Allen v. Commissioner of Social Security

Filing 24

Memorandum Opinion and Order that the decision of the Commissioner denying Allen's application for supplemental security income is affirmed. (Related Docs. # 1 , 19 ). Signed by Magistrate Judge William H. Baughman, Jr., on 02/08/2017. (S,MD)

IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
NORTHERN DISTRICT OF OHIO
EASTERN DIVISION

KIMBERLY ALLEN,
Plaintiff,
v.
COMMISSIONER OF SOCIAL
SECURITY,
Defendant.

)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)

CASE NO. 1:15 CV 2672

MAGISTRATE JUDGE
WILLIAM H. BAUGHMAN, JR.

MEMORANDUM OPINION AND
ORDER

Introduction
Before me1 is an action by Kimberly Michelle Allen under 42 U.S.C. § 405(g) for
judicial review of the final decision of the Commissioner of Social Security denying her
application for supplemental security income.2 The Commissioner has answered3 and filed
the transcript of the administrative record.4 Under the initial order,5 the parties have briefed
their positions.6 They have participated in a telephonic oral argument.7

1

ECF # 19. The parties have consented to my exercise of jurisdiction.

2

ECF # 1.

3

ECF # 10.

4

ECF # 11.

5

ECF # 5.

6

ECF # 17 (Commissioner’s brief); ECF # 14 (Allen’s brief).

7

ECF # 23.

Facts
A.

Background facts and decision of the Administrative Law Judge (“ALJ”)
Allen who was thirty-six years old at the time of the administrative hearing,8

graduated from high school9 and lives with her two children.10 She was previously employed
as a day care worker.11
The ALJ, whose decision became the final decision of the Commissioner, found that
Allen had the following severe impairments: systemic lupus erythematosus with discoid and
musculoskeletal manifestations (20 CFR 416.920(c).12
After concluding that the relevant impairments did not meet or equal a listing, the ALJ
made the following finding regarding Allen’s residual functional capacity (“RFC”):
The claimant has the residual functional capacity to perform the full range of
light work as defined in 20 CFR 416.967(b). Particularly, the claimant can lift
and carry a maximum of 20 pounds occasionally and 10 pounds frequently.
She can stand and walk for 6 of 8 hours per workday and can sit for 6 of 8
hours per workday. She can push and pull with all extremities without
limitation, except as frequency and weight restricted in her capacity to lift and
carry.13

8

ECF #11, Transcript (“Tr.”) at 42.

9

Id. at 43.

10

Id. at 45.

11

Id. at 44.

12

Id. at 16.

13

Id. at 19.
-2-

The claimant’s only work activity prior to her application has been her work as a day
care worker.14 Her official earnings from 1998-2012 fall well short of the established
regulatory thresholds of SGA.15 With that requirement not met, the claimant’s previous jobs
fail to qualify as “past relevant work” within the meaning of Social Security regulations.
Based on an answer to a hypothetical question posed to the vocational expert at the
hearing setting forth the residual functional capacity finding quoted above, the ALJ
determined that a significant number of jobs existed locally and nationally that Allen could
perform.16 The ALJ, therefore, found Allen not under a disability.
B.

Issues on judicial review
Allen asks for reversal of the Commissioner’s decision on the ground that it does not

have the support of substantial evidence in the administrative record. Specifically, Allen
presents the following issue for judicial review:
•

Whether the Commissioner’s decision is supported by substantial
evidence when the evidence demonstrates that Ms. Allen’s systemic
lupus erythematosus meets the requirements of a listed impairment in
Appendix I of the regulations.

For the reasons that follow, I will conclude that the ALJ’s finding of no disability is
supported by substantial evidence and, therefore, must be affirmed.

14

Id. at 44.

15

Id. at 150.

16

Id. at 24.
-3-

Analysis
A.

Standard of review

1.

