Joseph F Alba v. Carolyn W Colvin

Filing 23

MEMORANDUM OPINION AND ORDER by Magistrate Judge Sheri Pym. IT IS THEREFORE ORDERED that Judgment shall be entered AFFIRMING the decision of the Commissioner denying benefits, and dismissing the complaint with prejudice. (mba)

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UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

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CENTRAL DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

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11 JOSEPH F. ALBA,
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Plaintiff,

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v.

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NANCY A. BERRYHILL, Acting
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Administration,
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Defendant.
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Case No. ED CV 15-2524-SP
MEMORANDUM OPINION AND
ORDER

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I.

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INTRODUCTION

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On December 10, 2015, plaintiff Joseph F. Alba filed a complaint against

22 defendant, the Commissioner of the Social Security Administration
23 (“Commissioner”),1 seeking a review of a denial of a period of disability and
24 disability insurance benefits (“DIB”). The parties have fully briefed the matters in
25 dispute, and the court deems the matter suitable for adjudication without oral
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Pursuant to Fed. R. Civ. P. 25(d), Nancy A. Berryhill, the current Acting
28 Commissioner, has been substituted as the defendant.
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1 argument.
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Plaintiff presents two disputed issues for decision: (1) whether the

3 Administrative Law Judge (“ALJ”) erred at step five; and (2) whether the ALJ
4 properly considered the opinion of a State Agency physician. Plaintiff’s
5 Memorandum in Support of Plaintiff’s Complaint (“P. Mem.”) at 5-15;
6 Memorandum in Support of Defendant’s Answer (“D. Mem.”) at 2-11.
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Having carefully studied the parties’ memoranda on the issues in dispute,

8 the Administrative Record (“AR”), and the decision of the ALJ, the court
9 concludes that, as detailed herein, the ALJ did not err at step five and properly
10 considered the opinion of the State Agency physician. Consequently, the court
11 affirms the decision of the Commissioner denying benefits.
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II.

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FACTUAL AND PROCEDURAL BACKGROUND

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Plaintiff, who was thirty-six years old on the alleged disability onset date, is

15 a high school graduate. AR at 49, 153. Plaintiff has past relevant work as a truck
16 driver. Id. at 44.
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On April 28, 2012, plaintiff filed an application for a period of disability

18 and DIB, alleging an onset date of April 9, 2007 due to diabetes, depression,
19 anxiety/panic disorder, and injuries to the back, shoulders, elbows, and neck. Id.
20 at 49. The Commissioner denied plaintiff’s application initially and upon
21 reconsideration, after which he filed a request for a hearing. Id. at 75-84.
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On January 10, 2014, plaintiff, represented by counsel, appeared and

23 testified at a hearing before the ALJ. Id. at 30-48. The ALJ also heard testimony
24 from Gloria Lasoff, a vocational expert (“VE”). Id. at 44-47. On March 24, 2014,
25 the ALJ denied plaintiff’s claim for benefits. Id. at 10-26.
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Applying the well-known five-step sequential evaluation process, the ALJ

27 found, at step one, that plaintiff did not engage in substantial gainful activity from
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1 the April 9, 2007 alleged disability onset date through December 31, 2010, the
2 date last insured. Id. at 12.
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At step two, the ALJ found plaintiff suffered from the following severe

4 impairments: acromioclavicular osteoarthritis; hypertension; diabetes mellitus;
5 gout; gastroesophageal reflux disease; degenerative disc disease of the cervical
6 and lumbar spine; obesity; anxiety; depression; post-traumatic stress disorder;
7 adhesive capsulitis, right shoulder; and right shoulder rotator cuff syndrome. Id.
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At step three, the ALJ found plaintiff’s impairments, whether individually

