Turner v. Astrue
Filing
25
MEMORANDUM AND OPINION entered, Upon consideration of the administrative record and the memoranda of the parties, it is ORDERED that the decision of the Commissioner be AFFIRMED and that this action be DISMISSED, as further set out. Signed by Magistrate Judge Bert W. Milling, Jr on 11/17/2011. (clr)
IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
FOR THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF ALABAMA
NORTHERN DIVISION
LENNY TURNER,
:
:
Plaintiff,
:
:
vs.
:
:
MICHAEL J. ASTRUE,
:
Commissioner of Social Security,:
:
Defendant.
:
CIVIL ACTION 11-0177-M
MEMORANDUM OPINION AND ORDER
In this action under 42 U.S.C. §§ 405(g) and 1383(c)(3),
Plaintiff seeks judicial review of an adverse social security
ruling which denied claims for disability insurance benefits and
Supplemental Security Income (hereinafter SSI) (Docs. 1, 17).
The parties filed written consent and this action has been
referred to the undersigned Magistrate Judge to conduct all
proceedings and order the entry of judgment in accordance with
28 U.S.C. § 636(c) and Fed.R.Civ.P. 73 (see Doc. 22).
argument was waived in this action (Doc. 24).
Oral
Upon
consideration of the administrative record and the memoranda of
the parties, it is ORDERED that the decision of the Commissioner
be AFFIRMED and that this action be DISMISSED.
This Court is not free to reweigh the evidence or
1
substitute its judgment for that of the Secretary of Health and
Human Services, Bloodsworth v. Heckler, 703 F.2d 1233, 1239
(11th Cir. 1983), which must be supported by substantial
evidence.
Richardson v. Perales, 402 U.S. 389, 401 (1971).
The
substantial evidence test requires "that the decision under
review be supported by evidence sufficient to justify a
reasoning mind in accepting it; it is more than a scintilla, but
less than a preponderance."
Brady v. Heckler, 724 F.2d 914, 918
(11th Cir. 1984), quoting Jones v. Schweiker, 551 F.Supp. 205
(D. Md. 1982).
At the time of the administrative hearing, Plaintiff was
thirty-six years old, had completed some post-high school
education (Tr. 34), and had previous work experience as a brick
mason and truck driver (Tr. 35-36).
In claiming benefits,
Plaintiff alleges disability due to hypertension, obesity,
asthma, herniated disk with chronic pain, sleep apnea,
depression, neck pain, and headaches (Doc. 16).
The Plaintiff protectively filed applications for
disability insurance and SSI on November 15, 2007 (Tr. 107-113;
see Tr. 15).
Benefits were denied following a hearing by an
Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) who determined that although he
could not perform his past relevant work, Turner was capable of
2
performing specified jobs in the sedentary job classification
(Tr. 15-27).
Plaintiff requested review of the hearing decision
(Tr. 7-11) by the Appeals Council, but it was denied (Tr. 1-6).
Plaintiff claims that the opinion of the ALJ is not
supported by substantial evidence.
that:
Specifically, Turner alleges
(1) The ALJ was biased; (2) the ALJ improperly discounted
his testimony; (3) the ALJ failed to complete a Psychiatric
Review Technique Form (hereinafter PRTF) or incorporate its
analysis into his findings; (4) the ALJ made an improper
residual functional capacity (hereinafter RFC) finding; (5) the
ALJ did not properly consider his morbid obesity; and (6) the
Appeals Council did not properly consider newly submitted
evidence (Doc. 17).
claims (Doc. 18).
Defendant has responded to—and denies—these
The evidence of record follows.
On October 9, 2005, Turner went to Bryan W. Whitfield
Memorial Hospital, following an incident in which a bar stool on
which he was sitting collapsed under him (Tr. 170-77).
Though
he complained of back pain, x-rays of the cervical and lumbar
spine were normal; Plaintiff refused an injection for his pain,
but accepted a Lortab1 prescription.
1
He was told not to work
Lortab is a semisynthetic narcotic analgesic used for “the
relief of moderate to moderately severe pain.” Physician's Desk
Reference 2926-27 (52nd ed. 1998).
3
until October 11 and discharged, ambulatory with family, in good
condition.
On October 18, 2005, Turner went to the American Family
Care Medical Center with complaints of pain for which he
underwent an MRI which revealed small central disk herniation at
L4-5 and L5-S1, though there was no spinal stenosis (Tr. 193;
see generally Tr. 178-222).
