Opinion ID: 488673
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: The Preclusive Effect of Claimant's Initial Denial

Text: 9 When, following any final administrative decision denying benefits, a claimant elects to file anew claim rather than pursue judicial remedies, the Secretary may apply res judicata to the previous decision if he finds that the same claim was involved. 20 C.F.R. Sec. 404.957(c)(1). The procedures by which the Secretary may reopen and revise his decision are set forth at Sec.Sec. 404.987 through 404.996. Generally, a claimant may request a reopening of his claim at any time within twelve months of the date of the initial final determination. However, Halcomb did not request reopening but elected to file a new claim. It is the Secretary's prerogative whether to treat the new claim as a request for reopening, and this decision is not subject to judicial review under 42 U.S.C. Sec.205(g). Califano v. Sanders, 430 U.S. 99, 109 (1977). 10 It appears that the ALJ did consider claimant's request for reopening, but denied the request because the newly-presented evidence was not material to a disability determination for the previous period. Absent an objection that the agency's decision violated a claimant's constitutional due process rights, this court is without jurisdiction to review the Secretary's refusal to reopen his prior claim. Bagby v. Harris, 650 F.2d 836 (6th Cir.), cert. denied, 454 U.S. 1087 (1981). Since neither Halcomb's first nor his second claim alleged disability due to a spinal impairment, and the only evidence documenting such impairment dates from October of 1982, we perceive no substantial error in the ALJ's decision to bar subsequent attack on the initial denial. As a result, claimant is limited on his current claim to proving disability for a period beginning after November 12, 1981, the date of the denial of his initial claim.