Bates v. Social Security Administration, Commissioner

Filing 12

MEMORANDUM OPINION Signed by Chief Judge Karon O Bowdre on 9/21/16. (SAC )

FILED
2016 Sep-21 AM 09:38
U.S. DISTRICT COURT
N.D. OF ALABAMA

IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
FOR THE NORTHERN DISTRICT ALABAMA
NORTHWESTERN DIVISION
MONICA BATES,

)
)
Claimant,
)
)
)
v.
)
)
CAROLYN W. COLVIN,
)
Acting Commissioner of Social Security, )
)
Respondent.
)

Civil Action No:
3:15-CV-00546-KOB

MEMORANDUM OPINION
I. INTRODUCTION
On February 23, 2012, the claimant protectively filed an application under Title II for
Disability Insurance Benefits, alleging disability beginning June 30, 2011 because of leg pain
and a learning disability. (R. 76-81). The Commissioner denied the claimant’s application at
the initial and reconsideration levels, and the claimant requested a hearing.
After the June 26, 2013 hearing, an ALJ issued a decision on August 22, 2013, finding
that the claimant is not disabled. (R. 10-22, 26-61). That decision became the final decision of
the Commissioner when the Appeals Council denied the claimant’s request for review on
February 1, 2015. (R. 1-3). The claimant has exhausted her administrative remedies, and this
court has jurisdiction pursuant to 42 U.S.C. §§ 405(g) and 1383(c)(3).
For the reasons stated below, this court reverses and remands the decision of the
Commissioner because substantial evidence does not support the little weight the ALJ gave to
the opinion of examining consultant Dr. Haney.

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II. ISSUE PRESENTED
Whether substantial evidence supports the reasons the ALJ gave for assessing little
weight to the opinion of examining consultant Dr. Haney regarding the claimant’s IQ score and
mental limitations.
III. STANDARD OF REVIEW
The standard for reviewing the Commissioner’s decision is limited. This court must
affirm the Commissioner’s decision if the ALJ applied the correct legal standards and if
substantial evidence supports his factual conclusions. See 42 U.S.C. § 405(g); Graham v. Apfel,
129 F.3d 1420, 1422 (11th Cir. 1997); Walker v. Bowen, 826 F.2d 996, 999 (11th Cir. 1987).
“No … presumption of validity attaches to the [Commissioner’s] legal conclusions,
including determination of the proper standards to be applied in evaluating claims.” Walker, 826
F.2d at 999. This court does not review the Commissioner’s factual determinations de novo and
will affirm those factual determinations supported by substantial evidence. “Substantial
evidence” is “more than a mere scintilla. It means such relevant evidence as a reasonable mind
might accept as adequate to support a conclusion.” Richardson v. Perales, 402 U.S. 389, 402
(1971).
The court must keep in mind that opinions, such as whether a claimant is disabled, the
nature and extent of a claimant’s residual functional capacity, and the application of vocational
factors, “are not medical opinions, … but are, instead, opinions on issues reserved to the
Commissioner because they are administrative findings that are dispositive of a case; i.e., that
would direct the determination or decision of disability.” 20 C.F.R. §§ 404.1527(d), 416.927(d).
Whether the claimant meets the listing and is qualified for Social Security disability benefits is a
question reserved for the ALJ, and the court “may not decide facts anew, reweigh the evidence,
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or substitute [its] judgment for that of the Commissioner.” Dyer v. Barnhart, 395 F.3d 1206,
1210 (11th Cir. 2005). Thus, even if the court were to disagree with the ALJ about the
significance of certain facts, the court has no power to reverse that finding if substantial evidence
in the record supports it.
The court must “scrutinize the record in its entirety to determine the reasonableness of the
[Commissioner]’s factual findings.” Walker, 826 F.2d at 999. A reviewing court must not look
only to those parts of the record that support the decision of the ALJ, but also must view the
record in its entirety and take into account evidence that detracts from the evidence relied on by
the ALJ. Hillsman v. Bowen, 804 F.2d 1179, 1180 (11th Cir. 1986).
IV. LEGAL STANDARD
Under 42 U.S.C. § 423(d)(1)(A), a person is entitled to disability benefits when the
person is unable 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). To make this determination the Commissioner employs a five-step,
sequential evaluation process:
(1) Is the person presently unemployed?
(2) Is the person’s impairment severe?
(3) Does the person’s impairment meet or equal one of the specific
impairments set forth in 20 C.F.R. Pt. 404, Subpt. P, App. 1?
(4) Is the person unable to perform his or her former occupation?
(5) Is the person unable to perform any other work within the
economy?
An affirmative answer to any of the above questions leads either to
the next question, or, on steps three and five, to a finding of
disability. A negative answer to any question, other than step three,
leads to a determination of “not disabled.”

