Miller v. Commissioner of Social Security
Filing
18
MEMORANDUM OPINION AND ORDER re 2 Complaint filed by Darrell P Miller. This case is remanded under the sixth sentence of 42 U.S.C. §405(g) for the ALJ to reconsider this case in light of Dr. Christiansen's report dated June 11, 2010. The court retains jurisdiction until the completion of post-remand proceedings. The Clerk is directed to administratively close this case. See text of Order. Signed by Chief Magistrate Judge Paul A Zoss on 4/5/12. (djs)
IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
FOR THE NORTHERN DISTRICT OF IOWA
CENTRAL DIVISION
DARRELL P. MILLER,
Plaintiff,
No. C11-3030-PAZ
vs.
MICHAEL J. ASTRUE, Commissioner
of Social Security,
MEMORANDUM OPINION AND
ORDER
Defendant.
____________________
Introduction
The plaintiff, Darrell P. Miller, seeks judicial review of a final decision of the
Commissioner of Social Security (the “Commissioner”) denying his applications for
disability insurance benefits (“DIB”) and Supplemental Security Income (“SSI”) pursuant
to Titles II and XVI of the Social Security Act. 42 U.S.C. §§ 405(g), 1383(c)(3). Miller
contends that the administrative record (“AR”) does not contain substantial evidence to
support the Commissioner’s decision that he is not disabled. For the reasons that follow,
this matter is remanded pursuant to the sixth sentence of 42 U.S.C. § 405(g).
Background
Miller was born in 1959, completed high school, and previously worked as a
tractor-trailer truck driver, construction worker, and roller operator. AR 180, 207, 210,
269. Miller applied for SSI on February 22, 2008, and for DIB on March 6, 2008,
alleging disability beginning on November 20, 2002, due to a head injury, memory
problems, lack of sense of smell, and a steel jaw.
AR 36, 180-81, 206.
The
Commissioner denied Miller’s applications initially and again on reconsideration;
consequently, Miller requested a hearing before an Administrative Law Judge (“ALJ”).
AR 107-25. On February 3, 2010, ALJ Robert J. Labrum held a hearing in which Miller
and a vocational expert (“VE”) testified. AR 51-70. On February 24, 2010, the ALJ
issued a decision finding Miller not disabled since the alleged onset date of disability of
November 20, 2002. AR 33-46. Miller sought review of this decision by the Appeals
Council and submitted additional evidence. AR 9-27. The Appeal Council denied review
on April 11, 2011 (AR 1-7), finding that the additional evidence was “about a later time”
after the ALJ’s decision and thus did “not affect the decision about whether [Miller was]
disabled beginning on or before February 24, 2010” (AR 2). The ALJ’s decision thus
became the final decision of the Commissioner. 20 C.F.R. §§ 404.981, 416.1481.
On June 10, 2011, Miller filed a complaint in this court seeking review of the ALJ’s
decision. On July 12, 2011, with the parties’ consent, Judge Mark W. Bennett transferred
the case to the undersigned for final disposition and entry of judgment. The parties have
briefed the issues, and the matter is now fully submitted.
Summary of Evidence
A.
William Morton, Psy.D.
On March 29, 2004, William Morton, Psy.D., a licensed clinical psychologist,
performed a consultative psychodiagnostic examination at the request of the Iowa
Department of Disability Determination Services (“DDS”) (AR 272-75) to determine
Miller’s “ability to function in various work related activities, paying particular attention
to his memory, level of intellectual functioning, and current mental status.” AR 272.
