Kirby v. Social Security Administration, Commissioner

Filing 10

MEMORANDUM OPINION Signed by Judge Karon O Bowdre on 9/24/13. (SAC )

FILED
2013 Sep-24 AM 11:39
U.S. DISTRICT COURT
N.D. OF ALABAMA

IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE
NORTHERN DISTRICT OF ALABAMA
NORTHEASTERN DIVISION
JEREMY ALLEN KIRBY

Plaintiff
vs.

MICHAEL ASTRUE
COMMISSIONER OF
SOCIAL SECURITY

Defendant

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CIVIL ACTION NO.
5:12-CV- 01145-KOB

MEMORANDUM OPINION
I. INTRODUCTION
On April 21, 2008, the claimant Jeremy A. Kirby applied for a period of disability and
disability insurance benefits under Title II of the Social Security Act. (R. 16). The claimant alleged
disability beginning February 9, 2008 as a result of severe back pain. (R. 18). The Commissioner
denied the claim initially on June 30, 2008. The claimant filed a timely request for a hearing before
an Administrative Law Judge, and the ALJ held the hearing on March 3, 2010. In an opinion dated
April 22, 2010, the ALJ found that the claimant was not disabled under sections 216(i) and 223(d)
of the Social Security Act, and, therefore, was ineligible for both a period disability and disability
insurance benefits. (R.16). The Appeals Council subsequently denied the claimant’s request for
review on February 16, 2012, and the ALJ’s decision became the final decision of the Commissioner
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of the Social Security Administration. (R. 1). The claimant has exhausted his 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 affirms the decision of the Commissioner.
II. ISSUES PRESENTED
The court must review the following issues: (1) whether the ALJ properly applied the
Eleventh Circuit’s pain standard, and thus, properly discredited the claimant’s subjective
testimony of disabling back pain; (2) and whether the ALJ erred by failing to assign weight to the
claimant’s treating physicians and instead assigning great weight to the state agency consulting
physician.
III. STANDARD OF REVIEW
The standard for reviewing the Commissioner’s decision is limited. This court must
affirm the Commissioner’s decision if the Commissioner applied the correct legal standards and
if substantial evidence supports the factual conclusions. See 42 U.S.C. § 405(g); Graham v.
Apfel, 129 F.3d 1420 (11th Cir. 1997); Walker v. Bowen, 826 F.2d 996, 999 (11th Cir. 1987).
“No . . . presumption of validity attaches to the [Commissioner’s] legal conclusions,
including the determination of the proper standards to be applied in evaluating claims.” Walker,
826 F.2d at 1999. However, this court does not review the Commissioner’s factual
determinations de novo. The court will affirm those factual determinations that are supported by
substantial evidence. “Substantial evidence” is “more than a mere scintilla. It means such
relevant evidence as a reasonable mind might accept as adequate to support a conclusion.”
Richardson v. Perales, 402 U.S. 389, 401 (1971).
This court must “scrutinize the record in its entirety to determine the reasonableness of
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the [Commissioner’s] factual findings.” Walker, 826 F.2d at 999. A reviewing court must look
not only to those parts of the record that support the decision of the ALJ, but also must view the
record in its entirety and take into account evidence that detracts from the evidence on which the
ALJ relied. Hillsman v. Bowen, 804 F.2d 1179, 1180 (11th Cir. 1986).
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 as lasted or can
be expected to last for a continuous period of not less than 12 months.” To make this
determination, the Commissioner employs a five-step, sequential evaluation process:
(1)
(2)
(3)
(4)
(5)

Is the claimant presently unemployed?
Is the claimant’s impairment severe?
Does the claimant’s impairment meet or equal one of the specific
impairments set forth in 20 C.F.R. Pt. 404, Subpt. P, App. 1?
Is the claimant unable to perform his or her former occupation?
Is the claimant unable to perform any other work within the national
economy?

