Laury v. Social Security Administration, Commissioner of
Filing
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MEMORANDUM AND ORDER - It is ordered that judgment shall be entered pursuant to the fourth sentence of 42 U.S.C. § 405(g) AFFIRMING the Commissioner's final decision. Signed by District Judge John W. Lungstrum on 10/26/2017. (ses)
IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
FOR THE DISTRICT OF KANSAS
MARK LEON LAURY,
)
)
Plaintiff,
)
)
v.
)
)
)
NANCY A. BERRYHILL,1
Acting Commissioner of Social Security,
)
)
Defendant.
)
________________________________________ )
CIVIL ACTION
No. 16-2758-JWL
MEMORANDUM AND ORDER
Plaintiff seeks review of a decision of the Acting Commissioner of Social Security
(hereinafter Commissioner) made after remand denying Disability Insurance benefits
(DIB) under sections 216(i) and 223 of the Social Security Act. 42 U.S.C. §§ 416(i) and
423 (hereinafter the Act). Finding no error in the Administrative Law Judge’s (ALJ)
decision after remand, the court ORDERS that judgment shall be entered pursuant to the
fourth sentence of 42 U.S.C. § 405(g) AFFIRMING that decision.
I.
Background
1
On Jan. 20, 2017, Nancy A. Berryhill became Acting Commissioner of Social
Security. In accordance with Rule 25(d)(1) of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, Ms.
Berryhill is substituted for Acting Commissioner Carolyn W. Colvin as the defendant. In
accordance with the last sentence of 42 U.S.C. § 405(g), no further action is necessary.
Plaintiff applied for DIB, alleging disability beginning April 29, 2013. (R. 170,
1088). An ALJ denied Plaintiff’s application in a decision dated April 28, 2014, and
Plaintiff perfected an appeal to this court, which found that the ALJ’s decision must be
remanded because it did not reflect that the ALJ had considered the opinion of Plaintiff’s
wife, as required by case law. Laury v. Colvin, Civ. A. No. 14-2386-JWL (D. Kan. Aug.
4, 2015) slip op. at 5-7 (appearing in the record at pp. 1184-90) (citing Blea v. Barnhart,
466 F.3d 903, 914-15 (10th Cir. 2006), and Adams v. Chater, 93 F.3d 712, 715 (10th Cir.
1996)). The court declined to decide in the first instance whether Plaintiff’s wife’s
opinion “should be weighed as an ‘other’ medical source opinion in accordance [with]
SSR [(Soc. Sec. Ruling)] 06-3p.” Id. (R. 1190).
On remand, the Appeals Council vacated the decision of the ALJ, and remanded
the case to an ALJ to consolidate with a subsequently-filed duplicate claim, to take
further action to complete the administrative record, and to issue a new decision on the
associated claims. (R. 1193-94). The ALJ consolidated the claims, held another hearing
and issued a decision after remand on April 4, 2016. (R. 1088-1105, 1116-50).
Thereafter, Plaintiff submitted a request to review the decision after remand and a brief
explaining his objections to the decision, along with additional evidence for the Appeals
Council. (R. 1301-21). The Appeals Council received the request, the brief, and the
additional evidence and agreed to consider Plaintiff’s objections. (R. 1083-83). The
Appeals Council issued an Order making Plaintiff’s brief and the additional evidence a
part of the administrative record in this case, but found no basis to change the ALJ’s
2
decision after remand, and declined to assume jurisdiction. (R. 1076-80). Therefore, the
ALJ’s decision is the final decision of the Commissioner after remand, subject to judicial
review. 42 U.S.C. § 405(g); see also (R. 1076). Plaintiff filed a timely appeal with this
court, and the cause is now ripe for decision.
The court’s review is guided by the Act. Wall v. Astrue, 561 F.3d 1048, 1052
(10th Cir. 2009). The Act provides that “[t]he findings of the Commissioner as to any
fact, if supported by substantial evidence, shall be conclusive.” 42 U.S.C. § 405(g). The
court must determine whether the ALJ’s factual findings are supported by substantial
evidence in the record and whether he applied the correct legal standard. Lax v. Astrue,
489 F.3d 1080, 1084 (10th Cir. 2007); accord, White v. Barnhart, 287 F.3d 903, 905 (10th
Cir. 2001). Substantial evidence is more than a scintilla, but it is less than a
preponderance; it is “such relevant evidence as a reasonable mind might accept as
adequate to support a conclusion.” Richardson v. Perales, 402 U.S. 389, 401 (1971); see
also, Wall, 561 F.3d at 1052; Gossett v. Bowen, 862 F.2d 802, 804 (10th Cir. 1988).
The court may “neither reweigh the evidence nor substitute [its] judgment for that
of the agency.” Bowman v. Astrue, 511 F.3d 1270, 1272 (10th Cir. 2008) (quoting
Casias v. Sec’y of Health & Human Servs., 933 F.2d 799, 800 (10th Cir. 1991)); accord,
Hackett v. Barnhart, 395 F.3d 1168, 1172 (10th Cir. 2005); see also, Bowling v. Shalala,
36 F.3d 431, 434 (5th Cir. 1994) (The court “may not reweigh the evidence in the record,
nor try the issues de novo, nor substitute [the Court’s] judgment for the
[Commissioner’s], even if the evidence preponderates against the [Commissioner’s]
3
decision.”) (quoting Harrell v. Bowen, 862 F.2d 471, 475 (5th Cir. 1988)). Nonetheless,
the determination whether substantial evidence supports the Commissioner’s decision is
not simply a quantitative exercise, for evidence is not substantial if it is overwhelmed by
other evidence or if it constitutes mere conclusion. Gossett, 862 F.2d at 804-05; Ray v.
Bowen, 865 F.2d 222, 224 (10th Cir. 1989).
The Commissioner uses the familiar five-step sequential process to evaluate a
claim for disability. 20 C.F.R. § 404.1520; Wilson v. Astrue, 602 F.3d 1136, 1139 (10th
Cir. 2010) (citing Williams v. Bowen, 844 F.2d 748, 750 (10th Cir. 1988)). “If a
determination can be made at any of the steps that a claimant is or is not disabled,
evaluation under a subsequent step is not necessary.” Wilson, 602 F.3d at 1139 (quoting
Lax, 489 F.3d at 1084). In the first three steps, the Commissioner determines whether
claimant has engaged in substantial gainful activity since the alleged onset, whether he
has a severe impairment(s), and whether the severity of his impairment(s) meets or equals
the severity of any impairment in the Listing of Impairments (20 C.F.R., Pt. 404, Subpt.
P, App. 1). Williams, 844 F.2d at 750-51. After evaluating step three, the Commissioner
assesses claimant’s residual functional capacity (RFC). 20 C.F.R. § 404.1520(e). This
assessment is used at both step four and step five of the sequential evaluation process. Id.
The Commissioner next evaluates steps four and five of the sequential process-determining whether, in light of the RFC assessed, claimant can perform his past relevant
work; and whether, when also considering the vocational factors of age, education, and
work experience, claimant is able to perform other work in the economy. Wilson, 602
4
F.3d at 1139 (quoting Lax, 489 F.3d at 1084). In steps one through four the burden is on
Plaintiff to prove a disability that prevents performance of past relevant work. Blea v.
