Ickes v. Commissioner of Social Security

Filing 25

OPINION AND ORDER: The Commissioner's final decision is AFFIRMED. Signed by Magistrate Judge Joshua P Kolar on 09/19/2022. (jdb)

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UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
NORTHERN DISTRICT OF INDIANA
FORT WAYNE DIVISION
SCOTT EDWARD ICKES,
Plaintiff,
v.
KILOLO KIJAKAZI[ 1], Acting Commissioner
of Social Security,
Defendant.

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Case No. 1:20-cv-432-JPK

OPINION AND ORDER
Plaintiff Scott Edwards Ickes filed the present complaint seeking judicial review of a final
decision by the Commissioner of Social Security (“Commissioner”) denying his Title II
application for Disability Insurance Benefits (“DIB”). See 42 U.S.C. § 405(g). The parties have
consented to have this case assigned to a United States Magistrate Judge to conduct all further
proceedings and to order the entry of a final judgment. See [DE 10]. Accordingly, this Court has
jurisdiction to decide this case pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 636(c). After carefully considering the
Administrative Record [DE 17] and the parties’ briefs [DE 21, 22], the Court now affirms the
Commissioner’s decision.
BACKGROUND
Plaintiff filed an application for Social Security disability benefits on December 5, 2019,
alleging an inability to work beginning on March 10, 2008 due to heart attack, End-Stage Renal
Disease (ESRD), depression, social affective disorder, diabetic neuropathy, Degenerative Disc

1

Kilolo Kijakazi became the Acting Commissioner of Social Security effective July 9, 2021,
replacing the former commissioner, Andrew M. Saul. See Fed. R. Civ. P. 25(d).

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Disease (DDD), chronic pain, hypertension, and high cholesterol. [AR 2 131]. Plaintiff reported
that he had quadruple bypass surgery for a heart attack in November 2019, which was followed by
in-patient rehabilitative care, and that he was on dialysis three times a week for stage 4 kidney
disease. [AR 289, 293].
On January 16, 2020, the Social Security Administration (“SSA”) notified Plaintiff that his
request for Supplemental Security Income (“SSI”) had been granted based on an agency
determination at the initial level that, as of the application date, 3 he met the criteria for Listing
6.03, Chronic Kidney Disease with Dialysis, leading to a finding of presumptive disability. [AR
119-126, 150-163]. Plaintiff’s request for DIB benefits beginning on the alleged onset date of
March 10, 2008 through the last insured date of June 30, 2013, however, was denied at the initial
level on January 9, 2020 [AR 117-118], and at the reconsideration level on February 17, 2020 [DE
129]. Plaintiff filed a written request for a hearing before an administrative law judge (ALJ) on his
DIB claim, which was held on July 23, 2020. [AR 32-64]. 4 On August 4, 2020, the ALJ issued a
2

The referenced page numbers in the Administrative Record [“AR”] are to the numbers assigned
by the filer at the lower right corner of the page.
3

When a claimant files an application for SSI in the month that he meets all the other requirements
for eligibility, the earliest month for which the SSA can pay him SSI is the month following the
month he filed the application. See 20 C.F.R. § 416.335.
4

Plaintiff had previously filed an SSI application on December 2, 2016, which an ALJ denied by
a written decision on November 29, 2018. [AR 68-82]. The ALJ’s decision acknowledged
Plaintiff’s coronary artery disease, neuropathy, diabetes mellitus, and chronic kidney disease, but
concluded that Plaintiff was not under a disability at any time since the December 2, 2016
application date. [AR 78]; see footnote 3, supra. That decision was affirmed upon subsequent
judicial review. See Ickes v. Saul, No. 1:20-cv-4-PPS, 2021 WL 856234 (N.D. Ind. Mar. 8, 2021),
appeal dismissed sub nom., Ickes v. Kijakazi, No. 21-1811, 2021 WL 5381192 (7th Cir. July 23,
2021). Although the prior ALJ decision is included in the current record, the ALJ noted at the
hearing on Plaintiff’s current DIB application that the previous ALJ decision had not addressed
any request by Plaintiff for DIB benefits, and further stated that a new and independent
determination would be made on Plaintiff’s then-pending DIB application that was not tied to any
prior determinations that had been made in the past. [AR 36-37].
2

