MOORE v. ASTRUE
Filing
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ENTRY ON JUDICIAL REVIEW: The decision of the Commissioner is REVERSED AND REMANDED (see Entry for details). Signed by Magistrate Judge Mark J. Dinsmore on 8/28/2013.(SWM)
UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF INDIANA
INDIANAPOLIS DIVISION
THOMAS J. MOORE,
Plaintiff,
vs.
CAROLYN W. COLVIN, Acting
Commissioner of Social Security,
Defendant.
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No. 1:12-cv-00739-MJD-JMS
ENTRY ON JUDICIAL REVIEW
Plaintiff Thomas Moore requests judicial review of the final decision of the
Commissioner of the Social Security Administration (“Commissioner”) denying his application
for Social Security Disability Insurance Benefits (“DIB”) under Title II of the Social Security
Act (“the Act”). See 42 U.S.C. §§ 416(i), 423(d). For the reasons set forth below, the decision of
the Commissioner is REVERSED AND REMANDED.1
I.
Procedural History
Moore filed an application for DIB on January 9, 2006, alleging an onset of disability of
November 1, 2004. Moore’s application was denied initially on August 9, 2006 and on
reconsideration on October 18, 2006. Moore requested a hearing which was held on October 27,
2008 before Administrative Law Judge Stephen E. Davis (“ALJ”). The ALJ denied Moore’s
application on June 25, 2009. On December 18, 2009, the Appeals Council granted Moore’s
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The parties consented to the Magistrate Judge conducting all proceedings and ordering the entry of judgment in
accordance with 28 U.S.C. § 636(c) and Fed. R. Civ. P. 73. Any objections to or appeal of this decision must be
made directly to the Court of Appeals in the same manner as an appeal from any other judgment of a district court.
28 U.S.C. § 363(c)(3).
request for review and remanded the case to the ALJ. A second hearing was held on May 4, 2010
before the same ALJ. On November 23, 2010, the ALJ again denied Moore’s application. The
Appeals Council denied Moore’s request for review on April 2, 2012, making the ALJ’s decision
the final decision for purposes of judicial review. Moore filed his Complaint with this Court on
May 30, 2012.
II.
Factual Background and Medical History
Thomas Moore was 41 years old at the time he filed his application for disability. He has
a general equivalency diploma (“GED”) and past relevant work experience as a machinist in the
armed forces. In November 2004, Moore underwent bilateral aorto-femoral bypass. In 2005, he
had three more procedures on his right leg. In March 2006, Moore was seen for a consultative
examination by a physician at the Disability Determination Bureau. That doctor indicated that
Moore was able to sit, stand, and walk normally. Since then, Moore had another aorto-femoral
bypass in August 2006, an angioplasty in 2007, and another angioplasty in 2009. There were no
other opinions from the Disability Determination Bureau.
III.
Applicable Standard
To be eligible for DIB, a claimant must have a disability under 42 U.S.C. § 423.
Disability is defined as “the inability to engage in 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.” 42 U.S.C. § 423(d)(1)(A). In order to be found disabled, a claimant must demonstrate
that his physical or mental limitations prevent him from doing not only his previous work, but
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any other kind of gainful employment which exists in the national economy, considering his age,
education, and work experience. 42 U.S.C. § 423(d)(2)(A).
In determining whether a claimant is disabled, the Commissioner employs a five-step
sequential analysis. At step one, if the claimant is engaged in substantial gainful activity he is not
disabled, despite his medical condition and other factors. 20 C.F.R. § 404.1520(b). At step two,
if the claimant does not have a “severe” impairment (i.e., one that significantly limits his ability
to perform basic work activities), he is not disabled. 20 C.F.R. § 404.1520(c). At step three, the
Commissioner determines whether the claimant’s impairment or combination of impairments
meets or medically equals any impairment that appears in the Listing of Impairments, 20 C.F.R.
pt. 404, subpt. P, App. 1, and whether the impairment meets the twelve-month duration
requirement; if so, the claimant is disabled. 20 C.F.R. § 404.1520(d). At step four, if the claimant
is able to perform his past relevant work, he is not disabled. 20 C.F.R. § 404.1520(f). At step
five, if the claimant can perform any other work in the national economy, he is not disabled. 20
C.F.R. § 404.1520(g).
