Mattice v. Commissioner of Social Security

Filing 18

ORDER DENYING 17 Commissioner's Motion for Summary Judgment and ORDER REMANDING ACTION Pursuant to Sentence Four of 42 U.S.C. 405(g) signed by Magistrate Judge Jennifer L. Thurston on 3/24/2017. CASE CLOSED. (Jessen, A)

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1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT 9 EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA 10 11 TONI MATTICE, Plaintiff, 12 13 14 v. NANCY A. BERRYHILL1, Acting Commissioner of Social Security, 15 Defendant. 16 ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) Case No.: 1:15-cv-01791 - JLT ORDER DENYING THE COMMISSIONER’S MOTION FOR SUMMARY JUDGMENT AND REMANDING THE ACTION PURSUANT TO SENTENCE FOUR OF 42 U.S.C. § 405(g) ORDER DIRECTING ENTRY OF JUDGMENT IN FAVOR OF PLAINTIFF TONI MATTICE AND AGAINST DEFENDANT NANCY BERRYHILL, ACTING COMMISSIONER OF SOCIAL SECURITY 17 18 Toni Mattice was previously found disabled by the Social Security Administration, and asserts 19 the administrative law judge erred in determining the date she became disabled. Because the ALJ 20 failed to call a medical expert to determine the onset date of Plaintiff’s disability, the Commissioner’s 21 motion for summary judgment is DENIED and the matter is REMANDED for further proceedings 22 pursuant to sentence four of 42 U.S.C. § 405(g). PROCEDURAL HISTORY 23 24 Plaintiff filed applications for a period of disability, disability insurance benefits, and 25 supplemental security income pursuant to Titles II and XVI, alleging she became disabled in 2006 due 26 to left arm pain, hand/shoulder pain, back pain, and mental illness. (Doc. 10-3 at 14; Doc. 10-6 at 2, 27 28 1 Nancy A. Berryhill is now the Acting Commissioner of Social Security. Pursuant to Rule 25(d) of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, the Court substitutes Nancy A. Berryhill for her predecessor, Carolyn W. Colvin, as the defendant. 1 1 14; Doc. 10-4 at 2) The Social Security Administration denied Plaintiff’s applications at both the initial 2 level and upon reconsideration. (See generally Doc. 10-4; Doc. 10-3 at 14) 3 After requesting a hearing, Plaintiff testified before an ALJ on February 11, 2014. (Doc. 10-3 at 4 14, 35) The ALJ issued a partially favorable decision on April 11, 2014. (See Doc. 10-3 at 10-27) 5 Specifically, the ALJ concluded Plaintiff “was not disabled prior to November 1, 2012, but became 6 disabled on that date and… continued to be disabled through the date of [the] decision.” (Id. at 26) 7 When the Appeals Council denied Plaintiff’s request for review of the decision on September 29, 2015 8 (id. at 2-4), the ALJ’s findings became the final decision of the Commissioner of Social Security. 9 Plaintiff initiated this action by filing a complaint on November 30, 2015, asserting the ALJ 10 erred in determining her disability onset date. (Docs. 1, 16) The Commissioner seeks summary 11 judgment, arguing the Commissioner’s decision is supported by substantial evidence in the record. 12 (Doc. 17) 13 14 STANDARD OF REVIEW District courts have a limited scope of judicial review for disability claims after a decision by 15 the Commissioner to deny benefits under the Social Security Act. When reviewing findings of fact, 16 such as whether a claimant was disabled, the Court must determine whether the Commissioner’s 17 decision is supported by substantial evidence or is based on legal error. 42 U.S.C. § 405(g). The ALJ’s 18 determination that the claimant is not disabled must be upheld by the Court if the proper legal standards 19 were applied and the findings are supported by substantial evidence. See Sanchez v. Sec’y of Health & 20 Human Serv., 812 F.2d 509, 510 (9th Cir. 1987). 21 Substantial evidence is “more than a mere scintilla. It means such relevant evidence as a 22 reasonable mind might accept as adequate to support a conclusion.” Richardson v. Perales, 402 U.S. 23 389, 401 (1971) (quoting Consol. Edison Co. v. NLRB, 305 U.S. 197 (1938)). The record as a whole 24 must be considered, because “[t]he court must consider both evidence that supports and evidence that 25 detracts from the ALJ’s conclusion.” Jones v. Heckler, 760 F.2d 993, 995 (9th Cir. 1985). 26 27 28 DISABILITY BENEFITS To qualify for benefits under the Social Security Act, Plaintiff must establish he is unable to engage in substantial gainful activity due to a medically determinable physical or mental impairment 2 1 that has lasted or can be expected to last for a continuous period of not less than 12 months. 