Gibbs v. Social Security Administration, Commissioner

Filing 12

MEMORANDUM OPINION. Signed by Judge Abdul K Kallon on 12/28/2016. (KAM, )

FILED
2016 Dec-28 AM 09:58
U.S. DISTRICT COURT
N.D. OF ALABAMA

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
FOR THE NORTHERN DISTRICT OF ALABAMA
MIDDLE DIVISION
LINDA C. GIBBS,
Plaintiff,

vs.
CAROLYN W. COLVIN, ACTING
COMMISSIONER OF SOCIAL
SECURITY

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)
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Civil Action Number
4:16-cv-117-AKK

Defendant.

MEMORANDUM OPINION
Linda C. Gibbs brings this action pursuant to section 205(g) of the Social
Security Act (“the Act”), 42 U.S.C. § 405(g), seeking review of the final adverse
decision of the Commissioner of the Social Security Administration (“SSA”). This
court finds that the Administrative Law Judge (“ALJ”) applied the correct legal
standard, and that his decision—which has become the decision of the
Commissioner—is AFFIRMED.
I.

PROCEDURAL HISTORY

Gibbs filed her application for Title II Disability Insurance Benefits on
December 14, 2012, alleging a disability onset date of October 26, 2012, (R. 120),
due to diabetes mellitus and right A/C joint degenerative joint disease, (R. 145,
160). After the SSA denied her application, Gibbs requested a hearing before an
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ALJ. (R. 74–75). The ALJ subsequently denied Gibbs’ claim, (R. 13–15), which
became the final decision of the Commissioner when the Appeals Council refused
to grant review, (R. 1–3). Gibbs then filed this action pursuant to § 405(g) on
January 23, 2016. Doc. 1.
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
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
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(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.
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)(I)(A). 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).

Specifically, the Commissioner must determine in

sequence:
(1)

whether the claimant is currently unemployed;

(2)

whether the claimant has a severe impairment;
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(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
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
In performing the Five Step sequential analysis, the ALJ initially determined
that Gibbs met the criteria for Step One because she had not engaged in any
substantial gainful activity since her alleged onset date of October 26, 2012. (R.
18). Next, the ALJ acknowledged that Gibbs’ impairments of “diabetes mellitus,
cervical degenerative disc disease, and minimal right A/C joint degenerative joint
disease/osteoporosis” met the requirements of Step Two. (Id.). The ALJ then
proceeded to the next step and found that Gibbs did not satisfy Step Three because
she “did not have an impairment or combination of impairments that meets or
medically equals the severity of one of the impairments included in 20 C.F.R. Part
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404, Subpart P, Appendix 1.” (R. 19). Although the ALJ answered Step Three in
the negative, consistent with the law, see McDaniel, 800 F.2d 1030, he proceeded
to Step Four where he determined that, at her date last insured, Gibbs had the
residual functional capacity (RFC) to “perform the full range of sedentary work as
defined in 20 C.F.R. 404.1567(a).” (R. 19). In light of Gibbs’ RFC, the ALJ
determined that Gibbs was capable of performing her past relevant work as a
daycare owner/operator/bookkeeper. (R. 22). Because the ALJ answered Step Four
in the affirmative, he determined that Gibbs was not disabled. (Id.).
V.

ANALYSIS

Gibbs raises multiple contentions of error which the court will outline and
address below. However, none of these contentions establish that the ALJ
committed reversible error. Therefore, the court will affirm the ALJ’s decision.
1. Alleged failure to determine that Gibbs’ alleged peripheral
neuropathy equaled a listing
As one of her contentions of error, Gibbs claims that the ALJ erred in Step
Three by failing to “review[] [Gibbs’] diabetes under the peripheral neuropathy
listing in Appendix 1. . . . [because while it] may not meet listing level . . . it does
limit her to less than sedentary work . . . .” Doc. 9 at 11–12. Gibbs bears the burden
of demonstrating that her impairment meets or equals a listing. Sullivan v. Zebley,
430 U.S. 521, 530 (1990). “To meet the requirements of a Listing, [Gibbs] not only

