IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT 

FOR THE NORTHERN DISTRICT OF ILLINOIS

EASTERN DIVISION

JUSTIN C., 

 Claimant,

 v. 

KILOLO KIJAKAZI, 

Acting Commissioner of Social Security, 

 Respondent.

No. 20 C 2149

Magistrate Judge Jeffrey T. Gilbert

MEMORANDUM OPINION AND ORDER

Justin C.1 (“Claimant”) seeks review of the final decision of Respondent Kilolo 

Kijakazi,2 Acting Commissioner of the Social Security Administration 

(“Commissioner”), denying his applications for disability insurance benefits and 

supplemental security income under Titles II and XVI of the Social Security Act, 42 

U.S.C. § 405(g). Pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 636(c) and Local Rule 73.1, the parties 

consented to the exercise of jurisdiction of a United States Magistrate Judge for all 

proceedings, including entry of final judgment. [ECF No. 9]. This Court, therefore, 

has jurisdiction pursuant to 42 U.S.C. §§ 405(g) and 1383(c), and this matter is fully 

briefed and ripe for review. See [ECF Nos. 19, 20, 26]. 

1 Pursuant to Northern District of Illinois Local Rule 8.1 and Internal Operating Procedure 

22, the Court will identify the non-government party by using his first name and the first 

initial of the last name.

2 Kilolo Kijakazi became the Acting Commissioner of Social Security on July 9, 2021. 

Pursuant to Rule 25(d) of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, the Court has substituted 

Acting Commissioner Kijakazi as the named defendant.

Case: 1:20-cv-02149 Document #: 27 Filed: 09/27/22 Page 1 of 10 PageID #:723
2

For the reasons discussed in this Memorandum Opinion and Order, Claimant’s 

Brief in Support of Reversing the Decision of the Commissioner of Social Security

[ECF No. 19], which this Court construes as a motion, is granted. This matter is 

remanded to the Social Security Administration for further proceedings consistent 

with this Memorandum Opinion and Order.

PROCEDURAL HISTORY

On May 17, 2017, Claimant filed applications for disability insurance benefits

and supplemental security income, alleging a disability beginning on July 25, 2009, 

which Claimant later amended to August 2, 2015. (R.14, 221-228). Those applications

were denied initially on February 15, 2017 (R.14, 137-141), and again on 

reconsideration on June 30, 2017 (R.14, 142), after which Claimant requested a 

hearing before an Administrative Law Judge (“ALJ”). (R.14, 151-155). On July 24, 

2018, Claimant appeared and testified at a hearing before ALJ Janet Akers. (R.14, 

31-69). At the hearing, Claimant was represented by attorney Jessica Triebe. (R.14). 

During the hearing, the ALJ also heard testimony from vocational expert Bonnie 

Martindale. (R.14). 

On January 25, 2019, the ALJ issued her decision denying Claimant’s 

applications for disability insurance benefits and supplement security income. (R.14-

25). In finding Claimant was not disabled within the meaning of the Social Security 

Act, the ALJ followed the five-step evaluation process required by the Social Security 

Regulations for individuals over the age of 18. See 20 C.F.R. § 404.1520(a). At step 

one, the ALJ found Claimant met the insured status requirement of the Social 

Case: 1:20-cv-02149 Document #: 27 Filed: 09/27/22 Page 2 of 10 PageID #:724
3

Security Act through March 31, 2017, and that Claimant had not engaged in 

substantial gainful activity since August 2, 2015, the amended alleged onset date of 

his disability. (R.16). At step two, the ALJ found that Claimant has severe 

impairments, including degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine. (R.16).

At step three, the ALJ found that Claimant did not have an impairment or 

combination of impairments that met or medically equaled the severity of one of the 

listed impairments in 20 C.F.R. Part 404, Subpart P, Appendix 1 (20 C.F.R. §§ 

404.1520(d), 404.1525, 404.1526). (R.17). The ALJ then determined that Claimant 

has the residual functional capacity (“RFC”) to perform light work as defined in 20 

C.F.R. § 404.1567(b) except “he can alternate from sitting to standing every 30 

minutes for 1 to 2 minutes while remaining at the work station with no change in 

work process; can occasionally climb ladders, ropes, and scaffolds; can occasionally 

stoop and crawl; can frequently reach overhead with the left upper extremity; can 

have no exposure to moving mechanical parts and unprotected heights and cannot

perform production rate or pace work.” (R.19).

