Hurst v. Colvin
Filing
22
ORDER - IT IS ORDERED that the final agency decision is REVERSED and this matter REMANDED for an award of benefits. (See document for complete details). Signed by Judge Douglas L Rayes on 9/25/17. (SLQ)
1
WO
2
3
4
5
6
IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
7
FOR THE DISTRICT OF ARIZONA
8
9
Thomas Hurst,
Plaintiff,
10
11
ORDER
v.
12
No. CV-16-00783-PHX-DLR
Commissioner of Social Security
Administration,
13
14
Defendant.
15
16
Plaintiff Thomas Hurst applied for Social Security Disability Insurance (“SSDI”)
17
benefits and Supplemental Security Income (“SSI”) in February 2014, alleging disability
18
beginning March 1, 2013. After state agency denials, Hurst appeared for a hearing before
19
an administrative law judge (“ALJ”). A vocational expert (“VE”) also was present and
20
testified. Following the hearing, the ALJ issued a written decision finding that Hurst was
21
not disabled within the meaning of the Social Security Act (“SSA”). The ALJ’s decision
22
became the agency’s final decision after the Social Security Administration Appeals
23
Council denied Hurst’s request for review. Hurst now seeks judicial review of that
24
decision. For the following reasons, the decision of the Commissioner of Social Security
25
Administration is reversed and this matter remanded for an award of benefits.
26
BACKGROUND
27
To determine whether a claimant is disabled for purposes of the SSA, the ALJ
28
follows a five-step process. 20 C.F.R. § 404.1520(a). The claimant bears the burden of
1
proof on the first four steps, but at step five, the burden shifts to the Commissioner.
2
Tackett v. Apfel, 180 F.3d 1094, 1098 (9th Cir. 1999).
3
determines whether the claimant is engaging in substantial gainful activity. 20 C.F.R. §
4
404.1520(a)(4)(i). If so, the claimant is not disabled and the inquiry ends. At step two,
5
the ALJ determines whether the claimant has a “severe” medically determinable physical
6
or mental impairment. § 404.1520(a)(4)(ii). If not, the claimant is not disabled and the
7
inquiry ends. At step three, the ALJ considers whether the claimant’s impairment or
8
combination of impairments meets or medically equals an impairment listed in Appendix
9
1 to Subpart P of 20 C.F.R. Pt. 404. § 404.1520(a)(4)(iii). If so, the claimant is
10
automatically found to be disabled. If not, the ALJ proceeds to step four. At step four,
11
the ALJ assesses the claimant’s residual functional capacity (“RFC”) and determines
12
whether the claimant is still capable of performing past relevant work.
13
404.1520(a)(4)(iv). If so, the claimant is not disabled and the inquiry ends. If not, the
14
ALJ proceeds to the fifth and final step, where she determines whether the claimant can
15
perform any other work based on the claimant’s RFC, age, education, and work
16
experience. § 404.1520(a)(4)(v). If so, the claimant is not disabled. If not, the claimant
17
is disabled.
At the first step, the ALJ
§
18
At step one, the ALJ determined that Hurst meets the insured status requirements
19
of the SSA through September 30, 2016, and has not engaged in substantial gainful
20
activity since his alleged disability onset date. (A.R. 14.) The ALJ found at step two that
21
Hurst’s hypertension, obstructive sleep apnea, degenerative disc disease, history of sinus
22
tachycardia, autonomic dysfunction, orthostatic intolerance, depressive disorder, and
23
personality disorder are severe impairments, but concluded at step three that they do not
24
meet or medically equal the severity of an impairment listed in Appendix 1 to Subpart P
25
of 20 C.F.R. Pt. 404. (Id. at 14-15.) At step four, the ALJ found that Hurst has the RFC
26
to perform:
27
28
sedentary work as defined in 20 CFR 404.1567(a) and
416.967(a) with the following exceptions. The claimant
should not be exposed to hazards such as moving machinery
and unprotected heights. He is able to understand, remember,
-2-
and carry out simple, routine and repetitive work tasks
involving simple instructions. In addition, the claimant is
limited to occasional public contact.
