Layne v. Social Security Administration

Filing 15

ORDER affirming the decision of the Commissioner. Layne's complaint is dismissed, with prejudice. Signed by Magistrate Judge J. Thomas Ray on 11/13/2017. (jak)

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
EASTERN DISTRICT OF ARKANSAS
JONESBORO DIVISION
CHRISTOPHER LAYNE
V.

PLAINTIFF

NO. 3:16CV00262-JTR

NANCY A. BERRYHILL,
Acting Commissioner,
Social Security Administration

DEFENDANT

ORDER
I.

Introduction:
Plaintiff, Christopher Layne, applied for disability income benefits and

supplemental security income benefits on June 19, 2014, alleging his disability
began on May 1, 2012. (Tr. at 11). His claims were denied initially and upon
reconsideration. Id. After conducting a hearing, the Administrative Law Judge
(AALJ@) denied Layne’s application on November 4, 2015. (Tr. at 23). The Appeals
Council denied his request for review. (Tr. at 1). The ALJ=s decision now stands as
the final decision of the Commissioner, and Layne has requested judicial review.
For the reasons stated below, the Court 1 affirms the decision of the
Commissioner.

1

Judge.

The parties have consented in writing to the jurisdiction of a United States Magistrate

II.

The Commissioner=s Decision:
The ALJ found that Layne had not engaged in substantial gainful activity since

the alleged onset date of May 1, 2012 (Tr. at 13). At Step Two of the five-step
analysis, the ALJ found that Layne has the following severe impairments:
degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine and status post discectomy; obstructive
sleep apnea; hypertension; obesity; generalized anxiety disorder; depression; and
Haglund’s deformity. (Tr. at 14).
After finding that Layne’s impairments did not meet or equal a listed
impairment (Tr. at 14), the ALJ determined that Layne had the residual functional
capacity (“RFC”) to perform the full range of sedentary work, except that: (1) he
cannot climb ladders, ropes, or scaffolds; (2) the work must not require balancing
duties; (3) he can only occasionally climb ramps and stairs; (4) he can only
occasionally stoop, kneel, crouch, and crawl; (5) he must be able to access a work
station area with a cane as needed; (6) he cannot be exposed to hazards in the work
place; (7) he must avoid exposure to unprotected heights; (8) the work must not
require any left lower extremity foot control operation; (9) the work must not require
contact with the general public; (10) interpersonal contact must be no more than
incidental to the work performed; (11) the supervision required is simple, direct, and
concrete; and (12) the work must be limited to SVP 1 or 2 jobs that can be learned
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in thirty days.2 (Tr. at 16-17).
Next, the ALJ found that Layne was not capable of performing any past
relevant work. (Tr. at 21). At Step Five, the ALJ relied on the testimony of a
Vocational Expert (“VE”) to find that, based on Layne’s age, education, work
experience and RFC, jobs existed in significant numbers in the national economy
that he could perform at the sedentary level with the added limitations, specifically,
lampshade production assembler and general office clerk (document preparer). (Tr.
at 22-23). Based on that Step Five determination, the ALJ held that Layne was not
disabled. Id.
III.

Discussion:
A.

Standard of Review

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
also 42 U.S.C. ' 405(g). While Asubstantial evidence@ is that which a reasonable
mind might accept as adequate to support a conclusion, Asubstantial evidence on the

The SVP (specific vocational profile) level listed for each occupation in the DOT connotes
the time needed to learn the techniques, acquire the information, and develop the facility needed
for average work performance. At SVP level one, an occupation requires only a short
demonstration, while level two covers occupations that require more than a short demonstration
but not more than one month of vocational preparation. Hulsey v. Astrue, 622 F.3d 917, 923 (8th
Cir. 2010); Dictionary of Occupational Titles app. C, at 1009 (4th ed. 1991).
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record as a whole@ requires a court to engage in a more scrutinizing analysis:
A[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,
Amerely because substantial evidence would have supported an
opposite decision.@
Reed v. Barnhart, 399 F.3d 917, 920 (8th Cir. 2005) (citations omitted).
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 which contradicts his findings. The test is whether there is substantial
evidence in the record as a whole which supports the decision of the ALJ. Miller,
784 F.3d. at 477.
B.

