Nalley v. Schweiker

575 F. Supp. 840, 1983 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 15004
CourtDistrict Court, W.D. Kentucky
DecidedAugust 1, 1983
DocketNo. C 82-0662-L(B)
StatusPublished
Cited by1 cases

This text of 575 F. Supp. 840 (Nalley v. Schweiker) is published on Counsel Stack Legal Research, covering District Court, W.D. Kentucky primary law. Counsel Stack provides free access to over 12 million legal documents including statutes, case law, regulations, and constitutions.

Bluebook
Nalley v. Schweiker, 575 F. Supp. 840, 1983 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 15004 (W.D. Ky. 1983).

Opinion

MEMORANDUM

BALLANTINE, District Judge.

Plaintiff seeks judicial review of the decision of the Secretary of Health and Human Services denying plaintiff’s application for Supplemental Security Income Benefits under the Social Security Act, 42 U.S.C. Section 1382.

Plaintiff, Mary E. Nalley, alleged on her application for benefits that she is disabled due to arthritis in her back and shoulders. The application was filed on September 30, 1982.

The Administrative Law Judge, the Honorable Hugh B. Helm, found that plaintiff has an eighth-grade education, with work experience as a motel maid, laundress and babysitter. She was born on September 12, 1942, and was thirty-nine years of age at the time of the administrative hearing. These findings are supported by the record.

The Administrative Law Judge found that Mrs. Nalley underwent a bilateral bunionectomy in July 1981 to remove a bunion from each of her great toes. She was considered fully recovered by her treating physician in February 1982. However, she has subsequently developed a problem with swelling in her feet and is unable to stand for long periods of time. This finding is supported by the medical evidence of record and by Mrs. Nalley’s testimony.

The Administrative Law Judge also finds that plaintiff has had one kidney removed due to staghorn calculus, but otherwise has no physical limitations excepting the above noted foot problem. The finding regarding the removed kidney is supported by the medical evidence. Plaintiff has also had an operation for kidney stones and what she terms “bladder repair”.

There is medical evidence of mild arthritis which was not available to the Administrative Law Judge. The Administrative Law Judge summarized the evidence available to him and noted that there were no findings of back pathology. However, this was based on an examination and x-rays of plaintiff’s lumbar spine. The University Hospital report finding arthritis, which the Administrative Law Judge did not have, refers to the shoulders and thoracic spine. The University Hospital records submitted for consideration by the Appeals Council were compiled between April and July of 1982. They show that Mrs. Nalley has mild to moderate degenerative joint disease in the shoulders and thoracic spine, but the physician states, that this is not unusual for a person of plaintiff’s age. There is also mild to moderate degenerative changes of the knees with a number of small spurs, not uncommon for a person of plaintiff’s age. Mrs. Nalley testified to intermittent back pain, making it difficult to bend, and of a problem with her knees giving out. The medical evidence of mild to moderate joint disease would not alone support a [842]*842finding of a severe impairment. However, considered in conjunction with plaintiffs feet problems, there is substantial evidence in support of the Administrative Law Judge finding that plaintiff cannot remain on her feet for long periods of time and is effectively limited to sedentary work.

The Administrative Law Judge found that plaintiff, Nalley, is not disabled based on the psychological evaluation of record. As he notes, she was tested and found to have a full scale I.Q. of 60, a performance I.Q. of 66, and a verbal I.Q. of 59. These low scores are believed to be caused by an organic impairment. Plaintiff was found to be in contact with reality, was considered emotionally stable, and presented no personality pattern inconsistent with engaging in substantial gainful activity.

The psychological report found that although Mrs. Nalley claims to have completed the eighth-grade, she actually reads at a fourth-grade level, spells at a third-grade level, and has second-grade arithmetic ability. Her most sophisticated intellectual skills were in clerical speed and dexterity in combination with visual motor coordination. Her fund of knowledge and ability to store and retrieve information was considered extremely deficient. Mrs. Nalley was believed to have sufficient emotional resources, is interested in working in laundry or janitorial service, and would prefer working with people. She testified that she likes to work and now works two to three hours every week or two sweeping and dusting in a furniture store. (She also testified she doubted whether she could work a full eight-hour day or work five days a week). The psychological report also stated that Mrs. Nalley was a good candidate for therapy and had a good prognosis for vocational success.

However, the Administrative Law Judge’s decision that Mrs. Nalley is not disabled based on her mental abilities is contrary to the listed impairments set forth in the Secretary’s regulations, and therefore, is not supported by substantial evidence.

The decision of the Secretary of Health and Human Services became final when the Appeals Council denied review on October 1, 1982. Jurisdiction exists to review the denial of Supplemental Security Benefits under 42 U.S.C. Section 1383(c)(3), and 42 U.S.C. Section 405(g).

Defendant/Secretary has filed a motion for summary judgment in accordance with Rule 56 of the Federal Rules Of Civil Procedure. Plaintiff has filed a Motion To Reverse The Secretary with a supporting Memorandum.

Disability is defined the same for Supplemental Security Income as for Social Security Disability Insurance, that is, the inability to engage in substantial gainful activity. 42 U.S.C. Sections 423 and 1382. The standard for judicial review is likewise the same for both programs. 42 U.S.C. Sections 405(g) and 1383(c)(3). Therefore, Social Security Disability Insurance cases will be cited as appropriate in both instances. See, Strickland v. Harris, 615 F.2d 1103 (5th Cir.1980).

The issue is whether the Secretary’s decision is supported by substantial evidence. Gibson v. Secretary of Health, Education and Welfare, 678 F.2d 653 (6th Cir.1982). Substantial evidence is such relevant evidence as a reasonable mind might accept as adequate to support a conclusion. Richardson v. Perales, 402 U.S. 389, 401, 91 S.Ct. 1420, 1427, 28 L.Ed.2d 842 (1971).

The Administrative Law Judge found that plaintiff was not entitled to Supplemental Security Benefits based on use of the GRID. There is some confusion as to which rule the Administrative Law Judge relied upon as two rules are cited.

Under “Evaluation of Evidence”, Tr. 21, the Administrative Law Judge finds plaintiff not disabled under Rule 201.27 of 20 C.F.R. Part 404, Appendix 2, Table 1. Rule 201.27 applies to a person with a high-school education or more. Plaintiff has only completed the eighth-grade, and her actual intellect is even lower.

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575 F. Supp. 840, 1983 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 15004, Counsel Stack Legal Research, https://law.counselstack.com/opinion/nalley-v-schweiker-kywd-1983.