White v. Commissioner of Social Security
Filing
23
MEMORANDUM DECISION AND ORDER denying Plaintiff's 13 Motion for Judgment on the Pleadings; granting the Commissioner's 18 Motion for Judgment on the Pleadings and dismissing Plaintiff's complaint with prejudice. Signed by Hon. Donald D. Bush on 9/11/2019. (KLH)
UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
WESTERN DISTRICT OF NEW YORK
DEBORAH F. WHITE,
Plaintiff,
v.
COMMISSIONER OF SOCIAL SECURITY,
Defendant.
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Case # 1:18-cv-225-DB
MEMORANDUM DECISION
AND ORDER
INTRODUCTION
Plaintiff Deborah A. White (“Plaintiff”) brings this action pursuant to the Social Security
Act (the “Act”), seeking review of the final decision of the Commissioner of Social Security (the
“Commissioner”) that denied her application for Disability Insurance Benefits (“DIB”) under Title
II of the Act and her application for supplemental security income (“SSI”) under Title XVI of the
Social Security Act (the Act). See ECF No. 1. The Court has jurisdiction over this action under 42
U.S.C. §§ 405(g), 1383(c), and is before the undersigned, in accordance with a standing order.
Both parties moved for judgment on the pleadings pursuant to Federal Rule of Civil
Procedure 12(c). See ECF Nos. 13, 18. Plaintiff also filed a reply. See ECF No. 19. For the reasons
set forth below, Plaintiff’s motion (ECF No.13) is DENIED, and the Commissioner’s motion
(ECF No. 18) is GRANTED.
BACKGROUND
On April 2, 2014, Plaintiff protectively filed her DIB and SSI applications, alleging a
disability beginning on May 22, 2009 (the disability onset date), due to: “(1) Anxiety/Severe
Depression; (2) HIV; (3) Knees; (4) Back Disc; and (5) Seizures.” Transcript (“Tr.”) 213.
Plaintiff’s claim was denied initially on August 4, 2014 (Tr. 109-120), after which she requested
an administrative hearing. Plaintiff’s hearing was held before Administrative Law Judge Melissa
Lin Jones (the “ALJ”) on August 23, 2016, in Buffalo, New York. Tr. 11-20. Plaintiff’s nonattorney representative, Jeanne Murray, also appeared at the hearing. Tr. 20. Joseph Atkinson, a
vocational expert (“VE”), also appeared and testified at the hearing. Id.
The ALJ issued an unfavorable decision on December 22, 2016, finding that Plaintiff was
not disabled under section 1614(a)(3)(A) of the Act. Tr. 11-20. On December 14, 2017, the
Appeals Council denied Plaintiff’s request for further review. Tr. 1-7. The ALJ’s decision thus
became the “final decision” of the Commissioner subject to judicial review under 42 U.S.C. §
405(g).
LEGAL STANDARD
I.
District Court Review
“In reviewing a final decision of the SSA, this Court is limited to determining whether the
SSA’s conclusions were supported by substantial evidence in the record and were based on a
correct legal standard.” Talavera v. Astrue, 697 F.3d 145, 151 (2d Cir. 2012) (citing 42 U.S.C. §
405(g)) (other citation omitted). The Act holds that the Commissioner’s decision is “conclusive”
if it is supported by substantial evidence. 42 U.S.C. § 405(g). “Substantial evidence means more
than a mere scintilla. It means such relevant evidence as a reasonable mind might accept as
adequate to support a conclusion.” Moran v. Astrue, 569 F.3d 108, 112 (2d Cir. 2009) (citations
omitted). It is not the Court’s function to “determine de novo whether [the claimant] is disabled.”
Schaal v. Apfel, 134 F. 3d 496, 501 (2d Cir. 1990).
II.
