Franklin v. Social Security Administration, Commissioner

Filing 11

MEMORANDUM OPINION. Signed by Judge Inge P Johnson on 12/3/12. (ASL)

FILED
2012 Dec-03 PM 04:19
U.S. DISTRICT COURT
N.D. OF ALABAMA

IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
FOR THE NORTHERN DISTRICT OF ALABAMA
SOUTHERN DIVISION
DANIEL LEE FRANKLIN,
PLAINTIFF,
VS.

CASE NO.: CV-12-J-1945-S

MICHAEL J. ASTRUE,
Commissioner of Social Security,
DEFENDANT.
MEMORANDUM OPINION
This matter is before the court on the record and briefs of the parties. The court
has jurisdiction pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 405. The plaintiff is seeking reversal or
remand of a final decision of the Commissioner. All administrative remedies have
been exhausted.
Procedural Background
The plaintiff applied for Disability Insurance Benefits and Supplemental
Security Income, alleging an inability to work beginning October 13, 2007, due to a
gunshot wound to the left side of his face, resulting in severe jaw and face pain,
migraines, and medication which causes him to be drowsy (R. 106, 107, 155).
Although not specifically listed as a disabling condition, his medical records are

replete with references to trigeminal neuralgia1 as a result of the gunshot wound (R.
226, 259). His treating physician noted that the pain is unpredictable, incapacitating,
and affected by changes in barometric pressure, rendering “gainful employment
impossible” (R. 259). He also suffers from pain in his chest, arms (R. 85) and down
his back into his hips, making walking difficult (R. 87). The pain is made worse by
heat and cold (R. 90). The medication he takes for migraines “knock[s]” him “out”
(R. 85).
The administrative law judge (ALJ) reached a determination that the plaintiff
was not disabled at any time from October 13, 2007, through the date of his decision,
November 13, 2010 (R. 25). The plaintiff appealed this decision to the Appeals
Council which denied his request for review on March 22, 2012 (R. 1-3). The ALJ’s
decision thus became the final order of the Commissioner. See 42 U.S.C.§ 405(g).
This action for judicial review of the agency action followed (doc. 1). The court has
considered the entire record and whether the decision of the ALJ is supported by
substantial evidence. For the reasons set forth herein, this case is REVERSED and
REMANDED to the Commissioner for further action consistent with this opinion.

1

Trigeminal neuralgia is a nerve disorder that causes a stabbing or electric-shock-like pain
in parts of the face. Symptoms include very painful, sharp electric-like spasms that usually last a
few seconds or minutes, but can become constant; pain usually only on one side of the face, often
around the eye, cheek, and lower part of the face; pain may be triggered by touch or sounds,
brushing teeth, chewing, drinking, eating or lightly touching the face. See
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0001751/
2

Factual Background
The plaintiff was born on May 31, 1974 (R. 81). He completed high school in
learning disabled classes, earning a certificate instead of a diploma (R. 81-82). His
past work is all as an electrician on construction sites, which was skilled, heavy work
(R. 101).
The plaintiff testified he has pain under his shoulder blades into his shoulders
and neck every day (R. 84). If he tries to wash dishes or bend over, he feels like
“somebody’s got the underneath of his chin and it just feels like somebody’s just
ripping the skin. That’s – I can’t even shave from here over ... If I bump it or
anything it goes into real bad pain” (R. 85). He thinks the pain in his chest and arms
is from bullet fragments from the gun shot (R. 85-86). He also has pain down the
middle of his back into his hips, legs, and down to the heel of his left foot, making
walking difficult (R. 87). The plaintiff’s chin was reconstructed from steel plates, and
he lost many teeth (R. 88-89). Heat and cold cause his neck and muscles to “draw up,
tense up,” causing “real bad stabbing pains” and “aches and throbs” (R. 90). He is
unable to do anything outside if the temperature is less than 50 degrees (R. 147).
Brushing his teeth “feels like thousands of little needles in there” (R. 91). He does
not cut grass and does little driving (R. 91-92). He has pain in his chin, jaw and neck
everyday, and migraines between one and three times a week (R. 92). He has a list

