Avant v. Colvin
Filing
15
-CLERK TO FOLLOW UP-DECISION AND ORDER denying 11 Plaintiff's Motion for Judgment on the Pleadings; granting 13 Defendant's Motion for Judgment on the Pleadings. The Commissioner's decision is affirmed. Signed by Hon. Michael A. Telesca on 10/5/16. The Clerk of the Court is directed to close this case. (AFB)
UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
WESTERN DISTRICT OF NEW YORK
EMMANUEL JERMAINE AVANT,
No. 6:15-cv-06671(MAT)
DECISION AND ORDER
Plaintiff,
-vsCAROLYN W. COLVIN, Acting
Commissioner of Social Security,
Defendant.
INTRODUCTION
Represented by counsel, Emmanuel Jermaine Avant (“Plaintiff”)
brings this action pursuant to Title XVI of the Social Security Act
(“the
Act”),
seeking
review
of
the
final
decision
of
the
Commissioner of Social Security (“the Commissioner”) denying his
application for Supplemental Security Income (“SSI”). This Court
has jurisdiction over the matter pursuant to 42 U.S.C. §§ 405(g),
1383(c).
PROCEDURAL STATUS
On October 23, 2012, Plaintiff filed an application for SSI
alleging disability since January 1, 2003, due to depression,
anxiety,
attention
deficit
hyperactivity
disorder
(“ADHD”),
affective disorder, intermittent explosive disorder, asthma, and
rhabdomyolysis. See T.39, 42-44, 47, 67, 77, 139-40, 150.1 After
1
Citations to “T.” refer to pages from the certified transcript of the
administrative record, submitted by the Commissioner in connection with her
answer to the complaint.
-1-
this application was denied, Plaintiff requested a hearing, which
was held before administrative law judge Brian Kane (“the ALJ”) on
April 11, 2014. Plaintiff appeared with his attorney and testified,
as did an impartial vocational expert. T.36-65. On July 10, 2014,
the ALJ issued an unfavorable decision. T.19-29. The Appeals
Council denied Plaintiff’s request for review on September 18,
2015,
making
the
ALJ’s
decision
the
final
decision
of
the
Commissioner. This timely action followed.
The parties have filed cross-motions for judgment on the
pleadings and supporting memoranda of law, but neither party has
filed a reply brief. The parties have comprehensively summarized
the administrative transcript in their briefs, and the Court adopts
and incorporates these factual summaries by reference. The Court
will discuss the record evidence in further detail below, as
necessary to the resolution of the parties’ contentions.
For the reasons discussed below, the Commissioner’s decision
is affirmed.
THE ALJ’S DECISION
The ALJ found at step one that Plaintiff had not engaged in
substantial
gainful
activity
since
October
23,
2012,
the
application date. T.21. At step two, the ALJ assessed Plaintiff as
having the following “severe” impairments: intermittent explosive
disorder,
psychotic
disorder,
mood
disorder,
and
generalized
anxiety disorder. Id. At step three, the ALJ determined that
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Plaintiff’s impairments, considered singly or in combination, did
not meet or medically equal any listed impairment found in 20
C.F.R. Part 404, Subpart P, Appendix 1. T.22-23. The ALJ gave
particular consideration to Listings 12.04 (affective disorders)
and 12.06 (anxiety-related disorders). T.22-23. The ALJ proceeding
to determine that Plaintiff had the residual functional capacity
(“RFC” to perform a full range of work at all exertional levels but
could only frequently (i.e., two-thirds of a workday) have contact
with coworkers and the public. T.23.
At step four, the ALJ determined that Plaintiff, who was 23
years-old on the application date, was a younger individual, with
no past relevant work, a limited education, and the ability to
communicate in English. T.27. At step five, the ALJ referred to the
hypothetical presented to the VE’s at the hearing, namely, a person
with no exertional limitations, but “could only occasionally deal
with” “co-workers and the public.” T.60. The VE testified that a
person with such an RFC and Plaintiff’s vocational profile could
perform jobs existing in significant numbers in the national
economy, such as industrial cleaner (Dictionary of Occupational
Titles (“DOT”) 381.687-018: unskilled, SVP 2, medium exertional
work) and cleaner II (DOT 919.687-014: unskilled, SVP 1, medium
exertional work). T.28. The ALJ found that since Plaintiff’s RFC to
perform a “full range of work at all exertional levels but with a
limitation to frequent contact with coworkers and the public is
-3-
less restrictive than the hypothetical given to the
vocational
expert,” “the jobs provided by the vocational expert [were] still
valid.” T.28. Based on the testimony of the VE, the ALJ concluded
that, considering Plaintiff’s age, education, work experience, and
RFC, he is capable of making a successful adjustment to other work
that exists in significant numbers in the national economy, and a
finding of “not disabled” was appropriate under the framework of
section 204.00 in the Medical-Vocational Guidelines.
