Collins v. Commissioner Social Security Administration

Filing 20

Opinion & Order. Because the Commissioners decision is based on proper legal standards and supported by substantial evidence, it is AFFIRMED and this case is DISMISSED. Signed on 5/9/2017 by Judge Marco A. Hernandez. (sss)

IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
FOR THE DISTRICT OF OREGON

CAROL A. COLLINS,
Plaintiff,
v.
NANCY A. BERRYHILL,
Acting Commissioner of Social
Security,
Defendant.
____________________________
Richard F. McGinty
McGinty & Belcher, Attorneys
P.O. Box 12806
Salem, OR 97301
Attorney for Plaintiff,
Billy J. Williams
Janice E. Hebert
U.S. Attorney’s Office
1000 SW Third Avenue, Suite 600
Portland, OR 97204
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1 – OPINION & ORDER

No. 3:16-cv-00389-HZ
OPINION & ORDER

Sarah Moum
Social Security Administration
701 Fifth Avenue, Suite 2900 M/S 221A
Seattle, WA 98104
Attorneys for Defendant

HERNÁNDEZ, District Judge:
Plaintiff, Carol A. Collins, seeks judicial review of the Commissioner’s decision denying
her application for disability insurance benefits (“DIB”) and supplemental security income
(“SSI”) under Titles II and XVI of the Social Security Act. This Court has jurisdiction under 42
U.S.C. §§ 405(g) and 1383(c)(3). Because the Commissioner’s decision is based on proper legal
standards and supported by substantial evidence, it is AFFIRMED.
PROCEDURAL BACKGROUND
Plaintiff protectively filed an application for DIB and SSI on November 29, 2011,
alleging disability beginning on January 1, 2009. Tr. 15.1 Her application was denied initially
and on reconsideration. Following a denial of benefits, Plaintiff requested a hearing before an
Administrative Law Judge (“ALJ”). On August 22, 2014, an ALJ determined that Plaintiff was
not disabled. Tr. 31. The Appeals Council affirmed the ALJ’s decision on January 20, 2016. Tr.
1–3. This appeal followed.
FACTUAL BACKGROUND
Plaintiff was born in 1959 and was fifty-four years old at the time of the hearing. Tr. 47.
She has a high school education, obtained an associate’s degree, and has past work experience as
a personal care assistant, institutional cook, office worker, and sales clerk. Tr. 260. Plaintiff
alleges disability based on having kidney stones, diabetes, lumbar degenerative disc disease, as

1

Citations to “Tr.” refer to the administrative record filed here as ECF 13 and 14.

2 – OPINION & ORDER

well as a variety of other conditions and symptoms including hypertension, hearing loss,
obstructive sleep apnea, depression, arthritis, and anxiety. Tr. 17–18, 51, 60–61.
SEQUENTIAL DISABILITY EVALUATION
A claimant is disabled if unable to “engage in any substantial gainful activity by reason
of any medically determinable physical or mental impairment which . . . has lasted or can be
expected to last for a continuous period of not less than 12 months[.]” 42 U.S.C.
§§ 423(d)(1)(A), 1382c(3)(a).
Disability claims are evaluated according to a five-step procedure. See Valentine v.
Comm’r, 574 F.3d 685, 689 (9th Cir. 2009) (in social security cases, agency uses five-step
procedure to determine disability). The claimant bears the ultimate burden of proving
disability. Id.
At the first step, the Commissioner determines whether a claimant is engaged in
“substantial gainful activity.” If so, the claimant is not disabled. Bowen v. Yuckert, 482 U.S. 137,
140 (1987); 20 C.F.R. §§ 404.1520(b), 416.920(b). At step two, the Commissioner determines
whether the claimant has a “medically severe impairment or combination of impairments.”
Yuckert, 482 U.S. at 140–41; 20 C.F.R. §§ 404.1520(c), 416.920(c). If not, the claimant is not
disabled.
At step three, the Commissioner determines whether the claimant’s impairments, singly
or in combination, meet or equal “one of a number of listed impairments that the [Commissioner]
acknowledges are so severe as to preclude substantial gainful activity.” Yuckert, 482 U.S. at 141;
20 C.F.R. §§ 404.1520(d), 416.920(d). If so, the claimant is conclusively presumed disabled; if
not, the Commissioner proceeds to step four. Yuckert, 482 U.S. at 141.

