Claude R. Ansel v. Caspar Weinberger, Secretary of Health, Education and Welfare, Defendant

LIVELY, Circuit Judge.

This is an appeal from denial of black lung benefits to a 75-year-old ex-coal miner with a fourth-grade education who worked in underground mines from 1914 to 1959. He has not worked since the last mine where he was employed was closed in 1959.

Mr. Ansel first sought benefits under the Federal Coal Mine Health and Safety Act of 1969. His application was denied on a finding that the evidence, including chest X-ray, did not show that he had pneumoconiosis. The finding of no pneumoconiosis and the denial of benefits were affirmed on reconsideration. The Black Lung Benefits…