Riness v. Commissioner of Social Security

Filing 12

OPINION; Judgment to issue; signed by Judge Janet T. Neff (Judge Janet T. Neff, clb)

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
FOR THE WESTERN DISTRICT OF MICHIGAN
SOUTHERN DIVISION
KENDRA RINESS,
Plaintiff,

Case No. 1:14-cv-1269

v.
HON. JANET T. NEFF
COMMISSIONER OF SOCIAL
SECURITY,
Defendant,
/
OPINION
This is a social security action brought under 42 U.S.C. § 405(g) seeking judicial
review of a final decision of the Commissioner of the Social Security Administration
(Commissioner). Plaintiff Kendra Riness seeks review of the Commissioner’s decision denying her
claim for supplemental security income (SSI) under Title XVI of the Social Security Act.
STANDARD OF REVIEW
The Court’s jurisdiction is confined to a review of the Commissioner’s decision and
of the record made in the administrative hearing process. See Willbanks v. Sec’y of Health & Human
Servs., 847 F.2d 301, 303 (6th Cir. 1998). The scope of judicial review in a social security case is
limited to determining whether the Commissioner applied the proper legal standards in making her
decision and whether there exists in the record substantial evidence supporting that decision. See
Brainard v. Sec’y of Health & Human Servs., 889 F.2d 679, 681 (6th Cir. 1989). The Court may
not conduct a de novo review of the case, resolve evidentiary conflicts, or decide questions of
credibility. See Garner v. Heckler, 745 F.2d 383, 387 (6th Cir. 1984). It is the Commissioner who
is charged with finding the facts relevant to an application for disability benefits, and her findings

are conclusive provided they are supported by substantial evidence. See 42 U.S.C. § 405(g).
Substantial evidence is more than a scintilla, but less than a preponderance. See
Cohen v. Sec’y of Health & Human Servs., 964 F.2d 524, 528 (6th Cir. 1992) (citations omitted).
It is such relevant evidence as a reasonable mind might accept as adequate to support a conclusion.
See Richardson v. Perales, 402 U.S. 389, 401 (1971); Bogle v. Sullivan, 998 F.2d 342, 347 (6th Cir.
1993). In determining the substantiality of the evidence, the Court must consider the evidence on
the record as a whole and take into account whatever in the record fairly detracts from its weight.
See Richardson v. Sec’y of Health & Human Servs., 735 F.2d 962, 963 (6th Cir. 1984). The
substantial evidence standard presupposes the existence of a zone within which the decision maker
can properly rule either way, without judicial interference. See Mullen v. Bowen, 800 F.2d 535, 545
(6th Cir. 1986) (citation omitted). This standard affords to the administrative decision maker
considerable latitude, and indicates that a decision supported by substantial evidence will not be
reversed simply because the evidence would have supported a contrary decision. See Bogle, 998
F.2d at 347; Mullen, 800 F.2d at 545.
PROCEDURAL POSTURE
Plaintiff was 37 years of age on the date of the Administrative Law Judge’s (ALJ)
decision. (Tr. 24, 50.) She completed the twelfth grade and was previously employed as a laborer.
(Tr. 52, 78.) Plaintiff applied for benefits on April 5, 2012, alleging that she had been disabled since
October 21, 2011, due to “degenerative disk disease-stenosis-myofacial lumbar cervi.” (101, 110,
166–72.) Plaintiff’s application was denied on September 19, 2012, after which time she requested
a hearing before an ALJ. (Tr. 117–123.) On July 10, 2013, Plaintiff appeared with her counsel
before ALJ David R. Bruce for an administrative hearing with testimony being offered by Plaintiff

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and a vocational expert (VE). (Tr. 44–85.) In a written decision dated October 31, 2013, the ALJ
determined that Plaintiff was not disabled. (Tr. 24–43.) On October 29, 2014, the Appeals Council
declined to review the ALJ’s decision, making it the Commissioner’s final decision in the matter.
(Tr. 1–5.) Plaintiff subsequently initiated this action pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 405(g), seeking judicial
review of the ALJ’s decision.
ALJ’S DECISION
The social security regulations articulate a five-step sequential process for evaluating
disability. See 20 C.F.R. §§ 404.1520(a-f), 416.920(a-f).1 If the Commissioner can make a
dispositive finding at any point in the review, no further finding is required. See 20 C.F.R.
§§ 404.1520(a), 416.920(a). The regulations also provide that if a claimant suffers from a
nonexertional impairment as well as an exertional impairment, both are considered in determining
the claimant’s residual functional capacity (RFC). See 20 C.F.R. §§ 404.1545, 416.945.
Plaintiff has the burden of proving the existence and severity of limitations caused
by her impairments and that she is precluded from performing past relevant work through step four.

