Fields v. SSA

Filing 16

MEMORANDUM OPINION & ORDER: 1. Plaintiff Shawn Joseph Fields' Motion for Summary Judgment [Record No. 13 ] is DENIED. 2. Defendant Acting Commissioner the Social Security Administration Nancy A.Berryhill's Motion for Summary Judgment [Record No. 15 ] is GRANTED. Signed by Judge Danny C. Reeves on 05/03/2018.(KJA)cc: COR

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
EASTERN DISTRICT OF KENTUCKY
SOUTHERN DIVISION
(at London)
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SHAWN JOSEPH FIELDS,
Plaintiff,
V.
NANCY A. BERRYHILL, Acting
Commissioner of the Social Security
Administration,
Defendant.

Civil Action No. 6: 17-327-DCR

MEMORANDUM OPINION
AND ORDER

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This matter is pending for review of cross-motions for summary judgment filed by
Plaintiff Shawn Joseph Fields (“Fields” or the “Claimant”) and Defendant Nancy A. Berryhill,
Acting Commissioner of the Social Security Administration (“the Commissioner”). [Record
Nos. 13, 15] Fields argues that the Administrative Law Judge (“ALJ”) assigned to his case
erred in concluding that he was not disabled within the meaning of the Social Security Act
“Act”). Specifically, he asserts that the ALJ failed to properly evaluate his subjective
complaints of pain and that the ALJ’s decision was not supported by substantial evidence.
Fields asks this Court to direct the Commissioner to award him benefits or, alternatively,
remand this matter for further consideration before a new ALJ. The Commissioner contends
that the ALJ properly evaluated the evidence and that the ALJ’s decision should be affirmed
because it is supported by substantial evidence.
The Commissioner’s motion will be granted and Fields’ motion will be denied for the
reasons that follow.
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I.

Procedural History

Fields filed an application for Supplemental Security Income (“SSI”) under Title XVI
of the Act on February 3, 2015.1 [See Administrative Transcript, hereinafter “Tr.,” 156.] The
application was denied initially and on reconsideration.

Fields then requested an

administrative hearing before an ALJ. [Tr. 82, 93, 101] He appeared before ALJ Donald
Rising at a hearing in Middlesboro, Kentucky in December 2016. [Tr. 27-42] ALJ Rising
denied benefits in a written decision on January 25, 2017, which the Appeals Council affirmed.
[Tr. 8-21, 1-4]
As a result of the foregoing, the Claimant has exhausted his administrative remedies
and this matter is ripe for review under 42 U.S.C. § 405(g).
II.

Background

Fields was forty-six years old and lived with his wife at the time of his application for
SSI. [Tr. 20, 31] He claimed that he became unable to work on January 15, 2012, because of
problems with his knees, depression, and a limited education. [Tr. 212-13] Fields alleged that
he quit school after the fourth grade is unable to read or write more than his name. [Tr. 31,
212]
He worked as a stocker at a liquor store from 2008 through 2012. [Tr. 198] During
that time Fields, loaded trucks and stocked items weighing up to 50 pounds. This required
walking, standing, kneeling, crouching, crawling, reaching, and handling, grabbing, and