Id.
SCOPE OF REVIEW
When considering a claimant’s challenge to the Commissioner’s
decision denying benefits under the Act, a district court must
accept the Commissioner’s findings of fact, provided that such
findings are supported by “substantial evidence” in the record.
See 42 U.S.C. § 405(g) (the Commissioner’s findings “as to any
fact, if supported by substantial evidence, shall be conclusive”).
The reviewing court nevertheless must scrutinize the whole record
and examine evidence that supports or detracts from both sides.
Tejada v. Apfel, 167 F.3d 770, 774 (2d Cir. 1998) (citation
omitted),
but
“defer[s]
to
the
Commissioner’s
resolution
of
conflicting evidence.” Cage v. Comm’r of Soc. Sec., 692 F.3d 118,
122 (2d Cir. 2012) (citation omitted)). “The deferential standard
of
review
for
substantial
evidence
Commissioner’s conclusions of law.”
does
not
apply
to
the
Byam v. Barnhart, 336 F.3d
172, 179 (2d Cir. 2003) (citing Townley v. Heckler, 748 F.2d 109,
-4-
112 (2d Cir. 1984)).
DISCUSSION
Plaintiff argues that the ALJ’s mental RFC determination was
not supported by substantial evidence because the ALJ (1) failed to
incorporate limitations on maintaining concentration, persistence,
or pace; (2) failed to give reasons for discounting the opinions
issued by consultative psychologist Dr. Yu-Ying Lin and state
agency medical consultant Dr. M. Apacible; and (3) improperly
implicitly rejected Dr. Lin’s and Dr. Apacible’s opinions that
Plaintiff could perform only simple work. See Pl’s Mem. at 8-11.
Plaintiff was examined by Dr. Lin on November 21, 2012, at the
Commissioner’s request. T.319-20. Dr. Lin opined that Plaintiff
could follow and understand simple directions and instructions,
perform
simple
tasks
independently,
maintain
attention
and
concentration, maintain a regular schedule, learn new tasks, and
perform
complex
tasks
with
supervision.
Dr.
Lin
opined
that
Plaintiff could not make appropriate decisions, relate adequately
with others, or deal appropriately with stress. T.320-21. While the
results
of
the
examination
appeared
to
be
consistent
with
psychiatric problems, Dr. Lin stated that they did not appear to be
significant
enough
to
interfere
with
Plaintiff’s
ability
to
function on a daily basis. T.321. Dr. Lin diagnosed Plaintiff with
intermittent explosive disorder; psychotic disorder, not otherwise
specified (“NOS”); mood disorder, NOS; cannabis abuse, in full
-5-
remission; and generalized anxiety disorder. Plaintiff’s prognosis
was “guarded to fair.”
T.321.
Several weeks later, Dr. Apacible reviewed Plaintiff’s medical
records and opined that he could perform simple jobs, “not working
closely with others.” T.72-74. Dr. Apacible also completed a
psychiatric review technique form (“PRTF”) and found that Plaintiff
had mild restrictions in activities of daily living; moderate
difficulties
maintaining
in
social
functioning;
concentration,
mild
persistence,
experienced no episodes of decompensation.
or
difficulties
pace;
and
in
had
T.70-71.
The Court turns first to Plaintiff’s argument that the ALJ’s
RFC assessment failed to incorporate his findings, at steps two and
three of the sequential evaluation, that Plaintiff had “moderate”
limitations in maintaining concentration, persistence, or pace. As
the Commissioner argues, the ALJ’s finding that Plaintiff had
“moderate” difficulties in maintaining concentration, persistence,
or pace was not an RFC assessment. Rather, that finding pertained
to the ALJ’s determination at steps two and three that, while
Plaintiff’s intermittent explosive disorder, psychotic disorder,
mood disorder, and generalized anxiety disorder were “severe”
impairments, they did not meet or equal a listed impairment because
Plaintiff did not have “marked” limitations in two domains of
functioning
or
an
“extreme”
limitation
in
one
domain
of
functioning. See T.21-23. Indeed, the ALJ specifically stated that
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the limitations assigned to, inter alia, Plaintiff’s ability to
maintain concentration, persistence, or pace were not an RFC
assessment, but were used only to rate the severity of Plaintiff’s
mental impairments at steps two and three.