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.
When evaluating subjective complaints, such as pain, the Commissioner must apply the
Eleventh Circuit’s pain standard. The Commissioner must determine whether:
(1) there is evidence of an underlying medical condition; and either
(2) objective medical evidence confirming the severity of the alleged pain arising
from the condition or
(3) that the objectively determined medical condition is of such a severity that it
can be reasonably expected to give rise to the alleged pain.
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Foote v. Chater, 67 F.3d 1553, 1560 (11th Cir. 1995); Holt v. Sullivan, 921 F.2d 1221, 1223
(11th Cir. 1991); Landry v. Heckler, 782 F.2d 1551, 1553 (11th Cir. 1986). The ALJ does not
have to recite the pain standard word for word; rather the ALJ must make findings that indicate
that the standard was applied. Holt v. Sullivan, 921 F.2d 1221, 1223 (11th Cir. 1991). A
claimant’s subjective testimony supported by medical evidence that satisfies the pain standard is
itself sufficient to support a finding of disability. Foote v. Chater, 67 F.3d 1553, 1561 (11th Cir.
1992). The ALJ must articulate reasons for discrediting the claimant’s subjective testimony.
Brown v. Sullivan, 921 F.2d.1233, 1236 (11th Cir. 1991). If the ALJ does not articulate his
reasons for discrediting, then the court must accept the claimant’s testimony as true. Id.
Further, in evaluating pain and other subjective complaints, the Commissioner may
consider the claimant’s ability to perform certain activities of daily living (ADLs), as well as the
impact of such activities on the claimant’s credibility. 20 C.F.R. §§ 404.1529 (c)(3)(i),
416.929(c)(3)(i); see also Macia v. Bowen, 829 F.2d 1009, 1012 (11th Cir. 1987) (finding that
ADLs may be relevant to the fourth step of the sequential process).
Finally, the opinion of an examining physician is generally entitled to more weight than
the opinion of a non-examining physician. Broughton v. Heckler, 776 F.2d 960, 961-62 (11th
Cir. 1985). The opinions of reviewing non-examining physicians do not constitute substantial
evidence on which to base an administrative decision. Lamb v. Bowen, 847 F.2d 698, 703 (11th
Cir 1988). However, the ALJ can rely on non-examining physician’s reports in denying disability
insurance benefits where the non-examining physician’s report does not contradict information in
the examining physician’s report. Edwards v. Sullivan, 937 F.2d 580, 585 (11th Cir. 1991). The
ALJ must state with particularity the weight given different medical opinions and the reasons
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therefor. Sharfarz v. Bowen, 825 F.2d 278, 279 (11th Cir. 1987); see also MacGregor v. Bowen,
786 F.2d 1050, 1053 (11th Cir. 1986).
V. FACTS
The claimant has a high school education and was thirty-six years old at the time of the
administrative hearing. (R. 41). The claimant has past work experience as a water plant operator,
water plant maintenance repairer, and laborer for a lumber company. (R. 138-39). The claimant
alleges that he was disabled by severe back pain beginning February 9, 2008. (R. 16).
Physical Limitations
In 1998, the claimant suffered a back injury that was not work-related, resulting in back
surgery for a ruptured disc that year. (R. 401,589-99). On September 24, 1998, the claimant
requested to return to work. (R. 389).
In May 2000, the claimant suffered a work-related back injury while working on a poultry
valve, rupturing a disc. On May 23, 2000, Dr. Frank Haws performed another surgery to remove
the extruded disc. (R. 385, 582-86).
The claimant subsequently received pain management treatment for chronic pain and
lumbar radiculopathy from 2001 through 2006 from Dr. Morris L. Scherlis. Dr. Scherlis
administered epidural injections every three months to relieve pain. The claimant continued to
work while seeing Dr. Scherlis and receiving treatment for his pain. (R. 543-80).
In January of 2006, the claimant re-injured his back at work while lifting a barrel of acid
weighing approximately 30 pounds. (R. 402). On January 4, 2006 the claimant went to the
emergency room, complaining of pain from the injury, and reported to the physician that he
believed he had another ruptured disc. (R. 444). On February 6, 2006, Dr. John Johnson
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diagnosed the claimant with recurrent disc herniation with nerve root compression, and
performed surgery including a discectomy and a 360-degree fusion. (R. 343, 402).
