Gramley v. Commissioner of Social Security
Filing
24
OPINION AND ORDER. The decision of the Commissioner is REVERSED AND REMANDED. The Clerk of the Court is directed to enter judgment consistent with this opinion and, thereafter, to close the file. Signed by Magistrate Judge Douglas N. Frazier on 9/19/2016. (CAS)
UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
MIDDLE DISTRICT OF FLORIDA
TAMPA DIVISION
DENISE GRAMLEY,
Plaintiff,
v.
Case No:
8:15-cv-1041-T-DNF
COMMISSIONER OF SOCIAL
SECURITY,
Defendant.
_____________________________
OPINION AND ORDER
Plaintiff, Denise Gramley, seeks judicial review of the final decision of the Commissioner
of the Social Security Administration (“SSA”) denying her claim for Disability Insurance Benefits
(“DIB”) and Supplemental Security Income (“SSI”). The Commissioner filed the Transcript of
the proceedings (hereinafter referred to as “Tr.” followed by the appropriate page number) and the
parties filed legal memoranda in support of their positions. For the reasons set out herein, the
decision of the Commissioner is REVERSED AND REMANDED pursuant to 42 U.S.C. §
405(g).
I.
Social Security Act Eligibility, Standard of Review, Procedural History, and the
ALJ’s Decision
A. Social Security Act Eligibility
The law defines disability as the 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. 42 U.S.C. §§ 416(i), 423(d)(1)(A), 1382(a)(3)(A); 20 C.F.R. §§ 404.1505, 416.905. The
impairment must be severe, making the claimant unable to do her previous work, or any other
substantial gainful activity which exists in the national economy. 42 U.S.C. §§ 423(d)(2),
1382(a)(3); 20 C.F.R. §§ 404.1505-404.1511, 416.905-416.911.
B. Standard of Review
The Commissioner’s findings of fact are conclusive if supported by substantial evidence.
42 U.S.C. § 405 (g). “Substantial evidence is more than a scintilla and is such relevant evidence
as a reasonable person would accept as adequate support to a conclusion. Even if the evidence
preponderated against the Commissioner’s findings, we must affirm if the decision reached is
supported by substantial evidence.” Crawford v. Comm’r, 363 F.3d 1155, 1158 (11th Cir. 2004)
(citing Lewis v. Callahan, 125 F.3d 1436, 1439 (11th Cir. 1997)); Martin v. Sullivan, 894 F.2d
1520, 1529 (11th Cir. 1990). In conducting this review, this Court may not reweigh the evidence
or substitute its judgment for that of the ALJ, but must consider the evidence as a whole, taking
into account evidence favorable as well as unfavorable to the decision. Martin v. Sullivan, 894
F.2d 1329, 1330 (11th Cir. 2002); Foote v. Chater, 67 F.3d 1553, 1560 (11th Cir. 1995). However,
the District Court will reverse the Commissioner’s decision on plenary review if the decision
applied incorrect law, or if the decision fails to provide sufficient reasoning to determine that the
Commissioner properly applied the law. Keeton v. Dep’t. of Health & Human Servs., 21 F.3d
1064, 1066 (11th Cir. 1994). The Court reviews de novo the conclusions of law made by the
Commissioner of Social Security in a disability benefits case. 42 U.S.C. § 405(g).
The ALJ must follow five steps in evaluating a claim of disability. 20 C.F.R. §§ 404.1520,
416.920. At step one, the claimant must prove that she is not undertaking substantial gainful
employment.
Doughty v. Apfel, 245 F.3d 1274, 1278 (11th Cir. 2001); see 20 C.F.R. §
404.1520(a)(4)(i). If a claimant is engaging in any substantial gainful activity, she will be found
not disabled. 20 C.F.R. § 404.1520(a)(4)(i).
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At step two, the claimant must prove that she is suffering from a severe impairment or
combination of impairments. Doughty, 245 F.3d at 1278; 20 C.F.R. § 1520(a)(4)(ii). If the
claimant’s impairment or combination of impairments does not significantly limit her physical or
mental ability to do basic work activities, the ALJ will find that the impairment is not severe, and
the claimant will be found not disabled. 20 C.F.R. § 1520(c).
