Gill had filed a claim for SSDI on November 22, 2013, which was initially denied on February 8, 2014, and denied once again at reconsideration on May 4, 2014. Gill appeared at a hearing before an Administrative Law Judge in Seattle, Washington on June 16, 2015. Gill was represented by John Chihak. A vocational expert also appeared at the hearing and testified.
In preparation for the hearing, Chihak + Chihak obtained medical evidence form the Pioneer Square Clinic in downtown Seattle, Harborview Medical Center in Seattle, and Seattle Counseling Services.
At the hearing, Gill testified through an interpreter that he has severe physical and emotional problems that are triggered by his degenerative joint disease, rotator cuff tendonitis, osteoarthritis, insomnia, and depression. Gill said that his constant pain and depression keep him from working his prior job as a janitor. Gill stated that his symptoms are very unpredictable and have become worse over time.
Upon completion of Gill’s testimony, the Administrative Law Judge took testimony from a vocational expert. Based on Gill’s inability to speak English and his severe physical and mental limitations, the vocational expert stated that Gill would not have sufficient skills that would allow him to perform any occupation in the national economy. Upon the conclusion of the vocational expert’s testimony, the Administrative Law Judge found that the limitations that Gill experiences from his physical and mental health problems was inconsistent with the ability to perform a full-time 40 hour a week job. The Administrative Law Judge based her opinion on the testimony of vocational expert and on the medical evidence obtained by Chihak + Chihak. Gill’s disability claim was approved.
