Matthews v. Social Security Administration, Commissioner
Filing
11
MEMORANDUM OPINION. Signed by Judge Madeline Hughes Haikala on 10/30/2014. (KEK)
FILED
2014 Oct-30 PM 03:57
U.S. DISTRICT COURT
N.D. OF ALABAMA
UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
FOR THE NORTHERN DISTRICT OF ALABAMA
MIDDLE DIVISION
MARY LYNN MATTHEWS,
Plaintiff,
v.
CAROLYN COLVIN,
Acting Commissioner of Social
Security,
Defendant.
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Case No.: 4:12-cv-00543-MHH
MEMORANDUM OPINION
I. INTRODUCTION
On October 22, 2007, the claimant, Mary Lynn Matthews, applied for
supplemental security income under Title XVI of the Social Security Act. (R. 15).
According to Ms. Matthews, she became disabled on March 2, 2003 because of
panic attacks and anxiety.
The Commissioner of Social Security denied Ms.
Matthews’s claim both initially and on reconsideration. Ms. Matthews filed a
timely request for a hearing before an Administrative Law Judge, and the ALJ held a
hearing on October 16, 2009. (R. 15, 146). In a decision dated April 13, 2010, the
ALJ found that Ms. Matthews was not disabled as defined by the Social Security Act
and, thus, was ineligible for supplemental security income. (R. 23). On December
15, 2011, the Appeals Council denied Ms. Matthews’s request for review, so that the
ALJ=s decision became the final decision of the Commissioner of the Social Security
Administration.
(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 the decision of the
Commissioner and remands this case for further consideration.
II. ISSUES PRESENTED
Ms. Matthews presents the following issues for review: (1) whether the ALJ
properly discredited the opinion of treating physician Dr. Tuck; (2) whether the ALJ
fulfilled his duty to develop the record; and (3) whether the ALJ adequately
considered the opinion of Dr. Beidleman.
III. STANDARD OF REVIEW
The scope of review in this matter is limited. “When, as in this case, the ALJ
denies benefits and the Appeals Council denies review,” the Court “review[s] the
ALJ’s “factual findings with deference” and her “legal conclusions with close
scrutiny.”” Riggs v. Comm’r of Soc. Sec., 522 Fed. Appx. 509, 510-11 (11th Cir.
2013) (quoting Doughty v. Apfel, 245 F.3d 1274, 1278 (11th Cir. 2001)).
The Court must determine whether there is substantial evidence in the record
to support the ALJ’s findings. “Substantial evidence is more than a scintilla and is
such relevant evidence as a reasonable person would accept as adequate to support a
conclusion.” Crawford v. Comm’r of Soc. Sec., 363 F.3d 1155, 1158 (11th Cir.
2004). In making this evaluation, the Court may not “reweigh the evidence or
2
decide the facts anew,” and the Court must “defer to the ALJ’s decision if it is
supported by substantial evidence even if the evidence may preponderate against it.”
Gaskin v. Comm’r of Soc. Sec., 533 Fed. Appx. 929, 930 (11th Cir. 2013).
With respect to the ALJ’s legal conclusions, the Court must determine
whether the ALJ applied the correct legal standards. If the Court finds an error in
the ALJ’s application of the law, or if the Court finds that the ALJ failed to provide
sufficient reasoning to demonstrate that the ALJ conducted a proper legal analysis,
then the Court must reverse the ALJ’s decision. Cornelius v. Sullivan, 936 F.2d
1143, 1145-46 (11th Cir. 1991).
IV. LEGAL STANDARD
Under 42 U.S.C. § 423(d)(1)(A), a person is entitled to disability benefits
when the person cannot “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 determine whether an
individual is entitled to disability benefits, 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?; and (5) is the person unable to perform any other work
within the economy?
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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.”
McDaniel v. Bowen, 800 F.2d 1026, 1030 (11th Cir. 1986); 20 C.F.R. §§ 404.1520,
416.920.
V. FACTS
Ms. Matthews has an eighth grade education. She was thirty-seven at the
time of her administrative hearing. (R. 34). She previously worked part-time as a
janitor; however, her earnings did not rise to the level of substantial gainful activity.
(R. 50).
Ms. Matthews alleges disability based on her anxiety, anemia and
anorexia. She testified that she has had these problems since she was sixteen. (R.
