DECISION AND ORDER

RANDOLPH TREECE, Magistrate Judge

In this action, Plaintiff Barbara A. Duross moves, pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 405(g), for a review of a decision by the Commissioner of Social Security denying her application for disability insurance benefits (DIB). Based upon the following discussion, this Court reverses and remands the Commissioner's decision denying Social Security benefits.

I. BACKGROUND A. Facts

B. Procedural History

II. DISCUSSION A. Standard of Review

Under 42 U.S.C. § 405(g), the proper standard of review for this Court is not to employ a de novo review, but rather to discern whether substantial evidence supports the Commissioner's findings and that the correct legal standards have been applied. See Rivera v. Sullivan, 923 F.2d 964, 967 (2d Cir. 1991); Urtz v. Callahan, 965 F. Supp. 324, 325-26 (N.D.N.Y. 1997) (citing, inter alia, Johnson v. Bowen, 817 F.2d 983, 985 (2d Cir. 1987)). Succinctly defined, substantial evidence is "more than a mere scintilla," it is "such relevant evidence as a reasonable mind might accept as adequate to support a conclusion." Consol. Edison Co. of New York v. N.L.R.B., 305 U.S. 197, 229 (1938).

The ALJ must set forth the crucial factors supporting the decision with sufficient specificity. Ferraris v. Heckler, 728 F.2d 582, 587 (2d Cir. 1984). Where the ALJ's findings are supported by substantial evidence, the court may not interject its interpretation of the administrative record. Williams ex rel. Williams v. Bowen, 859 F.2d 255, 258 (2d Cir. 1988); 42 U.S.C. § 405(g). Where the weight of the evidence, however, does not meet the requirement for substantial evidence or a reasonable basis for doubt exists as to whether correct legal principles were applied, the ALJ's decision may not be affirmed. Johnson v. Bowen, 817 F.2d at 986.

B. Determination of Disability

To be considered disabled within the meaning of the Social Security Act, a plaintiff must establish an "inability to engage in any substantial gainful activity by reason of any medically determinable physical or mental impairment which can be expected to result in death or which has lasted or can be expected to last for a continuous period of not less than 12 months." 42 U.S.C. § 423(d)(1)(A). Furthermore, the claimant's physical or mental impairments must be of such severity as to prevent engagement in any kind of substantial gainful work which exists in the national economy. Id. at § 423(d)(2)(A).

In determining whether a claimant is disabled, the Commissioner follows a five-step analysis set forth in the Social Security Administration Regulations. 20 C.F.R. § 404.1520. At Step One, the Commissioner "considers whether the claimant is currently engaged in gainful activity." Berry v. Schweiker, 675 F.2d 464, 467 (2d Cir. 1982). If the claimant is engaged in substantial gainful activity, he or she is not disabled and the inquiry ends. 20 C.F.R. § 404.1520(b). If the claimant is not engaged in substantial gainful activity, the Commissioner proceeds to Step Two and assesses whether the claimant suffers from a severe impairment that significantly limits his or her physical or mental ability to do basic work activities. Id. at § 404.1520(c). If the claimant suffers from a severe impairment, the Commissioner considers at Step Three whether such impairment(s) meets or equals an impairment listed in Appendix 1, in Part 404, Subpart P of the Regulations. Id. at § 404.1520(d). The Commissioner makes this assessment without considering vocational factors such as age, education, and work experience. Berry v. Schweiker, 675 F.2d at 467. Where the claimant has such an impairment the inquiry ceases as he or she is presumed to be disabled and unable to perform substantial gainful activity. Id. If the claimant's impairment(s) does not meet or equal the listed impairments, the Commissioner determines the claimant's residual functional capacity (RFC), which is utilized in both Steps Four and Five. 20 C.F.R. § 404.1520(e). If at Step Four, the Commissioner determines that the claimant cannot perform his or her past work, then at Step Five, the Commissioner considers whether the claimant can perform any other work available in the national economy. Berry v. Schweiker, 675 F.2d at 467; 20 C.F.R. § 404.1520(f).