Barnhart, 466 F.3d 903, 907 (10th Cir. 2006); accord, Dikeman v. Halter, 245 F.3d 1182,
1184 (10th Cir. 2001); Williams, 844 F.2d at 751 n.2. At step five, the burden shifts to
the Commissioner to show that there are jobs in the economy which are within the RFC
assessed. Id.; Haddock v. Apfel, 196 F.3d 1084, 1088 (10th Cir. 1999). The court finds
no error in the decision and considers Plaintiff’s arguments in the order of his Brief.
II.
RFC Relating to Plaintiff’s Physical Impairments
Plaintiff argues that the ALJ’s RFC relating to Plaintiff’s physical impairments is
not supported “by the substantial record evidence as a whole.” (Pl. Br. 50). Plaintiff
provides several arguments why he believes this is so. First he argues that although the
ALJ accorded partial weight to Dr. Gaeta’s opinion and significant weight to Dr.
Coleman’s opinion, he failed to explain why he did not include their restriction from
concentrated exposure to vibration, although the job of bench assembler requires the use
of vibrating power tools such as a pneumatic impact wrench, a power press, a pneumatic
clinching gun, and a rivet press. (Pl. Br. 50).
Next, he argues that the ALJ should not have relied on Drs. Gaeta’s and Coleman’s
opinions in any case because neither physician examined or treated Plaintiff. Id. In
support thereof he argues that Dr. Gaeta’s specialty is pediatrics and she has no expertise
in adults with degenerative disc and joint problems. (Pl. Br. 51). He argues that both
physicians’ opinions were more than a year old when relied upon, and the ALJ failed his
5
duty to fully and fairly develop the record when he failed to seek a medical opinion from
a treating or examining physician. (Pl. Br. 51).
Finally Plaintiff implies that the ALJ erred when he rejected the opinion of
Plaintiff’s physician’s assistant, Dr. Wisener.2 Id., at 52.
In response, the Commissioner begins by arguing that any error in failing to
include a limitation from concentrated exposure to vibration is harmless because none of
the representative jobs relied upon by the ALJ involve exposure to vibration. (Comm’r
Br. 5). She then argues that because the ALJ rejected Dr. Gaeta’s opinion that Plaintiff
could perform medium work and accorded only partial weight to her manipulative and
environment limitations which were similar to the limitations assessed by the ALJ,
“Plaintiff’s extended complaint about Dr. Gaeta’s opinion provides no basis for remand.”
Id. at 6. She argues that the ALJ provided reasons, supported by the record evidence, to
accord significant weight to Dr. Coleman’s medical opinion, and that Plaintiff’s
remaining arguments of error in weighing the opinions are without merit. Id. at 7-8. She
argues that Plaintiff merely summarizes Dr. Wisener’s opinion and does not challenge the
weight accorded by the ALJ. Id., at 8. Finally, she argues that it is the ALJ’s duty to
assess RFC based upon all of the evidence, and that he had no further duty to develop the
record here because there was “sufficient evidence to determine that [Plaintiff] was not
2
Plaintiff asserts that APRN (Advanced Practice Registered Nurse) Moppin
provided another opinion (Pl. Br. 52), but he makes no argument of error in the
consideration of Ms. Moppin’s opinion.
6
disabled.” (Comm’r Br. 9) (citing Howard v. Barnhart, 379 F.3d 945, 949 (10th Cir.
2004); Chapo v Astrue, 682, F.3d 1285, 1288 (10th Cir. 2012); and Cowan v. Astrue, 552
F.3d 1182, 1187 (10th Cir. 2008)).
In his Reply Brief, Plaintiff reiterated his arguments regarding physical
impairments, and cited evidence which in his view detracts from the ALJ’s findings and
the Commissioner’s arguments in this regard. (Reply 1-5). Plaintiff argued that an
“ALJ’s RFC [assessment], however, must be based on some medical opinion evidence.”
Id. at 5 (citing Wells v. Colvin, 727 F.3d 1061 (10th Cir. 2013) (without pinpoint
citation); and Fleetwood v. Barnhart, 211 F. App’x 736, 740-41 (10th Cir. 2007)).
Finally, he argued that the opinion in Chapo supports his argument that Dr. Gaeta’s and
Dr. Coleman’s opinions were stale and therefore improperly relied upon. Id. at 5-6.
A.
The ALJ’s Evaluation of the Opinion Evidence Regarding
Physical Limitations, and His RFC Assessment Thereof
The court begins, as always, and as it must, with the ALJ’s findings and his
evaluation of the evidence. With regard to physical limitations, the ALJ assessed Plaintiff
with an RFC for a limited range of light work, finding that he “could stand or walk for
four hours in an eight-hour workday, . . . could sit for six hours, . . . [and] could push or
pull in the limits for lifting and carrying.” (R. 1094) (bolding omitted). He found that
Plaintiff was limited to “frequent overhead reaching with the left upper extremity, . . .
frequently turn[ing] his head side-to-side and up-and-down, . . . [and] occasionally us[ing]
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ramps and stairs, [but never] us[ing] ladders, ropes, or scaffolds.” Id. Finally, he found
that Plaintiff “should avoid concentrated exposure to cold temperatures.” Id.
In reaching his RFC assessment, the ALJ discounted Plaintiff’s allegations of
symptoms resulting from his impairments because they “are not entirely consistent with
the medical evidence and other evidence in” the record. (R. 1095). He also considered
and discussed the medical source opinions regarding physical limitations:
In making this finding, the undersigned gives some weight to the State
agency medical opinions (Exhibit 7A and 10A [(R. 1155-64, 1167-82)]).
Judee Gaeta, M.D. opined in November 2014 that the claimant retained the
capacity for medium exertion level work subject to similar manipulative
and environmental limitations as those set forth in the above residual
functional capacity (Exhibit 7A). Upon reconsideration, consultant Gary
Coleman, M.D., opined the claimant retained the capacity for light exertion
work subject to similar manipulative and environmental limitations as those
set forth in the above residual functional capacity.
The undersigned has considered Dr. Coleman’s opinion and finds it to be
consistent with the medical evidence, generally. It receives significant
weight. Dr. Gaeta’s opinion, however, does not adequately consider the
limitations caused by all of the claimant’s orthopedic impairments, and that
deficiency may be due, at least in part, by [sic] treatments offered the
claimant after Dr. Gaeta’s review of the evidence. Thus, the undersigned
gives Dr. Gaeta’s opinion partial weight only.
The undersigned also considered an August 2011 opinion by clinician Mark
Wisner, whose medical credentials are unknown.3 [Mr.] Wisner noted that
3
Plaintiff suggests that the ALJ is referring to “Dr. Mark Wisener, Ph.D. and PA.”
(Pl. Br. 52 & n.1) (citing a “‘Google’ search” showing that Dr. Wisener has a Psy. D. and
was working as a Physician’s Assistant at the VA.). This may or may not be correct, but
the medical records in this case reveal that Mr. Mark E. Wisner, a physician’s assistant,
treated Plaintiff for a period of time at the VA. (R. 2586-2602). The court is unaware
whether Plaintiff merely misspelled Mr. Wisner’s name or whether his search produced a
different individual. The court notes that the Commissioner has apparently . . . Cont’d
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the claimant had decreased range of motion and was unable to lift above the
shoulder. It was noted the claimant allegedly had difficulty getting dressed.
It was further noted “his employability due to restrictive lifting is limited.
He would be able to have sedentary type work” (Exhibit 1F/100 [(R. 402)]).
Another statement around this time noted the claimant was not to lift
because of back and shoulder pain, along with allegations of knee pain. It
was further noted the claimant would be able to have a job in an office-type
environment with limited neck movement and with the accommodation of
frequent position changes (Exhibit 1F/117 [(R. 419)]).
