Tai v. Astrue
Filing
28
ORDER by Magistrate Judge Howard R. Lloyd denying 21 Plaintiff's Motion for Summary Judgment and granting 24 Defendant's Motion for Summary Judgment. (hrllc1, COURT STAFF) (Filed on 3/26/2013)
*E-FILED: March 26, 3013*
1
2
3
4
5
NOT FOR CITATION
6
IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
7
FOR THE NORTHERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA
8
SAN JOSE DIVISION
9
SAU MING TAI,
Plaintiff,
10
For the Northern District of California
United States District Court
No. C11-04273 HRL
v.
11
12
13
CAROLYN W. COLVIN 1,
Acting Commissioner of Social Security,
Defendant.
____________________________________/
ORDER DENYING PLAINTIFF’S
MOTION FOR SUMMARY
JUDGMENT AND GRANTING
DEFENDANT’S CROSS-MOTION
FOR SUMMARY JUDGMENT
[Re: Docket No. 21, 24]
14
In this Social Security action, plaintiff Sau Ming Tai (“Plaintiff” or “Tai”) appeals a final
15
decision by the Commissioner of Social Security Administration (“Defendant” or “Commissioner”)
16
denying her application for Social Security disability insurance benefits. Presently before the court
17
18
are the parties’ cross-motions for summary judgment. The matter is deemed fully briefed and
submitted without oral argument. Pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 636(c) and Fed. R. Civ. P. 73, all parties
19
have expressly consented that all proceedings in this matter may be heard and finally adjudicated by
20
21
the undersigned. Upon consideration of the moving papers, and for the reasons set forth below,
plaintiff’s motion for summary judgment is denied and defendant’s motion for summary judgment is
22
granted.
23
I. BACKGROUND
24
Sau Ming Tai was 60 years old when the Administrative Law Judge (“ALJ”) rendered the
25
decision under review in this action. Administrative Record (“AR”) 148, 16, 18. Her prior work
26
27
28
1
Carolyn W. Colvin became the Acting Commissioner of Social Security on February 14, 2013. Pursuant to Rule 25(d)
of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, Carolyn W. Colvin should be substituted for Michael J. Astrue as the defendant
in this suit. No further action need be taken to continue this suit by reason of the last sentence of section 205(g) of the
Social Security Act, 42 U.S.C. § 405(g).
1
experience includes working as the owner of a restaurant for 24 years, from March 1983 to June,
2
2007. AR 174. As the owner of her restaurant, she worked 12 hours per day, six days a week. AR
3
174. She managed the daily grocery shopping, acted as the main server, administered payroll, and
4
served as a cashier. AR 174. Her role also included book keeping, light cooking, and cleaning. AR
5
174.
6
In 2005, Plaintiff was diagnosed with breast cancer. She underwent chemotherapy and
7
radiation treatments that year. She returned to work, but testified that, for the first six months after
8
her treatment, she only worked part-time. AR 45. In June 2007, she sold the restaurant. AR 41.
9
She worked at her restaurant until the day she sold it, and she worked for the new owner for a
For the Northern District of California
United States District Court
10
11
couple days. AR 41, 46.
Plaintiff filed an application for Social Security disability benefits, claiming to be disabled as
12
of June 30, 2007 based on carpal tunnels in her hands and wrists, and side effects from her cancer
13
treatment, including fatigue, troubles breathing, lung damage, memory problems, dry eyes, and dry
14
mouth. AR 173.
15
Plaintiff’s claim was denied initially and upon reconsideration. She then filed a request for
16
hearing before an ALJ. In a decision dated June 14, 2010, the ALJ found that Plaintiff had not been
17
under a disability within the meaning of the Social Security Act from June 30, 2007 through the date
18
of the decision. AR 12. The ALJ evaluated Plaintiff’s claim of disability using the five-step
19
sequential evaluation process for disability required under federal regulations. See 20 C.F.R. §
20
404.1520 (2007). At step one, he found that Tai had not engaged in substantial gainful activity
21
since June 30, 2007. AR 14. At step two, he found that Plaintiff did not have a severe physical or
22
mental medically determinable impairment under 20 C.F.R. 404.1520(c), and was therefore not
23
disabled. AR 15.