At step three, the claimant must prove that her impairment meets or equals one of
impairments listed in 20 C.F.R. Pt. 404, Subpt. P. App. 1. Doughty, 245 F.3d at 1278; 20 C.F.R.
§ 1520(a)(4)(iii). If she meets this burden, she will be considered disabled without consideration
of age, education and work experience. Doughty, 245 F.3d at 1278.
At step four, if the claimant cannot prove that her impairment meets or equals one of the
impairments listed in Appendix 1, she must prove that her impairment prevents her from
performing her past relevant work. Id. At this step, the ALJ will consider the claimant’s RFC and
compare it with the physical and mental demands of her past relevant work. 20 C.F.R. §§
1520(a)(4)(iv), 1520(f). If the claimant can still perform her past relevant work, then she will not
be found disabled. Id.
At step five, the burden shifts to the Commissioner to prove that the claimant is capable of
performing other work available in the national economy, considering the claimant’s RFC, age,
education, and past work experience. Doughty, 245 F.3d at 1278; 20 C.F.R. § 1520(a)(4)(v). If
the claimant is capable of performing other work, she will be found not disabled. Id. In
determining whether the Commissioner has met this burden, the ALJ must develop a full and fair
record regarding the vocational opportunities available to the claimant. Allen v. Sullivan, 880 F.2d
1200, 1201 (11th Cir. 1989). There are two ways in which the ALJ may make this determination.
The first is by applying the Medical Vocational Guidelines (“the Grids”), and the second is by the
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use of a vocational expert (“VE”). Phillips v. Barnhart, 357 F.3d 1232, 1239 (11th Cir. 2004).
Only after the Commissioner meets this burden does the burden shift back to the claimant to show
that she is not capable of performing the “other work” as set forth by the Commissioner. Doughty
v. Apfel, 245 F.3d at 1278 n.2.
C. Procedural History
Plaintiff filed applications for DIB and SSI on December 30, 2011, alleging disability
beginning July 30, 2010 (Tr. 179-92, 201). Plaintiff later amended her alleged onset date to April
15, 2012. (Tr. 29). Plaintiff’s applications were denied initially on May 9, 2012, and upon
reconsideration on June 11, 2012. (Tr. 105-09, 111-16, 120-24, 126-30). Plaintiff requested a
hearing and, on October 30, 2013, a hearing was held before Administrative Law Judge Arline
Colon. (Tr. 25-60). On December 11, 2013, the ALJ entered her decision finding that Plaintiff
was not disabled. (Tr. 9-24). Plaintiff requested review of the hearing decision and, on February
27, 2015, the Appeals Council denied Plaintiff’s request for review. (Tr. 1-6). Accordingly, the
ALJ’s decision became the Commissioner’s final decision. Plaintiff initiated the instant action by
Complaint (Doc. 1) filed on April 30, 2015.
D. Summary of the ALJ’s Decision
At step one of the sequential evaluation, the ALJ found that Plaintiff had not engaged in
substantial gainful activity since April 15, 2012, the alleged onset date. (Tr. 14). At step two, the
ALJ found that Plaintiff has the following severe impairments: asthma, chronic obstructive
pulmonary disease (COPD), and disorders of the spine. (Tr. 14). At step three, the ALJ determined
that Plaintiff did not have an impairment or combination of impairments that meets or medically
equals the severity of any of the listed impairments in 20 CFR Part 404, Subpart P, Appendix 1.
(Tr. 15).
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Before proceeding to step four, the ALJ determined that Plaintiff had the residual
functional capacity (“RFC”) to “perform light work as defined in 20 CFR 404.1567(b) and
416.967(b) with the following exceptions: The claimant can occasionally kneel, crouch, crawl,
stoop, balance, and climb ramps, stairs, ladders, ropes and scaffolds. She can occasionally reach
overhead. The claimant should avoid concentrated exposure to dust, fumes, and gases.” (Tr. 15).
