Arnold v. Social Security Administration, Commissioner
Filing
10
MEMORANDUM OPINION. Signed by Judge Abdul K Kallon on 07/23/12. (CVA)
FILED
2012 Jul-23 PM 04:08
U.S. DISTRICT COURT
N.D. OF ALABAMA
IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
FOR THE NORTHERN DISTRICT OF ALABAMA
MIDDLE DIVISION
FRANKIE SHANE ARNOLD,
Plaintiff,
vs.
MICHAEL J. ASTRUE,
COMMISSIONER OF SOCIAL
SECURITY
ADMINISTRATION,
Defendant.
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Civil Action Number
4:11-cv-2783-AKK
MEMORANDUM OPINION
Plaintiff Frankie Shane Arnold (“Arnold”) brings this action pursuant to
sections 205(g) and 1631(c)(3) of the Social Security Act (“the Act”), 42 U.S.C.
§§ 405(g) and 1383(c)(3), seeking review of the final adverse decision of the
Commissioner of the Social Security Administration (“SSA”). Doc. 8, at 2. This
court finds that the Administrative Law Judge’s (“ALJ”) decision - which has
become the decision of the Commissioner - is supported by substantial evidence.
Therefore, for the reasons elaborated herein, the Court will AFFIRM the decision
denying benefits.
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I. Procedural History
Arnold filed his application for Title II disability insurance benefits (“DIB”)
and Title XVI Supplemental Security Income (“SSI”) on February 2, 2009,
alleging a disability onset date of January 15, 2009, due to epilepsy and dysthymic
disorder. (R. 56-57). After the SSA denied his applications on May 20, 2009, (R.
59-63, 65-69), Arnold requested a hearing on June 3, 2009, (R. 70-71), which he
received on September 13, 2010, (R. 40-55). At the time of the hearing, Arnold
was 32 years old with an eighth grade education. (R. 44). His past relevant work
included heavy, semi-skilled work as a tire repairer and auto mechanic helper and
medium, unskilled work as a cook helper. (R. 52). Arnold had not engaged in
substantial gainful activity since January 15, 2009. (R. 18).
The ALJ denied Arnold’s claims on December 13, 2010, (R. 32), which
became the final decision of the Commissioner when the Appeals Council refused
to grant review on June 6, 2011, (R. 1-4). Arnold then filed this action on August
5, 2011, pursuant to 42 U.S.C. §§ 405(g) and 1383(c)(3). Doc. 1; doc. 8.
II. Standard of Review
The only issues before this court are whether the record contains substantial
evidence to sustain the ALJ’s decision, see 42 U.S.C. § 405(g); Walden v.
Schweiker, 672 F.2d 835, 838 (11th Cir. 1982), and whether the ALJ applied the
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correct legal standards, see Lamb v. Bowen, 847 F.2d 698, 701 (11th Cir. 1988);
Chester v. Bowen, 792 F.2d 129, 131 (11th Cir. 1986). Title 42 U.S.C. §§ 405(g)
and 1383(c) mandate that the Commissioner’s “factual findings are conclusive if
supported by ‘substantial evidence.’” Martin v. Sullivan, 894 F.2d 1520, 1529
(11th Cir. 1990). The district court may not reconsider the facts, reevaluate the
evidence, or substitute its judgment for that of the Commissioner; instead, it must
review the final decision as a whole and determine if the decision is “reasonable
and supported by substantial evidence.” See id. (citing Bloodsworth v. Heckler,
703 F.2d 1233, 1239 (11th Cir. 1983)).
Substantial evidence falls somewhere between a scintilla and a
preponderance of evidence; “[i]t is such relevant evidence as a reasonable person
would accept as adequate to support a conclusion.” Martin, 849 F.2d at 1529
(quoting Bloodsworth, 703 F.2d at 1239) (other citations omitted). If supported by
substantial evidence, the court must affirm the Commissioner’s factual findings
even if the preponderance of the evidence is against the Commissioner’s findings.
See Martin, 894 F.2d at 1529. While the court acknowledges that judicial review
of the ALJ’s findings is limited in scope, it notes that the review “does not yield
automatic affirmance.” Lamb, 847 F.2d at 701.