42 U.S.C. 2 § 1382c(a)(3)(A). An individual shall be considered to have a disability only if: 3 4 5 his physical or mental impairment or impairments are of such severity that he is not only unable to do his previous work, but cannot, considering his age, education, and work experience, engage in any other kind of substantial gainful work which exists in the national economy, regardless of whether such work exists in the immediate area in which he lives, or whether a specific job vacancy exists for him, or whether he would be hired if he applied for work. 6 7 42 U.S.C. § 1382c(a)(3)(B). The burden of proof is on a claimant to establish disability. Terry v. 8 Sullivan, 903 F.2d 1273, 1275 (9th Cir. 1990). If a claimant establishes a prima facie case of disability, 9 the burden shifts to the Commissioner to prove the claimant is able to engage in other substantial 10 11 12 gainful employment. Maounois v. Heckler, 738 F.2d 1032, 1034 (9th Cir. 1984). ADMINISTRATIVE DETERMINATION To achieve uniform decisions, the Commissioner established a sequential five-step process for 13 evaluating a claimant’s alleged disability. 20 C.F.R. §§ 404.1520, 416.920(a)-(f). The process requires 14 the ALJ to determine whether Plaintiff (1) engaged in substantial gainful activity during the period of 15 alleged disability, (2) had medically determinable severe impairments (3) that met or equaled one of the 16 listed impairments set forth in 20 C.F.R. § 404, Subpart P, Appendix 1; and whether Plaintiff (4) had 17 the residual functional capacity (“RFC”) to perform to past relevant work or (5) the ability to perform 18 other work existing in significant numbers at the state and national level. Id. The ALJ must consider 19 testimonial and objective medical evidence. 20 C.F.R. §§ 404.1527, 416.927. 20 The ALJ determined that Plaintiff “met the insured status requirements of the Social Security 21 Act through March 31, 2012.” (Doc. 10-3 at 16) Pursuant to the five-step process, the ALJ found 22 Plaintiff did not engage in substantial gainful activity after the alleged onset date, noting that “reported 23 earnings in 2011 and 2012… did not rise to the level of substantial gainful activity.” (Id. at 17) At step 24 two, the ALJ found Plaintiff’s severe impairments included: “[d]egenerative disc disease [of the ] 25 lumbar spine, carpal tunnel syndrome, and depression.” (Id. at 17) These impairments did not meet or 26 medically equal a Listing. (Id.) Next, the ALJ determined: 27 28 [P]rior to November 1, 2012, the date the claimant became disabled, the claimant had the residual functional capacity to perform a wide range of light work as defined in 20 CFR 404.1567(b) and 416.967(b). The claimant was able to lift and carry 20 pounds occasionally, 10 pounds frequently. She was able to stand, walk, and sit six hours each 3 during a normal eight hour workday. The claimant could never climb ladders, ropes, or scaffolds, and occasionally climb ramps and stairs. She could occasionally reach overhead with bilateral upper extremities, and occasionally handle (gross manipulation) or finger (fine manipulation) with her left upper extremity. The claimant could never work around hazards such as moving dangerous machinery, unprotected heights, or operate a motor vehicle. The claimant was limited to work involving only simple routine and repetitive tasks. 1 2 3 4 5 (Id. at 17-18) According to the ALJ, the treatment records demonstrated “a decline in the claimant’s mental 6 7 functioning, accelerating in 2012.” (Doc. 10-3 at 24) In addition, the ALJ found a progression in 8 Plaintiff’s degenerative disc disease. (Id. at 20) The ALJ opined November 1, 2012 was a “reasonable” 9 onset date “after a complete review of [the] treatment records, and a corresponding physical residual 10 functional capacity assessment.” (Id. at 24) Accordingly, the ALJ found that: [B]eginning on November 1, 2012, the claimant [had] the residual functional capacity to perform a reduced range of sedentary work as defined in 20 CFR 404.1567(a) and 416.967(a). The claimant is limited to lifting or carrying less than 10 pounds occasionally, standing and walking less than two hours, and sitting six hours during a normal eight-hour workday. She can never climb, balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. She does not have the ability to maintain sufficient concentration even for simple routine and repetitive tasks. She requires numerous unscheduled rest breaks, greater than generally allowed by an employer. 