Lawrence Mowell v. Margaret Heckler, Secretary of Health and Human Services , 779 F.2d 51 ( 1985 )

779 F.2d 51

Unpublished Disposition
NOTICE: Sixth Circuit Rule 24(c) states that citation of unpublished dispositions is disfavored except for establishing res judicata, estoppel, or the law of the case and requires service of copies of cited unpublished dispositions of the Sixth Circuit.
LAWRENCE MOWELL, Plaintiff-Appellant,
v.
MARGARET HECKLER, SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES,
Defendant-Appellee

84-5833

United States Court of Appeals, Sixth Circuit.

10/23/85

AFFIRMED

1

E.D.Tenn.

ORDER

2

BEFORE: KEITH and KRUPANSKY, Circuit Judges; and JOINER, Senior District Judge*.

3

Plaintiff is appealing from a district court order denying his request for attorneys' fees under the Equal Access to Justice Act, 28 U.S.C. Sec. 2412. The case has been referred to a panel of the Court pursuant to Rule 9(a), Rules of the Sixth Circuit. Upon consideration of the briefs and record, this panel agrees unanimously that oral argument is not necessary. Rule 34(a), Federal Rules of Appellate Procedure.

4

In May of 1974, plaintiff was awarded Social Security disability benefits. In May of 1983, the Social Security Administration determined, on the basis of recent medical evidence, that plaintiff's disability had ceased and terminated benefits. On February 10, 1984, plaintiff filed a complaint for judicial review of the administrative decision under 42 U.S.C. Sec. 405(g). Upon consideration, the district court found that the decision was not supported by substantial evidence and awarded summary judgment for the plaintiff. The administrative decision was reversed and the case was remanded with instructions to reinstate plaintiff's benefits.

5

On June 26, 1983, plaintiff requested the district court to award attorneys' fees pursuant to the Equal Access to Justice Act. By memorandum and order filed July 23, 1984, the district court denied plaintiff's request on the basis that the Government's position had been reasonable under the circumstances.

6

Upon examination of the record, we agree with the district court's conclusion that the Government's case had a reasonable basis in law and fact and was, therefore, 'substantially justified' under 28 U.S.C. Sec. 2412(d)(1)(A). Howard v. Heckler, 581 F.Supp. 1231, 1233 (S.D. Ohio 1984). See also Kreimes v. Department of Treasury, 764 F.2d 1186, 1190-91 (6th Cir. 1985); Wyandotte Savings Bank v. NLRB, 682 F.2d 119, 120 (6th Cir. 1982); Couch v. Secretary of Health & Human Services, 749 F.2d 359 (6th Cir. 1984). We note particularly the reports of Dr. Clement H. Block dated April 1, 1982, the report of Dr. S. N. Misra dated March 9, 1983, the report of Charles D. Dowdy dated March 11, 1983, and that of Dr. Vijay R. Patil dated April 6, 1983. While these reports may not be sufficient to constitute substantial evidence, they do provide a reasonable basis for the Government's position.

7

It appears that the question on which decision of this cause depends is so unsubstantial as not to need further argument. Rule 9(d)(3), Rules of the Sixth Circuit.

8

Therefore, it is ORDERED that the final order of the district court be affirmed.

*

The Honorable Charles W. Joiner, Senior U.S. District Judge for the Eastern District of Michigan, sitting by designation