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III. Statutory and Regulatory Framework
To qualify for disability benefits, a claimant must show “the 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 twelve
months.” 42 U.S.C. § 423(d)(1)(A); 42 U.S.C. § 416(i). A physical or mental
impairment is “an impairment that results from anatomical, physiological, or
psychological abnormalities which are demonstrated by medically acceptable
clinical and laboratory diagnostic techniques.” 42 U.S.C. § 423(d)(3).
Determination of disability under the Act requires a five step analysis.
20 C.F.R. §§ 404.1520(a)-(f), 416.920(a)-(f). Specifically, the Commissioner
must determine in sequence:
(1)
whether the claimant is currently unemployed;
(2)
whether the claimant has a severe impairment;
(3)
whether the impairment meets or equals one listed by the Secretary;
(4)
whether the claimant is unable to perform his or her past work; and
(5)
whether the claimant is unable to perform any work in the national
economy.
McDaniel v. Bowen, 800 F.2d 1026, 1030 (11th Cir. 1986). “An affirmative
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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.’” Id. at 1030 (citing 20
C.F.R. § 416.920(a)-(f)). “Once a finding is made that a claimant cannot return to
prior work the burden shifts to the Secretary to show other work the claimant can
do.” Foote v. Chater, 67 F.3d 1553, 1559 (11th Cir. 1995) (citation omitted).
IV. The ALJ’s Decision
The court turns now to the ALJ’s decision to ascertain whether Arnold is
correct that the ALJ committed reversible error. In that regard, the court notes
that, performing the five step analysis, the ALJ initially determined that Arnold
had not engaged in substantial gainful activity since his alleged onset date, and
therefore met Step One. (R. 18). Next, the ALJ found that Arnold suffered from
the following severe impairments: seizure, headaches, hepatitis C, anxiety,
depression, and substance abuse. (R. 19). The ALJ then proceeded to the next
step and found that Arnold failed to satisfy Step Three because he “does not have
an impairment or combination of impairments that meets or medically equals one
of the listed impairments.” Id. Although the ALJ answered Step Three in the
negative, consistent with the law, see McDaniel, 800 F.2d at 1030, the ALJ
proceeded to Step Four, where she determined that:
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[T]he claimant has the residual functional capacity to perform light
work as defined in 20 CFR 404.1567(b) and 416.967(b) except the
claimant is not able to climb ramps or stairs. Additionally, he is not
to climb ladders, ropes or scaffolds. The claimant is also to avoid
exposure to unprotected heights and hazardous machinery.
Moreover, he should avoid the operation of motor vehicles and he is
to avoid being around open bodies of water. Further, the claimant is
able to understand, remember, and carry out simple instructions but
not detailed instructions. Additionally, he can attend to simple tasks
for two hours over an eight hour day. Furthermore, the claimant’s
contact with the general public should be casual and criticism needs
to be given in a non-confrontational manner. He will also work best
with a few familiar co-workers. Last, changes in the claimant’s work
setting need to be gradual and infrequent.
(R. 19). Moreover, in light of Arnold’s residual functional capacity (“RFC”), the
ALJ held that Arnold is “unable to perform any past relevant work.” (R. 31).
Lastly, in Step Five, the ALJ considered Arnold’s age, education, work
experience, and RFC, and determined that “there are jobs that exist in significant
numbers in the national economy that the claimant can perform.” Id. Because the
ALJ answered Step Five in the negative, the ALJ found that Arnold “has not been
under a disability, as defined in the Social Security Act, from January 15, 2009,
through the date of this decision.” (R. 32). See also McDaniel, 800 F.2d at 1030.
V. Analysis
The court turns now to Arnold’s sole contention that the ALJ erred by
improperly disregarding the record evidence that “two physicians [Dr. Alterman
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and Dr. Ver Hoef] found that [Arnold] was disabled and that both of these
physicians, particularly Dr. Alterman, who is the main physician [Arnold] sees,
have treated [Arnold] consistently since 2005.” Doc. 8, at 10-11. Generally, “[i]t
is well-established that ‘the testimony of a treating physician must be given
substantial or considerable weight unless “good cause” is shown to the contrary.’”