At step four, the ALJ determined that Claimant could not perform his past 

relevant work. (R.23). At step five, the ALJ considered Claimant’s age, education, 

work experience, and RFC and concluded there are a significant number of jobs in 

the national economy that Claimant could perform (R.23). For all these reasons, the 

ALJ found Claimant was not disabled under the Social Security Act. (R.24). The 

Appeals Council declined to review the matter on February 6, 2020 (R.2-7), making 

the ALJ’s decision the final decision of the Commissioner. Therefore, this Court now 

Case: 1:20-cv-02149 Document #: 27 Filed: 09/27/22 Page 3 of 10 PageID #:725
4

has jurisdiction to review this matter. See 42 U.S.C. § 405(g); see also Smith v. 

Berryhill, 139 S. Ct. 1765, 1775 (2019); Haynes v. Barnhart, 416 F.3d 621, 626 (7th

Cir. 2005).

STANDARD OF REVIEW

A decision by an ALJ becomes the Commissioner’s final decision if the Appeals 

Council denies a request for review. See Sims v. Apfel, 530 U.S. 103, 106-07 (2000). 

Judicial review is limited to determining whether an ALJ’s decision is supported by 

substantial evidence in the record and whether the ALJ applied the correct legal 

standards in reaching her decision. See Nelms v. Astrue, 553 F.3d 1093, 1097 (7th Cir. 

2009). The reviewing court may enter 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).

Substantial evidence “means—and means only—such relevant evidence as a 

reasonable mind might accept as adequate to support a conclusion.” Biestek v. 

Berryhill, 139 S.Ct. 1148, 1154 (2019) (internal quotations omitted); see also

Richardson v. Perales, 402 U.S. 389, 401 (1971). A “mere scintilla” of evidence is not 

enough. Biestek, 139 S.Ct. at 1154; Scott v. Barnhart, 297 F.3d 589, 593 (7th Cir. 

2002). Even when there is adequate evidence in the record to support the decision, 

the findings will not be upheld if the ALJ does not “build an accurate and logical 

bridge from the evidence to the conclusion.” Jarnutowski v. Kijakazi, -- F.4th -- , 2022 

WL 4126293, at *6 (7th Cir. Sept. 12, 2022); Berger v. Astrue, 516 F.3d 539, 544 (7th 

Cir. 2008) (internal quotations omitted). In other words, if the Commissioner’s 

Case: 1:20-cv-02149 Document #: 27 Filed: 09/27/22 Page 4 of 10 PageID #:726
5

decision lacks evidentiary support or adequate discussion of the issues, it cannot 

stand. See Villano v. Astrue, 556 F.3d 558, 562 (7th Cir. 2009). 

Though the standard of review is deferential, a reviewing court must “conduct 

a critical review of the evidence” before affirming the Commissioner’s decision. 

Eichstadt v. Astrue, 534 F.3d 663, 665 (7th Cir. 2008) (internal quotations omitted). 

The reviewing court may not, however, “displace the ALJ’s judgment by reconsidering 

facts or evidence, or by making independent credibility determinations.” Elder v. 

Astrue, 529 F.3d 408, 413 (7th Cir. 2008).

ANALYSIS

Claimant raises two arguments challenging the ALJ’s decision: (1) the ALJ

incorrectly assessed Claimant’s physical RFC; and (2) the ALJ’s incorrectly assessed 

Claimant’s testimony about the intensity, persistence, and limiting effects of his 

symptoms. See Claimant’s Brief [ECF No. 19]. The standard of review for these 

arguments is clear and not controversial. The ALJ’s analysis of a claimant’s RFC 

“must say enough to enable review of whether the ALJ considered the totality of a 

claimant’s limitations.” Lothridge v. Saul, 984 F.3d 1227, 1233 (7th Cir. 2021). An

ALJ is not required to provide a complete and written evaluation of every piece of 

testimony and evidence, but she must build a logical bridge from the evidence to her

conclusion. Minnick v. Colvin, 775 F.3d 929, 935 (7th Cir. 2015). It is well-settled law 

that mere boilerplate statements and conclusions cannot support an ALJ’s decision 

and an ALJ must set forth “specific reasons” for discounting subjective reports of 

symptoms. See Myles v. Astrue, 582 F.3d 672, 676 (7th Cir. 2009), citing Moss v. 