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written decision finding Plaintiff was not disabled between March 10, 2008 and June 30, 2013,
thus denying Plaintiff’s request for DIB benefits in that time period. [AR 15-26]. This appeal
followed.
FIVE-STEP EVALUATIVE PROCESS
To be eligible for Social Security disability benefits, a claimant must establish that he
suffers from a “disability,” which is defined as an inability to engage in any substantial gainful
activity by reason of any medically determinable physical or mental impairment that can be
expected to result in death or that has lasted or can be expected to last for a continuous period of
not less than twelve months. 42 U.S.C. § 423(d)(1)(A). The ALJ follows a five-step inquiry to
determine whether the claimant is disabled. The claimant bears the burden of proving steps one
through four, whereas the burden of proof at step five is on the ALJ. Zurawski v. Halter, 245 F.3d
881, 885-86 (7th Cir. 2001).
At the first step, the ALJ asks whether the claimant has engaged in substantial gainful
activity during the claimed period of disability. An affirmative answer at step one results in a
finding that the claimant is not disabled and the inquiry ends. If the answer is no, the ALJ moves
on to the second step, where the ALJ identifies the claimant’s physical or mental impairments, or
combination thereof, that are severe. If there are no severe impairments, the claimant is not
disabled. If there are, the ALJ determines at the third step whether those severe impairments meet
or medically equal the criteria of any presumptively disabling impairment listed in the regulations.
An affirmative answer at step three results in a finding of disability and the inquiry ends.
Otherwise, the ALJ goes on to determine the claimant’s residual functional capacity (RFC), which
is “an administrative assessment of what work-related activities an individual can perform despite
his limitations.” Dixon v. Massanari, 270 F.3d 1171, 1178 (7th Cir. 2001). At the fourth step of

3

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the inquiry, the ALJ determines whether the claimant is able to perform past relevant work given
the claimant’s RFC. If the claimant is unable to perform past relevant work, the ALJ determines,
at the fifth and final step, whether the claimant is able to perform any work in the national
economy. See 20 C.F.R. §§ 404.1520(a)(4)(i)-(v), 416.920(a)(4)(i)-(v). A positive answer at step
five results in a finding that the claimant is not disabled while a negative answer results in a finding
of disability. See Briscoe ex rel. Taylor v. Barnhart, 425 F.3d 345, 352 (7th Cir. 2005); 20 C.F.R.
§ 404.1520(a)(4).
THE ALJ’S DECISION
The ALJ made the following findings relevant to Plaintiff’s arguments in this appeal: 5
1.
The claimant last met the insured status requirements
of the Act on June 30, 2013.
2.
The claimant did not engage in substantial gainful
activity during the period beginning on the alleged onset date of
March 10, 2008 and ending on the last insured date of June 30, 2013.
3.
Through the last insured date of June 30, 2013, the
claimant had the following severe impairments: diabetes mellitus;
lower back pain; hypertension; mild to moderate obesity; depressive
disorder; and anxiety disorder.
4.
Through the date last insured, the claimant did not
have an impairment or combination of impairments that met or
medically equaled the severity of one of the listed impairments in
20 C.F.R. Part 404, Subpart P, Appendix 1.
5.
The claimant has the residual functional capacity to
perform light work subject to the following additional limitations:
Only occasional climbing of ramps and stairs, balancing, stooping,
kneeling, crouching, and crawling; never climbing ladders, ropes, or
scaffolds. Claimant needs to avoid concentrated exposure to
hazards, including operational control of dangerous moving
machinery, unprotected heights, and slippery, uneven, or moving
surfaces. Mentally, the claimant can only have superficial
interactions with supervisors, coworkers, and the general public,
5

The paragraphs listed herein correspond with the paragraphs in the ALJ’s decision.
4

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defined as occasional and casual contact with no prolonged
conversations.
6.
Through the date of last insured, the claimant was
capable of performing past relevant work as a Stocker and Inventory
Clerk. This work did not require the performance of work–related
activities precluded by claimant’s residual functional capacity. In
the alternative, based on the testimony of a vocational expert,
through the date last insured, considering the claimant’s age,
education, work experience, and residual functional capacity, the
claimant was capable of making a successful adjustment to other
work that existed in significant numbers in the national economy,
including the jobs of Small Products Assembler, Cleaner, and
Marker/Retailer.
7.
The claimant was not under a disability as defined in
the Act at any time from March 10, 2008, the alleged onset date,
through June 20, 2013, the date last insured.
See [AR 15-26].
STANDARD OF REVIEW
The question before the Court upon judicial review of the Commissioner’s final decision
pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 405(g) is not whether the claimant is in fact disabled, but whether the
ALJ’s decision “applies the correct legal standard and is supported by substantial evidence.”
Summers v. Berryhill, 864 F.3d 523, 526 (7th Cir. 2017); 42 U.S.C. § 405(g). “[I]f the
Commissioner commits an error of law,” the Court may reverse the decision “without regard to
the volume of evidence in support of the factual findings.” White v. Apfel, 167 F.3d 369, 373 (7th
Cir. 1999) (citing Binion v. Chater, 108 F.3d 780, 782 (7th Cir. 1997)). Apart from a legal error,
however, the Court must accept the Commissioner’s factual findings as conclusive if they are
supported by substantial evidence, which is “such relevant evidence as a reasonable mind might
accept as adequate to support a conclusion.” Moore v. Colvin, 743 F.3d 1118, 1120-21 (7th Cir.
2014) (quoting Richardson v. Perales, 402 U.S. 389, 401 (1971)). The Court reviews the entire
administrative record but does not re-weigh the evidence, resolve conflicts in evidence, or
5

