Moore v. Social Security Administration
Filing
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OPINION AND ORDER by Magistrate Judge Steven P. Shreder reversing and remanding the decision of the ALJ. (tmb, Chambers)
IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
FOR THE EASTERN DISTRICT OF OKLAHOMA
BARBARA A. MOORE,
)
)
Plaintiff,
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v.
)
)
NANCY A. BERRYHILL,
)
Acting Commissioner of the Social )
Security Administration, 1
)
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Defendant.
)
Case No. CIV-16-241-SPS
OPINION AND ORDER
The claimant Barbara A. Moore requests judicial review pursuant to 42 U.S.C.
§ 405(g) of the decision of the Commissioner of the Social Security Administration
denying her application for benefits under the Social Security Act. She appeals the
decision of the Commissioner and asserts that the Administrative Law Judge (“ALJ”)
erred in determining she was not disabled. For the reasons set forth below, the decision
of the Commissioner is hereby REVERSED and the case remanded to the ALJ for further
proceedings.
Social Security Law and Standard of Review
Disability under the Social Security Act is defined as the “inability to engage in
any substantial gainful activity by reason of any medically determinable physical or
mental impairment[.]” 42 U.S.C. § 423(d)(1)(A). A claimant is disabled under the
1
On January 23, 2017, Nancy A. Berryhill became the Acting Commissioner of Social
Security. In accordance with Fed. R. Civ. P. 25(d), Ms. Berryhill is substituted for Carolyn
Colvin as the Defendant in this action.
Social Security Act “only if h[er] physical or mental impairment or impairments are of
such severity that [s]he is not only unable to do h[er] previous work but cannot,
considering h[er] age, education, and work experience, engage in any other kind of
substantial gainful work which exists in the national economy[.]” 42 U.S.C. § 423
(d)(2)(A).
Social security regulations implement a five-step sequential process to
evaluate a disability claim. See 20 C.F.R. §§ 404.1520, 416.920. 2
Judicial review of the Commissioner’s determination is limited in scope by 42
U.S.C. § 405(g). This Court’s review is limited to two inquiries: 1) whether the decision
was supported by substantial evidence, and 2) whether the correct legal standards were
applied. See Hawkins v. Chater, 113 F.3d 1162, 1164 (10th Cir. 1997) [citation omitted].
The term “substantial evidence” requires “‘more than a mere scintilla. It means such
relevant evidence as a reasonable mind might accept as adequate to support a
conclusion.’” Richardson v. Perales, 402 U.S. 389, 401 (1971), quoting Consolidated
Edison Co. v. NLRB, 305 U.S. 197, 229 (1938). However, the Court may not reweigh the
2
Step one requires the claimant to establish that she is not engaged in substantial gainful activity,
as defined by 20 C.F.R. §§ 404.1510, 416.910. Step two requires the claimant to establish that
she has a medically severe impairment (or combination of impairments) that significantly limits
her ability to do basic work activities. Id. §§ 404.1521, 416.921. If the claimant is engaged in
substantial gainful activity, or if her impairment is not medically severe, disability benefits are
denied. At step three, the claimant’s impairment is compared with certain impairments listed in
20 C.F.R. pt. 404, subpt. P, app. 1. If the claimant suffers from a listed impairment (or
impairments “medically equivalent” to one), she is determined to be disabled without further
inquiry. Otherwise, the evaluation proceeds to step four, where the claimant must establish that
she lacks the residual functional capacity (RFC) to return to her past relevant work. The burden
then shifts to the Commissioner to establish at step five that there is work existing in significant
numbers in the national economy that the claimant can perform, taking into account her age,
education, work experience and RFC. Disability benefits are denied if the Commissioner shows
that the claimant’s impairment does not preclude alternative work. See generally Williams v.
Bowen, 844 F.2d 748, 750-51 (10th Cir. 1988).
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evidence nor substitute its discretion for that of the agency. See Casias v. Secretary of
Health & Human Services, 933 F.2d 799, 800 (10th Cir. 1991). Nevertheless, the Court
must review the record as a whole, and “[t]he substantiality of evidence must take into
account whatever in the record fairly detracts from its weight.” Universal Camera Corp.
v. NLRB, 340 U.S. 474, 488 (1951); see also Casias, 933 F.2d at 800-01.
