Peal L. Seals v. John W. Gardner, Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare

356 F.2d 508

• Court: Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit
• Decided: February 11, 1966
• Docket: 22586
• Status: Published

Opinion

PER CURIAM:

This was an action to review a decision of the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare denying appellant disability benefits under the Social Security Act. The Secretary found that on or before September 30, 1957, appellant was not unable to engage in substantial gainful activity. The cut-off date on the earnings requirement of the Act was, as stated, September 30, 1957. Because there is no evidence of its appearance prior to May 31,1958, an element of back trouble involved in this case could not have been considered by the Secretary.

The other claimed disability stemmed from an accident which occurred on December 8, 1955, as result of which it became necessary surgically to remove certain fatty tumors, or lipomas, from claimant’s leg. That this disability was not such as to preclude substantial gainful activity on the part of appellant is amply supported by substantial evidence. The District Court, therefore, correctly affirmed the denial of disability benefits to the claimant. Celebrezze v. O’Brient, (5 Cir. 1963), 323 F.2d 989.

Affirmed.