Holt v. Commossioner of the Social Security

Filing 16

REPORT AND RECOMMENDATIONS re 14 MOTION for Summary Judgment filed by Commissioner of the Social Security. Signed by Magistrate Judge Stephanie A Gallagher on 4/20/2017. (aos, Deputy Clerk)

IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
FOR THE DISTRICT OF MARYLAND
KEISHA HOLT

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v.
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Civil Case No. PWG-16-3140
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COMMISSIONER, SOCIAL SECURITY
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REPORT AND RECOMMENDATIONS

Pursuant to Standing Order 2014–01, the above-referenced case has been referred to me
for review of the Commissioner’s dispositive motion, (ECF No. 14), and to make
recommendations pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 636(b)(1)(B) and Local Rule 301.5(b)(ix). The
Plaintiff, Keisha Holt, who is appearing pro se, did not file a motion for summary judgment and
did not respond to the Commissioner’s Motion for Summary Judgment.1 I have considered the
Commissioner’s Motion. I find that no hearing is necessary. See Loc. R. 105.6 (D. Md. 2016).
This Court must uphold the decision of the Agency if it is supported by substantial evidence and
if the Agency employed proper legal standards. See 42 U.S.C. §§ 405(g), 1383(c)(3); Craig v.
Chater, 76 F.3d 585, 589 (4th Cir. 1996). Under that standard, I recommend that the Court grant
the Commissioner’s motion and affirm the Commissioner’s judgment pursuant to sentence four
of 42 U.S.C. § 405(g).
Ms. Holt filed a claim for Supplemental Security Income (“SSI”) on February 23, 2012.
(Tr. 166-74). She alleged a disability onset date of June 26, 2010. Id. Her claim was denied
initially and on reconsideration. (Tr. 74-79). A hearing, at which Ms. Holt was represented by

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After the Commissioner filed her Motion for Summary Judgment on March 20, 2017, a Rule 12/56 letter was
mailed to Ms. Holt, advising her of the potential consequences of failure to oppose the Commissioner’s motion.
(ECF No. 15). Ms. Holt has not filed anything in response.

counsel, was held on August 22, 2014, before an Administrative Law Judge (“ALJ”).2 (Tr. 3049). Following the hearing, the ALJ determined that Ms. Holt was not disabled within the
meaning of the Social Security Act during the relevant time frame. (Tr. 13-29). The Appeals
Council (“AC”) denied Ms. Holt’s request for review, (Tr. 8-12), so the ALJ’s decision
constitutes the final, reviewable decision of the Agency.
The ALJ found that Ms. Holt suffered from the severe impairments of “obesity; diabetes
mellitus; and hypertension.” (Tr. 18). Despite these impairments, the ALJ determined that Ms.
Holt retained the residual functional capacity (“RFC”) to:
perform light work as defined in 20 CFR 416.967(b) except she should not climb
ladders, ropes or scaffolds, and should do no work around dangerous machinery
or unprotected heights.
(Tr. 20). After considering the testimony of a vocational expert (“VE”), the ALJ determined that
Ms. Holt could perform jobs existing in significant numbers in the national economy and that,
therefore, she was not disabled. (Tr. 24-25).
I have carefully reviewed the ALJ’s opinion and the entire record. See Elam v. Barnhart,
386 F. Supp. 2d 746, 753 (E.D. Tex. 2005) (mapping an analytical framework for judicial review
of a pro se action challenging an adverse administrative decision, including: (1) examining
whether the Commissioner’s decision generally comports with regulations, (2) reviewing the
ALJ’s critical findings for compliance with the law, and (3) determining from the evidentiary
record whether substantial evidence supports the ALJ’s findings). For the reasons described
below, substantial evidence supports the ALJ’s decision.
The ALJ proceeded in accordance with applicable law at all five steps of the sequential
evaluation. The ALJ ruled in Ms. Holt’s favor at step one and determined that she has not

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A previous hearing was held on May 22, 2014, during which Ms. Holt requested a postponement in order to secure
counsel. (Tr. 54); see (Tr. 50-56).

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engaged in substantial gainful activity since her alleged onset date. (Tr. 18); see 20 C.F.R. §
416.920(a)(4)(i). At step two, the ALJ then considered the severity of each of the impairments
that Ms. Holt claimed prevented her from working. See 20 C.F.R. § 416.920(a)(4)(ii). Notably,
the ALJ found Ms. Holt’s abscess nonsevere, and noted no complaints of mental symptoms or
diagnoses of mental impairments in the record. (Tr. 19). However, after finding at least one of
Ms. Holt’s impairments severe, (Tr. 18), the ALJ continued with the sequential evaluation and
considered, in assessing Ms. Holt’s RFC, the extent to which her impairments limited her ability
to work.
At step three, the ALJ determined that Ms. Holt’s impairments did not meet the specific
requirements of, or medically equal the criteria of, any listings. (Tr. 19-20). In particular, the
ALJ considered the specific requirements of Listing 4.02, which pertains to chronic heart failure,
Listing 4.04, which pertains to ischemic heart disease, and Listing 9.00, which pertains to
endocrine disorders. See 20 C.F.R. Pt. 404, Subpt. P, App. 1, §§ 4.02, 4.04, 9.00. In considering
Listings 4.02 and 4.04, the ALJ determined that “the record does not demonstrate that [Ms.
Holt’s] impairment[s] [are] associated with chronic heart failure or ischemic heart disease of
sufficient severity to meet or equal the requirements of [those] Listings[.]”

