Longmire v. Colvin

Filing 20

MEMORANDUM Opinion and Order Signed by the Honorable Mary M. Rowland on 12/19/2017. Mailed notice. (dm, )

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
NORTHERN DISTRICT OF ILLINOIS
EASTERN DIVISION
EDWARD LONGMIRE,
Plaintiff,
v.
NANCY A. BERRYHILL, Acting
Commissioner of Social Security, 1

No. 16 C 10160
Magistrate Judge Mary M. Rowland

Defendant.
MEMORANDUM OPINION AND ORDER
Plaintiff Edward Longmire filed this action seeking reversal of the final decision
of the Commissioner of Social Security denying his application for Supplemental
Security Income (SSI) under Title XVI the Social Security Act (Act). 42 U.S.C. §§
405(g), 1381 et seq. The parties have consented to the jurisdiction of the United
States Magistrate Judge, pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 636(c), and filed cross-motions for
summary judgment. For the reasons stated below, the case is remanded for further
proceedings consistent with this Opinion.
I. THE SEQUENTIAL EVALUATION PROCESS
To recover SSI, a claimant must establish that he or she is disabled within the
meaning of the Act. York v. Massanari, 155 F. Supp. 2d 973, 977 (N.D. Ill. 2001). 2 A
1 On January 23, 2017, Nancy A. Berryhill became Acting Commissioner of Social Security and is
substituted for her predecessor as the proper defendant in this action. Fed. R. Civ. P. 25(d).

The regulations governing the determination of disability for SSI are found at 20 C.F.R. §
416.901 et seq. The standard for determining SSI is virtually identical to that used for Disability
2

person is disabled if he or she is unable to perform “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 12 months.” 20 C.F.R. § 404.1505(a). In
determining whether a claimant suffers from a disability, the Commissioner
conducts a standard five-step inquiry:
1. Is the claimant presently unemployed?
2. Does the claimant have a severe medically determinable physical or
mental impairment that interferes with basic work-related
activities and is expected to last at least 12 months?
3. Does the impairment meet or equal one of a list of specific
impairments enumerated in the regulations?
4. Is the claimant unable to perform his or her former occupation?
5. Is the claimant unable to perform any other work?
20 C.F.R. §§ 404.1509, 404.1520; see Clifford v. Apfel, 227 F.3d 863, 868 (7th Cir.
2000). “An affirmative answer leads either to the next step, or, on Steps 3 and 5, to
a finding that the claimant is disabled. A negative answer at any point, other than
Step 3, ends the inquiry and leads to a determination that a claimant is not
disabled.” Zalewski v. Heckler, 760 F.2d 160, 162 n.2 (7th Cir. 1985). “The burden of
proof is on the claimant through step four; only at step five does the burden shift to
the Commissioner.” Clifford, 227 F.3d at 868.

Insurance Benefits (DIB). Craft v. Astrue, 539 F.3d 668, 674 n.6 (7th Cir. 2008) (“Although the Code
of Federal Regulations contains separate sections for DIB and SSI, the processes of evaluation are
identical in all respects relevant to this case.”). Accordingly, this Court cites to both DIB and SSI
cases.

2

II. PROCEDURAL HISTORY
Plaintiff applied for SSI benefits on August 1, 2011, alleging that he became
disabled on January 1, 1997, due to affective disorders, mood disorders, and
asthma. (R. at 49). 3 The application was denied initially on October 20, 2011, and
upon reconsideration on April 6, 2012, after which Plaintiff filed a timely request for
a hearing. (Id. at 49-50, 66). On July 12, 2013, Plaintiff, represented by counsel,
testified at a hearing before an Administrative Law Judge (ALJ). (Id. at 29–48). The
hearing was held by video with Plaintiff located at the Hill Correctional Institution
and his attorney was present at the hearing. (Id. at 18). The ALJ also heard
testimony from Aimee Mowery, a vocational expert (VE). (Id. at 29–48).
The ALJ denied Plaintiff’s request for benefits on August 6, 2013. (R. at 18–25).
Applying the five-step sequential evaluation process, the ALJ found, at step one,
that Plaintiff did not engage in substantial gainful activity since August 1, 2011,
the application date. (Id. at 20). At step two, the ALJ found that Plaintiff’s
depression, asthma, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder, and anti-social
personality disorder were severe impairments. (Id.). At step three, the ALJ
determined that Plaintiff did not have an impairment or combination of
impairments that met or medically equaled the severity of any of the listings
enumerated in the regulations. (Id.).

