Carter v. Social Security Administration, Commissioner

Claimant Carter applied for disability benefits, alleging physical and mental impairments. After an Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) denied the claim, the Appeals Council declined review, making the denial final. Carter sued in federal district court, which affirmed the Commissioner's decision. On appeal, the Eleventh Circuit reviewed whether the ALJ properly evaluated medical opinions and Carter's subjective symptom testimony. The court applied the substantial evidence standard, examining the record for relevant evidence that a reasonable mind might accept as adequate. Finding that the ALJ articulated specific reasons for discounting certain medical assessments and Carter's complaints, and that these reasons were backed by record evidence, the appellate court held that the ALJ's findings were conclusive.

The Eleventh Circuit affirmed the district court's judgment, upholding the Commissioner's final decision that Carter was not disabled within the meaning of the Social Security Act.

Whether the Administrative Law Judge's denial of disability benefits was supported by substantial evidence, particularly regarding the evaluation of medical source opinions and the claimant's subjective statements about pain and limitations.

The decision reiterates the highly deferential substantial-evidence standard that governs judicial review of Social Security disability determinations, reinforcing that courts may not reweigh evidence or substitute their judgment for the ALJ's, and illustrating the difficulty claimants face in overturning an agency's factual findings on appeal.