Candelaria v. Social Security Administration, Commissioner

Filing 17

MEMORANDUM OPINION. Signed by Judge Annemarie Carney Axon on 2/6/2024. (RMM)

FILED
2024 Feb-06 PM 02:28
U.S. DISTRICT COURT
N.D. OF ALABAMA

IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
FOR THE NORTHERN DISTRICT OF ALABAMA
MIDDLE DIVISION

DONIELLE CANDELARIA,
Plaintiff,
v.
SOCIAL SECURITY
ADMINISTRATION,
COMMISSIONER,
Defendant.

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Case No.: 4:23-cv-00079-ACA

MEMORANDUM OPINION
Plaintiff Donielle Candelaria appeals the decision of the Commissioner of
Social Security denying her claim for a period of disability and disability insurance
benefits. Based on the court’s review of the administrative record and the parties’
briefs, the court WILL AFFIRM the Commissioner’s decision.
I.

PROCEDURAL HISTORY

Ms. Candelaria applied for a period of disability and disability insurance
benefits, alleging disability beginning March 7, 2020. (R. at 212). The
Commissioner denied Ms. Candelaria’s claim (id. at 97) and reaffirmed that decision
(id. at 108). Ms. Candelaria then requested a hearing before an Administrative Law
Judge (“ALJ”). (Id. at 141–42). After holding a hearing (r. at 44–71), the ALJ issued

an unfavorable decision (id. at 20–38). The Appeals Council denied
Ms. Candelaria’s request for review (id. at 1), making the Commissioner’s decision
final and ripe for judicial review, see 42 U.S.C. § 405(g).
II.

STANDARD OF REVIEW

The court’s role in reviewing claims brought under the Social Security Act is
a narrow one. The court “review[s] de novo the legal principles upon which the ALJ
relied” but reviews the ALJ’s decision only for whether “substantial evidence”
supports it. Henry v. Comm’r of Soc. Sec., 802 F.3d 1264, 1266–67 (11th Cir. 2015).
“Under the substantial evidence standard, this court will affirm the ALJ’s decision
if there exists such relevant evidence as a reasonable person would accept as
adequate to support a conclusion.” Id. at 1267 (quotation marks omitted). The court
may not “decide the facts anew, make credibility determinations, or re-weigh the
evidence.” Id. (alterations accepted; quotation marks omitted). The court must affirm
“[e]ven if the evidence preponderates against the Commissioner’s findings.”
Crawford v. Comm’r of Soc. Sec., 363 F.3d 1155, 1158–59 (11th Cir. 2004)
(quotation marks omitted).
Despite the deferential standard for review of claims, the court must
“scrutinize the record as a whole to determine if the decision reached is reasonable
and supported by substantial evidence.” Henry, 802 F.3d at 1267 (quotation marks
omitted). Moreover, the court must reverse the Commissioner’s decision if the ALJ
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does not apply the correct legal standards. Cornelius v. Sullivan, 936 F.2d 1143,
1145–46 (11th Cir. 1991).
III.

THE ALJ’S DECISION

To determine whether an individual is disabled, an ALJ follows a five-step
sequential evaluation process. The ALJ must determine whether (1) the claimant is
unable to engage in substantial gainful activity; (2) the claimant has “a severe
medically determinable physical or mental impairment” or combination of
impairments; (3) the impairment “meets or equals” a listed impairment; (4) in the
light of the claimant’s residual functional capacity, the claimant can perform past
relevant work; and (5) in the light of the residual functional capacity and vocational
factors, the claimant can make an adjustment to other work available in significant
numbers in the national economy. Buckwalter v. Acting Comm’r of Soc. Sec., 5 F.4th
1315, 1320 (11th Cir. 2021); see 20 C.F.R. § 404.1520(a)(4); id. § 404.1560(c)(1).
Here, the ALJ determined that Ms. Candelaria had not engaged in substantial
gainful activity since her alleged onset date. (R. at 23). The ALJ found that
Ms. Candelaria’s obesity, degenerative disc disease, degenerative joint disease of
the right hip, and bipolar disorder were severe impairments. (Id. at 24). The ALJ also
found that Ms. Candelaria’s hypertension, hyperlipidemia, diabetes mellitus,
vitamin D deficiency, and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) are non-severe.
(Id. at 25). The ALJ then concluded that Ms. Candelaria does not have an impairment
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or combination of impairments that meets or medically equals the severity of one of
the listed impairments in 20 C.F.R. § 404, Subpart P, Appendix 1 (Id. at 25–30).
After considering the evidence of record, the ALJ determined that
Ms. Candelaria had the residual functional capacity to perform light work with some
additional restrictions. (R. at 30). Based on this residual functional capacity and the
testimony of a vocational expert, the ALJ concluded that Ms. Candelaria could not
perform her past relevant work. (Id. at 36). But the ALJ found that other jobs exist
in significant numbers in the national economy that Ms. Candelaria could perform,
including mail sorter, storage facility rental clerk, and parking lot attendant. (Id. at
37). Accordingly, the ALJ found that Ms. Candelaria was not disabled, as that term
is defined in the Social Security Act, from March 7, 2020, the alleged onset date,
through March 31, 2021, the date last insured. (Id. at 38).
IV.