According to SSI regulations, Plaintiff is only eligible for benefits for the time period in which he
was not incarcerated, in this case from August 1, 2011 to April 24, 2012. See 20 C.F.R. § 416.1325.

3

3

The ALJ then assessed Plaintiff’s Residual Functional Capacity (RFC) 4 and
determined that Plaintiff could perform the full range of work at all exertional
levels except Plaintiff was limited to “1, 2, and 3-step job tasks; no contact with the
general public; no fast-paced production jobs; must avoid concentrated exposure to
pulmonary irritants; and no reading or writing requirements.” (R. at 21). At step
four, the ALJ noted that Plaintiff has no past relevant work. (Id. at 23). Based on
Plaintiff’s RFC, age, education, and the VE’s testimony, the ALJ determined at step
five that there are jobs that exist in significant numbers in the national economy
that Plaintiff can perform, including hand packager, sorter, and kitchen helper. (Id.
at 24). The ALJ indicated that “[t]hese would be reduced by 50% due to no reading
and writing. However, the [VE] testified that she has placed individuals who speak
no English and cannot read or write in these positions.” (Id.) Accordingly, the ALJ
concluded that Plaintiff is not under a disability, as defined by the Act. (Id. at 26–
27).
The Appeals Council denied Plaintiff’s request for review on August 26, 2016. (R.
at 1–6). Plaintiff now seeks judicial review of the ALJ’s decision, which stands as
the final decision of the Commissioner. Villano v. Astrue, 556 F.3d 558, 561–62 (7th
Cir. 2009).

Before proceeding from step three to step four, the ALJ assesses a claimant’s residual functional
capacity. 20 C.F.R. §§ 404.1520(a)(4), 416.920(a)(4). “The RFC is the maximum that a claimant can
still do despite his mental and physical limitations.” Craft, 539 F.3d at 675–76.

4

4

III. STANDARD OF REVIEW
Judicial review of the Commissioner’s final decision is authorized by § 405(g) of
the SSA. In reviewing this decision, the Court may not engage in its own analysis of
whether the plaintiff is severely impaired as defined by the Social Security
Regulations. Young v. Barnhart, 362 F.3d 995, 1001 (7th Cir. 2004). Nor may it
“reweigh evidence, resolve conflicts in the record, decide questions of credibility, or,
in general, substitute [its] own judgment for that of the Commissioner.” Id. The
Court’s task is “limited to determining whether the ALJ’s factual findings are
supported by substantial evidence.” Id. (citing § 405(g)). Evidence is considered
substantial “if a reasonable person would accept it as adequate to support a
conclusion.” Indoranto v. Barnhart, 374 F.3d 470, 473 (7th Cir. 2004); see Moore v.
Colvin, 743 F.3d 1118, 1120–21 (7th Cir. 2014) (“We will uphold the ALJ’s decision
if it is supported by substantial evidence, that is, such relevant evidence as a
reasonable mind might accept as adequate to support a conclusion.”) (citation
omitted). “Substantial evidence must be more than a scintilla but may be less than
a preponderance.” Skinner v. Astrue, 478 F.3d 836, 841 (7th Cir. 2007). “In addition
to relying on substantial evidence, the ALJ must also explain his analysis of the
evidence with enough detail and clarity to permit meaningful appellate review.”
Briscoe ex rel. Taylor v. Barnhart, 425 F.3d 345, 351 (7th Cir. 2005).
Although this Court accords great deference to the ALJ’s determination, it “must
do more than merely rubber stamp the ALJ’s decision.” Scott v. Barnhart, 297 F.3d
589, 593 (7th Cir. 2002) (citation omitted). “This deferential standard of review is
5

