Stephens v. Social Security Administration Commissioner
Filing
14
MEMORANDUM OPINION. Signed by Honorable Erin L. Setser on May 14, 2014. (lw)
IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
WESTERN DISTRICT OF ARKANSAS
FORT SMITH DIVISION
TAMARA L. STEPHENS
PLAINTIFF
V.
NO. 13-2144
CAROLYN W. COLVIN,
Acting Commissioner of the Social Security Administration
DEFENDANT
MEMORANDUM OPINION
Plaintiff, Tamara L. Stephens, brings this action pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 405(g), seeking
judicial review of a decision of the Commissioner of the Social Security Administration
(Commissioner) denying her claim for supplemental security income (SSI) under the provisions
of Title XVI of the Social Security Act (Act). 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 her current application for SSI on October 8, 2010, alleging
an inability to work since July 4, 2007, due to fibromyalgia, arthritis, torn ACL, and depression.
(Tr. 105-110, 128, 132). An administrative hearing was held on January 6, 2012, at which
Plaintiff appeared with counsel and testified. (Tr. 28-49).
By written decision dated March 20, 2012, the ALJ found that Plaintiff had an
impairment or combination of impairments that were severe - mood disorder, back disorder, and
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knee impairment status post surgery. (Tr. 14). However, after reviewing all of the evidence
presented, the ALJ determined that Plaintiff’s impairments did not meet or equal the level of
severity of any impairment listed in the Listing of Impairments found in Appendix I, Subpart P,
Regulation No. 4. (Tr. 14). The ALJ found Plaintiff retained the residual functional capacity
(RFC) to:
perform sedentary work as defined in 20 CFR 416.967(a) except the
claimant cannot climb ropes, ladders, or scaffolds; the claimant can
occasionally climb stairs, and ramps, balance, crawl, kneel, stoop, and
crouch; the claimant must avoid hazards including unprotected heights
and moving heavy machinery; the claimant can perform work where
interpersonal contact is incidental to the work performed; and the
claimant can perform work where the complexity of tasks is learned and
performed by rote, with few variables, and little judgment is required, and
where the supervision required is simple, direct, and concrete.
(Tr. 16). With the help of the vocational expert (VE), the ALJ determined that there were jobs
Plaintiff would be able to perform, such as assembler, compact assembler, shoe bucklers and
lacers, addressing clerk, nut sorter, zipper trimmer, and check weigher. (Tr. 23).
Plaintiff then requested a review of the hearing decision by the Appeals Council, which
considered additional records and denied that request on March 29, 2013. (Tr. 1-5).
Subsequently, Plaintiff filed this action. (Doc. 1). This case is before the undersigned pursuant
to the consent of the parties. (Doc. 6). Both parties have filed appeal briefs, and the case is now
ready for decision. (Docs. 8, 12, 13).
The Court has reviewed the entire transcript. The complete set of facts and arguments are
presented in the parties’ briefs, 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
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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. 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)(D). A Plaintiff must show that her disability, not simply her impairment, has lasted for
at least twelve consecutive months.
The Commissioner’s regulations require her to apply a five-step sequential evaluation
process to each claim for disability benefits: (1) whether the claimant had engaged in substantial
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gainful activity since filing her claim; (2) whether the claimant had a severe physical and/or
mental impairment or combination of impairments; (3) whether the impairment(s) met or equaled
an impairment in the listings; (4) whether the impairment(s) prevented the claimant from doing
past relevant work; and (5) whether the claimant was able to perform other work in the national
economy given her age, education, and experience. See 20 C.F.R. §416.920. Only if the final
stage is reached does the fact finder consider the Plaintiff’s age, education, and work experience
in light of her residual functional capacity. See McCoy v. Schweiker, 683 F.2d 1138, 1141-42
(8th Cir. 1982); 20 C.F.R. §416.920.
III.
