The burden of proof falls on a claimant at Steps 1-4, but shifts to the Commissioner at Step 5. Id. at 472-73. “If an individual is found not disabled at any step, further inquiry is unnecessary.” Hall v. Harris, 658 F.2d 260, 264 (4th Cir. 1981); see also 20 C.F.R. § 404.1520(a)(4).

Section 404.1520(a)(4) requires disability determinations to use a five-step sequential evaluation.

Zerkel v. Commissioner of Social Security · filed 2020-06-18(a)(4)

Administrative regulations require a five-step sequential evaluation for disability determinations. 20 C.F.R. § 404.1520(a)(4).

Section 404.1520 requires the Commissioner to use a five-step sequential process, considering employment, severity, listed impairments, past relevant work, and other work in light of the claimant’s age, education, and work experience.

WOLFE v. SAUL · filed 2020-06-18

The Social Security Administration employs a five-part procedure to determine whether an individual has met this burden. ... This process requires the Commissioner to consider, in sequence, whether a claimant: (1) is currently employed; (2) has a severe impairment; (3) has an impairment which meets or equals the requirements of a listed impairment; (4) can perform past relevant work; and (5) if not, whether the claimant is able to perform other work, in view of his age, education, and work experience.

Section 404.1520(a)(4)(i)-(v) requires an ALJ to evaluate a disability claim through five sequential steps: current employment, severe impairment, listed impairment, past work, and ability to perform other work in the national economy.

PIKE v. SAUL · filed 2020-06-19(a)(4)(i)-(v)

The ALJ must apply the five-step inquiry set forth in 20 C.F.R. § 404.1520(a)(4)(i)-(v), evaluating the following, in sequence: (1) whether the claimant is currently [un]employed; (2) whether the claimant has a severe impairment; (3) whether the claimant's impairment meets or equals one of the impairments listed by the [Commissioner]; (4) whether the claimant can perform [his] past work; and (5) whether the claimant is capable of performing work in the national economy.

Section 404.1520 requires a five-step sequential evaluation of disability claims, considering employment, severity, listed impairments, past relevant work, and other work in that order.

WOLFE v. SAUL · filed 2020-06-18

The Social Security Administration employs a five-part procedure to determine whether an individual has met this burden. 20 C.F.R. §§ 404.1520, 416.920.1 This process requires the Commissioner to consider, in sequence, whether a claimant: (1) is currently employed; (2) has a severe impairment; (3) has an impairment which meets or equals the requirements of a listed impairment; (4) can perform past relevant work; and (5) if not, whether the claimant is able to perform other work, in view of his age, education, and work experience. See id.

Section 404.1520 requires the Commissioner to evaluate disability through a five-step sequence: substantial gainful activity, severe impairment, listed impairment, past relevant work, and other work in the national economy.

Wagner v. Commissioner of Social Security Administration · filed 2020-06-23(a)(4), (b), (c), (d), (e)

The Commissioner reaches a determination as to whether a claimant is disabled by way of a five-stage process. 20 C.F.R. §§ 404.1520(a)(4) and 416.920(a)(4). See also Ealy v. Comm’r of Soc. Sec., 594 F.3d 504, 512 (6th Cir. 2010); Abbott v. Sullivan, 905 F.2d 918, 923 (6th Cir. 1990). First, the claimant must demonstrate that he is not currently engaged in “substantial gainful activity” at the time of the disability application. 20 C.F.R. §§ 404.1520(b) and 416.920(b). Second, the claimant must show that he suffers from a “severe impairment” in order to warrant a finding of disability. 20 C.F.R. §§ 404.1520(c) and 416.920(c). A “severe impairment” is one that “significantly limits . . . physical or mental ability to do basic work activities.” Abbot, 905 F.2d at 923. Third, if the claimant is not performing substantial gainful activity, has a severe impairment that is expected to last for at least twelve months, and the impairment, or combination of impairments, meets or medically equals a required listing under 20 CFR Part 404, Subpart P, Appendix 1, the claimant is presumed to be disabled regardless of age, education or work experience. See 20 C.F.R. §§ 404.1520(d) and 416.920(d). Fourth, if the claimant’s impairment or combination of impairments does not prevent him from doing his past relevant work, the claimant is not disabled. 20 C.F.R. §§ 404.1520(e)-(f) and 416.920(e)-(f). For the fifth and final step, even if the claimant’s impairment does prevent him from doing his past relevant work, if other work exists in the national economy that the claimant can perform, the claimant is not disabled. 20 C.F.R. §§ 404.1520(g), 404.1560(c), and 416.920(g).

Section 404.1520 establishes a five-step sequential process for determining disability, including evaluating substantial gainful activity, residual functional capacity and past work, and adjustment to other work in the national economy.