weighted in favor of upholding the ALJ's decision, but it does not mean that we
scour the record for supportive evidence or rack our brains for reasons to uphold the
ALJ's decision. Rather, the ALJ must identify the relevant evidence and build a
‘logical bridge’ between that evidence and the ultimate determination.” Moon v.
Colvin, 763 F.3d 718, 721 (7th Cir. 2014). Where the Commissioner’s decision “lacks
evidentiary support or is so poorly articulated as to prevent meaningful review, the
case must be remanded.” Steele v. Barnhart, 290 F.3d 936, 940 (7th Cir. 2002).
IV. DISCUSSION
In support for his request for reversal, Plaintiff argues that the ALJ (1) failed to
consider the line of evidence documenting Plaintiff’s auditory hallucinations when
formulating the RFC; (2) failed to properly assess Plaintiff’s mental RFC; (3)
mischaracterized the medical evidence; and (4) erred in accepting the VE’s
testimony regarding literacy. (Dkt. 13 at 9).
A. The ALJ's RFC Determination
The ALJ determined that Plaintiff's asthma, depression, anxiety, post-traumatic
stress disorder, and anti-social personality disorder were severe impairments. (R. at
20). After examining the medical evidence and giving partial credibility to some of
Plaintiff's subjective complaints, the ALJ found that Plaintiff has the RFC to
perform the full range of work at all exertional levels except Plaintiff was limited to
“1, 2, and 3-step job tasks; no contact with the general public; no fast-paced
production jobs; must avoid concentrated exposure to pulmonary irritants; and no
reading or writing requirements.” (Id. at 21). Plaintiff contends that the ALJ erred
6

in this determination by ignoring a line of evidence related to Plaintiff’s auditory
hallucinations. (Pl.’s Mem., Dkt. 13 at 10). The Court agrees.
“The RFC is an assessment of what work-related activities the claimant can
perform despite her limitations.” Young, 362 F.3d at 1000; see 20 C.F.R. §
404.1545(a)(1) (“Your residual functional capacity is the most you can still do
despite your limitations.”); SSR 96-8p, at *2 5 (“RFC is an administrative assessment
of the extent to which an individual's medically determinable impairment(s),
including any related symptoms, such as pain, may cause physical or mental
limitations or restrictions that may affect his or her capacity to do work-related
physical and mental activities.”). The RFC is based upon medical evidence as well
as other evidence, such as testimony by the claimant or his friends and family.
Craft, 539 F.3d at 676. In assessing a claimant's RFC, “the ALJ must evaluate all
limitations that arise from medically determinable impairments, even those that
are not severe,” and may not dismiss evidence contrary to the ALJ's determination.
Villano, 556 F.3d at 563; see 20 C.F.R. § 404.1545(a)(1) (“We will assess your
residual functional capacity based on all relevant evidence in your case record.”);
SSR 96-8p, at *7 (“The RFC assessment must include a discussion of why reported
symptom-related functional limitations and restrictions can or cannot reasonably be
accepted as consistent with the medical and other evidence.”).
SSRs “are interpretive rules intended to offer guidance to agency adjudicators. While they do not
have the force of law or properly promulgated notice and comment regulations, the agency makes
SSRs binding on all components of the Social Security Administration.” Nelson v. Apfel, 210 F.3d
799, 803 (7th Cir. 2000); see 20 C.F.R. § 402.35(b)(1). Although the Court is “not invariably bound by
an agency's policy statements,” the Court “generally defer[s] to an agency's interpretations of the
legal regime it is charged with administrating.” Liskowitz v. Astrue, 559 F.3d 736, 744 (7th Cir.
2009).

