Gann v. Social Security Administration

Filing 13

ORDER affirming the decision of the Commissioner and dismissing plaintiff's 2 Complaint with prejudice. Signed by Judge Susan Webber Wright on 9/23/11. (kpr)

IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
EASTERN DISTRICT OF ARKANSAS
JONESBORO DIVISION

ALBERT D. GANN

Plaintiff
VS.
MICHAEL J. ASTRUE,
Commissioner, Social Security
Administration
Defendant

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NO: 3:10CV00061 SWW

ORDER
Plaintiff Albert D. Gann (“Gann”) appeals the final decision of the Commissioner of the
Social Security Administration denying his claim for disability insurance benefits. The parties
have submitted briefs, and the case is ready for decision. After careful consideration, and for
the reasons that follow, the decision of the Administrative Law Judge (“ALJ”) is affirmed.1
I.

Procedural History
Albert D. Gann filed applications for disability insurance benefits on January 11, 2007,

alleging an inability to work because of a seizures, forgetfulness, and learning problems. (Tr.
129). The Social Security Administration denied Gann’s claim initially and upon

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The Honorable Audrey M. Scott, Administrative Law Judge.
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reconsideration, and Gann received an administrative hearing before an ALJ on September 1,
2009. In a decision dated September 17, 2009, the ALJ concluded that Gann was not disabled.
Gann requested that the Appeals Council review the ALJ’s decision, and his request was denied.
II.

The ALJ’s Decision
At the time of the hearing, Gann was forty-two years old with a ninth-grade education.

From 1988 to 1989, Gann worked as a bag stacker, and from 1990 to 2004, he worked for a
single employer as an assembler (Tr. 44, 130). According to Gann’s hearing testimony, his
employment as an assembler ended when he was fired for placing bottles in the wrong boxes and
failing to wear safety glasses (Tr. 29-30).
In making her decision, the ALJ followed the required five-step sequence to determine:
(1) whether the claimant was engaged in substantial gainful activity; (2) if not, whether the
claimant had a severe impairment; (3) if so, whether the impairment (or combination of
impairments) met or equaled a listed impairment; (4) if not, whether the impairment (or
combination of impairments) prevented the claimant from performing past relevant work; and
(5) if so, whether the impairment (or combination of impairments) prevented the claimant from
performing any other jobs available in significant numbers in the national economy. See 20
C.F.R. § 416.920(a)-(g).
At step one, the ALJ found that Gann had not engaged in substantial gainful activity
since October 21, 2006, the onset date of his alleged disability. (Tr. 17) At step two, the ALJ
determined that Gann has severe impairments--epilepsy and borderline intellectual functioning-and that these impairments cause significant limitation in his ability to perform basic work
activities. (Tr. 17). At step three, the ALJ determined that Gann did not have an impairment or

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combination of impairments that met or equaled an impairment listed in 20 C.F.R. Part 404,
Subpart P, Appendix 1. (Tr. 18)

At step four, the ALJ concluded that Gann is unable to

perform past relevant work as a stacker, defined by the vocational expert as semi-skilled work;
and at step five, the ALJ found that Gann retains the residual functional capacity (“RFC”) to
perform unskilled work at any exertional level. Finally, based on the testimony of a vocational
expert and answers to hypothetical questions, the ALJ found that Gann is capable of making a
successful adjustment to other work that exists in significant numbers in the national economy
and that Gann is not disabled.
III.

Analysis
The Court’s review is limited to determining whether the Commissioner’s

findings are supported by substantial evidence on the record as a whole. Substantial evidence is
such relevant evidence as a reasonable mind might accept as adequate to support a conclusion.
See Reynolds v. Chater, 82 F.3d 254, 257 (8th Cir. 1996). In assessing the substantiality of the
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. See
Sultan v. Barnhart, 368 F.3d 857, 863 (8th Cir. 2004).
Gann raises two arguments on appeal: (1) that the ALJ committed error at step three by
ignoring substantial evidence that he meets criteria for mental retardation under 20 C.F.R Pt.
404, Subpart P, Appendix 1, § 12.05(C) and (2) that the ALJ committed error by failing to give
greater weight to the opinion of Gann’s primary care physician, Dr. James L. Miller.

