Brittany L. Archibald v. Frank Bisignano, Commissioner of the Social Security Administration

Summary

The United States District Court for the Eastern District of Wisconsin reviews Brittany L. Archibald’s challenge to the denial of Social Security disability benefits. The court concludes that the ALJ reasonably evaluated the medical opinions, subjective symptom evidence, and residual functional capacity, and affirms the agency’s decision.

Holdings

1. The ALJ properly evaluated Dr. Siddiqui's opinions by addressing their supportability and consistency and reasonably found the opinions less persuasive in substantial part because they relied heavily on subjective complaints, were not supported by examination findings, and were inconsistent with other record evidence.
2. The ALJ was not required to adopt a physician's RFC opinion in full or choose between competing medical opinions; the ALJ could formulate an RFC from the entire record, including objective evidence, medical opinions, and the claimant's statements.
3. The ALJ properly evaluated Archibald's subjective symptom statements under the required two-step process and reasonably found that the alleged intensity, persistence, and limiting effects were not entirely consistent with the record.
4. The ALJ's unfavorable disability determination was supported by substantial evidence and adequately explained, so the court affirmed the decision.

Questions Presented

1. Whether the ALJ properly evaluated and discounted portions of the treating physician's medical opinions under 20 C.F.R. § 404.1520c.
2. Whether the ALJ improperly formulated the residual functional capacity without adopting a medical opinion in full or obtaining additional medical-expert review.
3. Whether the ALJ properly evaluated Archibald's subjective symptom statements under 20 C.F.R. § 404.1529 and SSR 16-3p.
4. Whether the ALJ's decision was supported by substantial evidence and an adequate logical bridge.

Disposition

affirmed