24
Although the ALJ found that Plaintiff was not disabled at step 2, he nonetheless engaged in
25
an alternative analysis to assess some functional limitations noted by the Disability Determination
26
Services reviewers and the consultative examiner. In the alternative analysis, the ALJ examined the
27
following impairments: status post breast cancer; status post mastectomy; status post chemotherapy
28
with resultant chronic neck pain; finger numbness secondary to chemotherapy; and chronic dry eyes
2
1
secondary to chemotherapy. AR 15. The ALJ stated that these impairments could “arguably” cause
2
more than minimal limitations in Plaintiff’s ability to perform basic work activities. AR 15.
3
Even under the alternative analysis, the ALJ found that Plaintiff was not disabled. AR 15. Plaintiff
4
did not allege that she had an impairment or combination of impairments that met or medically
5
equaled one of the listed impairments in 20 C.F.R. 404, Subpart P. At step 3 of the alternative
6
analysis, however, the ALJ considered whether the severity of Plaintiff’s impairments, separately or
7
in combination, met or medically equaled listing sections 1.02 (major joint dysfunction), 1.04
8
(disorders of the spine), 3.01 (respiratory system impairments), or 13.01 (malignant neoplastic
9
diseases). AR 15. He found that they did not. AR 15.
At step 4 of the alternative analysis, the ALJ found that Plaintiff had the residual functional
For the Northern District of California
United States District Court
10
11
capacity (“RFC”) to perform a wide range of light work, and therefore was not disabled under the
12
Social Security Act. AR 16. The ALJ found that Plaintiff was capable of light exertional activity,
13
but must periodically alternate standing and sitting every one hour to relieve pain or discomfort. AR
14
16.
15
Finally, at step five of the alternative analysis, the ALJ referred to the opinion of Vocational
16
Expert (“VE”) Mary R. Ciddio, who testified at the hearing. AR 18. The ALJ found that Plaintiff
17
was capable of performing her past relevant work as a food service manager and a short order cook
18
as those jobs are generally performed in the national economy. AR 18. The ALJ also found that
19
that Plaintiff was capable of performing her past relevant work as a chef and Chinese food preparer,
20
as she had performed those positions. AR 18.
21
22
23
24
The Appeals Council denied plaintiff’s request for review, and the ALJ’s decision became
the final decision of the Commissioner. Plaintiff now seeks judicial review of that decision.
II. LEGAL STANDARD
Pursuant to 42 U.S.C. 405(g), this court has the authority to review the Commissioner’s
25
decision to deny benefits. The Commissioner’s decision will be disturbed only if it is not supported
26
by substantial evidence or if it is based upon the application of improper legal standards. Morgan v.
27
Comm’r of Soc. Sec. Admin., 169 F.3d 595, 599 (9th Cir. 1999); Moncada v. Chater, 60 F.3d
28
521,523 (9th Cir. 1995). In this context, the term “substantial evidence” means “more than a mere
3
1
scintilla but less than a preponderance - it is such relevant evidence that a reasonable mind might
2
accept as adequate to support the conclusion.” Moncada, 60 F.3d at 523; see also Drouin v.
3
Sullivan, 966 F.2d 1255, 1257 (9th Cir. 1992). When determining whether substantial evidence
4
exists to support the Commissioner’s decision, the court examines the administrative record as a
5
whole, considering adverse as well as supporting evidence. Drouin, 966 F.2d at 1257. Where
6
evidence exists to support more than one rational interpretation, the court must defer to the decision
7
of the Commissioner. Moncada, 60 F.3d at 523; Drouin, 966 F.2d at 1258.
III. DISCUSSION
8
Plaintiff contends that the ALJ’s decision should not be affirmed because (1) the ALJ did not
9
For the Northern District of California
United States District Court
10
provide “clear and convincing” reasons for rejecting Tai’s testimony regarding her functional
11
limitations; and (2) the ALJ failed to consider a written statement provided by Tai’s daughter.
