Source: http://il.findacase.com/research/wfrmDocViewer.aspx/xq/fac.20150115_0000093.NIL.htm/qx
Timestamp: 2019-04-23 15:05:19+00:00

Document:
IAIN D. JOHNSTON, Magistrate Judge.
Kelvin Ellis brings this action under 42 U.S.C. § 405(g), seeking reversal and remand of the decision denying him disability insurance benefits. For the reasons set forth below, the case is remanded.
On February 1, 2012, the Administrative Law Judge ("ALJ") held a hearing to review the Social Security Administration's denial of Mr. Ellis' request for benefits. R. 29-54. At the time of the hearing, Mr. Ellis was forty-six years old. R. 33. He testified that he had a ninth-grade education, did not have a driver's license, and had difficulty ready and writing. R.33, 37, 46. Mr. Ellis had no past relevant work experience, but testified that chronic pain in his lower back prevented him from working. R. 33-34. Mr. Ellis claimed a disability onset of June 1, 2010. R. 59.
On October 12, 2010, Mr. Ellis began treating with Dr. Mehul Gandhi. R. 532. Mr. Ellis sought treatment for his lower back pain after he threw out his back trying to lift a gallon of milk. Id. Dr. Gandhi prescribed Tramadol and Flexeril and ordered a magnetic resonance imaging ("MRI") of his lower back. R. 533. On October 19, 2010, Mr. Ellis returned to the doctor after an allergic reaction to the Tramadol. R. 530. Based on Mr. Ellis' low back pain, Dr. Gandhi prescribed Tylenol #3 and recommended that he avoid lifting over 10 pounds, bending, stooping, or standing for long periods of time. R. 508, 530. Starting in November 2010, Mr. Ellis was prescribed Norco to help with his back pain. R. 528.
On October 29, 2010, an MRI on Mr. Ellis' back revealed multilevel degenerative joint and disc disease without central canal stenosis or neural foraminal compromise. R. 515. It also revealed a mild diffuse disc bulge at L5-S1 with mild to moderate facet hypertrophy, which was encroaching upon the traversing S1 nerve roots bilaterally. Id. In December 2010, an electromyography ("EMG") revealed motor nerve conduction velocities that were essentially normal. R. 513. However, the EMG also revealed that amplitude of the right common peroneal nerve was low with prolongation of the H-reflect with mild denervation and possible lumbar plexopathy at L5-S1. Id.
Examinations by Dr. Gandhi from 2010 through 2012 showed that Mr. Ellis consistently had low back pain, weakness in his lower extremities, and positive straight-leg raising tests. R. 525-533, 558-567, 570, 575-578. But Mr. Ellis had an eight-month lapse in his treatment in 2011. R. 570. On multiple occasions, Mr. Ellis also reported numbness or tingling in his legs. R. 532, 568, 570. In January 2012, due to Mr. Ellis' chronic low back pain, Dr. Gandhi recommended that he avoid standing for prolonged periods, bending, stooping, crouching, climbing, and lifting over 15 pounds. R. 581.
On February 22, 2012, the ALJ issued his ruling that Mr. Ellis was not disabled. R. 10-28. The ALJ found that Mr. Ellis had the severe impairment of L5-S1 plexopathy. R. 15. However, the ALJ found Mr. Ellis' spinal impairment did not meet or medically equal a listing impairment. R. 16. The ALJ then concluded Mr. Ellis had the residual functional capacity ("RFC") to perform light work subject to the following limitations: no ladders, ropes or scaffolds; only occasional stooping, crouching, crawling, kneeling or balancing; and the need for work learnable on short demonstration, which does not require reading, writing or sum adding. R. 17. Although Mr. Ellis did not have any past relevant work (R. 22), based on the vocational expert's testimony, the ALJ determined that Mr. Ellis' RFC allowed him to perform jobs that existed in the national economy. R. 17-22.
A reviewing court may enter 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). If supported by substantial evidence, the Commissioner's factual findings are conclusive. Id. Substantial evidence exists if there is enough evidence that would allow a reasonable mind to determine that the decision's conclusion is supportable. Richardson v. Perales, 402 U.S. 389, 399-401 (1971). Accordingly, the reviewing court cannot displace the decision by reconsidering facts or evidence, or by making independent credibility determinations. Elder v. Astrue, 529 F.3d 408, 413 (7th Cir. 2008). However, the Seventh Circuit has emphasized that review is not merely a rubber stamp. Scott v. Barnhart, 297 F.3d 589, 593 (7th Cir. 2002) (a "mere scintilla" is not substantial evidence). If the Commissioner's decision lacks evidentiary support or adequate discussion, then the court must remand the matter. Villano v. Astrue, 556 F.3d 558, 562 (7th Cir. 2009). Moreover, 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). Indeed, even when adequate record evidence exists to support the Commissioner's decision, the decision will not be affirmed if the Commissioner does not build an accurate and logical bridge from the evidence to the conclusion. Berger v. Astrue, 516 F.3d 539, 544 (7th Cir. 2008).
Mr. Ellis seeks reversal and remand, arguing that the ALJ: (1) failed to sufficiently explain why Mr. Ellis' impairment did not meet the criteria for disorders of the spine under Listing 1.04(A); and (2) improperly weighed the medical opinion evidence of his treating physician. After reviewing these arguments, the Court finds this case must be remanded.
The criteria for Listing 1.04(A) for disorders of the spine are, in relevant part, "motor loss (atrophy with associated muscle weakness or muscle weakness) accompanied by sensory or reflex loss[.]" 20 C.F.R. Pt. 404, Subpt. P, App. 1, § 1.04(A). In determining that Mr. Ellis' impairment did not meet these criteria, the ALJ stated that "[a]t times, he has demonstrated positive straight leg raising, but he has not demonstrated sensory or reflex deficits. Motor strength was impaired due to pain, but true muscle weakness/motor loss is not documented or described." R. 16.

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