Homes v. Colvin

Filing 18

ORDER: I AFFIRM the Commissioner's final order. By Judge Lewis T. Babcock on 6/18/2014. (klyon, )

IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
FOR THE DISTRICT OF COLORADO
LEWIS T. BABCOCK, JUDGE
Civil Case No. 13-cv-00943-LTB
HOPE HOMES,
Plaintiff,
v.
CAROLYN W. COLVIN, Commissioner of Social Security,
Defendant.
_____________________________________________________________________________
ORDER
_____________________________________________________________________________
Plaintiff, Hope Homes, appeals from the Social Security Administration Commissioner’s
(the “Commissioner”) final decision denying her application for Disability Insurance Benefits
(“DIB”), filed pursuant to Title II of the Social Security Act (the “SSA”), 42 U.S.C. §§ 401-433.
Jurisdiction is proper under 42 U.S.C. § 405(g). Oral argument will not materially aid in
resolving this appeal. After considering the parties’ arguments and the administrative record, for
the reasons below, I affirm the Commissioner’s final order.
I. STATEMENT OF THE CASE
Plaintiff seeks judicial review of the Commissioner’s decision denying her September 27,
2010 application for DIB. [Administrative Record (“AR”) Doc. # 10-5, 2-9]. Her application
was initially denied at the administrative level. [Id. at 10-3, 2-3]. An Administrative Law Judge
(“ALJ”) subsequently conducted a hearing on June 4, 2012 (id. at 10-2, 28-53), and issued a
written ruling on June 25, 2012 (id. at 9-27). The ALJ denied Plaintiff’s application on the basis
that she was not disabled during the relevant time period because she was capable of performing
work in the national economy given her residual functional capacity (“RFC”), age, education,

and work experience. [Id. at 22-23]. Plaintiff appealed the denial of her application, and
submitted additional evidence to the Social Security Administration Appeals Council (“Appeals
Council”). [Id. at 8]. On February 11, 2013, the Appeals Council made the new evidence part of
the record, but it declined to review the decision of the ALJ, making the denial final for the
purpose of judicial review. [Id. at 2-7]. In denying review, the Appeals Council informed
Plaintiff that it “considered the additional evidence listed on the enclosed Order of Appeals
Council[, and it] found that this information does not provide a basis for changing the
Administrative Law Judge’s decision.” [Id. at 2-3].
Plaintiff timely filed her Complaint with this Court seeking review of the
Commissioner’s final decision. [Doc. # 1].
II. FACTS
The facts are largely undisputed and extensively provided in the ALJ’s order. As such, I
provide a limited factual background as relevant here.
Plaintiff was born on January 30, 1971, was 39 years old on her alleged onset date of
June 14, 2010, and was 41 at the time of the ALJ’s decision. [Id. at 10-2, 14-23]. She has a high
school equivalent education, is able to communicate in English, and her past relevant work
history consists of emissions inspector, cashier, janitor, customer service representative,
administrative clerk, and clerk typist. [Id. at 22]. Pursuant to 20 C.F.R. § 404.130, in order to be
eligible for benefits, Plaintiff must prove that her disability began before the date through which
she remained insured, which in this case is December 31, 2014. [Id. at 12]. Thus here, the
relevant time period for determining disability is June 14, 2010, through June 25, 2012, the date
of the ALJ’s decision. [See id.]; 20 C.F.R. § 404.130.

