Gould v. Commissioner Social Security Administration

Filing 20

OPINION AND ORDER: The Commissioner's decision is AFFIRMED and this action is DISMISSED with prejudice. Signed on 12/19/2016 by Magistrate Judge John Jelderks. (jtj)

IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
FOR THE DISTRICT OF OREGON

TAMMARRA GOULD,
Plaintiff,
v.
CAROLYN A. COLVIN,
Acting Commissioner of Social Security,
Defendant.
____________________________________

) Civil No.: 6:14-cv-02055-JE
)
) OPINION AND
) ORDER
)
)
)
)
)
)
)

Rory Joseph Linerud
Linerud Law Firm
P.O. Box 1105
Salem, OR 97308-1105
Attorney for Plaintiff
Billy J. Williams, Acting U.S. Attorney
Janice Hebert, Asst. U.S. Attorney
1000 S.W. 3rd Avenue, Suite 600
Portland, OR 97204
Sarah Martin, Special Asst. U.S. Attorney
Jeffrey Staples, Special Asst. U.S. Attorney
Office of the General Counsel
Social Security Administration
701 5th Avenue, Suite 2900 M/S 221 A
Seattle, WA 98104-7075
Attorneys for Defendants
OPINION AND ORDER – 1

JELDERKS, Magistrate Judge:
Plaintiff Tammarra Gould brings this action pursuant to 42 U.S.C. §§ 405(g) and
1383(c)(3) seeking judicial review of a final decision of the Commissioner of Social Security
(the Commissioner) denying her application for supplemental security income (SSI) under the
Social Security Act (the Act). Plaintiff seeks an Order remanding the action to the Social
Security Administration (the Agency) for an award of benefits. In the alternative, Plaintiff seeks
an Order remanding the action for further proceedings.
For the reasons set out below, the Commissioner’s decision is affirmed.
Procedural Background
Plaintiff previously filed applications for SSI and a period of disability and disability
insurance benefits in December, 2005, alleging she had been disabled since September 26, 2004.
After a hearing, and in a decision dated June 10, 2009, an Administrative Law Judge (ALJ)
issued a decision finding claimant not disabled under the Act as of the date of his decision. Tr.
116. The Appeals Council then denied review Tr. 117. That decision was not appealed and its
findings are, therefore, final.
Plaintiff filed the current application for SSI on April 20, 2010, alleging she had been
disabled since June 9, 2009.
After her claim was denied initially and upon reconsideration, Plaintiff timely requested
an administrative hearing.
On November 16, 2012, a hearing was held before ALJ Marilyn Mauer, during which
Plaintiff and impartial medical expert, William DeBolt, M.D., testified. Plaintiff was represented
by counsel.

OPINION AND ORDER – 2

ALJ Mauer then continued the hearing in order for Plaintiff to undergo a consultative
neuropsychological evaluation. ALJ Mauer held a second hearing on June 25, 2013. Plaintiff;
impartial medical expert, Arthur Lewy, Ph.D.; and Kay Wise, a Vocational Expert (VE); testified
at the hearing. Plaintiff was again represented by counsel.
In a decision dated July 11, 2013, ALJ Mauer found that Plaintiff was not disabled within
the meaning of the Act.
On October 24, 2014, the Appeals Council denied Plaintiff’s request for review,
rendering the ALJ’s decision the final decision of the Commissioner. In the present action,
Plaintiff challenges that decision.
Background
Plaintiff was born in 1973 and was 40 years old at the time of the hearing in front of the
ALJ. She graduated from high school and attended some college. She has past relevant work as a
caregiver for disabled adults and a retail sales clerk.
Disability Analysis
The ALJ engages in a five-step sequential inquiry to determine whether a claimant is
disabled within the meaning of the Act. 20 C.F.R. §§ 404.1520, 416.920. Below is a summary
of the five steps, which also are described in Tackett v. Apfel, 180 F.3d 1094, 1098-99 (9th Cir.
1999).
Step One. The Commissioner determines whether the claimant is engaged in substantial
gainful activity (SGA). A claimant engaged in such activity is not disabled. If the claimant is
not engaged in substantial gainful activity, the Commissioner proceeds to evaluate the claimant’s
case under Step Two. 20 C.F.R. § 404.1520(b).
Step Two. The Commissioner determines whether the claimant has one or more severe

