McGee v. Berryhill

354 F. Supp. 3d 304
CourtDistrict Court, W.D. New York
DecidedDecember 18, 2018
Docket17-cv-00499-LGF (consent)
StatusPublished
Cited by3 cases

This text of 354 F. Supp. 3d 304 (McGee v. Berryhill) 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
McGee v. Berryhill, 354 F. Supp. 3d 304 (W.D.N.Y. 2018).

Opinion

LESLIE G. FOSCHIO, UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE

JURISDICTION

On February 14, 2017, the parties consented, pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 636(c), to proceed before the undersigned. (Dkt. No. 18). The court has jurisdiction over this matter pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 405(g). The matter is presently before the court on the parties' cross-motions for judgment on the pleadings pursuant to Rule 12(c) of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, filed by Plaintiff on November 27, 2017 (Dkt. No. 10), and by Defendant on January 19, 2018 (Dkt. No. 11). For the reasons discussed below, Plaintiff's motion is granted and the Commissioner's motion is denied.

BACKGROUND and FACTS

Plaintiff Michael Anthony McGee ("Plaintiff"), brings this action pursuant to the Social Security Act ("the Act"), seeking review of the Acting Commissioner of Social Security ("the Commissioner" or "Defendant") decision denying his application for Supplemental Security Income ("SSI") benefits under Title II of the Act, and Social Security Disability Insurance ("SSDI") benefits under Title XVI of the Act, together ("disability benefits"). Plaintiff, born on April 22, 1987(R. 78),2 alleges that he became disabled on July 1, 2011, when he sustained injuries from a gunshot wound to his head. (R. 158).

Plaintiff's application for disability benefits was initially denied by Defendant on December 12, 2011 (R. 78), and, pursuant to Plaintiff's request, administrative hearings were held before Administrative Law Judge Donald T. McDougall ("ALJ McDougall" or "the ALJ"), on March 11, 2013 and June 17, 2013, in Buffalo, New York, at which Plaintiff, represented by Justin Goldstein, Esq. ("Goldstein") appeared and testified. (R. 40-59). Plaintiff's grandmother Helene McGee ("Ms. McGee"), also appeared and testified (R. 59-64), along with vocational expert Esperanza Distefano ("VE Distefano"). ALJ McDougall rendered a decision denying Plaintiff's claim on June 17, 2013 (R. 23-33), the Appeals Council denied Plaintiff's request for review on December 31, 2014 (R. 1-4), and on September 22, 2015, following the filing of Plaintiff's action 15-cv-170S (Dkt. No. 1) on February 26, 2015, challenging Defendant's denial of benefits, upon stipulation by both parties the case was remanded to the Appeals Council. (R. 567-69). On October 22, 2015, the Appeals Council vacated the ALJ's decision, finding that the ALJ's determination that Plaintiff's schizoaffective disorder and adjustment disorder were severe impairments *307inconsistent with the ALJ's alternate finding that such disorders resulted in only mild limitations to Plaintiff's activities of daily living, and his abilities to maintain social functioning, concentration, persistence or pace. The Appeals Council also ordered the ALJ to evaluate Plaintiff's mental impairments in accordance with the special technique under 20 C.F.R. Pt. 404, Subpt. P, Appendix 1, § 12.04 paragraph B, further consider the opinion of Aman Sharma, M.D. ("Dr. Sharma"), and Plaintiff's residual functional capacity, obtain testimony from a medical expert if necessary, provide rational specific evidence to support the ALJ's assessed limitations, conduct further proceedings, and, if warranted, determine whether Plaintiff's drug and alcohol use were contributing factors to the ALJ's finding of disability. (R. 573-74). On October 27, 2016, ALJ Sharon Seeley ("the ALJ" or "ALJ Seeley"),3 conducted an administrative hearing where Plaintiff and vocational expert Susan J. Rowe ("the VE" or "Rowe"), testified. (R. 509-43). ALJ Seeley issued a decision4 denying Plaintiff's claim on April 4, 2017. (Ex. A, 5-28). No exceptions to the ALJ's decision were filed and the ALJ's decision became the final administrative decision. See 20 C.F.R. § 404.984(d). On June 5, 2017, Plaintiff filed the instant action alleging that the ALJ erred by failing to find him disabled. (Dkt. No. 1).

On November 27, 2017, Plaintiff filed a motion for judgment on the pleadings ("Plaintiff's motion"), accompanied by a memorandum of law (Dkt. No. 12-1) ("Plaintiff's Memorandum"). On January 19, 2018, Defendant filed Defendant's motion for judgment on the pleadings ("Defendant's motion"), accompanied by a memorandum of law (Dkt. No. 14-1) ("Defendant's Memorandum"). Plaintiff filed a reply to Defendant's motion on the pleadings on February 21, 2018 ("Plaintiff's Reply Memorandum") (Dkt. No. 17-1). Oral argument was deemed unnecessary. Based on the following, Plaintiff's motion for remand is GRANTED and the matter remanded for calculation of benefits.

DISCUSSION

A district court may set aside the Commissioner's determination that a claimant is not disabled if the factual findings are not supported by substantial evidence, or the decision is based on legal error. See 42 U.S.C. 405(g) ; Green-Younger v. Barnhart , 335 F.3d 99, 105-06 (2d Cir. 2003). "Substantial evidence" means 'such relevant evidence as a reasonable mind might accept as adequate.' " Shaw v. Chater , 221 F.3d 126, 131 (2d Cir. 2000).

A. Standard and Scope of Judicial Review

The standard of review for courts reviewing administrative findings regarding disability benefits, 42 U.S.C. §§ 401 - 34 and 1381 - 85, is whether the administrative law judge's findings are supported by substantial evidence. Richardson v. Perales , 402 U.S. 389, 401, 91 S.Ct. 1420, 28 L.Ed.2d 842 (1971). Substantial evidence requires enough evidence that a reasonable person would "accept as adequate to support a conclusion." Consolidated Edison Co.

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Bluebook (online)
354 F. Supp. 3d 304, Counsel Stack Legal Research, https://law.counselstack.com/opinion/mcgee-v-berryhill-nywd-2018.