Wood v. Commissioner of the Social Security Administration

Filing 36

ORDER denying 34 Motion for Attorney Fees under EAJA. Signed by Honorable Richard M Gergel on 2/6/2014.(gnan )

IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

DISTRICT OF SOUTH CAROLINA

Christine Michelle Wood,
Plaintiff,
vs.
Carolyn W. Colvin, Acting Commissioner
of Social Security,
Defendant.

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Civil Action No. 5:12-1757-RMG

ORDER

This matter comes before the Court on Plaintiffs motion for an award of attorney's fees
under the Equal Access to Justice Act ("EAJA"), 28 U.s.C. § 2412. (Dkt. No. 34). Plaintiff
asserts she is entitled to an award under EAJA because Defendant's position in this Social
Security disability appeal was not substantially justified and the amount of fees requested is
reasonable. Defendant opposes an award under EAJA, arguing that the Government's position
was substantially justified. (Dkt. No. 35).
Under the provisions of EAJA, parties prevailing against the United States are entitled to
an award of attorney's fees unless the Government can carry its burden of demonstrating that its
litigation position was substantially justified. 28 U.S.C. § 2412(d)(I)(A); Crawfordv. Sullivan,
935 F.2d 655, 658 (4th Cir. 1991). "Substantial justification" is more than "merely undeserving
of sanctions for frivolousness" and the Government's position must be "reasonable ... both in
law and in fact." Pierce v. Underwood, 487 U.S. 552, 563-66 (1988).
Plaintiff appealed the Commissioner's decision denying her disability claim, which
centered on the allegedly disabling effects of a migraine condition. In reviewing the record in

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this matter, the Court was troubled by the fact that the medical records of the two treating
neurologists, one of whom had seen Plaintiff weeks before the hearing, were not in the record.
The Court noted that at the administrative hearing the ALl had left the record open for fifteen
days and asked Plaintiffs counsel to provide any additional treatment records. It appeared no
additional records were provided.
Since the Plaintiff s impairments associated with her migraine condition appeared to be
the critical issue in the appeal, the Court found itself tom between two arguably competing legal
principles. On one hand, the claimant has a duty to furnish all medical evidence and the burden
of proving her claim. 20 C.F.R. § 404.1 512(a). On the other hand, the ALl is required to
"develop a full and fair record" and to correct any deficiencies or gaps in the record. Thompson
v. Sullivan, 933 F.2d 581, 585 (7th Cir. 1991). This duty exists where such evidence is necessary
to a fair determination of the claim. Milton v. Schweiker, 669 F.2d 554, 556 (8th Cir. 1982). In a
very close question, the Court resolved that it would be manifestly unjust under these
circumstances to determine Plaintiff s disability claim without the inclusion of these potentially
critical medical records of treating specialist physicians being part of the administrative record.
Thus, the Court reversed the decision of the Commissioner and remanded the matter to the
agency to complete the record.
The Court has reviewed Plaintiffs motion for attorney's fees under EAlA and the
Commissioner's response. Under these quite unusual circumstances, the Court finds the
Commissioner's position, while not ultimately sustained, to be substantially justified. Therefore,
Plaintiff's motion for an award of attorney's fees under EAlA is denied.

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AND IT IS SO ORDERED.

Richard Mark Gergel
United States District Judge

Charleston, South Carolina

February 0,2014

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