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1.

An individual who is working and engaging in substantial gainful activity will not be found to be
“disabled” regardless of medical findings (20 C.F.R. § 404.1520(b));

2.

An individual who does not have a “severe impairment” will not be found “disabled” (20 C.F.R. §
404.1520(c));

3.

If an individual is not working and is suffering from a severe impairment which meets the duration
requirement and which “meets or equals” a listed impairment in Appendix 1 of Subpart P of
Regulations No. 4, a finding of “disabled” will be made without consideration of vocational factors
(20 C.F.R. § 404.1520(d));

4.

If an individual is capable of performing work he or she has done in the past, a finding of “not
disabled” must be made (20 C.F.R. § 404.1520(e));

5.

If an individual’s impairment is so severe as to preclude the performance of past work, other factors
including age, education, past work experience, and residual functional capacity must be considered
to determine if other work can be performed (20 C.F.R. § 404.1520(f)).

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Jones v. Comm’r of Soc. Sec., 336 F.3d 469, 474 (6th Cir. 2003). At step five, it is the
Commissioner’s burden “to identify a significant number of jobs in the economy that accommodate
the claimant’s residual functional capacity (determined at step four) and vocational profile.” Id.
ALJ Bruce determined Plaintiff’s claim failed at the fifth step of the evaluation. At
step one, the ALJ found that Plaintiff had not engaged in substantial gainful activity since her
application date. (Tr. 30.) At the second step in the sequential evaluation, the ALJ determined
Plaintiff had the following severe impairments: (1) rheumatoid arthritis; (2) degenerative disc
disease; and (3) obesity. (Tr. 30.) At the third step, the ALJ found that Plaintiff did not have an
impairment or combination of impairments that met or equaled the requirements of the Listing of
Impairments. (Tr. 30–31.) At the fourth step, the ALJ found that Plaintiff retained the RFC based
on all the impairments
to perform sedentary work as defined in 20 CFR 416.967(a) in that
the claimant can lift or carry ten (10) pounds occasionally and less
than ten (10) pounds frequently, can stand and/or walk about two (2)
hours and can sit about six (6) hours during an eight hour workday,
except: the claimant must be allowed to stand for five (5) minutes
after twenty (20) minutes of sitting, at-will, throughout the day; the
claimant can occasionally balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, crawl, and
climb ramps or stairs, but she must never climb ladders, ropes, or
scaffolds; and the claimant can frequently handle, finger, and feel,
bilaterally.
(Tr. 31–32.) Continuing with the fourth step, the ALJ also determined that Plaintiff was unable to
perform any past relevant work. (Tr. 32.)
At the fifth step, the ALJ questioned the VE to determine whether a significant
number of jobs exist in the economy which Plaintiff could perform given her limitations. See
Richardson, 735 F.2d at 964. The VE identified the positions of telephone information clerk,
document preparer, and final assembler as jobs Plaintiff could perform. (Tr. 78–80.) The VE further
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testified that these jobs amounted to 4,500 positions in the State of Michigan. (Tr. 78–80.) This
represents a significant number of jobs. See Hall v. Bowen, 837 F.2d 272, 274 (6th Cir. 1988);
McCormick v. Sec’y of Health & Human Servs., 861 F.2d 998, 1000 (6th Cir. 1988).
Accordingly, the ALJ determined that Plaintiff was not under a disability at any point
from April 5, 2012 (the date of application) through October 31, 2013 (the date of the decision). (Tr.
38–39.)
DISCUSSION
Plaintiff presents a single paragraph of several issues for review.2 The Court finds
Plaintiff has raised the following claims of error:
1.

The ALJ erred in failing to give proper weight to the medical opinions in the
record; and

2.

The ALJ’s conclusion at Step 5 is without substantial evidence because the
hypothetical to the VE failed to include Plaintiff’s subjective statements.

(ECF No. 9, PageID.534).
A.

Medical Opinions.

Plaintiff appears to argue that the ALJ failed to properly assess the medical opinions
in this case. However, Plaintiff’s brief provides only a litany of boilerplate case law concerning an
ALJ’s obligation to properly consider certain types of medical opinions.

(ECF No. 9,

PageID.540–42.) If Plaintiff claims the ALJ erred in evaluating the medical opinions in the record,
one would presume that Plaintiff would, at a minimum, identify the medical professional, the

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In this, Plaintiff’s counsel failed to follow the Court’s notice that initial briefs “must contain a Statement of
Errors, setting forth the specific errors of fact or law upon which Plaintiff seeks reversal or remand.” (ECF No. 6,
PageID.520.) Plaintiff’s Counsel should be aware that failure to follow such notices in the future may result in briefs
being stricken.