3

of medications, including morphine pain patches2 (R. 93, 96). Since his accident, he
suffers from depression and gets “real ill-tempered” (R. 93).
As of the date of his hearing, the plaintiff had been referred to a pain
management clinic, but had not yet been (R. 94). When asked why he could not
work, the plaintiff answered;
The pain. Mainly just the pain. Doing physical labor, I mean, just –
like, I don’t know, washing dishes and stuff like that, trying to sweep
and mop and – I mean. It just goes into real bad pain, kind of pain I have
to take more and more medication just to try to get it down. And if I
don’t – the pain medication don’t take it away I end up having to put a
morphine patch on –
(R. 94). The plaintiff also said he has trouble sitting for a long time because his lower
hips and legs begin hurting, so he will get up and wander through his house (R. 95).
He will sit for a few minutes, then get back up, or go lie down (R. 95). He testified
that out of a week, he has to lie down three to four days, for two to three hours at a
time (R. 95). His pain medication mostly “just knocks the edge off” his pain (R. 96).
The plaintiff testified his pain ranges between a six and seven on a scale of one to ten
daily, going up to a nine or ten two or three days a week (R. 97).

2

As of May 2010 the plaintiff was prescribed diclofenac sodium (generic for Voltaren) as
an anti-inflammatory, hydrocodone for pain (narcotic analgesic), carisoprodol (generic for Soma)
as a muscle relaxer, promethazine (generic for Phenergan) for sleep, Xanax as an anti-depressent,
fentanyl patches for pain (narcotic analgesic used to treat moderate to severe breakthough pain)
and amitriptyline (generic for Elavil) for sleep (R. 184).
4

The Vocational Expert (VE) was asked to assume a younger individual with
a twelfth grade education, who could lift fifteen pounds occasionally, five to ten
pounds frequently, who should avoid concentrated exposure to heat, cold, humidity
and vibration, with no hazardous machinery, with occasional reaching and pulling,
limited to low semiskilled and unskilled work, with no production paced work (R.
102). Such an individual could not perform any of the plaintiff’s previous work, but
other jobs such as surveillance system monitor and some cashier jobs exist in
significant numbers in the regional and national economy (R. 102). Additionally,
there would be less than light level security guard jobs (R. 103). If such a person had
moderately severe pain, he would be unable to work (R. 103-104).
The relevant medical records begin October 13, 2007, when the plaintiff
suffered a gunshot wound to his face (R. 195-210). He underwent a tracheostemy and
oromaxillofacial surgery to repair his mandible (R. 195). A CT scan reflects that
many of his teeth were shattered and small pellets were seen throughout his mouth
and nasal cavity (R. 202). He was followed by Dr. Joseph Deatherage, an Oral
Maxillofacial surgeon, who performed several follow-up surgeries. In November
2007 Dr. Deatherage removed some of the hardware which had been inserted in the
plaintiff’s mouth, as well as a tooth with an exposed root and a “couple of areas of
exposed necrotic bone” (R. 216). Further non-salvagable teeth were removed in a
December surgery (R. 214). In a February 2008 visit, Dr. Deatherage noted the
5

plaintiff’s report of “continued excessive pain and depression” which was not
relieved by gabapentin3 (R. 212). His records reflect that the plaintiff was prescribed
Lortab and “counseled about the negative impact of long-term opioid use; however
he is in such severe pain at ... this time I feel it is warranted” (R. 212). The following
month, the plaintiff still had “severe lancinating pain of the bilateral V3 distribution”4
(R. 211).
Dr. Dale Trammell is plaintiff’s regular, treating physician. His records reflect
that the plaintiff suffers from trigeminal neuralgia, for which a variety of pain
medications have been tried (R. 226, 227). Records predating the plaintiff’s gunshot
accident reflect the plaintiff had ongoing complaints of bursitis, tennis elbow and
headaches (R. 228, 231). Because of headaches and sinus pain, the plaintiff had a CT
scan, which was normal, and sinus imaging, which revealed a septal deviation and
bone spur (R. 238-239).
In March 2009 Dr. Trammell completed a Physical Capacities Evaluation in
which he opined that the plaintiff could lift 10 pounds occasionally and less than that
frequently (R. 254). He believed the plaintiff could sit no more than 4 hours total in
an 8 hour work day, and could stand and walk no more than a combined total of 2

3

Gabapentin is a antiseizure medication which is also used to relieve neuralgic pain.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0000940.
4

