Jolley v. Social Security Adminstration
Filing
28
ORDER DENYING 19 Motion to Remand to Agency and DISMISSING this action with prejudice by Magistrate Judge Gregory B. Wormuth. (km)
IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
FOR THE DISTRICT OF NEW MEXICO
WILLIAM MARCUS JOLLEY,
Plaintiff,
v.
Case No. 15‐CV‐1116 GBW
CAROLYN W. COLVIN,
Acting Commissioner of the
Social Security Administration,
Defendant.
ORDER DENYING REMAND
This matter is before the Court on Plaintiff’s Motion to Reverse and Remand to
Agency for Rehearing (doc. 19) and accompanying briefing (docs. 25, 26). For the
reasons set forth below, the motion shall be denied.
I.
PROCEDURAL HISTORY
Plaintiff filed an initial application for disability insurance benefits (DIB) under
Title II of the Social Security Act on March 29, 2012. Administrative Record (“AR”) at
173. Plaintiff alleged a disability onset date of June 23, 2009, when he became unable to
work due to a torn rotator cuff, mood swings, and post‐traumatic stress disorder
(PTSD), including the symptoms of nightmares, flashbacks, and hypervigilance. AR at
173, 177. Following the denial of Plaintiff’s application on both initial and
reconsideration, an Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) held a hearing on January 12, 2015.
AR at 88‐90, 84‐87, 49‐83. On May 4, 2015, the ALJ denied Plaintiff’s claim. AR at 30‐32.
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Plaintiff appealed the denial of his application to the Appeals Council, which declined
review on November 4, 2015. AR at 22‐28. Plaintiff filed in this Court on December 10,
2015, seeking review of the ALJ’s decision. Doc. 1. On May 24, 2016, Plaintiff filed the
instant Motion to Reverse and Remand to Agency for Rehearing. Doc. 19.
II.
STANDARD OF REVIEW
Pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 405(g), a court may review a final decision of the
Commissioner only to determine whether it (1) is supported by “substantial evidence”
and (2) is grounded in an evaluation of the evidence that comports with the proper legal
standards. Casias v. Sec’y of Health & Human Servs., 933 F.2d 799, 800‐01 (10th Cir. 1991).
“In reviewing the ALJ’s decision, we neither reweigh the evidence nor substitute our
judgment for that of the agency.” Bowman v. Astrue, 511 F.3d 1270, 1272 (10th Cir. 2008)
(citation and internal quotations omitted).
Substantial evidence is “more than a mere scintilla. It means such relevant
evidence as a reasonable mind might accept as adequate to support a conclusion.”
Casias, 933 F.3d at 800. While the ALJ is required to consider all of the evidence of
record, she “is not required to discuss every piece of evidence. Rather, in addition to
discussing the evidence supporting [her] decision, the ALJ also must discuss the
uncontroverted evidence [she] chooses not to rely upon, as well as significantly
probative evidence [she] rejects.” Clifton v. Chater, 79 F.3d 1007, 1009‐10 (10th Cir. 1996)
(internal citations omitted). “The possibility of drawing two inconsistent conclusions
2
from the evidence does not prevent [the] findings from being supported by substantial
evidence.” Lax v. Astrue, 489 F.3d 1080, 1084 (10th Cir. 2007) (citation omitted).
III.
PARTIES’ POSITIONS
Plaintiff asserts that the ALJ committed legal error by failing to evaluate the
opinion evidence of Licensed Independent Social Worker (LISW) Christopher H. King.
Doc. 19 at 9‐10. Plaintiff argues that the ALJ was required to consider the opinion
evidence of health care providers such as Mr. King in order to determine the severity of
Plaintiff’s impairments. 1 Id.; see also Social Security Ruling (“SSR”) 06‐03p, 2006 WL
2329939 (S.S.A. Aug. 9, 2006). Defendant argues that (1) the ALJ properly considered
Mr. King’s opinion in reaching her decision that Plaintiff is not disabled; (2) nothing in
Mr. King’s opinion is inconsistent with the ALJ’s determination of Plaintiff’s residual
functional capacity (“RFC”); (3) even if the ALJ erroneously failed to consider Mr.
