Opinion

Conti v. Commissioner of Social Security

Court
District Court, W.D. New York
Filed
Oct 28, 2020
Cited by
0 cases
Authority
More cited than 27.8%

“If evidence is susceptible to more than one rational interpretation, the Commissioner’s conclusion must be upheld.”

How later courts described this case

  • “If evidence is susceptible to more than one rational interpretation, the Commissioner’s conclusion must be upheld.”

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The opinion

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

WESTERN DISTRICT OF NEW YORK

______________________________________

TYLER CONTI, DECISION

Plaintiff, and

v. ORDER

ANDREW M. SAUL,1 Commissioner of 19-CV-00866F

Social Security, (consent)

Defendant.

______________________________________

APPEARANCES: LAW OFFICES OF KENNETH R. HILLER, PLLC

Attorneys for Plaintiff

KENNETH R. HILLER, and

JEANNE ELIZABETH MURRAY, of Counsel

6000 North Bailey Avenue

Suite 1A

Amherst, New York 14226

JAMES P. KENNEDY, JR.

UNITED STATES ATTORNEY, and

RICHARD W. PRUETT

Special Assistant United States Attorney

Attorney for Defendant

Federal Centre

138 Delaware Avenue

Buffalo, New York 14202, and

MONA AHMED

Acting Regional Chief Counsel

Denver, Region VIII

Office of the General Counsel

Social Security Administration

1961 Stout Street, Suite 4169

Denver, Colorado 80294-4003

1 Andrew M. Saul became the Commissioner of the Social Security Administration on June 17, 2019, and,

pursuant to Fed.R.Civ.P. 25(d), is substituted as Defendant in this case. No further action is required to

continue this suit by reason of sentence one of 42 U.S.C. § 405(g).

JURISDICTION

On October 14, 2020, this matter was assigned to the undersigned before whom

the parties to this action consented pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 636(c) to proceed in

accordance with this court’s June 29, 2018 Standing Order (Dkt. No. 14). The matter is

presently before the court on motions for judgment on the pleadings filed by Plaintiff on

February 11, 2020 (Dkt. No. 13), and by Defendant on May 12, 2020 (Dkt. No. 17).

BACKGROUND

Plaintiff Tyler Conti (“Plaintiff”), brings this action under the Social Security Act

(“the Act”), 42 U.S.C. §§ 405(g) and 1383(c)(3), seeking judicial review of the

Commissioner of Social Security’s final decision denying Plaintiff’s application filed with

the Social Security Administration (“SSA”), on August 13, 2015, for Supplemental Social

Security Income (“SSI”) under Title XVI of the Act (“disability benefits”). Plaintiff alleges

he became disabled on June 30, 1993, based on phenylketonuria (“PKU”),2 migraine

headaches and knee pain. (R. 239).3 Plaintiff’s application initially was denied on

October 30, 2015, (R. 81-93), and at Plaintiff’s timely request, on March 14, 2018, a

hearing was held in Buffalo, New York via teleconference before Administrative Law

Judge Theodore Kim (“the ALJ”), in Falls Church, Virginia. (R. 59-80) (“administrative

hearing”). Appearing and testifying at the administrative hearing were Plaintiff,

represented by Jo Evelyn Smith, Esq. (“Smith”), and vocational expert Barry Brown

(“the VE”).

2 Phenylketonuria is a genetic enzyme disorder that can result in mental retardation, organ damage and

unusual posture.

3 References to “R” are to the page of the administrative record electronically filed by Defendant on

September 25, 2019 (Dkt. No. 6).

On July 10, 2018, the ALJ issued a decision denying Plaintiff’s claim (R. 33-57)

(“ALJ’s Decision”), which Plaintiff timely appealed to the Appeals Council. On

December 14, 2018 and February 27, 2019, Plaintiff submitted 11 pages of additional

medical records (R. 8-14, 20-26), which the Appeals Council did not “exhibit” with

Plaintiff’s medical records because such records were not timely submitted, did not

show a reasonable probability of changing the outcome of the decision, or did not relate

to the relevant period. On April 29, 2019, the Appeals Council denied Plaintiff’s request

for review (R. 1-7), rendering the ALJ’s Decision the Commissioner’s final decision. On

June 28, 2019, Plaintiff commenced the instant action seeking review of the ALJ’s

Decision. (Dkt. No. 1).

