West and Secretary, Department of Social Services (Social services second review)

This matter concerned an appeal to the Administrative Appeals Tribunal (AAT) regarding a decision by the Secretary of the Department of Social Services to refuse a disability support pension. The applicant, Ms. West, sought the pension on the basis of a permanent impairment and a continuing inability to work.

The Tribunal was required to determine whether Ms. West met the criteria for a disability support pension, specifically whether she had a permanent impairment that attracted a sufficient number of points on the relevant impairment tables, and whether this impairment resulted in a continuing inability to work in any capacity.

The Tribunal considered the medical evidence presented, including reports from treating doctors and specialists, in assessing the severity and permanence of Ms. West's impairments. It applied the principles outlined in the *Social Security Act 1991* (Cth) and the relevant impairment tables, focusing on whether the assessed level of impairment met the threshold for a pension. The Tribunal found that while Ms. West had impairments, they did not attract sufficient points under the impairment tables to qualify her for a disability support pension. Furthermore, the Tribunal concluded that the evidence did not establish a continuing inability to work in any capacity.

Consequently, the Tribunal affirmed the decision of the Secretary of the Department of Social Services.