2
The ALJ reviewed Dr. Morton’s opinion and found as follows:
Dr. Morton reviewed the claimant’s records, interviewed the claimant,
performed a mental status examination, and administered the Wechsler Adult
Intelligence Scale – Third Edition (WAIS III) as well as the Wechsler
Memory Scale – Third Edition (WMS III). On the WAIS III, the claimant
obtained a Verbal IQ score of 71, a Performance IQ score of 86, and a Full
Scale IQ score of 76. Dr. Morton noted that intellectually, the claimant was
functioning in the borderline intellectual range of mental abilities based on
his IQ scores. In addition, results of the WMS III revealed that the claimant
scored no lower than mildly impaired in any of the areas assessed; his
delayed memory appeared to be marginally superior to his immediate
memory, specifically in the area of auditory recognition indicating that once
the claimant was able to encode information into storage it was likely to
remain in his long term stores. Dr. Morton opined that it appeared that there
were mild mental limitations in regard to remembering and understanding
instructions, procedures, and locations; carrying out instructions;
maintaining attention, concentration, or pace; interacting appropriately with
supervisors, coworkers, and the public; and using good judgment and
responding appropriately to changes in the workplace. Dr. Morton noted
that the claimant’s limitations were based on his mild memory impairment
and his current level of depression, for which the claimant was receiving no
treating [sic]. Dr. Morton opined that it was likely that the claimant’s stated
limitations would decrease with adequate mental health care. Dr. Morton
diagnosed the claimant with dysthymic disorder and borderline intellectual
functioning. Furthermore, Dr. Morton assigned the claimant a Global
Assessment of Functioning (GAF) score of 65. The GAF score is a
clinician’s rating of an individual’s overall psychological, social and
occupational functioning, on a scale of 0 to 100. A GAF score of 61 to 70
indicates some mild symptoms or some difficulty in social, occupational, or
school functioning, but generally functioning pretty well, [with] some
meaningful interpersonal relationships.
AR 40-41 (citations omitted).
On June 5, 2008, Dr. Morton again examined Miller at DDS’s request. AR 276-78.
The ALJ summarized Dr. Morton’s findings as follows:
3
Dr. Morton reviewed the claimant’s records, interviewed the claimant,
performed a mental status examination, and administered the Wechsler
Memory Scale – Third Edition (WMS III). Dr. Morton reported that the
claimant’s activities of daily living included the following: the claimant got
adequate exercise; he slept approximately eight hours per twenty-four hour
day; he had no history of in-home accidents; the most complex food he was
able to prepare by himself was steak; in general, his home was neat and
clean; he was able to participate in straightening up the home; he was able
to participate in outside work; he was able to participate in laundry care; he
was able to groom at an adequate level by himself; he was able to adequately
manage finances without the assistance of others; he was able to control
impulses related to spending money; and he did not make major purchases.
Accordingly, Dr. Morton opined the claimant’s overall level of independent
functioning was adequate. The claimant’s results from the WMS III revealed
that the claimant had mild impairment in memory functioning; his delayed
memory appeared to be equivalent to his immediate memory indicating that
once he was able to encode information into storage it was likely to remain
in his long-term stores, but only as well as was seen in his short term
memory. Dr. Morton opined that it appeared that there were mild mental
limitations in regard to remembering and understanding instructions,
procedures, and locations; there were mild mental limitations in regard to
carrying out instructions; there were moderate mental limitations in regard
to maintaining attention, concentration, and pace; there were minimal mental
limitations in regard to interacting appropriately with supervisors,
coworkers, and the public; and there were minimal mental limitations in
regard to using good judgment and responding appropriately to changes in
the workplace. Dr. Morton diagnosed the claimant with cognitive disorder
not otherwise specified and borderline intellectual functioning by history.
In addition, Dr. Morton assigned the claimant a GAF score of 60. A GAF
score of 51 to 60 indicates moderate symptoms or moderate difficulty in
social, occupational, or school functioning.
AR 41 (citation omitted).
4
B.
State Agency Consultant
On June 23, 2008, Herbert Notch, Ph.D., a DDS consultant, assessed Miller’s
mental residual functional capacity (“RFC”) and completed a psychiatric review technique
form. AR 280-97. The ALJ found that Dr. Notch
reviewed the claimant’s medical history for the relevant period and noted the
claimant’s medically determinable impairments of cognitive disorder,
borderline intellectual functioning, and history of dysthymic disorder. Dr.
Notch opined the claimant had mild restriction of activities of daily living;
mild difficulties in maintaining social functioning; and moderate difficulties
in maintaining concentration, persistence, or pace. Dr. Notch noted that the
claimant sustained a head injury in the past; since that time he had returned
to work, but had been off work since 2002. In March 2004, he was tested
with the WAIS III and scored a Verbal IQ score of 71, a Performance IQ
score of 86, and Full Scale IQ score of 76; however, there may have been
some improvement with time, as the current consultative examiner (same
doctor) opined that the claimant was functioning in the average range. The
claimant was tested during both consultative examinations with the WMS III,
and was either in the average or low average range on all areas except
immediate auditory memory, immediate memory, and delayed auditory
memory which were all in the mildly impaired range, as of June 2008. Dr.
