CompFox Logo
AboutWorkflowFeaturesPricingCase LawInsights

Updated Daily

Case Law Database

Access over workers' compensation decisions, including En Banc, Significant Panel Decisions, and writ-denied cases.

Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision

Guttierez v. Berryhill

Betsy Lee Guttierez applied for disability insurance benefits and Supplemental Security Income, alleging disability due to various mental health impairments. Her applications were denied by an Administrative Law Judge and the Appeals Council. Guttierez sought judicial review, arguing that the ALJ failed to properly assess her residual functional capacity (RFC) by rejecting the only medical opinion on her mental ability to work without providing adequate reasons or a function-by-function analysis. The Court agreed, finding the ALJ's RFC assessment unsupported by substantial evidence, as the ALJ, a non-medical professional, made a determination of Guttierez's mental capacity without relying on a medical opinion. Consequently, the Court granted Guttierez's motion, denied the Commissioner's motion, and remanded the case for further administrative proceedings.

Social Security ActDisability BenefitsSSIALJ Decision ReviewRFC AssessmentMedical EvidenceMental Health ImpairmentsBipolar DisorderAnxiety DisorderTreating Physician Rule
References
13
Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision

Matejka v. Barnhart

Plaintiff, Ms. Matejka, alleging disability since March 31, 2000, applied for Disability Insurance Benefits, which was denied by an Administrative Law Judge (ALJ). The plaintiff sought review in District Court, arguing the ALJ's decision lacked sufficient inquiry into past relevant work, a reasoned finding on credibility, a proper residual functional capacity assessment, and a correct determination of the severity of her depression. The District Court found the ALJ's conclusions not supported by substantial evidence due to these deficiencies, particularly regarding the exertional requirements of past work, the evaluation of the plaintiff's credibility, the lack of a function-by-function RFC analysis, and the failure to adequately assess the severity of her depression, especially in light of uncontradicted medical opinions. Consequently, the Court reversed the Commissioner's decision and remanded the case for a new hearing consistent with its findings.

Disability Insurance BenefitsAdministrative Law JudgeResidual Functional CapacityCredibility AssessmentMedical EvidencePsychological AssessmentSpinal StenosisChronic Back PainDepressionRemand
References
24
Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision

Rosado v. Barnhart

Plaintiff Concepcion Perez Rosado sought judicial review of the Commissioner of Social Security's denial of her application for disability benefits, alleging errors in the administrative hearing. The District Court found that the Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) failed to adequately develop the medical record, specifically regarding a treating psychologist's incomplete report and a lack of proper inquiry into missing information. The ALJ also incorrectly applied the legal standard for assessing Rosado's mental Residual Functional Capacity (RFC), conflating the "B" criteria for severity with the more detailed RFC assessment required for work-related functions. The court ruled that these failures constituted legal error, depriving Rosado of a full and fair hearing. Consequently, Rosado's motion for judgment on the pleadings was GRANTED, the Commissioner's motion was DENIED, and the case was REMANDED to the Commissioner for further administrative proceedings consistent with the Decision and Order, including further development of the medical record and proper RFC assessment.

Social Security ActDisability BenefitsSupplemental Security Income (SSI)Administrative Law Judge (ALJ)Medical Record DevelopmentTreating Physician RuleResidual Functional Capacity (RFC)Mental ImpairmentDepressionAnxiety
References
30
Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision

Ortiz Torres v. Colvin

Luz Leida Ortiz Torres appealed the denial of her Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits by the Commissioner of the Social Security Administration. The District Court found that the Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) improperly discounted the treating physician's opinion regarding Ortiz's physical limitations based on a conservative treatment regimen. Consequently, the court vacated the Commissioner's decision in part and remanded the case for a more comprehensive physical residual functional capacity assessment. However, the court affirmed the ALJ's findings on Ortiz's mental residual functional capacity and credibility, deeming them supported by substantial evidence.

Supplemental Security Income (SSI)Disability BenefitsSocial Security Administration (SSA)Residual Functional Capacity (RFC)Degenerative Disc DiseaseDepressionMedical-Vocational Guidelines (Grid)Treating Physician RuleCredibility DeterminationRemand Order
References
26
Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision
Jun 27, 2013

Karabinas v. Colvin

Dimitrios N. Karabinas challenged the Commissioner of Social Security's denial of his Disability Insurance Benefits application, arguing the Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) committed several legal errors. The court identified flaws in the ALJ's Residual Functional Capacity (RFC) assessment, including failure to accommodate Karabinas's moderate difficulties in concentration, persistence, and pace, and an incomplete function-by-function analysis of his work abilities. Furthermore, the court found the ALJ improperly weighed medical opinions, specifically downplaying the detailed report from Karabinas's chiropractor, and based its credibility determination on a circular logic. Concluding that the ALJ's errors led to an unsupported denial of benefits, the District Court reversed the Commissioner's decision. The case was remanded for the sole purpose of calculating and providing benefits to Karabinas for the specified period.

Disability Insurance BenefitsSocial Security ActRFC AssessmentMedical OpinionCredibility AssessmentVocational ExpertCervical Disc ProblemsPain ManagementChiropractic TreatmentWork Limitations
References
34
Case No. 2017 NY Slip Op 04343
Regular Panel Decision
Jun 01, 2017

Claim of Villalobos v. RNC Industries LLC

The claimant sustained a work-related injury in 2012 after falling from a ladder, affecting his head, neck, and back. A Workers' Compensation Law Judge initially determined a 73.5% loss of wage-earning capacity and found the claimant had reattached to the labor market. However, the Workers' Compensation Board subsequently reversed this decision, concluding that the claimant was not attached to the labor market and reduced his loss of wage-earning capacity to 40%. On appeal, the Appellate Division, Third Department, affirmed the Board's decision, deferring to its assessment of the claimant's credibility regarding his job search efforts. The court also found substantial evidence supported the 40% loss of wage-earning capacity, considering the independent medical examiner's report, claimant's functional abilities, age, work history, education, and language proficiency.