King’s opinion, Plaintiff has not shown that prejudice resulted; and (4) Plaintiff is
requesting that the Court reweigh the evidence, which is impermissible. Doc. 25 at 8‐14.
The Court agrees that Mr. King’s opinion does not conflict with the RFC, and that the
record demonstrates the ALJ considered all of the evidence in reaching her decision that
Plaintiff is not disabled. There is thus no reversible error.
1 Plaintiff also argued that his date last insured was incorrectly determined by the ALJ. Doc. 19 at
8‐9. He has since abandoned that argument after determining it was made in error. Doc. 26 at 1. The
Court therefore will not address it.
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IV.
ALJ EVALUATION
A. Legal Standard
For purposes of Social Security benefits, an individual is disabled when he or she
is unable “to engage in any substantial gainful activity by reason of any medically
determinable physical or mental impairment which can be expected to result in death or
which has lasted or can be expected to last for a continuous period of not less than 12
months.” 42 U.S.C. § 423(d)(1)(A). To determine whether a person satisfies these
criteria, the SSA has developed a five‐step test. See 20 C.F.R. § 404.1520. If the
Commissioner finds an individual disabled at any step, the next step is not taken. Id. §
404.1520(a)(4).
At the first four steps of the analysis, the claimant has the burden to show: (1) he
is not engaged in “substantial gainful activity;” (2) he has a “severe medically
determinable . . . impairment . . . or a combination of impairments” that has lasted or is
expected to last for at least one year; and that either (3) his impairments meet or equal
one of the “Listings” of presumptively disabling impairments; or (4) he is unable to
perform his “past relevant work.” Id. § 416.920(a)(4)(i‐iv); Grogan v. Barnhart, 399 F.3d
1257, 1261 (10th Cir. 2005).
Step four of this analysis consists of three phases. Winfrey v. Chater, 92 F.3d 1017,
1023 (10th Cir. 1996). First, the ALJ determines the claimant’s residual functional
capacity (“RFC”) in light of “all of the relevant medical and other evidence.” 20 C.F.R. §
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404.1545(a)(3). A claimant’s RFC is “the most [he or she] can still do despite [physical
and mental] limitations.” Id. § 404.1545(a)(1). Second, the ALJ determines the physical
and mental demands of the claimant’s past work. “To make the necessary findings, the
ALJ must obtain adequate ‘factual information about those work demands which have
a bearing on the medically established limitations.’” Winfrey, 92 F.3d at 1024 (quoting
Social Security Ruling 82‐62 (1982)). Third, the ALJ determines whether, in light of the
RFC, the claimant is capable of meeting those demands. Id. at 1023, 1025.
If the ALJ concludes that the claimant cannot engage in past relevant work, he or
she proceeds to step five of the evaluation process. At step five, the burden of proof
shifts to the Commissioner to show the claimant is able to perform other work in the
national economy, considering the claimant’s residual functional capacity, age,
education, and work experience. Grogan, 399 F.3d at 1257.
B. The ALJ’s Decision
On May 4, 2015, the ALJ issued a decision denying Plaintiff’s application for
benefits. AR at 33‐43. In denying Plaintiff’s application, the ALJ applied the required
five‐step sequential analysis. At step one, the ALJ found that Plaintiff had not engaged
in substantial gainful activity from his alleged onset date of June 23, 2009 through his
date last insured of September 30, 2012. AR at 35. At step two, the ALJ determined that
through his date last insured, Plaintiff had the following severe impairments: mild
degenerative joint disease of the left knee; chronic left rotator cuff tear, status post‐
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surgical repair with arthritic changes; PTSD; depressive disorder; and alcohol abuse. Id.
At step three, the ALJ concluded that through the date last insured, Plaintiff did not
have an impairment or combination of impairments that met or medically equaled the
severity of a listed impairment. AR at 36.