9 or in combination, did not meet or medically equal one of the listed impairments
10 set forth in 20 C.F.R. part 404, Subpart P, Appendix 1 (the “Listings”). Id. at 13.
11 The ALJ then assessed plaintiff’s residual functional capacity (“RFC”),2 and
12 determined he had the RFC to perform a range of light work, with the limitations
13 that plaintiff could: lift and/or carry twenty pounds occasionally and ten pounds
14 frequently; stand and/or walk for six hours out of an eight-hour workday for no
15 more than 20 minutes at a time; sit for six hours out of an eight-hour workday with
16 brief position changes after approximately one to two hours; occasionally perform
17 postural activities; have occasional non-intense interactions with the public; and
18 perform unskilled work. Id. at 14-15. The ALJ found plaintiff precluded from:
19 climbing ladders, ropes, or scaffolds; working around unprotected heights, moving
20 machinery, or other hazards; performing work requiring hypervigilance or intense
21 concentration on a particular task; and performing overhead reaching or lifting
22 bilaterally. Id.
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Residual functional capacity is what a claimant can do despite existing
25 exertional and nonexertional limitations. Cooper v. Sullivan, 880 F.2d 1152,
26 1155-56 n.5-7 (9th Cir. 1989). “Between steps three and four of the five-step
evaluation, the ALJ must proceed to an intermediate step in which the ALJ
27 assesses the claimant’s residual functional capacity.” Massachi v. Astrue, 486
28 F.3d 1149, 1151 n.2 (9th Cir. 2007).
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The ALJ found, at step four, that plaintiff was unable to perform his past

2 relevant work as a truck driver. Id. at 24.
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At step five, the ALJ found there were jobs that existed in significant

4 numbers in the national economy that plaintiff could perform, including office
5 helper, laundry worker, and production inspector. Id. at 25-26. Consequently, the
6 ALJ concluded plaintiff did not suffer from a disability as defined by the Social
7 Security Act. Id. at 26.
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Plaintiff filed a timely request for review of the ALJ’s decision, which was

9 denied by the Appeals Council. Id. at 1-3. The ALJ’s decision stands as the final
10 decision of the Commissioner.
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III.

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STANDARD OF REVIEW

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This court is empowered to review decisions by the Commissioner to deny

14 benefits. 42 U.S.C. § 405(g). The findings and decision of the Social Security
15 Administration must be upheld if they are free of legal error and supported by
16 substantial evidence. Mayes v. Massanari, 276 F.3d 453, 458-59 (9th Cir. 2001)
17 (as amended). But if the court determines that the ALJ’s findings are based on
18 legal error or are not supported by substantial evidence in the record, the court
19 may reject the findings and set aside the decision to deny benefits. Aukland v.
20 Massanari, 257 F.3d 1033, 1035 (9th Cir. 2001); Tonapetyan v. Halter, 242 F.3d
21 1144, 1147 (9th Cir. 2001).
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“Substantial evidence is more than a mere scintilla, but less than a

23 preponderance.” Aukland, 257 F.3d at 1035. Substantial evidence is such
24 “relevant evidence which a reasonable person might accept as adequate to support
25 a conclusion.” Reddick v. Chater, 157 F.3d 715, 720 (9th Cir. 1998); Mayes, 276
26 F.3d at 459. To determine whether substantial evidence supports the ALJ’s
27 finding, the reviewing court must review the administrative record as a whole,
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1 “weighing both the evidence that supports and the evidence that detracts from the
2 ALJ’s conclusion.” Mayes, 276 F.3d at 459. The ALJ’s decision “‘cannot be
3 affirmed simply by isolating a specific quantum of supporting evidence.’”
4 Aukland, 257 F.3d at 1035 (quoting Sousa v. Callahan, 143 F.3d 1240, 1243 (9th
5 Cir. 1998)). If the evidence can reasonably support either affirming or reversing
6 the ALJ’s decision, the reviewing court “‘may not substitute its judgment for that
7 of the ALJ.’” Id. (quoting Matney v. Sullivan, 981 F.2d 1016, 1018 (9th Cir.
8 1992)).
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IV.

