Luntsford v. Social Security Administration, Commissioner of (TV3)
Filing
17
MEMORANDUM OPINION: the Plaintiff's Motion for Summary Judgment [Doc. 13] will be DENIED, and the Commissioner's Motion for Summary Judgment [Doc. 14] will be GRANTED. The decision of the Commissioner will be AFFIRMED. Signed by Magistrate Judge C Clifford Shirley, Jr on August 1, 2017. (AYB)
UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
EASTERN DISTRICT OF TENNESSEE
AT KNOXVILLE
DAVID B. LUNTSFORD,
Plaintiff,
v.
NANCY A. BERRYHILL, 1
Acting Commissioner of Social Security,
Defendant.
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
No. 3:15-CV-397-CCS
MEMORANDUM OPINION
This case is before the undersigned pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 636(b), Rule 72(b) of the
Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, and the consent of the parties [Doc. 11]. Now before the Court
is the Plaintiff’s Motion for Summary Judgment and Memorandum in Support [Doc. 13] and the
Defendant’s Motion for Summary Judgment and Memorandum in Support [Docs. 14 & 15]. David
B. Luntsford (“the Plaintiff”) seeks judicial review of the decision of the Administrative Law Judge
(“the ALJ”), the final decision of the Defendant Nancy A. Berryhill, Acting Commissioner of
Social Security (“the Commissioner”). For the reasons that follow, the Court will DENY the
Plaintiff’s motion, and GRANT the Commissioner’s motion.
I.
Procedural History
On March 29, 2012, the Plaintiff filed an application for disability insurance benefits
(“DIB”) and supplemental security income (“SSI”), claiming a period of disability which began
February 28, 2003.
1
[Tr. 158-73].
After his application was denied initially and upon
During the pendency of this case, Nancy A. Berryhill replaced Acting Commissioner
Carolyn W. Colvin. Pursuant to Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 25(d), Nancy A. Berryhill is
substituted as the Defendant in this case.
reconsideration, the Plaintiff requested a hearing before an ALJ. [Tr. 114]. A hearing was held
before the ALJ on March 12, 2014. [Tr. 24-55]. On May 28, 2014, the ALJ found that the Plaintiff
was not disabled. [Tr. 7-23]. The Appeals Council denied the Plaintiff’s request for review [Tr.
1-5]; thus, the ALJ’s decision became the final decision of the Commissioner.
Having exhausted his administrative remedies, the Plaintiff filed a Complaint with this
Court on September 8, 2015, seeking judicial review of the Commissioner’s final decision under
Section 405(g) of the Social Security Act. [Doc. 1]. The parties have filed competing dispositive
motions, and this matter is now ripe for adjudication.
II.
STANDARD OF REVIEW
When reviewing the Commissioner’s determination of whether an individual is disabled
pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 405(g), the Court is limited to determining whether the ALJ’s decision
was reached through application of the correct legal standards and in accordance with the
procedure mandated by the regulations and rulings promulgated by the Commissioner and whether
the ALJ’s findings are supported by substantial evidence. Wilson v. Comm’r of Soc. Sec., 378 F.3d
541, 544 (6th Cir. 2004); Blakley v. Comm’r of Soc. Sec., 581 F.3d 399, 405 (6th Cir. 2009)
(citation omitted).
Substantial evidence is “more than a scintilla of evidence but less than a preponderance; it
is such relevant evidence as a reasonable mind might accept as adequate to support a conclusion.”
Cutlip v. Sec’y of Health & Human Servs., 25 F.3d 284, 286 (6th Cir. 1994) (citations omitted). It
is immaterial whether the record may also possess substantial evidence to support a different
conclusion from that reached by the ALJ, or whether the reviewing judge may have decided the
case differently. Crisp v. Sec’y of Health & Human Servs., 790 F.2d 450, 453 n.4 (6th Cir. 1986).
The substantial evidence standard is intended to create a “‘zone of choice’ within which the
2
Commissioner can act, without the fear of court interference.” Buxton v. Halter, 246 F.3d 762,
773 (6th Cir. 2001) (quoting Mullen v. Bowen, 800 F.2d 535, 545 (6th Cir. 1986)). Therefore, the
Court will not “try the case de novo, nor resolve conflicts in the evidence, nor decide questions of
credibility.” Garner v. Heckler, 745 F.2d 383, 387 (6th Cir. 1984) (citation omitted).
On review, the plaintiff “bears the burden of proving his entitlement to benefits.” Boyes v.
Sec’y. of Health & Human Servs., 46 F.3d 510, 512 (6th Cir. 1994) (citation omitted).
III.
