Yandell v. Social Security Administration

Filing 17

ORDER REMANDING TO THE COMMISSIONER FOR AN AWARD OF BENEFITS. The Commissioner's decision be, and it hereby is, reversed and remanded with instructions to grant an immediate award of benefits to Yandell. Signed by Magistrate Judge J. Thomas Ray on 8/15/2017. (jak)

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
EASTERN DISTRICT OF ARKANSAS
JONESBORO DIVISION
TINA MARIA YANDELL
v.

PLAINTIFF
No. 3:16-CV-00132-JTR

NANCY A. BERRYHILL,
Acting Commissioner,
Social Security Administration

DEFENDANT

ORDER REMANDING TO THE COMMISSIONER
FOR AN AWARD OF BENEFITS
Tina Yandell (“Yandell”) applied for supplemental security income, alleging
disability beginning May 1, 2004. (R. at 18).
On April 21, 2007, an administrative law judge (“ALJ”) denied her
application. (R. at 122-28). On October 3, 2008, the Appeals Council remanded the
claim for the ALJ to properly consider Yandell’s subjective complaints, to provide
rationale and evidentiary references for his decision, and to develop the record
regarding Yandell’s mental impairments. (R. at 101–02).
On June 2, 2009, Yandell’s application was again denied by an ALJ. (R. at
108-17). On February 17, 2011, the Appeals Council remanded because the
administrative record could not be located or reconstructed. (R. at 96-97).
On February 24, 2012, a third ALJ denied Yandell’s claim. (R. at 47-58). On
November 16, 2012, the Appeals Council dismissed Yandell’s request for review,
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erroneously finding that it was untimely. On September 16, 2014, the Appeals
Council vacated the dismissal, granted the request for review, and remanded the
ALJ’s decision because it relied on “unavailable medical exhibits” and improperly
adopted the 2009 ALJ’s evaluation of that evidence. (R. at 61-63). In its order, the
Appeals Council stated that it “regrets the [two year] delay involved,” which was
caused by the Appeals Council’s erroneous dismissal of Yandell’s request for
review. (R. at 62).
On April 28, 2015, a fourth ALJ denied Yandell’s claim for disability benefits.
(R. at 18–33). This time, the Appeals Council denied her request for review, making
the ALJ’s decision the Commissioner’s final decision. (R. at 8) On May 16, 2016,
Yandell filed this Complaint requesting judicial review.1
For the reasons stated below, the Court reverses and remands the
Commissioner’s decision, and orders the Commissioner to award Yandell disability
benefits.
I.

The Commissioner’s Decision
The ALJ found that Yandell had the following severe impairments: history of

a fracture of her right femur, status post closed reduction, internal nailing of her right
femur; lumbago; arthritis; post-traumatic stress disorder (“PTSD”); major
depressive disorder; and anxiety disorder. (R. at 20). Based on those impairments,

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The parties have consented to the jurisdiction of a United States Magistrate Judge.

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the ALJ determined that Yandell had the residual functional capacity (“RFC”) to
perform sedentary work, with the following additional limitations: occasional
stooping and no crouching, crawling, kneeling, or climbing; no balancing or
exposure to hazards such as unprotected heights, moving machinery, and open
flames; the use of a cane in her dominant arm to balance or ambulate from her
workstation; only work where interpersonal contact was incidental to the work
performed, i.e., interpersonal contact involving only limited interaction with others,
such as meeting and greeting the public, answering simple questions, accepting
payment and making change; work where tasks are restricted to a degree of
complexity that can be learned by demonstration or repetition within 30 days, and
that involve few variables and little judgment; and work that involves simple, direct,
and concrete supervision. (R. at 22).
Yandell had no past relevant work. (R. at 31). After considering testimony
from a vocational expert, the ALJ determined that Yandell could perform unskilled
sedentary jobs such as final assembler/optical goods or document preparer. (R. at
32). Accordingly, the ALJ held that Yandell was not disabled. (R. at 32–33).
II.

Discussion
The Court’s function on review is to determine whether the Commissioner’s

