Fields v. Commissioner of Social Security

Filing 17

ORDER affirming the Commissioner's decision and directing the clerk to enter judgment in favor of the Commissioner and close the file. Signed by Magistrate Judge Patricia D. Barksdale on 9/14/2017. (BGK)

United States District Court
Middle District of Florida
Jacksonville Division
TAMMY LORRAINE FIELDS,
Plaintiff,
v.

NO. 3:16-CV-698-J-PDB

COMMISSIONER OF SOCIAL SECURITY,
Defendant.

Order Affirming Commissioner’s Decision
This is a case under 42 U.S.C. § 405(g) to review a final decision of the
Commissioner of Social Security denying Tammy Fields’s claim for disability
insurance benefits.1 She seeks reversal, Doc. 15; the Commissioner, affirmance, Doc.
16.

1The

Social Security Administration uses an administrative review process a
claimant ordinarily must follow to receive benefits or judicial review of their denial.
Bowen v. City of New York, 476 U.S. 467, 471−72 (1986). A state agency acting under
the Commissioner’s authority makes an initial determination. 20 C.F.R.
§§ 404.900−404.906. If dissatisfied with the initial determination, the claimant may
ask for reconsideration. 20 C.F.R. §§ 404.907−404.918. If dissatisfied with the
reconsideration determination, the claimant may ask for a hearing before an
Administrative Law Judge (“ALJ”). 20 C.F.R. §§ 404.929−404.943. If dissatisfied with
the ALJ’s decision, the claimant may ask for review by the Appeals Council. 20 C.F.R.
§§ 404.967−404.982. If the Appeals Council denies review, the claimant may file an
action in federal district court. 20 C.F.R. § 404.981. Title 42 U.S.C. § 405(g) provides
the basis for the court’s jurisdiction.
The Commissioner substantially revised the regulations on the consideration
of medical evidence for claims filed on or after March 27, 2017. See 82 Fed. Reg. 584401, 5844 (Jan. 18, 2017). Because Fields filed her claim before that date, all citations

I.

Issues
Fields presents two issues: (1) whether substantial evidence supports the

Administrative Law Judge’s (“ALJ’s”) evaluation of her treatment records and the
opinions of treating physician Dr. Luiz Massa; and (2) whether substantial evidence
supports the hypothetical he presented to the vocational expert (“VE”). Doc. 15 at 10–
12.
II.

Background
Fields was born in 1963 and last worked in October 2012. Tr. 155, 190. She has

experience as a data-entry specialist. Tr. 190–91. She alleges she became disabled in
October 2012 from arthritis; asthma; anxiety; depression; a back injury; tail bone,
hip, and neck pain; carpal tunnel syndrome; and bone spurs in her back, neck, and
tail bone. Tr. 189. She is insured through 2017.2 Tr. 182. She proceeded through the
administrative process, failing at each level. Tr. 1–7, 8–31, 72–100, 104–09. This case
followed. Doc. 1.
III.

Evidence
This order adopts the summaries of facts in the ALJ’s decision, Tr. 16–22, and

the parties’ briefs, Doc. 15 at 3–8; Doc. 16 at 2–3. Some of the evidence is set forth in
more detail here.
In April 2014, kinesiotherapist3 Greg Kelly completed a functional capacity
evaluation of Fields. Tr. 842–44. He indicated Fields cannot perform even sedentary

are to the regulations in effect on the date of the ALJ’s decision unless otherwise
stated.
2The

ALJ states Fields is insured through 2016. Tr. 11, 13. Earnings records
appear to indicate Fields is insured through 2017. See Tr. 157, 166, 168, 182. Fields
does not raise this as an issue, and it does not appear to matter to the outcome.
3Following

the evaluator’s name is the abbreviation “KT,” which likely stands
for “kinesiotherapist.” See United Spinal Ass’n, Alphabetical Listing of Medical
2