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must have been diagnosed with a condition included in the Listing, but [s]he must
also provide medical reports documenting that the condition meets the Listing’s
specific criteria and duration requirement.” Bellew v. Acting Comm’r of Soc. Sec.,
605 F. App’x 917, 922 (11th Cir. 2015). As a result, to demonstrate that she has
diabetic peripheral neuropathy severe enough to meet the criteria of a Listing
impairment, Gibbs must show that she suffers “[d]isorganization of motor function
in two extremities . . . , resulting in an extreme limitation . . . in the ability to stand
up from a seated position, . . . balance while standing or walking, or use the upper
extremities.” 20 C.F.R. pt. 404, Subpart P, app. 1, §§ 6, 11.14. The court finds that
Gibbs has failed to meet her burden.
Specifically, Gibbs has failed to produce any evidence or documentation that
would support a claim that she suffers from diabetic neuropathy, much less that the
impairment would meet the criteria of a Listing. In fact, in her brief Gibbs
recognizes that her claim of neuropathy may not meet a Listing, but asserts that her
neuropathy would limit her to less than sedentary work. See doc. 9 at 12. However,
a review of her medical record shows no evidence that Gibbs has ever been treated
for or diagnosed with peripheral neuropathy or any similar condition. (See, e.g., R.
207–209, 215–217) (medical records from Dr. Lewis which indicate that she had
no neurological complaints); see also (R. 388–389) (medical report from August
2014 in which Gibbs denied any tingling or numbness). In light of the absence of
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medical support for Gibbs’ contention, the substantial evidence supports the ALJ’s
decision to not consider diabetic neuropathy in his analysis of Gibbs’ conditions in
Step Three.
2. Alleged failure to consider and weigh the opinion of one of the
treating physicians
As her next contention of error, Gibbs asserts that the ALJ erred by not
affording substantial weight to the opinion of her treating physician, Dr. John
Lewis, that she was disabled. Doc. 9 at 9–11. Gibbs is correct that the opinion of a
treating physician is generally afforded more weight than a consulting physician’s.
See Wilson v. Heckler, 734 F.2d 513, 518 (11th Cir. 1984); Wiggens v. Schweiker,
679 F.2d 1387 (11th Cir. 1982). However, where the physician’s opinion is
inconsistent with medical records and the evidence of the claimant’s activities, the
ALJ may reject the opinion. See Crow v. Comm’r of Soc. Sec., 571 F. App’x 802,
806 (11th Cir. 2014). In doing so, however, the ALJ must “specify what weight is
given to a treating physician’s opinion and any reason for giving it no weight . . . ,”
MacGregor v. Bowen, 786 F.2d 1050, 1053 (11th Cir. 1986).
The court finds that the ALJ thoroughly reviewed the medical record and
explained why he rejected Dr. Lewis’ opinion. In reviewing the record, the ALJ
first noted that Dr. Lewis considered Gibbs’ diabetes under control “due to her
insulin and her then-recent compliance with [Dr. Lewis’] diet and exercise
recommendations.” (R. 20). Next, the ALJ discussed the range of motion test Dr.
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Lewis performed on Gibbs, noting that Dr. Lewis placed no range of motion
restriction on Gibbs and that an x-ray requested by Dr. Lewis showed no
significant abnormalities. (R. 20–21). The ALJ explained that these findings and
treatment records were consistent with the records of Dr. Randall Anderson, who
Gibbs visited for shoulder pain, and who found that Gibbs had good range of
motion and was doing well, (R. 21, 331–337), and those of the state agency
consultant, Dr. Robert Estock, who found that Gibbs had no impairments or
restrictions. (R. 21, 56–57).
After discussing Dr. Lewis’ medical findings, the ALJ then turned to Dr.
Lewis’ opinion in a medical source statement that Gibbs was totally disabled and
could only operate at the light exertional level. (R. 21, 305–306). It is this opinion
that is the basis for Gibbs’ contention that the ALJ erred by failing to afford it
substantial weight. In rejecting this opinion, the ALJ pointed out that Dr. Lewis’
opinion of total disability was inherently inconsistent with his opinion in the same
medical source statement that Gibbs could perform at the light exertional level. (R.
305–306). The ALJ noted that in order for Gibbs to operate at a light exertional
level under the regulations, Gibbs would have to “stand[] and walk[] for longer
periods or lift[] and carry[] heavier objects tha[n] the record supports.” (R. 21).
Stated differently, a person who can operate at a light exertional level is, by
definition, not totally disabled. Finally, the ALJ explained that because “the issue
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as to whether an individual is ‘disabled’ or wholly unable to work as defined under
the Act is strictly an issue which is reserved to the Commissioner,” (R. 21), he
afforded Dr. Lewis’ opinion little weight.
Based on this record, the court finds that the ALJ properly explained the
weight he afforded Dr. Lewis’ opinion and the reasons why he disregarded Dr.
Lewis’ opinion that Gibbs was “totally disabled.” Accordingly, the court finds that
ALJ’s decision to give little weight to Dr. Lewis’ opinion is supported by
substantial evidence. See Bloodsaw v. Apfel, 105 F. Supp. 2d 1223, 1227 (N.D.
Ala. 2000); Harrison v. Barnhart, 346 F. Supp. 2d 1188, 1192 (N.D. Ala. 2004).
3. The ALJ stated adequate reasons for discrediting Gibbs’ pain
testimony
Finally, Gibbs challenges the ALJ’s decision to discredit her pain testimony.
In this Circuit, “a three part ‘pain standard’ [is applied] when a claimant seeks to
establish disability through his or her own testimony of pain or other subjective
symptoms.”

Holt v. Barnhart, 921 F.2d 1221, 1223 (11th Cir. 1991).

