Wright v. Social Security Administration, Commissioner

Filing 18

MEMORANDUM OPINION. Signed by Magistrate Judge Staci G Cornelius on 3/31/21. (MRR, )

FILED
2021 Mar-31 PM 04:26
U.S. DISTRICT COURT
N.D. OF ALABAMA

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
FOR THE NORTHERN DISTRICT OF ALABAMA
MIDDLE DIVISION
HOLLI WRIGHT,
Plaintiff,
v.
SOCIAL SECURITY
ADMINISTRATION, Commissioner,
Defendant.

)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)

Case No. 4:19-cv-01669-SGC

MEMORANDUM OPINION 1
The plaintiff, Holli Wright, appeals from the decision of the Commissioner of
the Social Security Administration (“Commissioner”) denying her application for a
period of disability and disability insurance benefits (“DIB”). Wright timely pursued
and exhausted her administrative remedies, and the decision of the Commissioner is
ripe for review. For the reasons stated below, the Commissioner’s decision is due
to be affirmed.
I.

FACTS, FRAMEWORK, AND PROCEDURAL HISTORY
On January 11, 2017, Wright applied for a period of disability and disability

insurance benefits under Title XVI of the Social Security Act. (R. 11). In her
application, Wright alleged disability beginning on December 11, 2016, due to

1

The parties consented to magistrate judge jurisdiction pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 636(c). (Doc. 10).

chronic pain, lupus, morbid obesity, anxiety/obsessive and depressive/bipolar
disorders, and seizure disorder. (R. 11, 13). Wright was forty years old at her alleged
onset date and forty-two at the time of the decision by the Administrative Law Judge
(“ALJ”). (R. 11). She has a twelfth-grade education and past work experience as a
sales clerk, retail store manager, credit clerk, and kitchen supervisor. (R. 23).
Wright alleges she is unable to work “primarily due to chronic moderately severe
pain and swelling in her legs from lupus.” (Doc. 16 at 5). Wright testified she cannot
stand without it causing swelling and fluid retention in her legs, knees, and feet and
that traveling and sitting where her “legs dangle at all” causes swelling in her legs.
(R. 120-21). Wright stated severe swelling occurred two or three times a month and
lasted three to four days. (R. 121).
On April 4, 2017, the Social Security Administration (“SSA”) initially denied
Wright’s claim, after which she requested a hearing before an ALJ. (R. 11). On
January 22, 2019, the ALJ held a video hearing at which Diana L. Kizer, an impartial
vocational expert, also appeared and testified. (R. 11). Following the hearing, the
ALJ denied Wright’s claim. (R. 8). After exhausting her administrative remedies,
Wright timely filed the instant appeal.
To establish eligibility 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
2

or which has lasted or can be expected to last for a continuous period of not less than
twelve months.” 42 U.S.C. §§ 416(i)(1)(A), 423(d)(1)(A); see also 20 C.F.R. §
404.1505(a). The SSA employs a five-step sequential analysis to determine an
individual’s eligibility for disability benefits. 20 C.F.R. § 416.920(b).
First, the Commissioner must determine whether the claimant is engaged in
“substantial gainful activity.” Id. “Under the first step, the claimant has the burden
to show that she is not currently engaged in substantial gainful activity.” ReynoldsBuckley v. Comm’r of Soc. Sec., 457 F. App’x 862, 863 (11th Cir. 2012). If the
claimant is engaged in substantial gainful activity, the Commissioner will determine
the claimant is not disabled. At the first step, the ALJ determined Wright met the
insured status requirement of the Social Security Act through December 31, 2021,
and had not engaged in substantial gainful activity since December 11, 2016—her
alleged onset date. (R. 13).
If a claimant is not engaged in substantial gainful activity, the Commissioner
must next determine whether the claimant suffers from a severe physical or mental
impairment, or combination of impairments, which has lasted or is expected to last
for a continuous period of at least twelve months. 20 C.F.R. §§ 416.920 (a)(4)(ii),
(c). An impairment “must result from anatomical, physiological, or psychological
abnormalities which can be shown by medically acceptable clinical and laboratory
diagnostic techniques.” 20 C.F.R. § 416.921. Furthermore, it “must be established
3