Crawford v. Comm’r of Social Security, 363 F.3d 1155, 1159 (11th Cir. 2004)
(quoting Lewis v. Callahan, 125 F.3d 1436, 1440 (11th Cir. 1997)). See also 20
C.F.R. §§ 404.1527(c)(2), 416.927(c)(2). The Eleventh Circuit instructs that
“good cause” exists when the “(1) treating physician’s opinion was not bolstered
by the evidence; (2) evidence supported a contrary finding; or (3) [the] treating
physician’s opinion was conclusory or inconsistent with the doctor’s own medical
records.” Phillips v. Barnhart, 357 F.3d 1232, 1240-41 (11th Cir. 2004).
Additionally, the “ALJ must clearly articulate the reasons for giving less weight to
the opinion of a treating physician, and the failure to do so is reversible error.”
Lewis, 125 F.3d at 1440.
Moreover, the court notes that the determination of “disability” under the
Act is reserved for the Commissioner. Thus, the Commissioner is “responsible for
making the determination or decision about whether you meet the statutory
definition of disability. In so doing, [the Commissioner] review[s] all of the
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medical findings and other evidence that support a medical source’s statement that
you are disabled. A statement by a medical source that you are ‘disabled’ or
‘unable to work’ does not mean that we will determine that you are disabled.” 20
C.F.R. §§ 404.1527(d)(1), 416.927(d)(1) (emphasis added). See Bell v Bowen, 796
F.2d 1350, 1353-54 (11th Cir. 1986) (“The regulation in 20 C.F.R. § 404.1527
provides that although a claimant’s physician may state he is ‘disabled’ or ‘unable
to work’ the agency will nevertheless determine disability based upon the medical
findings and other evidence.”). And indeed, no “special significance” is given “to
the source of an opinion on issues reserved to the Commissioner described in” §§
404.1527(d)(1) and 416.927(d)(1). 20 C.F.R. §§ 404.1527(d)(3), 416.927(d)(3).
Here, after a February 2, 2010 follow-up visit with Dr. Lawrence W. Ver
Hoef at the Kirklin Clinic’s Department of Neurology in Birmingham, Alabama,
Dr. Ver Hoef provided that Arnold “is pursuing disability which I fully endorse.
He can have his disability lawyer contact me for whatever information he needs.”
(R. 368). Furthermore, Dr. Ver Hoef noted on May 5, 2010 that “this patient is
disabled in my opinion because he has had on average 2 or more seizures per
month for over one years time. He also has severe attention difficulties as a result
of his TBI. His seizures cause a loss of consciousness and take many hours to
recover from. Based on his history it is very unlikely that his condition will
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improve significantly in the foreseeable future.” (R. 495). In addition, Dr. Adam
M. Alterman, Arnold’s physician at Rainbow Healthcare, P.C. in Rainbow City,
Alabama issued a letter stating that “Mr. Arnold has been under my care since
March 2009. He is currently being treated for bipolar disorder and chronic
hepatitis. Due to these conditions Mr. Arnold is unable to work.” (R. 371). Thus,
while no “special significance” is afforded Dr. Alterman and Dr. Ver Hoef’s
conclusions regarding Arnold’s “disabled” status, the court must still consider
whether the ALJ had “good cause” to disregard their medical conclusions.
A.
Dr. Alterman
The ALJ rejected Dr. Alterman’s conclusions regarding the nature and
severity of Arnold’s bipolar disorder and chronic hepatitis because the record as a
whole failed to support such determinations. (R. 25, 371). The court finds no
error in the ALJ’s analysis. First, as it relates to hepatitis C, Arnold failed to
mention this impairment as disabling during the hearing and, instead, only
provided that migraines and seizures prevented him from working. (R. 49).