On February 11, 2020, Plaintiff moved for judgment on the pleadings (Dkt. No.

13) (“Plaintiff’s Motion”), attaching the Memorandum of Law in Support of Plaintiff’s

Motion for Judgment on the Administrative Record (Dkt. No. 13-1) (“Plaintiff’s

Memorandum”). On May 12, 2020, Defendant moved for judgment on the pleadings

(Dkt. No. 17) (“Defendant’s Motion”), attaching Commissioner’s Brief in Response

Pursuant to Local Civil Rule 5.5 for Social Security Cases (Dkt. No. 17-1) (“Defendant’s

Memorandum”). Filed on June 2, 2020, were Plaintiff’s Reply Arguments (Dkt. No. 18)

(“Plaintiff’s Reply”). Oral argument was deemed unnecessary.

Based on the following, Plaintiff’s Motion is DENIED; Defendant’s Motion is

GRANTED.

FACTS4

Plaintiff Tyler Conti (“Plaintiff” or “Conti”), born June 16, 1993, was one year old

as of June 30, 1993, Plaintiff's alleged disability onset date (“DOD”). As of the March

14, 2018 administrative hearing, Plaintiff was married and lived with his grandfather,

and had a 18 month-old child. Plaintiff completed eighth grade in school, has not

completed any type of specialized job training, trade, or vocational school, and

describes his daily activities as watching television, reading, and attending doctor’s

appointments. (R. 36).

Plaintiff has no past relevant work but worked for two weeks operating a ride at

an amusement park. (R. 70). Plaintiff alleges that he is unable to work because

Plaintiff's PKU causes memory issues and an unawareness of his surroundings. (R.

65). In connection with Plaintiff's alleged impairments, on July 9, 2015, Plaintiff sought

treatment from John Sauret, M.D. (“Dr. Sauret”), for bilateral knee pain, where upon

examination, Dr. Sauret noted that Plaintiff exhibited a normal gait, and an X-ray

revealed cystic lesions on Plaintiff's tibia. (R. 481-83, 522). On September 11, 2015,

Dr. Sauret completed a follow-up examination on Plaintiff, evaluated Plaintiff with a

normal gait and noted that Plaintiff denied any additional physical problems. (R. 755).

On October 21, 2015, in connection with his disability benefits application,

Plaintiff underwent a consultative psychiatric evaluation by psychologist Susan

Santarpia, Ph.D., (“Dr. Santarpia”), who noted that Plaintiff reported living with his

mother and a recent diagnosis of depression and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder

4 In the interest of judicial economy, recitation of the Facts is limited to only those necessary for

determining the pending motions for judgment on the pleadings.

(“ADHD”), difficulty sleeping, and social withdrawal. (R. 527). Dr. Santarpia evaluated

Plaintiff with the ability to follow and understand simple directions, perform simple tasks

independently, maintain concentration and attention, learn new tasks, perform complex

tasks independently, make appropriate decisions, relate adequately with others, and

appropriately deal with stress. (R. 527-30).

On October 21, 2015, Samuel Balderman, M.D. (“Dr. Balderman”), completed a

consultative internal medical examination on Plaintiff who reported migraine headaches

and knee pain. Upon examination, Dr. Balderman evaluated Plaintiff with a normal gait,

and normal musculoskeletal and neurologic examinations. (R. 533-34).

On October 27, 2015, Christopher Pino, Ph.D., (“Dr. Pino”), completed a

psychological examination on Plaintiff, noted that Plaintiff's medical problems caused

depression, mixed learning abilities, and insomnia, and that Plaintiff scored within the

range for ADHD on the Copeland Adult ADD checklist. (R. 538).

Dr. Sauret evaluated Plaintiff with normal physical examination results on

November 16, 2015 (R. 750), February 1, 2016 (R. 748), June 1, 2016 (R. 746),

September 8, 2016 (R. 744), and October 17, 2016 (R. 742).

On February 6, 2016, Nurse Practitioner Kathleen Cloutire (“N.P. Cloutire”),

completed a rheumatological examination on Plaintiff, noted that Plaintiff reported daily

exercise that included riding a bicycle and rollerblading, evaluated Plaintiff with a normal

rheumatological examination, advised Plaintiff to continue engaging in an active lifestyle

and encouraged Plaintiff to remain productive to avoid a disability status. (R. 678).