Notch noted that that was somewhat different than findings in March 2004
in which the mildly impaired ranges applied to immediate visual memory,
immediate memory, and delayed visual memory. Based on those findings
it appeared that the claimant had improved in his visual memory abilities,
while declining somewhat in his auditory memory abilities. Dr. Notch
further noted that long term memory was not significantly limited and the
examining source felt that once encoded, information and task instructions
would be retained. A current examining source statement included the
opinion that the claimant had mild limitations in remembering and
understanding instructions, mild limitations in carrying out instructions,
moderate limitations in attention and concentration, and minimal limitations
in interaction and using judgment. Dr. Notch opined that the claimant had
the ability to retain the capacity for a wide range of semi-skilled tasks; there
was no current evidence of dysthymia as previously diagnosed.
5
AR 41-42.
C.
Plaintiff’s Testimony
As set forth in his brief, Miller’s testimony was as follows:
He testified that his work history involved truck driving. When asked about
his current situation as to his ability to work, he testified, “No jobs right
now, because of the economy.” Other than not having a sense of smell, he
reported no physical condition affecting his ability to work.
He stated that people “don’t want to hire” him. He said that Social
Security took away his voting privileges because he couldn’t make the right
decision. When asked whether he is receiving any form of assistance, he
reported getting Medicaid for taking care of a lady. He testified that he lives
with her, helps her get in and out of bed, does her housework and shopping.
Despite initially reporting no work since 2009, he did testify to receiving
compensation for the care of this friend. He explained that he is limited to
108 hours per month.
When questioned about his medical impairment, he testified that his
car accident, “[] made me slower. I mean, you have to think about things
before you do anything and make sure you do it right.” He stated that for
a time, he was “mentally disabled, long term memory gone, short term
memory in doubt, brain dead.”
As to prior mental health treatment, when asked if he ever spent time
in a mental health institute, he stated, “I probably spent five years, five years
or longer. I was there for a while.” He stated he was prescribed antidepressants, but did not have the finances to afford them.
Doc. No. 12 at 7-8 (citations and footnote omitted).
The ALJ summarized Miller’s testimony as follows:
The claimant described activities of daily living that are not limited to the
extent one would expect, given the complaints of disabling symptoms and
limitations. The claimant reported little to no problems with his personal
care; he performs house and yard work to include taking out the trash and
mowing the yard; he walks and drives a car; he shops in stores for clothes
6
or groceries; he spends time with others talking and playing card games; and
he goes to a friend’s house to visit. The claimant also testified and reported
that he cares for an elderly friend to include emptying her catheter, helping
transport her to the doctor, taking care of housework, getting her into and
out of bed each day, and picking her up and placing her in a wheelchair.
The claimant testified that he is paid to perform these tasks. . . .
....
It is important to note that the claimant and his representative
appeared to be quite focused on the fact that the claimant could not find a
job. The claimant testified that he was unable to obtain employment as there
were no jobs open right now due to the economy. The claimant also testified
that there was nothing physically that hindered his ability to be employed
other than his inability to smell; the claimant stated that he would like to
work a farm or construction job but he had not received any offers of
employment.
AR 43.
D.
Vocational Expert Testimony
The VE classified Miller’s past work as performed as follows: (1) tractor-trailer
truck driver, semi-skilled and light;1 (2) construction worker, unskilled and medium;2 and
(3) roller operator, semi-skilled and medium. AR 269.
The VE testified that a hypothetical individual could not perform Miller’s past work
in response to the following question by the ALJ:
1
“Light work involves lifting no more than 20 pounds at a time with frequent lifting
or carrying of objects weighing up to 10 pounds.” 20 C.F.R. §§ 404.1567(b), 416.967(b).
2
“Medium work involves lifting no more than 50 pounds at a time with frequent
lifting or carrying of objects weighing up to 25 pounds.” 20 C.F.R. §§ 404.1567(c),
416.967(c).
7
[P]lease assume you have an individual with Mr. Miller’s age, education,
and work history. This individual has no physical limitations, but has the
following other limitations: this individual cannot perform [work] that
requires use of the smell [sic], such as working around gasoline or other
similar hazards that are detected by odor. And this individual can only make
simple work-related judgments and decisions and understand, remember, and
carry out only short, simple instructions.