by medical evidence consisting of signs, symptoms, and laboratory findings, not
only by [the claimant’s] statement of symptoms.” Id.; see 42 U.S.C. § 423(d)(3).
An impairment is severe if it “significantly limits [the claimant’s] physical or
mental ability to do basic work activities . . . .” 20 C.F.R. § 416.922(c). “[A]n
impairment can be considered as not severe only if it is a slight abnormality which
has such a minimal effect on the individual that it would not be expected to interfere
with the individual’s ability to work, irrespective of age, education, or work
experience.” Brady v. Heckler, 724 F.2d 914, 920 (11th Cir. 1984); see 20 C.F.R. §
404.1521(a).

A claimant may be found disabled based on a combination of

impairments, even though none of her individual impairments alone is disabling. 20
C.F.R. § 416.920. The claimant bears the burden of providing medical evidence
demonstrating an impairment and its severity. 20 C.F.R. § 416.912(a). If the
claimant does not have a severe impairment or combination of impairments, the
Commissioner will determine the claimant is not disabled.

20 C.F.R. §§

416.920(a)(4)(ii), (c). At the second step, the ALJ determined Wright has the
following

severe

impairments:

“chronic

pain;

lupus;

morbid

obesity;

anxiety/obsessive and depressive/ bipolar disorders; and seizures.” (R. 13).
If the claimant has a severe impairment or combination of impairments, the
Commissioner must then determine whether the impairment meets or equals one of
the “Listings” found in 20 C.F.R. Part 404, Subpart P, Appendix 1. 20 C.F.R. §§
4

416.920(a)(4)(iii), (d). If the claimant’s impairment meets or equals one of the
Listings, the Commissioner will determine the claimant is disabled. Id. The
claimant bears the burden of proving her impairment meets or equals one of the
Listings. Reynolds-Buckley, 457 F. App’x at 863. At the third step, the ALJ
determined Wright did not have an impairment or combination of impairments that
met or medically equaled the severity of one of the Listings. (R. 14).
If the claimant’s impairment does not meet or equal one of the Listings, the
Commissioner must determine the claimant’s residual functional capacity (“RFC”)
before proceeding to the fourth step. 20 C.F.R. § 416.920(e). A claimant’s RFC is
the most she can do despite her impairment. 20 C.F.R. § 416.945(a). At the fourth
step, the Commissioner compares the assessment of the claimant’s RFC with the
physical and mental demands of the claimant’s past relevant work. Id. “Past
relevant work is work that [the claimant has] done within the past 15 years, that was
substantial gainful activity, and that lasted long enough for [the claimant] to learn to
do it.” 20 C.F.R. § 416.960(b)(1). The claimant bears the burden of proving her
impairment prevents her from performing her past relevant work. Reynolds-Buckley,
457 F. App’x at 863. If the claimant is capable of performing past relevant work,
the Commissioner will determine the claimant is not disabled. 20 C.F.R. §§
416.920(a)(4)(iv), (f).
Before proceeding to the fourth step, the ALJ determined Wright had the RFC
5

to perform a limited range of medium work. (R. 16). Specifically, the ALJ found
Wright could perform medium work, as defined in 20 C.F.R. § 404.1567(c), with
the following limitations:
[S]he is capable of frequent climbing of ramps and stairs. She is unable
to climb ladders, ropes, and scaffolds. She is capable of frequently
balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching and crawling. She must avoid
all exposure to hazards such as open flames, unprotected heights, and
dangerous moving machinery. She is also limited to unskilled work,
which is simple, repetitive, and routine. Her supervision must be
simple, direct, concrete, constructive, and supportive. Interpersonal
contact with supervisors and coworkers must be incidental to the work
performed. She must not be required to work at fast-past production
line speeds. She should have only occasional, gradually-introduced
workplace changes. She must have normal, regular work breaks at least
every two hours. She should have only occasional, casual contact with
the general public.
(R. 16). At the fourth step, the ALJ determined Wright was unable to perform her
past relevant work. (R. 23). However, with the aid of testimony from the vocational
expert (“VE”), the ALJ found Wright could perform the duties of a marker and mail
clerk. (R. 24). Therefore, the ALJ concluded Wright had not been under a disability
from December 11, 2016, through the date of the decision. (R. 24).
II.

