Vinson v. Social Security Administration, Commissioner

Filing 16

MEMORANDUM OPINION. Signed by Magistrate Judge John E Ott on 3/17/2015. (AVC)

FILED
2015 Mar-17 AM 09:42
U.S. DISTRICT COURT
N.D. OF ALABAMA

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
NORTHERN DISTRICT OF ALABAMA
NORTHEASTERN DIVISION
MARQUETTA DENNES VINSON,
Plaintiff,
v.
CAROLYN W. COLVIN, Acting
Commissioner of Social Security,
Defendant.

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CASE NO. 5:14-cv-00210-JEO

MEMORANDUM OPINION
Plaintiff Marquetta Dennes Vinson brings this action pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 405(g), seeking
review of the final decision of the Acting Commissioner of Social Security (“Commissioner”)
finding that she is not disabled under the Social Security Act. (Doc. 1).1 The case has been assigned
to the undersigned United States Magistrate Judge pursuant to this court’s general order of reference
dated January 14, 2013. The parties have consented to the jurisdiction of this court for disposition
of this matter. (Doc. 9). See 28 U.S.C. § 636(c), FED. R. CIV. P. 73(a). Upon review of the record
and the relevant law, the undersigned finds that the Commissioner’s decision is due to be affirmed.
I. PROCEDURAL HISTORY
The plaintiff filed for disability insurance benefits and Supplemental Security Income
benefits on December 10, 2008. (R. 38, 98-99, 197-200).2 She alleged an onset date of February

1

References herein to “Doc(s). __” are to the document numbers assigned by the Clerk of the
Court to the pleadings, motions, and other materials in the court file, as reflected on the docket sheet in
the court’s Case Management/Electronic Case Files (CM/ECF) system.
2

References herein to “R.___” are to the page number of the administrative record which
is encompassed withing Docs. 6-1 through 6-9.
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12, 2008. (R. 198, 204, 208). Her applications initially were denied by the State Agency. The
plaintiff requested a hearing before an Administrative Law Judge (“ALJ”). (R. 38, 113-14). The
plaintiff, her counsel and a vocational expert (“VE”) attended the hearing on April 26, 2011. (R. 38,
56-97). At the hearing, the plaintiff’s counsel submitted a written request to amend her applications
to allege a disability onset date of November 8, 2010. (R. 38, 220). The ALJ issued a decision on
May 26, 2011, finding that the plaintiff was not entitled to benefits. (R. 38-49).
The Appeals Council denied the plaintiff’s request for review on December 5, 2013. (R. 15). On that date, the ALJ’s decision became the final decision of the Commissioner. The plaintiff
then filed this action for judicial review under 42 U.S.C. § 405(g). (Doc. 1).
II. STANDARD OF REVIEW
The court’s review of the Commissioner’s decision is narrowly circumscribed. The function
of the court is to determine whether the decision of the Commissioner is supported by substantial
evidence and whether proper legal standards were applied. Richardson v. Perales, 402 U.S. 389,
390, 91 S. Ct. 1420, 1422 (1971); Wilson v. Barnhart, 284 F.3d 1219, 1221 (11th Cir. 2002). This
court must “scrutinize the record as a whole to determine if the decision reached is reasonable and
supported by substantial evidence.” Bloodsworth v. Heckler, 703 F.2d 1233, 1239 (11th Cir. 1983).
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.
The court must uphold factual findings that are supported by substantial evidence. However,
it reviews the ALJ’s legal conclusions de novo because no presumption of validity attaches to the
ALJ’s determination of the proper legal standards to be applied. Davis v. Shalala, 985 F.2d 528, 531
(11th Cir. 1993). If the court finds an error in the ALJ’s application of the law, or if the ALJ fails