AR 67-68. Such an individual could perform jobs in the national or regional economy
such as dining room attendant, laundry worker, or housekeeper/cleaner. AR 68-69. Such
an individual could not perform full-time, competitive employment, however, if the
individual additionally operated at a slow pace for up to one-third of the work day. AR
69.
E.
Eva Christiansen, Ph.D.
After the ALJ issued his unfavorable decision, Miller submitted additional evidence
to the Appeals Council of a report dated June 11, 2010, of a psychological evaluation
conducted by Eva Christiansen, Ph.D., a clinical psychologist, on June 4, 2010. AR
12-25.
Dr. Christiansen conducted a mental status examination, reviewed Miller’s
records, and interviewed Miller, his sister, and his girlfriend.
AR 12, 19.
Christiansen found as follows:
Mr. Miller’s most significant mental disorder is likely to be a dementia due
to head injury, with deficits in judgment, reasoning and organization. The
procedures of this evaluation present information that is consistent with a
history of frontal lobe injury. Deficits of that kind will not necessarily be
evident on IQ or memory testing. Neuropsychological testing regarding
executive functions would provide such data. From this interview, likely
examples of such deficits include but are not limited to the following: He has
difficulty placing events in a chronologically accurate order. He was
inaccurate regarding the length of time since an event had taken place. He
had times that he forgot to eat. He had repeated problems with judgment,
such as carrying out work tasks in a safe manner. He was placed at
8
Dr.
Cherokee [Mental Health Institute] because of poor judgment regarding
confrontational behavior towards law enforcement officers.
From previous formal testing, Mr. Miller did not display problems
with attention and concentration . . . . He has, however, repeatedly been
described as having lapses of attention. The observations and reports of his
sister and of his girlfriend raise a concern regarding a seizure disorder. His
sister has observed episodes that appear to be inattentiveness. His girlfriend
has observed a number of such instances, and convinced him that he had a
seizure a month ago when he rolled into another car, because he could see
the damage to her car and did not know how he came to be where he was or
how the damage occurred. . . .
Mr. Miller’s current mental status includes a mood disorder with
poorly moderated depression and irritability. The mood variations are likely
to be personality characteristics that began or were exacerbated because of
the head injury. Executive function deficits can have a strong impact on
expressing emotion, consistent with Mr. Miller’s risky choices in
interactions with law enforcement. The Mood Disorder [not otherwise
specified] diagnosis is used.
AR 17, 24.
Dr. Christiansen also considered Miller’s ability to perform work-related activities:
Mr. Miller’s ability to remember and understand instructions and procedures
should be adequate for a wide variety of tasks, some at a complex level. The
difficulty arises because of the potential that he will make choices that
present high risk to his own or others’ survival because of a lack of
judgment. His ability to perform in jobs with lower risk of such choices is
affected by his willingness to criticize and comment negatively to supervisors
or authority figures. Attention and concentration when formally measured
appear adequate, but there are concerning accounts of absences of attention
that need to be evaluated as a possible seizure disorder. Pace was primarily
a problem because of his attraction for quicker solutions with minimal
thought for safety. Relationships have been uneven, dependent and
supportive but ambivalent and confrontational, at times physical. Workplace
relationships have apparently not included physical aggression. Judgment is
9
unreliable. He may not consistently have the ability to adjust to changes in
the environment.
AR 17-18, 24-25.
Dr. Christiansen summarized her findings as follows:
Darrell P. Miller is a 51 year old man of Borderline intellectual abilities who
suffered a traumatic head injury in 1988. Lapses in judgment and thinking,
and difficulty with chronology, suggest that he suffers from dementia due to
head trauma. He has a mood disorder, with episodic poorly controlled
expression of emotions, also likely to be influenced by the head trauma
event.
AR 18, 25.
