Curtis Hillard, Jr. v. Frank Bisignano, Commissioner, Social Security Administration

Summary

A magistrate judge recommends reversal and remand of the Commissioner of Social Security’s denial of Curtis Hillard, Jr.’s claim for disability insurance benefits. The report concludes that substantial evidence did not support the ALJ’s residual functional capacity determination that Hillard could perform light work with limited postural restrictions. The recommendation would remand the case under sentence four of 42 U.S.C. § 405(g) for further consideration of the RFC.

Holdings

1. The court must affirm the ALJ's decision if substantial evidence in the record supports it, and may not reverse merely because the record also contains evidence supporting a contrary result or because the court would have reached a different decision.
2. Substantial evidence did not support the ALJ's determination that Hillard could perform light work with only occasional stooping and climbing restrictions; the case should be remanded for further consideration of the RFC.

Questions Presented

1. Whether the ALJ fully and fairly developed the administrative record.
2. Whether Hillard's mental impairments were severe.
3. Whether the ALJ properly evaluated Hillard's subjective complaints.
4. Whether substantial evidence supported the ALJ's residual functional capacity determination that Hillard could perform light work with occasional stooping and climbing.

Disposition

reversed_and_remanded