Bryant v. Colvin
Filing
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ORDER granting 11 Motion for Summary Judgment; denying 13 Motion for Summary Judgment; adopting re 15 Memorandum and Recommendations. Therefore, the Commissioners decision is REVERSED, and this matter is REMANDED for a new hearing pursuant to Sentence Four of 42 U.S.C. § 405(g). Signed by Chief Judge Frank D. Whitney on 3/6/18. (clc)
UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
WESTERN DISTRICT OF NORTH CAROLINA
CHARLOTTE DIVISION
CIVIL ACTION NO. 3:16-CV-00669-FDW-DSC
JAMES K. BRYANT,
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Plaintiffs,
v.
NANCY A. BERRYHILL,1
Defendants.
ORDER
THIS MATTER is before the Court on Plaintiff’s Motion for Summary Judgment (Doc.
No. 11) and Defendant’s Motion for Summary Judgment (Doc. No. 13). Pursuant to 28 U.S.C.
§ 636 (b)(1)(B), these motions were referred to the magistrate judge for issuance of a Memorandum
and Recommendation (“M&R”) for disposition (Doc. No. 15). The M&R respectfully
recommends Plaintiff’s Motion for Summary Judgment be granted, Defendant’s Motion for
Summary Judgment be denied, and the Commissioner’s decision be reversed. After Defendant
filed objections to the M&R (Doc. No. 16), and Plaintiff filed a response to Defendant's Objections
(Doc. No. 17), this matter is now ripe for review.
For the reasons set forth, the Court OVERRULES Defendant’s objections, ACCEPTS and
ADOPTS the M&R, GRANTS Plaintiff's Motion for Summary Judgment, DENIES Defendant's
Motion for Summary Judgment, and REVERSES the Commissioner's decision and remands this
matter for proceedings consistent with the M&R and this Order.
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Nancy A. Berryhill is now the Acting Commissioner of Social Security. Pursuant to Rule 25(d) of the Federal
Rules of Civil Procedure, Nancy A. Berryhill is substituted for Carolyn W. Colvin as the Defendant herein. No
further action needs to be taken pursuant to section 205(g) of the Social Security Act, 42 U.S.C. § 405(g).
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BACKGROUND
Defendant does not lodge any specific objections to the procedural history section
contained in the M&R. Therefore, the portion of the M&R entitled “Procedural History” is hereby
adopted and incorporated by reference as if fully set forth herein. (Doc. No. 15, p. 2-3). Likewise,
Defendant did not lodge any specific objections to the applicable law cited by the M&R. Thus,
the applicable law is also adopted and incorporated by reference as if fully set forth herein. (Doc.
No. 15, p. 4-5). Because the procedural posture before this Court is different than that of the
magistrate judge, the Court provides a short review of the applicable legal authority for reviewing
an M&R.
STANDARD OF REVIEW
The Social Security Act, 42 U.S.C. § 405(g) and § 1383(c)(3), restricts and narrows this
Court’s review of a final administrative decision of the Commissioner to (1) whether substantial
evidence supports the Commissioner’s decision, Richardson v. Perales, 402 U.S. 389, 390, 401
(1971); and (2) whether the Commissioner applied the correct legal standards. Hays v. Sullivan,
907 F.2d 1453, 1456 (4th Cir. 1990). It is not the role of the District Court to reweigh conflicting
evidence or make any credibility determinations regarding that evidence because “it is not within
the province of the reviewing court to determine the weight of the evidence, nor is it the court’s
function to substitute its judgment for that of the Secretary if his decision is supported by
substantial evidence.” Hays v. Sullivan, 907 F.2d 1453, 1456 (4th Cir. 1990). The District Court
does not review a final decision of the Commissioner de novo. Smith v. Schweiker, 795 F.2d 343,
345 (4th Cir. 1986).
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As noted above, this matter was first referred to the magistrate judge for M&R. The Federal
Magistrate Act states that a district court “shall make a de novo determination of those portions of
the report or specific proposed findings or recommendations to which objection is made.” 28
U.S.C. § 636(b)(1); see also Camby v. Davis, 718 F.2d 198, 200 (4th Cir.1983). De novo review
is not required, however, “when a party makes general or conclusory objections that do not direct
the court to a specific error in the magistrate judge's proposed findings and recommendations.”
Orpiano v. Johnson, 687 F.2d 44, 47 (4th Cir. 1982); see also Diamond v. Colonial Life & Accident
Ins. Co., 416 F.3d 310, 315 (4th Cir. 2005). Furthermore, no review is required of those portions
of the M&R which are not subject to an objection. Homesley v. Freightliner Corp., 122 F. Supp.
2d 659, 660 (W.D.N.C. 2000) (citing Thomas v. Arn, 474 U.S. 140, 149 (1985)).
