United States Fourth Circuit

In an appeal from an order denying a request for review of an administrative law judge's (ALJ) denial of Social Security disability insurance benefits, order is reversed where although the Appeals Council need not explain its reasoning when denying review of an ALJ's decision, it cannot be determined, in the instant case and from review of the record as a whole, if substantial evidence supports the denial of benefits.

Appellate Information

• Argued 10/27/2011
• Decided 12/02/2011
• Published 12/02/2011

Judges

• MOTZ, Before MOTZ, KING, and DUNCAN, Circuit Judges.

Court

• United States Fourth Circuit

Counsel

• For Appellees:
  
• ARGUED:Robertson H. Wendt, Jr., Law Offices of Robertson Wendt, North Charleston, South Carolina, for Appellant. Jennifer Randall, Social Security Administration, Denver, Colorado, for Appellee. ON BRIEF:William N. Nettles, United States Attorney, Marvin J. Caughman, Assistant United States Attorney, Office of the United States Attorney, Columbia, South Carolina; Dorrelyn K. Dietrich, Special Assistant United States Attorney, Social Security Administration, Denver, Colorado, for Appellee.