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to provide the court with sufficient reasoning for determining that the proper legal analysis has been
conducted, it must reverse the ALJ’s decision. Cornelius v. Sullivan, 936 F.2d 1143, 1145-46 (11th
Cir. 1991).
III. STATUTORY AND REGULATORY FRAMEWORK
To qualify for disability benefits and establish his or her entitlement for a period of
disability, a claimant must be disabled as defined by the Social Security Act and the Regulations
promulgated thereunder.3 The Regulations define being “disabled” as “the inability to do 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 (12) months.” 20 C.F.R. § 404.1505(a). To
establish entitlement to disability benefits, a claimant must provide evidence of a “physical or
mental impairment” which “must result from anatomical, physiological, or psychological
abnormalities which can be shown by medically acceptable clinical and laboratory diagnostic
techniques.” 20 C.F.R. § 404.1508.
The Regulations provide a five-step process for determining whether a claimant is
disabled. 20 C.F.R. §§ 404.1520(a)(4)(i-v) and 416.920(a)(4)(i-v). The Commissioner must
determine in sequence:
(1) Is the claimant presently unemployed;
(2) Is the claimant's impairment severe;
(3) 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 [the “Listings”];

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The “Regulations” promulgated under the Social Security Act are listed in 20 C.F.R.
Parts 400 to 499, revised as of April 1, 2007.
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(4) Is the claimant unable to perform his or her former occupation;
(5) Is the claimant unable to perform any other work within the 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, at 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.; see 20 C.F.R. §§ 404.1520 and 416.920.
IV. FINDINGS OF THE ALJ
The plaintiff was 29 years old at the time of her hearing before the ALJ. (R. 62). She has
past relevant work experience as a cashier checker, nurse assistant, cashier and fast food worker.
(R. 91). She alleges she has been unable to work since November 8, 2010, due to low back pain,
sleep apnea, diabetes mellitus, morbid obesity, and depression/anxiety. (R. 41, 197, 236-44, 24956, 260-72, 283-86; Doc. 10 at 4). Following a hearing, the ALJ determined that the plaintiff had
severe impairments of degenerative disk disease and morbid obesity and other impairments
including obstructive sleep apnea, narcolepsy, tonsilar enlargement, and generalized anxiety. (R.
41). However, none of her impairments, individually or in combination, met or medically
equaled a listed impairment. (R. 42). The ALJ further found that the plaintiff had the residual
functional capacity (“RFC”) to perform light work with limitations. (Id.) Finally, the ALJ
determined, premised on the testimony of the VE, that the plaintiff could perform her past work
as a cashier checker, fast food worker, and cashier. (R. 47).
V. DISCUSSION
The plaintiff claims that the decision of the ALJ is due to be reversed and benefits awarded
to her or the decision is due to be remanded for further proper consideration because the ALJ should
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have found her to be disabled pursuant to SSR 96-7 and the Eleventh Circuit’s three-part pain
standard. (Doc. 10 at 8). The Commissioner argues that the contention is without merit and that the
decision of the ALJ is supported by substantial evidence. (Doc. 15 at 3-10).
A.

The Standard

It is well-settled that the plaintiff bears the burden of proving that she is disabled. See 42
U.S.C. § 423(D)(5)(A); 42 U.S.C. § 1382c(a)(3)(H)(i); 20 C.F.R. § 404.1512(a), (c); 20 C.F.R. §
416.912(a) (“In general, you have to prove to us that you are blind or disabled. This means that you
must furnish medical and other evidence that we can use to reach conclusions about your medical
impairment(s).”); 20 C.F.R. § 416.912(c) (“Your responsibility. You must provide medical evidence
showing that you have an impairment(s) and how severe it is during the time you say that you are
disabled. You must provide evidence, without redaction, showing how your impairment(s) affects
your functioning during the time you say that you are disabled, and any other information that we
need to decide your claim.”); Moore v. Barnhart, 405 F.3d 1208, 1211 (11th Cir. 2005) (“An
individual claiming Social Security disability benefits must prove that she is disabled.”); Ellison v.
Barnhart, 355 F.3d 1272, 1276 (11th Cir. 2003) (stating that “the claimant bears the burden of
proving that he is disabled, and, consequently, he is responsible for producing evidence in support
of his claim”).
In evaluating a disability claim involving subjective complaints such as pain, United States
District Judge L. Scott Coogler has stated:
In order to establish a disability on the basis of subjective testimony of pain
and other symptoms, the claimant must present evidence to support the Eleventh
Circuit’s pain standard. Under this standard, a plaintiff must present (1) evidence of
an underlying medical condition; and (2) either a) objective medical evidence
confirming the severity of the alleged symptoms or b) that the objectively determined
medical condition is of such a severity that it can reasonably [be] expected to give
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rise to the alleged pain. See 20 C.F.R. § 404. 1529(a) (2011); Foote v. Chater, 67
F.3d 1553, 1560 (11th Cir. 1991) (citing Holt v. Sullivan, 921 F.2d 1221, 1225 (11th
Cir. 1991)). If the claimant establishes an impairment that could reasonably be
expected to cause his alleged symptoms, the ALJ is obligated to evaluate the
claimant’s subjective complaints, including intensity and persistence of the alleged
symptoms and their effect on the claimant’s ability to work. Hogard v. Sullivan, 733
F. Supp. 1465, 1469 (M.D. Fla. 1990). The ALJ may discredit this type of pain
testimony only by articulating “explicit and adequate reasoning” based on substantial
evidence from the record. Foote, 67 F.3d at 1561; Wilson, 284 F.3d at 1225.
Parker ex rel. Parker v. Colvin, 2013 WL 2635696, *3 (N.D. Ala. June 10, 2013). A reversal is
warranted if the decision of the ALJ contains no indication of the proper application of the three-part
pain standard. Holt, 921 F.2d at 1223.
B.