The Sequential Evaluation Process
An ALJ must follow a five-step sequential evaluation to determine whether a claimant is
disabled within the meaning of the Act. See Parker v. City of New York, 476 U.S. 467, 470-71
(1986). At step one, the ALJ must determine whether the claimant is engaged in substantial gainful
2
work activity. See 20 C.F.R. § 404.1520(b). If so, the claimant is not disabled. If not, the ALJ
proceeds to step two and determines whether the claimant has an impairment, or combination of
impairments, that is “severe” within the meaning of the Act, meaning that it imposes significant
restrictions on the claimant’s ability to perform basic work activities. Id. § 404.1520(c). If the
claimant does not have a severe impairment or combination of impairments meeting the durational
requirements, the analysis concludes with a finding of “not disabled.” If the claimant does, the
ALJ continues to step three.
At step three, the ALJ examines whether a claimant’s impairment meets or medically
equals the criteria of a listed impairment in Appendix 1 of Subpart P of Regulation No. 4 (the
“Listings”). Id. § 404.1520(d). If the impairment meets or medically equals the criteria of a Listing
and meets the durational requirement, the claimant is disabled. Id. § 404.1509. If not, the ALJ
determines the claimant’s residual functional capacity, which is the ability to perform physical or
mental work activities on a sustained basis notwithstanding limitations for the collective
impairments. See id. § 404.1520(e)-(f).
The ALJ then proceeds to step four and determines whether the claimant’s RFC permits
him or her to perform the requirements of his or her past relevant work. 20 C.F.R. § 404.1520(f).
If the claimant can perform such requirements, then he or she is not disabled. Id. If he or she
cannot, the analysis proceeds to the fifth and final step, wherein the burden shifts to the
Commissioner to show that the claimant is not disabled. Id. § 404.1520(g). To do so, the
Commissioner must present evidence to demonstrate that the claimant “retains a residual
functional capacity to perform alternative substantial gainful work which exists in the national
economy” in light of his or her age, education, and work experience. See Rosa v. Callahan, 168
F.3d 72, 77 (2d Cir. 1999) (quotation marks omitted); see also 20 C.F.R. § 404.1560(c).
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ADMINISTRATIVE LAW JUDGE’S FINDINGS
The ALJ analyzed Plaintiff’s claim for benefits under the process described above and
made the following findings in her December 22, 2016 decision:
1. The claimant meets the insured status requirements of the Social Security Act through
March 31, 2012;
2. The claimant has not engaged in substantial gainful activity since May 22, 2009, the alleged
onset date (20 CFR 404.1571 et seq., and 416.971 et seq.);
3. The claimant has the following severe impairments: anxiety disorder; depression; panic
disorder and substance abuse disorder (20 CFR 404.1520(c) and 416.920(c));
4. The claimant does not have an impairment or combination of impairments that meets or
medically equals the severity of one of the listed impairments in 20 CFR Part 404, Subpart
P, Appendix 1 (20 CFR 404.1520(d), 404.1525, 404.1526, 416.920(d), 416.925 and
416.926);
5. The claimant has the residual functional capacity to perform light work as defined in 20
CFR 404.1567(b) and 416.967(b) 1 except she is limited to simple, routine, repetitive tasks
(not at a production rate pace), using judgment and dealing with changes in the work setting
limited to simple work-related decisions; and only occasional interaction with supervisors,
coworkers or the public;
6. The claimant is capable of performing past relevant work as a housekeeping cleaner, DOT
#323.687-014. This work does not require the performance of work-related activities
precluded by the claimant's residual functional capacity (20 CFR 404.1565 and 416.965);
7. The claimant has not been under a disability, as defined in the Social Security Act, from
May 22, 2009, through the date of this decision (20 CFR 404.1520(1) and 416.920(1)).
Tr. at 11-20.
Accordingly, the ALJ determined that, for the application for DIB, protectively filed on
April 2, 2014, Plaintiff is not disabled under sections 2l6(i) and 223(d) of the Act. Id. at 20. The
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“Light work involves lifting no more than 20 pounds at a time with frequent lifting or carrying of objects weighing
up to 10 pounds. Even though the weight lifted may be very little, a job is in this category when it requires a good deal
of walking or standing, or when it involves sitting most of the time with some pushing and pulling of arm or leg
controls. To be considered capable of performing a full or wide range of light work, [the claimant] must have the
ability to do substantially all of these activities. If someone can do light work, [the SSA] determine[s] that he or she
can also do sedentary work, unless there are additional limiting factors such as loss of fine dexterity or inability to sit
for long periods of time.” 20 C.F.R. § 404.1567(b).
