Turney v. Social Security Administration, Commissioner

Filing 17

MEMORANDUM OPINION - For the reasons set forth herein, and upon careful consideration of the administrative record and memoranda of the parties, the decision of the Commissioner of Social Security denying Turneys claim for Supplemental Security Income is AFFIRMED and this action DISMISSED WITH PREJUDICE. Signed by Magistrate Judge John H England, III on 3/13/2018. (KEK)

FILED
2018 Mar-13 AM 11:59
U.S. DISTRICT COURT
N.D. OF ALABAMA

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
FOR THE NORTHERN DISTRICT OF ALABAMA
NORTHEASTERN DIVISION
TINA TURNEY,
Plaintiff,
v.
COMMISSIONER OF SOCIAL
SECURITY ADMINISTRATION,
Defendant.

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Case Number: 5:16-cv-02054-JHE

MEMORANDUM OPINION1
Plaintiff Tina Turney (“Turney”) seeks review, pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 405(g), § 205(g)
of the Social Security Act, of a final decision of the Commissioner of the Social Security
Administration (“Commissioner”), denying her application for Supplemental Security Income
(“SSI”). (Doc. 1). Turney timely pursued and exhausted her administrative remedies. This case
is therefore ripe for review under 42 U.S.C. §§ 405(g), 1383(c)(3). The undersigned has carefully
considered the record and, for the reasons stated below, the Commissioner’s decision is
AFFIRMED.
I. Factual and Procedural History
Turney filed her application for SSI on September 16, 2013, alleging she was unable to
work. (Tr. 58).

The Agency initially denied Turney’s application (tr. 76-80), and Turney

requested a hearing where she appeared on November 17, 2015 (tr. 35-57). After the hearing, the
Administrative Law Judge (“ALJ”) denied Turney’s claim on December 15, 2015. (Tr. 13-28).

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In accordance with the provisions of 28 U.S.C. § 636(c) and Federal Rule of Civil
Procedure 73, the parties have voluntarily consented to have a United States Magistrate Judge
conduct any and all proceedings, including trial and the entry of final judgment. (Doc. 9).

Turney sought review by the Appeals Council, but it declined her request on October 20, 2016.
(Tr. 1-3). On that date, the ALJ’s decision became the final decision of the Commissioner. On
December 21, 2016, Turney initiated this action. (See doc. 1).
Turney was forty-three years old at the time of the ALJ’s decision. (Tr. 28, 40). She has
a limited education (eleventh grade) and previously worked as a sewing machine operator, home
assistant, cashier/checker, short order cook, and poultry team laborer. (Tr. 42, 53-54). Turney
alleged disability based on high blood pressure, leg and feet swelling, diabetes, arm numbness,
back pain, bipolar disorder, severe anxiety, restless leg syndrome, fibromyalgia, chronic asthma,
insomnia, high cholesterol, severe arthritis, and severe acid reflux. (Tr. 194).
II. Standard of Review2
The court’s review of the Commissioner’s decision is narrowly circumscribed. The
function of this 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 (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.
This Court must uphold factual findings supported by substantial evidence. “Substantial
evidence may even exist contrary to the findings of the ALJ, and [the reviewing court] may have

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In general, the legal standards applied are the same whether a claimant seeks Disability
Insurance Benefits (“DIB”) or SSI. However, separate, parallel statutes and regulations exist for
DIB and SSI claims. Therefore, citations in this opinion should be considered to refer to the
appropriate parallel provision as context dictates. The same applies to citations for statutes or
regulations found in quoted court decisions.
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taken a different view of it as a factfinder. Yet, if there is substantially supportive evidence, the
findings cannot be overturned.” Barron v. Sullivan, 924 F.2d 227, 230 (11th Cir. 1991). However,
the Court 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 to provide the court with sufficient reasoning for determining 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 “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). The Commissioner must determine in sequence:
(1)
(2)
(3)

whether the claimant is currently employed;
whether the claimant has a severe impairment;
whether the claimant’s impairment meets or equals an impairment listed

The “Regulations” promulgated under the Social Security Act are listed in 20 C.F.R. Parts
400 to 499.
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(4)
(5)

by the [Commissioner];
whether the claimant can perform his or her past work; and
whether the claimant is capable of performing any work in the national
economy.