Claimant’s Background
The claimant was born on June 13, 1964, and was fifty years old at the time of the
administrative hearing (Tr. 41). She completed high school, and has previously worked
as a personal care aide, cook, and assistant manager (Tr. 29, 238). The claimant alleges
she has been unable to work since August 25, 2013, due to nerve damage, back pain,
chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), emphysema, post-traumatic stress
disorder, nervous condition, depression, bi-polar disorder, high blood pressure,
menopause, and a heart condition (Tr. 237).
Procedural History
On March 26, 2013, the claimant applied for disability insurance benefits under
Title II of the Social Security Act, 42 U.S.C. §§ 401-434, and for supplemental security
income benefits under Title XVI of the Social Security Act, 42 U.S.C. §§ 1381-85. Her
applications were denied.
ALJ James Bentley held an administrative hearing and
determined the claimant was not disabled in a written decision dated December 24, 2014
(Tr. 19-31).
The Appeals Council denied review, so the ALJ’s written decision
represents the final decision of the Commissioner for purposes of this appeal. See 20
C.F.R. §§ 404.981, 416.1481.
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Decision of the Administrative Law Judge
The ALJ made his decision at step five of the sequential evaluation. He found that
the claimant retained the residual functional capacity (RFC) to perform less than the full
range of light work as defined in 20 C.F.R. §§ 404.1567(b) and 416.967(b), i. e., she
could lift/carry twenty pounds occasionally and ten pounds frequently, sit and stand/walk
for six hours each in an eight-hour workday, but that she must have a sit/stand option,
meaning a temporary change in position every twenty minutes, provided she did not leave
the work space so as to not diminish pace or production. Additionally, he found that she
could only occasionally stoop, kneel, crouch, and crawl, and she must avoid exposure to
dust, fumes, odors, and poorly ventilated areas. Finally, he found that she was capable of
only simple tasks with routine supervision, and that she was further limited to only
occasional contact with co-workers, supervisors, and the general public (Tr. 24). The
ALJ concluded that although the claimant could not perform her past relevant work, she
was nevertheless not disabled because there was work she could perform, i. e., small
product assembler, electrical accessory assembler, and inspection packer (Tr. 29-31).
Review
The claimant contends that the ALJ erred by: (i) failing to account for her need
for portable oxygen and a cane, and (ii) failing to properly assess her credibility. The
Court agrees that the ALJ erred in assessing the evidence as to the claimant’s need for a
cane, and the decision of the ALJ should be reversed and remanded.
The ALJ determined that the claimant had the severe impairments of major
depression, anxiety disorder, panic attacks, psychosis, PTSD, bipolar syndrome, chronic
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pain syndrome, obesity, and COPD, as well as the non-severe impairments of coronary
artery disease, degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, degenerative joint disease of
the right knee, and right knee sprain (Tr. 22). The medical evidence relevant to this
appeal reveals that the claimant received treatment at Rowland Flatt Clinic, where
treatment notes reflect the claimant was treated for COPD, dyspnea, and frequent
wheezing (Tr. 453). On August 22, 2012, the claimant’s O2 saturation was 96% on room
air but she had coarse breath sounds throughout (Tr. 454). On March 11, 2013, the
claimant was noted to be on oxygen due to an O2 saturation test (Tr. 420). The claimant
was counseled about cigarette smoking and quitting, but was unwilling to do so (Tr. 551).
A pulmonary function test performed on April 23, 2014 revealed a moderately severe
obstruction (Tr. 568). Additionally, treatment notes at the Spinal Rehabilitation clinic
also reflect the claimant complained of cough, shortness of breath, shortness of breath
with exertion, and wheezing (Tr. 601).
The claimant was treated at Spinal Rehabilitation Associates and was noted to
have full range of motion with flexion of back, but limited range of motion with
extension of back, and had 5 degrees of range of motion of back with active extension
(Tr. 465).
In July 2013, the claimant indicated conditions of concern including
pulmonary, musculoskeletal, and psychological (Tr. 517). An August 2013 x-ray of the
right knee revealed minimal early osteoarthritis, and an MRI confirmed arthrosis but it
was not considered significant enough to warrant knee replacement at that time (Tr. 478,
540, 626). She continued to receive treatment for knee pain, lumbosacral radiculopathy,
chronic pain syndrome, and long-term use of high-risk medications (Tr. 513). Evidence
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submitted to the Appeals Council supports the claimant’s continued complaints of back
and knee pain. On November 10, 2014, the claimant was again treated for her back pain
and knee pain (Tr. 575-576, 600). Upon exam, her gait and station were overall normal,
but she was assessed with backache, chronic pain syndrome, joint pain of the shoulder,
lumbar radiculitis, and joint pain of the left leg, and she was prescribed a quad cane
(Tr. 578). The treatment notes stated that the claimant “required the use of a quad cane”
(Tr. 578),
State reviewing physicians determined the claimant could perform light work with
no manipulative, postural, or environmental limitations (Tr. 82-83, 119-120).
