Nava v. Colvin
Filing
26
MEMORANDUM OPINION AND ORDER, the Court hereby ORDERS that the decision of the Commissioner be AFFIRMED. Signed by Judge Norbert J. Garney. (vm1)
IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
FOR THE WESTERN DISTRICT OF TEXAS
EL PASO DIVISION
MANUEL ROBERTO NAVA,
Plaintiff,
v.
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§
§
§
CAROLYN W. COL YIN,
Acting Commissioner of the Social Security
Administration,
Defendant.
NO. EP-14-CV-0086-KC
(-NJG by consent)
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§
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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 ofjudgment
pursuant to 28 U.S.C.
§
636(c) and Appendix C to the Local Court Rules for this district.
Plaintiff appeals from the decision of the Commissioner of the Social Security
Administration (Commissioner) denying his claim for disability insurance benefits and supplemental
security income under Title II and Title XVI, respectively, of the Social Security Act. For the
reasons set forth below, this Court orders that the Commissioner's decision be AFFIRMED.
BACKGROUND AND PROCEDURAL HISTORY
On May 23, 2011, Plaintiff filed applications for disability insurance benefits and
supplemental security income, alleging a disability onset date of April 8, 2011. (R:131, 138)' His
applications was denied initially and on reconsideration. (R:38-39, 42-43) Plaintiff filed a request
for a hearing, which was conducted on August 9, 2012. (R:27-37) The AU issued a decision on
November 30, 2012, denying benefits. (R:14-20) On January 8, 2014, the Appeals Council denied
1Reference to the Administrative Record, contained in Docket Entry Number 15, is designated
by an "R" followed by the page number.
Plaintifrs request for review. (R: 1-7)
On March 5, 2014, Plaintiff initiated this action for judicial review. [Docs. 1, 5] Defendant
filed an answer on July 1, 2014. [Doc. 14] On September 24, 2014, Plaintiff filed a brief in support
of his complaint. [Doc. 22] On October 23, 2014, Defendant filed a brief in support of the decision
to deny benefits. [Doc. 23] Plaintiff filed a reply brief on November 10, 2014. [Doc. 25]
ISSUES
Plaintiff presents the following issue for review:
1) whether the AU' s failure to find Plaintifr s diabetic neuropathy severe warrants remand.
Plaintiff claims that the AU used an improper legal standard to evaluate the severity of his
impairments. Consequently, he seeks a reversal and remand for an award of benefits or for further
administrative proceedings. Defendant responds that the AU used the proper legal standards, and
that substantial evidence supports the AU's findings and conclusions.
DISCUSSION
I. Standard of Review
This Court's review is limited to a determination of whether the Commissioner's final
decision is supported by substantial evidence, and whether the Commissioner applied the proper
legal standards in evaluating the evidence. See Martinez v. Chater, 64 F.3d 172, 173 (5th Cir. 1995);
Greenspan v. Shalala, 38 F.3d 232, 236
(5th
Cir. 1994), cert. denied, 514 U.S. 1120, 115 S.Ct. 1984
(1995). Substantial evidence is more than a scintilla, but less than a preponderance, and is such
relevant evidence as a reasonable mind might accept as adequate to support a conclusion. Ripley
Chater, 67 F.3d 552, 555
(sth
v.
Cir. 1995). 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).
Ifthe Commissioner's findings are supported by substantial evidence, they are conclusive and
must be affirmed. Martinez, 64 F.3 d at 173. In applying the substantial evidence standard, the court
must carefully examine the entire record, but may not re-weigh the evidence or try the issues de
novo. Hayvood v. Sullivan, 888 F.2d 1463, 1466 (sth Cir. 1989). It may not substitute its own
judgment "even if the evidence preponderates against the Secretary's decision," because substantial
evidence is less than a preponderance. Harrell v. Bowen, 862 F.2d 471,475 (Sth Cir. 1988). Conflicts
in the evidence are for the Commissioner, and not the courts, to resolve. Speilman v. Shalala, 1 F.3d
357, 360 (5th Cir. 1993).
