John Fife v. Director, Office of Workers' Compensation Programs, United States Department of Labor

John Fife appeals from the decision of the Benefits Review Board (BRB) denying him black lung benefits. Fife alleges that he developed pneumoconiosis from thirty-two years work in the coal mines. Upon our review of the record, we affirm the decision of the Board.

I

Fife, who was born on September 21, 1912, first filed for social security disability benefits in 1971. In April 1978, after having been denied social security benefits several times, he elected to have the Department of Labor (DOL) review his claims under the Black Lung Benefits Reform Act of 1977. In November 1980, the DOL denied…