“V3” refers to the mandibular nerve branch of the trigeminal nerve.
6

hours during that period (R. 254). Dr. Trammell limited the plaintiff to no more than
occasionally on all pushing, climbing, manipulation and bending movements, and
also noted no work around hazardous machinery due to medication effects and no
work around dust or fumes (R. 254). As to plaintiff’s pain, Dr. Trammel stated it was
present to such an extent that it would be distracting to performance of daily work,
physical activity would greatly increase this pain and cause distraction from or total
abandonment of tasks, and side effects from medication were severe and would limit
effectiveness due to drowsiness (R. 255-256). Additionally, fatigue and weakness
were present to an extent that would negatively impact work, and physical activity
would magnify the fatigue and weakness to an extent that would cause abandonment
of tasks (R. 257). Dr. Trammell also wrote that
Mr. Daniel Franklin suffers from severe episodic, waxing & waning
neuropathic pain from chronic (L) trigeminal neuralgia (350.9) that is a
permanent injury from a gunshot wound to the jaw from a hunting rifle.
The pain is very unpredictable in nature, becoming incapacitating during
barometric pressure changes & precipitation, requiring very strong
prescription medications which would constrict him to the home for
uncertain period at uncertain times. Lyrica is used for reduction of
neuropathic pain [and] has a common side effect of difficulty in
concentration. Th[at] combined with unpredictable bouts of severe pain
have made gainful employment impossible. I do not see this condition
improving any time in the near future.
(R. 259).

7

In October 2008 the plaintiff’s medical records reflect he suffered from
headaches, mononeuritis, insomnia, tendonitis, abdominal pain, and goiters (R. 249,
252). While joint pain was not noted, numbness and neuropathy were, with a notation
that the plaintiff suffered from chronic neuropathic pain in left trigeminal region,
worse after manual labor such as pressure washing (R. 249). Depression and
insomnia were also noted (R. 249). Medical records for the next twelve months have
similar notations throughout them, with a variety of medications being tried to help
control the plaintiff’s pain including back pain and leg pain (R. 266-280).
A record dated October 13, 2009, noted that the plaintiff was in a car wreck,
from which his back, neck and left shoulder hurt (R. 263). His medication was
switched from Lyrica to carbamazepine5 for neuropathic pain in his legs and jaw (R.
263). He was prescribed Lidocaine for mandibular trigeminal neuralgia and bacofen
for tension and fibromyalgia pain, which would help with insomnia, amtriptyline for
insomnia and neuropathy, cymbalta for fibromyalgia, as well as assorted other pain
killers, muscle relaxers, sleep aids and fentanyl for flare ups of severe pain (R. 263).
Dr. Trammell noted the plaintiff had left L4/L5 radiculopathy, pain in his jaw, pain
in his arm, pain in his hand, pain in his shoulder, pain in his lower leg, pain in his
back, and pain in his neck (R. 264-265). Upon x-ray, Dr. Trammell noted a slight

5

Generic for Tegretol, of which drowsiness is a common side effect. Although originally
used to control seizures, carbamazepine is prescribed for trigeminal neuralgia as well.
8

straightening of the lordosis, consistent with myofacial spasm, mild diffuse
degenerative changes and small buckshot remnants in the soft tissue of the neck and
around C5-6, and chronic mild osteoarthritis (R. 265). Due to severe neck pain and
neuropathy, Dr. Trammell also ordered an MRI of plaintiff’s cervical spine, which did
note prior fusion at C5-6 but found no other abnormality (R. 284). Medical records
post-dating October 2009 do not reflect any changes to plaintiff’s conditions (R. 288294).
The plaintiff was not sent for a consultative examination by the Commissioner.
Standard of Review
In a Social Security case, the initial burden of establishing disability is on the
claimant, who must prove that due to a mental or physical impairment he is unable
to perform his previous work. Walker v. Bowen, 826 F.2d 996, 999 (11th Cir.1987).
If the claimant is successful, the burden shifts to the Commissioner to prove that the
claimant can perform some other type of work existing in the national economy. Id.
This court’s review of the factual findings in disability cases is limited to
determining whether the record contains substantial evidence to support the ALJ’s
findings and whether the correct legal standards were applied. 42 U.S.C. § 405(g);
Richardson v. Perales, 402 U.S. 389, 401, 91 S.Ct. 1420 (1971); Martin v. Sullivan,
894 F.2d 1520, 1529 (11th Cir.1990). “Substantial evidence” is generally defined as