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ALJ also determined that, for the application for SSI protectively filed on April 2, 2014, Plaintiff
is not disabled under section 1614(a)(3)(A) of the Act.
ANALYSIS
Plaintiff asserts two points of error. First, Plaintiff argues that the Appeals Council erred
by discounting the ”second” opinion issued by her treating physician, Fatai Gbadamosi, M.D.
(“Dr. Gbadamosi”). See ECF No. 13-1 at 14. Next, Plaintiff argues the ALJ failed to assess
limitations placed on Plaintiff following an MRI for back pain at Erie County Medical Center. Id.
at 17.
The Commissioner’s determination that a claimant is not disabled will be set aside when
the factual findings are not supported by “substantial evidence.” 42 U.S.C. § 405(g); see also Shaw
v. Chater, 221 F.3d 126, 131 (2d Cir. 2000). Substantial evidence has been interpreted to mean
“such relevant evidence as a reasonable mind might accept as adequate to support a conclusion.”
Id. The Court may also set aside the Commissioner's decision when it is based upon legal error.
Rosa, 168 F.3d at 77.
Plaintiff has applied for benefits multiple times since 2006. Tr. 72, 209. She stopped
working at the end of 2007 (Tr. 213) but had some self-employment income in 2014 (Tr. 13). In
her current application, Plaintiff alleged she could not work beginning May 22, 2009, because of
limitations from anxiety/severe depression, HIV, a knee condition, a back condition at discs 3 and
4, and seizures. Tr. 174-91, 213. At the hearing, Plaintiff complained of a litany of mental and
physical ailments, including anxiety, panic attacks, difficulty dealing with others, poor sleep due
to pain, history of substance abuse and overdose, frequent falling, difficulty navigating stairs, and
difficulty standing/walking for prolonged periods. See Tr. 43-47, 50-54, 59-60. The record also
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reflects that Plaintiff is HIV positive, although, as noted by the ALJ, this has required only
conservative treatment. Tr. 16.
I.
The Appeals Council Properly Considered Plaintiff’s Additional Evidence.
Plaintiff objects to the Appeals Council’s rejection of additional evidence submitted after
the ALJ’s decision. See ECF No. 13-1 at 14. As an initial matter, the Court finds the new evidence
submitted to the Appeals Council after the ALJ's decision is part of the administrative record for
judicial review when the Appeals Council denies review of the ALJ's decision. Perez v. Chater,
77 F.3d at 45. The regulations expressly authorize claimants to submit new and material evidence 2
to the Appeals Council without a “good cause” requirement, as long as it relates to the period on
or before the ALJ's decision. Id. (citing § 404.970(b) and § 416.1470(b)).
In addition, the new evidence should be treated as part of the administrative record. Id. The
Appeals Council is required to “evaluate the entire record including the new and material evidence
submitted . . . [and] review the case if it finds that the [ALJ’s] action, findings, or conclusion is
contrary to the weight of the evidence currently of record.” § 404.970(b); see also § 416.1470(b).
Id. “Therefore, when the Appeals Council denies review after considering new evidence, the
Secretary’s final decision “necessarily includes the Appeals Council’s conclusion that the ALJ's
findings remained correct despite the new evidence.” Id. (citing O’Dell v. Shalala, 44 F.3d 855,
859 (10th Cir. 1994). Accordingly, the administrative record before this Court consists of all
evidence submitted before this decision, including any new evidence that was not before the ALJ.
