Morris v. SSA

Filing 16

OPINION & ORDER: 1. Plaintiff's motion for summary judgment (DE 13 ) is DENIED;2. The Commissioner's motion for summary judgment (DE 15) is GRANTED; 3. The decision of the Commissioner is AFFIRMED pursuant to sentence four of 42U.S.C.  7; 405(g) as it was supported by substantial evidence and was decided byproper legal standards; and 4. A judgment consistent with this Opinion and Order will be entered contemporaneously. Case Terminated. Signed by Judge Karen K. Caldwell on 9/29/2017.(RBB)cc: COR

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
EASTERN DISTRICT OF KENTUCKY
SOUTHERN DIVISION
AT LONDON
JOANNE FARMER MORRIS,

CIVIL ACTION NO. 6:16-cv-00169--KKC

Plaintiff,
V.

OPINION AND ORDER

COMMISSIONER OF SOCIAL
SECURITY
Defendant.

*** *** ***
Plaintiff Joanne Farmer Morris brings this action pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 405(g) to obtain
judicial review of an administrative decision denying her claims for a period of disability and
disability insurance benefits, and a consolidated claim for supplemental security income. The
Court, having reviewed the record, will AFFIRM the decision of the Commissioner of Social
Security.
I.

Procedural background and the administrative decision

Morris was born on October 8th, 1955, and she filed a claim for a period of disability and
disability insurance benefits, alleging disability beginning on December 30, 2010. (AR 433).
On July 27, 2012, administrative law judge (“ALJ”) Don. C. Paris issued a decision finding
the claimant was not disabled under sections 216(i) and 223(d) of the Social Security Act.
Upon review of that decision, this Court reversed and remanded the matter to the
Commissioner of Social Security for further proceedings in accordance with the fourth
sentence of section 205(g) of the Social Security Act. (Civil Action Number 6:13-cv-00192GFVT).

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While judicial review of Morris’ disability insurance claim was pending before this Court,
Morris filed subsequent electronic claims for Title II and Title XVI disability benefits on
September 5, 2013. Following remand, the ALJ has now consolidated the claim files to create
a single electronic record for a new decision on the consolidated claims. The ALJ has issued
a decision finding that Morris was not disabled as to either claim.
In denying Morris’ claims, the ALJ engaged in the five-step sequential process set forth
in the regulations under the Social Security Act. 20 C.F.R. § 404.1520(a)–(e); see, e.g., Walters
v. Comm’r of Soc. Sec., 127 F.3d 525, 529 (6th Cir. 1997).
At step one, the ALJ determined that Morris has not engaged in substantial gainful
activity since December 30, 2010, the alleged onset date of disability. (AR 435).
At step two, the ALJ found that Morris has the following severe impairments: generalized
osteoarthrosis with multiple-joint pain; morbid obesity; type 2 diabetes mellitus; and
degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine. (AR 435).
At step three, the ALJ found that Morris does not have an impairment or a combination
of impairments that meets or medically equals the severity of one of the listed impairments
of the federal regulations. (AR 436-437).
Before proceeding to step four, the ALJ found that Morris has:
[T]he residual functional capacity to perform sedentary work as defined in 20
CFR 404.1567(a) and 416.967(a), with the following limitations. The claimant
can lift and carry ten pounds occasionally, and less than ten pounds frequently.
She can stand/walk two hours, and sit six hours, out of an eight-hour workday.
She never should climb ladders, ropes, and scaffolds. She occasionally can
climb stairs and ramps. She frequently can balance. She occasionally can
stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl.
(AR 437-438).
At step four, the ALJ found Morris capable of performing past relevant work as a billing
clerk, a referral clerk, and a receptionist. (AR 451). A vocational expert testified, and the
ALJ found, that Morris has past relevant work as: a billing clerk (SVP 4 semi-skilled,
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sedentary exertion work); a referral clerk (SVP 3 semi-skilled, sedentary exertion work); and
a receptionist (SVP 4 semi-skilled, sedentary exertion work). (AR 451). Considering Morris’
residual functional capacity, the ALJ found that Morris was capable of performing these jobs.
(AR 451).
Thus, the ALJ found that Morris has not been under a disability for purposes of her
application for disability benefits or her application for supplemental security income. (AR
451). The ALJ’s decision became the final decision of the Commissioner of Social Security
when the Appeals Council found no reason to assume jurisdiction (AR 422). Therefore, Morris
seeks judicial review of the ALJ’s decision by this Court. This Court affirms the ALJ’s
decision.
I.