At step four, based on the testimony of the VE who testified at the hearing, the ALJ found that
Plaintiff is able to perform her past relevant work as a cashier, deli clerk, and loan clerk as actually
and generally performed. (Tr. 19). The ALJ did not proceed to the fifth step, concluding that
Plaintiff was not under a disability from April 15, 2012, through the date of the ALJ’s decision,
December 11, 2013. (Tr. 19).
II.
Analysis
On appeal, Plaintiff argues that the ALJ erred in the weight he assigned to the opinions of
Plaintiff’s treating specialist, Ashraf Ragab, M.D., and chiropractor, Todd Cielo, D.C.
Specifically, Plaintiff contends that the ALJ failed to provide good, specific, supported reasons for
discounting the opinions of Dr. Ragab and Dr. Cielo. (Doc. 16 p. 12). In response, Defendant
argues that the ALJ properly discounted the opinions of Dr. Ragab and Dr. Cielo, and the ALJ’s
finding was supported by substantial evidence. (Doc. 19 p. 5-15). The Court will analyze the
ALJ’s treatment of the opinions of Dr. Ragab and Dr. Cielo separately.
a) Dr. Ragab
The record shows that on April 29, 2013, Plaintiff presented to Dr. Ragab with complaints
of worsening pain since her car accident a year earlier. (Tr. 542). Plaintiff indicated that physical
therapy had only worsened her pain, so she was only receiving massage therapy. (Tr. 542). On
examination Dr. Ragab noted tenderness and muscle spasms of the bilateral trapezii, restricted
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lateral flexion and rotation bilaterally, diffuse tenderness along the lumbar spine midline
bilaterally, and diminished sensation of the bilateral forearms and thighs. (Tr. 543). Dr. Ragab’s
findings related to Plaintiff’s thoracic and lumbar spine were normal, including full range of
motion, no muscle spasm, full, muscle strength, normal tone, and no instability. (Tr. 543). Plaintiff
had some diminished light touch perception in her forearms and thighs, but Dr. Ragab found intact
motor and normal sensation in the shoulder girdle and arms; normal range of motion, muscle
strength and tone, and stability in the wrists and hands; and normal knee, lower leg, ankle, and foot
findings, including normal range of motion, muscle strength, tone, and stability. (Tr. 543). Dr.
Ragab’s impression was that Plaintiff had severe neck pain as the result of an automobile accident,
a significant anterolisthesis of C6 on C7, evidence of spinal listhesis at L4-5 along with stenosis
at L5-S1, as well as a significant amount of fluid within the L4-5 facet joints. (Tr. 544). Dr.
Ragab’s findings were largely the same during a follow up visit on May 15, 2013. (Tr. 539-41).
Dr. Ragab completed a Physical Residual Functional Capacity Questionnaire on November
20, 2013. (Tr. 658-62). He indicated that Plaintiff could walk one city block without rest or severe
pain, could sit for ten minutes at a time and for a total of less than two hours in an eight-hour day,
stand for five minutes at a time and for a total of less than two hours in an eight-hour day, and
could rarely lift less than ten pounds. (Tr. 659-60). Dr. Ragab opined Plaintiff would need to walk
around every ten minutes for five minutes at a time; needed a job that permitted her to shift
positions at will from sitting, standing, or walking; needed to take unscheduled breaks of five to
ten minutes during an eight-hour workday; needed to elevate her legs for five to ten minutes each
hour; could never perform postural activities such as looking down, stooping, twisting, and
climbing stairs. (Tr. 661). Dr. Ragab further indicated Plaintiff would occasionally experience
pain or other symptoms severe enough to interfere with the attention and concentration needed to
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perform even simple work tasks, was incapable of even “low stress” jobs, and would miss more
than four days of work per month due to her impairments or treatment. (Tr. 659-61).
