Gandy v. Commissioner of Social Security

Filing 21

JUDGMENT in favor of Joe Ann Gandy against Commissioner of Social Security. CASE CLOSED. Signed by Magistrate Judge Jane M. Virden on 5/30/17. (ncb)

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

PLAINTIFF

V.

NO. 1:16CV172-SA-JMV

COMMISSIONER OF SOCIAL SECURITY

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 a claim for a period of disability and disability insurance benefits, disabled widow’s
insurance benefits, and supplemental security income 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:
Consistent with the court’s ruling from the bench during a hearing held May 25,
2017, the court finds the ALJ’s step two determination of no severe impairments is not
supported by substantial evidence in the record. For example, the ALJ determined the
claimant’s diabetes was not severe, yet the record indicates state agency medical
consultants–on whom the ALJ relied for her physical nonseverity findings–did not consider
2014 records which indicated possible chronic hyperglycemia.1 Nor did state agency doctors
consider the claimant’s “moderate” obstructive sleep apnea. Moreover, the ALJ failed to

1

Indeed, Dr. Madena Gibson determined the claimant’s diabetes was “controlled.”

fully develop the record with regard to Dr. Drumheller’s assessment of “rule out mental
retardation.” The court notes the Commissioner’s own regulations, i.e., Listing 9.00
Endocrine Disorders,2 indicate chronic hyperglycemia can affect other body systems, e.g.,
leading to “cognitive impairments, depression, and anxiety under [Listing] 12.00.”
On remand, the ALJ shall reconsider all of the claimant’s impairments. This
reconsideration shall include ordering a new comprehensive mental status evaluation which
includes intelligence testing. The examiner will be required to opine regarding the
claimant’s ability to meet the relevant mental demands for work activity. Reconsideration
shall also include a new physical consultative examination which requires the examiner to
give an opinion on the claimant’s ability to perform exertional work activity (function-byfunction). If necessary, the ALJ shall employ the help of a medical expert to assist with a
determination of the claimant’s condition during the relevant periods. Finally, the ALJ shall
conduct a new hearing and any further proceedings deemed necessary, but which are not
inconsistent with this order.
IT IS, THEREFORE, ORDERED AND ADJUDGED that this case is
REVERSED and REMANDED for further proceedings.
This, the 30th day of May, 2017.

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

2

See 20 C.F.R. Part 404, Subpart P, Appendix 1.

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