Johns v. Social Security Administration Commissioner

Filing 12

MEMORANDUM OPINION. Signed by Honorable Erin L. Setser on December 9, 2015. (src)

IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
WESTERN DISTRICT OF ARKANSAS
HARRISON DIVISION
BERNIE J. JOHNS

PLAINTIFF

V.

NO. 14-3089

CAROLYN W. COLVIN,
Acting Commissioner of the Social Security Administration

DEFENDANT

MEMORANDUM OPINION
Plaintiff, Bernie J. Johns, 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 his claim for a period of disability and disability insurance benefits
(DIB) under the provisions of Title II 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 his current application for DIB on June 13, 2011, alleging

an inability to work since April 21, 2011, due to neuropathy. (Tr. 182-185, 203, 207). An
administrative hearing was held on April 30, 2013, at which Plaintiff appeared with counsel
and testified. (Tr. 35-72).
By written decision dated June 28, 2013, the ALJ found that during the relevant time
period, Plaintiff had an impairment or combination of impairments that were severe – plantar
fasciitis, tarsal tunnel syndrome, peripheral neuropathy, carpal tunnel syndrome, and left eye
disorder. (Tr. 22).

However, after reviewing all of the evidence presented, the ALJ

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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. 22). The ALJ found Plaintiff retained the residual functional capacity (RFC) to:
Perform light work as defined in 20 CFR 404.1567(b) except the claimant can
occasionally operate foot controls on a bilateral basis. He can finger and
handle frequently on a bilateral basis. The claimant is limited to occupations
that require only occasional peripheral acuity and occasional depth perception.
(Tr. 23). With the help of the vocational expert (VE), the ALJ determined that
during the relevant time period, Plaintiff would not be able to perform his past
relevant work, but there were other jobs Plaintiff would be able to perform, such as
food prep worker/cook helper; janitor/cleaner; and attendant at a self-service store
(retail sales attendant and video rental clerk). (Tr. 27-28).
Plaintiff then requested a review of the hearing decision by the Appeals Council,
which considered additional information, and denied that request on August 22, 2014. (Tr. 16). Subsequently, Plaintiff filed this action. (Doc. 1). This case is before the undersigned
pursuant to the consent of the parties. (Doc. 7). Both parties have filed appeal briefs, and the
case is now ready for decision. (Docs. 10, 11).
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
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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 his disability by establishing a physical or mental disability that has lasted
at least one year and that prevents him 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 his disability, not simply his
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 gainful activity since filing his 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 his age, education, and experience. See
20 C.F.R. §416.920. Only if the final stage is reached does the fact finder consider the
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Plaintiff’s age, education, and work experience in light of his RFC.

See McCoy v.

Schneider, 683 F.2d 1138, 1141-42 (8th Cir. 1982); 20 C.F.R. §416.920.
III.

Discussion:
Plaintiff raises the following issues in this matter: 1) Whether the ALJ erred in his

RFC determination; and 2) Whether the ALJ erred in failing to find Plaintiff’s depression and
anxiety were severe impairments. (Doc. 10).
A. Severe Impairment:
Plaintiff briefly argues that depression and anxiety have been steady problems and
naturally result from his chronic pain. An impairment is severe within the meaning of the
regulations if it significantly limits an individual’s ability to perform basic work activities. 20
C.F.R. §§ 1520(a)(4)ii), 416.920(a)(4)(ii). An impairment or combination of impairments is
not severe when medical and other evidence establish only a slight abnormality or a
combination of slight abnormalities that would have no more than a minimal effect on an
individual’s ability to work. 20 C.F.R. § § 404.1521, 416.921. The Supreme Court has
adopted a “de minimis standard” with regard to the severity standard. Hudson v. Bowen, 870
F.2d 1392, 1395 (8th Cri. 1989). “While ‘[s]everity is not an onerous requirement for the
claimant to meet …it is also not a toothless standard.’” Wright v. Colvin, 789 F.3d 847, 855
(8th Cir. 2015)(quoting Kirby v. Astrue, 500 F.l3d 705, 708 (8th Cir. 2007).
The Court first notes that Plaintiff did not list any mental impairment on his
application documents, which is significant. Dunahoo v. Apfel, 241 F.3d 1033, 1039 (8th Cir.
2001).