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During the relevant time period Plaintiff earned no income. [Id. at 14]. She sought care
from the University of Colorado Hospital’s family medicine clinic throughout the relevant time
period for various complaints related to diabetes, asthma, obesity, depression, anxiety. [See AR
Doc. # 10-7, 2-63 & 90-121]. However, throughout her visits to the clinic there were no
consistent reports of pain throughout her body. [Id.] After undergoing tests related to her
diabetes in May 2010, Plaintiff followed up with the clinic in June 2010 and reported nausea,
pain in her legs and back. [Id. at 29]. At this visit Plaintiff also reported that she had not filled
her prescriptions for treatment of her diabetes, had failed to check her blood sugar, and had
missed a few doses of insulin. [Id.] She was encouraged to adhere to her prescribed medication
regiment. [Id.] In August 2010, Plaintiff returned to the clinic complaining of lightheadedness,
dizziness, and nausea. [Id. at 20-25]. It was concluded that these were likely the result of a viral
infection. [Id.] Plaintiff returned to the clinic in October 2010 for a diabetes check-up in which
it was noted that Plaintiff’s diabetes was not under control and Plaintiff reported failure to adhere
to her prescribed medication regiment. [Id. at 14-19]. Plaintiff’s asthma prescriptions were also
renewed at this time. [Id.] Plaintiff had several follow up visits to the clinic in June, August and
December of 2011, in all of which she was encouraged to take her medication and reported
issues with diabetes but which were otherwise relatively normal. [Id.]
On December 29, 2010, Plaintiff underwent a physical consultative examination by
Michael Finch, M.D. [Id. at 64-68]. Dr. Finch reported that Plaintiff was an obese individual
who reported pain in the posterior neck and back at a level of 6 out of 10, had a normal range of
motion in her thoracic spine, a mildly reduced range of motion in her lumbar spine, and a normal
range of motion in her knees. [Id. at 66]. His report also indicated that she had an antalgic gait,

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had some diminished strength in her elbows, shoulders, and hips, but had normal grip strength.
[Id.] Dr. Finch noted that Plaintiff’s pain behavior was consistent with his findings. [Id.] Based
on his examination, Dr. Finch affirmed her diabetes diagnosis and concluded that Plaintiff could
lift and carry 10 pounds frequently or occasionally without the use of any assistive devices. [Id.
at 68]. He also reported that he could not assess Plaintiff’s sitting, standing, or walking
limitations based on his assessment and recommended that Plaintiff undergo psychiatric and
orthopedic evaluations. [Id.]
Plaintiff underwent a psychological evaluation by Vanessa Rollins, Ph.D. on January 3,
2011. [Id. at 76-80]. Dr. Rollins noted that although Plaintiff’s mental health medical records
were not available for review, Plaintiff complained of “depression, pain and diabetes.” [Id. at
76]. Dr. Rollins noted that Plaintiff was tearful throughout the exam and her psychomotor
activity appeared decreased including a decreased rate and volume of speech. [Id. at 78].
Plaintiff’s mood appeared “moderately depressed” with a mildly impaired memory, average
intellectual functioning, and an overall demeanor that appeared very guarded. [Id.] As a result,
Dr. Rollins diagnosed Plaintiff with depression and generalized anxiety. [Id. at 79]. She noted
that Plaintiff is not currently receiving treatment, is ambivalent about treatment, and her “current
level of depression and anxiety is likely to make concentration, persistence, pace, and
understanding difficult for her on the job.” [Id.] Accordingly, Dr. Rollins assessed Plaintiff to
have a Global Assessment of Functioning (“GAF”) score of 65.
III. LAW
To qualify for DIB under sections 216(i) and 223 of the SSA, an individual must meet the
insured status requirements of these sections, be under age 65, file an application for DIB for a

