Sprinkle v. Astrue et al

Filing 19

MEMORANDUM OPINION. Signed by Judge James C. Turk on 1/9/13. (med)

A ERK' L Fi U.S.ZST.
S V CE
COURT
A1 ROANOKE, A
'
V
FI
LED

I THE UNI STATESDI TRI COURT
N
TED
S CT

J 22 2 1
AN
23

FOR THE W ESTERN DI
STRI OF VI
CT
RGI A
NI
ROANOKE DI SION
VI

JUL
.

V.

D AV I F.SPR I K LE ,
D
N

;

CLERK
'

.
/

Ci lA c i N o.7: 2- vvi ton
1 c 00085
Pl ntf
ai if,

M EM OM NDUM OPI ON
NI
V.

M I H A EL J.A STR U E,
C
C om m i s one of Soci Se i y,
si r
al cur t

By:

Judge Jam e C .Turk
s
Seni Uni e St esD i t i tJudge
or t d at
s rc

D efendant
.

Pli ifDa d F.Sprnkl tt i e' br
antf vi
i e t nkl ' oughtt s a ton f rviw of Dee nt
spr
l
hi ci or e e
fnda
M iha l J.Asr ' (the Commisone' fnal de son de ng hi cai f dia lt
c e
tues <
t
si r' i
)
cii
nyi
s l ms or s biiy
i tr nc be is(t B' a s e ntls curt i me($ ' t rt SocilSe urt
nsta e neft < ' nd upplme a e iy nco çSSI' mde he a c iy
D1 )
)

Ac (t eAc',a a n e 4 U. C.j 41 ( a d 4 3 a d 4 U. C.j 1 81. s q Th s
t th t' s me d d 2 S. j 6i n 2 , n 2 S.
t
)
)
3 t e. i
t
Co r ha j s ito o rtea to pls a t o4 U. C. 4 5 g a d4 U. C. 1 8 ()3 .
u t s mi dcin ve h cin t u n t 2 S. j 0 () n 2 S. j 3 3 c( )
r
Bot Sprnkl a t Comm iso rfl m oto f Slm ma y J m e .Or a gume was
h i e nd he
s i ne ied
i ns or l r udg nt al r
nt
he r onDec m be 1 201 a t m o i a eno rpef diposto
ad
e r 8, 2 nd he tons r w i or s ii n.
The uli a e i s b or t Cou t i whet r s t i evi nce s
tm t s ue ef e he
r s
he ubsantal de
uppor s t
t he

Comm isone ' fna de ii n t tPl ntf c n pe f m ar
s i rs i l c so ha ai if a ror
angeofuns le s de a y and lg
kil d e nt r
i ht
w o k.Pl i ifc le
r
a ntf ha l nges t o a pe t of t A LJ' dec s o t t a f t t uli a e i s Fis ,
w s c s he
S i i n ha f ec he tm t s ue. r t

Pli if alege t t t ALJ f ie t gi ade t we g t t t si ony of hi teai
antf l s ha he
al d o ve qua e i ht o he e tm
s r tng
physca a f ie t pr de a s fce e a ton a t why he wa dic i t
i in, nd al d o ovi
ufi int xpl nai s o
s s ountng he
t e tng phys ci n' r por or t poi t s ii e de e t t c r c e t tea i
r ai
ia s e t
o
nt o pec tc vi nc ha ontadi t d he r tng

physca sr por.Se nd,Pl ntf co e t tt ALJdr w i ope f t li e e snot
i in' e t co
ai if nt nds ha he
e mpr r acua nf r nce
s
upport by t r d and t t e er or 1 hi t i pr l assess t pl ntf '
ed
he ecor
hat hos r s ed m o m opery
he ai i f s

c edi lt a c
r biiy nd ompli sofpan.
ant
i

Fo t r as sa ed be o ,t Co ttnds t tt Com misone ' fna de ii n i
r he e ons tt
l w he ur i
ha he
s i rs i l c so s
s ppore by s t i e de e.A c or ngl t Comm iso rs M oto f Summ a y
u
td
ubsantal vi nc
c di y, he
s i ne '
i n or
r
J
udgme i GI NTED a Pl ntf M o i n f rSumm a y J
nt s G
nd ai ifs to o
r udgme i DENI
nt s
ED.
1
.

