Adams v. Colvin

Filing 22

The Court having examined the Objections and Response to the Objections to the U.S. Magistrates Report and Recommendation and having made de novo findings with respect thereto, the Court hereby adopts and approves the U.S. Magistrate's 10 Repo rt and Recommendation filed on 11/18/13. As outlined in this Order, Plaintiff's 9 Motion for Summary Judgment is DENIED to the extent that it seeks an order directing an award of Social Security Disability benefits, and is GRANTED to the ext ent it seeks remand of this case. The Commissioner's 11 Cross Motion for Summary Judgment is DENIED; and the Court recommends that the final decision of the Commissioner be VACATED and REMANDED for further administrative proceedings consistent with this Order and the Report and Recommendation, as outlined. (See Order for Specifics) Entered and filed 1/15/14. (Signed by District Judge Robert G. Doumar on 1/15/14). (ecav)

FILED

IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
FOR THE EASTERN DISTRICT OF VIRGINIA
NEWPORT NEWS DIVISION

JAN 1 5 2014
CL£:^K.

5 '-'i!CT COURT

BERNICE ADAMS,
Plaintiff,
CIVIL NO. 4:13cv39

v.

CAROLYN W. COLVIN,

Acting Commissioner of the
Social Security Administration,
Defendant.

ORDER

This matter comes before the court on the Plaintiffs Motion for Summary Judgment,

filed July 8, 2013, and on the Defendant's Motion for Summary Judgment, filed August 7, 2013.

The Plaintiff is seeking judicial review of the decision of the Commissioner of the Social

Security Administration ("Commissioner") denying the Plaintiffs claim for disability insurance
benefits under the Social Security Act.

On May 31, 2013, the Motions were referred to United States Magistrate Judge Tommy

E. Miller, pursuant to the provisions of 28 U.S.C. § 636(b)(1)(B) and (C) and Federal Rule of
Civil Procedure 72(b), for a report and recommendation for the disposition of the Motions.

The Report and Recommendation was filed on November 18, 2013. The Magistrate
Judge recommended vacating the Commissioner's decision and remanding the case for further
administrative proceedings consistent with the Report and Recommendation. By copy of the

Report and Recommendation, the parties were advised of their right to file written objections to
the findings and recommendations made by the Magistrate Judge. The Defendant's Objections to
1

the Magistrate Judge's Report and Recommendation were filed on December 4, 2013, and the
Plaintiffs Response to the Objections was filed onDecember 13,2013.

The court, having examined the Objections and Response to the Objections to the Report
and Recommendation and having made de novo findings with respect thereto, does hereby adopt

and approve the findings and recommendations set forth in the Report and Recommendation of
the United States Magistrate Judge filed November 18, 2013. Accordingly, the Defendant's

Motion for Summary Judgment is DENIED. The Plaintiffs Motion for Summary Judgment is
DENIED to the extent that it seeks an order directing an award of Social Security Disability

benefits, and is GRANTED to the extent it seeks remand of this case. The Commissioner's
decision is VACATED and REMANDED for further administrative proceedings consistent with

this Order and the Report and Recommendation.

The Clerk is DIRECTED to forward a copy of this Order to all Counsel of Record.
IT IS SO ORDERED.

Robert G. Dot

Senior UnitedfS6tj#£iriifctJudge
UNITED STATg^DISTRICT JUDGE
Newport News, VA
January

K2014

REPORT AND RECOMMENDATION

OF UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE

This action was referred to the undersigned United States Magistrate Judge

pursuant to the provisions of 28 U.S.C. § 636(b)(1)(B) and (C) and Rule 72(b) of the Federal
Rules of Civil Procedure, as well as Rule 72 of the Rules of the United States District Court for

the Eastern District of Virginia. Plaintiff brought this action under 42 U.S.C. §§ 405(g) and 42

U.S.C. § 1383(c)(3), seeking judicial review of the final decision of the Commissioner of Social

Security ("Commissioner") denying Plaintiffs applications for disability insurance benefits
("DIB") pursuant to Title II of the Social Security Act. The undersigned recommends that the
decision of the Commissioner be VACATED and REMANDED to the Commissioner for

further analysis consistent with this Report and Recommendation and the Fourth Circuit's
holding in Bird v. Astrue, 699 F.3d 337 (4th Cir. 2012).
I. PROCEDURAL BACKGROUND

Plaintiff protectively applied for DIB on November 30, 2011, alleging she has

been disabled since November 16, 2011, due to traumatic brain injury, depression, anxiety, PostTraumatic Stress Disorder ("PTSD"), cognitive and concentration problems, headaches, shin

splints, sleep apnea, bilateral per planus, shoulder pain, and knee pain. R. 21, 130-37, 177, 219.l
Plaintiffs application was denied initially and on reconsideration. R. 94-98, 101-103. Following
an administrative hearing, the Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) issued a decision on September

6, 2012, finding Plaintiff was not disabled within the meaning of the Social Security Act. R. 2131.

