Clotfelter v. Commissioner of Social Security
Filing
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OPINION: Plaintiff's Motion for Summary Judgment 10 is DENIED. The Defendant's Motion for Summary Affirmance 12 is ALLOWED. (SEE WRITTEN OPINION) Entered by Judge Richard Mills on 10/9/2015. (GL, ilcd)
E-FILED
Friday, 09 October, 2015 02:51:34 PM
Clerk, U.S. District Court, ILCD
IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
FOR THE CENTRAL DISTRICT OF ILLINOIS
SPRINGFIELD DIVISION
WILLIAM O. CLOTFELTER,
Plaintiff,
v.
CAROLYN W. COLVIN,
COMMISSIONER OF SOCIAL
SECURITY,
Defendant.
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NO. 12-3186
OPINION
RICHARD MILLS, U.S. District Judge:
Pending before the Court are the Plaintiff’s Motion for Summary
Judgment and the Defendant’s Motion for Summary Affirmance.
I. INTRODUCTION
Plaintiff William Clotfelter was born in November of 1961. The
Plaintiff applied for Disability Insurance Benefits in April of 2010, alleging
disability beginning on February 22, 2006, due to complications from a
neck injury and surgery and depression.
initially and upon reconsideration.
His application was denied
A video hearing was held before an Administrative Law Judge (ALJ)
on January 4, 2011. The Plaintiff was represented by a non-attorney
representative and testified. George Paprocki, a vocational expert (VE),
also testified. On January 18, 2011, the ALJ found that Plaintiff was not
disabled because he was able to perform a significant number of jobs in the
national economy.
The ALJ’s decision became the Commissioner’s final decision when
the Appeals Council denied the Plaintiff’s request for review. The Plaintiff
seeks judicial review of the Commissioner’s final decision pursuant to 42
U.S.C. § 405(g).
II. BACKGROUND
The Plaintiff did maintenance work from 1989 to 2006. The job
involved doing repairs and maintenance on commercial properties. The
Plaintiff did routine maintenance and preventative maintenance, in
addition to whatever repairs were needed. He completed reports on repairs
performed, inventory reports and budget reports. The Plaintiff was a lead
worker and supervised three people.
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The Plaintiff stated he was injured on the job on August 23, 2005.
He was off of work for a few days and returned to the same job, except he
did not do physical work. Instead, he supervised the staff and did desk
work. The Plaintiff stopped working on February 22, 2006 to undergo
surgery. He was off until some point in June of 2006 when he returned to
work, before stopping again on July 31, 2006.
III. PLAINTIFF’S STATEMENTS AND TESTIMONY
On February 22, 2006, the Plaintiff underwent neck fusion surgery to
repair discs. The Plaintiff testified that he initially made good progress and
the surgery relieved some of his problems. He went back to school from
January to December of 2007.
Although he had some problems, the
Plaintiff was able to do his school work. The Plaintiff thought he could
perform work as an inspector but reported he could not find a position
because the housing market had crashed.
In March of 2008, the Plaintiff moved back to Illinois from Las Vegas
and looked to get back to his old line of work doing repairs and
maintenance, but found he could not meet the physical requirements.
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Ibuprofen helped the Plaintiff’s pain. He testified that any reaching or
exertion aggravated his neck, hand and arm condition.
The Plaintiff
testified that when he woke up in the morning, he had difficulty getting his
arms and hands to function. His neck and arms felt better if he got in a
reclined position and was able to prop up his neck in a certain position.
Heat and ice also helped on occasion.
The Plaintiff further testified that he suffered pain in his lower back
which radiated into his hips.
The pain became an everyday
occurrence–sometimes mild and other times severe. Bending, stooping and
walking any distance made the pain more severe. Some relief was obtained
by lying in a reclined position with something propped under the Plaintiff’s
lower back, using a heating pad, or getting the stress off his lower back. In
a report to the agency, the Plaintiff stated he tried not to lift over ten
pounds due to pain. The Plaintiff reported that at times, he had difficulty
walking more than 40 feet and sitting for more than 30 minutes.
The Plaintiff testified that his knee occasionally popped out of place,
perhaps due to an old high school injury. This would result in severe pain.