STANDARD OF REVI
EW

W he r vi wi t Comm isone ' fna ec so t Cou ts r viw i lmie t
n e e ng he
s i rs i ld ii n, he
r' e e s i td o
detr i ng whet r t Comm isone ' fndi a e s
e m ni
he he
s i rs i ngs r uppore by s t talevi nc a
td
ubsan i
de e nd

whe he t y we e r ac d t oug t a i ton oft core tl ga sanda ds Se 42 U. C.
t r he
r e he hr h he pplcai
he r c e l t r . e
S.

j4 ( ) Ha c c v. tu , 6 F.d47 4 2( t Ci. 01 ) 'h Co s in rsfn i o
05g ; n o k - Asr e 6 7 3 0, 7 4h r 2 2 .F e mmiso e ' idng f
a f ti co l i pr de i i s ppo td by s t nta e de e.Riha ds v.Pe aes
ny ac s ncusve ovi d t s u re
ubsa i l vi nc
c r on
rl ,

402 U. 38 390 ( 971 .Subsa ile de e i dei d a is rlva e de e as a
S. 9,
1 )
tnta vi nc s fne s ûuch ee nt vi nc
r as
e onabl mi m ihta ce a ade t t s
e nd g c pt s qua e o uppor a c l i n.'Pe al ,40 U. at401
t onc uso ' r es 2 S.
;
Ha ock, 667 F.d a 472.Subsa il e de e i not a S a ge or c i r bl a ot of
nc
3 t
t nta vi nc s
sr
l
onsde a e m mt

e de e,'Pirqv.
vi nc ' ec Under
wood,487U. 55 565( 988) buti Gc it ofmor t n amee
S. 2,
1 , t çonsss
e ha
r
si il ofe de ebutma be ls t n aprpondea 'Ha oc 667F. a 472( tton
cntla vi nc
y e s ha
e
rnce. nc k,
'
3d t
ciai

o te )
mitd .
l t Commi so rsde e mi to a e s ppore by s t nta e de e,a r vi ng
f he
s i ne ' t r nai ns r u
td
ubsa i l vi nc
e ewi

c u tma n ts b ttt isj dg n frt to t Co sin r b ti ta mus d f rt
o r y o u siue t u me t o ha f he mmiso e , u nse d t e e o
to ed tr n to s Ha sv. u l n 9 7F.d 1 3 1 5 (t Ci.1 9 ) 4 U. C. 40 ()
h s ee mi ain . y S li , 0 2 45 , 4 6 4h r 9 0 ; 2 S. j 5 g ,
va
'

Ac o dn l , çin rviwig f r s b tnil e d n e we d no u d ra t rweg
c r ig y s j e e n o u sa ta vie c ,
l
o t n e tke o e ih
c lci evi nce ma cedi lt deemi tons ors tt eourj me tf t toft
onfitng de , ke r biiy tr nai , ubsiut
udg n or ha he
ALJ ... he eco lc i e de a l r s na em i t difra t whehe ac am a i
W r nfitng vi nce lows ea o bl nds o fe s o
t r l i nt s
di abl t r ponsi lt f t deci i f l on t A LJ.' H ancock, 667 F. a 472
s ed, he es
biiy or hat
s on als
he
'
3d t

(ntmalatrtonsa ciai omitd)
ie
leai nd ttons te .

2

H.

FA C TU AL BA C K G RO UN D A N D PR O CE DU R AL H I
STO R Y

Sprnkl wa bor i 1
i e s n n 958,and wa 47 ye r ol a t tm e he alege he be me
s
a s d t he i
l s
cn
dia e on De mbe 31 2005,a 53 ye r ol a t tme oft ALJ Sdecson,whih plce
s bl d
ce r ,
nd
a s d t he i
he
'
ii
c a s
hi i t c e y of G r on cl el a oa hi a nce ag ' R.26, 83, 5 540.
m n he atgor
1 s
pe
os y ppr c ng dva d e.'
26,
1

Alho h he onl c
t ug
y ompl t f m a e a i t ough t t nt g a he s e nty ea ne a
eed or l duc ton hr
he e h r de, ubs que l r d
GED i 1
n 976.He pr vi usy ha be n e o d a bot a e e tii n' hepe a as a
e o l s e mpl ye s h n l crc a s l r nd
m il i ht R. 25, 541 55 Sprnkl al ge t t he be me diabld fom a 1 f m s of
lm g .
, 2. i e le s ha
cn
s e r
1 or
s t nta g nf e oy e o De e be 31 2005.R.1 Sprnkl a lges hi dia lt
ubsa il ai ul mpl m nt n c m r ,
2. i e le
s s biiy
c i
ontnuest t s da a i t r s tofpol tc ki ne die e a i c mi br i d s s .a
o hi y nd s he e ul
ycysi d y s as nd s he c an iea e
R.543- The ki
44.
dney die s ca espan i hi l rba k as we lasi e
s a e us
i n s owe c
l
nt nmlbl di whe
ee ng
n
t pol blr t a t s a s c us s hi t s f r fom hi h bl
he
yps zs nd hi lo a e m o ufe r
g
ood pr s tr R. 543.
e sle.

