Joseph M. Cline v. Commissioner of Social Security

Summary

This Report and Recommendation addresses Joseph M. Cline’s challenge to the Commissioner of Social Security’s denial of his application for Supplemental Security Income. The magistrate judge recommends affirming the Commissioner’s decision, concluding that the ALJ properly evaluated Cline’s impairments, residual functional capacity, symptoms, and ability to perform other work in the national economy. The recommendation rejects Cline’s arguments concerning obesity, diabetic neuropathy, the step-three listing analysis, and the light-work RFC finding.

Holdings

1. The ALJ did not err in finding that Cline's impairments, alone or in combination, did not meet or medically equal a listed impairment.
2. The ALJ's finding that Cline could perform a reduced range of light work was supported by substantial evidence.
3. The ALJ properly evaluated Cline's symptoms under the required two-step process, and the finding that his statements were not entirely consistent with the record was supported by substantial evidence.
4. The ALJ adequately incorporated Dr. Krabbe's mental-health limitations into the RFC and was not required to adopt the opinion verbatim.

Questions Presented

1. Whether the ALJ adequately considered Cline's diabetes, diabetic neuropathy, and obesity in combination at step three of the sequential evaluation.
2. Whether the ALJ's residual functional capacity finding for a reduced range of light work was supported by substantial evidence.
3. Whether the ALJ properly evaluated the intensity, persistence, and limiting effects of Cline's symptoms under Social Security Ruling 16-3p.
4. Whether the ALJ adequately incorporated the limitations identified in psychologist Dr. Krabbe's opinion into the residual functional capacity assessment.

Disposition

affirmed