Currier V. HEW

Date:

A doctor's conclusory reflections as to claimant's employability, unaccompanied by any formal opinion and diagnoses, do not constitute substantial evidence. Due to non-adversarial nature of proceedings, SSA's responsibility to develop the evidence increases where claimant is unrepresented, where the claim seems on its face to be substantial, where there are gaps in the evidence needed for a reasoned evaluation of the claim, and where it is in the power of the ALJ, without undue effort, to see that the gaps are somewhat filled.