(Tr. 202-05).
Plaintiff began physical therapy
Dr. Thomas A. Stanner, a Neurologist, examined
Turner on November 21 and noted complaints of radiating pain,
which was mild compared to his low back discomfort; there was
“some paresthesia about the right calf, ankle, and foot” along
with some minor knee discomfort (Tr. 183).
Dr. Stanner’s
impression was muscular ligamentous discomfort and, perhaps,
some mechanical back pain; he did not think that Turner was a
surgical candidate, but that he should proceed with conservative
therapy (Tr. 184).
More intensive rehabilitational medicine was
indicated; though the Neurologist was going to keep Plaintiff
off of work, he “encouraged him to move around frequently, and
not remain sedentary” (id.).
Turner had been prescribed
Anaprox,2 Flexeril,3 and Ultram4 (Tr. 187).
2
Anaprox is another name for Naprosyn which “is a nonsteroidal
anti-inflammatory drug with analgesic and antipyretic properties”
used, inter alia, for the relief of mild to moderate pain.
4
Turner was seen by Greystone Neurology & Pain Center,
beginning on December 7, 2005 through November 9, 2007 (Tr. 22386).
Dr. Hisham Hakim examined Plaintiff on that first day and
found normal muscle tone, adequate strength in the upper and
lower extremities, and decreased pinprick sensation in the
dorsal and medial aspects of the right foot; there was
tenderness in the lumbar and lumbosacral back, mostly on the
right (Tr. 266-68).
Turner had trouble squatting and bending
forward more than sixty degrees; straight leg raising was
borderline positive on the right.
Hakim’s impression was back
pain with radiculopathy; his recommendation was to proceed with
conservative treatment, including prescriptions for Zanaflax,5
Mobic,6 and Ultram.
An Electrodiagnostic/EMG report from
December 14, 2005 was, essentially, normal, providing no
evidence of peripheral neuropathy or lumbosacral radiculopathy
(Tr. 256-57).
During his course of treatment at Greystone,
Physician's Desk Reference 2458 (52nd ed. 1998).
3
Flexeril is used along with “rest and physical therapy for
relief of muscle spasm associated with acute, painful musculoskeletal
conditions.” Physician's Desk Reference 1455-57 (48th ed. 1994).
4
Ultram is an analgesic “indicated for the management of moderate
to moderately severe pain.” Physician's Desk Reference 2218 (54th ed.
2000).
5
Zanaflax “is a short-acting drug for the acute and intermittent
management of increased muscle tone associated with spasticity.”
Physician's Desk Reference 3204 (52nd ed. 1998).
6
Mobic is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug used for the
relief of signs and symptoms of osteoarthritis and rheumatoid
5
Plaintiff received physical therapy for the first six months
(Tr. 224-55), following which Dr. Hakim still noted tenderness
across the back though it had improved.
Turner was not seen
again at Greystone for a year when Dr. Hakim noted that
Plaintiff had taken his medication until he ran out of it; he
had back tenderness as well as pain radiating into both legs
(Tr. 260).
The doctor prescribed Lodine7 and Zanaflax and
recommended more physical therapy, including ultrasound and
massage, which he underwent between June and November 2007 (Tr.
260, 270-86).
On August 15, 2007, Hakim indicated that Turner
had reached maximum medical improvement, noting that there was
still tenderness in the lumbar area, mostly on the left; he
could bend forward, but not touch his toes (Tr. 258).
Plaintiff
was to continue with Anaprox and Zanaflex and continue
exercising at home (id.).
On December 3, 2007, Turner was seen by the Rural Health
Medical Program (hereinafter RHMP) (Tr. 292).
Plaintiff stated
that he had last taken his blood pressure medication two days
earlier; the nurse noted that his hypertension was out of
control and cautioned him about not taking his medication (Tr.
arthritis. Physician's Desk Reference 855-57 (62nd ed. 2008).
7
Lodine is “indicated for acute and long-term use in the
management of signs and symptoms of osteoarthritis and rheumatoid
6
292, 288).
The next day, his blood pressure was 140/110 and
noted to be much improved (Tr. 291).
On March 3, 2008, Dr. Huey R. Kidd, D.O., examined Turner
and noted that his blood pressure was 134/78 and that he was
morbidly obese (Tr. 304-05).
Plaintiff had full range of motion
and 5/5 strength in upper and lower extremities; he was unable
to heel or toe walk, squat and stand, and unable to bend to
touch his toes because, he said, it caused him too much pain.
