Robinson v. Social Security Administration

Filing 14

ORDER reversing and remanding the final decision of the Commissioner. This remand is a "sentence four" remand within the meaning of 42 U.S.C. § 405(g) and Melkonyan v. Sullivan, 501 U.S. 89 (1991). Signed by Magistrate Judge Patricia S. Harris on 10/28/2015. (jak)

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

DEDDRICK ROBINSON

VS.

PLAINTIFF

CASE NO. 3:14CV00206 PSH

CAROLYN W. COLVIN, Acting Commissioner,
Social Security Administration

DEFENDANT

ORDER
Deddrick Robinson (“Robinson”), in his appeal of the final decision of the Commissioner of
the Social Security Administration (defendant “Colvin”) to deny his claim for Supplemental Security
Income benefits (SSI), contends the Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) erred in utilizing the MedicalVocational Guidelines to find him not disabled. The parties have ably summarized the medical
records and the testimony given at the administrative hearing conducted on April 11, 2013. (Tr. 3446). The Court has carefully reviewed the record to determine whether there is substantial evidence
in the administrative record to support the Commissioner’s decision. 42 U.S.C. § 405(g).
Robinson was the sole witness at the hearing, testifying that he was 35 years old, a high
school graduate with one year of college. He stated he was hit by a car on June 3, 20111. Robinson
described his primary barriers to work as problems with balance, and hip and knee problems.
1

Robinson alleged his disability began on June 4, 2011. (Tr. 86). He acknowledged he stopped
working in October of 2008 “because of other reasons.” (Tr. 116). In addition to left leg injuries
sustained in the car accident on June 3, 2011, Robinson had a right knee injury years before,
resulting in an anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction in November of 1994. (Tr. 232-249). While
his testimony was of knee problems in general, the left leg injuries appear to be the primary concern.
1

According to him, his daily activities are minimal, and include sitting around the house, watching
television, and reading. Robinson stated he did not drive due to a suspended license, but he
indicated he “probably” could drive if he had a license. (Tr. 40). He stated that his legs or knees
hurt twenty-four hours a day. He testified to taking no prescription medications. Instead, he said
he takes two aspirin during the day and two at night. He estimated he could stand for 15 minutes,
walk for 20 minutes, sit for 30-60 minutes, and lift 10-20 pounds.
In his decision rendered on July 16, 2013, the ALJ determined Robinson suffered from the
severe impairments of history of femur fracture and history of anterior cruciate ligament tear. The
ALJ found Robinson had the RFC to perform light work2 except he was limited to only occasional
climbing, balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, or crawling. The ALJ held Robinson was “not
entirely credible”. (Tr. 27). The ALJ noted “the scarcity of medical observations, due to the fact
the claimant has not sought frequent medical treatment.” (Tr. 28). The ALJ also cited the absence
of significant physical therapy, pain clinic treatment or “any other ongoing treatment for claimant’s
alleged symptoms, which severely reduces the credibility of his allegations.” Id. Finally, the ALJ
also discounted Robinson’s credibility because he “worked only sporadically prior to the alleged
disability onset date.” Id. Pivotal to the ALJ’s opinion was his assessment of the medical records
– he assigned minimal evidentiary weight to the Medical Source Statement submitted by Dr.
Hodges, a consultative examiner who saw Robinson on June 20, 2013. The ALJ attributed “great
weight” to the nonexamining state agency medical consultants, concluding their findings were

2

Light work involves lifting no more than 20 pounds at a time with frequent lifting or carrying of
objects weighing up to 10 pounds. 20 C.F.R. §416.967(b). In addition, “[l]ight work requires
standing or walking, off and on, for a total of approximately 6 hours of an 8-hour workday.” SSR
83-10.
2

