Pearl v. Berryhill

Filing 16

ORDER AND OPINION AFFIRMING COMMISSIONER'S FINAL DECISION DENYING BENEFITS. Signed on 8/1/18 by District Judge Ortrie D. Smith. (Matthes Mitra, Renea)

IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE
WESTERN DISTRICT OF MISSOURI
WESTERN DIVISION
JENNIFER LYNN PEARL,
Plaintiff,
vs.
NANCY A. BERRYHILL,
Acting Commissioner of Social Security,
Defendant.

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Case No. 17-01000-CV-W-ODS

ORDER AND OPINION AFFIRMING
COMMISSIONER’S FINAL DECISION DENYING BENEFITS
Pending is Plaintiff’s appeal of the Commissioner of Social Security’s final
decision denying her applications for disability insurance benefits and supplemental
security income. For the following reasons, the Commissioner’s decision is affirmed.
I.

BACKGROUND

Plaintiff was born in October 1980, and has two years of high school education.
R. at 19, 39-40. She previously worked as a skip tracer, cashier, and store laborer. R.
at 57-58, 200-06. Plaintiff applied for disability and disability insurance benefits, as well
as supplemental security income, alleging a disability onset date of December 1, 2009.
R. at 10, 179. Plaintiff’s applications were denied, and she requested a hearing before
an administrative law judge (“ALJ”). R. 105. A hearing was held on August 8, 2016. R.
at 35-62. In November 2016, ALJ Mark Naggi issued his decision, finding Plaintiff was
not disabled. R. at 7-21.
In rendering his decision, the ALJ found Plaintiff has the following severe
impairments: obesity, a history of carpal tunnel syndrome, attention deficit disorder,
major depressive disorder, and anxiety. R. at 12. The ALJ determined Plaintiff has the
residual functional capacity (“RFC”) to:
[P]erform light work as defined in 20 C.F.R. 404.1567(b) and 416.967(b) in
that she can lift 20 pounds occasionally and 10 pounds frequently; can
stand and/or walk about 6 hours out of an 8 hour workday, with normal

breaks; can sit for about 6 hours out of an 8 hour workday, with normal
breaks; and can push and/or pull the same weights. [Plaintiff] cannot work
around unprotected heights; is limited to simple, routine, repetitive tasks
with no production rate pace work, such as assembly line work, but could
perform goal-oriented work such as office cleaning; is limited to simple
work-related decisions; can have frequent interaction with supervisors;
can have occasional interaction with co-workers and the general public;
and would be off task 5 percent of the time in an eight-hour workday.
R. at 15. Based upon the RFC and the vocational expert’s (“VE”) testimony, the ALJ
concluded Plaintiff could work as a retail marker, inserting machine operator, and
laundry sorter. R. at 20. Plaintiff appealed the ALJ’s decision to the Appeals Council,
which denied her appeal. R. at 1-5. Plaintiff now appeals to this Court.
II.

STANDARD OF REVIEW

The Court’s review of the Commissioner’s decision is limited to a determination
whether the decision is “supported by substantial evidence on the record as a whole.
Substantial evidence is less than a preponderance but…enough that a reasonable mind
would find it adequate to support the conclusion.” Andrews v. Colvin, 791 F.3d 923, 928
(8th Cir. 2015) (citations omitted). “As long as substantial evidence in the record
supports the Commissioner’s decision, we may not reverse it because substantial
evidence exists in the record that would have supported a contrary outcome, or
because we would have decided the case differently.” Cline v. Colvin, 771 F.3d 1098,
1102 (8th Cir. 2014) (citation omitted). Though advantageous to the Commissioner, this
standard also requires that the Court consider evidence that fairly detracts from the final
decision. Anderson v. Astrue, 696 F.3d 790, 793 (8th Cir. 2015) (citation omitted).
Substantial evidence means “more than a mere scintilla” of evidence; rather, it is
relevant evidence that a reasonable mind might accept as adequate to support a
conclusion. Gragg v. Astrue, 615 F.3d 932, 938 (8th Cir. 2010).
III.