At step four, the ALJ determined that through the date last insured, Plaintiff had
the RFC “to perform less than the full range of medium work as defined in 20 CFR
404.1567(c).” AR at 37. Specifically, she found that Plaintiff was limited to: lifting
and/or carrying fifty pounds occasionally and twenty‐five pounds frequently; standing,
walking, or sitting for six hours out of an eight‐hour workday with regular breaks;
pushing and/or pulling fifty pounds occasionally and twenty‐five pounds frequently;
only occasional overhead reaching with the non‐dominant left upper extremity; only
occasionally climbing ladders and scaffolds; understanding, remembering, and carrying
out simple instructions; maintaining attention and concentration to perform simple
tasks for two hours at a time without requiring redirection to task; only having
occasional contact with the general public; only having occasional and superficial
interactions with co‐workers and supervisors; and work that involves no more than
occasional change in the routine work setting. AR at 37‐38.
Based on Plaintiff’s RFC, the ALJ found that through the date last insured,
Plaintiff was unable to perform any past relevant work. AR at 41. However, at step
five, the ALJ found that Plaintiff was capable of performing other jobs that exist in
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significant numbers in the national economy, including the occupations of a
weeder/thinner or a kitchen helper, and that Plaintiff was therefore not disabled. AR at
42‐43.
V.
ANALYSIS
Plaintiff argues that the ALJ committed legal error by failing to properly evaluate
Mr. King’s opinion evidence when determining the severity of Plaintiff’s impairments.
Doc. 19 at 10. An ALJ is required to “consider all medical opinions in the record,” and
generally must also discuss the weight assigned to such opinions. Quintero v. Colvin,
567 F. Appʹx 616, 620 (10th Cir. 2014) (citing 20 C.F.R. §§ 404.1527(c)‐(e), 416.927(c)‐(e)).
To determine what weight to give to a medical opinion, the ALJ must consider the
following factors:
(1) the length of the treatment relationship and the frequency of
examination; (2) the nature and extent of the treatment relationship,
including the treatment provided and the kind of examination or testing
performed; (3) the degree to which the physicianʹs opinion is supported
by relevant evidence; (4) consistency between the opinion and the record
as a whole; (5) whether or not the physician is a specialist in the area upon
which an opinion is rendered; and (6) other factors brought to the ALJʹs
attention which tend to support or contradict the opinion.
Goatcher v. U.S. Depʹt of Health & Human Servs., 52 F.3d 288, 290 (10th Cir. 1995); see also
Kilpatrick v. Astrue, 502 F. Appʹx 801, 806 (10th Cir. 2012).
Only “medically acceptable sources” can “provide evidence to establish the
existence of a medically determinable impairment[,] . . . provide medical opinions[,] . . .
[and] be considered treating sources.” Frantz v. Astrue, 509 F.3d 1299, 1301 (10th Cir.
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2007). Acceptable medical sources “include licensed medical or osteopathic doctors,
licensed or certified psychologists, licensed optometrists, licensed podiatrists and
qualified speech‐language pathologists.” Id. However, other sources from the medical
field that do not fall within the definition of “medically acceptable” sources may
nonetheless provide evidence for the more limited purpose of demonstrating “the
severity of [a claimant’s] impairment and how it affects [a claimant’s] ability to work.”
20 C.F.R. § 404.1513(d). Medical sources who are not “acceptable medical sources”
include “licensed clinical social workers” such as Mr. King. SSR 06‐03p, 2006 WL
2329939, at *2.
Plaintiff’s argument relies primarily on a 2006 Social Security Ruling that
clarified how the Social Security Administration (“SSA”) “consider[s] opinions from
sources who are not ‘acceptable medical sources[.]’” See id. at *1. The SSA explained in
that ruling that opinions from other medical sources such as Mr. King, “who are not
technically deemed ‘acceptable medical sources’ under our rules, are important and
should be evaluated on key issues such as impairment severity and functional effects,
along with other relevant evidence in the file.” Id. at *3. The ruling further explains the
extent to which the ALJ is required to explicitly address opinions from non‐acceptable
medical sources in a disability determination:
Since there is a requirement to consider all relevant evidence in an
individualʹs case record, the case record should reflect the consideration of
opinions from medical sources who are not “acceptable medical sources”
. . . who have seen the claimant in their professional capacity. Although
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there is a distinction between what an adjudicator must consider and what
the adjudicator must explain in the disability determination or decision,
the adjudicator generally should explain the weight given to opinions
from these “other sources,” or otherwise ensure that the discussion of the
evidence in the determination or decision allows a claimant or subsequent
reviewer to follow the adjudicator’s reasoning, when such opinions may
have an effect on the outcome of the case.
