Dixie Fuel Co. v. Director, Office of Workers' Compensation Programs

OPINION

SUTTON, Circuit Judge.

For two decades, Arlis Hensley tried to obtain benefits under the Black Lung Benefits Act. 30 U.S.C. § 901 et seq. On his third try, he succeeded — or so it seemed. An Administrative Law Judge concluded that Hensley’s pulmonary troubles arose from the thirteen years he spent in the coal mines as opposed to a long-time smoking habit or other causes. As misfortune would have it, the ALJ erred in reaching this conclusion by failing to adhere to a key regulatory directive in weighing the medical evidence concerning Hensley’s disease. As a result, we must reverse and…