Summary of ALJ’s Decision
On February 24, 2010, the ALJ found that Miller (1) had not engaged in substantial
gainful activity since the alleged onset date of disability of November 20, 2002; and
(2) had an impairment or a combination of impairments considered to be “severe” on the
basis of the requirements in the Code of Federal Regulations; but (3) did not have an
impairment or a combination of impairments meeting or equaling one of the impairments
set forth in 20 C.F.R. Part 404, Subpart P, Appendix 1; and (4) was unable to perform his
past relevant work; but (5) could perform other work in the national economy such as a
dining room attendant, laundry worker, or housekeeper/cleaner. AR 38-45. The ALJ
accordingly found that he was not disabled from November 20, 2002, through the date of
the ALJ’s decision. AR 45.
In so finding, the ALJ found that Miller had the RFC to
perform a full range of work at all exertional levels but with the following
nonexertional limitations: he cannot perform work that would require a sense
of smell, such as working around gasoline or other similar hazards detected
10
by odor; he can make only simple work related decisions; and he can
understand, remember, and carry out no more than short simple instructions.
AR 40.
Regarding Miller’s credibility, the ALJ found that his “medically determinable
impairments could reasonably be expected to cause the alleged symptoms; however, [his]
statements concerning the intensity, persistence and limiting effects of these symptoms are
not credible to the extent they are inconsistent with the [ALJ’s] residual functional capacity
assessment.” AR 42.
Disability Determinations and the Burden of Proof
The Social Security Act defines a disability as the 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),
1382c(a)(3)(A); 20 C.F.R. §§ 404.1505, 416.905. A claimant has a disability when the
claimant is “not only unable to do his previous work but cannot, considering his age,
education, and work experience, engage in any other kind of substantial gainful work
which exists . . . in significant numbers either in the region where such individual lives or
in several regions of the country.” 42 U.S.C. §§ 423(d)(2)(A), 1382c(a)(3)(B).
To determine whether a claimant has a disability within the meaning of the Social
Security Act, the Commissioner follows a five-step sequential evaluation process outlined
in the regulations. 20 C.F.R. §§ 404.1520, 416.920; see Kirby v. Astrue, 500 F.3d 705,
707 (8th Cir. 2007). First, the Commissioner will consider a claimant’s work activity.
If the claimant is engaged in substantial gainful activity, then the claimant is not disabled.
20 C.F.R. §§ 404.1520(a)(4)(i), 416.920(a)(4)(i).
11
Second, if the claimant is not engaged in substantial gainful activity, the
Commissioner looks to see “whether the claimant has a severe impairment that
significantly limits the claimant’s physical or mental ability to perform basic work
activities.” Dixon v. Barnhart, 353 F.3d 602, 605 (8th Cir. 2003). “An impairment is
not severe if it amounts only to a slight abnormality that would not significantly limit the
claimant’s physical or mental ability to do basic work activities.” Kirby, 500 F.3d at 707;
see 20 C.F.R. §§ 404.1520(c), 404.1521(a), 416.920(c), 416.921(a).
The ability to do basic work activities is defined as “the abilities and aptitudes
necessary to do most jobs.” 20 C.F.R. §§ 404.1521(b), 416.921(b). These abilities and
aptitudes include (1) physical functions such as walking, standing, sitting, lifting, pushing,
pulling, reaching, carrying, or handling; (2) capacities for seeing, hearing, and speaking;
(3) understanding, carrying out, and remembering simple instructions; (4) use of judgment;
(5) responding appropriately to supervision, co-workers, and usual work situations; and
(6) dealing with changes in a routine work setting.
Id. §§ 404.1521(b)(1)-(6),
416.921(b)(1)-(6); see Bowen v. Yuckert, 482 U.S. 137, 141, 107 S. Ct. 2287, 2291
(1987). “The sequential evaluation process may be terminated at step two only when the
claimant’s impairment or combination of impairments would have no more than a minimal
impact on her ability to work.” Page v. Astrue, 484 F.3d 1040, 1043 (8th Cir. 2007)
(internal quotation marks omitted).
Third, if the claimant has a severe impairment, then the Commissioner will consider
the medical severity of the impairment. If the impairment meets or equals one of the
presumptively disabling impairments listed in the regulations, then the claimant is
considered disabled, regardless of age, education, and work experience. 20 C.F.R.
§§ 404.1520(a)(4)(iii), 404.1520(d), 416.920(a)(4)(iii), 416.920(d); see Kelley v.
Callahan, 133 F.3d 583, 588 (8th Cir. 1998).
