Facts

On October 19, 2016, Kellie Walker applied for Social Security Disability Insurance benefits, alleging a disability onset date of August 9, 2016. According to an assessment provided by Walker's treating psychologist, she had a poor ability to (1) deal with work stress, (2) understand, remember, and carry out complex job instructions, and (3) understand, remember, and carry out detailed, but not complex, job instructions. According to the doctor, when Walker's post-traumatic stress disorder was triggered, her decision making was impaired, her interactions with others would be unpredictable, and that she would have trouble managing her emotions.

Walker's application was initially denied on April 11, 2017, and on reconsideration on August 3, 2017. On April 11, 2019, a hearing was held before an administrative law judge (ALJ). During the hearing, Walker's treating psychologist provided the aforementioned assessment. There were also opinions introduced from two agency psychologists: Dr. Samuelson examined Walker, and he concluded she had mild difficulty performing simple and repetitive tasks, moderate difficulty performing complex and detailed tasks, as well as moderate difficulty dealing with others and maintaining attention; Dr. Tirado did not examine Walker, but he concluded that she was not disabled and had moderate limitations in carrying out detailed instructions, maintaining concentration, completing a normal workday, interacting appropriately, and responding to changes in the work setting.

Ultimately, the ALJ only gave partial weight to the examining psychologists' opinions but afforded Dr. Tirado's great weight. Accordingly, the ALJ concluded Walker was not disabled, and it denied her application for benefits. On May 26, 2020, the Appeals Council denied her request for review. Walker appealed, and on April 19, 2021, the district court held that the ALJ failed to fully develop the record when evaluating Walker's claim, and the case was remanded to the Social Security Administration.

On remand, the ALJ held another hearing, and on February 2, 2022, the ALJ issued another unfavorable decision for Walker. On April 4, 2022, Walker filed an action seeking judicial review of the ALJ's decision.

PLAINTIFF'S CONTENTIONS: The plaintiff contended that the ALJ erred in evaluating the medical opinions, specifically by giving great weight to the non-examining psychologist but only partial weight to the examining psychologists; that the ALJ failed to reflect all of her limitations in its analysis; and that the ALJ erred in evaluating her subjective statement testimony.

DEFENDANT'S CONTENTIONS: The defendant denied any wrongdoing and all the plaintiff's material allegations.

Result

The court granted summary judgment in favor of the plaintiff, and the matter was remanded to the Social Security Administration for further proceedings.