In reviewing the ALJ’s decision, the ALJ’s findings of fact are conclusive and must be
upheld by this court “so long as substantial evidence supports them and no error of law
occurred.” Dixon v. Massanari, 270 F.3d 1171, 1176 (7th Cir. 2001). “Substantial evidence
means such relevant evidence as a reasonable mind might accept as adequate to support a
conclusion.” Id. This court may not reweigh the evidence or substitute its judgment for that of
the ALJ. Overman v. Astrue, 546 F.3d 456, 462 (7th Cir. 2008). The ALJ “need not evaluate in
writing every piece of testimony and evidence submitted.” Carlson v. Shalala, 999 F.2d 180, 181
(7th Cir. 1993). However, the “ALJ’s decision must be based upon consideration of all the
relevant evidence.” Herron v. Shalala, 19 F.3d 329, 333 (7th Cir. 1994). In order to be affirmed,
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the ALJ must articulate his analysis of the evidence in his decision; while he “is not required to
address every piece of evidence or testimony,” he must “provide some glimpse into [his]
reasoning . . . [and] build an accurate and logical bridge from the evidence to [his] conclusion.”
Dixon, 270 F.3d at 1176.
IV.
ALJ’s Decision
The ALJ first determined that Moore met the insured status requirements of the Act
through December 31, 2010. Applying the five-step analysis, the ALJ found at step one that
Moore had not engaged in substantial gainful activity since the alleged onset date of November
1, 2004. At step two, the ALJ found that Moore had the following severe impairment: peripheral
vascular disease.
At step three, the ALJ determined that Moore did not have an impairment or combination
of impairments that meets or medically equals one of the listed impairments in 20 C.F.R. Part
404, Subpart P, Appendix 1.
Next, the ALJ found that Moore had the residual functional capacity (“RFC”) to perform
the full range of sedentary work as defined in 20 C.F.R. 404.1567(c).
At step four, the ALJ determined that Moore was unable to perform any of his past
relevant work. At step five, the ALJ determined that, considering Moore’s age, education, work
experience, and RFC, there were jobs that existed in significant numbers in the national economy
that Moore could perform. Therefore, the ALJ determined that Moore was not disabled.
V.
Discussion
The central issue in this matter is whether there is substantial evidence to support the
ALJ’s decision that Little was not disabled. Dixon, 270 F.3d at 1176. Plaintiff requests that this
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Court review: 1) the ALJ’s failure to consult a medical expert and 2) the ALJ’ failure to discuss
and give weight to the VA disability determination, as required by the Appeal’s Council’s
remand order. For the reasons set forth below, the Court finds that there is not substantial
evidence to support the ALJ’s decision.
A.
Failure to consult a medical expert
The ALJ failed to consult a medical expert to review the record and determine medical
equivalency. The medical record primarily consists of Moore’s treatment history with the VA
from 2005 to 2010. There are no RFC assessments, opinions on medical equivalency, or medical
source statements from any of Moore’s treating physicians to aid in the ALJ’s determination of
disability. The record contains one opinion from a state agency physician from 2006. There is
nothing in the record to indicate that a medical expert reviewed the VA treatment records since
2006. These treatment records are so complex that it is impossible for a lay person to determine
whether Moore’s impairments are disabling. Thus, the ALJ had a duty to develop the record.
While the plaintiff has the burden of showing that his impairments meet or equal a
medical listing, it is the ALJ who is to consult a medical expert and make a determination on
medical equivalency. 20 C.F.R. 404.1526; SSR 96-6p, 1996 WL 374180 (July 2, 1996). Plaintiff
has satisfied his limited burden by providing an extensive medical record. 20 C.F.R. 404.1512.