Id. at * 6.
As an initial matter, it is undisputed that Mr. King, as a licensed clinical social
worker, does not constitute an “acceptable medical source.” Doc. 19 at 9; doc. 25 at 8. It
is also undisputed that the ALJ failed to discuss Mr. King’s statement in her opinion.
Doc. 19 at 10; doc. 25 at 9. As the ALJ thus failed to explain the weight given to Mr.
King’s statement, the question is whether Mr. King’s statement “may have [had] an
effect on the outcome of the case” and if so, whether the ALJ ensured “that the
discussion of the evidence . . . allows a claimant or subsequent reviewer to follow the
[ALJ’s] reasoning. SSR 06‐03p, 2006 WL 2329939, at *6. For the following reasons, the
Court finds that Mr. King’s statement would not affect the outcome of the case.
A. Mr. King’s Opinion is Consistent with the ALJ’s Severity Determination at
Steps Two and Three of the Analysis
Mr. King’s statement, consisting of three handwritten pages, does not run
counter to any of the ALJ’s conclusions. See generally AR at 240‐42; 33‐43. The statement
is largely dedicated to a faithful recitation of the various diagnoses that other medical
sources provided throughout the course of Plaintiff’s treatment history—diagnoses that
were explicitly discussed and accepted by the ALJ in rendering her decision. See AR at
9
240‐41 (Mr. King discussing assessments by Dr. Llona Pivar and Dr. David Marro); AR
at 39‐40 (corresponding discussion in ALJ’s decision). The sole independent opinion
included in the document regarding the severity of Plaintiff’s symptoms relates to the
severity of Plaintiff’s PTSD. See generally 240‐42. Mr. King reported that Plaintiff’s score
on a PTSD symptoms inventory was “69, well above the cut‐off score of 50” and that
Plaintiff “reports moderate to high level symptoms in all 3 clusters—especially with
intrusive thoughts, nightmares, and hypervigilance.” AR at 242.
This opinion is entirely consistent with the ALJ’s findings and ultimate decision for
several reasons. First, the ALJ considered the severity of Plaintiff’s mental impairments
at step two of the sequential evaluation process, finding that Plaintiff’s PTSD was a
severe impairment, which is consistent with Mr. King’s opinion. See AR at 37, 35, 242.
Second, at step three of her analysis, the ALJ again considered the severity of
Plaintiff’s mental impairments in determining that Plaintiff did not meet the
requirements of the listed impairments in § 12.04 and § 12.06 of the Appendix—
Affective Disorders and Anxiety Related Disorders, respectively— because his
symptoms did not satisfy the criteria of “paragraph B” in either listing. AR at 37; see
also 20 C.F.R. § Pt. 404, Subpt. P, App. 1., Pt. A‐2, §§ 12.04(B), 12.06(B). This
determination also does not conflict with Mr. King’s opinion, as explained in more
depth below.
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For Plaintiff’s impairment to meet or medically equal the severity of an Affective
Disorder listed in § 12.04, either the requirements in both Paragraphs A and B must be
satisfied, or the requirements of Paragraph C must be satisfied. 20 C.F.R. § Pt. 404,
Subpt. P, App. 1., Pt. A‐2, § 12.04. For Plaintiff’s impairment to meet or medically equal
the severity of an Anxiety Related Disorder listed in § 12.06, either the requirements in
both Paragraphs A and B must be satisfied, or the requirements in both Paragraphs A
and C must be satisfied. Id. § 12.06. The criteria in Paragraphs B and C are used to rate
the severity of mental impairments at steps two and three of the ALJ’s five‐step
analysis. SSR 96‐8p, 1996 WL 374184 at *4 (S.S.A. July 2, 1996); see also Fulton v. Colvin,
