Jones v. Social Security Administration, Commissioner

Filing 14

MEMORANDUM OPINION AND ORDER DISMISSING CASE that the decision of the Commissioner is AFFIRMED and costs are taxed against claimant as more fully set out in order. Signed by Judge C Lynwood Smith, Jr on 10/21/2015. (AHI )

FILED
2015 Oct-21 PM 02:39
U.S. DISTRICT COURT
N.D. OF ALABAMA

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
NORTHERN DISTRICT OF ALABAMA
MIDDLE DIVISION
LAVONIA JONES,
Claimant,
vs.
CAROLYN W. COLVIN, Acting
Commissioner, Social Security
Administration,
Defendant.

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Case No. 4:15-CV-231-CLS

MEMORANDUM OPINION AND ORDER
Claimant, Lavonia Jones, commenced this action on February 6, 2015, pursuant
to 42 U.S.C. § 405(g), seeking judicial review of a final adverse decision of the
Commissioner, affirming the decision of the Administrative Law Judge (“ALJ”), and
thereby denying her claim for a period of disability, disability insurance, and
supplemental security income benefits.
The court’s role in reviewing claims brought under the Social Security Act is
a narrow one. The scope of review is limited to determining whether there is
substantial evidence in the record as a whole to support the findings of the
Commissioner, and whether correct legal standards were applied. See Lamb v.
Bowen, 847 F.2d 698, 701 (11th Cir. 1988); Tieniber v. Heckler, 720 F.2d 1251, 1253
(11th Cir. 1983).

Claimant contends that the Commissioner’s decision is neither supported by
substantial evidence nor in accordance with applicable legal standards. Upon review
of the record, the court concludes that contention lacks merit, and the Commissioner’s
ruling is due to be affirmed.
It is unclear from claimant’s brief whether she only asserts that she is entitled
to a closed period of disability, or whether she also asserts that she should have been
found to be permanently disabled. Either argument would require claimant to prove
that she was unable to work due to disability for a period of at least twelve months.
The Social Security Act defines a “disability” as an “inability 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 12 months.” 42
U.S.C. § 423(d)(1)(A) (emphasis supplied). See also 42 U.S.C. § 1382c(a)(3)(A)
(same definition for supplemental security income claims).
The ALJ acknowledged that “claimant’s leg fractures were severe and
debilitating — for a time.”1 Even so, she found that “claimant’s records simply fail
to support her allegations regarding the continuing severity of her pain and associated
physical limitations or the severity of her mental impairments and associated

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Tr. 19.
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limitations.”2 Substantial evidence supports the ALJ’s well-reasoned and thorough
decision. Claimant’s condition continued to improve throughout the year following
her May 2011 injury and, even though she still experienced some pain and other
residual effects after that year was over, there is no evidence that those residual issues
resulted in disabling limitations.
Consistent with the foregoing, the court concludes that the ALJ’s decision was
based upon substantial evidence and in accordance with applicable legal standards.
Accordingly, the decision of the Commissioner is AFFIRMED. Costs are taxed
against claimant. The Clerk is directed to close this file.
DONE this 21st day of October, 2015.

______________________________
United States District Judge

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Id. (emphasis supplied).
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