Source: http://wa.findacase.com/research/wfrmDocViewer.aspx/xq/fac.20180312_0000289.EWA.htm/qx
Timestamp: 2019-04-18 15:33:47
Document Index: 768044043

Matched Legal Cases: ['§ 1382', '§ 1382', '§ 416', '§ 416', '§ 416', '§ 416', '§ 416', '§ 416']

DENISE MARIE PETERSON, Plaintiff,
REPORT AND RECOMMENDATIONTOGRANT PLAINTIFF'S MOTION FOR SUMMARY JUDGMENT AND TO DENY DEFENDANT'S MOTION FOR SUMMARY JUDGMENT ECF NOS. 12, 16
BEFORE THE COURT are the parties' cross motions for summary judgment. ECF Nos. 12, 16. This matter has been referred to the undersigned magistrate judge for issuance of a report and recommendation. ECF No. 18. The Court, having reviewed the administrative record and the parties' briefing, is fully informed. For the reasons discussed below, IT IS RECOMMENDED Plaintiff's Motion (ECF No. 12) be GRANTED and Defendant's Motion (ECF No. 16) be DENIED.
A claimant must satisfy two conditions to be considered “disabled” within the meaning of the Social Security Act. First, the claimant must be “unable 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 twelve months.” 42 U.S.C. § 1382c(a)(3)(A). Second, the claimant's impairment must be “of such severity that he is not only unable to do her previous work[, ] but cannot, considering her age, education, and work experience, engage in any other kind of substantial gainful work which exists in the national economy.” 42 U.S.C. § 1382c(a)(3)(B).
If the claimant is not engaged in substantial gainful activity, the analysis proceeds to step two. At this step, the Commissioner considers the severity of the claimant's impairment. 20 C.F.R. § 416.920(a)(4)(ii). If the claimant suffers from “any impairment or combination of impairments which significantly limits [her] physical or mental ability to do basic work activities, ” the analysis proceeds to step three. 20 C.F.R. § 416.920(c). If the claimant's impairment does not satisfy this severity threshold, however, the Commissioner must find that the claimant is not disabled. 20 C.F.R. § 416.920(c).
If the severity of the claimant's impairment does not meet or exceed the severity of the enumerated impairments, the Commissioner must pause to assess the claimant's “residual functional capacity.” Residual functional capacity (RFC), defined generally as the claimant's ability to perform physical and mental work activities on a sustained basis despite her limitations, 20 C.F.R. § 416.945(a)(1), is relevant to both the fourth and fifth steps of the analysis.
At step four, the Commissioner considers whether, in view of the claimant's RFC, the claimant is capable of performing work that she has performed in the past (past relevant work). 20 C.F.R. § 416.920(a)(4)(iv). If the claimant is capable of performing past relevant work, the Commissioner must find that the claimant is not disabled. 20 C.F.R. § 416.920(f). If the claimant is incapable of performing such work, the analysis proceeds to step five.
Plaintiff applied for supplemental security income on June 21, 2013, alleging an onset date of June 15, 2009. Tr. 191-97. Benefits were denied initially, Tr. 110-13, and upon reconsideration. Tr. 117-21. Plaintiff appeared for a hearing before an administrative law judge (ALJ) on October 14, 2015. Tr. 37-77. On November 10, 2015, the ALJ denied Plaintiff's claim. Tr. 15-36.
At step one, the ALJ found Plaintiff has not engaged in substantial gainful activity since June 21, 2013, the application date. Tr. 20. At step two, the ALJ found Plaintiff has the following severe impairments: low back pain due to mild degenerative disc disease; headaches (possible occipital neuritis); plantar fasciitis; and obesity. Tr. 20. At step three, the ALJ found that Plaintiff does not have an impairment or combination of impairments that meets or medically equals the severity of a listed impairment. Tr. 26. The ALJ then concluded that Plaintiff has the RFC
to perform light work as defined in 20 CFR 416.967(b) with a sit/stand option every 60 minutes. She can occasionally climb ramps or stairs, balance, stoop, kneel, and crouch, but never climb ladders, ropes, or scaffolds or engage in crawling. She should avoid concentrated exposure to extreme temperatures and industrial noise, and avoid all exposure to industrial vibrations and hazards.
Tr. 27. At step four, the ALJ found Plaintiff is unable to perform any past relevant work. Tr. 30. At step five, the ALJ found that considering Plaintiff's age, education, work experience, and RFC, there are other jobs that exist in significant numbers in the national economy that the Plaintiff can perform, including: cashier II, agricultural sorter, and hand packaging, candy store. Tr. 31. The ALJ concluded Plaintiff has not been under a ...