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Mental Retardation
A claimant has the burden of proving that an impairment, or combination of
impairments, meets or equals a listing set forth in 20 C.F.R. Part 404, Subpart P, Appendix 1.
See Johnson v. Barnhart, 390 F.3d 1067, 1070 (8th Cir. 2004). “To meet a listing, an impairment
must meet all of the listing’s specified criteria.” Carlson v. Astrue, 604 F.3d 589, 593 (8th Cir.
2010)(citations omitted).
The Eighth Circuit has interpreted the listing for mental retardation at issue, 20 C.F.R
Part 404, Subpart P, Appendix 1, § 12.05(C), to require the following: (1) a valid verbal,
performance or full scale IQ of 60 through 70; (2) an onset of the impairment before age 22; and
(3) a physical or other mental impairment imposing an additional and significant work-related
limitation of function. See Maresh v. Barnhart, 438 F.3d 897, 899 (8th Cir.2006).
The Commissioner does not contest that Gann meets the first and second requirements
under § 12.05C. The evidence shows that Gann’s IQ scores fall between 60 and 70 (Tr. 184,
206), and the record indicates that Gann’s mental impairment manifested before he reached age
22.2

However, ALJ found that Gann fails to meet the third requirement: a physical or mental

impairment, other than his conceded mental impairment, that imposes an additional and
significant work-related limitation of function.
According to Gann, the ALJ’s finding at stage two, that his that his epilepsy constitutes a

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Gann testified that he failed the second grade and was enrolled in special education
classes in school. (Tr. 29) Additionally, Gann’s IQ scores presumptively reflect his IQ
throughout life, including years before age 22. See Muncy v. Apfel, 247 F.3d 728, 734 (8th Cir.
2004)(noting that “a person’s IQ is presumed to remain stable over time in the absence of any
evidence of a change in a claimant’s intellectual functioning”).
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severe impairment, indicates that he does in fact suffer from a physical or mental impairment
imposing additional and significant work-related limitations of function.3 An impairment
imposes significant limitations under § 12.05(C) when its effect on the claimant's ability to
perform basic work is more than slight or minimal. See Warren v. Shalala 29 F.3d 1287, 1291
(8th Cir. 1994)(citations omitted). In this case, the ALJ specifically found that Gann’s epilepsy
does not significantly impact his ability to perform work-related activities based on evidence that
Gann “was non compliant with taking his epilepsy medication and at one point, stopped taking it
altogether and did not have any resulting seizures.” (Tr. 18)
The ALJ’s finding that Gann’s epilepsy or seizure disorder does not qualify as an
additional impairment under § 12.05(C) is supported by the record. In 2004, Gann presented to
Dr. James Miller complaining of “nerve problems,” and Dr. Miller prescribed Tegretol, an antiseizure medication. (Tr. 214) In April 2005, Gann reported to an emergency room complaining
of seizure activity. Emergency room test results show that Gann’s Tegretol level was subtherapeutic, and he was released two hours after his arrival at the emergency room, with
instructions to take his medication as prescribed. (Tr. 188-194).

Finally, during a mental

evaluation in March 2007, Gann reported that his last seizure occurred in April 2005 (Tr. 204),
and progress notes dated June 10, 2008 by Dr. Miller state, “no seizures–off meds.” (Tr. 380).
The record is void of evidence showing that Gann’s epilepsy or seizure disorder affects his

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Gann does not challenge the ALJ’s finding that his seizure disorder fails to meet the
listing for epilepsy, 20 C.F.R Part 404, Subpart P, Appendix 1, § 11.02. The record shows that
Gann has consistently failed to take his anti-seizure medicine as prescribed. The criteria for
epilepsy under §§ 11.02 and 11.03 cannot be applied unless “the impairment persists despite the
fact that the individual is following prescribed antiepileptic treatment.” 20 C.F.R Part 404,
Subpart P, Appendix 1, § 11.00A.
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ability to work, and Gann shouldered the burden to make such a showing.
The ALJ found that Gann has the RFC to perform a full range of work at all exertional
levels, with non-exertional limitations to avoid dangerous machinery and unprotected heights
and no commercial driving. (Tr. 19) According to Gann, these non-exertional limitations
indicate that he suffers from an impairment that imposes additional and significant work-related
limitations of function. The Court disagrees. Avoiding unprotected heights and dangerous
machinery amount to routine seizure precautions that do not have a significant effect on the
ability to work. See Social Security Ruling 85015(“A person with a seizure disorder who is
restricted only from being on unprotected elevations and near dangerous moving machinery is an
example of someone whose environmental restriction does not have a significant effect on work
that exist at all exertional levels.”). Similarly, a restriction against commercial driving is a
seizure precaution that does not have a significant effect on work that exists at all exertional
levels.
Regarding Gann’s mental RFC, the ALJ found as follows:
Due to his mental impairments, the claimant can perform unskilled, routine,
repetitive work requiring little judgment on his part. He can perform work where
interpersonal contact is incidental to work performed and there are few variables.
There should be no public interaction. He can perform a structured job with some
supervision in order for him to focus on the task and persist in completing it within
[an] acceptable time frame.
(Tr. 19) Gann argues that the ALJ’s restriction on public interaction indicates an additional
limitation under § 12.05C. However, this restriction is related to Gann’s conceded mental
impairment and does not, therefore, indicate the presence of an additional and significant workrelated limitation of function.
In sum, the Court finds that, based on the record as a whole, the ALJ’s conclusion that
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Gann fails to meet the third requirement under § 12.05C (a physical or mental impairment, other
than his conceded mental impairment, that imposes an additional and significant work-related
limitation of function) is supported by substantial evidence.
Dr. Miller’s Opinion
Gann argues that the ALJ failed to give proper weight to Dr. Miller’s opinion set forth in
a letter dated August 31, 2009, which reads:
Mr. Gann is a 41 year old [white male] I have followed for many years for a seizure
disorder from childhood. Along with his seizures, his mental functioning has not
ever been sufficient for him to be employed. He likewise has two sons who are
similarly affected.
I do not expect him to ever be capable of working in any gainful means. In visits to
my office he exhibits strong thoughts of religiosity and depression. His mother is
his greatest mentor for all his day to day care and activity. He probably is not capable
of managing personal needs and finances without her intervention. I recommend that
he be approved for benefits.
(Tr. 375)

