Decisions, Decisions (April/May 2023)

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• 9th Cir. (Unpub.)

  • Administrator’s failure to review claimant’s SSDI file cured by district court’s review of supplemental material. Denial of benefits affirmed.  (Walker v. AT&T Benefit Plan No. 3 (de novo/“any occupation”).)

• N.D. Cal.

  •  A “plain reading” of the Plan makes exhaustion optional, so it is. Summary judgment denied. (Jackson v. The Guardian Life.)

• W.D. Wash.

  • Executive’s disabling visual impairment supported over paper reviewers’ skepticism. Benefits awarded. (Goodman v. First Unum Life (de novo/“regular occupation”).)

  • “Frequently” can mean more than or less than four hours on the IME’s forms.   Benefits awarded. (Waldrip v. Reliance Standard Life (de novo/“any occupation”).)