Source: http://sc.findacase.com/research/wfrmDocViewer.aspx/xq/fac.20170814_0001843.DSC.htm/qx
Timestamp: 2017-09-26 07:23:54
Document Index: 760924842

Matched Legal Cases: ['§ 405', '§ 636', '§ 404', '§ 404', '§ 404', '§ 404', '§ 404', '§ 404', '§ 404']

James Allen, Plaintiff,
The plaintiff, James Allen (“Allen”), brought this action pursuant to the Social Security Act (“SSA”), 42 U.S.C. § 405(g), seeking judicial review of a final decision of the Commissioner of Social Security (“Commissioner”), denying his claim for Disability Insurance Benefits (“DIB”) and Supplemental Security Income (“SSI”).[1] In accordance with 28 U.S.C. § 636(b)(1) and Local Civil Rule 73.02(B)(2)(a), D.S.C., this matter was referred to a magistrate judge for pretrial handling. Now before this court is the Magistrate Judge's Report and Recommendation (“Report”), recommending the court to affirm the Commissioner's decision. (ECF No. 14).[2] In the Report, the Magistrate Judge sets forth the relevant facts and legal standards, which are incorporated herein by reference. Allen has filed objections to the Report (ECF No. 17), and the Commissioner has responded to those objections (ECF No. 18). Accordingly, this matter is now ripe for review.
Allen applied for DIB on April 27, 2012, and SSI on April 30, 2012, alleging disability beginning on October 30, 2010. Allen's application was denied initially and on reconsideration. On April 14, 2014, an Administrative Law Judge (“ALJ”) heard testimony from Allen and a vocational expert (“VE”). On September 26, 2014, the ALJ issued a decision denying Allen's claim.
In his decision, the ALJ found that Allen suffered from the following severe impairments: cervical and lumbar stenosis, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and obesity. (ECF No. 9-2 at 19). The ALJ found that, despite Allen's limitations, jobs existed in significant numbers in the national economy that he could perform. (ECF No. 9-2 at 27). Allen sought review of his case by the Appeals Council. The Appeals Council denied Allen's request for review, making the ALJ's decision the final decision of the Commissioner. This action followed.
In his objections, Allen asserts that the Magistrate Judge erred by finding that the ALJ properly evaluated and weighed the opinions of his treating physicians, Drs. Jacobus and Loring, and a licensed social worker, Mr. Perkins, who had also treated Allen. (Objections at 1). Specifically, Allen contends that each of these medical providers expressed work-preclusive limitations, and the ALJ failed to give good reasons for the weight he afforded their opinions.
When evaluating medical opinions, the ALJ should consider (1) whether the physician has examined the claimant; (2) the treatment relationship between the physician and the claimant; (3) the supportability of the physician's opinion; (4) the consistency of the opinion with the record; and (5) whether the physician is a specialist. See 20 C.F.R. § 404.1527. Social Security Ruling 96-2p requires that an ALJ give specific reasons for the weight given to a treating physician's opinion. The ALJ must give controlling weight to a treating physician's opinion regarding the nature and severity of a claimant's impairments when it is “well-supported by medically acceptable clinical and laboratory diagnostic techniques and when the opinion is consistent with the other substantial evidence in the record. 20 C.F.R. §§ 404.1527(c)(2) and 416.927(c)(2); see also Mastro v. Apfel, 270 F.3d 171, 178 (4th Cir. 2001). Conversely, an ALJ may discount a treating physician's opinion if it is unsupported or inconsistent with other evidence. Craig v. Chater, 76 F.3d 585, 590 (4th Cir. 1996).
An ALJ's determination as to the weight to be assigned to a medical opinion generally will not be disturbed absent some indication that the ALJ has dredged up “specious inconsistencies, ” Scivally v. Sullivan, 966 F.2d 1070, 1077 (7th Cir. 1992), or has failed to give a sufficient reason for the weight afforded a particular opinion, see 20 C.F.R. § 404.1527(d) (1998). Of course, a medical expert's opinion as to whether one is disabled is not dispositive; opinions as to disability are reserved for the ALJ and for the ALJ alone. See 20 C.F.R. § 404.1527(e)(1) (1998). Generally, the more the medical source presents relevant evidence to support his opinion, and the better that he explains it, the more weight his opinion is given. See 20 C.F.R. § 404.1527(d)(3) (1998). Additionally, the more consistent the opinion is with the record as a whole, the more weight the ALJ will give to it. See 20 C.F.R. § 404.1527(d)(4) (1998).
The regulations distinguish acceptable medical sources from “other sources, ” which include social workers. See 20 C.F.R. § 404.1513(d). Evidence from sources other than acceptable medical sources may be used to show the severity of a claimant's impairments and how it affects the claimant's ability to work. Id. “The evaluation of an opinion from a medical source who is not an ‘acceptable medical source' depends on the particular facts in each case.” SSR 06-03p. “Each case must be adjudicated on its own merits based on a consideration of the probative value of the opinions and a weighing of all the evidence in that particular case.” Id. When evaluating such a source, “the adjudicator generally should explain the weight given to [such] opinion[s] . . . or otherwise ensure that the discussion of the evidence in the determination or decision allows a claimant or subsequent reviewer to follow the adjudicator's reasoning, when such opinions may have an effect on the outcome of the case.” Id.
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Moreover, the function of this court is not to review Allens&#39;s claims de novo or to reweigh the evidence of record. See Smith v. Schweiker, 795 F.2d 343, 345 (4th Cir. 1986) (citing 42 U.S.C. &sect; 405(g); and Blalock v. Richardson, 483 F.2d 773, 775 (4th Cir. 1972)). Rather, this court is to determine whether, upon review of the whole record, the ALJ's decision is supported by substantial evidence and a proper ...