Sennello v. Commissioner of Social Security
Filing
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ORDER granting 15 Motion to Affirm the Decision of the Commissioner. Signed by Judge Victor A. Bolden on 1/22/2019. (Washington, Gregory)
UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
DISTRICT OF CONNECTICUT
FREDERICK JOHN SENNELLO,
Plaintiff,
v.
No. 3:17-cv-1539 (VAB)
NANCY A. BERRYHILL,
Deputy Commissioner for Operations, Social
Security Administration,
Defendant.
RULING ON MOTION TO AFFIRM COMMISSIONER’S DECISION
Frederick Sennello (“Plaintiff”), proceeding pro se, filed a Social Security disability and
supplemental security income claim under Section 205(g) of the Social Security Act, as amended
by 42 U.S.C. § 405(g). Nancy Berryhill, Deputy Commissioner for Operations
(“Commissioner”) moved for an order affirming the Commissioner’s decision. Mr. Sennello has
not responded.
For the following greasons, the Court GRANTS Defendant’s motion to affirm the
Commissioner’s decision.
I.
FACTUAL AND PROCEDURAL BACKGROUND
A.
Factual Allegations
Mr. Sennello alleges that he suffers from chronic back and shoulder pain due to
degenerative diseases in his cervical spine and a central disc protrusion in his lumbar spine. ECF
No. 10-7, at 61. On February 22, 2015, Mr. Sennello saw Dr. Panagiotis Kompotiatis about his
chronic back pain and explained that he had both a history of lifting heavy objects and increasing
pain radiating from his lower back and neck. Id. A physical examination and March 13, 2015
MRI revealed that his cervical and lumbar spine revealed foraminal narrowing, spinal stenosis,
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neural foramen, cord compression, degenerative disk disease, and a small disk protrusion. Id.
Beginning March 11, 2015, Mr. Sennello reported to physical therapy twice a week for eight
weeks and his physical therapist gave him an at-home exercise plan. Id. Mr. Sennello’s May 11,
2015 discharge indicated that he did not meet his long-term therapy goals. At a May 13, 2015
follow-up visit, Dr. Kompotiatis allegedly referred Mr. Sennello for neurosurgery treatment. Id.
In addition to his physical limitations, Mr. Sennello claims that he suffers from
depression, mood disorders, impulse control disorder, bipolar affective disorder, and anxiety. Id.
He alleges that symptoms included loss of appetite, decreased focus, and lack of energy. Id.
Throughout his treatment, Dr. Ljudmil Kljusev noted that Mr. Sennello’s mood and affect were
restricted and he showed signs of paranoia and pressured speech. Id.
Mr. Sennello claims to have continued psychiatric treatment with Dr. Linda Wolf to
regain the level of concentration needed to perform his job without stress distractions and
impulses. Id. at 62. Dr. Lee Combrinck-Graham also noted that Mr. Sennello had a history of
psychiatric treatment lasting more than twelve months, that he had experienced social
withdrawal, and that he had received treatment at Lifebridge Community Services since May of
2014. Id. Moreover, Mr. Sennello’s depressive symptoms affected his ability to perform daily
activities, which resulted in limited social functioning, deficiencies in concentration and
persistence, and an inability to complete tasks on time. Id. These deficiencies allegedly resulted
in deteriorating work-life experiences. Id.
Because of alleged right hip osteoarthritis, spinal stenosis, cervical degenerative disc
disease, and bipolar disorder, Mr. Sennello sought Social Security disability benefits. ECF No. 1,
at 2. Following a denial of his application for disability benefits, Mr. Sennello requested a
hearing before an Administrative Law Judge (“ALJ”), which occurred on December 7, 2015. Id.
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at 3. At the ALJ hearing, Mr. Sennello made two arguments in favor of receiving Social Security
disability benefits.
First, Mr. Sennello’s degenerative disc disease and nerve root compression have led to
lower back pain, neck pain, and occasional right hand weakness. ECF No. 10-7, at 62. This
caused reduced strength and range of motion in those areas, resulting in severe medical condition
under 1.04(A). Id.
Second, Mr. Sennello is unable to meet the demands of his past or any other work due to
his medical conditions. Mr. Sennello argued that he was unable to undertake his former job as a
material handler lifting up to fifty pounds during the twelve-hour shifts because he could no
longer handle the walking, climbing, and standing associated with the job due to his physical
pain. Id. at 63. Mr. Sennello also argued that he would not be able to attain gainful employment
because of the above-mentioned limitations in his back, legs, shoulders, and hands. Id. In his
view, the combination of physical limitations and mental health challenges resulted in an
inability to sustain full-time work. Id.
