Buskohl v. Social Security Administration Commissioner

Filing 18

ORDER that the Clerk enter judgment affirming the final decision of the Commissioner of Social Security. The Clerk will terminate this case. Signed by Judge Neil V Wake on 11/28/11. (TLJ)

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1 WO 2 3 4 5 6 IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT 7 FOR THE DISTRICT OF ARIZONA 8 9 Dyan Buskohl, No. CV 10-02115-PHX-NVW Plaintiff, 10 11 vs. 12 ORDER Commissioner of Social Security, Defendant. 13 14 15 Plaintiff Dyan Buskohl applied for disability benefits and was denied initially and 16 upon reconsideration. She then received two hearings before Administrative Law Judge 17 Joan G. Knight, who eventually determined that Buskohl had been disabled for a closed 18 period. Buskohl has appealed to this Court under 42 U.S.C. §§ 405(g) and 1383(c)(3), 19 arguing that the she has been disabled both before and since the closed period. The 20 ALJ’s decision will be affirmed. 21 I. BACKGROUND 22 A. Buskohl’s Medical, Occupational, and Social History 23 The ALJ granted a closed period of disability from May 6, 2006 to June 30, 2007 24 (“Closed Period”). Given this conclusion, and Buskohl’s challenges to it, Buskohl’s 25 history is best understood by dividing it into four time periods: (1) before the alleged 26 disability onset date of September 30, 2004; (2) from the alleged onset date to the 27 beginning of the Closed Period; (3) during the Closed Period; and (4) from the end of the 28 Closed Period to the time of the ALJ’s decision. 1 1. Buskohl’s Condition Before the Alleged Disability Onset Date 2 Before the alleged onset of her disability in 2004, Buskohl had a high school 3 education and worked as a cashier and a retail salesperson. Buskohl claims that mental 4 health troubles — which have existed since childhood — plagued her during this period 5 of life. She frequently felt depressed, and began receiving prescription antidepressant 6 drugs as early as 2002. Despite her medications, she had difficulty staying on task at 7 work, interacting appropriately with co-workers and customers, and similar problems. 8 She was fired from her last job, in 2004, supposedly based on an accusation of theft, 9 although Buskohl believes that her pregnancy at that time was the true motivating factor. 10 Buskohl did not take her antidepressant medications while pregnant, but she 11 resumed those medications in September 2004, shortly after her baby was born. Buskohl 12 now claims that her disability began on September 30, 2004, at age 21. 13 2. 14 15 16 17 18 19 Buskohl’s Condition from the Alleged Onset Date to the Beginning of the Closed Period From October 2004 through April 2006, Buskohl’s medical records reflect GAF scores between 50 and 55.1 Buskohl continued to have depressed episodes, including thoughts of suicide, as well as manic episodes. As early as December 2004, and possibly earlier, Buskohl was diagnosed as bipolar. Her doctors adjusted her medication in response to her symptoms, with varying success. 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 1 GAF, or “Global Assessment of Functioning,” ranks psychological, social, and occupational functioning on a hypothetical continuum of mental illness ranging from zero to 100. A GAF rating of 31 to 40 indicates some impairment in reality testing or communication, or major impairment in several areas such as work, family relations, judgment, thinking, or mood; a rating of 41 to 50 indicates serious symptoms or serious impairment in social or occupational functioning; a rating of 51 to 60 indicates moderate symptoms or moderate difficulty in social or occupational functioning; and a rating of 61 to 70 indicates “mild symptoms” or some difficulty in social or occupational functioning, but generally functioning well. See Am. Psychiatric Ass’n, Diagnostic & Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders 32 (Text Rev. 4th ed. 2000). 28 -2  1 Buskohl spent most of her days taking care of her son, but Buskohl lived with her 2 parents and relied on them to take care of her son when Buskohl was in a mentally 3 unbalanced state. 4 housework. During such states, she often neglected personal grooming and 5 During this time period, Buskohl apparently chatted with men on the Internet and 6 then met with them in person on occasion. She also interacted with a nearby cousin, and 7 she dated a man she met at a Sonic Drive-In restaurant. 8 In early 2006, medical professionals described Buskohl’s symptoms as “anger, 9 irritability, frustration, emotional[] sensitivity, depression, low energy, past [suicidal 10 ideation], impulsivity (pierced tongue without thought, spending [money] excessive[ly], 11 hypersexual) and sleeplessness for days.” (Tr. 650.) 12 3. Buskohl’s Condition During the Closed Period 13 In early May 2006, Buskohl checked into a suicide prevention program. Buskohl 14 reported experiencing vivid dreams, including dreams about harming her son. Buskohl 15 had also been thinking about suicide more frequently. She checked herself out a few 16 days later because she did not like the treatment. 