2
Evidence is “new” when it has not been considered previously in the administrative process. See Ovitt v. Colvin,
2014 WL 1806995, *3 (N.D.N.Y. May 7, 2014). New evidence is “material” where it is both relevant to the plaintiff's
condition during the relevant time period, and probative. Pollard v. Halter, 377 F.3d 183, 193 (2d Cir. 2004). “The
concept of materiality requires, in addition, a reasonable possibility that the new evidence would have influenced the
[Commissioner] to decide claimant's application differently.” Id.
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In this case, the ALJ left the record open after the hearing for Plaintiff’s attorney to submit
additional evidence; the record reflects that additional medical evidence was thereafter submitted.
See Tr. 20, 40, 631-929. It appears that Plaintiff sought another opinion from Dr. Gbadamosi only
after the ALJ issued her decision in December 2016, finding Plaintiff not disabled. Tr. 11-20.
Plaintiff submitted to the Appeals Council an unsigned February 20, 2017 medical source
statement from Dr. Gbadamosi, Plaintiff’s treating physician at Evergreen Health Services, Inc.
Tr. 930-35. The form was dated February 20, 2017, faxed from Plaintiff’s attorney’s office to Dr.
Gbadamosi on February 16, 2017 (Tr. 931-35), and then not submitted to the Appeals Council
until June 4, 2017 (Tr. 930). The Court notes that Dr. Gbadamosi had been Plaintiff’s treating
physician since 2008 and had seen her 30 times over an 8-year period between March 2008 and
April 2016, primarily for HIV treatment. See ECF No. 13-1 at 15. Furthermore, Plaintiff saw Dr.
Gbadamosi regularly from May 2014 (the date of his previous opinion) through April 2016 (the
last appointment appearing in the record). The opinion stated Plaintiff had major depressive
disorder, anxiety, and lumbar problems. Id. It also stated that Plaintiff was “inappropriate for any
workplace setting due to mental illness and polysubstance abuse,” and that she was incapable of
even low stress jobs. Tr. 932. It stated that she had displayed these limitations since 2008. Tr. 933.
The opinion further stated that the author was unable to evaluate Plaintiff’s ability to walk, sit,
stand, or perform postural maneuvers. Tr. 932-33.
Plaintiff argues that the Appeals Council failed to properly consider this evidence and
remand is required for further evaluation of the opinion. Id. at 13-17. The Commissioner argues
that even though the Plaintiff (or her attorney) failed to exercise due diligence in obtaining the
opinion, or in providing the opinion to the agency, the Appeals Council excused Plaintiff from
having to show good cause and then clearly considered the newly submitted evidence. See ECF
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No. 18-1 at 14 (citing Tr. 2, 930-35). The Court agrees. The record reflects that the Appeals
Council considered Plaintiff’s additional evidence and explained why it was rejected or
discounted. Tr. 2. First. the Appeals Council noted that it would grant review of the ALJ’s decision
if the submitted evidence was new, material, and related to the period on or before the date of the
hearing decision. Then, having reviewed said evidence, the Appeals Council determined that
Plaintiff failed to meet her burden to show there is a reasonable probability the additional evidence
would change the outcome of the decision.” Tr. 2.
Plaintiff contends that the Appeals Council was obligated to articulate an explanation for
not giving controlling weight to the assessment of a treating physician, and that the lack of such
an explanation requires remand. See ECF No. 13-1 at 14. In response, the Commissioner argues
remand is not required because the agency’s regulations do not require the Appeals Council to
provide an elaborate explanation when it evaluates additional evidence presented. See ECF 18-1
at 15 (citing 20 C.F.R. §§ 404.967, 416.1467, 416.1470). According to the Commissioner the
regulations only require that the Appeals Council notify the party of its action and does not
mandate any information that must be included in the denial notice. Id. Furthermore, as the
Commissioner points out, this Circuit has specifically acknowledged that the Appeals Council’s
denial of review does not amount to consideration on the merits but rather, is analogous to denial
of certiorari. See Pollard v. Halter, 377 F.3d, 183, 192 (2d Cir. 2004) (citations omitted). Thus,
the Appeals Council was not required to specify why it found that Dr. Gbadamosi’s second
statement did not show a reasonable probability for changing the outcome of the decision. As
explained above, however, the Commissioner’s final decision “necessarily includes the Appeals
Council’s conclusion that the ALJ’s findings remained correct despite the new evidence.”