Since the 2006 surgery, the claimant has complained of recurring back and leg pain. The
claimant continued to see Dr. Scherlis for pain management and pain medication through 2010.
(R. 446-75, 615). Dr. Scherlis consistently noted the claimant ambulated without assistance and
with a steady gait. (R. 629).
On May 30, 2006, the claimant had a neurosurgical follow up with Dr. Johnson, who
reported that he saw no role for further surgical treatment and encouraged claimant to continue
physical therapy. Dr. Johnson also noted that he would allow him to return to work after an
impairment rating and evaluation by Dr. Keith C. Anderson, a certified independent medical
examiner (C.I.M.E.). (R. 400). Dr. Johnson planned to see the claimant back in the clinic for a 6
month follow up. (R. 361).
Dr. Anderson saw the claimant on June 27, 2006 for a functional capacity evaluation and
impairment rating. Dr. Anderson placed the claimant in aggressive physical therapy, including
work hardening. Dr. Anderson reported that the claimant reached the stage of maximum medical
improvement (MMI) for his low back. Dr. Anderson also reported that further medical or surgical
intervention is unlikely to improve the patient’s condition. Dr. Anderson concluded that the
claimant had a 20% impairment of the whole person regarding his work-related injury. (R. 399).
On July, 31, 2006, the claimant reported that as a result of the surgery his leg pain improved but
his back pain persisted. The claimant described a dull aching sensation that became progressively
worse throughout the day, but stated that it was not as severe as prior to surgery. (R. 401).
On October 16, 2006, the claimant went to the Lawrence Medical Center Emergency
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Room, complaining of pain in his back and right hip. The emergency room administered
temporary pain medicine and advised the claimant to see his pain doctor. (R. 436-38).
After the last surgery in 2006, the claimant received caudal catheter injections for pain on
August 25, 2006; November 8, 2006; February 9, 2007; May 14, 2007; August 16, 2007;
November 27, 2007; February 28, 2008; June 23, 2008; September 24, 2008; January 7, 2009;
April 7, 2009; August 10, 2009; November 12, 2009; February 4, 2010; and March 10, 2010.
(R. 447-70, 639-60). The claimant’s most recent lumbar myelogram from September 2007
showed normal results. (R. 518). On August, 22, 2007, the claimant stated that he “was not really
interested in a lot of additional surgeries.” (R. 464).
On April 10, 2008, the claimant visited family practitioner Dr. Don E. Beach for a
physical examination and complained of low back pain. Dr. Beach saw the claimant only once
since he began treatment at the pain clinic, in 2007, for treatment of a kidney stone. (R. 480). In
the 2008 visit, Dr. Beach noted that the claimant had diminished disc space between two discs
and that the other disc spaces were well-preserved. Dr. Beach diagnosed the claimant with
lumbago. (R. 479, 496). Dr. Beach referred the claimant to Dr. Scherlis for continued pain
management treatment.
On October 1, 2009, Dr. Scherlis saw the claimant for a clinic visit. The claimant
reported that the spinal injections always help him and give him four to eight weeks of relief. The
claimant reported that the pain slowly returns and that he uses a spinal cord stimulator
intermittently to help relieve pain. The claimant continued to complain that his overall pain level
was 8 or 9/10, but stated that he obtained temporary relief as a result of the treatments. (R. 645,
641-58).
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On April 22, 2008, the claimant completed his application for disability and disability
benefits with the Social Security Administration. The application contained a functional
assessment questionnaire. On the form, the claimant stated that his ADLs included going to his
children’s church and school activities, and trying to walk short distances a couple of times a day
with the assistance of his cane. He stated that his condition limited the amount of time he can
stand or sit; the pain usually keeps him from sleeping regularly; he can prepare simple meals, but
that his mother and older daughter prepare most meals; he does not require assistance for
personal care other than occasional help with socks and shoes; and he lives with his parents and
receives help in caring for his two children. The claimant reported that he can walk short