On October 17, 2016, Dr. Sauret completed a Medical Examination for

Employability Assessment, Disability Screening, and Alcoholism/Drug Addiction form on

behalf of the New York State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance including a

check-box form related to Plaintiff's functional limitations wherein Dr. Sauret indicated

that Plaintiff was very limited in standing, lifting, pushing, pulling, bending, climbing

stairs, and limited in nearly all areas of mental functioning. (R. 704).

On November 22, 2016 (R. 740), and December 6, 2016 (R. 738), Dr. Sauret

completed a physical examination on Plaintiff with normal results.

On January 11, 2018, Plaintiff sought treatment from Baljinder Singh, M.D. (“Dr.

Singh”), for right-sided numbness with neck pain. Upon examination, Dr. Singh

evaluated Plaintiff with a normal neurological examination. (R. 764-65).

On February 25, 2018, Dr. Pino completed psychiatric functional assessment

questionnaire on Plaintiff and evaluated Plaintiff with marked limitations to

understanding and learning terms, instructions and procedures, sequencing multi-step

activities, concentration, persistence and pace, adapting and managing himself, and

opined Plaintiff would be absent from work more than four days monthly because of his

impairments and treatment. (R. 688-89).

On February 27, 2019, Plaintiff submitted supplemental evidence to the Appeals

Council that included a physical residual functional capacity questionnaire completed by

Dr. Sauret on December 14, 2018, wherein Dr. Sauret opined that Plaintiff had

limitations to standing and walking less than two hours in an eight-hour workday,

occasionally lifting less than 10 pounds, no climbing ladders, and required 10 minute

breaks from work on an hourly basis. (R. 10-13). Plaintiff further supplemented the

record with a mental health questionnaire completed by Dr. Pino on September 11,

2018, wherein Dr. Pino opined that Plaintiff was unable to meet competitive standards

at work, and had no ability to deal with normal work stress and maintain attention for a

two hour time period. (R. 11-14).

DISCUSSION

1. Standard and Scope of Judicial Review

A claimant is “disabled” within the meaning of the Act and entitled to disability

benefits when she is unable “to engage in any substantial gainful activity by reason of

any medically determinable physical or mental impairment which . . . has lasted or can

be expected to last for a continuous period of not less than 12 months.” 42 U.S.C. §§

416(i)(1); 1382c(a)(3)(A). A district court may set aside the Commissioner’s

determination that a claimant is not disabled if the factual findings are not supported by

substantial evidence, or if the decision is based on legal error. 42 U.S.C. §§ 405(g),

1383(c)(3); Green-Younger v. Barnhart, 335 F.3d 99, 105-06 (2d Cir. 2003). In

reviewing a final decision of the SSA, a district court “is limited to determining whether

the SSA’s conclusions were supported by substantial evidence in the record and were

based on a correct legal standard.” Talavera v. Astrue, 697 F.3d 145, 151 (2d Cir.

2012) (internal quotation marks and citation omitted). “Substantial evidence is more

than a mere scintilla. It means such relevant evidence as a reasonable mind might

accept as adequate to support a conclusion.” Id. It is not, however, the district court’s

function to make a de novo determination as to whether the claimant is disabled; rather,

“the reviewing court is required to examine the entire record, including contradictory

evidence and evidence from which conflicting inferences can be drawn” to determine

whether the SSA’s findings are supported by substantial evidence. Id. “Congress has

instructed . . . that the factual findings of the Secretary,5 if supported by substantial

evidence, shall be conclusive.” Rutherford v. Schweiker, 685 F.2d 60, 62 (2d Cir.

1982).

2. Disability Determination

The definition of “disabled” is the same for purposes of receiving SSDI and SSI

benefits. Compare 42 U.S.C. § 423(d) with 42 U.S.C. § 1382c(a). The applicable

regulations set forth a five-step analysis the Commissioner must follow in determining

eligibility for disability benefits. 20 C.F.R. §§ 404.1520 and 416.920. See Bapp v.

Bowen, 802 F.2d 601, 604 (2d Cir. 1986); Berry v. Schweiker, 675 F.2d 464 (2d Cir.