Hollinsworth v. Colvin, 2016 WL 5844298 at*3 (W.D.N.Y. 2016) (quoting Perez, 77 F.3d at 45).
8
Accordingly, this Court must “simply review the entire administrative record, which includes the
new evidence, and determine, as in every case, whether there is substantial evidence to support the
decision of the Secretary.” Id. (quoting Perez, 77 F.3d at 46).
As noted above, Dr. Gbadamosi was Plaintiff’s treating physician. The opinions of
Plaintiff’s treating physicians should be given “controlling weight” if they are “well-supported by
medically acceptable clinical and laboratory diagnostic techniques and [are] not inconsistent with
the other substantial evidence in [the] case record,” 20 C.F.R. §§ 404.1527(c)(2), 416.927(c)(2).
However, a treating physician’s opinion is not afforded controlling weight when the opinion is
inconsistent with other substantial evidence in the record, such as the opinions of other medical
experts. 20 C.F.R. § 404.1527(d)(2); Snell v. Apfel, 177 F.3d 128, 133 (2d Cir. 1999). If the ALJ
gives the treating physician’s opinion less than controlling weight, he must provide good reasons
for doing so. Clark v. Comm’r of Soc. Sec., 143 F.3d 115, 118 (2d Cir. 1998).
If not afforded controlling weight, a treating physician’s opinion is given weight according
to a non-exhaustive list of enumerated factors, including (i) the frequency of examinations and the
length, nature, and extent of the treatment relationship; (ii) the evidence in support of the
physician’s opinion; (iii) the opinion’s consistency with the record as a whole; and (iv) whether
the physician has a relevant specialty. 20 C.F.R. §§ 404.1527(c) (2), 416.927(c)(2); see Clark, 143
F.3d at 118; Marquez v. Colvin, No. 12 CIV. 6819 PKC, 2013 WL 5568718, at *9 (S.D.N.Y. Oct.
9, 2013). In rejecting a treating physician’s opinion, an ALJ need not expressly enumerate each
factor considered if the ALJ’s reasoning and adherence to the treating physician rule is clear. See,
e.g., Atwater v. Astrue, 512 F. App’x 67, 70 (2d Cir. 2013).
Furthermore, as long as the ALJ is careful to explain his decision, he is entitled to reject
portions of a medical opinion that conflict with other evidence in the record. See Raymer v. Colvin,
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No. 14-CV-6009P, 2015 WL 5032669, at *5 (W.D.N.Y. Aug. 25, 2015) (“an ALJ who chooses to
adopt only portions of a medical opinion must explain his or her decision to reject the remaining
portions”). Upon review of Plaintiff’s newly submitted evidence, the Court finds it did not “add
so much as to make the ALJ’s decision contrary to the weight of the evidence.” Rutkowski v.
Astrue, 368 F. App’x. 226, 229 (2d Cir. 2010); see also Bushey v. Colvin, 552 F. App’x. 97, 98
(2d Cir. 2014) (new evidence submitted to Appeals Council “did not alter the weight of evidence
so dramatically as to require the Appeals Council to take the case”).
First, the Court notes that Dr. Gbadamosi’s February 2017 assessment is unsigned. See Tr.
935. Second, the individual filling out the form was unable to opine as to any exertional limitations.
Tr. 932-934. The opinions contained in the second form are also notably different those contained
in the form filled out and signed by Dr. Gbadamosi in May 2014. Tr. 317-21. Third, in the most
recent form, the scrivener noted clinical signs such as weight gain (Tr. 931), yet the 2014 form
records that Plaintiff weighed 43 pounds less than she did in 2008. Tr. 323, 415. Fourth, the fillin-the-box questions are checked with a check mark in the 2014 form but checked with an “x” in
the 2017 form. While these internal and external inconsistencies raise questions as to the reliability
of the February 2017 report, for purposes of this opinion the Court finds the report is properly
attributed to Dr. Gbadamosi’s office. Even so, for the reasons discussed below, the Court finds the
February 2017 report would not materially change the ALJ’s decision.
