Nunez v. Colvin
Filing
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MEMORANDUM OPINION AND ORDER. The Court hereby ORDERS that the decision of the Commissioner be AFFIRMED consistent with this opinion. Signed by Judge Robert F. Castaneda. (scf)
IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
FOR THE WESTERN DISTRICT OF TEXAS
EL PASO DIVISION
MARIA GUADALUPE NUNEZ,
Plaintiff,
v.
CAROLYN W. COLVIN,1
Acting Commissioner of Social Security
Administration,
Defendant.
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NO. 3:13-cv-00046-RFC
MEMORANDUM OPINION AND ORDER
This is a civil action seeking judicial review of an administrative decision. Jurisdiction is
predicated upon 42 U.S.C. § 405(g). Both parties having consented to trial on the merits before a
United States Magistrate Judge, the case was transferred to this Court for trial and entry of judgment
pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 636(c), and Rule CV-72 and Appendix C to the Local Court Rules for the
Western District of Texas.
Plaintiff appeals from the decision of the Commissioner of the Social Security
Administration (Commissioner) denying her application for supplemental security income (SSI)
benefits under Title XVI of the Social Security Act. Plaintiff, who was born on December 12, 1956,
was 56 years old at the time of the Administrative Law Judge’s (ALJ) January 6, 2012 decision.
(R:12-13, 276)2 She cannot read, write, or effectively communicate in English. (R:292) She has
1
Carolyn W. Colvin became the Acting Commissioner of the Social Security Administration on
February 14, 2013. Pursuant to Fed. R. Civ. P. 25(d), she is substituted as the defendant in this suit. No
further action need be taken to continue this suit by reason of the last sentence of §205(g) of the Social
Security Act, 42 U.S.C. § 405(g).
2
Plaintiff’s onset date was amended from January 1, 2004, to May 31, 2007 at the February 5,
2009, hearing. (R:38, 73, 74)
past relevant work experience as a chain stitch machine operator. (R:57, 294) For the reasons set
forth below, this Court orders that the Commissioner’s decision be AFFIRMED.
PROCEDURAL HISTORY
On May 31, 2007, Plaintiff filed applications for disability insurance benefits (DIB)3 and SSI,
alleging disability commencing on January 1, 2004. (R:92-93, 271-279) After the agency denied
Plaintiff’s applications initially and on reconsideration, Plaintiff requested an administrative hearing.
(R:143) The hearing was held on February 5, 2009. (R:67) The ALJ issued his decision on May 28,
2009, dismissing Plaintiff’s Title II claim and denying Plaintiff’s XVI claim. (R:102-109) Plaintiff
appealed the ALJ’s decision and on October 2, 2009, the Appeals Council declined review of the
ALJ’s dismissal of Plaintiff’s Title II claim but remanded Plaintiff’s Title XVI claim for a new
hearing and decision. (R:110-115)
The ALJ conducted an additional administrative hearing on September 19, 2011. (R:33-66)
The ALJ issued a decision on January 6, 2012, denying the SSI claim, determining that Plaintiff was
not disabled within the meaning of the Social Security Act. (R:18-27) The Appeals Council denied
review. (R:1-8)
ISSUES
Plaintiff presents the following issues for review:
1.
Whether the final decision of the Commissioner denying benefits is supported by
substantial evidence; and,
2.
Whether the ALJ’s finding that Plaintiff can perform other work existing in
significant numbers in the national economy was made contrary to law.