Deep tendon reflexes were 2/4 at the patella and the Achilles.
Kidd’s assessment was low back pain with a history of herniated
disc.
On April 15, 2008, Plaintiff was seen at the Tombigbee
Health Clinic for chills, fever, coughing, and shortness of
breath (314-28).
A chest x-ray showed that lungs were clear and
that was heart was within normal limits.
Records from RHMP demonstrate that Turner was seen on
February 14, 2008 for a headache, congestion, and overall
achiness; he had run out of blood pressure medicine the day
before (Tr. 334).
On June 6, 2008, Plaintiff complained of
depression and an inability to sleep for which he was prescribed
arthritis. Lodine is also indicated for the management of pain.”
Physician's Desk Reference 3062-64 (52nd ed. 1998).
7
Zoloft8 (Tr. 333, 335).
Turner was next seen on June 23, 2009
with a toothache and because he had been out of hypertension
medications for a week (Tr. 331).
On September 3, Plaintiff was
seen for sleep apnea and because he was out of hypertension
medications again (Tr. 330).
At the evidentiary hearing, Turner testified that he was
thirty-six years old and that he had a high school education and
a commercial driving license (Tr. 34).
mason and truck driver (Tr. 35-36).
He had worked as a brick
Plaintiff stated that he
was injured years earlier while he was eating when the bar stool
he was sitting on collapsed underneath him (Tr. 37).
He stated
that he had sleep apnea, but did not have the money to get the
necessary study to confirm and treat it; Plaintiff had had the
problem from before his accident and was able to work in spite
of it (Tr. 39-40).
Turner suffered from lower back pain which
radiated into his hips and legs, requiring medication; he has
not always had medications because he did not have the money to
purchase them (Tr. 41-42).
Plaintiff testified that his daily
pain, on a ten-point scale, was 7.5; more than five days a week,
the pain exceeded ten (Tr. 43-44).
Turner stated that his
doctor had made an appointment for him to see a mental health
8
Zoloft is “indicated for the treatment of depression.”
8
professional, but that he did not keep the appointment (Tr. 45).
Plaintiff stated that he lived next door to his grandparents and
that they feed him and take care of all of his chores (Tr. 4649); he stated that he does not really do much of anything but
try to exercise (Tr. 54).
Turner stated that he was able to sit
for up to thirty minutes, stand for five minutes, and walk for
up to ten minutes (Tr. 51-52).
Plaintiff has blood pressure
problems; the only time he does not take his hypertension
medication is when he does not have money to purchase it (Tr.
48, 52-53).
A vocational expert (hereinafter VE) testified about
Turner’s previous jobs and how they were classified; based on a
hypothetical question9 posed by the ALJ, the VE stated that
Plaintiff would not be able to return to any of his past work
Physician's Desk Reference 2229-34 (52nd ed. 1998).
9
The hypothetical person could “occasionally lift and carry 10
pounds, frequently lift and carry less than 10 pounds, stand or walk
two hours in a normal eight-hour workday. Sit six hours with normal
breaks in an eight-hour workday. No limits with pushing or pulling.
Let’s assume someone who when it comes to postural limitations,
someone who should never climb a ladder, ropes or scaffold.
Occasional ramps and stairs. Frequent balancing. Occasional
kneeling, crouching, crawling, stooping. No manipulative limitations.
No visual limitations or communicative limitations. Environmental
limitations, somebody who should avoid concentrated exposure to
extreme cold and heat. Someone who should avoid moderate exposure to
dust. Someone who should avoid moderate exposure to humidity and
wetness. Someone who should avoid moderate exposure to hazardous
machinery. And someone who should avoid all exposure to unprotected
heights” (Tr. 56).
9
(Tr. 55-56).
When further queried, the VE stated that the
hypothetical person could work as a telephone solicitor, order
clerk, and diet clerk (Tr. 56-57).
The VE also stated that if
Plaintiff’s testimony was accepted as totally reliable, he would
be unable to perform any work (Tr. 58).
In his decision, the ALJ summarized the evidence of record
and found that Plaintiff’s statements of his limitations and
symptoms were not credible (Tr. 21, 24).
The ALJ discussed
Turner’s failure to take his medications regularly and follow
his doctor’s recommendations (Tr. 21-22).