36).
Medical Records Concerning Physical and Mental Limitations
In September 2005, Ms. Matthews went to Cooper Green Hospital with
complaints of a panic attack, dizziness, and an irregular heartbeat. (R. 233).
Treatment records indicate a diagnosis of anxiety disorder and prescriptions for
Klonopin and Zoloft; however, Ms. Matthews could not afford to refill her
prescriptions. (R. 234). In March 2006, Ms. Matthews sought treatment at Trinity
Medical Center for a panic attack caused by an adverse reaction to the antidepressant
Paxil. (R. 301). On December 28, 2006, Ms. Matthews went to the emergency
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room at Trinity Medical Center with complaints of dizziness. She stated that she
stopped taking her medications because she was pregnant. (R. 250).
On April 29, 2008, Dr. Milton G. Norrell completed a Physical Capacity
Evaluation, a Clinical Assessment of Pain, and a Clinical Assessment of
Fatigue/Weakness.
These forms contained only short yes or no questions,
checkboxes, and multiple choice questions. Dr. Norrell found that Ms. Matthews
could lift ten pounds occasionally but never push, pull, stoop, or reach. He also
opined that pain and fatigue/weakness would negatively affect Ms. Matthews’s
performance of daily activities or work and that she had no side effects from her
medications. In response to a question that asked whether Ms. Matthews had a
medical condition consistent with her pain and fatigue/weakness, he wrote “not
sure.” (R. 352-56). 1
In September 2008, Ms. Matthews saw Dr. James M. Tuck for leg pain,
dizziness, and anxiety. Dr. Tuck indicated that Ms. Matthews already was taking
Klonopin. He prescribed Mirapex and Lexapro as well. (R. 448).
Two months later, Ms. Matthews visited the Trinity Medical Center
emergency room, complaining of dizziness. Dr. John Croushorn noted that Ms.
Matthews suffered from anorexia nervosa and acute anxiety, and he ordered an IV
fluid insertion. Dr. Croushorn observed that Ms. Matthews weighed only 84
1
At the administrative hearing, the claimant’s attorney indicated that Dr. Norrell was a treating
physician; however, Dr. Norrell closed his practice and did not provide the medical records
supporting his opinions. (R. 31).
5
pounds and appeared “malnourished.” He also noted that Ms. Matthews was taking
iron supplements and Klonopin. (R. 411-12). Two days later, Ms. Matthews
again sought treatment at Trinity Medical Center’s emergency room. Dr. Kenneth
Olson examined Ms. Matthews.
He described her as “a wasted 36-year-old
Caucasian female.” (R.406). Dr. Olson diagnosed severe protein malnutrition,
symptomatic iron-deficiency anemia, dehydration, failure to thrive, weight loss,
malaise, generalized weakness, lightheadedness, dizziness, and fatigue. Dr. Olson
also noted that Ms. Matthews had a history of panic attacks. (R. 405).
On January 16, 2009, Dr. Tuck saw Ms. Matthews again and noted that she
was not doing well with the Mirapex. He discontinued the Mirapex, continued the
Klonopin, and added Vitamin C. (R. 447). In April 2009, Ms. Matthews returned
to Dr. Tuck. She complained of a panic attack that occurred because she was out of
her medication. Dr. Tuck refilled her Klonopin prescription and had her continue
taking Vitamin C and iron supplements. (R. 446). On September 17, 2009, Ms.
Matthews saw Dr. Tuck for a follow-up visit, and he refilled her prescriptions. (R.
439).
Dr. Tuck completed a Physical Capacity Evaluation, a Clinical Assessment of
Pain, and a Clinical Assessment of Fatigue/Weakness on October 15, 2009. Dr.
Tuck found that Ms. Matthews could lift five pounds occasionally, sit for two hours
in an eight hour workday, stand for two hours in an eight hour workday and
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occasionally push or pull arm or leg controls. He opined that her pain was present
but did not prevent functioning. When asked whether Ms. Matthews had a medical
condition consistent with her pain, he wrote, “? [p]robable osteoporosis.” He then
opined that her fatigue and weakness would negatively affect her performance of
daily activities and work. He stated that Ms. Matthews’s iron deficiency anemia
condition was consistent with her alleged level of fatigue and weakness. (R.
