Jones v. Colvin
Filing
25
DECISION AND ORDER the Clerk of the Court is directed to substitute Acting Commissioner Nancy A. Berryhill for Acting Commissioner of Social Security Carolyn W. Colvin as the Defendant in this action, pursuant to Fed. R. Civ. P. 25(d); Plaintiff 9;s motion for judgment on the pleadings (Dkt. No. 16 ) is denied; Defendant's motion for judgment on the pleadings (Dkt. No. 22 ) is granted; and Defendant's decision denying disability benefits is affirmed, Plaintiff's Complaint is dismissed. Signed by Chief Judge Glenn T. Suddaby on 7/14/17. (lmw)
UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
NORTHERN DISTRICT OF NEW YORK
_______________________________________
NICOLE T. JONES,
Plaintiff,
v.
6:16-CV-0044
(GTS)
CAROLYN W. COLVIN,
Acting Comm’r of Soc. Sec.,1
Defendant.
_______________________________________
APPEARANCES:
OF COUNSEL:
OFFICE OF PETER M. HOBAICA, LLC
Counsel for Plaintiff
2045 Genesee Street
Utica, NY 13501
B. BROOKS BENSON, ESQ.
U.S. SOCIAL SECURITY ADMIN.
OFFICE OF REG’L GEN. COUNSEL–REGION II
Counsel for Defendant
26 Federal Plaza, Room 3904
New York, NY 10278
JUNE L. BYUN, ESQ.
Special Assistant U.S. Attorney
GLENN T. SUDDABY, Chief United States District Judge
DECISION and ORDER
Currently before the Court, in this Social Security action filed by Nicole T. Jones
(“Plaintiff”) against the Commissioner of Social Security (“Defendant” or “the Commissioner”)
pursuant to 42 U.S.C. §§ 405(g) and 1383(c)(3), are the parties’ cross-motions for judgment on
the pleadings. (Dkt. Nos. 16, 22.) For the reasons set forth below, Plaintiff’s motion is denied
and Defendant’s motion is granted.
1
Because Nancy A. Berryhill is now the Acting Commissioner of Social Security,
the Clerk of the Court is directed to substitute her for Acting Commissioner of Social Security
Carolyn W. Colvin as the Defendant in this action, pursuant to Fed. R. Civ. P. 25(d).
I.
RELEVANT BACKGROUND
A.
Factual Background
Plaintiff was born in 1979. (Tr. 54, 843.) The highest level of education that she
achieved was completing the ninth grade in high school. (Tr. 881.) Plaintiff’s employment
history consists of working as a cashier, sandwich maker, sales representative, temporary worker
through a temporary employment and staffing agency, and winder / spinner / packer / doffer at a
yarn mill. (Tr. 140, 144, 165.) Generally, Plaintiff’s alleged disability consists of depression and
bipolar disorder. (Tr. 831.) Plaintiff’s alleged disability onset date is April 21, 2011, and her
date last insured is June 30, 2011. (Tr. 154.)
B.
Procedural History
On May 31, 2011, Plaintiff applied for Disability Insurance Benefits (“DIB”) and
Supplemental Security Income (“SSI”). (Tr. 103, 154.) Plaintiff’s application was initially
denied, after which she timely requested a hearing before an Administrative Law Judge (“ALJ”).
(Tr. 49-51.) On October 24, 2013 (Tr. 877-903), and June 24, 2014 (Tr. 865-76), Plaintiff
appeared before ALJ Elizabeth Koennecke. On August 26, 2014, the ALJ issued a written
decision finding Plaintiff not disabled under the Social Security Act. (Tr. 6-21.) On November
9, 2015, the Appeals Council denied Plaintiff’s request for review, rendering the ALJ’s decision
the final decision of the Commissioner. (Tr. 2-5.) Thereafter, Plaintiff timely sought judicial
review in this Court.
C.
The ALJ’s Decision
Generally, in her decision, the ALJ made the following six findings of fact and
conclusions of law. (Tr. 12-19.) First, the ALJ found that Plaintiff had not engaged in
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substantial gainful activity since April 21, 2011, her alleged onset date. (Tr. 12.) Second, the
ALJ found that Plaintiff’s left forearm arteriovenous malformation is a severe impairment. (Id.)
Third, the ALJ found that Plaintiff’s impairment does not meet or medically equal one of the
listed impairments located in 20 C.F.R. Part 404, Subpart P, Appendix, 1. (Tr. 15.) In so doing,
the ALJ considered Listing 1.02B. (Id.) Fourth, the ALJ found that Plaintiff had the residual
functional capacity (“RFC”) to (a) stand and/or walk for six hours in an eight-hour workday, (b)
sit for six hours in an eight-hour work day, (c) understand and follow simple instructions and
directions, (d) perform simple tasks with supervision and independently, (e) maintain attention
and concentration for simple tasks, (f) regularly attend to a routine and maintain a schedule, (g)
relate to and interact with others in order to carry out simple tasks, and (h) handle work-related
stress to the extent that she is able to make decisions directly related to the performance of simple
tasks in any work environment. (Id.) In addition, the ALJ found that Plaintiff does not have any
limitations in her ability to use her dominant upper right extremity to lift, carry, push, and pull,
but that she cannot use her non-dominant upper left extremity to lift, carry, push, and pull. (Id.)
Fifth, the ALJ found that Plaintiff is unable to perform any past relevant work. (Tr. 19.) Sixth,
and finally, the ALJ determined that jobs exist in significant numbers in the national economy
that Plaintiff can perform. (Id.)
II.
THE PARTIES’ BRIEFINGS ON THEIR CROSS-MOTIONS
A.
Plaintiff’s Arguments
Generally, Plaintiff makes the following eight arguments in support of her motion for
judgment on the pleadings.
