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Case Law Database

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

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

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

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

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

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

Case No. MISSING

Regular Panel Decision

Dennis v. Colvin

Plaintiff Alicia B. Dennis challenged an Administrative Law Judge's denial of her disability benefits application under the Social Security Act. The District Court reviewed cross-motions for judgment on the pleadings. The court found that the ALJ failed to properly evaluate Plaintiff's coronary artery disease by interpreting diagnostic evidence without supporting medical opinions on functional limitations. This error rendered the ALJ's Residual Functional Capacity finding unsupported by substantial evidence. Consequently, the court granted Plaintiff's motion, denied Defendant's motion, and remanded the case for the ALJ to obtain further medical opinion evidence consistent with the decision.

Disability BenefitsSocial Security ActAdministrative Law JudgeRemandMedical EvidenceCoronary Artery DiseaseResidual Functional CapacityTreating Physician RuleALJ ErrorJudicial Review

References

Case No. MISSING

Regular Panel Decision

Stephens v. Colvin

Plaintiff Duane Stephens sought judicial review of the Commissioner of Social Security's denial of his application for Disability Insurance Benefits and Supplemental Security Income. The U.S. Magistrate Judge found that the Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) erred at step three by not finding plaintiff's intellectual disability met Listing 12.05(c) and that the ALJ's Residual Functional Capacity (RFC) determination was not supported by substantial evidence, particularly regarding plaintiff's attention and concentration limitations. The court granted the plaintiff's motion for judgment on the pleadings and remanded the case to the Commissioner for reconsideration, emphasizing the need to re-evaluate adaptive functioning deficits and potentially consult a vocational expert.

Disability Insurance BenefitsSupplemental Security IncomeSocial Security ActAdministrative Law Judge (ALJ) ReviewAppeals Council ReviewResidual Functional Capacity (RFC)Listing of Impairments (Appendix 1)Intellectual DisabilityAdaptive Functioning DeficitsChronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)

References

Case No. MISSING

Regular Panel Decision

O'DELL v. Barnhart

Plaintiff William O'Dell sought disability insurance benefits due to carpal tunnel syndrome, ulnar neuropathy, and tendinitis, which he claimed prevented him from working since 1996. The Commissioner of Social Security, Jo Anne B. Barnhart, denied benefits, asserting O'Dell retained the residual functional capacity to perform other work. After an Administrative Law Judge and the Appeals Council upheld the denial, O'Dell initiated this review action in the District Court under 42 U.S.C. § 405(g). The District Court, presided over by Judge Larimer, affirmed the Commissioner's final determination, concluding that the ALJ's findings were supported by substantial evidence regarding O'Dell's capacity for other work in the national economy.

Social Security ActDisability Insurance BenefitsResidual Functional CapacityTreating Physician OpinionAdministrative Law JudgeVocational Expert TestimonyCarpal Tunnel SyndromeUlnar NeuropathyTendinitisFederal District Court Review

References

Case No. MISSING

Regular Panel Decision

O'HALLORAN v. Barnhart

The plaintiff, Kathleen O’Halloran, sought judicial review of a final determination by the Commissioner of Social Security denying her Disability Insurance Benefits. The District Court found that the Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) made several legal errors in assessing O’Halloran’s disability claim. These errors included failing to properly evaluate her mental impairments and functional limitations, not fully developing the record with "other source" evidence from treating therapists, nurses, and family, and misapplying standards regarding her residual functional capacity and ability to perform past work. The court also noted the ALJ's incorrect evaluation of the materiality of O'Halloran's alcohol abuse. Consequently, the court reversed the Commissioner's decision and remanded the case for further proceedings consistent with its order.

Social Security ActDisability Insurance BenefitsMental ImpairmentParanoid SchizophreniaAlcohol AbuseAdministrative Law JudgeResidual Functional CapacitySequential Evaluation ProcessMental Impairments EvaluationPast Relevant Work

References

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

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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

Ortiz Torres v. Colvin

References

Case No. MISSING

Regular Panel Decision

Guttierez v. Berryhill

Social Security ActDisability BenefitsSSIALJ Decision ReviewRFC AssessmentMedical EvidenceMental Health ImpairmentsBipolar DisorderAnxiety DisorderTreating Physician Rule

References

Case No. MISSING

Regular Panel Decision

Jun 27, 2013

Karabinas v. Colvin

Disability Insurance BenefitsSocial Security ActRFC AssessmentMedical OpinionCredibility AssessmentVocational ExpertCervical Disc ProblemsPain ManagementChiropractic TreatmentWork Limitations

References

Case No. MISSING

Regular Panel Decision

Matejka v. Barnhart

Disability Insurance BenefitsAdministrative Law JudgeResidual Functional CapacityCredibility AssessmentMedical EvidencePsychological AssessmentSpinal StenosisChronic Back PainDepressionRemand

References

Case No. MISSING

Regular Panel Decision

Dec 30, 2015

Matter of Curcio v. Sherwood 370 Management LLC

References

Case No. MISSING

Regular Panel Decision

Dennis v. Colvin

Disability BenefitsSocial Security ActAdministrative Law JudgeRemandMedical EvidenceCoronary Artery DiseaseResidual Functional CapacityTreating Physician RuleALJ ErrorJudicial Review

References

Case No. MISSING

Regular Panel Decision

Stephens v. Colvin

References

Case No. MISSING

Regular Panel Decision

O'DELL v. Barnhart

References

Case No. MISSING

Regular Panel Decision

O'HALLORAN v. Barnhart

References

Case No. MISSING

Regular Panel Decision

Rosado v. Barnhart

References

Showing 1-10 of 972 results

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