3 – OPINION & ORDER

At step four, the Commissioner determines whether the claimant, despite any
impairment(s), has the residual functional capacity (“RFC”) to perform “past relevant work.” 20
C.F.R. §§ 404.1520(e), 416.920(e). If the claimant can, the claimant is not disabled. If the
claimant cannot perform past relevant work, the burden shifts to the Commissioner. At step five,
the Commissioner must establish that the claimant can perform other work. Yuckert, 482 U.S. at
141–42; 20 C.F.R. §§ 404.1520(e) & (f), 416.920(e) & (f). If the Commissioner meets his burden
and proves that the claimant is able to perform other work which exists in the national economy,
the claimant is not disabled. 20 C.F.R. §§ 404.1566, 416.966.
THE ALJ’S DECISION
At step one, the ALJ determined that Plaintiff had not engaged in substantial activity
since her application date. Tr. 17. Next, at steps two and three, the ALJ determined that Plaintiff
has severe impairments of mild lumbar degenerative disc disease, diabetes mellitus, and kidney
stones, but that Plaintiff does not have an impairment or combination of impairments that meets
or medically equals the severity one of the listed impairments. Tr. 17–21.
At step four, the ALJ concluded that Plaintiff has the RFC to perform light work except
that Plaintiff can lift, carry, push and pull twenty pounds occasionally and ten pounds frequently,
stand and walk for two hours in an eight-hour workday, sit for six hours in an eight-hour
workday, and can no more than frequently stoop or climb ladders, ropes or scaffolds. Tr. 21.
With this RFC, the ALJ determined at step four that Plaintiff was able to perform past relevant
work as an office worker. Tr. 31. Accordingly, analysis did not proceed to step five. Id.
STANDARD OF REVIEW
The reviewing court shall affirm the Commissioner’s decision if the decision is based on
proper legal standards and the legal findings are supported by substantial evidence in the record.

4 – OPINION & ORDER

42 U.S.C. § 405(g); Batson v. Comm’r Soc. Sec. Admin., 359 F.3d 1190, 1193 (9th Cir. 2004).
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.” Richardson v. Perales, 402
U.S. 389, 401 (1971) (citation and internal quotations omitted). In reviewing the Commissioner’s
alleged errors, this court must weigh “both the evidence that supports and detracts from the
[Commissioner’s] conclusions.” Martinez v. Heckler, 807 F.2d 771, 772 (9th Cir. 1986).
Variable interpretations of the evidence are insignificant if the Commissioner’s interpretation is
rational. Burch v. Barnhart, 400 F.3d 676, 679 (9th Cir. 2005).
When the evidence before the ALJ is subject to more than one rational interpretation, we
must defer to the ALJ’s conclusion. Batson, 359 F.3d at 1198 (citing Andrews v. Shalala, 53 F.3d
1035, 1041 (9th Cir. 1995)). A reviewing court, however, “cannot affirm the Commissioner’s
decision on a ground that the Administration did not invoke in making its decision.” Stout v.
Comm’r Soc. Sec. Admin., 454 F.3d 1050, 1054 (9th Cir. 2006) (citation omitted). Finally, a
court may not reverse an ALJ’s decision on account of an error that is harmless. Id. at 1055–56.
“[T]he burden of showing that an error is harmful normally falls upon the party attacking the
agency's determination.” Shinseki v. Sanders, 556 U.S. 396, 409 (2009).
DISCUSSION
Plaintiff argues the ALJ erred by improperly: (1) discounting the opinions of Drs. Craig
Thornton and Joseph Arnold; (2) omitting a number of Plaintiff’s functional limitations from her
RFC; and (3) finding that Plaintiff is not fully credible.
I.

The Opinions of Drs. Thornton and Arnold
Dr. Thornton has been Plaintiff’s treating physician since 2004. Tr. 1818. Dr. Arnold was

an examining psychiatrist who provided an initial evaluation when Plaintiff began treatment at

5 – OPINION & ORDER

Yamhill County Adult Mental Health. Tr. 19. The ALJ gave the opinions of Dr. Thornton and
Dr. Arnold “mostly . . . little weight” when determining that Plaintiff was not disabled. Tr. 28. In
social security cases, there are three types of medical opinions that courts accord different
weight. Valentine, 574 F.3d at 692. Generally, more weight is given to the opinion of a treating
source than to an examining source and more weight is given to the opinion of an examining
source than to a non-examining source. Lester v. Chater, 81 F.3d 821, 830–31 (9th Cir. 1996).
An ALJ will give “controlling weight” to a treating source’s opinion that is “well-supported by
medically acceptable clinical and laboratory diagnostic techniques and is not inconsistent with
the other substantial evidence” in the record. 20 C.F.R. § 404.1527(c)(2). “To reject an
uncontradicted opinion of a treating or examining doctor, an ALJ must state clear and convincing
reasons that are supported by substantial evidence.” Bayliss v. Barnhart, 427 F.3d 1211, 1216
(9th Cir. 2005). If the opinion is contradicted, the ALJ must provide “specific and legitimate
reasons” for rejecting it. Garrison v. Colvin, 759 F.3d 995, 1012 (9th Cir. 2014). “The ALJ can
meet this burden by setting out a detailed and thorough summary of the facts and conflicting
clinical evidence, stating his interpretation thereof, and making findings.” Magallanes v. Bowen,
881 F.2d 747, 751 (9th Cir. 1989) (quotation and citation omitted). Specific and legitimate
reasons for rejecting a treating physician’s opinion include its reliance on a claimant’s
discredited subjective complaints or its inconsistency with the medical records or a claimant’s
daily activities. Tommasetti v. Astrue, 533 F.3d 1035, 1041 (9th Cir. 2008). “Generally, the more
consistent an opinion is with the record as a whole, the more weight we will give that opinion.”
20 C.F.R. §§ 404.1527(c)(4), 416.927(c)(4); Valentine, 574 F.3d at 692–93. If a treating
physician’s opinion is inconsistent with substantial evidence, then it is not entitled to “controlling