distances with his pain for approximately ten minutes before having to stop, and has limited
ability to bend, squat, lift, climb, or kneel. The claimant stated that he attends church, drives,
picks his children up from school and attends school functions when he can. The claimant also
indicated that the medications he takes affect his concentration and ability to think clearly. The
claimant stated that he spends a lot of his day lying down and resting due to his condition. (R.
147-54).
On June 30, 2008, Dr. Stuart X. Stephenson, M.D. completed the physical RFC
assessment as the state agency’s medical consultant. Dr. Stephenson reviewed appropriate
treating and examining source statements regarding the individual’s capacities. Based on Dr.
Stephenson’s review of the records, he concluded that the claimant has an L5-S1 rupture with
fusion, lumbar radiculopathy, and spondylosis. Dr. Stephenson found the claimant had the
following exertional limitations: can occasionally lift and/or carry up to 20 lbs; can frequently lift
and/or carry up to 10 lbs; can stand and/or walk for a total of about 6 hours in an 8-hour
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workday; can push and/or pull unlimited, other than as shown for lift/carry. He also concluded
that the claimant could occasionally climb ramps or stairs; balance; stoop; kneel; and crouch.
However, Dr. Stephenson found the claimant could never climb ladders, ropes, or scaffolds. Dr.
Stephenson next found that the claimant had no manipulative limitations, no visual limitations,
or communicative limitations. Dr. Stephenson indicated that the claimant should avoid all
hazards and concentrated exposure to extreme heat/cold and vibration. He also concluded that the
claimant could have unlimited exposure to wetness, humidity, noise, and odors. Dr. Stephenson
found that the claimant’s MDIs (medical diagnostic images) were consistent with his allegations
of back injury and right leg pain, but that while the claimant’s MDI’s could reasonably be
expected to produce some limitations, they would not produce all of his alleged functional
limitations. Dr. Stephenson concluded that the claimant was partially credible for his allegations
compared to the objective findings in the Medical Electronic Record (MER). Lastly, Dr.
Stephenson indicated that his conclusions were not significantly different from the treating
physician’s conclusions. (R. 601-08).
The ALJ Hearing
The Commissioner denied the claimant’s applications for disability and disability
insurance benefits on February 8, 2008. (R. 74). The claimant requested a hearing before an ALJ,
and the ALJ held the hearing on March 3, 2010. (R. 36).
The claimant testified that his disability resulted from severe back pain. The claimant
stated that Dr. Don E. Beach diagnosed him with lumbago in April 2008, and he continued to
seek pain management treatment from Dr. Scherlis. The claimant testified that he was not
currently working because did not feel capable of working after his last surgery on January 4,
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2006. (R. 43). The claimant indicated that his disability began on February 9, 2008. (R. 38). The
claimant testified that his first back surgery in 1998 was great and that he functioned at almost
100% after recovery. (R. 53). The claimant also reported that after his disc ruptured again in
2000, he had continual problems with his back. The claimant testified that the epidurals help and
sometimes provide relief for a month at a time, but that he is never completely pain free. (R. 51).
Regarding his financial condition, the claimant testified that his parents helped him
financially with living expenses and with the care of his children. The claimant stated that he was
able to drive his truck; take his children to school sometimes; but was unable to do any regular
chores. The claimant also testified that he did not smoke cigarettes or drink alcohol. (R. 41-43).
The claimant stated that he had trouble sitting for long periods of time and that he
changed positions often. The claimant testified that he used the assistance of a cane to walk and
can only stand for 10-15 minutes at a time. (R. 44). The claimant stated that his right leg is very
weak; that he has problems with balance; and that he is without complete feeling in his right leg.
The ALJ asked the claimant if he could do a job that allowed him to sit and stand whenever he
wanted, such as a gate guard, and the claimant testified that he could as long as he could change
