Sanders v. Astrue

Filing 11

MEMORANDUM OPINION. Signed by Honorable Barry A. Bryant on March 3, 2011. (cap)

Sanders v. Astrue

Doc. 11

IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT WESTERN DISTRICT OF ARKANSAS TEXARKANA DIVISION BRYAN DALE SANDERS vs. Civil No. 4:09-cv-04127 DEFENDANT PLAINTIFF

MICHAEL J. ASTRUE Commissioner, Social Security Administration

MEMORANDUM OPINION Bryan Dale Sanders ("Plaintiff") brings this action pursuant to § 205(g) of Title II of the Social Security Act ("The Act"), 42 U.S.C. § 405(g) (2006), seeking judicial review of a final decision of the Commissioner of the Social Security Administration ("SSA") denying his application for Disability Insurance Benefits ("DIB") under Title II of the Act. The parties have consented to the jurisdiction of a magistrate judge to conduct any and all proceedings in this case, including conducting the trial, ordering the entry of a final judgment, and conducting all post-judgment proceedings. ECF No. 6.1 Pursuant to this authority, the Court issues this memorandum opinion and orders the entry of a final judgment in this matter. 1. Background: Plaintiff filed his application for DIB on August 24, 2007. (Tr. 99-106). Plaintiff alleged he was disabled due to neck, shoulder, arm and finger pain following a cervical fusion. (Tr. 144). Plaintiff alleged an onset date of February 17, 2007. (Tr. 144). This application was initially denied on October11, 2007 and was denied again on reconsideration on November 28, 2007. (Tr. 59-69).

The docket numbers for this case are referenced by the designation "ECF No." The transcript pages for this case are referenced by the designation "Tr."

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On February 13, 2008, Plaintiff requested an administrative hearing on his application. (Tr. 68). This hearing was held on February 27, 2009 in Texarkana, Arkansas. (Tr. 20-48). Plaintiff was present and represented by counsel, James Wyly, at this hearing. See id. Plaintiff and Vocational Expert ("VE") Dianne Smith testified at this hearing. See Id. On the date of this hearing, Plaintiff was thirty-nine (39) years old, which is defined as a "younger person" under 20 C.F.R. § 404.1563(c) (2009), and had completed the twelfth grade. (Tr. 24, 26). On April 8, 2009, the ALJ entered an unfavorable decision denying Plaintiff's application for DIB. (Tr. 10-19). In this decision, the ALJ determined Plaintiff had not engaged in Substantial Gainful Activity ("SGA") since February 17, 2007. (Tr. 12, Finding 2). The ALJ determined Plaintiff had the following severe impairments: cervical and lumbar disc disease with a cervical fusion. (Tr. 12, Finding 3). The ALJ also determined, however, Plaintiff did not have an impairment or a combination of impairments that met or medically equaled one of the listed impairments in the Listing of Impairments in Appendix 1 to Subpart P of Regulations No. 4 ("Listings"). (Tr. 15, Finding 4). In this decision, the ALJ indicated he evaluated Plaintiff's subjective complaints and determined his Residual Functional Capacity ("RFC"). (Tr. 15-18, Finding 5). The ALJ stated he evaluated these subjective complaints and allegedly disabling symptoms pursuant to the requirements and factors of Polaski v. Heckler, 739 F.2d 1320 (8th Cir. 1984). (Tr. 15). The ALJ found Plaintiff was credible to the extent that he cannot do a full range of medium or heavy work, but that he was not credible to the extent that he was unable to do light or sedentary work. (Tr. 16). The ALJ also reviewed all the medical evidence and hearing testimony and determined Plaintiff's RFC. (Tr. 16-18, Finding 5). Specifically, the ALJ determined Plaintiff retained the RFC

