Lariviere v. Saul

Filing 15

MEMORANDUM AND ORDER 13 denying MOTION for Summary Judgment , 10 granting MOTION for Summary Judgment (Signed by Magistrate Judge Frances H Stacy) Parties notified.(bwhite, 4)

Case 4:19-cv-04592 Document 15 Filed on 02/17/21 in TXSD Page 1 of 14
United States District Court
Southern District of Texas

ENTERED
February 17, 2021
Nathan Ochsner, Clerk

IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
FOR THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF TEXAS
HOUSTON DIVISION

JOSEPH THOMAS LARIVIERE,
Plaintiff,
V.
ANDREW SAUL,1
COMMISSIONER OF THE SOCIAL
SECURITY ADMINISTRATION,
Defendant.

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CIVIL ACTION NO. H-19-4592

MEMORANDUM AND ORDER DENYING PLAINTIFF’S
MOTION FOR SUMMARY JUDGMENT AND GRANTING
DEFENDANT’S MOTION FOR SUMMARY JUDGMENT
Before the Magistrate Judge2 in this social security appeal is Plaintiff’s Motion for Summary
Judgment (Document No. 13), Defendant’s Response to Plaintiff’s Motion for Summary Judgment
(Document No. 14), and Defendant’s Motion for Summary Judgment (Document No. 10).After
considering the cross motions for summary judgment, the administrative record, and the applicable
law, the Magistrate Judge ORDERS, for the reasons set forth below, that Defendant’s Motion for
Summary Judgment (Document No.10) is GRANTED, Plaintiff’s Motion for Summary Judgment
(Document No. 13) is DENIED, and the decision of the Commissioner is AFFIRMED.

1

On June 17, 2019, Andrew Saul became the Commissioner of the Social Security
Administration.
2

The parties consented to proceed before the undersigned Magistrate Judge on April 27,
2020. (Document No. 9).

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I. Introduction
Plaintiff, Joseph Thomas Lariviere (“Lariviere”) brings this action pursuant to the Social
Security Act (“Act”), 42 U.S.C. 405(g), seeking judicial review of a final decision of the
Commissioner of Social Security Administration (“Commissioner”) denying his applications for
disability benefits (“DIB”), and Supplemental Security Income (“SSI”). Lariviere argues that the
Appeals Council (“AC”) committed errors of law when it found that Lariviere was not disabled from
June 25, 2015 through October 19, 2016, because he could perform the full range of light work
during that time-frame. Lariviere seeks an order vacating the AC’s decision as it relates to the June
25, 2015 through October 19, 2016, time-frame, and awarding benefits, or in the alternative,
remanding his claim for further consideration. The Commissioner responds that there is substantial
evidence in the record to support the AC’s decision that Lariviere was not disabled from June 25,
2015 through October 19, 2016, and disabled as of October 20, 2016, forward, that the decision
comports with applicable law, and that the decision should, therefore, be affirmed.
II. Administrative Proceedings
On January 6, 2017, Lariviere filed for DIB and SSI claiming that since June 25, 2015, he
has been disabled due to mastocytosis and depression. (Tr.265-275).

The Social Security

Administration denied his applications at the initial and reconsideration stages. (Tr. 126-137, 170183). Lariviere then requested a hearing before an ALJ. (Tr.184-189). The Social Security
Administration granted his request, and the ALJ, D’Lisa Simmons, held a hearing on July 30, 2018.
(Tr. 76-107). On September 5, 2018, the ALJ issued a partially favorable decision. (Tr. 17-35).

Lariviere sought review by the AC of the ALJ’s adverse decision. (Tr. 257-258). The AC

