Garner v. Social Security Administration Commissioner, No. 3:2022cv03031 - Document 16 (W.D. Ark. 2023)
Court Description: MEMORANDUM OPINION affirming the ALJ's decision and dismissing Plaintiff's Complaint with prejudice (See Opinion for Specifics). Signed by Honorable Christy D. Comstock on August 28, 2023. (lgd)
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Garner v. Social Security Administration Commissioner Doc. 16 IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT WESTERN DISTRICT OF ARKANSAS HARRISON DIVISION JENNIFER D. GARNER v. PLAINTIFF CIVIL NO. 22-3031 KILOLO KIJAKAZI, Acting Commissioner Social Security Administration DEFENDANT MEMORANDUM OPINION Plaintiff, Jennifer D. Garner, 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 claims for supplemental security income (SSI) benefits under the provisions of Title XVI 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 SSI on March 25, 2019, alleging an inability to work due to spinal stenosis, bone spurs, arthritis of the spine, neck pain, anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, carpal tunnel, degenerative disc disease, and a slipped disc. (Tr. 127128, 270). An administrative video hearing was held on June 28, 2021, at which Plaintiff appeared with counsel and testified. (Tr. 74-106). By written decision dated August 24, 2021, the ALJ found that during the relevant time period, Plaintiff had an impairment or combination of impairments that were severe. (Tr. 13). Specifically, the ALJ found Plaintiff had the following severe impairments: severe cervical spine 1 Dockets.Justia.com degenerative disc disease with advanced spondylosis status post-surgery in September 2019; degenerative disc disease of the thoracic spine; lumbar spine stenosis and mild degenerative disc disease with effacement on fat around the nerve root; a seizure disorder; depression; and anxiety. However, after reviewing all of the evidence presented, the ALJ determined that Plaintiff’s impairments 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. 14). The ALJ found Plaintiff retained the residual functional capacity (RFC) to: [P]erform sedentary work as defined in 20 CFR 416.967(a) except she can only occasionally climb ramps and stairs, stoop, kneel, crouch, crawl, and reach overhead bilaterally. She can never climb ladders, ropes, or scaffolds, operate a motor vehicle, work with moving mechanical parts or open flames, at unprotected heights, or in deep water. The claimant is capable of performing work involving simple, routine, repetitive tasks with few variables and little judgment. The work should involve supervision that is simple, direct, and concrete and where social interaction is incidental to the work performed. (Tr. 17). With the help of a vocational expert, the ALJ determined Plaintiff could perform work as a paster and trimer, an addressing clerk, and a pneumatic tube operator. (Tr. 23). Plaintiff then requested a review of the hearing decision by the Appeals Council, who after reviewing additional evidence submitted by Plaintiff denied that request on April 22, 2022. (Tr. 17). Subsequently, Plaintiff filed this action. (ECF No. 2). This case is before the undersigned pursuant to the consent of the parties. (ECF No. 6). Both parties have filed appeal briefs, and the case is now ready for decision. (ECF Nos. 13, 15). 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 2 964, 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). Plaintiff raises the following issue on appeal: 1) The ALJ erred in determining Plaintiff’s severe impairments; and 2) The ALJ’s determination is not supported by substantial evidence. (ECF No. 13). Defendant argues the ALJ properly considered all of the evidence and the decision is supported by substantial evidence. (ECF No. 15). The Court has reviewed the entire transcript and the parties’ briefs and finds that substantial evidence of record supports the ALJ’s determination. The ALJ considered the medical assessments of the consultative and non-examining agency medical consultants, witness statements, Plaintiff’s subjective complaints, and her medical records when she determined Plaintiff could perform sedentary work with limitations. With each medical opinion, the ALJ stated how persuasive she found each opinion and articulated the basis for her finding. While Plaintiff disagrees with the ALJ’s RFC determination, after reviewing the record as a whole the Court finds Plaintiff failed to meet her burden of showing a more restrictive RFC. See Perks v. Astrue, 687 F. 3d 1086, 1092 (8th Cir. 2012) (burden of persuasion to demonstrate RFC and prove disability remains on claimant). The Court finds substantial evidence supporting the ALJ’s RFC determination for the time period in question. 3 For the reasons stated in the ALJ’s well-reasoned opinion, the Court finds Plaintiff’s arguments 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). DATED this 28th day of August 2023. /s/_________________________________ HON. CHRISTY COMSTOCK UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE 4
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