Dover v. Social Security Administration Commissioner

Filing 13

FINAL JUDGMENT REVERSING THE DECISION OF THE COMMISSIONER AND REMANDING THIS CASE TO THE COMMISSIONER FOR FURTHER CONSIDERATION PURSUANT TO SENTENCE FOUR of 42 U.S.C. 405(g). Signed by Honorable Mark E. Ford on July 29, 2016. (lw)

IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
WESTERN DISTRICT OF ARKANSAS
FORT SMITH DIVISION
JANET DOVER
V.

PLAINTIFF
CIVIL ACTION NO. 2:15-CV-2149-MEF

CAROLYN W. COLVIN, Commissioner,
Social Security Administration

DEFENDANT

FINAL JUDGMENT
This cause is before the Court on the Plaintiff’s complaint for judicial review of an
unfavorable final decision of the Commissioner of the Social Security Administration denying her
claim for disability benefits. The parties have consented to entry of final judgment by the United
States Magistrate Judge under the provisions of 28 U.S.C. § 636(c). The Court, having reviewed
the administrative record, the briefs of the parties, the applicable law, and having heard oral
argument, finds as follows, to-wit:
Consistent with the Court’s ruling from the bench following the parties’ oral argument, the
decision of the Commissioner of Social Security is reversed and remanded for further proceedings
pursuant to sentence four of 42 U.S.C. § 405(g).
The medical evidence makes clear that the Plaintiff suffers from hepatitis C and cirrhosis
of the liver. However, the most recent RFC assessment contained in the record is dated July 8,
2013, which is prior to Plaintiff’s diagnosis of cirrhosis. Thus, the Court finds remand necessary
to allow the ALJ to obtain a more recent RFC assessment that accounts for all the Plaintiff’s
impairments.
Further, the only RFC assessments of record are from non-examining sources. The ALJ
neither requested RFC assessments from Plaintiff’s treating sources nor ordered a consultative
examination of the Plaintiff. Given the seriousness of the Plaintiff’s diagnoses, the Court also finds

remand necessary to allow the ALJ to obtain RFC assessments from Plaintiff’s treating sources. If
these sources are unwilling or otherwise unable to complete an RFC assessment, then a
consultative gastroenterology examination should be ordered
The Court also notes that specialist, Dr. Jacob Joseph, diagnosed the Plaintiff with
“compensated cirrhosis related to hepatitis C,” while Plaintiff’s primary care provider, Nurse
Tracy Fisher, diagnosed her with stage 4 cirrhosis. Because the record does not make clear the
exact stage of Plaintiff’s disease, on remand, the ALJ is further directed to clarify the stage of her
cirrhosis and the treatment options, if any, available to her.
Upon receipt of the aforementioned assessments and clarifying statements, the ALJ is
directed to reconsider the Plaintiff’s RFC. The RFC should then be used in a hypothetical question
posed to a vocational expert to determine whether the Plaintiff remains capable of performing
work existing in significant numbers in the national economy.
IT IS SO ORDERED AND ADJUDGED on this the 29th day of July, 2016.
/s/ Mark E. Ford
HON. MARK E. FORD
UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE

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