Source: http://or.findacase.com/research/wfrmDocViewer.aspx/xq/fac.20180806_0001305.DOR.htm/qx
Timestamp: 2020-07-13 12:49:01
Document Index: 480589573

Matched Legal Cases: ['§ 405', '§ 416', '§ 416', '§ 416', 'art 404', '§ 416', '§ 416', 'art 404', '§ 416']

FindACase™ | Sophie F. v. Berryhill
Sophie F. v. Berryhill
SOPHIE F.[1], Plaintiff,
NANCY A. BERRYHILL,[2] Acting Commissioner of Social Security, Defendant.
Billy J. Williams, United States Attorney Renata A. Gowie, Assistant United States Attorney Ryan Lu Office of the General Counsel Social Security Administration Attorneys for Defendant
JOHN JELDERKS UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE.
Plaintiff Sophie F. (Plaintiff) brings this action pursuant to 42 U.S.C. §§ 405(g) and 1383(c) seeking judicial review of a final decision of the Commissioner of Social Security (the Commissioner) denying her application for Supplemental Security Insurance (SSI) under the Social Security Act (the Act). For the reasons that follow, the Commissioner's decision should be AFFIRMED.
Plaintiff protectively filed her application for SSI on April 6, 2015, alleging disability beginning February 1, 2007. Tr. 15. The Commissioner denied her application initially and on reconsideration. Plaintiff appeared at a hearing on April 11, 2016, before Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) John Michaelsen. Tr. 30. Plaintiff was represented by counsel and testified; a vocational expert (VE) also testified. Tr. 30-67. The ALJ issued an unfavorable decision on May 11, 2016. Tr. 25. Plaintiff appealed, and the Appeals Council denied Plaintiff's request for review. Tr. 1-3. Plaintiff now timely appeals the Commissioner's final decision.
Plaintiff was born in 1995 and was 11 years old on the date she alleges she became disabled. Tr. 23. Plaintiff did not graduate from high school, but later obtained a GED. Tr. 44, 202. Plaintiff has no past work experience. Tr. 183. Plaintiff alleges disability due to schizoaffective disorder; post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD); anxiety; and panic attacks. Tr. 201.
The ALJ engages in a five-step sequential inquiry to determine whether a claimant is disabled within the meaning of the Act. 20 C.F.R. § 416.920. The five step sequential inquiry is summarized below, as described in Tackett v. Apfel, 180 F.3d 1094, 1098-99 (9th Cir. 1999).
The Commissioner determines whether the claimant is engaged in substantial gainful activity. A claimant who is engaged in such activity is not disabled. If the claimant is not engaged in substantial gainful activity, the Commissioner proceeds to evaluate the claimant's case under Step Two. 20 C.F.R. § 416.920(b).
The Commissioner determines whether the claimant has one or more severe impairments. A claimant who does not have any such impairment is not disabled. If the claimant has one or more severe impairment(s), the Commissioner proceeds to evaluate the claimant's case under Step Three. 20 C.F.R. § 416.920(c).
Disability cannot be based solely on a severe impairment; therefore, the Commissioner next determines whether the claimant's impairment “meets or equals” one of the presumptively disabling impairments listed in the Social Security Administration (SSA) regulations, 20 C.F.R. Part 404, Subpart P, Appendix 1. A claimant who has an impairment that meets a listing is presumed disabled under the Act. If the claimant's impairment does not meet or equal an impairment in the listings, the Commissioner's evaluation of the claimant's case proceeds under Step Four. 20 C.F.R. § 416.920(d).
The Commissioner determines whether the claimant is able to perform work he or she has done in the past. A claimant who can perform past relevant work is not disabled. If the claimant demonstrates he or she cannot do past relevant work, the Commissioner's evaluation of claimant's case proceeds under Step Five. 20 C.F.R. § 416.920(e), (f).
The Commissioner determines whether the claimant is able to do any other work. A claimant who cannot perform other work is disabled. If the Commissioner finds claimant is able to do other work, the Commissioner must show that a significant number of jobs exist in the national economy that claimant is able to do. The Commissioner may satisfy this burden through the testimony of a vocational expert (VE), or by reference to the Medical-Vocational Guidelines, 20 C.F.R. Part 404, Subpart P, Appendix 2. If the Commissioner demonstrates that a significant number of jobs exist in the national economy that the claimant is able to do, the claimant is not disabled. If the Commissioner does not meet the burden, the claimant is disabled. 20 C.F.R. § 416.920(g)(1).
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;At steps one through four of the sequential inquiry, the burden of proof is on the claimant. Tackett, 180 F.3d at 1098. At step five, the burden shifts to the Commissioner to show the claimant can perform jobs ...