This

standard “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

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such a severity that it can be reasonably expected to give rise to the alleged pain.”1
Id. However, medical evidence of pain itself, or of its intensity, is not required:
While both the regulations and the Hand standard require
objective medical evidence of a condition that could reasonably
be expected to cause the pain alleged, neither requires objective
proof of the pain itself. Thus under both the regulations and the
first (objectively identifiable condition) and third (reasonably
expected to cause pain alleged) parts of the Hand standard a
claimant who can show that his condition could reasonably be
expected to give rise to the pain he alleges has established a
claim of disability and is not required to produce additional,
objective proof of the pain itself. See 20 CFR §§ 404.1529 and
416.929; Hale [v. Bowen, 831 F.2d 1007, 1011 (11th Cir.
1987)].
Elam v. R.R. Ret. Bd., 921 F.2d 1210, 1215 (11th Cir. 1991) (parenthetical
information omitted) (emphasis added). Moreover, “[a] claimant’s subjective
testimony supported by medical evidence that satisfies the pain standard is itself
sufficient to support a finding of disability.” Holt, 921 F.2d at 1223. Therefore, if
a claimant testifies to disabling pain and satisfies the three part pain standard, the
ALJ must find a disability unless the ALJ properly discredits the claimant’s
testimony. Where the ALJ discredits subjective pain testimony, he must “articulate
explicit and express reasons for doing so.” Wilson v. Barnhart, 284 F.3d 1219,
1225 (11th Cir. 2002) (per curiam). Finally, “a clearly articulated credibility
finding with substantial supporting evidence in the record will not be disturbed by

1

This standard is referred to as the Hand standard, named after Hand v. Heckler, 761 F.2d 1545,
1548 (11th Cir. 1985).
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a reviewing court,” except that the court must accept the testimony as true if the
ALJ fails to articulate reasons for discrediting it. Foote v. Chater, 67 F.3d 1553,
1562 (11th Cir. 1995) (per curiam) (internal citations omitted).
Here, Gibbs claims that the ALJ improperly discounted her testimony
regarding her limitations as a result of her diabetes, osteoarthritis, and shoulder
pain. Doc. 9 at 10–11. The record belies Gibbs’ contentions. In fact, the ALJ
properly discredited Gibbs’ pain testimony and provided reasons for doing so.
Beginning with the testimony relating to the limitations Gibbs claimed she suffered
due to diabetes, the ALJ noted that Gibbs’ diabetes is controlled by medication and
that her treating physician found Gibbs’ blood sugar levels to be well controlled
during a March 2014 visit. (R. 20). The ALJ also discussed Gibbs’ diabetes-related
cataracts, noting their successful removal in 2010 and absence of reoccurrence.
(Id.). Finally, the ALJ also pointed out that the record contained a single instance
where Gibbs required emergency medical treatment for her diabetes and that the
responding paramedics “discovered that th[e] decrease in [Gibbs’] blood sugar
resulted from [Gibbs] having suspended her insulin pump” and that Gibbs “refused
to go to the emergency room after receiving . . . oral glucose.” (Id.).
Next, the ALJ discussed the limitations and pain Gibbs testified she
experienced as a result of her degenerative disc disease. To support his finding that
the record did not support the degree of limitation that Gibbs alleged, the ALJ
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pointed out that Dr. Lewis completed a range of motion chart in 2013 that noted no
range of motion restriction and that an x-ray of Gibbs’ head and neck “revealed
only minor scoliosis and cervical degenerative joint disease.” (R. 20–21).
Finally, the ALJ discussed Gibbs’ complaints about her right shoulder,
finding that they are also not supported by the record and that two diagnostic
examinations of the shoulder “failed to show any significant abnormality.” (R. 21).
The ALJ added that “[Gibbs’] right shoulder x-ray, performed in conjunction with
the visit [to Dr. Anderson], was described as unremarkable. . . . [and d]uring the
examination, [Gibbs] reportedly displayed ‘excellent’ right shoulder range of
motion. . . .” (R. 21).
The court finds that the ALJ thoroughly recounted Gibbs’ medical records
and cited various examples where Gibbs’ subjective testimony of pain were belied
by her medical records. (R. 19–21). Moreover, the ALJ clearly articulated his
reasons for discrediting Gibbs’ statements about her pain levels and limitations.
See Wilson v. Barnhart, 284 F.3d at 1226 (noting that the “ALJ made a reasonable
decision to reject [the claimant’s] subjective testimony, articulating, in detail, the
contrary evidence as his reasons for doing so”). Specifically, the ALJ properly
evaluated Gibbs’ diabetes, degenerative disc disease, and shoulder ailments, and
provided reasons for why he discredited Gibbs’ pain testimony related to these

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ailments. Accordingly, because the substantial evidence supports the ALJ’s
determination, the court affirms the ALJ’s credibility determination.
VI.

CONCLUSION

Based on the foregoing, the court concludes that the ALJ’s determination that
Gibbs 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 28th day of December, 2016.

_________________________________
ABDUL K. KALLON
UNITED STATES DISTRICT JUDGE

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