positions and take his current medications.
Because of discomfort in his back, the claimant asserted that he laid down at least threefourths of the day. During the day, the claimant stated that he watches tv and reads. The claimant
stated that he does not sleep much during the night and is up and down continuously. The
claimant reported that he could dress himself and that his personal care was not an issue. The
claimant also testified that he takes about five minutes to get dressed and go to the kitchen.
When asked what he did on a typical day, the claimant stated “Not very much.” (R. 49).
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The claimant stated that he lived with his parents and two daughters, ages sixteen and seven at
the time of the hearing. The claimant testified that he cares for his children with the help of his
mother. (R. 42). When his children are in school, claimant testified that his mother usually takes
them to school in the morning and that he tries to pick them up in the afternoon when he is able.
(R. 51). The claimant testified that his mother prepares meals for his children, and that the
sixteen-year-old child is able to contribute to caring for the younger child. The claimant stated
that he did not drive much at all. The claimant testified that he takes pain relievers, muscle
relaxers, and sleep aids for pain and muscle spasms associated with his condition. (R. 45).
The ALJ then examined Patsy Bramlett, the vocation expert. Ms. Bramlett testified that
the claimant had three sources of income in the previous fifteen years: water treatment plant
operator; maintenance repairer in water treatment; and material handler for a lumber company.
Ms. Bramlett classified these jobs as skilled, skilled, and lower semi-skilled, respectively. Ms.
Bramlett stated that the claimant’s earliest job as a materials handler for a lumber company was a
heavy job, while the two most recent jobs at the water treatment plant were medium jobs.
The ALJ then asked Ms. Bramlett if a hypothetical individual with the claimant’s same
age, education, work history as the claimant who could perform light exertion and required a
sit/stand option could perform the claimant’s prior work. The ALJ instructed Ms. Bramlett to
assume the following limitations for the hypothetical individual: could occasionally lift or carry,
including pulling up to 20 pounds; could frequently lift and/or carry, including up to 10 pounds;
could stand or walk with normal breaks for a total of around six hours in an eight hour work day;
could occasionally, up to one-third of the day, climb ramps and stairs, balance, stoop, kneel, and
crouch; could never work on ladder, ropes, or scaffolds; must avoid concentrated exposure to
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extreme cold/heat and vibration jobs; and must avoid unprotected heights and hazardous
machinery. Ms. Bramlett stated that the claimant would not be able to return to any prior work
because the claimant’s prior work was either medium or heavy. (R. 55-56). Ms. Bramlett stated
that none of the skills associated with the claimant’s prior positions were transferable to a job
below a medium level.
However, Ms. Bramlett identified three jobs that are classified as unskilled at a light
exertion level that such an individual could perform: an assembler; an inspector; and a sorter
slash packer. Ms. Bramlett testified that all of these positions existed in significant numbers in
both the national and state economy. (R. 57).
The ALJ then presented another hypothetical to Ms. Bramlett, including the same
limitations as provided in the first hypothetical, and adding an at will sit/stand option as well as
the ability to only occasionally lift 10 pounds. Ms. Bramlett identified three positions that are
sedentary and unskilled that would accommodate the additional limitations: an inspector
(different than the inspector position identified above); a sorter; and a table worker. Ms. Bramlett
testified that all of these positions existed in significant numbers in both the national and state
economy. Ms. Bramlett also stated that none of the jobs listed for any of the above hypotheticals
require crouching. (R. 57-58).
The claimant’s attorney then questioned Ms. Bramlett about a hypothetical worker who
found it necessary to lie down for two hours per day or more. Ms. Bramlett testified that these
jobs would not permit such a requirement and that the requirement would eliminate all job
options. (R. 60).