The Appeals Council denied Plaintiffs request for administrative review of the ALJ's

decision on January 24, 2013. R. 4-9. Therefore, the ALJ's decision stands as the final decision

of the Commissioner for purposes ofjudicial review. See 42 U.S.C. § 405(g) (2012).
II. FACTUAL BACKGROUND

Plaintiff graduated from high school, has thirty-six hours of college credit, and

was thirty-five years old at the time of the ALJ's decision. R. 29-30. She has past relevant work
experience as a restaurant shift manager and transportation supervisor. R. 29-30. Plaintiff served
in the United States Army from 2002 through 2012. R. 1537. In 2003, Plaintiff was involved in
an automobile accident in Iraq. R. 324. Plaintiffs vehicle was rear-ended, and she received
treatment for whiplash and dizziness. R. 324.

1The citations in this Report and Recommendation are to theAdministrative Record.
3

A.

Medical Records

Plaintiffs medical records show Plaintiffsought treatment at the McDonald Army
Health Center for anxiety, depression, decreased ability to concentrate, and sleep disturbance
beginning December 2010 (R. 447-48), with records dated through July 2012. R. 1821. In

addition, Plaintiffsought treatment in 2011 and 2012 for knee pain and shoulderpain. R. 421-22,
382-83,1305,1314-15, 1653-57, 1809.

B.

Department of Veteran Affairs Disability Ratings

In December 2011 and June 2012, the Department of Veterans Affairs ("VA")
assigned Plaintiff a 70% disability rating related to Plaintiffs PTSD, depression, and traumatic
brain injury. R. 1537-55, 1560-81. The VA also assigned a 10% disability rating for each of the
following: right shoulder strain, left shoulder degenerative joint disease, right knee strain, left

knee strain, right ankle strain, and left ankle strain.2 This resulted in a combined service

connected disability rating of90%. R. 1558.3
C.

State Agency Medical and Psychological Assessments
A state agency physician reviewed Plaintiffs medical record in April 2012, and

determined Plaintiff could lift 50 pounds occasionally and 25 pounds frequently, not climb
ladders/ropes/scaffolds, and climb ramps/stairs frequently. R. 72-73.

This assessment was

affirmed by a second state agency physician in June 2012. R. 86-88. A state agency psychologist
assessed Plaintiffs work-related mental limitations in March 2012, and determined Plaintiff was

moderately limited in her ability to maintain attention and concentration for extended periods,
and has moderate limitations in her ability to interact appropriately with the general public. In

2On October 24,2013, without objection, Plaintiff supplemented the record with an additional VA Disability Rating
dated September 11, 2013. ECF No. 17. This VA Disability Rating was not before the ALJ or the Appeals Council,
and does not affect the Court's analysis.

3Plaintiffs briefexplains that "the VA offsets the functional impact from medical impairments that affect the same
bodily functions," and as a result Plaintiffs 130% rating becomes 90%. PL's Mem. 9; ECF No. 10.

June 2012, another state agency psychologist concurred, finding Plaintiff capable of performing
one-to-two step work-related tasks. R. 88-90.
III. STANDARD OF REVIEW

In reviewing a decision of the Commissioner denying benefits, the Court is limited to
determining whether the Commissioner's decision was supported by substantial evidence on the
record, and whether the proper legal standard was applied in evaluating the evidence. 42 U.S.C.

§ 405(g) (2012); Johnson v. Barnhart, 434 F.3d 650, 653 (4th Cir. 2005) (citing Craig v. Chater,
76 F.3d 585, 589 (4th Cir. 1996)); Hays v. Sullivan, 907 F.2d 1453, 1456 (4th Cir. 1990).

Substantial evidence is "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 Consol. Edison
Co. ofN.Y. v. NLRB, 305 U.S. 197, 229 (1938)). It consists of "more than a mere scintilla" of
evidence, but may be somewhat less than a preponderance. Laws v. Celebrezze, 368 F.2d 640,
642 (4th Cir. 1966).