activity, defined as “Exerting up to 10 lbs. of force occasionally. Frequent and
constant negligible.” Tr. 842. He noted that, on a scale of 0 to 10—with 0 being no
pain, 1 to 3 indicating mild pain, 4 to 6 indicating moderate pain, 7 to 9 indicating
intense pain, and 10 indicating an emergency—Fields reported pre- and post-testing
pain levels of 7, her lowest pain level was a 2, and her worst pain was an 8. Tr. 843.
Grip-strength testing showed a 27-percent strength deficit in her right hand and a
14-percent deficit in her left. Tr. 843. He opined she should avoid floor-to-knuckle, 12inch-to-knuckle, and shoulder-to-overhead lifting; bending; squatting; kneeling;
crawling; twisting; climbing stairs or ladders; and driving a standard-transmission
car. Tr. 844. He opined she could occasionally carry and lift negligible weight from
knuckle to shoulder height, occasionally push and pull 1 to 10 force pounds,
occasionally stoop, and frequently reach. Tr. 844. He opined she could perform gross
and fine hand and foot movement. Tr. 844. He opined she could sit for for 45 minutes
at a time, and 3 to 4 hours total; stand for 30 minutes at a time, and 1 to 2 hours
total; walk for 15 minutes at a time, and 0 to 1 hour total; and drive an automatictransmission car for 30 minutes at a time, and 0 to 1 hours total. Tr. 844.
In a section titled “Summary,” Kelly stated:
Ms. Fields indicated multiple areas of pain to be the neck, bilateral
shoulders arms, hands, low back, bilateral hips, bilateral lower
extremities, feet, and reports global fibromyalgia pain symptoms, with
present intense pain rating of 7. She presented at time of testing,
ambulating with assistance of straight cane, due to reported history of
previous falls with lower leg giveaway. She was observed demonstrating
guarding and bracing of the back with intermittent changes of position
from sitting to standing throughout testing for reported disruption of
pain symptoms. The lowest level of pain experienced in the last 30 days
is mild pain rating of 5 [sic], with use of medication, and minimizing or
avoiding activities of daily living that result in aggravation, or increase
of pain symptoms. She claims intense pain level of 8 as the highest level
of pain experienced in the last 30 days with increased functional
activities of daily living, due to spouses medical conditions,
Abbreviations,
available
at
http://www.spinalcord.org/resource-center/askus/
index.php?pg=kb.page&id=1413 (last visited Aug. 24, 2017).
3

undetermined causes associated with onset of increase pain severity, or
changes in weather conditions. Despite moderate to intense pain rating,
the client was able to demonstrate a consistency of performance during
testing, with no overt findings for inappropriate pain focus on pain
assessment questionnaires, observation, and testing, for abnormal pain
symptoms. Maximal and 5-position isometric hand grip test revealed
bilateral hand grip weakness as compared to normal age group mean
handgrip values, with limitations due to reported maximal efforts, with
bilateral hand pain. Testing resulted in mostly expected bell shaped
curvature of the left hand, and reproducibility of values with bilateral
hand grip, suggestive of consistent effort. Functional testing revealed
tolerance to negligible levels of effort and repetitions of material and
non-material handling activities, suggestive of limitations with ability
to safely perform components of even the Sedentary Duty Physical
Demand Level. She would also be limited with ability to participate with
sustained or frequent basis, due to her poor tolerance for prolonged
periods of sitting, standing and walking, from her claims of requiring
intermittent supportive positional lying down, totaling 2-3 hrs., to assist
with management of progressive elevation of pain symptoms throughout
the day. She would also be limited due to reported 3-4 episodic pain
flare-up a month resulting in 6-8 days of incapacitating pain severity.
The client also indicated minimizing or avoiding driving due to pain and
physical limitations. Please refer to functional testing for specific
guidelines, capabilities, or limitations.
Tr. 842 (errors in original). Other comments are difficult to read but appear to largely
track the statements in the summary. See Tr. 843–44. Under a section titled
“Musculoskeletal Screen (Comments),” Kelly stated:
A brief musculoskeletal evaluation was performed with observation of
functional mobility during testing for consistency of effort. Testing
revealed cervical ROM limitations near end ranges with cervical
rotation and lateral bending. She also demonstrate[d] limitations and
guarded functional movements of the low back in all planes of movement
and inability to perform or complete forward bending, squatting or
kneeling due to her reported pain areas of the hips, knees, low back,
lower extremity weakness, and loss of balance.
Tr. 843. He did not perform an endurance test but noted her heart rate during
“limited functional testing was suggestive of no overt de-conditioning.” Tr. 843. In
June 2014, Dr. Massa signed the evaluation above a line labeled “Physicians
Authorization Signature.” Tr. 842.
4

In July 2014, Dr. Massa completed a physical medical source statement. Tr.
838–41. He stated he sees Fields about one to two times a month. Tr. 838. He noted
her symptoms include pain in her neck, arms, hands, low back, hips, legs, and feet,
and she reports “global fibromyalgia.” Tr. 838. He explained a January 2014 x-ray
shows “minimal” disc degeneration at C4/C5; she has a slight osteophyte in her hips;
she had tenderness at the trochanteric bursa (fluid sac between the greater
trochanter (bony protrusion) of the femur and the skin, see STEDMAN’S MEDICAL
DICTIONARY 222, 1639 (William R. Hensyl et al. eds., 25th ed. 1990)) and at 14 of 18
tenderness points; she reports relief with trochanteric bursa injections; her low-back
pain increases with extension; she experiences paraspinal spasms; and she has
tenderness at the sacroiliac joint. Tr. 838.
Dr. Massa opined Fields could walk 5 blocks without rest or severe pain; sit for
20 minutes at a time and about 2 hours total; and stand for 20 minutes at a time and
about 2 hours total. Tr. 839. He opined she would need to be able to shift positions at
will from standing, sitting or walking and would need to walk around periodically
during a workday. Tr. 839. He opined that, due to muscle weakness, chronic fatigue,
pain/parethesias, numbness, and adverse medication effects, she would need to take
unscheduled breaks about every 20 minutes for about 2 to 5 minutes at a time to
stretch. Tr. 839. He opined she must use a cane or other handheld assistive device
due to imbalance. Tr. 840. He opined she could never lift 10 pounds and could rarely
twist, stoop, crouch, climb stairs, and climb ladders. Tr. 840. He opined she could use
her hands for gross and fine manipulation for 100 percent of an 8-hour workday but
could only reach in front of her body or overhead between 34 and 66 percent of a
workday. Tr. 840. He opined she would be off-task for about 20 percent of a workday
but would be capable of low-stress work. Tr. 840. He opined she would have good days
and bad days and would likely miss more than four days of work a month from her
impairments or treatment. Tr. 840.
At a 2014 hearing, Fields testified as follows.
5