Addii ly,Sprnkl hasa f e l tn e a c i st s f r fom pan i hi l ta e.
tonal
i e
us d ef nkl nd ontnue o ufe r
i n s ef nkl
Att hea i bef e t ALJ,Pl i ifsa e t the ca sa f r a oxi t l 30 mi e
he rng or he
antf t t d ha
n t nd o ppr ma ey
nut s
a wa k f 1 mi es be o e he has t sop a r t He t sii d t t he ca st f r
nd l or 0 nut
fr
o t nd es.
e tfe ha
n i o
a oxi a ey 45 mi t a atm e butt tsti p spr s e o hi bac Cons que l he
ppr m t l
nu es t i ,
ha itng ut es ur n s k.
e nty,
us ly lesdown mor t n he st ,a t c ly le do of andon a1da R.545- 47.
ual i
e ha
is nd ypi a l i s wn f
1 y.
5
Sprnkl fl d a i ai f be t unde bot Til 1 a Til XVlo Fe ua y 13,
i e ie pplc tons or neks
r h te 1 nd te
n br r
2009.R.83- 526- .Hi c am swe e de ed on i talc i r ton a on r c i r ton.
84,
31 s l i
r ni
nii onsde a i nd
e onsde a i
'Ciatonst t Cerii d Adm i s r tve Recor , ECF No.7,a e desi ed by $R ' t oughoutt s
t i o he tfe
nit ai
d
r
gnat
1 ' hr
hi
Opi on.
ni
2tpol tc ki
s ycysi dney dieas 'i defned by t medi lt a ur asa Epr es i di e oft ki ys
s e' s i
he
cal ier t e
d ogr sve s ase he dne
m ar by t de opm e of many cyss whi c
ked
he vel
nt
t
ch ompr a desr t fmctonalts ues of t
ess nd toy he t i
is
he

kine s'JE.Sc d,Ato ne sDito r o M e ci , .V a P- 42( 99 ( r i fe I it o
d y . . hmit tr y' cina y f di ne Vol I t 3 1 9) heena tr r c . f
'
M e ' .çs he a'i a ç o to i whih a p r oft bo y s fr fo a lc o blod us l
d.) l c mi' s c ndiin n c
' l
c
a t he d ufe s r m a k f o , ual
y
beca e ofa c r i oft bl ves el .'l a Vol 3,1 90.Thus tbr n ichem i 'woul be t
us
ontacton he ood s s' d. t . -1
, t ai s
a'
d
he
l of bl t t br n.See i Alhough Sprnkl aleged he s f ed a sr whie i ce at
ack
ood o he ai
d. t
i e l
ufer
toke
l ncar r ed,
neiher hi tea i physci Dr.Shahady,nor any ot physci opi t t he w as lm ied i hi
t
s r tng
i an,
her
i an ned ha
i t n s
wor ng abiii asa r ul ofbr n iche i ora sr
ki
ltes
es t
ai s m a
toke.Nonet ess hi Febr y 12,2009 applcaton
hel , s
uar
i i
r er
ef enced Si hem i br n dieas ' R.115.
lsc
c ai s e.'

R.11 1 1 1 The e fe ,Sprnkl r quesed al r ceved ahea i and r vi bef e a
5- 34, 72- 97. r a tr i e e t td e i
rng
e ew or n

Ad n sr tv La J d e(W LJ' whih wa h l o M a 1 , 01 . 5 5 5 .n a o ii n
miitai e w u g t ', c s ed n y 1 2 1 R. 3 - 5 l n pn o
)
da e Augus 24,2011 t ALJde e Sprnkl ' r quessf be isa trde e mi ng t the
td
t
, he
ni d i e s e t or neft fe t r ni ha
wasnotdia ed.Spe ii aly, heALJ dee m i t tSprnkl spol ysi ki y di e s and
s bl
c fc l t
tr ned ha
i e' yc tc dne s a e
sa us pos lf a e f i n bot m e t de i ton of a s r i ime unde 20 C. R.
tt
t e t nkl uso
h t he fnii
eve e mpa r nt
r
F.

jj404. 20/)a 41 920() R.1 Howe r t ALJf
15
nd 6. c . 6.
ve , he
ound t tt e i r nt di no
ha hes mpaime s d t
mee ,no we e t y m e c ly e
t r r he
di a l qualt a lse i panne ,asde a ld i 20 C. R.Pa t404,
o, it d m i nt
t ie n
F.
r
Subpa tP,Appe x 1.R.1
r
ndi
7.The ALJ de e ne t t Sprn e had t r sdua fmc i
t nni d ha
i kl
he e i l t tonal

ca ciy(:t 't
pa t <IFC') o:
A lf/ar 20 pomds occ sonal and 1 pounds fe nty;
itc ry
t
ai ly
0
r que l
sa a / wa k sx hour ;and st sx hour i a ei tnd nd or l i
s
i i
s n n ghthour
w or y.H owe r he c nnot c i b l dde s r , or s f ol ;
kda
ve ,
a
lm a r , opes
ca f ds
a he m us a d c
nd
t voi once r t d e
nta e xpos e t ha a ds
ur o z r .