12
Fourth, if the claimant’s impairment is severe, but it does not meet or equal one of
the presumptively disabling impairments, then the Commissioner will assess the claimant’s
RFC to determine the claimant’s “ability to meet the physical, mental, sensory, and other
requirements” of the claimant’s past relevant work. 20 C.F.R. §§ 404.1520(a)(4)(iv),
404.1545(a)(4), 416.920(a)(4)(iv), 416.945(a)(4). “RFC is a medical question defined
wholly in terms of the claimant’s physical ability to perform exertional tasks or, in other
words, what the claimant can still do despite his or her physical or mental limitations.”
Lewis v. Barnhart, 353 F.3d 642, 646 (8th Cir. 2003) (internal quotation marks omitted);
see 20 C.F.R. §§ 404.1545(a)(1), 416.945(a)(1).
The claimant is responsible for
providing evidence the Commissioner will use to make a finding as to the claimant’s RFC,
but the Commissioner is responsible for developing the claimant’s “complete medical
history, including arranging for a consultative examination(s) if necessary, and making
every reasonable effort to help [the claimant] get medical reports from [the claimant’s] own
medical sources.” 20 C.F.R. §§ 404.1545(a)(3), 416.945(a)(3). The Commissioner also
will consider certain non-medical evidence and other evidence listed in the regulations.
See id. If a claimant retains the RFC to perform past relevant work, then the claimant is
not disabled. Id. §§ 404.1520(a)(4)(iv), 416.920(a)(4)(iv).
Fifth, if the claimant’s RFC as determined in step four will not allow the claimant
to perform past relevant work, then the burden shifts to the Commissioner to prove that
there is other work that the claimant can do, given the claimant’s RFC as determined at
step four, age, education, and work experience. See Bladow v. Apfel, 205 F.3d 356,
358-59 n.5 (8th Cir. 2000). The Commissioner must prove not only that the claimant’s
RFC will allow the claimant to make an adjustment to other work, but also that the other
work exists in significant numbers in the national economy. Eichelberger v. Barnhart, 390
F.3d 584, 591 (8th Cir. 2004); 20 C.F.R. §§ 404.1520(a)(4)(v), 416.920(a)(4)(v). If the
13
claimant can make an adjustment to other work that exists in significant numbers in the
national economy, then the Commissioner will find the claimant is not disabled. If the
claimant cannot make an adjustment to other work, then the Commissioner will find that
the claimant is disabled. 20 C.F.R. §§ 404.1520(a)(4)(v), 416.920(a)(4)(v). At step five,
even though the burden of production shifts to the Commissioner, the burden of persuasion
to prove disability remains on the claimant. Stormo v. Barnhart, 377 F.3d 801, 806 (8th
Cir. 2004).
The Substantial Evidence Standard
The court reviews an ALJ’s decision to determine whether the ALJ applied the
correct legal standards and whether the factual findings are supported by substantial
evidence on the record as a whole. Page, 484 F.3d at 1042. This review is deferential;
the court “must affirm the Commissioner’s decision if it is supported by substantial
evidence on the record as a whole.” Pelkey v. Barnhart, 433 F.3d 575, 577 (8th Cir.
2006); see 42 U.S.C. § 405(g) (“The findings of the Commissioner of Social Security as
to any fact, if supported by substantial evidence, shall be conclusive . . . .”). Under this
standard, substantial evidence is less than a preponderance but is enough that a reasonable
mind would find it adequate to support the Commissioner’s conclusion. Kluesner v.
Astrue, 607 F.3d 533, 536 (8th Cir. 2010); see Richardson v. Perales, 402 U.S. 389, 401,
91 S. Ct. 1420, 1427 (1971).
Moreover, substantial evidence “on the record as a whole” requires consideration
of the record in its entirety, taking into account both “evidence that supports the
Commissioner’s decision as well as the evidence that detracts from it.” Kluesner, 607
F.3d at 536 (quoting Finch v. Astrue, 547 F.3d 933, 935 (8th Cir. 2008)). The court must
“search the record for evidence contradicting the [Commissioner’s] decision and give that
14
evidence appropriate weight when determining whether the overall evidence in support is
substantial.” Baldwin v. Barnhart, 349 F.3d 549, 555 (8th Cir. 2003) (citing Cline v.
Sullivan, 939 F.2d 560, 564 (8th Cir. 1991)).
