Cordell v. Commissioner of Social Security

Filing 22

OPINION AND ORDER remanding case to the Commissioner of Social Security for proceedings consistent with this opinion. Signed by Judge William C Lee on 3/9/2015. (lhc)

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
NORTHERN DISTRICT OF INDIANA
FORT WAYNE DIVISION
JAMES L. CORDELL,
Plaintiff,
v.
CAROLYN W. COLVIN, Acting
Commissioner of Social Security,
Defendant.

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CIVIL NO. 1:14cv109

OPINION AND ORDER
This matter is before the court for judicial review of a final decision of the defendant
Commissioner of Social Security Administration denying Plaintiff's application for Disability
Insurance Benefits (DIB) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) as provided for in the Social
Security Act. 42 U.S.C. §416(I). Section 205(g) of the Act provides, inter alia, "[a]s part of his
answer, the [Commissioner] shall file a certified copy of the transcript of the record including the
evidence upon which the findings and decision complained of are based. The court shall have
the power to enter, upon the pleadings and transcript of the record, a judgment affirming,
modifying, or reversing the decision of the [Commissioner], with or without remanding the case
for a rehearing." It also provides, "[t]he findings of the [Commissioner] as to any fact, if
supported by substantial evidence, shall be conclusive. . . ." 42 U.S.C. §405(g).
The law provides that an applicant for disability insurance benefits must establish an
"inability to engage in any substantial gainful activity by reason of any medically determinable
physical or mental impairment which can be expected to last for a continuous period of not less
than 12 months. . . ." 42 U.S.C. §416(i)(1); 42 U.S.C. §423(d)(1)(A). A physical or mental
impairment is "an impairment that results from anatomical, physiological, or psychological

abnormalities which are demonstrable by medically acceptable clinical and laboratory diagnostic
techniques." 42 U.S.C. §423(d)(3). It is not enough for a plaintiff to establish that an
impairment exists. It must be shown that the impairment is severe enough to preclude the
plaintiff from engaging in substantial gainful activity. Gotshaw v. Ribicoff, 307 F.2d 840 (7th
Cir. 1962), cert. denied, 372 U.S. 945 (1963); Garcia v. Califano, 463 F.Supp. 1098 (N.D.Ill.
1979). It is well established that the burden of proving entitlement to disability insurance
benefits is on the plaintiff. See Jeralds v. Richardson, 445 F.2d 36 (7th Cir. 1971); Kutchman v.
Cohen, 425 F.2d 20 (7th Cir. 1970).
Given the foregoing framework, "[t]he question before [this court] is whether the record
as a whole contains substantial evidence to support the [Commissioner’s] findings." Garfield v.
Schweiker, 732 F.2d 605, 607 (7th Cir. 1984) citing Whitney v. Schweiker, 695 F.2d 784, 786
(7th Cir. 1982); 42 U.S.C. §405(g). "Substantial evidence is defined as 'more than a mere
scintilla. It means such relevant evidence as a reasonable mind might accept as adequate to
support a conclusion.'" Rhoderick v. Heckler, 737 F.2d 714, 715 (7th Cir. 1984) quoting
Richardson v. Perales, 402 U.S. 389, 401, 91 S.Ct. 1410, 1427 (1971); see Allen v. Weinberger,
552 F.2d 781, 784 (7th Cir. 1977). "If the record contains such support [it] must [be] affirmed,
42 U.S.C. §405(g), unless there has been an error of law." Garfield, supra at 607; see also
Schnoll v. Harris, 636 F.2d 1146, 1150 (7th Cir. 1980).
In the present matter, after consideration of the entire record, the Administrative Law
Judge (“ALJ”) made the following findings:
1.

The claimant meets the insured status requirements of the Social Security Act
through December 31, 2013.

2.

The claimant has not engaged in substantial gainful activity since December 26,
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2008, the alleged onset date (20CFR 404.1571 et seq., and 416.971 et seq.).
3.

The claimant has the following severe impairments: hydradenitis suppurative,
major depressive disorder, spinal arthritis, left ankle pain, and obesity (20 CFR
404.1520(c) and 416.920(c)).

4.

The claimant does not have an impairment or combination of impairments that
meets or medically equals the severity of one of the listed impairments in 20 CFR
Part 404, Subpart P, Appendix 1 (20 CFR 404.1520(d), 404.1525, 404.1526,
416.920(d), 416.925 and 416.926).

