Source: http://al.findacase.com/research/wfrmDocViewer.aspx/xq/fac.20180305_0000233.MAL.htm/qx
Timestamp: 2019-04-23 02:48:57+00:00

Document:
GRAY M. BORDEN UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE.
Plaintiff Janie Michele Johnson filed this action on November 14, 2016 seeking judicial review of a final adverse decision of the Commissioner of Social Security denying her application for a period of disability and disability insurance benefits under Title II of the Social Security Act. Doc. 1. Johnson applied for disability benefits with an alleged disability onset date of March 1, 2014. Her application was denied at the initial administrative level. Johnson then requested and received a hearing before an Administrative Law Judge (“ALJ”) on September 22, 2015. Following that hearing, the ALJ denied Johnson's claims on November 4, 2015. The Appeals Council rejected a subsequent request for review making the ALJ's decision the final decision of the Commissioner of Social Security (the “Commissioner”).
With briefing complete, this case is now ripe for review pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 405(g). The parties have consented to the entry of a final judgment by the undersigned United States Magistrate Judge pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 636(b), Rule 73 of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, and Rule 73.1 of the Local Rules for the United States District Court for the Middle District of Alabama. Docs. 8 & 9. Based upon a review of the evidentiary record, the parties' briefs, and the applicable legal authority, the court finds that the Commissioner's decision is due to be AFFIRMED.
To qualify for disability benefits, a claimant must show the “inability to engage in any substantial gainful activity by reason of any medically determinable physical or mental impairment which can be expected to result in death or which has lasted or can be expected to last for a continuous period of not less than 12 months.” 42 U.S.C. § 423(d)(1)(A); 42 U.S.C. § 416(i). A physical or mental impairment is “an impairment that results from anatomical, physiological, or psychological abnormalities which are demonstrated by medically acceptable clinical and laboratory diagnostic techniques.” 42 U.S.C. § 423(d)(3). Johnson bears the burden of proving that she is disabled, and she is responsible for producing evidence to support her claim. See Ellison v. Barnhart, 355 F.3d 1272, 1276 (11th Cir. 2003).
(5) Is the claimant unable to perform any other work within the economy?
McDaniel v. Bowen, 800 F.2d 1026, 1030 (11th Cir. 1986). “An affirmative answer to any of the above questions leads either to the next question, or, on steps three and five, to a finding of disability. A negative answer to any question, other than step three, leads to a determination of ‘not disabled.'” Id. at 1030 (quoting 20 C.F.R. § 416.920(a)-(f)). “Once the finding is made that a claimant cannot return to prior work the burden of proof shifts to the Secretary to show other work the claimant can do.” Foote v. Chater, 67 F.3d 1553, 1559 (11th Cir. 1995) (citing Gibson v. Heckler, 762 F.2d 1516 (11th Cir. 1985)).
Johnson was 48 years old on the alleged disability onset date. She has a high school education and past relevant work experience as an assistant retail manager, a dispatcher, and a clerical worker.
never climb ladders, ropes, or scaffolds and occasionally climb stairs, crouch, crawl, stoop, and kneel. The claimant must avoid work at unprotected heights and avoid concentrated exposure to fumes, dusts, and gasses [sic]. Due to medication, the claimant is limited to unskilled work, making simple decisions, with few workplace changes.

References: § 405
 § 636
 § 423
 § 416
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