Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-alnd-5_13-cv-00936/USCOURTS-alnd-5_13-cv-00936-0/pdf.json

Nature of Suit Code: 864
Nature of Suit: Social Security - SSID Title XVI
Cause of Action: 42:405 Review of HHS Decision (SSID)

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UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

NORTHERN DISTRICT OF ALABAMA

NORTHEASTERN DIVISION

HENRY LOUIS CARTER,

Claimant,

vs.

CAROLYN W. COLVIN, Acting

Commissioner, Social Security

Administration, 

Defendant.

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Case No. CV-13-S-936-NE

MEMORANDUM OPINION AND ORDER 

Claimant, Henry Louis Carter, commenced this action on May 16, 2013,

pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 405(g), seeking judicial review of a final adverse decision of

the Commissioner, affirming the decision of the Administrative Law Judge (“ALJ”),

and thereby denying his claim for a period of disability and disability insurance

benefits. 

The court’s role in reviewing claims brought under the Social Security Act is

a narrow one. The scope of review is limited to determining whether there is

substantial evidence in the record as a whole to support the findings of the

Commissioner, and whether correct legal standards were applied. See Lamb v. Bowen,

847 F.2d 698, 701 (11th Cir. 1988); Tieniber v. Heckler, 720 F.2d 1251, 1253 (11th

Cir. 1983).

FILED

 2014 Apr-14 PM 03:43

U.S. DISTRICT COURT

N.D. OF ALABAMA

Case 5:13-cv-00936-CLS Document 11 Filed 04/14/14 Page 1 of 3
Claimant contends that the Commissioner’s decision is neither supported by

substantial evidence nor in accordance with applicable legal standards. Specifically,

claimant asserts that the ALJ improperly determined his residual functional capacity

without the benefit of a medical source opinion or an assessment by a medical expert. 

Upon review of the record, the court concludes that this contention lacks merit, and

that the Commissioner’s ruling is due to be affirmed. 

It is true that the ALJ 

has an obligation to develop a full and fair record, even if the claimant

is represented by counsel. Cowart v. Schweiker, 662 F.2d 731, 735 (11th

Cir. 1981). The ALJ is not required to seek additional independent

expert medical testimony before making a disability determination if the

record is sufficient and additional expert testimony is not necessary for

an informed decision. Wilson v. Apfel, 179 F.3d 1276, 1278 (11th Cir.

1999) (holding the record, which included the opinion of several

physicians, was sufficient for the ALJ to arrive at a decision); Holladay

v. Bowen, 848 F.2d 1206, 1209-10 (11th Cir. 1988) (holding the ALJ

must order a consultative exam when it is necessary for an informed

decision). 

Nation v. Barnhart, 153 F. App’x 597, 598 (11th Cir. 2005) (emphasis supplied).1

Furthermore, claimant bears the ultimate burden of producing evidence to support his

disability claim. See Ellison v. Barnhart, 355 F.3d 1272, 1276 (11thCir. 2003) (citing

20 C.F.R. §§ 416.912(a), (c)).

The court concludes that the record in this case was sufficient, even absent any

Even claimant acknowledges that “there is no express requirement for an MSO or RFC 1

assessment to be of record in order for the ALJ to make RFC findings.” Doc. no. 9 (claimant’s

brief), at 5.

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Case 5:13-cv-00936-CLS Document 11 Filed 04/14/14 Page 2 of 3
additional consultative report or medical source statement, for the ALJ to arrive at an

informed decision. The medical record includes office notes from claimant’s treating

providers, the report of a consultative examiner, and claimant’s own testimony that 2

he could return to his previous job as a forklift operator.3

In light of the foregoing, the court concludes the ALJ’s decision was based

upon substantial evidence and in accordance with applicable legal standards. 

Accordingly, the decision of the Commissioner is AFFIRMED. Costs are taxed

against claimant. The Clerk is directed to close this file.

DONE this 14th day of April, 2014.

______________________________

United States District Judge

 Tr. 187-90. 2

 Tr. 90. 3

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Case 5:13-cv-00936-CLS Document 11 Filed 04/14/14 Page 3 of 3