Summary
This Report and Recommendation from the United States District Court for the Middle District of Florida addresses a pro se plaintiff’s request for judicial review of the Commissioner of Social Security’s denial of disability insurance benefits and Supplemental Security Income. The magistrate judge analyzes the Administrative Law Judge’s five-step sequential evaluation process and concludes that the decision was supported by substantial evidence and applied correct legal standards. Consequently, the court recommends affirming the Commissioner’s final decision and closing the case.
Topics
Practice areas
Questions Presented
- Whether the Commissioner’s decision was supported by substantial evidence and applied the correct legal standards under the sequential evaluation process
- Whether the ALJ erred by continuing the sequential evaluation process after finding severe impairments at step two
Holdings
- The Commissioner’s decision is affirmed because it is supported by substantial evidence and the correct legal standards were applied.
- The ALJ did not err; the sequential evaluation may continue beyond step two and the ALJ’s continuation was proper.
Key quotations
“If you do not have a severe medically determinable physical or mental impairment that meets the duration requirement … we will find that you are not disabled.” (20 C.F.R. § 416.920(a)(4)(ii))
““Substantial evidence is more than a scintilla and is such relevant evidence as a reasonable person would accept as adequate to support a conclusion.”” (631 F.3d at 1178)
Factual background
Plaintiff, born in 1977, claimed disability beginning August 7, 2015, citing mental health disorders, knee problems, and schizophrenia. The ALJ found no past relevant work and identified several severe impairments but concluded none met or equaled the listings in 20 C.F.R. Part 404, Subpart P, Appendix 1. The ALJ determined Plaintiff retained residual functional capacity to perform light work and therefore was not disabled.
Procedural history
The SSA denied Plaintiff’s claim for disability, DIB, and SSI. The ALJ affirmed the denial after a hearing. The Appeals Council denied review. Plaintiff filed a complaint in the Middle District of Florida.