The ALJ found that
Plaintiff was not capable of returning to his past work, but
could perform a reduced range of sedentary work; he pointed to
the medical records from Greystone and Dr. Kidd as supporting
his opinions, giving great weight to Dr. Kidd’s conclusions (Tr.
25).
The ALJ adopted the opinions of the VE as his own, finding
that there were specific jobs which Turner could perform (Tr.
26-27).
This concludes the medical evidence of record.
The Court
will turn to Plaintiff’s claims.
Turner first claims that the ALJ was biased against him
(Doc. 17, pp. 2-4).
In making this assertion, Plaintiff points
to the following specific language in the ALJ’s decision:
10
The claimant’s track record regarding his
high blood pressure and medical
noncompliance casts a pall over his
allegations. I note that he did not testify
regarding his failure to follow doctor’s
orders. But, even if his testimony were
true, it is unimaginable to me that a person
would fail to address a medical condition
that they find contributes to their
disability. To go one day more or less an
entire week without pursuing medication for
a condition but complain about symptoms of
the condition—and seek compensation—the
medication is designed to address is suspect
at best. However, in this case where the
claimant has received repeated counseling
for failure to take his medication as
directed is a glaring sign that the claimant
either does not care about his health or is
more interested in obtaining disability.
(Tr. 22).
The Court notes that the Supreme Court has held that
Administrative Law Judges are presumed to be unbiased, though
“[t]his presumption can be rebutted by a showing of conflict of
interest or some other specific reason for disqualification;”
the burden of disqualification falls on the party making the
assertion.
Schweiker v. McClure, 456 U.S. 188, 195-96 (1982).
The Court finds that the ALJ’s comments, while stern, do
not indicate bias.
The ALJ informed the Plaintiff that he is,
at least in part, responsible for his uncontrolled hypertension.
The Social Security regulations state that “[i]n order to get
benefits, you must follow treatment prescribed by your physician
11
if this treatment can restore your ability to work.”
1530(a) (2011).
20 C.F.R.
The regulation goes on to state that “[i]f you
do not follow the prescribed treatment without a good reason, we
will not find you disabled or, if you are already receiving
benefits, we will stop paying you benefits.”
20 C.F.R. §
404.1530(b) (2011); see also Dawkins v. Bowen, 848 F.2d 1211,
1213 (11th Cir. 1988).
Plaintiff’s claim of the ALJ’s bias is
without merit.
Turner next claims that the ALJ improperly discounted his
testimony (Doc. 17, pp. 4-6).
More specifically, Plaintiff
asserts that the ALJ did not properly consider his claims of
pain.
The standard by which the Plaintiff's complaints of pain
are to be evaluated requires "(1) evidence of an underlying
medical condition and either (2) objective medical evidence that
confirms the severity of the alleged pain arising from that
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."
Holt v. Sullivan,
921 F.2d 1221, 1223 (11th Cir. 1991) (citing Landry v. Heckler,
782 F.2d 1551, 1553 (11th Cir. 1986)).
The Eleventh Circuit
Court of Appeals has also held that the determination of whether
12
objective medical impairments could reasonably be expected to
produce the pain was a factual question to be made by the
Secretary and, therefore, "subject only to limited review in the
courts to ensure that the finding is supported by substantial
evidence."
Hand v. Heckler, 761 F.2d 1545, 1549 (11th Cir.),
vacated for rehearing en banc, 774 F.2d 428 (1985), reinstated
sub nom. Hand v. Bowen, 793 F.2d 275 (11th Cir. 1986).
Furthermore, the Social Security regulations specifically state
the following:
statements about your pain or other symptoms
will not alone establish that you are
disabled; there must be medical signs and
laboratory findings which show that you have
a medical impairment(s) which could
reasonably be expected to produce the pain
or other symptoms alleged and which, when
considered with all of the other evidence
(including statements about the intensity
and persistence of your pain or other
symptoms which may reasonably be accepted as
consistent with the medical signs and
laboratory findings), would lead to a
conclusion that you are disabled.
20 C.F.R. 404.1529(a) (2011).
Though Turner asserts that the ALJ did not set forth
reasons for his rejection of his pain testimony, the Court found
the following language in his decision:
13
Dr. Kidd diagnosed the claimant with low
back pain and a history of herniated disc.
I note that Dr. Kidd’s examination and
report were brief. However, his limited
findings do not support the claimant’s
allegations of continued limitation. . . . I
gave his report great weight. I previously
shared information from the claimant’s
records with the Uniontown Health Center.