OPINION AND ORDER – 3

impairments. A claimant who does not have such an impairment is not disabled. If the claimant
has a severe impairment, the Commissioner proceeds to evaluate the claimant’s case under Step
Three. 20 C.F.R. § 404.1520(c).
Step Three. Disability cannot be based solely on a severe impairment; therefore, the
Commissioner next determines whether the claimant’s impairment “meets or equals” one of the
presumptively disabling impairments listed in the Social Security Administration (SSA)
regulations, 20 C.F.R. Part 404, Subpart P, Appendix 1. A claimant who has such an impairment
is disabled. If the claimant’s impairment does not meet or equal an impairment listed in the
regulations, the Commissioner’s evaluation of the claimant’s case proceeds under Step Four.
20 C.F.R. § 404.1520(d).
Step Four. The Commissioner determines whether the claimant is able to perform
relevant work he or she has done in the past. A claimant who can perform past relevant work is
not disabled. If the claimant demonstrates he or she cannot do work performed in the past, the
Commissioner’s evaluation of the claimant’s case proceeds under Step Five. 20 C.F.R.
§ 404.1520(f).
Step Five. The Commissioner determines whether the claimant is able to do any other
work. A claimant who cannot perform other work is disabled. If the Commissioner finds that
the claimant is able to do other work, the Commissioner must show that a significant number of
jobs exist in the national economy that the claimant can do. The Commissioner may satisfy this
burden through the testimony of a vocational expert (VE) or by reference to the MedicalVocational Guidelines, 20 C.F.R. Part 404, Subpart P, Appendix 2. If the Commissioner
demonstrates that a significant number of jobs exist in the national economy that the claimant
can do, the claimant is not disabled. If the Commissioner does not meet this burden, the claimant

OPINION AND ORDER – 4

is disabled. 20 C.F.R. § 404.1520(g)(1).
At Steps One through Four, the burden of proof is on the claimant. Tackett, 180 F.3d at
1098. At Step Five, the burden shifts to the Commissioner to show that the claimant can perform
jobs that exist in significant numbers in the national economy. Id.
Medical Record and Testimony
The court has carefully reviewed the medical record and testimony and the parties are
familiar with both. Accordingly, the details of that evidence will be set out below only as they
are relevant to the issues before the court.
ALJ’s Decision
As an initial matter and consistent with Chavez v. Bowen, 844 F.2d. 691 (9th Cir. 1988)
and Acquiescence Ruling (“AR”) 97-4(9) 1997 WL 742758 at *3 (S.S.A. Dec. 3, 1997), the ALJ
considered whether Plaintiff had shown “changed circumstances” from the date her prior
application for disability benefits was denied. She concluded that Plaintiff had overcome the
presumption of continuing non-disability by establishing additional impairments that were not
considered in the previous application. Tr. 19.
At the first step of her disability analysis, the ALJ found that Plaintiff had not engaged in
substantial gainful activity since her application date of April 20, 2010.
At the second step, the ALJ found that Plaintiff had the following severe impairments:
depressive disorder, NOS; anxiety disorder, NOS; mild degenerative disc disease of the cervical
and lumbar spine, status post laminectomy at C5-6; obesity; intermittent tremor; pain disorder
with physical and psychological factors; and carpal tunnel syndrome. Tr. 20.
At the third step, the ALJ found that Plaintiff did not have an impairment or combination
of impairments that met or equaled a presumptively disabling impairment set out in the Listings,

