Patterson v. Colvin
Plaintiff Nikimia Patterson, acting pro se, sought judicial review of the Commissioner of Social Security's final decision to deny her claims for Disability Insurance Benefits and Supplemental Security Income (SSI). The Commissioner moved for judgment on the pleadings, a motion to which Patterson did not respond. United States Magistrate Judge Gabriel W. Gorenstein reviewed the Administrative Law Judge's (ALJ) decision, concluding that it was supported by substantial evidence. The ALJ found that despite Patterson's severe impairments, including knee injuries and headaches, her depression was non-severe, and she retained the residual functional capacity (RFC) to perform sedentary work with limitations on bending or stooping. The court considered additional medical evidence concerning Patterson's right knee injury, submitted to the Appeals Council after the ALJ's decision, but determined it was not probative enough to warrant a remand, as Patterson's own testimony indicated an active lifestyle even with the injury. Consequently, the Commissioner's motion for judgment on the pleadings was granted, dismissing the case.