Bullis v. Colvin
Filing
15
MEMORANDUM AND ORDER: IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that the decision of the Commissioner is affirmed. A separate Judgment in accordance with this Memorandum and Order will be entered this same date.. Signed by District Judge Carol E. Jackson on 9/9/16. (KKS)
UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
EASTERN DISTRICT OF MISSOURI
EASTERN DIVISION
AARON J. BULLIS,
Plaintiff,
vs.
CAROLYN W. COLVIN, Acting
Commissioner of Social Security,
Defendant.
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Case No. 4:15-CV-698 (CEJ)
MEMORANDUM AND ORDER
This matter is before the Court for review of an adverse ruling by the Social
Security Administration.
I.
Procedural History
Plaintiff Aaron J. Bullis filed applications for disability insurance benefits, Title
II, 42 U.S.C. §§ 401 et seq., on November 26, 2012, and supplemental security
income, Title XVI, 42 U.S.C. §§ 1381 et seq., on December 14, 2012, with an
alleged onset date of August 12, 2011. (Tr. 217–29).1 After plaintiff’s applications
were denied on initial consideration (Tr. 145–51), he requested a hearing from an
Administrative Law Judge (ALJ). (Tr. 152–56).
Plaintiff and counsel appeared for a hearing on January 15, 2014. (Tr. 44–
81). The ALJ issued a decision denying plaintiff’s applications on February 6, 2014.
(Tr. 25–43). The Appeals Council denied plaintiff’s request for review on April 3,
1
Plaintiff previously filed applications for disability insurance benefits and supplemental security
income on June 23, 2008 and July 13, 2009, with an alleged onset date of April 19, 2008. (Tr. 200–
16). After appearing and testifying at a hearing without counsel, the ALJ issued a decision denying
plaintiff’s July 13 applications on August 11, 2011, which the Appeals Council declined to review. (Tr.
115–34).
2015. (Tr. 1–7). Accordingly, the ALJ’s decision stands as the Commissioner’s final
decision.
II.
Evidence Before the ALJ
A. Disability Application Documents
In the Disability Report he completed on June 23, 2008 (Tr. 243–52),
plaintiff listed his conditions as anxiety, depression, and schizophrenia, which he
stated caused him to be an alcoholic and see or hear things.
He had been
employed as a restaurant manager for almost four years, working 14 hours a day,
six days a week.
This was his longest period of employment.
included Lexapro,2 Rozerem,3 Trazodone,4 and Vistaril.5
His medications
Plaintiff had completed
three years of college as his highest level of education.
In a Function Report dated July 7, 2008 (Tr. 256–63), plaintiff wrote that his
daily activities included taking medications, watching television, helping with yard
work, laundry, and house cleaning, eating meals, sleeping, exercise, and going to
bed. He was not responsible for taking care of anyone else or any pets, although
he lived in a house with his family.
Before the onset of his conditions, plaintiff
wrote that he could maintain a job and form relationships with others.
His
conditions affected his sleep patterns, causing him to either have insomnia or
2
Error! Main Document Only.Lexapro, or Escitalopram, is used to treat depression and generalized
anxiety disorder. www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/druginfo/meds (last visited on Nov. 6, 2009).
3
Rozerem, the brand name for Ramelteon, is a melatonin receptor agonist used to help patients with
sleep-onset insomnia fall asleep more quickly.
https://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/druginfo/meds/a605038.html (last visited September 18,
2015).
4
Error! Main Document Only.Trazodone is a seratonin modulator prescribed for the treatment of
depression. It may also be prescribed for the treatment of schizophrenia and anxiety.
www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/druginfo/meds (last visited on Oct. 27, 2009).
5
Error! Main Document Only.Vistaril is indicated for the symptomatic relief of anxiety associated
with psychoneurosis. See Phys. Desk Ref. 2217 (52d ed. 1998).
2
oversleep.
His personal care was not affected by his conditions, except that he
needed reminders to bathe and brush his teeth.
Plaintiff prepared his own breakfast and lunch meals, including cereal, toast,
grit, soup, and sandwiches. His parents usually cooked dinner. Prior to the onset
of his conditions, plaintiff enjoyed cooking and preparing meals for others.
His
household chores included mowing the lawn, doing the laundry, and washing
dishes, which he did not need reminders to do. Mowing took him fifteen minutes to
an hour. When going out, plaintiff either walked or rode in a vehicle with family.
He could not drive since his license had been revoked for driving while intoxicated.
He also could not go out alone because of his anxiety. Plaintiff infrequently went
shopping to buy clothes. Plaintiff reported that he could not pay bills, but he could
count change and use a checkbook.
Since the onset of his conditions, plaintiff’s
ability to handle money had changed in that he made impulsive purchases.
Plaintiff’s hobbies and interests included fishing, drawing, and reading.
He
now generally did everything less often, however. Socially he attended twelve-step
meetings a few times a week by himself.
Plaintiff wrote that his conditions had
affected his memory, concentration, and ability to get along with others. He often
forgot things, was distracted easily, and felt he could not trust people.
Plaintiff
could walk a mile before needing a 10 to 15 minute rest. He could pay attention for
30 minutes to one hour.
Plaintiff finished what he started and followed written
instructions fairly well. He did not follow spoken instructions very well and avoided
authority figures. Plaintiff had never been fired or laid off from a job because of
problems getting along with other people.
Plaintiff wrote that he handled stress
very poorly and experienced a substantial amount of anxiety regarding changes in
3
routine.
He feared unfamiliar places and people, which caused him nervousness
and anxiety.
Even after becoming sober, plaintiff continued to suffer from
depression.
In Work Background Reports, plaintiff wrote that he had been unemployed
since November 2008. (Tr. 265–68). Prior to that, he had worked as a customer
service representative for a marketing company from March 2007 to November
2008. From January 2005 to September 2006, plaintiff worked in the kitchen and
as front management for a catering company.
From November 1995 to January
2005, plaintiff worked in food preparation, inventory control, and staff management
at several restaurants or cafes.
In the Disability Reports plaintiff completed on July 19, 2012 and November
28, 2012 (Tr. 272–94), he listed his disabling conditions as “back,” bipolar disorder,
borderline personality disorder, “knees,” and post-traumatic stress disorder.
Plaintiff was 5’11’’ and weighed 300 pounds. He listed his last day of employment
as January 15, 2009. In a Field Office Disability Report dated November 26, 2012
(Tr. 282–84), the interviewer noted that plaintiff talked very slowly and in a low
voice that made it difficult to hear him.
In a Function Report dated December 4, 2012 (Tr. 295–305), plaintiff wrote
that he lived alone in an apartment.
His daily activities consisted of preparing
meals for himself, attending counseling and doctor’s appointments, visiting family
and friends, trying to keep himself and his surroundings clean, and occasionally
grocery shopping. Before the onset of his conditions, plaintiff wrote that he used to
be able to do many physical and mental activities, including walking long distances,
bending easily at the knees and waist, attending school, making complex decisions,
4
and paying attention for long periods of time.
duration of his sleep.
Pain affected the quality and
He had no problems with personal care, aside from slight
wobbliness getting in and out of the bathtub. Plaintiff wrote that he needed special
reminders to clean his apartment, shave, and use injections in his back and knees.
The food he prepared daily included sandwiches, eggs, and potatoes.
Since the
onset of his conditions, he wrote that he had become less able to prepare complex
or creative multicourse meals.
With regard to house work, plaintiff did his own laundry and dishes, although
he found it difficult to stay motivated to do these tasks.
He went outside daily,
drove a car, and could go out alone. He shopped for fishing gear online, in-person,
and over the phone. It took him longer than average to make shopping decisions,
however. Plaintiff shared a banking account with his father, who paid plaintiff’s bills
for him.
Plaintiff’s hobbies included collecting knives, watching television, and
spending time with friends.
He spoke with friends on the phone and over the
computer on a weekly basis and took them to the store with him. Plaintiff regularly
went to medical and counseling appointments alone. He had difficulty maintaining
his temper and concentrating on others’ needs. Travel was difficult for him due to
anxiety and fear.
Arthritis affected plaintiff’s ability to lift, squat, bend, stand, walk, sit, kneel,
and climb stairs. He could walk 100 yards before needing a 5 to 10 minute rest.
Plaintiff’s mental difficulties gave him a limited attention span, making it difficult to
remember, complete tasks, concentrate, follow instructions, and get along with
others. He could only pay attention for 15 to 45 minutes at a time and could not
finish what he started.
Plaintiff did not follow written instructions well and
5
repeatedly needed to refer back to instructions. He also had difficulty following oral
instructions. In this report, plaintiff wrote that he had been fired or laid off from a
job because of problems getting along with others—“too many [times] to count,
over and over again,” citing his library job, his catering company position, and a
security job.
Plaintiff wrote that he handled stress “okay,” but handled changes in routine
poorly. Night driving scared him. He indicated that he used a cane, brace or splint,
and glasses. In a supplemental questionnaire, plaintiff wrote that he could use a
computer and listen to music for a few hours at a time. He stated that his condition
had not improved since his first application for benefits.
In a Function Report dated December 14, 2012 (Tr. 306–16), plaintiff listed
his daily activities as grooming, preparing quick and simple meals, picking up
groceries, doing the dishes and laundry, ordering medications, going to counseling
appointments, and watching television. Prior to the onset of his conditions, plaintiff
wrote that he was able to stand, walk, run, pay attention, and engage in complex
tasks for a period of time. His conditions affected the duration and quality of his
sleep. He did not have problems with his personal care, except for getting in and
out of the shower. Plaintiff needed repeated, verbal reminders to shave, unload the
dryer and dishwasher, and take or reorder his medications.
Plaintiff wrote that he formerly was a confident chef, but now was afraid to
use a knife.
house work.
He would “get lost in a task” and forget what step he was on with
(Tr. 308).
When cooking, he repeatedly needed to look back at
recipes. His girlfriend reminded him to finish the laundry and rinse dishes. Plaintiff
went outside daily, drove a car, and could go out alone. He shopped for camping
6
and fishing gear, knives, clothes, and groceries in-stores and online.
Plaintiff
shared a joint banking account with his father, and only independently paid for
gasoline for his car and cigarettes.
He felt overwhelmed by his bills.
Reading,
short walks, television, and spending time with his friends were his hobbies.
was successful with most relationships.
He
Long distance travel was “out of the
question” for him. (Tr. 310). Plaintiff interacted with caseworkers and close friends
in-person and on the computer. He regularly met his parents for Sunday dinner. If
family members began fighting and yelling, he would leave.
Plaintiff stated that he did not get along with his siblings and he had “no
close friends other than doctors, therapists, and counselors.” (Tr. 311). He was
less independent and more lethargic since the onset of his conditions.
Severe
arthritis limited plaintiff physically, and he became frustrated easily. He could walk
100 to 200 yards before needing a ten minute rest, and could pay attention for 30
to 45 minutes.
Plaintiff did not have any problems with authority figures, but
wrote that he did not “click” with other employees or managers at restaurants at
which he had worked. (Tr. 312). He used different coping skills to handle different,
stressful situations.
He needed to follow a routine to feel safe and comfortable.
Plaintiff feared driving or riding in a vehicle for long distances and had “some OCD
type behaviors.” (Tr. 312). He used a cane, but it was not prescribed by a doctor.
He used a brace when his knee swelled.
His arthritis and mental illnesses in
combination made life difficult.
Plaintiff’s list of medications included Risperidone as an antipsychotic,
Clonazepam and Hydroxyzine for anxiety, Meloxicam for arthritis pain, Gemfibrozil
for cholesterol, Glimepiride and Metformin for diabetes, Ranitidine for GERD,
7
Amlodipine, Hydrochlorothiazide, Lisinopril, and Metoprolol for high blood pressure,
Clonidine for both high blood pressure and anxiety, Divalproex Sodium as a mood
stabilizer, Gabapentin and Hydrocodone for pain, Benadryl for sleep, Trazodone for
sleep and depression, and a multivitamin as a supplement. (Tr. 327–28).
B. Testimony at the Hearing
Plaintiff was 39 years old on the date of the hearing and lived alone in an
apartment. (Tr. 52). Plaintiff’s father also attended the hearing. (Tr. 48–49). In
an opening statement, plaintiff’s counsel stated that plaintiff lacked the mental
residual functional capacity for work activity as a result of his mood and personality
disorders.
Drugs and alcohol were not material to plaintiff’s condition.
