Source: http://ok.findacase.com/research/wfrmDocViewer.aspx/xq/fac.20170928_0000454.EOK.htm/qx
Timestamp: 2018-12-14 01:23:08
Document Index: 609919534

Matched Legal Cases: ['§ 423', '§423', '§ 404', '§ 401', '§ 1381', '§ 404']

MICHAEL GENE WILSON, Plaintiff,
Plaintiff Michael Gene Wilson (the “Claimant”) requests judicial review of the decision of the Commissioner of the Social Security Administration (the “Commissioner”) denying Claimant's application for disability benefits under the Social Security Act. Claimant appeals the decision of the Administrative Law Judge (“ALJ”) and asserts that the Commissioner erred because the ALJ incorrectly determined that Claimant was not disabled. For the reasons discussed below, it is the finding of this Court that the Commissioner's decision should be and is AFFIRMED.
Disability under the Social Security Act is defined as the “inability to engage in any substantial gainful activity by reason of any medically determinable physical or mental impairment. . .” 42 U.S.C. § 423(d)(1)(A). A claimant is disabled under the Social Security Act “only if his physical or mental impairment or impairments are of such severity that he is not only unable to do his previous work but cannot, considering his age, education, and work experience, engage in any other kind of substantial gainful work which exists in the national economy. . .” 42 U.S.C. §423(d)(2)(A). Social Security regulations implement a five-step sequential process to evaluate a disability claim. See, 20 C.F.R.§§ 404.1520, 416.920.[1]
Claimant was 53 years old at the time of the ALJ's decision. Claimant obtained a GED. Claimant has worked in the past as a driller, roughneck, industrial cleaner, hand packager, welder, and construction worker. Claimant alleges an inability to work beginning July 1, 2009 due to limitations resulting from COPD, degenerative arthritis, cellulitis, deep vein thrombosis, systemic lupus erythematosus, and insomnia.
On December 15, 2011, Claimant protectively filed for disability insurance benefits under Title II (42 U.S.C. § 401, et seq.) and for supplemental security income benefits under Title XVI (42 U.S.C. § 1381, et seq.) of the Social Security Act. Claimant's applications were denied initially and upon reconsideration. On May 6, 2014, Administrative Law Judge (“ALJ”) Doug Gabbard, II conducted an administrative hearing on Claimant's applications. By decision dated October 3, 2014, the ALJ denied Claimant's requests for benefits. The Appeals Council denied review on March 23, 2016. As a result, the decision of the ALJ represents the Commissioner's final decision for purposes of further appeal. 20 C.F.R. §§ 404.981, 416.1481.
The ALJ made her decision at step five of the sequential evaluation. He determined that while Claimant suffered from severe impairments, he did not meet a listing and retained the residual functional capacity (“RFC”) to perform a full range of light work with limitations.
Claimant asserts the ALJ committed error in (1) failing to properly consider the medical source opinion evidence of Claimant's treating physician; (2) failing to perform a proper analysis at steps four and five; and (3) failing to properly apply the Medical-Vocational Guidelines.