6 – OPINION & ORDER

weight,” but it may still be “entitled to the greatest weight and should be adopted, even if it does
not meet the test for controlling weight.” Reddick v. Chater, 157 F.3d 715, 725 (9th Cir. 1998).
Further, “the regulations give more weight to opinions that are explained than to those
that are not” and gives more weight “to the opinions of specialists concerning matters relating to
their specialty over that of nonspecialists.” Holohan v. Massanari, 246 F.3d 1195, 1202 (9th Cir.
2001); 20 C.F.R. § 404.1527(d)(3), (5).
a. Dr. Thornton
Dr. Thornton has been Plaintiff’s primary care physician since 2004. Tr. 1818. He
provided a number of opinions in the form of letters, as well as extensive chart notes in the
record. After recounting much of Dr. Thornton’s testimony, the ALJ determined that his opinion
was entitled to mostly little weight:
MD Thornton’s opinions are mostly given little weight, as they are inconsistent
with the overall medical evidence record. MD Thornton described deconditioning
as one of [Plaintiff’s] significant problems, although this is not a medically
determinable impairment for social security purposes. He gives limitations with
[Plaintiff’s] use of the hands, although there is no evidence of [Plaintiff] suffering
from peripheral neuropathy or another impairment impacting hand function.
While he described [Plaintiff]’s diabetes as not well controlled, treatment records
suggest that in fact it was mostly at least moderately controlled during the
relevant period. He does not even mention the consistent notations of her noncompliance with recommended treatment modalities. His assessment of [Plaintiff]
with degenerative arthritis of the knee is not supported by imaging in October
2012 (Ex. 10F/37–39). While he concluded her degenerative arthritis and her
mental impairment “most greatly” affect her ability to work, imaging reports
showed only mild degeneration, and nerve conduction studies were normal. She
has received very limited, routine and conservative care for her psychiatric
impairment, which does not square with MD Thornton’s assessment that it “most
greatly” affects her work ability.
Tr. 28.
Plaintiff argues that the ALJ was wrong to discount Dr. Thornton’s opinion based on his
alleged oversight of Plaintiff’s noncompliance with treatment as well as his testimony regarding

7 – OPINION & ORDER

deconditioning, hand limitations, level of control over diabetes, degenerative arthritis of the
knee, and psychiatric problems. Defendant argues that the ALJ validly limited the weight given
to Dr. Thornton’s opinion because it is contradicted by the overall medical record.
As mentioned above, the ALJ noted that Dr. Thornton “described deconditioning as one
of the claimant’s significant problems, although this is not a medically determinable impairment
for social security purposes.” Tr. 28, 1209. Plaintiff argues that Dr. Thornton never reported that
deconditioning alone is the basis for his disability opinion, but rather Dr. Thornton’s opinion is
based on Plaintiff’s multitudinous issues and symptoms. Specifically, Dr. Thornton stated that:
[Plaintiff] has morbid obesity, deconditioning due to that, attention deficit
disorder, major depressive disorder, migraines, type 2 diabetes that is reasonably
well controlled, well-controlled asthma, and sleep apnea. . . . I think that the
obesity, depression, attention deficit disorder and fatigue, which is related to
deconditioning associated with these above problems are the most significant
factors affecting her ability to be employed.
Tr. 1209. Plaintiff argues that Dr. Thornton’s opinion should not have been discredited because it
accounts for impairments other than deconditioning as the bases for Plaintiff’s disability.
Defendant argues that, notwithstanding the ALJ’s discussion of deconditioning, there were other
considerations supporting his decision to discount Dr. Thornton’s opinion that were valid and
based on substantial evidence. Because the ALJ rejected Dr. Thornton’s opinions based on other
valid considerations, Plaintiff’s argument that the ALJ’s consideration of deconditioning
amounts to harmful error fails.
The ALJ noted that Dr. Thornton assessed limitations in Plaintiff’s use of her right hand,
despite a lack of evidence of peripheral neuropathy or any other impairment affecting hand
function. Tr. 28, 718. Plaintiff argues that she is obese, and that obesity can cause finger and
hand functioning limitations where there is adipose (fatty) tissue. See SSR 98-6p. Defendant
points out that Plaintiff presents no credible evidence of the presence of such adipose tissue, or
8 – OPINION & ORDER