She lives in a house with her husband, her 17-year-old daughter, a cat, and
five dogs. Tr. 40. She has a driver’s license but usually only drives two to three times
a week to go to doctor’s appointments, church, the grocery store, and the drug store.
Tr. 41. She attended school through the 12th grade but received a GED. Tr. 42. She
has never received vocational training or attended college. Tr. 42. She stopped
working in October 2012 because she “could no longer do the amount of work that
was expected” due to pain in her hands, shoulders, and back and spasms. Tr. 42–43.
She worked as a data entry specialist. Tr. 43. She spent most of her workdays sitting.
Tr. 44–47. The heaviest item she had to lift was a 45- to 50-pound file box, which she
had to move monthly. Tr. 44–45.
She cannot work because she is in severe pain due to fibromyalgia. Tr. 48. She
also has pain in her hips and tail bone from falling. Tr. 48. She has experienced pain
“for years” but did not know what was wrong until recently. Tr. 48–49. She takes
Lyrica and Percocet, which help but do not eliminate pain. Tr. 49–50. On an average
day, her pain is an 8 on a scale of 1 to 10. Tr. 49–50. Stress exacerbates pain, and
sleep helps relieve it. Tr. 50. She attends physical therapy, which also helps. Tr. 50–
51. Asthma, anxiety, and depression also prevent her from working. Tr. 51. She has
had asthma since she was in a car accident when she was 18, but using a nebulizer
and inhaler help. Tr. 52–53. She has had depression “all [her] life,” but medication
helps. Tr. 53. Even with medication, her depression and anxiety prevent her from
leaving her house most of the time; if she gets out of her routine, she “get[s] real
shaky” and cannot be around crowds. Tr. 53. She experiences some side effects from
medication, but they do not bother her. Tr. 54.
She can sit for 10 to 15 minutes before she needs to stand, and she can stand
for only 10 or 15 minutes. Tr. 54–55. She can walk only about 30 feet due to instability
arising from her hip, tailbone, and lumbar pain. Tr. 55–56. She has used a cane since
she applied for disability benefits, but not one prescribed it to her; she uses it because
she feels unstable. Tr. 55. She cannot lift more than 5 or 10 pounds. Tr. 56. She gets
6

along well with others. Tr. 56. It takes her “a little while to comprehend things,” and
she has trouble following longer conversations. Tr. 56. She has always had that
difficulty. Tr. 56. She can “sometimes” follow the storyline of a 30-minute television
show. Tr. 56–57. Her memory is “getting worse,” but she remembers to take
medication daily. Tr. 57.
In a typical day, her feet hurt as soon as she wakes up. Tr. 57. She makes a pot
of coffee, sits down, and reads daily scriptures. Tr. 57. She goes outside to feed her
dogs but must hold onto things to keep from falling. Tr. 57. She comes back inside,
watches television, and makes food for herself. Tr. 57. She then takes a nap because
her body “shuts down.” Tr. 57. She usually cooks easy meals, and her daughter helps
with cooking. Tr. 58. She does not cut things like potatoes or onions because she is
afraid she will cut herself. Tr. 58. Her husband and daughter help with cleaning and
laundry. Tr. 58. She goes grocery shopping by holding onto the shopping cart, and it
is “a lot on” her. Tr. 58. She has no hobbies. Tr. 58. Her family comes from Lakeland,
Florida, to visit her. Tr. 59. She has few friends but will occasionally go to neighbors’
houses “around the corner.” Tr. 59. She does not use a computer and uses her phone
only to call her husband and text her children. Tr. 59. She attends church weekly but
is not involved with church activities. Tr. 59. She and her husband occasionally go
out for dinner. Tr. 59. She performs physical therapy exercises on her bed but does
nothing else to exercise. Tr. 60. She will sometimes play with and talk to her dogs
outside. Tr. 60.
Her pain began when she fell in 2010 or 2011. Tr. 61. She has fallen “maybe
four” times. Tr. 61. Dr. Massa said using the cane was “fine.” Tr. 61–62. She has to
lie down or recline many times throughout the day. Tr. 63. Her body typically “shuts
down” at around 2:00 p.m., at which point she must lie in bed. Tr. 63.
The ALJ asked a VE to consider a hypothetical person with Fields’s work
history who could lift, carry, push, and pull 20 pounds occasionally and 10 pounds
frequently; could sit for up to 6 hours, stand for up to 6 hours, and walk for up to 6
7

