United States Ninth Circuit

Administrative Law Judges may not determine that a claimant's mental impairments are the product and consequence of alcohol abuse prior to making a determination that a claimant is disabled under the five-step inquiry of 20 CFR 404.1520 and 416.920.

Appellate Information

• Argued 02/15/2001
• Decided 08/27/2001
• Published 08/27/2001

Judges

• PAEZ, Circuit Judge:, Before:  B. FLETCHER, FERNANDEZ, and PAEZ, Circuit Judges.

Court

• United States Ninth Circuit

Counsel

• For Appellant:
  
• Harvey P. Sackett,A Professional Law Corporation, San Jose, California, for the plaintiff-appellant.


• For Appellees:
  
• Lorna K. Li, Office of Regional Counsel, Social Security Administration, San Francisco, California, for the defendant-appellee.