The statements of [sic] been considered but are given little weight. The
medical evidence, generally, does not support a finding the claimant would
be limited to “sedentary” work only. The specific factual bases for Mr.
Wisner’s statement were not included in his opinion thus, the general
overview of the medical evidence described above prevails. Furthermore,
while the claimant’s ability to lift is certainly limited by his impairments,
nothing in evidence would limit the claimant to an “office-type
environment.”
(R. 1097-98).
B.
Standard for Evaluating Medical Source Opinions4
“Medical opinions are statements from physicians and psychologists or other
acceptable medical sources5 that reflect judgments about the nature and severity of [a
. . . followed Plaintiff’s lead, and refers to “Dr. Wisener” in her Brief. (Comm’r Br. 8).
The record referred to by the ALJ indicates that the “Req. Phys:” was “Wisner,
Mark E..” (R. 401). Likely this is the same Mark E. Wisner who was the physician’s
assistant treating Plaintiff at that time. Nevertheless, the ALJ was correct--the . . .cont’d
opinion at issue does not reveal Mr. Wisner’s credentials. And the ALJ may not
speculate.
4
This is also the standard applicable to evaluation of the opinions of mental
healthcare providers, and will also be applied by the court in that regard, although not
repeated, later in this decision.
5
The regulations define three types of “acceptable medical sources:”
“Treating source:” an “acceptable medical source” who has provided . . . Cont’d
9
claimant’s] impairment(s) including [claimant’s] symptoms, diagnosis and prognosis.”
20 C.F.R. § 404.1527(a)(2). Such opinions may not be ignored and, unless a treating
source opinion is given controlling weight, all medical opinions will be evaluated by the
Commissioner in accordance with factors contained in the regulations. Id. § 404.1527(c);
SSR 96-5p, West’s Soc. Sec. Reporting Serv., Rulings 123-24 (Supp. 2017). A physician
or psychologist who has treated a patient frequently over an extended period of time (a
treating source) is expected to have greater insight into the patient’s medical condition,
and his opinion is generally entitled to “particular weight.” Doyal v. Barnhart, 331 F.3d
758, 762 (10th Cir. 2003). But, “the opinion of an examining physician [(a nontreating
source)] who only saw the claimant once is not entitled to the sort of deferential treatment
accorded to a treating physician’s opinion.” Id. at 763 (citing Reid v. Chater, 71 F.3d
372, 374 (10th Cir. 1995)). However, opinions of nontreating sources are generally given
more weight than the opinions of nonexamining sources who have merely reviewed the
medical record. Robinson v. Barnhart, 366 F.3d 1078, 1084 (10th Cir. 2004); Talbot v.
Heckler, 814 F.2d 1456, 1463 (10th Cir. 1987) (citing Broadbent v. Harris, 698 F.2d 407,
412 (10th Cir. 1983), Whitney v. Schweiker, 695 F.2d 784, 789 (7th Cir. 1982), and Wier
ex rel. Wier v. Heckler, 734 F.2d 955, 963 (3d Cir. 1984)).
. . . the claimant with medical treatment or evaluation in an ongoing treatment
relationship. 20 C.F.R. §§ 404.1502, 416.902.
“Nontreating source:” an “acceptable medical source” who has examined the
claimant, but never had a treatment relationship. Id.
“Nonexamining source:” an “acceptable medical source” who has not examined
the claimant, but provides a medical opinion. Id.
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Nevertheless, all evidence from nonexamining sources such as state agency
physicians and medical experts is considered opinion evidence. 20 C.F.R. § 404.1527(e).
Although an ALJ is not bound by such opinions he must consider them, except for
opinions regarding the ultimate issue of disability. Id., § 404.1527(e)(2)(i). Such
opinions must also be evaluated using the regulatory factors, and the ALJ must explain in
the decision the weight given them. Id., § 404.1527(e)(2)(ii & iii).
“If [the Commissioner] find[s] that a treating source’s opinion on the issue(s) of
the nature and severity of [the claimant’s] impairment(s) [(1)] is well-supported by
medically acceptable clinical and laboratory diagnostic techniques and [(2)] is not
inconsistent with the other substantial evidence in [claimant’s] case record, [the
Commissioner] will give it controlling weight.” 20 C.F.R. § 404.1527(c)(2); see also,
SSR 96-2p, West’s Soc. Sec. Reporting Serv., Rulings 111-15 (Supp. 2017) (“Giving
Controlling Weight to Treating Source Medical Opinions”).
The Tenth Circuit has explained the nature of the inquiry regarding a treating
source’s medical opinion. Watkins v. Barnhart, 350 F.3d 1297, 1300-01 (10th Cir. 2003)
(citing SSR 96-2p). The ALJ first determines “whether the opinion is ‘well-supported by
medically acceptable clinical and laboratory diagnostic techniques.’” Id. at 1300 (quoting
SSR 96-2p). If the opinion is well-supported, the ALJ must confirm that the opinion is
also consistent with other substantial evidence in the record. Id. “[I]f the opinion is
deficient in either of these respects, then it is not entitled to controlling weight.” Id.
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If the treating source opinion is not given controlling weight, the inquiry does not
end. Id. A treating source opinion is “still entitled to deference and must be weighed
using all of the factors provided in 20 C.F.R. § 404.1527.” Id. Those factors are:
(1) length of treatment relationship and frequency of examination; (2) the nature and
extent of the treatment relationship, including the treatment provided and the kind of
examination or testing performed; (3) the degree to which the physician’s opinion is
supported by relevant evidence; (4) consistency between the opinion and the record as a
whole; (5) whether or not the physician is a specialist in the area upon which an opinion
is rendered; and (6) other factors brought to the ALJ’s attention which tend to support or
contradict the opinion. Id. at 1301; 20 C.F.R. § 404.1527(c)(2-6); see also Drapeau v.
Massanari, 255 F.3d 1211, 1213 (10th Cir. 2001) (citing Goatcher v. Dep’t of Health &
Human Servs., 52 F.3d 288, 290 (10th Cir. 1995)).
After considering the factors, the ALJ must give reasons for the weight he gives.
Id., 350 F.3d at 1301. “Finally, if the ALJ rejects the opinion completely, he must then
give ‘specific, legitimate reasons’ for doing so.” Id. (citing Miller v. Chater, 99 F.3d
972, 976 (10th Cir. 1996) (quoting Frey v. Bowen, 816 F.2d 508, 513 (10th Cir. 1987)).
Recognizing the reality that an increasing number of claimants have their medical
care provided by health care providers who are not “acceptable medical sources”--nurse
practitioners, physician’s assistants, social workers, and therapists, the Commissioner
promulgated SSR 06-3p. West’s Soc. Sec. Reporting Serv., Rulings 327-34 (Supp.
2017). In that ruling, the Commissioner noted:
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With the growth of managed health care in recent years and the emphasis
on containing medical costs, medical sources who are not “acceptable
medical sources,” such as nurse practitioners, physician assistants, and
licensed clinical social workers, have increasingly assumed a greater
percentage of the treatment and evaluation functions previously handled
primarily by physicians and psychologists. Opinions from these medical
sources, who are not technically deemed “acceptable medical sources”
under our rules, are important and should be evaluated on key issues such as
impairment severity and functional effects, along with the other relevant
evidence in the file.
Id., Rulings, 330-31.