On March 6, 2012, Christal Janssen, Ph.D., completed a Psychiatric Review

Technique form, wherein she found that Plaintiff had no limitations in activities of daily
living or in maintaining social functioning, and a mild degree of limitation in maintaining
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concentration, persistence, or pace. (Tr. 389). She concluded there was no evidence of a
severe mental impairment. (Tr. 391).

On June 7, 2012, Plaintiff was diagnosed with

depression at the Mountain Home Christian Clinic (Tr. 400), and by July 19, 2012, Plaintiff
was reported by Mountain Home Christian Clinic as doing well. (Tr. 399).
The ALJ recognized the statement made by Plaintiff’s treating physician, Dr. Paul
Wilbur, on October 16, 2012, that Plaintiff suffers from neuropathy of his legs and feet and
chronic anxiety depression, and that both of the problems were moderately severe. (Tr. 26,
275). The ALJ considered Dr. Wilbur’s statement, but noted that Dr. Wilbur did not indicate
Plaintiff could not work or was limited in some capacity if he did work. (Tr. 26). In
addition, the Court notes that subsequent thereto, it appears that Plaintiff presented himself to
the Mountain Home Christian Clinic, complaining of prostate issues, burning feet, migraine
headaches and a tick bite, but no mental impairment. (Tr. 416-431). Further, there are no
indications in the record that Plaintiff’s ability to function was limited or affected by any
mental impairment.
Based upon the foregoing, the Court finds there is substantial evidence to support the
ALJ’s severe impairment determination.
B. Credibility:
The ALJ was required to consider all the evidence relating to Plaintiff’s subjective
complaints including evidence presented by third parties that relates to: (1) Plaintiff’s daily
activities; (2) the duration, frequency, and intensity of his pain; (3) precipitating and
aggravating factors; (4) dosage, effectiveness, and side effects of his medication; and (5)
functional restrictions. See Polaski v. Heckler, 739 F.2d 1320, 1322 (8th Cir. 1984). While
an ALJ may not discount a claimant’s subjective complaints solely because the medical

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evidence fails to support them, an ALJ may discount those complaints where inconsistencies
appear in the record as a whole. Id. As the Eighth Circuit has observed, “Our touchstone is
that [a claimant’s] credibility is primarily a matter for the ALJ to decide.” Edwards v.
Barnhart, 314 F.3d 964, 966 (8th Cir. 2003).
The Court finds there is substantial evidence to support the ALJ’s credibility analysis
C. RFC Determination:
Plaintiff argues that the ALJ’s RFC has no direct medical support, fails to find that
Plaintiff should “grid in,” and is entirely inconsistent with the limitations to standing/walking
that result from his intractable neuropathy. 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 his 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 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 is permitted to base its RFC determination on ‘a
non-examining physician’s opinion and other medical evidence in the record.’” Barrows v.

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Colvin, No. C 13-4087-MWB, 2015 WL 1510159 at *15 (quoting from Willms v. Colvin,
Civil No. 12-2871, 2013 WL 6230346 (D. Minn. Dec. 2, 2013).
As stated earlier, in his decision, the ALJ found Plaintiff was capable of performing
light work with certain limitations. In making this determination, the ALJ reviewed all of the
medical records, including those which existed prior to the onset date. He noted that in 2009,
Dr. Bruce Robbins concluded Plaintiff’s complaints of lower extremity pain was getting
significantly better with Metanx, and therefore deferred an EMG needle examination. (Tr.
23). The ALJ discussed the records from Ahrens Clinic, where he was assessed with plantar
fasciitis and was provided splints. (Tr. 23). The ALJ discussed Plaintiff’s visits to Dr. Eric
Arp, of Arp Foot & Ankle Clinic, who assessed Plaintiff with neuroma and pain of the toe
and foot, recommended arch supportive inserts, counseled Plaintiff on neuropathy and the
care of his feet, administered a nerve block, and prescribed Metanx. (Tr. 24). On May 26,
2011, Plaintiff called the Arp Clinic and wanted to cancel his appointment for follow up from
bilateral injections because he lost his job and insurance and had no money. (Tr. 332).
On July 26, 2011, non-examining consultant, Dr. Sharon Keith, completed a Physical
RFC Assessment, wherein she found the medical records supported a light RFC. (Tr. 342).
In October of 2011, Mountain Home Christian Clinic reported Plaintiff’s condition as stable,
noting that Lyrica was reportedly helping a lot. (Tr. 360). By November of 2011, the Lyrica
was reported as no longer helping the pain as it was when he first started taking it. (Tr. 361).
The ALJ discussed Plaintiff’s daily activities, noting that he picked up the house,
cooked and took care of his personal grooming, although slowly. (Tr. 240. He also noted that
Plaintiff fed and watered his three dogs and let them outside, did the cleaning, laundry, minor
household repairs, and mowed the lawn using a riding lawnmower. (Tr. 25).