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First, Plaintiff argues that the ALJ erred by failing to order a consultative intelligence
examination, despite record evidence establishing that she received special education through the
ninth grade of school, for the following five reasons: (1) consultative psychological examiner
Dennis Noia, Ph.D., opined that Plaintiff’s “intellectual functioning is estimated to be in the
borderline range”; (2) despite evidence that the Social Security Administration received records
from Plaintiff’s high school, which may provide information regarding her learning disabilities,
there is no evidence that these records were included as an exhibit or considered by the ALJ; (3)
record evidence demonstrates that Plaintiff suffers from significant cognitive deficits that likely
affect her ability to engage in full-time unskilled work on a competitive basis; (4) the ALJ has an
affirmative duty to develop the record, especially when, as here, there is record evidence that
Plaintiff suffers from a cognitive disorder; and (5) an intelligence examination is necessary in
order to properly assess whether Plaintiff’s impairments meet Listing 12.05(C), particularly
because the ALJ has already found that Plaintiff has a severe physical impairment. (Dkt. No. 16,
at 20-23 [Pl.’s Mem. of Law].)2
Second, Plaintiff argues that the ALJ failed to fully develop the record by not obtaining
additional information regarding her left forearm arteriovenous malformation and knee condition.
(Id. at 24.) Specifically, Plaintiff argues that, rather than give reduced weight to the opinion of
Vittorio Antonacci, M.D., because it was inconsistent with other record evidence, the ALJ should
have ordered a functional assessment. (Id.) Similarly, Plaintiff argues that the ALJ should have
ordered an assessment of Plaintiff’s right knee condition from her treating physician rather than
2
Page citations refer to the page numbers used on CM/ECF rather than the actual
page numbers contained in the parties’ respective motion papers.
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assume that the condition was temporary and could not meet the twelve month duration
requirement. (Id.)
Third, Plaintiff argues that the ALJ erred in failing to (a) find that her diagnosed
depressive disorder is a severe impairment, (b) develop the record concerning her PTSD
symptoms, and (c) properly evaluate her mental impairments. (Id. at 25.) Specifically, Plaintiff
argues that, although the ALJ acknowledged her diagnosis for various mental impairments,
including mood disorder, PTSD, and anxiety disorder, the ALJ failed to explain why these
impairments do not cause more than minimal limitation in Plaintiff’s ability to perform basic
mental work activities. (Id. at 25-26.) Plaintiff argues that the ALJ should have requested
clarifying information from psychologist Benedetta Melnick, Ph.D., regarding her evaluation,
before giving significant weight to Dr. Noia’s opinion that found Plaintiff was not disabled. (Id.
at 26.)
Furthermore, Plaintiff argues that the ALJ failed to properly assess her mental RFC
because the ALJ did not discuss the impact her mental impairments have on her functional
ability. (Id.) Plaintiff argues that, although the ALJ discussed the four factors set forth in 20
C.F.R. § 404.1562(a), her discussion of those factors was not sufficiently detailed to constitute
RFC findings. (Id.)
Fourth, Plaintiff argues that the ALJ failed in her duty to develop the record when she did
not obtain a functional assessment of Plaintiff’s work abilities from a treating physician and,
instead, gave significant weight to the opinions of Dr. Noia and consultative internal medicine
examiner Rita Figueroa, M.D., when formulating her own RFC. (Id. at 26-27.)
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Fifth, Plaintiff argues that the ALJ impermissibly substituted her own opinion for that of a
physician when she concluded that Plaintiff can “stand and/or walk for six hours in an eight-hour
workday and sit for six hours in an eight-hour workday.” (Id. at 28.) Plaintiff argues that this
conclusion is contrary to Dr. Figueroa’s opinion that Plaintiff can stand/or walk for only a total of
20 minutes in an eight-hour work day and can sit for only five hours in an eight-hour work day.
(Id.) Furthermore, Plaintiff argues that the ALJ implicitly found that she can occasionally stoop
because light work, by its nature, requires the ability to occasionally stoop, which is contradicted
by Dr. Figueroa’s opinion that Plaintiff cannot stoop. (Id.)
Sixth, Plaintiff argues that the ALJ failed to perform the required analysis under SSR 967p as well as provide an adequate narrative discussion that explained her reasons for rejecting
Plaintiff’s statements concerning her disabling physical pain, daytime fatigue, problems
concentrating and paying attention, and depression as “not fully credible.” (Id. at 28-29.)
Seventh, Plaintiff argues that the ALJ failed to fully consider Plaintiff’s hearing
testimony, particularly the portions regarding her daytime fatigue, depression, and problems with
mental demands, and instead focused on snippets of testimony that conformed to her conclusion
that Plaintiff is able to perform “simple tasks.” (Id. at 29.) Plaintiff argues that the ALJ’s
assessment of her hearing testimony was not in accordance with relevant Social Security
Regulations and remand is therefore required. (Id.)
Eighth, and finally, Plaintiff argues that the hypothetical questions posed to the vocational
expert (“VE”) by the ALJ were not supported by substantial evidence because the ALJ erred in
assessing Plaintiff’s credibility by ignoring most of her testimony regarding the severity of her
exertional and mental limitations. (Id. at 30.) Therefore, because the hypothetical questions
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were not supported by substantial evidence, Plaintiff argues that the ALJ erred by relying on the
VE’s responses to those questions and ultimately concluding that there are jobs that exist in
significant numbers in the national economy which Plaintiff can perform. (Id.)
B.
Defendant’s Arguments
Generally, Defendant makes the following five arguments in opposition to Plaintiff’s
motion for judgment on the pleadings and in support of her own such motion.
First, Defendant argues that the ALJ did not err by declining to order a consultative
intelligence examination because (a) an ALJ has discretion in deciding whether to order an
intelligence examination, (b) an intelligence examination was unnecessary because the record
evidence indicated that Plaintiff had mental impairments that did not cause more than minimal
limitation in her ability to perform basic mental work activities, (c) the ALJ acknowledged
Plaintiff’s various mental impairments at Step Two (of the five-step disability analysis) and
continued to consider those impairments when evaluating the RFC, (d) the ALJ posed a
hypothetical question to the VE that took into consideration Plaintiff’s age and education, and (e)
Plaintiff was represented by the same attorney throughout the administrative process and she had
ample opportunity to retrieve her own mental health records and obtain an intelligence
examination. (Dkt. No. 22, at 8-11 [Pl.’s Opp’n Mem. of Law].)