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substitute its judgment for that of the ALJ. See McKinzey v. Astrue, 641 F.3d 884, 890 (7th Cir.
2011) (citing Lopez ex rel. Lopez v. Barnhart, 336 F.3d 535, 539 (7th Cir. 2003)). The ALJ must
articulate an analysis of the evidence to allow the reviewing court to trace the path of reasoning
and to be assured that the ALJ considered the important evidence. See Scott v. Barnhart, 297 F.3d
589, 595 (7th Cir. 2002). The ALJ also has a basic obligation to develop a full and fair record, and
he or she “must build an accurate and logical bridge between the evidence and the result to afford
the claimant meaningful judicial review of the administrative findings.” Beardsley v. Colvin, 758
F.3d 834, 837 (7th Cir. 2014).
ANALYSIS
Plaintiff raises a single argument for reversal of the Commissioner’s decision denying him
DIB benefits. According to Plaintiff, the evidence shows he suffered from depression in the same
time period in which his medical records indicate he was not always compliant with his diabetes
medication. Plaintiff asserts that his depression was “work–preclusive” and that the evidence
shows he “was sleeping 12-16 hours a day and not maintaining hygiene.” [DE 21 at 14]. He argues
that the ALJ erred by “comment[ing] on the diabetic non–compliance within the context of how it
impacted consistency and credibility” [id. at 13 (citing AR 22)], without “mak[ing] the connection
between depression and diabetes and … between depression and diabetic non–compliance” [id. at
14]. Plaintiff concludes that “[t]he ALJ was required to resolve the non–compliance issue prior to
using it as a credibility diminisher.” [Id.].
In general, a claimant’s failure to follow prescribed treatment may be relevant to a claim
for disability benefits in two ways. First, an ALJ may deny benefits to an otherwise disabled
individual if the claimant is disabled solely because he or she fails to follow prescribed treatment.
As SSR 18-3p explains, “an individual who meets the requirements to receive disability … benefits

6

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will not be entitled to these benefits if the individual fails, without good cause, to follow prescribed
treatment that we expect would restore his or her ability to engage in substantial gainful activity.”
Social Security Ruling 18-3P, Titles II and XVI: Failure To Follow Prescribed Treatment, 2018
WL 4945641, at *2 (S.S.A. Oct. 2, 2018); 6 see 20 C.F.R. § 404.1530(a) (“…. In order to get
benefits, you must follow treatment prescribed by your medical source(s) if this treatment is
expected to restore your ability to work.”). Before applying this rule, however, the ALJ must assess
whether the claimant had “good cause” for not following the prescribed treatment. See SSR 183p, 2018 WL 4945641, at *4-5; Hampton v. Colvin, No. 1:12-CV-275-JEM, 2014 WL 523043, at
*6 (N.D. Ind. Feb. 7, 2014) (“[A]n ALJ may deny benefits to someone when the only thing
preventing him from being able to work is an unjustified refusal to comply with treatment, but
Ruling 82–59 [superseded by SSR 18-3p] places a significant burden on the ALJ to confirm that
noncompliance is, in fact, the only thing preventing the claimant from working.”).
The second way in which a claimant’s failure to follow prescribed treatment may be
relevant to a claim for disability benefits is in the context of an ALJ’s evaluation of the severity of
a claimant’s alleged subjective symptoms. As SSR 16-3p explains, “[i]f the frequency or extent of
the treatment sought by an individual is not comparable with the degree of the individual’s
subjective complaints, or if the individual fails to follow prescribed treatment that might improve
symptoms, [the ALJ] may find the alleged intensity and persistence of an individual’s symptoms
are inconsistent with the overall evidence of record.” Social Security Ruling 16-3P, Titles II and
XVI: Evaluation Of Symptoms In Disability Claims, 2017 WL 5180304, at *9 (S.S.A. Oct. 25,

6

SSR 18-3p rescinds and replaces SSR 82-59, 1982 WL 31384 (S.S.A. 1982). See SSR 18-3p,
2018 WL 4945641, at *1.
7