Discussion:
Plaintiff raises the following arguments on appeal: 1) The ALJ erred in relying on the
opinions of non-medical sources to formulate the RFC; 2) The ALJ erred in rejecting the treating
source’s medical opinions and relying on the opinions of State agency physicians who did not
examine or treat Plaintiff; 3) The ALJ erred in failing to fulfill his duty to develop the record and
obtain a consultative examination as his RFC, particularly as to Plaintiff’s mental impairments;
4) The ALJ erred by ignoring substantial opinion evidence reflected by GAF scores; and 5) The
ALJ erred in failing to consider Plaintiff’s ability to sustain employment. (Doc. 8).
A.
RFC Determination:
RFC is the most a person can do despite that person’s limitations. 20 C.F.R. §
404.1545(a)(1). It is assessed using all relevant evidence in the record. Id. This includes medical
records, observations of treating physicians and others, and the claimant’s own descriptions of
her limitations. Guilliams v. Barnhart, 393 F.3d 798, 801 (8th Cir. 2005); Eichelberger v.
Barnhart, 390 F.3d 584, 591 (8th Cir. 2004). Limitations resulting from symptoms such as pain
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are also factored into the assessment. 20 C.F.R. § 404.1545(a)(3). The United States Court of
Appeals for the Eighth Circuit has held that a “claimant’s residual functional capacity is a
medical question.” Lauer v. Apfel, 245 F.3d 700, 704 (8th Cir. 2001). Therefore, an ALJ’s
determination concerning a claimant’s RFC must be supported by medical evidence that
addresses the claimant’s ability to function in the workplace. Lewis v. Barnhart, 353 F.3d 642,
646 (8th Cir. 2003). “[T]he ALJ is [also] required to set forth specifically a claimant’s
limitations and to determine how those limitations affect his RFC.” Id.
The ALJ found Plaintiff retained the RFC to perform sedentary work with certain
limitations. (Tr. 16-17). In making this determination, the ALJ reported that Plaintiff resided with
five of her seven children (ages 16, 11, 9, 5 and 2), and completed the 10th grade. (Tr. 17). He
further noted that she last worked in July of 2007 at a chicken processing plant, and alleges she
is presently unable to work. (Tr. 17). The ALJ considered and discussed the medical records
of Dr. W.R. Young, Mary Stanley, APN, Dr. Jacob E. Abraham, Dr. Keith J. Bolyard, and Gina
Miesner, M.S., LPEI. (Tr. 15-20). He also considered the x-rays and MRI of Plaintiff’s lumbar
spine (Tr. 18), and Plaintiff’s obesity. (Tr. 19). The ALJ gave little weight to the opinions of Dr.
Young, Mary Stanley, APN, and Gina Miesner, M.S., LPEI, finding that Dr. Young’s opinions
were conclusory and not sufficiently supported by his treatment, that Ms. Stanley’s records do
not support her conclusions/diagnoses and that she is not an acceptable medical source, and that
Ms. Miesner is also not an acceptable medical source, and her opinion in the Medical Source
Statement was inconsistent with the record as a whole. (Tr. 21). The ALJ gave substantial weight
to the opinions of Plaintiff’s remaining treating providers, and great weight to the opinions of
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the agency consultative “examiners,”1 as he found them to be consistent with the record as a
whole. (Tr. 22).
For the reasons stated below, the Court finds that substantial evidence supports the ALJ’s
RFC determination and the weight he gave to the various physicians and health care providers.
The records reflects that on July 27, 2009, Dr. Terrell Bishop, Staff Psychiatrist for
Western Arkansas Counseling and Guidance Center (WACGC), saw Plaintiff, who was then on
Celexa and Alprazolam, and noted that Plaintiff used cigarettes, tobacco, pot, stimulants, and
alcohol over the years, and at that time, drank three cases of beer a month and smoked a pack of
cigarettes per day. (Tr. 287). On July 30, 2009, Plaintiff advised Clark Williams, Ph.D., LPC,
of WACGC, that she was applying for SSI and said that she was told by her attorney to come into
therapy. (Tr. 289). On August 6, 2009, Mr. Williams reported that there was no evidence of
depression or anxiety, and on September 3, 2009, he indicated Plaintiff was on medication and
was somewhat more stable. (Tr. 290-291).