Second, Defendant argues that the ALJ did not fail in her duty to fully develop the record
regarding Plaintiff’s physical impairments and Plaintiff’s argument on this point is more of a
disagreement with how the ALJ weighed the evidence. (Id. at 11.) Specifically, Defendant
argues that, because Plaintiff is unable to point to evidence that supports a finding that she has
greater limitations than the ones found by the ALJ, she attempts to argue that the ALJ was
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required to seek additional information. (Id. at 12.) However, Defendant argues that this is
improper burden-shifting and it is the claimant’s burden to establish her RFC limitations. (Id.)
Therefore, Defendant argues, a lack of evidence of disabling conditions supports a finding that
Plaintiff was not disabled. (Id.)
Third, Defendant argues that the ALJ’s RFC assessment is supported by substantial
evidence. With respect to Plaintiff’s physical impairments, Defendant argues that the ALJ
properly relied on Dr. Figueroa’s opinion that Plaintiff had marked limitations in her ability to
handle objects and carry things with her left hand as well as moderate restrictions with walking,
squatting, and kneeling due to her right knee sprain. (Id. at 14.) However, Defendant argues that
the ALJ properly declined to give significant weight to the portion of Dr. Figueroa’s opinion that
Plaintiff was limited in her ability to stand, walk, and kneel because any such limitation was
based on Plaintiff having sprained her knee only three months before Dr. Figueroa’s examination.
(Id.) In any event, even if Plaintiff’s right knee pain met the twelve-month durational
requirement, Defendant argues that a limited range of light work would not be inconsistent with
moderate limitations in the ability to stand, walk, and kneel. (Id.)
With respect to Plaintiff’s left forearm arteriovenous malformation, Defendant argues that
the ALJ’s decision to limit Plaintiff from using her upper left extremity to lift, carry, push, and
pull, is supported by Dr. Antonacci’s treatment notes and statements, as well as Plaintiff’s
testimony that she does not have any problems with her right arm. (Id. at 15.) Furthermore,
Defendant argues that the ALJ did not err by declining to re-contact Dr. Antonacci and ordering a
functional assessment because, even if a limitation is not supported or contradicted by the record
evidence, it does not mean that there is a conflict or ambiguity that requires re-contact. (Id. at
15-16.)
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With respect to whether the record contained medical opinions supporting the ALJ’s
conclusions that Plaintiff can perform the requirements of her RFC finding, Defendant argues
that the ALJ’s RFC determination does not have to correspond perfectly with a specific medical
opinion. (Id. at 16.) More specifically, Defendant argues that it is the ALJ’s responsibility, and
not a physician’s, to determine a claimant’s RFC and that the ALJ in this case made her RFC
assessment after reviewing all of the record evidence, which was consistent with her conclusions.
(Id.)
Fourth, Defendant argues that the ALJ’s credibility determination regarding Plaintiff’s
testimony is supported by substantial evidence because the ALJ properly found that Plaintiff’s
credibility was undermined by her reported daily activities and poor work history. (Id. at 17.)
With respect to Plaintiff’s argument that the ALJ did not properly evaluate her subjective
complaints of pain, Defendant argues that the ALJ reviewed and discussed the objective and
opinion evidence of record. (Id. at 18.) This includes a review of Dr. Figueroa’s opinion that, as
a result of Plaintiff’s left arm impairment, she has marked restrictions in handling objects and Dr.
Antonacci’s opinion that Plaintiff is limited to lifting no more than ten pounds and should not
engage in hard activity. (Id.) Ultimately, Defendant argues, the ALJ limited Plaintiff to light
work that required no use of her left arm in order to account for her subjective complaints of
pain. (Id.)
Fifth, and finally, Defendant argues that, because the ALJ’s RFC determination is
supported by substantial evidence, the hypothetical questions posed to the VE, which were based
on the ALJ’s RFC, were proper and also supported by substantial evidence. (Id.) Therefore,
Defendant argues that the ALJ was entitled to rely on the VE’s responses in finding that there is
work in the national economy that Plaintiff can perform. (Id.)
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III.
RELEVANT LEGAL STANDARD
A.
Standard of Review
A court reviewing a denial of disability benefits may not determine de novo whether
an individual is disabled. 42 U.S.C. § 405(g); Wagner v. Sec’y of Health & Human Servs., 906
F.2d 856, 860 (2d Cir. 1990). Rather, the Commissioner’s determination will be reversed only if
the correct legal standards were not applied, or the determination was not supported by
substantial evidence. See Johnson v. Bowen, 817 F.2d 983, 986 (2d Cir. 1987) (“Where there is a
reasonable basis for doubt whether the ALJ applied correct legal principles, application of the
substantial evidence standard to uphold a finding of no disability creates an unacceptable risk that
a claimant will be deprived of the right to have her disability determination made according to
the correct legal principles.”); accord, Grey v. Heckler, 721 F.2d 41, 46 (2d Cir. 1983); Marcus v.
Califano, 615 F.2d 23, 27 (2d Cir. 1979).
“Substantial evidence” is evidence that amounts to “more than a mere scintilla,” and has
been defined as “such relevant evidence as a reasonable mind might accept as adequate to
support a conclusion.” Richardson v. Perales, 402 U.S. 389, 401 (1971). Where evidence is
deemed susceptible to more than one rational interpretation, the Commissioner’s conclusion must
be upheld. Rutherford v. Schweiker, 685 F.2d 60, 62 (2d Cir. 1982).
“To determine on appeal whether the ALJ’s findings are supported by substantial
evidence, a reviewing court considers the whole record, examining evidence from both sides,
because an analysis of the substantiality of the evidence must also include that which detracts
from its weight.” Williams v. Bowen, 859 F.2d 255, 258 (2d Cir. 1988). If supported by
substantial evidence, the Commissioner’s finding must be sustained “even where substantial
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evidence may support the plaintiff’s position and despite that the court’s independent analysis of
the evidence may differ from the [Commissioner’s].” Rosado v. Sullivan, 805 F. Supp. 147, 153
(S.D.N.Y. 1992). In other words, this Court must afford the Commissioner’s determination
considerable deference, and may not substitute “its own judgment for that of the [Commissioner],
even if it might justifiably have reached a different result upon a de novo review.” Valente v.
