Harriss v. Commissioner of Social Security

Summary

The United States District Court for the Eastern District of California adopted the magistrate judge’s findings and recommendations in a Social Security disability benefits action. The court granted Jerry Harriss’s motion for summary judgment, reversed the Commissioner’s decision, and remanded the matter for further proceedings under sentence four of 42 U.S.C. § 405(g).

Holdings

1. The ALJ failed to provide clear and convincing reasons supported by substantial evidence for rejecting Plaintiff's subjective symptomology testimony.
2. The ALJ's error was not harmless, requiring reversal of the administrative decision and remand for further proceedings.

Questions Presented

1. Whether the administrative law judge provided legally sufficient reasons, supported by substantial evidence, for rejecting Plaintiff's subjective symptom testimony.
2. Whether the ALJ's error was harmless.
3. Whether the administrative decision should be reversed and remanded under sentence four of 42 U.S.C. § 405(g).

Disposition

reversed_and_remanded