SSR 06-3p explains that such opinions will be evaluated using the regulatory
factors for evaluating medical opinions; id., at 331-32 (citing 20 C.F.R. § 404.1527); and
explains that the ALJ “generally should explain the weight given to opinions from these
‘other sources,’ or otherwise ensure that the discussion of the evidence in the . . . decision
allows a claimant or subsequent reviewer to follow the adjudicator’s reasoning, when
such opinions may have an effect on the outcome of the case.” Id., at 333.
C.
Analysis
The court finds no error in the ALJ’s evaluation of Dr. Gaeta’s, Dr. Coleman’s, or
Mr. Wisner’s opinions. It agrees with the Commissioner that the error in failing to
include Dr. Gaeta’s and Dr. Coleman’s restriction from concentrated exposure to
vibration is harmless. Plaintiff argues that he is prejudiced because the job of bench
assembler requires the use of vibrating power tools such as a pneumatic impact wrench, a
power press, a pneumatic clinching gun, and a rivet press. (Pl. Br. 50). There are at least
two problems with this argument. First, Plaintiff cites no authority for this assertion, and
13
second, as the Commissioner argues, the Dictionary of Occupational Titles (DOT)
demonstrates that all of the representative jobs relied upon by the ALJ, including the job
of bench assembler do not involve vibration, much less “concentrated vibration” as
opined by Drs. Gaeta and Coleman. While it may appear intuitive to the lay observer that
use of some of the tools listed above involve vibration, the presence of “concentrated
vibration” is not so intuitive. And disability determinations may not be based on lay
intuition. That is one reason why vocational experts testify in most disability hearings.
Moreover, for each of the representative jobs relied upon here, the DOT specifically
states, “Vibration: Not Present - Activity or condition does not exist.” 1991 WL 672232
(office helper, DOT no. 239.567-010); 1991 WL 679055 (bench assembler, DOT no.
706.684-042); 1991 WL 671745 (photocopy machine operator, DOT no. 207.685-014).
In his Reply Brief, Plaintiff argues that the Commissioner’s “[r]eliance on the
DOT as a definitive authority on job requirements is misplaced because the DOT
definitions are simply generic job descriptions.” (Reply 1) (citing Farley v. Colvin, No.
14-2099-CM, 2014 WL 7407601, at *3 (D. Kan. Dec. 30, 2014)). The court notes that
Farley is the decision of another court of this district, and as such is not precedent binding
on this court. However, the proposition upon which the Farley court relied was that “the
DOT provides the maximum requirements for a particular job,” and it cites a decision of
this court in support of that proposition. Farley, 2014 WL 7407601, at *3 (emphasis
added) (citing Thongleuth v. Astrue, No. 10-1101-JWL, 2011 WL 1303374, at *18 (D.
Kan. Apr. 4, 2011) (“[A] claimant’s reliance on the DOT as a definitive authority on job
14
requirements is misplaced because DOT definitions are simply generic job descriptions
that offer the approximate maximum requirements for each position, rather than their
range”) (emphasis added)). Neither the Farley opinion nor the Thongleuth opinion
requires a different result in this case, because as those opinions suggest, the approximate
maximum vibration present in the jobs relied upon in this case is none--it is not present,
according to the DOT. And, the Social Security Regulations specifically state that the
DOT is “reliable job information” of which the Social Security Administration will take
administrative notice. 20 C.F.R. § 404.1566(d). Any error in the ALJ’s failure to include
a limitation from concentrated exposure to vibration is harmless here.
Plaintiff’s argument that Dr. Gaeta’s opinion is unworthy of weight because she is
a pediatrician goes to the weight, not the admissibility, of her opinion. She is a physician
and an expert in medical matters, and she is a program physician, and as such she is an
expert in the Social Security disability program and her opinions must be considered and
weighed by the ALJ. 20 C.F.R. § 404.1527(e). Moreover, the ALJ accorded only partial
weight to Dr. Gaeta’s opinion, and Plaintiff points to no opinion of a medical specialist
which requires further reduction in the weight accorded to Dr. Gaeta’s opinion.
The argument that the opinions of Dr. Gaeta and Dr. Coleman should have been
rejected because they were stale is also without merit. Plaintiff is correct that the Tenth
Circuit found it troubling when an ALJ relied on “a patently stale opinion.” Chapo v.
Astrue, 682 F.3d 1285, 1292-93 (10th Cir. 2012). This was so because the relevant
medical record in that case “underwent material changes in the twenty months between”
15
the medical opinion relied upon and the ALJ’s decision. Id., 682 F.3d at 1292. In Chapo,
there were no diagnostic imaging studies, and examination revealed negative straight leg
raises and a normal gait when the opinion relied upon was formulated. Id. In the interim,
the plaintiff’s condition changed considerably. Id. However, because the ALJ had
moderated the extreme limitations of the opinion relied upon, and properly rejected a
summary RFC assessment opined by a treating physician, and because the court otherwise
determined remand was necessary, it did “not make a definitive determination on this
question,” but encouraged “the ALJ to obtain an updated exam or report to forestall any
potential problems from arising . . . on remand.” Id. 682 F.3d at 1293.
This case is to be distinguished from Chapo. Here, there were diagnostic imaging
studies available when Dr. Gaeta reviewed the record (R. 568-80), and more studies
available when Dr. Coleman formulated his opinion. (R. 1472-92, 1783-84, 1942-43).
Perhaps most importantly in this case, Plaintiff has not shown a material change in the
record or in Plaintiff’s condition after Dr. Coleman formulated his opinion. Moreover,
here the ALJ did not merely rely on the opinions of Dr. Gaeta and Dr. Coleman. He
considered and summarized the entire record and made his own evaluation of Plaintiff’s
condition over time and of the physician’s opinions. In fact, he specifically noted that he
discounted Dr. Gaeta’s opinion because of “treatments offered the claimant after Dr.
Gaeta’s review of the evidence.” (R. 1097). As the Commissioner points out, RFC is an
administrative not a medical determination, and it is the ALJ’s duty to make that
assessment based on all of the record evidence, both medical and non-medical.
16
Next, as the Commissioner points out, Plaintiff merely summarizes Mr. Wisner’s
opinion as presented in the record evidence, but does not argue error in the ALJ’s
determination to accord little weight to that opinion. To the extent Plaintiff seeks to have
the court reweigh the evidence cited in his Brief, the court reminds him that the court may
not reweigh the evidence or substitute its judgment for that of the Commissioner.
Bowman, 511 F.3d at 1272; accord, Hackett, 395 F.3d at 1172; see also, Bowling, 36
F.3d at 434 (The court “may not reweigh the evidence in the record, nor try the issues de
novo, nor substitute [the Court’s] judgment for the [Commissioner’s], even if the
evidence preponderates against the [Commissioner’s] decision.”).
Plaintiff’s remaining arguments regarding assessment of physical limitations rest
upon the mistaken assumption that an “ALJ’s RFC [assessment], however, must be based
on some medical opinion evidence.” (Reply at 5) (emphasis added) (citing Wells v.
Colvin, 727 F.3d 1061 (10th Cir. 2013) (without pinpoint citation); and Fleetwood v.
Barnhart, 211 F. App’x 736, 740-41 (10th Cir. 2007)).
However, as the Commissioner points out, “the ALJ, not a physician, is charged
with determining a claimant’s RFC from the medical record.” Howard v. Barnhart, 379
F.3d 945, 949 (10th Cir. 2004). “And the ALJ’s RFC assessment is an administrative,
rather than a medical determination.” McDonald v. Astrue, 492 F. App’x 875, 885 (10th
Cir. 2012) (citing SSR 96-05p, 1996 WL 374183, at *5 (July 1996)). Because RFC
assessment is made based on “all of the evidence in the record, not only the medical
evidence, [it is] well within the province of the ALJ.” Dixon v. Apfel, No. 98-5167, 1999
17
WL 651389, at **2 (10th Cir. Aug. 26, 1999); 20 C.F.R. § 404.1545(a). Moreover, the
final responsibility for determining RFC rests with the Commissioner. 20 C.F.R.