OPINION AND ORDER – 5

20 C.F.R. Part 404, Subpart P, App. 1.
The ALJ next assessed Plaintiff’s residual functional capacity (RFC). She found that
Plaintiff retains the capacity to perform light exertional level work subject to the following
limitations: she requires the option to sit or stand at will while still performing essential tasks;
can frequently climb ramps and stairs, and stoop, crouch, crawl and kneel; must avoid climbing
ladders, ropes or scaffolds; can engage in frequent, but not constant, handling and fingering
bilaterally; should not work in a job requiring contact with the public or teamwork assignments;
can understand, remember, and carry out simple instructions that can be learned in 30 days or
less and must avoid exposure to workplace hazards, such as unprotected heights or large moving
equipment. Tr. 23. In making her determination, the ALJ found that Plaintiff’s statements
concerning the intensity, persistence and limiting effects of these symptoms were not entirely
credible. Tr. 24.
Based upon the testimony of the VE, at the fourth step of her disability analysis, the ALJ
found that Plaintiff was unable to perform any of her past relevant work.
At the fifth step, the ALJ found that Plaintiff could perform other jobs that existed in
significant numbers in the national economy. Based upon VE’s testimony, she cited merchandise
marker, garment sorter and mail sorter as examples of such work. Having concluded that
Plaintiff could perform this work, the ALJ found that she had not been under a disability within
the meaning of the Act since April 20, 2010, the date the application for benefits was filed.
Standard of Review
A claimant is disabled if he or she is unable “to engage in 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.

OPINION AND ORDER – 6

§ 423(d)(1)(A). Claimants bear the initial burden of establishing disability. Roberts v. Shalala,
66 F.3d 179, 182 (9th Cir. 1995), cert. denied, 517 U.S. 1122 (1996). The Commissioner bears
the burden of developing the record, DeLorme v. Sullivan, 924 F.2d 841, 849 (9th Cir. 1991),
and bears the burden of establishing that a claimant can perform “other work” at Step Five of the
disability analysis process. Tackett, 180 F.3d at 1098.
The district court must affirm the Commissioner’s decision if it is based on proper legal
standards and the findings are supported by substantial evidence in the record as a whole.
42 U.S.C. § 405(g); see also Andrews v. Shalala, 53 F.3d 1035, 1039 (9th Cir. 1995).
“Substantial evidence means more than a mere scintilla but less than a preponderance; it is such
relevant evidence as a reasonable mind might accept as adequate to support a conclusion.”
Andrews, 53 F.3d at 1039. The court must weigh all of the evidence, whether it supports or
detracts from the Commissioner’s decision. Martinez v. Heckler, 807 F.2d 771, 772 (9th Cir.
1986). The Commissioner’s decision must be upheld, however, even if “the evidence is
susceptible to more than one rational interpretation.” Andrews, 53 F.3d at 1039-40.
Discussion
Plaintiff contends that the ALJ erred by not including in her RFC assessment any
workplace restrictions caused by carpal tunnel syndrome. Plaintiff also contends that the ALJ
failed to develop the administrative record.
I. ALJ’s RFC Assessment
The ALJ is responsible for determining a claimant's residual functional capacity. 20
C.F.R. § 404.1546; SSR 96–5p. In doing so, the ALJ is required to consider the record as a
whole, and to explain the weighing of the medical evidence and testimony concerning the
claimant's residual functional capacity. SSR 96–5p. In analyzing a claimant's residual functional

