Clarence Williams v. Elliot L. Richardson, Secretary of Health, Education and Welfare

458 F.2d 991, 1972 U.S. App. LEXIS 10005

• Court: Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit
• Decided: April 19, 1972
• Docket: 72-1049
• Status: Published

Opinion

PER CURIAM:

Clarence Williams appeals from a judgment of the district court affirming a final decision of the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare denying Williams’s application for the establishment of a period of disability and for disability benefits under 42 U.S.C. §§ 416 (i) and 423. See 42 U.S.C. § 405(g). Because the decision of the Secretary is supported by substantial evidence on the record as a whole, we affirm. See Universal Camera Corp. v. N. L. R. B., 1951, 340 U.S. 474, 71 S.Ct. 456, 95 L.Ed. 456; Jackson v. Richardson, 5 Cir. 1971, 449 F.2d 1326; Blanks v. Richardson, 5 Cir. 1971, 439 F.2d 1158; Richardson v. Richardson, 5 Cir. 1970, 437 F.2d 109; Cooper v. Finch, 5 Cir. 1970, 433 F.2d 315; Brown v. Finch, 5 Cir. 1970, 429 F.2d 80; Rome v. Finch, 5 Cir. 1969, 409 F.2d 1329; 42 U.S.C. § 405(g).

In a disability case involving complex physiological issues, we disapprove of the action of the hearing examiner relying on his own interpretation of medical texts rather than the opinion of qualified experts. We do not believe, however, that, in view of substantial evidence to support the Secretary’s determination, this was reversible error.

Affirmed.