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McDaniel v. Bowen, 800 F.2d 1026, 1030 (11th Cir. 1986) 1; 20 C.F.R. §§ 404.1520, 416.920.
In deciding the weight to give a medical opinion, the ALJ should consider whether the
opinion is from an examining or non-examining medical source. 20 C.F.R. § 404.1527(c)(1).
An ALJ should give more weight to an examining medical source’s opinion than to that of a nonexamining source. Id. Moreover, the ALJ should give more weight to the opinion of a specialist
about medical issues related to his area of specialty. Id. at 404.1527(c)(5).
An ALJ may reject the opinion of any physician if the evidence in the record supports a
contrary conclusion. When an ALJ cites reasons for giving an examining physician little weight,
and substantial evidence does not support those reasons, he commits reversible error. See
Davison v. Astrue, 370 F. App'x 995, 997 (11th Cir. 2010) (citing Moore v. Barnhart, 405 F.3d
1208, 1212 (11th Cir. 2005)).
V. FACTS
The claimant was thirty-eight years old at the time of the ALJ decision and has past work
experience as a hand packager. She has not worked since June 30, 2011, when she was fired
from Rudy Farms because of her attitude, slow working habits, and inability to get along with
others. (R. 32-33).
School records from Zion-Benton Township High School indicate that the claimant
completed the eighth grade at “Central”; completed two semesters of ninth grade at Zion-Benton
with a GPA of 1.4; and completed one semester of eleventh grade at Zion-Benton with a 1.4
GPA. However, the court can find no records regarding the tenth grade or whether she passed
her ninth or eleventh grade years. The school records from Zion-Benton show that the claimant

1

McDaniel v. Bowen, 800 F.2d 1026 (11th Cir. 1986) was a supplemental security income case (SSI). The
same sequence applies to disability insurance benefits. Cases arising under Title II are appropriately cited
as authority in Title XVI cases. See, e.g., Ware v. Schweiker, 651 F.2d 408 (5th Cir. 1981) (Unit A).
4

took vocational classes, in addition to “COP” Language Arts, “COP” Social Studies, “COP”
Reading, and “COP” Math. 1 (R. 168-169).
Physical and Mental Limitations
On February 28, 2012, Dr. Ernest L. Mollohan treated the claimant at Express Med
L.L.C. walk-in clinic for mood swings and hot flashes. She indicated that she used estrogen
patches until her insurance ran out, and she could no longer afford them. Her blood pressure was
148/102, but otherwise the examination revealed no abnormal findings. Dr. Mollohan’s clinical
impressions included mood swings, diaphoresis, hypertension, fatigue, and obesity. (R. 194195).
She returned to see Dr. Mollohan at the walk-in clinic on February 29, 2012, and
discussed lab results that showed elevated cholesterol, but otherwise the results were within
normal limits. She obtained prescriptions for Lisinopril and Hydrochlorothiazide and continued
taking Gabapentin and Trazodone for blood pressure and cholesterol. (R. 197-200).
On April 19, 2012, the claimant went to the Family Health Care Clinic complaining of
leg and foot pain since her hysterectomy in 2010 and swelling of her ankles. She described
feeling a pulling sensation and a tingling in the back of her legs when she sat or walked, but the
physical examination was unremarkable. The claimant also reported crying spells, moodiness,
irritability, and weight gain. Nurse Practitioner NeTista Jones noted that the claimant had been
on hormone replacement therapy and reported a history of learning disability and “not being very
smart.” The medical assessment included depression, anxiety, insomnia, hypertension,
idiopathic peripheral neuropathy, and symptomatic states associated with artificial menopause.
Ms. Jones continued the prescription for Hydrochlorothiazide and Lisinopril to control the

1

“COP” could denote a disability and special education acronym for “Community of Practice.” See
http://www.parentcenterhub.org/repository/acronyms/.