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will grant a request to review an ALJ’s decision if any of the following circumstances are present:
(1) it appears that the ALJ abused his discretion; (2) the ALJ made an error of law in reaching her
conclusion; (3) substantial evidence does not support the ALJ’s actions, findings, or conclusions;
(4) a broad policy issue may affect the public interest or (5) there is new and material evidence and
the decision is contrary to the weight of all the record evidence. The AC, on May 3, 2019, granted
Lariviere’s request for review, and, notified Lariviere and his representative that the AC intended
to issue a decision finding him disabled as of October 20, 2016, and that it would consider a
statement about the facts and law in the case as well as additional evidence. The AC received
neither additional facts and law nor new evidence. On September 19, 2019, the AC issued its
written decision. (Tr. 1-9). The Appeals Council adopted the ALJ’s “statements regarding the
pertinent provisions of the Social Security Act, Social Security Regulations, Social Rulings and
Acquiescence Rulings, the issues in the case, and the evidentiary facts” and adopted the ALJ’s
“findings and conclusions, with the exception of Finding 5, that the claimant was not disabled for
the period from June 25, 2015, the alleged onset date, through October 19, 2016.” (Tr. 5-6).
Applying the five step sequential evaluation process, the AC concluded that Lariviere was not
disabled . It is the AC’s decision, which is considered the Commissioner’s final administrative
decision, that is subject to judicial review under 42 U.S.C. § 405(g).
Lariviere has timely filed his appeal of the AC’s decision. The Commissioner has filed a
Motion for Summary Judgment (Document No.10). Likewise, Plaintiff has filed a Motion for
Summary Judgment (Document No. 13). This appeal is now ripe for ruling.
The evidence is set forth in the transcript, pages 1 through 986. (Document No. 5). There
is no dispute as to the facts contained therein.

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III. Standard for Review of Agency Decision
The court, in its review of a denial of disability benefits, is “only to ascertain whether (1) the
final decision is supported by substantial evidence and (2) whether the Commissioner used the
proper legal standards to evaluate the evidence.” Whitehead v. Colvin, 820 F.3d 776, 779 (5th Cir.
2016)(quotation omitted). Indeed, Title 42, Section 405(g) limits judicial review of the
Commissioner’s decision as follows: “[t]he findings of the Commissioner of Social Security as to
any fact, if supported by substantial evidence, shall be conclusive.” 42 U.S.C. § 405(g). The Act
specifically grants the district court the power to enter judgment, upon the pleadings, and transcript,
“affirming, modifying, or reversing the decision of the Commissioner of Social Security with or
without remanding the case for a rehearing” when not supported by substantial evidence. Id. While
it is incumbent upon the court to examine the record in its entirety to decide whether the decision
is supportable, Simmons v. Harris, 602 F.2d 1233, 1236 (5th Cir. 1979), the court may not “reweigh
the evidence in the record nor try the issues de novo, nor substitute its judgment” for that of the
Commissioner even if the evidence preponderates against the Commissioner’s decision. Chaparo
v. Bowen, 815 F.2d 1008, 1009 (5th Cir. 1987); see also Jones, at 693; Cook v. Heckler, 750 F.2d
391, 392 (5th Cir. 1985). Conflicts in the evidence are for the Commissioner to resolve. Anthony
v. Sullivan, 954 F.2d 289, 295 (5th Cir. 1992).
The United States Supreme Court has defined “substantial evidence,” as used in the Act, to
be “such relevant evidence as a reasonable mind might accept as adequate to support a conclusion.”
Richardson v. Perales, 402 U.S. 389, 401 (1971) (quoting Consolidated Edison Co. v. N.L.R.B., 305
U.S. 197, 229 (1938)); Biestek v. Berryhill, 139 S.Ct. 1148, 1154 (2019). Substantial evidence is
“more than a scintilla and less than a preponderance.” Spellman v. Shalala, 1 F.3d 357, 360 (5th Cir.

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1993). The evidence must create more than “a suspicion of the existence of the fact to be
established, but no ‘substantial evidence’ will be found only where there is a ‘conspicuous absence
of credible choices’ or ‘no contrary medical evidence.’” Hames v. Heckler, 707 F.2d 162, 164 (5th
Cir. 1983) (quoting Hemphill v. Weinberger, 483 F.2d 1127 (5th Cir. 1973)).
IV. Burden of Proof
An individual claiming entitlement to disability insurance benefits under the Act has the
burden of proving his disability. Johnson v. Bowen, 864 F.2d 340, 344 (5th Cir. 1988). The Act
defines disability as 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). The impairment must be proven through medically accepted clinical and
laboratory diagnostic techniques. Id. § 423(d)(3). The impairment must be so severe as to limit the
claimant in the following manner:
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.
Id. § 423(d)(2)(A). The mere presence of an impairment is not enough to establish that one is
suffering from a disability. Rather, a claimant is disabled only if he is “incapable of engaging in any
substantial gainful activity.” Anthony v. Sullivan, 954 F.2d 289, 293 (5th Cir. 1992) (quoting Milan
v. Bowen, 782 F.2d 1284 (5th Cir. 1986)).
The Commissioner applies a five-step sequential process to determine disability status:
1. If the claimant is presently working, a finding of “not disabled” must be made;

