Source: http://or.findacase.com/research/wfrmDocViewer.aspx/xq/fac.20150520_0000644.DOR.htm/qx
Timestamp: 2017-07-28 12:54:05
Document Index: 231959036

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

| Tompkins v. Colvin
Tompkins v. Colvin
IAN D. TOMPKINS, Plaintiff,v.CAROLYN W. COLVIN, Acting Commissioner of Social Security, Defendant.
Ian Tompkins ("plaintiff") seeks judicial review of the final decision of the Commissioner of the Social Security Administration ("Commissioner") denying his applications for Disability Insurance Benefits ("DIB") and Supplemental Security Income ("SSI"). Because the Commissioner's decision is supported by substantial evidence, the decision is AFFIRMED.
Procedural Background Plaintiff filed his applications for SSI and DIB on February 3, 2010, alleging disability as of March 1, 2007. (Tr. 197-212.) The Commissioner denied his applications initially and upon reconsideration, and he requested a hearing before an Administrative Law Judge ("ALJ"). (Tr. 138-46.) An administrative hearing was held on February 17, 2012. (Tr. 44-72.) After the hearing, the ALJ issued an unfavorable decision on March 27, 2012, finding plaintiff not disabled. (Tr. 22-43.) The Appeals Council denied plaintiff's subsequent request for review, making the ALJ's decision final. (Tr. 1-6.) This appeal followed.
Factual Background Born in January, 1977, plaintiff was 29 years old on his alleged disability onset date and 35 years old at the time of the hearing. (Tr. 197, 204, 259.) He attended school through the eleventh grade and has past work experience as a pricer, a portable machine sander, a gas station helper, and a kitchen helper. (Tr. 48, 64.) He alleges disability due to fibromyalgia, back pain, depressive disorder, and anxiety disorder. (Tr. 28, 51-52.)
The Commissioner has established a five-step sequential process for determining whether a person is disabled. Bowen v. Yuckert, 482 U.S. 137, 140 (1987); 20 C.F.R. §§ 404.1520, 416.920. First, the Commissioner determines whether a claimant is engaged in "substantial gainful activity"; if so, the claimant is not disabled. Yuckert, 482 U.S. at 140; 20 C.F.R. §§ 404.1520(b), 416.920(b).
At step two, the Commissioner determines whether the claimant has a "medically severe impairment or combination of impairments." Yuckert, 482 U.S. at 140-41; 20 C.F.R. §§ 404.1520(c), 416.920(c). If not, the claimant is not disabled. Yuckert, 482 U.S. at 141.
At step three, the Commissioner determines whether the impairment meets or equals "one of a number of listed impairments that the Secretary acknowledges are so severe as to preclude substantial gainful activity." Id.; 20 C.F.R. §§ 404.1520(d), 416.920(d). If so, the claimant is conclusively presumed disabled; if not, the Commissioner proceeds to step four. Yuckert, 482 U.S. at 141.
At step four, the Commissioner determines whether the claimant can still perform "past relevant work." Yuckert, 482 U.S. at 141; 20 C.F.R. §§ 404.1520(e), 416.920(e). If the claimant can work, she is not disabled; if she cannot perform past relevant work, the burden shifts to the Commissioner. Yuckert, 482 U.S. at 141. At step five, the Commissioner must establish that the claimant can perform other work. Id. at 142; 20 C.F.R. §§ 404.1520(e) & (f), 416.920(e) & (f). If the Commissioner meets this burden and proves ...