11 12 13 14 15 16 (Id. at 23) DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS 17 18 Appealing the partially favorable decision of the ALJ, Plaintiff contends that “the ALJ erred in 19 determining the onset date of [Plaintiff’s] entitlement to Social Security disability benefits.” (Doc. 16 20 at 6, emphasis omitted) Plaintiff contends the ALJ “has not appropriately explained the medical 21 foundation behind the RFC he identified for the period prior to November 1, 2012,” and this omission 22 “creates a fatal flaw with the ALJ’s decision.” (Id. at 7) On the other hand, Defendant contends “the 23 record supports the ALJ’s reasonable assessment, and the decision, supported by substantial evidence, 24 should be upheld.” (Doc. 17 at 8) 25 A. 26 Obligation to Call a Medical Expert Plaintiff contends that the ALJ failed to fulfill his responsibilities related to determining her 27 disability onset date under Social Security Ruling (“SSR”) 83-20 because the ALJ failed to call a 28 medical expert at the hearing. (Doc. 16 at 7) As explained by SSR 83-20, 4 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 In disabilities of nontraumatic origin, the determination of onset involves consideration of the applicant’s allegations, work history, if any, and the medical and other evidence concerning impairment severity. The weight to be given any of the relevant evidence depends on the individual case. ... Medical reports containing descriptions of examinations or treatment of the individual are basic to the determination of the onset of disability. The medical evidence serves as the primary element in the onset determination. ... With slowly progressive impairments, it is sometimes impossible to obtain medical evidence establishing the precise date an impairment became disabling … In such cases, it will be necessary to infer the onset date from the medical and other evidence that describe the history and symptomatology of the disease process. ... In some cases, it may be possible, based on the medical evidence to reasonably infer that the onset of a disabling impairment(s) occurred some time prior to the date of the first recorded medical examination, e.g., the date the claimant stopped working. How long the disease may be determined to have existed at a disabling level of severity depends on the informed judgment of the facts in the particular case. This judgment, however, must have a legitimate medical basis. At the hearing, the administrative law judge (ALJ) should call on the services of a medical advisor when onset must be inferred. 12 13 1983 SSR LEXIS 25, 1983 WL 31249 (emphasis added); see also Morgan v. Sullivan, 945 F.2d 1079, 14 1082 (9th Cir. 1991) (same). 15 Based upon SSR 83-20, the Ninth Circuit determined “that where a record is ambiguous as to 16 the onset date of disability, the ALJ must call a medical expert to assist in determining the onset date.” 17 See Armstrong v. Comm’r of the Soc. Sec. Admin., 160 F.3d 587, 590 (9th Cir. 1998) (citing DeLorme 18 v. Sullivan, 924 F.2d 841, 848 (9th Cir. 1990)); see also Morgan v. Sullivan, 945 F.2d 1079, 1082 (9th 19 Cir. 1991) (finding an ALJ’s inference regarding the onset date “is not possible without the assistance 20 of a medical expert,” and the determination of a disability onset date “cannot stand” without “the 21 assistance of a medical advisor pursuant to SSR 83-20”). For example, in Armstrong, “the record 22 demonstrate[d] that Armstrong suffered from various impairments,” and also showed a deterioration in 23 his condition. Id, 160 F.3d at 590. Though the medical record was “ambiguous” as to “when those 24 impairments became disabling,” the ALJ did not call a medical expert. Id. As a result, the Court 25 concluded the matter should be “remanded to the ALJ with [an] instruction to call a medical expert to 26 determine when Armstrong became disabled.” Id. at 591. 