Adames v. Commissioner of Social Security

CourtDistrict Court, S.D. New York
DecidedSeptember 27, 2022
Docket1:20-cv-09546
StatusUnknown

This text of Adames v. Commissioner of Social Security (Adames v. Commissioner of Social Security) is published on Counsel Stack Legal Research, covering District Court, S.D. New York primary law. Counsel Stack provides free access to over 12 million legal documents including statutes, case law, regulations, and constitutions.

Bluebook
Adames v. Commissioner of Social Security, (S.D.N.Y. 2022).

Opinion

[ees] UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF NEW YORK | Doc #: wanna nnn X | DATE MIGUEL A. ADAMES, JR., Plaintiff, 20-CV-09546 (SN) -against- OPINION & ORDER COMMISSIONER OF SOCIAL SECURITY, Defendant.

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SARAH NETBURN, United States Magistrate Judge: Miguel A. Adames, Jr. seeks review of the decision of the Commissioner of Social Security (the “Commissioner”) finding that he was not disabled or entitled to supplemental security income (“SSI”) under the Social Security Act (the “Act”). The parties have cross-moved for judgment on the pleadings. Adames’s motion is DENIED, and the Commissioner’s motion is GRANTED. BACKGROUND I. Administrative History Adames applied for SSI on January 23, 2018. See ECF No. 17 Administrative Record (“R.”) 10, 58. He alleged disability beginning June 13, 2013, due to rotator cuff syndrome of the shoulder, depressive disorder, and backache. R. 10, 60. On May 10, 2018, his application was denied, and he requested a hearing before an administrative law judge (“ALJ”) to review his case. R. 10. Adames and his attorney appeared for a hearing before ALJ Brian G. Kanner on October 29, 2019, and he issued a decision denying Adames’s claim on December 27, 2019. R.

10-22. On September 17, 2020, the Appeals Council denied Adames’s request for review, making the ALJ’s decision final. R. 1-6; see 20 C.F.R. § 416.1581; 42 U.S.C. § 405(g). II. Adames’s Civil Case Adames filed his complaint on November 13, 2020, seeking review of the ALJ’s

decision. See ECF No. 1. He requested that the Court set aside the decision and grant him SSI or, alternatively, remand the case for further proceedings. Id. ¶ 9. The Commissioner answered by filing the administrative record, and the parties cross-moved for judgment on the pleadings. See ECF Nos. 17, 27, 29. Adames argues that the ALJ erred by not finding him unable to perform any overhead reaching, by improperly disregarding his testimony, and by finding he did not require the use of a cane. See ECF No. 28 (“Pl. Br.”) at 8, 12, 14. The Commissioner contends that the ALJ’s decision was supported by substantial evidence and that Adames did not demonstrate that he is disabled. See ECF No. 30 (“Def. Br.”). The Honorable Paul A. Engelmayer referred this case to my docket and the parties consented to my jurisdiction on February 7, 2022, pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 636(c). ECF Nos. 6,

26. III. Factual Background Adames does not contest the ALJ’s determination regarding his alleged depression. Thus, this summary, and the analysis that follows, focuses solely on his alleged physical impairments. A. Non-Medical Evidence Adames was born in 1975. R. 59. He has completed high school and a semester of college. R. 49, 69. Before his alleged onset of disability, he worked in an auto body shop as a painter. R. 228. In June 2013, Adames was struck by a car while riding his bicycle. R. 45, 259. He was hospitalized and remained unconscious for several days. Id. He suffered two strokes while in the hospital. R. 452. The accident left him with “residual cognitive deficits with dependent ADL and mobility” issues that led to his admission at Lutheran Medical Center for inpatient rehabilitation