At the hearing, Mr. Sennello testified that he could work part-time, drive, dress himself,
bathe himself, groom himself, do laundry, go grocery shopping, clean the house, but that
completing household chores created some difficulty. ECF No. 10-3, at 49–50, 53. Mr. Sennello
also cares for his wife, who is on disability. Id. at 53. Mr. Sennello testified that he received
unemployment benefits, which indicated that he was willing and able to work. Id. at 49. But he
argued that he could not work a full eight-hour day. Id. Mr. Sennello claimed that he had a
driver’s license and would be able to drive up to an hour. Id. at 52. He also testified that he had
back, neck, and hip pain every day, and he testified that walking, lifting, or twisting aggravated
his pain. Id. at 54–55.
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The ALJ also heard from a vocational expert who testified to Mr. Sennello’s ability to
work as an assembler, small products packer, and bench inspector. Id. at 8. In his post-hearing
rebuttal, Mr. Sennello maintained that his debilitating conditions prohibited him from substantial
gainful activity. ECF No. 10-7, at 65. Mr. Sennello objected to the four components of the
expert’s testimony and argued that: (1) the expert lacked qualifications to testify to jobs in the
local, regional, or national economy; (2) the expert’s methodology lacked relevant job data; (3)
that jobs can be performed by unskilled workers; and (4) the expert’s response to a hypothetical
limitation on his ability to sit and stand. Id. at 65–67. Mr. Sennello ultimately questioned
whether there were enough jobs in the national economy for him to be gainfully employed and
argued that the unfavorable decision on the matter required a supplemental hearing. Id. at 68–69.
On January 28, 2016, the ALJ denied Mr. Sennello’s claim. ECF No. 1, at 3. And, on
August 22, 2017, the Social Security Appeals Council affirmed the decision, which Mr. Sennello
received on August 29, 2017. Id. According to the Appeals Council, although Mr. Sennello did
not file his request for review on time, there was good reason for the delay. ECF No. 1-1. The
Appeals Council nevertheless denied his request because it found no reason to disturb the ALJ’s
decision. Id. On appeal, Mr. Sennello contends that he is “disabled and unable to work and the
Appeal Council failed to consider [his] medical issues fully.” ECF No. 1, at 4.
B.
Procedural History
On September 2017, Mr. Sennello filed his Complaint against the Nancy Berryhill,
Deputy Commissioner for Operations for the Social Security Administration. ECF No. 1.
On December 5, 2017, the Commissioner filed an Answer. ECF No. 10.
On April 6, 2018, the Commissioner moved to affirm the decision. ECF No. 15. Mr.
Sennello’s response was due on April 21, 2018. Mr. Sennello did not respond.
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II.
STANDARD OF REVIEW
To find disability under the Social Security Act, “a claimant must establish an ‘inability
to do 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.” Smith v. Berryhill, 740 Fed.
App’x. 721, 722 (2d Cir. 2018) (summary order) (citing 20 C.F.R. § 404.1505(a)).
In reviewing challenges to the Commissioner’s decision, a court must determine whether
the ALJ’s decision is supported by substantial evidence. 42 U.S.C. § 405(g); Brown v. Apfel, 174
F.3d 59, 61 (2d Cir. 1999). Substantial evidence is “such relevant evidence as a reasonable mind
might accept as adequate to support a conclusion.” Brown, 174 F.3d at 61 (internal quotation
marks omitted) (citing Richardson v. Perales, 402 U.S. 389, 401 (1971)). To determine “whether
the agency’s findings are supported by substantial evidence, ‘the reviewing court is required to
examine the entire record, including contradictory evidence and evidence from which conflicting
inferences can be drawn.’” Talavera v. Astrue, 697 F.3d 145, 151 (2d Cir. 2012) (quoting
Mongeur v. Heckler, 722 F.2d 1033, 1038 (2d Cir. 1983) (per curiam)).
III.
DISCUSSION
To be eligible for disability insurance benefits, a claimant must show that he or she is
“unable ‘to engage in any substantial gainful activity by reason of medically determinable
physical or mental impairment which . . . has lasted or can be expected to last for a continuous
period of not less than 12 months.’” Selian v. Astrue, 708 F.3d 409, 417 (2d Cir. 2013) (citing 42
U.S.C. § 423(d)). The Social Security Administration follows a five-step process to evaluate a
claim of social security benefits:
First, the Commissioner considers whether the claimant is currently engaged in
substantial gainful activity. If he is not, the Commissioner next considers whether
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the claimant has a ‘severe impairment’ which significantly limits his physical or
mental ability to do basic work activities. If the claimant suffers such an
impairment, the third inquiry is whether, based solely on medical evidence, the
claimant has an impairment which is listed in Appendix 1 of the regulations. If the
claimant has such an impairment, the Commissioner will consider him [per se]
disabled . . . Assuming the claimant does not have a listed impairment, the fourth
inquiry is whether despite the claimant’s severe impairment, he has the residual
functional capacity to perform his past work. Finally, if the claimant is unable to
perform his past work, the Commissioner then determines whether there is other
work which the claimant could perform.
