Coleman v. Social Security Administration
Filing
11
OPINION AND ORDER affirming the decision of the Commissioner and dismissing plaintiff's complaint with prejudice. Signed by Judge J. Leon Holmes on 11/5/12. (kpr)
IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
EASTERN DISTRICT OF ARKANSAS
EASTERN DIVISION
SHERI COLEMAN, on behalf of
C.D.L., a minor
v.
PLAINTIFF
No. 2:11CV00237 JLH
MICHAEL J. ASTRUE, Commissioner,
Social Security Administration
DEFENDANT
OPINION AND ORDER
Sheri Coleman has appealed the final decision of the Commissioner of the Social Security
Administration denying her claim for Supplemental Security Income on behalf of her minor daughter,
C.D.L., 1 the claimant. The Court must affirm the Commissioner’s decision if it is supported by
substantial evidence on the record as a whole and if it is not based on legal error. 42 U.S.C. §§
405(g), 1383(c)(3); Moore ex rel. Moore v. Barnhart, 413 F.3d 718, 721 (8th Cir. 2005); Long v.
Chater, 108 F.3d 185, 187 (8th Cir. 1997); Young ex rel. Trice v. Shalala, 52 F.3d 200, 201-02 (8th
Cir. 1995) (substantial evidence review in child benefits case). Substantial evidence is such relevant
evidence as a reasonable mind might accept as adequate to support a conclusion. Richardson v.
Perales, 402 U.S. 389, 401, 91 S. Ct. 1420, 1427, 28 L. Ed. 2d 842 (1971); Moore ex rel. Moore
v. Barnhart, 413 F.3d at 721. In determining whether the Commissioner’s decision is supported by
substantial evidence, the Court must consider evidence that detracts from the Commissioner’s
decision as well as evidence that supports it; the Court may not, however, reverse the Commissioner’s
decision merely because substantial evidence would have supported an opposite decision. Sultan v.
Barnhart, 368 F.3d 857, 863 (8th Cir. 2004); Woolf v. Shalala, 3 F.3d 1210, 1213 (8th Cir. 1993).
1
Since the claimant is a minor, only her initials should be used in court filings. Fed. R. Civ.
P. 5.2(a).
After conducting an administrative hearing at which Coleman testified, the Administrative
Law Judge concluded that the claimant had not been under a disability within the meaning of the
Social Security Act at any time through December 7, 2009, the date of his decision. (Tr. 28) On
October 24, 2011, the Appeals Council denied Coleman’s request for a review of the ALJ’s decision,
thereby making it the final decision of the Commissioner. (Tr. 1-3) Coleman then filed her complaint
initiating this appeal.
The only issue before this Court is whether the decision that the claimant was not disabled
within the meaning of the Act is supported by substantial evidence. The statute provides:
An individual under the age of 18 shall be considered disabled for the purposes
of this title if that individual has a medically determinable physical or mental
impairment, which results in marked and severe functional limitations, and 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 12 months.
42 U.S.C. § 1382c(a)(3)(C)(i).
In determining whether an SSI claimant under the age of 18 is under a disability, a three-step
sequential evaluation process is used. 20 C.F.R. § 416.924(a). The first step is a determination of
whether the child is engaged in substantial gainful activity. Id., § 416.924(b). If so, benefits are
denied; if not, the evaluation continues to the next step. The second step is a determination of
whether the impairment or combination of impairments is severe, i.e., more than a slight abnormality
that causes no more than minimal functional limitations. Id., § 416.924(c). If not, benefits are
denied; if so, the evaluation continues. The third step is a determination of whether the child has an
impairment or impairments that meet, medically equal or functionally equal in severity a Listed
impairment. Id., § 416.924(d). If so, and if the duration requirement is met, benefits are awarded;
if not, benefits are denied.
2
The ALJ found that the claimant had not engaged in substantial gainful activity since
September 24, 2007, her application date. (Tr. 19) He determined she did have severe impairments,
attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and oppositional defiant disorder, but that she did not have any
impairment or combination of impairments that met or medically equaled a Listing or that functionally
equaled a Listed impairment. Id. Consequently, he found that she was not disabled. (Tr. 28)
Since the claimant had severe impairments that did not meet or medically equal a Listing, it
was necessary for the ALJ to determine if the impairments functionally equaled a Listing. 20 C.F.R.