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DISCUSSION

11 A.

The ALJ Did Not Err at Step Five

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Plaintiff contends the ALJ erred at step five because she erroneously relied

13 on the testimony of the vocational expert without asking the VE to resolve an
14 apparent conflict with the Dictionary of Occupational Titles (“DOT”). P. Mem. at
15 5-9. Specifically, plaintiff argues the jobs identified by the VE all require frequent
16 reaching, which would include overhead reaching because reaching is defined as
17 “‘extending the hands and arms in any direction.’” P. Mem. at 8 (quoting Social
18 Security Ruling (“SSR”) 85-15).3 As the ALJ precluded plaintiff from overhead
19 reaching, plaintiff argues the ALJ failed to resolve the apparent conflict by
20 obtaining a reasonable explanation from the VE, and as such the VE’s testimony
21 cannot constitute substantial evidence.
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Defendant argues plaintiff waived this argument because his counsel failed

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“The Commissioner issues Social Security Rulings to clarify the Act's
implementing regulations and the agency’s policies. SSRs are binding on all
components of the SSA. SSRs do not have the force of law. However, because
they represent the Commissioner’s interpretation of the agency’s regulations, we
give them some deference. We will not defer to SSRs if they are inconsistent with
the statute or regulations.” Holohan v. Massanari, 246 F.3d 1195, 1203 n.1 (9th
Cir. 2001) (internal citations omitted).
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1 to question the VE about the potential conflict with the DOT at the hearing. D.
2 Mem. at 2-3. Defendant’s argument is without merit. There is no statutorily,
3 regulatory, or judicially created issue exhaustion requirement in social security
4 proceedings. See Sims v. Apfel, 530 U.S. 103, 108-12, 120 S. Ct. 2080, 147 L. Ed.
5 2d 80 (2000). Indeed, the Supreme Court declined to require issue exhaustion in
6 social security proceedings, noting the inquisitorial rather than adversarial nature
7 of the proceedings. Id. at 110-12 (claimant did not waive issue simply because she
8 failed to exhaust it before the Appeals Council). Therefore, plaintiff’s counsel’s
9 failure to question the VE about a potential conflict does not preclude plaintiff
10 from raising it here. See, e.g., Guido v. Colvin, 2016 WL 6781152, at *4 (C.D.
11 Cal. Nov. 15, 2016) (plaintiff’s failure to challenge VE testimony as inconsistent
12 at the time of the hearing did not waive the argument); Harrison v. Colvin, 2016
13 WL 1258447, at *4 (C.D. Cal. Mar. 30, 2016) (plaintiff’s counsel’s failure to point
14 out errors at the time of the administrative hearing did not bar plaintiff from
15 raising them); Hernandez v. Colvin, 2016 WL 1071565, at *5 (C.D. Cal. Mar. 14,
16 2016) (despite declining to question the VE at the hearing, plaintiff did not waive
17 argument the VE’s testimony conflicted with the DOT). The court thus considers
18 plaintiff’s claim of step five error.
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At step five, the burden shifts to the Commissioner to show the claimant

20 retains the ability to perform other gainful activity. Lounsburry v. Barnhart, 468
21 F.3d 1111, 1114 (9th Cir. 2006). To support a finding that a claimant is not
22 disabled at step five, the Commissioner must provide evidence demonstrating that
23 other work exists in significant numbers in the national economy that the claimant
24 can perform, given his or her age, education, work experience, and RFC. 20
25 C.F.R. § 404.1512(f).
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ALJs routinely rely on the Dictionary of Occupational Titles “in evaluating

27 whether the claimant is able to perform other work in the national economy.”
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1 Terry v. Sullivan, 903 F.2d 1273, 1276 (9th Cir. 1990) (citations omitted); see also
2 20 C.F.R. § 404.1566(d)(1) (DOT is source of reliable job information). The DOT
3 is the rebuttable presumptive authority on job classifications. Johnson v. Shalala,
4 60 F.3d 1428, 1435 (9th Cir. 1995). An ALJ may not rely on a VE’s testimony
5 regarding the requirements of a particular job without first inquiring whether the
6 testimony conflicts with the DOT, and if so, the reasons therefor. Massachi, 486
7 F.3d at 1152-53 (citing SSR 00-4p). But failure to so inquire can be deemed
8 harmless error where there is no apparent conflict or the VE provides sufficient
9 support to justify deviation from the DOT. Id. at 1154 n.19.
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In order for an ALJ to accept a VE’s testimony that contradicts the DOT, the