4
At the end of October of 2010, he twisted his knee. The Plaintiff stated
his knee was currently in a brace. The pain would worsen if he was on his
knee for too long, walked a long distance or sat in certain positions. The
Plaintiff testified that Epsom salt baths and ice would help the knee pain.
He reported he would soon be starting physical therapy.
The Plaintiff also testified that after having problems with hand
swelling and pain, he was diagnosed with arthritis and tendinitis. For three
to four days about once a month, he could barely make a fist and hardly
grasp.
The Plaintiff further testified he suffered from depression. He was not
then nor had he ever been on medication for depression. The Plaintiff had
never been in therapy or gone to counseling for depression. The Plaintiff
reported a number of symptoms that are often associated with depression.
The Plaintiff testified he lived in an apartment with a roommate. He
was able to drive. The Plaintiff testified his activities included taking care
of his personal needs, making coffee, performing some household chores,
watching television, reading, shopping and running errands. The Plaintiff
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also reported living with two dogs and two cats. The Plaintiff stated that,
when he ran out of food for his pets, a friend would let him work at a local
truck stop in exchange for food for himself and his animals.
The Plaintiff testified that he did not like to deal with people.
Although he used to go out with others for coffee, the Plaintiff stated he no
longer did that. The Plaintiff stated he saw his son, who lived in Colorado,
once every three to four years. The Plaintiff also has a daughter with whom
he has no relationship.
The Plaintiff testified he could lift eight pounds comfortably and
maybe ten to twelve pounds occasionally. He could stand for an hour, sit
for half and hour to 45 minutes before he had to change positions and
move around, and could walk about one block. The Plaintiff had problems
doing anything overhead and trying to get down on the floor and get back
up was difficult.
The Plaintiff testified he did not have medical coverage and had only
recently seen doctors for his medical issues. The Plaintiff stated doctors
recently told him that his use of ibuprofen may have contributed to his high
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blood pressure.
IV. MEDICAL EVIDENCE
Prior to the Plaintiff’s alleged onset date, he had undergone hand
surgery. In August of 2005, the Plaintiff injured his neck while working.
He was diagnosed with cervical strain, thoracic strain and bilateral hand
numbness.
The Plaintiff continued to experience neck pain with
intermittent medial scapular radiation with extension down his upper
extremities.
On February 14, 2006, the Plaintiff saw Jason Garber, M.D. at
Western Regional Center for Brain & Spine Surgery. Upon examination,
the Plaintiff experienced subjective weakness in his upper extremities and
had limited neck motion. An MRI of the cervical spine revealed a large left
paracentral disc herniation at C5-6 and C6-7 and contusion within the cord
at the left of the C5-6. Dr. Garber recommended an anterior cervical
discectomy and fusion at C5-6 and C6-7. The Plaintiff’s preoperative
diagnosis was herniated cervical disc, C5-6, C6-7, with cord compression
and cervical myeloradiculopathy and neurologic deficit.
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On February 22, 2006, Dr. Garber performed an anterior cervical
discectomy C5-6, and C6-7. On March 21, 2006, Dr. Garber reported that
Plaintiff was doing quite well and was “relatively asymptomatic.” The Xrays revealed good position of metal and bone with interbody grafts and the
anterior plate and screws were in good position. The Plaintiff’s neurological
exam was nonfocal. The Plaintiff was given a prescription of physical
therapy and refill of pain medication. On May 23, 2006, Dr. Garber noted
that Plaintiff could return to light duty and sedentary duty work for four
hours a day.
A June 8, 2006 CT revealed an anterior fusion involving C5, C6 and
C7 with unremarkable bony alignment; congenital canal stenosis about the
cervical region, most pronounced in the mid-to-upper extent of the cervical
spine; C5-6 left parasagittal posterior osteopyhtic spur encroaching upon
the spinal cord; and mild to moderate bony stenosis of the right C4-5
neural foramen.