Substantial evidence
The Sixth Circuit in Buxton v. Halter reemphasized the standard of review applicable

to decisions of the ALJs in disability cases:
Congress has provided for federal court review of Social Security
administrative decisions. 42 U.S.C. § 405(g). However, the scope of review is
limited under 42 U.S.C. § 405(g): “The findings of the Secretary as to any fact,
if supported by substantial evidence, shall be conclusive....” In other words, on
review of the Commissioner’s decision that claimant is not totally disabled
within the meaning of the Social Security Act, the only issue reviewable by
this court is whether the decision is supported by substantial evidence.
Substantial evidence is “ ‘more than a mere scintilla. It means such relevant
evidence as a reasonable mind might accept as adequate to support a
conclusion.’ ”
The findings of the Commissioner are not subject to reversal merely
because there exists in the record substantial evidence to support a different
conclusion. This is so because there is a “zone of choice” within which the
Commissioner can act, without the fear of court interference.17

Viewed in the context of a jury trial, all that is necessary to affirm is that reasonable minds
could reach different conclusions on the evidence. If such is the case, the Commissioner

17

Buxton v. Halter, 246 F.3d 762, 772 (6th Cir. 2001) (citations omitted).
-4-

survives “a directed verdict” and wins.18 The court may not disturb the Commissioner’s
findings, even if the preponderance of the evidence favors the claimant.19
I will review the findings of the ALJ at issue here consistent with that deferential
standard.
B.

Application of standard
This case presents the narrow question of whether the ALJ erred at Step Three in

finding that Allen did not meet Listing 14.02 for lupus.20 In that regard, the question on
judicial review is even more tightly focused in that the ALJ acknowledged that Allen met
some of the requirements set out in the listing.21
The listing itself is straightforward:
14.02 Systematic lupus erythematosis. As described in 14.00(D)(1). With:
A.

Involvement of two or more organs/body systems, with:
1.

One of the organs/body systems involved to at least a moderate
level of severity; and

2.

At least two of the constitutional symptoms or signs (severe
fatigue, fever, malaise, or involuntary weight loss).22

18

LeMaster v. Sec’y of Health & Human Servs., 802 F.2d 839, 840 (6th Cir. 1986);
Tucker v. Comm’r of Soc. Sec., No. 3:06CV403, 2008 WL 399573, at *6 (S.D. Ohio Feb. 12,
2008).
19

Rogers v. Comm’r of Soc. Sec., 486 F.3d 234, 241 (6th Cir. 2007).

20

ECF # 14 at 1.

21

ECF # 17 at 7 (citing transcript).

22

ECF # 17 at 6.
-5-

20 C.F.R Pt. 404, Subpt.P, App.I, § 14.02.
In addressing that listing, the ALJ first found that Allen’s lupus resulted in the
involvement of at least two organs/body systems, specifically discoid and musculoskeletal
manifestations.23 As the Commissioner points out, the ALJ’s finding on this point was within
the context of finding at Step Two that Allen’s lupus was a “severe” impairment, thus
satisfying the requirement of the listing that at least one of the involved organs/body systems
be involved to at least a moderate level of severity.24
As the Commissioner further observes, “this case turns on whether the ALJ reasonably
found that [Allen] did not exhibit at least two of the constitutional symptoms or signs”25
identified in the listing’s second test: “i.e., severe fatigue, fever, malaise, or involuntary
weight loss, repeated manifestations of systemic vasculitis, or repeated manifestations of the
disease with marked limitation in either activities of daily living, social functioning, or
concentration, persistence or pace.”26 To that end, the ALJ stated:
Rather, the treatment record, as summarized below, documents that, with
medication compliance, her lupus condition is generally controlled. At the
June 24, 2014 hearing, she reported that she weighed 111 pounds and had been
at that weight for the past year, and, as summarized below, examination
findings revealed, at most, a 14 pound weight fluctuation over a period of three
years. The record does not document persistent or significant fevers. There
is no documentation of significant, persistent malaise and, though there have

23

Tr. at 16.

24

ECF # 17 at 7.

25

Id.