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Plaintiff

shopped in stores for groceries, clothes, shoes and household items, and visited with his
mother and family a couple of times a week. The ALJ found that these were not the types of
activities one would expect, given the complaints of disabling symptoms and limitations.
(T.r. 25). He also noted that no physician placed any functional restriction on his activities
that would preclude work activity with the RFC limitations. (Tr. 25).
The ALJ recognized that Plaintiff cited lack of resources as the reason he had not
sought specialized treatment. However, the ALJ noted that there was no indication that
Plaintiff had availed himself of and exhausted all possible resources available.
The ALJ assigned some weight to the opinion of Dr. Keith, but found that Plaintiff
had additional manipulative limitations. (Tr, 26). The ALJ considered Dr. Wilbur’s opinion
and noted that he did not indicate Plaintiff could not work, and described Plaintiff’s condition
as moderately severe. (Tr. 26). The ALJ also considered the statements of Plaintiff and his
friends, and noted that they did not establish Plaintiff was disabled. (Tr. 26).
The Court finds, after reviewing the record as a whole, that there is substantial
evidence to support the ALJ’s RFC determination and the weight he assigned to the opinions.
D. Hypothetical Question:
The ALJ presented the following hypothetical questions to the VE:
Q: Hypothetical number one. Assume an individual with the same age, education
and work experience as that of the Claimant, who is able to lift and/or carry 20
pounds occasionally, lift and/or carry 10 pounds frequently. Stand and/or walk, six
hours out of an eight-hour workday with normal breaks. Sit six hours out of an eighthour workday with normal breaks. Push and pull with limitations pursuant to our
lift/carry limitations. Foot control operation on a bilateral basis would be occasional.
Excuse me. Handle on a bilateral basis would be frequent. Finger on a bilateral basis
would be frequent, limited to occupations requiring only occasional peripheral acuity,
and limited to occupations requiring only occasional depth perception. Could an
individual with these limitations perform Claimant’s past work as it was actually
performed or as it is customarily performed pursuant to the Dictionary of
Occupational Titles?

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A: Based on the hypothetical that’s been presented, the individual would be limited
to a light exertional limit if work, with – and all of his past work was at the medium
or heavy exertional level (inaudible) could not perform past work.
Q: Addendum to hypothetical number one. Assume an individual with the same age,
education, and work experience as that of the Claimant who has the RFC that we’ve
just described. Would there be any jobs this individual could perform that exist in the
national or regional economies?
A: Let me check please. Okay. One example….food prep worker, cook helper. …
Another job that would be the criteria would be that of a janitor or cleaner. …One
other example would be that of a[sic] attendant at a self-service store. …This would
be like a retail sales attendant or a video rental clerk.

(Tr. 67-69).
After thoroughly reviewing the hearing transcript along with the entire evidence of
record, the Court finds that the hypothetical questions the ALJ posed to the vocational expert
fully set forth the impairments which the ALJ accepted as true and which were supported by
the record as a whole. Goff v. Barnhart, 421 F.3d 785, 794 (8th Cir. 2005). Accordingly, the
Court finds that the vocational expert's opinion constitutes substantial evidence supporting
the ALJ's conclusion that Plaintiff's impairments did not preclude him from performing the
jobs of food prep worker/cook helper; janitor/cleaner; and attendant at a self-service store
(retail sales attendant and video rental clerk). Pickney v. Chater, 96 F.3d 294, 296 (8th Cir.
1996)(testimony from vocational expert based on properly phrased hypothetical question
constitutes substantial evidence).
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 affirmed. The Plaintiff’s Complaint should be, and is hereby, dismissed with
prejudice.
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IT IS SO ORDERED this 9th day of December, 2015.

/s/ Erin L. Setser
HONORABLE ERIN L. SETSER
UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE

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