hours; could occasionally use hand and food controls; could occasionally reach
overhead; could frequently handle, finger, and feel; could occasionally climb ramps
and stairs; could not climb ladders or scaffolds; could frequently balance, stoop, and
crouch; could occasionally kneel; could never crawl; should not work around
unprotected heights or moving mechanical parts; should avoid concentrated exposure
to humidity, wetness, dust, fumes, and gases; should avoid temperature extremes;
could perform simple tasks with simple work-related decision-making; should have
no more than occasional interaction with supervisors, coworkers, and the public; and
whose time off-task would be accommodated by normal breaks. Tr. 66. The VE
responded that person could not perform Fields’s past work but could perform jobs
such as bench assembler, electronics worker, and inspector. Tr. 66–67.
The ALJ asked the VE to consider a hypothetical person with the same
limitations but who would need a sit/stand option allowing her to change positions at
least every 30 minutes for a brief (3- to 4-minute) period of time. Tr. 67–68. The VE
responded all three of the jobs would be available but reduced by about 75 percent.
Tr. 68. The VE testified that, as reduced, there are 720 bench assembler jobs in
Florida and 21,000 in the United States; 450 electronics worker jobs in Florida and
9700 in the United States; and 3500 inspector and hand packager jobs in Florida and
81,000 in the United States. Tr. 68.
The ALJ asked the VE to consider a hypothetical person with the same
limitations as the second hypothetical but who could perform only sedentary work.
Tr. 68. The VE responded that person could perform two jobs: document preparer
(2300 in Florida; 98,000 in the United States) and file assembler (200 in Florida; 6600
in the United States). Tr. 68–69. The ALJ asked whether a hypothetical person with
those limitations who also required frequent 20-minute breaks could perform
competitive employment. Tr. 69. The VE responded no. Tr. 69.
Fields’s counsel asked the VE to consider a hypothetical person with the same
restrictions as the third hypothetical but who could rarely lift less than 10 pounds.
8

Tr. 70. The VE responded there would be no available jobs. Tr. 70. Counsel asked
about the effect of being off-task for 20 percent or more of the workday. Tr. 70. The
VE responded that “would eliminate competitive work.” Tr. 70. The VE also testified
an employee can be absent at most one day a month. Tr. 70.
IV.

ALJ’s Decision
At step one,4 the ALJ found Fields has not engaged in substantial gainful

activity since October 5, 2012. Tr. 13.
At step two, the ALJ found Fields suffers from severe impairments of cervical
disc disease, lumbar disc disease, degenerative joint disease of the right hip,
fibromyalgia, asthma, generalized anxiety, and depressive disorder. Tr. 13.
At step three, the ALJ found Fields has no impairment or combination of
impairments that meets or medically equals the severity of any listed impairment in
20 C.F.R. Part 404, Subpart P, Appendix 1. Tr. 14. He particularly considered listings
12.04 (affective disorders) and 12.06 (anxiety disorders). Tr. 14. He considered the
“paragraph B”5 criteria to determine if Fields’s mental impairments meet or equal

4The

Social Security Administration uses a five-step sequential process to
decide if a person is disabled, asking whether (1) she is engaged in substantial gainful
activity, (2) she has a severe impairment or combination of impairments, (3) the
impairment meets or equals the severity of anything in the Listing of Impairments,
20 C.F.R. Part 404, Subpart P, App’x 1, (4) she can perform any of her past relevant
work given her residual functional capacity (“RFC”), and (5) there are a significant
number of jobs in the national economy she can perform given her RFC, age,
education, and work experience. 20 C.F.R. § 404.1520(a)(4).
5The

criteria in paragraph B are used to assess functional limitations imposed
by medically determinable mental impairments. 20 C.F.R. Part 404, Subpart P, App’x
1 § 12.00(C). Paragraph B requires a disorder of medically documented persistence
resulting in at least two of the following: (1) marked restriction of activities of daily
living; (2) marked difficulty maintaining social functioning; (3) marked difficulty
maintaining concentration, persistence, or pace; and (4) repeated episodes of
decompensation, each of extended duration. 20 C.F.R. Part 404, Subpart P, App’x 1,
§§ 12.04, 12.06.
9