On December 16, 2009, Dr. Young reported that Plaintiff continued to complain of
significant low back pain and stiffness and that she was still massively obese. (Tr. 228). He
reported that he had very little to offer Plaintiff, and put her on Methocarbinol and Lucenta for
“what as far as I can tell is fibromyalgia syndrome and obesity.” (Tr. 228). On February 12,
2010, Dr. Young reported that Plaintiff was doing fairly well, and that her pain syndrome had
1
Plaintiff argues that the ALJ erred by referring to the agency physicians as “examining” physicians. While it is
true that the agency physicians were non-examining consultants, Plaintiff has failed to show that this incorrect
reference was harmful. Plaintiff merely argues and assumes that the ALJ was under the impression the opinions
were from examining physicians, and erroneously gave them greater weight than they were entitled to receive.
The Court is not persuaded by Plaintiff’s argument. The ALJ explained why he did not give the other examining
providers (Dr. Young, Mary Stanley, APN, and Gina Miesner, M.S., LPEI) greater weight, and was justified in
giving the agency physicians’ opinions greater weight, whether examining or non-examining. Plaintiff has failed
to show the ALJ would have decided differently if the error had not occurred, and the error is therefore harmless.
See Byes v. Astrue, 687 F.3d 913, 917 (8th Cir. 2012).
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been improved with Lunesta prescription and Methocarbinol and would continue this for “what
appears to be fibromyalgia.” (Tr. 227).
On May 22, 2010, Plaintiff presented herself to Mercy Hospital Scott County Rural
Health Clinic (Scott County Clinic), complaining that she twisted her left knee. (Tr. 313). On
June 29, 2010, Dr. Keith Bolyard, of River Valley Musculoskeletal Center, reviewed Plaintiff’s
x-rays of her knee, which he reported showed some mild arthritic changes of the medial
compartment. (Tr. 230). On July 29, 2010, Plaintiff was doing better with her knee. (Tr. 232).
On January 24, 2011, a Diagnostic Evaluation from Donna Hunter, LCSW, of WACGC,
was performed. (Tr. 235). It was reported that Plaintiff came in for her depression and anxiety,
and that she had seven children, five of which were at home. (Tr. 235). It was further reported
that Plaintiff started drinking alcohol at age 13 and currently drank two or three times a month.
Plaintiff reported that when she drank, she drank a lot at one time. (Tr. 235). Plaintiff reported
she started smoking cigarettes at age 13 and currently smoked 10 a day. (Tr. 235). She stated she
started smoking marijuana at age 13 and that she currently smoked it “when I can, if it was legal
I would smoke it daily.” (Tr. 235). Plaintiff was diagnosed with major depressive disorder,
recurrent, moderate, and panic disorder without agoraphobia. (Tr. 238). She was given a GAF
score of 53. (Tr. 238).
On February 10, 2011, Dr. Bishop, of WACGC, saw Plaintiff, who stated that in years
past she tried Prozac and Celexa and felt they did not help much. (Tr. 240). She reported she
smoked pot weekly since age 12, drank once a month, and smoked a half pack of cigarettes per
day. (Tr. 240). She reported she was not on any medication at that time, but had previously been
on Xanax, Ativan, and Celexa. (Tr. 240). She was diagnosed with dysthymia, cannabis abuse,
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previously poly substance but in remission, anxiety and generalized anxiety disorder. (Tr. 241).
She was given a GAF score of 50. (Tr. 2410.
On February 21, 2011, a left knee arthroscopy was performed with partial lateral
maniscectomy and allograft reconstruction, 9 - mm graft using old tibial tunnel with EZLoc
femoral fixation, and removal of previous tibial fixation screw. (Tr. 324). On February 28, 2011,
Dr. Bolyard reported Plaintiff was doing well after her surgery. (Tr. 323).
On February 22, 2011, non-examining consultant, Dr. Jim Takach, completed a Physical
RFC Assessment, concluding that Plaintiff could perform sedentary work with certain
limitations. (Tr. 273-280).
