Source: http://ny.findacase.com/research/wfrmDocViewer.aspx/xq/fac.20080630_0000458.WNY.htm/qx
Timestamp: 2017-06-23 20:56:55
Document Index: 549692406

Matched Legal Cases: ['§ 216', '§ 223', '§ 1614', '§ 423', '§ 1382', '§ 423', '§ 404', '§ 416', '§ 404']

| Gates v. Barnhart
Gates v. Barnhart
COLLIN M. GATES, PLAINTIFF,v.JO ANNE B. BARNHART, COMMISSIONER OF SOCIAL SECURITY, DEFENDANT.
Plaintiff Collin Gates ("Gates" or "Plaintiff"), brings this action pursuant to the Social Security Act Sections 216(I), 223 and 1614(a)(3)(A), seeking review of a final decision of the Commissioner of Social Security ("Commissioner"), denying his application for Disability Insurance Benefits. Specifically, Gates alleges that the decision of the Administrative Law Judge ("ALJ") John P. Costello denying his application for benefits did not properly weigh the opinions of the plaintiff's treating physicians and other medical sources and did not properly assess the plaintiff's credibility.
The Commissioner moves for judgment on the pleadings pursuant to Rule 12(c) of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, on the grounds that the ALJ's decision was supported by substantial evidence. Plaintiff opposes the Commissioner's motion and cross moves for judgment on the pleadings, or in the alternative for the case to be remanded for the ALJ to properly weigh the evidence. The Court finds that the decision of the Commissioner for the reasons set forth below, is supported by substantial evidence and therefore the Commissioner's motion for judgment on the pleadings is hereby granted.
On October 24, 2003, Plaintiff, at that time 36 years-old, filed an application for Disability Insurance Benefits under Title II and Title XVI, § 216(I), § 223, and § 1614(a)(3)(A) of the Social Security Act claiming a disability since November 27, 2002, due to emotional problems, memory problems, anxiety and breathing/pulmonary problems (Tr. 26-27). Plaintiff's application was denied by the Social Security Administration initially on January 27, 2004 (Tr. 36). Plaintiff filed a timely request for hearing on February 24, 2004 (Tr. 43-44).
Thereafter, a hearing in this matter was conducted on May 16, 2005, before ALJ John P. Costello (Tr. 452-87). In a decision dated June 21, 2005, the ALJ determined that the plaintiff was not disabled (Tr. 23-35). This became the Commissioner's final decision when the Appeals Council denied plaintiff's request for review on December 2, 2005 (Tr. 7-9). This action followed.
Under the Social Security Act, a disability is defined as the "inability to engage in any substantial gainful activity by reason of any medically determinable physical or mental impairment which can be expected to result in death or which has lasted or can be expected to last for a continuous period of not less than 12 months ..." 42 U.S.C. §§ 423(d)(1)(A) (concerning Old-Age, Survivors', and Disability Insurance ("OASDI")); 42 U.S.C. § 1382c(a)(3)(A) (2004) (concerning SSI payments). An individual will only be considered "under a disability" if his impairment is so severe that he is both unable to do his previous work and unable to engage in any other kind of substantial gainful work that exists in the national economy. §§ 423(d)(2)(A) and 1382c(a)(3)(B).
"Substantial gainful work" is defined as "work that exists in significant numbers either in the region where the individual lives or in several regions of the country." Id. Work may be considered "substantial" even if it is done on a part-time basis, if less money is earned, or if work responsibilities are lessened from previous employment. 20 C.F.R. § 404.1572(a) (OASDI); 20 C.F.R. § 416.972(a) (SSI). Work may be considered "gainful" if it is the kind of work usually done for pay or profit, whether or not a profit is realized. §§ 404.1572(b) and 416.972(b). Furthermore, "substantial gainful work" is considered available to an individual regardless of whether such work exists in ...