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Due to insufficient quarters of coverage for insured status at that date, Plaintiff withdrew her
Title II claim at the February 5, 2009, hearing. (R:38, 73, 74)
2
Plaintiff contends that the ALJ’s step-five finding that Plaintiff can perform other work
existing in significant numbers in the national economy was made in error. (Pl.’s Br. 3) By relying
on this error to reach the step-five conclusion, she contends, Plaintiff asserts, the Commissioner has
failed to meet her burden of proof at step five of the sequential evaluation process. Hence, Plaintiff
concludes, the ALJ’s decision is not supported by substantial evidence. (Pl.’s Br. 6)
Defendant responds by asserting that substantial evidence does in fact exist to support the
step-five finding, that no legal error was committed by the Commissioner, and Plaintiff should not
be permitted at this juncture to contest the vocational expert’s (VE) testimony because the choice
was made by counsel not to cross-examine the VE regarding whether Plaintiff’s frequent handling
restriction with her non-dominant hand and arm conflicted with the Dictionary of Occupational
Titles’ (DOT) descriptions of cook helper and kitchen helper. (Def.’s Br. 7-8)
DISCUSSION
I. Standard of Review
This Court’s review is limited to a determination of whether the Commissioner’s decision
is supported by substantial evidence, and whether the Commissioner applied the proper legal
standards in evaluating the evidence. See 42 U.S.C. § 405(g); Masterson v. Barnhart, 309 F.3d 267,
272 (5th Cir. 2002); Martinez v. Chater, 64 F.3d 172, 173 (5th Cir. 1995). Substantial evidence “is
more than a mere scintilla, and less than a preponderance.” Masterson, 309 F.3d at 272. The
Commissioner’s findings will be upheld if supported by substantial evidence. Id. A finding of no
substantial evidence will be made only where there is a conspicuous absence of credible choices or
no contrary medical evidence. Abshire v. Bowen, 848 F.2d 638, 640 (5th Cir. 1988).
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In applying the substantial evidence standard, the court may not reweigh the evidence, try the
issues de novo, or substitute its own judgment for the Commissioner’s, even if it believes the
evidence weighs against the Commissioner’s decision. Masterson, 309 F.3d at 272. Conflicts in the
evidence are for the Commissioner and not the courts to resolve. Id.; Spellman v. Shalala, 1 F.3d
357, 360 (5th Cir. 1993).
II. Evaluation Process
The ALJ evaluates disability claims according to a sequential five-step process: 1) whether
the claimant is currently engaged in substantial gainful activity; 2) whether the claimant has a severe
medically determinable physical or mental impairment; 3) whether the claimant’s impairment(s)
meet or equal the severity of an impairment listed in 20 C.F.R. Part 404, Subpart B, Appendix 1; 4)
whether the impairment prevents the claimant from performing past relevant work; and 5) whether
the impairment prevents the claimant from doing any other work. 20 C.F.R. § 404.1520. The
claimant bears the burden of proof at the first four steps of the analysis. Leggett v. Chater, 67 F.3d
558, 564 (5th Cir. 1995). If the claimant is successful at all four of the preceding steps, the burden
shifts to the Commissioner to prove, considering claimant’s residual functional capacity (RFC), age,
education and past work experience, that he is capable of performing other work.
If the
Commissioner proves other work exists which the claimant can perform, the claimant is given the
chance to prove that he cannot, in fact, perform that work. See Masterson v. Barnhart, 309 F.3d 267,
271-272 (5th Cir. 2002).
In the present case, at step one, the ALJ determined that Plaintiff had not engaged in
substantial gainful activity since May 31, 2007, the amended alleged onset date. (R:20).
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At step two, the ALJ determined that Plaintiff had the following severe impairments:
hypertension, headaches, ulcers, left hand ganglion/pain, and depression/mood disorder. Id. He
concluded that Plaintiff’s visual limitations and diabetes mellitus did not represent severe
impairments under the Act. (R:21)
At step three, the ALJ found that Plaintiff’s impairment or combination of impairments did
not meet or equal one of the listed impairments. Id.
Next, the ALJ determined that Plaintiff had the RFC to perform medium work. (R:22)
She is limited by left wrist pain to frequent handling and fingering with her left arm
and left hand. She retains the ability to understand, remember and carry out only
simple tasks and instructions and to make simple decisions. She is able to attend and
concentrate for extended periods, to interact adequately with co-workers and
supervisors and to respond appropriately to changes in routine work settings.
[Plaintiff] is illiterate in the English language, in that she cannot read, write, or
effectively communicate in English.
