Armstrong
Armstrong v. Commissioner of the Social Security Administration
Opinion
Lead Opinion
Trott, J.
I. OVERVIEW
Jerry Armstrong (“Armstrong”) appeals a district court decision affirming the Administrative Law Judge’s (“ALJ”) decision denying him Disability Insurance Benefits (“DIB”). Armstrong filed applications for DIB and Supplemental Security Income (“SSI”). After a hearing, the ALJ found Armstrong disabled and awarded SSI but denied disability benefits. The district court affirmed and Armstrong appealed. On appeal Armstrong argues that the ALJ erred in failing to call a medical expert to determine the onset date of his disabilities. We have jurisdiction pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1291 , and we reverse and remand.
II. BACKGROUND
Armstrong was born on November 11, 1940. He has a high school education and his work history includes work as an insurance salesman, janitor, bartender, and logger. Armstrong also owned his own janitorial service for fourteen years. Since 1986, when he gave up his janitorial business, Armstrong has worked very little. His most recent job was as a bartender, where he was terminated because he could not hear and had to take too many breaks. For the past thirty years, Armstrong’s mental and physical condition has continued to deteriorate.