Baldwin v. Colvin

Filing 26

MEMORANDUM AND ORDER: IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that the decision of the Commissioner is AFFIRMED, and Plaintiff's Complaint is DISMISSED with prejudice. A separate judgment shall be entered incorporating this Memorandum and Order. Signed by Magistrate Judge Noelle C. Collins on September 26, 2017. (BRP)

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
EASTERN DISTRICT OF MISSOURI
EASTERN DIVISION

MARK BALDWIN,
Plaintiff,
v.
NANCY A. BERRYHILL,1
Acting Commissioner of Social Security
Defendant.

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Case No. 4:16-CV-00565-NCC

MEMORANDUM AND ORDER
This is an action under Title 42 U.S.C. § 405(g) for judicial review of the final decision
of the Commissioner denying the application of Mark Baldwin (“Plaintiff”) for Disability
Insurance Benefits (“DIB”) under Title II of the Social Security Act, 42 U.S.C. §§ 401, et. seq.
Plaintiff has filed a brief in support of the Complaint (Doc. 20) and Defendant has filed a brief in
Support of the Answer (Doc. 25). The parties have consented to the jurisdiction of the
undersigned United States Magistrate Judge pursuant to Title 28 U.S.C. § 636(c). (Doc. 9).
I. PROCEDURAL HISTORY
Plaintiff filed his application for DIB on May 9, 2013, alleging an onset date of March 9,
2012. (Tr. 227-33). Plaintiff was initially denied on August 19, 2013, and he filed a Request for
Hearing before an Administrative Law Judge (“ALJ”) on August 30, 2013. (Tr. 169-75). The
ALJ conducted a hearing on April 8, 2014. (Tr. 123-53). After the hearing, by decision dated

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Nancy A. Berryhill is now the Acting Commissioner of Social Security. Pursuant to Rule 25(d)
of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, Nancy A. Berryhill should be substituted for Acting
Commissioner Carolyn W. Colvin as the defendant in this suit. No further action needs to be
taken to continue this suit by reason of the last sentence of section 205(g) of the Social Security
Act, 42 U.S.C. § 405(g).

November 20, 2014, the ALJ found Plaintiff not disabled. (Tr. 20-37). On February 22, 2016,
the Appeals Council denied Plaintiff’s request for review. (Tr. 1-6). As such, the ALJ’s decision
stands as the final decision of the Commissioner.
II. DECISION OF THE ALJ
The ALJ determined that Plaintiff meets the insured requirements of the Social Security
Act through December 31, 2017. (Tr. 25). The ALJ also found that, although Plaintiff alleged
an onset date of March 2012, Plaintiff engaged in substantial gainful activity until October 2012.
(Id.). However, the ALJ found Plaintiff has not engaged in substantial gainful activity for a
period of twelve months thereafter. (Id.). The ALJ determined that Plaintiff has the severe
impairments of bi-polar I disorder and personality disorder, but that no impairment or
combination of impairments meets or medically equals the severity of one of the listed
impairments in 20 C.F.R. Part 404, Subpart P, Appendix 1. (Tr. 26).
After considering the entire record, the ALJ determined that Plaintiff has the Residual
Functional Capacity (“RFC”) to perform a full range of work at all exertional levels, but with the
following non-exertional limitations. (Tr. 27). Plaintiff is limited to unskilled work involving no
more than occasional contact with supervisors, coworkers, or the public; no more than occasional
changes in the work environment; and no more than occasional use of his own independent
judgment. (Id.). Because of Plaintiff’s limitations, the ALJ determined Plaintiff is unable to
perform any of his past relevant work. (Tr. 33). However, the ALJ found Plaintiff is able to
perform jobs that exist in significant numbers in the national economy including sorter, laundry
worker, and hand packager. (Id.). Therefore, the ALJ determined Plaintiff had not been under a
disability, as defined in the Social Security Act, from March 28, 2012 through November 20,