on July 17, 2013. See R. 252-306. At the hearing before the ALJ, Adames stated that he suffered from depression because of lingering physical limitations caused by the accident. R. 41-42. When being sworn in, Adames propped up his right arm. R. 42. He stated that he is right-handed, currently unable to write his name or wash his back, and can lift only six pounds with his right arm. R. 42, 48. He testified that he has chronic back pain and is unable to stand for longer than half an hour. R. 45-46, 54. He is unable to walk more than three blocks and uses a cane to walk most of the time. R. 55. Adames testified that, since his accident, he is unable to use public transportation due to difficulty with stairs and being around lots of people. R. 52. He relies on Medicaid transportation to get to and from his medical appointments. R. 48-49. His girlfriend cleans their home, and his

children’s mother makes him food every day. R. 45. Carmen Aguayo, the mother of Adames’s children, provided a third-party function report. R. 170-83. She stated that the accident left him depressed and “in very bad shape” and that he sometimes forgets to take his medication. R. 176, 180. She also stated that he has difficulty with memory, completing tasks, and concentration. R. 182. Aguayo stated that he gets tired quickly and can walk only about half a block before needing to rest. Id. B. Medical Records On December 6, 2017, Adames was evaluated by Dr. Ifeanyi Oguagha as part of the intake process with WeCARE.1 R. 217-50. Dr. Oguagha recorded that Adames walked with a normal gait, possessed “4/5 strength” in his right arm with a “[range of motion] of 150 degrees,

limited by pain and stiffness.” R. 242. Dr. Oguagha noted that Adames was limited in his ability to reach, as well as manipulate objects, and that he had postural limitations including repetitive bending, crouching, and stooping. R. 244. Dr. Oguagha also noted a non-exertional limitation with regard to tolerating stress, adapting to change, and regulating emotions and mood. R. 245. Dr. Oguagha recommended work accommodations including use of a cart to transport material, and the elimination of lifting, pushing, pulling, carrying, stooping, bending, and reaching. R. 246. Dr. Oguagha noted that accommodation was provided to Adames in the form of assistance with completing his application and forms, but that he could not “ascertain why he would have difficulty writing as his physical exam did not show an[y] reason why he could not physically be able to write.” R. 249. Ultimately, Dr. Oguagha concluded that Adames was temporarily unable

to work pending further medical evaluation and care. R. 218-19, 249-50. On April 14, 2018, Adames was treated at the emergency department of NYU Langone Brooklyn for acute lower back pain. R. 338-39. He was described as having a “steady gait” with no mention of a cane. R. 340. Records indicate his symptoms improved with pain medication, and he was discharged that same day, appearing well and in no acute distress. R. 341. On May 9, 2018, Adames was seen in the Radiology Department of NYU Langone Brooklyn. R. 381. He was diagnosed with dislocation of his right shoulder. R. 382.

1 WeCARE is a vocational rehabilitation program for adults with medical/mental health barriers to employment. WeCARE – Bronx and Queens, Fedcap, Inc., https://fedcapinc.org/wecare-iii-rehabilitation- and-employment-ny/ (last visited September 15, 2022). On August 16, 2018, Adames was again treated for lower back pain at the emergency department of NYU Langone Brooklyn. R. 412-13. His symptoms improved with pain medication, and he was discharged the same day. R. 414. Records from this visit state that he “[w]alks with cane at baseline.” Id.

C. Medical Opinions 1. Ram Ravi, MD On March 17, 2018, Adames was examined by Dr. Ravi. R. 307-10. Dr. Ravi noted Adames had an antalgic gait and used a cane to alleviate pain and assist with balance and weightbearing when walking and standing. R. 308. Dr. Ravi stated that Adames’s use of a cane “is medically necessary.” Id. Dr. Ravi performed a musculoskeletal exam, which demonstrated Adames possessed a restricted range of motion in his cervical spine, knees, and ankles, and that he was unable to raise his right arm more than 70 degrees. R. 309. Dr. Ravi diagnosed Adames with back pain, right shoulder pain, decreased vision bilaterally, and stroke. R. 310.

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Adames v. Commissioner of Social Security, Counsel Stack Legal Research, https://law.counselstack.com/opinion/adames-v-commissioner-of-social-security-nysd-2022.