OPINION AND ORDER – 7

capacity, an ALJ may consider whether a claimant's subjective complaints are inconsistent with
the record, Bayliss v. Barnhart, 427 F.3d 1211, 1217 (9th Cir.2005); and need not include
opinion evidence that is properly discounted. Batson v. Comm’r of Soc. Sec. Admin., 359 F.3d
1190, 1197 (9th Cir.2004).
Plaintiff asserts that, in crafting her RFC, the ALJ failed to incorporate any workplace
restrictions related to her carpal tunnel syndrome despite “evidence of disability.” Pl. Brief at 8.
Plaintiff argues that the ALJ “ignored carpal tunnel syndrome entirely” because she linked
Plaintiff’s RFC limitations in fingering and handling to her intermittent tremor condition. Id.
Contrary to Plaintiff’s assertion, the ALJ’s decision did not “ignore[] carpal tunnel
syndrome entirely.” The ALJ listed carpal tunnel syndrome as one of Plaintiff’s severe
impairments. She noted that medical records “documented her subjective complaints of ‘diffuse
pain symptoms mostly in the joint with some symptoms suggestive of carpal tunnel syndrome.’”
Tr. 24 (citing Tr. 418).The ALJ also noted, as Plaintiff points out, that Plaintiff reported
difficulty lifting more than three pounds and that occupational therapist, Christopher Park, noted
in his functional capacity evaluation that Plaintiff was unable to complete grip strength testing
due to “burning pain” in her left arm. Tr. 24-25.
Importantly, however, the ALJ also found Plaintiff’s statements regarding the intensity,
persistence and limiting effects of her symptoms to be “not entirely credible,” a finding which
Plaintiff does not challenge. Furthermore, the ALJ observed that Mr. Park noted a “dramatic
inconsistency” between Plaintiff’s performances on other tests administered during the
evaluation and ultimately terminated the evaluation based on evidence of inconsistencies in her
performance and poor effort. Tr. 536. The ALJ’s decision reflects that she considered, but then

OPINION AND ORDER – 8

discounted as inconsistent with the record as a whole, the evidence Plaintiff cites regarding the
severity of her carpal tunnel syndrome symptoms.
If the ALJ has applied the proper legal standard and the decision is supported by
substantial evidence, the RFC assessment must be affirmed. E.g., Bayliss, 427 F.3d at 1217. A
thorough review of the record supports the ALJ’s RFC determination. The same 2010 medical
records that the ALJ referenced as documenting Plaintiff’s subjective complaints of symptoms
suggestive of carpal tunnel syndrome also document that the results of multiple imaging studies
were normal. Tr. 418. Treatment notes from 2013 reflect that wrist splints Plaintiff wore
appeared to be controlling her symptoms, her symptoms had “improved,” and treatment was
“going well.” Tr. 612, 614, 630, 632, 636. At various examinations, Plaintiff demonstrated
normal grip strength and motor skills, her grasping ability was “[c]ompletely intact,” and she was
able to grip and hold objects and manipulate both large and small objects. Tr. 434-435, 504, 509,
522, 567. Plaintiff identifies no substantial evidence to support her assertion that carpal tunnel
syndrome imposed any limitations greater than those included in her RFC.
Here, the ALJ adequately discussed the reasons underlying her RFC assessment and
accounted for those limitations which were supported by the record. Accordingly, the ALJ’s
RFC is affirmed. E.g., Bayliss, 427 F.3d at 1217-18 (in making an RFC determination, ALJ need
only include those limitations supported by the record and not dependent on a claimant’s
subjective complaints).
II. Development of the Record
Plaintiff contends that the ALJ failed to adequately develop the record regarding her need
to use a cane for balance. She argues that the ALJ disregarded the full testimony of impartial

OPINION AND ORDER – 9

medical expert, Dr. William DeBolt, and erred in not requiring Plaintiff to undergo testing in
addition to a neuropsychological evaluation.
At the initial hearing before the ALJ, Dr. DeBolt testified that medical records showed
that Plaintiff chose to use a cane but it had never been prescribed by a physician. Tr. 74. Dr.
DeBolt testified that there was no objective medical evidence to support Plaintiff’s claims of
weakness in her legs, or difficulty supporting her weight or walking. Id. He further testified that
there was no evidence in the record of any neurological condition that would produce
intermittent symptoms and findings and there was no evidence of any degenerative neurological
condition. Id. The ALJ asked if there was any testing he would recommend given the
symptomology in Plaintiff’s lower extremities. Dr. DeBolt commented that multiple sclerosis
“keeps rising in the back of [the] examiner’s mind” and that there were several options for
testing but that recommending such testing was a “difficult issue” given the drastic differences in
her neurological examinations over time. Id. Plaintiff’s counsel later asked whether there were
any other potential organic or psychological diagnoses that could be explored. Dr. DeBolt
responded that somatoform disorder, a psychological condition, could possibly explain Plaintiff’s
symptomology. Tr. 76. He then recommended a neuropsychological evaluation, which the ALJ
subsequently ordered the Plaintiff to attend. Tr. 76, 81.
An ALJ has a duty to help develop the record. Armstrong v. Comm’r, 160 F.3d 587, 589
(9th Cir.1998); 20 C.F.R. §§ 404.1512(d)-(f). However, the duty to “‘conduct an appropriate
inquiry’” is triggered only where the record contains “[a]mbiguous evidence” or the ALJ has
found “the record is inadequate to allow for proper evaluation of the evidence.” Tonapetyan v.
Halter, 242 F.3d 1144, 1150 (9th Cir.2001) (citations omitted). The ALJ can further develop the
record, if necessary, by subpoenaing medical records or submitting questions to a claimant's