Discussion
1.

The Plaintiff’s View

In support of the plaintiff’s contention that she is disabled, counsel points to the plaintiff’s
medical records evidencing “chronic and severe pain.” (Doc. 10 at 7). These records include (1) xray results demonstrating “moderately severe degenerative disc disease at L5-S1 (R. 370); (2)
diagnoses by Dr. Bharat Vakharia of crepitus in both knees and a demonstrated positive leg raise,
sleep apnea, morbid obesity, low back pain, and osteoarthritis of the knee (R. 366); and (3) severe
complaints of pain. (Doc. 10 at 7). Counsel concludes that the plaintiff should have been found
disabled based upon her pain pursuant to SSR 96-7[4] and the Eleventh Circuit’s three-part pain
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SSR 96-7 provides:

PURPOSE: The purpose of this Ruling is to clarify when the evaluation of symptoms, including
pain, under 20 CFR 404.1529 and 416.929 requires a finding about the credibility of an
individual's statements about pain or other symptom(s) and its functional effects; to explain the
factors to be considered in assessing the credibility of the individual’s statements about symptoms;
and to state the importance of explaining the reasons for the finding about the credibility of the
individual’s statements in the disability determination or decision. [FN1] In particular, this Ruling
emphasizes that:
1. No symptom or combination of symptoms can be the basis for a finding of disability, no matter

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standard.” (Id.)
2.

The Record

The plaintiff initially claimed in her early filings that she was disabled as of February 12,
2008. (R. 198, 204, 208). At her disability hearing, however, the plaintiff amended her onset date
until November 8, 2010. (R. 60, 220). The ALJ noted that she was terminated for “bringing her
wallet/purse to work.” (R. 43). The plaintiff stated, however, that she would not be working

how genuine the individual’s complaints may appear to be, unless there are medical signs and
laboratory findings demonstrating the existence of a medically determinable physical or mental
impairment(s) that could reasonably be expected to produce the symptoms.
2. When the existence of a medically determinable physical or mental impairment(s) that could
reasonably be expected to produce the symptoms has been established, the intensity, persistence,
and functionally limiting effects of the symptoms must be evaluated to determine the extent to
which the symptoms affect the individual’s ability to do basic work activities. This requires the
adjudicator to make a finding about the credibility of the individual's statements about the
symptom(s) and its functional effects.
3. Because symptoms, such as pain, sometimes suggest a greater severity of impairment than can
be shown by objective medical evidence alone, the adjudicator must carefully consider the
individual’s statements about symptoms with the rest of the relevant evidence in the case record in
reaching a conclusion about the credibility of the individual’s statements if a disability
determination or decision that is fully favorable to the individual cannot be made solely on the
basis of objective medical evidence.
4. In determining the credibility of the individual’s statements, the adjudicator must consider the
entire case record, including the objective medical evidence, the individual's own statements about
symptoms, statements and other information provided by treating or examining physicians or
psychologists and other persons about the symptoms and how they affect the individual, and any
other relevant evidence in the case record. An individual’s statements about the intensity and
persistence of pain or other symptoms or about the effect the symptoms have on his or her ability
to work may not be disregarded solely because they are not substantiated by objective medical
evidence.
5. It is not sufficient for the adjudicator to make a single, conclusory statement that “the
individual’s allegations have been considered” or that “the allegations are (or are not) credible.” It
is also not enough for the adjudicator simply to recite the factors that are described in the
regulations for evaluating symptoms. The determination or decision must contain specific reasons
for the finding on credibility, supported by the evidence in the case record, and must be sufficiently
specific to make clear to the individual and to any subsequent reviewers the weight the adjudicator
gave to the individual’s statements and the reasons for that weight.
SSR 96-7p, 1996 WL 374186 (July 2, 1996).