§ 416.926a(a). Functional equivalence is assessed based on domains of functioning. Domains are
broad areas of functioning intended to capture all that a child can or cannot do. Social Security
Ruling 09-2p, *1. An impairment is functionally equivalent to a Listing when the impairment results
in marked limitations in two domains of functioning or an extreme limitation in one domain of
functioning. 20 C.F.R. § 416.926a(a). A marked limitation in a domain seriously interferes with a
child’s ability to independently initiate, sustain or complete activities. 20 C.F.R. § 416.926a(e)(2).
It also means a limitation that is “more than moderate” but “less than extreme.” Id. It is the
equivalent of functioning expected on standardized testing with scores that are at least two, but less
than three, standard deviations below the mean. Id. An extreme limitation in a domain seriously
interferes with a child’s ability to initiate independently, sustain or complete activities. 20 C.F.R. §
416.926a(e)(3). Extreme limitation also means a limitation that is “more than marked.” Id. It is the
rating given to the worst limitations. Id. It is the equivalent of functioning expected on standardized
testing with scores that are at least three standard deviations below the mean. Id.
The domains of functioning are:
1) Acquiring and using information;
3
2) Attending and completing tasks;
3) Interacting and relating with others;
4) Moving about and manipulating objects;
5) Caring for yourself; and
6) Health and physical well-being.
20 C.F.R. § 416.926a(b)(1)(i-vi). These domains are described in greater detail, with examples, in
the regulations. 20 C.F.R. § 416.926a(g)-(l).
The ALJ found the claimant had marked limitation in attending and completing tasks.2
(Tr. 25) He found no extreme limitation in any domain and no other marked limitation of functioning
in any other domain. (Tr. 23-28)
Coleman contends that the claimant had marked limitations in two domains, acquiring and
using information and attending and completing tasks. (Br. 11) Since the ALJ found marked
limitation in the domain of attending and completing tasks, there is no need to discuss that domain;
the only domain that is in contention is acquiring and using information. The applicable regulation,
in pertinent part, states as follows:
(g) Acquiring and using information. In this domain, we consider how well
you acquire or learn information, and how well you use the information you have
learned.
(1) General. (i) Learning and thinking begin at birth. You learn as you explore
the world through sight, sound, taste, touch, and smell. As you play, you acquire
2
Inconsistently, the ALJ also noted, “She has limitations in this area [attending and
completing tasks], but not to a marked or extreme degree so long as she is medically compliant.” (Tr.
25) Coleman notes this contradiction, and urges that it should call for reversal of the ALJ’s decision.
(Pl.’s Br. 8, 10-11) The Court deems this no more than a scrivener’s error not affecting the outcome
of the decision. The burden of showing that an error is harmful normally falls upon the party
attacking the agency’s determination. Shinseki v. Sanders, 556 U.S. 396, 409, 129 S. Ct. 1696,
1706, 173 L. Ed. 2d 532 (2009). Coleman has made no such showing.
4
concepts and learn that people, things, and activities have names. This lets you
understand symbols, which prepares you to use language for learning. Using the
concepts and symbols you have acquired through play and learning experiences, you
should be able to learn to read, write, do arithmetic, and understand and use new
information.
(ii) Thinking is the application or use of information you have learned. It
involves being able to perceive relationships, reason, and make logical choices. People
think in different ways. When you think in pictures, you may solve a problem by
watching and imitating what another person does. When you think in words, you may
solve a problem by using language to talk your way through it. You must also be able
to use language to think about the world and to understand others and express
yourself; e.g., to follow directions, ask for information, or explain something.
(2) Age group descriptors.
***
(iv) School-age children (age 6 to attainment of age 12). When you are old
enough to go to elementary and middle school, you should be able to learn to read,
write, and do math, and discuss history and science. You will need to use these skills
in academic situations to demonstrate what you have learned; e.g., by reading about
various subjects and producing oral and written projects, solving mathematical
problems, taking achievement tests, doing group work, and entering into class
discussions. You will also need to use these skills in daily living situations at home and
in the community (e.g., reading street signs, telling time, and making change). You
should be able to use increasingly complex language (vocabulary and grammar) to
share information and ideas with individuals or groups, by asking questions and
expressing your own ideas, and by understanding and responding to the opinions of
others.
***
(3) Examples of limited functioning in acquiring and using information. The
following examples describe some limitations we may consider in this domain. Your
limitations may be different from the ones listed here. Also, the examples do not
necessarily describe a “marked” or “extreme” limitation. Whether an example applies
in your case may depend on your age and developmental stage; e.g., an example
below may describe a limitation in an older child, but not a limitation in a younger
one. As in any case, your limitations must result from your medically determinable
impairment(s). However, we will consider all of the relevant information in your case
record when we decide whether your medically determinable impairment(s) results in
a “marked” or “extreme” limitation in this domain.
