United States Sixth Circuit

District court's denial of claimant's application for disability insurance benefits is affirmed where, although the ALJ clearly did not make the required findings regarding the severity of claimant's mental impairment, the error was harmless because it did not deprive the claimant of a substantial right nor did it prejudice him on the merits as the administrative record indicated that his bipolar disorder was not severe enough to render him disabled.

Appellate Information

• Decided 10/05/2009
• Published 10/05/2009

Judges

• Before:  CLAY and McKEAGUE, Circuit Judges;  HOLSCHUH, Senior District Judge.

Court

• United States Sixth Circuit

Counsel

• For Appellees:
  
• ON BRIEF:  Frederick W. Bleakley, Bleakley Law Offices, P.C., Muskegon, Michigan, for Appellant.  Charles R. Goldstein, Social Security Administration, Office of the General Counsel, Chicago, Illinois, for Appellee.