On July 18, 2006, Dr. Garber noted that Plaintiff was doing “quite
well after surgery, even though he recently had suffered a setback due to a
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motor vehicle accident, in which the Plaintiff sustained a whiplash-type
injury. On August 15, 2006, Dr. Garber reported that Plaintiff’s x-rays
revealed good position of metal and bone with interbody grafting and his
anterior plate and screws were in good position. There was no evidence of
hardware failure. He opined that Plaintiff had reached maximum medical
improvement and was doing “relatively well.”
On September 19, 2006, Dr. Garber noted that Plaintiff appeared
after a Functional Capacity Evaluation (FCE). The Plaintiff’s tests were
valid and he had been given light-to-medium work duty activities. Dr.
Garber believed that Plaintiff was capable of doing such work and he was
allowed to return to work per his FCE.
On July 14, 2010, Vittal Chapa, M.D., performed a consultative
evaluation of the Plaintiff. Dr. Chapa reviewed the Plaintiff’s cervical spine
x-ray and Dr. Garber’s September 19, 2006 report.
The Plaintiff
complained of neck pain radiating into his shoulders and upper extremities
and numbness/tingling in his hands. He also reported low back pain, which
radiated into both hips. The Plaintiff complained of a pins and needles
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sensation and pain in his feet. The Plaintiff advised he could not do any
overhead type of work. He stated he could not perform daily activities like
washing the dishes and cleaning the house and could not walk far or sit very
long. The Plaintiff reported that his symptoms had worsened the last two
years. He took 1600 to 3000 milligrams of ibuprofen each day for pain.
On examination, the Plaintiff was able to bear weight and ambulate without
any aids. He walked with an antalgic gait and walked slowly and bent
forward. There was no specific muscle weakness or muscle atrophy. The
Plaintiff was able to appreciate pinprick sensations to both his upper and
lower extremities. The Plaintiff had moderate paravertebral muscle spasms.
For his grip, the Plaintiff received 5/5 for both hands and he could perform
both fine and gross manipulations with both hands. Dr. Chapa noted that,
subjectively, the Plaintiff’s lumbosacral spine flexion was limited. His
straight leg raising, while sitting, was negative to 80 degrees bilaterally.
When the same test was performed in the supine position, the Plaintiff
could hardly raise his legs off of the exam table. Dr. Chapa found the
findings were not consistent. The Plaintiff had a full range of motion of
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both the hips and knees but subjectively had decreased range of motion of
the cervical spine and both shoulders. Dr. Chapa diagnosed status post
cervical fusion and chronic lumbosacral and cervical pain syndrome.
On August 2, 2010, Dolores Trello, Psy.D., evaluated the Plaintiff.
She found the Plaintiff to be very forthcoming. The Plaintiff did what he
could to provide for his four pets.
He performed odd jobs, such as
installing a thermostat for a neighbor. The Plaintiff’s memory seemed
intact.
He was able to repeat six numbers forward and five numbers
backward.
He was well-informed and had no difficulty performing
mathematical calculations.
The Plaintiff was able to provide abstract
meanings for proverbs, was well-oriented and provided solutions to
hypothetical situations. Dr. Trello found that Plaintiff did well on his
mental status examination.
Dr. Trello assessed the Plaintiff with a
depressed mood associated with chronic pain and medical conditions, an
adjustment disorder with depressed mood due to stressors, and assessed a
Global Assessment of Functioning (GAF) score of 50.1
A GAF score of 50 is indicative of serious symptoms or any serious
impairment in social, occupational or school functioning. See American
1
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On August 9, 2010, Terry Travis, M.D., a State agency medical
consultant reviewed the record evidence and opined that Plaintiff did not
have a severe mental impairment.
Dr. Travis considered Dr. Trello’s
evaluation and other sources. Dr. Travis noted that Plaintiff was “passively
suicidal” and found that any impairment related to a mental disorder was
not severe.
On August 10, 2010, Reynaldo Gotanco, M.D., a State agency
physician, reviewed the medical record and opined that Plaintiff could
perform light exertional work. Dr. Gotanco found that because of the
Plaintiff’s cervical history, he was limited to occasional pushing and pulling
with his upper extremities. He opined that Plaintiff could never climb
ladders/ropes/scaffolds and the Plaintiff could occasionally
climb
ramps/stairs, balance, stoop, kneel, crouch and crawl. Dr. Gotanco found
the Plaintiff was limited to occasionally reaching overhead with his upper
extremities.