Despite
plaintiff’s sobriety, he struggled on and off with auditory hallucinations, mood
fluctuations, anxiety attacks, panic attacks, mania, and difficulty sleeping. (Tr. 49–
50).
Plaintiff’s rent was paid by a grant from the Department of Mental Health and
Barnes-Jewish Hospital. (Tr. 52). Prior to moving into the apartment, plaintiff had
lived at Maple Ridge Residential Care, because his psychiatrist thought he needed
more structure. He weighed 270 pounds, but had weighed 306 pounds on the date
of the onset of his conditions. (Tr. 53). He gained weight when he was depressed,
not eating well, and not exercising.
Plaintiff had recently undergone lap-band
surgery to lose weight.
Plaintiff had a driver’s license, but only drove short distances. (Tr. 54). He
was too anxious and nervous to be in a vehicle for very long. His father drove him
to the hearing.
Plaintiff had an associate’s degree.
He did not complete his
bachelor’s degree due to low self-esteem. (Tr. 55). Plaintiff testified that he last
8
worked as a cook at a restaurant in 2008. He worked there for six months before
he was fired. (Tr. 56). His previous job at a marketing company had ended due to
a combination of alcoholism and frustration.
Plaintiff had also been fired from
another job as an associate chef at a restaurant. A retail job ended because the
employer did not have any hours available for plaintiff to work. (Tr. 57). At one
point, plaintiff worked as many as three jobs at the same time. (Tr. 58). At a café
he managed kitchen staff and learned Spanish quickly. (Tr. 58–59).
Plaintiff stated that he stopped working because he no longer had the
physical abilities or mental capacity. (Tr. 59). Physically, his ankles, knees, hips
and back bothered him. He also had difficulty sitting or standing for long periods of
time. He could stand for six to ten minutes before he became dizzy. If he wanted
to bend over and pick up something on the floor, he would need to use the wall as
a brace. (Tr. 60). Plaintiff could not bend his knees past a certain point. When he
went up or down stairs, plaintiff needed to hold on to both sides of the railing and
take one step at a time. With respect to lifting, plaintiff could lift no more than half
a gallon of milk. He stated that he had lost muscle tone in his arms and was weak.
Psychologically, plaintiff experienced depression, anxiety, and feelings of
isolation.
He had had problems with alcohol, but had experienced months-long
periods of sobriety in the past two years. Plaintiff stated that he cried daily, had
very low energy when he was depressed, and took naps during the day until he had
the motivation to do something. (Tr. 63). On a typical night, plaintiff slept four to
six hours. (Tr. 64). Other times, he slept for 12 hours straight. Once, during an
anxiety attack, plaintiff was awake for 54 hours. He had anxiety attacks eight to
ten times a month.
During these attacks, his heart raced and the palms of his
9
hands became sweaty.
The attacks lasted until he took his medication.
He felt
exhausted after the attacks were over.
In general, plaintiff’s concentration was poor. (Tr. 65). He found it difficult
to focus during a 30-minute television sitcom.
Twice a week plaintiff went to
individual dual diagnosis treatment and dialectical behavioral therapy. (Tr. 66). He
saw a psychiatrist every six weeks. A nurse from Pyramid Home Health came to
plaintiff’s house to fill his medications once a week and a home health aide came
three times a week to do plaintiff’s dishes, laundry, and clean his floors. (Tr. 67).
Sweeping or mopping floors caused plaintiff’s back to “tie[] up in knots.”
On a
typical day at home, plaintiff watched television and read magazines. As a hobby,
plaintiff collected knives.
(Tr. 68).
He used to do woodcarving, but stopped
because it was hard on his fingers and too tedious for him to pay attention.
Upon questioning by the ALJ, plaintiff testified that he believed the cause of
his physical pain was from being injured in “a couple of serious car accidents,”
playing football, and being on his feet 16 hours a day six days a week as a cook.
With respect to the medications plaintiff took, he stated that some worked and
others had side effects.
(Tr. 70).
His side effects included sleepiness,
sleeplessness, diarrhea, upset stomach, headaches, and dizziness.
(Tr. 71).
Plaintiff had had nine or ten epidural steroid injections and experienced relief for
three to six months from those injections.
Difficulties moving around, squatting,
bending, and walking were his biggest obstacles to working as a cook. (Tr. 72).
Plaintiff stated that he could not do sedentary work due to the side effects of his
medications, which required him to get up and walk around for the blood to flow in
his legs.
10
Plaintiff’s mental impairments caused him to not get along well with others,
including his siblings. He got along well with his parents. In reviewing plaintiff’s
work history, the ALJ noted that plaintiff worked in various food industry jobs where
he was oftentimes the manager.
His prior work as an associate chef, a cook, a
security guard at a senior housing unit, and a kitchen manager were done in a
standing position, and most of them were done at the light exertional level with
regard to lifting. (Tr. 74, 76–77).
Vocational expert Tyra A. Bernard-Watts, Rh. D., C.R.C., characterized
plaintiff’s past relevant work as he performed it and as it was generally performed.
(Tr. 77).
Plaintiff’s position as a security guard was semi-skilled at a light
exertional level. His duties as a kitchen manager and cook were skilled with a light
strength level. The ALJ posed a hypothetical question about the work ability of an
individual who was limited to work at no greater than the light exertional level,
could not climb ladders, ropes, or scaffolds, could only occasionally climb ramps
and stairs, could only occasionally stoop, crouch, crawl, and kneel, was limited to
simple, routine tasks, must avoid work involving intense interpersonal interaction,
handling complaints of dissatisfied customers, and close proximity to coworkers.
With those limitations, the vocational expert testified that such an individual would
not be able to perform plaintiff’s past relevant work.
However, she opined that
such an individual would be able to perform the duties of a garment sorter and a
slot-tag inserter. (Tr. 78).
In a second hypothetical question, the ALJ asked Ms. Bernard-Watts to
assume all of the limitations contained in the first hypothetical, but also to assume
that the individual was limited to sedentary work. Ms. Bernard-Watts testified that
11
such a person could perform the duties of a weight tester and a stringing-machine
tender. (Tr. 79). In a third hypothetical, the ALJ asked the vocational expert to
assume that the individual additionally would be off task more than 20 percent of
the workday. Ms. Bernard-Watts opined that this hypothetical individual could not
perform any work that existed in the national economy.
On cross-examination,
plaintiff’s counsel asked the vocational expert to return to the first hypothetical, and
to add the limitation that, because of psychologically-based symptoms, the
individual would miss three or more days of work a month.
Ms. Bernard-Watts
stated that such an individual would not be capable of performing any jobs.
C. Medical Records
From December 23, 2006 to July 23, 2007, plaintiff received alcohol and drug
treatment at the Southeast Missouri Community Treatment Center. (Tr. 331–33).
Plaintiff was admitted to the program after losing his job as a chef due to drinking.
His wife had kicked him out of the house, and he reported that he was getting a
divorce. Plaintiff’s treatment plan focused on his chemical substance dependency
and relapse prevention.
weekly.
Plaintiff agreed to attend six hours of group therapy
He met three times with a counselor, but failed to make any follow-up
appointments.
It was noted that plaintiff had a “poor prognosis due to him not
keeping his appointments.”
(Tr. 333).
In an office treatment record from
Advanced Psychiatric Services dated April 26, 2007, plaintiff stated that he enjoyed
work, was sober, and was doing better. (Tr. 329).
Treatment notes from JoAnn Franklin, MSN, RN, CS dated May 3, 2007
indicate that plaintiff was hospitalized in January because of a suicide attempt. (Tr.
413–14). Plaintiff reported that he worked two jobs at that time. He admitted to
12
having alcohol problems and problems with cravings.
Nurse Franklin assessed
plaintiff with hypertension, depression with alcohol abuse, and insomnia.
instructed plaintiff to monitor his blood pressure periodically.
She
In psychiatric
treatment notes dated May 24, 2007 (Tr. 330), plaintiff stated that he had nervous
anxiety. At his next appointment with nurse Franklin on June 1, 2007, only one set
of plaintiff’s blood pressure records was normal out of all that he recorded.
409–11).
(Tr.
His mental status exam seemed to be within normal limits, and he
denied drinking any alcohol. Nurse Franklin again increased plaintiff’s hypertension
medications.
Plaintiff had a follow-up visit with nurse Franklin on June 14, 2007. (Tr. 407–
08). Based on lab tests, he was informed that his liver enzymes were extremely
elevated due to his alcohol problem.
The remainder of his labs had some
abnormalities on the high side in the electrolyte category, which nurse Franklin
noted was probably in relation to his drinking as well.
Plaintiff was given a
prescription for Vivitrol6 at his request, which was expected to help with his alcohol
problem. Plaintiff was given a Vivitrol injection intramuscular in his right hip at his
appointment on June 28, 2007.
(Tr. 405–06).
He was also given Librium7 for
withdrawal symptoms after nurse Franklin consulted with Dr. Klemm.
Plaintiff
reported that he had quit drinking 16 hours ago and was developing the shakes.
He currently had a good support system with his parents. Plaintiff sought a referral
for a new psychiatrist.
6
Vivitrol, or Naltrexone injections, are used along with counseling and social support to help people
who have stopped drinking large amounts of alcohol to avoid drinking again.
https://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/druginfo/meds/a609007.html (last visited September 28,
2015).
7
Librium, or Chlordiazepoxide, is used to relieve anxiety and agitation caused by alcohol withdrawal.
https://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/druginfo/meds/a682078.html (last visited September 28,
2015).
13
At a follow-up appointment on July 5, 2007, plaintiff stated that he needed a
work note because of withdrawal symptoms he had had and also needed a refill of
Enalapril.8
(Tr. 403–04). His blood pressure remained elevated. Nurse Franklin
noted that the Vivitrol was supposed to work for four weeks and plaintiff was not
supposed to drink with it. However, to test whether the medication worked or not,
plaintiff placed a shot of vodka in eight ounces of water and drank it. He reported
that his legs gave way and he experienced projectile vomiting.
In addition to
providing plaintiff a refill of Enalapril, nurse Franklin added Clonidine9 0.1 mg twice
a day in an attempt to lower his blood pressure and also treat his addiction
problems. At his appointment with nurse Franklin on July 12, 2007, plaintiff stated
that he had not had any drinking episodes recently and denied any depression. His
Enalapril and Effexor10 prescriptions were refilled.
Chantix11 was also given to
plaintiff to encourage him to stop smoking. He was told that walking half an hour a
day would help with his blood pressure and pulse rate. Nurse Franklin scheduled
plaintiff for a follow up in one week, because she thought he needed that for a
support system.
On July 19, 2007, plaintiff saw nurse Franklin for a follow-up visit after being
on Vivitrol for three weeks. (Tr. 399–400). He reported that he was still sober,
feared drinking because of his use of Vivitrol, did not enjoy his customer service job
8
Error! Main Document Only.Enalapril or Vasotec is used to treat high blood pressure.
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/
medlineplus/druginfo/meds/a686022.html (last visited on May 25, 2010).
9
Error! Main Document Only.Clonidine is indicated for treatment of hypertension. See Phys. Desk
Ref. 843 (61st ed. 2007). It is also used in the treatment of alcohol and narcotic withdrawal.
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/druginfo/meds/a682243.html (last visited Mar. 9, 2011).
10
Error! Main Document Only.Effexor, or Venlafaxine, is indicated for the treatment of major
depressive disorder. See Phys. Desk Ref. 3196 (63rd ed. 2009).
11
Chantix or Varenicline is a smoking cessation aid.
https://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/druginfo/meds/a606024.html (last visited September 28,
2015).
14
and that he had gotten in trouble for saying things that were overheard by quality
assurance. He enjoyed cooking, had been fishing with his father, and went walking
twice in the preceding week. Upon a review of plaintiff’s systems, the nurse noted
that plaintiff’s blood pressure was well-controlled and he had been more active and
social lately. Plaintiff reported feeling a lack of interest, which the nurse thought
was a symptom of Effexor. Plaintiff was not interested in making any changes to
his medications since he felt he had progressed. Chantix reportedly had helped him
cut down to approximately eight cigarettes a day.
Nurse Franklin encouraged
plaintiff to continue getting Vivitrol injections every four weeks, continue using
Chantix, set goals for job applications, decrease smoking, and increase exercise.
At his appointment with nurse Franklin on July 26, 2007, plaintiff had
recorded some elevated blood pressure levels in his log, but the rest were within
normal limits. (Tr. 397–98). He reported exercising on a regular basis and was not
smoking at work since starting Chantix.
