Kegg v. Colvin
Filing
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MEMORANDUM (Order to follow as separate docket entry).Signed by Honorable Malachy E Mannion on 3/23/17. (bs)
UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
MIDDLE DISTRICT OF PENNSYLVANIA
JULIE KEGG,
:
Plaintiff
:
:
v.
NANCY A. BERRYHILL,
ACTING COMMISSIONER OF
SOCIAL SECURITY,1
Defendant
CIVIL ACTION NO. 3:15-0792
(JUDGE MANNION)
:
:
:
MEMORANDUM
Pending before the court is the report of Magistrate Judge Gerald B.
Cohn, which recommends that the plaintiff’s appeal of the decision of the
Commissioner of Social Security, (“Commissioner”), denying her claim for
social security benefits be denied. (Doc. 17). On November 10, 2016, the
plaintiff filed objections to Judge Cohn’s report. (Doc. 20). The defendant has
waived the opportunity to respond to the plaintiff’s objections. (Doc. 21).
When objections are timely filed to the report and recommendation of
a magistrate judge, the district court must review de novo those portions of
the report to which objections are made. 28 U.S.C. §636(b)(1); Brown v.
Astrue, 649 F.3d 193, 195 (3d Cir. 2011). Although the standard is de novo,
1
On January 23, 2017, Nancy A. Berryhill became the Acting
Commissioner of Social Security. Pursuant to Federal Rule of Civil Procedure
25(d), Nancy A. Berryhill is substituted for Carolyn W. Colvin, Acting
Commissioner of Social Security, as the defendant in this suit.
the extent of review is committed to the sound discretion of the district judge,
and the court may rely on the recommendations of the magistrate judge to the
extent it deems proper. Rieder v. Apfel, 115 F.Supp.2d 496, 499 (M.D.Pa.
2000) (citing United States v. Raddatz, 447 U.S. 667, 676 (1980)).
For those sections of the report and recommendation to which no
objection is made, the court should, as a matter of good practice, “satisfy itself
that there is no clear error on the face of the record in order to accept the
recommendation.” Fed. R. Civ. P. 72(b), advisory committee notes; see also
Univac Dental Co. v. Dentsply Intern., Inc., 702 F.Supp.2d 465, 469 (M.D.Pa.
2010) (citing Henderson v. Carlson, 812 F.2d 874, 878 (3d Cir. 1987)
(explaining judges should give some review to every report and
recommendation)). Nevertheless, whether timely objections are made or not,
the district court may accept, not accept, or modify, in whole or in part, the
findings or recommendations made by the magistrate judge. 28 U.S.C.
§636(b)(1); Local Rule 72.31.
The plaintiff filed a claim for Title II Social Security Disability benefits on
January 20, 2012 alleging an onset date of April 8, 2011, and later filed a
claim for Title XVI Supplemental Security Income benefits alleging the same
onset date. Both claims were denied on April 10, 2012. The plaintiff requested
a hearing before an Administrative Law Judge, (“ALJ”), which was held on
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July 31, 2013.
On August 12, 2013, the ALJ issued a decision in which he made the
following findings. The plaintiff met the insured status requirements of the
Social Security Act through December 31, 2014. The plaintiff had not engaged
in substantial gainful activity since April 8, 2011, her alleged onset date. The
plaintiff suffered from low back pain secondary to degenerative lumbosacral
disease, osteoarthritis of the knees, obesity, lupus, major depressive disorder
(recurrent, moderate), panic disorder with agoraphobia, borderline intellectual
functioning and alcohol abuse. The plaintiff does not have an impairment or
combination of impairments that meets or medically equals the severity of one
of the listed impairments in 20 CFR Part 404, Subpart P, Appendix 1. Based
on the evidence of record, the plaintiff had the residual functional capacity to
perform light work as defined in 20 CFR §§404.1567(b) and 416.967(b)
subject to the following limitations: limited to work that can be performed
sitting or standing; occasional climbing, balancing, stooping, kneeling,
crouching and crawling; no constant use of hands; no loud noises; limited to
unskilled work that requires little or no judgment to do simple duties that can
be learned on the job in 30 days or less with little vocational preparation;
moderate limitation in the ability to understand, remember and carry out
detailed instructions, maintain attention and concentration, interact
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appropriately with the public, coworkers and supervisors, respond
appropriately to changes and pressures in the work setting, and complete a
normal workday or work week without an unreasonable length or number of
rest periods due to psychologically-based symptoms; and only occasional
interaction with coworkers. With these limitations, the ALJ found that the
plaintiff was unable to perform any of her past relevant work, but considering
her age, education, work experience and residual functional capacity, the ALJ
determined that there are jobs that exist in significant numbers in the national
economy which the plaintiff can perform. As such, the ALJ found that the
plaintiff has not been under a disability, as defined in the Social Security Act,
from her date of alleged onset through the date of the ALJ’s decision.