On September 16, 2010, Towfig Arjmand, M.D., reviewed the
Psychiatric Association, Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders
(Text Revision 4th ed. 2000) at 34.
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evidence and affirmed Dr. Gotanco’s opinion.
On October 28, 2010, the Plaintiff went to the emergency room
complaining of knee pain. He stated he was getting up from the ground
and his upper leg went one way and the lower leg another way. On exam,
he had tenderness to palpation midline superior and interior to patella and
he was unable to flex his knee past 120 degrees. The Plaintiff had full
extension, no swelling and strong pedal pulses. The Plaintiff was diagnosed
with a knee strain and discharged. He was told not to bear weight until he
was reevaluated.
On December 4, 2010, the Plaintiff was seen at Capitol Community
Health Center for knee pain. He was assessed with a knee sprain. On
December 16, 2010, the Plaintiff was seen at SIU HealthCare Division of
Orthopedic Surgery for his right knee pain. On exam, the Plaintiff walked
somewhat slowly but did not have antalgic. The Plaintiff’s knee was in an
immobilizer and when he took that off, he walked without trouble. He was
given an injection and much of his pain went away. It was noted that
therapy might be needed.
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V. VE TESTIMONY
At the hearing, the ALJ asked the VE to assume an individual of the
Plaintiff’s age, education, and work history with the following limitations:
the ability to lift and carry ten pounds occasionally and less than ten
pounds frequently, to stand 30 to 45 minutes at a time, to sit 30 to 45
minutes at a time, and to walk one block at a time, all throughout an eighthour day with a sit/stand option. Additionally, the individual would have
the ability to occasionally push and pull within those weight limits,
occasionally climb ramps and stairs, occasionally balance, stoop, kneel,
crouch and crawl and reach, but never perform any overhead reaching. The
individual would be unable to climb ladders, ropes or scaffolding and could
not do work involving hazards such as dangerous machinery or unprotected
heights, or walk over uneven surfaces and the individual could have only
occasional work interaction with co-workers, supervisors and the general
public. The VE testified the Plaintiff would not be able to perform his past
work.
The ALJ then asked the VE if there were other jobs in the economy
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that could be performed with those limitations. The VE testified that,
based on the Plaintiff’s education and transferable skills from his previous
work, there would be the following jobs available: a reviewer (DOT
209.687-018); a checker II (DOT 209.687-010), and a sorter (DOT
209.687-022), and there were about 5,000 such jobs in Illinois and about
250,000 in the United States. Additionally, the individual could work as
a service clerk (DOT 221.367-082), and there were about 750 such jobs in
Illinois and 25,000 in the United States. The VE testified these jobs were
all skilled.
The VE further testified that even without considering the
transferable skills, the individual could perform unskilled work as an
electronics tester (DOT 726.684-026) and electronics inspector (DOT
726.684-022). Those jobs in combination amount to approximately 900
jobs in the Illinois region, and 32,000 in the nation.
Additionally, the VE testified such an individual could perform
unskilled work as a lampshade assembler (DOT 739.684-094) and fishing
reel assembler (DOT 732.684-062). These jobs are representative of a
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longer list of unskilled and sedentary jobs, of which there are about 4,000
positions in Illinois and 150,000 in the United States.
The VE further testified that, if additional limitations of frequent use
of the upper extremities for fine or gross manipulation and no work
interaction with the general public were added, those limitations would not
change his previous answers. Additionally, if a limitation to the need for
goal-oriented work rather than production-oriented work was also added,
the VE stated such an individual could still work as a document-preparer
(DOT 249.587-018) and an addresser (DOT 209.587-010). There were
about 4,000 such jobs in Illinois and 250,000 in the nation.
When asked to consider an individual who was off task 20 percent of
the day or missed two days or more per month, the VE stated it would
preclude competitive employment.
The Plaintiff’s representative then asked the VE whether the jobs
including those of the reviewer, sorter and clerk could be performed with
only occasional reaching. The VE testified that he had not understood the
ALJ’s original hypothetical as including such a limitation and, with that
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limitation, none of the jobs he identified would be available. The ALJ then
asked the VE whether a limitation to frequent reaching would allow
performance of all the jobs. The VE answered affirmatively, as long as the
limitation included no overhead reaching.