5

7

In support of his RFC determination, the ALJ explains:
In sum, the above [RFC] assessment is supported by the minimal
objective findings, the lack of continuity of treatment, and the
claimant’s testimony. . . . There is no medical evidence to support the
degree of mental limitations alleged by the claimant. The record does
not reveal continuing treatment, or any recommendations from any
treating source of the claimant’s limitations either exertionally or
nonexertionally. Examinations have been generally normal and there
is nothing to support the claimant’s alleged limitations.
(R. at 23). There are flaws in the ALJ’s reasoning. First, contrary to the ALJ’s
assertion, there are records to support the mental limitations alleged by the
claimant which the ALJ does not address in his decision. For instance, during his
incarceration in 2010, Plaintiff was seen by a psychiatrist approximately every four
weeks from May through October. (Id. at 333, 335–36, 339–40, 342). Plaintiff was
diagnosed by his psychiatrist with major depressive disorder with psychotic
features and prescribed antidepressant and antipsychotic medications. (Id.). The
ALJ similarly erred when stating that “the record does not reveal continuing
treatment.” (Id. at 23). Again, the ALJ failed to mention treatment records during
Plaintiff’s multiple incarcerations that indicate continued psychiatric treatment
with psychotropic medications. (Id. at 300-33, 335–36, 339–40, 342).
While the ALJ found that Plaintiff’s depression was a severe impairment, (R.
20), he erred by making no mention of record evidence indicating the presence of
psychotic features associated with Plaintiff’s depression. Defendant asserts that
“[h]allucinations are a symptom that must be caused by an underlying medically
determinable impairment, yet [Plaintiff] has not pointed to medical evidence of this
8

impairment, even if there are some stray diagnoses in the record.” (Def.’s Mem., Dkt
16 at 4). This argument is unavailing. Rather than “stray diagnoses in the record,”
Plaintiff points to record evidence of an underlying impairment of major depressive
disorder with psychotic features, including diagnoses by a psychiatrist, at least five
treatment notes indicating the presence of psychotic features, and treatment with
antipsychotic medications. (Id. at 322, 333, 335–36, 339–40, 342). By not addressing
this evidence in his decision, the ALJ failed to “build an accurate and logical bridge
from the evidence to her conclusion.” Steele, 290 F. 3d at 941 (internal quotation
omitted). This prevents the Court from assessing the validity of the ALJ’s findings
and providing meaningful judicial review. See Scott, 297 F.3d at 595.
Defendant’s next argument is similarly without traction. Defendant contends
that “the complaints of hallucinations [ ] pre-date August 2011, and thus, on their
face, have little bearing on his claim.” (Def.’s Mem., Dkt. 16 at 4). However, the
ALJ must consider all relevant evidence, even that evidence that predates the
earliest disability date or postdates the date last insured. See Parker v. Astrue, 597
F.3d 920, 925 (7th Cir. 2010). This is especially true in cases involving individuals
with mental illness where the Seventh Circuit has repeatedly cautioned ALJ’s to
look at the record as a whole for a longitudinal perspective. See Punzio v. Astrue,
630 F.3d 704, 710-11 (7th Cir. 2011). Moreover, Plaintiff reported psychotic
symptoms to both consultative examiners in September 2011, during the time
period where he was not incarcerated and thus eligible for SSI. (R. 368, 371).

9

Accordingly, the Court finds that the ALJ erred by failing to address a line of
evidence regarding psychotic symptoms when assessing Plaintiff’s RFC. Murphy v.
Colvin, 759 F.3d 811, 817 (7th Cir. 2014) (citation omitted) (“In making a proper
RFC determination, the ALJ must consider all of the relevant evidence in the
record, even limitations that are not severe, and may not dismiss a line of evidence
contrary to the ruling.”).
B. Other Issues
Because the Court is remanding on the ALJ’s RFC assessment, the Court
chooses not to address Plaintiff's other arguments. On remand, the ALJ shall
reassess Plaintiff’s RFC by “evaluating all limitations that arise from medically
determinable impairments, even those that are not severe.” Villano, 556 F. 3d at
563. The RFC shall be “expressed in terms of work-related functions” and include a
narrative discussion describing how the evidence supports each conclusion, citing
specific medical facts and nonmedical evidence. SSR 96-8p. Finally, with the
assistance of a VE, the ALJ shall determine whether there are jobs that exist in
significant numbers that Plaintiff can perform.
V. CONCLUSION
For the reasons stated above, Plaintiff’s Motion for Summary Judgment (Dkt.
12) is granted. Defendant’s Motion for Summary Judgment (Dkt. 15) is denied.
Pursuant to sentence four of 42 U.S.C. § 405, the ALJ’s decision is reversed, and the
case is remanded to the Commissioner for further proceedings consistent with this
opinion.
10

Dated: December 19, 2017

E N T E R:

MARY M. ROWLAND
United States Magistrate Judge

11