the criteria of a listing. Tr. 14–15. He found Fields has a mild restriction in activities
of daily living; moderate difficulties in social functioning; and moderate difficulties
maintaining concentration, persistence, and pace; and has had no episode of
decompensation of extended duration. Tr. 14–15. He also considered the “paragraph
C”6 criteria and found Fields does not meet them. Tr. 15.
After stating he had considered the entire record, the ALJ found Fields has the
residual functional capacity (“RFC”) to perform light work7 as defined in 20 C.F.R.
§ 404.1567(b) with additional limitations:
[T]he claimant can lift/carry 20 pounds occasionally, 10 pounds
frequently. The claimant can sit, stand, and walk, each, for up to six
hours. The claimant can push and pull as much as she can lift and carry.
The claimant can occasionally use hand controls and perform occasional
overhead reaching; the claimant can frequently perform handling,
fingering, and feeling. The claimant can occasionally climb ramps and
stairs. The claimant should never climb ladders or scaffolds. The
claimant can frequently balance, stoop, and crouch. The claimant can
occasionally kneel but never crawl. The claimant should not work
around heights or moving mechanical parts. The claimant should avoid
concentrated exposure to humidity, wetness, gas, fumes, and dust. The
claimant should avoid any environments where there are temperature
extremes. The claimant is limited to simple tasks and simple work
related decisions with no more than occasional interaction with
supervisors, co-workers, and the public. Time off task would be
accommodated by normal breaks. The claimant requires a sit or stand
option which allows for a change of [position] at least every thirty
[minutes,] and this is a brief positional [sic] lasting no more than three
to four minutes at a time.

6Paragraph

C lists additional functional criteria for some listings. 20 C.F.R.
Part 404, Subpart P, App’x 1 § 12.00(A).
7“Light

work 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).
10

Tr. 15.
The ALJ gave “little weight” to the April 2014 functional capacity evaluation
Dr. Massa signed, observing (1) reports of hand weakness were inconsistent with
records of her performance at a physical therapist’s office; (2) the person who
conducted the testing and initially rendered the opinions was not an acceptable
medical source; (3) Dr. Massa simply “signed off” on the report; (4) the examiner “was
not an independent source” but was associated with the Institute of Pain
Management; (5) the examination “was not a true functional capacity examination”;
and (6) the opinions were “based in large part on minimal objective findings and
copious subjective complaints.” Tr. 20. He also gave little weight to Dr. Massa’s July
2014 physical medical source statement to the extent it conflicted with the RFC,
observing (1) Dr. Massa opined Fields needed a cane but noted he did not prescribe
one; and (2) the limitations are “based almost exclusively on the claimant’s subjective
complaints, as the statement itself acknowledges minimal degenerative changes.” Tr.
20.
The ALJ gave little weight to Fields’s subjective complaints. Tr. 21. He
explained:
[D]ue to the nature of the claimant’s primary impairment of
fibromyalgia, the lack of objective evidence, including mild imaging and
the benign clinical findings cannot be the Agency’s primary
considerations, though they are certainly a factor in the analysis.
Consistent with SSR 12-2p, the undersigned has considered all of the
evidence in the case record, including the claimant’s alleged daily
activities, medications or other treatments used to alleviate symptoms,
the nature and frequency of the person’s attempts to obtain medical
treatment for symptoms, and statements by other people about the
person’s symptoms.
Tr. 21. He then observed Fields has almost exclusively been treated with medication
until she began physical therapy, which she reported provided “good relief.” Tr. 21.

11

He observed other evidence in the record was inconsistent with her reports of limited
activities of daily living. Tr. 22.8
At steps four and five, the ALJ found Fields cannot perform her past relevant
work9 but can perform jobs the vocational expert identified (bench assembler,
electronics worker, and inspector/hand packager) and those jobs exist in significant
numbers in the national economy. Tr. 22–24. He therefore found no disability. Tr. 24.
V.

Standard of Review
A court’s review of an ALJ’s decision is limited to determining whether the ALJ

applied the correct legal standards and whether substantial evidence supports his
findings. Moore v. Barnhart, 405 F.3d 1208, 1211 (11th Cir. 2005). Substantial

8Social

Security Ruling (“SSR”) 12-2p, 2012 WL 3104869 (July 25, 2012),
provides the framework for the Social Security Administration’s evaluation of
fibromyalgia. Under SSR 12-2p, once fibromyalgia is found to be a medically
determinable impairment that could cause a claimant’s symptoms, the Social
Security Administration “then evaluate[s] the intensity and persistence of the
person’s pain or any other symptoms and determine[s] the extent to which the
symptoms limit the person’s capacity for work.” Id. at *5. If objective evidence does
not substantiate a claimant’s subjective statements concerning symptoms caused by
fibromyalgia, the Social Security Administration must “consider all of the evidence
in the case record, including the person’s daily activities, medications or other
treatments the person uses, or has used, to alleviate symptoms; the nature and
frequency of the person’s attempts to obtain medical treatment for symptoms; and
statements by other people about the person’s symptoms.” Id. In assessing the
claimant’s residual functional capacity, the Social Security Administration “will
consider a longitudinal record whenever possible because the symptoms of
[fibromyalgia] can wax and wane so that a person may have ‘bad days and good days.’”
Id. at *6.
Fields does not argue the ALJ failed to follow the standards in SSR 12-2p for
evaluating fibromyalgia. See generally Doc. 15.
9“Past

relevant work is work [a claimant has] done within the past 15 years,
that was substantial gainful activity, and that lasted long enough … to learn to do
it.” 20 C.F.R. § 404.1560.