STANDARD OF REVIEW
Review of the Commissioner’s decision is limited to determining whether: (1)

it is supported by substantial evidence; and (2) the Commissioner applied correct
legal standards. Crawford v. Comm’r of Soc. Sec., 363 F.3d 1155, 1158 (11th Cir.
2004). A district court reviews the Commissioner’s findings of fact with deference
6

and may not reconsider the facts, reevaluate the evidence, or substitute its judgment
for that of the Commissioner. Ingram v. Comm’r of Soc. Sec. Admin., 496 F.3d
1253, 1260 (11th Cir. 2007); Dyer v. Barnhart, 395 F.3d 1206, 1210 (11th Cir.
2005). Rather, a district court must “scrutinize the record as a whole to determine
whether the decision reached is reasonable and supported by substantial evidence.”
Bloodsworth v. Heckler, 703 F.2d 1233, 1239 (11th Cir. 1983) (internal citations
omitted). Substantial evidence is “such relevant evidence as a reasonable person
would accept as adequate to support a conclusion.” Id. It is “more than a scintilla,
but less than a preponderance.” Id. A district court must uphold factual findings
supported by substantial evidence, even if the preponderance of the evidence is
against those findings. Miles v. Chater, 84 F.3d 1397, 1400 (11th Cir. 1996) (citing
Martin v. Sullivan, 894 F.2d 1520, 1529 (11th Cir. 1990)).
A district court reviews the Commissioner’s legal conclusions de novo. Davis
v. Shalala, 985 F.2d 528, 531 (11th Cir. 1993). “The [Commissioner’s] failure to
apply the correct law or to provide the reviewing court with sufficient reasoning for
determining that the proper legal analysis has been conducted mandates reversal.”
Cornelius v. Sullivan, 936 F.2d 1143, 1145-46 (11th Cir. 1991).
III.

DISCUSSION
Wright presents two arguments on appeal: (1) the ALJ improperly applied the

Eleventh Circuit’s pain standard; and (2) the ALJ failed to properly articulate good
7

cause for according less weight to the opinions of her treating physicians. (Doc. 16
at 4, 10). The arguments are addressed in turn.
A.

Application of the Pain Standard

Wright asserts the ALJ failed to properly evaluate her allegations of pain
under the Eleventh Circuit’s pain standard. (Id. at 4). Under the pain standard:
In order to establish a disability based on testimony of pain and other
symptoms, the claimant must satisfy two parts of a three-part test
showing: (1) evidence of an underlying medical condition; and (2)
either (a) objective medical evidence confirming the severity of the
alleged pain; or (b) that the objectively determined medical condition
can reasonably be expected to give rise to the claimed pain. See Holt
v. Sullivan, 921 F.2d 1221, 1223 (11th Cir. 1991). If the ALJ discredits
subjective testimony, he must articulate explicit and adequate reasons
for doing so. See Hale v. Bowen, 831 F.2d 1007, 1011 (11th Cir. 1987).
Wilson v. Barnhart, 284 F.3d 1219, 1225 (11th Cir. 2002); see 20 C.F.R. § 404.1529.
If a claimant satisfies the first part of the test, the ALJ must evaluate the
intensity, persistence, and effect of the claimant’s symptoms on her ability to work.
See 42 U.S.C. § 423(d)(5)(A); 20 C.F.R. §§ 404.1529(c)-(d), 416.929(c)-(d). While
evaluating the evidence, the ALJ must consider whether inconsistencies exist within
the evidence or between the claimant’s statements and the evidence, including her
history, medical signs, laboratory findings, and statements by medical sources or
other sources about her symptoms’ impacts.