Talavera, 697 F.3d at 151 (alterations in original) (quotation omitted). “The claimant
bears the burden of proof in the first four steps of the sequential inquiry; the
Commissioner bears the burden in the last.” Selian, 708 F.3d at 418 (citations omitted).
Here, because it is undisputed Mr. Sennello meets the first two factors and the fourth
factor outlined in Talavera, the Court shall only review whether there is substantial
evidence that Mr. Sennello’s injury is listed within Appendix 1 of 20 C.F.R., Part 404,
Subpart P, App’x 1 and whether there is other work Mr. Sennello could perform.
The Commissioner’s argument for affirmance is two-fold. First, Mr. Sennello failed to
meet his obligations under the Court’s scheduling order because he has neither stipulated to facts
nor filed a motion for remand.1 Second, Mr. Sennello’s challenge fails on the merits. The
Commissioner argues that, while Mr. Sennello had not engaged in gainful activity since his
disability and several impairments, the ALJ properly determined that none of the impairments
met the impairments listed in 20 C.F.R. Part 404, Subpart P, Appendix 1. Second the
Commissioner argues that Mr. Sennello did not satisfy the disability criteria under Social
See Dietz v. Bouldin, 136 S. Ct. 1885, 1892 (2016) (“district courts have the inherent authority to manage their
dockets and courtrooms with a view toward the efficient and expedient resolution of cases”); ECF No. 12 (“Plaintiff
shall file a motion to reverse and/or remand and a supporting memorandum of law on or before FEBRUARY 5,
2018. Defendant shall file a motion to affirm or a motion for voluntary remand on or before APRIL 6, 2018.
Plaintiff may file a reply brief pursuant to Local Rule 7(d) on or before APRIL 20, 2018 . . . Motions filed by the
parties must comply with the requirements set forth above and in the Local Rules of Civil Procedure. Failure to
comply may result in denial of the motion.”).
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Security regulations and a vocational specialist certified him for a limited range of light work.
The Commissioner further argues that Mr. Sennello’s mental health issues only mildly limit him.
Mr. Sennello has not responded to the Commissioner’s arguments, but, based on a review
of the entire record, the Court agrees with the Commissioner.
A.
Medical Impairments
As an initial matter, the Court has limited jurisdiction to review the
Commissioner’s conclusion. Cage v. Comm’r of Soc. Sec., 692 F.3d 118, 122 (2d Cir.
2012) (“In our review, we defer to the Commissioner’s resolution of conflicting
evidence”); Smith v. Berryhill, 740 Fed. App’x. 721, 726 (summary order) (same). An
ALJ decision “may be set aside only due to legal error or if it is not supported by
substantial evidence.” Crossman v. Astrue, 783 F. Supp. 2d 300, 302–03 (D. Conn.
2010). “[S]ubstantial evidence” is less than a preponderance of the evidence, but “more
than a mere scintilla.” Richardson v. Perales, 402 U.S. 389, 401 (1971). Here, there is no
evidence of legal error and there is substantial evidence to support the conclusion.
The Commissioner argues that the ALJ considered and rejected Mr. Sennello’s
arguments regarding both sub-section 1.02 and 2.04 of the appendix to the Social
Security regulations for two reasons: First, Mr. Sennello’s subjective complaints lacked
credibility. Second, there was insufficient evidence of disability.
According to Mr. Sennello’s Pre-Hearing Memorandum, Mr. Sennello’s physical
injuries have led to a reduced strength and range of motion in his back, neck, legs, and
arms, which meets the criteria for a severe medical condition under 1.04(A). ECF No. 107, at 62. Alternatively, Mr. Sennello claims that he is unable to meet the demands of his
past or any other work due to his medical conditions. Id. at 63. Mr. Sennello argued that
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he was cannot undertake his former job as a material handler lifting up to fifty pounds
during the twelve-hour shifts. He asserted an inability to walk, climb, and stand, as
required by the job, because of his physical pain. Id.
There is nothing in the record, however, to indicate that the ALJ’s conclusion was
unreasonable. First, “[c]redibility findings of an ALJ are entitled to great deference and therefore
can be reversed only if they are patently unreasonable.” Pietrunti v. Director, Office of Workers’
Comp. Programs, 119 F.3d 1035, 1042 (2d Cir. 1997). Before the hearing, Mr. Sennello argued
that he was unable to work because his physical injuries reduced his strength and range of
motion in his neck, back, arms, and legs. ECF No. 10-7, at 62. At the hearing, a vocational expert
testified that there are jobs Mr. Sennello can do, consistent with his physical limitations. ECF
No. 10-3, at 73. Within the contours of this dispute, the ALJ may conclude that one medical
source is more credible than another. And, because Mr. Sennello has not responded, there is no
basis for the Court to doubt the credibility of the vocational expert. See Cage, 692 F.3d at 122
(“In our review, we defer to the Commissioner’s resolution of conflicting evidence”); Matta v.