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opinion that she claims the ALJ erred in evaluating, and point the Court to some alleged error.
Plaintiff’s brief is entirely devoid of such an analysis, however, and the Court will not speculate on
possible arguments for Plaintiff. Accordingly, the Court finds Plaintiff has waived this claim of
error. McPherson v. Kelsey, 125 F.3d 989, 995–96 (6th Cir. 1997) (“[I]ssues adverted to in a
perfunctory manner, unaccompanied by some effort at developed argumentation, are deemed
waived. It is not sufficient for a party to mention a possible argument in the most skeletal way,
leaving the court to . . . put flesh on its bones.”) (quoting Citizens Awareness Network, Inc. v. U.S.
Nuclear Regulatory Comm’n, 59 F.3d 284, 293–94 (1st Cir. 1995)). Recognizing Plaintiff’s interest
in this matter, the Court has nonetheless thoroughly examined the record and the ALJ’s discussion
of the opinions. (Tr. 36–37.) The ALJ stated he considered the opinion evidence in accordance with
the requirements of 20 C.F.R. § 416.927, and in this the Court finds no error. (Tr. 32.)
B.

Subjective Allegations.

At the administrative hearing, Plaintiff testified that she was limited to an extent far
greater than that recognized by the ALJ. Among other things, Plaintiff stated that several times a
day she needed to elevate her legs above waist level. (Tr. 74.) When Plaintiff’s counsel posed this
limitation in the form of a hypothetical to the VE, the VE responded that there would be no jobs
Plaintiff could perform. (Tr. 82.) Plaintiff argues that the ALJ’s decision to discount her credibility
is not supported by substantial evidence. (ECF No. 9, PageID.534–40.) The Court disagrees.
As the Sixth Circuit has long recognized, “pain alone, if the result of a medical
impairment, may be severe enough to constitute disability.” King v. Heckler, 742 F.2d 968, 974 (6th
Cir. 1984) (emphasis added); see also Grecol v. Halter, 46 F. App’x 773, 775 (6th Cir. 2002)
(same). As the relevant Social Security regulations make clear, however, a claimant’s “statements

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about [her] pain or other symptoms will not alone establish that [she is] disabled.” 20 C.F.R. §
404.1529(a); see also Walters v. Comm’r of Soc. Sec., 127 F.3d 525, 531 (6th Cir. 1997) (quoting
20 C.F.R. § 404.1529(a)); Hash v. Comm’r of Soc. Sec., 309 F. App’x 981, 989 (6th Cir. 2009).
Instead, as the Sixth Circuit has established, a claimant’s assertions of disabling pain and limitation
are evaluated pursuant to the following standard:
First, we examine whether there is objective medical evidence of an
underlying medical condition. If there is, we then examine: (1)
whether objective medical evidence confirms the severity of the
alleged pain arising from the condition; or (2) whether the objectively
established medical condition is of such a severity that it can
reasonably be expected to produce the alleged disabling pain.
Walters, 127 F.3d at 531 (citations omitted). This standard is often referred to as the Duncan
standard. See Workman v. Comm’r of Soc. Sec., 105 F. App’x 794, 801 (6th Cir. 2004).
Accordingly, “subjective complaints may support a finding of disability only where
objective medical evidence confirms the severity of the alleged symptoms.” Id. (citing Blankenship
v. Bowen, 874 F.2d 1116, 1123 (6th Cir. 1989)). However, where the objective medical evidence
fails to confirm the severity of a claimant’s subjective allegations, the ALJ “has the power and
discretion to weigh all of the evidence and to resolve the significant conflicts in the administrative
record.” Id. (citing Walters, 127 F.3d at 531).
In this respect, it is recognized that the ALJ’s credibility assessment “must be
accorded great weight and deference.” Id. (citing Walters, 127 F.3d at 531); see also Heston v.
Comm’r of Soc. Sec., 245 F.3d 528, 536 (6th Cir. 2001) (“[i]t is for the [Commissioner] and his
examiner, as the fact-finders, to pass upon the credibility of the witnesses and weigh and evaluate
their testimony”). It is not for this Court to reevaluate such evidence anew, and so long as the ALJ’s
determination is supported by substantial evidence, it must stand. The ALJ found Plaintiff’s
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subjective allegations to not be fully credible, a finding that should not be lightly disregarded. See
Varley v. Sec’y of Health & Human Servs., 820 F.2d 777, 780 (6th Cir. 1987). In fact, as the Sixth
Circuit recently stated, “[w]e have held that an administrative law judge’s credibility findings are
virtually unchallengeable.” Ritchie v. Comm’r of Soc. Sec., 540 F. App’x 508, 511 (6th Cir. 2013)
(citation omitted).
The ALJ gave a lengthy explanation of his factual finding regarding Plaintiff’s
credibility and concluded that the objective evidence and Plaintiff’s testimony regarding her
activities of daily living do not support a finding that Plaintiff was as limited as she alleged. (Tr.
32–33.) It was appropriate for the ALJ to take Plaintiff’s daily activities into account in making his
credibility determination. See Cruse v. Comm’r of Soc. Sec., 502 F.3d 532, 542 (6th Cir. 2007);
Blacha v. Sec’y of Health & Human Servs., 927 F.2d 228, 231 (6th Cir. 1990). Plaintiff stated she
rarely drove, but admitted no physicians had prohibited her from driving nor did she have a
handicapped sticker. (Tr. 51.) Plaintiff further testified that she could attend to her personal
hygiene, go shopping, prepare meals, do dishes, clean, vacuum, and take care of her mother with her
sister. (Tr. 69, 70.) All this undercuts the credibility of her claims of more significant functional
limitations.
Plaintiff attempts to bolster her argument by noting that she had been told to elevate
her legs by a physician. (ECF No. 9, PageID.539 (citing Tr. 311.)) The record also contains an ER
treatment note where, after Plaintiff complained of pain in her left knee that had developed earlier
that day, a physician stated Plaintiff should elevate her leg and follow up with her primary care
physician. (Tr. 449.) As an initial matter, merely pointing to evidence from which an ALJ could
have ruled a different way does not satisfy Plaintiff’s burden of demonstrating the ALJ’s decision