First, no exertional limitations are noted in the report. Second, the fill-in-the-box responses,
without additional explanation, particularly as to Plaintiff’s ability to perform any work activities
at all, invade the province of the ALJ. It is well settled that the matter of a claimant’s disability is
a matter reserved for the Commissioner. Snell v. Apfel, 177 F.3d 128,133 (2d Cir. 1999) (“[S]ome
kinds of findings—including the ultimate finding of whether a claimant is disabled and cannot
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work—are reserved to the Commissioner. . . . [T]he Social Security Administration considers the
data that physicians provide but draws its own conclusions as to whether those data indicate
disability.”); 20 C.F.R. § 404.1527(d) (opinions that a claimant is disabled or unable to work are
opinions on issues reserved to the Commissioner because they are administrative findings that are
dispositive of a case).
Next, although the ALJ did not have the opportunity to review Dr. Gbadamosi’s February
2017 opinion, the ALJ did have the opportunity to review Dr. Gbadamosi’s earlier May 2014
opinion, wherein he opined that Plaintiff had no limitations in sitting, standing, walking, lifting,
carrying, or handling objects. Tr. 317-19. He noted he had referred Plaintiff to psychiatry for her
depressive disorder (Tr. 315), and further specified that she had no limitation in understanding and
memory, sustained concentration and persistence, social interaction, or adaptation (Tr. 319-20).
He noted he had been treating her since at least November 2007 and characterized her condition
as “indefinite stable.” Tr. 315-16.
The ALJ recognized Dr. Gbadamosi as a treating source and evaluated the opinion under
the treating physician rule, and in so doing, gave “some weight” to those portions of Dr.
Gbadamosi’s opinion consistent with other findings in the record. Tr. 17. As the ALJ noted, despite
Plaintiff’s history of depression and anxiety, the treatment notes generally recorded intact
cognitive functioning, no significant interpersonal difficulties, and normal psychomotor
functioning with good response to medications. Tr. 16, 323, 333, 350, 354, 357, 361, 365, 368,
371, 374, 377, 380, 383, 386, 388, 392, 396, 399, 403, 407, 411, 415, 565, 573, 577, 582, 586,
590, 596, 600, 603, 607, 610, 612, 635, 642, 646, 647, 665, 669, 673, 677, 699, 704, 708, 713,
718, 723, 727, 733, 738, 743, 748, 753, 758, 763, 768, 778, 780. An ALJ may discredit an opinion
undermined by largely normal mental-status findings. See Newell v. Colvin, No. 15-CV-6262P,
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2016 WL 4524809, at *14 (W.D.N.Y. Aug. 30, 2016), reconsideration denied, No. 15-CV-6262P,
2017 WL 1541239 (W.D.N.Y. Apr. 28, 2017) (The ALJ articulated sufficient rationale for
rejecting the portion of a physician’s opinion which was inconsistent with the physician’s
examination findings and the other information in the record.); Downs v. Colvin, No. 6:15-CV06644(MAT), 2016 WL 5348755, at *4 (W.D.N.Y. Sept. 26, 2016). Furthermore, it is within the
ALJ’s discretion to resolve genuine conflicts in the evidence. Veino v. Barnhart, 312 F.3d 578,
588 (2d Cir. 2002). In so doing, the ALJ may “choose between properly submitted medical
opinions.” See Balsamo v. Chater, 142 F.3d 75, 81 (2d Cir. 1998).