12
Plaintiff requests an immediate award of benefits, or, in the alternative, remand for further
13
administrative proceedings. Defendant points out that Plaintiff does not object to the ALJ’s primary
14
analysis and finding that Plaintiff was not disabled at step two. Defendant argues that any such
15
objections are now waived and the ALJ’s primary finding of no disability at step two should
16
automatically stand. Defendant also argues that the ALJ’s alternative findings are supported by
17
substantial evidence and free of legal error.
18
A.
19
The ALJ’s Finding At Step Two
In his primary analysis, the ALJ found that Plaintiff was not disabled because Plaintiff did
20
not have a severe physical or mental medically determinable impairment under 20 C.F.R.
21
404.1520(c). Plaintiff does not object to this finding, and, in any event, the Court finds no basis for
22
rejecting it.
23
The ALJ relied on his own review of the medical record, as well as the testimony and
24
opinions of two state agency non-examining medical experts: Alexander White, M.D., an internal
25
medicine doctor, and Walter Lewin, M.D., a psychiatrist. Drs. White and Lewin reviewed
26
Plaintiff’s medical record, appeared at the hearing over the telephone, and heard Plaintiff testify.
27
The ALJ stated that he gave significant weight to the opinions of these doctors because they had the
28
4
1
opportunity to hear Plaintiff’s testimony and review a much greater portion of the evidentiary record
2
than any other medical source. AR 15.
Dr. White opined that, based on his experience and review of the record, the medical
3
4
evidence did not establish the presence of a severe medically determinable physical impairment.
5
AR 54. He testified that the record failed to establish that Plaintiff’s alleged dry eyes and dry mouth
6
were related to her past chemotherapy treatment, which had occurred in 2005, or that they had a
7
basis in any other serious medical condition. AR 54-56. Dr. White also testified that Plaintiff’s
8
alleged symptoms of hand numbness would not be related to the chemotherapy treatment that had
9
occurred years ago. He further testified that the record did not show any diagnosis of, or treatment
For the Northern District of California
United States District Court
10
for, carpal tunnels disease. AR 56, 59.
The ALJ reviewed the medical record and noted that it contained insufficient evidence of
11
12
bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, “with no EMG studies or other evidence of sensory changes.” AR
13
15. The ALJ also noted that the record contained no evidence of any lung damage due to cancer,
14
“including no evidence of any follow-up treatment for a history of a spot on the lung.” AR 15. The
15
ALJ found that “the alleged residuals due to the claimant’s history of cancer and chemotherapy are
16
simply not established medically as residuals.” AR 15.
Dr. Lewin, the psychiatrist, testified and opined that, based on his review of the record, the
17
18
medical evidence failed to establish the presence of a severe medically determinable mental
19
impairment. AR 74. Plaintiff’s attorney also stipulated on the record at the hearing that Plaintiff
20
was not claiming disability on the basis of any mental impairment. AR 75. The ALJ concluded, at
21
step two of the sequential evaluation process, that the claimant was not disabled.
22
Plaintiff does not argue that the ALJ erred in its primary analysis. And, the ALJ’s finding
23
appears to be supported by substantial evidence and free from legal error. Accordingly, the Court
24
could affirm the ALJ’s decision based on the ALJ’s primary finding at step two.
25
B.
26
The ALJ’s Alternative Analysis
Normally an ALJ’s analysis would end after a finding, at step two, that a claimant had no
27
severe impairments under 20 C.F.R. 404.1520(c). Yet, for purposes of further analysis, and to “give
28
the benefit of the doubt” to Plaintiff, the ALJ assumed arguendo that Plaintiff’s alleged impairments
5
1
were severe, and he proceeded with an alternative analysis to assess whether these impairments
2
rendered Plaintiff disabled. In her motion, Plaintiff argues that the ALJ erred in this alternative
3
analysis.
4
1. Credibility Determination
5
Plaintiff claims that the ALJ committed legal error in his alternative analysis by failing to
6
articulate clear and convincing reasons for rejecting Tai’s testimony regarding her general weakness
7
and fatigue, her inability to lift appreciable amounts of weight due to hand pain, and her inability to
8
work for even three hours for the new owners of her former restaurant. See AR 38-39, 46.