Discussion

As a preliminary matter, the Court recognizes that its review of the decision by the ALJ
is limited to determining whether the decision “is supported by substantial evidence and was
made pursuant to proper legal standards.” Rabbers v. Comm’r Soc. Sec. Admin., 582 F.3d
647, 651 (6th Cir. 2009) (internal quotation marks omitted). “Moreover, ‘[w]hen deciding
under 42 U.S.C. § 405(g) whether substantial evidence supports the ALJ’s decision, we do not
try the case de novo, resolve conflicts in evidence, or decide questions of credibility.’” Ulman
v. Comm’r of Soc. Sec., 693 F.3d 709, 714 (6th Cir. 2012) (quoting Bass v. McMahon, 499 F.3d
506, 509 (6th Cir. 2007)).
Additionally, “[a]s long as the ALJ cited substantial, legitimate evidence to support [her]
factual conclusions, we are not to second-guess: ‘If the ALJ’s decision is supported by
substantial evidence, then reversal would not be warranted even if substantial evidence
would support the opposite conclusion.’” Id. (quoting Bass, 499 F.3d at 509).
Morris submits two arguments to this Court. First, she argues that the ALJ erred in
failing to “address all of the claimant’s allegations as severe impairments.” (DE 13-2, Pl.
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Mem. at 4). Second, she argues that the ALJ erred in his treatment of Morris’ treating
physicians. Id. at 6.
A. ALJ’s treatment of Morris’ allegations of severe impairments
Morris’ objection is to the ALJ’s findings at step two of his analysis. Id. at 4. At step two,
the ALJ must determine whether the claimant has a medically determinable impairment
that is “severe” or a combination of impairments that is “severe.” 20 C.F.R. § 404.1520(c); 20
C.F.R. 416.920(c). An impairment is “severe” when it significantly limits an individual’s
physical or mental ability to perform basic work activities. 20 C.F.R. § 404.1520(c). At step
two, the burden of proof remains on the claimant. See Walters v. Commissioner of Social Sec.,
127 F.3d 525, 529 (6th Cir. 1997).
In this case, Morris lists a litany of impairments that she believes the ALJ erred in not
deeming “severe.” See (DE 13-2, Pl. Mem. at 4). In this Circuit, however, if an ALJ finds
that the claimant has at least one severe impairment, continues on through the sequential
evaluation process, and properly considers all of a claimant’s impairments in determining
residual functional capacity, there is no reversible error. See Maziarz v. Sec'y of Health &
Human Servs., 837 F.2d 240, 244 (6th Cir. 1987); see also Winn v. Commissioner of Social
Sec., 615 Fed.Appx. 315, 326 (6th Cir. 2015).
The ALJ found the following severe impairments:

generalized osteoarthrosis with

multiple-joint pain; morbid obesity; type 2 diabetes mellitus; and degenerative disc disease
of the lumbar spine. (AR 435). The record shows that after finding those severe impairments,
the ALJ continued on through the sequential evaluation process, extensively detailing his
consideration of Morris’ impairments, including those that were not deemed severe. See (AR
435-451). Specifically, the ALJ considered the following non-severe impairments at later
steps, including during his determination of Morris’ residual functional capacity:

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cardiovascular problems (i.e., mitral and tricuspid valve regurgitation, left atrial
enlargement and left ventricular hypertrophy, aortic insufficiency, chronic ischemic heart
disease, and atherosclerosis) (AR 440, 441, 445, 446, 447, 448, 449); hypertension (AR 439,
440, 441, 442, 444, 445, 446, 447, 448); dyspnea (i.e., shortness of breath) (AR 439, 440, 441,
442, 443, 444, 447, 448); peripheral vascular disease (AR 439, 446); lower extremity edema
(AR 440, 441, 442, 444, 445); hypothyroidism (AR 440, 441, 444, 445, 447, 448); overactive
bladder (AR 441, 445); sciatica (AR 440, 442); chronic pain (AR 438, 439, 441, 442, 443, 444,
445, 446, 447, 448); mental impairments (i.e., anxiety and depression) (AR 440, 443, 444, 445,
446, 447, 448); chronic fatigue (i.e., sleep disorder) (AR 439, 440, 443, 444, 445); GERD (AR
445, 446, 448); fibrocystic breast disease (AR 445); heel spur (AR 447); diabetic retinopathy
(i.e., vision problems) (AR 440, 441, 447); left bundle branch block (AR 448); and post-surgery
right knee torn meniscus (AR 439, 440, 446).
Because the ALJ properly considered these non-severe impairments when determining
Morris’ residual functional capacity, it is “unnecessary to decide” whether the ALJ erred in
failing to classify these impairments as severe. See Fisk v. Astrue, 253 Fed.Appx. 580, 583584 (6th Cir. 2007) (citing Maziarz, 837 F.2d at 244).
In his lengthy discussion of Morris’ residual functional capacity, the ALJ considered the
entire litany of impairments listed in Morris’ memorandum, with the exception of specifically
mentioning allegations of dumping syndrome and varicose veins. See (DE 13-2, Pl. Mem. at
4). However, Morris has pointed to no medical records indicating that either impairment has
been diagnosed beyond Morris’ own subjective complaints. For dumping syndrome, Morris
points the Court to the hearing transcript where she mentions the words “dumping
syndrome,” but offers no details or explanation as to the limitations. (AR 481). As for varicose
veins, Morris points the Court to a “problem list” contained in medical records from Family
Medical Care of Clay County from an unknown author. (AR 1010). Aside from a bare listing
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amongst twenty-seven other impairments, these records contain no further detail on Morris’
alleged impairment due to varicose veins; within the actual medical records that are signed
by a physician, varicose veins are not listed as one of the “chief complaints/reasons for visit”
(AR 1012); and the “historian” of record for the visit is labeled “self.” (AR 1012). Finding no
other evidence of the impairments in the record, the evidence of both impairments appears
to be subjective complaints by Morris. “The ALJ's findings as to a claimant's credibility are
entitled to deference, because of the ALJ's unique opportunity to observe the claimant and
judge her subjective complaints.” Buxton v. Halter, 246 F.3d 762, 773 (6th Cir. 2001). In this
case, the ALJ weighed allegations by Morris “[b]ased upon a review of the record as a whole,”
including a lack of objective evidence, and found that overall the “claimant’s allegations [are]
partially credible.” (AR 451). This Court finds no error of law in the ALJ’s analysis.
B. ALJ’s use of the opinions of Morris’ treating physicians
ALJs must “evaluate every medical opinion [they] receive” about a claimant and give
“controlling weight” to opinions from treating sources “[i]f [they] find that a treating source's
opinion . . . is well-supported by medically acceptable clinical and laboratory diagnostic
techniques and is not inconsistent with the other substantial evidence in [the claimant's] case
record.” 20 C.F.R. § 404.1527(c), (c)(2). An ALJ must provide “good reasons” for not giving a
treating physician's opinion controlling weight. Wilson v. Comm’r of Soc. Sec., 378 F.3d 541,
544 (6th Cir. 2004). In this case, the ALJ provided good reason for each of the treating
physicians he chose to discount.
The thrust of Morris’ argument is toward the ALJ’s use of Dr. Douglas Irwin’s opinions.
See (DE 13-2, Pl. Mem. at 6-9). Dr. Irwin is a primary care physician who treated Morris
prior to the middle of 2011. On April 22, 2011, Dr. Irwin completed residual functional
capacity questionnaires relating to Morris’ arthritis, diabetes, and physical abilities. (AR
376-380, 381-385, 386-391). In reviewing these residual functional capacity questionnaires,
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the ALJ pointed out that there are internal inconsistencies as to Morris’ abilities regarding
substantially similar questions. (AR 449). While internal inconsistency provided the ALJ at
least one reason to view Dr. Irwin’s opinion skeptically, Morris argues that “[t]he ALJ failed
to provide any meaningful rationale” beyond those internal inconsistencies. (DE 13-2, Pl.
Mem. at 8). This is incorrect. The ALJ specifically noted that the “restrictions listed in the
responses [were] not supported by objective evidence, including Dr. Irwin’s treatment notes
or the medical evidence as a whole.” (AR 449); see also 20 C.F.R. § 404.1527(c)(4). The ALJ
gave some weight to Dr. Irwin’s opinions, “to the extent those opinions objectively addressed
the nature of the claimant’s physical impairments.” (AR 449). Substantial evidence in the
record supports the ALJ’s decision.
Internally, the record shows several blatant inconsistencies with the questionnaires. Dr.
Irwin inconsistently opined that Morris was both “[c]apable of low stress jobs” and
“[i]ncapable of even ‘low stress’ jobs.”