17 depression, mania, anxiety, irritability, impulsiveness, and sleep problems continued at a 18 more pronounced level. The state of Arizona determined that Buskohl was “SMI,” or 19 seriously mentally ill, in late May 2006. In July 2006, a psychiatrist, Dr. Zerrudo, began 20 treating Buskohl on a fairly regular basis. Dr. Zerrudo (or his staff) frequently adjusted 21 Buskohl’s medications. Nonetheless, her symptoms of 22 During the Closed Period, Buskohl’s GAF scores started at 35 (when she checked 23 herself into treatment) and remained low for a few months, but improved to 70 by April 24 2007, then receded to the 60–65 range in May 2007. 25 In June 2007, at the end of the closed period, a state agency examining doctor, Dr. 26 Salk, interviewed Buskohl as part of the disability application process. Dr. Salk opined 27 that Buskohl was “moderately limited” in her ability to maintain attention and 28 concentration for extended periods, to complete a normal workday, to get along with co-3  1 workers, and to set goals and act independently. (Tr. 342–45.) Dr. Salk concluded that 2 Buskohl was only mildly limited, if at all, in other areas of life. 4. 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 Buskohl’s Condition from the End of the Closed Period to the Time of the ALJ’s Decision After the Closed Period, Buskohl continued to suffer symptoms of her mental ailments, and her medications were frequently adjusted. Despite her symptoms, some of Buskohl’s care providers noted progress, including better attention, concentration, insight, and judgment. Sometimes Buskohl reported that her medications were working. Buskohl also apparently spent more time playing with her son, visiting a friend, going out to eat, and swimming. In October 2008, Buskohl’s treating psychiatrist, Dr. Zerrudo, opined that Buskohl was “severe[ly]” limited in her ability to accept, understand, remember, and carry out detailed instructions, and her ability to respond appropriately to criticism. Dr. Zerrudo also noted “moderately severe” limitations in Buskohl’s ability to complete a normal workday, to get along with co-workers, to respond to changes in work setting, and to travel to unfamiliar places or use public transportation. Finally, Dr. Zerrudo (like Dr. Salk) noted “moderate” limitation in Buskohl’s ability to maintain attention and concentration for extended periods. (Tr. 416–21.) Dr. Zerrudo reached identical conclusions in April 2009. (Tr. 737–42.) Buskohl’s GAF scores during this time began in the 60–65 range, and fluctuated from a high of 65–70 in October 2007 to a low of 50 in April 2009. B. Administrative Proceedings 1. Buskohl’s First ALJ Hearing Buskohl first appeared before the ALJ in February 2009. At the hearing, she related her history and symptoms generally as described above. She claimed inability to work because she loses concentration easily, gets overwhelmed easily, has trouble handling criticism or even the thought of potential criticism, and impulsively says inappropriate things. Buskohl reported napping during the day — while her son is at 28 -4  1 preschool — because her medications sometimes make her sleepy. Other days, she has 2 manic episodes where she has too much energy and cannot stop doing projects. She 3 reported socializing only with family members. She also confirmed that she can drive, 4 and that she uses a computer daily. 5 A vocational expert, Sandra Richter, also testified at the hearing. The expert 6 classified Buskohl’s previous jobs as light, semi-skilled. The ALJ did not ask the 7 vocational expert if Buskohl could still perform any of her previous jobs. Instead, the 8 ALJ asked the vocational expert “to consider a hypothetical person the same age, 9 education and work history as Ms. Buskohl. If this person were restricted to simple, 10 unskilled work tasks, is there any work this hypothetical person could perform?” 11 (Tr. 92.) In response, the expert identified packaging, production, and inspector positions 12 existing in substantial numbers in the national and local economies. (Id.) 13 When asked by the ALJ whether work existed for a person who matches 14 Dr. Zerrudo’s October 2008 opinion of Buskohl (i.e., a person with several severe and 15 moderately severe mental limitations), the expert opined that no work existed. When 16 asked by Buskohl’s counsel whether work existed for a person with “moderately limited 17 . . . ability to maintain attention and concentration for extended periods” (apparently a 18 reference to Dr. Salk’s July 2007 opinion), the expert responded elliptically: “any job . . . 19 [requires] maintain[ing] attention and concentration throughout the working day.” (Tr. 20 93–94.) When asked by Buskohl’s counsel whether work existed for Buskohl, “[i]f we 21 accepted her testimony,” the expert replied, “I believe that based on her testimony, she 22 cannot work.” (Tr. 95.) 23 2. Buskohl’s Second ALJ Hearing 24 In April 2009, the ALJ convened a second hearing to take testimony from 25 Dr. Finn, a state agency reviewing (i.e., non-examining) physician and medical expert. It 26 quickly became apparent that Dr. Finn had not received all of Buskohl’s medical records. 