Upon a mental status examination, the
nurse noted that plaintiff appeared more verbal that day and also appeared to have
been drinking alcohol. He was given a Vivitrol injection in his left hip. At his next
appointment on August 2, 2007, plaintiff reported that he had drunk a small bottle
of vodka the week before. (Tr. 395–96).
When his blood alcohol content (BAC)
indicated more recent use, plaintiff was “confronted about the lie.”
On August 9, 2007, plaintiff reported that he began drinking the previous
Sunday and missed work on Monday and Tuesday. (Tr. 393–94). Because he’d had
a Vivtrol injection, he became ill after ingesting half a pint of vodka. Upon a mental
status examination, nurse Franklin noted that plaintiff appeared somewhat
insecure, had poor self-esteem, and was concerned about the way he looked.
15
Plaintiff had a follow-up appointment with Marianne Klemm, D.O. on August
15, 2007.
(Tr. 391–92).
Because he had reached his maximum insurance
coverage, his Vivitrol injections were no longer covered.
several days of work and doubted he still had a job.
Plaintiff had missed
He planned to look for
another. Plaintiff understood that he should not be drinking. He told Dr. Klemm
that Campral12 decreased his urge to drink, but Vivitrol had not made a substantial
difference.
Dr. Klemm provided plaintiff a prescription for Ativan13 0.5 mg twice
daily to help reduce the anxiety of his alcohol cravings.
At his appointment with nurse Franklin on August 23, 2007, plaintiff reported
that he had drunk alcohol all last weekend and quit his job on Monday. (Tr. 389–
90). He experienced nausea and vomiting for three days and began having visual
and auditory hallucinations.
Upon examination, plaintiff was tearful, apologetic,
had very low self-esteem, and felt that his Vivitrol injection should be given to
someone who would benefit from it. He was not making any plans for his future.
Nurse Franklin gave plaintiff a Vivitrol injection and told him it would be his last if
he continued to drink.
Plaintiff’s family brought him to the emergency room at Jefferson Memorial
Hospital on August 23, 2007 for substance abuse issues. (Tr. 334–53). Plaintiff
had
been
detoxing
from
alcohol
and
started
having
visual
and
auditory
hallucinations. He had been hospitalized twice since December for similar issues.
It was noted that plaintiff had smoked 1½ packs of cigarettes a day for 17 years.
12
Campral or Acamprosate is used along with counseling and social support to help people with
alcoholism to avoid drinking alcohol again.
https://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/druginfo/meds/a604028.html (last visited September 28,
2015).
13
Error! Main Document Only.Ativan is a brand name for Lorazepam and is prescribed to treat
anxiety. http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/druginfo/medmaster/a682053.html (last visited on
Aug. 29, 2007).
16
Early in his hospital admission, plaintiff stated that he saw someone in his room
even though he knew no one was there. Two hours later, he was not in distress,
took fluids without difficulty, and was calm and cooperative with his parents by his
bedside. An hour later he was not in distress and ate a lunch box without nausea.
Plaintiff was diagnosed with alcohol withdrawal, bipolar disorder, anxiety, acute
psychosis, and schizophrenia.
Plaintiff declined transfer to another facility.
The
severity of his symptoms warranted admission, but plaintiff did not pose a threat of
imminent harm to himself or others. Plaintiff was given 10 mg of Valium14 to take
after his emergency room medications wore off.
He was instructed to follow up
with his psychiatrist, Dr. Klemm, in the morning.
At a follow-up appointment with nurse Franklin on August 30, 2007 (Tr. 387–
88), plaintiff stated that he remained depressed. Dr. Klemm was consulted and it
was noted that Ativan seemed to help plaintiff through stressful periods and helped
him avoid drinking.
As such, he was given a refill of Ativan.
On September 6,
2007, plaintiff reported that he had had 19 days of sobriety, but nurse Franklin
noted that the room smelled of alcohol. (Tr. 385–86). Plaintiff was very talkative
and had not had any hallucinations as of late. He reported that he was feeling very
depressed. His blood alcohol content was found to be 0.239. Because of his poor
compliance, plaintiff was denied further Vivitrol injections. At his next appointment
on September 13, 2007, plaintiff reported that he had greatly improved with the
increase in his Wellbutrin15 prescription from 75 mg to 150 mg daily.
14
(Tr. 383).
Valium or Diazepam is used to relieve anxiety, muscle spasms, and seizures, and to control
agitation caused by alcohol withdrawal.
https://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/druginfo/meds/a682047.html (last visited September 28,
2015).
15
Error! Main Document Only.Wellbutrin, or Buproprion, is an antidepressant of the aminoketone
class and is indicated for treatment of major depressive disorder. See Phys. Desk Ref. 1648-49 (63rd
17
Upon a review of plaintiff’s systems, nurse Franklin noted that he had hypertension,
tachycardia and continued problems with alcohol.
Plaintiff appeared to be in a
much better mood, and he reported that his sleep and concentration were better
since he had obtained a job in the past week. Plaintiff’s prescription for Clonidine
was increased, labs were ordered, and Dr. Klemm gave a verbal order to renew
plaintiff’s Ativan prescription.
On October 11, 2007, plaintiff reported to nurse Franklin that his blood
pressure was elevated.
Effexor being doubled.
(Tr. 381–82).
The nurse thought it was related to his
His Effexor was switched to Lexapro.16
It was also
recommended that plaintiff enroll in a 30-day treatment program because he
continued to drink. His most recent drinking episode was the preceding Tuesday.
One week after starting Lexapro, plaintiff told nurse Franklin that he still felt
depressed. (Tr. 379–80). He also reported drinking one liter of vodka a day. He
was openly intoxicated at the appointment. Plaintiff reported that he had quit his
job as a dishwasher because “he could not take it anymore.” (Tr. 379). Plaintiff did
not seem motivated to stop drinking and his parents were frustrated with his
behavior. Nurse Franklin doubled plaintiff’s Lexapro dosage and instructed him to
call and report where he was eligible to go for a treatment program.
Plaintiff
rejected two treatment facilities. On October 26, 2007, plaintiff’s father reported to
Dr. Klemm that plaintiff had been admitted to Southeast Missouri Mental Health
Center. (Tr. 376).
ed. 2009). It may be prescribed under the brand name Zyban to help people stop smoking. See
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/druginfo/meds/
a695033.html (last visited Sept. 22, 2010).
16
Error! Main Document Only.Lexapro, or Escitalopram, is used to treat depression and generalized
anxiety disorder. www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/druginfo/meds (last visited on Nov. 6, 2009).
18
Plaintiff remained at Southeast from November 8 to November 14, 2007.
(Tr. 354–63). This was his third psychiatric hospitalization at this facility. Plaintiff
requested help for his alcohol dependence.
It was noted that he had spent ten
days in another facility and had been discharged two weeks earlier.
He stayed
sober for one week. He was stopped while driving a vehicle and received a DWI
violation.
His license was suspended and he started binge drinking.
His blood
alcohol content was 0.231 when he arrived at Southeast. Plaintiff reported that he
had had a long history of alcohol dependence and excessive drinking to the point of
blacking out since he was 21-years old. Plaintiff also had a history of significant
alcohol withdrawal which included delirium tremens, hallucinations, shaking,
sweating, and confusion. He reported almost seven delirium tremens episodes in
the past year since he had been trying to detox independently. He also reported
progressive symptoms of depression over the past several years. Plaintiff reported
poor sleep, fluctuations of appetite, and a sense of helplessness and hopelessness.
He had been to several psychiatrists over the years, but did not follow up with them
because he did not like them.
To treat his depression, plaintiff was given Trazodone17 to improve his sleep
and Lexapro to decrease his depression. He also began taking Risperdal.18 He was
encouraged to attend group therapy sessions.
His group therapy attendance,
participation and outcome were fair. He was also complaint with his medications,
and by November 12 he displayed a bright affect. On discharge, plaintiff described
17
Error! Main Document Only.Trazodone is a seratonin modulator prescribed for the treatment of
depression. It may also be prescribed for the treatment of schizophrenia and anxiety.
www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/druginfo/meds (last visited on Oct. 27, 2009).
18
Error! Main Document Only.Risperdal is the brand name for Risperidone and is indicated for the
treatment of schizophrenia and acute manic or mixed episodes associated with bipolar I disorder. See
Phys. Desk Ref. 1677 (61st ed. 2007).
19
his mood as good. His affect was euthymic, form of thought logical and sequential,
insight and judgment were fair, and he denied psychotic symptoms. Plaintiff was
diagnosed with alcohol dependence, alcohol withdrawal to rule out substanceinduced mood disorder, exogenous obesity, elevated liver enzymes, substance
abuse, legal issues, and occupational problems.
He was assigned a Global
Assessment of Functioning (GAF) score of 60.19 He was given a two-day supply of
Vasotec8 20 mg, Norvasc20 5 mg, Clonidine 0.3 mg, Trazodone 150 mg, Lexapro 10
mg, and was told to decrease Risperdal.
Counseling and Alcoholics Anonymous
(AA) meetings were recommended.
On December 6, 2007, plaintiff reported being sober for 32 days and working
at a restaurant three days a week. (Tr. 373). Upon objective examination, he was
alert, cooperative, in a better mood, more confident, and had decreased anxiety.
On January 10, 2008, plaintiff reported that he had not drunken alcohol for eight
days.
(Tr. 372).
He was still working at the restaurant and was getting more
hours. He had had two anxiety episodes since his last appointment. His Norvasc
and Trazodone dosages were increased. He was also given a Vistaril injection and
told to follow up in two months.
On March 6, 2008 (Tr. 369), plaintiff told Dr.
Klemm that he was sober and had finished his counseling at Southeast Missouri
Mental Health Center. On May 7, 2008, plaintiff requested Librium from Dr. Klemm
for relief from withdrawal symptoms. (Tr. 367–68). He stated that he had gone
back to drinking multiple times before, but “this is the last time” he was ever going
19
Error! Main Document Only.A GAF of 51-60 corresponds with “moderate symptoms (e.g., flat
affect and circumstantial speech, occasional panic attacks) OR difficulty in social, occupational or
school functioning (e.g., few friends, conflicts with peers or co-workers).” American Psychiatric
Association, Diagnostic & Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders - Fourth Edition, Text Revision 34 (4th
ed. 2000).
20
Error! Main Document Only.Norvasc is indicated for the treatment of hypertension and coronary
artery disease. See Phys. Desk Ref. 2546 (61st ed. 2007).
20
to drink. Plaintiff stated that alcohol had messed up his whole life and cost him his
job. He seemed more motivated than the last time Dr. Klemm had seen him. Dr.
Klemm wrote plaintiff a prescription for Librium and encouraged him to stay sober.
From June 11 to 14, 2008, plaintiff was admitted to a detox program at
Gibson Recovery Center, Inc. (Tr. 364–65). He stated that he had drunk one liter
of vodka a day.
Plaintiff was monitored every shift and his tremors began to
subside. He stated that he was eating fine, drinking fluids, and resting okay. He
attended some group therapy sessions and interacted well with peers and staff.
Upon discharge, plaintiff was referred to AA meetings and other outside support
networks. On June 26, 2008, plaintiff reported to medical providers that he had
moved back in with his parents. (Tr. 366). He reported poor sleep and anxiety.
Joan Singer, Ph.D. completed a Psychiatric Review Technique for plaintiff on
August 8, 2008.
(Tr. 415–25).
Dr. Singer assessed plaintiff with depression,
anxiety disorder, and alcohol dependence, which she opined were not severe.
Plaintiff had mild limitations with respect to his restriction of daily living activities,
difficulties
in
maintaining
social
functioning,
concentration, persistence, and pace.
and
difficulties
in
maintaining
Plaintiff had had no repeated episodes of
decompensation of an extended duration. Dr. Singer noted that plaintiff had a long
history of alcohol dependent and noncompliance with treatment.
Based on the
evidence in the record, Dr. Singer found that plaintiff’s impairments would be nonsevere if he did not continue to use alcohol. As such, plaintiff’s alleged severity of
his conditions was not found credible.
Per an integrated recovery plan from BJC Behavioral Health Center dated
April 12, 2010 (Tr. 629–30), plaintiff was diagnosed with a mood disorder not
21
otherwise specified, alcohol and nicotine dependence, personality disorder not
otherwise specified, obesity, hypertension, esophageal reflux, arthritis, substances
use and limited coping skills.
He was assigned a current GAF score of 5021 and
stated that he had been sober almost six months.