1

The Claimant states in his supporting memorandum that he applied for disability insurance
benefits (“DIB”) under Title II of the Act. However, there is no indication in the
Administrative Transcript that he ever applied for such benefits.
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grasping large objects. [Tr. 199] He reports that he can no longer work due to pain in his
knees and ankles and that he mostly watches television. [Tr. 204-08, 230]
Pam Sheffield, ARNP, treated Fields for left knee, ankle, and foot pain beginning in
October 2014. [Tr. 321, 324] She ordered x-rays, prescribed prednisone, and referred Fields
to Jamal Bazzi, M.D. Bazzi evaluated Fields on February 2, 2015. [Tr. 328] He noted that
Fields had tenderness over the medial joint line of his left knee and on his left ankle. [Tr. 329]
An MRI of Fields’ left ankle revealed a small fluid collection posterior to the talus bone and
intact ankle tendons and collateral ligaments. [Tr. 330] An x-ray of the left foot showed mild
degenerative changes and large calcaneal spurs. [Tr. 449] X-rays of Fields’s knees, however,
were normal. [Tr. 415-16] Bazzi administered a steroid injection to the left knee and
prescribed physical therapy and Voltaren gel for the ankle. [Tr. 335] Fields completed six
physical therapy visits, but was discharged because he had failed to benefit from this treatment.
[Tr. 366]
Sheffield also treated Fields for low back pain in July 2015. [Tr. 435] She prescribed
anti-inflammatory medications and ordered an MRI. [Tr. 436, 441] Radiologist Gregory Tiu,
M.D., reported that the MRI showed signs of degenerative disc disease at L5-S1, with mild
diffuse annular bulging. [Tr. 446] He indicated that there were no signs of spinal stenosis or
a herniated nucleus pulposis. Id. Sheffield referred Fields to neurosurgeon James Bean, M.D.,
who diagnosed Fields with a “far lateral disc herniation, L3-L4, left” based on the same MRI.
[Tr. 478] Bean remarked that Fields would “try to endure [it] conservatively since he has a
fear of surgery.” [Tr. 478]
State agency consultant Kathleen Monderewicz, M.D., examined Fields on March 25,
2015. [Tr. 354] At the time of this examination, Fields complained of chronic knee pain, as
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well as left ankle and foot pain, but reported no history of having been injured. Fields was five
feet, nine inches tall and weighed 295 pounds. [Tr. 352] Monderewicz reported that Fields
had an antalgic gait, but did not use an assistive device. Both of Fields’ knees were tender at
the joint lines and exhibited crepitus and patellar clicking, but the lateral and cruciate ligaments
were all intact and stable. [Tr. 353-54] Fields also complained of tenderness around his left
ankle joint, as well, but no ligamentous laxity was detected. [Tr. 354]
Fields was able to balance on his right lower extremity, but could not stand on the left
leg alone. He also could not perform heel or toe-walking on his left leg and could not squat
fully due to pain. [Tr. 355] His left lower extremity strength was inhibited by pain, but there
was no evidence of muscle atrophy. Monderewicz concluded that prolonged sitting, standing,
walking, squatting, kneeling, and crawling were limited due to Fields’ chronic left knee and
ankle pain and decreased range of motion. She further determined that bending and stooping
were limited due to back pain, as were heavy lifting and carrying. Monderewicz reported that
Fields had some limitations in the ability to raise his arms overhead and that he should avoid
climbing and unprotected heights because of his balance limitations. [Tr. 356] Finally,
Monderewicz concluded that Fields had mild difficulty with fine manipulation due to a slight
action tremor in both hands.
State agency consultant Michele Amburgey, M.A., examined Fields on April 14, 2015.
[Tr. 360] Fields drove himself to the examination. He advised Amburgey that he was
depressed “on occasion.” [Tr. 361] Amburgey administered the WAIS-IV, an instrument that
assesses intelligence. Fields scored “extremely low” in the areas of verbal comprehension,
working memory, and processing speed. [Tr. 361-62] He scored “borderline” in the area of