1982). The first step is to determine whether the applicant is engaged in substantial

gainful activity during the period for which the benefits are claimed. 20 C.F.R. §§

404.1520(b) and 416.920(b). The second step is whether the applicant has a severe

impairment which significantly limits the physical or mental ability to do basic work

activities, as defined in the relevant regulations. 20 C.F.R. §§ 404.1520(c) and

416.920(c). Third, if there is an impairment and the impairment, or its equivalent, is

listed in 20 C.F.R. Part 404, Subpart P, Appendix 1 of the regulations (“Appendix 1” or

“the Listings”), and meets the duration requirement of at least 12 continuous months,

there is a presumption of inability to perform substantial gainful activity, and the claimant

is deemed disabled, regardless of age, education, or work experience. 42 U.S.C. §§

423(d)(1)(A) and 1382a(c)(3)(A); 20 C.F.R. §§ 404.1520(d) and 416.920(d). As a fourth

step, however, if the impairment or its equivalent is not listed in Appendix 1, the

5 Pursuant to the Social Security Independence and Program Improvements Act of 1994, the function of

the Secretary of Health and Human Services in Social Security cases was transferred to the

Commissioner of Social Security, effective March 31, 1995.

Commissioner must then consider the applicant’s “residual functional capacity” or “RFC”

which is the ability to perform physical or mental work activities on a sustained basis,

notwithstanding the limitations posed by the applicant’s collective impairments, see 20

C.F.R. §§ 404.1520(e)-(f), and 416.920(e)-(f), and the demands of any past relevant

work (“PRW”). 20 C.F.R. §§ 404.1520(e) and 416.920(e). If the applicant remains

capable of performing PRW, disability benefits will be denied, id., but if the applicant is

unable to perform PRW relevant work, the Commissioner, at the fifth step, must

consider whether, given the applicant’s age, education, and past work experience, the

applicant “retains a residual functional capacity to perform alternative substantial gainful

work which exists in the national economy.” Rosa v. Callahan, 168 F.3d 72, 77 (2d Cir.

1999) (quotation marks and citation omitted); 20 C.F.R. §§ 404.1560(c) and 416.960(c).

The burden of proof is on the applicant for the first four steps, with the Commissioner

bearing the burden of proof on the final step. 20 C.F.R. §§ 404.1520(a)(4) and

416.920(a)(4); Burgess v. Astrue, 537 F.3d 117, 128 (2d Cir. 2008). All five steps need

not be addressed because if the claimant fails to meet the criteria at either of the first

two steps, the inquiry ceases and the claimant is not eligible for disability benefits, but if

the claimant meets the criteria for the third or fourth step, or if the defendant fails to

meet its burden at the fifth step, the inquiry ceases with the claimant eligible for

disability benefits. 20 C.F.R. §§ 404.1520 and 416.920.

In the instant case, the ALJ found Plaintiff has not engaged in substantial gainful

activity (“SGA”) since Plaintiff's alleged disability onset date, and suffers from the severe

impairments of PKU, major depressive disorder, adjustment disorder, bipolar disorder,

social anxiety disorder, migraine with aura, polyarthralgia, fibromyalgia, asthma, right

knee meniscus tear, and bilateral chondromalacia (cartilage damage) of the patella (R.

38), and medically determinable impairments of panic disorder, bowel disorders,

epilepsy, syncope, orthostasis, allergic rhinitis, chronic rhinitis, fatigue, heart disease,

learning disability, blood pressure problems, costochondritis (cartilage inflammation of

ribs and breastbone), obstructive sleep apnea, tremor, gallbladder polyps, lumbar strain,

cervicalgia, heartburn, bronchitis, sinusitis, Vitamin D deficiency, ADHD, and anxiety,

which do not cause more than a minimal limitation of Plaintiff’s ability to perform basic

work activities and are therefore non-severe,6 and that Plaintiff does not have an

impairment or combination of impairments meeting or medically equal to the severity of

any listed impairment in 20 C.F.R. Part 404, Subpart P, Appendix 1. Id. at 39. Despite

his impairments, the ALJ found Plaintiff retains the RFC to perform light work as defined

in 20 C.F.R. §§ 404.1567(b), with limitations to frequently operating hand, controls,

handling, fingering, feeling and reaching with upper extremities, pushing, pulling or

operating foot controls with both lower extremities, occasional kneeling, crouching,

stooping, balancing or crawling, exposure to dust, mists, gases, noxious odors, fumes,

pulmonary irritants, poor ventilation, extreme cold and heat, wetness, humidity,

vibration, dealing with supervisors, co-workers and the general public, changes in a

routine work setting, no work that includes exposure to strobe lights, flashing or bright

lights, and the ability to be off-task five percent of each workday. (R. 41). The ALJ

further determined that Plaintiff has no past relevant work and elicited testimony from

VE Brown that Plaintiff, based on Plaintiff's age, education, and RFC, in accordance

with the Medical-Vocational Guidelines, 20 C.F.R. Part 404, Subpart P, Appendix 2 (“the

6 “An impairment is not severe if it does not significantly limit [a claimant’s] physical or mental abilities to

do basic work activities.” 20 C.F.R. § 404.1521(a) (bracketed text added).