Pope v. Shalala, 998 F.2d 473, 477 (7th Cir. 1993) (citing to the formerly applicable C.F.R.
section), overruled on other grounds by Johnson v. Apfel, 189 F.3d 561, 562-63 (7th Cir. 1999);
accord McDaniel v. Bowen, 800 F.2d 1026, 1030 (11th Cir. 1986). “Once the claimant has satisfied
steps One and Two, she will automatically be found disabled if she suffers from a listed
impairment. If the claimant does not have a listed impairment but cannot perform her work, the
burden shifts to the [Commissioner] to show that the claimant can perform some other job.” Pope,
998 F.2d at 477; accord Foote v. Chater, 67 F.3d 1553, 1559 (11th Cir. 1995). The Commissioner
must further show such work exists in the national economy in significant numbers. Id.
IV. Findings of the Administrative Law Judge
After consideration of the entire record and application of the sequential evaluation
process, the ALJ made the following findings:
At Step One, the ALJ found Turney had not engaged in substantial gainful activity since
September 16, 2013, her application date. (Tr. 18). At Step Two, the ALJ found Turney has the
following severe impairments: degenerative joint disease, arthritis, obesity, diabetes, depression,
anxiety, borderline intellectual functioning, fibromyalgia, and history of cerebrovascular accident.
(Id.). At Step Three, the ALJ found Turney did not have an impairment or combination of
impairments that meets or medically equals one of the listed impairments in 20 C.F.R. Part 404,
Subpart P, Appendix 1. (Tr. 18-23).
Before proceeding to Step Four, the ALJ determined Turney’s residual functioning
capacity (“RFC”), which is the most a claimant can do despite her impairments. See 20 C.F.R. §
404.1545(a)(1). The ALJ determined that Turney had the RFC to perform light work as defined
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in 20 C.F.R. 404.1567(b), except she can frequently reach, handle, finger, and feel; occasionally
balance, kneel, crouch, stoop, crawl, push/pull, with the upper and lower extremities, and climb
ramps, the stairs; but never climb ladders, ropes, or scaffolds. She should avoid concentrated
exposure to extreme heat and cold, and vibration; and all exposure to dangerous machinery,
unprotected heights, or work requiring walking on uneven or slippery surfaces.

She can

understand and remember short and simple instructions, but is unable to do so with detailed or
complex instructions. She can do simple, routine, repetitive tasks, but is unable to do so with
detailed or complex tasks. She should have no more than occasional contact with the general
public, but can deal with changes in the workplace, if introduced occasionally and gradually, and
are well explained. She would miss no more than one day of work per month due to her
impairments. (Tr. 23-26).
At Step Four, the ALJ determined Turney is unable to perform any past relevant work. (Tr.
26). At Step Five, the ALJ determined, based on Turney’s age, education, work experience, and
RFC, jobs exist in significant numbers in the national economy Turney could perform. (Tr. 2627). Therefore, the ALJ determined Turney has not been under a disability and denied her claim.
(Tr. 27-28).
V. Analysis
Although the court may only reverse a finding of the Commissioner if it is not supported
by substantial evidence or because improper legal standards were applied, “[t]his does not relieve
the court of its responsibility to scrutinize the record in its entirety to ascertain whether substantial
evidence supports each essential administrative finding.” Walden v. Schweiker, 672 F.2d 835, 838
(11th Cir. 1982) (citing Strickland v. Harris, 615 F.2d 1103, 1106 (5th Cir. 1980)). The court,
however, “abstains from reweighing the evidence or substituting its own judgment for that of the

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[Commissioner].” Id. (citation omitted).
Here, substantial evidence supports the ALJ’s determination Turney failed to demonstrate
a disability, and the ALJ applied the proper standards to reach this conclusion. Turney challenges
the Commissioner’s decision on the following specific grounds, contending: (1) there is not
sufficient medical evidence to support a decision as to Turney’s disability (doc. 13 at 12-13); and
(2) the ALJ erred in failing to consider her fibromyalgia at Step 3 of the sequential evaluation
process (id. at 13-16). Neither of these grounds supports reversal.
A. Substantial Evidence Supports the ALJ’s Decision
Substantial evidence supports the ALJ’s RFC finding that Turney can perform light work
with exertional and non-exertional limitations. (Tr. 23). As the ALJ noted, the evidence does not
support Turney’s allegations regarding her physical symptoms and limitations. (Tr. 24). The ALJ
recognized Turney exhibited tenderness in her knees, but noted she was able to ambulate without
an assistive device and heel and toe walk when she saw Dr. Crouch, an agency-ordered
consultative examiner, for a medical exam on December 4, 2013. (Tr. 25, 742). Her deep tendon
reflexes, strength, dexterity, and grip strength were all intact. (Tr. 742-44). Although she exhibited
limited range of motion in the lumbar spine and hips, her range of motion was otherwise normal.
(Tr. 743-44). Dr. Arnold, who performed an agency-ordered psychological consultative exam on
December 6, 2013, noted Turney could stand without delay, but walked guarding her right foot.
(Tr. 25, 747). She also noted Turney moved and gestured naturally with no overt indicators of pain
or impairment. (Tr. 25, 747). These objective findings support the ALJ’s physical RFC finding.
The objective evidence regarding Turney’s mental impairments also substantially supports
the ALJ’s RFC finding. As the ALJ noted, Turney’s mood was subdued with congruent affect
during Dr. Arnold’s psychological consultative exam. (Tr. 21, 747). Dr. Blotcky, who performed

