Jamie Adaire v. Carolyn Colvin

POSNER, Circuit Judge.

This is an appeal by an applicant for social security disability benefits. The district court upheld the Social Security Administration’s denial of the benefits sought.

When the applicant was 15 years old, rods (called “Harrington rods”) were inserted into his spine to correct a 57-de-gree curvature of the spine caused by scoliosis. Any curvature greater than 50 degrees is considered severe. The rods were partially effective. Although they greatly reduced the curvature of his spine (to 15 degrees), he developed — whether despite or because of the rods — chronic back…