A diagnosis summary report
from BJC Behavioral Health dated June 21, 2010 diagnosed plaintiff with bipolar I
disorder,
most
recent
episode
depressed,
moderate,
alcohol
and
nicotine
dependence, obesity, hypertension, and esophageal reflux. (Tr. 577).
On
August
26,
2010,
plaintiff
presented
himself
to
the
emergency
department at Mineral Area Regional Medical Center with an anxiety attack. (Tr.
500–02).
He was concerned about his current transition from Valproate 22 to
Lamictal23 for his bipolar disorder. Valproate had been effective in controlling his
cycles of bipolar, but contributed to significant weight gain and dyslipidemia. He
felt his current symptoms were consistent with a panic attack.
Plaintiff was
medicated with Lorazepam24 2 mg. Two hours later his mental status had improved
and he was discharged.
Plaintiff returned to the emergency department on January 3, 2011 for
suicidal ideation.
(Tr. 496–99).
He had both a plan and means and appeared
depressed and anxious. Upon lab testing, his blood alcohol content was discovered
to be 0.317.
He was transferred for care at Saint Louis University Hospital.
21
On
Error! Main Document Only.A GAF of 41-50 corresponds with “serious symptoms OR any serious
impairment in social, occupational, or school functioning.” American Psychiatric Association,
Diagnostic & Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders - Fourth Edition, Text Revision 34 (4th ed. 2000).
22
Valproic acid is used to treat mania in people with bipolar disorder.
https://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/druginfo/meds/a682412.html (last visited September 28,
2015).
23
Error! Main Document Only.Lamictal, or Lamotrigene, is used to increase the time between
episodes of depression, mania, and other abnormal moods in patients with bipolar disorder.
www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/druginfo/meds (last visited on December 17, 2014).
24
Error! Main Document Only.Ativan is a brand name for Lorazepam and is prescribed to treat
anxiety. http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/druginfo/medmaster/a682053.html (last visited on
Aug. 29, 2007).
22
January 28, 2011, plaintiff returned to the emergency room with complaints of
depression. (Tr. 493–95). His blood alcohol content was 0.32. He reported feeling
better after sobering up.
morning.
The doctor encouraged plaintiff to return to AA in the
On February 5, 2011, plaintiff returned to the emergency department
with psychiatric complaints. (Tr. 490–92). Plaintiff was positive for anxiety. There
was no evidence of homicidal or suicidal thought. The doctor felt plaintiff could be
appropriately discharged with office follow up.
A prescription was written for
Seroquel25 and plaintiff was warned to stop smoking.
On February 15, 2011, plaintiff returned to the emergency room for suicidal
ideation of a moderate intensity. (Tr. 486–89). He had drunk a pint of alcohol and
was depressed. His blood alcohol level was 0.324. Plaintiff was medically cleared
for psychiatric referral. Plaintiff was transferred to Poplar Bluff Regional. Plaintiff
returned to the emergency room on February 22, 2011 for an intentional overdose
of Trazodone and vodka. (Tr. 481–85). His blood alcohol level was 0.305. The
doctor agreed that plaintiff’s condition merited admission to the hospital and he was
transferred to the intensive care unit.
Plaintiff was again admitted to the
emergency department for psychiatric purposes on May 24, 2011. (Tr. 476–80).
Plaintiff’s problems were noted to be related possibly to having his application for
disability benefits denied or his relationship with his brother. After his last 9-day
inpatient treatment for alcohol abuse at Poplar Bluff, plaintiff did not want to return
there because “they have cold showers.” His blood alcohol content was 0.3, which
was too high for him to be accepted and transferred to a mental health facility.
25
Error! Main Document Only.Seroquel is indicated for the treatment of acute manic episodes
associated with bipolar I disorder and schizophrenia. See Phys. Desk Ref. 691 (61st ed. 2007).
23
After the third draw and ten hours after his admission to the emergency room,
plaintiff’s BAC was low enough for transfer to SLU.
On May 29, 2011 (Tr. 472–75), plaintiff was admitted to the emergency
department at Mineral Area Regional Medical center for a suicidal gesture.
His
current symptoms included anxiety and acute intoxication. Plaintiff was tearful and
stated he “just wanted it to end.” His blood alcohol content was 0.2. Plaintiff was
transferred to Kennett for inpatient treatment. Plaintiff returned to the emergency
room for an injury and pain from a fall on June 13, 2011. (Tr. 469–71). Plaintiff
appeared intoxicated and stated that he last drank vodka at 9 P.M. the night
before. X-rays of plaintiff’s chest, ribs, and cervical spine were normal. (Tr. 528–
30, 816). On July 23, 2011, plaintiff returned to the emergency department with
complaints of depression, stating he did not want to get to the point of suicidal
ideation. (Tr. 466–68). His blood alcohol content was 0.203. An EKG was normal,
and he was discharged three hours later.
On August 11, 2011, plaintiff told Lauren Flynn, a psychiatrist at BJC
Behavioral Health, that he had remained sober since his last hospitalization. (Tr.
578–81). He had increased his attendance at integrated dual disorder treatment
and would start volunteering twice a week in Parkland’s dietary department to give
his day more structure.
Plaintiff had no psychiatric complaints that day.
Per a
mental status examination, plaintiff was well-groomed, cooperative, had a better
affect and normal perception.
Dr. Flynn diagnosed plaintiff with alcohol
dependence, bipolar disorder type I, nicotine dependence, obesity, hypertension,
GERD and hypertriglyceridemia. To treat plaintiff’s alcohol dependence, Dr. Flynn
24
planned to continue Acamprosate26 666 mg three times daily and Naltrexone27 50
mg daily. For his bipolar disorder, she instructed plaintiff to continue Depakote28
2000 mg and Risperdal 2 mg at bedtime. For plaintiff’s insomnia, she continued his
prescription for Gabapentin 600 mg at bedtime. Sleep study results on August 17,
2011 indicated that plaintiff did not have obstructive sleep apnea. (Tr. 554).
Plaintiff was admitted to Mineral Area Regional Medical Center on September
5, 2011 for suicidal ideation. (Tr. 463–65). He stated that he did not have a plan,
but felt a desire to kill himself.
Plaintiff appeared mildly anxious and had a flat
affect. His blood alcohol content level was greater than 0.3. He remained in the
hospital for approximately four days. (Tr. 435–41, 538–41). Plaintiff was treated
with aggressive intravenous hydration, Librium on an as-needed basis for tremors
and anxiety, and psychotherapy.
His final diagnoses on discharge included
substance-induced mood disorder, alcohol dependence, status post-head injury,
and a GAF score of 60. His outpatient prescription medications included Depakote
2000 mg at bedtime, Risperdal 2 mg at bedtime, Librium 25 mg three times a day,
Campral 333 mg three times a day, Naltrexone 50 mg daily, and Seroquel 150 mg
at bedtime. Plaintiff had attended and participated actively in all unit activities and
was deemed safe for discharge by the whole treatment team.
At an appointment with his psychiatrist, Dr. Flynn, on September 15, 2011
(Tr. 582–84), plaintiff stated that his cravings for alcohol were still present but
tolerable. He was not attending AA meetings. Because he had previously identified
26
Acamprosate or Campral is used with counseling and social support to treat alcoholism.
https://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/druginfo/meds/a604028.html (last visited September 28,
2011).
27
Error! Main Document Only.ReVia, or Naltrexone, is an opiate antagonist that blocks the effects
of opioid medications. http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/druginfo/meds/a685041.html (last visited
on Mar. 9, 2011).
28
Error! Main Document Only.Depakote, or Valproic acid, is also used to treat mania in people with
bipolar disorder. www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/druginfo/meds (last visited on Oct. 27, 2009).
25
loneliness as a trigger for drinking alcohol, he wanted to get a dog. He continued
to volunteer in the dietary department at Parkland in an attempt to give his day
structure. Plaintiff complained of intermittent pain in his right ankle and toes of his
right foot at night. Dr. Flynn discussed with plaintiff that excessive alcohol could be
a risk factor for gout.
On September 27, 2011, plaintiff requested and was
provided a prescription for Klonopin29 for travel on an upcoming fishing trip.
At a follow-up appointment with Dr. Flynn on September 29, 2011 (Tr. 586–
88), plaintiff stated that he continued to participate in some therapy activities, but
did not have any interest in AA.
He reported that his loneliness had improved
somewhat lately. He spoke of feeling overwhelmed with upcoming college classes
and volunteer work. He was generally sleeping well and denied any problems with
medications. The pain in his right ankle and foot had spontaneously resolved. On
October 13, 2011 (Tr. 589–91), plaintiff told Dr. Flynn that he had had a “good long
week of mania” starting about two weeks ago. For about 48 hours he did not sleep,
felt restless, and “got a lot of stuff done” during that time period.
Plaintiff also
made several calls to the BHR crisis hotline at that time. After taking Seroquel, he
“crashed” and awoke to his baseline. Plaintiff denied alcohol consumption since his
last visit and had been attending some therapy. Dr. Flynn continued plaintiff on his
medications for alcohol dependence, bipolar disorder, and insomnia.
At an appointment with Nona Mungle, F.N.P. at Great Mines Health Center on
October 18, 2011 (Tr. 552), plaintiff complained of right leg numbness and knee
pain. An x-ray of plaintiff’s right knee was normal. (Tr. 563, 575, 777). Mungle
suggested plaintiff use a knee brace for support at home. Plaintiff complained of
29
Error! Main Document Only.Klonopin is a benzodiazepine prescribed for the treatment of seizure
disorders and panic disorder. See Phys. Desk Ref. 2782 (60th ed. 2006).
26
continued right leg numbness and low back to nurse practitioner Mungle on
November 8, 2011. (Tr. 550–51). An x-ray of plaintiff’s lumbar spine showed no
obvious abnormalities.
(Tr. 562, 576, 775).
Mungle discussed weight loss with
plaintiff.
At a follow-up appointment with Dr. Flynn on November 10, 2011, plaintiff
reported that his knee swelling had subsided and pain improved. (Tr. 593–95). Dr.
Flynn advised plaintiff to wait ten days after cessation of Norco to restart
Naltrexone. Plaintiff stated that his mood was “leveling off” with an increased dose
of Risperdal. He noticed some minor mood lability when driving recently and had
called the BHR crisis hotline once since his last visit.
Plaintiff denied alcohol
consumption and stated that he had not had any cravings to use alcohol “in a long
time.” Plaintiff was attending therapy and reported no problems with medications.
An evaluation by Victor Brown, D.O., an orthopedic surgeon, found that
plaintiff had right knee palpable internal derangement, but specifically lateral
patellofemoral facet arthrosis.
(Tr. 566).
Dr. Brown planned to inject plaintiff’s
right knee with 80 mg of Depo-Medrol and place him in a two-button lock-out knee
brace for protection and to maintain stability. Plaintiff would follow up after an MRI
to determine the specific pathology of his knee. The MRI performed on November
23, 2011 revealed some notable tricompartmental osteoarthritis, particularly
notable at the patellofemoral and lateral compartment of the right knee. (Tr. 531–
32, 573–74).
Dr. Brown planned to place plaintiff on chondroitin, sulfate, and
glucosamine and Hyaluronic acid as well as omega-3 fatty acids.
(Tr. 565).
If
plaintiff did not improve in six to eight weeks, he would call back to undergo an
Orthovisc injection in his right knee.
27
On November 21, 2011, plaintiff reported increased irritability to Dr. Flynn
since his last visit. (Tr. 596–98). He stated that his temper was high and he felt
he might be headed toward a manic episode.
Plaintiff frequently called the BHR
crisis hotline, mainly to have someone to talk to. He denied any suicidal ideations
or alcohol consumption since his last visit.
Dr. Flynn noted that nurse Huff had
recently reported that plaintiff seemed to smell of alcohol when he came to medical
center one day.
Plaintiff stated that he was “terrified to drink at this point,”
because of what had happened the last time he relapsed. Plaintiff was frequently
attending therapy and denied any problems with medications.
Plaintiff consulted Tony Chien, D.O. for an examination for his low back pain
on December 12, 2011. (Tr. 442–44, 655–57). The pain was not only located in
his back, but also radiated to his right leg.
His symptoms had progressively
worsened and occurred both when he walked and climbed stairs.