9
“If the ALJ finds that claimant's testimony as to the severity of [her] pain and impairments is
For the Northern District of California
United States District Court
10
unreliable, the ALJ must make a credibility determination with findings sufficiently specific to
11
permit the court to conclude that the ALJ did not arbitrarily discredit claimant's testimony.” Thomas
12
v. Barnhart, 278 F.3d 947, 958 (9th Cir. 2002); Moisa v. Barnhart, 367 F.3d 882, 885 (9th Cir.
13
2004). “[W]here the record includes objective medical evidence establishing that the claimant
14
suffers from an impairment that could reasonably produce the symptoms of which [she] complains,
15
an adverse credibility finding must be based on ‘clear and convincing reasons.’” Lingenfelter v.
16
Astrue, 504 F. 3d 1028, 1036 (9th Cir. 2007) (quoting Smolen v. Chater, 80 F. 3d at 1281.).
17
In his alternative analysis, the ALJ found that Plaintiff’s medically determinable
18
impairments could reasonably be expected to cause the symptoms alleged. AR 16. The ALJ did
19
not, however, credit Plaintiff’s statements concerning the intensity, persistence, and limiting effects
20
of her symptoms, to the extent they were inconsistent with the ALJ’s RFC assessment. AR 16.
21
The ALJ cited a number of specific reasons for discrediting Tai’s testimony about the
22
severity and extent of her symptoms. The ALJ cited to evidence from Tai’s treating oncologist, the
23
consultative examiner, the state agency non-examining medical consultants, a testifying medical
24
expert, and other evidence in the record. For example, the ALJ found it significant that the record
25
showed that Tai continued working while undergoing chemotherapy, and up until the day she sold
26
her restaurant. AR 17, 38-42. He also found it significant that the records of Tai’s treating
27
oncologist, Dr. Gordon, show Tai as reporting that she planned to retire in the summer of 2007. Id.;
28
id. at 253 (“Working full time, but fatigued (KPS 90%.); No symptoms worrisome for metastases.
6
1
Planning to retire this summer!”); AR 244 (“Here for routine visit. She has now retired (‘just
2
staying home.’)”).
Although a lack of objective evidence supporting a claimant’s symptoms cannot be the sole
3
4
basis for discounting symptom testimony, the ALJ may consider it as one factor in the credibility
5
analysis. 20 C.F.R. § 404.1529(c)(1) & (2). Here, the objective evidence and the medical opinion
6
evidence conflicted with Plaintiff’s allegations of disabling limitations. In April 2008, Joseph
7
Garfinkel, M.D., an internal medicine doctor, performed a consultative examination of Plaintiff. AR
8
334. Dr. Garfinkel reported a normal examination of Plaintiff’s upper and lower extremities, normal
9
strength testing in all extremities, normal gait, and normal sensation. AR 337. For Plaintiff’s wrists
For the Northern District of California
United States District Court
10
and hands, Dr. Garfinkle reported “[t]here is no evidence of tenderness to palpitation of the wrists.
11
There is no evidence of Heberden’s nodes noted. There are no Bouchard’s nodes noted. Range of
12
motion of wrists is grossly normal.” AR 337. The ALJ cited to Dr. Garfinkel’s report in
13
discrediting Plaintiff’s testimony, and relied on Dr. Garfinkel’s report in setting Plaintiff’s RFC,
14
even though Dr. Garfinkel’s assessment was somewhat more restrictive than the assessments of the
15
Disability Determination Services reviewers. AR 17.
Although both Dr. Garfinkle and Dr. Gordon, Plaintiff’s treating oncologist, had diagnosed
16
17
Plaintiff with peripheral neuropathy 2, the ALJ noted that neither of these doctors opined that
18
neuropathy caused Plaintiff to have manipulative or other functional limitations. AR 17. In fact, in
19
spite of this diagnosis, Dr. Gordon’s June 2007 examination revealed normal neurological findings.
20
AR 17, 253. As mentioned above, Dr. Garfinkel’s examination of Plaintiff’s upper and lower
21
extremities a year later showed normal neurological findings and normal 5/5 strength testing. AR
22
17, 337. The ALJ also noted that Plaintiff’s treatment records do not contain diagnostic test results
23
or clinical findings to demonstrate any neurological deficit. AR 17. The ALJ cited numerous and
24
specific reasons for discrediting Tai’s testimony at the hearing about the severity and extent of her
25
physical symptoms. The Court is satisfied that the ALJ provided clear and convincing reasons for
26
discrediting Plaintiff’s testimony.