§§ 404.1527(d)(2), 404.1546.
The opinions in Wells and Fleetwood do not change that fact.
In Wells, the court
noted that in cases where the medical opinions appear to conflict with the ALJ’s decision
to the point of posing a serious challenge to the RFC assessment, it may be inappropriate
for the ALJ to reach an RFC determination without expert medical assistance. Wells, 727
F.3d at 1072. However, before noting that exception--applicable in that case--the Wells
court cited Chapo for the proposition that “there is no requirement in the regulations for a
direct correspondence between an RFC finding and a specific medical opinion on the
functional capacity in question” because “the ALJ, not a physician, is charged with
determining a claimant’s RFC from the medical record.” Id. at 1071 (quoting Chapo, 682
F.3d at 1288) (alteration and internal quotation marks omitted). Here, Plaintiff has not
shown that the medical opinions conflict with the ALJ’s decision to the point of posing a
serious challenge to the RFC assessment, and has not pointed out a medical opinion
contrary to the ALJ’s physical RFC assessment. Fleetwood merely stands for the
unremarkable proposition that the Commissioner’s check-the-box evaluation forms
“standing alone, unaccompanied by thorough written reports or persuasive testimony, are
not substantial evidence.” Fleetwood, 211 F. App'x at 740 (quoting Frey v. Bowen, 816
F.2d 508, 515 (10th Cir. 1987); and citing SSR 96-6p, 1996 WL 374180, at *2
(permitting an ALJ to rely on opinions of medical consultants if opinions are supported
18
by evidence in the case record)). Here, Dr. Coleman’s opinion contains a thorough
analysis and explanation (R. 1176-78), and Dr. Coleman’s opinion is supported by
evidence in the case record, as the ALJ summarized and explained. Plaintiff has shown
no error in the ALJ’s assessment of physical RFC limitations.
III.
RFC Relating to Plaintiff’s Mental Impairments
Plaintiff argues that the ALJ’s RFC assessment regarding Plaintiff’s mental
impairments is also “unsupported by the substantial evidence of the record as a whole.”
(Pl. Br. 53) (bolding omitted). He argues this is so for numerous reasons. He argues that
the nonexamining source opinion of the state agency psychologist, Dr. Blum, like those of
Dr. Gaeta and Dr. Coleman, is not substantial evidence to support the ALJ’s decision, and
that Dr. Blum opined, contrary to the ALJ’s RFC assessment that although “Plaintiff was
able to understand complex, detailed instructions, in practice, his symptoms would reduce
his effectiveness in performing intermediate tasks.” Id., at 53-55. In footnotes to his
Brief, Plaintiff argues that because the ALJ discounted all of the opinions there was no
substantial medical evidence upon which the ALJ could rely to assess RFC, that the ALJ
improperly picked and chose among the opinions when he rejected portions of the
opinions, and that the ALJ is not “permitted to rely on his own ‘medical expertise.’” Id.,
at 53, n.2&3 (quoting Ness v. Sullivan, 904 F.2d 432, 435 (8th Cir. 1990).
He argues that the ALJ erroneously rejected all of the treating and nontreating
source opinions in the record even though they are entitled to greater weight than the
nonexamining source opinions of the state agency psychologists. Id., at 55. He argues
19
that the ALJ was obligated to recontact Dr. Khan, Plaintiff’s treating psychiatrist, and
erroneously discounted the GAF6 score of 57 assessed by Dr. Khan. (Pl. Br. 55). He
argues that the ALJ did not provide a valid reason to reject Dr. Khan’s opinion. Id., at 56.
Plaintiff argues that the ALJ failed to address any of the regulatory factors for evaluating
medical opinions when weighing Dr. Khan’s opinion. Id., at 57. Finally, Plaintiff argues
the ALJ failed to give good reasons to reject Dr. Schale’s opinion, and failed to identify
the weight accorded to Dr. Hass’s opinion. Id. at 58-59.
The Commissioner argues that the ALJ reasonably assessed Plaintiff’s mental
limitations. She argues that even if Plaintiff is unable to do intermediate level, SVP
(specific vocational preparation) level 5 work, all of the representative jobs upon which
the ALJ relied were unskilled SVP 2 jobs. (Comm’r Br. 9). She argues that although
Plaintiff argues that certain evidence in the record supports a different outcome, since
“the ALJ’s conclusion in his case is based on one reasonable interpretation of the
6
A Global Assessment of Functioning, or GAF, score is a subjective determination
which represents “the clinician’s judgment of the individual’s overall level of
functioning.” Am. Psychiatric Ass’n, Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental
Disorders (DSM-IV-TR) 32 (4th ed. text revision 2000). The GAF Scale ranges from 100
(superior functioning) to 1 (persistent danger of severely hurting self or others, persistent
inability to maintain minimal personal hygiene, or serious suicidal act with clear
expectation of death). Id. at 34. GAF is a classification system providing objective
evidence of a degree of mental impairment. Birnell v. Apfel, 45 F. Supp. 2d 826, 835-36
(D. Kan. 1999) (citing Schmidt v. Callahan, 995 F. Supp. 869, 886, n.13 (N.D. Ill. 1998)).
A GAF score in the range from 51 to 60 indicates “Moderate symptoms (e.g., flat
affect and circumstantial speech, occasional panic attacks) OR moderate difficulty in
social, occupational, or school functioning (e.g., few friends, conflicts with peers or coworkers). DSM-IV-TR, at 34 (emphasis in original).
20
evidence, the [c]ourt must affirm.” Id. at 10 (emphasis in original) (citing Nguyen v.
Shalala, 43 F.3d 1400, 1403 (10th Cir. 1994) (citing Melkonyan v. Sullivan 501 U.S. 89
at 100-01 (1991) (a court may not remand merely because of a disagreement with the
outcome of the case before the agency)).
The Commissioner also argues that the ALJ provided reasons supported by the
record evidence to discount both Dr. Khan’s and Dr. Schale’s opinions. (Comm’r Br. 1013). She argues that an ALJ is not required to specifically discuss each of the regulatory
factors for weighing medical opinions, and that the ALJ in this case considered, as the
regulations require, all of those factors in making his decision. Id., at 12-13. Finally, the
Commissioner appears to agree that the ALJ did not weigh Dr. Hass’s opinion that
Plaintiff has “total occupational and social impairment” (R.333), but argues that this
opinion mirrors another VA decision finding 100% disability on the basis of PostTraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), which the ALJ specifically discounted, and that
remand is not required where the ALJ considered and rejected a nearly identical opinion.
(Comm’r Br. 13-15).
A.
The ALJ’s Evaluation of the Opinion Evidence Regarding
Mental Limitations, and His RFC Assessment Thereof
With regard to his mental impairments, the ALJ found that Plaintiff is limited to
“occasional contact with co-workers, supervisors, and the general public,” and that he can
“understand, remember, and carry out moderately complex instructions and tasks at an
SVP 5 level.” (R. 1094) (bolding omitted). As noted above, in reaching his RFC
21
assessment, the ALJ discounted Plaintiff’s allegations of symptoms resulting from his
impairments because they “are not entirely consistent with the medical evidence and other
evidence in” the record. (R. 1095).
