Palmer v. Social Security Administration Commissioner, No. 2:2023cv02115 - Document 19 (W.D. Ark. 2024)
Court Description: MEMORANDUM OPINION granting 17 Motion to Remand and remanding the case to the Commissioner for further administrative action pursuant to sentence four of section 405(g). Signed by Honorable Mark E. Ford on March 27, 2024. (tmc)
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Palmer v. Social Security Administration Commissioner Doc. 19 IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT WESTERN DISTRICT OF ARKANSAS FORT SMITH DIVISION AMANDA M. PALMER v. PLAINTIFF CIVIL NO. 2:23-cv-02115-MEF MARTIN O’MALLEY, Commissioner Social Security Administration DEFENDANT MEMORANDUM OPINION Amanda Palmer (“Plaintiff”) 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 (the “Commissioner”) denying her application for disability benefits. (ECF No. 3). This matter is presently before the undersigned by consent of the parties. (ECF No. 5). In lieu of an answer, the Commissioner filed the Social Security Transcript on December 18, 2023, asserting that the findings of the Commissioner were supported by substantial evidence and were conclusive. (ECF No. 12). See FED. R. CIV. P. SUPP SS RULE 4. On March 25, 2024, having changed positions, the Commissioner filed an unopposed motion requesting that Plaintiff’s case be remanded pursuant to “sentence four” of section 405(g) to conduct further administrative proceedings. (ECF Nos. 17, 18). The exclusive methods by which a district court may remand a social security case to the Commissioner are set forth in “sentence four” and “sentence six” of 42 U.S.C. § 405(g). A remand pursuant to “sentence six” is limited to two situations: where the Commissioner requests a remand before answering the complaint, or where the court orders the Commissioner to consider new, material evidence that was for good cause not presented before the agency. The Fourth sentence of the statute provides that “[t]he court shall have power to enter, upon the pleadings and transcript Dockets.Justia.com of the record, a judgment affirming, modifying, or reversing the decision of the Commissioner of Social Security, with or without remanding the cause for a rehearing.” 42 U.S.C. § 405(g); Shalala v. Schaefer, 509 U.S. 292, 296 (1993). The Supreme Court has held that a remand for further administrative proceedings, such as the remand requested here, is a sentence four remand within the meaning of 42 U.S.C. § 405(g). See Melkonyan v. Sullivan, 501 U.S. 89, 99-100 (1991). Accordingly, the Defendant’s Unopposed Motion to Remand is GRANTED and the case remanded to the Commissioner for further administrative action pursuant to “sentence four” of section 405(g). DATED this 27th day of March 2024. /s/ Mark E. Ford HONORABLE MARK E. FORD CHIEF UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE 2
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