R.1 -s e as R.1 0- 1 9 - 4 I ' tn i g u o i iild na a d u o rc nsd rto )
8 e lo
,
3 3 ,1 3 9 RFC i d n p n nta e il n p n e o ie ai n .
Ba e on t s RFC a t o ni t tm ony of a vo to le r who t s ii d a t he r ng,
sd
hi
nd he pi on esi
oa i na xpe t
e tf e t he a i

t eALJf u dt a at o h S rn ec ud n tp ro a y o h spatwo k,h r weej b a
h
o n h t lh ug p ikl o l o ef nn n f i s r t ee r o s t
t s n a y a uns le l ve ofe ri t tSprnkl coul pero m .R.25- Spe ik aly,
he ede t r nd kil d e l xe ton ha
i e
d fr
27. c t l
t ALJ c ude t t t nsde i t cai a ' ag e
he
oncl d ha , û i rng he l m nts e, ducai n, wor e re e, a
co
to
k xpe i nc nd

rsd a f to lc pa iy te cama ti c p bl o ma i g as c sf la j sme tt oh r
e iu l t ina a ct, h li n s a a e f k n uc e su du t n o t e
mc
wor t t e s s i sgnik a num be s i t na i l e no y. R.27.The Co misone
k ha xit n i t nt
r n he tona co m '
'
m si r
denid r viw oft ALJ' de son,R. 11 a Sprnkl now a al.
e e e
he
S cii
7- , nd i e
ppe s3
11
1.

DI
SCU SSI N
O

Pl ntf sM oton f Summ a y J
ai if
i or
r udgme m a st a g e si s
nt ke wo r um nt n uppo tofhi r ue t
r
s eq s
t t s Cour r ve s t fndi of t ALJ a not s
hat hi
t e r e he i ngs he
, s
uppore by s t tale de e a
td
ubsan i vi nc , nd
3 SPri e has met t i ur sa us r r e s of t Act at a1 r e
nkl
he ns ed t t equiem nt
he
l elvant tm es cover by t
i
ed
he

Commiso rsfn lde iin. U. C. 41 i & 42 ( )
s ine ' ia cso 42 S. jj 6() 3 a .
4

a r Sprnkl t benekshe s ks Pl ntf a g t tt ALJ erd ()i fii t gve
wa d i e he
t
ee . ai if r ues ha he
re 1 n alng o i
g e t rwe g t t opi on of Sprnkl ' te tng phys ca Dr Trz Sha dy,who o ne
r
' a e i ht o he ni
i es rai
i in, . tdy ha
pi d

c e ngSp i e' f tona lmiains a ( i i ope l e l tngt pli ifspan
onc mi rnkl s unci l i tto ; nd 2) n mpr ry vauai he antf i
c
ompli sa fndi t t pl i ifwa notcr di e.Afe r viwi t r c d i t sc e,
ant nd i ng hat he antf s
e bl
tr e e ng he e or n hi as

t Cour fndst Pli ifsa g e sl k me i andt tt Comm isone ' sna de ii i
he
t i hat a ntf' r um nt ac
rt
ha he
s i rs l c son s
s ppore by s t nta e denc
u
td
ubs a i l vi e.
A.

The A LJ G ave A ppr i e W ei t t O pi ons o Dr.Shahady
opr at
ght o he
ni
f

Sprnkl frta g st tt ALJe r d i f ii t g ve g e t ro c r lng we g t
i e is r ue ha he
r e n alng o i r a e r ontoli
i ht o
t opi ons of hi ge r l physcan, Dr Tr
he ni
s ne a
ii
. udy Sha dy.As a i ta ma tr whie t
ha
n niil te , l he
Comm isone doe no diput t tDr Sha dy wa a ç r a i physcan, s ECF No.1 a
s i r s t s e ha . ha
s d e tng
t
i i ' ee
'
6 t
11 t r or r fe t t tDr Sha
, he ec d e l c s ha . hady e mi d Pli ifonl one tm e,o J nua y 31 2011
xa ne antf y
i
n a r ,
,
be or s c
f e he omplt t c c of f m as t hi lm iai ns f mont l tr4 R. 494- .
eed he he k- f or
o s i tto our
hs ae .
97
Ac or ng t t medi lno es ofDr Sha dy,s r il d Pl ntf' pr s rpton durng t
c di o he
ca t
. ha
he efle ai ifs e c i i
i he
J nua y 2011 vi i . .
a r
st R 461.