Sec’y of Health & Human Servs., 733 F.2d 1037, 1041 (2d Cir. 1984).
B.
Standard to Determine Disability
The Commissioner has established a five-step evaluation process to determine whether an
individual is disabled as defined by the Social Security Act. 20 C.F.R. §§ 404.1520, 416.920.
The Supreme Court has recognized the validity of this sequential evaluation process. Bowen v.
Yuckert, 482 U.S. 137, 140-42, 107 S. Ct. 2287 (1987). The five-step process is as follows:
First, the [Commissioner] considers whether the claimant is currently
engaged in substantial gainful activity. If he is not, the
[Commissioner] next considers whether the claimant has a “severe
impairment” which significantly limits his physical or mental ability
to do basic work activities. If the claimant suffers such an
impairment, the third inquiry is whether, based solely on medical
evidence, the claimant has an impairment which is listed in Appendix
1 of the regulations. If the claimant has such an impairment, the
[Commissioner] will consider him disabled without considering
vocational factors such as age, education, and work experience; the
[Commissioner] presumes that a claimant who is afflicted with a
“listed” impairment is unable to perform substantial gainful activity.
Assuming the claimant does not have a listed impairment, the fourth
inquiry is whether, despite the claimant’s severe impairment, he has
the residual functional capacity to perform his past work. Finally, if
the claimant is unable to perform his past work, the [Commissioner]
then determines whether there is other work which the claimant could
perform. Under the cases previously discussed, the claimant bears the
burden of the proof as to the first four steps, while the
[Commissioner] must prove the final one.
Berry v. Schweiker, 675 F.2d 464, 467 (2d Cir. 1982), accord, McIntyre v. Colvin, 758 F.3d 146,
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150 (2d Cir. 2014). “If at any step a finding of disability or non-disability can be made, the SSA
will not review the claim further.” Barnhart v. Thompson, 540 U.S. 20, 24 (2003).
IV.
ANALYSIS
A.
Whether the ALJ Erred by Failing to Order a Consultative Intelligence
Examination
After carefully considering the matter, the Court answers this question in the negative for
the reasons stated by Defendant in her memorandum of law. (Dkt. No. 22, at 8-11 [Def.’s Mem.
of Law].) To those reasons, the Court adds the following analysis.
A consultative examination is used to “try to resolve an inconsistency in the evidence, or
when the evidence as a whole is insufficient to allow [the ALJ] to make a determination or
decision” on the claim. Tankisi v. Comm’r of Soc. Sec., 521 F. App’x 29, 32 (2d Cir. 2013)
(citing 20 C.F.R. §§ 404.1519a[b], 416.919a[b]). The ALJ has discretion to order a consultative
examination to further develop the evidentiary record. Serianni v. Astrue, 07-CV-250, 2010 WL
786305, *5 (N.D.N.Y. Mar. 1, 2010) (Mordue, J.) (citing Hughes v. Apfel, 992 F. Supp. 243, 248
[W.D.N.Y.1997]); 20 C.F.R. §§ 404.1517, 416.917. “Several courts have held . . . that in
fulfilling the duty to conduct a full and fair inquiry, an ALJ is required to order a consultative
examination where the record establishes that such an examination is necessary to enable the ALJ
to render a decision.” Serianni, 2010 WL 786305 at *5. However, the ALJ is not required to
order a consultative examination if the facts do not warrant or suggest the need for it. Tankisi,
521 F. App’x at 32; see also Lefever v. Astrue, 07-CV-0622, 2010 WL 3909487, at *7 (N.D.N.Y.
Sept. 30, 2010) (Mordue, J.), aff’d, 443 F. App’x 608 (2d Cir. 2011); Gorman v. Colvin, 14-CV0103, 2015 WL 1383823, at *4 (N.D.N.Y. Mar. 25, 2015) (McAvoy, J.) (“Plaintiff fails to point
to evidence during the relevant period showing that her intellectual capacity precluded her from
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engaging in simple, routine, and repetitive unskilled work activities, and therefore the ALJ had
no duty to order a consultive intellectual evaluation.”).
Here, the Court finds that the ALJ did not abuse her discretion in deciding not to order an
intelligence examination. Specifically, the ALJ considered the fact that Plaintiff’s highest level
of education was completing the ninth grade, that she did not receive a GED, and that she
received special education. (Tr. 16, 19.) The ALJ was also aware of Plaintiff’s mental
impairments and noted that Dr. Noia indicated the following diagnosis: “[rule out] Borderline
Intellectual Functioning.” (Tr. 13, 813.) However, “[t]he Court is mindful that in general,
passing references in the record to a claimant’s low intelligence do not trigger an ALJ’s
obligation to order intelligence testing, particularly where other evidence of record, such as the
claimant’s education, work history, and activities of daily living, does not suggest a severe
cognitive impairment.” Wallace v. Colvin, 120 F. Supp. 3d 300, 305 (W.D.N.Y. 2015); see also
Cox v. Astrue, 993 F. Supp. 2d 169, 177-78 (N.D.N.Y. 2012) (McAvoy, J.) (finding that ALJ was
not obligated to obtain an intelligence examination where the facts did not warrant it). The facts
in the present case did not warrant obtaining an intelligence examination for the reasons stated by
Defendant in her memorandum of law. (Dkt. No. 22, at 8-10 [Def.’s Mem. of Law].)