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a claimant-ordered psychological examine on February 4, 2014, acknowledged Turney’s abstract
reasoning was poor and her insight was limited and that she looked depressed. (Tr. 21, 757).
However, Turney demonstrated intact memory, intact cognition, logical thought processes, and
normal judgment. (Tr. 747, 757).
Dr. Blotcky’s opinion further supports the ALJ’s mental RFC finding. (Tr. 760-61). Based
on the above objective findings, Dr. Blotcky opined Turney was only moderately limited in her
ability to use judgment in simple, one-to-two-step, work-related decisions; understand, remember,
and carry out simple, one-or-two-step instructions; maintain attention, concentration, or pace for
periods of at least two hours, and maintain social functioning. (Tr. 760-61). A moderate limitation
is one that affects but does not preclude the ability to function. (Tr. 760). Because these limitations
are consistent with the record evidence, including Dr. Estock’s4 opinion as well as Dr. Arnold’s
and Dr. Blotcky’s observations, the ALJ properly relied on this portion of Dr. Blotcky’s opinion.
See 20 C.F.R. § 416.927(c)(4). To accommodate Turney’s limitations in dealing with stress, work
changes, and difficulty interacting with the general public, the ALJ limited Turney to occasional
contact with the public and found that changes needed to be infrequent and introduced gradually.
(Tr. 23).
Turney’s contention the ALJ should have further developed the record (doc. 13 at 12), is
unavailing. The overall burden of proving “disability” lies with a claimant. See 20 C.F.R. §
416.912(c). The ALJ has a basic duty to fully and fairly develop the record, but he does not act as
counsel. See generally Cowart v. Schweiker, 662 F.2d 731, 735 (11th Cir. 1981) (a case where
claimant was not represented by counsel administratively). Here, Turney simply failed to present

4

Dr. Robert Estock is the state agency psychiatrist who reviewed the record evidence on
January 7, 2017. (Tr. 68).
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evidence to support her claim.
Second, an ALJ is not obligated to order a consultative exam if the record contains
sufficient evidence for the ALJ to make an informed decision. See Doughty v. Apfel, 245 F.3d
1274, 1281 (11th Cir. 2001); Wilson, 179 F.3d at 1278; Holladay v. Bowen, 848 F.2d 1206, 1210
(11th Cir. 1988). A consultative examination is unnecessary to establish absolute certainty
regarding a claimant’s condition, as the Act requires only substantial evidence to support the ALJ’s
findings. See Holladay, 848 F.2d at 1210.

Here, the record included three consultative

examinations, two ordered by the agency and one ordered by Turney’s attorney. (Tr. 742-44, 74649, 756-61). The record does not contain other medical evidence, other than the consultative
exams, but that is not because of the ALJ’s development of the record. Rather, the reason for the
lack of other medical evidence is that Turney did not receive treatment during the relevant period.
Furthermore, it is unclear what Turney believes additional consultative examinations would show.
The three consultative examinations provided the ALJ with sufficient information to make a
decision, and he was not required to order additional consultative examinations.
B. The ALJ Properly Evaluated Turney’s Fibromyalgia
Turney also contends the ALJ erred in failing to consider her fibromyalgia at Step 3 of the
sequential evaluation process. (Doc. 13 at 13-16). SSR 12–2p, which became effective on July
25, 2012, provides guidance for developing evidence to establish a claimant has a medically
determinable impairment of fibromyalgia and for evaluating fibromyalgia in the context of a
disability claim. See SSR 12–2p. This ruling clarifies that because fibromyalgia cannot itself meet
a Listing (because it is not a listed impairment), at step three of the sequential evaluation, the ALJ
must determine whether fibromyalgia medically equals a Listing, alone or in combination with
other severe impairments. See id.