The ALJ provided an extensive discussion of the record evidence regarding
Plaintiff’s mental impairments. (R. 1098-1103). He noted that treatment included
medication management, “group counseling and very little independent therapy.” Id. at
1098. He noted a GAF score of 57 assigned “throughout 2015,” and accorded it some
weight. Id. He discussed the medical record evidence regarding Plaintiff’s substance use
disorder (alcohol use). Id., at 1098-99. He noted evidence regarding Plaintiff’s
compliance with medication prescribed for his mental impairments. Id. at 1099.
The ALJ accorded some weight to the state agency psychological consultants’
opinions, noting that he accorded little weight to the opinions of Drs. Maxfield, Frantz,
and Aram, and some weight to Dr. Blum’s opinion. Id., at 1100.
The ALJ considered the medical opinion of Plaintiff’s treating psychiatrist, Dr.
Khan, but gave it no weight because he “had treated the claimant since 2014 only,”
because he did not specify how Plaintiff’s daily activities were limited, because the
opinion “is light on the underlying facts in support,” and it “directly contradict[s] the
GAF scores he issued,” and because of “the lack of any mention of the claimant’s alcohol
abuse.” Id. Finally, he noted that Dr. Khan’s opinion that Plaintiff is “very unlikely to be
able to obtain or maintain gainful employment in any setting for meaningful [sic] period
22
of time,” id. (quoting Ex. 17F (R. 2410)), is an opinion on an issue reserved to the
Commissioner and is not entitled to special significance. Id., at 1101.
The ALJ considered and weighed the opinion of Dr. Schale, the psychologist who
treated Plaintiff, primarily in group therapy situations. The ALJ accorded Dr. Schale’s
opinion no weight because Dr. Schale’s treatment notes do not document symptoms or
limitations consistent with the opinion, “it is unclear how individualized” Dr. Schale’s
opinion is “because group therapy progress notes failed to provide detailed information
about the claimant,” because Dr. Schale’s opinion makes no mention of Plaintiff’s alcohol
use, the opinion is inconsistent with the GAF of 57 assigned by the VA, the opinion is
inconsistent with Plaintiff’s mental health treatment notes, and Dr. Schale’s opinion of
100% disability is on an issue reserved to the Commissioner. (R. 1101).
Finally, the ALJ considered and discussed the opinions represented by the 100%
disability rating for PTSD and 10% disability rating for a left knee impairment assigned
by the VA. (R. 1102-03). He explained that he had not accorded significant weight to
those opinions because they are based on agency rules which are different than those
applied by the Social Security Administration (SSA), because VA disability ratings are
based on a percentage of diminished earning capacity whereas Social Security disability
is the inability to perform past relevant work or any other substantial gainful work in the
economy, and because the VA is required to give the veteran the “benefit of the doubt”
which is different than the standard applied by the SSA. Id., at 1102. He explained that
the VA opinions were discounted because of the reasons stated earlier throughout his
23
opinion and since the disability rating for Plaintiff’s left knee and ankle was based on his
subjective reports, there was a great possibility that the rating for PTSD was also based on
his subjective complaints, which the ALJ found not credible. (R. 1103).
B.
Analysis
Applying the standard for evaluating medical opinions noted above, the court finds
no error as alleged by Plaintiff.
Plaintiff has shown no error in the ALJ’s determination to accord some weight to
Dr. Blum’s opinion. The RFC assessment of which Plaintiff complains in this regard is
that Plaintiff is able to understand, remember, and carry out moderately complex
instructions and tasks at an SVP 5 level. He argues that this is error because although Dr.
Blum opined that Plaintiff is “able to understand complex, detailed instructions, in
practice his symptoms would reduce his effectiveness in performing intermediate tasks.”
(Pl. Br. 53) (citing R. 1173). But Plaintiff misunderstands Dr. Blum’s opinion. Dr. Blum
stated, “The claimant should be capable of understanding complex detailed instructions
but his symptoms may reduce his effectiveness in practice to intermediate tasks.” (R.
1173). In other words, Dr. Blum opined that Plaintiff is capable of understanding
complex detailed instructions but his symptoms reduce him to performing only
intermediate tasks. Dr. Blum’s opinion is that Plaintiff’s symptoms reduce him from
complex tasks to intermediate tasks, not that his effectiveness in intermediate tasks is
further limited. Thus, the ALJ’s finding that Plaintiff is capable of moderately complex
instructions and tasks at SVP 5 level is supported by Dr. Blum’s opinion. Moreover, as
24
the Commissioner points out, Plaintiff has shown no prejudice even if SVP 5 is
erroneous, because all of the representative jobs relied upon require only an SVP 2 level.
Plaintiff’s argument that the ALJ picked and chose through the state agency
psychologists’ medical opinions to support a finding of non-disability misunderstands
both the duty of the ALJ and the prohibition from picking and choosing among medical
opinions. It is the ALJ’s responsibility ultimately to assess an RFC in every case. 20
C.F.R. §§ 404.1527(d)(2), 404.1546. As already explained in this opinion, “the ALJ, not
a physician, is charged with determining a claimant’s RFC from the medical record.”
Howard v. Barnhart, 379 F.3d 945, 949 (10th Cir. 2004). “And the ALJ’s RFC
assessment is an administrative, rather than a medical determination.” McDonald v.
Astrue, 492 F. App’x 875, 885 (10th Cir. 2012) (citing SSR 96-05p, 1996 WL 374183, at
*5 (July 1996)). Because RFC assessment is made based on “all of the evidence in the
record, not only the medical evidence, [it is] well within the province of the ALJ.” Dixon
v. Apfel, No. 98-5167, 1999 WL 651389, at **2 (10th Cir. Aug. 26, 1999); 20 C.F.R.
§ 404.1545(a).
As Plaintiff cites in his Brief, the adjudicator may not pick and choose among or
within the medical opinions in a case record. (Pl. Br. 53, n.3) (citing Haga v. Astrue, 482
F.3d 1205, 1208 (10th Cir. 2007); Robinson, 366 F.3d at 1083; Switzer v. Heckler, 742
F.2d 382, 385-86 (7th Cir. 1984); and Taylor ex rel. McKinnies v. Barnhart, 333 F. Supp.
2d 846, 856 (E.D. Mo. 2004)). However, Plaintiff misses the distinction between picking
and choosing among opinions or portions of opinions--which is prohibited, and accepting
25
and rejecting certain opinions or portions of opinions based upon an appropriate basis-which is the duty of the ALJ. The key, which is recognized in each case cited by
Plaintiff, is whether the ALJ explains the reasons for accepting or rejecting certain
opinions or portions thereof, or whether the ALJ merely ignores the opinions or portions
thereof which are contrary to the decision made.
In Haga, the ALJ rejected certain of a physician’s opinions while implicitly
adopting others, but he failed to provide the reasons for doing so. 482 F.3d at 1207.
After pointing out that the government may not provide post hoc rationalizations for the
Commissioner’s decision and that the evidence the ALJ explicitly relied upon in his
decision did not imply an explanation for rejecting the physician’s opinions, the court
concluded that it “agree[d] that the ALJ should have explained why he rejected four of
the moderate restrictions on Dr. Rawlings’ RFC assessment while appearing to adopt
others. An ALJ is not entitled to pick and choose through an uncontradicted medical
opinion, taking only the parts that are favorable to a finding of non disability.” Id., at
1208. The problem was not that the ALJ accepted portions of the opinion while rejecting
others, it was that he did not explain his bases for doing so--he simply ignored the
portions which were unfavorable to his decision.
