Heard v. Social Security Administration Commissioner
Filing
10
MEMORANDUM OPINION. Signed by Honorable James R. Marschewski on July 15, 2013. (rw)
IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
WESTERN DISTRICT OF ARKANSAS
HARRISON DIVISION
DAWN R. HEARD
v.
PLAINTIFF
Civil No. 12-3046
CAROLYN W. COLVIN1, Commissioner
Social Security Administration
DEFENDANT
MEMORANDUM OPINION
Plaintiff, Dawn Heard, 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 claim
for disability insurance benefits (“DIB”) and social 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 filed her applications for DIB and SSI on March 17, 2009, and August 27, 2009,
respectively, alleging an onset date of April 1, 2008, due to “mental/personality disorder/post traumatic
stress disorder.” Tr. 95-102, 150, 169-170, 187-190. Plaintiff’s claims were denied at both the initial
and reconsideration levels. Tr. 38, 41-44, 54-56. An administrative hearing was held on October 28,
2010. Tr. 21-37. Plaintiff was present and represented by counsel.
At the time of the hearing, Plaintiff was 25 years old and possessed a high school education. Tr.
24, 35, 160. Plaintiff had no past relevant work (“PRW”) experience. Tr. 138-144, 151, 157-167.
On December 20, 2010, the ALJ found Plaintiff’s mood disorder, borderline intellectual
functioning (“BIF”), and headaches were severe, impairments. Tr. 13. Prior to January 9, 2010, he
1
Carolyn W. Colvin became the Social Security Commissioner on February 14, 2013. Pursuant to Rule 25(d)(1)
of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, Carolyn W. Colvin has been substituted for Commissioner Michael J. Astrue as the
defendant in this suit.
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concluded that the Plaintiff’s impairments did not meet or medically equal one of the listed impairments
in Appendix 1, Subpart P, Regulation No. 4. Tr. 13. After partially discrediting Plaintiff’s subjective
complaints, the ALJ determined that, prior to January 9, 2010, the Plaintiff retained the residual
functional capacity (“RFC”) to perform light work
except the work should be where interpersonal contact is incidental to the work
performed; complexity of tasks is learned and performed by rote, with few variables and
little judgment required. The supervision required should be simple, direct, and
concrete. The work should require the claimant to occasionally lift/carry items
weighing up to 20 pounds, and frequently items weighing up to 10 pounds. The work
should require the can sit [sic] for 6 hours and stand/walk for 6 hours out of an eighthour workday (with normal breaks).
Tr. 13-14. With the assistance of a vocational expert, the ALJ determined Plaintiff could per form work
as a production worker, maid/house cleaner, and meat cutter. Tr. 18. However, beginning on January
9, 2010, the ALJ found the severity of Plaintiff’s impairments met the criteria of section 12.06 of CFR
Part 404, Subpart P, Appendix 1. See 20 CFR 404.1520(d), 404.1525, 416.920(d), and 416.925
On February 15, 2012, the Appeals Council denied Plaintiff’s request for review. Tr. 1-3.
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. 8,
9.
The Court has reviewed the entire record in this case, including the transcript of the
administrative hearing, Plaintiff’s medical records, the ALJ’s opinion, and the appeal briefs filed by the
parties. 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
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
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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)(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
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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 conclusion that Plaintiff’s impairments
were not disabling prior to January 9, 2010. After reviewing the record, we can not say that substantial
evidence supports a finding that Plaintiff’s disability began on this date. Treatment notes from the
delivery of Plaintiff’s second child in October 2007 reveal a long history of depression and suicidal
ideation. Tr. 221-226. In February 2009, Plaintiff was hospitalized for approximately four days due to
a suicide attempt. Tr. 217-218, 234-239, 241-260. Records indicate that she had cut herself. She was
diagnosed with major depressive disorder and borderline personality disorder, and assessed with a global
assessment of functioning (“GAF”) score of 312, at the time of discharge. Records indicate that Plaintiff
suffered from mood lability, significant anxiety, suicidal ideation, problems with thought patterns, and
angry outbursts.