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The ALJ Decision
On April 22, 2010, the ALJ issued a decision finding that the claimant was not disabled
under sections 216(i) and 223(d) of the Social Security Act denying his application for a period
of disability and disability insurance benefits. (R. 23). Before announcing his findings of fact, the
ALJ described in great detail the five-step sequential evaluation process that would be the basis
of his analysis. (R. 17).
First, the ALJ found that the claimant met the insured status requirement of the Social
Security Act through June 30, 2011. The ALJ found that the claimant had engaged in no
substantial gainful employment since February 9, 2008, the alleged onset date of his disability.
Next, the ALJ found that the claimant had severe impairments of post L5-S1 rupture with
fusion, lumbar radiculopathy, and spondylosis. Although the claimant periodically complained of
severe back pain, the ALJ found that the claimant’s pain was not an impairment that met one of
the listed impairments and was not totally disabling. The ALJ noted that Dr. Beach’s
examination, including range of motion testing in April 2008, showed normal results and that Dr.
Beach referred the claimant to Dr. Scherlis for continued pain management.
Similarly, the ALJ evaluated the claimant’s pain management treatments, finding that Dr.
Scherlis consistently noted the claimant ambulated without assistance; had a steady gait; and had
a normal range of motion of the back. (R. 19). The ALJ noted that the claimant reported the
epidurals give him relief for 2 to 3 months, as well as getting intermittent relief from the
stimulator. Further, the ALJ noted that his last lumbar myelogram in September 2007 was
normal. (R. 19).
The ALJ then found that the claimant did not have an impairment or combination of
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impairments that met or medically equaled one of the listed impairments. The ALJ articulated
found that the claimant’s impairments did not meet the criteria in section 1.04 of Appendix 1 of
the listings because the record fails to show that the claimant’s impairments are attended by any
of the findings specified.
The ALJ then undertook to determine the claimant’s residual functional capacity (RFC).
The ALJ concluded that the claimant had the RFC to perform a range of light work with the
following limitations: can frequently lift 10 pounds and occasionally lift 20 pounds; must have a
sit/stand option; can occasionally climb ramps/stairs, balance, stoop, and kneel; cannot crouch;
can never climb ladders/ropes, or scaffolds; must avoid cold/heat and vibration; and must avoid
all exposure to unprotected heights and hazardous machinery. In arriving at this RFC, the ALJ
applied the Eleventh Circuit’s pain standard and considered whether the claimant exhibited a
medically determinable physical or mental impairment. Second, the ALJ considered the
“intensity, persistence, and limiting effects” of the claimants impairment, and the extent to which
the impairments affected the claimant’s functioning. Absent objective medical evidence, the ALJ
announced that he would evaluate the credibility of the claimant’s statements against the weight
of the entire record. (R. 19).
The ALJ discounted the claimant’s allegations of pain based on objective medical
evidence in the record and also the claimant’s activities of daily living. The ALJ found that
although the claimant’s medically determinable impairments could reasonably cause the
symptoms described by the claimant, his statements were not credible to the extent that they were
inconsistent with the claimant’s questionnaire that assessed his own functional capacity and
medical history. The ALJ noted that while the claimant complains of significant pain, the most
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recent myelogram was normal. Further, the ALJ noted that both Dr. Beach and Dr. Scherlis
noted on examinations that the claimant had a normal gait and range of motion of the back. The
ALJ also considered that the medical records indicated that the claimant has 2 to 3 months of
pain relief following the epidural injections and also indicated that the stimulator provides
additional relief. The ALJ noted that not only did Dr. Scherlis’s medical records indicate that he
did not think the claimant would benefit from any additional surgery, but also that the claimant
was “not really interested in a lot of additional surgeries.”
The ALJ articulated that while the claimant alleges difficulty concentrating as a result of
his medications, his treatment records did not corroborate those allegations. The ALJ further
found that Dr. Scherlis noted no side effects of medications. (R. 20, 626). The ALJ remarked that
neither Dr. Scherlis nor any other physician opined that the claimant was disabled or