When reviewing for substantial evidence, the Court does not undertake to re-weigh
conflicting evidence, make credibility determinations, or substitute its judgment for that of the

Commissioner. Craig, 16 F.3d at 589; Hays, 907 F.2d at 1456. "Where conflicting evidence
allows reasonable minds to differ as to whether a claimant is disabled, the responsibility for that

decision falls on the Commissioner (or the [Commissioner's] designate, the ALJ)." Craig, 76
F.3d at 589. The Commissioner's findings as to any fact, if supported by substantial evidence,

are conclusive and must be affirmed, unless the decision was reached by means of an improper
standard or misapplication of the law. Perales, 402 U.S. at 390; Coffman v. Bowen, 829 F.2d

514, 517 (4th Cir. 1987) (citing Myers v. Califano, 611 F.2d 980, 982 (4th Cir. 1980)). Thus,
reversing the denial of benefits is appropriate only if either (A) the ALJ's determination is not

supported by substantial evidence on the record, or (B) the ALJ made an error of law. Coffman,
829F.2dat517.
IV. ANALYSIS

To qualify for a period of disability and DIB under section 216(i) and 223 of the Social

Security Act, 42 U.S.C. §§ 416(i) and 423, an individual must meet the insured status

requirements of these sections, be under age sixty-five, file an application for DIB and a period
of disability, and be under a "disability" as defined in the Act. The Social Security Regulations
define "disability" for the purpose of obtaining disability benefits under Title II of the Act as the
inability to do 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 12 months. 20 C.F.R. § 404.1505(a)
(2012); see also 42 U.S.C. §§ 423(d)(1)(A) and 416(i)(l)(A) (2012). To meet this definition, the
claimant must have a "severe impairment," which makes it impossible to do previous work or
any other substantial gainful activity that exists in the national economy.
In evaluating disability claims, the regulations promulgated by the Social Security
Administration provide that all material facts will be considered to determine whether a claimant
has a disability. The Commissioner follows a five-step sequential analysis to ascertain whether
the claimant is disabled. The ALJ must consider whether the claimant (1) is engaged in

substantial gainful activity, (2) has a severe impairment, (3) has an impairment that equals a
condition contained within the Social Security Administration's official listing of impairments,

(4) has an impairment that prevents her from past relevant work, and (5) has an impairment that
prevents her from any substantial gainful employment. An affirmative answer to question one, or
negative answers to questions two or four, result in a determination of no disability. Affirmative

answers to questions three or five establish disability. This analysis is set forth in 20
C.F.R. §404.1520.

"When proceeding through this five step analysis, the ALJ must consider the objective

medical facts, the diagnoses or medical opinions based on these facts, the subjective evidence of

pain and disability, and the claimant's educational background, age, and work experience."
Schnetzler v. Astrue, 533 F. Supp. 2d 272, 286 (E.D.N.Y. 2008). At all steps the ALJ bears the
ultimate responsibility for weighing the evidence. Hays, 907 F.2d at 1456.
A.

Decision of the ALJ - September 6,2012

The ALJ found that Plaintiff met the insured status requirement through December 31,

2016. R. 23. At the first step of the sequential analysis, he concluded that Plaintiff had not

engaged in substantial gainful activity since the alleged onset date, November 16, 2011. R. 23.
Atthe second step, the ALJ found that Plaintiff has a number of severe impairments including: a

traumatic brain injury, a bilateral shoulder impairment, a bilateral knee impairment, depression,

and anxiety. R. 23. The ALJ found that Plaintiffs other conditions, including sleep apnea and
ADHD, were non-severe as they caused no significant functional limitations. R. 24.

At the third step, the ALJ concluded that Plaintiff "does not have an impairment or

combination of impairments that meets or medically equals one of the listed impairments in 20
CFRPart404, Subpart P, Appendix l."R. 24. Further, after looking at the record, the ALJ
concluded that Plaintiff had the residual functional capacity (RFC) to perform light work with

the following exceptions: she can only occasionally bend and stoop; she can perform work
activities that do not expose her to dangerous machinery; and, she can perform simple, repetitive

tasks that do not involve frequent interaction with the general public. R. 25. The ALJ found
Plaintiffs statements concerning the intensity, persistence and limiting effects of her symptoms

were "not credible to the extent they [were] inconsistent with the above residual functional

capacity assessment." R. 29. The ALJ gave moderate weight to the state agency physicians'
opinions regarding Plaintiffs physical impairments, and great weight to their opinions regarding
Plaintiffs mental abilities.

Further, in determining Plaintiffs RFC, the ALJ considered the VA ratings, but found
they were only entitled to "slight weight" because:
the standards for 'disability' used by the VA differ from the adult
standards for disability in the Social Security Regulations. The

findings of the VA are related to the claimant's fitness to perform
her duties in the military and are not consistent with the inability to

perform any work activities on a sustained and continuous basis.
Additionally, the treatment records and examination/evaluation
records do not document mental limitations and/or physical
limitations that are consistent with 'disabling' limitations as
defined in the regulations.