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claimant’s blood pressure, and Progesterone for hormone replacement. She further prescribed
Estradiol for hormone replacement and Amitriptyline HCI for unspecified hereditary and
idiopathic peripheral neuropathy. (R. 220-223).
On April 26, 2012, Dr. John R. Haney, a licensed Psychologist, performed a consultative
psychological evaluation of the claimant at the request of the Social Security Administration.
Dr. Haney noted that the claimant’s friend drove her to his office; that the claimant provided an
“Alabama Non Driver Picture Identification card as photo ID”; that her mood appeared
moderately agitated; and that she was “somewhat loud and seemed confused at times, which
limited her cooperation.” (R. 210).
Dr. Haney administered the WAIS-IV test, which revealed that the claimant has a full
scale IQ score of 43, placing her in the “moderate mental retardation range of intellectual
functioning.” He noted that “[t]hese scores may not be a reasonably accurate estimate of the
current level of intellectual functioning” because she was a “difficult individual to test due to a
moderate level of agitation, and lack of emotional control.” Dr. Haney stated that
[t]he claimant was often crying, or moving about in the examining room, and
talking excessively about mostly irrelevant stories. The claimant’s inability to
concentrate or pay attention greatly affected test performance. She required a
good bit of redirection and claimed not to understand most of the test task
instructions. Mental status was variable in that she responded to redirecting
and seemed interested in her performance at times.
(R. 210). The claimant reported to Dr. Haney that she “attended school up to the eighth grade,
attending special education classes for as many years as she could remember.” (R. 210-211).
Dr. Haney described the claimant as a “poor historian” and needed a “great deal of
prompting and redirection.” He noted that the claimant gave the wrong date; could not subtract
serial sevens but could count forward by threes using her fingers; had difficulty with simple
arithmetic and change-making problems; could not abstract similarities or interpret simple
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proverbs; could not name the current U.S. President; recalled zero of three objects after five
minutes; and had impaired recent and remote memory. Dr. Haney indicated that her mood
appeared sad; she tended to ramble; she complained of moodiness, irritability, poor memory and
concentration; and she reported sleep disturbances. She did not report suicidal thoughts or
attempts, and Dr. Haney reported no symptoms of psychosis. (R. 211).
Dr. Haney’s diagnoses included Mood Disorder, NOS, Severe; Mild Mental Retardation
(provisional); and “Consider Cognitive Disorder, NOS.” He concluded that the claimant’s
“[a]bility to function in most jobs appeared severely impaired due to apparent emotional and
intellectual limitations,” and specifically indicated that “[a]ll of [the claimant’s] statements were
regarded as truthful although she did appear confused.” (R. 209-212).
The claimant returned for a follow-up with Nurse Practitioner Jones on April 27, 2012,
complaining that she had to stop taking the Estradiol because it made her sick. She continued to
complain of back and leg pain, but her physical examinations were normal. Ms. Jones placed her
back on Estradiol, but dropped the dosage from a two-milligram tablet per day to a 0.5-milligram
tablet per day. The claimant reported that her mood swings were improving, but she still
experienced irritability. (R. 224-225).
On April 27, 2012, Dr. Robert Estock, a non-examining state agency consultant, reviewed
Dr. Haney’s medical opinion and the claimant’s records. He stated that the claimant’s IQ test
results “appear to conflict with actual ability to function,” and noted that the claimant lived
alone, cared for her child, did chores, drove, went out alone, shopped, paid her bills, managed a
savings account, exercised, had visitors, talked on the phone, paid attention when necessary, and
followed spoken instructions well. Dr. Estock concluded that the claimant was not significantly
limited in her ability to carry out short and simple instructions; maintain a schedule; get along
with coworkers and peers; and tolerate ordinary work pressures. He found that the claimant was
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moderately limited in her ability to carry out detailed instructions; interact appropriately with the
general public; maintain attention and concentration for extended periods; and respond
appropriately to changes in the work setting. (R. 81-91).
On May 14, 2012, the claimant went to Dr. George Evans and reported hypertension,
mood swings, depression, and pain in her lower back and both legs. Her blood pressure was
133/87. She said her depression had been present for several years, with symptoms of
irritability, episodes of crying, feelings of guilt, mood swings, impatience, memory loss,
screaming, and shaking. The claimant indicated that she recently lost a job as a result of her
depression; did not like to be around people anymore; could not heel or toe walk; and had
difficulty standing from a seated position. Dr. Evans described the claimant as “agitated” and
“in mild distress” with a “flat affect.” His impressions included lumbago, benign essential
hypertension, memory loss, and leg weakness. A musculoskeletal examination revealed
paraspinal muscle tenderness of the lumbar region. Dr. Evans ordered a lumbar spine MRI scan
that was normal. (R. 232-237).
On referral from Dr. Evans, the claimant saw neurologist Dr. Joseph R. Cuccia on June
11, 2012. The claimant reported a four-month history of bilateral myalgias of the muscles of
both legs and calves. Motor testing was normal; she had no vibratory sense in her toes, medial
malleoli in both legs, and left knee; and she ambulated with a mild limp favoring the left leg. Dr.
Cuccia’s impression was peripheral polyneuropathy of undetermined etiology. (R 243-244).
On September 13, 2012, the claimant returned to the Family Health Care Clinic,
complaining of leg pain and sleeping problems. She had gained weight since the April visit and
her blood pressure was 114/78. Nurse Practitioner Jones advised the claimant to stop smoking.
(R. 272).
She returned to the clinic on September 26, 2012, complaining of hot flashes and
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shortness of breath around people, leg pain, and constipation. Ms. Jones again encouraged the
claimant to stop smoking, to exercise more, and to stay on a low sodium diet. (R. 270-271).
On October 25, 2012, the claimant returned to the clinic and reported that her
medications, which consisted of Hydrochlorothiazide, Lisinopril, Estradiol, Citalopram
Hydrobromide, Potassium Chloride, Trazodone, and Gabapentin, were working and that she was
walking more. She denied any other problems or concerns. She reported a history of drug
and/or alcohol use, and she indicated that she continued smoking up to five cigarettes a day. (R.
268-269).
From November of 2012 to April of 2013, the claimant saw Rosemary Snodgrasss, a
Licensed Professional Counselor, at the Alpha Center seven times for counseling to help with
depression. She self-reported anger; anxiety; communication problems; depression; extended
family problems; financial difficulties; grief; health problems; job loss difficulties; life change
adjustment; mood swings; past verbal, emotional, and physical abuse; peer and social
relationship difficulties; learning problems; sexual and intimacy concerns; sleep problems;
substance use and abuse; and past suicidal thoughts. She committed to calling Ms. Snodgrass if
suicidal thoughts re-emerged.
The ALJ Hearing
The claimant received a hearing before an ALJ on June 26, 2013. The claimant testified
that she applied for unemployment benefits when she lost her job, and received those benefits
through December 2012. She told the unemployment compensation agency that she “could try
to work but [she] was unable.” She said she called the agency on the phone each week and
pressed buttons on the automated system on the phone to continue receiving unemployment. She
stated that her condition had not changed from the time of receiving unemployment
compensation to the time of the ALJ hearing; that she applied for unemployment to take care of
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her child and stay off the streets; that her mother helped her file for unemployment benefits; and
that she looked for work by placing a card in her window to notify passersby that she could clean
houses, but nobody called. (R. 39-45).
The claimant testified that she lives in Section 8 housing with her six-year-old son; does
not pay rent; and does not receive child support. She sometimes takes her child to school, but his
father usually takes him. The claimant noted that she prepares meals for her son, dresses him
with the help of her mother, and gives him asthma breathing medication. (R. 30-31).
The claimant reported that she relies on food stamps and help from her mother to get by
financially. Her mother helps her pay her bills when the claimant has money to pay them, and
her mother gets the money orders for the claimant’s bills and takes her to pay them. The
claimant picks up cigarette butts from the ground that people have discarded and smokes them,
and asked the ALJ to “don’t tell nobody.” (R. 46-50).
The claimant noted that she washes clothes and does dishes, but her son helps with other
chores, like vacuuming and wiping down the walls. She stated that she only goes to the grocery
store about once a month, and her mother has to go with her to help with money and deciding
what costs too much. (R. 30-35, 49-50).
The claimant did not graduate high school. She noted that she can read a limited number
of words, and can only write in print. The claimant further testified that she attempted to get her
GED, but was unable to pass the test. She also stated that the lady at the pizza place helped her
fill out her Social Security paperwork. (R. 31-32, 49). She goes to a counselor at the Alpha
Center to help her with anxiety and depression. (R. 56).
The claimant testified that she worked at Rudy Farm as an assembly line attendant,
putting sausage and egg biscuits together. She was fired and re-hired continuously at Rudy
Farm, but was fired permanently after June 30, 2011. She noted that she was fired because of
10