27
2
28
Peripheral neuropathy is “a disease or degenerative state (as polyneuropathy) of the peripheral
nerves in which motor, sensory, or vasomotor nerve fibers may be affected and which is marked by
muscle weakness and atrophy, pain, and numbness.” http://www.merriamwebster.com/medlineplus/peripheral%20neuropathy.
7
1
2. Third-Party Testimony
2
Plaintiff’s daughter completed a third party function report form in January 2008. AR 164-
3
171. In the report, Plaintiff’s daughter states that Plaintiff cannot perform any physical activities for
4
long periods of time, that she cannot lift anything over 8-10 pounds, and that her lower back will
5
start to hurt if she sits for long periods of time. Plaintiff’s daughter also indicated, by checking
6
boxes on the form, that Plaintiff’s disability affects Plaintiff’s lifting, squatting, bending, standing,
7
walking, sitting, kneeling, stair climbing, memory, task completion, concentration, and use of hands.
8
AR 169. Plaintiff argues that the ALJ committed legal error by failing to address the third party
9
function report.
For the Northern District of California
United States District Court
10
Lay witnesses may give evidence “to show the severity of [claimant’s] impairment(s) and
11
how it affects [claimant’s] ability to work.” 20 C.F.R. 404.1513(d). Lay witness testimony as to a
12
claimant's symptoms “is competent evidence that an ALJ must take into account,” unless he
13
“expressly determines to disregard such testimony and gives reasons germane to each witness for
14
doing so.” Lewis v. Apfel, 236 F.3d 503, 511 (9th Cir. 2001).
15
The ALJ committed legal error by failing to mention the third-party function report in his
16
decision. The Court has reviewed the report, however, and, it does not describe any limitations
17
beyond those described by Plaintiff. Plaintiff’s daughter did not identify limitations that were more
18
restrictive than those alleged by Plaintiff. As the ALJ cited specific, thorough reasons for
19
discrediting Plaintiff’s testimony, the ALJ’s legal error was harmless. See Molina v. Astrue, 674
20
F.3d 1104, 1122 (9th Cir. 2012) (finding that an ALJ’s failure to comment upon lay witness
21
testimony is harmless where the same evidence that the ALJ referred to in discrediting the
22
claimant’s claims also discredits the lay witness’s claims) (citing Buckner v. Astrue, 646 F.3d 549,
23
560 (8th Cir. 2011).
24
VI. CONCLUSION
25
For the foregoing reasons, the Court finds no reason not to affirm the ALJ’s primary finding,
26
at step two, that Plaintiff is not disabled. The Court also finds that in his alternative assessment, the
27
ALJ provided clear and convincing reasons for rejecting Plaintiff’s testimony regarding the severity
28
and extent of her symptoms and that, although the ALJ committed legal error by failing to mention
8
1
the third-party function report, this error was harmless. Accordingly, IT IS ORDERED THAT,
2
Plaintiff’s motion for summary judgment is DENIED and Defendant’s motion for summary
3
judgment is GRANTED.
4
Dated: March 26, 2013
5
6
HOWARD R. LLOYD
UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE
7
8
9
For the Northern District of California
United States District Court
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
9
1
C11-04273 HRL Order will be electronically mailed to:
2
Ann Lucille Maley
ann.maley@ssa.gov
3
Sundeep Ravindra Patel
sundeep.patel@ssa.gov, jennifer.a.kenney@ssa.gov
4
Young Chul Cho
young.cho@rohlfinglaw.com, enedina.perez@rohlfinglaw.com
5
6
Counsel are responsible for distributing copies of this document to co-counsel who have not
registered for e-filing under the court’s CM/ECF program.
7
8
9
For the Northern District of California
United States District Court
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
10
Disclaimer: Justia Dockets & Filings provides public litigation records from the federal appellate and district courts. These filings and docket sheets should not be considered findings of fact or liability, nor do they necessarily reflect the view of Justia.
Why Is My Information Online?