12

evidence is “less than a preponderance”; it is “such relevant evidence as a reasonable
person would accept as adequate to support a conclusion.” Id. A court may not decide
facts anew, reweigh evidence, make credibility determinations, or substitute its
judgment for the Commissioner’s judgment. Id. A court must affirm the ALJ’s
decision if substantial evidence supports it, even if the evidence preponderates
against the factual findings. Martin v. Sullivan, 894 F.2d 1520, 1529 (11th Cir. 1990).
VI.

Analysis

A.

Whether substantial evidence supports the ALJ’s evaluation of opinion
evidence
Fields argues the ALJ erred in failing to give “proper weight” to her extensive

medical records and Dr. Massa’s findings and opinions. Doc. 15 at 10–11. She
observes Dr. Massa’s opinions show she would be unable to perform even sedentary
work, and her “exhaustive medical records” and Kelly’s functional capacity evaluation
support Dr. Massa’s opinions. Doc. 15 at 10–11. The Commissioner disagrees. Doc. 16
at 5–7.
Regardless of its source, the Social Security Administration “will evaluate
every medical opinion” it receives. 20 C.F.R. § 404.1527(c). “Medical opinions are
statements from acceptable medical sources that reflect judgments about the nature
and severity of … impairment(s), including … symptoms, diagnosis and prognosis,
what [one] can still do despite impairment(s), and … physical or mental restrictions.”
20 C.F.R. § 404.1527(a). Diagnoses alone do not establish functional limitations; the
“mere existence” of an impairment does not reveal its effect on a claimant’s ability to
work or undermine RFC findings. Moore v. Barnhart, 405 F.3d 1208, 1213 n.6 (11th
Cir. 2005). Opinions on issues that are dispositive of a case, such as whether a
claimant is disabled or able to work, are not medical opinions because they are
opinions on issues reserved to the Commissioner. 20 C.F.R. § 404.1527(d)(1). An ALJ
“must state with particularity the weight given to different medical opinions and the

13

reasons therefor.” Winschel v. Comm’r of Soc. Sec., 631 F.3d 1176, 1179 (11th Cir.
2011).
The Social Security Administration generally will give more weight to the
medical opinions of treating sources10 because they “are likely to be the medical
professionals most able to provide a detailed, longitudinal picture of [a claimant’s]
medical impairment and may bring a unique perspective to the medical evidence that
cannot be obtained from the objective medical findings alone or from reports of
individual examinations.” 20 C.F.R. § 404.1527(c)(2). An ALJ does not need to give
more weight to a treating source’s opinion if there is good cause to do otherwise and
substantial evidence supports the good cause. Phillips v. Barnhart, 357 F.3d 1232,
1240 (11th Cir. 2004). Good cause exists if the evidence does not bolster the opinion,
the evidence supports a contrary finding, or the opinion is conclusory or inconsistent
with the treating source’s own medical records. Id. at 1240−41.
Unless the Social Security Administration gives a treating source’s opinion
controlling weight, it will consider several factors to decide the weight to give a
medical opinion: examining relationship, treatment relationship, supportability,
consistency, specialization, and any other relevant factor. 20 C.F.R. § 404.1527(c). An
ALJ need not explicitly address each factor. Lawton v. Comm’r of Soc. Sec., 431 F.
App’x 830, 833 (11th Cir. 2011). The Eleventh Circuit has emphasized, “The law is
clear that, although the opinion of an examining physician is generally entitled to
more weight than the opinion of a non-examining physician, the ALJ is free to reject
the opinion of any physician when the evidence supports a contrary conclusion.”
Sryock v. Heckler, 764 F.2d 834, 835 (11th Cir. 1985).