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2014. (Tr. 34). Plaintiff appeals, arguing substantial evidence does not support the
Commissioner’s decision.
III. LEGAL STANDARD
Under the Social Security Act, the Commissioner has established a five-step process for
determining whether a person is disabled. 20 C.F.R. §§ 416.920, 404.1529. “‘If a claimant fails
to meet the criteria at any step in the evaluation of disability, the process ends and the claimant is
determined to be not disabled.’” Goff v. Barnhart, 421 F.3d 785, 790 (8th Cir. 2005) (quoting
Eichelberger v. Barnhart, 390 F.3d 584, 590-91 (8th Cir. 2004)). In this sequential analysis, the
claimant first cannot be engaged in “substantial gainful activity” to qualify for disability benefits.
20 C.F.R. §§ 416.920(b), 404.1520(b). Second, the claimant must have a severe impairment. 20
C.F.R. §§ 416.920(c), 404.1520(c). The Social Security Act defines “severe impairment” as
“any impairment or combination of impairments which significantly limits [claimant’s] physical
or mental ability to do basic work activities. . . .” Id. “‘The sequential evaluation process may
be terminated at step two only when the claimant’s impairment or combination of impairments
would have no more than a minimal impact on [his or] her ability to work.’” Page v. Astrue, 484
F.3d 1040, 1043 (8th Cir. 2007) (quoting Caviness v. Massanari, 250 F.3d 603, 605 (8th Cir.
2001), citing Nguyen v. Chater, 75 F.3d 429, 430-31 (8th Cir. 1996)).
Third, the ALJ must determine whether the claimant has an impairment which meets or
equals one of the impairments listed in the Regulations. 20 C.F.R. §§ 416.920(d), 404.1520(d).
If the claimant has one of, or the medical equivalent of, these impairments, then the claimant is
per se disabled without consideration of the claimant’s age, education, or work history. Id.
Fourth, the impairment must prevent the claimant from doing past relevant work. 20
C.F.R. §§ 416.920(f), 404.1520(f). The burden rests with the claimant at this fourth step to

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establish his or her RFC. Steed v. Astrue, 524 F.3d 872, 874 n.3 (8th Cir. 2008) (“Through step
four of this analysis, the claimant has the burden of showing that she is disabled.”). The ALJ
will review a claimant’s RFC and the physical and mental demands of the work the claimant has
done in the past. 20 C.F.R. § 404.1520(f).
Fifth, the severe impairment must prevent the claimant from doing any other work. 20
C.F.R. §§ 416.920(g), 404.1520(g). At this fifth step of the sequential analysis, the
Commissioner has the burden of production to show evidence of other jobs in the national
economy that can be performed by a person with the claimant’s RFC. Steed, 524 F.3d at 874
n.3. If the claimant meets these standards, the ALJ will find the claimant to be disabled. “The
ultimate burden of persuasion to prove disability, however, remains with the claimant.” Young v.
Apfel, 221 F.3d 1065, 1069 n.5 (8th Cir. 2000). See also Harris v. Barnhart, 356 F.3d 926, 931
n.2 (8th Cir. 2004) (citing 68 Fed. Reg. 51153, 51155 (Aug. 26, 2003)); Stormo v. Barnhart, 377
F.3d 801, 806 (8th Cir. 2004) (“The burden of persuasion to prove disability and to demonstrate
RFC remains on the claimant, even when the burden of production shifts to the Commissioner at
step five.”). Even if a court finds that there is a preponderance of the evidence against the ALJ’s
decision, the decision must be affirmed if it is supported by substantial evidence. Clark v.
Heckler, 733 F.2d 65, 68 (8th Cir. 1984). “Substantial evidence is less than a preponderance but
is enough that a reasonable mind would find it adequate to support the Commissioner’s
conclusion.” Krogmeier v. Barnhart, 294 F.3d 1019, 1022 (8th Cir. 2002). See also Cox v.
Astrue, 495 F.3d 614, 617 (8th Cir. 2007).
It is not the job of the district court to re-weigh the evidence or review the factual record
de novo. Cox, 495 F.3d at 617. Instead, the district court must simply determine whether the
quantity and quality of evidence is enough so that a reasonable mind might find it adequate to