27 Specifically, he did not have Dr. Zerrudo’s October 2008 and April 2009 opinions. 28 -5  1 Nonetheless, the hearing went forward based on the many other records Dr. Finn 2 reviewed, including Dr. Zerrudo’s treatment records. 3 Dr. Finn did not explain his view of the evidence before May 2006. Dr. Finn 4 concluded that Buskohl was markedly limited in her social functioning from the time she 5 checked herself into suicide prevention care in May 2006 through about June 2007. 6 Between May 2006 and June 2007, he saw evidence of Buskohl’s difficulties with all 7 aspects of life. But Buskohl’s gradually rising GAF scores convinced Dr. Finn that 8 Buskohl had substantially improved by the end of June 2007, to the point of only 9 moderate or mild limitations. Like Drs. Zerrudo and Salk, Dr. Finn opined that Buskohl 10 continues to have “moderate” limitations in her ability to maintain attention and 11 concentration for extended periods. 12 instructions, Dr. Finn testified that Buskohl’s impairment would be “mild if it were 13 simple, routine work.” (Tr. 63.) As to the ability to understand and carry out 14 Regarding the period before May 2006, Buskohl’s attorney asked Dr. Finn if his 15 opinion might change if he had seen a document from the state declaring Buskohl serious 16 mentally ill in May 2005, or a document from December 2004 stating a GAF score of 51. 17 Dr. Finn responded that he had not seen any such documents, but the May 2005 SMI 18 determination, if it existed, could influence his opinion, and the December 2004 GAF 19 score of 51 would indicate “serious impairments in both social and occupational 20 functioning” at that time. (Tr. 65–66.) 21 The ALJ concluded the hearing by apologizing for not having forwarded all of 22 Buskohl’s medical records to Dr. Finn. 23 disability back to the onset date based in part on records Dr. Finn had not seen. The ALJ 24 responded: 25 26 27 Buskohl’s attorney urged the ALJ to find Well, how about this, since I have this opinion regarding [a] specific time period [i.e., May 2006 through June 2007], I’m going [to go] ahead and look at this again . . . and compare it. If there’s nothing inconsistent, then I won’t go ahead and reschedule a supplemental hearing. If it’s a question I cannot 28 -6  resolve favorably to Ms. Buskohl, I’ll go ahead and schedule a supplemental hearing. 1 2 3 4 5 6 (Tr. 67.) The ALJ did not call a supplemental hearing. C. The ALJ’s Decision At its core, the ALJ’s opinion relies on Dr. Finn’s conclusions. The ALJ therefore granted the Closed Period of disability from May 4, 2006 through June 30, 2007. 1. Pre-Closed Period Reasoning 7 According to the ALJ, Buskohl had “no more than minimal limitations” before the 8 Closed Period. “She maintained an active lifestyle and social life during her pregnancy 9 and after her baby was born.” (Tr. 34.) “Active lifestyle and social life” seems to refer to 10 Buskohl’s habit of meeting people with whom she chatted on the Internet, her boyfriend 11 from Sonic Drive-In, and perhaps interaction with her cousin. The ALJ also noted that 12 Buskohl was “the primary caregiver of son” and “[c]aring for young children can be quite 13 demanding which tends to suggest that she [was] not . . . significantly limited.” (Tr. 36.) 14 The ALJ also concluded that Buskohl’s medications produced “good results prior to May 15 2006.” (Tr. 39.) 16 2. 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 Post-Closed Period Reasoning Regarding the post-Closed Period time frame, the ALJ explicitly adopted Dr. Finn’s conclusions, summarizing them as follows: The medical expert [Dr. Finn] testified that from July 2007 to the date of the hearing, [Buskohl] had a mild to moderate restriction in activities of daily living, a moderate impairment in social functioning and moderate difficulty maintaining concentration, persistence and pace. . . . The medical expert further testified that he felt that the claimant could have completed a normal work day and respond appropriately to supervision from June 2007 to the present. During this time frame, she would have been able to get along with coworkers and peers. She could have completed a normal workday without psychologically based symptoms. She would have a moderate impairment getting along with supervisors and accepting criticism. . . . [S]he would have encountered problems with responding favorably on a consistent basis. [Buskohl]’s ability to understand and remember and carry out simple instructions was mildly impaired. . . . [Buskohl] would be able to have routine interaction with the public, but not frequent interaction. She could complete job tasks and -7  work effectively with the public, so long as it would be sustainable work without job changes. If simple and routine tasks, she would do fairly well. The undersigned agrees with and adopts the opinion of the medical expert. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 (Tr. 33–34.) The ALJ also claimed “overwhelming evidence in the record to support the [Dr. Finn]’s testimony that the claimant’s condition did improve and that she has not been precluded from performing all work related activity since June 30, 2007.” (Tr. 34.) The ALJ did not elaborate on this “overwhelming evidence” except to again note that Buskohl is her son’s primary caregiver, and that Buskohl could perform household chores and run errands. The ALJ also noted that Buskohl was functional enough to help her father after he had a motorcycle accident, and that Buskohl’s claimed inability to concentrate was belied by “activities which require the ability to concentrate such as driv[ing] and us[ing] a computer.” (Tr. 36.) As for Dr. Zerrudo, the ALJ did not give his evaluations controlling weight 13 for several reasons. Dr. Zer[r]udo has reported that [Buskohl] has moderate to severe limitations in a number of areas. However as previously discussed, treatment records indicate that [Buskohl]’s condition has been stable with medication and [her] Global Assessment of Functioning have [sic] been as high as 70, which does not support a finding that the claimant has a moderate to severe limitation in any area. Moreover, [Buskohl]’s activity level suggests that she would not have moderate to severe limitations in the areas noted. [She] has been able to care for her young son and she has been the primary caregiver. Similarly, while [she] may have some limitation in social functioning, treatment records do not support a finding of moderate to severe limitations in this area. 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 (Tr. 41.) 22 Concerning Dr. Salk’s June 2007 conclusions, the ALJ stated that “Dr. Salk’s 23 opinion supports the conclusion reached in this decision that [Buskohl]’s condition was 24 improving by June 2007.” (Tr. 35.) 25 3. Residual Functional Capacity & Available Jobs 26 The ALJ’s opinion assessed Buskohl’s residual functional capacity as follows: 27 “capacity to perform a full range of work at all exertional levels but with the following 28 nonexertional limitations: the claimant is limited to simple unskilled work tasks.” -8  1 (Tr. 36.) The opinion goes on to state that “[t]he vocational expert testified that this 2 claimant, given the above noted limitations, is unable to perform the demands of her past 3 relevant work.” (Tr. 43.) Although the vocational expert offered no such testimony, the 4 ALJ nonetheless “agreed” with it and concluded that Buskohl cannot perform her past 5 work. The ALJ then agreed with the vocational expert’s actual testimony, concluding 6 that Buskohl retains the capacity to perform certain simple, unskilled jobs — packager, 7 production worker, and inspector. Sufficient numbers of these jobs exist in both the 8 national and local economy. Accordingly, the ALJ found Buskohl not disabled outside of 9 the Closed Period. 10 II. GENERAL STANDARD OF REVIEW 11 The Court will uphold the ALJ’s final decision if it is supported by substantial 12 evidence and not based on legal error. See 42 U.S.C. § 405(g); Smolen v. Chater, 80 F.3d 13 1273, 1279 (9th Cir. 1996). The substantial evidence standard requires the evidence, as a 14 whole, to be “more than a mere scintilla but not necessarily a preponderance” and 15 otherwise sufficient such that “a reasonable mind might accept [the evidence] as adequate 16 to support a conclusion.” Tomassetti v. Astrue, 533 F.3d 1035, 1038 (9th Cir. 2008) 17 (internal quotation marks omitted). Further, if the “evidence is susceptible to more than 18 one rational interpretation” and the ALJ’s decision is supported by one such rational 19 interpretation, the Court will affirm the ALJ. Orn v. Astrue, 495 F.3d 625, 630 (9th Cir. 20 2007). 21 The Court will review only the issues raised by the party challenging the ALJ’s 22 decision. See Lewis v. Apfel, 235 F.3d 503, 517 n.13 (9th Cir. 2001). The Court will not 23 reverse for harmless error, which exists “when it is clear from the record that the ALJ’s 24 error was inconsequential to the ultimate nondisability determination.” Tomassetti, 533 25 F.3d at 1038 (internal quotation marks omitted). However, the Court will “review the 26 ALJ’s decision based [only] on the reasoning and factual findings offered by the ALJ.” 27 Bray v. Comm’r of SSA, 554 F.3d 1219, 1225 (9th Cir. 2009). The Court will not 28 “attempt to intuit what the adjudicator may have been thinking.” Id. -9  1 III. ANALYSIS 2 A. 3 Buskohl argues that she did not receive a full and fair hearing because the ALJ did 4 not call a third evidentiary hearing, as the ALJ suggested she might do because Dr. Finn 5 had not received all of Buskohl’s medical records. But it’s not clear that the ALJ can be 6 held by estoppel to her promise of another hearing,2 and in any event, the ALJ’s opinion 7 about Buskohl before May 2006 did not rely on medical evidence for which expert 8 medical interpretation from Dr. Finn might be needed. Instead, the ALJ focused on 9 Buskohl’s activity level, including her ability to care for her son, to help out around the 10 Before the Closed Period house, and to socialize outside of the house. 11 Buskohl disputes the ALJ’s interpretation of her activity level. However, the 12 “evidence is susceptible to more than one rational interpretation” and the ALJ’s decision 13 offers one such rational interpretation. Orn v. Astrue, 495 F.3d 625, 630 (9th Cir. 2007). 