DISCUSSION

Ms. Candelaria contends that substantial evidence does not support the ALJ’s
finding that (1) Ms. Candelaria’s statements concerning the intensity, persistence,
and limiting effects of her symptoms were not entirely consistent with the medical
evidence and other evidence in the record and (2) she is capable of performing a
range of light work. (See doc. 13 at 9, 11). The court examines each issue in turn.

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1. Credibility Determination Regarding Intensity, Persistence, and
Limiting Effects of Symptoms
The ALJ found that the objective medical evidence does not fully support
Ms. Candelaria’s allegations of disabling symptoms “such as back pain with limited
ability to stand, walk, and sit and use of a cane.” (R. at 31, 33). Ms. Candelaria
challenges that determination. (Doc. 13 at 7–13). She argues that the ALJ failed to
properly evaluate her subjective complaints of pain in accordance with Eleventh
Circuit standards. (Id. at 5–7). Although she does not challenge a finding related to
any specific impairment, her argument focuses on the ALJ’s alleged failure to
consider medical records relating to low back and hip pain. (See, e.g., id. at 7, 9–12;
see also r. at 33 (“Overall, the objective medical evidence does not fully support the
claimant’s allegations of disabling symptoms such as back pain with limited ability
to stand, walk, and sit and use of a cane.”)). Specifically, she argues the ALJ
selectively viewed evidence that supported his conclusion. (Doc. 13 at 8–9).
The ALJ is required to articulate explicit and adequate reasons when making
credibility determinations about a claimant’s testimony of subjective pain or
symptoms. See Dyer v. Barnhart, 395 F. 3d 1206, 1210 (11th Cir. 2005); see also 20
C.F.R. § 404.1529(a). The court is bound by the ALJ’s credibility determination so
long as he “clearly articulate[s] explicit and adequate reasons” for the determination
and substantial evidence supports it. Dyer, 395 F.3d at 1210–11 (quotation marks
omitted).
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Over a number of years, Ms. Candelaria has seen an emergency physician
because of chronic back pain on multiple occasions. (E.g., r. at 425, 443, 452, 459,
478, 495, 515, 572). She described pain in the area of her mid and lower lumbar
spine and described the pain as radiating to the groin and to the right hip, thigh, knee,
calf, and foot. (Id. at 425). But she denied bladder or bowel dysfunction or sensory
or motor loss. (Id.). A physical exam showed she had a mild muscle spasm of the
right posterior back, moderate vertebral point tenderness over the mid and lower
lumbar spine, mild soft tissue tenderness in the right lower lumbar area, and mildly
limited range of motion in the lumbar spine; but she otherwise had no motor or
sensory deficit, and normal extremity range of motion with no tenderness. (Id. at
427–28).
X-rays of the lumbar spine showed mild to moderate facet hypertrophy at the
lower lumbar spine but no acute osseous abnormality. (R. at 442, 453). X-rays of the
thoracic spine showed no significant abnormality. (Id. at 494). An MRI (magnetic
resonance imaging) of the lumbar spine showed mild degenerative changes in facet
joints bilaterally from L3 through S1, but no fracture or osseous destruction with no
changes since prior screening in 2016. (Id. at 503; see id. at 440).
Ms. Candelaria was discharged from her emergency department visits with
instructions for follow-up care with her primary care physician. (E.g., r. at 430, 454).
Records from her primary care physician show that she sought routine visits for,
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among other things, exacerbation of symptoms such as back pain. (E.g., id. at 322,
554, 679). Examination findings showed that she had spinal and paraspinal
tenderness, positive straight leg raise testing, muscle spasm, and hip tenderness and
decreased range of motion, but otherwise had no lower extremity hyporeflexia,
normal motor movement, grossly observed on gripping and pulling, no edema,
swelling, redness, or tenderness of extremities, and normal alertness and orientation.
(E.g., id. at 324, 328, 331, 335, 339, 344, 348, 351, 355, 358, 362, 365, 555). X-rays
of the thoracic spine showed no significant abnormality (id. at 434), and x-rays of
the lumbar spine showed mild to moderate facet hypertrophy and no acute bony
abnormality (r. at 716–17).
Ms. Candelaria was referred to The Orthopedic Center for follow-up care for
back and hip pain. (See id. at 538). She rated her pain as “10 out of 10 and [sic] its
worst” and described it “as a deep ache and sharp type pain.” (Id.). An examination
showed she had pain with FABER maneuver, tightness and discomfort in the right
SI joint region, and right paraspinal and lumbar region tenderness but otherwise had
full strength and sensation in the L2 through S1 dermatome distribution, and not
much pain with sacroiliac proactive maneuvers. (Id. at 539). Ms. Candelaria was
referred to a physical therapist. (R. at 540). Although Ms. Candelaria reported that
she uses a cane (id. at 660), her doctor recommend—but did not prescribe—the cane
(see id. at 100; see also id. at 58).