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2017); 7 see Murphy v. Colvin, 759 F.3d 811, 816 (7th Cir. 2014) (“The ALJ may deem an
individual’s statements less credible if medical reports or records show that the individual is not
following the treatment as prescribed.”); Dixon v. Massanari, 270 F.3d 1171, 1179 (7th Cir. 2001)
(“[The ALJ] noted that although [the plaintiff] had elevated blood sugar levels, she did not always
comply with dietary recommendations and that her visits to physicians were ‘intermittent at best.’
Therefore [the ALJ] could have reasonably determined that [the plaintiff’s] testimony [about her
symptoms] was not credible.”). Similar to when the ALJ denies benefits to a disabled individual
because of a failure to follow prescribed treatment, however, when an ALJ uses noncompliance in
a subjective symptom evaluation, the ALJ must “first consider[ ] any explanations that the
individual may provide.” Lovellette v. Barnhart, No. 1:02-CV-278, 2003 WL 21918642, at *10
(N.D. Ind. June 25, 2003); see SSR 16-3p, 2017 WL 5180304, at 9 (“We will not find an
individual’s symptoms inconsistent with the evidence in the record on this basis without
considering possible reasons he or she may not comply with treatment or seek treatment consistent
with the degree of his or her complaints.”). And a negative inference about the severity of a
claimant’s symptoms may not be drawn from evidence of noncompliance “if there are good
reasons” for the noncompliance. Murphy, 759 F.3d at 816; see also Perz v. Kijakazi, No. 2:20-cv367-JPK, 2022 WL 354694, at *6 (N.D. Ind. Feb. 7, 2022) (“[G]iven the … testimony suggesting
Plaintiff may not have been able to afford physical therapy, any inference based on her failure to
pursue those treatments should have been accompanied by an inquiry about whether she had the
money to do so.”).

7

SSR 16-3p rescinds and replaces SSR 96-7p, 1996 WL 374186 (S.S.A. July 2, 1996). See SSR
16-3p, 2017 WL 5180304, at *2.
8

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Plaintiff cites several cases in which the courts considered whether a negative inference
about the severity of a claimant’s symptoms was justified in light of the claimant’s mental
impairments, some of which involve the use of evidence of noncompliance in the context
addressed by SSR 18-3p,8 and some of which involve the use of evidence of noncompliance in the
context addressed by SSR 16-3p. 9 While the Plaintiff does not explain which regulation, SSR 183p or SSR 16-3p, applies to this case to require the ALJ to have discussed the reasons for his
noncompliance, as discussed below only the latter would even arguably apply. The only place in
the ALJ’s decision where the ALJ mentions Plaintiff’s failure to comply with treatment is in the
following discussion:
As for the claimant’s statements about the intensity, persistence, and
limiting effects of his symptoms, they are inconsistent with the
evidence before the date last insured.… The claimant reported few
symptoms from the poor management of his diabetes or blood
8

See Garrison v. Colvin, 759 F.3d 995, 1018 n.24 (9th Cir. 2014) (“[W]e do not punish the
mentally ill for occasionally going off their medication when the record affords compelling reason
to view such departures from prescribed treatment as part of claimants’ underlying mental
afflictions.”); Martinez v. Astrue, 630 F.3d 693, 697 (7th Cir. 2011) (“[P]eople with serious
psychiatric problems are often incapable of taking their prescribed medications consistently.”);
Spiva v. Astrue, 628 F.3d 346, 351 (7th Cir. 2010) (“The administrative law judge’s reference to
Spiva’s failing to take his medications ignores one of the most serious problems in the treatment
of mental illness—the difficulty of keeping patients on their medications.”); Pate-Fires v. Astrue,
564 F.3d 935, 945 (8th Cir. 2009) (reversing where the ALJ denied benefits on the ground that the
plaintiff was disabled solely because of her failure to remain compliant with medications but
disregarded the role plaintiff’s mental illness played in her noncompliance).
9

See Nguyen v. Chater, 100 F.3d 1462, 1465 (9th Cir. 1996) (“the fact that claimant may be one
of millions of people who did not seek treatment for a mental disorder until late in the day is not a
substantial basis on which to conclude that Dr. Brown’s assessment of claimant’s condition is
inaccurate”); Blankenship v. Bowen, 874 F.2d 1116, 1124 (6th Cir. 1989) (finding that the
claimant’s failure to seek psychiatric treatment for his mental condition was not a valid reason for
disbelieving his allegations of pain, panic, and depression); Seamon v Barnhart, No. 05-C-13-C,
2005 WL 1801406, at *19-20 (W.D. Wis. July 29, 2005) (“[T]he ALJ was relying on [the
plaintiff’s] testimony [that she quit going to her psychiatrist] to establish one of two points:
(1) Plaintiff had not complied with recommended treatment, and therefore her subjective
complaints were not credible; or (2) Plaintiff’s condition had improved in June 2003 and therefore
she was not disabled[.]”).
9

