Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-arwd-5_06-cv-05167/USCOURTS-arwd-5_06-cv-05167-1/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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Linda S. McMahon became the Social Security Commissioner on January 20, 2007. 1

Pursuant to Rule 25(d)(1) of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, Linda S. McMahon has

been substituted for acting Commissioner Jo Anne B. Barnhart as the defendant in this suit.

 IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

WESTERN DISTRICT OF ARKANSAS

 FAYETTEVILLE DIVISION

MICHELLE A. LANKFORD PLAINTIFF

v. Civil No. 06-5167

LINDA S. MCMAHON,1

Commissioner, Social Security Administration DEFENDANT

MEMORANDUM AND ORDER

Now on this 7th day of February 2007, there is pending before the undersigned, the

Defendant’s Motion To Remand, filed herein on February 5, 2007, by the Commissioner of Social

Security (hereinafter “Commissioner”) (Doc. #11). To date, no Response has been filed by the

plaintiff. 

In the instant motion, the defendant asserts that reversal of her decision, and remand of this

matter are necessary, in that the Commissioner wishes to conduct further administrative

proceedings. Specifically, the Commissioner states:

The Commissioner has concluded that remand for further proceedings, pursuant to

sentence four of 42 U. S. C. § 405(g), is warranted. Upon remand, allegations of

pain and other symptoms should be considered by the Administrative Law Judge

in determining whether Plaintiff had an impairment that was severe as of her date

last insured. (citations omitted). The proper step-two severity standard should be

applied and set forth in both the text and findings of the new decision. SSR 96-3p.

The opinions of Plaintiff’s treating physicians, including the March 2005 postdecision letter from treating physician Christopher A. Arnold, M. D. (Tr. 162),

should be considered.

(Doc. #11). 

Further, the Commissioner submits that this matter may be reversed and remanded pursuant

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to sentence four, 42 U.S.C. § 405(g). (Doc. #11). Sentence four provides:

The court shall have the power to enter, upon the pleadings and transcript of the

record, a judgment affirming, modifying, or reversing the decision of the

[Commissioner], with or without remanding the cause for a rehearing. 

42 U.S.C. § 405(g). 

Accordingly, we conclude that the defendant’s motion requesting reversal of the decision

and remand is well taken. The Commissioner’s decision is reversed and this matter is hereby

remanded, pursuant to sentence four, 42 U.S.C. § 405(g), for further proceedings. In addition, the

undersigned finds that the plaintiff’s Complaint should be and hereby is dismissed without

prejudice to the subsequent filing for attorney’s fees pursuant to the Equal Access to Justice Act,

28 U.S.C. § 2412. A separate Judgment shall be entered herein pursuant to Fed. R. Civ. P. 58 and

52.

IT IS SO ORDERED.

/s/ J. Marschewski

HON. JAMES R. MARSCHEWSKI 

UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE 

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