Hurlocker v. Social Security Administration Commissioner
Filing
20
MEMORANDUM OPINION. Signed by Honorable James R. Marschewski on July 16, 2013. (lw)
IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
WESTERN DISTRICT OF ARKANSAS
FORT SMITH DIVISION
AURORA HURLOCKER
PLAINTIFF
v.
Civil No. 12-2144
MICHAEL J. ASTRUE, Commissioner
Social Security Administration
DEFENDANT
MEMORANDUM OPINION
Plaintiff, Aurora Hurlocker, brings this action under 42 U.S.C. § 405(g), seeking judicial review
of a decision of the Commissioner of Social Security Administration (Commissioner) denying her claims
for a period of disability, disability insurance benefits (“DIB”), and supplemental security income
(“SSI”) under Titles II and XVI of the Social Security Act (hereinafter “the Act”), 42 U.S.C. §§
423(d)(1)(A), 1382c(a)(3)(A). In this judicial review, the court must determine whether there is
substantial evidence in the administrative record to support the Commissioner’s decision. See 42 U.S.C.
§ 405(g).
I.
Procedural Background:
Plaintiff protectively filed applications for DIB and SSI on June 14, 2007, alleging an onset date
of November 1, 2006. Tr. 114-125. Her applications were denied initially and upon reconsideration.
Tr. 76-81, 84-87. Plaintiff subsequently requested a hearing, and a hearing was held on November 20,
2008, before an Administrative Law Judge. Plaintiff testified at the hearing as did Floyd Massey, a
vocational expert. The ALJ issued a decision denying all benefits to Plaintiff on April 3, 2009. Tr. 114,
141-142. On February 22, 2011, the matter was remanded by this Court. Tr. 254-268. A supplemental
hearing was held on November 9, 2011. Tr. 441-465
At the time of the supplemental hearing, Plaintiff was 43 years old and possessed a limited
education. Tr. 243, 281. Plaintiff had past relevant work (“PRW”) experience as a fast food cashier,
upholsterer/furniture manufacturer, stocker, and material handler. Tr. 243.
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On May 3, 2012, the ALJ found Plaintiff’s disorder of the lumbar spine, lumbar of the cervical
spine, major depression, panic disorder, and borderline personality traits were severe, but did not meet
or medically equal one of the listed impairments in Appendix 1, Subpart P, Regulation No. 4. Tr. 235.
After partially discrediting Plaintiff’s subjective complaints, the ALJ determined that Plaintiff retained
the residual functional capacity (“RFC”) to perform light work involving simple routine and repetitive
tasks; requiring only simple, work-related decisions with few, if any, work place changes; and, no more
than incidental contact with co-workers, supervisors, and the general public. Tr. 236. The ALJ then
found Plaintiff could perform work as motel/hotel maid, mail sorter/routing clerk/conveyor, and
assembly production worker. Tr. 244.
Subsequently, Plaintiff filed this action. ECF No. 1. This case is before the undersigned by
consent of the parties. Both parties have filed appeal briefs, and the case is now ready for decision.
ECF Nos. 16, 19.
The court has reviewed the entire transcript. The complete set of facts and arguments are
presented in the parties’ appeal briefs and the ALJ’s decision and are repeated here only to the extent
necessary.
II.
Applicable Law:
This court’s role is to determine whether the Commissioner’s findings are supported by
substantial evidence on the record as a whole. Ramirez v. Barnhart, 292 F.3d 576, 583 (8th Cir. 2002).
Substantial evidence is less than a preponderance but it is enough that a reasonable mind would find it
adequate to support the Commissioner's decision. The ALJ's decision must be affirmed if the record
contains substantial evidence to support it. Edwards v. Barnhart, 314 F.3d 964, 966 (8th Cir. 2003).
As long as there is substantial evidence in the record that supports the Commissioner’s decision, the
court may not reverse it simply because substantial evidence exists in the record that would have
supported a contrary outcome, or because the court would have decided the case differently. Haley v.