Upon physical
examination, Dr. Chien noted pain with palpation over the spinous process and
paraspinal muscles of the lumbar spine. There was pain with flexion and extension
of the lumbar spine, spasm over the paraspinal muscles, and pain with palpation
over the right sacroiliac joint. Dr. Chien noted that the x-ray of plaintiff’s lumbar
spine on November 8, 2011 revealed small anterior osteophyte changes throughout
the lumbar spine, loss of normal lordotic curve, and no compression fracture. Dr.
Chien assessed plaintiff with chronic low back pain, right sacroiliac joint
dysfunction, right lower extremity radiculopathy, degenerative joint and disc
disease of the lumbar spine, and chronic tobacco abuse. Dr. Chien recommended a
caudal epidural steroid injection with a corticosteroid injection of the right L4 nerve
root, to which plaintiff consented.
(Tr. 505–06, 534, 643–44).
28
Plaintiff was
instructed to not do any heavy lifting, pushing or pulling. The doctor also provided
plaintiff with Flexeril30 to take at night. Plaintiff was given a second caudal epidural
steroid injection with a corticosteroid injection on December 19, 2011. (Tr. 503–
04, 533, 641–42).
At an appointment with Dr. Flynn on December 29, 2011 (Tr. 600–02),
plaintiff thought his irritability had improved on an increased dose of Depakote, but
he had gained ten pounds since his last visit. He also told Dr. Flynn that he had
been experiencing sexual dysfunction for the past several months. Plaintiff stated
he had drunken alcohol about two weeks ago for a period of two days. He lied to
his father about his relapse.
He called the BHR crisis hotline once since his last
visit, but denied suicidal ideation.
Dr. Flynn increased plaintiff’s Naltrexone and
Depakote dosages. At a follow-up visit with Dr. Chien for his low back pain, plaintiff
reported improvement of symptoms after the two epidural injections.
(Tr. 654).
Dr. Chien told plaintiff he could participate in activities of daily living as tolerated
and would follow up with plaintiff on an as-needed basis.
On January 26, 2012, Dr. Flynn noted that plaintiff’s mood was “a little
mellower.”
(Tr. 603–05).
Plaintiff had been able to drive to a urologist
appointment alone recently, which was significant for him.
“minor lows” lately, but no major mood disturbance.
He had had some
The mild anxiety he
experienced was mostly with respect to school. Plaintiff had called the crisis hotline
once in the past week, but he was not suicidal; rather, he had felt overwhelmed
about preparing a speech. Plaintiff denied any alcohol consumption since his last
visit or any problems with his medications. Dr. Flynn decreased plaintiff’s Risperdal
30
Error! Main Document Only.Flexeril is indicated as an adjunct to rest and physical therapy for
relief of muscle spasm associated with acute musculoskeletal conditions. See Phys. Desk Ref. 183233 (60th ed. 2006).
29
prescription as requested, due to sexual dysfunction. The doctor discussed other
potential etiologies of plaintiff’s sexual dysfunction with him, including use of a
beta-blocker, alcohol, and psychogenic contribution.
His insomnia was well-
controlled. At his urologist appointment on February 16, 2012, Neal Neuman, M.D.
noted that plaintiff had a history of alcoholism and diabetes, which could contribute
to his erectile dysfunction. (Tr. 940–42).
On February 27, 2012, plaintiff complained of left knee pain, wheezing, and
requested Klonopin to take during an upcoming fishing trip.
(Tr. 544–45).
Dr.
Klemm allowed plaintiff only enough Klonopin for the duration of his trip. An x-ray
of plaintiff’s knee the next day showed fluid in the joint and bone spurs. (Tr. 459–
62).
From March 2 to 7, 2012, plaintiff was admitted for inpatient care in the
psychiatric unit at Mineral Area Regional Medical Center for acute depression,
alcohol abuse, and acute alcohol intoxication. (Tr. 426–34, 459–62, 536–37). His
blood alcohol content level on admission was 0.243.
had thoughts of ending his life.
Plaintiff stated that he had
His final diagnoses on discharge were bipolar I
disorder with the most recent episode depression, post-traumatic stress disorder,
alcohol dependence, hypertension, diabetes mellitus type II, and a GAF score of
40.31 During his stay, plaintiff was compliant with his medications, which included
Zoloft,32 Campral, Depakote, Librium, and Risperdal. No side effects were reported.
He attended all unit activities, including individual and group psychotherapy.
He
denied any auditory or visual hallucinations, but his insight and judgment were
31
Error! Main Document Only.A GAF of 31-40 corresponds with “some impairment in reality testing
or communication . . . OR major impairment in several areas, such as work or school, family
relations, judgment, thinking, or mood.” American Psychiatric Association, Diagnostic & Statistical
Manual of Mental Disorders - Fourth Edition, Text Revision 34 (4th ed. 2000).
32
Error! Main Document Only.Zoloft, or Sertraline, is a member of the SSRA class and is used to
treat depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder, panic attacks, posttraumatic stress disorder, and
social anxiety disorder. It is also used to relieve the symptoms of premenstrual dysphoric disorder.
www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/druginfo/meds (last visited on Oct. 27, 2009).
30
grossly impaired.
Plaintiff was instructed to continue with his same medications
and follow up with Dr. Flynn on discharge.
On March 18, 2012, plaintiff was admitted to the emergency room with
complaints of an anxiety attack and insomnia. (Tr. 457–58, 846–47). He had been
sober for a week and thought his sleeping should have improved by that point. His
physical examination was normal.
Plaintiff was prescribed Zolpidem 33 and
discharged. Plaintiff returned to the emergency room the next day with symptoms
of an anxiety attack and nausea. (Tr. 454–56, 843–45). His physical examination
was normal. Plaintiff was prescribed Clonazepam34 and discharged. After midnight
on March 25, 2012, plaintiff arrived at the emergency room intoxicated with a blood
alcohol content level of 0.297.
(Tr. 448–50, 836–38).
His diagnoses included
relapsed alcoholism and drug seeking behavior in the emergency room.
Plaintiff
was discharged and agreed to follow up with nurse practitioner Mungle.
Plaintiff
returned to the emergency room later that evening with complaints of depression.
(Tr. 451–53).
He had felt anxious over an impending school requirement and
started to drink to ameliorate the emotion.
It was noted that plaintiff was “well
known” to emergency department staff and had health resources and professional
support on a daily basis.
Plaintiff had refused substance abuse treatment earlier
that day. Plaintiff’s father was with him and had disabled plaintiff’s vehicle to keep
him from driving.
His BAC was 0.3 and he was positive for benzodiazepines.
Plaintiff was diagnosed with acute alcohol intoxication and discharged in stable
condition.
33
Error! Main Document Only.Zolpidem is a sedative-hypnotic used to treat insomnia.
http://www.nlm.nih.
gov/medlineplus/druginfo/meds/a693025.html (last visited on Sept. 1, 2011).
34
Error! Main Document Only.Clonazepam, or Klonopin, is a benzodiazepine prescribed for
treatment of seizure disorders and panic disorders. See Phys. Desk Ref. 2782 (60th ed. 2006).
31
On March 26, 2012, plaintiff returned to the emergency room for his third
visit in three days with the same complaint of intoxication. (Tr. 445–47, 831–33).
His blood alcohol content at that time was 0.264. Plaintiff was instructed to go to
Southeast Missouri Treatment Center upon discharge.
Hydroxyzine,35 Librium, Reglan36 and a multivitamin.
He was prescribed
At a follow up with nurse
practitioner Mungle on April 3, 2012, plaintiff was instructed to follow up with a
psychiatrist. (Tr. 543). Mungle also referred plaintiff to Dr. Brown for examination
of his knee pain, who plaintiff saw on April 4, 2012.
(Tr. 564).
Plaintiff also
complained of severe low back pain from sleeping in a recliner. MRI examinations
of plaintiff’s right knee had revealed some mild patellofemoral, medial and lateral
compartment mild arthritis, mild chondrosis and some fissuring of the patellar
groove, but otherwise no medial or lateral meniscal pathology or other internal
knee derangement. Because of the migratory pattern of plaintiff’s pain, Dr. Brown
asked Mungle to run lab tests. If plaintiff’s pain was not connective tissue disease
pathology, the doctor planned to continue to treat plaintiff conservatively, including
Orthovisc injections to his knees as needed. Plaintiff’s lab tests were within normal
ranges, and plaintiff was referred to a rheumatologist. (Tr. 568, 571).
At his appointment with Dr. Flynn on April 16, 2012, plaintiff had a depressed
mood and irritated tone. (Tr. 602–12). At the time, plaintiff was no longer taking
opioid medication for his back pain and instead was only using ibuprofen. Due to
plaintiff’s problems with alcohol dependence, Dr. Flynn told plaintiff he had one of
35
Error! Main Document Only.Hydroxyzine is used to relieve the itching caused by allergies and to
control the nausea and vomiting caused by various conditions, including motion sickness. It is also
used for anxiety and to treat the symptoms of alcohol withdrawal.
www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/druginfo/meds (last visited on Oct. 28, 2009).
36
Reglan, or Metoclopramide, is used to relieve symptoms caused by slow stomach emptying in
people who have diabetes. https://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/druginfo/meds/a601158.html (last
visited September 30, 2015).
32
three options: go to Daybreak, move into a residential care facility for six months,
or move back in with his parents. The doctor explained that she thought they could
substantially mitigate his suicide risk with these options, because plaintiff typically
became suicidal when he was drunk but not at any other time.
If plaintiff had
closer supervision, the doctor thought the risk of his drinking was much lower than
while he lived independently.
Plaintiff told Dr. Flynn that he was not ready to
commit to any of the three options at this time. Dr. Flynn told plaintiff that while
the decision was his to make, his unwillingness to address his alcohol dependence
in any significant way lent even more credence to the severity of his alcohol. As
such, the doctor would change his primary problem listed in his record to alcohol
dependence, which would make his ineligible for some medical funding.
She
discussed with plaintiff that the overwhelming majority of his BJC BH care with
respect to the time and energy of the medical staff had been devoted to his alcohol
dependence and not his bipolar disorder. Plaintiff responded that he felt coerced
into one of the three aforementioned options. Dr. Flynn noted that their current
approach was not working well enough to maintain the status quo. Plaintiff stopped
seeing Dr. Flynn after this appointment.
At his next urologist appointment on May 17, 2012, Dr. Neuman noted that
plaintiff’s testosterone levels were within normal limits and opined that plaintiff was
having performance anxiety. (Tr. 938–39). On May 25, 2012, plaintiff was sent to
Potosi Rural Health Clinic after a relapsing on alcohol in a three-day binge.
(Tr.
616–17). He was depressed, labile, irritable, and had an elevated and eurythmic
mood. Plaintiff was assessed with bipolar disorder, depressed, alcohol dependence,
knee pain, and a GAF score of 50. Plaintiff returned to Dr. Chien for a check-up of
33
his back on August 14, 2012. (Tr. 651–53). Plaintiff stated that the pain radiated
to both hips and was worse when he walked for long distances. Plaintiff had been
using Vicodin for the pain. Epidural injections in the past seemed to provide good
relief of his symptoms. As such, Dr. Chien recommended a caudal epidural steroid
injection with corticosteroid injection of the right L4 nerve root. Plaintiff returned to
Dr. Chien on August 22 and 28, 2012 and received additional caudal epidural
steroid injections. (Tr. 637–40, 822–30).
In BJC Behavioral Health records summarized September 24, 2012, it was
noted that plaintiff began attending substance abuse group therapy meetings in
October 2010 and had been attending on average three times a week, up to and
including present time. (Tr. 848–62). In addition, he had also received individual
counseling once a week for substance abuse beginning in October 2010. Plaintiff
received another caudal epidural steroid injection for his back pain from Dr. Chien
on September 26, 2012. (Tr. 648–50).
On October 25, 2012, plaintiff presented to BJC Behavioral Health Services to
establish care with a new psychiatrist, Delaina Jewkes, M.D.
(Tr. 618–24).
Dr.
Jewkes noted that plaintiff had previously received care from Dr. Flynn from 2010
to April 2012, but wanted to switch psychiatrists since he was upset with how she
“coerced him” into admitting himself to a residential care facility due to his drinking
and repeated self-harming gestures and statements.
In reviewing the history of
plaintiff’s illness, Dr. Jewkes noted that plaintiff’s alcohol use had been significant
and impairing. His longest period of sobriety since the age of 20 was nine months.
He also began experiencing mood fluctuations in his 20’s with episodes that lasted
not more than one week. Plaintiff was unable to fully describe whether or not he
34
had had intense periods of mood fluctuation during sobriety. When he was heavily
drinking, he described his moods as fluctuating daily. Despite any coercion from
Dr. Flynn, plaintiff had sought treatment at a residential care facility since April. A
psychiatrist had added Vistarail and Klonopin to his medication regimen.