Moreover, Dr. Alterman’s own treatment notes reveal only conservative treatment,
if any, for hepatitis. On March 3, 2009, Dr. Alterman provided in a clinical note
that Arnold “complains of Hepatitis C. His symptoms started 15 years ago. His
recent medical treatment include none/nothing.” (R. 295). And indeed, the court
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finds no indication of disabling hepatitis symptoms in Arnold’s 2005 medical
records, (R. 218-233, 345-362), the February 9, 2009, February 16, 2009, April 18,
2009, June 22, 2009, March 31, 2010, and April 1, 2010, visits to the Gadsden
Regional Medical Center, (R. 273-284, 463-492, 436-462, 423-435, 408-420),
other clinical notes by Dr. Alterman, (R. 297-299, 376-403, 499-513), or the 2009
UAB Kirkland Clinic’s Department of Neurology clinical notes, (R. 363-369).
Thus, the medical record as a whole fails to support Dr. Alterman’s conclusion
that Arnold is unable to work based on chronic hepatitis.
Similarly, the record evidence taken as a whole fails to support Dr.
Alterman’s determination that Arnold is unable to work due to bipolar disorder.
Again, at the hearing, Arnold provided that migraines and seizures prevented him
from working, (R. 49), not bipolar disorder. Moreover, the record reveals minimal
treatment for bipolar disorder or other mental impairments such as depression and
anxiety. In September 2007, J. Walter Jacobs, Ph.D., diagnosed Arnold with
psychotic disorder NOS and antisocial personality disorder as well as alcohol
dependence (early full remission claimed), cocaine dependence (remission
claimed), amphetamine dependence (remission claimed), and substance induced
mood disorder. (R. 242-43). Based on this evaluation in 2007, Dr. Robert Estock
found only moderate functional limitations. (R. 254). In April 2009, June
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Nichols, Psy.D., reevaluated Arnold and found that Arnold “suffers from a
Cognitive Disorder Not Otherwise Specified as well as Chronic Low-Grade
Depression. His ability to relate interpersonally and withstand the pressures of
everyday work is moderately compromised due to the nature of his depression and
cognitive defects. He does have deficits which would interfere with his ability to
remember and carry out work related instructions. His comprehension is fair. Mr.
Arnold’s cognitive deficits began in 2005.” (R. 305). Thus, Dr. Nichols
diagnosed Arnold with dysthymic disorder, cognitive disorder NOS, and
polysubstance dependence in remission by patient report. (R. 304). As such Dr.
Nichols concluded that Arnold’s “cognitive deficit” condition “will likely not
improve over the next 12 months. If he were to have his symptoms of depression
treated with antidepressant medication, that condition would likely improve over
the next 12 months.” (R. 305). Based on this 2009 psychiatric evaluation, Dr.
Estock still found that Arnold maintained only moderate functional limitations.
(R. 317).
However, beyond these moderate diagnoses, Arnold only received
conservative medical treatment for bipolar disorder, anxiety, and depression.
Arnold presented anxiety symptoms to Dr. Alterman on June 2, 2009, (R. 378),
June 13, 2009, (R. 382-83), August 12, 2009, (R. 384-85), October 7, 2009, (R.
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386-87), November 6, 2009, (R. 388-89), and April 27, 2010 (R. 501-02). Dr.
Alterman originally prescribed Xanax for the anxiety and subsequently
Clonazepam. Id. The medical evidence reveals no other indication of the severity
and disabling effect of Arnold’s anxiety. Moreover, the medical records reveal
only one specific complaint of moderate bipolar disorder on March 3, 2009, (R.
295), and Dr. Alterman only prescribed Arnold medication for bipolar disorder on
May 8, 2009, (R. 376), January 4, 2010, (R. 395), May 27, 2010, (R. 509), and
June 23, 2010, (R. 511). Thus, while the medical evidence demonstrates that
Arnold suffers from anxiety and bipolar disorder, the evidence fails to support Dr.
Alterman’s finding that Arnold is unable to work because of his bipolar disorder.
Therefore, the ALJ committed no error when he rejected Dr. Alterman’s findings.
B.