In evaluating the evidence in an appeal of a denial of benefits, the court must apply
a balancing test to assess any contradictory evidence. Sobania v. Sec’y of Health &
Human Servs., 879 F.2d 441, 444 (8th Cir. 1989). The court, however, does not
“reweigh the evidence presented to the ALJ,” Baldwin, 349 F.3d at 555 (citing Bates v.
Chater, 54 F.3d 529, 532 (8th Cir. 1995)), or “review the factual record de novo.” Roe
v. Chater, 92 F.3d 672, 675 (8th Cir. 1996) (citing Naber v. Shalala, 22 F.3d 186, 188
(8th Cir. 1994)). Instead, if, after reviewing the evidence, the court finds it “possible to
draw two inconsistent positions from the evidence and one of those positions represents the
Commissioner’s findings, [the court] must affirm the [Commissioner’s] denial of benefits.”
Kluesner, 607 F.3d at 536 (quoting Finch, 547 F.3d at 935). This is true even in cases
where the court “might have weighed the evidence differently.” Culbertson v. Shalala,
30 F.3d 934, 939 (8th Cir. 1994) (quoting Browning v. Sullivan, 958 F.2d 817, 822 (8th
Cir. 1992)). The court may not reverse the Commissioner’s decision “merely because
substantial evidence would have supported an opposite decision.” Baker v. Heckler, 730
F.2d 1147, 1150 (8th Cir. 1984); see Goff v. Barnhart, 421 F.3d 785, 789 (8th Cir. 2005)
(“[A]n administrative decision is not subject to reversal simply because some evidence may
support the opposite conclusion.”).
Discussion
Miller maintains that the ALJ failed to develop fully the record and that new and
material evidence necessitates a remand to the Commissioner. Doc. No. 12 at 8-15. The
Commissioner asserts that the ALJ properly assessed Miller’s credibility and properly
15
developed the medical evidence. Doc. No. 15 at 9-14. The Commissioner also contends
that substantial evidence supports the ALJ’s decision, even in light of the additional
evidence submitted to the Appeals Council. Id. at 14-16.
The sixth sentence of 42 U.S.C. § 405(g) provides in relevant part as follows:
The court . . . may at any time order additional evidence to be taken before
the Commissioner of Social Security, but only upon a showing that there is
new evidence which is material and that there is good cause for the failure
to incorporate such evidence into the record in a prior proceeding . . . .
42 U.S.C. § 405(g).3
“To be considered material, the new evidence must be
‘non-cumulative, relevant, and probative of the claimant’s condition for the time period
for which benefits were denied.’ Furthermore, it must be reasonably likely that the
Commissioner’s consideration of this new evidence would have resulted in an award of
benefits.” Jones v. Callahan, 122 F.3d 1148, 1154 (8th Cir. 1997) (internal citation
omitted). The new evidence must “pertain to the time period for which benefits are
sought” and “not concern later-acquired disabilities or subsequent deterioration of a
previously non-disabling condition.” Id. “Additional evidence showing a deterioration
in a claimant’s condition significantly after the date of the Commissioner’s final decision
is not a material basis for remand, although it may be grounds for a new application for
benefits.” Id.; see also Hanson v. Chater, 895 F. Supp. 1279, 1287 (N.D. Iowa 1995)
3
“Under sentence six, ‘the district court does not affirm, modify, or reverse the
[Commissioner’s] decision; it does not rule in any way as to the correctness of the
administrative determination.’” Travis v. Astrue, 477 F.3d 1037, 1039-40 (8th Cir. 2007)
(quoting Melkonyan v. Sullivan, 501 U.S. 89, 98, 111 S. Ct. 2157, 2163 (1991)); accord
Buckner v. Apfel, 213 F.3d 1006, 1010 (8th Cir. 2000). The district court’s decision not
to remand to the ALJ under sentence six is reviewed for an abuse of discretion. Thomas
v. Sullivan, 928 F.2d 255, 260 n.6 (8th Cir. 1991); accord Geigle v. Sullivan, 961 F.2d
1395, 1397 (8th Cir. 1992).