ANALYSIS
This case involves an application for DIB and SSI. An individual qualifies for DIB if he
or she: (1) is insured for DIB; (2) has not reached the age of retirement; (3) has filed an application
for DIB; and (4) is disabled. 42 U.S.C. § 423(a)(1). To qualify for SSI benefits, an individual
must file an application and be an “eligible individual” as defined in the Act. 42 U.S.C. § 1382(a);
20 C.F.R. § 416.202. An individual is eligible for SSI benefits on the basis of financial need and
either age, blindness, or disability. See 42 U.S.C. § 1382(a).
“Disability” is the “inability to engage in any substantial gainful activity by reason of any
medically determinable physical or mental impairment which can be expected to result in death or
which has lasted or can be expected to last for a continuous period of not less than twelve months.”
42 U.S.C. §§ 423(d)(1)(A), 1382c(a)(3)(A); 20 C.F.R. §§ 404.1505(a), 416.905(a). A claimant
will only be considered disabled if:
his physical or mental impairment or impairments are of such
severity that he is not only unable to do his previous work but
cannot, considering his age, education, and work experience, engage
in any other kind of substantial gainful work which exists in the
national economy, regardless of whether such work exists in the
immediate area in which he lives, or whether a specific job vacancy
exists for him, or whether he would be hired if he applied for work.
42 U.S.C. §§ 423(d)(2)(A), 1382c(a)(3)(B); see 20 C.F.R. §§ 404.1505(a), 415.905(a).
3
Disability is evaluated pursuant to a five-step analysis summarized as follows:
1. If claimant is doing substantial gainful activity, he is not disabled.
2. If claimant is not doing substantial gainful activity, his
impairment must be severe before he can be found to be disabled.
3. If claimant is not doing substantial gainful activity and is
suffering from a severe impairment that has lasted or is expected to
last for a continuous period of at least twelve months, and his
impairment meets or equals a listed impairment, claimant is
presumed disabled without further inquiry.
4. If claimant’s impairment does not prevent him from doing his
past relevant work, he is not disabled.
5. Even if claimant’s impairment does prevent him from doing his
past relevant work, if other work exists in the national economy that
accommodates his residual functional capacity (“RFC”) and
vocational factors (age, education, skills, etc.), he is not disabled.
Walters v. Comm’r of Soc. Sec., 127 F.3d 525, 529 (6th Cir. 1997) (citing 20 C.F.R. § 404.1520).
The claimant bears the burden of proof at the first four steps. Id. The burden shifts to the
Commissioner at step five. Id. At the fifth step, the Commissioner must prove that there is work
available in the national economy that the claimant could perform. Her v. Comm’r of Soc. Sec.,
203 F.3d 388, 391 (6th Cir. 1999) (citing Bowen v. Yuckert, 482 U.S. 137, 146 (1987)).
On appeal, the Plaintiff alleges that substantial evidence does not support the ALJ’s RFC
determination. [Doc. 13 at 3-5]. The Plaintiff submits that the ALJ failed to properly consider the
medial evidence of record and that new evidence exists that undermines the ALJ’s decision. [Id.
at 4-5]. As a result, the Plaintiff contends that the ALJ relied on his own suspicions rather than
the evidence of record. [Id. at 5]. In addition, the Plaintiff contends that the limitations posed to
the vocational expert (“VE”) differ from the limitations included in the Plaintiff’s RFC. [Id. at
4
4]. 2
In the disability determination, the ALJ found that the Plaintiff’s schizoaffective disorder
was a severe impairment under agency regulations. [Tr. 12]. The ALJ then concluded that the
Plaintiff had the RFC to perform a full range of work at all exertional levels but had the following
nonexertional limitations: (1) the Plaintiff can perform simple and detailed tasks over a full
workweek; (2) he can maintain concentration, persistence, and pace for low-level detailed tasks;
(3) he can interact infrequently, or on a one-on-one basis, with the general public as well as meet
basic social demands in a work setting; and (4) he can adapt to gradual or infrequent changes in
the workplace. [Tr. 14]. In reaching this conclusion, the ALJ discussed mental health treatment
records, including those from the Plaintiff’s treating psychiatrist, Cherokee Health Systems, and
the medical opinions of nonexamining state agency psychological examiners, the Plaintiff’s poor
work history, and activities of daily living. [Tr. 14-16]. Relying on VE testimony, the ALJ then
determined at step five that the Plaintiff could perform other jobs in the national economy,
including hand packager, a material handler, and a production worker. [Tr. 17].
“The determination of a claimant’s [RFC] is a determination based upon the severity of his
medical and mental impairments.” Her v. Comm’r of Soc. Sec., 203 F.3d 388, 391 (6th Cir. 1999).
The RFC describes “the claimant’s residual abilities or what a claimant can do, not what maladies
2
The Plaintiff cites additional errors, including that “[t]he record was not fully developed
and the Plaintiff’s impairments should have been considered in light of vocational testimony.”