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At the hearing, Ms. Candelaria testified that she can stand for three hours at
45-minute intervals, but she can only walk thirty steps. (R. at 58, 60). She further
testified that her back hurts “really bad” after standing for more than forty-five
minutes (id. at 59), that the pain affects her ability to sleep (id. at 60), and that the
pain has worsened over the years (id. at 60–61).
Although the ALJ found Ms. Candelaria’s impairments could cause the
symptoms alleged, it found her “statements concerning the intensity, persistence and
limiting effects of these symptoms are not entirely consistent with the medical
evidence and other evidence in the record.” (R. at 31). The ALJ described the
medical evidence above (id. at 31–33) but noted that her “abnormal physical findings
. . . have remained the same throughout the adjudicate period” and examinations
showed she had, among other findings, no lower extremity hyporeflexia and normal
motor movement without paralysis (id. at 33).
Ms. Candelaria argues the ALJ’s conclusion that her symptoms have
remained the same during the adjudicative period is not substantial evidence to
support his determination; however, that was not the ALJ’s only basis to support his
determination. (See doc. 13 at 9; r. at 13). Instead, the ALJ relied on Ms. Candelaria’s
medical records that refuted her allegations of disabling symptoms. (R. at 33–34).
Accordingly, the record confirms the ALJ’s reasons for his credibility
determinations is supported by substantial evidence. See Dyer, 395 F.3d at 1210–11.
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Given the ALJ’s adequate explanation, this court may not reevaluate his finding
about Ms. Candelaria’s credibility. See Henry, 802 F.3d at 1267.
2. Substantial Evidence Supports the Residual Functional Capacity
Determination
The ALJ found Ms. Candelaria has the residual functional capacity to perform
work at a light exertion. (R. at 34). “Light work involves lifting no more than 20
pounds at a time with frequent lifting or carrying of objects weighing up to 10
pounds.” 20 C.F.R. § 404.1567(b). And it “requires a good deal of walking or
standing, or . . . sitting . . . with some pushing and pulling of arm or leg controls.”
Id. A person considered capable of performing light work “must have the ability to
do substantially all of these activities.” Id.
Ms. Candelaria argues the ALJ erred for two reasons: (1) the ALJ did not
properly consider treatment notes which document Ms. Candelaria’s complaints of
debilitating pain, the ineffectiveness of her medication, and physical examinations
documenting abnormalities; and (2) the ALJ failed to consider the combined effects
of those two abnormalities which are preclusive of the ability to perform light work.
(Doc. 13 at 12). The court will address each argument in turn.
First, the ALJ considered treatment notes documenting Ms. Candelaria’s
complaints of debilitating pain and physical abnormalities. (See, e.g., r. at 32)
(“Primary care and pain management records . . . document . . . exacerbation of
symptoms such as back pain”); (id. at 33) (“[T]he record shows abnormal physical
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findings . . . including spinal and paraspinal tenderness, positive straight leg raise
testing, and hip tenderness and decreased range of motion.”). Although the ALJ did
not expressly describe Ms. Candelaria’s history of ineffectiveness of pain
medication, he considered all medical evidence in the record, including that she was
being treated with pain medication. (See id. at 20, 285; see also id. at 34). The
decision demonstrates the ALJ considered her pain history because it includes a
discussion of her symptoms, including her various reports of pain. (See r. at 32, 34);
see Schink v. Comm’r of Soc. Sec., 935 F.3d 1245, 1269 (11th Cir. 2019).
Second, Ms. Candelaria provides no support for her argument that the ALJ
did not consider the combined effects of her lumbar degenerative disc disease and
right hip arthritis. (Doc. 13 at 12). Indeed, the ALJ expressly noted that his
determination considered the abnormal physical findings as well as all other
evidence in the record. (R. at 34). Relying on that evidence, including
Ms. Candelaria’s symptoms, objective evidence, non-severe impairments, and
effects of her obesity on postural and non-exertional functions, he found that she can
never climb ladders, ropes, or scaffolds, and can never be exposed to workplace
hazards such as moving mechanical parts and high, exposed places. (Id.). And two
consultative physicians determined Ms. Candelaria had the residual functional
capacity to perform medium exertion, findings the ALJ disagreed with when he
viewed the evidence in the light most favorable to Ms. Candelaria. (Id. at 35).
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V.

CONCLUSION

Ms. Candelaria’s challenges to the ALJ’s credibility determinations and
residual functional capacity determination lack merit. Accordingly, the court WILL
AFFIRM the Commissioner’s decision.
The court will enter a separate final order consistent with this opinion.
DONE and ORDERED this February 6, 2024.

_________________________________
ANNEMARIE CARNEY AXON
UNITED STATES DISTRICT JUDGE

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