Layne=s Arguments on Appeal

Layne argues that substantial evidence does not support the ALJ=s decision to
deny benefits. He contends that the ALJ failed to fully consider the impact of
Layne’s obesity on his ability to work and that he did not identify medical evidence
to support the RFC determination.
The ALJ listed obesity as a severe impairment. (Tr. at 14). He stated that he
considered the severity of Layne’s obesity in combination with his other
impairments, in accordance with the Commissioner’s regulations. (Tr. at 15).
When an ALJ references the claimant's obesity during the claim evaluation process,
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such review may be sufficient to avoid reversal. Brown v. Barnhart, 388 F.3d 1150,
1153 (8th Cir. 2004)(claimant’s argument that ALJ failed to consider obesity
dismissed because ALJ specifically referenced obesity in his decision). The test for
obesity is whether it has an impact on functional capacity when measured against
the record as a whole, and that is a case-by-case analysis. See Soc. Sec. Ruling 021p. Here, the ALJ considered medical evidence and testimony from Layne himself
and determined that his obesity did not increase the severity of other impairments.
(Tr. at 18-19).
Layne underwent a discectomy and decompression surgery on his lumbar
spine in February 2013. (Tr. at 334). By March 2013, Layne was overall much better,
and had started walking every day, going to the gym, and doing physical therapy. Id.
Upon examination at that time, straight-leg raise was negative, he had good posture
and gait, and there was no point tenderness in the lumbar spine. (Tr. at 335). Layne’s
medical provider decreased his Hydrocodone dose and released him to go back to
work. Id. By April 2013, Layne said his back pain was improving and he was still
exercising. (Tr. at 351). At that time, he said he was taking fewer pain medications
and muscle relaxers. Id.
After an April 2014 motor vehicle accident in which Layne broke three ribs,
he complained of neck and back pain; however, on April 30, 2014, he said that his
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pain was slowly improving, and a CT scan of the cervical and lumbar spine revealed
no acute changes. (Tr. at 345). Objective tests showing mild to moderate conditions
do not support a finding of disability. Masterson v. Barnhart, 363 F.3d 731, 738-39
(8th Cir. 2004). Dr. Nathan Turney, M.D., released Layne to return to work on May
5, 2014. (Tr. at 346).
Testing in June 2015 revealed mild obstructive sleep apnea. (Tr. at 467). It
was noted that Layne’s back pain might get better with treatment of the sleep apnea,
but also that Layne’s poor sleep hygiene compounded the condition. (Tr. at 466).
Layne did not use a CPAP machine, although it was recommended. (Tr. at 44, 469).
He was urged to exercise, improve his diet, and lose weight. (Tr. at 466).
Layne was not entirely credible with respect to his complaints of functional
limitations. When Layne filled out a disability function report on August 8, 2014, he
indicated he could do virtually no activities of daily living. (Tr. at 245-251).
However, he testified at his hearing that he could cook, shop, handle personal care,
help with household chores, and go to church once a week. (Tr. at 19-20, 40-42, 244248). Such daily activities undermine his claims of disability. Edwards v. Barnhart,
314 F.3d 964, 967 (8th Cir. 2003); Shannon v. Chater, 54 F.3d 484, 487 (8th Cir.
1995). These daily activities suggest that obesity does not limit Layne as much as he
contends in his first argument.
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Furthermore, although Layne indicated he could not interact with the public,
but had a Facebook account and drew strength from his church family. (Tr. at 4243). Inconsistencies between subjective complaints of pain and daily living patterns
diminish credibility. Shannon, 54 F.3d at 487.
Finally, the ALJ’s RFC determination was supported by medical evidence.
The ALJ must consider all of the evidence in the record when determining the RFC,
including medical records, observations of treating physicians and others, and the
claimant’s own description of his or her limitations. Stormo v. Barnhart, 377 F.3d
801, 807 (8th Cir. 2004). If, in the light of all the evidence, “the impairments are not
severe enough to limit significantly the claimant’s ability to perform most jobs, by
definition the impairment does not prevent the claimant from engaging in any
substantial gainful activity.” Bowen v. Yuckert, 482 U.S. 137, 146 (1987).
The ALJ considered mild objective findings, doctors’ opinions that Layne
could return to work, positive response to treatment, and the ability to engage in
various activities of daily living to conclude that Layne could work. His review of
the record as a whole was sufficient and resulted in an accurate RFC.
IV.

Conclusion:
There is substantial evidence to support the Commissioner=s decision to deny

benefits. The ALJ properly considered Layne’s obesity and the RFC determination
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was informed by a complete review of medical evidence.
IT IS THEREFORE ORDERED that the final decision of the Commissioner
is AFFIRMED, and Layne’s Complaint is DISMISSED, with prejudice.
DATED this 13th day of November, 2017.

___________________________________
UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE

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