R. 29. After briefly summarizing the treatment records, the ALJ concluded, "[t]he
objective evidence as a whole does not support the degree of impairment the VA assigned Ms.
Adams in terms of 'disability' as defined in the Social Security regulations." R. 29.

At the last step of the sequential analysis, relying on the testimony of a vocational expert,
the ALJ found that, considering Plaintiffs age, education, work experience, and RFC, there are

jobs that exist in significant numbers in the national economy that the claimant can perform. R.
30.

B.

Remand is Recommended to Enable the ALJ to Comply with Fourth Circuit

Precedent Requiring that "Substantial Weight" be Given to the VA Disability
Rating

At the time of the hearing and presently, Social Security regulations require the ALJ to

consider decisions by other governmental agencies related to the claimant's disability, allowing
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that those decisions are not binding. 20 C.F.R. §§404.1504, 404.1512(b)(5). InNovember 2012,
after the ALJ issued the decision in this case, but before the Appeals Council denied review, the
Fourth Circuit decided in Bird v. Commissioner ofSocial Security Administration that the Social

Security Administration ("SSA") "must give substantial weight to a VA disability rating." 699
F.3d 337, 343 (4th Cir. 2012). In Bird, the VA rated a Vietnam War Veteran suffering from
PTSD with a 100% disability. Id. at 339. The district court's decision, upholding the ALJ's

finding that the VA rating decision was not relevant to Bird's social security disability
determination, was reversed by the Fourth Circuit. Id. at 343-44. The Fourth Circuit reasoned
that both the VA and SSA "serve the same governmental purpose of providing benefits to

persons unable to work because of a serious disability." Id. at 343. As both agencies assess a
claimant's ability to work in the national economy by focusing on their functional limitations,

which requires extensive medical documentation, "a disability rating by one ofthe two agencies
is highly relevant to the disability determination of the other agency." Id. The court recognized
that "the SSA employs its own standards for evaluating a claimant's alleged disability, and [] the
effective date of coverage for a claimant's disability under the two programs likely will vary."

Id. Accordingly, the court held the SSA may give less than substantial weight to the VA rating
"when the record before the ALJ clearly demonstrates that such a deviation is appropriate." Id.

Defendant argues that the ALJ complied with Bird by carefully considering Plaintiffs

VA disability rating and explaining his rationale for assigning the rating less than substantial
weight. Def.'s Mem. 12. Defendant asserts that, not only is there substantial evidence in the
record to support the ALJ's finding, but that the record "clearly demonstrates" a deviation from

an assignment ofsubstantial weight is appropriate. Def.'s Mem. 11-12. While the ALJ evaluated
the medical evidence and considered the VA rating, the Court finds the brief explanation the ALJ

offered for why the VA disability rating was entitled to only "slight weight," is not sufficient in

light of the new Bird requirement of assigning substantial weight to aVA disability rating unless
the records clearly demonstrates a deviation is appropriate. Bird, 699 F.3d at 343. The first

reason cited by the ALJ for discounting the VA rating, that the standards are different from those

used by the Social Security Regulations, is less persuasive after Bird. R. 29. The ALJ offers a
second reason, that the objective records do not support the VA disability rating in this case;
however, the ALJ's analysis was based on the law prior to Bird.

The requirement ofgiving substantial weight to the VA's disability determination did not

exist prior to Bird. See Bird, 699 F.3d at 343 ("We have not previously addressed the weight that
the SSA must afford to a VA disability rating."); see also Barnett v. Astrue, No. 3:10cvl316,

2012 WL 75046, at *16 (S.D. W. Va. Jan. 10, 2012) ("When comparing the standards for

establishing disability promulgated by the SSA to the less exacting standards employed by the
VA, the ALJ's decision to give 'little weight' to the VA's determination is entirely reasonable.").

Consequently, it is unclear whether the ALJ would have reached the same conclusion if he had
started with the presumption that the VA disability rating was entitled to substantial weight.
After reviewing the record and the ALJ's analysis, the undersigned cannot find that the ALJ's

decision denying benefits is supported by substantial evidence, or that the same conclusion
would have been reached following the decision in Bird. Accordingly, remand is the appropriate
remedy.
V. RECOMMENDATION

For the foregoing reasons, the Court recommends that Plaintiffs Motion for

Summary Judgment (ECF No. 9) be GRANTED to the extent that it seeks remand of the
Commissioner's decision; the Commissioner's Cross Motion for Summary Judgment (ECF No.

10

11) be DENIED; and the final decision of the Commissioner be VACATED and REMANDED
for further analysis consistent with this Report and Recommendation and the Fourth Circuit's
holding in in Bird v. Astrue, 699 F.3d 337 (4th Cir. 2012).

Robert G. Ddj
Senior UnitedV^to&lJi&rtct Judge

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