(compare AR 383 with AR 388).

Dr. Irwin

inconsistently cited that Morris could “rarely” twist, stoop, bend, or climb stairs on one
questionnaire, while citing that Morris could “never” twist, stoop, bend, or climb stairs in
another. (compare AR 384 with AR 390). While Dr. Irwin described Morris as having
“significant limitation with reaching, handling, or fingering,” he also described Morris as
having no “significant limitations with reaching, handling, or fingering.” (compare AR. 384
with AR 390). In her brief, Morris objects to the ALJ’s use of these inconsistencies when
discounting Dr. Irwin’s opinions because the questionnaires were each referencing different
impairments. (DE 13-2, Pl. Mem. at 8). However, this argument fails, as Dr. Irwin clearly
cross-referenced Morris’ multiple impairments when completing the questionnaires. (See
e.g., AR 382, 384) (referencing hip pain and osteoarthritis “OA” within a questionnaire on
diabetes).

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Even despite these internal inconsistencies, Morris has pointed to no evidence in the
record rebutting the ALJ’s claim that Dr. Irwin’s opinions are not supported by either his
treatment notes, or the objective medical record. Inconsistent with Dr. Irwin’s opinion of
extremely restrictive physical limitations (AR 377-391), the record contains evidence of
normal gait, intact sensation, and some diminished range of motion (AR 372); a normal hip
x-ray from August 2011 (AR 403); evidence that Morris could “sit, stand, and walk
independently without any assistance” (AR 373); and examination findings of normal posture
and gait, no difficulty getting on and off the examination table, full strength and intact
sensation, and ability to knee squat, heel-to-toe walk, and tandem walk (AR 930-931). This
Court finds that the ALJ has given good reasons for his treatment of Dr. Irwin’s opinions,
and finds no error.
Further, this Court finds no merit in Morris’ objection to the ALJ’s treatment of Dr.
Bress’s opinion. Morris argues that the ALJ “gave significant weight to Dr. Bress, yet failed
to include Dr. Bress’s opinion that a wheeled walker would be beneficial.” (DE 13-2, Pl. Mem.
at 6). In full, Dr. Bress opined that Morris could “[s]it, stand, and walk independently without
any assistance, although a wheeled walker would be beneficial.” (TR 373). During that same
visit, Dr. Bress opined that Morris “can ambulate without assistance and stand without
assistance.” (AR 450; AR 372). Given the inconsistency, this Court finds that the ALJ’s
decision to give limited weight to Dr. Bress’s suggestion is supported by substantial evidence,
and no error has occurred. See Rogers v. Commissioner of Social Sec., 486 F.3d 234, 247 (6th
Cir. 2007) (“Consistency of the various pieces of information contained in the record should
be scrutinized”).

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II.

Conclusion

For the reasons set forth above, the Court hereby ORDERS as follows:
1.

Plaintiff’s motion for summary judgment (DE 13) is DENIED;

2.

The Commissioner’s motion for summary judgment (DE 15) is GRANTED;

3.

The decision of the Commissioner is AFFIRMED pursuant to sentence four of 42
U.S.C. § 405(g) as it was supported by substantial evidence and was decided by
proper legal standards; and

4.

A judgment consistent with this Opinion and Order will be entered
contemporaneously.

Dated September 29, 2017.

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