Initially, the burden of proof lies with the claimant to show that his or her impairment(s) prevents a return to previous employment (Steps One through Four). Berry v. Schweiker, 675 F.2d at 467. If the claimant meets that burden, the burden then shifts to the Commissioner at Step Five to establish, with specific reference to medical evidence, that the claimant's physical and/or mental impairment(s) are not of such severity as to prevent him or her from performing work that is available within the national economy. Id.; 42 U.S.C. § 423(d)(2)(A); see also White v. Sec'y of Health and Human Servs., 910 F.2d 64, 65 (2d Cir. 1990). In making this showing at Step Five, the claimant's RFC must be considered along with other vocational factors such as age, education, past work experience, and transferability of skills. 20 C.F.R. § 404.1520(f); see also New York v. Sullivan, 906 F.2d 910, 913 (2d Cir. 1990).

C. ALJ Zack's Findings

Using the five-step disability evaluation, ALJ Zack found that 1) Plaintiff has not engaged in any substantial gainful activity since February 13, 2002, the alleged onset disability date; 2) her back problems and depression are severe medically determinable impairments; 3) her severe impairments do not meet nor medically equal any impairment listed in Appendix 1, Subpart P of Social Security Regulations No. 4; 4) she has the RFC to perform light work and cannot perform her past relevant work; but 5) considering the VE's testimony, as well as Plaintiff's age, educational background, work experience, and RFC, Plaintiff is capable of making a successful adjustment to work that exists in significant numbers in the national economy and therefore is not disabled. Id. at pp. 12-17.

D. Duross's Contentions

In seeking federal judicial review of the Commissioner's decision denying her benefits, Duross makes the following arguments: 1) the Court should consider Plaintiff's post-appeal submissions; 2) the ALJ erred by failing to find that Plaintiff's obesity is a severe impairment; 3) the ALJ erred by failing to find that Plaintiff's condition met Listing 12.04; 4) the ALJ erred in determining Plaintiff's RFC; 5) the ALJ violated the Treating Physician Rule; 6) the ALJ erred in determining Plaintiff's credibility; and 7) the ALJ supplied an inaccurate hypothetical question to the vocational expert. As explained fully below, the Court finds that the ALJ's decision must be reversed due to several legal errors.

1. Requests for Consideration of Submissions a. Record from Dr. Welch

Plaintiff requests that the Court consider a treatment report from Dr. Welch, dated November 7, 2005. Dkt. Nos. 15 16. According to 42 U.S.C. § 405(g), a court "may at any time order additional evidence to be taken before the Commissioner of Social Security, but only upon a showing that there is new evidence which is material and that there is good cause for the failure to incorporate such evidence into the record in a prior proceeding[.]" (Emphasis added); see also Lisa v. Sec'y of Health and Human Servs., 940 F.2d 40, 43 (2d Cir. 1991); Tirado v. Bowen, 842 F.2d 595, 597 (2d Cir. 1988). In order to justify remand under this provision, the plaintiff must show (1) that the proffered evidence is new and not merely cumulative of what is already in the record, (2) that the evidence is material, i.e., both relevant to the claimant's condition during the time period for which benefits were denied and probative, and (3) good cause for failing to present the evidence earlier. Lisa v. Sec'y of Health and Human Servs., 940 F.2d at 43. The concept of materiality also requires a reasonable possibility that the new evidence would have influenced the Secretary to decide a claimant's application differently. Tirado v. Bowen, 842 F.2d at 597. Good cause exists where the evidence "surfaces after the Secretary's final decision and the claimant could not have obtained the evidence during the pendency of that proceeding." Lisa v. Sec'y of Health and Human Servs., 940 F.2d at 44.