In her decision, the ALJ addressed Dr. Ragab’s opinion as follows:
The claimant’s treating physician Dr. Ashraf Ragab submitted a Physical
Residual Functional Capacity Questionnaire (Exhibit 17F). Dr. Ragab
opined that the claimant could sit, stand and walk for less than two hours
in an eight hour day and rarely lift less than 10 pounds. This opinion is
given little weight because it is inconsistent with the medical evidence of
record. Due to Dr. Ragab’s treating relationship with the claimant, the
doctor may be overly sympathetic to the claimant’s subjective complaints.
Further, the claimant has undergone diagnostic imaging scans and
examination which revealed only mild to moderate conditions (Exhibits
4F/6; 8F/8-10; 9F/24 & 13F/2).
(Tr. 17).
“The Secretary must specify what weight is given to a treating physician’s opinion and any
reason for giving it no weight, and failure to do so is reversible error.” MacGregor v. Bowen, 786
F.2d 1050, 1053 (11th Cir. 1986) (citation omitted). The Eleventh Circuit has held that whenever
a physician offers a statement reflecting judgments about the nature and severity of a claimant’s
impairments, including symptoms, diagnosis, and prognosis, what the claimant can still do despite
his or her impairments, and the claimant’s physical and mental restrictions, the statement is an
opinion requiring the ALJ to state with particularity the weight given to it and the reasons therefor.
Winschel v. Commissioner of Social Security, 631 F.3d 1176, 1178-79 (11th Cir. 2011). Without
such a statement, “it is impossible for a reviewing court to determine whether the ultimate decision
on the merits of the claim is rational and supported by substantial evidence.” Id. (citing Cowart v.
Shweiker, 662 F.2d 731, 735 (11th Cir. 1981)). The opinions of treating physicians are entitled to
substantial or considerable weight unless good cause is shown to the contrary. Phillips v. Barnhart,
357 F.3d 1232, 1240 (11th Cir. 2004). The Eleventh Circuit has concluded that good cause exists
when the: “treating physician’s opinion was not bolstered by the evidence; (2) evidence supported
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a contrary finding; or (3) treating physician’s opinion was conclusory or inconsistent with the
doctor’s own medical records. Id.
Here, the Court finds that the ALJ failed to show good cause for discounting the opinion
of Dr. Ragab. While the ALJ explained that she discounted Dr. Ragab’s opinion on the basis that
it was inconsistent with the medical evidence of record, the ALJ did not specifically articulate
evidence contrary to Dr. Ragab’s opinion. “[C]onclusory statements by an ALJ to the effect that
an opinion is inconsistent with or not bolstered by the medical record are insufficient to show an
ALJ's decision is supported by substantial evidence unless the ALJ articulates factual support for
such a conclusion.” Kahle v. Comm'r of Soc. Sec., 845 F. Supp. 2d 1262, 1272 (M.D. Fla. 2012).
The record shows that Plaintiff’s examinations have shown restricted thoracic, lumbar, and
cervical ranges of motion, diffuse tenderness and muscle spasms, positive straight leg raise test
bilaterally, weakness of the bilateral arms, and diminished sensation to light touch of the bilateral
forearms and thighs. (Tr. 334, 347-48, 403, 412-13, 415-20, 423, 426, 540, 543, 582-83, 608, 613,
618, 623, 627, 631, 635, 639, 642, 646, 650, 652, 654). Imaging studies have shown degenerative
changes of the bilateral sacroiliac and hip joints and cervical, lumbar, and thoracic spine; the extent
of the degeneration is most severe at L4-5, where an August 2010 study showed a right lateral
foraminal disc protrusion and foraminal narrowing encroaching upon the right L4 nerve root, and
L5-S1, where a June 2012 study showed advanced flattening with some contour lobulation at the
endplates. (Tr. 319, 321-22, 334, 406, 479-81, 519).
Furthermore, the ALJ’s statement that Dr. Ragab “may be overly sympathetic to the
claimant’s subjective complaints” constitutes improper speculation. See Shuren v. Comm'r of Soc.