27 Here, the ALJ found Plaintiff “did have progressively developing mental impairments” 28 “[d]uring the period of time subject to adjudication.” (Doc. 10-3 at 21) In addition, the ALJ observed, 5 1 “[t]he medical evidence shows progressive degenerative disc disease over the three year period” from 2 2009 through 2012. (Id. at 20) The ALJ found that an MRI taken in September 2012 “showed worsen 3 spondylosis at C5-C6 and C6-C7,” compared to an MRI taken in July 2009. (Id.) According to the 4 ALJ, “The initial report would not support the severity, intensity, or frequency of symptoms as alleged 5 by the claimant early on, but the second report shows progressive degenerative disc disease.” (Id.) 6 Nevertheless, the ALJ did not call a medical expert to determine when Plaintiff’s degenerative disc 7 disease limited her to less than the full range of sedentary work, or the date when her mental limitations 8 progressed to the point that she could no longer perform simple, repetitive tasks. Instead, the ALJ 9 simply opined November 1, 2012 was a “reasonable” onset date. (Id. at 24) Significantly, the ALJ’s reliance on his own examination of the record does not establish a 10 11 “legitimate medical basis” for the onset date, as required by SSR 83-20. As discussed above, the Ninth 12 Circuit has determined SSR 83-20 requires a medical advisor if the “medical evidence is not definite 13 concerning the onset date and medical inferences need to be made.” Delorme, 924 F.2d at 848; 14 Morgan, 945 F.2d at 1082-83 (“the ALJ should determine the date based on an informed inference 15 ...[which] is not possible without the assistance of a medical expert”); see also Quarles v. Barnhart, 16 178 F. Supp. 2d 1089, 1097 (N.D. Cal. 2001) (“the ALJ must consult a medical expert before 17 determining the onset date…regardless of how careful and well-supported the ALJ’s inference may 18 be”). Accordingly, the Court finds the ALJ erred by inferring a disability onset date without the 19 assistance of medical expert testimony. 20 B. 21 Remand is Appropriate The decision whether to remand a matter pursuant to sentence four of 42 U.S.C. § 405(g) or to 22 order immediate payment of benefits is within the discretion of the district court. Harman v. Apfel, 23 211 F.3d 1172, 1178 (9th Cir. 2000). Except in rare instances, when a court reverses an administrative 24 agency determination, the proper course is to remand to the agency for additional investigation or 25 explanation. Moisa v. Barnhart, 367 F.3d 882, 886 (9th Cir. 2004) (citing INS v. Ventura, 537 U.S. 26 12, 16 (2002)). Generally, an award of benefits is directed when: 27 28 (1) the ALJ has failed to provide legally sufficient reasons for rejecting such evidence, (2) there are no outstanding issues that must be resolved before a determination of disability can be made, and (3) it is clear from the record that the ALJ would be required to find the claimant disabled were such evidence credited. 6 1 Smolen v. Chater, 80 F.3d 1273, 1292 (9th Cir. 1996). In addition, an award of benefits is directed 2 where no useful purpose would be served by further administrative proceedings, or where the record is 3 fully developed. Varney v. Sec’y of Health & Human Serv., 859 F.2d 1396, 1399 (9th Cir. 1988). 4 Here, the ALJ’s determination of the disability onset date, without the assistance of a medical 5 expert, violated SSR 83-20 and controlling Ninth Circuit precedent. See also Delorme, 924 F.2d at 6 848; Morgan, 945 F.2d at 1082-83. Moreover, this error of the ALJ was not harmless as it was not 7 “inconsequential to the ultimate nondisability determination.” Molina v. Astrue, 674 F.3d 1104, 1115 8 (9th Cir. 2012). On remand, the ALJ should call a medical expert to determine the onset date of 9 Plaintiff’s disability in accordance with SSR 83-20. CONCLUSION AND ORDER 10 11 Because the ALJ failed to apply the correct legal standards, there is no legitimate medical basis 12 to support the onset date identified by the ALJ. Consequently, the ALJ’s decision cannot be upheld by 13 the Court. See Sanchez, 812 F.2d at 510. Because remand is appropriate for further proceedings 14 related to the onset date, the Court offers no findings related the remaining issues identified in 15 Plaintiff’s opening brief. Accordingly, the Court ORDERS: 16 1. The Commissioner’s motion for summary judgment is DENIED; 17 2. The matter is REMANDED pursuant to sentence four of 42 U.S.C. § 405(g) for further proceedings consistent with this decision; and 18 19 3. The Clerk of Court IS DIRECTED to enter judgment in favor of Plaintiff Toni Mattice and against Defendant, Nancy A. Berryhill, Acting Commissioner of Social Security. 20 21 22 23 24 IT IS SO ORDERED. Dated: March 24, 2017 /s/ Jennifer L. Thurston UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE 25 26 27 28 7

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