At the administrative hearing, the claimant testified that she had a cane but did not
“do well” with it because it did not provide enough balance, and that she had been given
a prescription for a quad cane (Tr. 54). She also testified that she had been prescribed
oxygen, and that she used inhalers at least twice a day (Tr. 60-61).
In his written opinion, the ALJ thoroughly summarized the claimant’s hearing
testimony, as well as much of the medical evidence. He noted the painful range of
motion for the claimant’s upper extremities and reduced range of motion, tenderness, and
crepitation in the right knee (Tr. 26). He also noted the less than full range of motion of
the lumbar spine, but found the claimant’s musculoskeletal problems to be nonsevere
because he determined they were mild in nature (Tr. 27). He further noted the treatment
records related to steroid injections for the right knee and pain management. He noted
that she was not treated by a pulmonologist and that she did not have a history of
hospitalizations for her COPD, and that she had been prescribed oxygen but that her O2
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was 96% on room air in 2012 and 95% on room air in 2014 (Tr. 27). He then did
acknowledge the 2013 pulmonary function study showing moderately severe
obstructions, but only in the context of indicating that she continued to smoke a pack of
cigarettes a day (Tr. 28). He also indicated that he found she had failed to follow
treatment because she had gained weight (Tr. 29).
The ALJ did not address the
claimant’s testimony regarding needing a cane, nor did he have the opportunity to see the
evidence that she was prescribed one, in finding that she could perform a limited range of
light work.
Indeed, despite the evidence and testimony in the record before him, the ALJ did
not address the claimant’s need for an assistive device at all, and therefore made no
findings regarding her use of a cane in relation to the RFC although she was asked at the
administrative hearing about the prescription for her cane (Tr. 54). See Staples v Astrue,
329 Fed. Appx. 189, 191-192 (10th Cir. 2009) (“The standard described in SSR 96-9p
does not require that the claimant have a prescription for the assistive device in order for
that device to be medically relevant to the calculation of [his] RFC. Instead, [he] only
needs to present medical documentation establishing the need for the device. The ALJ
therefore erred in relying on [the claimant’s] lack of a prescription for a cane.”). See also
Soc. Sec. Rul. 96-9p, 1996 WL 374185, at *7 (July 2, 1996). This indicates a deliberate
attempt to pick and choose among the evidence to use only favorable portions in support
of the ALJ’s opinion. See Hardman v. Barnhart, 362 F.3d 676, 681 (10th Cir. 2004)
(noting that the ALJ may not “pick and choose among medical reports, using portions of
evidence favorable to his position while ignoring other evidence.”), citing Switzer v.
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Heckler, 742 F.2d 382, 385-86 (7th Cir. 1984) (“Th[e] report is uncontradicted and the
Secretary’s attempt to use only the portions favorable to her position, while ignoring
other parts, is improper.”) [citations omitted].
The Court’s reason for reversal is bolstered by the additional evidence submitted
to the Appeals Council, particularly the evidence regarding the claimant’s prescription for
a quad cane. The Appeals Council was required to properly consider this evidence if it
was: (i) new, (ii) material, and (iii) “related to the period on or before the date of the
ALJ’s decision,” see Chambers v. Barnhart, 389 F.3d 1139, 1142 (10th Cir. 2004),
quoting Box v. Shalala, 52 F.3d 168, 171 (8th Cir. 1995), but failed to do so here.
Evidence is new if it “is not duplicative or cumulative,” and this evidence qualifies as
such. Threet v. Barnhart, 353 F.3d 1185, 1191 (10th Cir. 2003), quoting Wilkins v. Sec’y,
Dep’t of Health & Human Svcs., 953 F.2d 93, 96 (4th Cir. 1991). Second, evidence is
material “if there is a reasonable possibility that [it] would have changed the outcome.”
Threet, 353 F.3d at 1191, quoting Wilkins, 953 F.2d at 96.
The evidence must
“reasonably [call] into question the disposition of the case.” Id. See also Lawson v.