Robinson is to the same effect. The court noted that the ALJ did not articulate the
weight accorded to the medical opinion of Dr. Baca, he failed to explain why he did not
give the opinion controlling weight, and failed to explain what lesser weight he assigned
the opinion. 366 F.3d at 1082-83. Yet, the court recognized that “[t]he ALJ clearly gave
26
Dr. Baca’s opinion some weight, because he relied on it for his opinion that claimant was
stable on medication.” 366 F.3d at 1083. It then stated the principle it applied:
The ALJ is not entitled to pick and choose from a medical opinion, using
only those parts that are favorable to a finding of nondisability. Because the
ALJ failed to provide any explanation of how he assessed the weight of the
treating physician’s opinion, as required by Soc. Sec. R. 96–2p, we cannot
simply presume the ALJ applied the correct legal standards in considering
Dr. Baca’s opinion.
Id. (citation, brackets and quotations omitted). Again, the basis for the principle is the
lack of an explanation for the different treatment of favorable and unfavorable opinions.
The court in Switzer stated the principle perhaps most succinctly: “This report is
uncontradicted and the Secretary’s attempt to use only the portions favorable to her
position, while ignoring other parts, is improper.” 742 F. 2d, at 385-86 (emphasis added).
The district court in Taylor recognized the same principle. 333 F. Supp. 2d at 856. The
court summarized the basis for its finding of error was that “the ALJ focuse[d] on
Terrance’s art teacher’s report to the exclusion of other evidence in the record reaching
opposite conclusions. The ALJ failed to acknowledge observations of Terrance’s other
teachers.” Id. (emphasis added).
Here, the ALJ explained the weight accorded to the state agency psychologists’
opinions and the reasons for according that weight. The ALJ did not ignore their opinions
that Plaintiff had moderate difficulties maintaining concentration, persistence, or pace.
Rather, he specifically acknowledged it, but explained that he found “that the medical
evidence is most consistent with a determination that the claimant experienced no more
27
than mild difficulties in his ability to maintain concentration, persistence, or pace for the
reasons discussed in more detail below.” (R. 1093). He was not required to accept or
reject the opinions as units, and he did not.
The court finds no error in the ALJ’s reasons to reject Dr. Khan’s opinion. While
Plaintiff is correct that a GAF score in the moderate range might indicate panic attacks or
potential conflicts with co-workers, and does not conclusively establish the ability to
work, it is indicative of only moderate symptoms, and as such is inconsistent with
disability from all work, and is a valid reason (when included among others) to reject Dr.
Khan’s opinion. Plaintiff argues that Dr. Khan’s failure to discuss Plaintiff’s alcohol
abuse in his opinion is not a basis to discount the opinion because “Dr. Khan clearly did
not find Plaintiff’s purported alcohol use to be an issue” and “repeatedly noted in 2015
that Plaintiff’s alcohol abuse was in remission,” and because even “the ALJ did not find
Plaintiff’s purported use of alcohol to be a material factor.” (Pl. Br. 56).
Plaintiff does not explain what he means by arguing that “the ALJ did not find
Plaintiff’s purported use of alcohol to be a material factor.” Id. There is simply no
mention in the decision of any consideration by the ALJ whether alcohol use or abuse is a
“material” factor. The court presumes that Plaintiff is pointing out that although there is
record medical evidence of alcoholism, the ALJ did not find that “alcoholism is a
contributing factor material to the determination of disability.” 20 C.F.R. § 404.1535(a)
(emphasis added). However, a finding of disability is a condition precedent to
consideration whether alcoholism is a contributing factor material to that determination.
28
20 C.F.R. § 404.1535(a). Because the ALJ did not find Plaintiff disabled, it was not
necessary to consider whether alcoholism was a contributing factor material to that
determination, and it is not surprising that he did not discuss that issue. Nonetheless, the
decision makes clear that the ALJ considered Plaintiff’s use of alcohol was material to
Dr. Khan’s and Dr. Schale’s opinions regarding Plaintiff’s mental abilities and
limitations. He explained his reasoning:
Most troubling, however, is the lack of any mention of the claimant’s
alcohol abuse. The evidence shows the claimant was drinking well after
2013, contrary to his hearing testimony. Thus, Dr. Khan was either
unaware of that use or avoided discussion of that use in an apparent attempt
to make the claimant appear more favorable. In either case, Dr. Khan was
not presenting a full picture regarding the claimant’s so-called symptoms
and the possible overlay of alcohol abuse as it may relate to the claimant’s
alleged limitations.
(R. 1100). Although Plaintiff argues that “Dr. Khan clearly did not find Plaintiff’s
purported alcohol use to be an issue” (Pl. Br. 56), Dr. Khan did not state that he did not
find it to be an issue, leaving open the possibility that he was not even aware Plaintiff was
still using alcohol. Moreover, the ALJ recognized that in 2015 Dr. Khan repeatedly
stated Plaintiff’s alcohol abuse was in remission. (R. 1099) (“The medical evidence
documents that alcohol use was in remission throughout 2015, but those progress notes
failed to record any actual discussion of the claimant’s alcohol use.”) (citing VA medical
records which include Dr. Khan’s 2015 treatment records (R. 2602-36)). That is the point
of the ALJ’s discussion. Although the record evidence indicates Plaintiff at least
continued to use alcohol until October 2015 (R. 2312) (“Do you drink alcohol? Yes -
29
How much/how often? About a beer a day”), Dr. Khan and Dr. Schale either did not
know or did not acknowledge that fact in their opinions, and for that reason their opinions
were discounted.
Plaintiff next argues that the ALJ failed to address any of the regulatory factors in
weighing Dr. Khan’s opinion. Once again, this argument is without merit. To be sure,
the ALJ did not name the regulatory factors when weighing Dr. Khan’s opinion, but that
is not what is required. The ALJ must consider the regulatory factors, but he need not
discuss each factor. The court will not insist on a factor-by-factor analysis so long as the
“ALJ’s decision [is] ‘sufficiently specific to make clear to any subsequent reviewers the
weight the adjudicator gave to the treating source’s medical opinion and the reasons for
that weight.’” Oldham v. Astrue, 509 F.3d 1254, 1258 (10th Cir. 2007) (quoting Watkins,
350 F.3d at 1300). Here, it is apparent the ALJ considered the regulatory factors because
he even discussed that Dr. Khan was a treating psychiatrist, that he had treated Plaintiff
since 2014, and that his opinion was not well-supported by relevant evidence. The ALJ
stated the weight accorded and the reasons for that weight--more is not required.
Plaintiff argues that the ALJ should have recontacted Dr. Khan before he
discounted the opinion as an opinion on an issue reserved to the Commissioner since he
could not ascertain the bases for that opinion. But, the problem was not that the ALJ
could not discern the bases for Dr. Khan’s opinion, he discerned those bases, found them
lacking, and rejected the opinion. Plaintiff has shown no error in the ALJ’s evaluation of
30
Dr. Khan’s opinion or in the reasons given to reject it. They are specific, legitimate
reasons for rejecting the opinion.
Plaintiff’s claim that the ALJ failed to give good reasons to reject Dr. Schale’s
opinion suffers the same fate as his claim regarding the evaluation of Dr. Khan’s opinion,
and the court will not belabor the point.