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2. If the claimant does not have a “severe” impairment or combination of
impairments, he will not be found disabled;
3. If the claimant has an impairment that meets or equals an impairment listed in
Appendix 1 of the Regulations, disability is presumed and benefits are awarded;
4. If the claimant is capable of performing past relevant work, a finding of “not
disabled” must be made; and
5. If the claimant’s impairment prevents him from doing any other substantial
gainful activity, taking into consideration his age, education, past work experience,
and residual functional capacity, he will be found disabled.
Id., 954 F.2d at 293; see also Garcia v. Berryhill, 880 F.3d 700, 704 (5th Cir. 2018). Under this
formula, the claimant bears the burden of proof on the first four steps of the analysis to establish that
a disability exists. If successful, the burden shifts to the Commissioner, at step five, to show that
the claimant can perform other work. McQueen v. Apfel, 168 F.3d 152, 154 (5th Cir. 1999). Once
the Commissioner demonstrates that other jobs are available, the burden shifts, again, to the claimant
to rebut this finding. Selders v. Sullivan, 914 F.2d 614, 618 (5th Cir. 1990). If, at any step in the
process, the Commissioner determines that the claimant is or is not disabled, the evaluation ends.
Leggett, 67 F.3d at 563.33
In the instant action, the AC determined, in its September 19, 2019, decision that Lariviere
had not engaged in substantial gainful activity since June 25, 2015, the alleged onset date (step
one); that Lariviere’s indolent systemic mascytosis, degenerative disc disease of the thoracic spine,

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Several of the Social Security Rulings (“SSRs”) governing social security cases were
amended or rescinded in 2016 and 2017. See, e.g., 81 Fed. Reg. 66138-01, 2016 WL 5341732
(F.R. Sept. 26, 2016); 82 Fed. Reg. 5844-01, 2017 WL 168819 (F.R. Jan. 18, 2017). Depending
on the regulation, the new rules apply to claims filed either on or after January 17, 2017, or
March 27, 2017. The regulations provide, in pertinent part, that “[w]e expect that Federal Courts
will review our final decisions using the rules that were in effect at the time we issued the
decisions.”).
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and obesity were severe impairments (step two); that Lariviere’s severe impairments did not meet
or equal one of the listed impairments in Appendix 1 of the regulations (step three); that from June
25, 2015, through October 29, 2016, Lariviere “had the residual functional capacity to perform a full
range of light work” and, that as of October 20, 2016, Lariviere had the residual functional capacity
to perform a limited range of light work. Specifically that he had the RFC to perform light work
with occasional stooping; no climbing of ramps, stairs, ladders, ropes, or scaffold; no crouching,
crawling, or kneeling; no twisting or bending from waist level; no moderate exposure to extreme
cold, humidity, and vibration; no exposure to dangerous machinery and unprotected heights; and the
option to sit/stand every twenty minutes. The AC, as had the ALJ, concluded that Lariviere could
not perform his past relevant work (step four); and the AC, as had the ALJ, concluded that prior to
October 20, 2019, Lariviere was a younger individual age 18-49 and then changed age categories
to an individual closely approaching advanced age, had a limited education and no transferable
skills, and with an RFC for a full range of light work, under Medical-Vocational Rules 202.18 and
202.11 was not disabled within the meaning of the Act from October 25, 2015 through October 19,
2016, and that with his vocational profile, and the testimony of a vocational expert, under the
framework of Medical-Vocation Rule 202.11, he became disabled on October 20, 2016. (step five).
V. Discussion
In this appeal, Lariviere argues that the ALJ erred by finding that his depression and anxiety
were not severe impairments at step two. Lariviere argues that his depression and anxiety had an
adverse impact on his potential ability to perform full time substantial gainful work in light of his
additional physical limitations. According to Lariviere, his treatment records with his treating
psychiatrist, Melissa E. Wilkes Requenez, M.D., and his treating primary care physician, Dr. Fareed