20 C.F.R. §§ 404.1529(c)(4),

416.929(c)(4). In determining whether substantial evidence supports an ALJ’s
credibility determination, “[t]he question is not . . . whether the ALJ could have
8

reasonably credited [the claimant’s] testimony, but whether the ALJ was clearly
wrong to discredit it.” Werner v. Comm’r of Soc. Sec., 421 F. App’x 935, 939 (11th
Cir. 2011). The ALJ is not required to conduct a symptom analysis, but the reasons
for the findings must be clear enough that they are obvious to a reviewing court. See
Foote v. Chater, 67 F.3d 1553, 1562 (11th Cir. 1995). “A clearly articulated
credibility finding with substantial supporting evidence in the record will not be
disturbed by a reviewing court.” Id. (citation omitted). Under the relevant Social
Security Ruling:
In evaluating an individual’s symptoms, it is not sufficient for [the ALJ]
to make a single, conclusory statement that “the individual's statements
about his or her symptoms have been considered” or that “the
statements about the individual's symptoms are (or are not) supported
or consistent.” It is also not enough for [the ALJ] simply to recite the
factors described in the regulations for evaluating symptoms. The
determination or decision must contain specific reasons for the weight
given to the individual's symptoms, be consistent with and supported
by the evidence, and be clearly articulated.
SSR 16-3p (S.S.A. Oct. 25, 2017), 2017 WL 5180304 at *10.
Wright claims she experiences “chronic moderately severe pain and swelling
in her legs from lupus” and the resulting pain and discomfort make her unable to
work. (Doc. 16 at 5). At the hearing, Wright testified she was unable to work
primarily due to swelling and fluid retention in her knees, ankles, and legs; she noted
these symptoms had increased in frequency and severity over the previous five years.
(R. 121). Wright also explained the side-effects from her medications caused her to
9

fall asleep while attempting to work. (R. 127). She cited a specific instance during
her previous employment when she started falling asleep while standing and
performing a transaction at a cash register. (Id.). Wright further testified she had to
change positions frequently throughout the day to prevent pain and swelling in her
lower limbs. (R. 122). She alleged she could only sit or stand for fifteen to twenty
minutes before needing to change positions. (R. 123). Wright testified she needed
to spend approximately half of each day lying down and that she was unable to get
out of bed on “some days.” (R. 124).
The ALJ found Wright’s medically determinable impairments could
reasonably be expected to produce some of the alleged symptoms but her statements
regarding the intensity, persistence, and limiting effects of these symptoms were not
entirely consistent with the medical evidence and other evidence in the record. (R.
17). Specifically, the ALJ relied on: (1) the lack of evidence of these symptoms in
Wrights’ doctors’ treatment notes; (2) Wright’s activities of daily living; and (3)
medical opinion evidence.
First, the ALJ accurately discussed examination notes generated by Wright’s
treating physicians from 2016 through 2018. (R. 17-22). While these records often
reflect edema in Wright’s legs and generalized muscle tenderness, they also
consistently show normal motor strength, range of motion, gait, and sensation in her
legs. (R. 17-22; see, e.g., R. 343, 355, 498-99, 611, 669, 677, 681, 693, 701, 845,
10

1017, 1076). Treatment for edema included counselling on diet and exercise. (E.g.
R. 345, 353, 360). These consistent, benign physical findings provide substantial
evidence to support the ALJ’s conclusion that Wright’s pain was not as severe as
she alleged. Wright points to other treatment notes showing her reports of symptoms
including pain, myalgia, fatigue, vision changes, nausea, vomiting, joint pain,
muscle pain, muscle cramps, and muscle weakness, as well as pain and swelling in
her hips, knees, ankles, and legs. (Doc. 16 at 7-1; see R. 309, 311, 314, 316, 335).
However, this argument runs contrary to the applicable standard of review under
which the court is not permitted to substitute its own judgment for the ALJ’s, so long
as substantial evidence supports the ALJ’s decision.
The ALJ also relied on Wright’s self-reported activities of daily living, which
included the ability to: (1) prepare her own meals daily; (2) clean the bathroom; (3)
load the dishwasher; (4) do laundry; (5) shop for groceries twice a week; (6) drive;
and (7) handle household finances (R. 21; see R. 259-60). Additionally, the ALJ
noted Wright reported her activities of daily living improved with medication. (R.
21; see R. 1010-1044).
As to opinion evidence, the ALJ gave great weight to Dr. Thomas McKinnon,
a state agency physician who reviewed Wright’s medical records and concluded she
could: (1) occasionally lift fifty pounds; (2) frequently lift twenty-five pounds; (3)
stand and/or walk for six hours during an eight-hour workday; and (4) sit for six
11