Grids”), could perform other work existing in significant numbers in the national

economy including as a merchandise marker, routing clerk, and photocopy machine

operator. (R. 74--79). Based on these findings, the ALJ determined Plaintiff is not

disabled as defined under the Act. Id. at 52.

Plaintiff does not contest the ALJ’s findings with regard to the first three steps of

the five-step analysis, but argues that the Appeals Council erred by not providing a

more detailed explanation for rejecting Dr. Pino’s supplemental questionnaire, and in

not accepting the supplemental records from Dr. Sauret, as the findings therein related

to Plaintiff's alleged impairments and resulting limitations. Plaintiff's Memorandum at

23-24. Plaintiff further argues that the ALJ cherry-picked portions of evidence from Drs.

Pino and Sauret, resulting in the ALJ substituting his lay opinion for the opinions of

medical experts. Plaintiff's Memorandum at 25-35. Defendant maintains that the

Appeals Council properly found Dr. Pino’s questionnaire did not alter the ALJ’s finding

that Plaintiff was able to perform light work, and properly found Dr. Sauret’s

supplemental questionnaire dated December 14, 2018, unrelated to Plaintiff's disability

period ending on July 10, 2018, because such questionnaire was issued five months

after the ALJ’s decision. Defendant’s Memorandum at 19-22. In reply, Plaintiff

characterizes Defendant’s argument regarding the newly submitted evidence as “post-

hoc rationalization,” Plaintiff’s Reply at 2-3, and that the ALJ’s RFC finding was

unsupported by substantial evidence. Id. 3-6. Plaintiff’s arguments are without merit.

With regard to the Appeals Council’s decision to not “exhibit” Plaintiff's

supplemental records, such records pertain to seven pages each of a supplemental

mental residual functional capacity questionnaire completed by Dr. Pino on September

11, 2018 (R. 10-14), and a supplemental physical residual functional capacity

questionnaire completed by Dr. Sauret on December 14, 2018. (R. 22-26).

With regard to Plaintiff's supplemental records from Dr. Sauret, the regulations

provide that disability benefits claimants “must make every effort to ensure that the

administrative law judge receives all of the evidence and must inform us about or submit

any written evidence ... no later than 5 business days before the start of the scheduled

hearing,” 20 C.F.R. § 404.935(a) (“§ 404.935(a)”), and the failure to comply with this

requirement may result in the ALJ declining to consider such evidence unless one of

several exceptions is met unless a claimant establishes that (1) the evidence is new and

material and relates to the period on or before the date of the hearing decision; (2) there

is a reasonable probability that the evidence would change the outcome of the ALJ’s

decision, and (3) there is good cause for not submitting the evidence at an earlier time.

20 C.F.R. § 416.1570(a)(b) (“§ 416.1570(a)(b)”). If any of the requirements under

§ 416.1570(a)(b) are not met, the Appeals Council may deny review of the

supplemental evidence making the ALJ’s decision the final decision of the

Commissioner for purposes of judicial review. 20 C.F.R. §§ 416.1570, 416.1581,

422.210(a).

In this case, the Appeal’s Council determined that Dr. Sauret’s supplemental

questionnaire on December 14, 2018, was unrelated to Plaintiff's claim for benefits on or

before July 10, 2018, and advised Plaintiff to file a new claim for benefits within 60 days

of the Appeals Council’s decision should Plaintiff want the supplemental evidence

reviewed (R. 2). The Appeals Council’s determination is thus in accordance with the

standards for not accepting supplemental evidence provided under 20 C.F.R. §

416.1535(b)(1). Plaintiff's motion on this issue is therefore without merit and DENIED.