(R:22) The ALJ determined that Plaintiff’s allegations regarding her limitations were not fully
credible, and that her statements concerning the intensity, persistence and limiting effects of her
symptoms were credible to the extent that they were consistent with the above-described RFC
assessment. (R:23)
At step four, the ALJ concluded that Plaintiff could not perform her past relevant work as
a chain stitch machine operator. (R:25)
At step five, after considering the Plaintiff’s RFC, age, education, and work experience in
conjunction with the Medical-Vocational Guidelines, 20 C.F.R. Part 404, Subpart P, Appendix 2,
and based on the testimony of the VE, the ALJ concluded that jobs existed in significant numbers
in the national economy that Plaintiff could perform. (R:25) Specifically, the ALJ concluded that
Plaintiff could perform the jobs of cook helper (DOT 317.687-010) and kitchen helper (DOT
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318.687.010). (R:26) Consequently, he found that Plaintiff was not disabled through the date of the
decision. Id.
III. The ALJ’s Determination of Plaintiff’s Residual Functional Capacity
Residual functional capacity is the most an individual can still do despite his limitations. 20
C.F.R. § 404.1545; Social Security Ruling (SSR) 96-8p. The responsibility to determine the
Plaintiff’s RFC belongs to the ALJ. Ripley v. Chater, 67 F.3d 552, 557 (5th Cir. 1995). In making
this determination, the ALJ must consider all the record evidence and determine the Plaintiff’s
abilities despite his physical and mental limitations. Martinez v. Chater, 64 F.3d 172, 176 (5th Cir.
1995). The ALJ must consider the limiting effects of an individual’s impairments, even those that
are non-severe, and any related symptoms. See 20 C.F.R. §§ 404.1529, 404.1545; SSR 96-8p. The
relative weight to be given the evidence is within the ALJ’s discretion. Chambliss v. Massanari, 269
F.3d 520, 523 (5th Cir. 2001). The ALJ is not required to incorporate limitations in the RFC that he
did not find to be supported in the record. See Morris v. Bowen, 864 F.2d 333, 336 (5th Cir. 1988)
In arriving at his RFC determination, the ALJ relied primarily on the medical evidence in this
case. This includes the Physical Residual Functional Capacity Assessment form provided by
Yvonne Post, D.O., which concluded that Plaintiff was able to perform medium work. (R:515-522)
Dr. Post found that due to pain in the left wrist secondary to ganglion cyst, Plaintiff was limited to
frequent handling/fingering with the left upper extremity. (R:518) This limitation was incorporated
into the ALJ’s RFC finding. (R:22-25) The rest of the record evidence, both medical and otherwise,
substantiates the ALJ’s RFC finding.
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IV. Analysis
Plaintiff contends that the ALJ committed reversible error when he relied upon VE testimony
that conflicted with the DOT. This reliance can take place only if the record reflects an adequate
basis for doing so, and the record is devoid of such. (Pl.’s Br. 5-6) Plaintiff contends that although
the VE testified that while the individual in the proposed hypothetical question would be able to
perform the jobs of a cook helper and a kitchen helper, these jobs have requirements that exceed the
Plaintiff’s RFC. (Pl.’s Br. 4) These jobs both requirement constant handling. Id. Since the DOT
does not distinguish between handling activities with both hands and arms and those in which
handling activities can be accomplished with only one hand and arm, Plaintiff argues, the DOT
requirements exceed Plaintiff’s RFC limitations as determined by the ALJ. (Pl.’s Br. 4-5) Thus,
Plaintiff concludes, the ALJ committed reversible error in his decision.
Plaintiff’s contentions are without merit. The record shows that the ALJ developed the
record with respect to how various manipulative limitations would affect Plaintiff’s ability to work.
The hypothetical question posed to the VE assumed an individual who is right-hand dominant and
could perform only frequent handling with her non-dominant left arm and wrist. (R:58-59) The ALJ
further inquired whether a bilateral limitation to frequent handling and fingering would eliminate
work as a cook helper and kitchen helper, to which the VE responded affirmatively. (R:61-62) The
area of occasional handling and fingering with Plaintiff’s non-dominant left hand and arm was also
inquired into. (R:64) For all these evidentiary reasons, the record provides an adequate basis for the
ALJ’s reliance on the VE’s testimony to support his step five determination. See Carey v. Apfel, 230
F.3d 131, 146 (5th Cir. 2000).