5.

After careful consideration of the entire record, I find that the claimant has the
residual functional capacity to perform light work as defined in 20 CFR
404.1567(b) and 416.967(b) except: the claimant is able to sit, stand, or walk
eight hours each in an eight-hour workday; is able to perform simple and
repetitive tasks akin to unskilled work; and cannot perform fast-paced work.

6.

The claimant is unable to perform any past relevant work (20 CFR 404.1565 and
416.965).

7.

The claimant was born August 15, 1960 and was 48 years old, which is defined as
a younger individual age 18-49, on the alleged disability onset date. The claimant
subsequently changed age category to closely approaching advanced age (20 CFR
404.1563 and 416.963).

8.

The claimant has a limited education and is able to communicate in English (20
CFR 404.1564 and 416.964).

9.

Transferability of job skills is not material to the determination of disability
because using the Medical-Vocational Rules as a framework supports a finding
that the claimant is “not disabled,” whether or not the claimant has transferable
job skills (See SSR 82-41 and 20 CFR Part 404, Subpart P, Appendix 2).

10.

Considering the claimant’s age, education, work experience, and residual
functional capacity, there are jobs that exist in significant numbers in the national
economy that the claimant can perform (20 CFR 404.1569, 404.1569(a), 416.969,
and 416.969(a)).

11.

The claimant has not been under a disability, as defined in the Social Security
Act, from December 26, 2008, through the date of this decision (20 CFR
404.1520(g) and 416.920(g)).

(R. 13-22).

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Based upon these findings, the ALJ determined that Plaintiff was not entitled to disability
insurance benefits. The ALJ’s decision became the final agency decision when the Appeals
Council denied review. This appeal followed.
Plaintiff filed his opening brief on October 25, 2014. On December 18, 2014, the
defendant filed a memorandum in support of the Commissioner’s decision, and on January 29,
2015, Plaintiff filed his reply. Upon full review of the record in this cause, this court is of the
view that the ALJ’s decision should be remanded.
A five step test has been established to determine whether a claimant is disabled. See
Singleton v. Bowen, 841 F.2d 710, 711 (7th Cir. 1988); Bowen v. Yuckert, 107 S.Ct. 2287,
2290-91 (1987). The United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit has summarized
that test as follows:
The following steps are addressed in order: (1) Is the claimant
presently unemployed? (2) Is the claimant's impairment "severe"?
(3) Does the impairment meet or exceed one of a list of specific
impairments? (4) Is the claimant unable to perform his or her
former occupation? (5) Is the claimant unable to perform any other
work within the economy? 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, stops
the inquiry and leads to a determination that the claimant is not
disabled.
Nelson v. Bowen, 855 F.2d 503, 504 n.2 (7th Cir. 1988); Zalewski v. Heckler, 760 F.2d 160, 162
n.2 (7th Cir. 1985); accord Halvorsen v. Heckler, 743 F.2d 1221 (7th Cir. 1984). From the nature
of the ALJ's decision to deny benefits, it is clear that step five was the determinative inquiry.
The medical record is as follows. On September 15, 2008, a medical clinic found that
Plaintiff had an abscess/cyst in both arm pits. He had a few seeping cysts on the right side. (R.
272) On October 31, 2008, Dr. Clark, Plaintiff’s primary care physician, found he had a draining
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cyst in the right abdominal area and had draining cysts in the right axilla (armpit). He also had a
cyst on his waist and in his groin. (R. 271) On November 21, 2008 Dr. Clark found Plaintiff had a
cyst in his right upper quadrant. (R. 270)
On March 28, 2010, Dr. Clark's examination found Plaintiff had cysts draining under both
arms, on his back and his groin. (R. 269) On August 31, 2010, Dr. Clark determined Plaintiff had
chronic cysts. (R. 268) On February 16, 2011, Dr. Clark found Plaintiff had cysts in both axillae
and in his inner groin. (R. 333)
On February 23, 1011, Plaintiff received a medical evaluation for Social Security from
Dr. Gatewood (R. 283-287) She reported that Plaintiff had cysts under his right and left arms,
under his groin, between his buttocks, and under the waist line. The cysts were seeping fluid.
They caused him to have chronic pain and discomfort. Dr. Gatewood reported that Plaintiff
presented with back arthritis, hidradenitis suppurativa and chronic left ankle pain. The
hidradenitis suppurativa was chronic and recurrent with tactile fevers. The currently active areas
were in both axillae (armpits). The area on the right had been present for the past two months. It
had recently swelled to the size of a grapefruit. It spontaneously opened on its own 19 days ago
and drained a large amount of blood and pus. It continued to drain small amounts of fluid since
then. Plaintiff also opened a nodule on his own in the groin that drained old blood and curdled
pus. Plaintiff had taken Keflex for the past 19 years. He had multiple incision and drainage
procedures done but they always recurred. A surgeon had removed the cysts on his back. He had
also had surgery on his left thigh to remove a cyst.
Plaintiff was 75 inches tall and weighed 343 pounds. Physical examination determined
that in his bilateral axillae he had multiple, erythematous (red), hard nodules. One of the nodules

