Denton v. Social Security Administration Commissioner

Filing 12

MEMORANDUM OPINION. Signed by Honorable Erin L. Wiedemann on March 13, 2018. (tg)

IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
WESTERN DISTRICT OF ARKANSAS
FAYETTEVILLE DIVISION

LAURA DENTON

v.

PLAINTIFF

CIVIL NO. 17-5010

NANCY A. BERRYHILL, Commissioner
Social Security Administration

DEFENDANT

MEMORANDUM OPINION
Plaintiff, Laura Denton, 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) under the provisions of Title II 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 application for DIB on July 31, 2014, alleging an
inability to work since May 6, 2013, due to fibromyalgia, depression, post-traumatic stress, a
knee injury, an ankle injury, chronic migraines and asthma. (Tr. 80, 149). For DIB purposes,
Plaintiff maintained insured status through September 30, 2014. (Tr. 151). An administrative
hearing was held on October 19, 2015, at which Plaintiff was informed of her right to
representation; however, Plaintiff chose to appear and testify without the assistance of an
attorney or other representative. (Tr. 30-78).
By written decision dated November 23, 2015, the ALJ found that during the relevant
time period, Plaintiff had an impairment or combination of impairments that were severe. (Tr.

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16). Specifically, the ALJ found that through the date last insured Plaintiff had the following
severe impairments: A depressive disorder; left knee bursitis; chondromalacia patella;
osteoarthritis; a history of asthma; vitamin D and B12 deficiencies; gastroesophageal reflux
disease (GERD); myalgias; and obesity.

However, after reviewing all of the evidence

presented, the ALJ determined that through the date last insured 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. 17). The ALJ found that through the
date last insured Plaintiff retained the residual functional capacity (RFC) to:
perform light work as defined in 20 CFR 404.1567(b) except occasional bend,
stoop, kneel, and crouch; never crawl; no climbing ladders, ropes, or scaffolds;
no hazards such as unprotected heights or dangerous machinery; use of a cane
to ambulate to the work station but (sic) while at the work station; occasional
exposure to dust, fumes, smoke, and chemicals; and can understand, remember,
and carry out more than simple instructions, but no complex instructions.
(Tr. 18, 69). With the help of a vocational expert, the ALJ determined that through the date
last insured Plaintiff could perform her past relevant work as a payroll clerk/payroll specialist.
(Tr. 23).
Plaintiff then requested a review of the hearing decision by the Appeals Council, which
after reviewing additional evidence submitted by Plaintiff, denied that request on December
16, 2016. (Tr. 1-6). Subsequently, Plaintiff filed this action. (Doc. 1). This case is before the
undersigned pursuant to the consent of the parties. (Doc. 7). Both parties have filed appeal
briefs, and the case is now ready for decision. (Docs. 10, 11).
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
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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 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. 08-0089, 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 13th day of March 2018.
/s/ Erin L. Wiedemann
HON. ERIN L. WIEDEMANN
UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE

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