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pressure, although his compliance with taking medication,
following a diabetic diet, and checking his blood pressure at home
was inconsistent per his reports.
[AR 22]. 10 SSR 18-3p has no relevance to the quoted discussion as the ALJ did not find that
Plaintiff was disabled but then denied benefits based on his failure to comply. Nor does Plaintiff
contend that he would have been entitled to benefits had he followed prescribed treatment. Thus,
the case law Plaintiff cites under SSR 18-3p is inapposite. See Luckett v. Astrue, No. 11-cv-3342,
2012 WL 3485287 (C.D. Ill. Aug. 15, 2012) (“The ALJ found that [the plaintiff] did not have a
disabling condition regardless of his compliance or noncompliance with his medication.”
(emphasis added)).
The above-quoted discussion in the ALJ’s decision about Plaintiff’s treatment
noncompliance instead occurs in the context of the ALJ’s symptom evaluation, and thus invokes
SSR 16-3p. The SSA defines a “symptom” as the individual’s “own description of [his] physical
or mental impairment.” 20 C.F.R. § 404.1502(i). “Subjective allegations of disabling symptoms
alone cannot support a finding of disability.” Acevez v. Colvin, No. 2:13-cv-168-PRC, 2014 WL
3767679, at *11 (N.D. Ind. July 31, 2014); see 20 C.F.R. § 404.1529. “When determining
disability, the ALJ must weigh these subjective complaints, the relevant objective medical
evidence, and any other evidence of the following factors:
(1)

The individual’s daily activities;

(2)

Location, duration, frequency, and intensity of pain or other symptoms;

(3)

Precipitating and aggravating factors;

(4)

Type, dosage, effectiveness, and side effects of any medication;

10

If this is not the language Plaintiff had in mind then the fault lies with Plaintiff for having failed
to identify the specific part of the ALJ’s decision he finds objectionable. See Heather M. v.
Berryhill, 384 F. Supp. 3d 928, 936 (N.D. Ill. 2019) (“A district court need not scour the record to
make the case of a party who does nothing.” (quoting Herman v. City of Chicago, 870 F.2d 400,
404 (7th Cir. 1989)).
10

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(5)

Treatment, other than medication, for relief of pain or other symptoms;

(6)

Other measures taken to relieve pain or other symptoms;

(7)

Other factors concerning functional limitations due to pain or other
symptoms.”

Acevez, 2014 WL3767679, at *11; see 20 C.F.R. § 404.1529(c). An ALJ must adequately explain
how an evaluation of these factors led to the result in the decision. Acevez, 2014 WL3767679, at
*11.
The above framework for evaluating a claimant’s subjective symptom reports does not
“assess[ ] the ‘credibility’ of an applicant’s statements, but [ ] instead focus[es] on determining the
‘intensity and persistence of [the applicant’s] symptoms.’” Cole v. Colvin, 831 F.3d 411, 412 (7th
Cir. 2016) (quoting SSR 16-3p); see Kniola v. Berryhill, No. 2:16-CV-506-PRC, 2018 WL
1318317, at *4 (N.D. Ind. Mar. 14, 2018) (“Under SSR 16-3p, an ALJ now assesses a claimant’s
subjective symptoms rather than assessing his ‘credibility.’”). The SSA “eliminat[ed] the use of
the term ‘credibility’ from [its] sub–regulatory policy” and “clarif[ied] that subjective symptom
evaluation is not an examination of an individual’s character.” Cole, 831 F.3d at 412 (“The change
in wording is meant to clarify that administrative law judges aren’t in the business of impeaching
claimants’ character.”). Notwithstanding any possible suggestion to the contrary from Plaintiff’s
characterization of the ALJ’s analysis as involving use of noncompliance as a “credibilitydiminisher,” the ALJ properly evaluated Plaintiff’s symptoms pursuant to the factors outlined in
20 C.F.R. § 404.1529(c) and SSR 16-3p, without assessing “credibility” in the older sense. See
Rochelle D.H. v. Comm’r of Soc. Sec., No. 1:19-CV-243-MGG, 2021 WL 912932, at *2 n.2 (N.D.
Ind. Mar. 10, 2021). 11 That is, a review of the ALJ’s decision demonstrates that at no point did the
11