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to occasionally lift and carry twenty pounds, and frequently lift and carry ten pounds; sit for about six hours in an eight-hour workday; and stand and walk for about six hours in an eight-hour workday. (Tr. 15, Finding 5). Further, the ALJ found Plaintiff could not climb ladders, ropes, or scaffolds; could perform other postural function on an occasional basis; must avoid repetitive turning of the neck to the left; cannot perform overhead reaching; limited to occasional non-overhead reaching with the left arm; and limited to frequent handling and fingering bilaterally. (Tr. 15, Finding 5). The ALJ then evaluated Plaintiff's Past Relevant Work ("PRW") and his ability to perform that work and other work in the national economy. (Tr. 18, Findings 6, 10). Plaintiff and the VE testified at the administrative hearing regarding these issues. (Tr. 26-29, 44-47). Based upon this testimony, the ALJ determined Plaintiff's PRW included work as a tire builder. (Tr. 18). The ALJ determined, considering his RFC, that Plaintiff would be unable to perform his PRW. (Tr. 18, Finding 6). However, the ALJ determined Plaintiff would be able to perform other work existing in significant numbers in the national economy. (Tr. 18, Finding 10). Specifically, the VE testified Plaintiff would be able to perform work as a small products assembler with approximately 400,000 such jobs in the nation and 15,000 such jobs in Arkansas, cleaner and polisher with approximately 150,000 such jobs in the nation, and 3,600 such jobs in Arkansas, and work as a folder with approximately 350,000 such jobs in the nation and 5,600 such jobs in Arkansas. (Tr. 45-46). Thereafter, the ALJ determined Plaintiff had not been under a disability as defined by the Act from February 17, 2007, through the date of decision. (Tr. 19, Finding 11). On April 11, 2009, Plaintiff requested the Appeals Council review the ALJ's unfavorable

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decision. (Tr. 5-6). See 20 C.F.R. § 404.984(b)(2). On October 27, 2009, the Appeals Council declined to review this determination. (Tr. 1-3). On November 13, 2009, Plaintiff appealed the ALJ's decision to this Court. ECF No. 1. Both parties have filed appeal briefs. ECF Nos. 9, 10. The parties consented to the jurisdiction of this Court on December 17, 2009. ECF No. 6. 2. Applicable Law: In reviewing this case, this Court is required to determine whether the Commissioner's findings are supported by substantial evidence on the record as a whole. See 42 U.S.C. § 405(g) (2006); Ramirez v. Barnhart, 292 F.3d 576, 583 (8th Cir. 2002). Substantial evidence is less than a preponderance of the evidence, but it is enough that a reasonable mind would find it adequate to support the Commissioner's decision. See Johnson v. Apfel, 240 F.3d 1145, 1147 (8th Cir. 2001). 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. See Haley v. Massanari, 258 F.3d 742, 747 (8th Cir. 2001). 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. See 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 or her disability by establishing a physical or mental disability that lasted at least one year and that prevents him or her from engaging in any substantial gainful activity. See Cox v. Apfel, 160 F.3d 1203, 1206 (8th Cir. 1998); 42 U.S.C. §§ 423(d)(1)(A), 1382c(a)(3)(A). The Act defines a "physical or mental impairment" as "an impairment that results from anatomical, physiological, 4

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 his or her impairment, has lasted for at least twelve consecutive months. See 42 U.S.C. § 423(d)(1)(A). To determine whether the adult claimant suffers from a disability, the Commissioner uses the familiar five-step sequential evaluation. He determines: (1) whether the claimant is presently engaged in a "substantial gainful activity"; (2) whether the claimant has a severe impairment that significantly limits the claimant's physical or mental ability to perform basic work activities; (3) whether the claimant has an impairment that meets or equals a presumptively disabling impairment listed in the regulations (if so, the claimant is disabled without regard to age, education, and work experience); (4) whether the claimant has the Residual Functional Capacity (RFC) to perform his or her past relevant work; and (5) if the claimant cannot perform the past work, the burden shifts to the Commissioner to prove that there are other jobs in the national economy that the claimant can perform. See Cox, 160 F.3d at 1206; 20 C.F.R. §§ 404.1520(a)-(f). The fact finder only considers the plaintiff's age, education, and work experience in light of his or her RFC if the final stage of this analysis is reached. See 20 C.F.R. §§ 404.1520, 416.920 (2003). 3. Discussion: In his appeal brief, Plaintiff claims the following: (1) the ALJ failed to properly consider the combined effects of Plaintiff's impairments; (2) the ALJ erred by not finding Plaintiff met or equaled a Listing; (3) the ALJ erred in his RFC determination; and (4) the ALJ failed to properly assess Plaintiff's credibility of subjective complaints. In response, Defendant argues: (1) the ALJ properly considered the combined effects of Plaintiff's impairments; (2) the ALJ properly determined Plaintiff 5