Moore is not a doctor, his attorney is not a doctor. That is why the rules and regulations impose a
duty on the ALJ to consult a medical expert to decipher a plaintiff’s medical record to determine
if there is anything that would indicate disability. Yet there is no medical opinion on the issue of
medical equivalency. Defendant asserts that “the only opinion in the record on the listings
supports the ALJ’s finding.” Brief for Defendant at 6, Moore v. Astrue, No. 1:12-cv-00739-MJDJMS (S.D. Ind. Jan. 4, 2013), ECF No. 25 [hereinafter Dkt. 25]. While Defendant is quick to
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point out that Plaintiff does not provide a single citation in the over 1,300-page record that his
impairments meet a listing, id., Defendant also failed to direct the Court to the so-called medical
opinion on the issue of equivalency. After reviewing the record cover-to-cover, the Court did not
find any medical opinion on the issue of medical equivalency. Additionally, the ALJ provides a
perfunctory analysis on medical equivalency. The three sentence assessment broadly references
section 4.00 of the listings and the only support that Moore’s impairments do not equal a listing
is evidence that a 2008 rest/stress cardiac perfusion study was normal.2 The listings do not
suggest or provide that this is the only measurement to determine whether an impairment equals
a listing. Therefore, remand is required. Barnett v. Barnhart, 381 F.3d 664 (7th Cir. 2004).
Defendant argues that Moore “suggests offhand . . . that the ALJ should have called a
medical expert at the hearing” and that this argument should be waived for being undeveloped.
[Dkt. 25 at 7 n. 2.] First, Moore only suggested that a medical expert was needed, not that one
needed to be present at the hearing. While Defendant is correct that the decision to have a
medical expert testify at a hearing rests with the ALJ, Skarbeck v. Barnhart, 390 F.3d 500, 504
(7th Cir. 2004), it is well regarded that a medical expert is needed to determine the issue of
medical equivalency. SSR 96-6p.
Second, Moore argues that a medical expert was needed to review the complexity of the
medical record and evaluate Plaintiff’s worsening condition. The Court agrees. The only medical
expert opinions in the record were from 2006. Since then, Moore has had at least two more
procedures and a potential worsening of symptoms. The medical-ease associated with the records
from the VA is highly complex and sophisticated. The ALJ had a duty to fully develop the record
in this instance. 20 C.F.R. § 404.1512(e) (“When the evidence we receive from your treating
physician . . . is inadequate for us to determine whether you are disabled, we will need additional
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Plaintiff asserts that his impairments meet listing 4.11 and/or 4.12.
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information to reach a determination or a decision.”); see also SSR 96-8p (the ALJ must “make
every reasonable effort to ensure that the file contains sufficient evidence to assess the RFC.”);
20 C.F.R. 1512(d) (the Commissioner’s responsibility is to develop a complete medical history
before making a determination that a claimant is not disabled). This Court cannot allow the ALJ
to play doctor with such a complicated medical record. Brennan-Kenyon v. Barnhart, 252 F.
Supp. 2d 681, 696 (N.D. Ill. 2003) (citing Wilder v. Chater, 64 F.3d 335, 337-38 (7th Cir.
1995)). Thus, an updated medical opinion was needed. Because the ALJ failed to consult a
medical expert, remand is appropriate.
B.
Failure to discuss Moore’s VA disability
The ALJ also failed to discuss and give weight to Moore’s VA disability determination.
Social Security Ruling (“SSR”) 06-3p requires that “evidence of a disability decision by another
governmental or nongovernmental agency cannot be ignored and must be considered.” SSR 063p, available at https/www.socialsecurity.gov/OP_Home/rulings/di/01/SSR2006-03-di-01.html
(last visited Aug. 20, 2013). The Seventh Circuit determined that determinations of disability by
the VA should be given “some weight.” Allord v. Barnhart, 455 F.3d 818, 820 (7th Cir. 2006).
While a disability determination made by another agency is not binding on the Commissioner, 20
C.F.R. § 404.1504, the adjudicator should explain the consideration given to that agency’s
disability decision. SSR 06-3p. Review of the ALJ’s decision in this case reveals a lack of
discussion and consideration for the VA disability determination. The ALJ’s discussion of
Moore’s disability simply states “[h]e appears to have a 90% disability pension from the [VA].”
[R. at 14.] This discussion was only provided in reference to Moore’s earnings and whether he
had engaged in substantial gainful activity. There is no mention of the disability decision in any
other section and no weight was given to the VA’s disability determination.