Chater, 83 F.3d 432, 1996 WL 195124, at *2 (10th Cir. April 23, 1996) (unpublished
table opinion). Here, this evidence supports the serious nature of the claimant’s back and
knee pain, and limited ability to ambulate, and calls into question the ALJ’s decision,
particularly in light of the claimant’s combination of impairments related to shortness of
breath, walking, and obesity. In finding the claimant could perform the standing and
walking requirements of light work, the ALJ relied, at least in part, on the limited
evidence (or lack thereof) related to the claimant’s use of a cane.
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Finally, the evidence is chronologically relevant because it pertains to the time
“period on or before the date of the ALJ’s Decision.” Kesner v. Barnhart, 470 F. Supp.
2d 1315, 1320 (D. Utah 2006), citing 20 C.F.R. § 404.970(b). The claimant meets the
insured status through December 31, 2017, so all of the records are relevant to the
claimant’s condition as to the existence or severity of her impairments. See Basinger v.
Heckler, 725 F.2d 1166, 1169 (8th Cir. 1984) (“[M]edical evidence of a claimant’s
condition subsequent to the expiration of the claimant’s insured status is relevant
evidence because it may bear upon the severity of the claimant’s condition before the
expiration of his or her insured status.”), citing Bastian v. Schweiker, 712 F.2d 1278,
1282 n.4 (8th Cir. 1983); Boyd v. Heckler, 704 F.2d 1207, 1211 (11th Cir. 1983);
Dousewicz v. Harris, 646 F.2d 771, 774 (2d Cir. 1981); Poe v. Harris, 644 F.2d 721, 723
n. 2 (8th Cir. 1981); Gold v. Secretary of H.E.W., 463 F.2d 38, 41-42 (2d Cir. 1972);
Berven v. Gardner, 414 F.2d 857, 861 (8th Cir. 1969).
The evidence presented by the claimant after the administrative hearing thus does
qualify as new and material evidence under C.F.R. §§ 404.970(b) and 416.1470(b), and
the Appeals Council considered it (Tr. 2), so the newly-submitted evidence “becomes
part of the record . . . in evaluating the Commissioner’s denial of benefits under the
substantial-evidence standard.” Chambers, 389 F.3d at 1142, citing O’Dell v. Shalala, 44
F.3d 855, 859 (10th Cir. 1994). The ALJ had no opportunity to perform the proper
analysis, and while the Appeals Council considered this new evidence, they failed to
analyze it in accordance with the aforementioned standards.
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In light of this new evidence, the Court finds that the decision of the
Commissioner is not supported by substantial evidence because the ALJ may not have
had the opportunity to perform a proper analysis of the newly-submitted evidence in
accordance with the authorities cited above, and the Commissioner’s decision must
therefore be reversed and the case remanded for further proceedings. On remand, the
ALJ should properly evaluate all the evidence in the record. If the ALJ’s subsequent
analysis results in any changes to the claimant’s RFC, the ALJ should re-determine what
work the claimant can perform, if any, and ultimately whether she is disabled.
The claimant also asserts that the ALJ’s errors regarding these opinions affected
his credibility analysis.
Since the ALJ’s opinion was issued, the Social Security
Administration eliminated the term “credibility” in Soc. Sec. Rul. 16-3p, 2016 WL
1119029 (Mar. 16, 2016), and has provided new guidance for evaluating statements
pertaining to intensity, persistence, and limiting effects of symptoms in disability claims.
“Generally, if an agency makes a policy change during the pendency of a claimant’s
appeal, the reviewing court should remand for the agency to determine whether the new
policy affects its prior decision.” Frantz v. Astrue, 509 F.3d 1299, 1302 (10th Cir. 2007)
(quoting Sloan v. Astrue, 499 F.3d 883, 889 (8th Cir. 2007). In light of the ALJ’s earlieridentified errors that require reversal, the Court finds that remand for proper analysis
under the new guidance would likewise be advisable here.
Because the ALJ failed to properly conduct an analysis of the evidence and the
claimant’s RFC, the decision of the Commissioner should be reversed and the case
remanded to the ALJ for further analysis. If such analysis results in any adjustments to
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the claimant’s RFC, the ALJ should re-determine what work the claimant can perform, if
any, and ultimately whether he is disabled.
Conclusion
In summary, the Court FINDS that correct legal standards were not applied by the
ALJ, and the Commissioner’s decision is therefore not supported by substantial evidence.
The Commissioner’s decision is accordingly REVERSED and the case REMANDED for
further proceedings consistent herewith.
DATED this 22nd day of September, 2017.
____________________________________
STEVEN P. SHREDER
UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE
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