Dr. Ver Hoef
The diagnosis and opinions from Dr. Ver Hoef primarily focus on Arnold’s
seizure disorder. On May 5, 2010, Dr. Ver Hoef stated that Arnold “is disabled in
my opinion because he has had on average 2 or more seizures per month for over
one years time.” (R. 495) (emphasis added). The medical evidence as a whole
and Dr. Ver Hoef’s own treatment notes offer no support for this factual statement
regarding the frequency of Arnold’s seizures, and thus, the ALJ properly gave
little weight to Dr. Ver Hoef’s disability assessment. (R. 26). Additionally, the
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court agrees that “Dr. Ver Hoef did not consider the effects of the claimant’s
substance abuse or non-compliance when making his assessment.” Id.
On September 28, 2005, Arnold underwent a right frontal craniotomy for
resection of mass. (R. 358). On August 11, 2009, Arnold’s operating physician
provided that, since the operation, Arnold “has had seizures intermittently. Over
the last several months he has had one-to-two seizures every four-to-five months.
But then he also had two specific episodes of status. On 04/17/2009, he had seven
seizures in a row and was hospitalized for about four days and on 06/22/2009 he
had 16 seizures in a row over the span of about two hours.” (R. 363). On the
same day, Dr. Ver Hoef diagnosed Arnold with “[p]artial onset epilepsy with
secondary generalization, right frontal lobe in origin.” (R. 364). Furthermore, on
February 24, 2010, Dr. Ver Hoef provided that “[Arnold] reports doing well since
his last visit at which time we added Lyrica. He was suppose to go to 150 mg
b.i.d. but for reasons that are not clear, he has only been taking 75 mg twice a day.
He feels he has done very well and is having about one to two seizures per month,
which he says is as good as he has ever done. He is very pleased that he has not
had any episodes of status epilepticus of which he had had two prior to his last
visit.” (R. 367). Dr. Ver Hoef also noted that he “documented that [Arnold] had
had only two seizures in the previous four months other than his episodes of status
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epilepticus, but now he says that he has always had seizures at least one to two
times per month.” Id. Dr. Ver Hoef concluded in his “Impression” that Arnold
suffered from “complex partial seizures with history of status epilepticus, much
improved but still intractable.” Id.
At the hearing, Arnold testified that he experienced seizures “about every
three months,” (R. 46), and Arnold complained to Dr. Alterman on June 11, 2009
regarding seizures, (R. 380), and went to the emergency room for seizures on June
22, 2009, (R. 436-462), but there are no other complaints of seizures until
November 6, 2009, even though Arnold stated that the episodes occur 1 to 2 times
per month, (R. 388). Indeed, Arnold next complained of a seizure on January 4,
2010 despite visiting Dr. Alterman on November 20, 2009 for a motorcycle
accident and December 3, 2009 for a rash/skin lession. (R. 390-395). And
similarly, Arnold’s next seizure complaint occurred on April 1, 2010, when
Arnold presented to the Gadsden Regional Medical Center for two seizures in a
six hour period. (R. 410-420). Dr. Alterman’s treatment notes reveal no seizure
complaints from April 16, 2010 through June 23, 2010. (R. 499-511).
Accordingly, as found by the ALJ, Arnold’s seizure disorder constitutes a severe
impairment; however, the medical evidence fails to support the frequency of these
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seizures that led Dr. Ver Hoef to find Arnold “disabled.”1
Moreover, the medical records from Arnold’s seizure-related hospital visits
reveal noncompliance with prescribed medication. Arnold first presented to the
Gadsden Regional Medical Center for seizures on April 18, 2009. (R. 463-490).
Dr. Olga Bogdanova provided that Arnold “has a history of seizure disorder and
apparently was noncompliant with his medications. He presented with multiple
breakthrough seizures. Since admission to the Intensive Care Unit for observation
he did not have any further seizure activity.” (R. 466). Dr. Bogdanova further
stated that a “CT scan of the head revealed presence of right frontal
encephalomalacia as well as evidence of right frontal craniotomy without any
acute findings. EEG was essentially normal except for mild intermittent right
hemispheric slowing which was not specific. There was no evidence of
epileptiform discharge or seizures.” Id. Arnold’s “[u]rine toxicology screen was
1
The court also agrees with the ALJ that Arnold’s seizures fail to meet the relevant
“listed” impairment in 20 C.F.R. 404, Subpart P, Appendix 1. (R. 19). Listing 11.02 for
convulsive epilepsy requires “documented by detailed description of a typical seizure pattern,
including all associated phenomena; occurring more frequently than once a month in spite of at
least 3 months of prescribed treatment.” 20 C.F.R. 404, Subpart P, Appendix 1, section 11.02.