14 Accordingly, it will be affirmed. Id. B. 15 After the Closed Period 1. 16 Buskohl’s Credibility 17 “[A] claimant who alleges disability based on subjective symptoms” — such as 18 Buskohl’s mental limitations — “need not produce objective medical evidence of the 19 [symptom] itself, or the severity thereof.” Smolen, 80 F.3d at 1281–82. Instead, she 20 must (a) “produce objective medical evidence of an impairment or impairments” and 21 (b) “show that the impairment or combination of impairments could reasonably be 22 expected to (not that it did in fact) produce some degree of [the subjective] symptom.” 23 Id. 24 The ALJ here found these two elements satisfied, but also discounted Buskohl’s 25 credibility. Given this, the ALJ could not reject Buskohl’s testimony about the limiting 26 27 2 See generally Office of Personnel Mgmt. v. Richmond, 496 U.S. 414 (1990) (discussing estoppel against a government agency); Schweiker v. Hansen, 450 U.S. 785 (1981) (same). 28 - 10   1 effects of her mental problems without “mak[ing] specific findings stating clear and 2 convincing reasons for doing so. The ALJ [was required to] state specifically which 3 symptom testimony is not credible and what facts in the record lead to that conclusion.” 4 Id. at 1284 (citation omitted); see also Morgan v. Comm’r of SSA, 169 F.3d 595, 599 (9th 5 Cir. 1999) (“The ALJ must specifically identify what testimony is credible and what 6 testimony undermines the claimant’s complaints.”). Whether the ALJ properly did so 7 matters because the vocational expert testified that there would be no work for someone 8 with the limitations Buskohl ascribes to herself. 9 Here, the ALJ fulfilled her duty explain her decision with clear and convincing 10 reasons. The ALJ compared Buskohl’s statements about what she cannot do to the 11 statements about the many things she can do. 12 statements to her medical records, which show that Buskohl’s symptoms were well- 13 controlled with medication before and after the Closed Period, as reflected by her GAF 14 scores. 15 Buskohl’s limitations are far less severe than Buskohl claims. The ALJ did not err in 16 discounting Buskohl’s credibility. 17 The ALJ also compared Buskohl’s The ALJ therefore clearly and convincingly explained her conclusion that 2. Weight of Medical Expert Testimony 18 Once a person becomes disabled, the government may not withdraw disability 19 benefits unless there is substantial evidence of “medical improvement . . . (other than 20 medical improvement which is not related to the individual’s ability to work)” permitting 21 the person to engage in substantial gainful activity. 42 U.S.C. § 1382c(a)(4)(A)(i)(I)–(II). 22 Buskohl argues that substantial evidence of medical improvement did not exist, with 23 heavy emphasis on the ALJ’s weighing of the various doctors’ opinions. 24 a. Legal Standard 25 In this case, whether substantial evidence of medical improvement existed turned 26 in large part on the ALJ’s treatment of Dr. Zerrudo’s, Dr. Salk’s, and Dr. Finn’s 27 respective opinions. In weighing medical source opinions in Social Security cases, the 28 Ninth Circuit distinguishes among three types of physicians: (1) treating physicians, such - 11   1 as Dr. Zerrudo, who actually treat the claimant; (2) examining physicians, such as Dr. 2 Salk, who examine but do not treat the claimant; and (3) non-examining physicians, such 3 as Dr. Finn, who neither treat nor examine the claimant. Lester v. Chater, 81 F.3d 821, 4 830 (9th Cir. 1995). Generally, more weight should be given to the opinion of a treating 5 physician than to the opinions of non-treating physicians. Id. A treating physician’s 6 opinion is afforded great weight because such physicians are “employed to cure and 7 [have] a greater opportunity to observe and know the patient as an individual.” Sprague 8 v. Bowen, 812 F.2d 1226, 1230 (9th Cir. 1987). 9 Where a treating physician’s opinion is not contradicted by another physician, it 10 may be rejected only for “clear and convincing” reasons, and where it is contradicted, it 11 may not be rejected without “specific and legitimate reasons” supported by substantial 12 evidence in the record. Lester, 81 F.3d at 830. Moreover, the ALJ must give weight to 13 the treating physician’s subjective judgments in addition to his clinical findings and 14 interpretation of test results. Id. at 832–33. 15 An examining physician’s opinion generally must be given greater weight than 16 that of a non-examining physician. Id. at 830. As with a treating physician, there must 17 be clear and convincing reasons for rejecting the uncontradicted opinion of an examining 18 physician, and specific and legitimate reasons, supported by substantial evidence in the 19 record, for rejecting an examining physician’s contradicted opinion. Id. at 830–31. 