Miller v. Commissioner of Social Security

Filing 23

ORDER granting 22 Motion to Remand. The clerk of court shall enter judgment in favor of plaintiff. Signed by Magistrate Judge Clifford J. Proud on 12/21/2012. (jmt)

IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
FOR THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF ILLINOIS

TYRONE MILLER,

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Plaintiff,
vs.
MICHAEL J. ASTRUE,
Commissioner of Social Security,
Defendant.

Civil No. 12-609-CJP

MEMORANDUM AND ORDER
PROUD, Magistrate Judge:
This matter is now before the Court on the parties’ Stipulation to Remand. (Doc. 22).
There are only two avenues for remanding a social security case. Remand can be ordered
pursuant to sentence four or to sentence six of 42 U.S.C. § 405(g). A sentence four remand
depends upon a finding of error, and is itself a final, appealable order. In contrast, a sentence six
remand is for the purpose of receipt of new evidence, but does not determine whether the
Commissioner’s decision as rendered was correct. A sentence six remand is not an appealable
order. See, Melkonyan v. Sullivan, 501 U.S. 89 (1991); Perlman v. Swiss Bank Corporation
Comprehensive Disability Protection Plan, 195 F.3d 975, 978 (7th Cir. 1999).
Here, the parties stipulate that this case should be remanded pursuant to sentence four. In
accordance with Schaefer v. Shalala, 509 U.S. 292, 302-303 (1993), judgment will be entered
in favor of plaintiff.
The Court notes that Mr. Miller applied for benefits in January, 2008. (Tr. 244). The
application was denied by an ALJ, but was remanded by the Appeals Council. The decision
denying the application after remand was issued in April, 2011. (Tr. 7-15). Administrative
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remedies were not completed until April, 2012, when the Appeals Council denied review. (Tr.
1). The Court recognizes that the agency has a full docket. However, in view of this procedural
history, the Court urges the Commissioner to expedite this matter to the extent practicable.
For good cause shown, the parties’ Stipulation to Remand (Doc. 22) is GRANTED.
The final decision of the Commissioner of Social Security denying Tyrone Miller’s
application for social security benefits is REVERSED and REMANDED to the Commissioner
for rehearing and reconsideration of the evidence, pursuant to sentence four of 42 U.S.C.
§405(g).
The Clerk of Court is directed to enter judgment in favor of plaintiff.
IT IS SO ORDERED.
DATED: December 21, 2012

s/ Clifford J. Proud
CLIFFORD J. PROUD
U.S. MAGISTRATE JUDGE

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