Plaintiff argues that an intelligence examination was necessary because it could have led
to a finding that she was disabled under Listing 12.05(C). (Dkt. No. 16, at 21 [Pl.’s Mem. of
Law].) Listing 12.05 is entitled “Intellectual disability.” 20 C.F.R. Part 404, Subpt. P, App. 1 §
12.05. To meet the requirements of Listing 12.05(C), a claimant must show “(1) below average
intellectual function with adaptive functioning deficits manifested before age [twenty-two] and
continuing during the claim period, (2) a valid IQ score of [sixty] through [seventy], and (3) an
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impairment, other than [his] low IQ, that imposes an additional and significant work-related
limitation of functioning.” Lyons v. Colvin, 13-CV-0614, 2014 WL 4826789, at *6 (N.D.N.Y.
Sept. 29, 2014) (McAvoy, J.) (internal quotation marks and citations omitted). That the third
requirement has been satisfied is not in dispute because the ALJ found Plaintiff’s left forearm
arteriovenous malformation to be a severe impairment. See Lyons, 2014 WL 4826789, at *12
(“The Second Circuit ‘has not yet ruled on what test should be utilized with respect to §
12.05(C)[,]’ . . . [but] ‘[t]he district courts of the Second Circuit have generally adopted the view
of the First, Eighth, and Tenth Circuits to the effect that ‘a limitation other than low IQ is
‘significant’ if the claimant suffers from an additional physical or other mental impairment that is
‘severe’ as that term is defined at step two of the Commissioner’s sequential analysis.’”).
As an initial matter, the Court notes that the ALJ’s decision is devoid of any mention of
Listing 12.05(C). However, the failure to discuss this Listing, in and of itself, does not constitute
reversible error. See Solis v. Berryhill, No. 16-1692, 2017 WL 2416900, at *2 (2d Cir. June 5,
2017) (holding that ALJ did not have to explicitly discuss a listing where his “general conclusion
(that Solis did not meet a listed impairment) is supported by substantial evidence”); Jackson v.
Colvin, 14-CV-0756, 2015 WL 5005740, at *3 (N.D.N.Y. Aug. 20, 2015) (Sharpe, J.) (holding
that ALJ’s failure to discuss Listing 12.05[C] was not reversible error where it was apparent from
ALJ’s decision that he considered the requirements of 12.05[C]); Clark v. Colvin, 12-CV-1507,
2013 WL 6795627, at *10 (N.D.N.Y. Dec. 18, 2013) (Hurd, J.) (noting that the ALJ’s failure to
mention Listing 12.05[C] by its number was harmless error where the court could glean from the
ALJ’s decision that he considered the Listing 12.05[C] requirements). In any event, the Court
finds that Plaintiff has failed to meet her burden with respect to the first requirement of Listing
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12.05(C), i.e., that she has deficits in adaptive functioning that initially manifested before she
reached the age of twenty-two.
“Adaptive functioning refers to an individual’s ability to cope with the challenges of
ordinary everyday life.” Green v. Colvin, 14-CV-6632, 2016 WL 943620, at *9 (W.D.N.Y. Mar.
14, 2016) (internal quotation marks and citations omitted). “Courts have enumerated examples
of daily activities that evidence adequate adaptive functioning: successful education in regular
classes as opposed to special education courses, living on one’s own, taking care of children
without help, paying bills and managing one’s own finances, and engaging in productive social
relationships.” Marmer v. Colvin, 13-CV-2787, 2014 WL 1365471, at *4 (E.D.N.Y. 2014). Here,
the ALJ gave significant weight to Dr. Noia’s finding that Plaintiff does not have limitations in
her ability to (a) understand, remember, and carry out simple instructions, and (b) make
judgments on simple work-related decisions. (Tr. 17.) Furthermore, Dr. Noia found that Plaintiff
has only mild limitations in her ability to interact appropriately with the public, supervisors, and
co-workers as well as in her ability to respond appropriately to usual work situations and to
changes in a routine work setting. (Tr. 17-18.)
The ALJ also applied the “special technique” at Step Two, which required her to assess
four categories of functionality: “activities of daily living; social functioning; concentration,
persistence, or pace; and episodes of decompensation.” 20 C.F.R. §§ 404.1520a(c)(3),
416.920a(c)(3). The ALJ found Plaintiff was mildly limited in the first three functional areas and
did not have any episodes of decompensation. (Tr. 14.) In her discussion of Plaintiff’s activities
of daily living, the ALJ once again cited Dr. Noia’s report, which stated that Plaintiff is able to
dress, bathe, groom herself, cook and prepare meals with help from her children, do general
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cleaning slowly, do laundry, shop, manage money, and use public transportation. (Id.) The ALJ
also noted that mental health treatment notes consistently pointed out that Plaintiff is able to care
for her children and attend church. (Id.)
Finally, Plaintiff indicated that she could pay bills, count change, handle a savings
account, and use a checkbook or money orders. (Tr. 160.) Her hobbies included writing,
reading, text messaging on the telephone, and computers. (Tr. 161.) Plaintiff also has an
extensive work history, which further indicates that she has the ability to perform at least
unskilled work, despite her alleged intellectual impairments. (Tr. 140, 144, 165.) Under these
circumstances, there is substantial evidence to support the conclusion that, even if the ALJ erred
in failing to develop the record, the error was harmless, because Plaintiff has not demonstrated
that she has deficits in adaptive functioning. Jackson, 2015 WL 5005740, at *3.
B.
Whether the ALJ Failed to Fully Develop the Record with Regard to
Plaintiff’s Physical Impairments
After carefully considering the matter, the Court answers this question in the negative for
the reasons stated by Defendant in her memorandum of law. (Dkt. No. 22, at 11-12, 14-16
[Def.’s Mem. of Law].) To those reasons, the Court adds the following two points.
First, Plaintiff argues that the ALJ should have ordered a full function-by-function
assessment from Dr. Antonacci if she thought one was needed to give more weight to his opinion
that Plaintiff should be limited to sedentary work with a ten pound lifting restriction. (Dkt. No.