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period of disability, and be “disabled” as defined by the SSA. 42 U.S.C. §§ 416(i), 423. A FiveStep sequential evaluation process is used to determine whether a claimant is disabled under the
SSA, which is generally defined as the “inability to engage in any substantial gainful activity by
reason of any medically determinable physical or mental impairment which can be expected to
result in death or which has lasted or can be expected to last for a continuous period of not less
than twelve months.” 42 U.S.C.§ 1382c(a)(3)(B); see also Bowen v. Yuckert, 482 U.S. 137, 137
(1987).
Step One asks whether the claimant is presently engaged in substantial gainful activity.
If she is, DIB is denied. See 20 C.F.R. § 404.1520. Step Two is a determination of whether the
claimant has a medically severe impairment or combination of impairments, as governed by 20
C.F.R. § 404.1520(c). If the claimant is unable to show that her impairment(s) would have more
than a minimal effect on her ability to do basic work activities, she is not eligible for DIB. See
20 C.F.R. § 404.1520(c). Step Three then assesses whether the impairment is equivalent to one
of a number of listed impairments deemed to be so severe as to preclude substantial gainful
employment. See 20 C.F.R. § 404.1520(d). If the impairment is not listed, she is not presumed
to be conclusively disabled. Step Four then requires the claimant to show that her impairment(s)
and assessed Residual Functional Capacity (“RFC”) prevent her from performing work that she
has performed in the past. If the claimant is able to perform her previous work, she is not
disabled. See 20 C.F.R. §§ 404.1520(e), (f). Finally, if the claimant establishes a prima facie
case of disability based on the previous four steps, the analysis proceeds to Step Five where the
Commissioner has the burden of proving that the claimant has the RFC to perform other work in
the national economy in view of her age, education and work experience. See 20 C.F.R. §

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404.1520(g).
As relevant here, a claimant is required to establish that she became disabled prior to the
expiration of her insured status. 20 C.F.R. § 404.130; see also Potter v. Sec’y of Health &
Human Servs., 905 F.2d 1346, 1347-48 (10th Cir. 1990).
IV. ALJ’s RULING
The ALJ found that Plaintiff had met the insured requirements of the SSA through
December 31, 2014. [AR Doc. # 10-2, 14]. He ruled that Plaintiff had not engaged in
substantial gainful activity since her alleged onset date of June 14, 2010, through the date of his
decision, June 25, 2012. [Id.] The ALJ found that through the date last insured, the Plaintiff had
the following sufficiently severe impairments: diabetes, obesity, depression, and anxiety (Step
Two). [Id.] However, the ALJ then determined that Plaintiff did not have an impairment, or
combination of impairments, that met or medically equaled one of the listed impairments (Step
Three) in 20 C.F.R. Pt. 404, Subpt. P, App. 1. [Id. at 15-16]. Because the ALJ determined that
Plaintiff did not have an impairment or combination of impairments that met or medically equals
a listed impairment, he then assessed Plaintiff’s RFC. [Id. at 16-22].
The ALJ evaluated the evidence and found that through the date last insured, Plaintiff
had the RFC to perform work “light work as defined in 20 C.F.R. § 404.1567(b).” [Id.] The
ALJ further provided that Plaintiff “can sit, stand, and walk for six hours each in an eight-hour
workday, with normal breaks[,] can lift and/or carry 20 pounds occasionally and 10 pounds
frequently[,] is limited to simple, routine, repetitive tasks[, and] can have occasional public
contact.” [Id.] As a result of Plaintiff’s RFC assessment, the ALJ found that Plaintiff was not
able to perform any past relevant work (Step 4). [Id. at 22]. Because the ALJ concluded at Step

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Four that Plaintiff was unable to perform past relevant work, the ALJ continued to Step Five, and
under that Step concluded that there were other jobs existing in the national economy that
Plaintiff was able to perform. [Id. at 22-23]. Consequently, the ALJ concluded that Plaintiff was
not disabled between her alleged onset date and the date last insured. [Id. at 23].
V. STANDARD OF REVIEW
I review the Commissioner’s decision (expressed here as the ruling of the ALJ) “to
determine whether the factual findings are supported by substantial evidence in light of the entire
record and to determine whether the correct legal standards were applied.” Williamson v.
Barnhart, 350 F.3d 1097, 1098 (10th Cir. 2003). My review of the factual findings is to
determine whether they, “are based upon substantial evidence, and inferences reasonably drawn
therefrom. If they are so supported, they are conclusive upon the reviewing court and may not
be disturbed.” Trujillo v. Richardson, 429 F.2d 1149, 1150 (10th Cir. 1970). “Substantial
evidence” is “such relevant evidence as a reasonable mind might accept as adequate to support a
conclusion.” Hackett v. Barnhart, 395 F.3d 1168, 1172 (10th Cir. 2005) (quotations omitted). It
requires “more than a scintilla but less than a preponderance.” Zoltanski v. F.A.A., 372 F.3d
1195, 1200 (10th Cir. 2004).
VI. APPEAL
Plaintiff challenges the ALJ’s determinations on three grounds. First, Plaintiff contends
that the ALJ erred in his RFC analysis. Second, Plaintiff contends that the ALJ’s Step Four
evaluations of consultative physician Dr. Michael Finch, consultative psychologist Dr. Vanessa
Rollins, and a state agency physical consultant were improper. Third, Plaintiff contends that the
ALJ erred in his Step Five determination that Plaintiff could perform other jobs existing in the