T.23.
“An ALJ’s decision is not necessarily internally inconsistent
when an impairment found to be severe is ultimately found not
disabling: the standard for a finding of severity under Step Two of
the sequential analysis is de minimis and is intended only to
screen out the very weakest cases.” McIntyre v. Colvin, 758 F.3d
146, 151 (2d Cir. 2014) (citing Dixon v. Shalala, 54 F.3d 1019,
1030 (2d Cir. 1995)). The “special technique” applied at steps two
and three assesses the functional effects of a claimant’s mental
impairments, but it “is entirely separate and analytically distinct
from, a subsequent determination of mental residual functional
capacity[,]” Golden v. Colvin, No. 5:12-CV-665 GLS/ESH, 2013 WL
5278743, at *3 (N.D.N.Y. Sept. 18, 2013) (emphases in original),
where the focus is on “an assessment of an individual’s ability to
do sustained work-related physical and mental activities in a work
setting on a regular and continuing basis.” SSR 96 8p, TITLE II AND
XVI: ASSESSING RESIDUAL FUNCTIONAL CAPACITY IN INITIAL CLAIMS, 1996
WL 374184, at *1, *7 (S.S.A. July 2, 1996) (emphases added). Thus,
what is “most essential” in determining a claimant’s mental RFC “is
evaluation
of
functional
effects
of
mental
impairments
on
work-related activities such as understanding, carrying out, and
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remembering instructions; using judgment in making work-related
decisions; responding appropriately to supervision, co-workers and
work situations;
and
dealing
with
changes
in
a
routine
work
setting.” Golden v. Colvin, at 2013 WL 5278743, at *3 (citing SSR
96 8p, 1996 WL 374184, at *1). “If it can be shown that the
itemized evidence which led to the finding of a moderate limitation
on ‘concentration, persistence, or pace’ was ignored during the RFC
assessment, then this would be error.” Peryea v. Comm’r of Soc.
Sec., No. 5:13–CV–0173 (GTS/TWD), 2014 WL 4105296, at *10 (N.D.N.Y.
Aug. 20, 2014). Here, however, Plaintiff has not made such a
showing. In applying the special technique and finding moderate
difficulties in maintaining concentration, persistence, the ALJ
noted that while Plaintiff said he has trouble remembering things
and has a short attention span, he also testified that he could
follow
written
instructions.
instructions,
and
sometimes
follow
spoken
In addition, he testified that he wrote music as a
hobby. During the consultative psychological examination, Dr. Lin
found that Plaintiff’s ability to concentrate was “intact,” though
his memory “appeared to be impaired, due to nervousness in the
examination and possible limited intellectual functioning.” T.320.
Dr.
Lin’s
opinions
thus
were
essentially
consistent
with
Plaintiff’s statements regarding his ability to concentrate and
remember. Dr. Lin opined, at the conclusion of his report, that
Plaintiff
could
follow
and
understand
-8-
simple
directions
and
instructions,
perform
simple
tasks
independently,
maintain
attention and concentration, maintain a regular schedule, learn new
tasks, and perform complex tasks with supervision. The evidence
that
the
ALJ
cited
when
finding
a
“moderate”
limitation
on
concentration, persistence or pace was not inconsistent with Dr.
Lin’s clinical findings and opinions, which supported the RFC
determination. There were additional observations from Plaintiff’s
mental
health
assessment,
care
providers
including
that
that
supported
Psychiatric-Mental
the
mental
Health
RFC
Nurse
Practitioner-Clinical Specialist Jo Ann Streb and Licensed Clinical
Social Worker Amy Meier routinely noted that Plaintiff’s short-term
memory and long-term memory were intact, and Psychiatric Nurse
Practitioner
John
Rushforth
observed
during
an
Evaluation/Management & Psychotherapy appointment in July 2013,
that Plaintiff had an adequate attention span and concentration.