OPINION AND ORDER – 10

doctors, continuing the hearing, or keeping the record open after a hearing to allow for
supplementation of the record. Id. An ALJ generally has broad discretion to determine when a
consultative examination is needed. Reed v. Massanari, 270 F.3d 838, 842 (9th Cir.2001). Such
an examination is necessary only if the evidence as a whole is not sufficient to support a decision
on a claim of disability. 20 C.F.R. § 404.1519a(b).
The Commissioner argues first that Plaintiff has failed to preserve this issue for appeal.
She notes that although Plaintiff was represented by counsel at both administrative hearings,
neither Plaintiff nor her attorney voiced concerns at either hearing regarding development of the
record or the type of additional testing ordered by the ALJ and Plaintiff did not obtain the tests
herself when she had an opportunity to do so. Thus, according to the Commissioner, Plaintiff
cannot now challenge the ALJ’s decision to proceed as she did.
I agree. When represented by counsel, claimants “must raise all issues and evidence at
their administrative hearings in order to preserve them on appeal.” Meanel v. Apfel, 172 F.3d
1111, 1115 (9th Cir. 1999). Plaintiff is represented here by the same attorney who represented
her before the ALJ in both administrative hearings. A review of the hearing testimony reveals
that there was ample opportunity to question Dr. DeBolt, request additional testing or raise
concerns regarding development of the record. Plaintiff did not raise this issue at the time of the
hearing and is, therefore, precluded from doing so now. Meanel, 172 F.3d at 115.
In any event, even if I were to conclude that Plaintiff had not waived the issue by not
raising it, I find no evidence to support her claim that the administrative record was deficient
such that the ALJ’s duty to further develop the record was triggered. As noted above, Plaintiff
had never been prescribed a cane by any medical provider. “To find that a hand-held assistive
device is medically required, there must be medical documentation establishing the need for a

OPINION AND ORDER – 11

hand-held assistive device to aid in walking or standing, and describing the circumstances for
which it is needed.” SSR 96-9P available at 1996 WL 374185, *7. In addition, there was no
objective medical evidence to support Plaintiff’s alleged lower extremity symptomology. Tr. 7374. Furthermore, the record shows that Plaintiff tested negative for both multiple sclerosis and
somatoform disorder. Tr. 596-97, 550. The ALJ continued Plaintiff’s hearing after receiving Dr.
DeBolt’s testimony and ordered a neuropsychological evaluation as was recommended. Under
the circumstances, nothing more was required.
Here, substantial evidence in the record supports the ALJ's conclusion that the existing
evidence was adequate to allow for an accurate evaluation of Plaintiff's symptomology and its
effect on her ability to perform work related functions. Accordingly, the ALJ did not err in
concluding that Plaintiff’ use of a cane was not medically necessary. Nor did she err by failing to
seek further information or to request additional testing.
Conclusion
For the reasons set forth above, the Commissioner’s decision is AFFIRMED and this
action is DISMISSED with prejudice.
DATED this 19th day of December, 2016.

/s/ John Jelderks
John Jelderks
U.S. Magistrate Judge

OPINION AND ORDER – 12