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national economy. I address each of Plaintiff’s arguments in turn below.
A.

ALJ’s RFC Assessment
Plaintiff first challenges the ALJ’s assessed RFC. Specifically, Plaintiff contends that the

ALJ’s conclusion that Plaintiff “can sit, stand, or walk for 6 hours in an 8 hour workday,” and
that the ALJ’s mental restrictions “limit[ing Plaintiff] to simple, routine, repetitive tasks [with]
occasional public contact,” are not supported by any medical record and ignores evidence to the
contrary. [See Doc. # 13, 15-18]. I disagree.
The RFC assessment is made by the ALJ “based on all the relevant evidence in [the
claimant’s] case record.” 20 C.F.R. § 404.1545(a)(1). The RFC is an assessment of the most a
claimant can do despite his or her limitations. Id. Examples of the types of evidence required to
be considered in making an RFC assessment are the claimant’s medical history, medical signs,
laboratory findings, and medical source statements. Soc. Sec. Ruling (“SSR”) 96-8p, 1996 WL
374184 (July 2, 1996). An ALJ must make specific RFC findings based on all of the relevant
evidence in the case record. See Winfrey v. Chater, 92 F.3d 1017, 1023 (10th Cir. 1996). SSR
96-8p provides:
The RFC assessment must include a narrative discussion describing how the
evidence supports each conclusion, citing specific medical facts . . . and
nonmedical evidence . . . the adjudicator must discuss the individual’s ability to
perform sustained work activities in an ordinary work setting on a regular and
continuing basis . . . and describe the maximum amount of each work-related
activity the individual can perform based on the evidence available in the case
record. The adjudicator must also explain how any material inconsistencies or
ambiguities in the evidence in the case record were considered and resolved.
SSR 96-8p, 1996 WL 374184, at *5 (July 2, 1996); see also Haddock v. Apfel, 196 F.3d 1084,
1088 (10th Cir. 1999).