Plaintiff reported to Dr. Jewkes that he was doing well overall. He woke up
between 3:00 and 6:00 every morning and usually went to bed around 11:00 P.M.
He liked waking up early so he had time to himself to play with his phone, interact
with staff, smoke a cigarette, make coffee, shower, and get chores down before
breakfast.
He liked to spend his afternoons with his girlfriend, with whom he’d
been living for the last three months. Plaintiff also went out with his parents and
attended chemical dependence groups several times a week. Plaintiff reported that
his concentration was poor, but it was unclear whether this was chronic in nature.
Plaintiff stated that his energy was dependent on his activities for the day. If he
was motivated to do something, he had adequate energy to do the task. Plaintiff
reported that he had been sober for the last seven months and his mood had
improved over the last several months with less fluctuation.
Upon examination, Dr. Jewkes noted that plaintiff was obese, well-groomed,
appropriately attired, made fair eye contact, was calm, cooperative, and appeared
somewhat drowsy. Scars were noted on his left forearm where he had cut himself
while intoxicated in the past. His affect was stable and congruent. His insight and
judgment were fair, as he recognized his need for medications, treatment, follow up
and adherence. His attention and concentration appeared intact per the interview.
Dr. Jewkes found that plaintiff’s mood disorder occurred primarily in the context of
alcohol use, intoxication or withdrawal. Nothing plaintiff reported met the criteria
35
for a full manic episode. As such, Dr. Jewkes opined that it was not clear whether
plaintiff met the criteria for bipolar disorder type II versus a substance-induced
mood disorder due to his significant chronic alcoholism. Plaintiff also had features
of a cluster B personality disorder with evidence of manipulative and demanding
behaviors consistent with personality disorder not otherwise specified. Dr. Jewkes
planned to continue plaintiff on Depakote, Campral, Gabapentin and Risperdal. She
decreased his Vistaril to an as-needed basis and decreased his Clonazepam with
plans to taper and discontinue given his history of significant alcohol use. Plaintiff
continued to smoke tobacco daily.
Plaintiff sought treatment for decreased urine output from Parkland Health
Center on November 17, 2012.
(Tr. 735–45).
He had concerns of acute renal
failure, but was instead diagnosed with hypokalemia and discharged in stable
condition.
At a follow up appointment with Dr. Jewkes on November 26, 2012,
plaintiff reported that overall things were going fine. (Tr. 625–28). He had been
adherent with his medications and found them helpful. He denied any side effects
aside from dry mouth. He reported that his mood continued to fluctuate. His sleep
was poor most days and his energy chronically low. Dr. Jewkes continued plaintiff
on his medications and noted that he was beginning individualized dialectical
behavior therapy. She discussed lab results with plaintiff and encouraged him to
exercise daily. Plaintiff received another caudal epidural steroid injection from Dr.
Chien for back and hip pain on November 27, 2012. (Tr. 645–47).
On December 21, 2012, Robert Cottone, Ph.D., reviewed the medical
evidence and opined that plaintiff had a mild restriction of daily living activities,
moderate difficulties in maintaining social functioning, moderate difficulties in
36
maintaining concentration persistence or pace, and one or two repeated episodes of
decompensation of an extended duration. (Tr. 88–89).
Dr. Cottone also completed a mental residual functional capacity assessment
for plaintiff on December 21, 2012. (Tr. 93–95, 107–09). Dr. Cottone opined that
plaintiff was not significantly limited in his ability to remember locations and worklike procedures or understand and remember very short and simple instructions.
However, plaintiff was markedly limited in his ability to understand and remember
detailed instructions.
With respect to plaintiff’s sustained concentration and
persistence limitations, Dr. Cottone noted that plaintiff was not significantly limited
in his ability to carry out very short and simple instructions, but was markedly
limited in his ability to carry out detailed instructions.
Plaintiff was moderately
limited in his ability to maintain attention and concentration for extended periods.
Plaintiff was not significantly limited in his ability to perform activities within a
schedule,
maintain
regular
attendance,
and
be
punctual
within
customary
tolerances.
Dr. Cottone further noted that plaintiff was moderately limited in his ability to
sustain an ordinary routine without special supervision, to work in coordination with
or in proximity to others without being distracted by them, to complete a normal
workday and workweek without interruptions from psychologically based symptoms
and to perform at a consistent pace without an unreasonable number and length of
rest periods.
Plaintiff was not significantly limited in his ability to make simple
work-related decisions. With respect to plaintiff’s social interaction limitations, Dr.
Cottone found that plaintiff was moderately limited in his ability to interact
appropriately
with
the
general public,
37
to
accept
instructions
and
respond
appropriately to criticism from supervisors, to get along with coworkers or peers
without distracting them or exhibiting behavioral extremes, and to maintain socially
appropriate behavior and to adhere to basic standards of neatness and cleanliness.
He was not significantly limited in his ability to ask simple questions or request
assistance.
As to plaintiff’s adaptation limitations, Dr. Cottone opined that plaintiff was
moderately limited in his ability to respond appropriately to changes in the work
setting and to set realistic goals or make plans independently of others. Plaintiff
was not significantly limited in his ability to be aware of normal hazards and take
appropriate
precautions
transportation.
and
to
travel
in
unfamiliar
places
or
use
public
Dr. Cottone also added that plaintiff should avoid work involving
intense or extensive interpersonal interaction, handling complaints or dissatisfied
customers, close proximity to co-workers, and close proximity to available
controlled substances. Plaintiff could understand, remember, carry out and persist
at simple tasks, make simple work-related judgments, relate adequately to coworkers or supervisors, and adjust adequately to ordinary changes in work routine
or setting.
On December 28, 2012, a consultative examiner completed a physical
residual functional capacity assessment of plaintiff.
(Tr. 90–93, 104–07).
The
examiner found that plaintiff could occasionally lift or carry 20 pounds, frequently
lift or carry 10 pounds, stand, walk, or sit about 6 hours in an 8-hour workday, and
push or pull an unlimited amount of time.
Per plaintiff’s postural limitations, he
could occasionally climb ladders, ropes or scaffolds, and was unlimited in his
abilities to climb stairs, balance, stoop, kneel, crouch and crawl.
38
Plaintiff was
unlimited in his environmental limitations, except that he should avoid concentrated
exposure to hazards such as machinery and heights. Based on the strength factors
of plaintiff’s physical RFC, plaintiff demonstrated the maximum sustained work
capability for light work. (Tr. 96, 110). Considering the totality of the evidence in
the record, plaintiff’s statements regarding his symptoms were deemed only
partially credible, as they were not all fully supported by the medical evidence in his
file. (Tr. 90, 104).
At a follow-up appointment with Dr. Jewkes on December 31, 2012, plaintiff
reported that he had broken up with his girlfriend but was coping well. (Tr. 863–
66). His girlfriend had told him he was getting in the way of her recovery. Plaintiff
thought they would get back together later.
medications and found them helpful.
denied any alcohol use.
He had been adherent with his
He reported daily fluctuating moods and
Plaintiff had been adherent with his dialectical behavior
therapy and was utilizing his coping skills appropriately. His sleep was still poor,
energy low, and he had not been exercising. Dr. Jewkes noted that plaintiff had
noted experienced any psychotic symptoms outside the context of substance use or
withdrawal.
The doctor continued plaintiff’s medications with plans to taper
Risperdal. She encouraged plaintiff to keep a food journal for her to review at his
next appointment.
In a treatment plan review dated January 10, 2013, community support
specialist Mark Wardlow noted that plaintiff had attended approximately 30 group
therapy sessions, nine individual sessions, and met with his community support
specialist 18 times from August 3 to November 3, 2012. (Tr. 925). During these
sessions, plaintiff worked primarily on his issues with substance abuse.
39
Plaintiff
remained sober during this time period, but had difficulty regulating his mood
consistently. Plaintiff acted as the “loan shark” for the residential care facility he
lived in, frequently loaning money to other residents.
Plaintiff stated that he
controlled his worrying well during this review period, because his focus and
attention were occupied well.
At his next appointment with Dr. Jewkes on January 30, 2013, plaintiff stated
that he was depressed about his lab tests. (Tr. 867–72). He was also upset that
his ex-girlfriend had used him for money. He stated that he used his skills from
individual therapy and was able to get through it. Plaintiff now felt closure and his
mood was better. He had not been getting much physical exercise, but wanted to
improve his physical fitness. Dr. Jewkes maintained plaintiff’s medication regimen.
In a treatment plan review dated February 8, 2013, reviewing the past three
months, it was noted that plaintiff met with his community support specialist more
than 25 times and attended 31 group therapy sessions.
(Tr. 926–28).
Plaintiff
used his therapy skills in many documented instances to aid his mood stabilization
and to assist him with his substance abuse. Plaintiff had minor instances where he
had an inability to control his instinct to jump to conclusions and became upset.
During this review period, plaintiff had three instances in which he had consumed
alcohol to the point of intoxication. Plaintiff admitted to the use and had positive
coping skills with the instances.
Plaintiff stated that he struggled regularly with
depression and found it difficult to enjoy activities outside of BJC and his
apartment.
On February 13, 2013, plaintiff told Dr. Jewkes that he had been hearing
things. (Tr. 872–77). He confessed to drinking alcohol three times the past winter
40
with the most recent instance in January.
He had been more emotional lately.
Plaintiff had been working with a therapist, talking with family, and going to groups.
He struggled with self-esteem issues and was afraid to disclose his relapse since he
did not want to return to the residential care facility.
Plaintiff’s sleep was still
dysregulated, and he had not been using the sleep hygiene habits Dr. Jewkes had
talked to him about.
Plaintiff had been trying to walk more and felt better with
exercise. He was having BJC help manage his finances so he was less likely to use
alcohol.
Plaintiff reported hearing sounds such as music, dogs barking, and a
woman screaming when he was alone and it was quiet.
Dr. Jewkes noted that
plaintiff had talked himself into thinking his auditory hallucinations were a
misperception of sounds in the environment. Plaintiff had experienced this in the
past when medication changes were made. Dr. Jewkes discussed with plaintiff that
close observation was more appropriate now than making any medication
adjustments.
The doctor planned to consider increasing plaintiff’s dosage of
Risperdal if psychotic symptoms worsened.
She encouraged plaintiff to attend
group therapy regularly for his alcoholism and applauded him for sharing his recent
relapse.
Plaintiff reported no drinking or drug use since his last visit at his next
appointment with Dr. Jewkes on March 4, 2013. (Tr. 878–83). He had recently
had a testosterone injection and noted a significant improvement in his mood and
energy for the last few weeks. He had also been less emotional recently. Plaintiff
denied any recent cravings, except for chocolate. His sleep was still dysregulated,
but he averaged eight hours a day. Plaintiff was currently taking Gabapentin 900
mg three times a day, which helped with pain but was somewhat sedating during
41
the day. Plaintiff smiled and joked during his appointment. He described his mood
as “here.” Dr. Jewkes continued plaintiff on his medications.
At his appointment with Dr. Jewkes on March 29, 2013, plaintiff stated that
his grandmother had died since his last visit. (Tr. 884–90). However, he handled
her death well by utilizing his therapy skills. Plaintiff was proud of himself for not
drinking or misusing his medications.
He stated that he had learned how to be
peaceful, which substantially helped. He continued to spend time with family and
go to groups. His energy levels were variable, but he was walking a little more.
Plaintiff wanted to discuss how to deal with his brother, who was drinking heavily.
He smiled and joked during the appointment, and set goals for improving his
physical well-being.
On April 1, 2013, plaintiff presented to Andrew Ninichuck, M.D., at
Washington County Memorial Hospital with back pain of moderate severity.
(Tr.
946–51). The pain was aggravated with bending, twisting and walking, and was
relieved by pain medications and rest.
Upon a review of plaintiff’s systems, Dr.
Ninichuck noted that plaintiff had extremity weakness, anxiety, depression, back
pain, and joint pain.
The doctor assessed plaintiff with lumbago, exposure to
hepatitis C, anxiety, and hyperlipidemia.
The doctor referred plaintiff to Dr.
Greenlee and ordered lipid and hepatitis panels.
At an office visit on April 9, 2013, Dr. Greenlee assessed plaintiff with
lumbago, nonallopathic lesions of the thoracic region, and pain in the thoracic
spine.