“Although the Social Security Administration couched SSR 16-3p as a clarification, [courts have
noted that] it represents a significant change in how ALJs must decide cases,” in that it “eliminates
the entire section entitled ‘Credibility’ in SSR 96–7p and, instead of requiring analysis of a
claimant’s credibility, instructs ALJs to determine ‘the extent to which ... symptoms can
11

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ALJ “cross[ ] the line from a permissible evaluation of plaintiff’s assertions (the accuracy of [his]
testimony) to an impermissible evaluation of the plaintiff [himself] ([his] truthfulness).” Terry,
2021 WL 930683, at *5.
The ALJ began with a discussion of Plaintiff’s testimony regarding his subjective
symptoms:
In testimony, the claimant reported he last worked at Walmart for
almost four years, first as a sales associate in the home and garden
department and then later as a stocker. He added he stopped working
at Walmart in 2008 because he did not like how the store was run
and that was causing stress. He stated he had a driver’s license prior
to the date last insured but that it is currently expired. He noted he
has been diagnosed with diabetes since 2003, adding he would
sometimes forget to take his medication at times, but that he has
overall been generally compliant with his diabetic medications. He
struggled to recall specific details of his functioning prior to the date
last insured, but he estimated that he was able to walk only short
periods, noting he would have pain walking through the grocery
store, he could stand for maybe half an hour, and he could lift or
carry 3-5 pounds. He added he would avoid stairs as much as
possible. He discussed depression, stating he went to Bowen Center
for a while and they put him on medication that initially helped but
later had an opposite effect on him. He recalled being so depressed
at one time that he went three weeks without showering. He
indicated at that time he was able to cook for himself, grocery shop
and perform household chores, but he denied caring for any pets or
engaging in any hobbies at that time. He stated that at that time he
was sleeping a lot due to depression, sometimes 12-16 hours a day.

reasonably be accepted as consistent with the objective medical and other evidence in the
[claimant's] record.’ This shift in focus from a more general analysis of a claimant’s truthfulness
to an objective comparison of a claimant’s statements to the evidence of record changes two
decades of SSA policy (and ALJ practice) regarding the evaluation of the intensity, persistence,
and limiting effects of a claimant’s symptoms.” Terry v. Saul, Civil Action No. 1:19-00912, 2021
WL 930683, at *4–5 (S.D.W. Va. Mar. 11, 2021) (internal quotation marks omitted) (quoting
Bagliere v. Colvin, No. 1:16-CV-109, 2017 WL 318834, at *7 (M.D.N.C. Jan. 23, 2017) (emphasis
in original) (citation omitted)). The Seventh Circuit observed in Cole, however, that “obviously
administrative law judges will continue to assess the credibility of pain assertions by applicants,
especially as such assertions often cannot be either credited or rejected on the basis of medical
evidence.” 831 F.3d at 412 (emphasis in original).
12

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He also recalled having some urinary frequency during that period,
sometimes up to ten times per day.
[AR 22]. It is true that the ALJ followed this summary with “boilerplate language” that the Seventh
Circuit has criticized as “meaningless.” Murphy, 759 F.3d at 816; see [AR 22]. But “simply
because the ALJ used boilerplate language does not automatically undermine or discredit the
ALJ’s ultimate conclusion if [the decision] otherwise points to information that justifies” the ALJ’s
analysis. Id. (internal quotation marks and citation omitted); see also Shumaker v. Colvin, 632
F. App’x 861, 867 (7th Cir 2015) (same). Here the ALJ did that.
In evaluating Plaintiff’s symptom testimony, the ALJ considered medical source evidence,
which included statements concerning his symptoms that Plaintiff made to his medical providers
during the time period under consideration. See SSR 16-3p, 2017 WL 5180304, at *6 (if the ALJ
“cannot make a disability determination or decision that is fully favorable based on objective
medical evidence,” then the ALJ must consider “other evidence in the record in reaching a
conclusion about the intensity, persistence, and limiting effects of an individual’s symptoms[,]”
including statements made by the claimant “about [his] symptoms directly to medical sources”).
The ALJ began by noting that, in the time period under consideration, Plaintiff “was treated for
diabetes mellitus with some use of insulin, some back pain, and hypertension.” [AR 22]. The ALJ
noted that Plaintiff’s medical records showed that he “had variable blood sugar control during the
period at issue, with hemoglobin A1c readings varying from ‘7.3’ to ’10.’” [Id.]. Then, the ALJ
said (in the sentence on which Plaintiff bases his appeal) that Plaintiff “reported few symptoms
from the poor management of his diabetes or blood pressure, although his compliance with taking
medication, following a diabetic diet, and checking his blood pressure at home was inconsistent
per his reports.” [Id.]. While the sentence could have been written more clearly, the ALJ was
merely describing the reports in Plaintiff’s medical records, i.e., that Plaintiff reported that he was
13