11 record must contain “‘persuasive evidence to support the deviation.’” Id. at 1153
12 (quoting Johnson, 60 F.3d at 1435). Evidence sufficient to permit such a
13 deviation may be either specific findings of fact regarding the claimant’s residual
14 functionality, or inferences drawn from the context of the expert’s testimony.
15 Light v. Soc. Sec. Admin., 119 F.3d 789, 793 (9th Cir. 1997) (citations omitted).
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The ALJ’s obligations do not end with the initial inquiry. Even where a VE

17 wrongly testifies that there is no conflict, where “evidence from a VE ‘appears to
18 conflict with the DOT,’ SSR 00-4p requires further inquiry: an ALJ must obtain
19 ‘a reasonable explanation for the apparent conflict.’” Overman v. Astrue, 546 F.3d
20 456, 463 (7th Cir. 2008) (quoting SSR 00-4p). Where the ALJ fails to obtain an
21 explanation for and resolve an apparent conflict – even where the VE did not
22 identify the conflict – the ALJ errs. See Hernandez v. Astrue, 2011 WL 223595, at
23 *2-5 (C.D. Cal. Jan. 21, 2011) (where VE incorrectly testified there was no
24 conflict between her testimony and DOT, ALJ erred in relying on VE’s testimony
25 and failing to acknowledge or reconcile the apparent conflict); Mkhitaryan v.
26 Astrue, 2010 WL 1752162, at *3 (C.D. Cal. Apr. 27, 2010) (“Because the ALJ
27 incorrectly adopted the VE’s conclusion that there was no apparent conflict [and]
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1 the ALJ provided no explanation for the deviation,” the ALJ “therefore committed
2 legal error warranting remand.”).
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Here, when asked about a hypothetical person with the same RFC as

4 plaintiff, including “no overhead reaching,” the VE testified such person could
5 perform work existing in the national economy including office helper (DOT
6 239.567-010), laundry worker (DOT 302.685-010), and production inspector
7 (DOT 559.687-074). AR at 45-46. The VE further testified that the job of laundry
8 worker would be eroded by fifty percent. Id. at 46. When asked whether her
9 testimony was consistent with the DOT, the VE testified it was consistent. Id. at
10 47. According to the DOT, the occupations of office helper and production
11 inspector require frequent reaching, and the occupation of laundry worker requires
12 constant reaching. DOT 239.567-010, 559.687-074, 302.685-010.
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The Ninth Court recently addressed the issue raised here in Gutierrez v.

14 Colvin, 844 F.3d 804 (9th Cir. 2016). In Gutierrez, the plaintiff’s RFC precluded
15 her from lifting her right arm above her shoulder, and the VE opined a person with
16 that limitation could work as a cashier. Id. at 807. The plaintiff argued the ALJ
17 erred because he failed to further question the VE as to an apparent conflict,
18 namely, the DOT specified cashiers must engage in frequent reaching. Id. The
19 Ninth Circuit disagreed and found that for a conflict to be apparent, the VE’s
20 testimony must be at odds with the essential, integral, or expected requirements of
21 a job. Id. at 808. “[T]asks that aren’t essential, integral, or expected parts of a job
22 are less likely to qualify as apparent conflicts . . . Likewise, where the job itself is
23 a familiar one – like cashiering – less scrutiny by the ALJ is required.” Id.
24 Recognizing that “not every job that involves reaching requires the ability to reach
25 overhead,” the Ninth Circuit then looked at the typical duties of a cashier set forth
26 by the DOT and applied common knowledge of the job to conclude that there was
27 no apparent conflict with the DOT in that instance. Id. Therefore, when a VE
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1 testifies there is no conflict, whether an ALJ is required to ask follow-up questions
2 is fact-dependent. Id. “[W]here the frequency or necessity of a task is unlikely
3 and unforeseeable,” there is no obligation for an ALJ to ask further questions. Id.
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Here too, there was no apparent conflict. All three jobs identified by the VE

5 require frequent or constant reaching. But similar to cashiers discussed in
6 Gutierrez, it is uncommon for office helpers, laundry workers, and production
7 inspectors to have to engage in overhead reaching. Officer helpers perform a wide
8 range of tasks such as sorting and distributing mail, collecting and distributing
9 paperwork, and filing (DOT 239.567-010); laundry workers generally load and
10 unload washing machines, iron, and fold (DOT 302.685-010); and production
11 inspectors perform duties such as inspecting products for defects and packing
12 items into cartons (DOT 559.687-074). While some office helpers, laundry
13 workers, and production inspectors may have to reach overhead in certain
14 circumstances, the frequency or necessity of overhead reaching is unlikely and
15 unforeseeable. Accordingly, the ALJ did not have to ask the VE follow up
16 questions and correctly relied on the VE’s testimony, which constituted substantial
17 evidence. The ALJ therefore did not err at step five.
18 B.