An ALJ is not required to adopt the opinion of a physician on the ultimate issue of a
claimant's ability to engage in substantial gainful employment. See Qualls v. Apfel, 158 F.3d
425, 428 (8th Cir.1998). “Likewise, while a treating physician's opinion is generally entitled to
‘substantial weight,’ such an opinion does not ‘automatically control’ because the hearing
examiner must evaluate the record as a whole.” Wagner v. Astrue 499 F.3d 842, 849 (8th Cir.
2007)(citing Wilson v. Apfel, 172 F.3d 539, 542 (8th Cir.1999)). “‘It is well established that an
ALJ may grant less weight to a treating physician's opinion when that opinion conflicts with
other substantial medical evidence contained within the record.’” Id. (quoting Prosch v. Apfel,
201 F.3d 1010, 1013–14 (8th Cir.2000)). “‘Moreover, an ALJ may credit other medical

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evaluation over that of the treating physician when such other assessments are supported by
better or more thorough medical evidence.’” Id. (quoting Prosch v. Apfel, 201 F.3d 1010, 1014
(8th Cir.2000)).
The ALJ gave no weight to Dr. Miller’s opinion that Gann cannot work, stating: “This is
an opinion reserved for the Commissioner, and Dr. Miller did not explain how the claimant’s
impairments would affect his ability to perform work-related activities, especially in light of the
fact that he worked for almost 14 years for the same employer.” (Tr. 21).
Dr. Miller’s statement that Gann’s “mental functioning has not ever been sufficient for
him to be employed” is nullified by the fact that Gann worked for fourteen years as an
assembler, and the record is void of evidence that Dr. Miller based his opinion on diagnostic
tests or objective findings. Furthermore, as noted in the ALJ’s decision, Dr. Miller’s opinion is
contradicted by the opinions of two consulting psychologists. Dr. Floyd Covey evaluated Gann
in July 2004 and observed that he performs most of the activities of daily living, keeps up with
the news and politics, reads the Bible, performs daily chores, and “gets along” with others. (Tr.
182) Dr. Covey determined that Gann is mildly mentally retarded as measured by WAIS-III, but
that based on his employment history and ability to perform the activities of daily living, a
diagnosis of borderline intellectual functioning is more appropriate. (Tr. 186). Dr. Covey
further concluded that Gann can function in an employment setting. (Tr. 186) Dr. Charles
Spellmann evaluated Gann in October 2007 and opined that Gann could “cope with the cognitive
demands of many work like tasks.” (Tr. 224) Like Dr. Covey, Dr. Spellmann considered that
Gann held the same job for fourteen years.
Dr. Kenneth Jones, a psychologist, evaluated Gann in March 2007, and concluded that

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Gann could not “hold down a job” or take care of himself without help from his mother. In her
decision, the ALJ correctly notes that Dr. Jones’s report contains no mention regarding that
Gann held the same job for fourteen years. The ALJ concluded that Gann’s activities of daily
living and work history, documented in Dr. Covey’s report, are consistent with a higher level of
adaptive functioning than indicated by Dr. Jones. (Tr. 20).
The ALJ took into account all medical evidence when making her decision, and she did
not err in discounting Dr. Miller’s conclusory opinion. After careful review, the Court finds that
the record contains ample evidence that “a reasonable mind might accept as adequate to support
[the] conclusion” of the ALJ in this case. Richardson v. Perales, 402 U.S. 389, 401 (1971); see
also, Robertson v. Sullivan, 925 F.2d 1124, 1126-27 (8th Cir. 1991).
IT IS THEREFORE ORDERED that the final determination of the Commissioner is
AFFIRMED. Consistent with the judgment entered together with this order, this action is
DISMISSED WITH PREJUDICE.
IT IS SO ORDERED THIS 23rd DAY OF September, 2011.

/s/Susan Webber Wright
UNITED STATES DISTRICT JUDGE

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