440-44).
On November 24, 2009, Dr. William B. Beidleman performed a consultative
psychiatric examination.
Dr. Beidleman found that Ms. Matthews had mild
impairments in her ability to understand, remember, and carry out complex
instructions. He also stated that she had moderate impairments in her ability to
interact with a supervisor and to respond to workplace changes. (R. 454-56). He
gave her a Global Assessment of Functioning (AGAF@) score of 55 and opined that
“[i]t is likely that she would have difficulty coping with ordinary work pressures.”
(R. 459). He stated that the “[p]rognosis for favorable reponse to treatment is poor
given that she is not in active mental health treatment for her anxiety and eating
disturbance.” (R. 459).
ALJ Hearing Testimony
After the Commissioner denied Ms. Matthews’s request for supplemental
security income, Ms. Matthews requested and received a hearing before an ALJ.
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(R. 30). At the hearing, Ms. Matthews testified that her anorexia anemia caused her
to feel sleepy and prevented her from working. She stated that her anorexia caused
her to drop out of school in the ninth grade. (R. 35-36). She asserted that low iron
levels would make her feel like she was going to pass out; however, she
acknowledged that her iron pill helped with her fatigue. (R. 40). She also stated
that she needed to take a two hour nap daily. (R. 41).
Regarding her panic attacks, Ms. Matthews testified that her head would
tingle, and she would have dizziness and hot flashes. She stated that her heart
would skip a beat, and she would feel like she was about to faint. She testified that
being in public situations would often trigger these panic attacks. Ms. Matthews
described being in a crowd of people “like being in traffic” and stated that she was
very claustrophobic. (R. 37-39). She testified that she quit a previous job at
Comfort Inn after experiencing a panic attack at work. (R. 45).
Ms. Matthews denied that she experienced side effects from the medication
for her conditions other than “a little bit of tiredness.” (R. 42). She stated that she
had been taking Klonopin for seven years. She testified that it “help[ed her] very,
very much.” She noted that she had previously taken Zoloft and Paxil, but they had
given her hallucinations. (R. 44).
Ms. Matthews stated her daily activities, apart from her daily nap, included
helping her kids with their homework, washing the dishes, and doing the laundry.
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She testified that she could wash only a few dishes at a time before she needed to sit
down. She stated that the laundry was “no problem,” although she experienced
back pain when she removed clothes from the dryer. (R. 42-43). She also testified
that she did not drive or have a driver’s license because of her anxiety. (R. 48).
After Ms. Matthews testified, the ALJ called Dr. William F. Green to testify
as a vocational expert. The ALJ asked Dr. Green to consider a hypothetical
individual who could do only simple tasks, could maintain concentration for two
hours at a time, would be able to complete an eight-hour work day with customary
breaks, could have only casual contact with the general public and co-workers,
would be limited to non-confrontational supervision and should have only gradual
changes in the workplace. The ALJ added that the individual probably would “do
best” at a worksite which was open and that offered a work space apart from others.
(R. 51). Dr. Green replied that the space stipulation was problematic and prevented
him from identifying jobs that would be available to the individual. (R. 51-52).
The ALJ dropped the space limitation and posed the hypothetical to Dr. Green again.
Dr. Green opined that such an individual could work as a janitor, food preparer, or
inspector; however, requiring an open workspace would preclude employment. (R.
51-52). Additionally, Dr. Green testified that either panic attacks on a consistent
basis or missing two days of work per month would prevent Ms. Matthews from
performing these jobs. (R. 53).
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The ALJ’s Decision
On April 13, 2010, the ALJ issued a decision in which he concluded that Ms.
Matthews was not disabled under the Social Security Act. (R. 23). Tracking the
five step evaluation process, the ALJ first found that Ms. Matthews had not engaged
in substantial gainful activity since October 22, 2007, the application date. Next,
the ALJ found that Ms. Matthews suffered from the severe impairments of panic
disorder, restless leg syndrome, dysthymic disorder, probable mixed personality
disorder, anorexia nervosa, and anemia; however, he concluded that Ms. Matthews
did not have an impairment or combination of impairments that manifested the
specific signs and diagnostic findings required by the Listing of Impairments. (R.