The ALJ Properly Considered the Opinion of the State Agency

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Physician

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Plaintiff argues the ALJ failed to properly consider the opinion of State

21 Agency physician Dr. Evelyn Adamo and therefore her RFC determination was
22 not supported by substantial evidence. P. Mem. at 9-15. Specifically, plaintiff
23 contends the ALJ failed to consider Dr. Adamo’s opinion that plaintiff had
24 moderate limitations in her ability to accept instructions and respond appropriately
25 to criticism from supervisors. Id.
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In determining whether a claimant has a medically determinable

27 impairment, among the evidence the ALJ considers is medical evidence. 20
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1 C.F.R. § 404.1527(b). In evaluating medical opinions, the regulations distinguish
2 among three types of physicians: (1) treating physicians; (2) examining
3 physicians; and (3) non-examining physicians.4 20 C.F.R. § 404.1527(c), (e);
4 Lester v. Chater, 81 F.3d 821, 830 (9th Cir. 1996) (as amended). “Generally, a
5 treating physician’s opinion carries more weight than an examining physician’s,
6 and an examining physician’s opinion carries more weight than a reviewing
7 physician’s.” Holohan, 246 F.3d at 1202; 20 C.F.R. § 404.1527(c)(1)-(2). The
8 opinion of the treating physician is generally given the greatest weight because the
9 treating physician is employed to cure and has a greater opportunity to understand
10 and observe a claimant. Smolen v. Chater, 80 F.3d 1273, 1285 (9th Cir. 1996);
11 Magallanes v. Bowen, 881 F.2d 747, 751 (9th Cir. 1989).
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Nevertheless, the ALJ is not bound by the opinion of the treating physician.

13 Smolen, 80 F.3d at 1285. If a treating physician’s opinion is uncontradicted, the
14 ALJ must provide clear and convincing reasons for giving it less weight. Lester,
15 81 F.3d at 830. If the treating physician’s opinion is contradicted by other
16 opinions, the ALJ must provide specific and legitimate reasons supported by
17 substantial evidence for rejecting it. Id. at 830. Likewise, the ALJ must provide
18 specific and legitimate reasons supported by substantial evidence for rejecting the
19 contradicted opinions of examining physicians. Id. at 830-31. The opinion of a
20 non-examining physician, standing alone, cannot constitute substantial evidence.
21 Widmark v. Barnhart, 454 F.3d 1063, 1066-67 n.2 (9th Cir. 2006); Morgan v.
22 Comm’r, 169 F.3d 595, 602 (9th Cir. 1999); see also Erickson v. Shalala, 9 F.3d
23 813, 818 n.7 (9th Cir. 1993).
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Psychologists are considered acceptable medical sources whose opinions
are accorded the same weight as physicians. 20 C.F.R. § 404.1513(a)(2).
27 Accordingly, for ease of reference, the court will refer to all psychologists as
28 physicians.
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1.

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Here, the Administrative Record contains no opinion from a treating or

The Physicians’ Findings and Medical Records

3 examining physician concerning plaintiff’s mental limitations.5
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Dr. Ronald D. Morgan, a psychologist, treated plaintiff from September 13,

5 2008 through January 23, 2012. See AR at 366-77. Dr. Morgan’s treatment notes
6 indicate that for the relevant period, plaintiff primarily complained of frustration
7 with his lawsuit and attorneys, as well as his family members. See id. at 366-72.
8 Dr. Morgan diagnosed plaintiff with major depressive disorder and anxiety
9 disorder and opined that plaintiff had dysfunctional ways of dealing with his anger
10 that tended to alienate others. See, e.g., id. at 396, 398, 405.
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Dr. Eugene A. Ikhimiukor examined plaintiff on June 10, 2010. Plaintiff