9

“such relevant evidence as a reasonable mind would accept as adequate to support a
conclusion.” Richardson, 402 U.S. at 401 (quoting Consolidated Edison Co. v.
NLRB, 305 U.S. 197, 229, 59 S.Ct. 206 (1938)); Miles v. Chater, 84 F.3d 1397, 1400
(11th Cir.1996); Bloodsworth v. Heckler, 703 F.2d 1233, 1239 (11th Cir.1983). This
court also must be satisfied that the decision of the Commissioner is grounded in the
proper application of the appropriate legal standards. McRoberts v. Bowen, 841 F.2d
1077, 1080 (11th Cir.1988); Bridges v. Bowen, 815 F.2d 622, 624 (11th Cir.1987);
Davis v. Shalala, 985 F.2d 528 (11th Cir.1993). No presumption of correctness
applies to the Commissioner’s conclusions of law, including the determination of the
proper standard to be applied in reviewing claims. Brown v. Sullivan, 921 F. 2d 1233,
1235 (11th Cir.1991); Cornelius v. Sullivan, 936 F.2d 1143, 1145 (11th Cir.1991).
Furthermore, the Commissioner’s “failure to ... provide the reviewing court with
sufficient reasoning for determining that the proper legal analysis has been conducted
mandates reversal.” Cornelius, 936 F.2d at 1145-1146.
When making a disability determination, the ALJ must consider the combined
effects of all impairments. Davis v. Shalala, 985 F.2d at 533; Swindle v. Sullivan,
914 F.2d 222, 226 (11th Cir.1990); Walker, 826 F.2d at 1001. When more than one
impairment exists, the plaintiff may be found disabled even though none of the
impairments considered alone would be disabling. Id. The ALJ must evaluate the
combination of impairments with respect to the effect they have on the plaintiff’s
10

ability to perform the duties of work for which he or she is otherwise capable. Lucas
v. Sullivan, 918 F.2d 1567, 1574 (11th Cir.1990). Merely reciting that the plaintiff’s
impairments in combination are not disabling is not enough. The ALJ is required to
make specific and well articulated findings as to the effect of the combination of
impairments. Walker, 826 F.2d at 1001.
Legal Analysis
In this case, the ALJ found that the plaintiff suffered from the severe
impairments of status post gunshot wound to the jaw requiring mandibular
reconstruction; degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine with fusion;
degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine; migraines; and depression (R. 18). No
mention is made of trigeminal neuralgia. He found no impairment or combinations
of impairments which, singly or in combination, met or medically equaled the criteria
of any of the listing of impairments found in 20 CFR 404, Subpart P, Appendix 1 (R.
20). The ALJ concluded that the plaintiff retained the residual functional capacity to
perform work with limitations of lifting/carrying more than 15 pounds occasionally
and 5-10 pounds frequently, and further limitations from concentrated exposure to
cold, heat, humidity and vibration, and all exposure to hazardous machinery, with
only occasional reaching overhead and bilateral pushing/pulling. Further, the

11

plaintiff was limited to jobs that deal with things instead of people and jobs that do
not require production rate pace work (R. 20-21).
The ALJ considered the plaintiff’s subjective complaints of pain but found
plaintiff’s description of the intensity, persistence and limiting effects of the same to
be not credible to the extent they do not comport with the ALJ described limitations.
The ALJ, while never mentioning that the plaintiff suffered from trigeminal neuralgia,
or recognizing references to severe and debilitating pain and fibromyalgia in the
medical records, states that the claimant overstated his symptoms from his physical
impairments (R. 22). He determined that the plaintiff lacked “full credibility”
because at one doctor visit, Dr. Trammell noted “no joint pain, joint stiffness, muscle
pain or swelling of the extremities” (R. 22). Not mentioned by the ALJ is Dr.
Trammel’s notation that the plaintiff was prescribed Lidocaine cream for his
trigeminal neuralgia, as well as gabapentin for nerve pain, with the notation: “This
should potentiate Vicoprofen” and included instructions to increase the dosage by ½
tablet every 2-3 days until the neuralgia improved (R. 289).
The ALJ merely finds no medical evidence to support “residual issues related
to his facial trauma” (R. 22) while ignoring the diagnosis of trigeminal neuralgia.
Similarly, the ALJ finds little “objective evidence of record” to support the alleged
degree of low back pain, hip and leg pain (R. 22), while ignoring the references to
myofacial pain, fibromyalgia and various neuralgias contained in the record. Without
12