did not meet or equal a Listing; (3) substantial evidence supports the ALJ's RFC determination; (4) the ALJ properly assessed Plaintiff's credibility of subjective complaints. Because this Court finds the ALJ erred in assessing Plaintiff's subjective complaints, this Court will only address this claim. In assessing the credibility of a claimant, the ALJ is required to examine and to apply the five factors from Polaski v. Heckler, 739 F.2d 1320 (8th Cir. 1984) or from 20 C.F.R. § 404.1529 and 20 C.F.R. § 416.929.2 See Shultz v. Astrue, 479 F.3d 979, 983 (2007). The factors to consider are as follows: (1) the claimant's daily activities; (2) the duration, frequency, and intensity of the pain; (3) the precipitating and aggravating factors; (4) the dosage, effectiveness, and side effects of medication; and (5) the functional restrictions. See Polaski, 739 at 1322. The factors must be analyzed and considered in light of the claimant's subjective complaints of pain. See id. The ALJ is not required to methodically discuss each factor as long as the ALJ acknowledges and examines these factors prior to discounting the claimant's subjective complaints. See Lowe v. Apfel, 226 F.3d 969, 971-72 (8th Cir. 2000). As long as the ALJ properly applies these five factors and gives several valid reasons for finding that the Plaintiff's subjective complaints are not entirely credible, the ALJ's credibility determination is entitled to deference. See id.; Cox v. Barnhart, 471 F.3d 902, 907 (8th Cir. 2006). The ALJ, however, cannot discount Plaintiff's subjective complaints "solely because the objective medical evidence does not fully support them [the subjective complaints]." Polaski, 739 F.2d at 1322.

Social Security Regulations 20 C.F.R. § 404.1529 and 20 C.F.R. § 416.929 require the analysis of two additional factors: (1) "treatment, other than medication, you receive or have received for relief of your pain or other symptoms" and (2) "any measures you use or have used to relieve your pain or symptoms (e.g., lying flat on your back, standing for 15 to 20 minutes every hour, sleeping on a board, etc.)." However, under Polaski and its progeny, the Eighth Circuit has not yet required the analysis of these additional factors. See Shultz v. Astrue, 479 F.3d 979, 983 (2007). Thus, this Court will not require the analysis of these additional factors in this case.

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When discounting a claimant's complaint of pain, the ALJ must make a specific credibility determination, articulating the reasons for discrediting the testimony, addressing any inconsistencies, and discussing the Polaski factors. See Baker v. Apfel, 159 F.3d 1140, 1144 (8th Cir. 1998). The inability to work without some pain or discomfort is not a sufficient reason to find a Plaintiff disabled within the strict definition of the Act. The issue is not the existence of pain, but whether the pain a Plaintiff experiences precludes the performance of substantial gainful activity. See Thomas v. Sullivan, 928 F.2d 255, 259 (8th Cir. 1991). In the present action, the ALJ did not perform a proper Polaski analysis. While the ALJ indicated the Polaski factors had been considered (Tr. 15), a review of the ALJ's opinion shows that instead of evaluating the Polaski factors and noting inconsistencies between Plaintiff's subjective complaints and the evidence in the record, the ALJ merely reviewed the medical records and recognized the proper legal standard for assessing credibility. Other than discussing Plaintiff's current use of medication, the ALJ made no other specific findings regarding the inconsistencies between Plaintiff's claimed subjective complaints and the record evidence. The ALJ must make a specific credibility determination, articulate the reasons for discrediting the Plaintiff's testimony, and address any inconsistencies between the testimony and the record. The ALJ failed to perform this analysis. This lack of analysis is insufficient under Polaski, and this case must be reversed and remanded for further consideration consistent with Polaski. Upon remand, the ALJ may still find Plaintiff not disabled, however a proper and complete analysis pursuant to Polaski must be performed.3
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Based on these findings, I do not find it necessary to reach to other points of error raised by the Plaintiff in this appeal.

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4. Conclusion: Based on the foregoing, the undersigned finds that the decision of the ALJ, denying benefits to Plaintiff, is not supported by substantial evidence and should be reversed and remanded. A judgment incorporating these findings will be entered pursuant to Federal Rules of Civil Procedure 52 and 58. ENTERED this 3rd day of March, 2011.

/s/ Barry A. Bryant HON. BARRY A. BRYANT U.S. MAGISTRATE JUDGE

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