recommended any restrictions.
The ALJ also remarked that the claimant’s daily activities were inconsistent with his
allegations of disabling pain and side effects of medication, but were fully consistent with the
claimant’s residual functional capacity described above. Considering that the claimant attends
school functions, prepares simple meals, cares for his children, drives, shops, picks up his
children at school, and attends church, the ALJ found that the claimant was limited but able to
perform at least some type of work activity.
The ALJ gave significant weight to Dr. Stephenson, the state agency medical consultant’s
opinion that the claimant could perform a range of light work, emphasizing that no physician,
treating or examining, indicated that the claimant was disabled or even had limitations preventing
him from performing a light range of work. The ALJ found the medical record credible as a
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whole, as it was consistent with the medical consultant’s findings. However, the ALJ did not
state what weight, if any, he gave Dr. Scherlis or Dr. Beach.
After determining that the claimant had the RFC to perform light work, the ALJ found
that the claimant was unable to perform his past relevant work. The vocational expert testified
that a hypothetical individual with the claimant’s age, education level, vocational background,
and RFC could not successfully perform any of his past relevant work. The ALJ also found that
the claimant was considered a younger individual, with at least a high school education, and had
the ability to communicate in English. (R. 21).
The ALJ next noted that the transferability of the claimant’s job skills was not material to
the determination of disability, as the use of the Medical-Vocational Guidelines as a framework
supported a finding that the claimant was not disabled. The ALJ also found that given the
claimant’s age, education level, work experience, and RFC, and based on Ms. Bramlett’s
testimony, a significant number of jobs existed in the national economy that the claimant could
perform. Therefore, the ALJ found that the claimant had not been disabled under the Social
Security Act, from the time of application on February 9, 2008 through the date of the decision
on April 22, 2010.
VI. DISCUSSION
1. The ALJ properly applied the Eleventh Circuit’s pain standard
The claimant alleges that the ALJ improperly applied the Eleventh Circuit’s pain standard
and improperly discredited the claimant’s own testimony. This court finds that the ALJ properly
applied the Eleventh Circuit’s pain standard and properly discredited the claimant’s own
testimony by referring to various ADL’s the claimant routinely performed.
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When a claimant attempts to establish his disability through testimony of subjective
symptoms, the Eleventh Circuit’s pain standard applies. The pain standard requires a showing of
(1) evidence of an underlying medical condition; and either
(2) objective medical evidence that confirms the severity of the alleged pain arising
from the condition or
(3) that the objectively determined medical condition is of such severity that it can
be reasonably expected to give rise to the alleged pain.
Wilson v. Barnhart, 284 F.3d 1219, 1225 (11th Cir. 2002) (emphasis added); see also Holt, 921
F.2d at 1223. Pain alone can be disabling, and in some circumstances a claimant’s subjective
testimony, supported by medical evidence that satisfies the pain standard, can be sufficient to
support a finding of disability. Foote, 67 F.3d at 1561. The ALJ is not required to recite the pain
standard verbatim, but must make findings indicative of a correct application of the standard. See
Brown v. Sullivan, 921 F.2d 1233, 1236 (11th Cir. 1991). When the ALJ decides to discredit the
claimant’s testimony of pain, he must do so explicitly, and with adequate reasons. Id. In
discrediting the claimant’s complaints of pain, the ALJ may consider the claimant’s ADLs. See
Harwell v. Heckler, 735 F.2d 1292, 1293 (11th Cir. 1984).
In his decision, the ALJ correctly applied the Eleventh Circuit’s test to the facts in this
case. The ALJ found that the claimant did have medically determinable impairments that could
reasonably be expected to cause the claimant’s pain. However, the ALJ properly discredited the
claimant’s personal testimony as being against the great weight of medical evidence in the
record. Although the claimant identified severe back pain as his disabling condition, the ALJ
articulated that the claimant’s records reflect that he obtains relief for 2 to 3 months at a time as a
result of pain management treatment and that he had adequate pain relief as of 2010. The ALJ
further noted that the most recent lumbar myelogram was normal, and that the claimant has a
17