II. Evaluation Process
The AU 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
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 (sth Cir. 1995). At step five, the burden shifts to the Commissioner to show
that there is other work available that the claimant can perform. Crowley v. Apfel, 197 F.3d 194, 198
(5th
Cir. 1999). If the Commissioner establishes other potential employment, the burden shifts back
to the claimant to prove she is unable to perform the alternative work. Id. A finding that a claimant
is disabled or not disabled at any point in the process is conclusive and terminates the
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Commissioner's analysis. Leggett, 67 F.3d at 564.
III. The AU's Decision
First, the AU found that Plaintiff had not engaged in substantial gainful activity since his
alleged onset date of April 8, 2011. (R: 16) He also determined that Plaintiff met the insured status
requirements through March 31, 2015. In the second step, he found that Plaintiff had medically
determinable impairments of: diabetes mellitus with neuropathy; hypertension; bilateral cataracts;
gastritis and diverticulosis; and status post partial third right ray resection. (R: 16) However, the AU
determined that he did not have a severe impairment or combination of impairments. (R: 16)
Consequently, he concluded that Plaintiff was not disabled within the meaning ofthe Social Security
Act, and was not entitled to benefits. (R:20)
IV. Determination of the Severity of Plaintiff's Impairment
Plaintiff argues that the AU erred in failing to find his diabetic neuropathy severe. Further,
he argues that the AU's findings are not supported by substantial evidence, and that remand is
required, pursuant to Stone v. Heckler, 752 F.2d 1099, 1101 (5th Cir. 1985).
Under the Regulations, a severe impairment is "any impairment or combination of
impairments which significantly limits [the claimant's] physical or mental ability to do basic work
activities." 20 C.F.R.
§
404.1520(c). In Stone, the Fifth Circuit held that a literal application of the
regulation would be inconsistent with the Social Security Act, because it would deny benefits to
individuals who are disabled under the statute. 752 F.2d at 1104-05. Therefore, the Court held that
an impairment is 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." Id. at 1101.
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The Court further held that it would "assume that the AU and Appeals Council have applied
an incorrect standard to the severity requirement unless the correct standard is set forth by reference
to this opinion or another ofthe same effect, or by an express statement that the construction we give
to 20 C.F.R. § 404.1520(c) (1984) is used." Id. at 1106. Notwithstanding this presumption, the Court
must look beyond the use of "magic words" to determine whether the AU applied the correct
severity standard. Hampton
v.
Bowen, 785 F.2d 1308, 1311 (Sth Cir. 1986). Remand is required only
where there is no indication that the AU applied the correct standard. Id.
In this case, the AU set forth the standard to apply at step two of the sequential analysis to
determine whether an impairment is severe, as follows:
"An impairment is non-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."
Stone v. Heckler, 752 F.2d 1099 (Sth Cir. 1985).
(R:15)
Plaintiff asserts that although the AU referenced the Stone standard, he also used language
that was inconsistent with that standard:
In reaching the conclusion that the claimant does not have an impairment or
combination of impairments that significantlylimits his ability to perform basic work
activities, I have considered all symptoms and the extent to which these symptoms
can reasonably be accepted as consistent with the objective medical evidence and
other evidence, based on the requirements of 20 C.F.R. 404.1529 and 416.929 and
SSRs 96-4p and 96-'7p.
(R:17)
At the conclusion of the opinion, the AU then stated:
In sum, the claimant's impairment or combination of impairments is non-severe
because they constitute a slight abnormality having such minimal effect on claimant
that it would not be expected to interfere with his ability to work, irrespective of age,
education, or work experience.
(R:19)
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Plaintiff argues that even though the AU referenced Stone, he also used inconsistent
language, thus raising the question of whether the correct legal standard was applied. However,
remand is not required where substantial evidence supports the AU's decision. See Taylor v. Astrue,
706 F.3d 600,603 (5th Cir. 2012) (per curiam); Rodriguez v. Astrue, EP- 1 0-CV-399-RPM, 2012 WL
728176 at *8..9 (W.D. Tex. Mar. 5, 2012) (although AU cited to Stone, but did not use exact Stone
language, the step two decision was held to be supported by substantial evidence). Review of the
evidence in this case shows that the correct standard was used and that substantial evidence supports
the
AU's determinations.
