K.S. v. Frank Bisignano

Summary

The United States District Court for the Northern District of California affirmed the Commissioner of Social Security’s denial of Karen Yvette Sanders’s application for disability benefits. The court held that the Administrative Law Judge properly evaluated the medical opinions of the psychological and physical consultative examiners, and that the residual functional capacity and step-five determination were supported by substantial evidence. The court entered judgment for the Commissioner.

Holdings

1. The ALJ adequately addressed Dr. Crockett's opinion and reasonably found portions concerning social and adaptive functioning less persuasive.
2. The ALJ adequately evaluated Dr. Lewis's opinion and reasonably found it unpersuasive based on substantial evidence.
3. The ALJ's residual functional capacity determination was supported by substantial evidence and did not require remand.
4. The ALJ reasonably found at step five that Plaintiff could perform jobs existing in significant numbers in the national economy.

Questions Presented

1. Whether the ALJ properly evaluated the medical opinion evidence of psychological consultative examiner Dr. Alex Crockett.
2. Whether the ALJ properly evaluated the medical opinion evidence of physical consultative examiner Dr. Rose Lewis.
3. Whether the ALJ's residual functional capacity determination was supported by substantial evidence.
4. Whether the ALJ properly determined at step five that Plaintiff could perform a significant number of jobs in the national economy.

Disposition

affirmed