631 F. App’x 498, 505 (10th Cir. 2015).
As a preliminary matter, the ALJ first found that the evidence did not satisfy the
criteria of Paragraph C of either listing. AR at 37. Paragraph C of § 12.04 requires,
among other things, that Plaintiff has experienced repeated episodes of
decompensation, each of extended duration. Id. § 12.04(C)(1). Paragraph C of § 12.06
requires a showing that Plaintiff’s impairment has “result[ed] in complete inability to
function independently outside the area of [his] home.” Id. § 12.06(C). The ALJ found
that Plaintiff had not suffered any episodes of decompensation of extended duration,
and Mr. King’s opinion does not contradict that finding. See AR at 37; see generally AR
at 240‐42. Nor does his opinion contradict the ALJ’s implicit finding that Plaintiff is not
completely unable to function independently outside of his home. See AR at 37; see
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generally AR at 240‐42. Thus, it was not legal error for the ALJ not to discuss Mr. King’s
opinion in determining that the requirements of Paragraph C were not met for either
listing. See SSR 06‐03p, 2006 WL 2329939, at *2; see also Clifton, 79 F.3d at 1009.
Having determined that the requirements of Paragraph C were not met, the ALJ
ultimately rested her severity determination on the finding that the evidence of record
also failed to satisfy the criteria set forth in Paragraph B of the listed impairments of
Affective or Anxiety Related Disorders. AR at 37. Paragraph B of both listings requires
a showing that Plaintiff’s mental impairments resulted in at least two of the following:
(1) marked restriction of activities of daily living, (2) marked difficulties in maintaining
social functioning, (3) marked difficulties in maintaining concentration, persistence, or
pace, or (4) repeated episodes of decompensation, each of extended duration. 20 C.F.R.
§ Pt. 404, Subpt. P, App. 1., Pt. A‐2, §§ 12.04, 12.06. A marked limitation means more
than moderate but less than extreme. See id. at § 12.00(C).
The ALJ determined that Plaintiff did not have a marked limitation in any of the
four areas set forth in Paragraph B, although she did find that he had mild restrictions
in his activities of daily living, as well as moderate difficulties in the areas of social
functioning and maintaining concentration, persistence, or pace. AR at 36‐37.
Additionally, she found that Plaintiff experienced no episodes of decompensation of
extended duration. AR at 37. In reaching her conclusion regarding activities of daily
living, the ALJ considered Plaintiff’s abilities to perform household chores, care for
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horses, drive a vehicle, shop in stores and online, manage his finances, care for his
personal needs, and participate in leisure activities such as horseback riding and
camping. AR at 36.
In finding that Plaintiff showed moderate difficulties in social functioning, the
ALJ considered Plaintiff’s discomfort with being around other people and preference to
be around horses or other veterans only. AR at 36‐37. She considered his past job
terminations due to poor interpersonal skills and his need to shop in the early morning
hours to avoid crowds of people as evidence of difficulties in social functioning as well.
AR at 37. However, she noted that Plaintiff was still able to go to stores in public and to
travel, and thus deemed his difficulties in social functioning to be moderate. AR at 37.
Finally, in finding that Plaintiff showed moderate difficulties in concentration,
persistence, or pace, the ALJ considered Plaintiff’s limitations with regard to completing
detailed or complex tasks. However, the ALJ offered examples demonstrating
Plaintiff’s ability to sustain concentration and attention long enough to perform simple,
routine tasks such as driving a vehicle, using a computer, and providing care for six
horses. AR at 37.
Mr. King’s statement would not have affected any of the above determinations
regarding the severity of Plaintiff’s impairments at step three, and it certainly offers no
indication that Plaintiff showed marked limitations in at least two of the four areas set
forth in Paragraph B of either § 12.04 or § 12.06. See generally AR at 240‐42. Again, the
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only opinion regarding the severity of Plaintiff’s impairments contained in the
statement is that Plaintiff “reports moderate to high level [PTSD] symptoms . . .
especially with intrusive thoughts, nightmares and hypervigilance.” AR at 242.