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Defendant argues that the ALJ did not err in failing to give weight to the VA disability
determination because there was not an official decision from the VA regarding Moore’s
disability status. Here, Defendant attempts to explain the decision of the ALJ that was not
otherwise discussed in violation of Chenery. SEC v. Chenery Corp., 318 U.S. 80, 87-88 (1943);
Parker v. Astrue, 597 F.3d 920, 922 (7th Cir. 2010). The ALJ was required by SSR 06-03p to
give some consideration and weight to the VA disability determination. While it is clear that the
ALJ was aware of the VA disability determination, what is not clear is how that determination
affected the ALJ’s ultimate decision, if at all. Had the ALJ explained that he did not give weight
to the VA disability determination because of the lack of an official decision, then the Court
could review that assessment, see Parker, 597 F.3d at 922, but the ALJ did not do so. The VA’s
disability decision provided an explanation of the extent of Moore’s disability, warranting
consideration of that decision in the decision of the ALJ here.
Defendant additionally argues that the ALJ satisfied SSR 06-03p by discussing the VA
treatment records. While the ALJ did cite to a few points in the VA records, the treatment
records are not the VA decision. Further, as discussed above, the ALJ’s attempt to review the
medical record without a medical expert was impermissible.
Finally, Defendant argues that any error in failing to give weight to the VA determination
was harmless as the Commissioner is not bound by the disability determinations of other
agencies. While this is true, this does not negate the ALJ’s obligation to give some weight to the
VA determination or a detailed explanation for according less than some weight. Allord, 455
F.3d at 820. Thus, remand is warranted.
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Because the ALJ failed to fully develop the record by not consulting a medical expert and
did not discuss or give weight to the VA disability determination, substantial evidence does not
support the ALJ’s decision.
C.
Failure to follow remand instructions
While the Court’s analysis has officially concluded, the Court is compelled to address the
ALJ’s egregious disregard of the Appeals Council’s December 18, 2009 remand order.
Initially, Defendant argues that 42 U.S.C. § 405(g) does not authorize this Court to
consider whether the ALJ complied with a remand order from the Appeals Council. This Court
does not find that argument persuasive. See Griffith v. Callahan, 138 F.3d 1150, 1153-54 (7th
Cir. 1998), overruled on other grounds by Johnson v. Apfel, 189 F.3d 561 (7th Cir. 1999),
(reviewing ALJ’s compliance with remand order); Miller v. Barnhart, 175 Fed.Appx. 952, 95556 (10th Cir. 2006). Section 405(g) authorizes this Court to affirm, modify, or reverse the
decision of the Commissioner, with or without remanding the cause for a rehearing. 42 U.S.C. §
405(g). Inherent in that authority is the court’s duty to determine the Commissioner’s conformity
with its own regulations.
Defendant cites to Poyck v. Astrue, 414 Fed. Appx. 859 (7th Cir. 2011), to support the
proposition that this Court does not have the authority to consider whether the ALJ complied
with the remand order. However, Defendant completely mischaracterizes the Seventh Circuit’s
decision. While the Seventh Circuit summarized the District Court’s position that it did not have
authority to review the ALJ’s compliance with the remand order, the Seventh Circuit declined to
discuss the issue of compliance with the remand order. Poyck, 414 Fed. Appx. at 861. It simply
asserted that the only real issue was whether the ALJ’s decision was supported by substantial
evidence. Id. This Court does not deny that the only real issue is whether there is substantial
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evidence to support the ALJ’s decision, yet the Seventh Circuit did not tie the Court’s hands in
limiting its review of the ALJ’s compliance with the remand order.
The very essence of judicial review is to determine whether an agency complies with its
own regulations and procedures so that there may be uniformity in decisions. See Sierra Club v.
Martin, 168 F.3d 1, 4 (11th Cir. 1999) (“courts must overturn agency actions which do not
scrupulously follow the regulations and procedures promulgated by the agency itself”). The
regulations mandate that an ALJ “shall take any action that is ordered by the Appeals Council.”
20 C.F.R. § 404.977(b). To not address whether the ALJ complied with an order from the
Appeals Council would be to completely disregard the appellate process. It is well settled that
remand may be appropriate where an ALJ commits an error of law. Dixon, 270 F.3d at 1176;
Binion on Behalf of Binion v. Chater, 108 F.3d 780 (7th Cir. 1997). Because disregarding a
remand order would be an error of law, failing to act on a direct order of the Appeals Council is
well within the purview of the Court’s review.