hours during an eight-hour work day. (R. 21; see R. 147). Dr. McKinnon also
concluded Wright could frequently climb ramps and stairs, balance, stoop, kneel,
and crawl; could never climb ladders, ropes, or scaffolds; and should avoid any
exposure to hazards. (Id.).2
The foregoing substantial evidence, which is properly considered when
applying the pain standard, supports ALJ’s conclusion that Wright’s pain was not as
debilitating as alleged.
B.

Weight Given to the Opinions of Treating Physicians
An ALJ must state with particularity the weight given to medical opinions and

the reasons for doing so. Winschel v. Comm’r of Soc. Sec., 631 F.3d 1176, 1179
(11th Cir. 2011) (citing Sharfarz v. Bowen, 825 F.2d 278, 279 (11th Cir. 1987)).
Moreover, an ALJ must give the medical opinions of treating physicians “substantial
or considerable weight,” absent clearly articulated good cause. Id. (internal quotation
marks omitted). An ALJ’s failure to clearly articulate the weight assigned to a
medical opinion is an error that requires reversal and remand. See McClurkin v. Soc.
Sec. Admin., 625 F. App’x 960, 962 (11th Cir. 2015) (“In the absence of [a clear
articulation of the weight given different medical opinions], it is impossible for a
reviewing court to determine whether the ultimate decision on the merits of the claim
is rational and supported by substantial evidence[,]” and “‘we will decline to affirm

2

The remaining opinion evidence is discussed in the following section of this opinion.

12

simply because some rationale might have supported the ALJ’s conclusion.’”
(quoting Winschel, 631 F.3d at 1179)).
The ALJ is free to reject a treating physician’s opinion but must “clearly
articulate the reasons for giving less weight to the opinion of a treating physician,
and failure to do so is reversible error.” MacGregor v. Bowen, 786 F.2d 1050, 1053
(11th Cir. 1986). The ALJ’s reasons for discrediting a treating physician’s opinion
also must be supported by substantial evidence. Lamb v. Bowen, 847 F.2d 698, 703
(11th Cir. 1988). An ALJ may discount a doctor’s opinion, including a treating
doctor’s opinion, when the opinion is conclusory; the doctor fails to provide
objective evidence to support his or her opinions; or the opinion is inconsistent with
the record as a whole. See id. Additionally, opinions on some issues 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). These nonmedical opinions include opinions about a claimant’s status as disabled or being
unable to work. See id.
Here, Wright contends the ALJ erred in his treatment of the opinion evidence
from two of her treating physicians, Drs. Walter Chatham and Jason Ham. (Doc. 16
at 11). Each doctor’s opinions are addressed in turn. The record includes three
opinions from Dr. Chatham: (1) a February 20, 2017 form he completed in response
13

to a request for medical information related to Wright’s food assistance program (R.
597); (2) a May 30, 3017 “To Whom It May Concern” letter (R. 661); and (3) a May
31, 2017 physical capacity form (R. 662-64). The February 20, 2017 opinion
includes responses to seven questions, which Dr. Chatham completed by checking
boxes or writing short answers. In the form, Dr. Chatham opined Wright was unable
to work without restrictions due to lupus with optic neuritis and loss of vision in her
left eye, which he believed to be permanent. (R. 597). The May 30, 2017 letter
notes the same lupus diagnosis and left eye vision deficits, as well as additional
symptoms of fatigue, arthritis, photosensitive skin rashes, and elevated antinuclear
antibodies. (R. 661). The letter concludes with Dr. Chatham’s opinion that Wright
was unable to work as of February 1, 2017, and she would be unable to return to
work for more than six hours a day in the foreseeable future due to her symptoms
and the side-effects of her medications. (Id.). The May 31, 2017 physical capacity
form is a familiar form in which Dr. Chatham checked boxes indicating his opinion
of Wright’s ability to perform certain tasks. (R. 662-64).
As an initial matter, Wright contends the ALJ erred by failing to address Dr.
Chatham’s February 20, 2017 letter.