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perceptual reasoning. [Tr. 361] Fields’ full-scale IQ was reported as 59, which falls into the
extremely-low range or mild range of mental retardation. [Tr. 362]
Amburgey also administered the WRAT-4, which is a test of academic achievement
skills. Fields’ reading and spelling abilities were reported to be within the fourth grade range,
while his math scores were at the first-grade level. [Tr. 362] Amburgey observed that Fields
was able to comprehend and follow basic instructions. She noted that he interacted with her
in a polite manner, but she believed he would have difficulty with in-depth social interactions.
Further, she concluded that Fields would have difficulty with complex tasks due to his limited
intellectual functioning. [Tr. 362]
The Cooperative Disability Investigations Unit (“CDI”) opened an investigation on
April 29, 2015, after receiving a referral that Fields had misrepresented his physical and mental
limitations to receive SSI benefits. [Tr. 406] Investigators with the Kentucky Attorney
General’s Office traveled to Cumberland, Kentucky to interview Fields on June 15, 2015. [Tr.
408] Upon arriving at Fields’ residence, investigators were initially unable to locate him and
were in the process of interviewing a neighbor when Fields arrived, driving a pickup truck
with a large extension ladder in the back. [Tr. 409] Fields parked and approached investigators
after walking up a roughly-paved inclined driveway. According to the investigators’ report,
Fields did not limp and did not utilize any type of assistive device. [Tr. 410]
Fields was asked to read and sign an interview consent form, which he did. [Tr. 408]
He voluntarily recalled and identified substantial information from memory, including: his full
name; date of birth; social security number; address; telephone number; educational history;
number of years married; make, model and year of two vehicles owned; and the name of his
doctor, clinic, and pharmacy. [Tr. 409] The reporting investigator noted that Fields was
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pleasant and cooperative and answered all questions independently and appropriately. He
spoke with a normal rate and tone of voice and did not require any questions to be repeated.
[Tr. 410] According to the investigator, Fields stood unassisted for approximately 25 minutes
and did not complain of discomfort. At the conclusion of the interview, Fields walked about
200 feet to his residence, across a rough and poorly paved driveway, and ascended seven stairs
without assistance or using the handrail. The investigator reported that Fields exhibited no
signs of difficulty or distress. Id.
The investigators spoke to several witnesses -- including Fields’ neighbor -- who
described Fields as a “hard worker” who does not have steady employment but takes any kind
of work he can get. [Tr. 410] The investigators also spoke with a witness at a convenience
store who stated that Fields shopped in the store every day for gas and beer. She reported that
Fields pumped his own gas, carried his own merchandise, and counted money without
assistance. The investigators encountered individuals at a nearby restaurant who claimed to
be familiar with Fields. [Tr. 411] The first witness remembered that Fields had worked at the
liquor store for “a long time,” and that he “seemed normal” while working there. Id. She did
know of him having any intellectual or physical problems. A second witness at the restaurant
echoed these statements, adding that she saw him in town frequently. Id. She said that he did
not show any signs of pain or discomfort and that he seemed to be normally intelligent when
carrying on a conversation. Id. Investigators interviewed an additional witness in a grocery
store in Harlan who provided similar statements. Id.
The ALJ concluded that Fields had the following severe impairments: borderline
intellectual functioning and degenerative disc disease. [Tr. 13] The ALJ determined, however,
that neither of these impairments nor a combination of them met or medically equaled a listed
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impairment under 20 C.F.R. Part 404, Subpart P, Appendix 1. [Tr. 15] After reviewing all of
the evidence, the ALJ determined that Fields had the residual functional capacity (“RFC”) to
perform medium work as defined in 20 C.F.R. § 416.967(c) that
does not require more than frequent stair climbing, stooping, kneeling,
crouching, and crawling; more than frequent overhead reaching and fingering;
or more than occasionally climbing ladders, ropes, and scaffolds. Mentally, he
can execute simple instructions and tasks involving brief learning periods, little
independent judgment, and minimal variations in routine in an environment
characterized by frequent contact with coworkers and supervisors, but no more
than occasional interaction with the public.
[Tr. 17] The ALJ determined that, based on this RFC, jobs existed in significant numbers in
the national economy Fields could perform and, accordingly, he was not under a disability.
[Tr. 21] 
III.

Standard of Review

Under the Social Security Act, a “disability” is defined as “the inability to engage in
‘substantial gainful activity’ because of a medically determinable physical or mental
impairment of at least one year’s expected duration.” Cruse v. Comm’r of Soc. Sec., 502 F.3d
532, 539 (6th Cir. 2007) (citing 42 U.S.C. § 423(d)(1)(A)). A claimant’s Social Security
disability determination is made by an ALJ in accordance with “a five-step ‘sequential
evaluation process.’” Combs v. Comm’r of Soc. Sec., 459 F.3d 640, 642 (6th Cir. 2006) (en
banc) (quoting 20 C.F.R. § 404.1520(a)(4)). If the claimant satisfies the first four steps of the
process, the burden shifts to the Commissioner with respect to the fifth step. See Jones v.
Comm’r of Soc. Sec., 336 F.3d 469, 474 (6th Cir. 2003).
A claimant must first demonstrate that he is not engaged in substantial gainful
employment at the time of the disability application. 20 C.F.R. § 416.920(b). Second, the
claimant must show that he suffers from a severe impairment or a combination of impairments.
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20 C.F.R. § 416.920(c).

Third, if the claimant is not engaged in substantial gainful

employment and has a severe impairment which is expected to last for at least twelve months
and which meets or equals a listed impairment, he will be considered disabled without regard
to age, education, and work experience. 20 C.F.R. § 416.920(d). Fourth, if the claimant has a
severe impairment but the Commissioner cannot make a determination of the disability based
on medical evaluations and current work activity, the Commissioner will review the claimant’s
RFC and relevant past work to determine whether he can perform his past work. 20 C.F.R. §
416.920(e). If he can, he is not disabled. 20 C.F.R. §416.920(f).
Under the fifth step of the analysis, if the claimant’s impairments prevent him from
doing past work, the Commissioner will consider her RFC, age, education, and past work
experience to determine whether he can perform other work. If he cannot perform other work,
the Commissioner will find the claimant disabled.