DISCUSSION

A. Plaintiff’s RFC
One’s RFC is the “most you can still do despite your limitations.” 20 C.F.R. §
404.1545(a)(1). The ALJ must base the RFC on “all of the relevant evidence, including

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the medical records, observations of treating physicians and others, and an individual’s
own description of his limitations.” McKinney v. Apfel, 228 F.3d 860, 863 (8th Cir.
2000). Because Plaintiff’s RFC is a medical question, “an ALJ’s assessment of it must
be supported by some medical evidence of [Plaintiff’s] ability to function in the
workplace.” Hensley v. Colvin, 829 f.3d 926, 932 (8th Cir. 2016) (citation omitted).
“However, there is no requirement that an RFC finding be supported by a specific
medical opinion.” Id. (citations omitted).
Plaintiff argues the RFC is unsupported by substantial evidence, and the ALJ
erred by failing to order a consultative exam to assess Plaintiff’s physical limitations
related to obesity and carpal tunnel syndrome. In determining the RFC, the ALJ
considered, among other things, Plaintiff’s treatment records; statements concerning the
intensity, persistence, and limiting effects of those symptoms; activities of daily living;
compliance with treatment; and a third party function report submitted by Plaintiff’s
fiancé. R. at 15-19.
The ALJ specifically noted Plaintiff’s “treatment records do not document any
specific symptoms or limitations that are attributed to obesity.” R. at 16. Although
Plaintiff argues greater limitations related to her obesity should have been included, she
does not specify or point to evidence in the record demonstrating what those limitations
are. The ALJ has a responsibility to develop the record fairly and fully, but is not
obligated to seek additional opinions unless a “crucial issue is undeveloped.” Combs v.
Berryhill, 878 F.3d 642, 646-47 (8th Cir. 2017) (citations and quotation omitted). The
ALJ must order a consultative examination when it is necessary to make an informed
decision. See Freeman v. Apfel, 208 F.3d 687, 692 (8th Cir. 2000) (citation omitted).
The ALJ did not impermissibly draw inferences from the medical records,
substitute his own judgment, or err by failing to order a consultative exam. During the
hearing, Plaintiff’s counsel had the opportunity to supplement the record, but stated all
evidence was submitted. During the hearing, Plaintiff did not identify limitations related
to her obesity. Rather, she testified she is able to engage in a range of activities of daily
living with some deficits not related to her obesity. R. at 52-54. The ALJ acknowledged
Plaintiff was obese based on her height and weight, and limited her to light work as
defined in the applicable regulations. The ALJ considered the record as a whole,

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including the lack of symptoms and limitations in Plaintiff’s treatment records. As it
relates to her obesity, the Court finds the record was properly developed and the RFC’s
limitation to light work is supported by the record as a whole.
Plaintiff also argues the RFC does not include limitations related to her history of
carpal tunnel syndrome. Treatment records indicate Plaintiff had carpal tunnel
syndrome in January 2015. R. at 337. Plaintiff’s physician noted the condition was
common during pregnancy, was likely to resolve itself with conservative treatment
involving wrist braces, and unlikely to persist after Plaintiff delivered her child. R. at
337. The record reveals no follow-up or additional complaints about carpal tunnel
syndrome.
Plaintiff’s physical exams show normal grip, strength, and sensation. R. at 336,
340, 346. And Plaintiff testified to performing a range of household chores and daily
activities. As with Plaintiff’s obesity, the ALJ found a limitation to light work appropriate
given Plaintiff’s history of carpal tunnel, but did not find greater limitations were
warranted based on the minimal treatment history and expectation that the symptoms
would not persist. The substantial evidence of the record supports this finding, and the
Court finds the ALJ did not err in formulating Plaintiff’s RFC.
B. Medical Opinions
Plaintiff next contends her RFC is unsupported because the ALJ erred in
weighing medical opinions in the record. Generally, a treating physician’s opinion is
given more weight than other sources in a disability proceeding. 20 C.F.R. §
404.1527(c)(2). However, a treating physician’s opinion may be disregarded if it is
unsupported by clinical or other data or is contrary to the weight of the remaining
evidence in the record. See Anderson, 696 F.3d at 793-94; Pena v. Chater, 76 F.3d
906, 908 (8th Cir. 1996). A consultative examiner’s opinion may be given more weight
than a treating physician’s if the ALJ finds the consultant’s opinion is “supported by
better or more thorough medical evidence.” Cantrell v. Apfel, 231 F.3d 1104, 1107 (8th
Cir. 2000) (citations omitted).