The administrative record already contains a treatment note from Dr. Welch, dated November 9, 2004. Tr. at pp. 404-05. This treatment note was not included in the ALJ's review since it was generated subsequent to his decision, however, Plaintiff's attorney presented it to the Appeals Council for consideration in appealing the ALJ's unfavorable decision. Id. at p. 403. The Appeals Council considered this, and other additional evidence submitted, and declined to review the ALJ's decision. Id. at pp. 4-7. In the November 2004 note, Dr. Welch indicates that Duross had been referred to him for a consultation at the request of Drs. McKeever and Chapman. Upon examination, Dr. Welch determined that Plaintiff had "numerous trigger points," which suggested to him chronic fibromyaglia. Id. at p. 404. Dr. Welch opined that Plaintiff is totally disabled due to depression and fibromyaliga. Id. at p. 405.

In the November 7, 2005 note, Dr. Welch again found that Plaintiff has trigger point activity and opined that Plaintiff is totally disabled. Dkt. No. 15 at p. 2. Plaintiff asks the Court to consider this "new evidence" as relevant to the issue of Plaintiff's credibility and her other substantive claims and to summarily remand this matter to the Commissioner to consider the additional evidence. Id. at p. 1. The Court finds that the subsequent progress note, while not in existence during the pendency of the SSA proceedings under review, is not "new" in the sense that it is cumulative. Dr. Welch made similar findings in the November 2004 note, namely, that Plaintiff suffered from chronic fibromyalgia and depression as was totally disabled. Compare Tr. at pp. 404-05 with Dkt. No. 15 at p. 2. Furthermore, the November 2005 note is not material because there is no reasonable possibility that it would have influenced the Commissioner to decide Duross's application differently. The diagnoses put forth by Dr. Welch were already before the Appeals Council, and yet, they declined to disturb the ALJ's decision denying benefits. At the time of Dr. Welch rendered his November 2004 note, his treatment relationship with Plaintiff amounted to nothing more than a one-time consultation. There is no reasonable possibility that the Appeals Council would, based on this one-time assessment, credit any controlling weight to Dr. Welch's opinions. The fact that he, as of the November 2005 note, established an ongoing treatment relationship with Plaintiff is not relevant as to Duross's disability status during the period currently under review, namely, February 13, 2002 (the alleged onset disability date) through September 30, 2004 (the ALJ's decision). In fact, according to the Regulations, the Appeals Council will only consider new and material evidence that "relates to the period on or before the date of the administrative law judge hearing decision." 20 C.F.R. § 404.970. It is unclear whether Dr. Welch's November 2005 note relates to such time period. Moreover, Dr. Welch's opinion that Plaintiff is disabled is an issue that is reserved to the Commissioner. Id. at § 404.1527(e)(1). Even assuming for the moment that Dr. Welch would now properly be classified as a treating physician, the Commissioner is only required to give consideration to this opinion; he is not required to give it controlling weight. Id.; Social Security Ruling (S.S.R.) 96-5p, 1996 WL 374183, Policy Intrepretation Ruling Title II and XVI: Medical Source Opinions on Issues Reserved to the Commissioner (S.S.A. 1996). Accordingly, Plaintiff's request to consider new evidence and for a remand on this ground (Dkt. No. 15) is denied.

b. Favorable Decision

2. Step Two — Severity of Impairments

At Step Two of the evaluation process, a claimant must prove the existence of a severe impairment that significantly limits his or her physical and/or mental ability to do basic work activities. See 20 C.F.R. § 404.1520(c); see also 20 C.F.R. § 404.1521(a) (noting that an impairment is not severe at Step Two if it does not significantly limit a claimant's ability to do basic work activities). The Regulations define "basic work activities" as the "abilities and aptitudes necessary to do most jobs," examples of which include,

(1) Physical functions such as walking, standing, lifting, pushing, pulling, reaching, carrying, or handling;

(2) Capacities for seeing, hearing, and speaking;

(3) Understanding, carrying out, and remembering simple instructions;

(4) Use of judgment;

(5) Responding appropriately to supervision, co-workers and usual work situations; and

(6) Dealing with changes in a routine work setting.

