Clarence Hobbs v. Clinchfield Coal Company Director, Office of Workers Compensation Programs, United States Department of Labor

Affirmed by published opinion. Judge MICHAEL wrote the opinion, in which Judge WIDENER and Judge MOTZ joined.

OPINION

MICHAEL, District Judge:

Clarence Hobbs (“Hobbs”) appeals from a decision of the Benefits Review Board (“BRB”) affirming the decision of an Administrative Law Judge (“ALJ”) denying him black lung benefits. The ALJ found that although Hobbs suffers from pneumoconiosis and is totally disabled, the pneumoconiosis is not a contributing cause of his total disability pursuant to 20 C.F.R. § 718.204(c)(4) (1994). We affirm.

I

Hobbs filed a claim for black lung benefits on September 23,…