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Generally, “an RFC assessment must first identify the individual’s functional limitations
or restrictions and assess his or her work-related abilities on a function-by-function basis . . .
Only after that may RFC be expressed in terms of the exertional levels of work” such as “light.”
Ren v. Astrue, 2009 WL 3497785, *5 (D. Colo., Oct. 29, 2009) (unpublished) (citing SSR 96-8p,
1996 WL 374184, *1). This function-by-function assessment “requires the ALJ to address ‘an
individual’s limitations and restrictions of physical strength and defines the individual’s
remaining abilities to perform each of seven strength demands: sitting, standing, walking, lifting,
carrying, pushing, and pulling.’” Id. (quoting SSR 96-8p, 1996 WL 374184, *5). Additionally
“‘[e]ach function must be considered separately . . . even if the final RFC assessment will
combine activities.’” Id. (quoting SSR 96-8p, 1996 WL 374184, at *5).
Here, the ALJ determined that Plaintiff has the RFC to perform “light work,” as defined
by 20 C.F.R. § 404.1567(b) and 416.967(b), with the following limitations, Plaintiff: can sit,
stand and walk for six hours each in an eight-hour workday with normal breaks; can lift and/or
carry 20 pounds occasionally and 10 pounds frequently; is limited to simple, routine, repetitive
tasks; and can have occasional public contact. [AR Doc. # 10-2, 16]. Thus, the ALJ stated that
Plaintiff could perform “light work” with additional, articulated restrictions addressing the
standing, sitting, and walking demands. The Act defines “light work” as work that:
Involves lifting no more than 20 pounds at a time with frequent lifting or carrying
of objects weighing up to 10 pounds. Even though the weight lifted may be very
little, a job is in this category when it requires a good deal of walking or standing,
or when it involves sitting most of the time with some pushing and pulling of arm
or leg controls.
20 C.F.R. § 404.1567(b). The definition of “light work,” combined with the additional specific
limitations the ALJ articulated, makes it clear that the ALJ expressed a finding as to Plaintiff’s
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ability to walk, her standing and sitting limitations, and mental limitations. The ALJ expressly
provided that Plaintiff sit, stand, and walk for six hours each in an eight-hour work day, with
normal breaks, was limited to simple, routine, repetitive tasks, and could have occasional public
contact. Stated differently, the ALJ did not express Plaintiff’s entire RFC solely in terms of the
exertional level of work, which is what SSR 96-8p instructs against. The ALJ instead expressed
Plaintiff’s abilities by saying she could perform “light work” with additional, articulated reasons
that accounted for Plaintiff’s relevant medical and mental limitations. He therefore comported
with SSR 96-8p.
Furthermore, SSR 96-8p specifically notes that the function-by-function analysis is most
relevant when an ALJ determines whether a claimant is able to perform past work at Step Four.
See SSR 96-8p, 1996 WL 374184, at *5. Because the ALJ here found that the Plaintiff was
unable to do past relevant work, “the function-by-function analysis is less critical.” Ren, 2009
WL 3497785, at *6 (quoting SSR 96-8p, 1996 WL 374184, at *5). Additionally, the ALJ’s
subsequent analysis discussed in detail the medical evidence relating to Plaintiff’s ability to
perform the seven strength demands and her mental limitations. “This is adequate to meet the
requirements of 96-8p.” Id.; see also Gay v. Sullivan, 986 F.2d 1336, 1341 n.3 (10th Cir. 1993)
(holding that any error in failing to include an explicit statement of a specific restriction when
there is a complete RFC analysis is merely a technical error “minor enough not to undermine
confidence in the determination of th[e] case.”); Allen v. Barnhart, 357 F.3d 1140, 1145 (10th
Cir. 2004) (holding that any such potential error is therefore harmless).
For these reasons I reject Plaintiff’s argument and hold that the ALJ did not err in
assessing Plaintiff’s RFC. Furthermore, substantial evidence in the record as a whole supports
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the ALJ’s determinations.
B.

ALJ’s Step Four Analysis
Plaintiff challenges the ALJ’s Step Four evaluations of consultative physician Dr.

Michael Finch, consultative psychologist Dr. Vanessa Rollins, and a state agency physical
consultant. She contends that the weight he assigned each was improper. I disagree.
As is applicable here, unless the opinion of a treating source is given controlling weight,
an ALJ must explain the weight given to the opinion of a reviewing physician. 20 C.F.R. §
404.1527(e)(2)(ii). In evaluating a reviewing physician’s opinion, an ALJ must review them
based on the factors listed in 20 C.F.R. § 404.1527(a) to (d), “such as the consultant’s medical
specialty and expertise in our rules, the supporting evidence in the case record, supporting
explanations [the physicians] provides, and any other factors relevant to the weighing of the
opinions.” 20 C.F.R. § 404.1527(e)(2)(ii). It is the ALJ’s duty to give consideration to all the
medical opinions in the record. See 20 C.F.R. §§ 404.1527(c), 416.927(c). He must also discuss
the weight he assigns to such opinions. See id. §§ 404.1527(e)(2)(ii), 416.927(e)(2)(ii) (“[T]he
administrative law judge must explain in the decision the weight given to the opinions of a State
agency medical or psychological consultant or other program physician, psychologist, or other
medical specialist, as the administrative law judge must do for any opinions from treating
sources, nontreating sources, and other nonexamining sources who do not work for us.”).
Plaintiff cites three opinions that allegedly were not weighed: two consulting-examiner
reports and a state agency consultation report. But with one minor exceptions, which I will
discuss, she does not identify any inconsistencies either among these medical opinions or
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between the opinions and the ALJ’s RFC. See Howard v. Barnhart, 379 F.3d 945, 947 (10th Cir.
2004) (“When the ALJ does not need to reject or weigh evidence unfavorably in order to
determine a claimant’s RFC, the need for express analysis is weakened.”)
1.

