Source: http://az.findacase.com/research/wfrmDocViewer.aspx/xq/fac.20190626_0001683.DAZ.htm/qx
Timestamp: 2019-12-09 09:50:05
Document Index: 763321979

Matched Legal Cases: ['§ 404', '§ 404', '§ 404', '§ 404', '§ 404', '§ 404', '§ 404', '§ 404']

FindACase™ | Montgold v. Commissioner of Social Security Administration
Montgold v. Commissioner of Social Security Administration
Randy M. Montgold, Plaintiff,
Pending before the Court is Plaintiff's appeal of the denial of his application for social security disability benefits. Plaintiff makes the following claims of error on appeal: 1) the Administrative Law Judge (“ALJ”) failed to give germane reasons for discounting the testimony of 3 lay witnesses; 2) the ALJ failed to ask the appropriate questions of the vocational expert; 3) the ALJ failed to discuss Plaintiff's cubital tunnel syndrome; and 4) the ALJ failed to explain his decision sufficiently with respect to Plaintiff's mental residual functional capacity. (Doc. 19 at 1). Plaintiff seeks, “remand[] for further proceedings including a de novo hearing and new decision.” (Doc. 19 at 25).
To evaluate a claim of disability, the Social Security regulations set forth a five-step sequential process. 20 C.F.R. § 404.1520(a)(4) (2016); see also Reddick, 157 F.3d at 721. A finding of “not disabled” at any step in the sequential process will end the inquiry. 20 C.F.R. § 404.1520(a)(4). The claimant bears the burden of proof through the first four steps, but the burden shifts to the Commissioner in the final step. Reddick, 157 F.3d at 721. The five steps are as follows:
2. If the claimant is not gainfully employed, the ALJ next determines whether the claimant has a “severe medically determinable physical or mental impairment.” Id. § 404.1520(a)(4)(ii). To be considered severe, the impairment must “significantly limit[] [the claimant's] physical or mental ability to do basic work activities.” Id. § 404.1520(c). Basic work activities are the “abilities and aptitudes to do most jobs, ” such as lifting, carrying, reaching, understanding, carrying out and remembering simple instructions, responding appropriately to co-workers, and dealing with changes in routine. Id. § 404.1521(b). Further, the impairment must either have lasted for “a continuous period of at least twelve months, ” be expected to last for such a period, or be expected “to result in death.” Id. § 404.1509 (incorporated by reference in 20 C.F.R. § 404.1520(a)(4)(ii)). The “step-two inquiry is a de minimis screening device to dispose of groundless claims.” Smolen v. Chater, 80 F.3d 1273, 1290 (9th Cir. 1996). If the claimant does not have a severe impairment, then the claimant is not disabled.
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;3. Having found a severe impairment, the ALJ next determines whether the impairment &ldquo;meets or equals&rdquo; one of the impairments listed in the regulations. 20 C.F.R. &sect; 404.1520(a)(4)(iii). If so, the claimant is found disabled without further inquiry. If not, before proceeding to the next step, the ALJ will make a finding regarding the claimant&#39;s &ldquo;residual functional capacity based on all the relevant medical and other evidence in [the] case record.&rdquo; Id. § 404.1520(e). A claimant's “residual functional capacity” ...