her “attitude” and her inability to get along with people. The claimant testified that she
threatened an employee of Rudy Farm who called her names after being fired. (R. 32-33, 58).
The claimant said that she did not work after Rudy Farm because she had a hysterectomy
that resulted in leg pain. She further noted that she takes medications for blood pressure and
cholesterol, but they make her drowsy; she cannot drive all the time, but does do so on occasion
and not very far; and she cannot play with her child, but she can only prop her feet up and sit
while her child plays. (R. 34-36).
The claimant testified that she can stand for ten minutes; can walk about fifty yards; can
sit if she props her feet up to reduce swelling in her feet; and has missed six to eight days of
work a month because of her impairments. (R. 34, 37-39, 47).
The claimant indicated that the last place she looked for work was a temporary service, but
the service did not inform her of any job opportunities. She stated that even though she looks
after her own child, she could not work at a nursery because her nerves are too bad to be around
so many children. She further noted that the noise in a nursery would make her upset. (R. 4344).
A vocational expert, Dr. Jewell E.B. Utel, testified that the claimant’s past work included a
hand packer, which is a medium exertion level and unskilled job. She also testified concerning
the type and availability of jobs that the claimant could perform. (R. 47-61). The ALJ asked Dr.
Utel to assume a hypothetical claimant that has the same educational background as the claimant;
has the same work history as the claimant; has no lifting restrictions; can understand and
remember simple instructions; cannot understand or remember detailed or complex instructions;
can carry out simple instructions and sustain attention to routine tasks for an eight hour workday
at two hour increments; receives all customary breaks; can tolerate ordinary work pressures;
should avoid quick decision making, rapid changes, and multiple demands; must work at a slow
11