As umi t t s s ul be dee d a %r tng s c ' Dr Sha y' lm ied
s ng ha he ho d
me
é eai
t
our e,
' . had s i t
i e a tons wih Sprnkl c n c ranl be t n i o a co mt as a f c or i de e mi ng of
nt r c i
t
i e a e ti y
ake nt c t
a t n t r ni

whdhe t ALJ was r quie t a sg he opi on of Sprnkl s lm iatons çcontoli
r he
e r d o s i n r ni
i e' i t i
û r lng

weg . S e eg,Hi e v Ban a t 45 F.d 5 9 5 3 ( t Ci.2 0 )(x liig ta t e
iht' e . .. n s . r h r, 3 3 5 , 6 4h r 0 6 e pann h t h
'
r s why g e t rwe g i t cal a co de t a te tng physc a st tmony i ç a e
ea on
r a e i ht s ypi ly c r d o r a i
ii n' esi
s s us
bec
t te tng physc a ha nec s mi y e mi t a i a a has a te t tr ltons p
he r a i
ii n s e s l xa ned he pplc nt nd
r a men ea i hi

wih t a ia )( ttonsomitd) W he et tGrame rlto hi 'i e rmel lmie
t he pplc nf' ciai
te . r ha ç e t nt eains p' s xte y i td,
t
asi i he e,t n t m e ca opi on i e ild t l swei .Se i ( i t tt f t s
t s r he he di l ni s ntte o es
ght e d. notng ha he acor
4Ast ALJ poi ed out R.23,Dr Shaha i i t s m e medi pr i as Dr.Thomps who ha
he
nt
.
dy s n he a
cal actce
on,
d
,
pr ousy e i Pl ntf on s aldif r occa ons.
evi l xam ned ai if ever f e ent
si

s h as lhe team e t r ltons p bewe n t physc a a t a ia ' a e r e t i
uc
û r t n ea i hi t e he
t
i i n nd he pplc nt' r elvan n

e uai a wei ng amedialopi o ;20C. R.40 1 27( ( ()(thel rate tng
val tng nd ghi
c
nin)
F. 4.5 d)2)i t onge r ai
t
s c ha te t d you a t mor tm e you ha bee s n by a te tng s ce t mor
our e s r a e
nd he
e i s
ve n ee
r a i our , he
e

weg twe wilgv t te s u c ' me ia o iin'.As n td b te Co s ine,t e
ih
l ie o h o re s dc l pn o )
oe y h mmiso r h
c c of f m s it d by Dr.Sha
he k- f or ubm te
hady wa notpa tofa d t ie l t na pit e'of
s
r
ny t al d, ongiudi l cur '
de

Pli ifs me c lc to 20 C. R.j 404.527( ( ,buta a s i tad t ha bee
antf
dia ondiin,
F. j 1 d)2)
ppe r nse o ve n
s
ubmitd s l l i s
te o ey n uppo tofPli ifsc am f rd s biiy be i s
r
antf ' l i o i a lt nett .
Not bl m o e r nohi i t g r ng saut or r g a i r quies t tm or
a y, r ove , t ng n he ove ni t t e
e ultons e r ha
e

weg awa sb gv nt t o ii n o te tn s uc s Rah r 2 CF j41 .2 ( )dr cs
iht l y e ie o he pn o s f r aig o re . t e, 0 R. 69 7 d ie t
t ALJt a s co i r whe de e mi ng how m uc we g t as i a medialopi on,t
he
o lo nsde , n t r ni
h i ht o sgn
c
ni he
s
upporabiiy oft physcin' opi on,t c itnc oft opi on wih t r or a
t lt
he
i a s ni he onsse y
he ni
t he ec d, nd

wh t rt eph sca i a s cait S e 2 C. R.j 41 .2 ( )3 -5 ;s e as Hi s 4 3
ehe h y iin s pe ils. e 0 F. j 69 7 d ( )( ) e lo ne , 5
F. a 563.Thus t Fourh Cic thase aned t tt r i no G bs ut ' r l t tg e t r
3d t
, he
t r ui
xpl i
ha he e s
d ol e' ue ha r a e
a
weght s d be a f de t a te tng physcin' o ni a i e i ma be gven ls
i
houl
for d o r a i
i a s pi on nd nde ds t y
i
es

weg tçft eei pes a iec n rr e ie e'Hie ,4 3F.da 5 3& n. (uoigHu tr
ih ' h r s ru sv o tay vd nc . n s 5 3 t 6
i
'
2 q tn ne
v.Suli 933F. 31,35( hCi.1 ) l,f e mpl t te tngphysca so ni i
lvan,
2d
4t r 992). f or xa e,he rai
iin' pi on s
nots
uppo td ori ot r s i onsse twih t r or Sts ul be ac or d sg f a l
re
s he wie nc it n t he ec d ç ho d
i
c de i nik nty

ls wei t'Cri v. re , F. 585,590( hCi.1 .
e s gh . ag Chatr 76 3d
'
4t r 996)
I a ALJ doe not g ve c r li we g t a te tng physca s opi on,t ALJ
f n
s
i onto lng i ht o r ai
i in'
ni he

mu tt i g o r a o 'f rt td cso Se 2 C. R.j 4 4 1 2 ( )2 ;41 .2 ( )2 . n
s ç ve o d e s ns' o ha e iin. e 0 F. j 0 .5 7 d ( ) 69 7 d () l
g
t sc e, trde crbi t as esm e gi n byDr Sha dy,t ALJe ai d isr a o f
hi as afe s i ng he s s nt ve
. ha he
xpl ne t e s ns or
notc e tng D r Sha dy' opi on a f l s
r dii
. ha s ni s olow :