(Tr. 675–80).
The doctor planned to provide plaintiff acupuncture on his
lumbar spine to help with inflammation.
Plaintiff complained of continued
intermittent, moderate, aching back pain to Dr. Greenlee on April 12, 2013. (Tr.
42
669–74).
Dr. Greenlee planned to continue to provide acupuncture to see how
plaintiff responded.
Plaintiff received acupuncture on his lumbar spine at Dr.
Greenlee’s office on April 16 and 19, 2013 to decrease inflammation. (Tr. 658–68).
Plaintiff presented to the emergency room at Parkland Health Center on April
21, 2013 with chest congestion, a productive cough, shortness of breath, and sharp
chest pain and was admitted to the hospital for two days.
(Tr. 705–32).
initially was thought to have abnormal chest radiographic findings.
He
He had a
normal complete blood count without evidence of leukocytosis. Plaintiff was treated
with nebulized bronchodilators and steroids in the emergency room.
plaintiff was admitted to the hospital.
Thereafter,
On admission, plaintiff was maintained on
supportive respiratory measures and his routine medications for underlying chronic
medical problems.
Subsequent evaluation included a chest CT scan that
demonstrated no evidence of acute intrathoracic pathology with no evidence of
infiltrative process or consolidation.
noted.
Plaintiff
remained
No evidence of pulmonary embolism was
clinically
stable,
and
his
present
respiratory
symptomatology had mostly resolved. Overall, he was deemed medically optimized
for discharge home with follow up on an outpatient basis. Plaintiff was diagnosed
on discharge with presumed acute reactive airway disease, related pleuritic chest
pain, chronic hypertension, corrected hypophosphatemia, bipolar disorder, a history
of arthritis, morbid obesity, and ongoing tobacco use.
At a urologist appointment on May 7, 2013, Dr. Neuman noted that plaintiff
had initially reported tremendous improvement in his mood, energy and libido with
testosterone injections. (Tr. 931–32). However, with the second and third months
of injections there was a much less impressive reaction and mood elevation. The
43
doctor questioned whether the bottle of testosterone was kept refrigerated and
whether the expiration date had passed.
It was noted that plaintiff did suffer a
range of psychiatric issues that could be at play.
Plaintiff was given a renewed
dose of testosterone.
On May 31, 2013, plaintiff reported to Dr. Jewkes that he had not consumed
alcohol or used drugs since his last visit. (Tr. 890–96). He had been getting out
more and started fishing. He was also back in contact with his ex-girlfriend. His
mood and sleep had been good with fair energy levels. Plaintiff’s brother was now
enrolled in a rehabilitation program. Per review of plaintiff’s general appearance,
Dr. Jewkes noted that plaintiff was smiling, joking, appeared tan, and had grown a
beard.
Plaintiff described his mood as “great.”
Dr. Jewkes decreased plaintiff’s
Vistaril and Risperdal prescriptions. The doctor also discussed with plaintiff that she
was moving and plaintiff would start seeing a new psychiatrist in July.
Plaintiff
understood that he could call Dr. Jewkes with any questions or concerns prior to the
end of June.
At an appointment with Dinu Gangure, M.D. at BJC Behavioral Health
Services on June 15, 2013, plaintiff stated that he was doing well and denied being
depressed. (Tr. 897–98). He took his medications as prescribed and denied recent
alcohol use. His insight was noted as fair and judgment adequate. Plaintiff was
currently able to maintain focus, attention and concentration.
Plaintiff appeared
interested in his well-being, was in control of his behavior, and wanted to stay on
Risperidone.
On July 24, 2013, plaintiff told Subhash Bashyal, M.D. at BJC
Behavioral Health Services that he was feeling wonderful. (Tr. 899–900). Plaintiff
had graduated from his therapy program yesterday and felt good about that. His
44
parents were with him and thanked the medical providers for “giving our son back.”
Plaintiff stated that he had been almost seven months sober. He felt therapy had
helped him learn how to express himself and not manipulate people. He was also
more aware of his feelings and how to manage them. Plaintiff reported that he did
have periods of decreased sleep and depressed mood and energy, but the majority
of these periods had been in the context of alcohol use. Per lab tests Dr. Bashyal
ordered, plaintiff had low HDL cholesterol and high triglycerides. (Tr. 699–702).
On July 31, 2013, plaintiff reported to Dr. Bashyal that he had been feeling
good and was undergoing evaluation for lap band surgery. (Tr. 900–04). Plaintiff
denied any temptations to drink again. He had been sleeping well, his appetite was
good, and he had no other health concerns at this time. Dr. Bashyal planned to
continue plaintiff on his medications and follow up in six weeks.
A community
support specialist review dated August 3, 2013 noted that plaintiff had attended his
group therapy weekly for the past three months. (Tr. 928–30). Plaintiff had saved
money and was able to buy a shotgun he wanted.
Plaintiff was told his had
diabetes during this review and was prescribed Metformin. Plaintiff stated that he
felt “happy most days” during this period. He had been taking care of himself and
his apartment. He interacted well in the groups he attended. It was noted that
plaintiff had made significant gain in improving his sense of self-worth.
Plaintiff had gastric lap band surgery on August 21, 2013. On September 4,
2013, plaintiff told Dr. Bashyal that surgery went well. (Tr. 904–09). He had been
“restricting his appetite, drinking protein shakes.”
Plaintiff felt that he had been
able to take care of himself. His mood had been good, he spent the weekend with
his family, and he had stayed away from alcohol.
45
Upon a review of plaintiff’s
systems, plaintiff had some reflux, malaise, no chest pain, and no shortness of
breath. Plaintiff described his mood as “fine.” Dr. Bashyal continued plaintiff on
Depakote, Risperidone, Clonazepam and Neurontin. Plaintiff’s chemistry labs and
valproic acid levels tested were within normal limits. (Tr. 696–98).
On September 20, 2013, plaintiff presented to the emergency department at
Mineral Area Regional Medical Center with generalized weakness. (Tr. 808–10). He
had been having some vague, confusion-like symptoms, anxiety, and nonspecific
decreased functionality for several days.
It was noted that plaintiff was a poor
historian. Plaintiff was concerned that he could not seem to “snap out of it” as he
had before. Upon physical exam, it was noted that plaintiff’s presentation was of
an overwhelming psychogenic character and anxious.
Plaintiff requested a short
course of Xanax, but the emergency room doctor would not interfere with plaintiff’s
outpatient medication management.
Plaintiff declined evaluation by a crisis
counselor. As such, the doctor recommended that plaintiff consult with his mental
health care providers.
On October 14, 2013, plaintiff was diagnosed with a square mass in his right
upper abdominal wall measuring three centimeters and a cutaneous lesion in his
right forearm measuring 0.8 centimeters. (Tr. 793–800). William C. Sippo, M.D.
excised the abdominal wall tumor and benign lesion on plaintiff’s right forearm. For
the cyst on plaintiff’s right abdominal wall, the doctor considered it worthwhile to
address at that time because it was quiescent and not infected. For the lesion on
plaintiff’s right forearm, the doctor wrote that it needed excision to definitively rule
out skin cancer and control the lesion. A biopsy of the skin of plaintiff’s right arm
46
indicated chronic folliculitis, and the excision of the skin of plaintiff’s right abdomen
indicated an epidermal cyst. (Tr. 791–92).
On October 16, 2013, plaintiff presented to Parkland Health Center with
complaints of shortness of breath, weakness, dizziness, a cough, sore throat, and a
runny nose. (Tr. 686–95). Plaintiff also had high blood pressure. An x-ray of his
chest was normal. Plaintiff was diagnosed with acute bronchitis and a tobacco use
disorder, prescribed medication and was discharged. On October 28, 2013, plaintiff
told Dr. Bashyal that he felt more anxious. (Tr. 909–14). He reported problems
with sleep since he had been thinking about things he needed to do at night.
Plaintiff had been attending meetings and groups at BJC, which he found helpful.
Plaintiff stated that he was concerned that he would not do well during the
wintertime and requested an increase in his Risperdone prescription. Dr. Bashyal
continued plaintiff on his medications and planned to follow up with plaintiff in four
weeks. On October 30 and November 6, 2013, plaintiff returned to Dr. Chien with
complaints of low back pain and was given caudal epidural steroid injections with
corticosteroid injection of the right L4 nerve root. (Tr. 781–85, 801–07).
On December 2, 2013, plaintiff reported to Dr. Bashyal that he had had “a
few panic attacks” since his last visit.
(Tr. 914–19).
Plaintiff stated one panic
attack occurred when he had his stitches taken out from the surgery removing a
cyst and a wart. Plaintiff reported that his mood had been better since the increase
in his Risperidone. His sleep continued to be dysregulated, and he slept better in
the mornings. Plaintiff cooked for his family for Thanksgiving. Plaintiff denied any
other stressors in his life at that time, had been busy, and felt that he had been
coping well. He reported that he was doing well on his current medication and with
47
sobriety. Dr. Bashyal noted that plaintiff’s symptoms were controlled on his current
regimen and continued plaintiff’s medications with plans to follow up in six weeks.
After the ALJ’s decision, but prior to the Appeals Council’s decision, plaintiff
submitted an additional mental medical source statement from Subhash Bashyal,
M.D. on July 18, 2014.
(Tr. 17–22).
Dr. Bashyal opined that plaintiff was
moderately limited in his ability to function independently and adhere to basic
cleanliness standards. Plaintiff was markedly limited in his ability to behave in an
emotionally stable manner.
As to social functioning, plaintiff was moderately
limited in his ability to relate to family, peers, or caregivers, to ask for simple
questions or requests for help, and to maintain socially acceptable behavior. Full
time at a job, Dr. Bashyal opined that plaintiff could perform in a task-oriented
setting where contact with coworkers was only casual and infrequent.
Plaintiff
could perform in a setting where supervisors provide simple instructions for nondetailed tasks with no more than four supervisor contacts per day, but could not
perform work in a setting with any contact with the general public.
As to plaintiff’s concentration, persistence and pace, Dr. Bashyal wrote that
the length of time plaintiff could continue before needing either task redirection or
some other form of additional supervision was variable. Plaintiff’s overall pace of
production was 31% or more below average. With respect to reliability, plaintiff’s
psychologically based symptoms would cause him to miss three or more days of
work a month and be late to work or need to leave early three times or more. Dr.
Bashyal stated that these limitations had existed since 2006.
The doctor’s most
current diagnoses of plaintiff’s mental impairments included bipolar disorder,
48
alcohol dependence in remission, post-traumatic stress disorder, and borderline
personality disorder.
III. The ALJ’s Decision
In the decision dated February 6, 2014, the ALJ made the following findings:
1.
Plaintiff met the insured status requirements of the Social Security Act
through June 30, 2013.
2.
Plaintiff has not engaged in substantial gainful activity since August
12, 2011, the alleged onset date.
3.
Plaintiff has the following severe impairments: mood disorder,
personality disorder, alcohol dependence, degenerative joint disease of
the lumbar spine and right knee, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and
obesity.
4.
Plaintiff does not have an impairment or combination of impairments
that meets or medically equals the severity of one of the listed
impairments in 20 C.F.R. Part 404, Subpart P, Appendix 1.
5.
Plaintiff has the residual functional capacity to perform light work as
defined in 20 C.F.R. 404.1567(b) and 416.967(b), except for lifting or
carrying more than 20 pounds occasionally and 10 pounds frequently;
standing or walking more than 6 hours in an 8-hour workday with
normal work breaks; climbing ladders, ropes, or scaffolds; climbing
ramps or stairs, stooping, kneeling, crouching, or crawling more than
occasionally; and performing more than simple, routine work with no
intense interpersonal interaction, handling complaints from customers,
or working in close proximity to co-workers.
6.
Plaintiff is unable to perform any past relevant work.
7.
Plaintiff is 39 years old, born on September 28, 1974, which is defined
as a younger individual age 18–49.
8.
Plaintiff has at least a high school education and is able to
communicate in English.
9.
Transferability of job skills is not material to the determination of
disability, because using the Medical-Vocational Rules as a framework
supports a finding that plaintiff is “not disabled,” whether or not
plaintiff has transferable job skills.
49
10.
Considering plaintiff’s age, education, work experience, and residual
functional capacity, there are jobs that exist in significant numbers in
the national economy that plaintiff can perform.
11.
Plaintiff has not been under a disability, as defined in the Social
Security Act, from August 12, 2011, through the date of the ALJ’s
decision.
(Tr. 25–43).
IV.
