McAfee v. Social Security Administration Commissioner
Filing
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MEMORANDUM OPINION. Signed by Honorable Erin L. Wiedemann on June 21, 2017. (src)
IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
WESTERN DISTRICT OF ARKANSAS
FAYETTEVILLE DIVISION
JASMIN MCAFEE
PLAINTIFF
v.
CIVIL NO. 16-5029
NANCY A. BERRYHILL, 1 Commissioner
Social Security Administration
DEFENDANT
MEMORANDUM OPINION
Plaintiff, Jasmin McAfee, 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 claims for child’s insurance benefits (CIB) as a disabled adult
and supplemental security income (SSI) benefits under the provisions of Titles II and 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 applications for CIB and SSI on October 30,
2012, alleging an inability to work since September 1, 2012, due to attention deficit
hyperactivity disorder, attention deficit disorder, depression, anxiety, and a personality
disorder. (Doc. 12, pp. 68, 160). An administrative video hearing was held on December 30,
2013, at which Plaintiff appeared with counsel and testified. (Doc. 12, pp. 34-63).
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Nancy A. Berryhill, has been appointed to serve as acting Commissioner of Social Security, and is substituted as
Defendant, pursuant to Rule 25(d)(1) of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure.
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By written decision dated September 11, 2014, the ALJ found that Plaintiff had not
attained the age of twenty-two as of the alleged onset date. (Doc. 12, p. 19). The ALJ found
that during the relevant time period, Plaintiff had an impairment or combination of
impairments that were severe. (Doc. 12, p. 19). Specifically, the ALJ found Plaintiff had the
following severe impairments: depression, a personality disorder, attention deficit
hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and oppositional defiant disorder. 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. (Doc. 12, p. 20). The ALJ found Plaintiff retained
the residual functional capacity (RFC) to:
perform a full range of work at all exertional levels but with the following
nonexertional limitations: she is able to perform work where interpersonal
contact is incidental to the work performed and where the complexity of tasks
is learned and performed by rote with few variables and little judgment. The
supervision required is simple, direct and concrete.
(Doc. 12, p. 22). With the help of a vocational expert, the ALJ determined Plaintiff could
perform work as an industrial cleaner, a hand packer, and a machine packager. (Doc. 12, p.
27).
Plaintiff then requested a review of the hearing decision by the Appeals Council, which
denied that request on December 22, 2015. (Doc. 12, p. 5). 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.
13, 14).
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.
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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. 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).
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).
A Plaintiff must show that her disability, not simply her impairment, has lasted for at least
twelve consecutive months. To establish entitlement to CIB on the record earnings of an
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insured person, a Plaintiff must prove she is 18 years of age or older and suffers from a
disability that began before she reached 22 years of age. 42 U.S.C. § 402(d).
The Commissioner’s regulations require her 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 her 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 her age, education, and experience. See 20 C.F.R. §§ 404.1520,
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), abrogated on other grounds by Higgins v.
Apfel, 222 F.3d 504, 505 (8th Cir. 2000); 20 C.F.R. §§ 404.1520, 416.920.
III.
Discussion:
Plaintiff argues the following issues on appeal: 1) the ALJ failed to properly assess
Plaintiff’s mental RFC; and 2) the ALJ failed to address Plaintiff’s case as a young adult in a
manner consistent with SSR 11-2p.
A. Subjective Complaints and Symptom Evaluation:
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 her pain; (3) precipitating and
aggravating factors; (4) dosage, effectiveness, and side effects of her medication; and (5)
functional restrictions. See Polaski v. Heckler, 739 F.2d 1320, 1322 (8th Cir. 1984). While
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an ALJ may not discount a claimant’s subjective complaints solely because the medical
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, 314 F.3d
at 966.
After reviewing the administrative record, it is clear that the ALJ properly considered
and evaluated Plaintiff’s subjective complaints, including the Polaski factors. A review of the
record revealed that during the time period in question Plaintiff reported that she was able to
take care of her personal needs, prepare simple meals, do dishes, shop for food, and go out
alone. While Plaintiff reported that she did not usually do many chores or prepare food the
record revealed that Plaintiff is able to perform these tasks. In July of 2013, Plaintiff also
reported to a therapist, Christina Couch, Psy.D., that she had a boyfriend and spent her time
painting, making crafts, texting, swimming and reading. (Doc. 12, p. 387).
With respect to Plaintiff’s mental impairments, as pointed out by the ALJ, the record
revealed that Plaintiff improved with medication and therapy. In April of 2012, prior to the
time period in question, Plaintiff was noted to have made good progress. At that time,
Alexandra Powell, MHPP, noted that Plaintiff had shown growth with the relationships with
her mother and sister, was integrating in the community and was working on attending college.
(Doc. 12, p. 378). After graduating high school, Plaintiff was told that she would be moved
to the adult services side of care. The record revealed that Plaintiff’s case was closed in August
of 2012, after repeated attempts to contact Plaintiff to schedule an appointment with adult
services went unanswered. Plaintiff did not seek treatment again until June of 2013. (Doc. 12,
p. 391). At that time, Plaintiff wanted help managing her depression and anger. Dr. Crouch
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noted that Plaintiff’s attention and concentration were normal and that her memory was intact.
