Jeffries

MEMORANDUM ***

Paula Jeffries appeals the district court’s order affirming an Administrative Law Judge’s (“ALJ’s”) denial of her application for Social Security disability insurance benefits. Ms. Jeffries alleged that she was exposed to dangerous levels of formaldehyde and other chemicals, resulting in immunotoxieity syndrome, toxic encephalopathy, and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.

We reversed the ALJ’s first decision to deny Ms. Jeffries’ application because of inconsistencies in the decision concerning the severity of Ms. Jeffries’ respiratory condition. We observed that the ALJ had found that Ms. Jeffries is afflicted with a “severe” impairment, chemical sensitivity, that prevented her exposure to even moderate amounts of dust, fumes or odors, but also found that Ms. Jeffries was capable of performing past relevant work because it did not involve exposure to “excessive” amounts of environment pollutants. As a result of this apparent contradiction, we remanded with instructions that the ALJ reconsider his findings, and suggested that the determination of Ms. Jeffries’ case may be aided by additional evidence, including the opinion of a vocational expert. On remand, the ALJ…