Gardner

*194 MEMORANDUM **

Jack K. Gardner filed an application for Title II Social Security disability benefits in 1997. An Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) held a hearing on the application in February 2000. Gardner was not represented by counsel at the hearing, but a medical expert, vocational expert, and a lay witness all gave testimony. The ALJ denied Gardner’s application on May 1, 2000, and Gardner sought judicial review in United States District Court. The district court entered judgment on February 8, 2002, affirming the Commissioner’s decision that Gardner was not entitled to disability benefits. Gardner appeals.

Currently fifty years old, Gardner alleges he became unable to work due to disabling conditions on June 26, 1997. Gardner has a post-graduate college education and past relevant work experience as an environmental hydrogeologist. He claims he suffered a mental breakdown on his last day of employment, which resulted in a sudden and total disability. In addition to his mental breakdown, Gardner has testified to several physical problems which affect his ability to work. These include: hepatitis C, chronic fatigue (related to his hepatitis), colitis, and…