20 C.F.R. § 416.920(g).

“The

Commissioner has the burden of proof only on ‘the fifth step, proving that there is work
available in the economy that the claimant can perform.’” White v. Comm’r of Soc. Sec., 312
F. App’x 779, 785 (6th Cir. 2009) (quoting Her v. Comm’r of Soc. Sec., 203 F.3d 388, 391 (6th
Cir. 1999)).
This Court’s review is limited to determining whether the ALJ’s findings are supported
by substantial evidence and whether the ALJ employed the proper legal standards in reaching
his decision. Rogers v. Comm’r of Soc. Sec., 486 F.3d 234, 241 (6th Cir. 2007). Substantial
evidence is such relevant evidence as reasonable minds might accept as sufficient to support
the conclusion. Richardson v. Perales, 402 U.S. 389, 401 (1971); Bass v. McMahon, 499 F.3d
506, 509 (6th Cir. 2007). The Commissioner’s findings are conclusive if they are supported
by substantial evidence. 42 U.S.C. § 405(g).
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IV.
A.

Discussion

The Claimant’s Subjective Complaints of Pain

Fields contends that the ALJ failed to properly evaluate his credibility and subjective
complaints of pain under 20 C.F.R. § 416.929 and SSR 96-7p, 1996 WL 374186 (July 2, 1996).
However, SSR 16-3 superseded SSR 96-7p in March 2016, eliminating the term “credibility”
from the evaluation process. 2016 WL 1119029 (March 16, 2016). Upon review of the ALJ’s
written decision, it is clear that he applied the appropriate two-step inquiry for evaluating
Fields’ subjective complaints.

The ALJ first determined that Fields had medically

determinable impairments that could reasonably be expected to cause the symptoms alleged.
See 20 C.F.R. § 416.929(b); 2016 WL 1119029, at *3. [Tr. 17] Specifically, he concluded
that Fields’ medically determinable impairment of back pain could reasonably be expected to
cause the alleged symptoms. Id. However, the ALJ concluded that Brock’s statements
concerning the intensity, persistence, and limiting effects of the symptoms were not entirely
consistent with the medical evidence and other evidence in the record.
As the ALJ explained in some detail, numerous diagnostic tests did not support the
degree of limitation Fields alleged. See 20 C.F.R. § 416.929 (c)(2). [Tr. 18] A May 2015 xray of the lumbar spine revealed muscle spasm with no other abnormalities, although an MRI
the following July revealed mild diffuse annular bulging without neurological involvement.
[Tr. 18, 448] The consulting neurosurgeon, Dr. Bean, interpreted the MRI differently and
offered surgical intervention, but Fields declined to pursue that option.

[Tr. 18, 478]

Subsequent medical records do not identify significant neurological or musculoskeletal
abnormalities or treatment for low back pain.

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The ALJ recognized that, to the extent Fields’ statements regarding the limiting effects
of his pain were not substantiated by objective medical evidence, he was required to consider
other evidence in the record to determine whether his symptoms limited his ability to perform
work-related activities. See 20 C.F.R. § 416.929(c)(3). [See Tr. 18-19.] The ALJ looked at
Fields’ activities of daily living; the location, duration, frequency, and intensity of his pain;
precipitating and aggravating factors; the type, dosage, effectiveness, and side effects of
medications taken to alleviate the pain; treatment, other than medication, for relief of pain or
other symptoms; and any other factors concerning functional limitations and restrictions due
to pain or other symptoms produced by medically determinable impairments. [Tr. 19]
And as the ALJ noted, the evidence of record contradicts Fields’ claim that he quit work
because of his medical conditions. [Tr. 18] Treatment notes from 2015 document Fields’
report of having been laid off from work in 2012 and that he received unemployment
compensation benefits. [Tr. 333, 408] Further, Fields’ neighbor described him as “hard
worker” in June 2015 and advised investigators that Fields does any kind of work he can get,
primarily construction work and odd jobs. [Tr. 18, 410] The ALJ also pointed out that
investigators observed Fields arrive home with a large extension ladder in the bed of his truck.
[Tr. 18] Additionally, the ALJ reviewed Fields’ pain-relief measures including use of a “heat
wrap” and over the counter medications such as ibuprofen. [Tr. 19] The record indicates that
Fields did not have any side effects with the use of these treatments and he did not require the
use of any assistive devices.
Based on the foregoing, the ALJ’s evaluation of Fields’ subjective complaints was
consistent with 20 C.F.R. § 416.929 and SSR 16-3p, and the ALJ reasonably determined that