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regardless because of her pain in her knees and back and because she could not do the required
lifting. (R. 80). The plaintiff further stated at the disability hearing that they were trying to find a
pain clinic for her back problems. (R. 87). She rated her pain as 7 out of 10 without medication and
5 out of 10 with medication. (R. 72). It begins after she stands about two hours. (R. 71). It will last
anywhere from an hour to an hour and a half. (R. 72).
The plaintiff’s medical records initially record a complaint of lower back pain on February
5, 2009, during an emergency room visit. (R. 294). The onset date for the pain was listed as one
month earlier. (R. 294). She rated it as a 7 on a 10-point scale. (R. 294, 296).
In her February 2009 disability examination with Dr. Bharat K. Vakharia, the plaintiff
complained “of back pain, mainly in the lower back, on and off, more pain with prolonged standing,
bending, sometimes, lying on her back also, causes pain. Change in position helps relieve[ ] the
pain.” (R. 364). She also complained that the back pain had been ongoing for one and a half years.
She described the “pain [a]s dull, aching pain, other times sharp pain.” (Id.) She was taking overthe-counter pain medication as needed. (Id.) She also stated that the pain did not radiate into her
legs. (Id.) She did have crepitus in both knees.5 (R. 365). Concluding his examination, Dr.
Vakharia noted the plaintiff as suffering from sleep apnea, morbid obesity, low back pain,
osteoarthritis of the knee, seizure disorder, anxiety and panic attack, and hypertension. (R. 366).

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Crepitus is defined as follows:

A clinical sign in medicine that is characterized by a peculiar crackling, crinkly, or grating feeling
or sound under the skin, around the lungs, or in the joints. Crepitus in soft tissues is often due to
gas, most often air, that has penetrated and infiltrated an area where it should not normally be (for
example, in the soft tissues beneath the skin). Crepitus in a joint can indicate cartilage wear in the
joint space.
Definition of Crepitus, MedicineNet.com, http://www.medicinenet.com/script/main.art.asp?articlekey-12061 (last
visited March 16, 2015).

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He also entertained the “possibility” that she suffers from diabetes. (Id.)
An April 7, 2009 x-ray evaluated by Dr. Gill indicates evidence of moderately severe
degenerative disc disease at L5-S1. The remaining disc spaces appeared well preserved. There also
appeared to be some facet arthropathy at L5. (R. 370).
3.