Legal Standards
The Court must affirm the Commissioner’s decision “if the decision is not
based on legal error and if there is substantial evidence in the record as a whole to
support the conclusion that the claimant was not disabled.”
Long v. Chater, 108
F.3d 185, 187 (8th Cir. 1997). “Substantial evidence is less than a preponderance,
but enough so that a reasonable mind might find it adequate to support the
conclusion.” Estes v. Barnhart, 275 F.3d 722, 724 (8th Cir. 2002) (quoting Johnson
v. Apfel, 240 F.3d 1145, 1147 (8th Cir. 2001)). If, after reviewing the record, the
Court finds it possible to draw two inconsistent positions from the evidence and one
of those positions represents the Commissioner’s findings, the Court must affirm
the decision of the Commissioner. Buckner v. Astrue, 646 F.3d 549, 556 (8th Cir.
2011) (quotations and citation omitted).
To be entitled to disability benefits, a claimant must prove he is unable to
perform any substantial gainful activity due to a medically determinable physical or
mental impairment that would either result in death or which has lasted or could be
expected to last for at least twelve continuous months. 42 U.S.C. § 423(a)(1)(D),
(d)(1)(A); Pate-Fires v. Astrue, 564 F.3d 935, 942 (8th Cir. 2009).
The
Commissioner has established a five-step process for determining whether a person
is disabled. See 20 C.F.R. § 404.1520; Moore v. Astrue, 572 F.3d 520, 523 (8th
50
Cir. 2009).
“Each step in the disability determination entails a separate analysis
and legal standard.” Lacroix v. Barnhart, 465 F.3d 881, 888 n.3 (8th Cir. 2006).
Steps one through three require the claimant to prove (1) he is not currently
engaged in substantial gainful activity, (2) he suffers from a severe impairment,
and (3) his disability meets or equals a listed impairment. Pate-Fires, 564 F.3d at
942. If the claimant does not suffer from a listed impairment or its equivalent, the
Commissioner’s analysis proceeds to steps four and five. Id.
APrior to step four, the ALJ must assess the claimant=s residual functioning
capacity (>RFC=), which is the most a claimant can do despite her limitations.@
Moore, 572 F.3d at 523 (citing 20 C.F.R. ' 404.1545(a)(1)).
“RFC is an
administrative assessment of the extent to which an individual’s medically
determinable impairment(s), including any related symptoms, such as pain, may
cause physical or mental limitations or restrictions that may affect his or her
capacity to do work-related physical and mental activities.” Social Security Ruling
(SSR) 96-8p, 1996 WL 374184, *2. “[A] claimant’s RFC [is] based on all relevant
evidence, including the medical records, observations by treating physicians and
others, and an individual’s own description of his limitations.” Moore, 572 F.3d at
523 (quotation and citation omitted).
In determining a claimant’s RFC, the ALJ must evaluate the claimant’s
credibility.
Wagner v. Astrue, 499 F.3d 842, 851 (8th Cir. 2007); Pearsall v.
Massanari, 274 F.3d 1211, 1217 (8th Cir. 2002). This evaluation requires that the
ALJ consider “(1) the claimant’s daily activities; (2) the duration, intensity, and
frequency of the pain; (3) the precipitating and aggravating factors; (4) the
dosage,
effectiveness,
and
side
effects
51
of
medication;
(5)
any
functional
restrictions; (6) the claimant’s work history; and (7) the absence of objective
medical evidence to support the claimant’s complaints.”
Buckner v. Astrue, 646
F.3d 549, 558 (8th Cir. 2011) (quotation and citation omitted). “Although ‘an ALJ
may not discount a claimant’s allegations of disabling pain solely because the
objective medical evidence does not fully support them,’ the ALJ may find that
these allegations are not credible ‘if there are inconsistencies in the evidence as a
whole.’” Id. (quoting Goff v. Barnhart, 421 F.3d 785, 792 (8th Cir. 2005)). After
considering the seven factors, the ALJ must make express credibility determinations
and set forth the inconsistencies in the record which caused the ALJ to reject the
claimant’s complaints. Singh v. Apfel, 222 F.3d 448, 452 (8th Cir. 2000); Beckley
v. Apfel, 152 F.3d 1056, 1059 (8th Cir. 1998).
At step four, the ALJ determines whether claimant can return to his past
relevant work, “review[ing] [the claimant’s] [RFC] and the physical and mental
demands of the work [claimant has] done in the past.” 20 C.F.R. § 404.1520(e).
The burden at step four remains with the claimant to prove his RFC and establish
that he cannot return to his past relevant work. Moore, 572 F.3d at 523; accord
Dukes v. Barnhart, 436 F.3d 923, 928 (8th Cir. 2006); Vandenboom v. Barnhart,
421 F.3d 745, 750 (8th Cir. 2005).
If the ALJ holds at step four of the process that a claimant cannot return to
past relevant work, the burden shifts at step five to the Commissioner to establish
that the claimant maintains the RFC to perform a significant number of jobs within
the national economy.
Banks v. Massanari, 258 F.3d 820, 824 (8th Cir. 2001).
See also 20 C.F.R. § 404.1520(f).
52
If the claimant is prevented by his impairment from doing any other work,
the ALJ will find the claimant to be disabled.
V.
Discussion
Plaintiff argues that the ALJ erred by failing to account for deficits of
concentration, persistence, or pace in the RFC finding. In the RFC assessment, the
ALJ found that plaintiff could perform light work, except for lifting or carrying more
than 20 pounds occasionally and 10 pounds frequently, standing or walking more
than 6 hours in an 8-hour workday with normal work breaks, climbing ladders,
ropes or scaffolds, climbing ramps or stairs, stooping, kneeling, crouching or
crawling more than occasionally, and performing more than simple, routine work
with no intense personal interaction, handling complaints from customers, or
working in close proximity to coworkers. (Tr. 34).
Plaintiff contends that the ALJ acknowledged that plaintiff experienced
moderate functional deficits in concentration, persistence or pace, but failed to
include these functional deficits in either the RFC finding or in hypothetical
questions posed to the vocational expert.
With respect to plaintiff’s mental
limitations, the ALJ found that plaintiff’s severe impairments included mood
disorder, personality disorder, and alcohol dependence. (Tr. 30). In determining
whether
plaintiff’s
mental
impairments
met
or
medically
equaled
a
listed
impairment in 20 C.F.R. Part 404, Subpart P, Appendix 1, the ALJ found that
plaintiff had moderate difficulties with regard to concentration, persistence, or pace.
(Tr. 33).
In making these findings, the ALJ relied on the psychiatric review
technique and gave great weight to the opinion of the state agency psychological
consultant, Dr. Cottone. (Tr. 33–36).
53
On December 21, 2012, Dr. Cottone reviewed the medical evidence and
opined that plaintiff had a mild restriction of daily living activities, moderate
difficulties in maintaining social functioning, and moderate difficulties in maintaining
concentration persistence or pace.
(Tr. 88–89).
As summarized in the Court’s
review of the medical evidence above, Dr. Cottone also completed a mental RFC
assessment for plaintiff. (Tr. 93–95, 107–09). Based on plaintiff’s concentration
and persistence functional limitations, Dr. Cottone opined that plaintiff was
markedly limited in his ability to carry out detailed instructions.
Plaintiff was
moderately opined in his ability to maintain attention and concentration for
extended periods, to sustain an ordinary routine without special supervision, to
work in coordination with or in proximity to others without being distracted by
them, and to complete a normal workday or workweek without interruptions from
psychologically based symptoms and to perform at a consistent pace without an
unreasonable number and length of rest periods.
Plaintiff was not found
significantly limited in his ability to carry out very short and simple instructions, to
perform activities within a schedule, maintain regular attendance, and to be
punctual within customary tolerances or to make simple work-related decisions.
In the additional explanation section of the mental RFC assessment, Dr.
Cottone wrote that plaintiff could understand, remember, carry out and persist at
simple tasks, make simple work-related judgments, relate adequately to co-workers
or supervisors, and adjust adequately to ordinary changes in the work routine or
setting.
In providing great weight to Dr. Cottone’s opinion, the ALJ consistently
found that plaintiff’s mental impairments limited him to simple, routine work with
limited interaction with others.
Besides the weight given to the psychological
54
consultant’s opinion, the ALJ considered objective medical evidence in the record,
treatment notes and plaintiff’s response to medications. Treatment notes indicate
that plaintiff’s symptoms and conditions improved with therapy and medication
without significant side effects. Renstrom v. Astrue, 680 F.3d 1057, 1066 (8th Cir.
2012) (quoting Brown v. Astrue, 611 F.3d 941, 955 (8th Cir. 2010) (“If an
impairment can be controlled by treatment or medication, it cannot be considered
disabling.”). On numerous occasions in the records, medical providers noted that
plaintiff only experienced significant psychiatric issues while using alcohol, being
intoxicated, or experiencing symptoms of withdrawal. 42 U.S.C. §§ 423(d)(2)(C),
1382(a)(3)(J) (“An individual shall not be considered to be disabled . . . if
alcoholism or drug addiction would . . . be a contributing factor material to the
Commissioner’s determination that the individual is disabled.”); see also Kluesner
v. Astrue, 607 F.3d 533, 537 (8th Cir. 2010) (citing Estes v. Barnhart, 275 F.3d
722, 725 (8th Cir. 2002)) (stating that to establish qualification for disability
benefits, the claimant has the burden to prove that alcoholism or drug addiction is
not a contributing factor).
The ALJ further evaluated plaintiff’s credibility and found his allegations
regarding disability based on mental impairments to be not credible. (Tr. 30–36).
In contrast to plaintiff’s contentions, his daily activities indicated that he could live
and function independently. When taken as prescribed, plaintiff reported effective
results from use of his medications. With consistent therapy and sobriety, plaintiff
admitted to improvement in his symptoms. Plaintiff routinely sustained attention
and concentration with logical thought process, intact memory, normal speech, and
an affable manner during medical appointments.
55
Overall, the ALJ properly
considered the medical opinions, treatment notes, and objective medical evidence
in discrediting plaintiff’s subjective complaints.
See Polaski v. Heckler, 739 F.3d
1320, 1322 (8th Cir. 1984) (requiring an adjudicator to consider a claimant’s daily
activities, the duration, frequency and intensity of pain, precipitating and
aggravating factors, dosage, effectiveness and side effects of medication, and
functional restrictions in evaluating the credibility of a claimant’s testimony and
complaints).
Because the ALJ provided good reasons for discounting plaintiff’s
credibility, the Court defers to the ALJ’s credibility findings. Renstrom, 680 F.3d at
1067.
The ALJ also properly incorporated the same mental limitations found in
plaintiff’s RFC into a hypothetical question posed to the vocational expert at the
hearing. Specifically, in the first hypothetical, the ALJ instructed Ms. Bernard-Watts
to consider an individual who was limited to simple, routine tasks and must avoid
work involving intense interpersonal interaction, handling complaints of dissatisfied
customers, and close proximity to coworkers.
(Tr. 77).
The vocational expert
responded that such an individual, with additional physical limitations cited by the
ALJ, could not perform plaintiff’s past relevant work, but would be able to perform
the duties of a garment sorter or slot-tag inserter. While “a hypothetical question
must precisely describe a claimant’s impairments so that the vocational expert may
accurately assess whether jobs exist for the claimant,” Howard v. Massanari, 255
F.3d 577, 581–82 (8th Cir. 2001) (internal citations and quotation omitted), the ALJ
need not incorporate limitations into a hypothetical that the ALJ properly did not
find credible. McCoy v. Astrue, 648 F.3d 605, 617 (8th Cir. 2011). Based on the
record, the ALJ’s hypothetical concerning someone who was capable of performing
56
simple, routine tasks with limited interaction with others adequately captures
plaintiff’s deficiencies of concentration, persistence or pace. See Brachtel v. Apfel,
132 F.3d 417, 421 (8th Cir. 1997) (holding that a hypothetical including the “ability
to do only simple routine repetitive work, which does not require close attention to
detail” sufficiently describes deficiencies of concentration, persistence or pace).
VI.
Conclusion
For the reasons discussed above, the Court finds that the Commissioner’s
decision is supported by substantial evidence in the record as a whole.
Accordingly,
IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that the decision of the Commissioner is
affirmed.
A separate Judgment in accordance with this Memorandum and Order will be
entered this same date.
____________________________
CAROL E. JACKSON
UNITED STATES DISTRICT JUDGE
Dated this 9th day of September, 2016.
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