The under i d ha co i r d t s as e s e , but fnds i
sgne
s nsde e hi s s m nt
i
t
i de e y s
na quatl uppore by t e s nta l sa e ci c a
td
he s e ily t bl lnial nd
6

di g tc fndi ofr cor a a s g os l dipr po tona e t
a nosi i ngs e d nd lo r sy s o ri t o
t we g of t ot r evi nce of r c d. l a ton, Dr
he i ht
he he
de
e or n ddii
.
Sha dy s i lz i Fa iy M edi i , s i i cz i t t he
ha pec a i es n m l
c ne o t s lrous ha r
lmiai duet pol tcli y diea e sa i co r tt t
i t tons
o ycysi cdne s s t nd n ntas o he
a e of a lm ia i as rbe by ne ol itDr G a a ë1
bs nce
ny i t tons c i d
phr og s . ur v 5
i Fe a y 2009,who a s not d sa 3 c oni ki
n bnlr
lo e t ge hr c dney die e
s as

(e Ex.B 1 F p .9 ( 41 j.l d e te u esg e d d n t
se
1 , g R. 8 ) n e ds h nd rin d i o
l t sgnii a lmia i fom te i o e mi ng s c i
ocae i fc nt i ttons r r atng r xa ni our es n
t cli a ' c e por neousteam e r c d,e n t h t
he am nts ontm a
r t nt e or ve houg he
c am a haspr f r d a sgnii a a o mtofteam e e de e.
l i nt
ofe e i fc nt m t
r t nt vi nc
R.25.

Ha ng r viwed Pl i ifsme c lhit r t Cour c udest tt ALJ Sde ii
vi e e
antf
di a so y, he
t oncl
ha he
' c son
nott gi c r lng weihtt Dr Sha dy' opi on a t Sprnkl slmiai i s
o ve ontoli
g o . ha s ni s o i e' i t tons s uppore
td
by s t nta e de e i t r co d.Dr Sha dy' opi on,whi wa pr ded i t f nn of
ubsa il vi nc n he e r
. ha s ni
ch s ovi n he o
a c c it i nots ppo td by a docz nt d e m i ton ofPli ifby he ,lc ade a ld
he kls, s
u re
ny lme e xa na i
antf
r a ks t ie

e a ton a t why Sprnkl woul be t bl t pe f r t va i us t ks c c d,i not
xpl nai s o
i e
d
ma e o r o m he ro as he ke s
f r s d by am e ca s cils,a i notc it ntwih t r c d asawhol .
u nihe
di l pe a it nd s
onsse
t he e or
e
l pa tc a ,D r Sha dy' o ni we e no c it nt w ih t o ni ns of t o he
n r i ul r . ha s pi ons r t ons s e
t he pi o
he t r

te tng a e mi ng physcins noneofwhom opi dt tSpdnkl w a s s ve el lm ie i
r a i nd xn ni
ia ,
ne ha
e s o e r y i td n

hi abiiy t peror physca t s .W hie i i tue asSprnkl a gue ,t tt e physcins
s lt o f m
i l a ks
l ts r ,
i e r s ha hos
ia ,
i l ng Dr Ga av,m a no have be n a ke t pe f r s an as e s e ,i i no e t
ncudi
. m
y t
e s d o ro m uch
s s m nt t s t worhy

t t ve y ltl m e i i m a of lmiai o pan by t o he team e pr de s a
ha r ite nton s de
i t tons r i
he t r r t nt ovi r , nd
c ranl no r f e est twoul be c it ntwih t lm ia i Dr Sha y r co me
e ti y
e er nc ha
d
onsse
t he i t tons . had e m nded,
t e e y unde m i ng co i ncei Dr Sha dy' opi o d
h rb
r ni
nfde
n . ha s ni n.

5A nephr ogiti ats als i t fel ofki
ol s s speci it n he l d
dney dieas .'Di . M ed. Vol I atN s e ' ct of
, .V
51.
6The contadi or medi evi
r ct y
cal dence i udes t f tt Dr D i ovanni who tea ed Pl ntf f a
ncl
he ac hat . Gi
,
r t
ai if or
perod ofm or t n oneyea ,ne rari at s s r f tona lm iatonsast pr udePl ntf
i
e ha
r ve tcul ed uch eve e unc i l i t i
o ecl
ai ifs
per or
f mance ofa r
educed r
ange oflghtwor Addii l Dr.Gaur t ne ol s als,not
i
k.
tonaly,
av, he phr or peci it ed
es entaly nor f i ng by Pl ntf ,asdef om s
s il
mal unctoni
ai if i r ome çf l s'i t biaer abdom e and fa
sulnes ' n he lt al
n
l nk

ae ,a de c i d S ikl a no beng i V c t dites. R.41 1 Dr Th on ( .Sha d s
r a nd s rbe prn e s t i n 6 ue sr s'
a
'
6- 7. . omps Dr ha y'

Fora loft s r as ,s t nta e de e s
l
he e e ons ubsa i l vi nc upporst ALJ' dec son nott c e tt
t he
S ii
o r di he
Pl ntf lmia i aspr f r by Dr Sha y.Thus t ALJ di noter i afor Dr
ai irs i t tons
ofe ed
. had
, he
d
r n f ded .
Sha dy' o ni l s we g t n t ot rmedia s lr e .
ha s pi on e s i ht ha he he
c l ozc s
B.

