Kuhaneck v. Comm'r of Soc. Sec.

357 F. Supp. 3d 241
CourtDistrict Court, W.D. New York
DecidedFebruary 13, 2019
Docket1:18-CV-00335 EAW
StatusPublished
Cited by12 cases

This text of 357 F. Supp. 3d 241 (Kuhaneck v. Comm'r of Soc. Sec.) is published on Counsel Stack Legal Research, covering District Court, W.D. New York primary law. Counsel Stack provides free access to over 12 million legal documents including statutes, case law, regulations, and constitutions.

Bluebook
Kuhaneck v. Comm'r of Soc. Sec., 357 F. Supp. 3d 241 (W.D.N.Y. 2019).

Opinion

ELIZABETH A. WOLFORD, United States District Judge

INTRODUCTION

Represented by counsel, Plaintiff Kathryn L. Kuhaneck ("Plaintiff") brings this *243action pursuant to Title II of the Social Security Act (the "Act"), seeking review of the final decision of the Commissioner of Social Security (the "Commissioner," or "Defendant") denying her application for disability insurance benefits ("DIB"). (Dkt. 1). This Court has jurisdiction over the matter pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 405(g). Presently before the Court are the parties' cross-motions for judgment on the pleadings pursuant to Rule 12(c) of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure (Dkt. 11; Dkt. 15), and Plaintiff's reply (Dkt. 16). For the reasons discussed below, Plaintiff's motion (Dkt. 11) is granted, the Commissioner's motion (Dkt. 15) is denied, and the matter is remanded to the Commissioner for further administrative proceedings consistent with this Decision and Order.

BACKGROUND

Plaintiff protectively filed her application for DIB on August 20, 2014. (Dkt. 7 at 42, 110).1 In her application, Plaintiff alleged disability beginning August 4, 2014, due to several impairments, including: a herniated disc in her back; arthritis in her left knee; fibromyalgia ; endometriosis ; interstitial cystitis ; depression; anxiety; migraines; nerve damage and neuropathy in her left leg and foot; and Castleman's syndrome. (Id. at 42, 111-12). Plaintiff's application was initially denied on November 19, 2014. (Id. at 42, 125-30). A video hearing was held before administrative law judge ("ALJ") Roxanne Fuller on August 23, 2016. (Id. at 42, 66-92). Plaintiff appeared in Rochester, New York, and the ALJ presided over the hearing from Alexandria, Virginia. (Id. ). On December 19, 2016, the ALJ issued an unfavorable decision. (Id. at 39-55). Plaintiff requested Appeals Council review; her request was denied on January 11, 2018, making the ALJ's determination the Commissioner's final decision. (Id. at 6-9). This action followed.

LEGAL STANDARD

I. District Court Review

"In reviewing a final decision of the [Social Security Administration ("SSA") ], this Court is limited to determining whether the SSA's conclusions were supported by substantial evidence in the record and were based on a correct legal standard." Talavera v. Astrue , 697 F.3d 145, 151 (2d Cir. 2012) (quotation omitted); see also 42 U.S.C. § 405(g). The Act holds that a decision by the Commissioner is "conclusive" if it is supported by substantial evidence. 42 U.S.C. § 405(g). "Substantial evidence means more than a mere scintilla. It means such relevant evidence as a reasonable mind might accept as adequate to support a conclusion." Moran v. Astrue , 569 F.3d 108, 112 (2d Cir. 2009) (quotation omitted). It is not the Court's function to "determine de novo whether [the claimant] is disabled." Schaal v. Apfel , 134 F.3d 496, 501 (2d Cir. 1998) (quotation omitted); see also Wagner v. Sec'y of Health & Human Servs. , 906 F.2d 856, 860 (2d Cir. 1990) (holding that review of the Secretary's decision is not de novo and that the Secretary's findings are conclusive if supported by substantial evidence). However, "[t]he deferential standard of review for substantial evidence does not apply to the Commissioner's conclusions of law." Byam v. Barnhart , 336 F.3d 172, 179 (2d Cir. 2003) (citing Townley v. Heckler , 748 F.2d 109, 112 (2d Cir. 1984) ).

*244II. Disability Determination

An ALJ follows a five-step sequential evaluation to determine whether a claimant is disabled within the meaning of the Act. See Parker v. City of New York , 476 U.S. 467, 470-71, 106 S.Ct. 2022, 90 L.Ed.2d 462 (1986). At step one, the ALJ determines whether the claimant is engaged in substantial gainful work activity. See 20 C.F.R. § 404.1520(b). If so, the claimant is not disabled. If not, the ALJ proceeds to step two and determines whether the claimant has an impairment, or combination of impairments, that is "severe" within the meaning of the Act, in that it imposes significant restrictions on the claimant's ability to perform basic work activities. Id. § 404.1520(c). If the claimant does not have a severe impairment or combination of impairments, the analysis concludes with a finding of "not disabled." If the claimant does have at least one severe impairment, the ALJ continues to step three.

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