Plaintiff's argument that the Appeals Council erred by not exhibiting Plaintiff's

supplemental evidence from Dr. Pino is also without merit. Upon reviewing the findings

in Dr. Pino’s September 11, 2018 mental residual functional capacity questionnaire, the

Appeals Council determined that the supplemental evidence would not alter the

outcome of the ALJ’s decision that Plaintiff was able to perform limited light work (R. 1-

2), a finding in accordance with § 416.1570(a)(b), as Dr. Pino’s September 11, 2018,

questionnaire was duplicative of other evidence in the record from Dr. Pino (R. 538),

previously rejected by the ALJ. See Suttles v. Colvin, 654 Fed. App’x. 44, 47 (2d Cir.

2016) (no remand where Appeals Council rejects supplemental evidence that does not

materially alter the ALJ’s decision). Plaintiff's motion on this issue is therefore DENIED.

Plaintiff's argument that the ALJ improperly afforded partial weight to Dr. Sauret’s

opinion that Plaintiff was limited in standing, lifting, pushing, pulling, bending, climbing

stairs, and nearly all areas of mental functioning (R. 704-14), is also without merit.

Upon completing an in-depth review of Plaintiff's medical records (R. 39-45), the ALJ

determined that Dr. Sauret’s findings on Plaintiff's limitations (R. 713-14), were set forth

on a check-box-questionnaire that lacked medical explanation and inconsistent with the

majority of Dr. Sauret’s physical examination findings. (R. 48). The ALJ’s determination

on this issue is supported by substantial evidence as Dr. Sauret evaluated Plaintiff with

normal physical examination findings on July 9, 2015 (R. 481-83), September 11, 2015

(R. 755), November 16, 2015 (R. 750), November 22, 2016 (R. 740), and December 6,

2016 (R. 738), findings inconsistent with the limitations included on Dr. Sauret’s check-

box-questionnaire. Plaintiff's motion on this issue is therefore DENIED. See Monroe v.

Colvin, 676 Fed. App’x. 5, 7-8 (2d Cir. 2017) (no remand where ALJ discounted opinion

physician opinion inconsistent with physician’s treatment notes); Suttles v. Colvin, 654

Fed. App’x. 44, 47 (2d Cir. 2016) (no remand where Appeals Council rejects untimely

evidence that does not materially alter ALJ’s decision).

Plaintiff’s further allegation that the ALJ erred by affording little weight to Dr.

Pino’s October 27, 2015, finding that Plaintiff's medical problems caused depression,

mixed learning abilities, and insomnia (R. 538), and misapplying the factors set forth

under Burgess v. Astrue (“Burgess”), 537 F.3d 117, 128 (2d Cir. 2008), Plaintiff’s

Memorandum at 26-30, is also without merit. It is the Plaintiff’s burden to prove that he

or she has physical or mental limitations that restrict his or her capacity to perform basic

work activities to less than the full range of work. Smith v. Berryhill, 740 Fed. Appx.

721, 726 (2d Cir. 2018) (citing 20 C.F.R. § 423(d)(5) (finding ALJ did not arbitrarily

substitute his own judgment for competent medical advice where the plaintiff failed to

prove he was capable of a more restrictive RFC). As indicated in the foregoing, see

Discussion, supra, at 12-13, the ALJ properly evaluated the medical evidence and

opinions in the record and Plaintiff’s testimony regarding his activities of daily living in

assessing Plaintiff’s RFC as permitting Plaintiff to perform a limited range of light work.

Moreover, under the deferential standard of review applicable to a district court’s review

of an ALJ’s determination of a social security disability claim, substantial evidence in the

record may support two contrary rulings. See McIntyre v. Colvin, 758 F.3d 146, 148 (2d

Cir. 2014) (“If evidence is susceptible to more than one rational interpretation, the

Commissioner’s conclusion must be upheld.”) (citing Rutherford v. Schweiker, 685 F.2d

60, 62 (2d Cir. 1982)). The ALJ’s RFC determination, supported by substantial

evidence in the record, renders Plaintiff’s argument to the contrary without merit.

Plaintiff's motion on this issue is therefore DENIED.

CONCLUSION

Based on the foregoing, Plaintiff’s Motion (Dkt. No. 13) is DENIED; Defendant’s

Motion (Dkt. No. 17) is GRANTED. The Clerk of Court is directed to close the file.

SO ORDERED.

/s/ Leslie G. Foschio

______________________________________

LESLIE G. FOSCHIO

UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE

DATED: October 28, 2020

Buffalo, New York

This is a copy of a public record, reproduced as it was published. It is not legal advice, and it may not be the version a court would rely on. Check the official source before you cite it.

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