Medical records show that Plaintiff was assessed with and treated for diabetes mellitus with
neuropathy from 2006 through 2009. (R:3 14-28) Also, in 2006, he underwent a partial third ray
resection with wound irrigation on his right foot. (R:238, 328) On May 18, 2010, Plaintiff reported
decreased sensation in his feet, but also that his sensation had not changed in a long time. He further
reported that he was on a diabetic diet, walked daily, and worked standing up as a mechanic. Upon
physical examination, he exhibited a smooth gait and upright posture. Despite decreased sensation,
his feet appeared very healthy. He was assessed with diabetes mellitus and idiopathic peripheral
neuropathy. His hypertension and diabetes were both noted as being "very well controlled." He was
advised to continue his medications, follow a diabetic diet, and walk 3-4 times per week for 30-45
minutes a day. (R:238-41)
On January 10, 2011, physical examination showed that Plaintiff had decreased sensation
distally to the metatarsophalangeal joint region of both feet. Yet, he was able to move the toes, foot,
and ankle without any pain or difficulties. (R:278) He continued to be assessed with diabetes
mellitus with neuropathy, and was advised to continue self-feet examinations and the use of diabetic
shoes.
On February 8, 2011, Plaintiff reported being compliant with his diet, medications, and
exercises. He denied any changes in sensation and any neurological deficits. Upon examination, he
had normal blood pressure results, a smooth gait, and normal neurological results. (R:243-47) On
April 12, 2011, physical examination revealed normal results, including a normal musculoskeletal
exam, normal reflexes, and intact sensation to touch, pin, vibration, and position. (R:248-52)
An MRI examination on March 24, 2012, revealed the presence of a small soft tissue mass
within the left foot, that most likely represented a benign fibrous tumor. (R:364) Upon physical
examination on April 2, 2012, Plaintiff reported decreased sensation in both feet, but very minimal
intermittent discomfort in the left foot, and only when he ambulated more than usual. (R:360)
Plaintiff denied having any limitations in his daily living activities. Assessed with diabetes mellitus
with neuropathy, he was advised to continue daily self-foot exams and continue use of diabetic
shoes. (R:360)
The AU considered the evidence of record and found that Plaintiff had a medically
determinable impairment of diabetic neuropathy. However, the mere presence of an impairment is
not disabling per se. See Hames v. Heckler, 707 F.2d 162, 165 (Sth Cir. 1983). Rather, it is Plaintiff's
burden to establish disability and to provide or identify medical and other evidence of his
impairments. See 42 U.S.C.
§
423(d)(5); 20 C.F.R.
§
404.15 12(c). His own subjective complaints,
without objective medical evidence of record, are insufficient to establish disability. See 20 c.F.R.
§
404.1508, 404.1528, 404.1529. Further, impairments that are remedied or controlled by
medication or treatment are not disabling. Lovelace v. Bowen, 813 F.2d 55 59
(5th
Cir. 1987).
Plaintiff testified at the hearing in August 2012 that he had numbness and tingling in his feet
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that interfered with his ability to walk, such that he could only walk a block or stand for less than ten
minutes. (R:33-34) Also, he testified that if he sits more than five minutes with his feet dangling, his
feet start to go numb. (R:34) The AU considered Plaintiff's testimony and determined that the
alleged limitations were not supported by the objective medical evidence and other evidence. This
Court agrees.
Not only is the medical evidence contrary to Plaintiff's testimony, but also his reported
activities belie his claimed limitations. In his Function Report, dated June 10, 2011, he reported that
he went shopping, went to church, went walking, drove a car, cleaned the yard, took out the trash,
did light house work, and had no problems with personal care. (R: 176-83) Although in a Disability
Report dated October 21, 2011, Plaintiff claimed a new limitation of constant foot pain interfering
with his ability to stand and balance (R:202), he denied having any limitation in his activities ofdaily
living at his medical examination in April 2012. (R:360)
Thus, the AU reviewed the evidence and found that it did not support the degree of
limitations alleged by Plaintiff. He concluded that the Plaintiff's allegations were not wholly
credible, a determination that is within the AU's province. See Falco
(5th
v.
Shalala,
27 F.3d 160, 164
Cir. 1994). Upon review, the Court concludes that substantial evidence supports the
AU's
findings on severity and disability, and that the correct legal standards were used.
CONCLUSION
Based on the foregoing, the Court hereby ORDERS that the decision of the Commissioner
be AFFIRMED consistent with this opinion.
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SIGNED and ENTERED on August .2k
,
2015.
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