Source: http://ny.findacase.com/research/wfrmDocViewer.aspx/xq/fac.20091002_0001043.NNY.htm/qx
Timestamp: 2018-04-22 18:23:09
Document Index: 242383844

Matched Legal Cases: ['§ 405', '§1382', '§ 416', '§ 416', '§ 416', '§ 416']

JENNIFER GONZALEZ O/B/O , C.C. PLAINTIFF,
MICHAEL J. ASTRUE,*FN1 COMMISSIONER OF SOCIAL SECURITY, DEFENDANT,
Plaintiff Jennifer Gonzalez on behalf of her son (hereinafter "C.C.") brings this action pursuant to the Social Security Act ("the Act"), 42 U.S.C. §§ 405(g), 1383(c)(3), seeking review of a final decision of the Commissioner of Social Security ("Commissioner"), denying his application for child's supplemental security income ("SSI").*fn2 Specifically, Plaintiff alleges that the decision of the Administrative Law Judge ("ALJ") denying C.C.'s application for benefits was not supported by substantial evidence and was contrary to the applicable legal standards. The Commissioner argues that the decision was supported by substantial evidence and made in accordance with the correct legal standards.
For the reasons set forth below, the Court finds the Commissioner's decision was not determined in accordance with the applicable law. Therefore, the Court recommends that the Plaintiff's motion for judgment on the pleadings be granted in part and Defendant's cross-motion for judgment on the pleadings be denied.*fn3
On February 24, 2003, Plaintiff, filed an application for CDB on behalf of C.C., who was then 12 years old, claiming disability since August 25, 1999, because of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder ("ADHD"), major depressive disorder ("MDD" or "depression"), neurofibromatosis 1 ("NF-1"),*fn4 migraines, headaches, and a learning disorder (R. at 46-50, 89).*fn5 His application was denied initially on July 16, 2003 (R. at 28-29, 33-37). C.C.'s motherfiled a timely request for a hearing on September 16, 2003 (R. at 38).
On August 17, 2004, C.C.'s mother, and his attorney appeared before the ALJ (R. at 320-48).The ALJ considered the case de novo and, on September 27, 2004, issued a decision finding that C.C. was not disabled (R. at 18-27). On November 24, 2004, Plaintiff requested review of the hearing decision and Plaintiff's attorney requested a transcript and tape of the hearing and an extension of time to submit a brief (R. at 16-17). On January 17, 2006, the Appeals Council granted a 25 day extension and sent tapes of the hearing (R. at 14-15). Because the tapes were inaudible, Plaintiff's attorney requested a new set of tapes (R. at 9). Although Plaintiff's attorney did not received tapes of the hearing, on October 20, 2006, the Appeals Council denied Plaintiff's request for review (R. at 11-13). On December 5, 2006, Plaintiff's attorney requested that the Appeals Council vacate the decision and remand for a new hearing (R. at 9-10). The Appeals Council set aside their initial decision, considered the arguments raised by Plaintiff's attorney, and again denied Plaintiff's request for review on March 8, 2007 (R. at 4-6). When the Appeals Council denied review, the ALJ's September 27, 2004 decision became the final decision in this case. On May 4, 2007, Plaintiff filed this action disputing the agency'sdisability determination.
Based on the entire record, the Court recommends remand because the ALJ improperly dismissed C.C.'s diagnosis of NF-1 and his related headaches without recontacting C.C.'s treating physician's to properly develop the record and because the ALJ failed to consider the effects of a structured environment upon C.C.'s functioning.
A child is considered disabled under the Act if she or he has "a medically determinable physical or mental impairment, which results in marked and severe functional limitations, and 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. §1382c(a)(3)(C)(i). The Commissioner has established the following three-step sequential analysis to determine whether a child is disabled. 20 C.F.R. § 416.924. At the first step, if the Commissioner determines the claimant is "doing substantial gainful activity," the claimant will be found not disabled. 20 C.F.R. § 416.924(a). If the claimant is not engaging in substantial gainful activity, at the second step the Commissioner will determine whether the claimant has a severe medically determinable impairment or combination of impairments. The Commissioner will determine at step three whether the claimant's impairment or combination of impairments "meets, medically equals, or functionally equals the listings." 20 C.F.R. § 416.924(a); see also 20 C.F.R. § 416.924(d).