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lacked substantial evidence. As noted, ALJs have a zone of choice in which they may rule, without
judicial interference. See Mullen, 800 F.2d at 545. In this case, the ALJ considered Plaintiff’s
statements that she needed to elevate her legs, but found them less than fully credible because the
medical record showed that Plaintiff’s arthritis and swollen extremities were successfully treated
with medication. (Tr. 34–35, 406.) Moreover, none of the treatment notes directing Plaintiff to
elevate her legs require her to do so above waist level. (Tr. 311, 449.) They are not, therefore,
inconsistent with the VE’s testimony that Plaintiff could still perform sedentary work with her legs
elevated beneath waist level. (Tr. 82.) Accordingly, substantial evidence supports the ALJ’s
decision to discount Plaintiff’s subjective complaints.
Plaintiff further contends that the ALJ should have adopted the VE’s testimony in
response to a hypothetical incorporating her subjective complaints. A VE’s testimony in response
to a hypothetical question accurately reflecting a claimant’s impairments provides substantial
evidence supporting the Commissioner’s decision at step 5. See Varley, 820 F.2d at 779. As noted,
the VE testified that under a hypothetical incorporating Plaintiff’s subjective allegations, Plaintiff
would be unable to perform even sedentary work. (Tr. 82.) An ALJ’s hypothetical question,
however, need only include those limitations which the ALJ accepts as credible. See Blacha v. Sec’y
of Health & Human Servs., 927 F.2d 228, 231 (6th Cir. 1990). It is well settled that a hypothetical
question to a VE need not include unsubstantiated complaints. See Casey v. Sec’y of Health &
Human Servs., 987 F.2d 1230, 1235 (6th Cir. 1993); see also Carrelli v. Comm’r of Soc. Sec., 390
F. App’x 429, 438 (6th Cir. 2010) (“[I]t is ‘well established that an ALJ may pose hypothetical
questions to a vocational expert and is required to incorporate only those limitations accepted as
credible by the finder of fact.’”) (quoting Casey, 987 F.2d at 1235). The VE does not determine a

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claimant’s medical restrictions or how they impact the claimant’s RFC–that is the ALJ’s job. See
Maziarz v. Sec’y of Health & Human Servs., 837 F.2d 240, 247 (6th Cir. 1987). In this case the ALJ
found that Plaintiff’s subjective complaints were not fully credible, and the Court has determined
his decision is supported by substantial evidence. As such, the ALJ was not bound by the VE’s
responses to hypothetical questions incorporating a contrary assumption. Accordingly, Plaintiff’s
claim of error is rejected.
CONCLUSION
For the reasons set forth herein, the Commissioner’s decision will be AFFIRMED. A
separate judgment shall issue.

Dated:

January 22, 2016

/s/ Janet T. Neff
JANET T. NEFF
UNITED STATES DISTRICT JUDGE

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