any other evidence that her obesity limits her right hand’s ability to handle, finger, and feel.
Defendant additionally argues that Dr. Thornton did not provide any explanation for the basis of
Plaintiff’s limitations in her right hand. See Tr. 718.
A doctor’s opinion can be rejected if unsupported by medical findings, personal
observations, or test reports. Reddick v. Chater, 157 F.3d 715, 726 (9th Cir. 1998). Further, an
ALJ may validly reject “check-off reports” when they do not “contain any explanation of the
bases of their conclusions.” Crane v. Shalala, 76 F.3d 251, 253 (9th Cir. 1996); see also Molina
v. Astrue, 674 F.3d 1104, 1111-12 (9th Cir. 2012) (the ALJ validly rejected reports consisting of
“check-the-box forms” wherein the doctor failed to “provide supporting reasoning or clinical
findings, despite being instructed to do so”). Additionally, a report’s consistency with other
records, reports, or findings can form a legitimate basis for evaluating the reliability of a report.
Id.
Here, Dr. Thornton assessed limitations in Plaintiff’s right hand without providing any
explanation, or supporting that assessment with any medical findings, personal observations, or
test reports, despite being asked to do so. See Tr. 718. Throughout the entire report, particularly
in the section assessing limitations in Plaintiff’s hands, Dr. Thornton left blank the space for
identifying particular medical or clinical findings (i.e., physical exam findings, x-ray findings,
laboratory test results, history, and symptoms including pain, etc.), which support his
assessments. Id. Dr. Thornton’s opinion is also contradicted by the Feb. 11, 2013 medical
opinion of Dr. Linda Jensen, which assessed no manipulative limitations and was given great
weight by the ALJ. Tr. 29, 109–15. The ALJ thus provides a specific and legitimate reason for
limiting the weight given to Dr. Thornton’s report and thereby omitting the limitation of
Plaintiff’s hand from the RFC.

9 – OPINION & ORDER

Plaintiff also argues that the ALJ erred by discrediting Dr. Thornton’s medical opinion
describing Plaintiff’s diabetes as “not well controlled” in a letter dated May 9, 2014. Plaintiff
points out that Dr. Thornton’s treatment notes indicated that Plaintiff’s diabetes was “moderately
controlled” during the relevant period. Tr. 25, 28, 742, 778, 795, 812, 1818. Furthermore, in
another letter dated September 3, 2013, Dr. Thornton describes Plaintiff’s diabetes as
“reasonably well controlled.” Tr. 1209. Plaintiff alleges that the ALJ selectively cited to a point
in time where Plaintiff was having difficulty controlling her diabetes and ignored Dr. Thornton’s
overall opinion regarding Plaintiff’s diabetes. However, the ALJ considered Dr. Thornton’s most
recent letter, dated May 9, 2014, which is the one that described Plaintiff’s diabetes as “not well
controlled.” Tr. 1818. In any event, the ALJ credited Dr. Thornton’s other opinions regarding
Plaintiff’s diabetes and included diabetes as one of her severe impairments. Plaintiff therefore
fails to show any harmful error with regard to the ALJ’s treatment of Dr. Thornton’s opinions
addressing Plaintiff’s diabetes.
Regarding Plaintiff’s noncompliance with treatment recommendations, she argues that
Dr. Thornton’s records should not be parsed in litigation. Because Dr. Thornton was Plaintiff’s
treating physician for ten years, it is reasonable to infer that he was aware of any difficulty
Plaintiff had with complying with treatment. Plaintiff further argues that Dr. Thornton’s
omission of noncompliance in his opinions is not a reason to discredit his medical opinion.
Additionally, Dr. Thornton discusses noncompliance in many of the treatments notes. See Tr.
750, 772, 818, 831, 849, 1832, 1852, 1858, 1885. Inconsistency between a physician’s treatment
notes and opinions is a valid reason for discounting that physician’s opinions. Furthermore,
Plaintiff’s non-compliance with regard to her diabetes was not a determinative issue in the ALJ’s
opinion. Indeed, the ALJ credited diabetes as one of Plaintiff’s severe impairments. Furthermore,

10 – OPINION & ORDER

the ALJ provided other valid reasons for discounting Dr. Thornton’s opinion. Accordingly, the
Court finds that Plaintiff argument that the ALJ’s committed harmful error by noting that Dr.
Thornton’s report overlooked her noncompliance fails.
The ALJ noted that while Dr. Thornton assessed degenerative arthritis of the knee,
imaging did not support that assessment. Tr. 28, 1068–70, 1818. Plaintiff argues that the ALJ
erred in finding Dr. Thornton’s opinion contradictory to the medical evidence. In particular, the
ALJ discusses Plaintiff’s arthritic knee in isolation, rather than considering it alongside her
obesity, the effect of which may produce greater impairments than may be expected in someone
without obesity. SSR 02-1p. While obesity may produce greater impairments than otherwise
expected, there must still be medical signs and findings established by medically acceptable
diagnostic techniques. Those signs and findings must show the existence of a medical
impairment which could reasonably be expected to produce the pain or other symptoms alleged.
Here, the October 2012 imaging does not support a finding of severe degenerative arthritis. Tr.
1068–70. Dr. Thornton acknowledged that “x-rays do not show any severe degenerative
arthritis.” Tr. 1209. Dr. Jensen also reviewed Dr. Thornton’s assessments as well as other records
including medical imaging and found that Plaintiff’s knee x-ray exams were normal. Tr. 29, 109,
112–113. Again, a report’s consistency with other records, reports, or findings can form a
legitimate basis for evaluating the reliability of a report. Reddick, 157 F.3d at 726. Dr.
Thornton’s opinion that degenerative arthritis “most greatly” affects Plaintiff’s ability to work
was at odds with the October 2012 imaging showing only mild degeneration. These
inconsistencies between Dr. Thornton’s opinions and the medical record constitute substantial
evidence supporting specific and legitimate reasons for the ALJ to accord Dr. Thornton’s opinion
less weight.