The claimant continued to visit that
facility and it appears to have been the
facility for his primary care. Although the
Uniontown records cover the period of the
accident through the month of his hearing I
did not find a single note regarding
significant back pain. Reviewing the
information chronologically but in reserve
[sic], the claimant’s last visit was
approximately three weeks before the
hearing. The claimant reported, in part,
swelling in his feet and legs. The claimant
failed to advise his treating physician that
he could not sit, stand or walk, in excess
of 10 minutes each. The claimant did not
mention back pain ranging between “7-8” on a
scale of zero to ten; [sic] as he would
share with me three weeks later. The
claimant did not mention fatigue or
shortness of breath on standing or walking.
The claimant did not request pain medication
in relationship to his back. Treating
personnel did not report any observations of
the claimant being acutely distressed. I
find that it is highly unlikely that the
claimant would not have shared this
information with his primary care provider
but share such significant impairment and
limitation with me three weeks later. The
claimant is not credible regarding his
allegations of limitation. I also note that
he was prescribed Lisinopril and Clonidine
during that last visit. These medications
are not for treatment of pain. They are
appropriate for what the claimant alleged
14
ailed him, in part, on that day.
(Tr. 23-24).
Though Turner complains that the ALJ failed to
note recent prescriptions from Greystone (Doc. 17, pp. 5-6), the
Court reminds Plaintiff that he did not pursue treatment there
for one year (Tr. 260).10
The Court finds that the ALJ has
fairly explained why Plaintiff’s claim of debilitating pain and
limitation is not credible.
Turner’s claim otherwise is without
merit.
Plaintiff next claims that the ALJ failed to complete a
PRTF or incorporate its analysis into his findings (Doc. 17, pp.
6-7).
Turner notes his depression and corresponding
prescription for Zoloft.
The Court notes that the Eleventh
Circuit Court of Appeals, in Moore v. Barnhart, 405 F.3d 1208,
1214 (11th Cir. 2005), held that “where a claimant has presented
a colorable claim of mental impairment, the social security
regulations require the ALJ to complete a PRTF, append it to the
decision, and incorporate its mode of analysis into his findings
and conclusions.
Failure to do so requires remand.”
In his decision, the ALJ specifically found that Plaintiff
did not suffer from depression (Tr. 18).
10
He noted that Turner
In fact, the Court notes that no medical records have been made
available during that period of time, though the alleged disability
15
had never received any mental health treatment, even though a
doctor had referred him (id.); furthermore, though he received a
one-time prescription for medication, no doctor ever rendered a
depression diagnosis (Tr. 18).
Finally, the ALJ repeatedly
noted that Plaintiff, in his initial claim for disability, made
no assertions regarding depression (Tr. 20).
The Court finds
that the ALJ did not err in not completing a PRTF or
incorporating its analysis into his findings.
Next, Turner claims that the ALJ made an improper RFC
finding (Doc. 17, pp. 7-8).
In fleshing out this claim,
Plaintiff asserts that the hypothetical question posed to the VE
was incomplete.
The Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals has held
that an ALJ's failure to include severe impairments suffered by
a claimant in a hypothetical question to a vocational expert to
be reversible error where the ALJ relied on that expert's
testimony in reaching a disability decision.
Pendley v.
Heckler, 767 F.2d 1561 (11th Cir. 1985).
In his decision, the ALJ discussed the VE’s testimony and
adopted his opinion about the jobs Plaintiff could perform as
his own (Tr. 27).
He then stated as follows:
However, I do note for the sake of the
date precedes that gap by about nine months.
16
record that although I found the claimant’s
asthma severe, I did not address fumes,
odors, chemicals, gases, or other pulmonary
irritants when I provided the claimant’s
vocational status to the vocational expert.
I visited the Dictionary of Occupational
Titles and researched the abilities needed
and the environments normally associated
with the other jobs the vocational expert
provided to me. I found that like with
dust, which did go before the vocational
expert, none of these occupations presented
a risk to the claimant based on the
claimant’s level of asthma impairment.
Accordingly, I find that the vocational
expert’s testimony—as well as my own
investigation—indicates that the claimant is
capable of performing the representational
jobs highlighted above.
(Tr. 27).
While the ALJ erred in not posing a complete
hypothetical to the VE, he cured that error by making sure that
his ultimate conclusion—that Plaintiff was capable of performing
specified jobs—was supported by the evidence.
