Edythe WEETMAN, Plaintiff-Appellant, v. Louis J. SULLIVAN, Defendant-Appellee

Appellant Edythe Weetman appeals the district court’s affirmance of a decision of the Secretary of Health and Human Services (“Secretary”) denying her claim for disability benefits under Title II of the Social Security Act. Appellant contends that the Secretary improperly discounted her subjective pain testimony and erroneously ignored the evidence of disability offered by her treating physicians. We believe substantial evidence supports the Secretary’s decision and, accordingly, we affirm.

PROCEEDINGS BELOW

Appellant filed for Title II benefits in September 1984. Her claim was denied initially and again after reconsideration. Appellant then obtained a hearing before an Administrative Law Judge (“AU”) who decided at the outset that her eligibility for benefits was restricted to the period between November 25, 1979, and June 30, 1982. The AU then heard testimony from Appellant, Appellant’s husband, and a vocational expert. Appellant testified that she suffered from symptoms of Meniers disease, which, according to her, effectively prevented her from standing or sitting for extended periods. Further, Appellant testified that her ailment prevented her from using her hands, from…