[Doc. 13 at 5]. However, the Plaintiff does not develop these arguments any further beyond his
blanket assertions. Therefore, the Court finds them waived. See Slater v. Potter, 28 F. App’x 512,
513 (6th Cir. 2002) (“[I]ssues adverted to in a perfunctory manner, unaccompanied by some effort
at developed argumentation, are deemed waived.”) (citing United States v. Elder, 90 F.3d 1110,
1118 (6th Cir. 1996)).
5
a claimant suffers from—though the maladies will certainly inform the ALJ’s conclusion about
the claimant’s abilities.” Howard v. Comm’r of Soc. Sec., 276 F.3d 235, 240 (6th Cir. 2002).
Therefore, “[a] claimant’s severe impairment may or may not affect his or her functional capacity
to do work. One does not necessarily establish the other.” Griffeth v. Comm’r of Soc. Sec., 217
F. App’x 425, 429 (6th Cir. Feb. 9, 2007).
The ALJ is responsible for making an RFC determination after reviewing all the relevant
evidence in the record. Rudd v. Comm’r of Soc. Sec., No. 12-6136, 2013 WL 4767020, at *8 (6th
Cir. Sept. 5, 2013). This includes a review of both medical and non-medical evidence. Poe v.
Comm’r of Soc. Sec., 342 F. App’x 149, 157 (6th Cir. Aug. 18, 2009). A court will not disturb an
ALJ’s RFC determination so long as the finding is supported by substantial evidence. Jones v.
Comm’r of Soc. Sec., 336 F.3d 469, 477 (6th Cir. 2003).
The Court finds that substantial evidence supports the ALJ’s RFC determination. As
observed by the ALJ, the medial evidence demonstrates that the Plaintiff responded well to
treatment and his symptoms were controlled with medication. [Tr. 15]. “Notably, impairments
that are controlled by medication are not disabling.” Burney v. Comm’r of Soc. Sec., No. 12-CV10151, 2013 WL 1289310, at *3 (E.D. Mich. Mar. 28, 2013) (citing Pasco v. Comm’r of Soc. Sec.,
137 F. App’x 828, 836 (6th Cir. 2005). The Plaintiff received mediation management from his
treating psychiatrist who, in January 2010, noted that the Plaintiff had positive symptom control
with Lithium, and the Plaintiff reported stability in his mental health with continued usage. [Tr.
319]. Treatment notes from Cherokee Health Systems likewise demonstrate positive results with
medication. [Tr. 323-33, 619, 621, 624, 628, 631, 637, 647, 649]. For example, in March 2012,
the Plaintiff reported symptoms of bipolar disorder I and was assessed with a global assessment of
functioning (“GAF”) score of 50 [Tr. 328, 330], indicating serious impairments in social or
6
occupational functioning, Am. Psychiatric Ass’n, Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental
Disorders (“DSM-IV”) 34, 4th ed. (revised) 2000. However, after one month of treatment in which
his medication was stabilized, the Plaintiff showed improvement and was assessed with a GAF of
60 [Tr. 332-33], indicating moderate impairments in social or occupational functioning, DSM-IV
at 34. The Plaintiff continued medication management and counseling with Cherokee Health
Systems through May 2014 where his GAF score remained at 60. [Tr. 383-88, 618-630].
The ALJ also properly relied on non-medical evidence, including the Plaintiff’s work
history and daily living activities. In this regard the ALJ observed that the Plaintiff worked
sporadically and only at substantial gainful activity levels in 1999 and 2000. [Tr. 16]. A claimant’s
work history is an appropriate factor that may be weighed in assessing credibility. 20 C.F.R. §§
404.1529(c)(3), 416.929(c)(3). Additionally, the ALJ noted that in 2010 and 2011, the Plaintiff
ran a successful pet-sitting business in Canada, earning $20,000 which was considered personal
income. [Tr. 16]. While the Plaintiff testified he ended his businesses due to issues with being
around others, the ALJ observed that the Plaintiff’s ability to acquire clients, interact with them,
manage income and expenses, and generally function around other individual for businesses
purposes over a two year period after his alleged onset date, undermined the severity of the
Plaintiff’s mental limitations. The Court finds that “discounting credibility to a certain degree is
appropriate where an ALJ finds contradictions among the medical reports, claimant’s testimony,
and other evidence.” Walters, 127 F.3d at 531.
The ALJ assigned “great weight” to the Plaintiff’s GAF scores, finding that the scores were
consistent with other evidence which illustrated that the Plaintiff’s symptom’s quickly improved
and were adequately controlled when he was compliant with his medication regimen. [Tr. 15].
The ALJ also assigned “great weight” to the medical opinions of two nonexamining state agency
7
psychological examiners who opined in May 2012 and August 2012, functional limitations
consistent with the Plaintiff’s RFC. [Tr. 15, 73, 98].
