Source: http://nc.findacase.com/research/wfrmDocViewer.aspx/xq/fac.20180301_0000734.ENC.htm/qx
Timestamp: 2018-04-22 20:22:54
Document Index: 466367499

Matched Legal Cases: ['§ 405', '§ 1382', '§ 404', '§ 404', '§ 404', 'art, 453']

WILLIAM K. GORE, Plaintiff,
This matter is before the court on plaintiffs motion for judgment on the pleadings [D.E. 14] and defendant's motion seeking remand to the Social Security Administration [D.E. 16]. On December 21, 2017, the court held a hearing on the matter in Raleigh, North Carolina [D.E. 21]. For the reasons discussed below, plaintiffs motion for judgment on the pleadings [D.E. 14] is GRANTED, defendant's motion [D.E. 16] is DENIED, the decision of the Commissioner is REVERSED, and the case is REMANDED to the Commissioner for an award of benefits.
On November 11, 2012, plaintiff filed applications for disability insurance benefits under Title II of the Social Security Act ("Act") and supplemental security income benefits under Title XVI of the Act. [Tr. 92]. Plaintiff alleged a disability onset date of February 1, 2012. [Tr. 23]. Plaintiffs applications were denied initially and upon reconsideration. [Tr. 21].
On February 13, 2015, an Administrative Law Judge ("ALJ") held a video hearing to consider plaintiff s claims de novo, [Tr. 37-67]. On March 30, 2013, the ALJ issued a decision finding that plaintiff was not disabled within the meaning of the Act. [Tr. 21-32]. Plaintiff appealed and, on September 8, 2016, the Appeals Council denied review, thereby rendering the ALJ's decision the final decision of the Commissioner. [Tr. 1-13]. On November 9, 2016, plaintiff filed a complaint in this court seeking review of the Commissioner's final decision pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 405(g). See [D.E. 5].
Under the Social Security Act ("Act"), an individual is disabled if he is unable "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 [twelve] months." 42 U.S.C. § 1382c(a)(3)(A). Further:
an individual shall be determined to be under a disability only if his physical or mental impairment or impairments are of such severity that he is not only unable to do his previous work but cannot, considering his age, education, and work experience, engage in any other line of substantial gainful work ....
In making an RFC finding, the ALJ's considers both severe and non-severe impairments, and any combination thereof, and takes into account both objective medical evidence as well as subjective complaints of pain and limitations. 20 C.F.R. § 404.1545(e). The ALJ further considers . the claimant's ability to meet the physical, mental, sensory, and other requirements of accomplishing work. 20 C.F.R. § 404.1545(a)(4). An RFC finding is meant to reflect the most that a claimant can do, despite his limitations. 20 C.F.R. § 404.1545(a)(1). Moreover, an RFC finding should reflect the claimant's ability to perform sustained work-related activities in a work setting on regular and continuing basis, meaning eight-hours per day, five days per week. See SSR 96-8p; Hines v. Barnhart, 453 F.3d 559, 562 (4th Cir. 2006).
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;At step four, the ALJ considers a claimant&#39;s RFC to determine whether he can perform past relevant work ("PRW") despite his impairments. 20 C.F.R. &sect; 416.920(a)(4). If not, the ALJ proceeds to step five of the analysis: establishing whether the claimant-based on his RFC, age, education, and work experience-can make an adjustment to perform other work. Id. If the ...