Facts

Plaintiff Yolanda V. sought review of the Commissioner of Social Security's decision denying plaintiff's application for disability insurance benefits under the Social Security Act.

PLAINTIFF'S CONTENTIONS: Plaintiff contended the administrative law judge gave little weight to her psychiatrist's opinions. Specifically, Plaintiff contended Defendant's conclusion that Dr. Mao's opinions was not supported since Dr. Mao did not treat Plaintiff for a sufficient length of time, was not a proper basis for discounting the opinion. Additionally, Plaintiff contended the ALJ also erroneously gave Dr. Mao's opinion less weight because it was rendered in a checklist-style form and was not supported by objective clinical findings.

DEFENDANT'S CONTENTIONS: Defendant denied Plaintiff's contentions, and contended Plaintiff's disability application was denied because Plaintiff did not suffer from an impairment or combination of impairments that medically qualified as disabled.

Result

The court ruled in Plaintiff's favor after it determined the ALJ's reasons for rejecting Dr. Mao's opinions were not supported by substantial evidence in the record.