Source: http://ar.findacase.com/research/wfrmDocViewer.aspx/xq/fac.20150603_0000625.WAR.htm/qx
Timestamp: 2016-12-04 03:52:07
Document Index: 69682124

Matched Legal Cases: ['§ 405', '§ 423', '§ 405', '§ 404', '§ 404', 'art, 377']

| Pack v. Colvin
Pack v. Colvin
AMANDA PACK, Plaintiff,v.CAROLYN COLVIN, Commissioner Social Security Administration, Defendant.
Plaintiff, Amanda Pack, brings this action pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 405(g), seeking judicial review of a decision of the Commissioner of the Social Security Administration (Commissioner) finding that her child's disability ended on February 1, 2011, and that she was no longer disabled and entitled to supplemental security income ("SSI") under Title XVI of the Social Security Act (hereinafter "the Act"), 42 U.S.C. §§ 423(d)(1)(A), 1382c(a)(3)(A). In this judicial review, the court must determine whether there is substantial evidence in the administrative record to support the Commissioner's decision. See 42 U.S.C. § 405(g).
In September 2005, the Commissioner approved Plaintiff's child disability application and granted benefits. Tr. 9. On February 15, 2011, after Plaintiff turned 18 years of age, the Commissioner reassessed her disability claim and determined she was no longer disabled as of February 1, 2011. Tr. 53, 111. This decision was upheld upon reconsideration, and the Plaintiff requested an administrative hearing. Tr. 53. Subsequently, an administrative hearing was held on January 3, 2013. Tr. 6-49.
At the time of the hearing, the Plaintiff was 20 years old and possessed a high school education. Tr. 9. Plaintiff had no past relevant work ("PRW") experience.
On March 25, 2013, the ALJ found Plaintiff's Asperger syndrome[1] and oppositional defiant disorder ("ODD") were severe, but did not meet or medically equal one of the listed impairments in Appendix 1, Subpart P, Regulation No. 4. Tr. 55-56. After partially discrediting Plaintiff's subjective complaints, the ALJ determined that Plaintiff retained the residual functional capacity ("RFC") to perform a full range of work at all exertional levels with the following limitations:
She can understand, remember and carry out simple, routine, repetitive tasks. She can respond to usual work situations and routine work changes. She can respond to supervision that is simple, direct and concrete. The claimant can occasionally interact with supervisors, coworkers and the public.
Tr. 56. With the assistance of a vocational expert, the ALJ then found Plaintiff could perform work as a hand packager (medium level), dining room attendant (medium level), and laundry worker (light level). Tr. 61.
The Appeals Council denied review on February 19, 2014. Tr. 3-5. Subsequently, Plaintiff filed this action. ECF No. 1. This case is before the undersigned by consent of the parties. ECF No. 7. Both parties have filed appeal briefs, and the case is now ready for decision. ECF Nos. 9, 10.
The Commissioner's regulations require her to apply a five-step sequential evaluation process to each claim for disability benefits: (1) whether the claimant has engaged in substantial gainful activity since filing her claim; (2) whether the claimant has a severe physical and/or mental impairment or combination of impairments; (3) whether the impairment(s) meet or equal an impairment in the listings; (4) whether the impairment(s) prevent the claimant from doing past relevant work; and, (5) whether the claimant is able to perform other work in the national economy given her age, education, and experience. See 20 C.F.R. § § 404.1520(a)-(f)(2003). Only if the final stage is reached does the fact finder consider the plaintiff's age, education, and work experience in light of his or her residual functional capacity. See McCoy v. Schweiker, 683 F.2d 1138, 1141-42 (8th Cir. 1982); 20 C.F.R. § § 404.1520, 416.920 (2003).
Of particular concern to the undersigned is the ALJ's failure to properly develop the record. The ALJ owes a duty to a claimant to develop the record fully and fairly to ensure his decision is an informed decision based on sufficient facts. See Stormo v. Barnhart, 377 F.3d 801, 806 (8th Cir. 2004). The ALJ is only required to develop a reasonably complete record. See Clark v. Shalala, 28 F.3d 828, 830 (8th Cir. 1994). In determining whether an ALJ has fully and fairly developed the record, the proper inquiry is whether the record contained sufficient evidence for the ALJ to make an informed decision. See Haley v. Massanari, 258 F.3d 742, 748 (8th Cir. 2001).
In the present case, Plaintiff was awarded child SSI benefits due to Asperger syndrome and oppositional defiant disorder. As previously stated, upon her 18th birthday, the Commissioner determined she was no longer disabled. In upholding this decision, the ALJ relied upon a mental evaluation conducted by Dr. Steve Shry, dated February 3, 2011. Tr. 339-341. Testing revealed a full scale IQ of 100, indicative of average intelligence. Her subtest scores were consistent, with the exception of her coding score. Plaintiff earned a coding score of 3, indicating speed and fine motor deficits. Dr. Shry noted "[t]he claimant tended to perseverate on forming each symbol very carefully with much time spent erasing in order to meet the required order that claimant seemed to desire. This behavior is consistent with her diagnosis." He then diagnosed her with Asperger disorder and assessed her with a global assessment of functioning ("GAF") of 70-81. However, the section wherein Dr. Shry identified the effect of the Plaintiff's mental impairments on her adaptive functioning is missing. Clearly, this information is of vital importance to the ALJ's decision. And, without it, the undersigned is unable to conclude that substantial evidence supports the ALJ's decision.[2]
Accordingly, remand is necessary to allow the ALJ to obtain the full and complete mental diagnostic and psychometric evaluation completed by Dr. Shry. Given the nature of the Plaintiff's impairment and the limited objective evidence available, on remand, the ALJ should also ask Dr. Shry for a full and complete a mental RFC assessment.