20 The opinion of a non-examining physician is not itself substantial evidence that 21 justifies the rejection of the opinion of either a treating physician or an examining 22 physician. Id. at 831. Factors that an ALJ may consider when evaluating any medical 23 opinion include “the amount of relevant evidence that supports the opinion and the 24 quality of the explanation provided; the consistency of the medical opinion with the 25 record as a whole; [and] the specialty of the physician providing the opinion.” Orn, 495 26 F.3d at 631. The opinion of any physician, including a treating physician, need not be 27 accepted, “if that opinion is brief, conclusory, and inadequately supported by clinical 28 findings.” Bray v. Comm’r, 554 F.3d 1219, 1228 (9th Cir. 2009). - 12   1 Moreover, Social Security regulations expressly require a treating source’s opinion 2 on an issue of a claimant’s impairment be given controlling weight if it is well-supported 3 by medically acceptable clinical and laboratory diagnostic techniques and is not 4 inconsistent with the other substantial evidence in the record. 5 § 404.1527(d)(2). If a treating source’s opinion is not given controlling weight, the 6 weight that it will be given is determined by length of the treatment relationship, 7 frequency of examination, nature and extent of the treatment relationship, relevant 8 evidence supporting the opinion, consistency with the record as a whole, the source's 9 specialization, and other factors. Id. 10 11 12 20 C.F.R. Finding that a treating physician’s opinion is not entitled to controlling weight does not mean that the opinion should be rejected: 17 [A] finding that a treating source medical opinion is not wellsupported by medically acceptable clinical and laboratory diagnostic techniques or is inconsistent with the other substantial evidence in the case record means only that the opinion is not entitled to “controlling weight,” not that the opinion should be rejected. Treating source medical opinions are still entitled to deference and must be weighed using all of the factors provided in 20 C.F.R. § 404.1527. . . . In many cases, a treating source’s medical opinion will be entitled to the greatest weight and should be adopted, even if it does not meet the test for controlling weight. 18 Orn, 495 F.3d at 631–32 (quoting Social Security Ruling 96-2p). Where there is a 19 conflict between the opinion of a treating physician and an examining physician, the ALJ 20 may not reject the opinion of the treating physician without setting forth specific, 21 legitimate reasons supported by substantial evidence in the record. Id. at 632. 13 14 15 16 22 b. The ALJ’s Weighing of Dr. Zerrudo’s, Dr. Salk’s, and Dr. Finn’s Opinions 23 The following table compares the doctors’ opinions regarding the various mental 24 limitations the Social Security Administration has deemed relevant in deciding whether a 25 claimant can hold down a job. In this table, 0 = no limitation, 1 = mild limitation, 2 = 26 27 28 - 13   1 moderate limitation, 2.5 = moderately severe limitation, and 3 = severe limitation.3 An 2 em-dash indicates that the doctor was not asked about that limitation. 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 The ability to— Remember locations and work-like procedures. Understand and remember very short and simple instructions. Understand and remember detailed instructions. Carry out very short and simple instructions. Carry out detailed instructions Maintain attention and concentration for extended periods. Perform activities within a schedule, maintain regular attendance, and be punctual within customary tolerances. Sustain an ordinary routine without special supervision. Work in coordination with or proximity to others without being distracted by them. Make simple work related decisions. Complete a normal workday and workweek without interruptions from psychologically based symptoms and to perform at a consistent pace without an unreasonable number and length of rest periods. Interact appropriately with the general public. Ask simple questions and request assistance. Dr. Zerrudo 0 1 Dr. Salk 0 0 Dr. Finn — 1 3 1 3 2 1 0 1 2 2 1 2 2 — 1 1 2 1 — 2 1 — 0 2–3 1 2 — 2 2 1 1 0 1 — 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 3 Dr. Salk used a different scale than Drs. Zerrudo and Finn. Although asked to evaluate the same limitations, Dr. Salk had four options for answers: (1) no evidence of limitation (very good); (2) not significantly limited (good/mild limitations); (3) moderately limited (fair/limited but not precluded); and (4) markedly limited (poor or none). Dr. Zerrudo and Dr. Finn had five options: (1) no impairment (none); (2) suspected impairment of slight importance which slightly affects ability to function (mild); (3) impairment which affects but does not preclude ability to function (moderate); (4) impairment which seriously interferes with ability to function (moderately severe); and (5) extreme impairment of ability to function (severe). The only substantial difference between these scales is the “moderately severe” option available to Drs. Zerrudo and Finn. In the 0–3 scale, this option has been assigned a value of 2.5, so that both scales place the mildest option at 0 and the most severe option at 3. 