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Notably, “it is not required that the [ALJ] mechanically recite the evidence leading to [his]
determination.” Hutchison v. Bowen, 787 F.2d 1461, 1463 (11th Cir.1986). See also Johnson v.
Barnhart, 148 Fed. Appx. 838, 842 (11th Cir.2005); Keane v. Comm'r of Soc. Sec., 205 Fed. Appx.
748, 750 (11th Cir.2006); Gray ex rel. Whymss v. Comm'r of Soc. Sec., 454 Fed. Appx. 748, 750
(11th Cir.2011); Kalishek v. Comm'r of Soc. Sec., 470 Fed. Appx. 868, 870 (11th Cir.2012). And,
despite the specific guidance in SSR 12-2p, a determination that a claimant's impairments do not
meet or equal a Listing may be implied from an ALJ's decision. Hutchison, 787 F.2d at 1463;
Johnson, 148 Fed. Appx. at 842; Keane, 205 Fed. Appx. at 750; Gray ex rel. Whymms, 454 Fed.
Appx. at 750; Kalishek, 470 Fed. Appx. at 870.
Even though a lack of objective evidence is considered a “hallmark” of fibromyalgia, see
Somogy v. Comm’r of Soc. Sec., 366 Fed. Appx. 56, 64 (11th Cir. 2010), a claimant must still
produce evidence of functional limitations resulting from an impairment to prove it is disabling,
Moore v. Barnhart, 405 F.3d 1208, 1213 n.6 (11th Cir. 2005) (noting that the mere existence of an
impairment does not reveal the extent to which it limits a claimant’s ability to work). To this end,
the ALJ found Turney’s subjective complaints of disabling pain, resulting from fibromyalgia and
other impairments, were not entirely credible. (Tr. 24-25). The ALJ noted that Turney did not
seek or receive treatment for her physical or mental impairments during the relevant period and
did not take prescribed pain medicine. (Tr. 24). Further, the ALJ noted Turney was able to carry
on a conversation and answer questions during the hearing without any sign of discomfort. (Id.).
See Norris v. Heckler, 760 F.2d 1154, 1158 (11th Cir. 1987) (stating an ALJ may consider a
claimant’s demeanor and appearance at an administrative hearing so long as the ALJ does not
impose his observations in lieu of considering medical evidence). Additionally, Dr. Arnold noted
that during her examination, Turney gestured and moved naturally with no overt indicators of pain

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or impairment. (Tr. 747).
To the extent Turney argues the ALJ should have expressly evaluated whether her
fibromyalgia medically equals Listing 14.09D (inflammatory arthritis), (doc. 13 at 13), the ALJ’s
finding that Turney did not have an impairment or combination of impairments that met or
medically equaled a listed impairment is supported by substantial evidence. (Tr. 18). Listing level
severity for 14.09D requires evidence of inflammatory arthritis involving various combinations
and complications of one or more major peripheral joints or other joints, such as inflammation or
deformity, extra-articular features, repeated manifestations, and constitutional symptoms. 20
C.F.R. pt. 404, subpt. P, app. 1, § 14.00D(6)(e)(ii). Additionally, Listing 14.09D requires a
claimant to show repeated manifestations of inflammatory arthritis with at least two constitutional
symptoms or signs (severe fatigue, fever, malaise, or involuntary weight loss) and one of the
following at the marked level: (1) limitation in daily activities; (2) limitation in maintaining social
functioning; or (3) limitation in completing tasks in a timely manner due to deficiencies in
concentration, persistence, or pace. See id. at § 14.09D.
The objective evidence from the relevant period does not establish the required findings
for Listing 14.09D. It does not show repeated manifestations of inflammatory arthritis, severe
fatigue, malaise, or involuntary weight loss. Further, the ALJ properly found Turney has only
moderate limitations in activities of daily living, maintaining social functioning, and maintaining
concentration, persistence, or pace. (Tr. 21). Turney has not provided the necessary evidence to
support the assertion that her fibromyalgia medically equals Listing 14.09D, and there is
substantial evidence to support the ALJ’s implicit finding that it does not.
VI. Conclusion
For the reasons set forth herein, and upon careful consideration of the administrative record

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and memoranda of the parties, the decision of the Commissioner of Social Security denying
Turney’s’ claim for Supplemental Security Income is AFFIRMED and this action DISMISSED
WITH PREJUDICE.
DONE this 13th day of March, 2018.

_______________________________
JOHN H. ENGLAND, III
UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE

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