Dr. Finch

The first opinion that Plaintiff complains was not properly weighed is a physical
consultative examination report prepared by Dr. Michael Finch. As the ALJ correctly noted, Dr.
Finch’s report itself expresses few conclusions about Plaintiff’s physical capacities. Dr. Finch
only opined that Plaintiff could lift and carry 10 pounds frequently or occasionally, and
specifically provided that he could not further assess Plaintiff’s limitations. [AR Doc. # 10-2,
20]. Otherwise, Dr. Finch’s report only discussed Plaintiff’s alleged limitations without any
correlating restrictions. [Id.] The ALJ discussed this record and expressly found that “Dr
Finch’s minimal opinion is given minimal weight.” [Id.] Dr. Finch’s limited findings are
generally consistent with the ALJ’s express RFC. There is no reason to believe that any further
analysis or weighing of this opinion could advance Plaintiff’s claim of disability, and as such any
alleged error would be harmless. See Keyes-Zachary v. Astrue, 695 F.3d 1156, 1161 (10th Cir.
2012).
2.

Dr. Rollins

Plaintiff also complains that consulting psychologist Dr. Vanessa Rollins’ psychological
evaluation was not properly weighed. Dr. Rollins diagnosed Plaintiff with major depressive
disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, and panic disorder. [AR Doc. # 10-7, 76-81]. As a result,
she assessed that Plaintiff had a GAF score of 65. [Id.] A GAF score of 65 indicates an
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individual with some difficulty in social, occupational, or school functioning but who generally
functions pretty well and has some meaningful interpersonal relationships. [See AR Doc. # 10-2,
21]. The ALJ discussed Dr. Rollins’ report at length and noted that although it was “vague and
[did] not provide the extent of [Plaintiff’s limitations,] he assigned it significant weight.” [Id.]
He also noted that a state agency mental consultant opined that Plaintiff did not have any severe
mental impairments and had only mild limitations in all areas of mental functioning, an opinion
inconsistent with Dr. Rollins’ opinion. [Id.] However the ALJ opted to follow Dr. Rollins’
opinion and give Plaintiff the “maximum reasonable benefit of the doubt.” [Id. at 22].
Accordingly, the ALJ found that Dr. Rollins’ [opinion, in conjunction with her GAF finding and
the claimant’s objective findings . . . is fully account[ed] for in this decision and uncontested by
any other examining psychologist.” [Id.] I find that this is sufficient and that Dr. Rollins’
opinions are adequately accounted for in the ALJ’s assessed RFC.
3.

State Agency Physical Consultant Report

Lastly, Plaintiff contends that the ALJ did not properly weigh the opinion of a state
agency consultant who found that Plaintiff could stand and/or walk for a total of four hours in an
eight-hour day with normal breaks. [See Doc. # 13, 16]. In discussing this opinion, the ALJ
provided that this opinion was entitled to no weight because it was “rendered by a singledecision maker [and] is [] overly restrictive as it accounts for non-severe impairments.” [AR
Doc. 10-2, 21]. This is a sufficient reason to give no weight to the state agency’s opinion. See
Frey v. Bowen, 816 F.2d 508, 513 (10th Cir. 1987) (citing Turner v. Heckler, 754 F.2d 326, 329
(10th Cir. 1985)) (explaining that a consultative physician’s evaluation form is “not substantial

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evidence” and because their findings are “based upon limited contact and examination [they] are
of suspect reliability.”)
Thus, the ALJ’s determinations at Step Four were proper.
C.