In September 2009, she underwent a mental assessment with Jan Camp, a counselor at the Center
for Individual and Family Development. Tr. 261-272. Ms. Camp noted Plaintiff’s traumatic history of
childhood abuse, foster homes, and domestic violence. She also indicated that Plaintiff had lost two
children to the State, due to her domestic situation and her own mental issues. Ms. Camp diagnosed
Plaintiff with intermittent explosive disorder, dysthymic disorder, borderline intellectual functioning,
and dependent personality disorder. She assessed Plaintiff with a GAF of 523, noting her continued
problems with aggressive outbursts in spite of her use of medication.
2
A GAF of 31 is indicative of some impairment in reality testing or communication or major impairment in several
areas, such as work or school, family relations, judgment, thinking, or mood. See DIAGNOSTIC AND STATISTICAL MANUAL
OF MENTAL DISORDERS IV-TR 34 (4th ed. 2000).
3
A GAF of 52 is indicative of moderate symptoms. See DIAGNOSTIC AND STATISTICAL MANUAL OF MENTAL
DISORDERS IV-TR 34 (4th ed. 2000).
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In October 2009, Dr. Charles Nichols performed a mental diagnostic evaluation of Plaintiff. Tr.
273-278. Plaintiff reported continued suicidal ideation and intense, angry outbursts that were often out
of proportion to the triggering situation. She also endorsed self-mutilation behaviors, stating she cut
herself with a box cutter about once a month when feeling hopeless and depressed. Dr. Nichols
ultimately determined that Plaintiff was suffering from depressive disorder not otherwise specified,
personality disorder not otherwise specified, and borderline personality traits. He also assessed her with
a GAF between 50 and 55.4
After reviewing this evidence, the undersigned is of the opinion that remand is necessary to
allow the ALJ to revisit Plaintiff’s onset date. We are also concerned by the ALJ”s failure to find
Plaintiff’s personality disorder to be a severe impairment. See Pelkey v. Barnhart, 433 F.3d 575, 577
(8th Cir. 2006) (a severe impairment is defined as one which 'significantly limits the claimant's physical
or mental ability to do basic work activities). Although the record reveals some marijuana and alcohol
use and issues with medication compliance, research proves that drug abuse is very common among
individuals suffering from borderline personality disorder. See DIAGNOSTIC AND STATISTICAL MANUAL
OF
MENTAL DISORDERS FIFTH EDITION (“DSM-5") 664 (2013). Further, treatment of borderline
personality disorder is often complicated “by the fact that the characteristics that define a personality
disorder may not be considered problematic by the individual.” Id. at 647. Accordingly, on remand, the
ALJ is directed to reconsider the evidence concerning Plaintiff’s borderline personality disorder. A
functional assessment should be obtained from Plaintiff’s treating physicians, including questions
concerning Plaintiff’s alcohol/drug use and medication non-compliance and whether these factors are
a product of her illness or a factor contributing to her illness.
4
A GAF of 51 to 60 is indicative of moderate symptoms. See DIAGNOSTIC AND STATISTICAL MANUAL OF MENTAL
DISORDERS IV-TR 34 (4th ed. 2000).
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We also note that the GAF scale utilized by DSM IV-TR has been dropped from the DSM-5,
in favor of a more clear and concise global measure of disability referred to as the World Health
Organization Disability Assessment Schedule (“WHODAS”).
See DIAGNOSTIC AND STATISTICAL
MANUAL OF MENTAL DISORDERS FIFTH EDITION (“DSM-5”) 16, 745-748 (2013). Accordingly on
remand, the ALJ is directed to recontact Plaintiff’s treating sources to have them assess Plaintiff utilizing
the WHODAS contained on pages 747 and 748 of the DSM-5.
Additionally, Plaintiff advised Dr. Nichols that she had been treated by Heath Resources of
Arkansas in Harrison, Arkansas for a period of two years. The record does not, however, contain these
records. Accordingly, on remand, the ALJ is directed to obtain these records before rendering a final
decision. See Frankl v. Shalala, 47 F.3d 935, 938 (8th Cir. 1995)(ALJ must fully and fairly develop the
record so that a just determination of disability may be made).
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 15th day of July 2013.
/s/J. Marschewski
HON. JAMES R. MARSCHEWSKI
CHIEF UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE
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