On February 28, 2011, non-examining consultant, Cheryl Woodson-Johnson, Psy.D.,
completed a Mental RFC Assessment form and Psychiatric Review Technique form. (Tr. 247,
251). Dr. Woodson-Johnson found that Plaintiff was able to perform work where interpersonal
contact was incidental to the work performed, e.g. assembly work; where complexity of tasks
was learned and performed by rote, with few variables, little judgment, and where supervision
required was simple, direct and concrete (unskilled). (Tr. 247). She also found that Plaintiff had
a mild degree of limitation in restriction of activities of daily living, moderate degree of
limitation in difficulties in maintaining social functioning and in maintaining concentration,
persistence, or pace, and no episodes of decompensation, each of extended duration. (Tr. 247,
261).
An x-ray of Plaintiff’s lumbar spine, dated March 4, 2011, revealed small anterior end
plate osteophytes at T12, L1, L2, L3, and L4, with no acute abnormality seen. (Tr. 370).
On April 18, 2011, Mary Stanley, APN, of Scott County Rural Clinic, reported that
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Plaintiff’s anxiety problem had been gradually improving, and the symptoms were relieved by
medications. (Tr. 308).
On April 26, 2011, Plaintiff was seen by Dr. Jacob E. Abraham, of Hot Springs
Interventional Pain Management. (Tr. 301). Dr. Abraham noted that Plaintiff smoked and used
alcohol, and had decreased range of motion with exacerbation of pain on extension and rotation.
(Tr. 303). Dr. Abraham found Plaintiff suffered from lumbar spondylosis and trochanteric
bursitis in her right hip. (Tr. 304). He also reported that an MRI of Plaintiff’s lumbar spine
revealed small disk herniations at L3-4 and L4-5. (Tr. 304).
On April 28, 2011, Dr. Bishop reported that Plaintiff stated she felt somewhat better on
the medicines, and that she quit her “pot” a week prior. (Tr. 293).
On May 23, 2011, Plaintiff complained of right arm pain to Scott County Clinic, but
showed no limited range of motion, no stiffness and no itching. She had tried cold, rest and
over-the-counter pain medications for the symptoms, which provided mild relief. (Tr. 356). An
x-ray of her right elbow was negative. (Tr. 369).
On July 28, 2011, Plaintiff reported to Dr. Bishop that she was not having any new
medical problems, but still had chronic back pain. (Tr. 407). Dr. Bishop reported that
Nortriptyline and Klonopin were helping, and Plaintiff wanted to remain on them. (Tr. 407).
On November 9, 2011, it was reported by WACGC that they were unable to contact
Plaintiff. (Tr. 398). On January 3, 2012, Ms. Miesner completed a Discharge Summary, and
Plaintiff was given a GAF score of 53. (Tr. 386). On that same date, Ms. Miesner opined that it
was doubtful that Plaintiff would be able to perform full-time work. (Tr. 381). Ms. Miesner also
completed a Mental Medical Source Statement of that same date, opining that she believed it
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would be difficult for Plaintiff to maintain employment, and that she utilized poor judgment and
was unreliable. (Tr. 385).
The Court finds, based upon the record as a whole, that the ALJ’s findings that Plaintiff
would be able to perform sedentary work with certain limitations takes into account all of the
Plaintiff’s impairments that are supported by the evidence, both physical and mental.
Furthermore, the ALJ gave sufficient reasons to warrant the weight he gave to the various
physicians, both treating and non-treating He noted that Dr. Young’s opinion was conclusory
and not supported by his treatment records, and that the opinions of Mr. Miesner and Ms. Stanley
are not from “acceptable medical sources.” The ALJ’s opinion indicates that he did consider all
of the opinions, and gave them the weight they deserve.
Accordingly, the Court finds there is substantial evidence to support the ALJ’s RFC
determination.
B.
Failing to Fully and Fairly Develop the Record:
The ALJ has a duty to fully and fairly develop the record. See Frankl v. Shalala, 47 F.3d
935, 938 (8th Cir. 1995); Freeman v. Apfel, 208 F.3d 687, 692 (8th Cir. 2000). This is
particularly true when Plaintiff is not represented by counsel. Payton v. Shalala, 25 FG.3d 684,
686 (8th Cir. 1994). This can be done by re-contacting medical sources and by ordering
additional consultative examinations, if necessary. See 20 C.F.R. § 404.1512. The ALJ’s duty
to fully and fairly develop the record is independent of Plaintiff’s burden to press his case.