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Massanari, 258 F.3d 742, 747 (8th Cir. 2001). In other words, if after reviewing the record it is possible
to draw two inconsistent positions from the evidence and one of those positions represents the findings
of the ALJ, the decision of the ALJ must be affirmed. Young v. Apfel, 221 F.3d 1065, 1068 (8th Cir.
2000).
It is well-established that a claimant for Social Security disability benefits has the burden of
proving her disability by establishing a physical or mental disability that has lasted at least one year and
that prevents her from engaging in any substantial gainful activity. Pearsall v. Massanari, 274 F.3d
1211, 1217 (8th Cir.2001); see also 42 U.S.C. § § 423(d)(1)(A), 1382c(a)(3)(A). The Act defines
“physical or mental impairment” as “an impairment that results from anatomical, physiological, or
psychological abnormalities which are demonstrable by medically acceptable clinical and laboratory
diagnostic techniques.” 42 U.S.C. § § 423(d)(3), 1382(3)(c). A plaintiff must show that his or her
disability, not simply their impairment, has lasted for at least twelve consecutive months.
The Commissioner’s regulations require him to apply a five-step sequential evaluation process
to each claim for disability benefits: (1) whether the claimant has engaged in substantial gainful activity
since filing his claim; (2) whether the claimant has a severe physical and/or mental impairment or
combination of impairments; (3) whether the impairment(s) meet or equal an impairment in the listings;
(4) whether the impairment(s) prevent the claimant from doing past relevant work; and, (5) whether the
claimant is able to perform other work in the national economy given his age, education, and experience.
See 20 C.F.R. § § 404.1520(a)- (f)(2003). Only if the final stage is reached does the fact finder consider
the plaintiff’s age, education, and work experience in light of his or her residual functional capacity. See
McCoy v. Schweiker, 683 F.2d 1138, 1141-42 (8th Cir. 1982); 20 C .F.R. § § 404.1520, 416.920 (2003).
III.
Discussion:
Of particular concern to the undersigned is the ALJ’s RFC determination. The United States
Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit has held that a “claimant’s residual functional capacity is a
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medical question.” Lauer v. Apfel, 245 F.3d 700, 704 (8th Cir. 2001). Adequate medical evidence must
therefore exist that addresses the claimant’s ability to function in the workplace. See Lewis v. Barnhart,
353 F.3d 642, 646 (8th Cir. 2003). The Court has held, however, that the ALJ is not at liberty to make
medical judgments regarding the ability or disability of a claimant to engage in gainful activity where
such inference is not warranted by clinical findings. McGhee v. Harris, 683 F. 2d 256 (8th Cir. 1982).
This matter was previously remanded by this Court to allow the ALJ to obtain an RFC
assessment from Dr. Kralik. On remand, however, the ALJ sent Plaintiff to Dr. Patricial Walz for a
mental evaluation and RFC assessment, rather than recontacting Dr. Kralik. On June 15, 2011, Dr. Wal
z conducted a consultative psychological evaluation. Plaintiff reported pain, was irritable, and her mood
and affect ranged from sad to irritable to very dramatic. Tr. 35 I. She reported impairment of sleep,
energy, and concentration as well as intermittent suicidal ideation. Dr. Walz diagnosed Plaintiff with
major depression, recurrent, moderate to severe, without psychosis; panic disorder wi th agoraphobia;
and borderline personality traits. She gave Plaintiff a GAF score of 55-60. Dr. Walz noted that
Plaintiff's social skills were impaired by her irritability and mood lability. Tr. 352. And, she completed
a medical source statement, opining that Plaintiff had a moderate impairment in her ability to interact
with the public and to respond appropriately to usual work situations and changes in a routine work
setting and a marked impairment in her ability to interact appropriately with coworkers and supervisors.
Dr. Walz also indicated that Plaintiff’s agoraphobia limited her ability to work in public. Tr. 357.