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support the ALJ’s conclusion. Davis v. Apfel, 239 F.3d 962, 966 (8th Cir. 2001) (citing
McKinney v. Apfel, 228 F.3d 860, 863 (8th Cir. 2000)). Weighing the evidence is a function of
the ALJ, who is the fact-finder. Masterson v. Barnhart, 363 F.3d 731, 736 (8th Cir. 2004).
Thus, an administrative decision which is supported by substantial evidence is not subject to
reversal merely because substantial evidence may also support an opposite conclusion or because
the reviewing court would have decided differently. Krogmeier, 294 F.3d at 1022.
To determine whether the Commissioner’s final decision is supported by substantial
evidence, the court is required to review the administrative record as a whole and to consider:
(1) Findings of credibility made by the ALJ;
(2) The education, background, work history, and age of the claimant;
(3) The medical evidence given by the claimant’s treating physicians;
(4) The subjective complaints of pain and description of the claimant’s physical activity
and impairment;
(5) The corroboration by third parties of the claimant’s physical impairment;
(6) The testimony of vocational experts based upon proper hypothetical questions which
fairly set forth the claimant’s physical impairment; and
(7) The testimony of consulting physicians.
Brand v. Sec’y of Dep’t of Health, Educ. & Welfare, 623 F.2d 523, 527 (8th Cir. 1980).
IV. DISCUSSION
In his appeal of the Commissioner’s decision, Plaintiff argues that the ALJ failed to
adequately address the opinion evidence of record. (Doc. 20 at 9). Specifically, Plaintiff argues
the ALJ failed to properly consider the opinions of psychologist Dr. Alan Politte and of Rita
Baldwin, Plaintiff’s mother. (Id.).

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A. Dr. Politte’s Opinion
Plaintiff argues the ALJ erred by failing to specify what weight he gave to Dr. Politte’s
medical opinion. (Doc. 20 at 9). Indeed, unless a treating source’s opinion is given controlling
weight, the ALJ “must explain in the decision the weight given to the opinions of a State agency
medical or psychological consultant.”2 20 C.F.R. § 404.1527(e)(2)(ii). Because the ALJ did not
assign a treating source’s opinion controlling weight, Section 404.1527(e)(2)(ii) requires the ALJ
to explain the weight he assigned to Dr. Politte’s opinion. Id. However, an ALJ’s failure to
explain the specific the weight given to a medical opinion does not necessarily require remand.
Ellis v. Barnhart, 392 F.3d 988, 994 (8th Cir. 2005). Plaintiff must prove the error was
prejudicial by providing “some indication that the ALJ would have decided differently if the
error had not occurred.” Byes v. Astrue, 687 F.3d 913, 917 (8th Cir. 2012); Van Vickle v. Astrue,
539 F.3d 825, 830 (8th Cir. 2008). Generally, failure to specify weight is harmless if it is clear
the ALJ considered the opinion in determining the claimant’s RFC. See Potter v. Colvin, No.
4:12-cv-01002-SPM, 2013 WL 4436247, at *11 (E.D. Mo. August 16, 2013). Failure to assign
weight to an opinion is also harmless when the unweighted opinion is consistent with the RFC.
Lockwood v. Colvin, 627 Fed. App’x 575, 577 (8th Cir. 2015); Woodall v. Berryhill, Case No.
4:16CV350 PLC, 2017 WL 2189462, at *7 (E.D. Mo. May 18, 2017) (citing Hensley v. Colvin,
829 F.3d 926, 932 (8th Cir. 2016) (“[A]n arguable deficiency in opinion writing that had no