any inquiry into or recognition of these diseases and diagnoses, the ALJ then states
that Dr. Trammel fails to provide any support for his opinion concerning the
plaintiff’s level of pain (R. 23). No mention is made by the ALJ of the fact that Dr.
Deatherage also diagnosed the plaintiff with trigeminal neuralgia. Indeed, the ALJ
fails to mention the medical records of Dr. Deatherage at all. The ALJ, having thus
ignored essentially all of the medical records and medical opinions in the file,
determines that “the decision to limit claimant to a restricted range of light work was
reached only by giving him great benefit of doubt, and the undersigned will not
stretch credulity past the breaking point by extending it further” (R. 23).
Having therefore called both the plaintiff and his treating physician liars, while
ignoring the most severe of the plaintiff’s ailments contained in the medical records,
the ALJ determines that the opinions of Dr. Trammell are entitled to no weight6 (R.
23). The ALJ does recognize that the medical records contain no other opinions from
medical sources (R. 24).
Thus, based upon his review of the medical evidence, the ALJ determined the
plaintiff could not return to his past relevant work, but retained the residual functional
capacity to perform a limited range of light work (R. 24). The ALJ failed to include

6

The ALJ, having disregarding Dr. Trammell’s opinion concerning the severity of
plaintiff’s pain, and finding no basis for such opinions, offers no alternative explanation as to
why Dr. Trammell is prescribing the plaintiff powerful narcotic painkillers to deal with the
allegedly exaggerated pain.
13

any discussion of whether bouts of intermittent severe pain could prevent sustained
substantial gainful employment.
The plaintiff argues that the ALJ’s determination of the plaintiff’s residual
functional capacity is not based on substantial evidence and failed to properly apply
the Eleventh Circuit’s three-part pain standard. Plaintiff’s memorandum, at 7, 9.
The severity of a medically ascertained disability must be measured in terms
of its effect upon ability to work.” McCruter v. Bowen, 791 F.2d 1544, 1547 (11th
Cir.1986). “[In order for] an impairment to be non-severe, ‘it [must be] a slight
abnormality which has such a minimal effect on the individual that it would not be
expected to interfere with the individual's ability to work, irrespective of age,
education, or work experience.’” Brady v. Heckler, 724 F.2d 914, 920 (11th
Cir.1984). Step two is a threshold inquiry. It allows only claims based on the most
trivial impairments to be rejected. Id. A “severe impairment” is a “de minimis
requirement which only screens out those applicants whose medical problems could
‘not possibly’ prevent them from working.” Stratton v. Bowen, 827 F.2d 1447, 1452
n. 9 (11th Cir.1987) (quoting Baeder v. Heckler, 768 F.2d 547, 551 (3d Cir.1985))
The finding of any severe impairment, whether or not it qualifies as a disability and
whether or not it results from a single severe impairment or a combination of
impairments that together qualify as severe, is enough to satisfy the requirement at
step two. Jamison v. Bowen, 814 F.2d 585, 588 (11th Cir.1987).
14

Given the facts of this case, the court is of the opinion that the plaintiff’s
trigeminal neuralgia, questionable indications of fibromyalgia and other various
polyneuralgias should have been considered “severe impairments” as they clearly
“interfere with the individual’s ability to work, irrespective of age, education, or work
experience.” Brady, 724 F.2d at 920. The ALJ did not investigate, define, or even
mention these diagnoses, despite repeated references to the same in the medical
records.
The ALJ having thus belittled the severity of the plaintiff’s pain, and without
any medical opinion on which to rely, crafted a residual functional capacity based
solely on his own opinion and which ignored the most serious of plaintiff’s ailments.
Proper application of the pain standard, used when a claimant seeks to establish
disability through his or her own testimony of pain or other subjective symptoms,
requires (1) evidence of an underlying medical condition and either (2) objective
medical evidence that confirms the severity of the alleged pain arising from that
condition or (3) that the objectively determined medical condition is of such a
severity that it can be reasonably expected to give rise to the alleged pain. Wilson v.
Barnhart, 284 F.3d 1219, 1225 (11th Cir.2002). “The claimant’s subjective testimony
supported by medical evidence that satisfies the standard is itself sufficient to support
a finding of disability.” Id. “A clearly articulated credibility finding with substantial
supporting evidence in the record will not be disturbed by a reviewing court.” Foote
15