Case: 1:20-cv-02149 Document #: 27 Filed: 09/27/22 Page 5 of 10 PageID #:727
6

Astrue, 555 F.3d 556, 561 (7th Cir. 2009); Steele v. Barnhart, 290 F.3d 936, 941-42 

(7th Cir. 2002). An ALJ’s sparse explanation frustrates a court’s ability to engage in 

a meaningful review of the ALJ’s decision. Eakin v. Astrue, 432 Fed. Appx. 607, 611 

(7th Cir. 2011). 

Among other limitations, the ALJ found Claimant had the RFC “to perform 

light work as defined in 20 CFR 404.1567(b) and 416.967 (b) except he can alternate 

from sitting to standing every 30 minutes for one to two minutes while remaining at 

the workstation with no change in work process.” (R.19). Claimant interprets that 

limitation to mean that Claimant could sit for 30 minutes at a time with a need to 

shift to standing for 1 to 2 minutes and then return to sitting. Claimant’s Brief [ECF 

No. 19], at 7. The Commissioner, on the other hand, argues that the ALJ found 

Claimant could alternate from sitting to standing every 30 minutes and that it would 

take 1-2 minutes for the claimant to change positions, while remaining at his 

workstation. Commissioner’s Brief [ECF No. 20], at 6. 

In the Court’s view, the ALJ’s sit/stand limitation is not clear and requires 

remand. Based on the record evidence, it is not reasonably clear how to interpret the 

ALJ’s sit/stand limitation. Does Claimant have to sit all day and every 30 minutes 

stand up for 1 to 2 minutes and then return to sitting? Can Claimant stand all day 

and every 30 minutes sit down for 1 to 2 minutes and then return to standing? Can

Claimant alternate between sitting and standing every 30 minutes with 1 to 2 

minutes to change positions?

Case: 1:20-cv-02149 Document #: 27 Filed: 09/27/22 Page 6 of 10 PageID #:728
7

In addition, the Court also notes that Claimant testified that he could sit for 

only 10 to 15 minutes before he needed to lie down or move. (R.40). During the 

hearing, Claimant asked if he could stand up and shift his position because he was 

uncomfortable sitting for so long. (R.41). Claimant further testified that he needed to

alternate between standing, sitting, and lying down at least once in an hour and 

needed to lie down for 30 minutes every hour. (R.42-43). He also testified that he 

spent most of his time at home lying down and reading. (R.41). In addition, some 

medical records show that Claimant had fatigue that severely impaired his ability to 

work and required him to take additional breaks to rest throughout the day (R.484), 

and that he needed to lie down throughout the day to relieve his symptoms. (R.484, 

595). In addition, Claimant’s treating physician Dr. Dalawari opined that Claimant

needed to change positions at will every 10 to 30 minutes (R.596), and his treating 

back surgeon Dr. Sampat opined that Claimant needed to switch positions every 10 

minutes. (R.485). The ALJ did not point to any evidence, testimony, or medical 

opinion that established either (1) Claimant would have to change positions only after 

30 minutes, or (2) Claimant would need 1 to 2 minutes to change positions.

The ALJ did not address Claimant’s testimony that he needed to lie down

during the day. Nor did the ALJ explain why she did not credit that testimony. 

Claimant’s treating physicians Dr. Dalawari and Dr. Sampat, both opined it was 

medically reasonable for Claimant to lie down throughout the day. (R.484, 595). No 

other opinion of record addressed Claimant’s need to lie down. The Court recognizes 

that the ALJ gave “little weight” to Dr. Dalawari’s and Dr. Sampat’s opinions, but in 

Case: 1:20-cv-02149 Document #: 27 Filed: 09/27/22 Page 7 of 10 PageID #:729
8

light of Claimant’s corroborating testimony and subjective complaints about needing 

to lie down, the Court finds it was not reasonable for the ALJ not to address 

Claimant’s testimony and the opinions that it was medically reasonable for Claimant 

to need to lie down. 

