Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-arwd-5_06-cv-05206/USCOURTS-arwd-5_06-cv-05206-0/pdf.json

Nature of Suit Code: 863
Nature of Suit: Social Security - DIWC/DIWW (405(g))
Cause of Action: 42:0405g Review of HHS Decision (RSI)

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AO72A

(Rev. 8/82)

Michael J. Astrue became the Social Security Commissioner on February 12, 2007. Pursuant to Rule 25(d)(1) of 1

 the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, Michael J. Astrue 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

BILLY J. WILLIS PLAINTIFF

v. CIVIL NO. 06-5206

MICHAEL J. ASTRUE, Commissioner 1

Social Security Administration DEFENDANT

MEMORANDUM OPINION

Plaintiff Billy J. Willis brings this action pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 405(g) seeking judicial

review of a decision of the Commissioner of the Social SecurityAdministration (Commissioner)

denying his applications for period of disability and disability insurance benefits (DIB) and

supplemental security income (SSI ) benefits under the provisions of Titles II and XVI of the

Social Security Act. (Doc. # 1). The defendant filed an answer to plaintiff's action on December

21, 2006, asserting that the findings of the Commissioner were supported by substantial evidence

and were conclusive. (Doc. # 7). Plaintiff filed an appeal brief on January 22, 2007. (Doc. # 12).

On February 26, 2007, the Commissioner, having changed positions, filed a motion

requesting that plaintiff's case be remanded pursuant to "sentence four" of section 405(g) in order

to conduct further administrative proceedings. (Doc. # 17). The defendant states that upon

remand, the ALJ will reassess the functional limitations imposed by plaintiff’s borderline

intelligence and if needed contact a medical expert for clarification. The ALJ will also obtain

evidence from a vocational expert.

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AO72A

(Rev. 8/82)

2

The exclusive methods by which a district court may remand a social security case to the

Commissioner are set forth in "sentence four" and "sentence six" of 42 U.S.C. § 405(g). A

remand pursuant to "sentence six" is limited to two situations: where the Commissioner requests

a remand before answering the complaint, or where the court orders the Commissioner to

consider new, material evidence that was for good cause not presented before the agency. The

Fourth sentence of the statute provides that "[t]he court shall have power to enter, upon the

pleadings and transcript of the record, a judgment affirming, modifying, or reversing the decision

of the Commissioner of Social Security, with or without remanding the cause for a rehearing."

42 U.S.C. § 405(g); Shalala v. Schaefer, 509 U.S. 292, 296, 113 S.Ct. 2625 (1993).

Here, we find remand for the purpose of the ALJ to further evaluate the evidence as

addressed above appropriate. 

Based on the foregoing, we find remand appropriate and grant the Commissioner's

motion to remand this case to the Commissioner for further administrative action pursuant to

"sentence four" of section 405(g). 

DATED this 26 day of February 2007. th

/s/ J. Marschewski 

 HON. JAMES R. MARSCHEWSKI 

 UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE

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