CHANEY v. ASTRUE

Filing 36

ENTRY ON JUDICIAL REVIEW: The decision of the Commissioner is AFFIRMED (see Entry for details). Signed by Magistrate Judge Mark J. Dinsmore on 6/14/2013.(SWM)

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF INDIANA
INDIANAPOLIS DIVISION

ANTHONY J. CHANEY,
Plaintiff,
vs.
CAROLYN W. COLVIN Acting
Commissioner of the Social Security
Administration,
Defendant.

)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)

No. 1:12-cv-01062-MJD-JMS

ENTRY ON JUDICIAL REVIEW
Plaintiff Anthony Chaney 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 and for Supplemental
Security Income (“SSI”) under Title XVI of the Social Security Act (“the Act”). See 42 U.S.C.
§§ 416(i), 423(d), & 1382c(a)(3). For the reasons set forth below, the decision of the
Commissioner is AFFIRMED.1
I.

Procedural History

Chaney filed an application for DIB and SSI on January 14, 2009, alleging an onset of
disability of February 28, 2005. Chaney’s applications were denied initially on April 8, 2009 and
on reconsideration on June 5, 2009. Chaney requested a hearing, which was held on October 5,
2010 before Administrative Law Judge Angela Miranda (“ALJ”). The ALJ denied Chaney’s
applications on March 18, 2011. The Appeals Council denied Chaney’s request for review on
1

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).

May 31, 2012, making the ALJ’s decision the final decision for purposes of judicial review.
Chaney filed his Complaint with this Court on July 31, 2012.
II.

Factual Background and Medical History

Anthony Chaney had past relevant work experience as an industrial maintenance worker.
He was attacked and beaten in April 2003 resulting in a head injury with skull fracture. He
sought treatment from Katherine Kobza, M.D. in June 2004 for resultant diplopia (double
vision), headaches, and post-traumatic stress disorder. Dr. Kobza noted that Chaney wears a
prism for his glasses for the diplopia. Dr. Kobza took Chaney off of work on February 22, 2005
for treatment and therapy.2 On May 15, 2005, Dr. Kobza found that Chaney was “back to
normal” and cleared him to return to work without any complications as of July 1, 2005.
Chaney also has a history of alcohol abuse. On a follow-up visit in July 2005, Dr. Kobza
reported that Chaney was doing much worse, citing to lack of a good support. Dr. Kobza also
reported that Chaney was heavily drinking again and having problems with his wife. On follow
up appointments, Chaney reported doing better, but continued to drink, although not as heavily.
On December 21, 2005, Dr. Kobza indicated that the diplopia was improving as the prisms were
removed from Chaney’s glasses. Chaney also reported that he stopped drinking. Dr. Kobza
opined that if the social stressors were to decrease, then he would be doing even better. Although
Chaney continued not to drink, Dr. Kobza diagnosed Chaney with depression on March 29,
2006, citing to an increase in psychosocial stressors related to the divorce from his wife. On May
26, 2006, Dr. Kobza again cleared Chaney to return to work.
Chaney returned to Dr. Kobza on September 27, 2006 where he continued to have social
stressors, intermittent headaches and now an increase in neck pain, which was low grade but

2

Chaney alleged onset of disability on February 28, 2005.

2

constant for many years. In November 2007, Chaney reported to Dr. Kobza that he had been in a
motorcycle accident which aggravated his neck pain. Chaney continued to see Dr. Kobza
through December 2008.
In December 2008, Chaney began experiencing hip pain. He was diagnosed with
avascular necrosis of bilateral hips. Chaney had three surgeries on the left hip: January 2009 for
left hip cord decompression; April 2009 for left hip vascularized fibular graft and core
decompression and cancellous grafting of the left femoral head; and September 2010 for left total
hip arthroplasty.
Chaney saw State agency physician Dr. Wang for a disability consultative examination in
March 2009. Although Chaney reported seeing double or triple vision when looking all the way
up or all the way down, Dr. Wang did not observe any abnormal movement of the bilateral eyes
and that examination of the eyes was normal. Dr. Wang also provided for limitations regarding
Chaney’s hip and neck pain including restrictions in standing and walking and recommended
that Chaney should avoid overhead work.
In October 2010, orthopedic surgeon Dr. Baird conducted a follow-up examination from
the last surgery. Dr. Baird reported that Chaney was doing excellent, with no complaints and
very minimal pain.
III.

Applicable Standard

To be eligible for SSI and DIB, a claimant must have a disability under 42 U.S.C. § 423.3
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
3

In general, the legal standards applied in the determination of disability are the same regardless of whether a claimant seeks DIB
or SSI. However, separate, parallel statutes and regulations exist for DIB and SSI claims. Therefore, citations in this opinion
should be considered to refer to the appropriate parallel provision as context dictates. The same applies to citations of statutes or
regulations found in quoted court decisions.