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the evidence did not fully support his allegations of pain. Further, the ALJ gave specific
reasons for his findings and cited specific evidence in the record in support.
B.

The ALJ’s Decision is Supported by Substantial Evidence

Lisa Beihn, M.D., reviewed Fields’ record on behalf of the state on October 1, 2015.
[Tr. 76] After reviewing the medical evidence submitted up to that date, Beihn reported that
Fields could occasionally lift and/or carry 50 pounds and could frequently lift and/or carry 25
pounds. [Tr. 73] She indicated that he could sit and stand and/or walk for about six hours in
an eight-hour workday. Dr. Beihn further concluded that he could occasionally climb ladders,
ropes, or scaffolds, while he could frequently stoop, kneel, crawl, and climb ladders, ropes,
and scaffolds. [Tr. 74] Beihn reported that Fields could reach overhead only two-thirds of the
time due to decreased shoulder range of motion and could perform fingering only two-thirds
of the time due to mild difficulty with fine manipulation.

[Tr. 75]

Finally, Beihn

recommended that Fields avoid even moderate exposure to hazards such as machinery and
heights due to pain and decreased balance of the left knee.
Ed Ross, Ph.D., reviewed Fields’ record on behalf of the state and rendered a mental
RFC on September 28, 2015. [Tr. 78] Ross concluded that Fields had the ability to understand
and remember simple instructions and procedures requiring a brief initial learning period. He
further reported that Fields could sustain attention, concentration, effort, and pace for simple
tasks requiring little independent judgment and involving minimal variations. Ross believed
that Fields could adapt adequately to situational changes with reasonable support and that he
could interact frequently as needed with supervisors and peers, but no more than occasionally
with the public. Id.

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The ALJ attributed significant weight to these opinions. He properly concluded that
Beihn’s physical RFC was supported by the “modest medical evidence of record,” including
Dr. Monderewicz’s clinical observations. [Tr. 20] The ALJ concluded that Ross’ finding of
“no more than moderate mental limitations” was consistent with Fields’ lack of mental
treatment and his history of effective adaptive functioning, as well as the findings of the CDI
fraud investigation. The opinions of Beihn, Ross, and Monderewicz constitute substantial
evidence, as reasonable minds would find them sufficient to support the ALJ’s decision.
Fields argues that the ALJ failed to consider Michele Amburgey’s psychological exam
and the restrictions she assessed. [Record No. 13-1, pp. 14-15] This assertion is incorrect.
The ALJ discussed Amburgey’s opinion and assigned no weight to it because it was based
largely on the claimant’s subjective reports, without consideration of rebuttal evidence, which
the ALJ discussed extensively in his analysis of Listings 12.05 and 12.11. [Tr. 15-16, 20]
Notably, Fields had held skilled employment, and was a registered voter who held an
unrestricted driver’s license. [Tr. 15-16]
The opinions of a one-time consulting source are not entitled to any particular weight.
Instead, they are afforded weight according to the factors set out in 20 C.F.R. § 416.917, which
include: whether they are supported by objective findings; whether they are consistent with
the record as a whole; and the extent of the source’s relationship with the claimant. An ALJ
is not under any special obligation to explain why he elected not to defer to a non-treating
physician. See Karger v. Comm’r of Soc. Sec., 414 F. App’x 739, 744 (6th Cir. 2011).
Accordingly, the ALJ did not err in his consideration of Amburgey’s opinion.
V.

Conclusion

Based on the foregoing discussion and analysis, it is hereby
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ORDERED as follows:
1.

Plaintiff Shawn Joseph Fields’ Motion for Summary Judgment [Record No. 13]

is DENIED.
2.

Defendant Acting Commissioner the Social Security Administration Nancy A.

Berryhill’s Motion for Summary Judgment [Record No. 15] is GRANTED.
This 3rd day of May, 2018.

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