(i) You do not demonstrate understanding of words about space, size, or time;
e.g., in/under, big/little, morning/night.
(ii) You cannot rhyme words or the sounds in words.
(iii) You have difficulty recalling important things you learned in school
yesterday.
5
(iv) You have difficulty solving mathematics questions or computing
arithmetic answers.
(v) You talk only in short, simple sentences and have difficulty explaining what
you mean.
20 C.F.R. § 416.926a.
In regard to this domain, the ALJ wrote:
The claimant has been functioning in the regular classroom setting. She is below
grade level in her academic skills, but makes good grades in other classes. She has
reported improved grades since starting back to school and her teacher noted
improved behavior after she started taking medication. Overall, the record shows the
claimant is not mentally retarded and she has good adaptive skills with no need for
special supervision. She has poor reading and comprehension skills, but is able to
understand and participate in classroom discussions and comprehend and follow
instructions with no more than slight difficulty. Accordingly, the Administrative Law
Judge finds she has more than mild, but less than marked limitations in this domain.
(Tr. 24) Other evidence in the record supports the conclusion that the claimant had “less than
marked” limitation of functioning in the domain of acquiring and using information. Although she
repeated kindergarten, she was promoted to the first and second grades. (Tr. 139) She was in
regular classes, not special education. (Tr. 211) Her grades were improving. (Tr. 139) Her teacher
indicated that counseling had improved her classroom behavior “a great deal.” (Tr. 185) Her doctor
noted improved home and school behavior and improved grades. (Tr. 192, 194) Coleman testified
that she had received the claimant’s report card the previous day, and it showed A’s and B’s. (Tr. 36)
In February of 2008, Charles M. Spellmann, Ph.D., completed an intellectual assessment and
evaluation of adaptive functioning on the claimant. (Tr. 211-13) Results of IQ testing revealed that
the claimant was functioning within the borderline range of intelligence. (Tr. 212) Spellmann thought
that those scores might underestimate the claimant’s functioning level because of her low key manner.
Id. “I suspect she is more likely in the upper Borderline to Low Average range (IQ 75-85).
6
WRAT[3] scores suggest academic achievement to be compatible with this higher estimate.”
Spellmann noted that the claimant had adequate capacity to cope with the typical mental/cognitive
demands of basic work-like tasks and adequate ability to attend and sustain concentration on basic
work tasks. (Tr. 213)
Coleman points out that on December 3, 2007, a state agency psychologist indicated that the
claimant had marked limitation of functioning in the domain of acquiring and using information. (Br.
13, Tr. 205-10) However, on February 27, 2008, a state agency medical doctor determined that,
while the claimant had a marked limitation of functioning in the domain of attending and completing
tasks, she had less than marked limitation of functioning in the domain of acquiring and using
information. (Tr. 217-22) The medical doctor also concluded that the claimant’s impairments did
not functionally equal a Listing. (Tr. 217) There was more information, and more current
information, available to the medical doctor than to the psychologist, so the ALJ was entitled to give
greater credence to the opinion of the medical doctor.
It is not the task of this Court to review the evidence and make an independent decision.
Neither is it to reverse the decision of the ALJ because there is evidence in the record that contradicts
his findings. The test is whether there is substantial evidence in the record as a whole that supports
the decision of the ALJ. Moore, 413 F.3d at 721; Young, 52 F.3d at 201-02. The Court has
reviewed the entire record, including the briefs, the ALJ’s decision, the transcript of the hearing, the
medical evidence, and the other evidence. There is evidence in the record as a whole that “a
reasonable mind might accept as adequate to support [the] conclusion” of the ALJ in this case.
3
Wide Range Achievement Test. Neal M. Davis, Medical Abbreviations: 30,000
Conveniences at the Expense of Communications and Safety, 310 (14th Ed. 2009).
7
Richardson v. Perales, 402 U.S. at 401; see also Reutter ex rel. Reutter v. Barnhart, 372 F.3d 946,
950 (8th Cir. 2004). The Commissioner’s decision is not based on legal error.
THEREFORE, the final determination of the Commissioner is affirmed. Coleman’s complaint
is dismissed with prejudice.
IT IS SO ORDERED this 5th day of November, 2012.
J. LEON HOLMES
UNITED STATES DISTRICT JUDGE
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?