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in the right axillae was actively draining yellow pus. Along the superior buttocks, there were
multiple blackheads and well-healed sinus tracks. Dr. Gatewood concluded that Plaintiff had
chronic recurrent hidradenitis suppurativa.
On August 9, 2011, Dr. Clark's examination determined Plaintiff had axillary lesions. (R.
332) On February 3, 2012, Dr. Clark determined Plaintiff had multiple lesions. (R. 331) On
February 15, 2012, Dr. Clark's quite detailed examination determined Plaintiff had hydradenitis
suppurativa. (R. 334-338) Plaintiff had lesions on his back which had been there for at least 3
months. These caused the functional loss of restricting his bending, stretching and reaching
because that would cause the lesions to open. Plaintiff had lesions on both of his axillae which
had been there for at least 3 months. Plaintiff also had lesions on both of his buttocks which had
been there for at least 3 months. These limited him functionally because they would erupt with
bending. Plaintiff had lesions in his Perineal Inguinal/Anogenital areas which had been there for
at least 3 months. They limited him functionally because they would open and seep sero
sanguinal fluid. Dr. Clark had last examined Plaintiff on February 3, 2012. Plaintiff was treated
with Keflex and Vicodin. The lesions were responsive to treatment and Plaintiff was compliant
with treatment. However, Plaintiff’s lesions never totally healed.
On July 19, 2012, Plaintiff’s primary care physician's office found that he had skin lesions
under his waistband, on his back and on both legs. (R. 340) Plaintiff testified that he used a cane
occasionally. He would use it once a day when he went to check his mail. He had been using it
for 3 years. (R. 33)
Plaintiff had gone to the 8th grade. (R. 34) He drove his car about once a month. He drove
less than a mile. (R. 35) Plaintiff had not worked since December 26, 2008. He had collected

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unemployment compensation during that time. (R. 36) His family helped to support him. Plaintiff
had last worked as a baker's assistant in a pet food factory. (R. 38) He baked dog biscuits. His
employer fired him because he said his pain pills interfered with his judgment. He also had blood
and fluid coming out of his skin lesions. The fluid caused the employer to have to shut the
machinery down and clean it. (R. 39) Plaintiff was currently receiving medical treatment for his
skin lesions and for his high blood pressure. He also had problems with his feet. He had swelling
in his feet, ankles and calves. Plaintiff took Hydrocodone, Soma and Keflex.(R.40-41) His
treating physician, Dr. Clark, prescribed his medications. She had been treating him since 1989.
(R. 41)
Plaintiff could stand for only 5 to 10 minutes. He could walk for about 15 feet before his
back would spasm. He could sit for about 20 minutes. His lifting was limited to 5 pounds. (R. 42)
It would be difficult for him to pick up coins from a table due to problems with his hands. He had
broken his right hand. (R. 43) Plaintiff dropped cups of coffee.
Plaintiff got about 5 hours of sleep a night. He was able to groom and dress himself. (R.
44) He was not able to stand long enough to cook. A neighbor lady brought him meals. His
daughter did all of the housekeeping (R. 45) Plaintiff did not have any pets. His daughter did the
grocery shopping because he could not walk that long. (R. 46) He stayed in his house all the time,
watching television. He had to lie down to let his back straighten out. He had once worn a back
brace. Plaintiff had received cortisone injections but they did not help. (R. 47)
Plaintiff did not have any hobbies. He enjoyed being with his grandchildren but was not
able to babysit them. (R. 48) He did not drink alcohol. He smoked a half pack of cigarettes a day.
(R. 50) He showered twice a day. (R. 71) Plaintiff thought the biggest reason he could not work