26

Tr. at 18.
-6-

been reports of fatigue, it has not been significant enough for any treating
physician of record to find it disabling. There is no documentation of
vasculitis. As summarized above, the claimants activities of living, social
functioning, and concentration, persistence, and pace are certainly not
markedly limited. Examination findings do not document consistent or
persistent complaints or findings of pain and numbness.27
Allen contends that the ALJ erred in concluding that she did not suffer from any of
the “constitutional symptoms or signs” set out in the second test.28 In particular she argues
that her fourteen pound weight fluctuation over three years was significant, in that it was at
least a ten percent decrease from her baseline weight29 - 123 pounds in June 2012 fell to 109
pounds in July 2013.30 She also maintains that the ALJ missed the fact that she suffers from
malaise, instead improperly ruling that there was no diagnoses involving that term when, in
fact, “malaise is a constellation of symptoms”which encompasses such things as fatigue,
nausea, headaches and “confused thinking.”31
Both malaise and fatigue are defined in the listings, with fatigue being defined, inter
alia, as a sense of exhaustion “that results in significantly reduced physical activity or mental

27

Id. at 18-19.

28

ECF # 14 at 10.

29

Id.

30

Id. at 9.

31

Id. at 10-11.
-7-

functions,” while malaise is frequent feelings of illness, bodily discomfort, or lack of well
being” that also results in a significant reduction in physical activity or mental function.32
Measured against that standard, the ALJ specifically found that “though there have
been reports of fatigue, it has not been disabling enough for any treating physician to find it
disabling.”33 Indeed, a 2013 functional opinion by Dr. Linda LeMaster, M.D., a treating
source,34 stated that Allen reported symptoms of pain, fatigue and daily morning stiffness,
but concluded that these symptoms would not preclude her from sitting for eight hours with
periodic breaks, nor standing/walking for two hours in an eight hour day.35 A later, more
recent opinion from this same source -one which was given “great weight, but not controlling
weight” - was that although Allen experienced morning stiffness and pain in her hands and
feet, “she could work if she had a morning break, a lunch break, and afternoon break.”36
As such, substantial evidence supports the finding that although Allen has experienced
some fatigue during the relevant period, the opinion of acceptable medical sources
documented that any such fatigue did not result in any significant reduction in physical or
mental capacities.

32

ECF # 17 at 8 (citing regulation). Allen argues that the symptoms of fatigue and
malaise “somewhat overlap”. Id. at 9-16.
33

Tr. at 19.

34

See, tr. at 22.

35

Id. at 315.

36

Id. at 22 (citing record).
-8-

As to Allen’s weight, the record does demonstrate a period of weight loss, which the
ALJ addressed at several places.37 In the most detailed review, the ALJ noted that from June
2011 to June 2012 she consistently weighed 123 pounds, and even reported in April that she
had “no history or current problem” with weight loss.38 There was weight loss during the
period February 2013 to July 2013, but at the hearing [June 24, 2014] Allen weighed 111
pounds and stated that she “had been at the weight for the past year”- a situation the ALJ
found to be reflective of “much improvement with medications.”39 The ALJ found Allen’s
testimony as to weight loss to be “inconsistent and evasive,”40 even observing at another
place in the opinion that she had “erroneously and variously reported that she had lost 15
pounds in the past six months and 25 pound in the past year.”41
Thus, as with the argument concerning fatigue or malaise, there is substantial evidence
in the record to support the finding that, except for a six-month period in 2013, Allen’s
weight has been consistent through long periods of time, lasting up to a year.

37

The Commissioner argues that even if qualifying weight loss existed, the listing
requirements are mot met. ECF # 17, at 7-8.
38

Id. (citing record).

39

Id. at 23.

40

Id.

41

Id. at 22.
-9-

Finally, and perhaps most importantly, the ALJ gave “great weight” to the opinions
of two state agency reviewing physicians42 who concluded that Allen did not meet or equal
any listing.43 It is well-settled that ALJs may rely upon the findings of state agency
reviewing physicians in this regard under the facts of the present case.44

Conclusion
Accordingly, and for the reasons stated, I find that the decision of the Commissioner
to deny benefits to Kimberly Michelle Allen is supported by substantial evidence, and the
same is hereby affirmed.

IT IS SO ORDERED.

Dated: February 8, 2017

42

Id. at 21.

43

s/ William H. Baughman, Jr.
United States Magistrate Judge

Id. at 18.

44

See, Johnson v. Commissioner, No. 13-11658, 2014 WL 4798963, at ** 7-8 (S.D.
Mich. Sept. 26, 2014)(citations omitted).
-10-