On August 27, 2013, the plaintiff requested a review of the ALJ’s
decision by the Appeals Council. Her request was denied by order dated
February 18, 2015. The plaintiff then initiated the instant action, which was
assigned to the undersigned and referred to Judge Cohn for a report and
recommendation.
In her appeal of the decision of the Commissioner, the plaintiff raises
three arguments. First, the plaintiff argues that the ALJ erred in failing to
follow the treating physician rule. Specifically, the plaintiff argues that the ALJ
failed to accord William Thomas, M.S., treating physician status and further
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failed to accord controlling weight to his opinion that the plaintiff has
significant cognitive impairments precluding the ability to function in a work
setting. Next, the plaintiff argues that the ALJ erred in failing to properly
evaluate whether her Lupus could explain her complaints of joint pain and
fatigue. Finally, the plaintiff argues that the ALJ erred in finding her complaints
of disability not entirely credible. (Doc. 13). In the pending report dated
September 21, 2016, Judge Cohn considered each of these arguments.
Based upon his review of the ALJ’s decision, and the record as a whole,
Judge Cohn recommends that the plaintiff’s appeal be denied.
In her objections to Judge Cohn’s report, the plaintiff argues initially that
Judge Cohn failed to discuss whether her impairments meet or equal the
listings at 12.05C or 12.05D based on the opinion of Dr. Thomas, who
indicated that the plaintiff had a verbal IQ score of 64 and a full scale IQ score
of 65 on the WAIS-III and significant deficits in adaptive functioning, as well
as the opinion of the non-examining state agency psychologist, Dr. Diorio,
who noted that the plaintiff had at least moderate difficulties in maintaining
social functioning and in maintaining concentration, persistence or pace. Even
if Dr. Thomas’s opinion was not given treating physician’s weight, the plaintiff
argues that the IQ scores should have been accepted as the WAIS-III is an
objective assessment of cognitive functioning.
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In considering the plaintiff’s initial objection, in her appeal before this
court, the plaintiff raises the issue of whether the ALJ erred in failing to accord
Dr. Thomas treating physician status and to accord controlling weight to his
opinion that the plaintiff’s cognitive impairments precluded her from
functioning in a work setting. Judge Cohn addressed the plaintiff’s arguments
finding first that the plaintiff had treated with Dr. Thomas on only one occasion
at the behest of her counsel and that the one-time visit did not qualify Dr.
Thomas as a treating physician under the regulations. See 20 CFR
§§404.1502, 404.1527(c)(2)(i), 416.902, 416.927(c)(2)(i). Judge Cohn
proceeded to discuss the medical evidence of record, as set forth by the ALJ,
which contrasted Dr. Thomas’s opinion that the plaintiff was completely
precluded from functioning in a work setting. Included were the findings of Dr.
Schneck with whom the plaintiff had treated from March 2011 through
January 2012. Dr. Schneck indicated that the plaintiff’s stream of thought and
thought content were normal and that her cognitive functions were generally
intact. Moreover, there were the findings of Dr. Diorio, a non-treating
physician, who opined based upon his review of the plaintiff’s medical
records, that the plaintiff had only a mild restriction of activities of daily living;
moderate difficulties in maintaining social functioning; moderate difficulties in
maintaining concentration, persistence or pace; no understanding and
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memory limitations; and no repeated episodes of decompensation, each of
extended duration. Upon his review of the record, Dr. Diorio found that the
plaintiff was able to meet the basic mental demands of work despite her
limitations. Judge Cohn also pointed out the ALJ’s reference to the findings
of Dr. McLaughlin who, although he is not a mental health expert, examined
the plaintiff and found that she was able to understand normal spoken
speech, follow instructions, and had a good knowledge of recent and remote
medical history. In addition, Dr. McLaughlin indicated that the plaintiff was
able to engage in appropriate conversation and answer questions
appropriately. Judge Cohn further noted the ALJ’s discussion that Dr.
Thomas’s findings contrasted with the plaintiff’s records and testing when she
was in elementary and secondary school. For all of these reasons, Judge
Cohn determined that the ALJ did not err in failing to afford Dr. Thomas’s
opinion treating source weight and did not err in failing to accord Dr.
Thomas’s opinion controlling weight. The court agrees with the reasoning of
Judge Cohn and finds that the ALJ’s decision properly considered the opinion
evidence in accordance with the requirements of 20 CFR §§404.1527 and
416.927, as well as the Social Security Rulings. The plaintiff’s objections will
be overruled on this basis.
The plaintiff next objects to the report of Judge Cohn arguing that, in
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regard to her physical impairments, Judge Cohn failed to explain why it was
permissible for the ALJ to give great weight to the opinion of Dr. McLaughlin,
who performed a consulting physical examination and found that the plaintiff
had low back pain secondary to degenerative lumbosacral disease and
osteoarthritis of the knees but, at the same time, had no limitation in lifting,
sitting, pushing or pulling with the extremities or any postural movements. The
plaintiff argues that Judge Cohn failed to explain how the ALJ could give great
weight to this opinion while also finding that the plaintiff cannot lift over 20
pounds and could only occasionally climb, balance, stoop, kneel, crouch,
crawl or use the hands constantly. Upon review, this was not an issue raised
in the plaintiff’s appeal. Therefore, the court finds that Judge Cohn was not
required to specifically address this issue. The plaintiff’s objections will be
overruled on this basis.