Vossen v. Astrue, 612 F.3d 1011, 1016 (8th Cir. 2010). However, the ALJ is not required to
function as Plaintiff’s substitute counsel, but only to develop a reasonably complete record. See
Shannon v. Chater, 54 F.3d 484, 488 (8th Cir. 1995)(“reversal due to failure to develop the record
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is only warranted where such failure is unfair or prejudicial”). “The regulations do not require
the Secretary or the ALJ to order a consultative evaluation of every alleged impairment. They
simply grant the ALJ the authority to do so if the existing medical sources do not contain
sufficient evidence to make a determination.” Matthews v. Bowen, 879 F.2d 423, 424 (8th Cir.
1989).
Plaintiff argues that the ALJ should have ordered a consultative examination, particularly
as to Plaintiff’s mental impairments. The ALJ did, in fact, obtain a Mental RFC Assessment on
February 28, 2011, from non-examining consultant, Cheryl Woodson-Johnson, Psy.D. (Tr. 247).
Dr. Woodson-Johnson also completed a Psychiatric Review Technique form on February 28,
2011. (Tr. 251-263). It was in the Mental RFC Assessment that Dr. Johnson found Plaintiff
would be able to perform work where interpersonal contact is incidental to work performed, e.g.
assembly work; where complexity of tasks is learned and performed by rote, with few variables,
little judgment and where supervision required is simple, direct and concrete (unskilled). (Tr.
247). This limitation was included in the ALJ’s RFC Assessment. Plaintiff’s argument is
without merit, and there is substantial evidence to support the fact that the ALJ fully and fairly
developed the record.
C.
GAF scores:
Plaintiff asserts that the GAF scores given her at various times (45, 53, 50, 53, and 51)
should have been addressed. The Eighth Circuit has held that GAF scores are “not essential to
the accuracy of an RFC determination, only that it may be of considerable help in formulating
RFC.” Earnheart v. Astrue, 484 F. Appx. 73, 75 (8th Cir. 2012); King v. Colvin, No. C13-3039LTS, 2014 WL 1344194, at *11 (N.D.Iowa, Apr. 4, 2014). In addition, in Jones v. Astrue, 619
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F.3d 963, 973-974 (8th Cir. 2010), the Eighth Circuit referenced a 6th Circuit opinion, DeBoard
v. Comm’r of Soc.Sec., 211 Fed. Appx. 411, 415 (6th Cir. 2006(unpublished), in support of its
position, when it stated that “an ALJ may afford greater weight to medical evidence and
testimony than to GAF scores when the evidence requires it.” Jones, 619 F.3d at 974. The Sixth
Circuit in DeBoard also recognized one of its earlier opinions, Howard v. Comm’r of Soc. Sec.,
276 F3d. 235, 241 (6th Cir. 2002), where it found that the failure to reference a GAF score is not,
standing alone, sufficient ground to reverse a disability determination.
Based upon the foregoing, the Court finds Plaintiff’s arguments regarding her GAF scores
are without merit.
D.
Ability to Sustain Employment:
As noted by Defendant, inherent in the definition of RFC is the expectation that the RFC
assessment will consider the individual’s ability to work on a regular and continuing basis. See
20 C.F.R. § 416.945(b), (c) (“we...determine your residual functional capacity for work activity
on a regular and continuing basis”). In addition, the ALJ noted that in determining a Plaintiff’s
RFC, he must consider her ability to do physical and mental work activities “on a sustained basis
despite limitations from her impairments.” (Tr. 13).
Accordingly, as set out earlier, the Court finds the ALJ’s RFC determination is supported
by substantial evidence, which includes the fact that Plaintiff would be able to perform the
sedentary work with limitations on a sustained basis.
IV.
Conclusion:
Accordingly, having carefully reviewed the record, the Court finds substantial evidence
supporting the ALJ’s decision denying the Plaintiff benefits, and thus the decision is hereby
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affirmed. The Plaintiff’s Complaint should be, and is hereby, dismissed with prejudice.
IT IS SO ORDERED this 14th day of May, 2014.
/s/ Erin L. Setser
HONORABLE ERIN L. SETSER
UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE
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