"A finding of not severe' should be made if the medical evidence establishes only a `slight abnormality' which would have `no more than a minimal effect on an individual's ability to work.'" Rosario v. Apfel, 1999 WL 294727, at *5 (E.D.N.Y. Mar. 19, 1999) (quoting S.S.R. 85-28, 1985 WL 56856, at *3). The Second Circuit has held that the Step Two analysis "may do no more than screen out de minimis claims." Dixon v. Shalala, 54 F.3d 1019, 1030 (2d Cir. 1995). If the disability claim rises above a de minimis level, then the remaining analysis of the claim at Steps Three through Five must be undertaken. See id.

Plaintiff contends that the ALJ erred by failing to find that her obesity is a severe impairment in and of itself or in combination with her other impairments. Dkt. No. 7 at pp. 18-20. However, aside from reciting varying weight fluctuations, Plaintiff fails to show that her obesity significantly limits her ability to do basic work activities. Furthermore, though her obesity was consistently documented through weight measurements, no examining physician opined that her obesity caused any limitations. Therefore, this claim is unavailing.

3. Step Three — Listing 12.04

Listing 12.04 provides as follows:

12.04 Affective Disorders: Characterized by a disturbance of mood, accompanied by a full or partial manic or depressive syndrome. Mood refers to a prolonged emotion that colors the whole psychic life; it generally involves either depression or elation.

The required level of severity for these disorders is met when the requirements in both A and B are satisfied, or when the requirements in C are satisfied.

A. Medically documented persistence, either continuous or intermittent, of one of the following:

1. Depressive syndrome characterized by at least four of the following:

a. Anhedonia or pervasive loss of interest in almost all activities; or

b. Appetite disturbance with change in weight; or

c. Sleep disturbance; or

d. Psychomotor agitation or retardation; or

e. Decreased energy; or

f. Feelings of guilt or worthlessness; or

g. Difficulty concentrating or thinking; or

h. Thoughts of suicide; or

i. Hallucinations, delusions or paranoid thinking; or

2. Manic syndrome characterized by at least three of the following:

a. Hyperactivity; or

b. Pressure of speech; or

c. Flight of ideas; or

d. Inflated self-esteem; or

e. Decreased need for sleep; or

f. Easy distractibility; or

g. Involvement in activities that have a high probability of painful consequences which are not recognized; or

h. Hallucinations, delusions or paranoid thinking;

or

3. Bipolar syndrome with a history of episodic periods manifested by the full symptomatic picture of both manic and depressive syndromes (and currently characterized by either or both syndromes);

AND

B. Resulting in at least two of the following:

1. Marked restriction of activities of daily living; or

2. Marked difficulties in maintaining social functioning; or

3. Marked difficulties in maintaining concentration, persistence, or pace; or

4. Repeated episodes of decompensation, each of extended duration;

Or

C. Medically documented history of a chronic affective disorder of at least 2 years' duration that has caused more than a minimal limitation of ability to do basic work activities, with symptoms or signs currently attenuated by medication or psychosocial support, and one of the following:

1. Repeated episodes of decompensation, each of extended duration; or

2. A residual disease process that has resulted in such marginal adjustment that even a minimal increase in mental demands or change in the environment would be predicted to cause the individual to decompensate; or

3. Current history of 1 or more years' inability to function outside a highly supportive living arrangement, with an indication of continued need for such an arrangement.

The Regulations direct an ALJ to utilize a special technique in assessing the severity of a claimant's mental impairment. 20 C.F.R. § 404.1520a; Rosado v. Barnhart, 290 F. Supp. 2d 431, 437 (S.D.N.Y. 2003). In accordance with this special technique, the ALJ must first assess whether a medically determinable mental impairment exists. 20 C.F.R. § 404.1520a(b)(1). Then the ALJ should rate the degree of functional limitation resulting from the claimant's mental impairment to determine whether it is severe. Id. § 404.1520a(b)(2). The Regulations instruct the ALJ to rate the claimant's limitations in four broad functional areas: (1) activities of daily living; (2) social functioning; (3) concentration, persistence, or pace; and (4) episodes of decompensation. Id. § 404.1520a(c)(3). The first three functional areas are rated along a five-point scale ranging from no limitation to extreme limitation. Id. § 404.1520a(c)(4). A finding of "none" or "mild" in these areas would generally warrant a finding that the claimant's mental impairments are not severe. Id. § 404.1520a(d)(1).