In this case, the ALJ found that Plaintiff had moderate difficulties maintaining social
functioning and limited Plaintiff to only occasional interaction with supervisors, coworkers, or the
public. Tr. 14-15. She also found that, at most, Plaintiff had moderate difficulty maintaining
concentration, persistence, or pace, and limited Plaintiff to simple, routine, repetitive tasks (not at
a production rate pace) and using judgment and dealing with changes in the work setting limited
to simple work-related decisions. Id. Such limitations are consistent with “low stress” work. See
Reyes v. Colvin, 2016 WL 56267, *6 (W.D.N.Y. 2016) (“although the ALJ did not specifically
include stress limitations in his RFC assessment, his reliance on the findings and observations of
the consultative medical sources in terms of their consideration of plaintiff’s stress-related
functional limitations . . . represents the kind of thorough, individualized mental RFC evaluation
contemplated by . . . the overall requirements of the [regulations]”). The ALJ found that the RFC
assessment was supported by the objective medical evidence, Plaintiff’s mental health treatment
notes, her statements to her treating physician’s, and the opinion evidence. Tr. 18. Thus, the ALJ
reasonably found that Plaintiff was capable of low stress work as described above.
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Based on the foregoing, the Court finds no further consideration of Dr. Gbadamosi’s
February 2017 opinion is required. Where on remand the ALJ’s reconsideration of a treating
physician’s opinion would not have changed the ALJ’s adverse determination, the error is
harmless. Zabala v. Astrue, 595 F.3d 402, 410 (2d Cir. 2010) (declining remand when opinion of
treating physician incorrectly discounted as incomplete and unsigned because agency
reconsideration unnecessary where “application of the correct legal principles to the record could
lead [only to the same] conclusion”).
II.
The ALJ’s RFC Finding Was Supported By Substantial Evidence.
Throughout the relevant time period, Plaintiff reported chronic back pain stemming from
a motor vehicle accident, but the ALJ found that Plaintiff’s condition caused no more than minimal
work-related limitations and was therefore non-severe. Tr. 14. Plaintiff argues the ALJ failed to
assess limitations placed on Plaintiff following a March 2015 emergency room visit for back pain
at Erie County Medical Center (“ECMC”) that placed limitations on lifting and carrying up to ten
pounds, and restricted plaintiff from bending or twisting at the waist. See ECF No. 13-1 at 17.
Based on this, Plaintiff argues her lumbar pain was a severe limitation. Id. Plaintiff argues the
ALJ’s analysis was insufficient, and remand is required for the ALJ to evaluate the limitations
contained in the discharge instructions from the emergency room. Id. at 17-21. Plaintiff is
incorrect. The limitations that are the linchpin of Plaintiff’s argument were offered by an
emergency room doctor in response to an acute injury; the doctor had no long-standing relationship
with Plaintiff; and his opinion would not be entitled to controlling weight. See 20 C.F.R. §§
404.1527, 416.927; see also Burgess v. Astrue, 537 F.3d 117, 129 (2d Cir. 2008) (discussing that
generally, the longer a treating source has treated the claimant and the more times the claimant has
13
been seen by a treating source, the more weight the Commissioner will give to the source’s
opinion). Nor would the ALJ be required to give “good reasons” for discounting the opinion. Id.
Plaintiff presented to the ECMC emergency room on March 1, 2015 complaining of “back
pain or injury.” Tr. 572. She reported that: “she broke up a fight between her son and daughter
approximately 2 days ago and in the meantime had a fall and hit her back on the TV and TV stand.”
Id. She also reported “back issues” in the past, but she was unable to elaborate as to the specific
nature of her “back issues.” Id. Upon examination, emergency room physician Steven K Vonfrolio,
M.D. (“Dr. Vonfrolio”) noted decreased range of motion in the back secondary to pain and some
areas of bruising over the right mid back laterally to the spine. Tr. 573. An MRI of Plaintiff’s
lumbar spine showed diffuse disc degeneration most prominent from L3 through S1; mild left
neural foramen narrowing at T11-12; degenerative changes at T12-L1 with bilateral hypertrophy
and mild dorsal lateral encroachment; bulging and hypertrophy at L2-3; severe spinal canal
stenosis at L3-4 and mild right and moderate left subarticular narrowing and narrowing of the
neural foramina; effacement of the thecal sac at L4-5; and mild narrowing of the neural foramen
at L4-S1. Tr. 570-71.