Plaintiff was started on medication in August of 2013, and in October of 2013, Plaintiff was
instructed to find a provider in her area. While Plaintiff underwent a psychological evaluation
upon the referral of her mother in November of 2013, the record failed to show that Plaintiff
sought treatment after October of 2013. See Banks v. Massanari, 258 F.3d 820, 825–26 (8th
Cir. 2001) (ALJ properly discounted claimant's complaints of disabling depression as
inconsistent with daily activities and failure to seek additional psychiatric treatment).
The Court would note that while Plaintiff alleged an inability to seek treatment due to
a lack of finances, the record is void of any indication that Plaintiff had been denied treatment
due to the lack of funds. Murphy v. Sullivan, 953 F.3d 383, 386-87 (8th Cir. 1992) (holding
that lack of evidence that plaintiff sought low-cost medical treatment from her doctor, clinics,
or hospitals does not support plaintiff’s contention of financial hardship).
With regard to the testimony and statement of Plaintiff’s mother, the ALJ properly
considered this evidence but found it unpersuasive. This determination was within the ALJ's
province. See Siemers v. Shalala, 47 F.3d 299, 302 (8th Cir. 1995); Ownbey v. Shalala, 5 F.3d
342, 345 (8th Cir. 1993).
Therefore, although it is clear that Plaintiff suffers with some degree of limitation, she
has not established that she is unable to engage in any gainful activity. Accordingly, the Court
concludes that substantial evidence supports the ALJ’s conclusion that Plaintiff’s subjective
complaints were not totally credible.
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B. ALJ’s RFC Determination and Medical Opinions:
Plaintiff argues that the ALJ's RFC determination is not supported by substantial
evidence of record. Specifically, Plaintiff asserts that the ALJ failed to evaluate Plaintiff’s
claim in accordance with SSR 11–2P and SSR 85–15.
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 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 h[er] RFC.” Id.
In the present case, the ALJ considered the medical assessments of non-examining
agency medical consultants, the consultative examination performed by Dr. Gene Chambers,
Plaintiff’s subjective complaints, and her medical records when he determined Plaintiff could
perform work at all exertional levels with some non-exertional limitations. The Court notes
that in determining Plaintiff’s RFC, the ALJ discussed the medical opinions of examining and
non-examining medical professionals, including the opinions of Drs. Dan Donahue, Sheri L.
Simon, and Chambers, and set forth the reasons for the weight given to the opinions. Renstrom
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v. Astrue, 680 F.3d 1057, 1065 (8th Cir. 2012) (“It is the ALJ’s function to resolve conflicts
among the opinions of various treating and examining physicians”)(citations omitted); Prosch
v. Apfel, 201 F.3d 1010 at 1012 (the ALJ may reject the conclusions of any medical expert,
whether hired by the claimant or the government, if they are inconsistent with the record as a
whole). Plaintiff argues that the ALJ erred in failing to address the 2010 opinion of Dr. Neal
Ritter. The Court does not find that the ALJ erred in failing to directly refer to Dr. Ritter’s
evaluation as this evaluation occurred over two years prior to the alleged onset date.
Plaintiff also cites SSR 11–2p to support the argument that Plaintiff would require extra
help and accommodations and therefore should be found disabled. The Regulation provides
that if an adult with an impairment “needs or would need greater supervision or assistance”
because of the impairment than an employee who does not have an impairment, the adult has
a work-related limitation. Titles II & Xvi: Documenting & Evaluating Disability in Young
Adults, SSR 11-2P, *8 (S.S.A. Sept. 12, 2011). Here, a review of the record shows that the
ALJ took into account the reports and opinions of Plaintiff's treating physicians, the opinions
of consultative physicians, and the testimony of Plaintiff and her mother, and he considered
the combination of all the Plaintiff's impairments in making his RFC determination. See Jones
v. Astrue, 619 F.3d 963, 971 (8th Cir. 2010). The ALJ also noted Plaintiff’s school records,
her attempts to apply for jobs after high school, and her relationship with her mother. After
reviewing the entire transcript, the Court finds substantial evidence supporting the ALJ’s RFC
determination for the time period in question.
C.
Hypothetical Question to the Vocational Expert:
After thoroughly reviewing the hearing transcript along with the entire evidence of
record, the Court finds that the hypothetical the ALJ posed to the vocational expert fully set
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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 her from performing work as an
industrial cleaner, a hand packer, and a machine packager. 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 undersigned finds substantial
evidence supporting the ALJ's decision denying the Plaintiff benefits, and thus the decision
should be affirmed. The undersigned further finds that the Plaintiff’s Complaint should be
dismissed with prejudice.
DATED this 21st day of June 2017.
/s/ Erin L. Wiedemann
HON. ERIN L. WIEDEMANN
UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE
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