In his decision, the ALJ reviewed Section 12.04 and found that Plaintiff's condition does not meet nor medically equal Listing 12.04. Tr. at p. 14. The ALJ explained as follows:

[T]he medical evidence fails to reflect the degree of functional limitations required to meet the "B" criteria of the listings at 12.04 and it does not establish the presence of the "C" criteria. The undersigned finds that the claimant's psychological impairment causes mild restrictions of activities of daily living. There are mild and at times moderate difficulties in social functioning and in maintaining concentration, persistence or pace but there are no repeated episodes of decompensation.

The ALJ offered no further analysis nor a statement of the evidence he relied upon in rendering this assessment.

In cases where the disability claim is premised upon one or more listed impairment in Appendix 1, the Secretary is obligated to set forth a sufficient rationale in support of his decision to find or not to find a listed impairment. Berry v. Schweiker, 675 F.2d 464, 469 (2d Cir. 1982); see also Hendricks v. Comm'r of Soc. Security, 452 F. Supp.2d 194, 198-99 (W.D.N.Y. 2006). Here, it is unclear on what evidence the ALJ relied in finding that Plaintiff's condition failed to meet or medically equal Listing 12.04. Instead, the ALJ simply provided a conclusory finding. This insufficient rationale impairs our ability to determine whether substantial evidence supports the non-disability determination and therefore warrants reversal of the Commissioner's decision denying benefits.

4. RFC

In this case, the ALJ stated that Plaintiff retained the RFC to perform light work. Tr. at p. 16. Specifically, the ALJ found as follows:

[T]he undersigned finds the claimant retains the residual functional capacity for light work that requires no more than 2 hours of sitting at a time, standing 10/20 minutes at a time, 1 hour total; and no more than 30 minutes of standing at a time, total of 2 hours. The claimant has the ability to understand, remember and carry out simple instructions, make simple work-related decisions, respond appropriately to supervision, co-workers and usual work situations as well as handle changes in [a] routine work setting.

While the ALJ reviewed the medical evidence in some detail and discussed Plaintiff's credibility, the ALJ failed to explain on which specific evidence he relied in making the RFC determination. Pursuant to SSR 96-8p, the RFC assessment must include a narrative discussion describing how the evidence supports each conclusion, citing specific medical facts (e.g., laboratory findings) and nonmedical evidence (e.g., daily activities, observations). SSR 96-8p, 1996 WL 374184, at *7, Titles II and XVI: Assessing Residual Functional Capacity in Initial Claims (S.S.A. July 2, 1996). Here, the ALJ failed to describe how the evidence supports each conclusion.

Moreover, after reiterating various physicians' opinions regarding Duross' physical and mental limitations, the ALJ failed to explain the weight he afforded such opinions in rendering the RFC assessment. This is in direct contravention of the Treating Physician Rule. The Treating Physician Rule recognizes that a claimant's treating sources, which in most cases are medical professionals, are more apt to "provide a detailed, longitudinal picture of [the patient's] medical impairment(s) and may bring a unique perspective to the medical findings" as opposed to an evaluation of a one-time, non-examining, non-treating physician. 20 C.F.R. § 404.1527(d)(2); see Schisler v. Sullivan, 3 F.3d 563, 568 (2d Cir. 1993). Under the Regulations, a treating physician's opinion as to the nature and severity of a claimant's impairment is entitled to "controlling weight" when it "is well-supported by medically acceptable clinical and laboratory diagnostic techniques and is not inconsistent with other substantial evidence in [the] case record." 20 C.F.R. § 404.1527(d)(2); see also Rosa v. Callahan, 168 F.3d 72, 78-79 (2d Cir. 1999). In analyzing a treating physician's opinion, "the ALJ cannot arbitrarily substitute his own judgment for competent medical opinion." McBrayer v. Sec'y of Health and Human Servs., 712 F.2d 795, 799 (2d Cir. 1983); see also Balsamo v. Chater, 142 F.3d 75, 80-81 (2d Cir. 1998). In the event the ALJ does not give controlling weight to the treating physician, he must specifically state the reasons for doing so. 20 C.F.R. § 404.1527(d)(2) ("We will always give good reasons in our notice of determination or decision for the weight we give your treating source's opinion."). Not once in his entire decision did ALJ Zack explain what weight was being assigned to any medical opinion, let alone Plaintiff's Treating Physician.