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was the skin lesions. They would open up and leak blood and pus out all over the place. (R. 51)
Plaintiff had been receiving medical treatment for the skin lesions since 1990. He had
never heard of the medical term for these lesions, Hidradenitis Suppurativa. (R. 56) He had been
having the lesions since he was born. The lesions became aggravated when he was about 13 years
old. He had received surgery on his back in 1991 to try to stop the lesions. (R. 58) His brother
and his grandson also had lesions. (R. 59)
Dr. Robert Sklaroff, an internist, testified that the Plaintiff’s impairments did not meet or
equal any Listing. (R. 54) He stated he was not able to diagnose the claimant with having
Hidradenitis Suppurativa because of the location of his lesions. They were in areas which were
under folds, which were moist and might not be cleansed, such as the axilla (underarm),
perineum, the perineal area and groin. He believed that the claimant's skin infections were due to
lack of hygiene. (R. 60) Dr. Sklaroff opined that Plaintiff’s condition did not meet or equal any of
the Listings or cause him to have any functional limitations. (R. 61) Dr. Sklaroff believed there
was no medical reason for Plaintiff to use a cane. (R. 62) He had reviewed Dr. Clark's February
15, 2012 evaluation (R. 334-338) which diagnosed Plaintiff with having Hidradenitis
Suppurativa. He disagreed with the treating physician's diagnosis because Dr. Sklaroff believed
the condition was due simply to poor hygiene. (R. 63) Dr. Sklaroff did not cite any medical
evidence to support his "lack of hygiene" theory. (R. 63-64) Nor does any of Plaintiff’s treating
physicians note a need for improved hygiene.
Dr. Sklaroff had never treated a patient with such a condition. (R. 64) He had never
treated a patient with Hidradenitis Suppurativa. He believed the Plaintiff’s problems would be
cured if he was given antibiotics and told by his doctor to clean the lesions. (R. 64) Dr. Sklaroff

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stated inconsistently that he "would send the patient to a specialist, but I would not have sent him
to a specialist because he would not meet minimum criteria for that kind of referral. I would be
laughed out of the room." (R. 65) He disbelieved Dr. Clark's diagnosis because the lesions would
have to appear in non-crevice skin areas and be much more frequent and persistent. (R. 65) Dr.
Sklaroff opined that proper diagnosis of the condition required more infections over "a lot more
sites over a lot more period of time." (R. 66)
Dr. Don Olive, a psychologist, testified that Plaintiff's impairments did not meet or equal
any Listing. (R. 54, 69) Plaintiff underwent a psychological evaluation in February, 2011 (R.
288-293). Plaintiff had a history of depression associated with his medical decline and a history
of suicidal ideation. He was diagnosed with major depression with a GAF of 51. (R. 68) The state
agency considered Listing 12.04 (depression) but determined Plaintiff had only moderate level
impairments. (R. 69)
Dewey Franklin, a vocational expert, testified in response to the ALJ's hypothetical
questions that the hypothetical person could not perform any of Plaintiff's past jobs. The
Plaintiff's educational level would not allow for entrance into skilled work. (R. 73) Plaintiff did
not have any transferrable skills. If it was assumed that the person was limited as testified to by
Dr. Sklaroff and Dr. Olive, the person would be able to perform some jobs. (R. 74-75)
Responding to Plaintiff's attorney's hypothetical questions, The VE testified that Plaintiff's
problems with underarm lesions and groin lesions that leaked pus and blood could eliminate all
jobs if the time it took the claimant to change his clothes and clean up took more than 10 percent
of the workday. (R. 77)
In support of remand, the Plaintiff first argues that substantial evidence fails to support