In the Court’s view, at a minimum, the ALJ erred by not providing a more 

fulsome narrative discussion of how the record evidence supported her determination, 

and her failure to address Claimant’s testimony that he needed to lie down requires 

remand. The Court is left with two critical and dispositive questions: (1) how does the 

clinical and opinion evidence support the ALJ’s RFC assessment; and (2) did the ALJ 

consider Claimant’s subjective complaint that he need to lie down, and if so, why did 

she reject it? Nowhere in her opinion does the ALJ answer these questions.

The ALJ may not have been persuaded by Claimant’s testimony that he needed 

to lie down frequently, but she did not provide adequate explanation of her rationale 

for rejecting that Claimant’s testimony and reaching the conclusions she reached. It 

is well-settled that an ALJ cannot cherry pick which evidence to evaluate and 

disregard other critical evidence. See Scrogham v. Colvin, 765 F.3d 685, 696-99 (7th 

Cir. 2014); Myles, 582 F.3d at 678. The Court cannot, and will not, make assumptions 

about how the ALJ evaluated and weighed the evidence and Claimant’s testimony 

when there is evidence in the record that is inconsistent with the ALJ’s evaluation. 

See Briscoe, 425 F.3d at 352 (finding that an ALJ must explain how the evidence 

supports their specific functional restrictions); Scott v. Astrue, 647 F.3d 734, 740-41 

(7th Cir. 2011) (holding that an ALJ must consider claimant reports on the limiting 

Case: 1:20-cv-02149 Document #: 27 Filed: 09/27/22 Page 8 of 10 PageID #:730
9

pain of their medically determinable impairments). Therefore, the case must be 

remanded for further explanation from the ALJ. 

The Court is mindful of the deference that is owed to an ALJ’s decision under 

the substantial evidence standard and that a reviewing court should not substitute 

its judgment for that of the ALJ’s by reweighing the evidence. Although this standard 

is generous, it is not entirely uncritical. Clifford v. Apfel, 227 F.3d 863, 869 (7th Cir. 

2000). In this case, the ALJ did not address Claimant’s complaint that he needed to 

lie down frequently during the day, and remand is required for that reason. This is 

not an instance in which the Court is reweighing the evidence. Here, the ALJ simply 

cherry-picked some evidence and did not address conflicting evidence in the record or

explain how she weighed and presumably rejected that evidence in the first place. 

That does not mean the Court agrees with Claimant that he is disabled and cannot 

work within the meaning of the applicable law. Rather, it means that the ALJ did not 

explain her decisional process sufficiently for the Court to be able to conclude that 

her ultimate decision is supported by substantial evidence under the controlling 

standard of review.

The Court’s decision in this regard also is not a comment on the merits of 

Claimant’s other arguments, and he is free to assert them on remand. Further, the 

Court expresses no opinion about the decision to be made on remand but encourages 

the ALJ to provide a more fulsome explanation of her analysis, the evidence she took 

into account, and the weight she gave to it, and to do what is necessary to build a 

logical bridge between the evidence in the record and her ultimate conclusions, 

Case: 1:20-cv-02149 Document #: 27 Filed: 09/27/22 Page 9 of 10 PageID #:731
10 

whatever those conclusions may be. See Myles, 582 F.3d at 678 (“On remand, the ALJ 

should consider all of the evidence in the record, and, if necessary, give the parties 

the opportunity to expand the record so that he may build a ‘logical bridge’ between 

the evidence and his conclusions.”); Smith v. Apfel, 231 F.3d 433, 437 (7th Cir. 2000).

CONCLUSION

For all the reasons discussed above, Claimant’s Memorandum in Support of 

Summary Remand [ECF No. 19] is granted. This case is remanded for further 

proceedings consistent with this Memorandum Opinion and Order.

It is so ordered.

 ____________________________________ 

 Jeffrey T. Gilbert

United States Magistrate Judge

Dated: September 27, 2022

Case: 1:20-cv-02149 Document #: 27 Filed: 09/27/22 Page 10 of 10 PageID #:732