3

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
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

4

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,
the ALJ must articulate her analysis of the evidence in her decision; while she “is not required to
address every piece of evidence or testimony,” she must “provide some glimpse into her
reasoning . . . [and] build an accurate and logical bridge from the evidence to her conclusion.”
Dixon, 270 F.3d at 1176.
IV.

The ALJ’s Decision

The ALJ first determined that Chaney met the insured status requirements of the Act
through June 30, 2011. Applying the five-step analysis, the ALJ found at step one that Chaney
had not engaged in substantial gainful activity since the alleged onset date of February 28, 2005.
At step two, the ALJ found that Chaney had the following severe impairments: status post head
injury with skull fracture and history of resultant diplopia/subjective diplopia; headaches;
alcoholism; mental impairments variously described as likely bipolar, depression, anxiety,
adjustment disorder, and post-traumatic stress disorder; cervical radiculopathy with disc
extrusion at C4-5 and marginal ostophyte formation; and hip dysfunction described as lytic
lesions bilaterally/osteonecrosis, status post hip cord decompression/fibular graft and left hip
arthroplasty.
At step three, the ALJ determined that Chaney 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 (20 C.F.R. §§ 404.1520(d), 404.1525, 4040.1526,
416.920(d), 416.925 and 416.926).

5

The ALJ found that Chaney had the residual functional capacity (“RFC”) to perform
sedentary work as defined in 20 C.F.R. §§ 404.1567(a) and 416.967(a) with postural,
manipulative, and mental limitations. Specifically, the ALJ found that Chaney has the capacity to
occasionally lift and carry up to 10 pounds and to frequently lift and carry light articles weighing
less than 10 pounds; stand and/or walk up to 2 hours in an 8 hour work day and sit up to 6 hours
in an 8 hour work day; push and pull up to the capacity for lifting and carrying; frequently
balance and occasionally stoop, crouch, and climb stairs and ramps; kneeling and crawling less
than occasionally; occasionally reach overhead, but no other reaching limitations; understand,
remember and carry out simple, routine tasks; interact with supervisors, coworkers, and the
general public; and identify and avoid normal work place hazards and adapt to routine changes
in the work place. The ALJ also found that Chaney has no limitations in the capacity to handle,
finger, or in the ability to feel.
At step four, the ALJ determined that Chaney was unable to perform any past relevant
work. At step five, the ALJ determined that, considering Chaney’s age, education, work
experience and RFC, there were jobs that existed in the national economy that Chaney could
perform. Therefore, the ALJ determined that Chaney was not disabled.
V.

Discussion

The central issue in this matter is whether there is substantial evidence to support the
ALJ’s decision that Chaney was not disabled. Dixon, 270 F.3d at 1176. Plaintiff raises three
arguments on review: 1) the ALJ erred by failing to consult a medical expert at step three; 2) the
ALJ erred in assessing Chaney’s RFC by failing to address Chaney’s diplopia and chronic
headaches; and 3) the ALJ failed to meet the step five burden to show other work existed in
significant numbers that Chaney could perform.

6

The Court finds that there is substantial evidence to support the ALJ’s decision. While,
admittedly, the ALJ’s decision is not perfect, the burden remains on Chaney to establish
disability, which Chaney fails to do.
A.

Substantial evidence supports the ALJ’s step three determination.

Chaney first argues that the ALJ committed reversible error when she failed to consult a
medical expert at step three to determine medical equivalency. Chaney maintains that the
bilateral avascular necrosis with three surgeries to the left hip met or equaled the evidence
required under Listing 1.02, Major Dysfunction of a Joint. However, Chaney fails to cite to
anywhere in the record to support that assessment. Although acknowledging that Chaney has the
burden to prove medical equivalency, Chaney has chosen to qualify this burden as “limited.”
Brief for Plaintiff at 17, Chaney v. Colvin, 1:12-cv-01062-MJD-JMS, ECF No. 25 [hereinafter
Pl. Br.]. Instead, Chaney focuses his argument on the broad definition of “ineffective
ambulation,” a requirement of Listing 1.02. “Ineffective ambulation” is defined generally as
requiring the use of a hand-held assistive device that limits the functioning of both upper
extremities. See 20 C.F.R. Pt. 404, Subpt. P, App. 1, 1.00(B)(1). Moss v. Astrue, 555 F.3d 556
(7th Cir. 2009), instructs that “the regulations further provide a nonexhaustive list of examples of
ineffective ambulation such as the inability to walk without the use of a walker or two crutches
or two canes; the inability to walk a block at a reasonable pace on rough or uneven surfaces; the
inability to carry out routine ambulatory activities, like shopping and banking; and the inability
to climb a few steps at a reasonable pace with the use of a single handrail.” Moss, 555 F.3d at
562; 20 C.F.R. Pt. 404, Subpt. P, App. 1, 1.00(B)(2) . Plaintiff argues that it was error for the
ALJ to only consider whether Chaney used a hand-held assistive device that limits the
functioning of both upper extremities. While arguing that the ALJ did not consider the