Intrusive thoughts, nightmares, and hypervigilance are relevant only to Paragraph A of
§ 12.04 and Paragraph A of § 12.06, which enumerate various manifestations of the
listed impairments and required medically documented findings of at least one
manifestation. See 20 C.F.R. § Pt. 404, Subpt. P, App. 1., Pt. A‐2, §§ 12.04(A), 12.06(A).2
Thus, Mr. King’s statement indicating that Plaintiff self‐reported various symptoms of
PTSD including hypervigilance, nightmares, and intrusive thoughts would have no
bearing on the ALJ’s consideration of the requirements of Paragraph B of either listing,
and the ALJ was therefore not required to discuss it in evaluating the severity of
Plaintiff’s PTSD. See SSR 06‐03p, 2006 WL 2329939, at *6; Clifton, 79 F.3d at 1009.
Additionally, Mr. King’s statement that Plaintiff’s self‐reported symptoms are in
the “moderate to high” range on a PTSD symptoms inventory is consistent with the
ALJ’s findings that Plaintiff has moderate—rather than marked—limitations in social
functioning and concentration, persistence, or pace, which were based on evidence of
Plaintiff’s inability to go to stores during busy hours, to get along easily with others, or
For example, the signs and symptoms listed under Anxiety Related Disorders include, among other
things, “vigilance and scanning” and “recurrent and intrusive recollections of a traumatic experience,
which are a source of marked distress.” See 20 C.F.R. § Pt. 404, Subpt. P, App. 1, Pt. A‐2, § 12.06(A)(1)(d),
(A)(5). Signs and symptoms indicating affective disorders include but are not limited to: sleep
disturbance, thoughts of suicide, easy distractibility, and hallucinations, delusions, or paranoid thinking.
See id. § 12.04(A)(1)(c), (h), (A)(2)(f), (h).
2
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to concentrate on detailed or complex tasks. See AR at 36‐37. It is ambiguous whether
the “moderate to high” language in Mr. King’s opinion refers to the number of
symptoms of Plaintiff’s PTSD or to the severity of those symptoms. Regardless, there is
no indication that self‐reported PTSD symptoms that are between moderate and high
severity would satisfy at least two of the four requirements of Paragraph B, for the
reasons already discussed. The ALJ’s severity determination was therefore entirely
consistent with Mr. King’s opinion, and there is no indication that she rejected it or
failed to consider it.
As Mr. Kingʹs statement offers no opinion that would have any outcome‐
determinative effect on the ALJ’s analysis of Paragraphs B or C of the Affective
Disorder and Anxiety‐Related Disorder listings, the ALJ was not required to discuss it
in evaluating the severity of Plaintiffʹs PTSD at steps two or three of the sequential
evaluation process. See SSR 06‐03p, 2006 WL 2329939, at *6.
B. Mr. King’s Opinion is Consistent with the ALJ’s Determination of Plaintiff’s
RFC
The ALJ included in her determination of Plaintiff’s RFC that he is limited to
understanding, remembering, and carrying out simple instructions, that he can only
perform simple tasks for two hours at a time, and that he can only have occasional
contact with the general public and occasional and superficial interactions with co‐
workers and supervisors. AR at 37‐38. These mental limitations in Plaintiff’s RFC are
directly derived from the ALJ’s determinations at step three that Plaintiff has moderate
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limitations in social functioning and concentration, persistence, or pace, as discussed
above, and Mr. King’s opinion does not indicate that any further limitations should
apply. See AR at 36‐38; 240‐42. As such, the reasoning behind the ALJ’s determination
of Plaintiff’s RFC remains easy to follow without explicit discussion of the weight given
to Mr. King’s opinion. The Court therefore can find no error in the ALJ’s RFC
determination on the basis that the ALJ did not discuss Mr. King’s opinion. See SSR 06‐
03p, 2006 WL 2329939, at *6.