Scott v. Saul · filed 2020-06-29(a)(1), (a)(4)(i), (a)(4)(iv), (a)(4)(v)

The Commissioner follows a five-step sequential process when evaluating whether the claimant has a disability. 20 C.F.R. § 404.1520(a)(1). First, the Commissioner considers the claimant’s work activity. If the claimant is engaged in substantial gainful activity, the claimant is not disabled. 20 C.F.R. § 404.1520(a)(4)(i). ... Fourth, if the claimant’s impairment is severe, but it does not meet or equal one of the presumptively disabling impairments, the Commissioner assesses whether the claimant retains the “residual functional capacity” (RFC) to perform his or her past relevant work. 20 C.F.R. §§ 404.1520(a)(4)(iv), 404.1545(a)(5)(i). ... Fifth, if the claimant’s RFC does not allow the claimant to perform past relevant work, the burden of production to show the claimant maintains the RFC to perform work that exists in significant numbers in the national economy shifts to the Commissioner. See Brock v. Astrue, 574 F.3d 1062, 1064 (8th Cir. 2012); 20 C.F.R. § 404.1520(a)(4)(v). If the claimant can make an adjustment to other work that exists in significant numbers in the national economy, the Commissioner finds the claimant not disabled. 20 C.F.R. § 404.1520(a)(4)(v). If the claimant cannot make an adjustment to other work, the Commissioner finds the claimant disabled. Id.

Section 404.1520 requires disability determinations to proceed through a five-step sequential analysis, including assessing severity, listed impairments, residual functional capacity and past work, and other work in the national economy.

Music v. Commissioner of Social Security · filed 2020-06-29

In making a determination as to disability under this definition, an ALJ is required to follow a five-step sequential analysis set out in agency regulations. The five steps can be summarized as follows: 1. If claimant is doing substantial gainful activity, he is not disabled. 2. If claimant is not doing substantial gainful activity, his impairment must be severe before he can be found to be disabled. 3. If claimant is not doing substantial gainful activity, is suffering from a severe impairment that has lasted or is expected to last for a continuous period of at least twelve months, and his impairment meets or equals a listed impairment, claimant is presumed disabled without further inquiry. 4. If the impairment does not meet or equal a listed impairment, the ALJ must assess the claimant’s residual functional capacity and use it to determine if claimant’s impairment prevents him from doing past relevant work. If claimant’s impairment does not prevent him from doing his past relevant work, he is not disabled. 5. If claimant is unable to perform past relevant work, he is not disabled if, based on his vocational factors and residual functional capacity, he is capable of performing other work that exists in significant numbers in the national economy. 20 C.F.R. §§ 404.1520, 416.920;2 see also Bowen v. Yuckert, 482 U.S. 137, 140-42 (1987).

Section 404.1520(a)(4) requires a five-step sequential evaluation for disability determinations, including consideration at the fifth step of whether significant numbers of other jobs exist in the national economy that the claimant can perform.

Pauley v. Commissioner of Social Security · filed 2020-07-08(a)(4)

Administrative regulations require a five-step sequential evaluation for disability determinations. 20 C.F.R. § 404.1520(a)(4). Although a dispositive finding at any step ends the ALJ’s review, see Colvin v. Barnhart, 475 F.3d 727, 730 (6th Cir. 2007), the complete sequential review poses five questions: 1. Has the claimant engaged in substantial gainful activity?; 2. Does the claimant suffer from one or more severe impairments?; 3. Do the claimant’s severe impairments, alone or in combination, meet or equal the criteria of an impairment set forth in the Commissioner’s Listing of Impairments (the “Listings”), 20 C.F.R. Subpart P, Appendix 1?;; 4. Considering the claimant’s RFC, can he or she perform his or her past relevant work?; [and] 5. Assuming the claimant can no longer perform his or her past relevant work -- and also considering the claimant’s age, education, past work experience, and RFC -- do significant numbers of other jobs exist in the national economy which the claimant can perform?

Section 404.1520 requires the Commissioner to use a five-step sequential process to determine whether a claimant is disabled, beginning with whether the claimant is engaged in substantial gainful activity.

Suazo v. Saul · filed 2020-07-15

The Commissioner (or ALJ) follows a five-step sequential evaluation process in assessing whether a claimant is disabled. 20 C.F.R. §§ 404.1520, 416.920; Lounsburry v. Barnhart, 468 F.3d 1111, 1114 (9th Cir. 2006) (citing Tackett v. Apfel, 180 F.3d 1094, 1098-99 (9th Cir. 1999)). In the first step, the Commissioner must determine whether the claimant is currently engaged in substantial gainful activity; if so, the claimant is not disabled and the claim is denied.

Section 404.1520 requires disability claims to be evaluated through a five-step sequence, and a claimant is presumed disabled at step three when an impairment meets or equals a listed impairment, so the ALJ need not decide past relevant work or other jobs.

Mitchell v. Saul · filed 2020-07-23(a) (d)

To determine whether a claimant is disabled, an ALJ is required to employ a five-step sequential analysis, examining: (1) whether the claimant is “doing substantial gainful activity”; (2) whether the claimant has a “severe medically determinable physical or mental impairment” or combination of impairments that has lasted for more than 12 months; (3) whether the impairment “meets or equals” one of the listings in the regulations; (4) whether, given the claimant’s “residual functional capacity” (“RFC”) the claimant can still do her “past relevant work”; and (5) whether the claimant “can make an adjustment to other work.” ... “If a claimant has an impairment or combination of impairments that meets or equals a condition outlined in the ‘Listing of Impairments,’ then the claimant is presumed disabled at step three, and the ALJ need not make any specific finding as to his or her ability to perform past relevant work or any other jobs.”

