Comas Johnson v. Island Creek Coal Co., and Director, Office of Workers' Compensation Programs, United States Department of Labor

KRUPANSKY, Circuit Judge.

Petitioner, Comas Johnson (Johnson), petitioned this court for review of the decision of the Benefits Review Board of the United States Department of Labor (Board) denying him disability benefits under the Black Lung Benefits Act, 30 U.S.C. § 901, et seq.

Johnson worked as a coal miner for approximately 19 years and had an eighth grade education. Johnson retired in 1975 when he began experiencing shortness of breath, and subsequently filed a claim for black lung disability benefits on April 22, 1977. His claim was denied initially on February 27, 1980, and Johnson…