Since the ALJ failed to elucidate the weight given to each medical opinion, and taking into account that no opinion contained in the record suggests the exact limitations proposed by the ALJ, we are led to believe that the ALJ simply substituted his own judgment for that of the multitude of competent medical opinions. Without the crucial explanation of evidence relied upon and weight accorded to medical opinions, this Court is unable to conclude that the ALJ's RFC determination is supported by substantial evidence. The ALJ's error in this regard warrants reversal of the Commissioner's decision denying benefits.

E. Reversal With or Without Remand

In determining the final disposition of this matter, the most equitable judgment must be implemented. The court has authority to reverse with or without remand. 42 U.S.C. § 405(g). Remand is appropriate where there are gaps in the record or further development of the evidence is needed. See Parker v. Harris, 626 F.2d 225, 235 (2d Cir. 1980); Sobolewski v. Apfel, 985 F. Supp. 300, 314 (E.D.N.Y. 1997) ("Where there are gaps in the administrative record, remand to the Commissioner for further development of the evidence is in order.") (cited in Rosa v. Callahan, 168 F.3d at 82-83). Reversal is appropriate, however, when there is "persuasive proof of disability" in the record and remand for further evidentiary development would not serve any purpose. Parker v. Harris, 626 F.2d at 235; see also Curry v. Apfel, 209 F.3d 117, 124 (2d Cir. 2000) ("Where, however, the reversal `is based solely on the [Commissioner's] failure to sustain her burden of adducing evidence of the claimant's capability of gainful employment and the [Commissioner's] finding that the claimant can engage in sedentary work is not supported by substantial evidence, no purpose would be served by [the court] remanding the case for rehearing." (citing Balsamo v. Chater, 142 F.3d at 82 (alterations in original)); Rosa v. Callahan, 168 F.3d at 83 (remand solely for calculation of benefits is warranted when the court has no "apparent basis to conclude that a more complete record might support the Commissioner's decision"); Simmons v. United States R.R. Ret. Bd., 982 F.2d 49, 57 (2d Cir. 1992).

Because the ALJ committed several errors, namely in his Step Three and RFC determinations, the Court need not — indeed, cannot — reach the question of whether the Commissioner's denial of benefits was based on substantial evidence. Based upon the errors identified in this opinion, we find that a remand for further consideration is appropriate. Curry v. Apfel, 209 F.3d at 124 ("Upon a finding that an administrative record is incomplete or that an ALJ has applied an improper legal standard, we generally . . . remand the matter to the Commissioner for further consideration." (citation omitted)). Upon remand, the Commissioner shall reassess whether Plaintiff's mental impairments meet or medically equal the criteria of Listing 12.04 for the period of February 13, 2002 through September 30, 2004, and provide an adequate explanation as required. In the event the Commissioner determines, and adequately explains, that Plaintiff's impairment did not meet or medically equal the Listing criteria, the Commissioner should continue the sequential evaluation. In redetermining Plaintiff's RFC, the Commissioner shall ensure that proper explanations are provided not only with regard to the medical evidence relied upon, but also with regard to the weight accorded Plaintiff's treating physicians as well as her credibility.

III. CONCLUSION

WHEREFORE, it is hereby

ORDERED, that the Commissioner's decision denying disability benefits is REVERSED and this matter is REMANDED to the Commissioner, pursuant to Sentence Four of 42 U.S.C. § 405(g), for further proceedings consistent with the above; and it is further

ORDERED, that the Clerk of the Court serve a copy of this decision upon parties to this action.

IT IS SO ORDERED.