Jones v. Commissioner of Social Security

Opinion

ES Dis: aS ee clips SF 6 ee fg a) WS eae □□ =| See. iC

Ox GNP fen Cpe UNE ENS Lier OR

IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE EASTERN DISTRICT OF TEXAS BEAUMONT DIVISION JUANITA COLLECT JONES, § § Plaintiff, § § v. § CIVIL ACTION NO. 1:19-CV-440 § COMMISSIONER OF SOCIAL SECURITY — 8 ADMINISTRATION, § § Defendant. § ORDER OVERRULING OBJECTIONS AND ADOPTING REPORT AND RECOMMENDATION OF UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE Pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 636(b), Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 72, and the Local Rules for the Eastern District of Texas, the Court referred this Social Security appeal to United States Magistrate Judge Keith F. Giblin for consideration and recommended disposition. On March 10, 2021, Judge Giblin submitted a report recommending that the Commissioner’s decision be affirmed and Plaintiff's complaint be dismissed. [Dkt. 15]. On March 24, 2021, Plaintiff filed objections to the magistrate judge’s report. [See Dkt. 16]. The Court conducted a de novo review of the magistrate’s findings, the record, the relevant evidence, the specific objections, and the applicable law. See 28 U.S.C.§ 636(b)(1); see also FED. R. Civ. P. 72(b). The Court has considered the Report and Recommendation, [Dkt. 15], and Plaintiff's objections, [Dkt. 16]. After careful consideration, the Court concludes that

Plaintiff’s objections are without merit. Therefore, the Court ACCEPTS the magistrate judge’s recommendation, OVERRULES Plaintiff’s objections, and AFFIRMS the Commissioner’s denial of benefits. First, Plaintiff objects to the magistrate judge’s determinations that the ALJ properly considered Plaintiff’s three hospitalizations and medical records documenting her hallucinations

and delusions. [Dkt. 16 at 8, 11]. Here, the magistrate judge correctly determined that substantial evidence supports the ALJ’s consideration of Plaintiff’s hospitalizations and reports of hallucinations and delusions. Next, Plaintiff objects to the magistrate judge’s determination that the ALJ appropriately weighed Dr. Larned’s opinion. [Id. at 14]. Plaintiff argues that the ALJ failed to properly evaluate Dr. Larned’s opinion because the ALJ failed to discuss evidence favorable to Plaintiff. [Id.]. “The ALJ is free to reject the opinion of any physician when the evidence supports a contrary conclusion.” See Garcia v. Berryhill, 880 F.3d 700, 705 n.7 (5th Cir. 2018) (quoting Newton v. Apfel, 209 F.3d 448, 455 (5th Cir. 2000)). The Court may not reweigh the evidence or substitute

its judgment for the Commissioner’s. Harrell v. Bowen, 862 F.2d 471, 475 (5th Cir. 1988). The issue is not whether other conclusions are possible, but whether the conclusion reached is supported by substantial evidence. Selders v. Sullivan, 914 F.2d 614, 617 (5th Cir. 1990). Therefore, the magistrate judge correctly determined that substantial evidence supports the ALJ’s consideration of Plaintiff’s medical record and the weight accorded to Dr. Larned’s opinion. The Court concludes that the magistrate judge accurately identified and discussed the points of error argued by Plaintiff and analyzed the points correctly. The magistrate judge properly examined the entire record to determine that substantial evidence supports the ALJ’s assessments and determinations and the Commissioner’s denial of benefits. Accordingly, all of Plaintiff's objections are OVERRULED. [Dkt. 16]. The Court ADOPTS the Report and Recommendation, [Dkt. 15], and AFFIRMS the Commissioner’s denial of benefits. The Court will enter final judgment separately in accordance with the magistrate judge’s recommendation. SIGNED this 31st day of March, 2021.

Michael J. ‘Truncale United States District Judge