Workers' CompensationLoss of Wage-Earning CapacityAttachment to Labor MarketPermanent Partial DisabilityMedical ImpairmentCredibility AssessmentSubstantial EvidenceAppellate ReviewVocational RehabilitationJob Search
References
8
Case No. 524528
Regular Panel Decision
May 17, 2018

Matter of Bloomingdale v. Reale Constr. Co. Inc.

Claimant, who suffered multiple work-related injuries in 1992 and 2011, appealed a Workers' Compensation Board decision classifying him with a 33% loss of wage-earning capacity and suspending awards due to a lack of labor market attachment. The Appellate Division, Third Department, affirmed the Board's determination regarding claimant's attachment to the labor market, finding it supported by substantial evidence of minimal job search efforts. However, the Court reversed the Board's assessment of a 33% loss of wage-earning capacity. It concluded that the medical evidence, extensive functional limitations, and limited vocational skills of the 55-year-old claimant did not support such a low impairment rating, necessitating a re-evaluation. The matter was remitted to the Workers' Compensation Board for further proceedings to correctly ascertain claimant's loss of wage-earning capacity.

Workers' Compensation LawPermanent Partial DisabilityLoss of Wage-Earning CapacityLabor Market AttachmentMedical ImpairmentVocational FactorsAppellate Division Third DepartmentRemittalBack InjuryNeck Injury
References
19
Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision

Vay v. Comm'r of Soc. Sec.

Plaintiff Emily R. Vay sought judicial review of the Commissioner of Social Security's final decision denying her application for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) under Title XVI of the Social Security Act. Plaintiff alleged disability due to anxiety, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, pervasive development disorder, Asperger's syndrome, and learning disability since January 16, 2014. Her application was initially denied, and after a hearing before Administrative Law Judge William M. Manico, an unfavorable decision was issued on January 21, 2016, which became the Commissioner's final decision after the Appeals Council denied review on May 26, 2017. Before the District Court, both parties filed cross-motions for judgment on the pleadings. Plaintiff argued that the ALJ failed to develop the record regarding recent treatment, improperly assessed her credibility, and mischaracterized her impairments, leading to an unsupported Residual Functional Capacity (RFC) finding. The Court, presided over by Judge Elizabeth A. Wolford, granted the Commissioner's motion and denied Plaintiff's motion, finding that the Commissioner's determination was supported by substantial evidence and free from legal error. The Court concluded that the ALJ adequately developed the record, made a reasonable credibility assessment based on conflicting evidence, and properly assessed Plaintiff's impairments and RFC.

Supplemental Security IncomeSocial Security ActDisability BenefitsALJ Decision ReviewResidual Functional CapacityCredibility AssessmentRecord DevelopmentAttention Deficit Hyperactivity DisorderAnxiety DisorderAutism Spectrum Disorder
References
27
Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision
Dec 30, 2015

Matter of Curcio v. Sherwood 370 Management LLC

The claimant, a building engineer, sustained a work-related back and neck injury, initially classified as a permanent total disability by a Workers' Compensation Law Judge (WCLJ) with awarded counsel fees. The Workers' Compensation Board (Board) modified this, finding a permanent partial disability with a 90% loss of wage-earning capacity and reduced counsel fees due to an improperly completed application. The appellate court affirmed the Board's decision, citing substantial medical evidence supporting a partial disability and a 90% loss of wage-earning capacity based on the claimant's age, education, work history, and functional abilities. The court also upheld the reduction of counsel fees due to the attorney's failure to accurately complete the required fee application form.

Permanent Partial DisabilityWage-Earning Capacity LossWorkers' Compensation BenefitsCounsel FeesMedical EvidenceVocational FactorsOC-400.1 ApplicationAdministrative AppealAppellate DivisionMedical Impairment Guidelines
References
12
Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision

Wynn v. Comm'r of Soc. Sec.

Plaintiff Tammy Sue Wynn applied for supplemental security income (SSI), alleging disability due to various physical and mental impairments. Her application was initially denied by an administrative law judge (ALJ), and this decision was upheld by the Appeals Council. Plaintiff sought judicial review, arguing that the ALJ improperly evaluated medical opinions, made an unsupported Residual Functional Capacity (RFC) assessment, and incorrectly assessed her credibility. The District Court affirmed the Commissioner's decision, finding that the ALJ's reasoning was supported by substantial evidence and free from legal error.

SSIDisability BenefitsSocial Security Act ReviewALJ Decision ReviewResidual Functional CapacityMedical Opinion EvaluationCredibility AssessmentDepressionAnxiety DisorderChronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
References
31
Showing 1-10 of 1,724 results

Ready to streamline your practice?

Apply these legal strategies instantly. CompFox helps you find decisions, analyze reports, and draft pleadings in minutes.

CompFox Logo

The AI standard for workers' compensation professionals. Faster research, deeper analysis, better outcomes.

Product

  • Platform
  • Workflow
  • Features
  • Pricing

Solutions

  • Defense Firms
  • Applicants' Attorneys
  • Insurance carriers
  • Medical Providers

Company

  • About
  • Insights
  • Case Law

Legal

  • Privacy
  • Terms
  • Trust
  • Cookies
  • Subscription

© 2026 CompFox Inc. All rights reserved.

Systems Operational