The A LJ Pr r y Eval e Pl nt f ' Cr biiy
ope l
uat d ai i f s edi lt

Sprnkl ne a s rst tt ALJi o ry e ua e hi co ait ofpan a e r
i e xt s e t ha he
mpr pe l val t d s mpl n s
i nd red
i c l ng t t hi pa n co pl nt w e e not c e bl .ECF N o. 1 a 18.Spe ik aly,he
n onc udi ha s i m ai s r
r di e
2 t
ct l

c e t the ha e t ihe t the s f r fom i ime st tca epan, ha het tfe
ontnds ha
s sabls d ha
ufe s r mpa r nt ha us i t t esiid

a
bouthi i r nt ,a t thes
s mpaime s nd ha
ubmitd m e ca evi ncet s tnta ehi al gai ns He
te
di l de
o ubsa it s le to .
poi st hi own t si ony a t hea i du i whih he saed he c d sa f o y 3
nt o s
e tm
t he rng, rng
c
tt
oul t nd or nl 0
mi e ,st f 45 m i es has difc t waki m o e t n 1 mi t ,a mus 1e do
nut s i or
nut ,
fi uly l ng r ha 0 nu es nd
t i wn
m uli e tm e pe da due t pa n a f tgue. .
tpl i s r y
o i nd a i R 54547.

M or ove ,Sprnkl a g st tt ALJ i ist tPl n ifwa a d u s e ra t t
e r i e r ue ha he
mple ha aitf s r g e ke nd ha

i why Dr Cohenwoul no l e prs rbenacoi me c ton.ECF No.1 a 1 (ii R.
s
.
d ong r e ci r tc diai
2 t 9 ctng
22) Sprnkl ague t si c rr t t e de e i t rco d a t tt ALJalowe t s
. i e r s hi s ontay o he vi nc n he e r nd ha he
l d hi
i or ton t col hi a s s m e s ofSprnkl s c ed biiy.He f rhe c e t tt ALJ
nf ma i o or s s e s nt
i e' r i lt
u t r ontnds ha he
e r i f ii t fnd hi ç uly c edi e. ECF N o.1 a 20.
red n a lng o i
m l l r bl '
f
'
2 t
Fis,t Cour fndst ts tntale de e i t r co d s
rt he
t i ha ubsa i vi nc n he e r upporst ALJ' fndi
t he
S i ngs
t t Sprnkl s
ha
i e oughtpan mediaton a made mir pr enttons t Dr Cohe a hi saf
i
c i nd
se es a i
o .
n nd s t f
a rDr Cohe e es e r l t ncet co i pr c i ng pan me c tons f Pli tf.See
he .
n xpr s d euc a
o ntnue es rbi
i di a i or a n if
.
e. ,R.484.Alhough Dr Cohen r f re hi t a pa n s i iti t d ofsmpl r f sng t
c.
t
.
eerd m o
i pecals nsea
i y eui o
pr s i fzt r media i t ALJ' a s s nt t t Dr Cohe had conc r a
e erbe t he
r
c ton, he
S s es me ha
.
n
e ns bout
c i ui t pr c i pa n m edi a i t Sprnkl i s ppore by t r co d.
ontn ng o es r be i
c tons o i e s u
td
he e r

c pr vie ) as noe i Au us 201 , t t Plitf was ç etng betr'wih t e me iains
o- o d r lo td, n g t 0 ha an if
g ti
te ' t h
dc to
pr crbed.R.462.Addii l durng a ea lere i ton,Dr.Thom pson des i Pl ntf i no
es i
tonaly, i n ri xam na i
crbed ai ifas n
r acut ditessand sitng comf abl R.463.
eal e sr
ti
ort y.

8

d
s e ha
i e ufe e r
M o e r a sgnik a l t ALJ di not diput t t Sprnkl s f r d fom
r ove , nd i t nty, he
i ime st tc d ca epai o t tSprnkl s f r d fom s m epan.R.24.Butwhehe
mpar nt ha oul us
n r ha
i e ufe e r
o
i
t r