The ALJ asked the VE whether his testimony was consistent with the
DOT and he stated that the DOT did not address sit/stand opinions but his
testimony was based on experience.
VI. DISCUSSION
A. Standard of review
Pursuant to section 205(g) of the Social Security Act, the ALJ’s
decision must be upheld if it is supported by substantial evidence. See
Moore v. Colvin, 743 F.3d 1118, 1120 (7th Cir. 2014). “Substantial
evidence” includes “such relevant evidence as a reasonable mind accepts as
adequate to support a conclusion.” Id. (citations omitted). The ALJ’s
decision must include a “logical bridge from the evidence to the conclusions
sufficient to allow . . . a reviewing court[] to assess the validity of the
agency’s ultimate findings and afford [the Plaintiff] meaningful judicial
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review.” Id.
B. ALJ’s Decision
The ALJ found that Plaintiff had not engaged in substantial gainful
activity since February 22, 2006.2 She determined that, pursuant to 20
C.F.R. § 404.1520(c), the Plaintiff has the following severe impairments:
status post cervical spine fusion surgery, knee pain, low back pain, and
depression. The ALJ found that Plaintiff did not have an impairment or
combination of impairments that met or equaled one of the impairments
listed in 20 C.F.R. Part 404, Subpart P, Appendix 1.
The ALJ further found that Plaintiff had the residual functional
capacity (RFC) to perform sedentary work, except he could stand for 30 to
45 minutes at one time, and walk for one block at a time throughout an
eight-hour day, while requiring a sit/stand option.
Additionally, the
Plaintiff was unable to climb ladders, ropes, or scaffolding, or work near
The Plaintiff requested an amended onset date of March 31, 2008. The
ALJ did not amend the onset date. Because she considered the time period
from the Plaintiff’s original alleged onset date of February 22, 2006 through
the date of her decision, however, the ALJ considered the relevant time period
at issue, whichever date was listed as the Plaintiff’s onset.
2
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hazards such as dangerous machinery or unprotected heights. He could not
walk over rough or uneven surfaces. The Plaintiff could frequently reach,
though not overhead. The Plaintiff was limited to occasional climbing on
ramps or stairs, balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching and crawling. He
could have occasional work interaction with coworkers and supervisors but
none with the general public.
Although the Plaintiff was no longer able to perform his past relevant
work pursuant to 20 C.F.R. § 404.1565, the ALJ found that based on his
age, education, work experience and RFC, the Plaintiff was not disabled
because he could perform a significant number of jobs in the national
economy.
C. Analysis
(1)
The Plaintiff contends that the VE testified he could perform no jobs
if there was a limitation to occasional reaching. Although this is true, the
ALJ found that Plaintiff was limited to frequent reaching, not occasional
reaching. All of the jobs the VE testified about would be available if the
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Plaintiff was limited in that manner. Thus, the issue is whether the ALJ’s
finding that Plaintiff was limited to frequent reaching was reasonable.
The Court concludes that the ALJ’s finding on the issue was
reasonable. The ALJ’s finding is supported by the report of Dr. Chapa, in
addition to the opinions of Dr. Gotanco and Dr. Towfig. Accordingly, the
ALJ’s finding that Plaintiff could frequently reach, while not reaching
overhead, is supported by substantial evidence.
Additionally, the Court finds no error in the ALJ’s decision in
crediting other aspects of Dr. Chapa’s report. The ALJ noted there were
certain inconsistencies with some of the Plaintiff’s subjective statements
and the objective findings. The record shows that the ALJ considered the
Plaintiff’s complaints and gave him the benefit of the doubt in some
respects in determining his limitations regarding his abilities to stand, sit,
walk, climb, stoop, kneel, crouch, crawl and reach overhead. The Court
concludes it was reasonable for the ALJ to consider Dr. Chapa’s findings
and other record evidence in assessing the Plaintiff’s RFC.
