Pruitt v. Social Security Administration Commissioner

Filing 16

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 December 13, 2016. (lw)

IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
WESTERN DISTRICT OF ARKANSAS
FORT SMITH DIVISION
STEVEN D. PRUITT

V.

PLAINTIFF

CIVIL ACTION NO. 2:15-cv-2265-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 his
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).
Remand is again necessary to allow the ALJ to reassess the Plaintiff’s RFC. On remand,
the ALJ is directed to reconsider the evidence of record, including the examinations documenting
severe atrophy, weakness, diminished range of motion, and decreased pinprick sensation in the
Plaintiff’s left upper extremity and to include all limitations arising from these impairments in his
RFC determination. Further, the ALJ is directed to prepare and submit appropriate hypothetical

questions to the vocational expert to determine if any jobs exist in significant numbers in the
national economy that the Plaintiff could perform.
IT IS SO ORDERED AND ADJUDGED on this the 13th day of December, 2016.
/s/ Mark E. Ford
HON. MARK E. FORD
UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE

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