28 - 14   1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 The ability to— Accept instructions and respond appropriately to criticism from supervisors. Get along with coworkers or peers without distracting them or exhibiting behavioral extremes. Maintain socially appropriate behavior and to adhere to basic standards of neatness and cleanliness. Respond appropriately to changes in the work setting. Be aware of normal hazards and take appropriate precautions. Travel in unfamiliar places or use public transportation. Set realistic goals or make plans independently of others. Dr. Zerrudo 3 Dr. Salk 2 Dr. Finn 2 2.5 2 — 0–1 0 — 2–3 1 2 0 0 — 2–3 0 — 2 2 — 12 Displayed in this manner, it becomes clear that Dr. Zerrudo had the most 13 restrictive view of Buskohl’s abilities, Dr. Salk had the least restrictive view, and Dr. 14 Finn — to the extent he was asked — had a slightly more restrictive view than Dr. Salk. 15 The ALJ chose to give the most weight to Dr. Finn’s opinions, meaning that the 16 ALJ chose a non-examining physician over a treating physician, in a situation where the 17 treating physician had been somewhat contradicted (both by Dr. Finn and Dr. Salk). To 18 discount Dr. Zerrudo, the ALJ needed to state “specific and legitimate reasons” supported 19 by substantial evidence in the record. See Lester, 81 F.3d at 831. In this regard, it is 20 worth repeating that Dr. Finn is a non-examining physician. Therefore, his opinion is not 21 itself substantial evidence that justifies rejecting Dr. Zerrudo’s opinions. See Lester, 81 22 F.3d at 831. 23 The ALJ’s most important reasons for discounting Dr. Zerrudo qualify as specific 24 and legitimate : (1) “treatment records indicate that [Buskohl]’s condition has been stable 25 with medication and [her] Global Assessment of Functioning have [sic] been as high as 26 70, which does not support a finding that the claimant has a moderate to severe limitation 27 in any area”; and (2) “while [she] may have some limitation in social functioning, 28 treatment records do not support a finding of moderate to severe limitations in this area.” - 15   1 The treatment records cited by the ALJ (see Tr. 40 (citing Exs. 6F [Tr. 379–413] & 17F 2 [Tr. 506–607]) can be rationally interpreted as undermining Dr. Zerrudo’s October 2008 3 and April 2009 opinions. Many of these treatment records come from Dr. Zerrudo 4 himself, and show only mild symptoms. They show GAF scores noticeably higher than 5 Buskohl’s scores during the Closed Period. Although Buskohl’s GAF dipped to 50 in 6 April 2009 — a level that indicates “serious impairments in both social and occupational 7 functioning,” according to Dr. Finn (Tr. 65–66) — the overall trend could be interpreted 8 as stability with proper medication, as Dr. Finn interpreted it. Because this is a rational 9 interpretation of the evidence, the Court may not disturb it. Orn, 495 F.3d at 630. 10 Accordingly, the ALJ appropriately gave less weight to the opinions of Buskohl’s 11 treating physician, Dr. Zerrudo. 12 Buskohl argues that Dr. Finn’s opinion is not reliable because Dr. Finn did not 13 have Dr. Zerrudo’s October 2008 or April 2009 opinions. However, Dr. Finn did have 14 Dr. Zerrudo’s and others’ numerous treatment records. 15 records support Dr. Finn’s overall conclusions, as adopted by the ALJ, the ALJ did not 16 err in placing significant weight on Dr. Finn’s opinion. Thus, the ALJ committed no 17 error here. 18 19 3. Given that those treatment Residual Functional Capacity & Available Jobs Residual functional capacity assessments comprise the “exertional and 20 nonexertional capacities of the individual.” SSR 96-8p, 1996 WL 374184, at *5. 21 Exertional capacity relates to the claimant’s ability to sit, stand, walk, lift, carry, push, 22 and pull. Id. Exertional limitations are not at issue in Buskohl’s case. Nonexertional 23 limitations encompass, among other things, mental limitations, such as “understanding 24 and remembering instructions and responding appropriately to supervision.” Id. at *6. 25 These are the sorts of limitations Buskohl asserts, and about which the various medical 26 experts and the vocational expert were asked. 27 A proper residual function capacity assessment “must first identify the individual’s 28 functional limitations or restrictions and assess his or her work-related abilities on a - 16   1 function-by-function basis.” Id. at *1. Here, the ALJ adopted Dr. Finn’s description of 2 Buskohl’s nonexertional limitations: mild to moderate restriction in activities of daily 3 living; moderate impairment in social functioning; moderate difficulty maintaining 4 concentration, persistence and pace; moderate impairment getting along with supervisors 5 and accepting criticism; mild impairment in understanding, remembering, and carrying 6 out simple instructions; and “problems with responding favorably on a consistent basis.” 7 (Tr. 33–34.) These nonexertional limitations should have factored into the residual 8 functional capacity assessment, but they go unmentioned in the portion of the ALJ’s 9 opinion that explicitly discusses residual functional capacity. That portion simply 10 declares that Buskohl can “perform a full range of work at all exertional levels but with 11 the following nonexertional limitations: the claimant is limited to simple unskilled work 12 tasks.” (Tr. 36.) 