Tina Jewell Pully v. Frank Bisignano

Summary

The United States District Court for the Middle District of Alabama reviewed Tina Jewell Pully’s appeal from the Commissioner of Social Security’s denial of Disability Insurance Benefits. The court held that the Administrative Law Judge properly evaluated Pully’s subjective pain complaints and that the decision was supported by substantial evidence. Pully’s motion for summary judgment was denied, and the Commissioner’s motion for summary judgment was granted.

Holdings

1. The ALJ properly evaluated Plaintiff's subjective statements regarding pain and adequately articulated explicit and adequate reasons for finding that the alleged intensity, persistence, and limiting effects were not entirely consistent with the medical and other evidence.
2. The ALJ formulated an appropriate RFC and the Commissioner's denial of benefits was supported by substantial evidence; the court therefore affirmed the decision.

Questions Presented

1. Whether the ALJ properly evaluated Plaintiff's subjective complaints of pain and other symptoms under 20 C.F.R. § 404.1529 and Social Security Ruling 16-3p.
2. Whether substantial evidence supported the ALJ's resulting residual-functional-capacity assessment and the Commissioner's denial of benefits.

Disposition

affirmed