11 – OPINION & ORDER

Moreover, Dr. Thornton opined that Plaintiff’s psychiatric problems “most greatly”
affected Plaintiff’s ability to work. Tr. 28. The ALJ found the opinion contrary to the medical
record showing that Plaintiff has received only “very limited, routine, and conservative care for
her mental impairment.” Id. The ALJ correctly discussed Plaintiff’s mental health impairments at
step two, finding that Plaintiff’s severe impairments did not extensively impair her activities in
the four functional areas the ALJ must consider. Tr. 18–21. Because Dr. Thornton’s opinion
conflicts with the medical record, the ALJ did not err in limiting its weight with regard to
Plaintiff’s psychiatric problems. Id.
Plaintiff also argues that the ALJ’s decision to give opinions “mostly little weight”
creates an ambiguity that deprives the decision of the support of substantial evidence. However,
“[a]s a reviewing court, we are not deprived of our faculties for drawing specific and legitimate
inferences from the ALJ’s opinion.” Magallanes, 881 F.2d at 755. Additionally, “[e]ven when an
agency explains its decision with less than ideal clarity, we must uphold it if the agency’s path
may be reasonably discerned.” Molina, 674 F.3d at 1121 (internal quotation marks omitted). It is
reasonable to infer that the ALJ limited the weight of Dr. Thornton’s opinion to the extent that it
was inconsistent with the medical record. The ALJ here provided specific and legitimate
explanations after summarizing the facts and clinical evidence in a detailed and thorough
fashion, expressing her interpretation and making findings, as required by the standard.
b. Dr. Arnold
Dr. Arnold, an M.D. and psychiatrist, provided the initial psychiatric assessment for
Plaintiff when she began treatment at Yamhill County Adult Mental Health. Tr. 532–37. He gave
a provisional diagnosis of ADHD. Tr. 537. He also diagnosed Plaintiff with recurrent major
depression, alcohol abuse in remission, and cannabis abuse in remission. Id. Dr. Arnold assigned

12 – OPINION & ORDER

Plaintiff a Global Assessment of Functioning (“GAF”) score of 50. Id. Plaintiff objects to the
ALJ limiting the weight of Dr. Arnold’s opinion with regards to the provisional ADHD diagnosis
and the GAF score of 50.
Plaintiff argues that the ALJ should not have accorded Dr. Arnold’s ADHD diagnosis
little weight simply because it was provisional. This assertion is meritless. A medical opinion can
be accorded less weight if it is inconsistent with the medical record and if the ALJ provides
specific and legitimate reasons for limiting the weight of the opinion. Garrison, 759 F.3d at
1012. Here, the ALJ found that the provisional diagnosis of ADHD was inconsistent with the
July 13, 2012 evaluating opinion of Robert Weniger, PsyD, in addition to being inconsistent with
Plaintiff’s educational and vocational achievements. Tr. 19, 693, 695. The ALJ provided a
number of such inconsistencies in explaining why the ADHD diagnosis was inconsistent with the
medical record. For example, Plaintiff completed an Associate Arts degree and received a 4.0
GPA; she denied problems focusing or concentrating during her collegiate studies; she was able
to sustain attention for a multi-hour evaluation; the test results from a number of psychological
testing administered by Dr. Weniger indicated that her general intellectual ability was in the
average range, with no indication of intellectual deficiency; her academic abilities were within
expected ranges with no indication of a specific learning disability; and her cognitive abilities
were entirely within normal limits, with no indication of a cognitive disorder. Tr. 19–20, 695–
699. The ALJ provided specific and legitimate reasons for limiting the weight of Dr. Arnold’s
opinion with regard to the provisional ADHD diagnosis, as required by the standard.
Plaintiff objects that the ALJ erred by using Dr. Weniger’s opinion, which she accorded
little weight, to discount Dr. Arnold’s opinion. The ALJ accorded Dr. Weniger’s opinion little
weight because the opinion was equivocal in its discussion of Plaintiff’s work limitations. Tr. 28-