16, at 24 [Pl.’s Mem. of Law].) However, the ALJ’s failure to obtain a functional assessment, in
and of itself, does not require remand. See Diakogiannis v. Astrue, 975 F. Supp. 2d 299, 317
(W.D.N.Y. 2013) (“Although nothing in the record indicates that the ALJ attempted to obtain a
functional assessment from Dr. Samikkannu, her failure to request such an assessment does not
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necessarily mandate remand.”) (citing cases). “Instead, the relevant inquiry is whether, in the
absence of the assessment, the record was sufficient to support the ALJ’s RFC assessment.”
Diakogiannis, 975 F. Supp. 2d at 317; see also Kunkel v. Comm’r, 12-CV-6478, 2013 WL
4495008, at *17 (W.D.N.Y. Aug. 20, 2013) (“[T]o the extent Plaintiff maintains that reversal is
automatically required in this action merely because the ALJ did not request or obtain an RFC
assessment from Nigwekar, the Court disagrees. Rather, the issue is whether the record was
adequate to permit the ALJ to determine whether or not Plaintiff was disabled.”). Here, the Court
finds that the record evidence was sufficient to support the ALJ’s RFC findings without a
functional assessment from Dr. Antonacci. (Tr. 17-19.) The Court reaches the same conclusion
with respect to whether the ALJ should have obtained a functional assessment from Dr. Melnick
and/or Beverly Ischia, NP, because, again, the record evidence was sufficient to support the
ALJ’s findings. (Tr. 16-19.)
Second, Plaintiff argues that the ALJ rejected Dr. Figueroa’s limitation assessment by
“assuming without proof” that her right knee injury is temporary and cannot meet the twelve
month duration requirement. (Dkt. No. 16, at 24 [Pl.’s Mem. of Law].) However, it is Plaintiff’s
burden to demonstrate that her impairment has lasted, or is expected to last, twelve months from
the onset of disability. See Smith v. Colvin, 17 F. Supp. 3d 260, 265 (W.D.N.Y. 2014) (“The
claimant bears the burden of proof with respect to the first four steps of the analysis.”); SSR 8252. Here, Plaintiff’s medical records indicate that, on September 24, 2013, she was seen by NP
Ischia, who noted that Plaintiff had fallen on her knee after tripping on railroad tracks. (Tr. 636.)
However, NP Ischia also noted that x-rays were negative for a sprained right knee. (Id.)
Thereafter, on October 24, 2013, Plaintiff testified at her administrative hearing that her knee
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injury was expected to heal in four to six weeks. (Tr. 889.) On November 5, 2013, Plaintiff was
seen again by NP Ischia, who noted in Plaintiff’s progress notes that Plaintiff had a right knee
sprain without mentioning a basis for this diagnosis. (Tr. 638.) Finally, on January 1, 2014,
Plaintiff was examined by Dr. Figueroa, who noted that Plaintiff had a right knee sprain and was
continuing to experience sharp pain. (Tr. 819.)
Although Plaintiff’s complaints to Dr. Figueroa indicate that her injury did not heal
within the initial four-to-six week prognosis, this does not mean that the injury would not have
healed within twelve months. In other words, Plaintiff has not submitted (or pointed to) any
objective medical evidence indicating that her right knee injury was expected to last up to twelve
months or longer, other than the fact that she continued to experience pain beyond her initial
four-to-six week prognosis. Perhaps most importantly, the ALJ noted that Plaintiff has not
established that her knee injury was in fact a knee sprain. (Tr. 13.) As NP Ischia noted, x-rays
were negative for a sprain. (Tr. 636.) NP Ischia does not state the basis for a right knee sprain
diagnosis during her follow-up examination of Plaintiff. (Tr. 638.) Furthermore, nurse
practitioners are not acceptable medical sources. See Mongeur v. Heckler, 722 F.2d 1033, 1039
n.2 (2d Cir. 1983) (“[T]he diagnosis of a nurse practitioner should not be given the extra weight
accorded a treating physician.”); accord, Genier v. Astrue, 298 F. App’x 105, 108 (2d Cir. 2008).
For these reasons, as well as for the reasons stated by Defendant in her memorandum of law
(Dkt. No. 22, at 14-16 [Def.’s Mem. of Law]), the Court finds that the ALJ did not err by
declining to order an assessment of Plaintiff’s knee condition.
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C.
Whether the ALJ Erred in Failing to Find that Plaintiff’s Diagnosed
Depressive Disorder Is a Severe Impairment and Whether the ALJ Failed to
Properly Evaluate Plaintiff’s Mental Impairments
After carefully considering the matter, the Court answers both of these questions in the
negative for the reasons discussed below.
The claimant bears the burden of presenting evidence establishing severity at Step Two of
the disability analysis. Briggs v. Astrue, 09-CV-1422, 2011 WL 2669476, at *3 (N.D.N.Y. Mar.
4, 2011) (Bianchini, M.J.), adopted, 2011 WL 2669463 (N.D.N.Y. July 7, 2011) (Scullin, J.). A
severe impairment is one that significantly limits the plaintiff’s physical and/or mental ability to
do basic work activities. 20 C.F.R. § 404.1520(c); see also 20 C.F.R. § 404.1521(a) (noting that
an impairment is not severe at Step Two if it does not significantly limit a claimant’s ability to do
basic work activities).
The Regulations define “basic work activities” as the “abilities and aptitudes necessary to
do most jobs,” examples of which include the following: (1) physical functions such as walking,
standing, lifting, pushing, pulling, reaching, carrying, or handling; (2) capacities for seeing,
hearing, and speaking; (3) understanding, carrying out, and remembering simple instructions; (4)
using judgment; (5) responding appropriately to supervision, co-workers and usual work
situations; and (6) dealing with changes in a routine work setting. 20 C.F.R. § 404.1521(b).
“Severity” is determined by the limitations imposed by an impairment, and not merely by a
diagnosis. The mere presence or diagnosis of a disease or impairment is not, by itself, sufficient
to deem a condition severe. Hamilton v. Astrue, 12-CV-6291, 2013 WL 5474210, at *10
(W.D.N.Y. Sept. 30, 2013).