Upon careful review of the record, the district court may accept, reject, or modify the
findings or recommendations made by the magistrate judge. Camby, 718 F.2d at 200. Based on
the foregoing, the Court has thoroughly reviewed the M&R and conducted a de novo review of
those parts of the M&R subject to Defendant’s objection.
ANALYSIS
Defendant raises two objections to the M&R's findings and conclusions. The Court will
review each of Defendant’s objections in turn. Following de novo review, the Court finds all of
Defendant’s objections to be without merit.
I.
Plaintiff’s Mild Mental Limitations
Defendant’s first objection contends the M&R incorrectly held the ALJ failed to give
explanation as to why Plaintiff’s mild mental limitations in daily activities, ability to maintain
social function, and concentration, persistence, or pace (“CPP”) were not factored into Plaintiff’s
Residual Functional Capacity (“RFC”). Defendant notes the ALJ’s discussion of Plaintiff’s mild
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mental limitations in Step Two of the Five Step sequential evaluation process. In Step Two, the
ALJ stated there was no evidence Plaintiff’s mild mental limitations interfered with his ability to
understand, remember, and carry out simple instructions. (Tr. 17-18). Additionally, the ALJ
noted, in Step Two, the lack of evidence for Plaintiff’s mild mental limitations interfering with his
ability to use judgment, or to respond appropriately to supervisors, co-workers, and usual work
situations, or to deal with changes in a routine work setting. (Tr. 18). Defendant’s objections are
noted, yet they are without merit.
In making a disability determination, the ALJ must consider the functional limitations
resulting from the claimant’s medically determinable impairments. SSR96-8p, available at 1996
WL 374184, at *2. This consideration is to “include a narrative discussion describing how the
evidence supports each conclusion, citing specific medical facts . . . and nonmedical evidence.”
Id. Accordingly, the Fourth Circuit has held that “remand may be appropriate . . . where an ALJ
fails to assess a claimant's capacity to perform relevant functions, despite contradictory evidence
in the record, or where other inadequacies in the ALJ's analysis frustrate meaningful review.”
Mascio v. Colvin, 780 F.3d 632, 636 (4th Cir. 2015).
Step Two analysis to determine the severity of Plaintiff’s mental limitations is an
insufficient substitute for the thorough assessment of Residual Functional Capacity required in
Step Four. Step Four analysis requires the ALJ to conduct a detailed assessment with itemization
of various functions found in paragraph B of the adult mental disorders listings in 12.00 of the
Listing of Impairments. See SSR 96-8p. This Court has previously held, “Mascio clearly imposes
on the Commissioner a duty to explain why such mild mental health impairments found at step
two do not translate into work-related limitations when plaintiff’s RFC for work is considered.”
Reinhardt v. Colvin, 2015 WL 1756480 (W.D.N.C. April 17, 2015). The ALJ must consider the
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combined effect of both severe and non-severe impairments. Hines v. Bowen, 872 F.2d 56, 59 (4th
Cir. 1989).
Here, the ALJ failed to explain why the mild mental limitations found and discussed in
Step Two did not translate into functional limitations during the ALJ’s Step Four analysis.
Defendant’s objection solely notes the ALJ’s discussion of Plaintiff’s mild mental limitations in
Step Two, regarding the severity of the impairment, not its impact on functional limitation assessed
in Step Four. The ALJ’s failure to explain why Plaintiff’s mild mental limitations do not result in
any functional limitations requires remand because it “frustrates meaningful review.” Mascio, 780
F.3d at 636.
II.
Opinions of State Agency Psychological Consultants
Defendant’s second objection contends the M&R incorrectly found that the ALJ did not
appropriately weigh the opinions of State agency psychological consultants. Defendant argues
these opinions predated the amended alleged onset date, and thus, were not reflective of Plaintiff’s
later improved mental functioning. For this reason, Defendant argues it was not improper to only
afford some weight to these opinions.
The ALJ’s Step Four analysis assigned only “some weight” to these opinions; however,
the ALJ’s decision did not further address them. (Tr. 23). Particularly, the ALJ failed to explain
how she could give “some weight” to those opinions but not account for the moderate limitation in
CPP in Plaintiff’s RFC. (Tr. 23). Accordingly, the ALJ’s failure to explain why she gave the weight
she did to these opinions is not harmless and requires remand.
CONCLUSION
For the foregoing reasons, the Court ADOPTS the M&R, GRANTS Plaintiff’s Motion for
Summary Judgment (Doc. No. 11), DENIES Defendant’s Motion for Summary Judgment (Doc.
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No. 13). Therefore, the Commissioner’s decision is REVERSED, and this matter is REMANDED
for a new hearing pursuant to Sentence Four of 42 U.S.C. § 405(g).
IT IS SO ORDERED.
Signed: March 6, 2018
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