Section 404.1520 establishes the five-step sequential evaluation process used to determine whether a claimant is disabled.

Capers v. Berryhill · filed 2020-07-24

Pursuant to regulations promulgated by the Commissioner, a five-step sequential evaluation process is used to determine whether the claimant’s condition meets the Act’s definition of disability. See 20 C.F.R. § 404.1520. This process is essentially as follows: ... [I]f the Commissioner determines (1) that the claimant is not working, (2) that he [or she] has a ‘severe impairment,’ (3) that the impairment is not one [listed in Appendix 1 of the regulations] that conclusively requires a determination of disability, and (4) that the claimant is not capable of continuing in his [or her] prior type of work, the Commissioner must find him [or her] disabled if (5) there is not another type of work the claimant can do.

Section 404.1520(a)(4) requires disability claims to be evaluated through a five-step sequential process addressing work activity, severe impairments, listed impairments, past relevant work, and other available work.

Dickinson v. Commissioner of Social Security · filed 2020-07-28(a)(4)

Social Security Regulations require ALJs to resolve a disability claim through a five-step sequential evaluation of the evidence. See 20 C.F.R. § 404.1520(a)(4). Although a dispositive finding at any step terminates the ALJ’s review, see Colvin v. Barnhart, 475 F.3d 727, 730 (6th Cir. 2007), if fully considered, the sequential review considers and answers five questions: 1. Is the claimant engaged in substantial gainful activity? 2. Does the claimant suffer from one or more severe impairments? 3. Do the claimant’s severe impairments, alone or in combination, meet or equal the criteria of an impairment set forth in the Commissioner’s Listing of Impairments, 20 C.F.R. Subpart P, Appendix 1? 4. Considering the claimant's residual functional capacity, can the claimant perform his or her past relevant work? 5. Considering the claimant’s age, education, past work experience, and residual functional capacity, can the claimant perform other work available in the national economy?

Section 404.1520 requires disability claims to be evaluated through five sequential steps, and § 404.1520(a)(4) stops the evaluation when a claimant is conclusively found disabled or not disabled at a step.

Cooke v. Berryhill · filed 2020-07-29(a)(4)

The Commissioner uses a five-step process in evaluating DIB claims. See 20 C.F.R. § 404.1520 (2019). See also Heckler v. Campbell, 461 U.S. 458, 460-62 (1983); Hall v. Harris, 658 F.2d 260, 264-65 (4th Cir. 1981). This process requires the Commissioner to consider, in order, whether a claimant 1) is working; 2) has a severe impairment; 3) has an impairment that meets or equals the requirements of a listed impairment; 4) can return to his past relevant work; and 5) if not, whether he can perform other work. See 20 C.F.R. § 404.1520. If the Commissioner finds conclusively that a claimant is or is not disabled at any point in this process, review does not proceed to the next step. See 20 C.F.R. § 404.1520(a)(4) (2019).

Section 404.1520 establishes a five-step sequential process for determining whether a claimant is disabled, including a final inquiry into whether the claimant can perform other work.

Brewer v. Commissioner of Social Security · filed 2020-07-29

The Commissioner has established a five-step sequential evaluation process to determine whether an individual is disabled under the Act. See 20 C.F.R. §§ 404.1520, 416.920. The Supreme Court of the United States recognized the validity of this analysis in Bowen v. Yuckert, and it remains the proper approach for analyzing whether a claimant is disabled.

Section 404.1520 requires disability claims to be evaluated through a five-step sequential process, including assessment of residual functional capacity and whether the claimant can perform past or other work.

Zhu v. Social Security Administration, Commissioner of · filed 2020-08-06

The Commissioner has established a five-step sequential evaluation process to determine disability. 20 C.F.R. § 404.1520; Wilson v. Astrue, 602 F.3d 1136, 1139 (10th Cir. 2010). If at any step a finding of disability or non-disability can be made, the Commissioner will not review the claim further. At step one, the agency will find non-disability unless the claimant can show that he is not working at a “substantial gainful activity.” Williams v. Bowen, 844 F.2d 748, 750 (10th Cir. 1988). At step two, the agency will find non-disability unless the claimant shows that he has a severe impairment. At step three, the agency determines whether the impairment which enabled the claimant to survive step two is on the list of impairments presumed severe enough to render one disabled. Id. at 751. If the claimant’s impairment does not meet or equal a listed impairment, the agency determines the claimant’s residual functional capacity (“RFC”). 20 C.F.R. § 404.1520(e). The RFC assessment is used to evaluate the claim at both step four and step five. 20 C.F.R. § 404.1520(a)(4); § 404.1520(f), (g). At step four, the agency must determine whether the claimant can perform previous work. If a claimant shows that he cannot perform the previous work, the fifth and final step requires the agency to consider vocational factors (the claimant’s age, education, and past work experience) and to determine whether the claimant is capable of performing other jobs existing in significant numbers in the national economy.