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Current regulations effective March 27, 2017, 20 C.F.R. §§ 404.1527 & 416.927, set forth new
rules for evaluating opinion evidence for claims filed before that date. The Court notes that the
current iterations of §§ 404.1527 & 416.927, while purporting to apply to claims filed before
March 27, 2017, are not identical in language to the version in effect at the time of the ALJ's
decision and the time of Plaintiff’s appeal to this Court. For the sake of consistency, the Court
continues to cite the language from the former regulations that were in effect at the time of the
ALJ’s decision and Plaintiff’s appeal. Furthermore, while the current language of the regulations
has been modified and renumbered, the relevant changes do not appear to be substantive and
would not alter this Court’s decision.
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practical effect on the decision…is not a sufficient reason to set aside the ALJ’s decision.”
(quotation omitted.))); Bednarcyzk v. Berryhill, No. C15-4235-LTS, 2017 WL 1095060, at *5
(W.D. Iowa March 23, 2017). Remand is not required when limitations in the RFC imply what
weight the ALJ assigned to medical opinions. Ellis, 392 F.3d at 994; Scott v. Berryhill, Case no.
4:16cv80 PLC, 2017 WL 2645838, at *7 (E.D. Mo. June 20, 2017). The ALJ’s detailed
discussion of the medical evidence can also make clear what weight he assigned to a medical
opinion, despite the ALJ not “explicitly stating the weight given to each medical opinion.”
Kreysman v. Astrue, No. 09–00507–CV–W–NKL, 2010 WL 670248, at *5 (W.D. Mo. Feb. 22,
2010).
Dr. Politte performed a psychological examination of Plaintiff in August of 2013 at the
request of the state agency. (Tr. 357-69). Much of Dr. Politte’s report consists of Plaintiff’s
background information and Plaintiff’s subjective complaints about his conditions. (Tr. 361-66).
Dr. Politte also noted Plaintiff’s responses to various questions, but provided little expert
analysis as to Plaintiff’s limitations. (See id.). Specifically, Dr. Politte reported the following.
Plaintiff called Dr. Politte’s office beforehand to find out what was involved in the examination
and appeared anxious throughout the examination. (Tr. 365). Plaintiff stayed focused and gave
coherent, relevant, and logical answers, despite “exhibit[ing] an attitude.” (Tr. 364). Plaintiff
denied having any delusions, but admitted to having auditory hallucinations of the devil telling
him to commit suicide. (Id.). Plaintiff was fidgety and twisted on the couch. (Id.). He showed
no signs of perseveration, preoccupation, or perceptual distortion. (Id.). Plaintiff reported
having suicidal thoughts, but has never made a suicide attempt. (Id.) Plaintiff’s short term and
long term memory “seem[ed] to be good.” (Id.). Plaintiff was able to do basic arithmetic except
he could not subtract from one hundred by sevens. (Id.). After the examination, Plaintiff called

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Dr. Politte’s office three more times because Plaintiff was upset that a copy of the report would
not be sent to his treating psychologist. (Id.). Plaintiff also expressed that Dr. Politte’s
examination was “a total waste of time” because the questions were too easy and did not prove
that he was disabled. (Id.).
As Plaintiff points out, Dr. Politte’s report contains several possible indications of
Plaintiff’s mental health impairments. (Doc. 20 at 9). For example, Dr. Politte reported Plaintiff
was anxious and fidgety during the interview, and was angry at the end of the interview because
he felt Dr. Politte did not discuss his bi-polar disorder enough. (Tr. 364). Plaintiff admitted
having had suicidal thoughts and having had auditory hallucinations of the devil telling him to
commit suicide. (Id.). Plaintiff was also unable to do basic subtraction, explain the proverb of
“the grass is greener,” or identify a relationship between a statue and a poem. (Id.). Dr. Politte
indicated that if Plaintiff were approved for benefits, Plaintiff would be unable to manage his
own finances. (Tr. 363). However, nothing in this portion of Dr. Politte’s report is inconsistent
with the ALJ’s RFC determination, which limited Plaintiff to unskilled work requiring only
occasional use of independent judgment and only occasional interaction with others. (Tr. 27).
Moreover, Dr. Politte diagnosed Plaintiff with bi-polar disorder and anti-social personality
disorder. The ALJ found both of these to be severe impairments. (Tr. 366). Further, Dr. Politte
acknowledged that Plaintiff had some “psychological stressors” because he was unemployed and
lived with his parents, but this does not suggest any limitations greater than those expressed in
the RFC. (Id.). Thus, while the ALJ did not assign Dr. Politte’s opinion a weight, there is no
indication the ALJ would have decided differently if the error had not occurred. Byes, 687 F.3d
at 917; Van Vickle, 539 F.3d at 830.

