Weatherspoon v. Colvin

Filing 15

JUDGMENT in favor of Mildred Louise Weatherspoon against Carolyn W. Colvin. The case is REMANDED for further proceedings. CASE CLOSED. Signed by Magistrate Judge Jane M. Virden on 6/10/16. (ncb)

IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
FOR THE NORTHERN DISTRICT OF MISSISSIPPI
ABERDEEN DIVISION

MILDRED LOUISE WEATHERSPOON
V.

PLAINTIFF
NO. 1:15CV00201-JMV

CAROLYN W. COLVIN,
Acting Commissioner of
Social Security Administration

DEFENDANT
FINAL JUDGMENT

This cause is before the court on Plaintiff’s complaint for judicial review of an
unfavorable final decision of the Commissioner of the Social Security Administration denying
claims for a period of disability and Disability Insurance 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), with any appeal to the Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit. The court, having
reviewed the administrative record, the briefs of the parties, and the applicable law and having
heard oral argument, finds as follows, to-wit:
Consistent with the court’s ruling from the bench during oral argument, the court finds
the ALJ’s residual functional capacity (“RFC”) determination is not supported by substantial
evidence in the record, to the extent it indicates Plaintiff had no limitations associated with the
right upper extremity beyond a limitation of occasional overhead reaching. The ALJ failed to
conduct a function-by-function assessment of Plaintiff’s RFC; and, her RFC determination (as it
regards the right upper extremity) is not supported by a medical opinion. On remand, the ALJ
shall obtain the opinion of a medical expert in the form of a function-by-function assessment of
the claimant’s right upper extremity based on all the medical evidence in the record. The ALJ

shall then reconsider the claimant’s RFC based on all the relevant evidence in the record. The
ALJ may conduct any additional proceedings that are not inconsistent with this order.
IT IS, THEREFORE, ORDERED AND ADJUDGED that this case is REVERSED
and REMANDED for further proceedings.
This, the 10th day of June, 2016.

/s/ Jane M. Virden
U. S. MAGISTRATE JUDGE

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