Listing 11.03 for nonconvulsive epilepsy requires “documented by detailed description of a
typical seizure pattern, including all associated phenomena; occurring more frequently than once
weekly in spite of at least 3 months of prescribed treatment. With alteration of awareness or loss
of consciousness and transient postictal manifestations of unconventional behavior or significant
interference with activity during the day.” 20 C.F.R. 404, Subpart P, Appendix 1, section 11.03.
Not only is there insufficient “documented descriptions” of the requisite frequency of seizures,
but there is also evidence that, on multiple occasions, Arnold’s physicians found noncompliance
with prescribed medication. See (R. 437, 468).
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positive for barbiturates and methadone.” Id. As such, Dr. Bogdanova concluded
that “Mr. Arnold is a 29-year-old man who presents with breakthrough seizures
due to noncompliance with medication possibly due to drug abuse.” (R. 468).
Arnold again presented to the Gadsden Regional Medical Center on June
22, 2009 with “status epilepticus.” (R. 436-462). Dr. Alterman admitted Arnold
and provided “patient is status post resection of a brain tumor in 2005, hepatitis-C
and seizure disorder. Has been on anti-epileptic medication since and has both
been noncompliant and even with compliance has had issues with recurrent
seizures. He was found to have a seizure that continued unabated. Paramedics
were called and he was ultimately admitted to the emergency department.” (R.
437). Lastly, Arnold returned to the Gadsden Regional Medical Center on April 1,
2010 because he “suffered a single isolated seizure and then had a second one 2.5
hours later. Duration of seizure was approximately 20 seconds.” (R. 410). When
admitted, Arnold exhibited decreased consciousness, confusion, and headache, but
presented “negative apnea, negative fecal incontinence, negative fever, positive
postictal symptoms, negative loss of consciousness, negative nausea, negative
urinary incontinence, negative vomiting, [and] negative trauma.” Id. The medical
records for this visit provide that Arnold was compliant with his medications. (R.
414).
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The federal regulations establish that “[i]n order to get benefits, you must
follow treatment prescribed by your physician if this treatment can restore your
ability to work . . . . If you do not follow the prescribed treatment without good
reason, we will not find you disabled . . . .” 20 C.F.R. §§ 404.1530, 416.930. Dr.
Ver Hoef’s “disability” finding fails to account for the effect that Arnold’s
medication noncompliance had on the nature and severity of his seizures. “[T]he
claimant bears the burden of proving that he is disabled, and, consequently, he is
responsible for producing evidence in support of his claim.” Ellison v. Barnhart,
355 F.3d 1272, 1276 (11th Cir. 2003). Therefore, as Arnold’s medical records
indicate certain noncompliance with prescription medication, the substantial
evidence supports the ALJ’s decision to give little weight to Dr. Ver Hoef’s
conclusions because they fail to account for the noncompliance. (R. 437, 468).
Put differently, “the ALJ’s consideration of [Arnold’s] noncompliance as a factor
in discrediting [Arnold’s] allegations of disability is adequately supported by” Dr.
Bogdanova’s finding that noncompliance caused the seizures in April 2009. See
Ellison, 355 F.3d at 1275.
Furthermore, the ALJ properly rejected Dr. Ver Hoef’s conclusions because
he failed to account for the effect of substance abuse on Arnold’s impairments.
See Doughty v. Apfel, 245 F.3d 1274, 1279-80 (11th Cir. 2001). Generally, “once
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the Commissioner determines a claimant to be disabled and finds medical
evidence of drug addiction or alcoholism, the Commissioner then ‘must determine
whether . . . drug addiction or alcoholism is a contributing factor material to the
determination of disability.’ 20 C.F.R. § 404.1535. The key factor in determining
whether drug addiction or alcoholism is a contributing factor material to the
determination of a disability (the ‘materiality determination’) is whether the
claimant would still be found disabled if he stopped using drugs or alcohol.” Id. at
1279 (citing 20 C.F.R. § 404.1535(b)(1)). Moreover, “the claimant bears the
burden of proving that his alcoholism or drug addiction is not a contributing factor
material to his disability determination.” Id. at 1280. Thus, here, there is no
evidence that the two physicians finding Arnold disabled also considered whether
Arnold’s alcohol and drug abuse constitutes a “contributing factor” to this
purported disability. To the contrary, Dr. Bogdanova found that Arnold’s drug
abuse contributed to noncompliance with medications and the resulting seizures.
