McChristian v. Department of Health, Education & Welfare

453 F. Supp. 1212, 1978 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 16872
CourtDistrict Court, W.D. Arkansas
DecidedJune 29, 1978
DocketNo. 78-5002
StatusPublished

This text of 453 F. Supp. 1212 (McChristian v. Department of Health, Education & Welfare) is published on Counsel Stack Legal Research, covering District Court, W.D. Arkansas primary law. Counsel Stack provides free access to over 12 million legal documents including statutes, case law, regulations, and constitutions.

Bluebook
McChristian v. Department of Health, Education & Welfare, 453 F. Supp. 1212, 1978 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 16872 (W.D. Ark. 1978).

Opinion

OPINION

JOHN E. MILLER, Senior District Judge.

On February 22, 1977, plaintiff, Virgil E. McChristian, filed his current application for insurance benefits in which he stated that he became unable to work in August, 1975 because of “bad back, shoulders, bad right eye.” (Tr. 130-133). On the same date, he filed an application for supplemental security income (individual with spouse) under Title XVI of the Social Security Act. (Tr. 134-137).

The transcript of the proceedings was filed by defendant as required by 42 U.S.C. § 405(g). It contains the proceedings on the claims that were filed July 16, 1973 for disability since April 2,1973 (Tr. 46). Claim was diagnosed as “1. Residuals of herniated nucleus pulposus, lumbar spine. 2. Arthritis of lumbar-sacral spine.” (Tr. 50). Allowed July 31, 1973. Payments were made until October 10, 1975. (Tr. 51-53).

Plaintiff requested reconsideration which was denied and on May 18, 1976, plaintiff was so advised by letter in which the full statement appears:

“Based on the above determination, you have been overpaid $244.70 for November, 1975 through April, 1976 and your wife and children are each overpaid $42.70 for November, 1975 through April, 1976 for a total family overpayment of $2,493.00. The Social Security representative will discuss this matter with you. [1213]*1213“Since you are no longer entitled to disability benefits, your hospital and medical insurance coverage under Medicare ends the last day of June, 1976.
“You should refund the amount shown above within 30 days from the day you get this letter. If you cannot refund the full amount now, you should send a partial payment. You should tell us why you cannot pay the full amount and let us know when you will pay the balance. If you must pay by installments, you should tell us how much you will pay each month and the date on which you will make each payment. In addition, your medical insurance premiums have not been paid for June, 1976. Therefore, you should also include $6.70 to pay for premiums due. Please make your check or money order payable to ‘Social Security Administration, Claim No. 432-64-5343 HAB2, HC1,’ and send it to us in the enclosed envelope.” (Tr. 59-60, exhibit 8).

While the request of plaintiff for reconsideration of the defendant’s cancellation of the claim was pending, Dr. Charles H. Stinnett of the Siloam Springs Medical Center on October 10, 1975 wrote defendant:

“The above named patient was in to see me on October 9, 1975, stating that his Disability Social Security had been discontinued. This man, in my opinion, still has some significant disability and is unable to work at his usual occupation. “His disability was established and I have had no indication of why, when, or where enough improvement of his condition was noted that his disability should be stopped.
“I would like very much for you to reconsider his ease, and if I do not have pertinent information, please call me.” (Tr. 105).

On June 18, 1976, the doctor advised that in his opinion the plaintiff “is still unable to work.” (Tr. 112). There are statements from others to the effect that plaintiff continued unable to work.

Jerry Thomasson was appointed the Administrative Law Judge to conduct, a hearing on the question of the continuation of his disability and whether he should be required to repay the alleged overpayment of benefits. As Administrative Law Judge, Mr. Thomasson on November 18, 1976 filed his opinion in which he stated:

“The evidence in this case discloses the claimant, in fact, was injured in 1973, that a period of disability was established for him as of that time. It ended in August, 1975. His period of disability was ended because a neurosurgeon was unable to find objective evidence of an impairment.
“Although the treating physician did feel the claimant is still disabled because of back surgery that he had, his opinion must fall before that of the neurosurgeon within whose speciality the problem lies. “It is therefore felt that the preponderance of the medical evidence supports a finding that his disability did cease as of August 1, 1975.
“Notwithstanding the fact his disability was ceased as of August, 1975, the claimant continued to receive benefits through April of 1976, and was therefore overpaid in the amount of $2,493.00. It is felt, after viewing all the evidence, that this overpayment was not the fault of the claimant and to require repayment would violate the intent and purpose of the Social Security Act.” (Tr. 126-127).

The current applications yvere denied on April 4, 1977. (Tr. 138-139). In the statement denying the claims, it is stated:

“Glen Sizemore, MD — Rept of 3-7-77. Donald Weaver, Family Practitioner-Rept of CE of 3-29-77. The claimant has pain in the low back & hip. He also has pain in the head. Physical exam was essentially normal with the exception of x-ray evidence of back surgery previously performed. There was also some evidence of degenerative arthritis, of the lumbar spine. Neurological exam was normal. Since the claimant retains the RFC to engage in work which is available to him in the economy, the claim is denied.” (Tr. 139).

On April 6, 1977, plaintiff was notified that he was ineligible to receive supplemen[1214]*1214tal security income payments under the provisions of Title XVI of the Social Security Act. (Tr. 143).

On April 21,1977, he was notified that his current application for disability insurance benefits was denied. (Tr. 145).

On April 29, 1977, plaintiff requested a hearing and David T. Hubbard was designated Administrative Law Judge to conduct the hearing which was held September 14, 1977. On October 18,1977, the Administrative Law Judge filed his decision (Tr. 9-15) denying both claims.

Plaintiff requested a review of the disallowance of the Administrative Law Judge’s decision. On December 1,1977, the Appeals Council advised him that further consideration of the decision would not result in any change that would benefit plaintiff and “accordingly the hearing decision stands as the final decision of the Secretary in this case”. (Tr. 4-5). He was further advised that he may commence an action in the District Court. On January 10, 1978, plaintiff filed his complaint (petition) against defendant in which he alleged:

“(6) That this plaintiff states and alleges that he is 41 years old, and has a sixth grade education. That his work experience had consisted of being a cook at Steele Canning Company and as a mixer at a plastic pipe company. That he has been continuously disabled since April of 1973, and that his disability is of a total and permanent nature. That disability benefits were awarded by an Administrative Law Judge, but that such benefits were arbitrarily terminated in August of 1975. That plaintiff is no longer able to engage in any substantial, gainful employment. That because of said disability, this plaintiff is wholly unable to work and has been disabled since April of 1973. That this plaintiff has received treatment from various doctors and physicians, however, said treatment has been unsuccessful in restoring the plaintiff to where he can, again, perform any substantial, gainful employment.

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Bluebook (online)
453 F. Supp. 1212, 1978 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 16872, Counsel Stack Legal Research, https://law.counselstack.com/opinion/mcchristian-v-department-of-health-education-welfare-arwd-1978.