Source: http://pa.findacase.com/research/wfrmDocViewer.aspx/xq/fac.20180212_0000725.MPA.htm/qx
Timestamp: 2019-04-25 06:21:29+00:00

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As to this closed period of alleged disability, it is undisputed that Newton has long suffered from a severe form of mental illness, a schizoaffective disorder. In this appeal we are presented with the following question: Does substantial evidence support the ALJ's decision to afford little weight to the opinion of Newton's treating physician, Dr. Shah, who found that Newton “is permanently and totally disabled” (Tr. 785), when the ALJ's only explanation for this rejection was that Newton's “mental status examinations were within normal limits and do not support Dr. Shahs' opinion, ” (Tr. 822), and that justification advanced by the ALJ is contradicted by Dr. Shah's treatment notes, which consistently documented profound impairments for Newton, including persistent auditory hallucinations? Because we find that Dr. Shah's treatment records, which repeatedly describe Newton's on-going hallucinations, cannot be fairly characterized as mental status examinations that were within normal limits, for the reasons set forth below it is recommended that this case be remanded for further proceedings.
GAF scores in the 51-60 range indicate moderate impairment in social or occupational functioning.” Cherry v. Barnhart, 29 Fed.Appx. 898, 900 (3d Cir. 2002). DaVinci v. Astrue, 1:11-CV-1470, 2012 WL 6137324 (M.D. Pa. Sept. 21, 2012) report and recommendation adopted, Davinci v. Astrue, 1:11-CV-1470, 2012 WL 6136846 (M.D.
Pa. Dec. 11, 2012). “A GAF score of 41-50 indicates ‘serious symptoms (e.g., suicidal ideation, severe obsessional rituals, frequent shoplifting) [or] any serious impairment in social, occupational, or school functioning (e.g., no friends, unable to keep a job).' DSM-IV at 34. A score of 50 is on the borderline between serious and moderate symptoms.” Colon v. Barnhart, 424 F.Supp.2d 805, 809 (E.D. Pa. 2006). See Shufelt v. Colvin, No. 1:15-CV-1026, 2016 WL 8613936, at *2 (M.D. Pa. Sept. 15, 2016), report and recommendation adopted sub nom. Shulfelt v. Colvin, No. 1:15-CV-1026, 2017 WL 1162767 (M.D. Pa. Mar. 29, 2017).

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