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Khan, along with his Function Reports and testimony at the July 30, 2018, hearing, undermine the
ALJ/AC’s conclusion that Lariviere’s depression and anxiety “improved with prescription
medications” and his mental status was essentially benign” and as such, he had only “mild”
psychiatric limitations. (Document No. 13, p. 6). Lariviere points to his treatment records with Dr.
Wilkes Requenez for depression and anxiety on May 7, 2015 (Tr. 405), August 25, 2015 (Tr. 554557), January 20, 2016 (Tr. 528-530), April 6, 2016 (Tr. 521), May 16, 2016 (Tr. 513), and August
22, 2016 (Tr. 507), which show that he had GAF scores of 60 or 55-60.3 Lariviere further points
to his testimony in which he confirmed statements made in the Function Report that he does not
handle stress or changes in routine, and that he has a fear of his condition. (Tr. 86). He also testified
that the medications prescribed for anxiety and depression have mixed results, “[y]ou know, it seems
like they’re helping, and sometimes it they’re not.” (Tr. 87). The Commissioner has responded and
argues that Lariviere has not established that depression and anxiety were severe impairments, and
that, contrary to Lariviere’s argument, the ALJ/AC considered the medical records and testimony.
(Tr. 6-7).
The regulations provide that at step two, the claimant bears the burden of showing that he
has a severe impairment or combination of impairments that significantly limit the claimant’s