12 showed limited impulse control and fair judgment, insight, and reliability during
13 his mental status examination. Based on plaintiff’s complaints and the
14 examination, Dr. Ikhimiukor diagnosed plaintiff with major depressive disorder,
15 panic disorder, and post-traumatic stress disorder. See id. at 441-43.
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Dr. P.M. Balson, a State Agency physician, reviewed some of plaintiff’s

17 medical records at the initial level, including the treatment notes of Dr. Morgan.
18 See id. at 52-53. Dr. Balson determined there was insufficient evidence to make a
19 disability determination. See id.
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Dr. Evelyn Adamo, a State Agency physician, reviewed some of plaintiff’s

21 medical records upon reconsideration, including the treatment notes of Dr.
22 Morgan. See id. at 63, 66, 69-70. Based on her review of plaintiff’s treatment
23 notes, Dr. Adamo found plaintiff had: mild restrictions of activities of daily
24 living; moderate difficulties in maintaining social functioning; and mild but not
25 sustained difficulties in maintaining concentration, persistence, or pace. Id. at 66,
26 69. With respect to the limitations in social functioning specifically, Dr. Adamo
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The court limits its discussion to records from the relevant period.
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1 found plaintiff had moderate limitations in his ability to interact appropriately with
2 the general public and to accept instructions and respond appropriately to criticism
3 from supervisors. Id at 69-70. This meant plaintiff’s “irritability and variable
4 anger control problems” would limit him “to superficial interactions with others in
5 the workplace.” Id. at 70.
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2.

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In reaching her RFC determination, the ALJ discussed all of the medical

The ALJ’s Findings

8 history and gave little weight to the opinions of Dr. Balson and Dr. Adamo, the
9 State Agency physicians. Id. at 23-24. Although Dr. Balson did not offer an
10 opinion, the ALJ addressed Dr. Balson’s assessment that there was insufficient
11 evidence to make a determination. See id. at 52-53. The ALJ noted that there was
12 additional medical evidence before her that was unavailable to Dr. Balson. Id. at
13 24. As for Dr. Adamo, the ALJ gave her opinion little weight because she failed
14 to adequately consider the effects of plaintiff’s anxiety, chronic pain, and
15 subjective allegations of impaired memory and difficulty concentrating.6 Id. at 23.
16 The ALJ also stated Dr. Adamo did not have the benefit of reviewing the
17 additional records available at the hearing level. Id.
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Plaintiff contends the ALJ erred because she did not include in plaintiff’s

19 assessed RFC specific limitations regarding plaintiff’s ability to accept
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The ALJ found plaintiff less credible because, inter alia, he engaged in a
somewhat normal level of daily activity and interaction and was suspected of
malingering by a physician. AR at 16. The court notes it is somewhat curious
that, in spite of plaintiff’s discounted credibility, the ALJ gave less weight to Dr.
Adamo’s opinion because it failed to adequately consider plaintiff’s complaints.
See Morgan, 169 F.3d at 602 (“A physician’s opinion of disability premised to a
large extent upon the claimant’s own accounts of his symptoms and limitations
may be disregarded where those complaints have been properly discounted.”)
(internal quotation marks and citation omitted). But as this benefitted plaintiff, the
court will not address it further.
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1 instructions and respond to criticism from supervisors. But although Dr. Adamo
2 stated plaintiff had moderate limitations with accepting instructions and
3 responding to criticism from supervisors, these limitations are set forth only in
4 Section I of the Mental Residual Functional Capacity Assessment (“MRFCA”),
5 and as such they are not an RFC assessment and the ALJ was not required to
6 consider them.7 See AR at 69-70; Social Security Program Operations Manual
7 System (“POMS”) DI 24510.060(B); Merritt v. Colvin, 572 Fed. Appx. 468, 470
8 (9th Cir. 2014) (“the ALJ was not required to consider, let alone adopt, the mental
9 functional limitations checked in Section I of the MRFCA form”) (internal
10 quotation marks omitted). Rather, Section III of the MRFCA form, which asks the
11 physician to explain in a narrative form the summary conclusions or limitations,
12 contains the actual mental RFC limitations opined. See POMS DI
13 24510.060(B)(4); Nathan v. Colvin, 551 Fed. Appx. 404, 408 (9th Cir. 2014) (ALJ
14 did not err in excluding the limitations identified in Section I because, as POMS
15 instructs, “Section I of the MRFCA is not an RFC assessment. Instead, the ALJ is
16 to use Section III . . . in determining a claimant’s RFC.”) (internal citation
17 omitted). As such, Dr. Adamo only actually opined one functional limitation, the
18 sole limitation stated in Section III, that plaintiff is limited “to superficial
19 interactions with others in the workplace. AR at 70.
20