17). The ALJ determined that Ms. Matthews had the residual functional capacity
(“RFC”) to perform light work, except she could perform only simple tasks;
maintain attention for two hours at a time; have casual contact with the general
public and co-workers; and have non-confrontational supervision and gradual
workplace changes.
Additionally, the ALJ found that Ms. Matthews could
complete an eight-hour workday with customary breaks. (R. 19).
In making these findings, the ALJ determined that Ms. Matthews did not have
a medically determinable impairment that could reasonably be expected to cause all
the alleged symptoms. (R. 19). The ALJ gave little weight to the opinion of Dr.
Norrell because no objective evidence supported Dr. Norrell’s statements.
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Similarly, the ALJ gave limited weight to Dr. Tuck=s assessment of Ms. Matthews.
(R. 21-22).
The ALJ found that Dr. Beidleman’s consultative examination
supported his RFC finding. (R. 22).
Then, the ALJ determined that Ms. Matthews had no past relevant work, but
based on his RFC determination and the testimony of the vocational expert, the ALJ
found that jobs existed in the national economy that Ms. Matthews could perform.
Thus, the ALJ concluded that Ms. Matthews was not disabled under the Social
Security Act. (R. 22-23).
VI. DISCUSSION
After careful review, the Court finds that although the ALJ he applied correct
legal standards, he overlooked significant evidence that is favorable to the claimant.
For example, Ms. Matthews argues that the ALJ erred by failing to give sufficient
weight to the opinion of treating physician Dr. Tuck that her fatigue and weakness
“is present to such an extent as to negatively affect adequate performance of daily
activities or work.” (Pl. Brief, pp. 6-8; R. 443). The Court agrees.
Normally, “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 Soc. Sec., 363 F.3d 1155, 1159 (11th Cir. 2004) (quoting Lewis v.
Callahan, 125 F.3d 1436, 1440 (11th Cir. 1997)); see also Lamb v. Brown, 847 F.2d
698, 703 (11th Cir. 1998) (same). The ALJ has good cause for rejecting a treating
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physician’s opinion when “the: (1) treating physician’s opinion was not bolstered by
the evidence; (2) evidence supported a contrary finding; or (3) 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) (citing Lewis, 125
F.3d at 1440).
The ALJ placed little weight on Dr. Tuck’s opinions because of perceived
discrepancies between Ms. Matthews’s medical records and Dr. Tuck’s finding that
Ms. Matthews’s limitations would negatively affect adequate performance of work.
The ALJ noted that when Dr. Tuck first saw Ms. Matthews, Dr. Tuck found that she
was neurologically intact, her gait was normal, and she had a full range of motion.
The ALJ cited a Trinity Medical Center record indicating that Ms. Matthews had no
back problems except very minimal scoliosis. (R. 21). Ms. Matthews contends
that these citations are not relevant because “[s]he has never alleged any back
problems to be disabling. Her most severe symptoms, as testified to, are fatigue,
dizziness, sleepiness (related to anorexia and anemia) and nervousness and panic
attacks.” (Pl.’s Br. 8).
Dr. Tuck’s medical records and his assessment support Ms. Matthews’s
argument. In his assessment, Dr. Tuck indicated that Ms. Matthews has few
limitations due to physical pain (R.441-42); however, she is significantly limited
because of fatigue and weakness caused by anemia. (R.443). Dr. Tuck’s medical
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records and other emergency room records are consistent with Dr. Tuck’s
assessment. As outlined above, between 2008 and 2009, Ms. Matthews received
medical treatment on a number of occasions because of malnutrition, symptomatic
iron-deficiency anemia, weakness, dizziness, fatigue, and panic attacks. (See pp.
5-6 supra).
The ALJ accurately observed that a medical record from Trinity Medical
Center in June 2009 states that Ms. Matthews then “demonstrated normal behavior
appropriate for age and situation.” (R. 21, 365). And it is true, as the ALJ noted,
that Dr. Tuck did not provide a narrative in support of his assessment of Ms.
Matthews’s fatigue and weakness. If the ALJ had before him only a checkbox,
multiple choice assessment tool and a medical record that indicated that Ms.