v. Chater, 67 F.3d 1553, 1562 (11th Cir.1995). There is no requirement that the ALJ
refer to every piece of evidence, but the credibility determination “cannot merely be
a broad rejection which is not enough to enable ... this Court to conclude that the ALJ
considered [the claimant's] medical condition as a whole.” Dyer v. Barnhart, 395 F.3d
1206, 1210-11(11th Cir.2005)(quotations and alterations omitted). Therefore, if a
plaintiff testifies he suffers from pain at a level that would prevent work and he
satisfies the three part pain standard, he must be found disabled unless that testimony
is properly discredited.
In the facts before this court, the plaintiff has alleged disabling pain, from his
chin, his neck, and migraine headaches. Absent from the ALJ’s decision is any
development or consideration of whether severe pain can be disabling. “Social
Security proceedings are inquisitorial rather than adversarial. It is the ALJ’s duty to
investigate the facts and develop the arguments both for and against granting
benefits....” Sims v. Apfel, 530 U.S. 103, 110–111, 120 S.Ct. 2080, 2085, 147 L.Ed.2d
80 (2000), citing Richardson v. Perales, 402 U.S. 389, 400–401, 91 S.Ct. 1420, 28
L.Ed.2d 842 (1971). “Because a hearing before an ALJ is not an adversary
proceeding, the ALJ has a basic obligation to develop a full and fair record.” Graham
v. Apfel, 129 F.3d 1420, 1422 (11th Cir.1997), citing Cowart v. Schweiker, 662 F.2d
731, 735 (11th Cir.1981).

16

The evidence establishes that the plaintiff suffers from two separate ailments
which both cause intermittent severe restrictions and limitations. Specifically, while
the evidence supports the ALJ’s determination that the plaintiff could theoretically
perform a limited range of light work, there is no evidence which supports or refutes
that the plaintiff can do so on a daily ongoing basis. An “RFC is the individual's
maximum remaining ability to do sustained work activities in an ordinary work
setting on a regular and continuing basis, and the RFC assessment must include a
discussion of the individual’s abilities on that basis. A ‘regular and continuing basis’
means 8 hours a day, for 5 days a week, or an equivalent work schedule.” SSR 968P, 1996 WL 374184, 2 (emphasis in original in part and emphasis added in part).
The sole opinion in the record regarding the same, that of Dr. Trammell, was wholly
disregarded by the ALJ.
The ALJ’s failure to develop the record sufficient to determine whether, despite
these ailments, the plaintiff can maintain substantial gainful employment on a
sustained basis, leaves this court with the firm conviction that the record has not been
properly developed. Because of this error, the court must remand this case to the
Commissioner.
Conclusion

17

Based on the foregoing, the court is of the opinion that the decision of the ALJ
was founded upon errors of law, and therefore the decision of the Commissioner must
be REVERSED and this case is REMANDED for further consideration of the
evidence and development of the record. Specifically such consideration should
include, but is not limited to, whether trigeminal neuralgia should have been included
as a “severe impairment” and whether the inclusion of the same would change the
ALJ”s view of both Dr. Trammell’s opinions and the level of pain experienced by the
plaintiff. Because the ALJ found the only medical source opinion in the record to be
entitled to no weight, the Commissioner shall also send the plaintiff for a consultative
evaluation to obtain an additional opinion as to his physical capacities. If of use in
understanding the medical records and further medical opinions, the ALJ shall hold
a supplemental hearing, and updated medical records, specifically those from any
pain management clinic(s) at which the plaintiff has been seen. Should a new hearing
be so held, the same shall include testimony from a VE including hypothetical
questions which take a realistic account of expected absences into consideration.
DONE and ORDERED the 3rd day of December, 2012.

INGE PRYTZ JOHNSON
U.S. DISTRICT JUDGE

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