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Lastly, Dr. Politte assigned Plaintiff a Global Assessment of Functioning 3 (“GAF”) score
of 50, indicating “serious” symptoms. (Tr. 367). The GAF score arguably suggests Plaintiff is
more limited than the ALJ’s RFC determination indicates. (Tr. 27). However, the Court finds
the ALJ complied with 20 C.F.R. §404.1527(e)(2)(ii) when explaining the weight he assigned to
Dr. Politte’s estimated GAF score. The ALJ specifically stated he gave “little independent
weight” to GAF scores because they are based on unclear criteria and because they do not
necessarily measure functional impairments. (Tr. 31-32). The ALJ may discount the GAF
scales in social security cases “because the scales do not have a direct correlation to the severity
requirements in mental disorder listing.” Jones v. Astrue, 619 F.3d 963, 979 n.4 (8th Cir. 2010).
In any case, Plaintiff does not challenge the ALJ’s reasons for discounting GAF scores, and the
Court will not disturb the ALJ’s finding. Therefore, the ALJ properly weighed and articulated
his assessment of the diagnoses in Dr. Politte’s opinion.
To the extent that Dr. Politte’s report is consistent with the ALJ’s RFC determination,
any failure to explicitly state the weight given to the opinion is harmless error. Lockwood, 627
Fed. App’x at 577; Woodall, 2017 WL 2189462, at *7. To the extent that Dr. Politte’s report
indicates Plaintiff is more limited than the RFC indicates, specifically in regard to the GAF
score, the ALJ properly articulated how he evaluated that opinion in compliance with
§404.1527(e)(2)(ii).
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Global assessment of functioning (GAF) is the clinician’s judgment of the individual’s overall
level of functioning, not including impairments due to physical or environmental limitations.
See Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, DSM-IV, 32-34 (4th ed. rev. 2000).
Expressed in terms of degree of severity of symptoms or functional impairment, GAF scores of
31 to 40 represent “some impairment in reality testing or communication or major impairment in
several areas, such as work or school, family relations, judgment, thinking, or mood,” scores of
41 to 50 represents “serious,” scores of 51 to 60 represent “moderate,” scores of 61 to 70
represent “mild,” and scores of 90 or higher represent absent or minimal symptoms of
impairment. (Id. at 32.).
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B. Rita Baldwin’s Opinion
Next, Plaintiff argues the ALJ erred by (1) failing to specify which of Ms. Baldwin’s two
sources of testimony he assigned little weight and (2) failing to adequately explain why he
discredited Ms. Baldwin’s testimony. (Doc. 20 at 11).
The ALJ must base the RFC determination on all relevant evidence, including nonmedical testimony. Willcockson v. Astrue, 540 F.3d 878, 880-81 (8th Cir. 2008); Tucker v.
Barnhart, 363 F.3d 781, 783 (8th Cir. 2004) (quoting McKinney, 228 F.3d at 863). The ALJ
must “carefully consider any [non-medical] information that [the claimant] may submit about
[his or her] symptoms,” including statements “other persons provide about [the claimant’s] pain
or other symptoms.” 20 C.F.R. §404.1529(c)(3). A claimant’s parent is an acceptable, nonmedical source for opinion evidence. 20 C.F.R. § 404.1513(d); Sloan v. Astrue, 499 F.3d 883,
888 (8th Cir. 2007). Opinion evidence from a claimant’s parent “may be based on special
knowledge of the individual and may provide insight into the severity of the impairment(s) and
how it affects the individual’s ability to function.” Id. at 888 (quoting SSR 06-03p (rescinded)).
However, remand is not required if the ALJ’s reasons for discrediting a non-medical
opinion are evident from the ALJ’s decision. Lorenzen v. Chater, 71 F.3d 316, 317 (8th Cir.
1995); Robinson v. Sullivan, 956 F.2d 836, 841 (8th Cir. 1992). Even if the ALJ fails to list
specific reasons for discounting a non-medical opinion, remand is not required when it is evident
the ALJ discredited the opinion for the same reasons the ALJ discredited the claimant’s
testimony. Willcockson, 540 F.3d at 880; Lorenzen, 71 F.3d at 317. In determining the weight
assigned to non-medical opinion evidence, the ALJ has more discretion to discount the opinion
and may consider any inconsistencies between the non-medical opinion and other evidence in the
record. Raney v. Barnhart, 396 F.3d 1007, 1010 (8th Cir. 2005). Questions of credibility are