(Tr. 19).

Specifically, the ALJ noted that “there was no evidence that [Ms. Holt] had any chronic cardiac
complications from her high blood pressure,” and that “[Ms. Holt] was advised on more
conservative treatment recommendations” for her hypertension. (Tr. 22). In considering Listing
9.00, the ALJ determined that, “there is no evidence that [Ms. Holt’s] diabetes mellitus resulted
in complications in another body system.”3 (Tr. 19). Although the ALJ noted that Ms. Holt’s
diabetes resulted in chronic “skin infections,” the ALJ found that her infections were
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Listing 9.00 directs an ALJ to evaluate impairments resulting from endocrine disorders, such as diabetes mellitus,
“under the listing for the other body system affected, if any.” (Tr. 19). See 20 C.F.R. Pt. 404, Subpt. P, App. 1, §
9.00.

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“nonsevere,” “infrequent,” and “easily treated with antibiotics.” Id. I have carefully reviewed
the record, and I agree that no listings are met.
In considering Ms. Holt’s RFC, the ALJ summarized her subjective complaints from her
hearing testimony. (Tr. 20-21). The ALJ then engaged in a detailed review of her medical
records and objective testing. (Tr. 21-23). Specifically, the ALJ noted “that despite having
chronically uncontrolled impairments, [Ms. Holt] did not have any symptoms or complications
that restricted her ability to perform light work.” (Tr. 22). For example, although Ms. Holt’s
diabetes was “chronically uncontrolled,” the ALJ noted that her condition “improved
immediately with treatment,” and required relatively conservative treatment, such as glucose
medication, diet, and exercise.

(Tr. 21-22).

In addition, despite “ongoing issues of

noncompliance with her hypertension,” the ALJ noted that Ms. Holt’s blood pressure was
generally controlled on medication, and cited her testimony “den[ying] any symptoms associated
with her hypertension.” (Tr. 22). Moreover, the ALJ cited the State consultants’ determinations
that Ms. Holt “had the capacity to perform light work,” and noted that their “assessments for
light work [were] supported by [Ms. Holt’s] normal physical functioning,” her “fairly
conservative course of treatment,” and the absence of “any evidence of specialized cardiac or
endocrine treatment.” (Tr. 23). Furthermore, the ALJ noted that “[Ms. Holt] obtained her high
school diploma the week before [her] hearing,” which “demonstrates her ability to persist at
tasks and shows that she was involved in some ongoing activity during the period under
consideration.” Id. Based on this evidence, the ALJ found that Ms. Holt was able to perform
light work. (Tr. 20).
Ultimately, my review of the ALJ’s decision is confined to whether substantial evidence,
in the record as it was reviewed by the ALJ, supports the decision and whether correct legal

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standards were applied. Richardson v. Perales, 402 U.S. 389, 390, 404 (1971). Even if there is
other evidence that may support Ms. Holt’s position, I am not permitted to reweigh the evidence
or to substitute my own judgment for that of the ALJ. Hays v. Sullivan, 907 F.2d 1453, 1456
(4th Cir. 1990). In considering the entire record, I find the ALJ’s RFC determination was
supported by substantial evidence.
Next, the ALJ determined that Ms. Holt had no past relevant work.

(Tr. 24).

Accordingly, the ALJ proceeded to step five, where he considered the impact of Ms. Holt’s age
and level of education on her ability to adjust to new work. (Tr. 24-25). In doing so, the ALJ
cited the VE’s testimony that a person with Ms. Holt’s RFC would be capable of performing the
jobs of “laundry worker,” “machine tender,” and “ticket taker.”

Id.

Based on the VE’s

testimony, the ALJ concluded that Ms. Holt was capable of successfully adjusting to other work
that exists in significant numbers in the national economy. Id. Accordingly, I find that the
ALJ’s determination was supported by substantial evidence.
CONCLUSION
For the reasons set forth above, I respectfully recommend that the Court GRANT
Defendant’s Motion for Summary Judgment, [ECF No. 14]; and order the Clerk to CLOSE this
case.
Any objections to this Report and Recommendations must be served and filed within
fourteen (14) days, pursuant to Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 72(b)(2) and Local Rule
301.5(b).
NOTICE TO PARTIES
Failure to file written objections to the proposed findings, conclusions, and
recommendations of the Magistrate Judge contained in the foregoing report within fourteen (14)

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days after being served with a copy of this report may result in the waiver of any right to a de
novo review of the determinations contained in the report and such failure shall bar you from
challenging on appeal the findings and conclusions accepted and adopted by the District Judge,
except upon grounds of plain error.

Dated: April 20, 2017

/s/
Stephanie A. Gallagher
United States Magistrate Judge

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