Pointing to a single box checked on one of the VA’s “Health Summaries,”
apparently completed by Sally D. Hass, and indicating “Total occupational and social
impairment,” Plaintiff argues that remand is necessary because the ALJ did not identify
the weight given Dr. Hass’s opinion. (Pl. Br. 58). To the extent that this single line
statement in a 2800 page record can be called a medical opinion, the court finds no error
in the ALJ’s handling of it. First of all, as Plaintiff argued herein with regard to the
opinions of both the state agency physicians and the state agency psychologists, checkthe-box evaluation forms “standing alone, unaccompanied by thorough written reports or
persuasive testimony, are not substantial evidence.” Fleetwood, 211 F. App'x at 740
(quoting Frey v. Bowen, 816 F.2d 508, 515 (10th Cir. 1987)). Dr. Hass’s one-line
opinion is accompanied by neither a written report nor any other form of persuasion.
Moreover, as the ALJ noted with the opinion of Mr. Wisner, Sally Hass’s credentials are
unknown from looking in the Health Summary cited by Plaintiff. Further, the Tenth
Circuit has recognized that a court “cannot insist on technical perfection,” but is guided
instead by common sense in reviewing Social Security cases. Keyes-Zachary v. Astrue,
695 F.3d 1156, 1166, 1167 (10th Cir. 2012). “Perfection in processing millions of such
31
claims annually is impossible.” Bowen v. Yuckert, 482 U.S. 137, 157 (1987) (O’Conner,
J., concurring). Finally, as the Commissioner points out, the ALJ thoroughly considered
and discounted the disability decision of the VA regarding PTSD. (R. 1102-03). The
error, if there was any in discovering and weighing Dr. Hass’s opinion was harmless.
Plaintiff has shown no error in the ALJ’s evaluation of the medical opinion
evidence.
III.
Miscellaneous Arguments of Error
In the last section of his Brief, Plaintiff lists a number of miscellaneous claims of
error which he suggests also leave the ALJ’s decision unsupported. The first is that the
vocational expert (VE) identified only light exertion level jobs, but because the ALJ
found that Plaintiff is limited to standing and/or walking a total of four hours in an eighthour workday, Plaintiff is unable to perform light work. (Pl. Br. 59-60). This is so, in
Plaintiff’s view, because light work requires the ability to stand and/or walk for six hours
in an eight-hour workday, the VE is prohibited from varying from the exertional
classifications established by the Social Security Administration, and consequently the
VE’s contrary testimony is not substantial evidence to support the ALJ’s determination
that Plaintiff can perform the jobs suggested by the VE. Id., at 60 (citing, without
pinpoint citation, SSR 83-10 and SSR 00-4p).
Plaintiff’s argument misconstrues the definition of “light work,” the purpose of VE
testimony, and SSR 00-4p. The regulations defining “light work” explain that “a job is in
this category when it requires a good deal of walking or standing, or when it requires
32
sitting most of the time with some pushing and pulling of arm or leg controls.” 20 C.F.R.
§ 404.1567(b) (emphases added). SSR 83-10 cites as its authority, in part, 20 C.F.R.
§§ 404.1563-404.1569, and includes identical criteria as discussed above in its definition
of “light work.” 1983 WL 31251, at *1, *5 (Jan. 1, 1983). SSR 83-10 recognizes that
because “frequent lifting or carrying requires being on one’s feet up to two-thirds of a
workday, the full range of light work requires standing or walking, off and on, for a total
of approximately 6 hours of an 8-hour workday.” Id., at *6 (emphasis added).
The VE did not testify, and the ALJ did not find that Plaintiff can do the full range
of light work. Rather, the VE testified that an individual with the RFC assessed by the
ALJ would be able to do “a limited range of light . . . occupations” including the three
representative jobs relied upon by the ALJ--office helper, bench assembler, and
photocopy machine operator. (R. 1144). The ALJ in turn, noted that if Plaintiff were
able to perform the full range of light work, a finding of “not disabled” would be directed
by application of Medical-Vocational Rule 202.21, but because Plaintiff could not do the
full range of light work, he had gotten testimony from a VE, determined that the VE
testimony is consistent with the Dictionary of Occupational Titles (DOT), and found that
Plaintiff has the capacity to perform the requirements of the representative occupations
suggested by the VE. (R. 1104). There is no error here.
Moreover, even the example from SSR 00-4p quoted in Plaintiff’s Brief confirms
the error in Plaintiff’s reasoning. The Ruling states, “For example, if all available
evidence (including VE testimony) establishes that the exertional demands of an
33
occupation meet the regulatory definition of “medium” work (20 CFR 404.1567 and
416.967), the adjudicator may not rely on VE testimony that the occupation is “light”
work.” (Pl. Br. 60) (quoting SSR 00-4p, 2000 WL 1898704, at *3 (Dec. 4, 2000))
(emphasis added). Here, all available evidence, including the VE testimony establishes
that the exertional demands of the representative jobs meet the definition of light work
and the DOT establishes that the jobs are light work, therefore the ALJ properly relied on
the VE testimony that the jobs are light work.
Plaintiff points out testimony that he had right knee surgery the week of the
hearing and would require a knee replacement, and argues that the ALJ should have
assessed postural limitations. Id. However, as the Commissioner points out, a claimant’s
testimony of limitations alone is insufficient to establish disability. 20 C.F.R. § 404.1529.
In his remaining allegations Plaintiff complains that the ALJ used the term
“veracity” in discussing whether his allegations of symptoms were supported by the
record; erroneously included the lack of a TENS unit as an example of Plaintiff’s limited
course of treatment, and made other “factual inaccuracies” in evaluating the record; failed
to consider the Frey factors when discussing Plaintiff’s lack of compliance with
treatment; and ignored evidence favorable to Plaintiff. (Pl. Br. 61-62).
As with much of Plaintiff’s arguments regarding the ALJ’s RFC assessment,
Plaintiff’s arguments do not focus on establishing that the ALJ applied an incorrect legal
standard or that his decision is not supported by the record evidence. Rather, he focuses
on evidence which in his view supports a finding of disability and which the ALJ
34
“should” have given greater weight in his analysis. But that is not the standard applicable
in a Social Security disability case. As noted at the beginning of this decision, the court
may “neither reweigh the evidence nor substitute [its] judgment for that of the agency.”
Bowman, 511 F.3d at 1272; Hackett, 395 F.3d at 1172; see also, Bowling, 36 F.3d at 434
(The court may not reweigh the evidence in the record, nor try the issues de novo, nor
substitute [the Court’s] judgment for the [Commissioner’s], even if the evidence
preponderates against the [Commissioner’s] decision.) (quotation omitted).
As usually happens in disability cases, the record evidence here is equivocal and
does not point just one way. There is also evidence which supports a finding of disability.
However, “[t]he possibility of drawing two inconsistent conclusions from the evidence
does not prevent an administrative agency’s findings from being supported by substantial
evidence. [The court] may not displace the agency’s choice between two fairly
conflicting views, even though the court would justifiably have made a different choice
had the matter been before it de novo.” Lax, 489 F.3d at 1084 (citations, quotations, and
bracket omitted); see also, Consolo v. Fed. Maritime Comm’n, 383 U.S. 607, 620 (1966).
Because the record evidence supports the Commissioner’s decision and because the ALJ
applied the correct legal standard, the decision below must be affirmed.
IT IS THEREFORE ORDERED that judgment shall be entered pursuant to the
fourth sentence of 42 U.S.C. § 405(g) AFFIRMING the Commissioner’s final decision.
35
Dated this 26th day of October 2017, at Kansas City, Kansas.
s:/ John W. Lungstrum
John W. Lungstrum
United States District Judge
36
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