normal range of motion of the back and a normal gait. (R. 19). The ALJ referred to the claimant’s
functional assessment questionnaire and recounted that the claimant claimed that he prepared
small meals, cared for his children, shopped, drove, picked up his children at school, and
attended church. The ALJ appropriately relied on these ADLs in concluding that the claimant
was not severely impaired.
In identifying specific portions of the claimant’s medical records, and referring to the
claimant’s own testimony about completing various ADLs, the ALJ properly articulated explicit,
adequate reasons to discredit the claimant’s pain testimony. Also, the ALJ properly discredited
the claimant’s testimony by weighing both the medical findings of the consulting physician
supported by objective medical evidence in the record, and his performance of various ADLs
against his personal testimony. Thus, the ALJ correctly applied the Eleventh Circuit’s pain
standard, and substantial evidence supports his findings.
The claimant also argues that the ALJ improperly placed undue significant emphasis upon
the claimant’s daily activities. The court finds that the ALJ properly considered the daily
activities of the claimant in rendering his decision that the claimant’s subjective complaints of
totally disabling back pain were not supported by the objective medical evidence of record.
The court notes that while the ALJ’s determination of subjective pain did consider the
claimant’s ADLs, the ALJ also emphasized that no treating or examining physician indicated that
the claimant was disabled or had limitations greater than those determined by his decision. The
claimant argues that the ALJ incorrectly concluded that because of his limited daily activities, the
claimant would be able to perform work activity. However, the ALJ may consider daily activities
when discrediting a claimant’s credibility. Dyer v. Barnhart, 395 F.3d 1206, 1209 (11th Cir.
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2005). The ALJ placed no more emphasis on the claimant’s ADLs than he did on the treating
physician’s records and notes of examination. Because no objective evidence exists in the
medical record that indicated any treating physician’s conclusion was that the claimant was
disabled, the ALJ appropriately considered the claimant’s ADLs. The ALJ considered the
claimant’s ADLs in discrediting the claimant’s subjective testimony in accordance with the
proper legal standard and precedent.
2. ALJ Assigned Great Weight to the Consulting Physician’s Opinion
Although the claimant did not raise this issue, the court notes that the ALJ assigned great
weight to the consulting physician’s report and assigned no weight to the examining physician’s
report. The ALJ must state with particularity the weight given to different medical opinions.
Sharfarz v. Bowen, 825 F.2d 278, 279 (11th Cir. 1987). The ALJ must give treating physicians
substantial weight, and he may only credit the opinion of a consultative physician above that of a
treating physician for good cause. Crawford v. Commissioner, 363 F.3d 1155, 1159 (11th Cir.
2004); Lewis v. Callahan, 125 F.3d 1436, 1440 (11th Cir. 1997). “When, however, an incorrect
application of the regulations results in harmless error because the correct application would not
contradict the ALJ’s findings, the ALJ’s decision will stand.” Caldwell v. Barnhart, 261 F.
App’x 188, 190 (11th Cir. 2008).
The ALJ failed to assign the treating physicians any weight. While the ALJ discussed the
findings of Dr. Scherlis and Dr. Beach, he did not state the weight he afforded their opinions as
treating physicians. However, the court finds that the ALJ’s error was harmless because the
treating physicians’ opinions do not contradict the ALJ’s conclusion. The ALJ correctly
concluded that the claimant had a post L5-S1 rupture with fusion, lumbar radiculopathy,
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spondylosis, and could perform a light range of work. Both physicians diagnosed the claimant
with these impairments. Most importantly, neither Dr. Scherlis nor Dr. Beach found that the
claimant was totally disabled and unable to work. Even had the ALJ correctly given great weight
to Dr. Scherlis’s and Dr. Beach’s opinions, the ALJ’s determination would have been the same.
The ALJ improperly gave “great weight” to the state agency medical consultant’s
assessment without explaining why. However, because the Dr. Stephenson’s opinion does not
contradict the findings of Dr. Scherlis or Dr. Beach that the claimant could perform limited work
activity, the ALJ committed a harmless error. All physicians recognized that the claimant’s
conditions partially limit the claimant’s ability to work. However, no physician concluded that
the claimant was totally disabled and unable to perform any work activity. Further, as discussed
above, the totality of the record provided substantial evidence to support a finding that the
claimant could perform a light range of work, limited to occasional lifting/climbing with a
sit/stand option. Because the ALJ’s incorrect application of weight to the consulting physician’s
opinion would not contradict the ALJ’s findings, and the ALJs findings are supported by
objective medical evidence in the record, this court finds that the ALJ’s decision should stand.
VII. CONCLUSION
For the reasons stated, this court finds that the decision of the Commissioner is supported
by substantial evidence and is to be AFFIRMED. The court simultaneously will enter a separate
Order to that effect.
DONE and ORDERED this 24th day of September, 2013.

____________________________________
KARON OWEN BOWDRE
UNITED STATES DISTRICT JUDGE

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