decision is supported by substantial evidence on the record as a whole and whether
it is based on legal error. Miller v. Colvin, 784 F.3d 472, 477 (8th Cir. 2015); see
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also 42 U.S.C. § 405(g). While “substantial evidence” is that which a reasonable
mind might accept as adequate to support a conclusion, “substantial evidence on the
record as a whole” requires a court to engage in a more scrutinizing analysis:
“[O]ur review is more than an examination of the record for the
existence of substantial evidence in support of the Commissioner’s
decision; we also take into account whatever in the record fairly detracts
from that decision.” Reversal is not warranted, however, “merely
because substantial evidence would have supported an opposite
decision.”
Reed v. Barnhart, 399 F.3d 917, 920 (8th Cir. 2005) (citations omitted).
Yandell argues that the ALJ erred by failing to properly consider the opinion
of her long-time treating physician, Darrell Hutchison, M.D. The Court agrees.
A treating physician's opinion generally is afforded controlling weight when
it is supported by medically acceptable techniques and is not inconsistent with
substantial evidence in the record. Julin v. Colvin, 826 F.3d 1082, 1088 (8th Cir.
2016). If the opinion is not given controlling weight, then the ALJ must review
various factors to determine how much weight is appropriate. Julin, 826 F.3d at
1088. Opinions of treating physicians “typically are entitled to at least substantial
weight,” but may be given limited weight if they are conclusory or inconsistent with
the record. Id. An ALJ must “always give good reasons” for the weight afforded a
treating physician’s opinion. 20 C.F.R. § 416.927(c)(2).
On January 20, 2015, Dr. Hutchison completed a Medical Source StatementPhysical (“MSS”), opining that Yandell: (1) could only lift less than ten pounds; (2)
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could sit for a total of only two hours during an eight-hour workday; (3) could
stand/walk less than two hours during the workday, and could not stand/walk for
more than fifteen minutes without a break; (4) would need to shift at will from sitting
or standing/walking; (5) would need frequent rest periods and longer than normal
breaks; (6) could not reach; (7) could perform frequent fingering/handling; (8) would
frequently need to be redirected to remain on task; (9) must avoid all exposure to
temperature extremes, high humidity, fumes, odors, dust, and gas; must avoid
moderate exposure to soldering fluxes, chemicals, and sunlight; and must avoid
concentrated exposure to solvents/cleaners; and (10) would miss more than three
days of work per month as a result of her impairments. (R. at 522-23).
In his decision, the ALJ found Dr. Hutchison’s January 20, 2015 opinion “not
to be persuasive” in light of “the overall record.” (R. at 30). To support this
conclusion, the ALJ made the following findings, none of which are factually
correct: (1) Dr. Hutchison’s opinion “seemed excessive and inconsistent with
treatment records”; (2) his treatment of Yandell “seemed to be essentially routine
and/or conservative in nature”; (3) he “did not explain or justify” his opinion with
any clinical findings; and (4) he “seemed to uncritically accept as true” Yandell’s
subjective complaints. (R. at 30). Suffice it to say, nothing in the record supported
the ALJ’s decision to reject the opinion of Yandell’s long-time treating physician.

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First, the ALJ claimed that Yandell “seemed” to receive only routine,
conservative care from Dr. Hutchison. Yandell had an extensive treatment history
with Dr. Hutchison, who was her long-time primary care physician. He began
treating her in September 2008, four years after she had suffered multiple fractures,
lacerations and other injuries in a serious car accident. At the time of the accident in
2004, she underwent surgery to repair her fractured right femur, and a rod was
inserted in her leg. In the years after the accident, she developed PTSD, depression
and anxiety, and continued to suffer chronic pain in her lower back and hips, and
pain and numbness in her legs and arms.2
Between September 2008 and January 2015, Dr. Hutchison treated Yandell at
least twenty-five times. See Doc. 15 at 11-15 (summarizing treatment). In 2008,
2009 and 2010, he treated her primarily for chronic back pain and depression,
prescribing Flexeril (a muscle relaxant) and Naproxen (a non-steroidal antiinflammatory drug). (R. at 368-80). In the fall of 2011, Yandell began reporting pain,
swelling and stiffness in her fingers and right hand, as well as continued back and
hip pain. Dr. Hutchison diagnosed lumbago and arthritis, and changed her antiinflammatory medication. (R. at 361-63, 408-09).

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Before the car accident, Yandell injured her back while at work. She also had a prior hip
injury, which required insertion of a steel plate. (R. at 244).