Here, the ALJ committed an error of law by not following an order of the Appeals
Council. The Appeals Council’s remand order provided:
[T]he Appeals Council vacates the hearing decision and remands this case to an
Administrative Law Judge for resolution of the following issues . . . [T]he medical
records from the Indianapolis Veterans Affairs Medical Center (VAMC) rates the
claimant with a 100% service connected disability [sic], which [has not] been addressed
or considered by the Administrative Law Judge. The hearing decision simply states that
“he appears to have a 90% disability pension from the Department of Veterans Affairs.
[sic] However, there is no evaluation in the hearing decision of the extent to which the
VA’s action and the supporting evidence from the VA might be useful in determining the
claimant’s limitations. Social Security Ruling 06-3p requires that adjudicator consider
determinations of disability by other governmental agencies, noting: “These decisions,
and the evidence used to make these decisions, may provide insight into the individual’s
mental and physical impairment(s) and show the degree of disability determination by
these agencies based on their rules.” Therefore, further evaluation of the nature and
severity of the claimant’s combined impairments and any additional resulting limitations
is needed.
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[R. at 47.] The ALJ’s subsequent decision again limited its discussion of Moore’s VA disability
to “[h]e appears to have a 90% disability pension from the Department of Veterans Affairs.” [R.
at 14.] There is no evaluation of the VA disability determination as required by the Appeals
Council. Thus, the ALJ failed to comply with the Appeals Council’s remand order.
Defendant argues that by denying Moore’s request for review, “the Appeals Council
implicitly found that the ALJ had sufficiently complied with the remand order.” [Dkt. 25 at 8.]
The Court disagrees. By way of analogy, when the Supreme Court denies certiorari, it does not
necessarily mean that it agrees with or approves of the decision of the appellate court; it means
that, for whatever reason, the Supreme Court declined to review that decision, leaving the
appellate court’s ruling as the final decision. The same is true with regard to the Appeals
Council’s refusal to review the ALJ’s second decision. The Court also notes that there was no
additional analysis included in the ALJ’s decision regarding the VA disability. Defendant cites to
pages 14-17 of the record to suggest that there was, but this is the exact same language that the
Appeals Council found insufficient in the first decision. [See R. at 14, 41]. Defendant would
have this Court believe that the Appeals Council just changed its mind regarding the VA
disability. The Court is not convinced by this argument.
While the Court may not award benefits to a claimant based on the ALJ’s obduracy
alone, the Court can remand for such purposes. Briscoe ex rel. Taylor v. Barnhart, 425 F.3d 345
(7th Cir. 2005). The ALJ’s failure to address the VA disability twice, is not only a waste of the
Court’s time, but importantly, it is a waste of Thomas Moore’s time. The Court reminds the
Commissioner that Moore’s application for disability was filed more than seven years ago. This
Court will not sit idly by while the Commissioner continues to deliberately string along the
plaintiff. “The Commissioner is not entitled to ‘endless opportunities to get it right.’” Byers v.
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Astrue, No. 1:08-cv-1174-DFH-JMS, 2009 WL 3246617 (S.D. Indiana, Oct. 5, 2009) (quoting
Seavy v. Barnhart, 276 F.3d 1, 13 (1st Cir. 2001)). Therefore, the Court will continue to monitor
the progress of this matter with instructions listed below.
VI.
CONCLUSION
For the reasons set forth above, substantial evidence does not support the ALJ’s
determination that Moore is not disabled and the Commissioner’s decision is REVERSED and
REMANDED. On remand, the Commissioner is directed to assign this matter to a new
administrative law judge not previously associated with this matter. The Commissioner is further
required to evaluate and discuss the weight given to Moore’s VA disability pension ratings and
consult a medical expert on the issue of medical equivalency and review of Moore’s limitations
to be associated with a new RFC analysis. In order to ensure a speedy resolution of this matter,
the Court instructs the Commissioner to undertake all reasonable efforts to expedite a resolution
of this matter and orders the parties to provide the Court with status reports regarding the
progress of this matter every 90 days until a final resolution of Mr. Moore’s claims has been
made.
Date: _____________
08/28/2013
Mark J. Dinsmore
United States Magistrate Judge
Southern District of Indiana
Distribution:
Annette Lee Rutkowski
LAW OFFICES OF ANNETTE RUTKOWSKI
Anetrutkowski@gmail.com
Thomas E. Kieper
UNITED STATES ATTORNEY’S OFFICE
tom.kieper@usdoj.gov
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