Astrue, 508 Fed. App’x 53, 56 (2d Cir. 2013) (summary order) (“Although the ALJ’s conclusion
may not perfectly correspond with any of the opinions of medical sources cited in his decision,
he was entitled to weigh all of the evidence available to make an RFC finding that was consistent
with the record as a whole.”).
Second, there is insufficient evidence that Mr. Sennello has a disabling injury.
Under Social Security regulations, an individual must have “[m]ajor dysfunction of a
joint” and “gross anatomical deformity” coupled with “stiffness with signs of a limitation
of motion or other abnormal motion of the affected joint.” 20 C.F.R., Part 404, Subpart P,
App’x, 1.02. Alternatively, a disorder of the spine “resulting in compromise of the nerve
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root [or] spinal cord” with evidence of “nerve root compression . . . accompanied by
sensory or reflexive loss” or “[s]pinal arachnoiditis” or “[l]umbar spinal stenosis” can
make someone eligible for Social Security disability benefits. 20 C.F.R., Part 404,
Subpart P, App’x, 1.04.
Here, while Mr. Sennello testified that his injuries limited his strength and range
of motion, see ECF No. 10-7, at 62, he has cited no evidence of the “gross anatomical
deformity” or any of the spinal conditions required by the regulations. See 20 C.F.R., Part
404, Subpart P, App’x, 1.02, 1.04. To the contrary, at the time of the ALJ determination,
Mr. Sennello received unemployment benefits, which means that, by his own account,
Mr. Sennello was both willing and able to work. ECF No. 10-3, at 49. Mr. Sennello also
testified that he could drive, dress himself, bathe himself, groom himself, do laundry, go
grocery shopping, clean the house, and care for his disabled wife Id. at 49–50, 53. Given
Mr. Sennello’s own testimony, there is an insufficient basis for this Court to overturn the
ALJ’s evidentiary conclusions. See Cage, 692 F.3d at 122 (“we defer to the
Commissioner’s resolution of conflicting evidence”). As a result, there is not substantial
objective medical evidence to overturn the ALJ’s conclusions.
B.
Alternative Work Plaintiff Could Perform
As for Step Five, Mr. Sennello’s own testimony provides substantial evidence that there
is other work he could perform. He testified to an ability to work part-time, drive, dress himself,
bathe himself, and groom himself, even though he experiences difficulty in completing some
household chores. ECF No. 15, at 7; see also ECF No. 10-3, at 24 (“In activities of daily living,
the claimant has a mild restriction . . . he uses public transportation, can leave his home
independently, goes grocery shopping in stores, can independently manage his personal care and
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grooming, and uses the internet . . . He also helps care for his disabled wife, can manage his own
finances, and is able to drive.).
Moreover, a vocational expert testified to Mr. Sennello’s ability to work as an assembler,
small products packer, or sorter. ECF No. 10-3, at 71–74. While Mr. Sennello raises issues with
the use of a vocational expert and the bases for any expert testimony provided, the vocational
expert opined only about jobs Mr. Sennello could perform, consistent with physical limitations
expressed by him and supported by the medical evidence in the record. Id.
Accordingly, based on Mr. Sennello’s limited need for assistance in day-to-day activities
and the vocational expert’s testimony of his ability to work, the ALJ’s prior finding that Mr.
Sennello did not meet the threshold for Social Security benefits is affirmed. See Barry v. Colvin,
606 F. App’x 621, 622 (2d Cir. 2015) (summary order) (“A lack of supporting evidence on a
matter for which the claimant bears the burden of proof, particularly when coupled with other
inconsistent record evidence, can constitute substantial evidence supporting a denial of
benefits.”); Matta, 508 Fed. App’x at 56 (“Although the ALJ’s conclusion may not perfectly
correspond with any of the opinions of medical sources cited in his decision, he was entitled to
weigh all of the evidence available to make an RFC finding that was consistent with the record
as a whole.”).
IV.
CONCLUSION
For the foregoing reasons, the Court GRANTS Defendant’s motion to affirm the
Commissioner’s decision.
SO ORDERED at Bridgeport, Connecticut, this 22nd day of January 2019.
/s/ Victor A. Bolden
VICTOR A. BOLDEN
UNITED STATES DISTRICT JUDGE
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