ALJ's Failure to Consider Environmental Limitations Not Reversible Error

NEW ORLEANS - The 5th Circuit Court of Appeals has affirmed an administrative law judge's denial of disability benefits despite finding that the AJL failed to consider environmental limitations other than lifting ability, saying it was not reversible error. January v. Astrue, No. 10-30345 (5th Cir.).

The Circuit Court's per curiam opinion was issued Nov. 5 in Anna Maria January's appeal of a claim denial based primarily on neck and back problems.

An administrative law judge, acting after a hearing, concluded that January does suffer from a severe impairment in her cervical, thoracic and lumbar spine, but that her residual …