Finally, the plaintiff argues that Judge Cohn erred in affirming the ALJ’s
credibility findings as to her own statements of disability, as well the
statements of her husband which are consistent with the plaintiff’s statements.
With respect to this objection, the ALJ must make a determination of disability
based on all of the evidence of record, including subjective testimony about
a plaintiff’s symptoms. Burnett v. Comm’r of Soc. Sec. Admin., 220 F.3d 112,
122 (3d Cir. 2000). As such, the ALJ must evaluate a plaintiff’s credibility
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regarding his or her symptoms. Van Horn v. Schweiker, 717 F.2d 871, 873
(3d Cir. 1983). The ALJ’s findings on a plaintiff’s credibility “are to be
accorded great weight and deference, particularly since an ALJ is charged
with the duty of observing a witness’s demeanor and credibility.” Walters v.
Comm'r of Soc. Sec., 127 F.3d 525, 531 (6th Cir. 1997). See also 20 CFR
§404.1529(c)(3).
In assessing a plaintiff’s credibility, the ALJ should “determine the extent
to which a [plaintiff] is accurately stating the degree of pain and the extent to
which . . . she is disabled by it.” Hartranft v. Apfel, 181 F.3d 358, 362 (3d Cir.
1999) (citing 20 C.F.R. §404.1529(c)); Burns v. Barnhart, 312 F.3d 113, 129
(3d Cir. 2002) (noting that the ALJ must give subjective complaints “serious
consideration” and “make specific findings of fact, including credibility, as to
[plaintiff]’s residual functional capacity”) (citations omitted); SSR 96–7p, 61
Fed.Reg. 34483 (July 2, 1996) (“When evaluating the credibility of an
individual’s statements, the adjudicator must consider the entire case record
and give specific reasons for the weight given to the individual's statements.”).
Specifically, an ALJ should consider the following: (1) the plaintiffs daily
activities; (2) the duration, frequency and intensity of the plaintiff’s symptoms;
(3) precipitating and aggravating factors; (4) the type, dosage, effectiveness,
and side effects of any medication taken to alleviate the symptoms; (5)
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treatment, other than medication for relief of the symptoms; (6) any measures
the plaintiff uses or has used to relieve the symptoms; (7) the plaintiff’s prior
work record; and (8) the plaintiff’s demeanor during the hearing. See 20
C.F.R. §404.1529; 416.929.
While “[a]n ALJ must give great weight to a claimant’s subjective
testimony . . . when this testimony is supported by competent medical
evidence”, Schaudeck v. Comm’r Soc. Sec. Admin., 181 F.3d 429, 433 (3d
Cir. 1999), the ALJ “has the right, as the fact finder, to reject partially, or even
entirely, such subjective complaints if they are not fully credible.” Baerga v.
Richardson, 500 F.2d 309, 312 (3d Cir. 1974). The ALJ may do so “if [the
ALJ] affirmatively addresses the claim in his decision, specifies the reason for
rejecting it, and has support for his conclusion in the record.” Hirschfeld v.
Apfel, 159 F.Supp.2d 802, 811 (E.D.Pa. 2001); see also Fargnoli v.
Massanari, 247 F.3d 34, 43 (3d Cir. 2001).
In this case, the ALJ found that the plaintiff’s subjective complaints of
disability were not entirely credible. The ALJ spent several pages of his
decision explaining why he was partially rejecting the plaintiff’s subjective
complaints in accordance with the regulations set forth above. (Doc. 10-2, pp.
17-21). Upon review, the court finds that the ALJ’s explanation provides
substantial evidence in support of his credibility determination regarding the
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plaintiff. The ALJ went on to discuss the statements of the plaintiff’s husband,
Tony Kegg, which were noted to be “virtually identical to the statements
contained in the claimant’s function report”. Because the ALJ determined that
the plaintiff’s own subjective complaints were not entirely credible in light of
all of the evidence of record, he was also entitled to give little weight to the
statements of the plaintiff’s husband, which echoed the plaintiff’s own
subjective complaints. On this basis, the plaintiff’s objections will be overruled.
In light of all of the above, the court will overrule the objections of the
plaintiff and adopt the report and recommendation of Judge Cohn in its
entirety. An appropriate order shall issue.
s/ Malachy E. Mannion
MALACHY E. MANNION
United States District Judge
Date: March 23, 2017
O:\Mannion\shared\MEMORANDA - DJ\CIVIL MEMORANDA\2015 MEMORANDA\15-0792-01.wpd
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