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the ALJ’s determination that he was not disabled because his chronic hidradenitis suppurativa did
not meet or equal Listing 8.06. In fact, the ALJ failed to cite or discuss Listing 8.06.
Listing 8.06 requires evidence proving the claimant had hidradenitis suppurativa with
extensive skin lesions involving both axillae, both inguinal areas or the perineum that have
persisted for at least 3 months despite continuing treatment as prescribed. Plaintiff argues that the
medical treatment by Dr. Clark and the consultative evaluation by Dr. Gatewood prove every
element in Listing 8.06. The Plaintiff argues that the fact that the ALJ never even mentioned
Listing 8.06 requires remand. Steele v. Barnhart, 290 F.3d 936, 940 (7th Cir. 2002), Brindisi ex
rel. Brindisi v. Barnhart, 315 F.3d 783, 786 (7th Cir. 2003) and Frazier v. Barnhart, 2006 WL
3776378 (S.D. Ind. 2006).
Barnett v. Barnhart, 381 F. 3d 664, 668 (7th Cir. 2004) stated:
In considering whether a claimant's condition meets or
equals a listed impairment, an ALJ must discuss the listing
by name and offer more than a perfunctory analysis of the
listing.
Likewise Ribaudo v. Barnhart, 458 F.3d 580, 583-584 (7th Cir. 2006), states:
We agree with Ribaudo that the ALJ did not provide a
sufficient analysis of the Step 3 question. What is troubling
is that the ALJ, in addition to not mentioning listing 1.04A,
did not evaluate any of the evidence on its required criteria
that is favorable to Ribaudo. ... [H]is failure here to evaluate
any of the evidence that potentially supported Ribaudo's claim
does not provide much assurance that he adequately considered
Ribaudo's case.
In the present case, it is undisputed that the ALJ's perfunctory consideration of the evidence
failed to provide the detailed analysis required for Listing 8.06. Moyer v. Astrue, 2008 WL
313243 (S.D. Ind. 2008). Further, the ALJ rejected or ignored the treating and examining medical

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evidence and relied instead on the non-treating, non-examining testimony by Dr. Sklaroff.
As it is undisputed that the ALJ failed to discuss Listing 8.06, which is directly applicable
to Plaintiff’s long-term condition, this matter must be remanded to the ALJ for proper
consideration of this Listing.
Next, Plaintiff argues that the ALJ’s credibility determination is patently erroneous
because it is contrary to Social Security Ruling 96-7p. Plaintiff contends that the ALJ arbitrarily
and erroneously rejected the medical evaluations and treatment evidence cited above which
proved the Plaintiff's combined impairments met or equaled Listing 8.06.
In Clifford v. Apfel, 227 F.3d 863, 872 (7th Cir. 2000), the Seventh Circuit reversed a
decision denying benefits because the ALJ's credibility determination that the claimant's
testimony was unsupported by the medical evidence was actually contrary to the medical
evidence. See also Zurawsky v. Halter, 245 F.3d 881, 887-888 (7th Cir. 2001); Steele v.
Barnhart, 290 F.3d 936, 941-942 (7th Cir. 2002); Brindisi ex rel. Brindisi v. Barnhart, 315 F.3d
783, 787-788 (7th Cir. 2003); Golembiewski v. Barnhart, 322 F.3d 912, 915-916 (7th Cir. 2003);
Carradine v. Barnhart, 360 F.3d 751, 754-755 (7th Cir. 2004); Inderanto v. Barnhart, 374 F.3d
470 (7th Cir. 2004); and, Barnett v. Barnhart, 381 F.3d 664, 670 (7th Cir. 2004).
In the present case, as the case is being remanded for proper consideration of Listing 8.06,
the court will also remand for a more thorough credibility determination.
Lastly, Plaintiff argues that substantial evidence fails to support the ALJ’s Step Five
determination that he was not disabled because he could perform some jobs. Remand is required
where an ALJ fails to give full consideration to all of a claimant's documented impairments in
determining that he is not disabled, Indoranto v. Barnhart, 374 F.3d 470, 473 (7th Cir. 2004);

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Steele v. Barnhart, 290 F.3d 936, 942 (7th Cir.2002); Young v. Barnhart, 362 F.3d 995, 10031004 (7th Cir. 2004); O'Connor-Spinner v. Astrue, 627 F.3d 614, 618-619 (7th Cir. 2010); Arnett
v. Astrue, 676 F.3d 586, 592 (7th Cir. 2012). Plaintiff herein claims that the ALJ's residual
functional capacity assessment did not accurately describe the claimant's impairments. Barrett v.
Barnhart, 355 F.3d 1065, 1068- 1069 (7th Cir. 2004).
Again, as this case is being remanded for the above reasons, the court will further remand
for a clear determination of whether Plaintiff meets Listing 8.06, either due to his hidradenitis
suppurativa, or due to combined impairments.
Conclusion
On the basis of the foregoing, this case is hereby REMANDED to the Commissioner for
proceedings consistent with this opinion.

Entered: March 9, 2015.

s/ William C. Lee
William C. Lee, Judge
United States District Court

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