Analysis

The ALJ noted the following concerning the plaintiff’s pain:
Standing longer than two hours causes back pain that radiates down to her legs and
knees. The pain is 5/10 with medication and 7/10 without and last[s] 1 to 1-1/2
hours. She can cook, was dishes, do laundry, and use a vacuum but denied she shops.
She spends her day caring for her daughter describing she fixes her breakfast and
lunch, reads and teaches her daughter alphabet and numbers, watches her play and
naps with her, does laundry, helps cook supper, and bathes her daughter and puts her
to bed. ... She last worked November 8, 2010 ... [and s]he had a good attendance
record when working...
(R. 43). After reviewing the evidence, he concluded that the plaintiff’s “statements concerning the
intensity, persistence and limiting effects of [her] symptoms are not credible to the extent they are
inconsistent with” the RFC assessment. (R. 44). In assessing the plaintiff’s pain, the ALJ stated:
The objective medical evidence is fully consistent with the above residual functional
capacity and is inconsistent with the allegations of disabling levels of pain. The
claimant has 2009 x-ray evidence of degenerative disk disease at the L5-S1 level but
with the other disk spaces to be well preserved. There is no finding of herniation,
fracture, subluxation or stenosis.... There has been no doctor assessing her with
functional limitations or that her condition is amenable to surgery. She has sought
no care for this conduction during the period she alleges disability.... In 2009, she
reported only “off/on” back pain and denied any radiation into her leg.... While she
testifies now to pain radiating from her low back into her leg and foot, this is found
inconsistent with absence of diagnosis or treatment of such when seen for medical
care by three different sources during the period she alleges disability.... During the
period she alleges disability, when seen for care she has routinely been found in no
acute distress, has reported no use of medication, and has been found with no
neurological deficits. The objective evidence is inconsistent with any significant
motor, sensory or reflex loss and shows the claimant with normal gait. Thus the
objective medical evidence does not demonstrate abnormalities which would
interfere with the claimant’s ability to perform the range of work identified above.
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The course of medical treatment and the use of medication in this case are not
consistent with disabling levels of pain. As mentioned above, the claimant has
reported no use of medication at visits for medical care. While she testified she is
waiting on her doctor to find a pain center that accepts Medicaid coverage, the
medical evidence is absent of any diagnosis or treatment for pain. Moreover, on a
list of current medications dated April 2011, she reports no use of any medication for
her back condition or pain.... For her obesity, treating physicians have repeatedly
recommended diet and exercise including water aerobics.... She has been treated
only conservatively while describing a wide range of daily activities consistent with
good functioning. She has required no emergency room visits, hospitalization, or
intensive care for any conditions she alleges to disable her during the period she
alleges total disability. Rather, she has been seen only at times of regularly scheduled
follow-up. Therefore the undersigned finds the course of medical treatment in this
case does not bolster the claimant[’s] credibility with respect to the degree of his (sic)
pain and other subjective complaints.
(R. 44-45). He subsequently noted:
The lack of seeking medical treatment is not consistent with the claimant’s alleged
disabling symptoms and limitations. Although the claimant indicated that her lack
of medical treatment is due to financial reasons, the undersigned does not find this
credible, as there is no indication in the record that the claimant has sought
government subsidized health care or sought health care and been turned down due
to financial reasons. Even when working and having income the records (sic) is
absent she sought regular medical care.
(R. 46). Concerning the plaintiff’s credibility, the ALJ noted:
There are inconsistencies with the claimant’s statements that do not serve to bolster
her credibility. For example, under questioning by the undersigned she denied any
use of alcohol. However, her treating physician records repeated (sic) show reported
“occasional” use.... As another example, under questioning, ... she denied receipt of
child support benefits for her daughter yet she earlier reported to a consultative
examiner she was receiving such benefits.... In testimony, she denied shopping
testifying her mother does all of it, which is inconsistent with her reports elsewhere
that she shops weekly for groceries and needs.... The claimant’s testimony she sees
Dr. Gowda weekly for diabetes and anxiety is contrary to the actual records in file
which show only three visits, as much as one month apart, and at which time include
no diagnosis of diabetes.... Although the inconsistent information provided by the
claimant may not be the result of a conscious intention to mislead, nevertheless the
inconsistencies suggest that the information provided by the claimant generally may
not be entirely reliable.
(R. 46-47). Finally, he noted that the plaintiff’s motivation to work is suspect. He premised this on
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the following: (1) she stopped working because she broke a work rule and was terminated, “not
because of any medical condition or symptoms;” (2) she lives with her parents and receives Medicaid
coverage for herself and her daughter; (3) she receives food stamps and aide for dependent children
totaling $790 per month, “an amount which [is] greater than her usual income when working;” (4)
her April 2011 report to Dr. Gowda describing she is “ ‘taking care of her father with Alzheimer’s’
but feeling well and doing well other than being ‘stressed out’ from that work;” (5) her daughter
requires frequent medical care; and (6) “a review of the earnings evidence finds the claimant’s work
history does not suggest a strong motivation for regular employment even prior to her alleged
disability onset date and does not serve to bolster her credibility.” (R. 47).
The plaintiff asserts that the ALJ did not properly consider her pain under the Eleventh
Circuit’s pain standard. (Doc. 10 at 7-10). The court disagrees. As noted above, the ALJ is required
to examine the evidence of any underlying medical condition and if the plaintiff establishes an
impairment that could reasonably be expected to cause her alleged symptoms, the ALJ is obligated
to evaluate the plaintiff’s subjective complaints, including intensity and persistence of the alleged
symptoms and their effect on the plaintiff’s ability to work. Parker ex rel. Parker, 2013 WL
2635696, *3. Thereafter, the ALJ may discredit pain testimony only by articulating “explicit and
adequate reasoning” based on substantial evidence from the record. Id. (citing Foote, 67 F.3d at
1561; Wilson, 284 F.3d at 1225).
The ALJ cited the applicable authorities, considered the plaintiff’s allegations in relation to
the evidence in the record, and articulated detailed reasons and analysis for determining that the
plaintiff’s claims were not totally credible. The plaintiff has failed to show how the ALJ legally or
factually misapplied applicable Eleventh Circuit precedent. To the extent she argues that “[t]he