1
2
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
28
(Id. at 18-19.) Based on this RFC, the ALJ found that Hurst is unable to perform his past
relevant work.
(Id. at 22.)
At step five, however, after considering Hurst’s age,
education, work experience, and RFC, the ALJ concluded that there are jobs that exist in
significant numbers in the national economy that Hurst can perform. (Id. at 22-23.)
Accordingly, the ALJ found that Hurst is not disabled within the meaning of the SSA.
(Id. at 24.)
STANDARD OF REVIEW
It is not the district court’s role to review the ALJ’s decision de novo or otherwise
determine whether the claimant is disabled. Rather, the court is limited to reviewing the
ALJ’s decision to determine whether it “contains legal error or is not supported by
substantial evidence.” Orn v. Astrue, 495 F.3d 625, 630 (9th Cir. 2007).
Substantial
evidence is more than a scintilla, less than a preponderance, and relevant evidence that a
reasonable person might accept as adequate to support a conclusion considering the
record as a whole. Id. As a general rule, “[w]here the evidence is susceptible to more
than one rational interpretation, one of which supports the ALJ’s decision, the ALJ’s
conclusion must be upheld.” Thomas v. Barnhart, 278 F.3d 947, 954 (9th Cir. 2002).
The court, however, “must consider the entire record as a whole and may not affirm
simply by isolating a specific quantum of supporting evidence.” Orn, 495 F.3d at 630
(internal quotations and citation omitted). Nor may the court “affirm the ALJ on a
ground upon which he did not rely.” Id.
DISCUSSION
Hurst argues that the ALJ erroneously rejected the assessments of his three
treating physicians and his own testimony about the severity of his symptoms. (Doc. 13
at 1.) Hurst also argues that the ALJ erred by not articulating a basis for her RFC finding,
but admits that this issue is moot if the Court finds in his favor on any of the other
grounds. (Id. at 1, 22-23.) Finally, Hurst requests that the Court remand the matter for an
-3-
1
immediate award of benefits instead of for further proceedings. Having reviewed the
2
record and the parties’ briefs, the Court concludes that the ALJ erred in rejecting the
3
opinion of Dr. Seth Kauffman, Hurst’s treating neurologist, and that had the ALJ credited
4
Dr. Kauffman’s opinion she would have been compelled to find Hurst disabled. Because
5
this conclusion is dispositive, the Court does not reach Hurst’s alternative assignments of
6
error.
7
I. The ALJ Improperly Rejected the Opinion of Dr. Kauffman
8
Dr. Kauffman completed the agency’s “Physical Residual Functional Capacity
9
Assessment” form in April 2014. (A.R. 424-31.) He opined that Hurst could: (1)
10
frequently lift less than 10 pounds and only occasionally lift 20, (2) stand and/or walk for
11
less than 2 hours in an 8-hour workday, and (3) sit less than 6 hours in an 8-hour
12
workday. (Id. at 425.) He also opined that Hurst was limited in his ability to push and
13
pull with both upper and lower extremities; that he could never balance, stoop, kneel, and
14
crouch; that he could only occasionally climb ramps and stairs; that he was limited in his
15
ability to reach, handle, finger, and feel; and that he should avoid all exposure to extreme
16
cold and heat, humidity, fumes, and hazardous machinery. (Id. at 426-28.) Additionally,
17
though he did not assess formal limitations in speaking, Dr. Kauffman noted that Hurst’s
18
shortness of breath is exacerbated when “talking too long.” (Id. at 428.) Dr. Kauffman
19
based his opinions on Hurst’s autonomic dysfunction and results from tilt table testing,
20
and cited concerns that engaging in these activities would exacerbate Hurst’s symptoms,
21
such as shortness of breath, lightheadedness, and loss of consciousness. (Id. at 425, 428.)
22
A treating physician’s opinion is entitled to substantial deference. See Lester v.