pace; can maintain work consistent with the mental demands of competitive level work; can have
occasional contact with the public, co-workers, and supervisors; and can adapt to infrequent and
well-explained changes in the workplace. The ALJ then asked if this hypothetical individual
could return to the claimant’s prior work. Dr. Utel testified that person could not do her prior
work, but that jobs existed in the region she could perform. Specifically, Dr. Utel stated that the
claimant could work as a bottling line attendant, with 8,800 jobs nationally and 1,520 in
Alabama; a booker, with 14,590 jobs nationally and 2,140 in Alabama; or a bone picker, with
608,000 jobs nationally and 7,130 in Alabama. Dr. Utel also testified that being off-task for half
of the workday would preclude all work activity. (R. 52-55).
The ALJ’s Decision
On August 22, 2013, the ALJ issued a decision finding that the claimant was not disabled
under the Social Security Act. (R. 22). First, the ALJ found that the claimant met the insured
status requirements of the Social Security Act. Next, the ALJ found that the claimant has not
engaged in substantial gainful activity since June 30, 2011, but questioned the claimant’s
credibility because she received unemployment benefits while pursuing disability benefits.
The ALJ noted that Alabama law specifically precludes eligibility for unemployment
benefits if the claimant is disabled, and the ALJ reasoned that receipt of unemployment benefits
represents a continuing assertion of the ability to work, and, therefore, raises credibility issues.
Furthermore, the ALJ found the claimant had credibility issues because no evidence showed that
her condition had worsened since the unemployment benefits stopped. (R. 12-13).
Next, the ALJ found that the claimant had the severe impairments of affective mood
disorder and hypertension. However, the ALJ found that the claimant did not have impairment
severe enough to meet the severity of a listed impairment. Regarding her mental impairment, the
ALJ found that her affective mood disorder did not meet Listing 12.04 because she only had
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mild limitations in activities of daily living because she engages in activities of her choosing and
has the capability to manage funds; mild limitations in social functioning because she interacts
well with her family and can communicate with others to ensure her needs are met; and moderate
limitations in concentration, persistence, and pace. The ALJ noted Dr. Haney’s findings
regarding the claimant’s difficulty concentrating during the psychological exam, but reasoned
that level of difficulty was moderate “considering the examiner’s observation about [the
claimant’s] motivation.” Regarding episodes of decompensation, the claimant has no
difficulties. Therefore, the ALJ found that, because the claimant’s mental impairment does not
cause any “marked” limitations, the claimant’s impairments do not meet Listing 12.04. (R. 1314).
The ALJ found that the claimant has the residual functional capacity to perform less than
the full range of light work as defined in 20 CFR 404.1567(b), with the following limitations:
has no lifting or exertional limitations; cannot understand detailed or complex instructions; can
concentrate and maintain attention on tasks for two hour increments over an eight-hour work
day; can tolerate normal work pressures; needs all customary breaks; should work at a slow
pace; can have occasional contact with the public, coworkers and supervisors; and can adapt to
infrequent, well-explained changes in the workplace.
In making his residual functional capacity determination, the ALJ recounted the evidence
in the record, and assessed the claimant’s credibility using the pain standard. He found that the
claimant had evidence of several underlying conditions, including hypertension and a mood
disorder, but stated that “considering the inconsistencies noted by physicians and therapists,
[he] must conclude that the objective evidence does not confirm either the severity of the
alleged symptoms arising from the diagnosed conditions, or that those conditions could
reasonably be expected to give rise to the symptoms alleged by the claimant.” Based on the
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medical record and the claimant’s daily activities, the ALJ found that the claimant’s pain was
“no more than moderate with medication.” He also found, however, that the “claimant’s
medically determinable impairments could reasonably be expected to cause the alleged
symptoms”; however, he stated that the claimant’s statements about the limiting effects of her
symptoms were “not entirely credible for the reasons explained in the decision.” (R. 19-20).
He also stated that the claimant had no more than mild limitations in the basic mental
requirements of work, including the ability to interact with coworkers, respond appropriately to
supervision, concentrate and maintain attention long enough to learn and remember work
instructions, and deal with normal stress and changes in the workplace. The ALJ pointed to the
fact that the claimant lives alone; cares for her child; takes him to school sometimes; and can
manage funds if she has any. He also noted that the claimant drives, which indicates that she
has good use of her hands; can sit; and has “the ability to maintain attention and concentration
while exercising appropriate judgment.” (R. 20).
The ALJ found Dr. Haney’s opinion conclusory in nature because it provided little
explanation of the evidence relied on in forming his opinion. The ALJ found that Dr. Haney
relied heavily on the subjective report of symptoms and limitations provided by the claimant, and
seemed to uncritically accept as true most, if not all, of what the claimant reported. Additionally,
the ALJ found that Dr. Haney’s opinion was based on a single evaluation, and on an examination
in which the claimant failed to cooperate. The ALJ also indicated that the “IQ scores are invalid
according to the psychologist.” He gave Dr. Haney’s opinion that the claimant was seriously
limited in dealing with the mental demands of the workplace little weight. (R. 19-20).
In assessing Dr. Estock’s consulting opinion, the ALJ found that his non-examining
opinion was “reasonable” and “consistent with the evidence, and is more consistent with the
evidence than is Dr. Haney’s opinion.” The ALJ noted that Dr. Estock based his opinion on the
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facts that the “claimant lived alone, cared for her small child, performed chores, drove, went out
alone, shopped, paid her bills, managed a savings account, exercised, had visitors, talked on the
phone, could pay attention as needed, and followed spoken instructions well.” (R. 20).
The ALJ found that the claimant is unable to perform her past relevant work as a hand
packager with a residual functional capacity to do less than a full range of light work. However,
he stated that, considering the claimant’s age, education, work experience, and residual
functional capacity, jobs exist in significant numbers in the national economy that the claimant
can perform. Relying on the Vocational Expert’s testimony, the ALJ found that the claimant
could work as a bottling line attendant, a booker, and a bone picker. Therefore, the ALJ found
the claimant had not been under a disability from June 30, 2011 through August 22, 2013. (R.
21-22).
VI. DISCUSSION
Weight given to Dr. Haney
The claimant argues, and this court agrees, that the ALJ lacked substantial evidence to
support his decision to give little weight to Dr. Haney’s opinion after examining and testing the
claimant that she suffers from severe intellectual limitations. The ALJ’s reasons for giving
little weight to Dr. Haney’s opinion and findings do not pass muster.
The ALJ stated that the claimant’s full scale IQ score of 43 was “invalid” “according to
the psychologist,” referring to Dr. Haney who conducted the testing. However, the ALJ’s
conclusion that Dr. Haney found the IQ score “invalid” is different from Dr. Haney’s actual
statement that the claimant’s score “might not be reasonably accurate.” The word “invalid”
indicates that the score is not at all correct, whereas a score that “might not be reasonably
accurate” could indeed contain some validity. Moreover, Dr. Haney, unlike Dr. Estock, had the
opportunity to observe and interact with the claimant. He noted that the claimant was difficult
15