Matthews generally was healthy, the Court would not hesitate to affirm. See
Chaney-Everett v. Astrue, 839 F. Supp. 2d 1291, 1304 (S.D. Fla. 2012) (“Because
[the physician] saw Claimant only two times, completed a conclusory checkbox
form, failed to support her opinion with acceptable medical evidence, and failed to
provide treatment notes, the ALJ properly discounted her opinion.”). The record
here, though, is much more robust. The ALJ did not focus on the aspects of the Ms.
Matthews’s medical records that concern the limitations that form the basis of her
disability claim.
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The ALJ’s opinion omits other relevant evidence.2 For instance, the ALJ
relied on Dr. Beidleman’s opinion. The ALJ stated that his RFC “is supported by
the opinion of Dr. Beidleman.” (R. 22). The ALJ cited Dr. Beidleman’s checkbox
answers that indicate that Ms. Matthews is “only mildly limited in the ability to
interact appropriately with the public and coworkers although she [is] moderately
limited in the abilities to interact appropriately with supervisors and respond
appropriately to usual work situations and to changes in a routine work setting” and
“has mild difficulties” with “concentration, persistence or pace” (R.18, 454-55);
however, the ALJ’s opinion does not mention Dr. Beidleman’s finding in his
narrative psychological evaluation that “[i]t is likely that [Ms. Matthews] would
have difficulty with ordinary work pressures.” (R. 459). The ALJ acknowledged
in his opinion Dr. Beidleman’s finding that Ms. Matthews’s “[p]rognosis for
favorable response to treatment is poor given that she is not in active mental health
treatment for her anxiety and eating disturbance” (R. 17, 459), but he did not
consider what impact, if any, this finding had on Ms. Matthews’s ability to secure
and maintain a job.
Significantly, the ALJ used Dr. Beidleman’s checkbox answers to support his
decision to change a hypothetical question that he posed to Dr. Green, the vocational
2
See Hillsman v. Bowen, 804 F.2d 1179, 1180 (11th Cir. 1986) (“a reviewing court is under a duty
to examine the record as a whole to ensure that the decision is supported by ‘such relevant
evidence as a reasonable mind might accept as adequate to support a conclusion.’”) (quoting
Richardson v. Perales, 402 U.S. 389, 91 S. Ct. 1420, 1427 (1971)); Aderholt v. Astrue, No.
6:11-CV-00829-KOB, 2012 WL 2499164, *1 (N.D. Ala. June 26, 2012)(same).
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expert who testified at Ms. Matthews’s hearing. Initially, the ALJ included in his
hypothetical a qualification that Ms. Matthews “would do best in an open work site
or by herself away from coworkers.” (R.20; see also R. 51). When Dr. Green
indicated that this qualification would eliminate jobs for which Ms. Matthews might
be qualified, the ALJ deleted the qualification from his hypothetical. (R. 51-52).
In his opinion, the ALJ explained that:
[At the] hearing the undersigned included in the hypothetical question
to the vocational expert a provision that the claimant would do best in
an open work site or by herself away from coworkers. The
undersigned did not include that provision in the residual functional
capacity stated above because, in his report, Dr. Beidleman stated that
the claimant was mildly limited with regard to her ability to interact
with coworkers and the public.
(R. 20). Dr. Beidleman’s checkbox answers must be considered in conjunction
with his narrative finding that Ms. Matthews probably would have “difficulty with
ordinary work pressures, and his conclusion that the “[p]rognosis for favorable
response to treatment is poor,” especially in light of the uncontroverted record that
demonstrated that Ms. Matthews has had anxiety since she was 16, and she has panic
attacks when she is in public. (R. 36-39). The ALJ’s hypothetical question should
fully account for all of Ms. Matthews’s impairments, including her panic disorder.
Winschel v. Commissioner of Social Sec., 631 F.3d 1176, 1181 (11th Cir. 2011)
(“Because the ALJ asked the vocational expert a hypothetical question that failed to
include or otherwise implicitly account for all of Winschel’s impairments, the
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vocational expert’s testimony is not ‘substantial evidence’ and cannot support the
ALJ’s conclusion that Winschel could perform significant numbers of jobs in the
national economy.”).
VII. CONCLUSION
For the reasons stated above, the Court remands this matter to the ALJ for
further proceedings.
The Court will enter a remand order consistent with this
memorandum opinion.
DONE and ORDERED this October 30, 2014.
_________________________________
MADELINE HUGHES HAIKALA
UNITED STATES DISTRICT JUDGE
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