23
Chater, 81 F.3d 821, 830 (9th Cir. 1995). More weight generally should be given to the
24
opinion of a treating physician than to the opinions of non-treating physicians because
25
treating physicians are “employed to cure and [have] a greater opportunity to observe and
26
know the patient as an individual.” Sprague v. Bowen, 812 F.2d 1226, 1230 (9th Cir.
27
1987).
28
physician it may be rejected only for “clear and convincing” reasons, and where it is
Thus, where a treating physician’s opinion is not contradicted by another
-4-
1
contradicted, it still may not be rejected without “specific and legitimate reasons”
2
supported by substantial evidence in the record. Lester, 81 F.3d at 830.
3
Moreover, Social Security Rules expressly require a treating source’s opinion on
4
an issue of a claimant’s impairment be given controlling weight if it is well-supported by
5
medically acceptable clinical and laboratory diagnostic techniques and is not inconsistent
6
with the other substantial evidence in the record. 20 C.F.R. § 404.1527(d)(2). If a
7
treating source’s opinion is not given controlling weight, the weight that it will be given
8
is determined by length of the treatment relationship, frequency of examination, nature
9
and extent of the treatment relationship, relevant evidence supporting the opinion,
10
consistency with the record as a whole, the source’s specialization, and other factors. Id.
11
Finding that a treating physician’s opinion is not entitled to controlling weight does not
12
mean that the opinion should be rejected:
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
[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.
Orn, 495 F.3d at 631-32 (quoting Social Security Ruling 96-2p).
Despite the proverbial thumb on the scale in favor of adopting the opinion of a
claimant’s treating physician, the ALJ gave “minimal weight” to Dr. Kauffman’s opinion,
ostensibly because Dr. Kauffman “does not provide a persuasive explanation regarding
these restrictions” and “his assessment is inconsistent with his own records.” (A.R. 19.)
The Court understands the ALJ’s rationale to be that Dr. Kauffman’s questionnaire
responses lack sufficient explanation and were not otherwise supported by his treatment
notes. Because Dr. Kauffman’s opinion is contradicted by the opinions of state agency
-5-
1
reviewers (Id. at 16, 109-11, 130-32), the ALJ was required to articulate specific and
2
legitimate reasons, supported by substantial evidence in the record, for discounting it.1
3
Only the second of the ALJ’s articulated reasons is specific and legitimate, and neither is
4
supported by substantial evidence.
5
First, Dr. Kauffman’s questionnaire was not devoid of explanation. Instead, Dr.
6
Kauffman explained that his opinion was based on Hurst’s autonomic dysfunction, as
7
evidenced by the results of tilt table testing, and that he assessed such restrictive
8
limitations because engaging in the activities at issue exacerbates Hurst’s shortness of
9
breath and lightheadedness, and even results in loss of consciousness. To the extent the
10
ALJ found this explanation unpersuasive, she failed to articulate a specific reason.
11
Second, Dr. Kauffman’s treatment records amply support these symptoms and
12
their effects. For example, Dr. Kauffman saw Hurst on December 5, 2013 for weakness
13
and shortness of breath. (A.R. 464.) His notes highlight Hurst’s previous diagnosis of
14
sinus tachycardia and symptoms of loss of consciousness, weakness, and lightheadedness
15
upon standing for more than 15 minutes. (Id.) Hurst underwent tilt table testing that
16
same month, which revealed abnormal results consistent with autonomic dysfunction
17
(though the cause was not clear) and reproduced near syncope. (Id. at 419, 425, 438, 458,
18
462, 467.) Later that month, Dr. Kauffman saw Hurst again and noted that he was
19
“[o]nly able to get out of the house a couple times a week, he is very tired.” (Id. at 460.)