Sec., 2012 WL 4194665, at *10 (M.D. Fla. Sept. 19, 2012) (“In regard to the ALJ's musings about
an inherent possibility for sympathy bias in the doctor-patient relationship, that notion is sheer
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speculation and is contrary to well-established law requiring that a treating physician's opinion be
given substantial weight absent clearly articulated good cause for a contrary finding.”). Finally,
the ALJ’s assertion that the evidence showed “only mild to moderate conditions” is nothing more
than a lay interpretation of the evidence. As Plaintiff notes, no treating or examining source
characterized the objective finding as such.
In sum, the ALJ erred by failing to provide good cause for discounting the opinion of Dr.
Ragab. Upon remand, the ALJ is directed to reconsider Dr. Ragab’s opinion. If the ALJ
determines that his opinion is entitled to little weight, the ALJ shall specifically articulate her
reasons for her decision.
b) Dr. Cielo
The record shows that Dr. Cielo completed a Physical Residual Functional Capacity
Questionnaire on December 3, 2013. (Tr. 663-67). Dr. Cielo assigned functional limitations
similar to Dr. Ragab’s, stating that Plaintiff can walk 1 or 2 blocks, sit 20 minutes, and stand 30
minutes at a time. (Tr. 664). She can occasionally lift/carry 10 pounds, frequently lift/carry less
than 10 pounds, sit, stand, and walk about 2 hours each during an 8 hour workday. (Tr. 665). He
also agreed with Dr. Ragab that she requires daily unscheduled breaks and at will positional
changes between sitting, standing or walking. (Tr. 665). Dr. Cielo further opined that Plaintiff
should elevate her legs to hip level 10-15% of the day and use a cane or other assistive device
when engaged in occasional standing or walking. (Tr. 665). Plaintiff can never climb ladders or
stairs, rarely look up, twist, stoop, and crouch/squat, and occasionally look down, turn her head to
the side, and hold her head in a static position. (Tr. 666). She can use her hands for grasping 1520% of the day and her fingers for fine manipulation 5% of the day, but cannot reach with either
arm. (Tr. 666). Dr. Cielo agreed with Dr. Ragab that Ms. Gramley’s symptoms are likely to
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produce good and bad days, and that she is likely to be absent from work more than 4 days a month.
(Tr. 666).
In her decision, the ALJ addressed the opinion of Dr. Cielo as follows: “Subsequent to the
hearing, the claimant submitted a medical source statement from Todd Cielo, D.C. (Exhibit 18F).
The undersigned has considered this statement pursuant to SSR 06-03p. It is given limited weight
for similar reasons given to Dr. Ragab’s opinion.” (Tr. 17).
As a chiropractor, Dr. Cielo was not an acceptable medical source and his opinion could
not establish the existence of an impairment. See 20 C.F.R. §§ 404.1513(a), (d)(1), 416.913(a),
(d)(1). Because Dr. Cielo was not an acceptable medical source, his opinion was not entitled to
any special significant or consideration. See 20 C.F.R §§ 404.1527(a)(2), 416.927(a)(2). Thus,
unlike with the opinion of Dr. Ragab, Dr. Cielo’s opinion was entitled to no deference and the ALJ
was not required to show good cause to discount it. See Miles v. Soc. Sec. Admin., Comm’r, 2012
WL 851755, at *2 (11th Cir. Mar. 15, 2012) (providing that “an ALJ has no duty to give significant
or controlling weight to a chiropractor’s view because . . . a chiropractor is not a ‘medical source’
who can offer medical opinions.”). Accordingly, the Court finds no error in the ALJ’s treatment
of Dr. Cielo’s opinion.
III.
Conclusion
The decision of the Commissioner is REVERSED AND REMANDED. The Clerk of the
Court is directed to enter judgment consistent with this opinion and, thereafter, to close the file.
DONE and ORDERED in Fort Myers, Florida on September 19, 2016.
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Copies furnished to:
Counsel of Record
Unrepresented Parties
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