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suffering few symptoms even though he also reported he did not always comply with taking
medication, following a diabetic diet, and checking his blood pressure at home. This sentence does
not say or suggest that Plaintiff’s allegations of severe symptoms were inconsistent with his failure
to seek treatment or his noncompliance with prescribed treatment. Instead, it states or suggests that
Plaintiff’s allegations of severe symptoms were inconsistent with Plaintiff’s symptoms reports to
his medical providers of only a “few” symptoms. “The ALJ noted that [Plaintiff’s] medical
evidence stated that he was not compliant with his diabetes medicine at various times, but the ALJ
found that [Plaintiff reported few symptoms] even with his noncompliance.” Luckett, 2012 WL
3485287, at *11. The “credibility diminisher,” using Plaintiff’s words, was the symptom reports
to the medical providers, not, as Plaintiff argues, the failure to follow prescribed treatment. The
ALJ was entitled to rely on Plaintiff’s few symptom reports to his medical providers as being
inconsistent with his testimony concerning the severity, frequency, and limiting effects of his
symptoms. SSR 16-3p, 2017 WL 5180304, at *6 (other evidence that the ALJ may consider in
evaluating a claimant’s subjective symptom reports include “statements about symptoms directly
to medical sources”). Plaintiff inaccurately describes the ALJ’s decision as finding that his
symptom testimony was inconsistent with his failure to follow prescribed treatment. The ALJ did
not make that finding, so the ALJ did not have to inquire about why Plaintiff failed to follow
prescribed treatment.
Insofar as the ALJ’s reliance on evidence that Plaintiff did not report many symptoms to
his medical providers is concerned, Plaintiff does not argue that the ALJ cherry-picked from his
medical records, and the Court’s own review of those records shows that the ALJ did not cherry–
pick. Plaintiff’s medical notes repeatedly state that Plaintiff reported “he ha[d] no HA’s dizziness,
vision changes, tinnitus, syncope, edema or CP.” [AR 438 (March 28, 2011); AR 441 (December

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21, 2010); AR 454 (July 26, 2010)]. He also denied suffering “s/s hypo/hyperglycemia” [AR 441
(December 21, 2010); AR 454 (July 26, 2010)], or “paresthesia or LEs or urinary problems” [AR
423 (February 1, 2012)]. On December 10, 2012, Plaintiff’s hypertension was stable, and he
complained only of a recurrent cough. [AR 400]. He denied asthma, fever, chills, or night sweats.
[AR 400]. No medical records show symptom reports inconsistent with the ALJ’s observations.
Moreover, Plaintiff’s hearing testimony also was consistent with the ALJ’s observations
about symptom reports in his medical records. The ALJ asked Plaintiff how his diabetic condition
from 2008 to 2013 affected him, and his only response was that he was not on insulin at that time.
[AR 44-45, 48]. He testified that he took his medications as prescribed, and would go off of them
“on a very rare occasion.” [AR 48]. He denied having any dizziness or feeling light–headedness
in the relevant time period. [AR 46]. He did testify that he suffered from neuropathy, which gave
him sharp pains in his feet and sometimes his hands, but he also testified that he did not take any
medicine for the pain. [AR 45-46]. Similarly, he testified to occasional lower back pain, which he
said was treatable with Tylenol, although it sometimes affected his ability to stand or walk. [AR
47]. In all, and despite the ALJ’s repeated questions asking about diabetes–related symptoms,
Plaintiff related very few subjective symptoms from his diabetes in the relevant time period. 12