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An ALJ should make a finding of “‘not severe’. . . if the medical evidence establishes
only a ‘slight abnormality’ which would have ‘no more than a minimal effect on an individual’s
ability to work.’” Rosario v. Apfel, 97-CV-5759, 1999 WL 294727, at *5 (E.D.N.Y. Mar. 19,
1999). Although an impairment may not be severe by itself, the ALJ must also consider “the
possibility of several such impairments combining to produce a severe impairment . . . .” SSR
85-28, 1985 WL 56856, at *3. The Second Circuit has held that the Step Two analysis “may do
no more than screen out de minimis claims.” Dixon v. Shalala, 54 F.3d 1019, 1030 (2d Cir.
1995). If the disability claim rises above a de minimis level, then the ALJ must undertake the
remaining analysis of the claim at Step Three through Step Five. Dixon, 54 F.3d at 1030.
Here, the Court finds that the ALJ properly found Plaintiff’s depressive disorder to be
non-severe for the reasons discussed by the ALJ in her decision. (Tr. 13-14.) In any event, even
if the ALJ erred in this regard, it would amount to only a harmless error because the ALJ
considered the limiting effects of Plaintiff’s mental impairments during the subsequent steps of
her analysis. (Tr. 16-18.) See Reices-Colon v. Astrue, 523 F. App’x 796, 798 (2d Cir. 2013)
(finding alleged Step Two error harmless because ALJ considered impairments during
subsequent steps); Snyder v. Colvin, 13-CV-0585, 2014 WL 3107962, at *5 (N.D.N.Y. July 8,
2014) (Sharpe, C.J.) (“[W]hen an administrative law judge identifies some severe impairments at
Step 2, and then proceeds through sequential evaluation on the basis of combined effects of all
impairments, including those erroneously found to be non severe, an error in failing to identify all
severe impairments at Step 2 is harmless.”). Indeed, the ALJ incorporated mental limitations into
her ultimate RFC determination. (Tr. 15.)
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With respect to whether the ALJ properly evaluated Plaintiff’s mental impairments,
Plaintiff argues that the ALJ “does not discuss the impact of [her] mental impairments on her
functional ability” and that “nowhere in her Decision does the ALJ explain specifically why
Plaintiff would be able to ‘understand and follow’ simple instructions and directions in the
workplace, ‘to perform simple tasks with supervision and independently,’ etc.” (Dkt. No. 16, at
26 [Pl.’s Mem. of Law].) However, the ALJ gave significant weight to Dr. Noia’s opinion,
which stated that Plaintiff does not have any limitations in her ability to understand, remember,
and carry out simple instructions and make judgments on simple work-related decisions. (Tr.
17.) See Lauber v. Colvin, 14-CV-6146, 2015 WL 4600356, at *5 (W.D.N.Y. July 29, 2015)
(“The Second Circuit also has found that a consultative examiner’s opinion can constitute
substantial evidence in support of an ALJ’s RFC assessment.”). The ALJ further discussed Dr.
Noia’s opinion that Plaintiff has mild limitations in her ability to interact appropriately with the
public, supervisors, and co-workers as well as in her ability to respond appropriately to usual
work situations and to changes in a routine work setting. (Tr. 17-18.) The ALJ incorporated
these limitations into her RFC, concluding as follows:
Although the claimant only has mild psychological limitations in
the [paragraph] B criteria and non-severe mental impairments, . . .
the claimant has been protectively limited to the functions of
unskilled work in the above-listed [RFC] due to the combination of
her non-severe mental impairments, reports of chronic pain due to
her left upper extremity impairment, and the side effects of
medication and treatment.
(Tr. 18.) Therefore, the Court finds that the ALJ properly evaluated Plaintiff’s mental
impairments and adequately considered them in formulating her RFC.
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D.
Whether the ALJ Improperly Substituted Her Own Opinion for an Expert
Medical Opinion
After carefully considering the matter, the Court answers this question in the negative for
the reasons stated by Defendant in her memorandum of law. (Dkt. No. 22, at 16-17 [Def.’s Mem.
of Law].) To those reasons, the Court adds the following one point.
The Second Circuit has held that the ALJ’s RFC determination need not “perfectly
correspond with” any medical source opinion. Matta v. Astrue, 508 F. App’x 53, 56 (2d Cir.
2013). Rather, the ALJ is “entitled to weigh all of the evidence available to make a[ ] . . . finding
that [is] consistent with the record as a whole.” Matta, 508 F. App’x at 56. In the present case,
Plaintiff argues that the ALJ made her own determination that Plaintiff can stand or walk for six
hours despite Dr. Figueroa’s opinion that she is limited to performing both of these activities for
twenty minutes each. (Dkt. No. 16, at 28 [Pl.’s Mem. of Law].) In addition, Plaintiff argues that
the ALJ determined that she can sit for six hours and can perform light work (which requires
occasional stooping) despite Dr. Figueroa’s opinion that Plaintiff can sit for only five hours and
that she cannot stoop at all. (Id.) However, as discussed above in Part IV.B. of this Decision and
Order and in the ALJ’s decision (Tr. 13, 18), Dr. Figueroa’s assessment was based on Plaintiff’s
temporary knee injury that did not meet the durational requirement, was not supported by
objective medical evidence, and was not consistent with Plaintiff’s activities of daily living.
Accordingly, it was proper for the ALJ not to incorporate these limitations into her RFC
determination. In formulating Plaintiff’s RFC, the ALJ weighed all of the evidence and made a
determination that was consistent with the record as a whole. (Tr. 15-19; Dkt. No. 22, at 12-17
[Def.’s Mem. of Law].)
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E.
Whether the ALJ Improperly Evaluated Plaintiff’s Credibility
After carefully considering the matter, the Court answers this question in the negative for
the reasons stated by Defendant in her memorandum of law. (Dkt. No. 22, at 17-18 [Def.’s Mem.
of Law].) To those reasons, the Court adds the following analysis.
A plaintiff’s allegation of pain is “entitled to great weight where . . . it is supported by
objective medical evidence.” Rockwood v. Astrue, 614 F. Supp. 2d 252, 270 (N.D.N.Y. 2009)
(Mordue, C.J., adopting Report-Recommendation of Bianchini, M.J.) (quoting Simmons v. U.S.
