Source: http://md.findacase.com/research/wfrmDocViewer.aspx/xq/fac.20190416_0000513.DMD.htm/qx
Timestamp: 2020-02-21 07:32:12
Document Index: 98935757

Matched Legal Cases: ['§ 405', '§ 405', 'art 404', '§ 12', '§ 12', '§ 12']

FindACase™ | Amber G. v. Commissioner, Social Security Administration
Amber G. v. Commissioner, Social Security Administration
On May 4, 2018, Plaintiff Amber G. petitioned this Court to review the Social Security Administration's (“SSA's”) final decision to deny her claim for Supplemental Security Income. ECF 1. I have considered the parties' cross-motions for summary judgment, and Plaintiff's reply. ECF 16, 18, 19. I find that no hearing is necessary. See Loc. R. 105.6 (D. Md. 2018). This Court must uphold the decision of the SSA if it is supported by substantial evidence and if the SSA employed proper legal standards. See 42 U.S.C. §§ 405(g), 1383(c)(3); Craig v. Chater, 76 F.3d 585, 589 (4th Cir. 1996). Under that standard, I will deny both motions, reverse the judgment of the SSA, and remand the case to the SSA for further analysis pursuant to sentence four of 42 U.S.C. § 405(g). This letter explains my rationale.
After a prior denial, Plaintiff protectively filed her claim for benefits on June 20, 2014, alleging an onset date of January 15, 2013. Tr. 250-55. Her claim was denied initially and on reconsideration. Tr. 124-37, 139-52. A hearing was held on December 6, 2016, before an Administrative Law Judge (“ALJ”). Tr. 73-100. Following the hearing, the ALJ determined that Plaintiff was not disabled within the meaning of the Social Security Act during the relevant time frame. Tr. 13-26. The Appeals Council (“AC”) denied Plaintiff's request for further review, Tr. 1-6, so the ALJ's decision constitutes the final, reviewable decision of the SSA.
The ALJ found that Plaintiff suffered from the severe impairments of “pectus chest wall deformity, migraine disorder, reactive airway disorder/asthma, carpal tunnel syndrome, degenerative disc disease, scoliosis, syncope episodes, obesity, a knee impairment, panic disorder, borderline intellectual functioning, a mood disorder, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), bipolar disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, major depressive disorder, and personality disorder.” Tr. 15. Despite these impairments, the ALJ determined that Plaintiff retained the residual functional capacity (“RFC”) to:
perform light work as defined in 20 CFR 416.967(b) with the following limitations: occasional climbing ramps and stairs, no climbing ladders, ropes or scaffolds, occasional balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching and crawling, and frequent handling with the dominant left hand. She is limited to no exposure to workplace hazards such as unprotected heights and dangerous moving machinery, with no operational control of moving machinery, and only occasional exposure to irritants such as fumes, odors, dust, gases, and poor ventilation. Moreover, she is limited to simple, routine tasks, in entry level unskilled work in a low stress position defined as only occasional independent decision making and changes in the work setting, no interaction with the public, and only occasional interaction with coworkers and supervisors.
Tr. 18. After considering the testimony of a vocational expert (“VE”), the ALJ determined that Plaintiff had no past relevant work, but could perform other jobs existing in the national economy. Tr. 25-26. Therefore, the ALJ concluded that Plaintiff was not disabled. Tr. 26.
Plaintiff makes two primary arguments on appeal: (1) that the ALJ did not properly consider her diagnosis of fibromyalgia; and (2) that the ALJ's RFC assessment was flawed and runs afoul of the Fourth Circuit's decision in Mascio v. Colvin, 780 F.3d 632, 638 (4th Cir. 2015). I agree that the ALJ's analysis did not comply with Mascio, and I therefore grant remand under sentence four.
Beginning with the successful argument, in Mascio, the United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit determined that remand was appropriate for three distinct reasons, including, as pertinent to this case, the inadequacy of the ALJ's evaluation of “moderate difficulties” in concentration, persistence, or pace. Id. At step three of the sequential evaluation, the ALJ determines whether a claimant's impairments meet or medically equal any of the impairments listed in 20 C.F.R. Part 404, Subpart P, Appendix 1 (2017). Listings 12.00 et seq. pertain to mental impairments. 20 C.F.R. Pt. 404, Subpt. P, App. 1 § 12.00 (2017). The relevant listings therein consist of: (1) “paragraph A criteria, ” which consist of a set of medical findings; (2) “paragraph B criteria, ” which consist of a set of impairment-related functional limitations; and (3) “paragraph C criteria, ” which relate to “serious and persistent” disorders lasting at least two years with a history of ongoing medical treatment and marginal adjustment. Id. §§ 12.00(A), (G). A claimant's impairments meet the listings relevant to this case by satisfying either the paragraph A and paragraph B criteria, or the paragraph A and paragraph C criteria. Id. § 12.00(A).
At step three in the instant case, the ALJ found that Plaintiff had moderate limitations maintaining concentration, persistence, or pace. Tr. 17. The ALJ's analysis stated:
The claimant contended that she has limitations in concentrating generally, concentrating longer than 20 minutes before requiring a break, following instructions, and completing tasks. On the other hand, the claimant said that she is also able to play games and she is able to handle her own medical care. Additionally, the medical record showed the claimant had no ...