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The ALJ’s finding of few symptoms despite lack of compliance is also supported by statements
Plaintiff made in a phone interview with SSA personnel in December 2019. See SSR 16-3p, 2017
WL 5180304, at *7 (in evaluating the claimant’s symptoms, the ALJ should also “consider any
statements in the record noted by agency personnel who previously interviewed the individual,
whether in person or by telephone”). Plaintiff reported that prior to 2013, he was working at
Walmart, had his own apartment and maintained it, paid his bills, did his own laundry and
shopping, cooked for himself, and was able to drive. [AR 297]. The Seventh Circuit has criticized
ALJs who infer an ability to perform full-time work from an ability to perform activities of daily
living. See Stark v. Colvin, 813 F.3d 684, 688 (7th Cir. 2016); Moore, 743 F.3d at 1126; Roddy v.
Astrue, 705 F.3d 631, 639 (7th Cir. 2013). “But that is not what the ALJ did [here]. Rather, the
ALJ evaluated [Plaintiff’s] daily activities against [his] asserted impairments in assessing whether
[he] was exaggerating the effects of [his] impairments.” Shumaker, 632 F. App’x at 866 (citing,
inter alia, 20 C.F.R. § 404.1529(c)(3)(i) (explaining that the agency will consider daily activities
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Plaintiff describes his depression as “work–preclusive.” But the Court notes that Plaintiff
does not affirmatively argue that the ALJ should have imposed greater restrictions on his ability
to work based on his mental limitations caused by his depression. Instead, he appears to use the
descriptive term “work-preclusive” for rhetorical purposes only, as he makes no attempt to show
that his depression was in fact “work-preclusive.” To the extent that Plaintiff intended to make
some sort of argument claiming error in the ALJ’s RFC findings related to his depression, a
“fleeting mention” of the depression being “work-preclusive” is insufficient to do so. Vang v. Saul,
805 F. App’x 398, 403 (7th Cir. 2020) (“Perfunctory and undeveloped arguments are waived, as
are arguments unsupported by legal authority.” (quoting M.G. Skinner & Assocs. Ins. Agency v.
Norman-Spencer Agency, 845 F.3d 313, 321 (7th Cir. 2017)); see also Garza v. Kijakazi, No. 212164, 2022 WL 378663, at *3 (7th Cir. Feb. 8, 2022) (“Garza’s meager treatment of this argument
constitutes waiver.”); Krell v. Saul, 931 F.3d 582, 586–87 n.1 (7th Cir. 2019) (where a party does
no more than “allude to” an argument, court will not consider it). In any event, the ALJ considered
Plaintiff’s complaints about depression in the context of the record as a whole [AR 19-20, 22-23],
including largely normal mental status findings [AR 479-80, 482-84, 486], and reports of good
functioning during the relevant period [AR 297-298, 479, 482, 486]. The ALJ properly concluded
Plaintiff’s mental functioning was not as limited by his depression as he alleged. [AR 19-20].

in evaluating the severity of the claimant’s symptoms); Pepper v. Colvin, 712 F.3d 351, 369 (7th
Cir. 2013) (agreeing with ALJ’s reasoning that claimant’s daily activities undermined her
testimony about extent of her symptoms))); see also Loveless v. Colvin, 810 F.3d 502, 508 (7th
Cir. 2016) (noting that ALJ discussed claimant’s performance of activities of daily living but did
not equate it with ability to work); John S. v. Saul, No. 1:19-cv-1008-DLP-JRS, 2020 WL 428093,
at *9 (S.D. Ind. Jan. 27, 2020) (similar); SSR 16-3p, 2017 WL 5180304, at *7 (directing ALJ to
consider daily activities in evaluating the intensity, persistence, and limiting effects of the
claimant’s symptoms).
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In sum, assuming, as Plaintiff argues, that his depression affected his compliance with
medicines and/or diet prescribed to treat his diabetes mellitus, as has been discussed the ALJ did
not discredit Plaintiff’s reported symptoms from his diabetes on the basis of that noncompliance.
Rather, the ALJ found that the evidence (including Plaintiff’s statements to his medical providers)
showed that Plaintiff did not suffer severe symptoms from his diabetes regardless of his apparent
lack of compliance with medication. The ALJ found that Plaintiff’s symptom testimony was
inconsistent with other evidence in the record, including Plaintiff’s few reports of serious
symptoms to his medical providers, not that his symptom testimony was inconsistent with his past
noncompliance with prescribed treatment.
The ALJ’s finding regarding Plaintiff’s limitations from his diabetes is conclusive if
supported by substantial evidence. Schmidt v. Barnhart, 395 F.3d 737, 744 (7th Cir. 2005). This
Court “does not substitute its judgment for that of the ALJ, and an ALJ’s decision will be upheld
where there exists such relevant evidence as a reasonable mind might accept as adequate to support
a conclusion.” Id. (internal quotation marks and citation omitted). Plaintiff does not challenge the
ALJ’s RFC on the basis that it is not supported by substantial evidence, i.e., that a reasonable mind
could not accept the RFC as adequate. He instead makes only a “logical bridge” argument attacking
the ALJ’s reasoning for discounting Plaintiff’s alleged limitations from his diabetes. But there was
no error in the ALJ’s passing comment on Plaintiff’s noncompliance. Accordingly, Plaintiff has
not shown any grounds for reversing the ALJ’s determination that Plaintiff was not disabled in the
time period between March 10, 2008 and June 30, 2013.

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CONCLUSION
Based on the foregoing, the Commissioner’s final decision is AFFIRMED.
ORDERED this 19th day of September, 2022.
s/ Joshua P. Kolar
MAGISTRATE JUDGE JOSHUA P. KOLAR
UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

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