An MRI study some eight years earlier demonstrated small to moderate left paracentral
T11-L2 disc herniation; small central T12-L1 disc herniation; disk dehydration L3-4 with minimal
disc bulges from L3-4 to L5-S1; and lower lumbar facet hypertrophy resulting in bilateral
foraminal stenosis at L4-5. Tr. 424. The record associated with the visit indicates that the provider
discussed with Plaintiff the importance of a home-based core strengthening and stretching
program, and Plaintiff was directed to undertake home exercises. Id. There are no other imaging
studies during this eight-year period, nor any record of permanent restrictions placed on Plaintiff.
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In any event, after the emergency room visit, Plaintiff was discharged home on “Medrol
Dosepak and some Norco.” Tr. 574. Although Dr. Vonfrolio’s discharge instructions restricted
Plaintiff from lifting and carrying more than ten pounds and from bending or twisting at the waist,
the discharge instructions also specified that Plaintiff was to follow-up with Dr. Clark within the
week, indicating that the restrictions were intended to be temporary and she should follow up with
her treating physician regarding her long-term care. Id. Even an opinion from a treating physician
will not be conclusive of disability if the impairment does not meet the duration requirements of
the Act. Rice v. Barnhart, 127 F.App’x 524, 526 n.1 (2d Cir. Mar. 31, 2005) (treating physician’s
finding that claimant was disabled for four-month period not indicative of disability) (citing 42
U.S.C. § 423(d)(1)(A)).
When Plaintiff did follow-up with her doctor, he did not endorse any limitations; instead,
he merely prescribed pain medication and provided Plaintiff with a pamphlet on fall prevention
for older adults. Tr. 723. When she returned to the emergency room the next month complaining
of a possible overdose, her discharge instructions did not include any lifting/carrying or bending
limitations, which is further evidence that the March 2015 restrictions were intended to be for a
brief period. Tr. 576-80. Based on the foregoing, the Court finds that Plaintiff has not met her
burden to show a disability in relation to her back. Plaintiff’s argument that one emergency room
visit a few years after her last date insured should have been factored into the RFC determination
is without merit, and even if considered, would not have resulted in a change in the ALJ’s ultimate
RFC. “[F]ailure to consider or weigh an opinion may be harmless error where consideration of that
opinion would not have changed the outcome.” Gemmell v. Comm’r of Soc. Sec., 2017 WL
3328237, at *5 (N.D.N.Y. Aug. 2, 2017). Agency reconsideration is unnecessary where
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“application of the correct legal principles to the record could lead [only to the same] conclusion.”
Zabala v. Astrue, 595 F.3d 402, 410 (2d Cir. 2010).
In this case, however, the ALJ’s decision reflects that she did in fact consider Plaintiff’s
non-severe physical impairments, including back pain, at the later steps of the sequential
evaluation process, and modified her RFC assessment as a result. The ALJ discussed Plaintiff’s
activities that were inconsistent with her allegations of disabling pain, including her ability to
complete her activities of daily living, wash dishes, cook meals, care for her grandchildren, and
run her own housecleaning business. Tr. 14, 16. She found that Plaintiff would have difficulty with
heavy lifting and carrying due to a combination of her impairments. Tr. 17. Giving Plaintiff the
“utmost benefit of the doubt regarding her physical complaints/ailments,” the ALJ found it prudent
to limit her to work at the light exertional level. Tr. 18. Based on the foregoing, the Court finds
that the RFC was properly determined, and if there was any error, such error was harmless.
CONCLUSION
Plaintiff’s Motion for Judgment on the Pleadings (ECF No. 13) is DENIED, and the
Commissioner’s Motion for Judgment on the Pleadings (ECF No. 18) is GRANTED. Plaintiff’s
Complaint (ECF No. 1) is DISMISSED WITH PREJUDICE. The Clerk of Court will enter
judgment and close this case.
IT IS SO ORDERED.
_______________________
DON D. BUSH
UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE
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