to test because of her agitation, lack of emotion control, and inability to concentrate or pay
attention. But Dr. Haney also indicated that she responded to redirection and seemed interested
in her performance, and he gave no indication that he thought the claimant was intentionally
malingering. In fact, Dr. Haney, despite his difficulty testing the claimant, concluded that her
ability to function in most jobs would be “severely impaired” because of her intellectual
limitations. Thus, when the ALJ stated that Dr. Haney said the score was “invalid,” he
mischaracterized Dr. Haney’s opinion.
The ALJ also stated that Dr. Haney made conclusory statements based solely on the
subjective complaints of the claimant. But, the ALJ again mischaracterized the evidence. The
ALJ stated that Dr. Haney “relied quite heavily on the subjective report of symptoms and
limitations provided by the claimant, and seemed to uncritically accept as true most, if not all,
of what the claimant reported.” (R. 19).
The ALJ ignored the fact that Dr. Haney physically examined the claimant and made his
own observations about her. Specifically, he witnessed for himself the claimant’s agitation and
lack of emotional control and noted the claimant was “often crying, or moving about in the
examining room, and talking excessively about mostly irrelevant stories.” (R. 210). He noted
that her “inability to concentrate or pay attention greatly affected test performance” and “she
required a good bit of redirection and claimed not to understand most of the test task
instructions.” (R. 210) (emphasis added). Dr. Haney further witnessed that her mental status
was variable in that she responded to redirecting and seemed interested in her performance at
times; her recent and remote memory appeared impaired; her mood appeared sad and her
conversation tended to ramble with frequent derailment; her insight appeared poor and she may
need assistance managing her own funds; and her ability to function in most jobs appeared
severely impaired. (R. 210, 211). None of these observations are subjective complaints from
16