7

nonexhaustive list, Chaney has failed to point to anywhere in the record to show ineffective
ambulation through the nonexhaustive list.
Chaney also argues that a new medical opinion was needed due to Chaney’s “worsening”
condition demonstrated by the requirement of the left hip replacement. However, an updated
medical opinion is only required “[w]hen additional medical evidence is received that in the
opinion of the [ALJ] . . . may change the State agency medical or psychological consultant’s
finding that the impairment(s) is not equivalent in severity to any impairment.” SSR 96-6p, 1996
WL 374180 (July 2, 1996) (emphasis added). The ALJ did not find, nor did Chaney cite to, any
evidence that the State agency’s opinion would change on the issue of medical equivalency
based on the subsequent surgeries. As the ALJ noted, progress reports after the final surgery
showed that Chaney reported “doing excellent,” had no complaints, and “very minimal pain.” [R.
at 1036.]4 Dr. Baird also noted that Chaney could stand and walk without difficulty and had an
overall stable left hip. [Id.] Therefore, an updated medical opinion was not needed.
B.

Substantial evidence supports the ALJ’s RFC finding.

Chaney next argues that the ALJ erred in assessing the RFC by failing to address
Chaney’s diplopia, chronic headaches, and neck pain. The ALJ’s RFC analysis consists of a very
detailed discussion of Chaney’s medical history, including numerous accounts of Chaney’s
diplopia, headaches, and neck pain. [R. at 36, 37, 38, 40.] The record also indicates that diplopia
did not seem to be an issue after December 21, 2005 when Dr. Kobza noted that the diplopia was
“improving such as the prisms were removed from glasses.” [R. at 321.] Despite the lingering
diplopia from the 2003 attack, Dr. Kobza cleared Chaney to go back to work on more than one
4

The record shows that additional medical evidence was supplied by Chaney’s attorney after the ALJ’s decision.
Chaney did not argue that this Court should consider this additional medical evidence. Because Chaney does not
make an argument to consider the additional evidence, it is waived. See Puffer v. Allstate Ins. Co., 675 F.3d 709 (7th
Cir. 2012).

8

occasion without restriction, even indicating at one point that Chaney was “back to normal.” [R.
at 316-17, 330.] The state agency physicians evaluated Chaney in 2009 and opined that Chaney
had no visual limitations and a normal eye examination. [R. at 907, 915.] Chaney does not cite to
any problems, difficulties, or worsening of diplopia. The ALJ also accounted for the neck pain in
limiting Chaney to occasional lifting overhead. Because the ALJ’s RFC analysis discussed
Chaney’s diplopia, headaches, and neck pain, the Court finds that the ALJ considered this as part
of the RFC and is therefore supported by substantial evidence.
C.

Substantial evidence supports the Commissioner’s step five determination.

Finally, Chaney argues that the ALJ failed to meet the Commissioner’s step five burden
to show that other work existed in significant numbers that Chaney could perform. Chaney
argues that, since the ALJ found that Chaney had moderate limitations in concentration,
persistence, or pace, then this limitation should have been specifically communicated to the
vocational expert. The ALJ limited Chaney to simple, repetitive tasks, thus accounting for the
moderate limitation in concentration, persistence, or pace. The jobs provided by the vocational
expert are consistent with this limitation. Chaney also argues that the ALJ failed to communicate
to the vocational expert Chaney’s problems with diplopia. As discussed above, the ALJ’s RFC
analysis considered Chaney’s diplopia and substantial evidence supports the ALJ’s overall
determination of RFC. Therefore, the Commissioner met its step five burden to show that other
jobs existed in the national economy that Chaney could perform.
VI.

Conclusion

For the reasons set forth above, substantial evidence supports the ALJ’s determination
that Chaney is not disabled and the Commissioner’s decision is AFFIRMED.

9

Date:

06/14/2013
Mark J. Dinsmore
United States Magistrate Judge
Southern District of Indiana

Distribution:
Annette Lee Rutkowski
LAW OFFICES OF ANNETTE RUTKOWSKI
[e-mail]
Thomas E. Kieper
UNITED STATES ATTORNEY’S OFFICE
[e-mail]

10