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The Global Assessment of Function (“GAF”) scale is used to rate an individual’s
“overall psychological functioning.” American Psychiatric Institute, Diagnostic and Statistical
Manual of Mental Disorders (“DSM-IV”) 32 (4th ed. 1994). The scale assigns a numeric range
from “1" (persistent danger of severely hurting self or others’) to “100" (“superior functioning
with no symptoms that impair functioning”).The GAF scoring system no longer appears in the
latest edition of the DSM. A GAF score in the range of 60 to 51indicates “moderate symptoms,
such as occasional panic attacks, or some difficulty in building meaningful social relationships.”
A next range, 50 to 41 indicates “serious symptoms, such as suicidal thoughts or severe,
obsessive rituals. The person could also have severe impairment in work, such as being unable
to keep a job.”
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physical or mental ability to do basic work activities. The Fifth Circuit in Stone v. Heckler, 752 F.2d
1099, 1101 (5th Cir. 1985) held that this language was not in accord with the statute defining
disability and opined that “an impairment can be considered as not severe only if it is a slight
abnormality [having] such minimal effect on the individual that it would not be expected to interfere
with the individual’s ability to work, irrespective of age, education or work experience.” The Fifth
Circuit further stated that “[u]nless the correct standard is used, the claim must be remanded to the
[Commissioner] for reconsideration.” Id. at 1106. The Fifth Circuit recently reiterated the Stone
standard as its “binding precedent” writing: “‘[a]n impairment can be considered as not severe only
if it is a slight abnormality having such minimal effect on the individual that it would not be
expected to interfere with an individual’s ability to work, irrespective of age, education or work
experience.’” Salmond v. Berryhill, 892 F.3d 812, 817 (5th Cir. 2018)(quoting Loza v. Apfel, 219
F.3d 378, 391 (5th Cir. 2000)(emphasis in original). And in Keel v. Saul, ___F.3d.___, 2021 WL
222142 (5th Cir. 2021) held that an ALJ does not error by citing to SSR 85-28 and not Stone. SSR
85-28 allows for an impairment to be found “not severe” where there is minimal effect on an
individual’s ability to work. The Fifth Circuit wrote that “Stone and SSR 85-28 are not substantially
different.” Keel, at *3.
The ALJ determined, as follows, that Lariviere’s depression and anxiety were non-severe
impairments:
Because the claimant has a medically determinable mental impairment, I considered
the four broad functional areas set out in the disability regulations for evaluating
mental disorders and in the Listing of Impairments (20 CFR, Part 404, Subpart P,
Appendix 1). These four areas of mental functioning are known as the “paragraph
B” criteria.
The claimant contended his mental condition affected his ability to remember,
complex tasks, concentrate, understand, follow instructions, get along with others,
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get along with authority figures, handle stress, and handle changes in routine (See
Hearing Testimony and Exhibits B2E, B5E, and B8E). However, on reviewing the
claimant’s available medical records on June 6, 2017, Richard Luck, Ph.D., a State
agency medical consultant (psychologist), opined the claimant’s mental condition
was not severe (Exhibits B6A and B7A). I agreed.
On July 18, 2017, and September 11, 2017, Fareed Khan, M.D. a treating physician,
opined the claimant was permanently disabled in part due to depression but, only
offered physical limitations and providing no opinion regarding the claimant’s
mental limitations. I gave this opinion regarding the claimant’s depression little
weight. (Exhibits B5F and B7F). Physical examinations and mental status
examinations contained in treatment notes covering the period beginning July 9,
2013, through March 29, 2018, from the Harris County Hospital District described
the claimant as oriented, normal behavior, normal speech, goal-directed and logical
thought process, intact associations, intact memory and concentration, intact
attention, fair insight and judgment, and fair fund of knowledge with no depression,
no loss of interest in normal activity or change in sleep pattern (Exhibits B1F, pages
8, 27, and 36: B2F, pages 2-10, 34, 41, and 108; B4F, pages 8, 22, 28, 35, 50, and 88;
B8F, pages 7, 37, and 52; and B9F, pages 14, 51, 80, 81 and 113). A global
assessment of functioning (GAF) score of 60 was documented in treatment notes
dated April 6, 2016, describing the claimant’s mental status examination as
essentially benign and within normal limits (Exhibit B4F, pages 56-57).
These clinical observations and subjective reports are not consistent with nor did
they support the claimant’s allegations of mental limitations to the extent alleged.
Therefore, I found the claimant had a mild limitation in understanding, remembering,
or applying information; a mild limitation in interacting with others; a mild limitation
in concentrating, persisting, or maintaining pace; and a mild limitation in adapting
or managing onself. Because the claimant’s medically determinable mental
impairment caused no more than “mild” limitation in any of the functional areas, it
was a non-severe impairment (20 CFR 404.1520a(d)(1) and 416.920a(d)(1)). (Tr.
25)(footnote omitted).
As discussed above, a “severe” impairment is “one that affects an individual’s ability to
perform basic work-related activities for an adult.” SSR 16-3p; 20 C.F.R. §§ 404.1520(c),
416.920(c). Basic work activities “mean the abilities and aptitudes necessary to do most jobs.”
With respect to mental abilities: “[u]nderstanding, carrying out, and remembering simple
instructions,” “use of judgment,” “[r]esponding appropriately to supervision, co-workers and usual
work situations,” and “[d]ealing with changes in a routine work setting.” 20 C.F.R. §§ 404.1522(b),
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416.922(b). Here, substantial evidence supports the ALJ’s decision that Lariviere’s mental
impairments, depression and anxiety, were not severe during the time frame at issue. The decision
shows that the ALJ did consider Lariviere’s self reported symptoms in the Function Reports and at
the hearing, his treatment records, and the opinion Dr. Luck, a psychologist and State medical
consultant. Dr. Luck opined “clinical observations and subjective reports are not consistent with
nor did they support the claimant’s allegations of mental limitations to the extent alleged.” (Tr. 25).
The mental status examination notes during the relevant time frame from Dr. Melissa Wilkes
Requenez, show that Lariviere had a clinic visit on January 16, 2016. She had not seen him since
May 2014. (Tr. 528-535, 729-735). Lariviere reported “doing well with Celexa.” Lariviere denied
feeling depressed and likewise denied having panic attacks. He reported that “I’m doing pretty
well.” (Tr. 529), The results of his mental status exam were normal. He had a GAF of 55-60. (Tr.
529). At his April 6, 2016, clinic visit with Dr. Wilkes-Requenez, Lariviere reported there was
“nothing new.” He reported that Celexa was helping, that his mood was stable. He denied feeling
depressed. The results of his mental status exam were normal. He had a GAF of 60. (Tr. 520-526,
721-727). At his October 20, 2016, clinic visit, Lariviere reported that Celexa continued to control
his anxiety. He denied panic attacks and depressed mood. The results of his mental status exam
were normal. He had a GAF of 55. (Tr. 499-500, 699-704). Treatment notes from Dr. Fareed
Khan, his primary care physician, also show normal psychiatric responses during his physical
examinations. See Treatment Note of October 28, 2015 (Tr. 536-542, 737-742); May 16, 2016 (Tr.
512-515, 713-720); October 24, 2016 (Tr. 492-497, 693-698 “he has a normal mood and affect. His
behavior is normal. Judgment and thought content normal” ). Upon this record, Lariviere has not
pointed to evidence to undermine the ALJ’s determination that he had only mild functional

