Sprouse v. Berryhill

363 F. Supp. 3d 543
CourtDistrict Court, D. New Jersey
DecidedFebruary 6, 2019
DocketCIVIL ACTION NO. 17-4922
StatusPublished
Cited by14 cases

This text of 363 F. Supp. 3d 543 (Sprouse v. Berryhill) is published on Counsel Stack Legal Research, covering District Court, D. New Jersey primary law. Counsel Stack provides free access to over 12 million legal documents including statutes, case law, regulations, and constitutions.

Bluebook
Sprouse v. Berryhill, 363 F. Supp. 3d 543 (D.N.J. 2019).

Opinion

JACOB P. HART, UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE

Sheri Sprouse brought this action under 42 USC § 405(g) to obtain review of the decision of the Commissioner of Social Security denying her claim for Disability Insurance Benefits ("DIB"). She has filed a Request for Review to which the Commissioner has responded. Both parties have filed supplemental letter briefs, which have also been considered. As below, I will deny Sprouse's Request for Review, and affirm the decision of the ALJ.

I. Factual and Procedural Background

Sprouse was born on May 1, 1984. Record at 252. She completed high school. Record at 281. In the past, she worked for short periods as a caregiver for a special needs child, a retail cashier, and a daycare provider. Record at 281. On May 4, 2012, Sprouse filed applications for DIB and Supplemental Security Income ("SSI"). Record at 252, 259. In them, she alleged disability since January 8, 2008, on the basis of epilepsy and seizures. Record at 280.

Sprouse's applications for benefits were initially denied. Record at 164, 179. On reconsideration, however, she was awarded SSI benefits as of May 4, 2012, the date of her application. Record at 184. Nevertheless, Sprouse's claim for DIB was denied once again, on the basis that she had not demonstrated disability on or before September 30, 2010, the date she was last *545insured for this benefit. Record at 180, 181.

On December 24, 2013, Sprouse requested a hearing de novo before an Administrative Law Judge ("ALJ") as to the denial of DIB. Record at 202. A hearing was held on October 2, 2015. Record at 37. On March 2, 2016, however, the ALJ issued a written decision denying DIB. Record at 19. The Appeals Counsel denied Sprouse's request for review, permitting the ALJ's decision to stand as the final decision of the Commissioner. Record at 1. Sprouse then filed this action.

II. Legal Standards

The role of this court on judicial review is to determine whether the Commissioner's decision is supported by substantial evidence. 42 U.S.C. § 405(g) ; Richardson v. Perales, 402 U.S. 389, 91 S.Ct. 1420, 28 L.Ed.2d 842 (1971) ; Doak v. Heckler, 790 F.2d 26, 28 (3d Cir. 1986) ; Newhouse v. Heckler, 753 F.2d 283, 285 (3d Cir. 1985). Substantial evidence is relevant evidence viewed objectively as adequate to support a decision. Richardson v. Perales, supra, at 401, 91 S.Ct. 1420 ; Kangas v. Bowen, 823 F.2d 775 (3d Cir. 1987) ; Dobrowolsky v. Califano, 606 F.2d 403 (3d Cir. 1979). Moreover, apart from the substantial evidence inquiry, a reviewing court must also ensure that the ALJ applied the proper legal standards. Coria v. Heckler, 750 F.2d 245 (3d Cir. 1984).

To prove disability, a claimant must demonstrate that there is some "medically determinable basis for an impairment that prevents him from engaging in any 'substantial gainful activity' for a statutory twelve-month period." 42 U.S.C. § 423(d)(1). As explained in the following agency regulation, each case is evaluated by the Commissioner according to a five-step process:

(i) At the first step, we consider your work activity, if any. If you are doing substantial gainful activity, we will find that you are not disabled. (ii) At the second step, we consider the medical severity of your impairment(s). If you do not have a severe medically determinable physical or mental impairment that meets the duration requirement in § 404.1590, or a combination of impairments that is severe and meets the duration requirement, we will find that you are not disabled. (iii) At the third step, we also consider the medical severity of your impairment(s). If you have an impairment(s that meets or equals one of our listings in appendix 1 of this subpart and meets the duration requirement, we will find that you are disabled. (iv). At the fourth step, we consider our assessment of your residual functional capacity and your past relevant work. If you can still do your past relevant work, we will find that you are not disabled. (v). At the fifth and last step, we consider our assessment of your residual functional capacity and your age, education and work experience to see if you can make an adjustment to other work. If you can make an adjustment to other work, we will find that you are not disabled. If you cannot make an adjustment to other work, we will find that you are disabled.

20 CFR § 404.1520 (references to other regulations omitted).

III. The ALJ's Decision and Sprouse's Request for Review

As above, the ALJ's decision was limited to whether Sprouse had demonstrated that she was disabled between January 8, 2008 - her claimed disabled date - and September 30, 2010 - the date she was last insured under DIB. Record at 22-3.

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Bluebook (online)
363 F. Supp. 3d 543, Counsel Stack Legal Research, https://law.counselstack.com/opinion/sprouse-v-berryhill-njd-2019.