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In March 2012, Yandell complained of bilateral hip pain, back pain, and pain,
swelling and stiffness in her right hand. She reported difficulty going to the
bathroom, dressing and lying down, with little relief from her medications. Dr.
Hutchison prescribed hydrocodone in addition to her other medications. (R. at 44850). He also ordered a CT scan of her lumbar spine. It showed an anterior disc
protrusion with osteophytes at L3-4 and a disc bulge with facet and ligamentous
thickening at L4-5. (R. 447).
In June and September 2012, Yandell complained of chronic back and hip
pain, and she was using a cane. Dr. Hutchison continued her medications, including
hydrocodone. (R. at 440-46). In November 2012, she reported that she was unable
to sit in the same position for prolonged periods due to pain. Her medications were
continued. (R. at 432-34).
In May 2013, Yandell reported low back pain, numbness in her left leg, and
shooting pain in both legs. Dr. Hutchison’s physical exam showed bilateral foot
drop, weakness in the lower extremities, antalgic gait, use of a cane to ambulate, and
tenderness in the lumbar region. Yandell said she was unable to go see a
neurosurgeon due to lack of insurance. (R. at 429-31).
On July 16, 2013, Yandell went to the hospital emergency room, reporting the
sudden onset of pain in her back and both hips, legs and feet. She was given an
injection of Toradol. (R. at 462-89). A CT of the lumbar spine showed degenerative
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changes with a lateralized disc bulge at L3-4 on the left and mild disc bulges at L45 and L5-S1. (R. at 480).
In October 2013, Dr. Hutchison treated her for “worsening” pain in her lower
back and feet. He again diagnosed lumbago and arthritis, and he renewed her pain
medication prescriptions. (R. at 419-22).
In May 2014, Yandell reported chronic worsening back pain, and decreased
function in both hands, with sharp pains and numbness. Dr. Hutchison diagnosed
carpal tunnel syndrome and ordered nerve conduction studies. He continued to
prescribe hydrocodone and an anti-inflammatory. (R. at 415-17). In August,
November and December 2014, her diagnoses and medications were unchanged.
Physical exams showed lumbar paraspinal tenderness, which required Yandell to
take pain medication to help get her through the days. (R. at 412-14, 455-60).
The record clearly reflects that Yandell’s impairments initially resulted from
a serious motor vehicle accident in 2004, which necessitated surgical intervention
and led to years of continued chronic pain and other symptoms for which she
regularly sought and received treatment from Dr. Hutchison and others. Although
the post-surgical care rendered by Dr. Hutchison was initially conservative, his
treatment intensified as Yandell’s symptoms and limitations worsened. He adjusted
her anti-inflammatory medication, then added a narcotic for pain, which he

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continued to prescribe for at least three years. He ordered diagnostic testing, and
they discussed consultation with a neurosurgeon.
Notwithstanding the escalating long-term medical treatment Yandell received
from Dr. Hutchison for these chronic conditions, the ALJ characterized this as
“routine and/or conservative” care, something that simply is not true.
In discrediting Dr. Hutchison’s opinion, the ALJ also stated that Dr.
Hutchison relied on no clinical data “other than a positive straight leg raise.” (R. at
30). However, Dr. Hutchison expressly stated in the MSS that he was relying on the
following “objective medical findings”: bilateral positive straight leg raise of 15
degrees, difficulty walking, and bilateral weakness in the lower extremities. (R. at
523). Dr. Hutchison also stated, in the MSS, that “objective medical evidence”
showed Yandell had difficulty walking, low back pain, bilateral lower extremity pain
and weakness, left foot drop, depression, gastroesophageal reflux disease, and
arthritis. (R. at 522). Dr. Hutchison’s observations are supported by his extensive
treatment records over a seven-year period (as discussed above), as well as two CT
scans of the lumbar spine. On multiple occasions from 2008 to 2015, his treatment
notes report tenderness in Yandell’s lumbar paraspinal area. (R. at 375, 376, 377,
378, 379, 413, 416, 420, 430, 449, 456, 459). Thus, the ALJ’s statement that Dr.
Hutchison did not base his opinion on clinical findings is flatly incorrect.