10A

treating source is a physician, psychologist, or other acceptable medical
source who provides medical treatment or evaluation to the claimant and who has, or
has had, an ongoing treatment relationship with the claimant, as established by
medical evidence showing that the claimant sees or has seen the physician with a
frequency consistent with accepted medical practice for the treatment or evaluation
required for the medical condition. 20 C.F.R. § 404.1502.
14

An acceptable medical source is a licensed physician (a medical or osteopathic
doctor), licensed or certified psychologist, licensed optometrist, licensed podiatrist, or
qualified speech-language pathologist. 20 C.F.R. § 404.1513(a). An ALJ may also
consider evidence from other sources not listed as acceptable medical sources,
including nurse practitioners, therapists, social welfare personnel, and friends. 20
C.F.R. § 404.1513(d). That evidence may show the severity of an impairment and how
it affects a claimant’s ability to work but cannot establish the existence of a medically
determinable impairment or constitute a “medical opinion” under the regulations.
Social Security Ruling (“SSR”) 06-03p, 2006 WL 2263437 (Aug. 9, 2006). Opinions
from other sources “are important and should be evaluated on key issues such as
impairment severity and functional effects, along with the other relevant evidence in
the file.” Id. The record “should reflect the consideration of opinions” from other
sources, and the ALJ should explain the weight given to them “or otherwise ensure
that the discussion of the evidence … allows a claimant or subsequent reviewer to
follow [his] reasoning, when such opinions may have an effect on the outcome of the
case.” Id.
Fields asserts the ALJ erred in “ignoring the findings and opinions” of Dr.
Massa and observes that, had the ALJ adopted the limitations Dr. Massa found in
the July 2014 medical source statement, she would have been found disabled. Doc. 15
at 10–11. But she offers virtually no argument why substantial evidence does not
support the ALJ’s decision to reject them. At most, she contends her “exhaustive
medical records” and Kelly’s functional capacity evaluation support Dr. Massa’s
opinions. Doc. 15 at 11. In effect, she asks the Court to provide de novo review of the
evidence, which is not the standard.
In any event, substantial evidence supports the ALJ’s reasons for giving little
weight to both the April 2014 evaluation and the July 2014 medical source statement.
As to the April 2014 evaluation—to the extent Fields challenges the ALJ’s
consideration of it—the ALJ accurately observed a non-acceptable medical source
15

completed the evaluation, see Tr. 842; 20 C.F.R. § 404.1513(a), (d), and Dr. Massey
merely signed off on it in June and completed his own assessment a month later, see
Tr. 841–42. Though the ALJ had to consider the non-acceptable medical source’s
opinions on the severity and effects of Fields’s impairments, he was not required to
give controlling weight to it. See SSR 06-03p, 2006 WL 2263437. He considered the
opinions but gave them little weight for several reasons. He found the examination
“was not a true functional capacity examination.” Tr. 20. Substantial evidence
supports that finding; the report, though mentioning some “limited” functional
testing, includes virtually no test results besides grip-strength testing. See Tr. 842–
44. Without those, it is impossible to judge the examiner’s opinions against those
findings or determine whether his opinions were based on testing. See 20 C.F.R. §
404.1527(c)(3) (“The more a medical source presents relevant evidence to support a
medical opinion, particularly medical signs and laboratory findings, the more weight
we will give that medical opinion. The better an explanation a source provides for a
medical opinion, the more weight we will give that medical opinion.”).
The ALJ also rejected the April 2014 evaluation as “based in large part on
minimal objective findings and copious subjective complaints.” Tr. 20. Substantial
evidence supports that characterization; the report primarily references Fields’s
subjective reports and does not indicate which limitations, if any, are based on
objective functional testing. See Tr. 842–44. Dr. Massa rejected the only limitation
possibly arising from an objective test result (grip weakness). See Tr. 840 (finding
Fields could use her hands for gross and fine manipulation for 100 percent of an 8hour workday). The ALJ gave little weight to Fields’s subjective complaints of
symptoms, observing (1) her course of treatment had been “almost exclusively”
medication until she recently began physical therapy, which she reported provided
“good relief”; (2) she had not consistently sought treatment, as would be expected if
her symptoms were as severe as alleged; and (3) her activities of daily living,
including her involvement in caring for her dogs, were greater than she had indicated.
Tr. 21–22. Fields does not challenge the ALJ’s evaluation of her credibility.
16

The ALJ found the examiner was “not an independent source” because he was
“associated with the Institute of Pain Management.” Tr. 20. Though it is unclear what
the ALJ meant by that statement or why that fact warrants giving less weight to the
opinions, reversal and remand are unwarranted because the ALJ provided other good
reasons for his decision, and Fields has not argued reliance on this reason was
inappropriate or affected the ALJ’s decision. Cf. Shinseki v. Sanders, 556 U.S. 396,
409 (2009) (“[T]he burden of showing that an error is harmful normally falls upon the
party attacking the agency’s determination.”).
The ALJ similarly rejected Dr. Massa’s July 2014 medical source statement
because the limitations “appear to be based almost exclusively on [Fields]’s subjective
complaints, as the statement itself acknowledges minimal degenerative changes.” Tr.
20. Substantial evidence supports that characterization; the only objective evidence
Dr. Massa references in the statement is (1) an x-ray showing “minimal” cervical disc
degeneration and (2) a “slight” osteophyte. Tr. 838. The rest of the statement
discusses only Fields’s complaints of tenderness, pain, and unspecified medication
side effects. See Tr. 838–41.
Fields points to no opinion from any other physician that she contends the ALJ
should have considered but instead simply summarizes her records of treatment with
them showing various diagnoses. See Doc. 15 at 3–8. The ALJ discussed or mentioned
many of those records in his decision. See Tr. 16–19. Because diagnoses alone do not
establish functional limitations and do not undermine an ALJ’s decision, the “mere
existence” of Fields’s impairments does not reveal their effect on her ability to work
or undermine the ALJ’s RFC finding. See Moore, 405 F.3d at 1213 n.6. Regardless,
even accepting that the records she cites could have supported giving more weight to
Dr. Massa’s opinions, Fields has failed to show substantial evidence does not support
the ALJ’s decision to give little weight to them. See Martin v. Sullivan, 894 F.2d 1520,
1529 (11th Cir. 1990) (“Even if the evidence preponderates against the … factual

