Source: http://nm.findacase.com/research/wfrmDocViewer.aspx/xq/fac.20180605_0001188.DNM.htm/qx
Timestamp: 2020-04-06 02:46:13
Document Index: 467501337

Matched Legal Cases: ['art, 331', '§ 416', '§ 416', 'art 404', '§ 416', '§ 416', '§ 416']

SCOTT WILLIAM JOHNSON, Plaintiff,
THIS MATTER is before the Court on Plaintiff's Motion to Reverse or Remand Administrative Agecny [sic] Decision (Doc. 22) filed on October 30, 2017. Having considered the record, submissions of counsel, and relevant law, the Court recommends that Plaintiff's motion be DENIED.[1]
On September 12, 2013, Mr. Scott Johnson (Plaintiff) protectively filed an application with the Social Security Administration for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) under Title XVI of the Social Security Act. See Administrative Record[2] (AR) at 13, 57. Plaintiff alleged a disability onset date of January 1, 2008, but later amended his alleged onset date to September 12, 2013. See AR at 135, 145. Disability Determination Services (DDS) determined that Plaintiff was not disabled both initially (AR at 57-66) and on reconsideration (AR at 67-76). Plaintiff requested a hearing with an Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) on the merits of his SSI application. AR at 90.
Both Plaintiff and a vocational expert (VE) testified during the de novo hearing. See AR at 29-56. ALJ Barry O'Melinn issued an unfavorable decision on March 8, 2016. AR at 10-28. Plaintiff submitted a Request for Review of Hearing Decision/Order to the Appeals Council (AR at 9), which the council denied on March 7, 2017 (AR at 1-5). Consequently, the ALJ's decision became the final decision of the Commissioner. Doyal v. Barnhart, 331 F.3d 758, 759 (10th Cir. 2003).
At Step One of the process, ALJ O'Melinn found that Plaintiff “has not engaged in substantial gainful activity since September 12, 2013, the application date.” AR at 15 (citing 20 C.F.R. §§ 416.971-.976). At Step Two, the ALJ concluded that Plaintiff “has the following severe impairments: scoliosis of the spine and history of Wilms' tumor.” AR at 15 (citing 20 C.F.R. § 416.920(c)). The ALJ found the following impairments are non-severe: hypertension, fatigue, depression, and anxiety. AR at 15-18.
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 one of the listed impairments in 20 [C.F.R.] Part 404, Subpart P, Appendix 1 . . . .” AR at 18 (citing 20 C.F.R. §§ 416.920(d), 416.925, 416.926). At Step Four, the ALJ thoroughly considered the evidence of record and found that Plaintiff
has the residual functional capacity to perform medium work as defined in 20 [C.F.R. §] 416.967(c)[, ] except [he] can understand, carry out, and remember simple instructions and make commensurate work related decisions, and respond appropriately to supervision, coworkers and work situations. [Plaintiff] can deal with routine changes in work setting, maintain concentration[, ] persistence and pace for up to and including two hours at a time with normal breaks throughout the workday and is suitable for jobs involving work primarily with things and not people.
AR at 18-19.
ALJ O'Melinn concluded that Plaintiff has no past relevant work (AR at 21 (citing 20 C.F.R. § 416.965)), but he is able to perform work as a Cleaner (Hospital Setting), Dining Room Attendant/Busser, and Hand Packager. AR at 22. The ALJ ultimately determined that Plaintiff “has not been under a disability, as defined in the Social Security Act, since September 12, 2013 . . . .” AR at 23 (citing 20 C.F.R. § 416.920(g)).