C. Mr. King’s Opinion is Consistent with the ALJ’s Finding of Non‐Disability
During the disability hearing, the ALJ repeatedly rejected occupations suggested
by the Vocational Expert (VE) where they were inconsistent with Plaintiff’s RFC,
specifically with regard to his inability to have more than occasional contact with the
general public or to engage in more than occasional and superficial interactions with his
co‐workers and supervisors. See AR at 79‐81. The following exchange between the ALJ
and the VE serves as an illustrative example:
VE: . . . Okay. So we have a dining room attendant.
ALJ: Okay. How much public contact is going to be involved with that
though?
VE: With a dining room attendant, there’s going to be a fair amount.
It’ll be superficial, you’ll be around folks, but you’re not necessarily
interacting with them.
ALJ: I’d, I’d rather leave that out because I’m talking about contact in
general.
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AR at 80. Additionally, the ALJ agreed to consider the kitchen helper occupation as a
possibility only after the VE confirmed that that job would require only “very seldom”
contact with the general public. AR at 80.
By incorporating all of Plaintiff’s limitations identified at step three, including his
PTSD‐related moderate limitations in social functioning, the ALJ rested her finding of
non‐disability at step five on a faithful application of Plaintiff’s RFC. Because Mr.
King’s opinion regarding the severity of Plaintiff’s PTSD was entirely consistent with
the mental limitations included in that RFC, as discussed above, and the record
“demonstrate[s] that the ALJ considered all of the evidence” in making her ruling, the
ALJ therefore did not err by not explicitly discussing the King opinion. See SSR 06‐03p,
2006 WL 2329939, at *6; Clifton, 79 F.3d at 1009‐10.
Moreover, essential to the ALJ’s ultimate finding of non‐disability was her
overall evaluation of the medical evidence of record as follows:
Overall, the medical evidence of record fails to support the claimant’s
allegations of disabling conditions and symptoms. I find that the medical
evidence primarily summarize[s] the claimant’s subjective complaints,
diagnosis[,] and treatment, but do[es] not present objective clinical or
laboratory diagnostic findings. I also note that there are no opinions from
any treating provider that the claimant is unable to work . . . .
AR at 40. Again, consideration of Mr. King’s statement would not alter this
determination, as the statement primarily consists of a summary of the diagnoses given
by other medical providers, does not contain any opinion that Plaintiff is unable to
work, and to the extent it offers an opinion regarding the severity of Plaintiff’s PTSD,
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such opinion is based solely on Plaintiff’s self‐reported symptoms—i.e., his subjective
complaints. See generally AR 240‐42.
The SSA has clearly stated that an ALJ is not required to explain the weight given
to opinions from “non‐acceptable medical sources” such as Mr. King, as long as she
“otherwise ensure[s] that the discussion of the evidence in the determination or
decision allows a claimant or subsequent reviewer to follow [her] reasoning, when such
opinions may have an effect on the outcome of the case.” SSR 06‐03p, 2006 WL 2329939,
at *6. Here, the ALJ’s reasoning regarding her determination of the severity of
Plaintiff’s impairments is easy to follow and, more importantly, Mr. King’s statement
contains no opinions that would have an outcome‐determinative effect on the ALJ’s
ultimate decision.
There is no indication that the ALJ did not consider Mr. King’s statement,
because her summary of the medical evidence is entirely consistent with the content of
that statement. Significantly, the Court should not reweigh the evidence or substitute
its discretion for that of the ALJ. Brown v. Bowen, 801 F.2d 361, 362 (10th Cir. 1986).
Plaintiff has failed to present any evidence demonstrating: (1) that the ALJ did not
consider Mr. King’s statement; (2) that the ALJ’s reasoning was difficult to follow absent
an explanation of the weight given to Mr. King’s statement; or (3) that Mr. King’s
statement is inconsistent with any of the ALJ’s determinations, including her finding of
non‐disability at step five. The Court therefore cannot find any valid basis for reversal.
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VI.
CONCLUSION
Based on the foregoing, Plaintiff has failed to establish that the ALJ committed
reversible error. Accordingly, Plaintiff’s Motion to Reverse and Remand to Agency for
Rehearing (doc. 19) is DENIED, and this action is hereby DISMISSED with prejudice.
IT IS SO ORDERED.
____________________________________
GREGORY B. WORMUTH
UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE
Presiding by consent
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