R.R. Ret. Bd., 982 F.2d 49, 56 [2d Cir. 1992]). However, the ALJ “is not required to accept [a
plaintiff’s] subjective complaints without question; he may exercise discretion in weighing the
credibility of the [plaintiff’s] testimony in light of the other evidence in the record.” Montaldo v.
Astrue, 10-CV-6163, 2012 WL 893186, at *17 (S.D.N.Y. Mar. 15 2012). “When rejecting
subjective complaints, an ALJ must do so explicitly and with sufficient specificity to enable the
Court to decide whether there are legitimate reasons for the ALJ’s disbelief.” Rockwood, 614 F.
Supp. 2d at 270.
“The ALJ’s credibility assessment must be based on a two step analysis of pertinent
evidence in the record. First, the ALJ must determine whether the claimant has medically
determinable impairments, which could reasonably be expected to produce the pain or other
symptoms alleged.” Id., at 271.
Second, if medically determinable impairments are shown, then the
ALJ must evaluate the intensity, persistence, and limiting effects of
the symptoms to determine the extent to which they limit the
claimant’s capacity to work. Because an individual’s symptoms can
sometimes suggest a greater level of severity of impairment than can
be shown by the objective medical evidence alone, an ALJ will
consider the following factors in assessing a claimant’s credibility:
(1) claimant’s daily activities; (2) location, duration, frequency, and
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intensity of claimant’s symptoms; (3) precipitating and aggravating
factors; (4) type, dosage, effectiveness, and side effects of any
medication taken to relieve symptoms; (5) other treatment received
to relieve symptoms; (6) any measures taken by the claimant to
relieve symptoms; and (7) any other factors concerning claimant’s
functional limitations and restrictions due to symptoms.
Id. (citing §§ 404.1529[c][3][i]-[vii], 416.929[c][3][i]-[vii]). Further, “[i]t is the role of the
Commissioner, not the reviewing court, ‘to resolve evidentiary conflicts and to appraise the
credibility of witnesses,’ including with respect to the severity of a claimant’s symptoms.”
Cichocki v. Astrue, 534 F. App’x 71, 75 (2d Cir. 2013) (quoting Carroll v. Sec’y of Health &
Human Servs., 705 F.2d 638, 642 [2d Cir. 1983]).
In the present case, the ALJ found that Plaintiff’s credibility was undermined by her
reported daily activities, which included caring for her two children, performing self-care,
preparing meals, using public transportation, and attending church. (Tr. 17, 157-61, 622, 796,
798, 799, 812.) The ALJ also considered Plaintiff’s poor work history. (Tr. 17.) See also 20
C.F.R. §§ 404.1529(c)(3), 416.929(c)(3) (stating that information about a claimant’s prior work
record is a pertinent credibility factor). Therefore, the ALJ properly concluded that, although
Plaintiff was limited in her mental and physical capacity, her statements regarding her daily
activities were inconsistent with her allegations of disabling symptoms and limitations. (Tr. 17.)
Plaintiff’s argument that the ALJ failed to explicitly evaluate her complaints in light of
the seven statutory factors noted above is unpersuasive. “Because the ALJ thoroughly explained
his credibility determination and the record evidence permits us to glean the rationale of the
ALJ’s decision, the ALJ’s failure to discuss those factors not relevant to his credibility
determination does not require remand.” Cichocki, 534 F. App’x at 76. Here, the ALJ complied
with the Regulations and articulated the inconsistencies that she considered in discrediting
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Plaintiff’s allegations of disabling impairments. (Tr. 16-17.) In evaluating Plaintiff’s allegedly
totally disabling pain symptoms, the ALJ reviewed and discussed the objective evidence of
record and the opinion evidence. Specifically, Dr. Figueroa opined that, as a result of Plaintiff’s
left arm impairment, she has marked restrictions handling objects. (Tr. 823.) Dr. Antonacci
stated that Plaintiff was limited to lifting no more than ten pounds and was restricted from hard
activity. (Tr. 245.) Nevertheless, the ALJ limited Plaintiff to light work that required no use of
her left arm in order to account for her subjective complaints of pain.
F.
Whether the ALJ Improperly Relied on the VE’s Testimony
After carefully considering the matter, the Court answers this question in the negative for
the reasons stated by Defendant in her memorandum of law. (Dkt. No. 22, at 18 [Def.’s Mem. of
Law].) To those reasons, the Court adds the following one point.
An ALJ may rely on a VE’s testimony regarding the availability of work as long as the
hypothetical facts the expert is asked to consider are based on substantial evidence and accurately
reflect the plaintiff’s limitations. Calabrese v. Astrue, 358 F. App’x 274, 276 (2d Cir. 2009).
Where a hypothetical question is based on an ALJ’s RFC analysis which is supported by
substantial evidence, the hypothetical question is proper. Calabrese, 358 F. App’x at 276-77.
Here, because the ALJ’s RFC determination is supported by substantial evidence, and because
the ALJ posed hypothetical questions to the VE that were based on her RFC, the ALJ properly
relied on the VE’s testimony when she concluded that there is work in the national economy that
Plaintiff can perform.
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ACCORDINGLY, it is
ORDERED that the Clerk of the Court is directed to substitute Acting Commissioner
Nancy A. Berryhill for Acting Commissioner of Social Security Carolyn W. Colvin as the
Defendant in this action, pursuant to Fed. R. Civ. P. 25(d); and it is further
ORDERED that Plaintiff’s motion for judgment on the pleadings (Dkt. No. 16) is
DENIED; and it is further
ORDERED that Defendant’s motion for judgment on the pleadings (Dkt. No. 22) is
GRANTED; and it is further
ORDERED that Defendant’s decision denying disability benefits is AFFIRMED; and it
is further
ORDERED that Plaintiff’s Complaint (Dkt. No. 1) is DISMISSED.
Dated: July 14, 2017
Syracuse, New York
______________________________________
Hon. Glenn T. Suddaby
Chief U.S. District Judge
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