13 “Simple unskilled work tasks” is not a nonexertional limitation. It describes the 14 work, not the “nonexertional capacities of the individual.” SSR 96-8p, 1996 WL 374184, 15 at *5 (emphasis added). By describing Buskohl’s residual functional capacity as “limited 16 to simple unskilled work tasks,” the ALJ jumped immediately to the conclusion that 17 Buskohl can work. The ALJ short-circuited the question at issue: whether Buskohl can 18 work given her nonexertional limitations. 19 The order of presentation of the evidence appears to have forced the ALJ into this 20 error. The vocational expert is usually the one to opine whether a claimant can work 21 given his or her limitations. As described above, the ALJ first asked the vocational 22 expert, “[C]onsider a hypothetical person the same age, education and work history as 23 Ms. Buskohl. If this person were restricted to simple, unskilled work tasks, is there any 24 work this hypothetical person could perform?” (Tr. 92.) Such a question yields nothing 25 useful about Buskohl’s current state because it does not ask the vocational expert to 26 assume any mental limitations. The vocational expert nonetheless responded that such a 27 person could be a packager, production worker, or inspector. 28 - 17   1 The ALJ and Buskohl’s attorney then posed hypotheticals that included mental 2 limitations derived from Dr. Zerrudo’s and Dr. Salk’s respective opinions. The 3 vocational expert concluded that persons with such limitations could not work. Finally, 4 at a subsequent hearing, Dr. Finn offered his opinion regarding Buskohl’s mental 5 limitations, but no vocational expert testified at that hearing. 6 In her written opinion, the ALJ discounted Dr. Zerrudo’s and Dr. Salk’s opinions 7 and adopted Dr. Finn’s opinion. However, because the vocational expert had testified 8 before Dr. Finn, there was no evidence in the record that work existed for a person with 9 the limitations Dr. Finn identified. The ALJ therefore fell back on the only other 10 hypothetical posed to the vocational expert: “If this person were restricted to simple, 11 unskilled work tasks, is there any work this hypothetical person could perform?” This 12 became the residual functional capacity assessment: “a full range of work at all exertional 13 levels but with the following nonexertional limitations: the claimant is limited to simple 14 unskilled work tasks.” 15 This is error in two ways. First, it is error at “step four,” where the ALJ must 16 determine if the claimant can perform her past relevant work. The ALJ never asked the 17 ALJ whether Buskohl can perform her past relevant work. But this is harmless error 18 because it favored Buskohl. The ALJ “agreed” with the vocational expert’s nonexistent 19 testimony that “this claimant, given the above noted limitations, is unable to perform the 20 demands of her past relevant work.” (Tr. 43.) Accordingly, there is no need to reverse 21 for this error. 22 Second, it is error at “step five,” where the ALJ must determine if the claimant can 23 perform any other work considering her residual functional capacity, age, education, and 24 work experience. 25 “limited to simple unskilled work tasks” begs the question — it assumes that the claimant 26 can perform other work. As discussed above, a residual functional capacity assessment of 27 Nonetheless, this “step five” error is still harmless because the ALJ did not need a 28 vocational expert to establish that someone with the limitations identified by Dr. Finn can - 18   1 perform “simple unskilled work tasks.” The Social Security regulations define “unskilled 2 work” as “work which needs little or no judgment to do simple duties that can be learned 3 on the job in a short period of time.” 20 C.F.R. § 404.1568(a). The assessment that 4 Buskohl is mentally able to perform the full range of “simple unskilled work tasks” is 5 supported by Dr. Finn’s opinion. Dr. Finn found Buskohl had no more than moderate 6 work-related mental limitations, but no preclusive limitations. And the jobs identified by 7 the vocational expert — packager, production worker, and inspector — accommodate 8 those limitations. The ALJ’s errors therefore do not require reversal. 9 4. Buskohl’s Relatives’ Statements 10 Buskohl’s father, mother, sister, and aunt all submitted written statements 11 favorable to Buskohl’s disability claim. “In determining whether a claimant is disabled, 12 an ALJ must consider lay witness testimony concerning a claimant’s ability to work.” 13 Stout v. Comm’r, 454 F.3d 1050, 1053 (9th Cir. 2006). Such testimony “cannot be 14 disregarded without comment.” Nguyen v. Chater, 100 F.3d 1462, 1467 (9th Cir. 1996). 15 If an ALJ discredits the testimony of a lay witness, the ALJ must provide reasons “that 16 are germane to each witness.” Id. The ALJ did so here, addressing each relative’s 17 statement and explaining why it did not affect the conclusion. 18 committed no error. 19 20 21 The ALJ therefore IT IS THEREFORE ORDERED that the Clerk enter judgment affirming the final decision of the Commissioner of Social Security. The Clerk will terminate this case. Dated this 28th day of November, 2011. 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 - 19  

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