13 – OPINION & ORDER

29. The ALJ relied on the objective measures of Plaintiff’s cognitive performance from the tests
Dr. Weniger conducted to limit Dr. Arnold’s opinion. Tr. 19–20. Rejecting Weniger’s equivocal
statements, but relying on the results of objective psychological tests conducted by Dr. Weniger,
creates no inconsistencies.
Plaintiff also argues that the ALJ lacks the ability and training to reject Dr. Arnold’s GAF
assessment. However, the standard merely imposes upon the ALJ the requirement that, if an
opinion is contradicted, the ALJ must provide specific and legitimate reasons to limit the weight
of the opinion. Here, Dr. Arnold’s assessment of a GAF score of 50 was contradicted by Dr.
Weniger’s opinion giving Plaintiff a score of 55. Tr. 19, 533, 699. The ALJ listed activities,
accomplishments, and statements made by the Plaintiff indicating that her limitations were not as
severe as a GAF score of 50 would ordinarily provide for, and that the low GAF score was
therefore unsupported. Tr. 19. The ALJ therefore provided valid reasons, supported by
substantial evidence in the record, to discount Dr. Arnold’s assessment.
“The decision of the ALJ will not be reversed for errors that are harmless.” Stout v.
Comm’r, Soc. Sec. Admin., 454 F.3d 1050, 1054 (9th Cir. 2006). However, a reviewing court
cannot consider an error harmless, “unless it can confidently conclude that no reasonable
ALJ . . . could have reached a different conclusion.” Id. at 1056. In other words, legal errors are
harmless only if they are inconsequential to the non-disability decision. Id. at 1055. Defendant
argues Plaintiff has not established any harm, as Dr. Arnold made no actual functional
assessments: Dr. Arnold did not explain how Plaintiff’s psychological conditions precluded her
from work activity. See Morgan v. Comm’r of the Soc. Sec. Admin., 169 F.3d 595, 601 (9th Cir.
1999) (finding that the ALJ’s rejection of an examining psychologist’s opinion was proper
because “[a]lthough [the doctor] identified characteristics that might limit [the claimant’s] ability

14 – OPINION & ORDER

to work on a sustained bases: affective instability, intense anger, daily suicidal thoughts, and
chronic feelings of emptiness, [the doctor] did not explain how these characteristic precluded
work activity in [the claimant’s] case”). Because Dr. Arnold assessed no limitations, the ALJ’s
determination of Plaintiff’s RFC would not have been different, even if she had fully credited Dr.
Arnold’s opinion. Plaintiff’s argument therefore fails to establish harmful error with regard to the
ALJ’s treatment of Dr. Arnold’s opinion.
II.

The ALJ’s RFC Findings
a. Renal Condition (Kidney Stones)
Plaintiff argues that the ALJ erred by failing to find that Plaintiff’s kidney stones would

cause her to be periodically absent from work. According to Plaintiff, the ALJ’s opinion is
internally inconsistent because it provides for permanent standing and walking limitations due to
“periodic” kidney stones but does not provide a functional limitation for absenteeism caused by
“intermittent exacerbations” of pain due to the kidney stones. Tr. 25, 27, 29.
The ALJ’s opinion, however, is not inconsistent. Contrary to Plaintiff’s argument, the
ALJ did not limit her ability to stand and walk because of her kidney stones. Instead, the ALJ
found that Plaintiff was limited in her ability to stand and walk because of her back problems. Tr.
24. Plaintiff misinterprets the ALJ’s statements with regard to Dr. Jensen’s opinion. The ALJ
wrote: “MD Jensen’s opinion is given great weight, although based on subsequent medical
evidence, I find the claimant’s kidney stones also to be a severe impairment, and I further limited
the claimant’s ability to stand/walk.” Tr. 29. In other words, the ALJ found the kidney stones to
be a severe impairment while Dr. Jensen did not. Additionally, in a separate finding, the ALJ
limited Plaintiff’s ability to stand and walk more severely than Dr. Jensen did, due to Plaintiff’s
back problems.

15 – OPINION & ORDER

The ALJ also rationally interpreted the evidence and concluded that Plaintiff’s kidney
stones did not require a functional limitation for absenteeism. Plaintiff points to the opinion of
Dr. Thornton, which stated that Plaintiff’s “renal stone problems have a significant interruption
to her life and ability to be employed.” Tr. 1209. However, as discussed above, the ALJ gave
valid reasons for limiting the weight assigned to Dr. Thornton’s opinions. Furthermore, Dr.
Thornton did not assess any specific absenteeism limitations. Id. While Dr. Thornton did indicate
that Plaintiff would miss work at least two full days per month due to pain, he did not specify
that the absenteeism would be caused by kidney stones. Tr. 715 Therefore, the ALJ did not err by
failing to include a functional limitation for absenteeism in Plaintiff’s RFC.
b. Anxiety
Plaintiff alleges that the ALJ erred by finding that, at the time of the July 8, 2014 hearing,
Plaintiff’s anxiety had not “been extant for twelve months.” Tr. 19. Specifically, Plaintiff argues
that the ALJ failed to assess whether it was expected that Plaintiff’s anxiety would last twelve
months. 20 C.F.R. §§ 404.1505(a), 416.905(a). Once more, Plaintiff has the burden of
establishing that the impairment is expected to last twelve months. See Valentine, 574 F.3d at
689. Here, Plaintiff points to evidence showing that she had been treated for anxiety for over
twelve months before the hearing. The first cited note, dated August 2011, documents Plaintiff’s
goal “[t]o learn coping skills for anxiety in the work setting.” Tr. 519. However, Plaintiff’s
provider did not diagnose an anxiety disorder at that date. The mere experience of some anxiety
towards employment is not necessarily a diagnosis of an anxiety disorder. It was rational for the
ALJ to interpret this evidence as showing that Plaintiff suffered from garden-variety anxiety
rather than a more severe form of anxiety. “Where evidence is susceptible to more than one
rational interpretation, it is the ALJ’s conclusion that must be upheld.” Burch, 400 F.3d at

