Rodgerson v. Berryhill

          MEMORANDUM OPINION

          HON. ERIN L. WIEDEMANN UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE.

         Plaintiff, Patty S. Rodgerson, brings this action pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 405(g), seeking judicial review of a decision of the Commissioner of the Social Security Administration (Commissioner) denying her claim for a period of disability and disability insurance benefits (DIB) under the provisions of Title II of the Social Security Act (Act). In this judicial review, the Court must determine whether there is substantial evidence in the administrative record to support the Commissioner's decision. See 42 U.S.C. § 405(g).

         Plaintiff protectively filed her current application for DIB on June 3, 2014, alleging an inability to work since October 5, 2012, ^[2] due to kidney problems, diabetes, nerve damage in the back, and heart problems. (Tr. 462, 475). For DIB purposes, Plaintiff maintained insured status through March 31, 2016. (Tr. 462, 475). An administrative video hearing was held on May 27, 2016, at which Plaintiff and a vocational expert testified. (Tr. 416-437).

         By written decision dated December 27, 2016, the ALJ found that during the relevant time period, Plaintiff had severe impairments of coronary artery disease, high blood pressure, diabetes mellitus, obesity, hyperlipidemia, and depression. (Tr. 164). However, after reviewing all of the evidence presented, the ALJ determined that Plaintiff's impairment did not meet or equal the level of severity of any impairment listed in the Listing of Impairments found in Appendix I, Subpart P, Regulation No. 4. (Tr. 165-167). The ALJ found that Plaintiff retained the residual functional capacity (RFC) to perform light work as defined in 20 CFR 404.1567(b), except for the following:

[C]laimant can frequently use foot controls with her right lower extremity on a frequent (but not continuous) basis. The claimant is able to perform work where interpersonal contact is routine but superficial, the complexity of tasks is learned by experience with several variables, and requires judgment within limits, and the supervision required is little for routine, but detailed for non-routine. Finally, the claimant must avoid even moderate exposure to hazardous machinery and unprotected heights.

         (Tr. 167-172). With the help of a vocational expert (VE), the ALJ determined that Plaintiff was able to perform her past relevant work as a medical records clerk. (Tr. 172). The ALJ concluded that the Plaintiff had not been under a disability, as defined in the Social Security Act, from October 5, 2012, the amended alleged onset date, through March 31, 2016, the date last insured. (Tr. 173).

         Plaintiff then requested a review of the hearing decision by the Appeals Council, which after reviewing additional medical evidence submitted by the Plaintiff, denied that request on December 21, 2017.^[3] (Tr. 1-5). Subsequently, Plaintiff filed this action. (Doc. 1). This case is before the undersigned pursuant to the consent of the parties. (Doc. 6). Both parties have filed appeal briefs, and the case is now ready for decision. (Docs. 11, 12).

         This Court's role is to determine whether the Commissioner's findings are supported by substantial evidence on the record as a whole. Ramirez v. Barnhart, 292 F.3d 576, 583 (8th Cir. 2002). Substantial evidence is less than a preponderance but it is enough that a reasonable mind would find it adequate to support the Commissioner's decision. The ALJ's decision must be affirmed if the record contains substantial evidence to support it. Edwards v. Barnhart, 314 F.3d 964, 966 (8th Cir. 2003). As long as there is substantial evidence in the record that supports the Commissioner's decision, the Court may not reverse it simply because substantial evidence exists in the record that would have supported a contrary outcome, or because the Court would have decided the case differently. Haley v. Massanari, 258 F.3d 742, 747 (8th Cir. 2001). In other words, if after reviewing the record it is possible to draw two inconsistent positions from the evidence and one of those positions represents the findings of the ALJ, the decision of the ALJ must be affirmed. Young v. Apfel, 221 F.3d 1065, 1068 (8th Cir. 2000).

         The Court has reviewed the entire transcript and the parties' briefs. For the reasons stated in the ALJ's well-reasoned opinion and the Government's brief, the Court finds Plaintiff's arguments on appeal to be without merit and finds that the record as a whole reflects substantial evidence to support the ALJ's decision. Accordingly, the ALJ's decision is hereby summarily affirmed and Plaintiff's Complaint is dismissed with prejudice. See Sledge v. Astrue, No. 08-0089, 2008 WL 4816675 (W.D. Mo. Oct. 31, 2008) (summarily affirming ALJ's denial of disability benefits), aff'd, 364 Fed.Appx. 307 (8th Cir. 2010).

         IT IS SO ORDERED AND ADJUDGED

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Notes:

^[1] Nancy A. Berryhill, has been appointed to serve as acting Commissioner of Social Security, and is substituted as Defendant, pursuant to Rule 25(d)(1) of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure.

^[2] At the September 4, 2015, hearing before the ALJ, Plaintiff amended her alleged onset date from October 5, 2011 to ...