McCarthy v. Social Security Administration, Commissioner

McCarthy filed for disability benefits, but the Social Security Administration denied the claim. An Administrative Law Judge found McCarthy retained the capacity for light work with limitations. McCarthy appealed, arguing the agency failed to properly weigh medical opinions and assess symptoms. The Appeals Council denied review. The U.S. District Court affirmed the Commissioner's final decision. McCarthy then appealed to the First Circuit. The core contention was whether the agency's decision was supported by substantial evidence in the record. On August 25, 2025, the appellate court reviewed the administrative proceedings and the lower court’s judgment.

The United States Court of Appeals for the First Circuit affirmed the district court's judgment, upholding the Commissioner's decision to deny Social Security disability benefits.

Whether the Social Security Administration's denial of disability benefits was supported by substantial evidence, specifically regarding the evaluation of McCarthy's residual functional capacity and the weight given to medical opinions.

The decision reinforces the high bar for claimants to overturn agency findings on substantial evidence review. It highlights the critical importance of fully developing the medical record during administrative proceedings, as courts afford significant deference to agency evaluations of residual functional capacity.