Source: http://ga.findacase.com/research/wfrmDocViewer.aspx/xq/fac.20141124_0001038.MGA.htm/qx
Timestamp: 2018-02-22 04:28:47
Document Index: 88790917

Matched Legal Cases: ['§ 405', '§ 1383', '§ 636', 'art, 395', 'art, 405', '§ 423', '§ 404', 'art 404']

GWENDOLYN VERONICA ROGERS, Plaintiff,
The Social Security Commissioner, by adoption of the Administrative Law Judge's (ALJ's) determination, denied Plaintiff's application for disability benefits, finding that she was not disabled within the meaning of the Social Security Act and Regulations. Plaintiff contends that the Commissioner's decision was in error and seeks review under the relevant provisions of 42 U.S.C. § 405(g) and 42 U.S.C. § 1383(c). All administrative remedies have been exhausted. Both parties filed their written consents for all proceedings to be conducted by the United States Magistrate Judge, including the entry of a final judgment directly appealable to the Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 636(c)(3).
LEGAL STANDARDS The court's review of the Commissioner's decision is limited to a determination of whether it is supported by substantial evidence and whether the correct legal standards were applied. Walker v. Bowen, 826 F.2d 996, 1000 (11th Cir. 1987) (per curiam). "Substantial evidence is something more than a mere scintilla, but less than a preponderance. If the Commissioner's decision is supported by substantial evidence, this court must affirm, even if the proof preponderates against it." Dyer v. Barnhart, 395 F.3d 1206, 1210 (11th Cir. 2005) (internal quotation marks omitted). The court's role in reviewing claims brought under the Social Security Act is a narrow one. The court may neither decide facts, re-weigh evidence, nor substitute its judgment for that of the Commissioner.[1] Moore v. Barnhart, 405 F.3d 1208, 1211 (11th Cir. 2005). It must, however, decide if the Commissioner applied the proper standards in reaching a decision. Harrell v. Harris, 610 F.2d 355, 359 (5th Cir. 1980) (per curiam). The court must scrutinize the entire record to determine the reasonableness of the Commissioner's factual findings. Bloodsworth v. Heckler, 703 F.2d 1233, 1239 (11th Cir. 1983). However, even if the evidence preponderates against the Commissioner's decision, it must be affirmed if substantial evidence supports it. Id.
The Plaintiff bears the initial burden of proving that she is unable to perform her previous work. Jones v. Bowen, 810 F.2d 1001 (11th Cir. 1986). The Plaintiff's burden is a heavy one and is so stringent that it has been described as bordering on the unrealistic. Oldham v. Schweiker, 660 F.2d 1078, 1083 (5th Cir. 1981).[2] A Plaintiff seeking Social Security disability benefits must demonstrate that he/she suffers from an impairment that prevents him/her from engaging in any substantial gainful activity for a twelve-month period. 42 U.S.C. § 423(d)(1). In addition to meeting the requirements of these statutes, in order to be eligible for disability payments, a Plaintiff must meet the requirements of the Commissioner's regulations promulgated pursuant to the authority given in the Social Security Act. 20 C.F.R. § 404.1 et seq.
Whether the ALJ erred in failing to find that Plaintiff had severe impairments of depressive disorder and personality disorder.
Plaintiff applied for disability insurance benefits on July 12, 2010, (Tr. 63, ECF No. 9-2) alleging disability as of May 1, 2009. ( Id. ) Plaintiff's application was denied initially and on reconsideration, and Plaintiff timely requested a hearing before an Administrative Law Judge ("ALJ"). The ALJ conducted a video hearing on May 4, 2012. ( Id. ) Following the hearing, the ALJ issued an unfavorable decision on August 1, 2012. (Tr. 63-71.) The Appeals Council ultimately denied Plaintiff's Request for Review on October 25, 2013. (Tr. 1-4.) This appeal followed.
After consideration of the written evidence and the hearing testimony in this case, the ALJ determined that Plaintiff met the insured status requirement of the Social Security Act through December 31, 2011. (Tr. 65.) He further found that Plaintiff had not engaged in substantial gainful activity as defined by the Act since her alleged onset date. ( Id. ) The ALJ found that Plaintiff had the severe impairments of obesity and iron deficiency anemia. ( Id. ) As for Plaintiff's other complaints and alleged diagnoses, the ALJ found that the medical evidence did not support a finding that any of these alleged impairments qualified as severe. ( Id. ) The ALJ then determined that Plaintiff had no impairments that met or medically equaled any one of the listed impairments in 20 C.F.R. Part 404, Subpart P, Appendix 1. (Tr. 67.)
After consideration of the entire record, the ALJ found that Plaintiff retained the residual functional capacity (RFC) to perform light work "except she can occasionally stair climb, but cannot kneel, crawl, climb ladders or scaffolds, work at heights, or with hazardous machinery." (Tr. 67.) The ALJ concluded that Plaintiff had past relevant work as a Sorter/Hanger, and was capable of performing that work. (Tr. 70.) The ALJ therefore found that Plaintiff had not been under a disability as defined in the Act from May 1, 2009 through December 31, 2011, the date last insured. ( Id. )
Did the ALJ err in finding that Plaintiff's alleged impairments of depressive disorder and ...