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i. Dr. Scher
Stephen Scher, Ph.D., did not examine or treat Plaintiff, but reviewed her records
and provided an opinion on behalf of the State Disability Determination Service. R. at
64-74. Scher opined Plaintiff was moderately limited in her ability to carry out detailed
instructions, ability to understand and remember detailed instructions, and interact with
the public. Scher further opined Plaintiff was not significantly limited in, among other
areas, her ability to remember work-like procedures, remember and understand simple
instructions, sustain an ordinary routine, and make simple work-related decisions. The
ALJ gave Scher’s opinion significant weight because he found it generally consistent
with the record, which showed “some problems with attention and concentration.” R. at
18.
The ALJ did not err in giving Scher’s opinion significant weight. The ALJ noted
Plaintiff’s daily activities, including her care of an infant child, show she was capable of
simple work as noted in Scher’s opinion. Where Scher’s opinion noted Plaintiff might
have difficulty interacting with the general public, the ALJ incorporated those findings
into the RFC limiting her to only occasional interaction with co-workers and the general
public. To the extent Plaintiff argues the ALJ impermissibly relied only on Scher’s
opinion, the Court rejects that argument. The ALJ assessed Scher’s opinion and
adopted findings that were consistent with the record as a whole. Accordingly, the
Court finds the ALJ did not err in the weight he assigned to Scher’s opinion.

ii. Dr. Navato
Dr. Michael Navato, Plaintiff’s treating psychiatrist, completed a mental residual
functional capacity assessment. R. at 435-37. Navato did not opine Plaintiff had
extreme limitations, but believed she had “marked” limitations in her ability to carry out
detailed instructions, perform activities within a schedule, and maintain regular
attendance. Additionally, Navato opined Plaintiff would have moderate difficulty in,
among other things, understanding and remembering, concentrating for extended
periods, sustaining a routine, accepting instruction and responding appropriately to
criticism, and getting along with co-workers without distracting them or exhibiting
behavioral extremes.

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The ALJ did not err in affording “some” weight to Navato’s opinion. R. at 18. The
ALJ found it partially consistent with medical records, but noted Navato’s treatment
records did not contain “notable functional problems” despite her alleged symptoms.
Navato’s treatment notes describe depression and anxiety, but he repeatedly notes
Plaintiff’s cognition, attention, concentration, thought processes, and memory are
normal or good. R. at 373-82, 424-31. While Navato stated Plaintiff was compliant with
care, the ALJ noted intermittent treatment, and Plaintiff’s variable complaints did not
support finding her unable to engage in any work. To the extent Navato opined Plaintiff
had marked or moderate limitations, Plaintiff’s RFC incorporates many of those findings
where it limits Plaintiff to light work with occasional interaction with co-workers and the
public, and limits her to simple, routine, repetitive tasks. Accordingly, the Court finds the
ALJ did not err in weighing Navato’s opinion.

iii. Dr. Harrison
Finally, Plaintiff argues the ALJ erred in giving “little” weight to the opinion of Dr.
Michael Harrison, Plaintiff’s treating psychologist. Plaintiff argues Harrison’s opinion,
summarized in a February 2010 letter opining she was unable to return to work, should
be given controlling weight. R. at 386. The ALJ correctly noted Harrison’s treatment
notes and opinion letter heavily focused on the question of whether Plaintiff could return
to her past work, described as “high[] stress” work making “aggressive collection calls”
on behalf of a national bank. R. at 17, 297, 386.
To the extent Harrison opined about Plaintiff’s inability to handle high stress
work, Plaintiff’s RFC is consistent with that opinion in that it provides for a slower pace
of work in a less stressful environment. Even discounting Harrison’s focus on Plaintiff’s
past work, his opinion regarding Plaintiff’s ability to engage in work of any kind is one
ultimately reserved for the Commissioner. House v. Astrue, 500 F.3d 741, 745 (8th Cir.
2007). Finally, Harrison’s notes and summary letter do not provide functional limitations
the ALJ could consider in formulating Plaintiff’s RFC. Considering the whole record, the

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Court finds the ALJ did not err in weighing Harrison’s opinion, and finds substantial
evidence supports the RFC.1
IV.

CONCLUSION

The Commissioner’s final decision denying benefits is affirmed.
IT IS SO ORDERED.
/s/ Ortrie D. Smith
ORTRIE D. SMITH, SENIOR JUDGE
UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

DATE: August 1, 2018

1

To the extent Plaintiff argues the ALJ erred by not obtaining records from Dr.
Chinnaswamy, the Court finds no error. Plaintiff did not identify Chinnaswamy in her
application, nor did Plaintiff seek to supplement the record with Chinnaswamy’s records.
Only on this appeal does Plaintiff seem to raise the issue. Furthermore, Chinnaswamy
treated Plaintiff in connection with Harrison, whose notes reference Chinnaswamy’s
treatment, and Plaintiff does not suggest Chinnaswamy’s opinion differs from
Harrison’s.
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