ALJ’s Step Five Analysis
Lastly, Plaintiff contends that the ALJ erred in his Step Five determination that there are

jobs that exist in significant numbers in the national economy that Plaintiff can perform. [See
Doc. # 13, 18-19]. I disagree.
At Step Five of the sequential evaluation procedure the ALJ must decide whether the
claimant can perform any other gainful and substantial work that exists in the national economy.
20 C.F.R. § 404.1520(g). The Commissioner has the burden at Step Five of showing that the
claimant is capable of performing such work. Bowen v. Yuckert, 482 U.S. 137, 146 n.5 (1987).
This determination is made on the basis of the claimant’s age, education, work experience, and
RFC. 20 C.F.R. § 404.1520(g)(1); Thompson v. Sullivan, 987 F.2d 1482, 1487 (10th Cir. 1993).
Courts have declined to set a rule as to what constitutes a “significant number” of jobs in the
national economy for purposes of the Act. See Trimiar v. Sullivan, 966 F.2d 1326, 1330 (10th
Cir. 1992). Instead, the ALJ should make the decision based on the individual merits of the case
and common sense. Id.
Plaintiff argues that the ALJ erred in Step Five of the disability analysis by finding that
there were a significant number of jobs available for Plaintiff, and that she was therefore not
disabled within the meaning of the Act. Plaintiff argues that the ALJ failed to consider all of her

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limitations in determining that Plaintiff could perform the jobs of: cleaner (DOT 323.687-014);
packer (DOT 920.685-026); and inspector (DOT 727.687-054). Specifically, Plaintiff contends
that the evidence indicates that Plaintiff is limited to only occasional stooping and has
intermittent problems with blurry vision and that these three positions require more than these
restrictions permit. [Doc. # 13, 18-19]. However, nothing in the record indicates that Plaintiff is
incapable of occasional stooping nor that she had any visual limitations that would preclude her
from completing the work. The ALJ discussed Plaintiff’s few and inconsistent complaints of
burry vision in his determination that Plaintiff’s complaints were not credible and Plaintiff’s
testimony was not reliable. Plaintiff does not dispute this determination, and as such, it will not
be further discussed except to note that the ALJ did provide that while Plaintiff did “get vision
checks, there is little evidence of a non-correctable impairment and no diagnosis of retinopathy.”
[AR Doc. # 10-2, 18].
Further, I find that the ALJ properly relied on the testimony of the Vocational Expert
(“VE”) in making the determination that Plaintiff could perform these jobs, which is properly
based on the VE’s professional experience. Rogers v. Astrue, 2009 WL 368386 at *4 (10th Cir.,
Feb.17, 2009). The VE testified that Plaintiff could perform these jobs given the ALJ’s RFC
findings. Plaintiff does not point to any actual evidence indicating the contrary. In the absence
of any evidence that these jobs require activity that Plaintiff cannot perform or that is prohibited
by the ALJ’s RFC, I find no error in the ALJ’s reliance on the VE’s testimony that Plaintiff can
perform the jobs identified. Hackett, 395 F.3d at 1173 (the court will not reweigh the evidence
or substitute its judgment for that of the Commissioner); White, 287 F.3d 903, 905, 908, 909
(10th Cir. 2001) (same). Accordingly, remand is not warranted on this issue.
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VII. CONCLUSION
For the foregoing reasons, I AFFIRM the Commissioner’s final order.

Dated: June

18 , 2014, in Denver, Colorado.

BY THE COURT

s/Lewis T. Babcock
LEWIS T. BABCOCK, JUDGE

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