Zeleta M. Smalls v. Donna E. Shalala, Secretary of the United States Department of Health and Human Services

Opinion for the Court filed by Chief Judge MIKVA.

MIKVA, Chief Judge:

On January 12, 1988, Ms. Smalls filed a claim for disability insurance benefits under Title II of the Social Security Act (“Act”) 42 U.S.C. § 401 et seq., alleging that she had been disabled since November 30, 1983 because of phlebitis in her left leg. The Secretary of Health and Human Services applied the medical vocational guidelines (“grids”) to Ms. Smalls’ case and determined that although she was not physically capable of returning to her past “light work” as a bank teller, she was not disabled within the meaning of the…