Elliott v. Social Security Administration Commissioner

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IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
WESTERN DISTRICT OF ARKANSAS
FORT SMITH DIVISION
DANNY W. ELLIOTT, JR. 	PLAINTIFF
v. 	CIVIL NO. 24-2141
LELAND DUDEK,1 Acting Commissioner
Social Security Administration 	DEFENDANT
MEMORANDUM OPINION
Plaintiff, Danny W. Elliott, Jr., brings this action pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 405(g), seeking
judicial review of a decision of the Commissioner of the Social Security Administration
(Commissioner) denying his claim supplemental security income (SSI) benefits under the
provisions of Title XVI of the Social Security Act (Act). In this judicial review, the Court must
determine whether there is substantial evidence in the administrative record to support the
Commissioner's decision. See 42 U.S.C. § 405(g).
Plaintiff protectively filed the current application for SSI on July 28, 2021, alleging an
inability to work due to dyslexia, trouble reading and writing, a learning disorder, and intermittent
explosive disorder. (Tr. 63, 168). An administrative telephonic hearing was held on August 10,
2023, at which Plaintiff appeared with counsel and testified. (Tr. 35-61).
By written decision dated December 6, 2023, the ALJ found that during the relevant time
period, Plaintiff had an impairment or combination of impairments that were severe. (Tr. 19).
1 Leland Dudek, has been appointed to serve as Acting Commissioner of the Social Security
Administration, and is substituted as Defendant pursuant to Rule 25(d)(1) of the Federal Rules of
Civil Procedure.
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Specifically, the ALJ found Plaintiff had the following severe impairments: attention deficit
hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), disruptive mood dysregulation disorder, somatic symptom
disorder, and borderline intellectual functioning. However, after reviewing all of the evidence
presented, the ALJ determined that Plaintiff’s impairments did not meet or equal the level of
severity of any impairment listed in the Listing of Impairments found in Appendix I, Subpart P,
Regulation No. 4. 	(Tr. 19). 	The ALJ found Plaintiff retained the residual functional capacity
(RFC) to:
[P]erform a full range of work at all exertional levels but with the following
nonexertional limitations: he can understand, remember, and carry out simple
instructions; 	use 	judgement 	to 	make 	simple 	work-related 	decisions; 	have
occasional interaction with supervisors, coworkers, and the public; and deal with
occasional changes in a routine work setting.
(Tr. 21). With the help of a vocational expert, the ALJ determined Plaintiff could perform work as
a dishwasher, an industrial cleaner, and a hand packager. (Tr. 28).
Plaintiff then requested a review of the hearing decision by the Appeals Council, who
denied that request on September 10, 2024. (Tr. 1-6). 	Subsequently, Plaintiff filed this action.
(ECF No. 2). This case is before the undersigned pursuant to the consent of the parties. (ECF No.
5). Both parties have filed appeal briefs, and the case is now ready for decision. (ECF Nos. 10,
12).
This Court's role is to determine whether the Commissioner's findings are supported by
substantial evidence on the record as a whole. Ramirez v. Barnhart, 292 F.3d 576, 583 (8th Cir.
2002). Substantial evidence is less than a preponderance, but it is enough that a reasonable mind
would find it adequate to support the Commissioner's decision. The ALJ's decision must be
affirmed if the record contains substantial evidence to support it. Edwards v. Barnhart, 314 F.3d
964, 966 (8th Cir. 2003). As long as there is substantial evidence in the record that supports the
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Commissioner's decision, the Court may not reverse it simply because substantial evidence exists
in the record that would have supported a contrary outcome, or because the Court would have
decided the case differently. Haley v. Massanari, 258 F.3d 742, 747 (8th Cir. 2001). In other words,
if after reviewing the record it is possible to draw two inconsistent positions from the evidence and
one of those positions represents the findings of the ALJ, the decision of the ALJ must be affirmed.
Young v. Apfel, 221 F.3d 1065, 1068 (8th Cir. 2000).
In his appeal brief, Plaintiff claims the ALJ’s disability decision is not supported by
substantial evidence in the record. In making this claim, Plaintiff argues the following issues on
appeal: 1) The ALJ failed to consider the entire record; 2) The ALJ erred in determining Plaintiff
did not meet a Listing; and 3) The ALJ erred in determining Plaintiff’s RFC. (ECF No. 10).
Defendant argues the ALJ properly considered all the evidence, and that the decision is supported
by substantial evidence. (ECF No. 12).
The Court has reviewed the entire transcript and the parties’ briefs and finds that substantial
evidence of record supports the ALJ’s determination. In determining that Plaintiff maintained the
RFC to perform work at all exertional levels but with certain non-exertional limitations, the ALJ
considered the medical assessments of the consultative and non-examining agency medical
consultants; Plaintiff’s subjective complaints; and his medical records. With each provider
assessment, the ALJ stated how persuasive he found each medical opinion and articulated the basis
for his finding. While Plaintiff disagrees with the ALJ’s RFC determination, after reviewing the
record, the Court finds Plaintiff failed to meet his burden of showing a more restrictive RFC. See
Perks v. Astrue, 687 F. 3d 1086, 1092 (8th Cir. 2012) (burden of persuasion to demonstrate RFC
and prove disability remains on claimant). As mentioned, the Court will not “reverse merely
‘because substantial evidence also exists in the record that would have supported a contrary
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outcome, or because [the Court] would have decided the case differently’” KKC ex rel. Stoner v
Colvin, 818 F.3d 364, 369 (8th Cir. 2016) (citations omitted).
For the reasons stated in the ALJ’s well-reasoned opinion, the Court finds Plaintiff’s
arguments to be without merit and finds that the record as a whole reflects substantial evidence to
support the ALJ’s decision. Accordingly, the ALJ’s decision is hereby summarily affirmed, and
Plaintiff’s Complaint is dismissed with prejudice. See Sledge v. Astrue, No. 08-0089, 2008 WL
4816675 (W.D. Mo. Oct. 31, 2008) (summarily affirming ALJ’s denial of disability benefits),
aff’d, 364 Fed. Appx. 307 (8th Cir. 2010).
DATED this 25th day of April 2025.
/s/_________________________________
HON. CHRISTY COMSTOCK
UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE
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