16 – OPINION & ORDER

679.The second note Plaintiff cites is Dr. Weniger’s assessment, which states that Plaintiff
showed “symptoms of . . . anxiety” and that “she may also exhibit physiological symptoms of
anxiety.” Tr. 698. However, as mentioned above, the ALJ gave Dr. Weniger’s opinion “little
weight” because of its equivocal statements. Tr. 28. In the third note cited by Plaintiff, from a
group therapy session, Plaintiff reported that her anxiety regarding financial difficulties had been
alleviated. Tr. 1281. This note also lacks a diagnosis of an anxiety disorder. The ALJ noted that
Plaintiff began taking Prozac only in September 2013, and was not diagnosed with anxiety by
her primary care physician until October 2013. Tr. 19, 1828, 1842. The ALJ’s finding that
Plaintiff’s anxiety was not extant for twelve months was therefore supported by substantial
evidence.
Plaintiff argues that the ALJ erred by not considering Plaintiff’s anxiety-related
functional limitations. However, the ALJ found Plaintiff’s anxiety to be medically determinable
and considered it when assessing Plaintiff’s RFC. Tr. 20, 22. The ALJ found that Plaintiff’s
affective and anxiety disorders were nonsevere because they did not cause more than minimal
limitation with regard to performance of basic mental work activities. Tr. 20. The ALJ
considered Plaintiff’s credible limitations, and analyzed them properly in the context of the four
broad functional areas as required by the regulations. Id. Therefore, the ALJ did not fail to
consider Plaintiff’s anxiety-related functional limitations.
III.

Plaintiff’s Credibility
Plaintiff argues that the ALJ erred by finding that her functioning was not as limited as

she claimed. When the record establishes a medically determinable impairment that could
reasonably cause a claimant’s reported symptoms, the ALJ must evaluable the claimant’s
symptom reports. 20 C.F.R. §§ 404.1529, 416.929. An ALJ analyzes the credibility of a

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claimant’s testimony regarding her subjective pain and other symptoms in two steps.
Lingenfelter v. Astrue, 504 F.3d 1028, 1035–36 (9th Cir. 2007). “First, the ALJ must determine
whether the claimant has presented objective medical evidence of an underlying impairment
which could reasonably be expected to produce the pain or other symptoms alleged.” Id. at 1036
(citation and internal quotation omitted). “The claimant, however, need not show that her
impairment could reasonably be expected to cause the severity of the symptom she has alleged;
she need only show that it could reasonably have caused some degree of the symptom.” Id.
(citation and internal quotation omitted). “Second, if the claimant meets the first test, and there is
no evidence of malingering, the ALJ can reject her testimony about the severity of his symptoms
only by offering specific, clear and convincing reasons for doing so.” Id. (citation and internal
quotation omitted).
In determining whether a claimant’s testimony regarding the severity of her symptoms is
credible, the ALJ “may consider a number of factors, such as the medical record, the claimant’s
daily activities, and ordinary techniques of credibility evaluation, such as the claimant’s
reputation for lying, prior inconsistent statements concerning the symptoms, and other testimony
by the claimant that appears less than candid.” Smolen v. Chater, 80 F.3d 1273, 1284 (9th Cir.
1996); Burch, 400 F.3d at 681. Even if some of the ALJ’s findings for discrediting symptom
allegations are not upheld, the overall decision may still be upheld, assuming the ALJ provided
other valid rationales. Batson, 359 F.3d at 1197. Lastly, if the credibility finding is supported by
substantial evidence, the Court “may not engage in second-guessing.” Thomas v. Barnhart, 278
F.3d 947, 959 (9th Cir. 2002).
Here, the ALJ noted that Plaintiff’s assertion of total disability was undermined by her
work history, daily activities, and the medical record. Tr.30. With regard to Plaintiff’s work

