Fox v. Social Security Administration Commissioner
Filing
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MEMORANDUM OPINION. Signed by Honorable Erin L. Wiedemann on April 1, 2021. (lw)
IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
WESTERN DISTRICT OF ARKANSAS
FORT SMITH DIVISION
REBECCA FOX
PLAINTIFF
v.
CIVIL NO. 20-2120
ANDREW M. SAUL, Commissioner
Social Security Administration
DEFENDANT
MEMORANDUM OPINION
Plaintiff, Rebecca Fox, brings this action pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 405(g), seeking judicial
review of a decision of the Commissioner of the Social Security Administration (Commissioner)
denying her claims for a period of disability and disability insurance benefits (DIB) and
supplemental security income (SSI) benefits under the provisions of Titles II and XVI of the Social
Security Act (Act). In this judicial review, the Court must determine whether there is substantial
evidence in the administrative record to support the Commissioner's decision. See 42 U.S.C. §
405(g).
Plaintiff protectively filed her current applications for DIB and SSI on November 20, 2016,
alleging an inability to work since November 17, 2016, due to knee problems, and a bulging disc.
(Tr. 142, 263). For DIB purposes, Plaintiff maintained insured status through June 30, 2017. (Tr.
12, 265). An administrative hearing was held on November 19, 2018, at which Plaintiff appeared
with counsel and testified. (Tr. 32-62).
By written decision dated September 11, 2019, the ALJ found that during the relevant time
period, Plaintiff had an impairment or combination of impairments that were severe. (Tr.14).
Specifically, the ALJ found Plaintiff had the following severe impairments: osteoarthrosis of the
bilateral knees, status-post left knee meniscus tear arthroscopy, degenerative disc disease of the
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lumbar spine, obesity, and carpal tunnel syndrome. However, after reviewing all of the evidence
presented, the ALJ determined that Plaintiff’s impairments did not meet or equal the level of
severity of any impairment listed in the Listing of Impairments found in Appendix I, Subpart P,
Regulation No. 4. (Tr. 14). The ALJ found Plaintiff retained the residual functional capacity
(RFC) to:
perform light work as defined in 20 CFR 404.1567(b) and 416.967(b) except that
the claimant can frequently handle and finger with the bilateral upper extremities.
(Tr. 15). With the help of a vocational expert, the ALJ determined Plaintiff could perform work as
a cashier II, a merchandise marker, and a sales attendant. (Tr. 24).
Plaintiff then requested a review of the hearing decision by the Appeals Council which
denied that request on June 24, 2020. (Tr. 1-7). Subsequently, Plaintiff filed this action. (Doc. 3).
This case is before the undersigned pursuant to the consent of the parties. (Doc. 6). Both parties
have filed appeal briefs, and the case is now ready for decision. (Docs. 16, 19).
This Court's role is to determine whether the Commissioner's findings are supported by
substantial evidence on the record as a whole. Ramirez v. Barnhart, 292 F.3d 576, 583 (8th Cir.
2002). Substantial evidence is less than a preponderance but it is enough that a reasonable mind
would find it adequate to support the Commissioner's decision. The ALJ's decision must be
affirmed if the record contains substantial evidence to support it. Edwards v. Barnhart, 314 F.3d
964, 966 (8th Cir. 2003). As long as there is substantial evidence in the record that supports the
Commissioner's decision, the Court may not reverse it simply because substantial evidence exists
in the record that would have supported a contrary outcome, or because the Court would have
decided the case differently. Haley v. Massanari, 258 F.3d 742, 747 (8th Cir. 2001). In other
words, if after reviewing the record it is possible to draw two inconsistent positions from the
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evidence and one of those positions represents the findings of the ALJ, the decision of the ALJ
must be affirmed. Young v. Apfel, 221 F.3d 1065, 1068 (8th Cir. 2000).
The Court has reviewed the entire transcript and the parties’ briefs. For the reasons stated
in the ALJ’s well-reasoned opinion and the Government’s brief, the Court finds Plaintiff’s
arguments on appeal to be without merit and finds that the record as a whole reflects substantial
evidence to support the ALJ’s decision. Accordingly, the ALJ’s decision is hereby summarily
affirmed and Plaintiff’s Complaint is dismissed with prejudice. See Sledge v. Astrue, No. 080089, 2008 WL 4816675 (W.D. Mo. Oct. 31, 2008) (summarily affirming ALJ’s denial of
disability benefits), aff’d, 364 Fed. Appx. 307 (8th Cir. 2010).
DATED this 1st day of April 2021.
/s/ Erin L. Wiedemann
HON. ERIN L. WIEDEMANN
UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE
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