The ALJ specifically identified this sole opined limitation, and rejected it as

21 inadequate to account for all of plaintiff’s mental limitations, and because Dr.
22 Adamo did not have the benefit of additional evidence adduced at the hearing
23 level. Id. at 23. The ALJ actually determined plaintiff had a more restrictive
24 mental RFC than Dr. Adamo opined, at least in part. The ALJ’s limitation of
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Although Dr. Adamo’s opinion is not on the MRFCA form
27 (SSA-4734-F4-SUP) itself, the opinion is categorized as an MRFCA and its
28 questions and format correspond to the MRFCA form. See AR at 69-70.
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1 plaintiff to occasional, non-intense interactions with the public was more limiting
2 than Dr. Adamo’s opinion that plaintiff should only have superficial interactions
3 with others in the workplace. Compare id. at 15, 70. The ALJ also limited
4 plaintiff to unskilled work that did not require hypervigilance or intense
5 concentration, while Dr. Adamo opined no concentration limitations. Compare id.
6 at 15, 69.
7

Plaintiff correctly points out that Dr. Adamo opined plaintiff should be

8 limited in his interactions with others in the workplace generally – which would
9 include supervisors and coworkers, as well as the public – whereas the ALJ only
10 limited plaintiff’s interactions with the public. Compare id. at 15, 70. But this
11 was not error, as the ALJ properly considered and gave little weight to the entirety
12 of Dr. Adamo’s opinion.
13

The ALJ has a duty to consider all relevant medical evidence to reach an

14 RFC determination. See 20 C.F.R. § 404.1545(a)(1) (it is the responsibility of the
15 ALJ to reach an RFC determination by reviewing and considering all of the
16 relevant evidence). Dr. Adamo’s opinion, by itself, does not constitute substantial
17 evidence. See Widmark, 454 F.3d at 1066 n.2. Rather, the “opinions of
18 non-treating or non-examining physicians may [] serve as substantial evidence
19 when the opinions are consistent with independent clinical findings or other
20 evidence in the record.” Thomas v. Barnhart, 278 F.3d 947, 957 (9th Cir. 2002).
21 None of the treatment records contain objective evidence of anything beyond
22 plaintiff’s broader anger and irritability issues that would support limiting
23 plaintiff’s interactions with his supervisors or coworkers.
24

Moreover, the ALJ here properly synthesized the medical evidence and

25 determined that Dr. Adamo’s opinion should be given little weight, in part because
26 she did not have the opportunity to review the complete record. AR at 23; see,
27 e.g., McKinzie v. Colvin, 634 Fed. Appx. 177, 179-80 (9th Cir. 2015) (among the
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1 reasons the treating physician’s opinion should have been given greater weight
2 over the examining physician’s opinion was the fact that the examining physician
3 did not review any medical records). Thus, to the extent the ALJ needed to
4 support her rejection of Dr. Adamo’s opinion, she properly did so based on a
5 specific and legitimate reason supported by substantial evidence.
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Accordingly, the ALJ properly considered Dr. Adamo’s opinion, and her

7 RFC determination was supported by substantial evidence.
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V.

9

CONCLUSION

10

IT IS THEREFORE ORDERED that Judgment shall be entered

11 AFFIRMING the decision of the Commissioner denying benefits, and dismissing
12 the complaint with prejudice.
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14 DATED: April 4, 2017
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SHERI PYM
United States Magistrate Judge

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