The Court further concludes that substantial evidence supported the
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ALJ’s findings regarding the Plaintiff’s mental health and ability to
function. Based on all of the medical evidence, it was reasonable for the
ALJ to give little weight to Dr. Trello’s GAF score of 50 because that was
inconsistent with much of the other medical evidence from Dr. Trello and
other sources. As the ALJ noted, the Plaintiff took care of his personal
needs, cared for his four pets, drove, performed some household chores,
prepared food, watched television, read, shopped and ran errands. There
was no other objective evidence which was consistent with a GAF score of
50. Accordingly, the ALJ’s rejection of Dr. Trello’s assessment of the
Plaintiff as having a major mood disorder and a GAF of 50 was reasonable.
(2)
The record shows that the ALJ posed a number of hypotheticals to the
VE. Some of the ALJ’s questions incorporated the Plaintiff’s subjective
statements concerning the extent of his symptoms. The Plaintiff’s assertion
that the ALJ erred in finding that some of these symptoms and limitations
were not credible is not persuasive.
The ALJ’s decision as to a claimant’s credibility “must contain specific
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reasons for the finding on credibility, supported by the evidence in the case
record, and must be sufficiently specific to make clear to the individual and
to any subsequent reviewers the weight the adjudicator gave to the
individual’s statements and the reasons for that weight.” Zurawski v.
Halter, 245 F.3d 881, 888 (7th Cir. 2001) (quoting SSR 96-7p) (quotation
marks omitted).
As long as the ALJ’s findings are “reasoned and
supported,” it will not be found to be “patently wrong” and warranting
reversal.
See Elder v. Astrue, 529 F.3d 408, 413-14 (7th Cir. 2008)
(citations omitted).
The ALJ provided support for her ruling in this case. She considered
the credibility of the Plaintiff’s complaints in addition to the objective
medical evidence, the medical opinions, the Plaintiff’s activities and
treatment, and reasonably found that Plaintiff’s allegations of disabling
symptoms and limitations were not fully credible.
Because the ALJ
considered the Plaintiff’s subjective complaints and provided objective
medical reasons if she did not find them to be credible, the Court has no
basis to reject the ALJ’s credibility finding.
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(3)
The Court further finds that the ALJ did not err in considering and
crediting the VE’s testimony that Plaintiff had transferable skills of doing
paperwork and scheduling and, further, that there were a significant
number of such jobs in Illinois and the national economy.
Additionally, the VE’s testimony as to the number of available jobs
with a sit/stand option was based on his expertise. Accordingly, it was not
error for the ALJ to rely on that testimony.
The Court further finds that Plaintiff’s assertion that the ALJ was
biased has no basis in the record. It is the ALJ’s duty to ask the VE
questions in order to develop the record. There is no requirement that the
ALJ only ask hypothetical questions which incorporate the Plaintiff’s selfreported symptoms. The ALJ may also ask questions pertaining to other
limitations if there is a basis in the record. See Liteky v. United States, 510
U.S. 540, 555 (1994) (noting that “opinions formed by the judge on the
basis of facts introduced or events occurring in the course of the current
proceedings, or of prior proceedings, do not constitute a basis for a bias or
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partiality motion unless they display a deep-seated favoritism or
antagonism that would make fair judgment impossible”).
Because there was evidence in the record supporting a limitation as
to frequent reaching, it was reasonable for the ALJ to make such a finding.
The Plaintiff’s assertion of bias is not supported by the record.
D. Conclusion
The Court has considered all of the Plaintiff’s arguments and finds no
basis to disturb the ALJ’s decision. For the reasons stated herein, the Court
concludes that the ALJ’s decision is supported by substantial evidence.
Ergo, the Plaintiff’s Motion for Summary Judgment [d/e 10] is
DENIED.
Pursuant to Rule 25 of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, Carolyn
W. Colvin, as Acting Commissioner of Social Security, is hereby
automatically substituted as the Defendant in this suit.
The Defendant’s Motion for Summary Affirmance [d/e 12] is
ALLOWED.
The Commissioner’s decision is Affirmed.
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The Clerk will enter Judgment and terminate this case.
ENTER: October 8, 2015
FOR THE COURT:
s/Richard Mills
Richard Mills
United States District Judge
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