Summary
A 2001 judicial decision from the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals established a directive for evaluating disability claims where substance use disorders, such as drug addiction or alcoholism, are present. This directive requires an Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) to initially assess all co-existing impairments collectively, before determining the primary role or impact of the substance use on the disability claim.
Summary
A 2001 decision by the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals outlined a specific procedure for assessing disability claims involving drug addiction or alcoholism. This ruling requires an Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) to first consider all of an individual's impairments in their totality. This comprehensive evaluation must occur before determining the significance or materiality of the substance use in relation to the overall disability.
Summary
In a 2001 legal case, the Ninth Circuit court decided that when an Administrative Law Judge evaluates disability claims involving drug addiction or alcoholism, the judge must first consider all of a person's health issues together. This evaluation should happen before determining how significant the substance use is to the disability.
Summary
A court made a ruling in 2001. When a judge looks at claims for disability, and the person has problems with drug or alcohol use, the judge must first look at all of the person's health problems together. This step happens before the judge decides how much the drug or alcohol use truly matters to the case.