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primarily for the ALJ to decide, and a court will normally defer to the ALJ’s determination so
long as the ALJ gives good reasons. Gregg v. Barnhart, 354 F.3d 710, 714 (8th Cir. 2003). See
also Halverson v. Astrue, 600 F.3d 922, 932 (8th Cir. 2010); Cox v. Barnhart, 471 F.3d 902, 907
(8th Cir. 2006).
Rita Baldwin, Plaintiff’s mother, gave her opinion in the form of oral testimony at the
administrative hearing (Tr. 142-45) and a written Third Party Function Report (Tr. 255-65). The
ALJ explicitly assigned Ms. Baldwin’s testimony “little weight.” (Tr. 32). Because Ms.
Baldwin’s testimony comes from two different sources (i.e., hearing testimony and a Third Party
Function Report), Plaintiff argues the ALJ erred by failing to specify which testimony he
discounted. (Doc. 20 at 11). Plaintiff does not cite any authority to support the proposition that
the ALJ must differentiate between the sources of the opinion testimony. The Court rejects this
argument because the structure of the ALJ’s decision makes it clear that the ALJ discounted all
of Ms. Baldwin’s relevant opinion testimony.
Furthermore, Ms. Baldwin’s statements at the hearing and on the Third Party Function
Report are substantially similar with regard to Plaintiff’s limitations. (Tr. 142-45, 255-65). In
both her hearing testimony and the Third Party Function Report, Ms. Baldwin reports that
Plaintiff is easily frustrated and sensitive to criticism. (Tr. 143, 145, 262). Both also mention
that Plaintiff has sleeping problems, bouts of paranoia, and difficulty making responsible
financial decisions. (Tr. 144, 262). Because the two sources of testimony are substantially
similar, it is logical for the ALJ to weigh them identically and to discount them for the same
reasons. Therefore, the ALJ need not weigh the hearing testimony separately from the Third
Party Function Report.

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The ALJ’s reasons for assigning Ms. Baldwin’s opinion little weight are also evident
from the ALJ’s written decision. The ALJ addressed the credibility of both Plaintiff and Ms.
Baldwin in the same paragraph of his decision. (Tr. 32). The ALJ first states that he finds
Plaintiff “not fully credible,” and then immediately states that “[l]ittle weight has also been given
to the testimony of the claimant’s mother.” (Id.). The ALJ proceeds to cite evidence that is
inconsistent with claimant’s allegations of severe restrictions, including Plaintiff’s testimony that
he is capable of a wide range of daily activities, evidence that Plaintiff stopped working for a
non-medical reason, and evidence that Plaintiff was not compliant with his treatment regimen.
(Id.).
Thus, the ALJ clearly found both Plaintiff and Ms. Baldwin not credible because of the
inconsistencies the ALJ specifically listed. Plaintiff does not challenge the substance of the
ALJ’s credibility evaluation with regard to Ms. Baldwin, and the Court will defer to the ALJ’s
assessment. To the extent Plaintiff argues the ALJ did not provide any reasons for discrediting
Ms. Baldwin, the Court finds the ALJ adequately listed specific reasons for assigning her opinion
little weight. To the extent Plaintiff argues the ALJ’s reasons for discounting Ms. Baldwin are
insufficient, the Court finds Plaintiff has failed to prove a legitimate reason to reject the ALJ’s
credibility assessment. Remand is therefore not required because the ALJ properly considered,
weighed, and articulated his assessment of Ms. Baldwin’s testimony.
V. CONCLUSION
For the reasons set forth above, the Court finds that substantial evidence on the record as
a whole supports the Commissioner’s decision that Plaintiff is not disabled.
Accordingly,

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IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that the decision of the Commissioner is AFFIRMED, and
Plaintiff’s Complaint is DISMISSED with prejudice.
A separate judgment shall be entered incorporating this Memorandum and Order.
Dated this 26th day of September, 2017.

/s/ Noelle C. Collins
NOELLE C. COLLINS
UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE

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