Though the Court
has not gone to the Dictionary of Occupational Titles to check
behind the ALJ’s research, Turner has failed to direct the Court
to any mistakes in the ALJ’s conclusion regarding his ability to
work these specified jobs.
The ALJ’s error was, at most,
harmless.
Plaintiff next claims that the ALJ did not properly
consider his morbid obesity (Doc. 17, pp. 8-9).
More
specifically, Turner asserts that the ALJ should have discussed
17
the effects of his obesity on his ability to work.
The Court notes that the ALJ determined that Turner’s
obesity was a severe impairment (Tr. 17).
He went on to “find
that it does not increase the severity of any impairment, real
or otherwise, to the point of causing any impairment to meet or
equal a listing” (Tr. 19).
The Court notes that Plaintiff’s application makes no
mention of obesity (Tr. 126-35).
In fact, none of the forms
indicate that obesity is the reason for Turner’s seeking
disability (Tr. 141-55).
His testimony at the evidentiary
hearing was that he weighed 245 pounds while he was working and
that he had put on an additional twenty pounds (Tr. 46-47); even
so, there was no testimony that his obesity limited his ability
to function.
Likewise, Plaintiff has directed this Court to
nothing in the record in the brief before the Court which
explains how his being overweight contributes to his disability.
This claim is without merit.
Turner’s final claim is that the Appeals Council did not
properly consider newly submitted evidence (Doc. 17, pp. 9-10).
The record shows that Plaintiff submitted the evidence appearing
in the record at pp. 337-401 to the Appeals Council which found
that the new evidence provided no basis for changing the ALJ’s
18
decision (Tr. 1).
It should be noted that "[a] reviewing court is limited to
[the certified] record [of all of the evidence formally
considered by the Secretary] in examining the evidence."
v. Heckler, 760 F.2d 1186, 1193 (11th Cir. 1985).
Cherry
However, “new
evidence first submitted to the Appeals Council is part of the
administrative record that goes to the district court for review
when the Appeals Council accepts the case for review as well as
when the Council denies review.”
Keeton v. Department of Health
and Human Services, 21 F.3d 1064, 1067 (11th Cir. 1994).
Under
Ingram v. Commissioner of Social Security Administration, 496
F.3d 1253, 1264 (11th Cir. 2007), district courts are instructed
to consider, if such a claim is made, whether the Appeals
Council properly considered the newly-submitted evidence in
light of the ALJ’s decision.
To make that determination, the
Court considers whether the claimant “establish[ed] that:
(1)
there is new, noncumulative evidence; (2) the evidence is
'material,' that is, relevant and probative so that there is a
reasonable possibility that it would change the administrative
result, and (3) there is good cause for the failure to submit
the evidence at the administrative level."
791 F.2d 872, 877 (11th Cir. 1986).
19
Caulder v. Bowen,
In examining the action at hand, the Court notes that the
Appeals Council denied review of the additional evidence (Tr.
1).
The Court further notes that Plaintiff is claiming that the
ALJ’s decision is not supported by substantial evidence, but
also challenges the Appeals Council’s decision to deny review of
the new evidence (Doc. 17).
review the new evidence.
Therefore, the Court will need to
Falge, 150 F.3d at 1324.
The Court notes initially that pages 343-48 duplicates
pages 330-35, so there is nothing new to consider therein.
As
far as the balance of the evidence (Tr. 337-42, 349-401), the
Court notes that it all post-dates the ALJ’s decision of
December 4, 2009 and that although the information therein
relates to impairments asserted in this action, there is nothing
in that evidence that relates back to the relevant time period.
In other words, there is nothing in the new evidence which would
indicate that Turner’s impairments, at the time they were being
considered by the ALJ, rendered him disabled.
As such, the
Court finds that there is no reason to believe that there is a
reasonable probability that this new evidence would change the
ALJ’s decision.
Plaintiff’s claim otherwise is without merit.
In summary, Turner has raised six different claims in
bringing this action.
All are without merit.
20
Upon consideration of the entire record, the Court finds
"such relevant evidence as a reasonable mind might accept as
adequate to support a conclusion."
Perales, 402 U.S. at 401.
Therefore, it is ORDERED that the Secretary's decision be
AFFIRMED, see Fortenberry v. Harris, 612 F.2d 947, 950 (5th Cir.
1980), and that this action be DISMISSED.
Judgment will be
entered by separate Order.
DONE this 17th day of November, 2011.
s/BERT W. MILLING, JR.
UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE
21
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