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medical evidence of record documents chronic and severe pain,” the court finds that the
determination of the ALJ is supported by substantial evidence. While the plaintiff is correct that the
x-rays evaluated by Dr. Gill show “moderately severe degenerative disc disease at L5-S1,” that does
not demonstrate that the pain was such that she could not work – a conclusion that was supported
by other evidence. (R. 370). First, Dr. Gill did not state that the plaintiff could not work. Second,
no other medical provider stated that she could not work due to her pain. Third, there is no evidence
of acute distress due to pain in her physical examinations during the relevant period.6 (R. 448, 451,
455, 459, 464-65). Fourth, on March 16, 2011, and April 18, 2011, Dr. Bhavna Gowda, the
plaintiff’s treating physician, recommended that she exercise to help overcome her morbid obesity.7
(R. 459, 464).
To the extent the plaintiff cites to Dr. Vakharia’s evaluation and conclusion that she suffers
from “crepitus in both knees and demonstrated a positive straight leg raise,” this is not sufficient to
challenge the ALJ’s determination. (R. 360). Dr. Vakharia does not attribute this malady to severe,
or even moderate, pain in her knees, much less her lower back.
Finally, the plaintiff’s statements that “the medical evidence of record documents an
underlying medical contradiction confirmed by examination and diagnostic testing,” and that
“examining physicians have noted known pain indicators suggesting severe pain,” are conclusory
assertions. (Doc. 10 at 7). Neither Dr. Gill nor Dr. Vakharia state that the plaintiff’s conditions
cause her severe pain. Additionally, her activities, including cooking, doing laundry, interacting

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Her last reported emergency room visit complaining of lower back pain was on September 15, 2010. (R.
424). She was treated and released with medication, including 5mg of Lortab. (R. 425). She had another
emergency room visit complaining of lower back pain radiating into both legs on February 5, 2009. (R. 318).
7

Dr. Gowda was treating the plaintiff for sleep apnea, narcolepsy, general anxiety, and morbid obesity. (R.

464-65).

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with her daughter, caring for her invalid father, driving regularly, and attending church, indicate her
ability to function with her medical conditions. (R. 459, 465).
In sum, substantial evidence supports the determination of the ALJ that the plaintiff was not
under a disability as defined by the Social Security Act. (R. 49). The plaintiff has not demonstrated
that she was unable to engage in any substantial gainful activity by reason of a medically
determinable physical or mental impairment expected to result in death or to last twelve or more
continuous months. See 42 U.S.C. § 1382(a)(3)(A); 20 C.F.R. §§ 404.1505, 416.905.
VI. CONCLUSION
For the reasons set forth above, the undersigned concludes that the decision of the
Commissioner is due to be AFFIRMED.
DONE, this the 17th day of March, 2015.

___________________________
JOHN E. OTT
Chief United States Magistrate Judge

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