consistent with the overall medical record. (Tr. 29). The ALJ concluded Robinson could perform
unskilled light work, and based upon his age, education, and work experience, the MedicalVocational Guidelines directed a finding that Robinson was not disabled.
The Use of the Medical-Vocational Guidelines: Robinson concedes that the MedicalVocational Guidelines warrant the ALJ’s conclusion if he is capable of light work. However, he
contends there is no medical basis for finding him capable of performing light work. Specifically,
he urges error by the ALJ in his discounting Dr. Hodges’ findings and in the ALJ’s strong reliance
upon the state agency medical consultants.
Robinson has rarely seen medical care providers. There are medical records relating to his
two knee surgeries, in 1994 and in June of 2011. During the relevant time for this disability
complaint (from October 24, 2011, through July 16, 2013), his only medical care was provided by
Dr. Hodges, at the direction of the ALJ following the administrative hearing3. Robinson was
examined by Dr. Hodges on June 20, 2013, and Hodges executed a Medical Source Statement on
June 25, 2013. (Tr. 250-259). In his notes from the examination, Dr. Hodges wrote: “Lower
extremities have a noticeable loss of muscle mass both in the left thigh and left calf compared to the
right. There is weakness in the left leg compared to the right. Flexion and extension of the left
lower extremity causes pain in the hip. . . Deep tendon reflexes are diminished bilaterally in the
lower extremities.” (Tr. 259). In the Medical Source Statement, Dr. Hodges indicated Robinson
was limited in the following ways: he could occasionally lift and carry up to 10 pounds; he could
sit 30 minutes, stand and walk one hour without interruption; he could sit five hours, stand two

3

Robinson sought care in January and February of 2014, after the relevant period, presenting with
complaints of right knee pain, left hip/upper leg pain, and sinus congestion. (Tr. 12-18).
3

hours, and walk one hour in an eight hour day; he could occasionally push and pull with either hand,
and could frequently reach, handle, finger, and feel with either hand; he could operate foot controls
frequently with his right foot, and could never do this with his left foot; he could not climb stairs and
ramps, climb ladders and scaffolds, balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl; he could occasionally
be exposed to dust, odors, fumes and pulmonary irritants, but never be exposed to unprotected
heights, moving mechanical parts, humidity and wetness, extreme cold or heat, vibrations, and could
never operate a motor vehicle; and he could not perform an activity like shopping and could not
travel without a companion for assistance. The ALJ assigned Dr. Hodges’ opinion “minimal
evidentiary weight” because of the lack of ongoing treatment and because the opinion was based
upon only one examination. (Tr. 29).
While it is true that Dr. Hodges examined Robinson only once, that in and of itself is an
insufficient basis to discount the findings of Dr. Hodges. This is particularly true when the ALJ
points to no other medical evidence from an examining source to support the conclusion that
Robinson can perform light work. Clearly, Dr. Hodges found Robinson far from being able to do
light work4. There is no suggestion of malingering on the part of Robinson. As noted, the ALJ did
embrace the findings of Drs. Sauer and Payne, neither of whom examined Robinson. In December
of 2011, Dr. Sauer examined the records following the June 2011 accident and executed a form in

4

The defendant correctly notes that some of Dr. Hodges’ limitations are at odds with his own notes.
For example, the examination by Hodges found that Robinson did not complain of any upper
extremity problems, and Hodges found good motion and strength in the shoulders, elbows and
wrists. (Tr. 257, 259). Thus, the limitations on lifting and carrying and pushing and pulling seem
inconsistent with the examination notes. The limitations noted in the Medical Source Statement
regarding Robinson’s legs, however, are consistent with the examination notes citing weakness and
pain. These findings cast doubt on the idea that Robinson could stand/walk for six hours in a work
day, as required by light work.
4

which she projected Robinson would have a light residual functional capacity (RFC) by June of
2012. (Tr. 225). About three weeks later Dr. Payne wrote: “I have reviewed all the evidence in the
file and the assessment dated 12/12/11 is affirmed as written.” (Tr. 228). The absence of more
medical records made the ALJ’s decision difficult. However, the medical evidence available was
not of equal value. The opinions of Drs. Sauer and Payne are not ordinarily sufficient to constitute
substantial evidence, as they did not examine Robinson. Nevland v. Apfel, 204 F.3d 853, 858 (8th
Cir. 2000). The opinion of Dr. Hodges, based upon an examination, should not have been greatly
discounted. The ALJ’s determination that Robinson could perform light work is not supported by
substantial evidence.
This case must be remanded. On remand, the ALJ is directed to reevaluate the plaintiff’s
RFC, obtaining additional medical evidence, if necessary.
IT IS THEREFORE ORDERED that the final decision of the Commissioner is reversed
and remanded. This remand is a "sentence four" remand within the meaning of 42 U.S.C.
§ 405(g) and Melkonyan v. Sullivan, 501 U.S. 89 (1991).
IT IS SO ORDERED this 28th day of October, 2015.

____________________________________
UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE

5