T.360.
The Court turns next to Plaintiff’s contention that the ALJ
improperly afforded only “some weight” to Dr. Lin’s opinion.
Plaintiff’s actual objection is to the ALJ’s failure to adopt
certain aspects of Dr. Lin’s report, namely, the statements that
Plaintiff could not make appropriate decisions, relate adequately
with others or deal appropriately with stress. See T.320-21. Dr.
Lin’s statement that Plaintiff cannot relate adequately with others
appears to be based more on Plaintiff’s subjective description of
-9-
his symptoms rather than the doctor’s clinical observations; Dr.
Lin observed during the examination that Plaintiff’s “demeanor was
cooperative,” he made “appropriate” eye contact, and his “[m]anner
of relating was adequate.” T.319. Moreover, as the ALJ noted,
Plaintiff’s mental status examinations by his treatment providers
were “largely normal” insofar as he displayed a “cooperative”
attitude,
“appropriate”
“appropriate”
affect,
behavior,
“good”
eye
“appropriate”
contact,
and
speech,
an
“appropriate”
judgment. Even when Plaintiff was noted to have an “angry” or
“mildly angry” mood, he nevertheless was “cooperative,” with an
“appropriate” affect, “good” eye contact, “appropriate” behavior,
“calm” motor activity, “appropriate” speech, “logical” thought
processes, “goal directed” thought content, and “intact” short- and
long-term memory. E.g., T.311.
Relatedly, Plaintiff argues that the ALJ failed to adopt Dr.
Apacible’s opinion that Plaintiff can perform a job “not working
closely with others.” The ALJ found that Dr. Apacible “overstate[d]
the extent to which the claimant would have problems working with
co-workers and the public.” T.27. Looking at the more specific
underlying findings regarding Plaintiff’s social functioning, Dr.
Apacible’s
opinion
is
not
inconsistent
with
the
ALJ’s
RFC
assessment. While Dr. Apacible opined that Plaintiff’s ability to
accept instructions and respond appropriately to criticism from
supervisors and to get along with coworkers or peers without
-10-
distracting
them
“[m]oderately
or
exhibiting
limited,”
Dr.
behavioral
Apacible
opined
extremes
that
was
Plaintiff’s
abilities to interact appropriately with the general public, to ask
simple questions or request assistance, and maintain socially
appropriate behavior were “[n]ot significantly limited.” T.73-74.
“Although the ALJ’s conclusion may not perfectly correspond
with any of the opinions of medical sources cited in his decision,
he was entitled to weigh all of the evidence available to make an
RFC finding that was consistent with the record as a whole.” Matta
v. Astrue, 508 F. App’x 53, 56 (2d Cir. 2013) (unpublished opn.)
(citing Richardson v. Perales, 402 U.S. 389, 399 (1971) (“We
therefore
are
presented
with
the
not
uncommon
situation
of
conflicting medical evidence. The trier of fact has the duty to
resolve that conflict.”)). All of Plaintiff’s arguments focus on
the substantiality of the evidence supporting the ALJ’s decision.
However, as the Second Circuit has explained, “whether there is
substantial evidence supporting the [claimant]’s view is not the
question
.
.
.
;
rather,
[the
Court]
must
substantial evidence supports the ALJ’s decision.”
decide
whether
Bonet ex rel.
T.B. v. Colvin, 523 F. App’x 58, 59 (2d Cir. 2013) (summary order)
(citation omitted). After examining the present record in light of
the highly deferential standard of review that governs factual
sufficiency
of
an
agency’s
substantial
evidence
decision,
supports
the
-11-
the
ALJ’s
Court
finds
determination,
that
and
therefore it must be affirmed. See Selian v. Astrue, 708 F.3d 409,
417 (2d Cir. 2013) (“If there is substantial evidence to support
the [agency’s] determination, it must be upheld.”).
CONCLUSION
For the foregoing reasons, Plaintiff’s Motion for Judgment on
the Pleadings is denied, Defendant’s Motion for Judgment on the
Pleadings is granted, and the Commissioner’s decision is affirmed.
The Clerk of the Court is directed to close this case.
SO ORDERED.
s/ Michael A. Telesca
HON. MICHAEL A. TELESCA
United States District Judge
Dated:
October 5, 2016
Rochester, New York.
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