The ALJ concluded that Dr. Walz’s assessment was entitled to significant weight “in so far as
it supports a limitation to unskilled work.” Tr. 242. However, he found her assessment of marked
limitations to be inconsistent with the record because Plaintiff had worked for a period of nine months
in 2010. While it is true that Plaintiff worked in 2010, a review of the evidence concerning that job also
reveals that Plaintiff experienced difficulty getting along with her boss. Tr. 350, 450, 455-456. And,
anger management issues appear to have been an ongoing problem. Tr. 350. Further, we also note that
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Plaintiff had requested benefits for a closed period of disability, excluding the time involving this failed
work attempt. Tr. 454. The ALJ, however, made no findings concerning Plaintiff’s request for a closed
period of disability.
Without Dr. Walz’s assessment, we are left with only Dr. Kralik’s 2008 evaluation. And, as
previously noted, Dr. Kralik did not complete an RFC assessment. See Vaughn v. Heckler, 741 F.2d 177,
179 (8th Cir. 1984) (if treating physician has not issued an opinion which can be adequately related to
disability standard, ALJ is obligated to address a precise inquiry to physician to clarify the record ). Dr.
Kralik diagnosed Plaintiff with pain disorder associated with both psychological factors and a general
medical condition; anxiety disorder, not otherwise specified (social anxiety, panic symptoms,
agoraphobic issues, generalized anxiety, avoidance, and rule out trauma sequelae from past abusive
relationships); chronic dysthymia; and, personality disorder, not otherwise specified, with dependent,
codependent, and avoidant features - rule out histrionic and passive-aggressive features as well. She
estimated Plaintiff's global assessment of functioning (“GAF”) at 45-55.1 Tr. 218-224. She found that
Plaintiff's capacity to carry out activities of daily living and daily adaptive functioning was intermittently
and at times significantly impaired for occupational purposes; her ability to communicate and interact
in a socially acceptable manner was somewhat impaired (due to her irritability, impatience, and anger);
her capacity to cope with the typical mental/cognitive demands of basic work -like tasks was moderately
impaired; her ability to attend and sustain concentration intermittently impaired; and, her capacity to
sustain persistence and complete work-like tasks within an acceptable time frame was impaired. Tr.
222-223.
Accordingly, after reviewing the record, we find that the case should be remanded to the ALJ
for further consideration. Clearly, Dr. Walz’s assessment suggests Plaintiff’s mental impairments are
1
A GAF of 45-55 is indicative of moderate (51-60) to severe (41-50) symptoms or impairment in social,
occupational, or school functioning. See DIAGNOSTIC AND STATISTICAL MANUAL OF MENTAL DISORDERS IV-TR 34 (4th ed.
2000).
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more limiting than determined by the ALJ. See Nevland v. Apfel, 204 F.3d 853, 858 (8th Cir.2000) (ALJ
may not draw upon his own inferences from medical reports). As this is the only mental assessment
contained in the record, the matter must be remanded for a proper RFC determination. See Jones v.
Astrue, 619 F.3d 963, 971 (8th Cir. 2010) (RFC finding must be supported by some medical evidence).
On remand, the ALJ should recontact Dr. Kralik for completion of a mental RFC assessment. As
directed in our previous remand order, the ALJ is directed to address interrogatories to Dr. Kralik asking
her to review plaintiff's medical records; to complete a RFC assessment regarding Plaintiff's capabilities
during the time period in question, and to give the objective basis for her opinion so that an informed
decision can be made regarding Plaintiff's ability to perform basic work activities on a sustained basis
during the relevant time period in question. Chitwood v. Bowen, 788 F.2d 1376, 1378 n.1 (8th Cir.
1986); Dozier v. Heckler, 754 F.2d 274, 276 (8th Cir. 1985). He is also directed to consider Plaintiff’s
request for a closed period of benefits.
V.
Conclusion:
Accordingly, we conclude that the ALJ’s decision is not supported by substantial evidence and
should be reversed and remanded to the Commissioner for further consideration pursuant to sentence
four of 42 U.S.C. § 405(g).
DATED this 16th day of July 2013.
/s/J. Marschewski
HON. JAMES R. MARSCHEWSKI
CHIEF UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE
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