20
Moreover, although the Court does not address the ALJ’s weighing of Hurst’s other
21
treating physicians, Drs. Brent Goodman and Heather Tinsdale, it nonetheless is notable
22
that both opined, consistent with Dr. Kauffman’s assessment, that Hurst’s condition
23
1
24
25
26
27
28
Hurst argues that the more demanding clear and convincing reasons standard
should apply because the opinions of non-examining state agency reviewers are not,
alone, substantial evidence. (Doc. 21 at 3.) Though Hurst is correct that non-examining
physician opinions, standing alone, may not serve as substantial evidence supporting an
ALJ’s decision, see Lester, 81 F.3d at 831, it does not follow that the ALJ or the Court
must ignore contradicting medical opinions from state agency reviewers when
determining which standard of review applies. Stated differently, a non-examining
physician opinion that contradicts a treating physician opinion may trigger the specific
and legitimate reasons standard, even though the non-examining physician’s opinion
cannot, alone, serve as substantial evidence supporting those specific and legitimate
reasons.
-6-
1
prevented him from sustaining full time work. (Id. at 481, 524, 525 622.)
2
Instead of addressing this evidence, the ALJ noted that Dr. Kauffman’s treatment
3
records revealed that Hurst “was generally unremarkable neurologically, maintained
4
normal strength in the upper and lower extremities bilaterally and normal gait.” (Id. at
5
19.) But, as just explained, Dr. Kauffman did not base his opinion on lack of strength or
6
abnormal gait.
7
accompanying symptoms of shortness of breath, lightheadedness, and loss of
8
consciousness—precluded him from engaging in activities necessary for sustained work.
9
The ALJ therefore erred by discounting Dr. Kauffman’s opinion “for lack of objective
10
evidence of impairments not referenced by the physician,” when she was required,
11
instead, to “evaluate the physician’s assessment using the grounds upon which it is
12
based.” Orn, 495 F.3d at 635.
13
II. Scope of Remand
Instead, he opined that Hurst’s autonomic dysfunction—and the
14
Having determined that the ALJ committed reversible error, the Court has
15
discretion to remand the case for further development of the record, or to credit the
16
improperly rejected evidence as true and remand for an award benefits. See Reddick v.
17
Chater, 157 F.3d 715, 722 (9th Cir. 1998). When deciding whether to remand for an
18
award of benefits, the Court considers whether: (1) the ALJ failed to provide legally
19
sufficient reasons for rejecting evidence, (2) the record has been fully developed and
20
further proceedings would serve no useful purpose, and (3) it is clear from the record that
21
the ALJ would be required to find the claimant disabled were such evidence credited.
22
Triechler v. Comm’r of Soc. Sec., 775 F.3d 1090, 1100-01 (9th Cir. 2014).
23
All three conditions are met here.
First, the ALJ failed to provide legally
24
sufficient reasons for rejecting Dr. Kauffman’s opinion. Second, because the ALJ’s error
25
was not due to a failure to develop the record, further proceedings would not serve a
26
useful purpose. Finally, during the hearing before the ALJ, the VE testified that someone
27
with the limitations assessed by Dr. Kauffman would be unable to sustain full time work.
28
(A.R. 63-64.) Accordingly, had the ALJ given Dr. Kauffman’s opinion the deference to
-7-
1
which it is entitled, she would have been required to find Hurst disabled. The Court
2
therefore exercises its discretion to remand for an award of benefits.
3
CONCLUSION
4
Although the ALJ is responsible for resolving conflicts in the medical evidence,
5
she must do so in accordance with applicable agency regulations and the governing law
6
of this Circuit. The ALJ’s reasons for discounting Dr. Kauffman’s opinion do not
7
comport with these standards. Accordingly, for the foregoing reasons, the Court finds
8
that the ALJ’s decision is neither free of legal error nor supported by substantial
9
evidence, and that further proceedings would serve no useful purpose.
10
11
12
IT IS ORDERED that the final agency decision is REVERSED and this matter
REMANDED for an award of benefits.
Dated this 25th day of September, 2017.
13
14
15
16
17
Douglas L. Rayes
United States District Judge
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
-8-
Disclaimer: Justia Dockets & Filings provides public litigation records from the federal appellate and district courts. These filings and docket sheets should not be considered findings of fact or liability, nor do they necessarily reflect the view of Justia.
Why Is My Information Online?