The Plaintiff cites to his GAF score of 50 to suggest that the ALJ did not properly consider
the Plaintiff’s nonexertional limitations. [Doc. 13 at 4]. The ALJ, however, is not required to put
stock in a single GAF score assigned during a one-time visit. See Kornecky v. Comm’r of Soc.
Sec., 167 Fed. Appx. 496, 511 (6th Cir. 2006) (“[W]e are not aware of any statutory, regulatory,
or other authority requiring the ALJ to put stock in a GAF score in the first place.”). Indeed, the
Plaintiff’s GAF score of 50 is not representative of his level of functioning as the Plaintiff was
assigned a GAF score of 60 one month later and throughout his course of treatment. Therefore,
the ALJ properly considered the evidentiary value of the Plaintiff’s GAF scores.
The Plaintiff also cites to a Competency and Criminal Responsibility report submitted as
an exhibit to his brief in which a psychological evaluation was conducted in connection to criminal
charges the Plaintiff obtained in Kentucky. [Doc. 16-1]. The Plaintiff argues that the report “is
extensive and illuminating in that it shows a strong diagnosis for schizoaffective disorder,
borderline and antisocial personality traits, and history of cannabis use disorder.” [Doc. 13 at 45]. The Court, however, is prohibited from considering this “new” evidence in its substantive
review of the ALJ’s decision as the evidence was not before the ALJ. Instead, the Court may
“remand the case for further administrative proceedings in light of the evidence, if a claimant
shows that the evidence is new and material, and that there was good cause for not presenting it in
the prior proceeding.” Id. (citation omitted). The proponent of the new evidence bears the burden
of proving all three elements. Longworth v. Comm’r of Soc. Sec., 402 F.3d 591, 589 (6th Cir.
2005). The Plaintiff, however, has made no showing that the report is new, material, or that good
cause exists. Accordingly, the Court declines to find that a sentence six remand is appropriate in
8
this case.
Nor is the Court persuaded by the Plaintiff’s contention that substantial evidence does not
support the ALJ’s reliance on VE testimony that other jobs exist in the national economy that the
Plaintiff can perform given his RFC and other vocational factors. [Doc. 13 at 4]. In this regard,
the Plaintiff argues that the limitations offered by the nonexamining state agency psychological
examiners, which limitations the ALJ incorporated into the Plaintiff’s RFC, were not the same
limitations the ALJ posed to the VE when ask whether other work existed in the national economy
that the Plaintiff could perform. [Doc. 13 at 4]. The Court finds that the hypothetical question
posed to the VE included identical limitations as those assessed by the state agency psychological
examiners except that the hypothetical question was more restrictive as to abilities in social
functioning. Whereas the state agency psychological examiners opined that the Plaintiff could
“interact infrequently or one-on-one with the general public and meet basic social demands in a
work setting” [Tr. 73, 98], the ALJ asked the VE to assume that the Plaintiff could “interact
occasionally with coworkers and supervisors, but he should have no interaction with the general
public” [Tr. 52] (emphasis added). Because the VE testified that other work existed that the
Plaintiff could perform notwithstanding greater restrictions in social functioning, substantial
evidence supports a finding that the Plaintiff can perform the same jobs with the less restrictive
social limitations included in his RFC. See Conley v. Colvin, No. 7:13-CV-121-JMH, 2016 WL
867117, at *5 (E.D. Ky. Mar. 2, 2016) (observing that the greater standing and walking limitations
posed to the VE than incorporated in the plaintiff’s RFC “would not be reversible error, since the
hypothetical question posed to the VE is more limiting and, thus, any jobs identified would
necessarily fit within the broader range of work in the RFC identified in the written decision.”);
see also Powers v. Comm’r of Soc. Sec., No. 13-10575, 2014 WL 861541, at *5 (E.D. Mich. Mar.
9
5, 2014) (“Notably, an ALJ typically asks hypothetical questions that are more limiting than the
plaintiff's ultimate RFC because the ALJ needs a broad basis under which to make a
determination.”).
Accordingly, the Court finds that the ALJ’s RFC determination, as well as the hypothetical
question posed to the VE, are supported by the substantial evidence, and the Plaintiff’s arguments
to the contrary are without merit.
VI.
CONCLUSION
Based on the foregoing, the Plaintiff’s Motion for Summary Judgment [Doc. 13] will be
DENIED, and the Commissioner’s Motion for Summary Judgment [Doc. 14] will be GRANTED.
The decision of the Commissioner will be AFFIRMED.
ORDER ACCORDINGLY.
s/ C. Clifford Shirley, Jr.
United States Magistrate Judge
10
Disclaimer: Justia Dockets & Filings provides public litigation records from the federal appellate and district courts. These filings and docket sheets should not be considered findings of fact or liability, nor do they necessarily reflect the view of Justia.
Why Is My Information Online?