the claimant, but are personal observations made by an examining psychologist trained to
identify when patients are intentionally malingering.
Furthermore, the ALJ mischaracterized the claimant’s daily activities to support giving
Dr. Haney’s opinion little weight. (R.20). The ALJ suggested the claimant has only a “mild” or
“moderate” degree of limitation in her mental functions because “she lives alone, cares for her
child, takes him to school sometimes, and says she can manage funds if she has any.” (R.20).
He further inferred that because the claimant drives, she has the ability to maintain attention
and concentration while exercising appropriate judgment. Again, the ALJ mischaracterized the
evidence concerning the claimant’s daily activities. The claimant does wash clothes and clean
dishes, take care of her child, and pay her bills. However, she only does so with the help of her
son, her son’s father, and her mother. (R. 30-35, 49-50). The claimant’s mother secures the
money orders for the claimant and takes her to pay her bills. Also, the claimant indicated that
she does not drive often or far; her mother drives her many places; and she had a friend drive
her to the appointment with Dr. Haney. The claimant’s ability to drive on occasion and
perform some simple daily activities with help does not mean she does not have a severe
intellectual disability.
Also, the ALJ clearly credited Dr. Estock’s opinion with more weight than Dr. Haney’s
opinion, even though Dr. Estock did not examine the claimant. An ALJ should give more
weight to an examining doctor’s opinion than that of a non-examining doctor, absent some
valid reason for doing so. See 20 C.F.R. § 404.1527 (c)(1). The court can find no reasonable
grounds for the ALJ’s conclusion that Dr. Estock’s opinion was more reasonable than Dr.
Haney’s, especially in light of the fact that Dr. Haney personally examined and tested the
claimant and Dr. Estock simply reviewed Dr. Haney’s opinion and the medical records.

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Finally, this court is concerned about the claimant’s low IQ score. Although the IQ test
score may not be completely accurate, the extremely low full scale score of 43 indicates
someone with severely limited intellectual capacity, particularly considering that the claimant
was in special education classes, had a limited education, attended high school sporadically,
and failed the GED test. Even if the claimant’s IQ score increased substantially on retesting,
she may still meet a Listing under 12.05(C), given her additional mental and physical severe
impairments. Therefore, on remand, the ALJ should order further IQ testing.
VII. CONCLUSION
For the reasons as stated, this court concludes that substantial evidence does not support
the ALJ’s findings regarding the weight he gave Dr. Haney’s opinion, and the ALJ’s decision is
due to be REVERSED and REMANDED.
The court will enter a separate Order to that effect simultaneously.
DONE and ORDERED this 21st day of September, 2016.

____________________________________
KARON OWEN BOWDRE
CHIEF UNITED STATES DISTRICT JUDGE

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