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(“[M]aterial evidence must relate to the claimant’s condition on or before the date of the
ALJ’s decision.” (citing Goad v. Shalala, 7 F.3d 1397, 1398 (8th Cir. 1993) (per
curiam))). Good cause may be established where the claimant’s condition and associated
records did not exist at the time of the ALJ’s hearing. Thomas, 928 F.2d at 260; Goad,
7 F.3d at 1398. But see Mouser v. Astrue, 545 F.3d 634, 637 (8th Cir. 2008); Hepp v.
Astrue, 511 F.3d 798, 808 (8th Cir. 2008).
The Commissioner maintains that a sentence-six remand for the ALJ to consider Dr.
Christiansen’s report is not warranted “because the Commissioner is not required to
investigate an impairment not alleged in the claimant’s application or at the administrative
hearing.”
Doc. No. 15 at 15.
According to the Commissioner, a psychological
examination report submitted to the Appeals Council, suggesting onset of a mental
impairment before the time of the ALJ’s decision, “is not a basis for remand when the
mental impairment was not alleged at the hearing at the hearing and the record before the
ALJ contained no evidence of the impairment.” Id. “Dr. Christiansen merely related
reports of possible seizures that had not been raised previously in consultative examinations
or at the administrative hearing.” Id. at 16. Thus, “there is no reasonable likelihood that
the new evidence submitted to the Appeals Council would have changed the decision.” Id.
Good cause exists for Miller’s failure to submit Dr. Christiansen’s report to the ALJ
because it did not exist at the time of the hearing. See Thomas, 928 F.2d at 260. Her
report is material because it relates to Miller’s condition on or before the date of the ALJ’s
decision. Contrary to the Commissioner’s assertion, Miller alleged mental impairment in
his applications for benefits (AR 206). See Milano v. Bowen, 809 F.2d 763, 767 n.3 (11th
Cir. 1987) (“At oral argument, the Secretary [of Health and Human Services] suggested
a separate ground upon which the decision of the district court could be affirmed. The
Secretary argued that the new psychological evidence presented by the claimant did not
17
relate to the previous disability which she had claimed, but rather related to a new and
distinct mental disability. This assertion is, however, incorrect. . . . [T]he administrative
record amply demonstrates that [the claimant’s] original disability complaint encompassed
allegations of mental trauma.”).
The Commissioner maintains that the ALJ’s consideration of Dr. Christiansen’s
report would not have resulted in an award of benefits. However, Dr. Christiansen’s
opinion is probative of Miller’s condition prior to and at the time of the hearing. This
evidence suggests that Miller’s impairments imposed limitations that possibly were more
severe during the relevant time period than the evidence before the ALJ indicated. See
Geigle, 961 F.2d at 1397 (holding that district court abused its discretion in failing to
remand case to Secretary of Health and Human Services for reconsideration on the basis
of new, material evidence because evidence was probative of claimant’s condition before
hearing). As Miller points out, “[t]he discrepancies between [his] recall of past events as
opposed to those of his sister and girlfriend [raise] questions as to [his] own testimony and
perception of his daily activities or ability to work. This could affect any analysis of
subjective complaints and the credibility of testimony.” Doc. No. 16 at 5.
Accordingly, Dr. Christiansen’s report merits consideration by the ALJ under the
sixth sentence of 42 U.S.C. § 405(g). The court need not address Miller’s remaining
arguments. See Cherry v. Heckler, 760 F.2d 1186, 1194 n.19 (11th Cir. 1985).
Conclusion
This case is remanded under the sixth sentence of 42 U.S.C. § 405(g) for the ALJ
to reconsider this case in light of Dr. Christiansen’s report dated June 11, 2010. Pursuant
to § 405(g),
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the Commissioner of Social Security shall, after the case is remanded, and
after hearing such additional evidence if so ordered, modify or affirm the
Commissioner’s findings of fact or the Commissioner’s decision, or both,
and shall file with the court any such additional and modified findings of fact
and decision, and, in any case in which the Commissioner has not made a
decision fully favorable to the individual, a transcript of the additional record
and testimony upon which the Commissioner’s action in modifying or
affirming was based.
42 U.S.C. § 405(g).
The court retains jurisdiction until the completion of post-remand proceedings.
Travis, 477 F.3d at 1039; Hanson, 895 F. Supp. at 1288. The Clerk is directed to
administratively close this case.
IT IS SO ORDERED.
DATED this 5th day of April, 2012.
PAUL A. ZOSS
CHIEF MAGISTRATE JUDGE
UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
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