Sprnkl s f r fom pai i nott dee m i tve que ton i t co e oft sa a ;r t r
i e ufe s r
ns
he t r na i
si n he nt xt hi ppe l ahe ,
t r e nt i r i whe he t t pan cr di y c us f nc i
he elva nquiy s
t r ha i e bl a es u tonal lm ia i t t r nde
i ttons ha e r
S i euna et wor Se Gr sv. c lr 7 5F.d 1 6 ,1 6 ( t Ci.1 8 )(t i i n t
prnkl
bl o
k. e os He ke , 8 2 1 3 l 6 4h r 9 6 t n s o
pa
-

dia i pe s ....) Thus t ALJc r tyasesedwhehe Sprnkl scompli sofpan
sblng r e
' . ,he
'
orecl s s
t r i e'
ant
i
c e bl co d ha c ed pa n G o s ve e as t be dia i ' R.22.I e e tngl at
r di y ul ve aus
i t e r
s
o
s blng.'
ntr si y, lhough
Sprnkl t tfedt thecoul onl stf 45m i e pe da he as t tfe t tt ti t t
i e esii ha
d y i or
nut s r y, lo esiid ha he rp o he

hea i t 45 mi e a t t he ha no r ldicomf ttave i R.547,541 Not y,
rng ook
nut s nd ha
d
ea s
or r lng.
. abl
m or ove , ro te t ntnot sofPl n ifdlrng t tme he cai t be dia e s
e r va i us r a me
e
aitf zi he i
l ms o
s bld how t t
ha
he was no i ac e pa n durng hi e m i t o . I ed, t r s t of a c pr hens ve
t n ut i
i
s xn na i ns nde
he e uls
om e
i

exn nai pe f m e by apan ma ge nts i it Dr Vor nka
mi ton ror d
i na me pecals, . e mp,s
howe t tat
d ha lhough
Pl i ifha s et nde ne so rbot ki ys heha good fmc i ng and c pact o he wie
antf d om e r s ve h dne ,
d
t toni
a iy t r s

andma ofhi s tmsweefmctoni fne( g.heha ce rlmgsa argul hea trt
ny
s yse
r t i ng i e. ,
d la t
nd e ar r ae
and r bm , i a t s ns i t lght t h,was a e t wak wihout as it e a ha
hyt
nt c e aton o i
ouc
bl o l t
s sanc , nd d

ma i l srnghi ale te te) R. 0 41 Ast eCo sine p o el n t s t al o
xml te t n l x rmi s. 41 - 2. h mmiso r r p ry oe ,t )l f
m
i
(
t se de s
hi vi nce upporst ALJ' eoncusonst iPli ifs s
t he
S
l i ha antf ympt m swe e nots s r ast
o
r
o eve e o
pr ve hi f o pe f m i a r duc d r nge oflg w o k. ECF N o.1 a 1
e nt m r m r or ng e e a
i ht r '
'
6 t 4.

l s r,t ALJ' a oac i e ua i Pli ips c e biiy wa c it twih t
n ho t he
S ppr h n val tng antf r di lt s ons sen t he

a pia eg i eie . e2 C. R. j4 4.5 9/) 41 .2 /)(1 e laigt itn i a d
p lc bl u d l s Se 0 F. j 0 1 2 , 69 9 çn vau t he n e st n
n
I
n
y
pe sse ofyours mpt s weconsde a1oft a ia e e de e i udi yourhit r
r itnce
y om ,
i r l he va lbl vi nc , ncl ng
so y,
t sgns a lbo aor fndi ,a sae e sfom you,yourte tng ornonteai s lc
he i
nd a r t y i ngs nd tt m nt r
rai
r tng otr e,
o ot rpe s a
r he r ons bouthow yo s m pt sa f c you. ealo c i rt me c lopi onsof
ur y om fe t
W
s onsde he di a ni

9

yourteai s c a ot rme c lopi onsa e aned i j 404.527.'.Theef e,t s
r tng oure nd he dia ni s xpli n
1 5
) r or hi
Cour fndst tt ALJ Sas e s e oft c e biiy ofSprnkl sc
t i ha he
' s s m nt he r di lt
i e' ompl i sofpan wasnot
ant
i
i ope a i t d wa s
mpr r nd nsea
s uppore by s bsa ta e de e.
td
u t n i l vi nc
I .
V

CO N C LU SI N
O

Afe r e of t r or t s Cour fnds t t t ALJ' dec son i s
tr eviw
he ec d, hi
ti
ha he
S ii s uppore by
td
s tnta e de e. Ac or ngl t s Cour GR ANTS t Co misone ' M o i f
ubsa il vi nc
c di y, hi
t
he m s i r s
ton or
Summ a y J m e ,ECF No.1 a DENI t Pl n if sM o i f Sum ma y J
r udg nt
5, nd
ES he aitf
ton or
r udgme ,
nt
ECF No.11. a o it or rs lt i da i s
An ppr m at de hal h s y s ue.
The Clr i die t d t s nd c es oft sM e or ndum Opi on a a ompa ng
e k s r c e o e opi
hi
m a
ni nd cc
nyi
Or rt al c
de o l ouns lofr or
e
ec d.
EN TER :

Thi
s

q* dyo lnay2 1.
a faur,03

J m e C.Tur
a s
k
Se o U nie St t s Di t i tJ ge
ni r t d a e s rc

10