(R. 468). Based on the Eleventh Circuit’s instruction in Doughty, the ALJ
committed no error by affording Dr. Ver Hoef’s conclusions less than controlling
weight for this reason.
Finally, in reviewing the record as a whole, the ALJ properly discredited
Arnold regarding the severity of his impairments based on inconsistent statements
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concerning alcohol and substance abuse. (R. 27). On February 24, 2009,
approximately two months before his first visit to the emergency room for
seizures, Arnold completed a “Drug and Alcohol Use Questionnaire.” (R. 182183). In addressing the extent of his daily alcohol and drug use, Arnold provided
that he used “all I can find or get!” and “any and all” kinds of alcohol and drugs.
(R. 182). Arnold also maintained that he used drugs and/or alcohol for weeks and
months at a time without stopping and has DTs when he stops. Id. Moreover,
Arnold’s grandmother Mary Joyce Huey, with whom Arnold lived at the time,
stated on February 24, 2009 that Arnold uses “beer[,] hard liquor[,] cheap wine[,]
any and all kind of pills[.] I do not know where he gets them,” and that, as a
result, she has to keep her medications locked up.” (R. 179). Ms. Huey further
provided that Arnold has attended detox programs or has been hospitalized for
drug or alcohol use. (R. 180). On April 7, 2009, after reviewing the medical
evidence of record, Dr. R. Glenn Carmichael reported in the physical summary of
his Disability Determination that Arnold “states []he daily abuses drugs and
alcohol.” (R. 306). Two weeks later, however, on April 20, 2009, Dr. Nichols
provided in her psychological evaluation that Arnold “started abusing alcohol at
the age of 12. At his worst, he would drink 1/2 gallon of bourbon in a sitting. He
stated that he stopped abusing alcohol one year ago. In addition, he has abused
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cannabis, cocaine, and IV methamphetamine. He stated he stopped abusing those
substances two years ago.” (R. 303). At the hearing on September 13, 2010,
Arnold testified that he only abused his pain medication but no longer has a drug
problem. Arnold also denied taking street drugs. (R. 45-46). As Arnold bears the
burden to prove disability, see Ellison, 355 F.3d at 1276, these inconsistent
statements about alcohol and substance abuse negatively impact his credibility
regarding the ability to engage in substantial gainful activity.
In sum, Arnold contends that the ALJ erred by neglecting to give Dr.
Alterman and Dr. Ver Hoef’s “disabled” determinations controlling weight.
However, the federal regulations leave the ultimate disability determination to the
Commissioner, and, accordingly, there is no requirement to give a claimant’s
physician, even treating physician, controlling weight on the final disability issue.
Moreover, the medical evidence as a whole fails to support Dr. Alterman and Dr.
Ver Hoef’s conclusions. While it is clear that Arnold suffers from severe
impairments, the record evidence nonetheless substantiates the ALJ’s finding that
these impairments, even in combination, are not so severe as to prevent Arnold
from working. The ALJ also properly discredited Arnold’s testimony regarding
the nature and severity of his impairments and gave proper consideration to
Arnold’s alcohol and substance abuse and noncompliance with prescribed
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medication.
VI. Conclusion
Based on the foregoing, the court concludes that the ALJ’s determination
that Arnold is not disabled is supported by substantial evidence, and that the ALJ
applied proper legal standards in reaching this determination. Therefore, the
Commissioner’s final decision is AFFIRMED. A separate order in accordance
with the memorandum of decision will be entered.
Done the 23rd day of July, 2012.
________________________________
ABDUL K. KALLON
UNITED STATES DISTRICT JUDGE
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