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Dr. Hutchison’s MSS is also supported by medical evidence from other
examining and treating sources. In August 2005, Yandell’s primary care physician
at the time, George Patton, M.D., told her she would be taking anti-inflammatory
drugs for hip and leg pain “the rest of her life.” (R. at 403). In May 2006, Dr. Patton
said that, “undoubtedly [Yandell] suffers from subtle deficits that will wax and wane,
probably get worse over time and may be exacerbated by weather or specific
activity.” (R. at 397). As discussed, her pain and limitations did worsen over the
years to the point that Dr. Hutchison was required to prescribe hydrocodone, to go
along with her anti-inflammatory medication. She began experiencing difficulties
with her activities of daily living and, at some point, she began using a cane to
ambulate.
Similarly, Yandell’s limitations are further supported by a February 2009
orthopedic consultative evaluation performed by Patricia Knott, M.D. Dr. Knott
noted decreased strength and sensation in Yandell’s right lower extremity, a positive
straight leg raise test at thirty degrees, decreased strength and grasp in the right upper
extremity, difficulty with heel and toe walking, and reduced lumbar range of motion.
(R. at 245, 247).
After erroneously discrediting Dr. Hutchison’s opinion because it allegedly
lacked any “clinical findings,” the ALJ stated that no other examining physician had
assessed limitations greater than those described in the ALJ’s RFC. (Tr. 30). This is
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also factually incorrect. Dr. Knott, the consultative orthopedist, opined that Yandell
could never stoop and could only occasionally reach, engage in fine manipulation,
and push/pull/operate controls with her hands or feet. (R. at 247A). The ALJ’s RFC
limits Yandell to occasional stooping and contains no limitations on the other
functions noted by Dr. Knott.
The ALJ also erroneously stated that, if Yandell were experiencing severe
pain, “it is reasonable to assume she would report this information to her doctor
and her medication would be adjusted accordingly,” which did “not appear to be
the case.” (R. at 29). As discussed, Yandell did report to Dr. Hutchison in 2012 that
her pain had intensified and, in response, he began prescribing a narcotic
(hydrocodone), in addition to the anti-inflammatory medication that she had been
taking for years.
Finally, in his decision, the ALJ referred to multiple pieces of evidence that
are unavailable for review. (R. at 24, 29). These exhibits were discussed in earlier
ALJ decisions that were reversed by the Commissioner, but the exhibits themselves
have been lost during the course of the multiple Appeals Council remands to which
this case has been subject. It was an obvious and serious error for the ALJ to rely on
the hearsay conclusions or statements of earlier ALJs (who were later reversed)
about evidence that has been lost as this case bounced back and forth between ALJs
and the Appeals Council over the last thirteen years.
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Yandell argues that, due to the ALJ’s errors, she is entitled to an immediate
award of benefits, rather than further prolonging the administrative review process.
The Court agrees.
After thirteen years of administrative errors and bureaucratic wheel-spinning,
the ALJ in this case came face to face with a record that overwhelmingly supported
a finding that Yandell was disabled. Rather than awarding disability, the ALJ went
to great lengths to make flatly erroneous findings which appear to have been
designed to avoid granting Yandell disability, notwithstanding the “clear weight” of
the evidence supporting her claim. As discussed, Dr. Hutchison’s opinion was
directly supported by the opinion of an orthopedic specialist (Dr. Knott) and other
evidence in the record, which documented the steady decline of her chronic
conditions and accompanying functional limitations. Ignoring the great weight of
the medical evidence, the ALJ determined that Yandell retained the RFC to perform
a limited range of unskilled sedentary work, something the limitations found by Dr.
Hutchison and Dr. Knott would make impossible. Thus, the Commissioner failed to
meet her burden of proving that jobs exist in the national economy that Yandell is
capable of performing.
As the Eighth Circuit held in Hutsell v. Massanari, 259 F.3d 707, 714 (8th
Cir. 2001), an order remanding for an award of benefits is appropriate when the
“clear weight of the evidence points to a conclusion that [the claimant] is disabled,”
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and further administrative hearings “would merely delay receipt of benefits.” Id. In
Hutsell, the claimant had “gone through three administrative hearings, three appeals
to the Appeals Council, and many psychological evaluations,” with no medical
evidence demonstrating that she could engage in work on a sustained basis. Thus,
the Court remanded for an immediate award of benefits rather than “prolong this
case into its second decade.” Id. at 713-14.
Similarly, in Ingram v. Barnhart, 303 F.3d 890, 894 (8th Cir. 2002), the Court
noted that, although “[n]ormally” it would remand to the SSA to correctly apply the
governing law regarding obesity, “this case is anything but normal,” due to the
SSA’s “inexcusably slow” handling of the claimant’s claims over a nine-year period;
its failure to timely assert certain arguments; and “unequivocal” evidence that the
claimant met the requirements of a listing. See also Benecke v. Barnhart, 379 F.3d
587, 595 (9th Cir. 2004) (remanding for the Commissioner “to decide the issue again
would create an unfair ‘heads we win; tails we play again’ system of disability
benefits adjudication”); Seavey v. Barnhart, 276 F.3d 1, 13 (1st Cir. 2001)
(recognizing the “equitable power to order benefits in cases where the entitlement is
not totally clear, but the delay involved in repeated remands has become
unconscionable”).
The thirteen-year delay in this case is even more egregious than the delays in
Hutsell and Ingram. There were four administrative hearings, adverse decisions by
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four different ALJs, two Appeals Council remands, and an erroneous Appeals
Council dismissal, which delayed the proceeding for two years before the Appeals
Council discovered its error. The SSA’s loss of the administrative record and its
inability to locate or reconstruct the missing records added considerably to the delay,
and frustrated administrative and judicial review. Because the “clear weight” of the
evidence in this case supports disability, a remand would only delay matters and
force Yandell to play another round of what the Ninth Circuit elegantly described as
a “’heads, we win; tails we play again’ system of disability benefits adjudication.”
Benecke, 379 F.3d at 595.
III.

Conclusion
ACCORDINGLY,

IT

IS

THEREFORE

ORDERED

THAT

the

Commissioner’s decision be, and it hereby is, REVERSED and REMANDED with
instructions to grant an immediate award of benefits to Yandell.
It is so ordered this 15th day of August, 2017.

____________________________________
UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE

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