17

findings, we must affirm if the decision reached is supported by substantial
evidence.”).
Substantial evidence supports the ALJ’s evaluation of Dr. Massa’s opinions
and other evidence. Reversal and remand to reevaluate that evidence are
unwarranted.
B.

Whether substantial evidence supports the hypothetical the ALJ
presented to the VE
Fields argues the ALJ’s decision “was predicated upon a flawed hypothetical”

that did not include limitations Dr. Massa found. Doc. 15 at 11–12. The Commissioner
responds substantial evidence supports “the ALJ’s RFC finding and hypothetical
questions derived from the RFC,” and Fields has not identified any other error. Doc.
16 at 7–8.
At step five, an ALJ must decide whether a significant number of one or more
jobs that the claimant can perform exist in the national economy. 20 C.F.R.
§ 404.1566(b). An ALJ may use a vocational expert’s testimony for that
determination. Winschel, 631 F.3d at 1180. For a vocational expert’s testimony to be
substantial evidence, the ALJ must pose a hypothetical question that includes all of
the claimant’s impairments. Id. An ALJ is “not required to include findings in the
hypothetical that [she] had properly rejected as unsupported.” Crawford v. Comm’r
of Soc. Sec., 363 F.3d 1155, 1161 (11th Cir. 2004).
Because substantial evidence supports the ALJ’s decision to give little weight
to Dr. Massa’s opinions, he was not required to include limitations from those
opinions in the RFC evaluation. The VE’s testimony in response to a hypothetical
mirroring that RFC provided substantial evidence for the ALJ’s finding Fields could

18

perform available jobs. Reversal and remand based on an allegedly incomplete
hypothetical are unwarranted.11

11Fields

appears to take issue with several other aspects of the ALJ’s decision.
She developed no argument as to any of them. Rejection of them is warranted for that
reason alone. See Doc. 12 (“The Court will deem waived any issue that the plaintiff
does not raise or fully brief (i.e. provide more than just a summary contention) unless
the interests of justice require its consideration.”). In any event, none have merit.
Fields appears to suggest the ALJ reached a decision “as directed” by the grids.
Doc. 15 at 1. The ALJ did not rely on the grids; instead, he observed that, if she could
perform the full range of light work, the grids would compel a “not disabled” finding,
but because she has additional limitations, he relied on VE testimony. Tr. 23.
Fields argues the ALJ stated her ability to perform light work was “impeded
by additional limitations” but failed to identify or describe those limitations. Doc. 15
at 2. That argument fails; the ALJ provided a detailed RFC finding that included
limitations restricting her to less than the full range of light work. Tr. 15.
Fields argues the ALJ did not address or reference any hand limitations. Doc.
15 at 2, 5. The ALJ noted Kelly’s finding Fields had reduced grip strength but
observed that finding was inconsistent with other medical records. Tr. 20. Moreover,
Dr. Massa opined Fields could perform gross and fine manipulation for 100 percent
of an 8-hour workday. Tr. 840. The ALJ implicitly adopted that finding. See Tr. 20
(giving little weight to Dr. Massa’s opinions “that are not consistent with the [RFC].”).
Fields argues the ALJ did not acknowledge her testimony that she is unable to
sit for prolonged periods. Doc. 15 at 3. The ALJ stated he considered all of her
testimony, see Tr. 20, but he implicitly rejected it in finding she could sit for up to 6
hours in an 8-hour workday but would require a sit/stand option allowing her to
change positions every 30 minutes. Tr. 15.
Fields argues the ALJ did not assess her purported need for a cane. Doc. 15 at
7. The ALJ addressed and rejected that limitation, observing Fields admitted no
doctor prescribed a cane, and she used it only when she subjectively believed she
needed to. Tr. 20–21.
19

VII.

Conclusion
The Court affirms the Commissioner’s decision and directs the clerk to enter

judgment in favor of the Commissioner and close the file.
Ordered in Jacksonville, Florida, on September 14, 2017.

c:

Counsel of Record

20