William S. McLaughlin v. Secretary of Health, Education and Welfare of the United States

OAKES, Circuit Judge:

Appellant pro se sought disability benefits under the Social Security Act, 42 U.S.C. § 423. At two hearings before an administrative law judge (ALJ), appellant’s treating physician Dr. Fiore, appellant’s wife (who assisted him as counsel) and appellant himself testified as to his disability, but there were also reports of an orthopedic surgeon, a neurosurgeon, and a psychiatrist who were in opposition. The ALJ then took testimony from a “medical adviser.” 1 The adviser was Dr. Clark, an orthopedic surgeon who had examined the other doctors’ reports and various hospital…