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history, the ALJ noted that there were significant gaps even before the alleged onset date. Tr. 30.
Poor work history extending before the alleged onset date is a valid credibility factor. See
Thomas, 278 F.3d at 959 (finding that the ALJ gave clear and convincing reasons for discounting
the plaintiff’s testimony regarding her inability to work where she had “‘extremely poor work
history’ and ‘has shown little propensity to work in her lifetime’”). Moreover, Plaintiff worked
after her alleged onset date, earning at substantially the same levels as before said onset date. Tr.
30, 277. In particular, Plaintiff also completed a six-month internship with the Office of
Vocational Rehabilitation, and held herself out as willing, ready, and able to work to receive
unemployment benefits. Tr. 30, 239–40. The ALJ reasonably found that Plaintiff’s work history
was inconsistent with Plaintiff’s assertion of total disability.
Second, the ALJ considered Plaintiff’s daily activities in evaluating her subjective
complaints. Tr. 30. “The Social Security Act does not require that claimants be utterly
incapacitated to be eligible for benefits[.]” Fair, 885 F.2d 597 at 603 (citations omitted).
Additionally, “many home activities are not easily transferable to what may be the more grueling
environment of the workplace, where it might be impossible to periodically rest or take
medication.” Id.
The ALJ found that Plaintiff’s daily activities were inconsistent with her allegations of
disabling levels of pain. Id. Some of Plaintiff’s “robust activities,” include working as a personal
care assistant for two clients approximately ten hours per week, doing laundry, cooking, cleaning
the kitchen, dusting, vacuuming, and gardening. Tr. 30, 297–299. Plaintiff drives, often with the
assistance of her children, shops three times a week, and is able to manage her own money. Id.
The ALJ also found that she shops for her clients when she performs personal care assistant
work, goes to church most Sundays, attends support groups, and visits her older daughters. Tr.

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30, 297–299, 693. Such activities validly can be used to make a finding of inconsistency with a
plaintiff’s allegations of complete disability. See Fair v. Bowen, 885 F.2d 597, 604 (9th Cir.
1989) (upholding adverse credibility finding where the plaintiff “remain[ed] capable of caring
for all his own personal needs, the performance of his own routine household maintenance and
shopping chores, riding public transportation, and driving his own automobile”); Curry v.
Sullivan, 925 F.2d 1127, 1130 (9th Cir. 1990) (holding that an ability to take care of one’s
personal needs, prepare easy meals, do light housework, and shop for some grocery may be seen
as inconsistent with the presence of a condition which would preclude all work activity); Molina,
674 F.3d at 1113 (finding the plaintiff’s assertion that her anxiety precluded even minimal
human interaction to be inconsistent with such activities as “walking her two grandchildren to
and from school, attending church, shopping, and taking walks,” and holding that “[e]ven where
those activities suggest some difficulty functioning, they may be grounds for discrediting the
claimant’s testimony to the extent that they contradict claims of a totally debilitating
impairment”).
The Ninth Circuit has explained that a claimant’s ability to “spend a substantial part of
[her] day engaged in pursuits involving the performance of physical functions that are
transferable to a work setting” is sufficient on its own to discredit an allegation of disabling pain.
Fair, 885 F.2d at 603. But an ALJ need not rely solely on a claimant’s daily activities to discredit
subjective testimony of symptoms: an ALJ may validly rely on daily activities in conjunction
with other factors. See Burch, 400 F.3d at 680–81 (upholding the ALJ’s adverse credibility
determination based on the claimant’s daily activities alongside objective medical findings and
lack of consistent treatment). Here, the ALJ has not singularly relied on Plaintiff’s daily activities
to discredit her claim that her limitations are totally disabling; she has also relied on the

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Plaintiff’s work history and objective medical record. The ALJ’s finding that Plaintiff’s daily
activities of living were inconsistent with her allegation of total disability was therefore properly
based on substantial evidence.
Finally, the ALJ found that the medical record did not support the alleged severity of
Plaintiff’s mental or physical impairments. Such evidence may be used to provide clear and
convincing reasons to support an adverse credibility finding. Lingenfelter, 504 F.3d at 1040;
Tommasetti, 533 F.3d at 1040. The ALJ reiterated that the imaging reports of Plaintiff’s back
were mild, that the examinations unremarkable, and that treatment for her allegedly disabling
back pain and diabetes symptoms was “essentially routine and/or conservative in nature and
[had] been generally successful in controlling her symptoms.” Tr. 28, 30–31. As mentioned
above, lumbar imaging showed only “mild low lumbar facet arthropathy.” Tr. 24, 619. Plaintiff’s
nerve conduction tests were unremarkable. Tr. 24, 1048. Imaging of Plaintiff’s knees was
negative. Tr. 1068–70. The ALJ additionally found that though Plaintiff has intermittent
problems requiring hospitalization for her renal condition, the condition is mostly managed with
medication. Tr. 31. The ALJ’s consideration of the medical record in determining Plaintiff’s
credibility was not improper.
The ALJ provided specific, clear and convincing reasons for finding that Plaintiff’s
testimony was less than fully credible. Those reasons were supported by “such relevant evidence
as a reasonable mind might accept as adequate to support a conclusion.” Tommasetti, 553 F.3d at
1038. Accordingly, Plaintiff’s argument that the ALJ improperly found Plaintiff not fully
credible fails.
//
//

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CONCLUSION
Because the Commissioner’s decision is based on proper legal standards and supported
by substantial evidence, it is AFFIRMED and this case is DISMISSED.
IT IS SO ORDERED.
DATED this ______ day of _______, 2017.

____________________________________
MARCO A. HERNÁNDEZ
United States District Judge

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