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Social Security Ruling 00-4p states that occupational testimony provided by a VE should
generally be consistent with that of the DOT. At the hearing level, as part of the ALJ’s duty to fully
develop the record, the ALJ should inquire whether or not there is consistency between the VE
evidence and the DOT. SSR 00-4p. In this case, the VE’s clear and unchallenged testimony was
that Plaintiff could perform the jobs of cook helper and kitchen helper. The ALJ complied with his
obligation under Ruling 00-4p by asking the VE whether his testimony would be consistent with the
DOT. His answer was unequivocally in the affirmative. (R:56) Since Plaintiff’s counsel failed to
inquire further into this issue, there was no apparent unresolved conflict between the VE evidence
and the DOT at that point. Hence, the ALJ’s conclusion that the VE’s testimony is consistent with
the information contained in the DOT. (R:26)
This is not a case involving a direct or obvious conflict between the VE’s testimony and the
DOT such as takes place when the VE’s characterization of the exertional or skill level required for
a particular job is facially different from the exertional or skill level provided for the job in the DOT.
Nor does any other similar conflict exist. At most, the argument relates to an implied conflict
between the VE’s testimony and the DOT. For example, nothing in the DOT’s job descriptions
indicates that the constant use of both hands and arms is required to perform either job. (DOT
317.687-010 and 318.687.010). The ALJ did not restrict Plaintiff’s ability to handle with her
dominant right arm and hand. Thus, there is not necessarily a conflict between the VE’s testimony
and the DOT’s job requirements for the positions of cook helper and kitchen helper. See, e.g.,
Canton v. Astrue, No. 08-CV-3038, 2010 WL 5391184 at *7 (E.D.N.Y. Dec. 22, 2010) (where both
hands are required to perform a job, the DOT has not been shy in saying so).
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In a case where a claimant suffers from additional limitation(s) that make the medical
Vocation Guidelines inapplicable, the Commissioner must rely upon the services of a VE or other
similar evidence. Carey v. Apfel, 230 F.3d 131, 145 (5th Cir. 2000). That is in fact what took place
in this case and led to the ALJ’s step five conclusion. The Court declines to reverse the
Commissioner’s determination on the basis of an implied conflict between the VE’s testimony and
the DOT.
Alternatively, Plaintiff should not be allowed to scan the record for implied or unexplained
conflicts between the precise testimony of the VE and the voluminous provisions of the DOT and
then present that conflict as reversible error, when the conflict was not deemed sufficient to merit
adversarial development in the hearing before the ALJ. Carey, 230 F.3d at 146-147. Plaintiff’s
counsel had a full opportunity to cross-examine the VE on the effects of Plaintiff’s limitation on her
ability to perform the jobs of cook helper and kitchen helper. Instead, the testimony remained
unchallenged in this area, particularly with regard to the precise issue of constant or frequent
handling that she is now raising before this Court. In so doing, Plaintiff failed to pursue the nature
and extent of any purported conflict between the VE’s testimony and DOT job requirements at that
time. The principle enunciated in Carey controls in this case and bars Plaintiff from obtaining the
relief she seeks.
A review of the entire record supports the ALJ’s findings and RFC determination. The VE’s
testimony constitutes substantial evidence that Plaintiff is capable of performing other work existing
in significant numbers in the national or regional economy, thus satisfying the Commissioner’s
burden at step five of the sequential evaluation process. Finally, the Court adjudges that no
reversible error was committed by the ALJ, and that no award of benefits is warranted.
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CONCLUSION
Based on the foregoing, the Court hereby ORDERS that the decision of the Commissioner
be AFFIRMED consistent with this opinion.
SIGNED and ENTERED on December 15, 2014.
_____________________________________
ROBERT F. CASTANEDA
UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE
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