Light

Michael Light, Sr., first applied for disability insurance and supplemental security income (“SSI”) benefits in December 1989, and an administrative law judge (“ALJ”) denied his claim in January 1992. Light did not challenge that decision but instead filed a new application, which is at issue in this appeal, on February 8, 1993. In his 1993 application, Light claimed that he suffered from a combination of disabling mental and physical handicaps, including pain in his shoulders, arms, wrists, back, and knees, as well as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (“ADHD”) and borderline mental retardation (his IQ is 72). According to Light, these maladies, which he contends have grown more severe since January 1992, render him disabled and unable to work. The ALJ who heard his 1993 claim concluded that Light suffers from severe physical impairments rendering him unable to resume any of his previous jobs, but that the Commissioner satisfied her burden of proving that Light’s residual functional capacity is sufficient to permit other, less strenuous work.

The ALJ denied Light’s application for benefits. The Appeals Council denied Light’s request for review. Light then appealed to the…