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Disabilities: Bipolar disorder and cognitive disorder
Notice of Decision: Fully Favorable
Administrative Law Judge: Dean W. Determan
Office of Disability Adjudication & Review (ODAR): Fort Lauderdale, Broward County, Florida & Palm Beach County, Florida
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Ms. Hamilton is a 31 year-old woman who graduated from high school, and her primary occupation has been as a cashier for a variety of businesses. She had a son approximately eight years ago, but she never raised the child, although she visits with the child and his father when they come to Florida. She has not worked since 2007 because she, "just doesn't want to go outside." Claimant reported that she had a domestic violence charge placed against her about five years ago when she hit her mother with a glass after her mother woke her up from bed. Ms. Hamilton has a history of being treated at Henderson Mental Health Center in 2004 and again from 2007 through the present. Claimant was seen on an emergency basis at Henderson in March of 2007 after she overdosed on aspirin the previous week. Claimant's mother, with whom claimant lives, testified claimant left a suicide note to claimant's son telling him the trees were telling her what to do. (At that point claimant interrupted her mother to say that she no longer talks to trees.)
No evidence was submitted with this application for disability indicating claimant had any physical impairments. This application and decision are limited to claimant's mental impairments only.
The medical records from Henderson Mental Health Center document they treated claimant frequently. Claimant's medication summary shows claimant received regular prescriptions for Haldol, along with prescriptions for Prozac between 2005 and 2008. It is interesting to note, although psychiatric medications were consistently prescribed for claimant, she reported in February 2007, that she felt "great" and she hadn't had any medication for several months.
Then in March of 2007 claimant reported that she has been off of her medication and attempted suicide the previous week. However, claimant's overall affect has seemed to gradually improve since that time. (Exhibits - Henderson Mental Health Center Records)
Two Psychiatric Review Techniques were conducted of claimant's medical records at the request of the State. Both evaluators determined claimant had mental impairments, but neither found her impairments severe enough to be categorized as "marked." Those reports did note claimant was able to perform activities of daily living without difficulty, but she was lacking in social etiquette. Claimant's attention, concentration, and task persistence and pace were impacted by her borderline cognitive functioning, her low to borderline memory function, and the presence of a mental health disorder. (Exhibits Alicia Maki, Ph.D. and Thomas L. Clark, Ph D.)
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