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limitations. In considering the severity of Lariviere’s anxiety and depression, the decision show that
the ALJ considered Lariviere’s allegations of symptoms and the medical records to determine
whether he had a severe impairment. While Lariviere’ reported problems with concentration, his two
treating physicians during the relevant time- frame noted no such difficulties during their
examinations and he did not complain of problems concentrating. To the extent that Lariviere argues
that the record supports greater functional limitations based on Lariviere’s testimony at the hearing
and Function Reports, conflicts in the evidence are for the Commissioner to resolve. Masterson v.
Barnhart, 309 F.3d 267, 272 (5th Cir. 2002); Muse v. Sullivan, 925 F.3d 785, 790 (5th Cir. 1991).
Moreover, the Fifth Circuit has stated that an impairment that is reasonably controlled with
medication or therapy cannot serve as the basis of a disability finding. Lovelace v. Bowen, 813 F.2d
340, 348 (5th Cir. 1988). Upon this record, substantial evidence supports the step two finding that
Lariviere was controlling his anxiety and depression with medication, and this supports the ALJ’s
determination that anxiety and depression caused no more than a minimal effect on him, and would
not have been expected to interfere with his ability to work.
Lariviere further argues that the AC erred in finding him capable of performing a full range
of light work through October 19, 2016. According to Lariviere’s that AC’s decision “lacks any
depth analysis of the medical records” and that had the AC “conducted a proper evaluation of the
medical evidence, a different result would have ensued.” (Document No. 13,p. 15). Lariviere
further argues that even assuming that he had any meaningful RFC during the relevant time-frame,
it was at the sedentary level, which under the Commissioner Grid Rule 201.14 directs a finding of
disabled.
RFC is what an individual can still do despite his limitations. It reflects the individual’s

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maximum remaining ability to do sustained work activity in an ordinary work setting on a regular
and continuing basis. SSR 96-8p, 1996 WL 374184, at *2 (SSA July 2, 1996). The responsibility
for determining a claimant’s RFC is with the AC. see Villa v. Sullivan, 895 F.2d 1019, 1023-24 (5th
Cir. 1990). The AC is not required to incorporate limitations in the RFC that they did not find to
be supported by the record. See Muse v. Sullivan, 925 F.2d 785, 790 (5th Cir. 1991). Upon this
record, the AC considered the objective medical evidence; Lariviere’s testimony and Function
Reports; and the opinion evidence. The AC’s RFC determination is consistent with the record as
a whole. The medical records show that Lariviere has been diagnosed with and treated for systemic
mastocytosis. However, the treatment records from his treating hematologists show that during the
relevant time-frame, show that his form was indolent. Simply put: he has never met criteria for
smoldering or advance systemic mastocytosis, and his “systemic body pain” is not coming from
systemic mastocytosis.” (Tr. 383). See (TR. 405-415, May 7, 2015, Hematology Clinic note states
“continues with no signs of aggressive mastocytosis”); Tr. 395-404, Hematology Clinic note from
April 12, 2016: “Mr. Lariviere . . . with indolent systemic mastocytosis diagnosed in 2012 who
continues to demonstrate no signs of aggressive mastocytosis and we will continue to treat
symptomatically.” ); (Tr. 536-542, 737-742); Treatment note of Dr. Khan dated October 28, 2015,
“I have discussed with him ...his hematology opinion that pain is not related to mastocytosis.” ); (Tr.
554-561, 752-759, August 25, 2015, treating note of Dr. Khan, which states: “I read what the
Hematology note had to say and explained to him that this was considered mild disease. We also
discussed that his pain was not most probably originating from his mastocytosis”). Further the state
agency medical consultants concluded that Larievere could perform a full range of light work. The
AC, based on the totality of the evidence, concluded that Lariviere could perform a full range of

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light work. Because Lariviere’s mental impairments did not result in functional limitations, the
limitation were properly omitted from his RFC. See Morris v. Bowen, 864 F.2d 333, 336 (5th Cir.
1988)(holding that ALJ is not required to incorporate limitations in RFC that he did not find to be
supported by the record).
V. Conclusion
Considering the record as a whole, the Court is of the opinion that the ALJ and the
Commissioner properly used the guidelines propounded by the Social Security Administration,
which direct a finding that Lariviere was not disabled within the meaning of the Act from October
2015 through October 19, 2016, that substantial evidence supports the AC’s decision, and that the
Commissioner’s decision should be affirmed. As such, it is
ORDERED Plaintiff’s Motion for Summary Judgment (Document No. 13), is DENIED,
Defendant’s Motion for Summary Judgment (Document No.10) is GRANTED, and the decision of
the Commissioner of Social Security is AFFIRMED.
Signed at Houston, Texas, this 17th day of February, 2021

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