(Doc. 16 at 11-12).

However, as the

Commissioner notes, the opinions Dr. Chatham expressed in the February 20, 2017
letter are duplicative of the opinions he gave on May 30 and May 31, 2017. (See
Doc. 17 at 11-12). The ALJ did specifically address and discuss Dr. Chatham’s
14

treatment history with Wright, as well as the May 2017 opinions. (R. 22-23; see R.
609-615, 661-664). While the ALJ did not specifically discuss the February 20,
2017 opinion, “there is no rigid requirement that the ALJ specifically refer to every
piece of evidence in his decision, so long as the ALJ’s decision” enables the district
court to conclude he considered the medical condition as a whole. Dyer, 395 F.3d
at 1211.
The ALJ gave some weight to Dr. Chatham’s opinions, concluding his
findings regarding exertion and manipulation were consistent with his examination
findings; however, the ALJ concluded Dr. Chatham’s “overall conclusion regarding
[Wright’s] ability to work any job are inconsistent with those same exam findings
and the other evidence in the case.” (R. 22-23). Notably, the physical capacity form
itself appears to be inconsistent with the accompanying letter. While the letter states
Wright could not work for more than six hours a day, the physical capacity form
indicates she could sit for four hours (up to four hours continuously), stand for two
hours (up to one hour continuously), and walk for two hours (up to one hour
continuously) during an eight-hour day. (R. 661-62).3 Dr. Chatham also opined
Wright could frequently lift up to ten pounds, occasionally lift up to one hundred
pounds, and occasionally bend, squat, crawl, and reach, but could never climb. (R.

3

These limitations imposed by Dr. Chatham also undermine Wright’s testimony regarding her
inability to sit or stand for more than fifteen-twenty minutes at a time and her need to lie down for
half of the day. (R. 123-24).

15

663). In discounting Dr. Chatham’s ultimate conclusion regarding Wright’s ability
to work, the ALJ relied on the already-discussed examination notes (many of which
were created by Dr. Chatham), routinely showing her gait, range of motion,
sensation, and motor functions were normal. (R. 22-23, 498, 609-11, 667-68, 68081, 699-702, 843-47, 1014-18, 1074-76).

These inconsistencies with Dr.

Chatham’s—and other treating physicians’—treatment notes constitute substantial
evidence sufficient to give less weight to his opinions.
Substantial evidence also supports the ALJ’s evaluation of Dr. Ham’s
opinions. (R. 22, 981). Dr. Ham stated Wright’s “primary medical condition that
impacts her day to day life is Systemic Lupus Erythematosus, which causes
symptoms including generalized pain with myalgia’s and arthralgia’s, fatigue,
paresthesia and seizure activity.” (R. 981). Dr. Ham also notes that Wright suffers
from anxiety and severe chronic osteoarthritis, necessitating knee arthroplasty, and
her prescribed medication would cause dizziness, sedation, and loss of
concentration. (Id.). Dr. Ham concluded that Wright would be “unlikely to be able
to maintain employment of any kind.” (Id.).
The ALJ gave Dr. Ham’s opinion partial weight due to his treating
relationship with Wright. (R. 22). However, the ALJ determined his ultimate
conclusion regarding Wright’s ability to work was “inconsistent with his own
examination findings that were unremarkable apart from musculoskeletal
16

tenderness.” (R. 22). The ALJ also noted that Dr. Ham’s records through 2018
indicated Wright had no musculoskeletal swelling or deformity and that her gait,
range of motion, sensation, and motor functions were normal. (Id.; see R. 10101044). The ALJ also considered Dr. Ham’s report that Wright’s daily activities
improved with medication and her anxiety/depression did not interfere with her daily
activities. Id.
IV.

CONCLUSION
Having reviewed the administrative record and considered all of the

arguments presented by the parties, the undersigned find the Commissioner’s
decision is supported by substantial evidence and in accordance with applicable law.
Therefore, the court finds the ALJ’s decision is due to be affirmed. A separate order
will be entered.
DONE this 31st day of March, 2021.

______________________________
STACI G. CORNELIUS
U.S. MAGISTRATE JUDGE

17