Lawson v. Colvin
Filing
21
MEMORANDUM OPINION. Signed by Judge James C. Turk on 5/8/14. (med)
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Pl nt f ,
ai i f
M EM O R AND U M O PI O N
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CARO LYN W .COLVI
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Ac i Com m isone ofSocalSec iy,
tng
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nd 1 f h ca c rt t th t' 4 S. j 0143 , 3 - 3 3 . i u t a
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j rs ito o e te a to pu s a tt 4 U. C.j 4 5 g a d 1 8 ()3 . t La o a d
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t Commisone fl motons f s
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si r ied i or ummay j me .ECF Nos 1 1 The Cour he r
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. 5, 7.
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i ,e
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n e to o u r u g n , ws n o tn s h t h mmiso e re n
c udi s wa notdi a ed.He prm a y a gumenti t tt Admi sr tve La J
oncl ng he s
s bl
r i r r
s ha he
nitai
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alng o vauae nd o ry r di he ni
. bet ve e ux,
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6.
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vi eviwe he ec d, he
t onc ude ha t s s equie n hi a e. .
De r ux opi d i De e be 2011 t t La on' physca lmia i pr ve ed he fom
ve e
ne n c m r
ha ws s
i l i t tons e nt
r r
w or ng. The A LJ de e m i t t o ni w a e il d onl t çltl ' wei , a i t ad
ki
t r ned ha pi on s ntte
y o site ' ght nd ns e
ac or d g e t r w e g t t opi ons of t no e m i ng physci ns w ho r vi w ed
c de r a e
i ht o he
ni
wo n- xn ni
ia
e e
Laws s r or pror t t f nc i
on' ec ds i o he u tonal evauai n a di no e n ha a ce s t Dr
l to nd d t ve
ve c s o .
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n
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s t nt a e de e A cc r ngl t Co m i s o r s M oton f Slm m a y J m e , ECF
ubs a i l vi nc .
o di y, he m s i ne '
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STANDARD O F REVI
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W he r viwi t Comm isone ' fna de i i t Cour i lm ied t de e mi ng
n e e ng he
s i rs i l c son, he
t s i t o t r ni
whe he t Com mi so rs fndi a e s
t r he
s i ne ' i ngs r uppored by s t nta e de e a whehe t
t
ubsa il vi nc nd
t r he
Com mi sone r c d t e fndi t oug a i a i oft c r c l ga sa r .See42
s i r ea he hos i ngs hr h pplc ton he or e t e l t nda ds
U. C.j405( ;Ha k v. t 667F. 470,472( hCi.201 )
S.
g) ncoç Asnw,
3d
4t r 2 .
Subsa i le de i i uc r e nt e denc as a r a ona e mi m i a c pt a
t nta vi nce s ç h elva vi e
s
e s bl nd ght c e s
ade t t s
qua e o uppo ta conc uson'i c it ofm or t n a m e e s ntla ofe de e b m a be
r
l i , t ons s s
e ha
r ci il
vi nc ut y
s wha ls t naprponde a e. Cri v.Chae,76F. 585,589 ( h Ci.1 )(ntr l
ome t e s ha
e
r nc ' ac
'
tr
3d
4t r 996 i ena
ctt ns o te ) Ha c k 6 7 F.d a 47 I t Co sin rs d tnniain m'
ii
a o mi d ; n oc , 6 3 t 2. f he mmiso e ' ee n to s e
t
s p o td b s bsa ta e ie e a rve n c u tma n ts bsi t isj d me tf rte
u p re y u tnil vd nc , e iwi g o r y o u tt e t u g n o h
u
Com misone ',but i t d m us de e t t e detr i tons ys v. Suli n,907 F.
s i rs
nsea
t f r o hos
e m na i .Ha
lva
2d
1
453,1 ( h Ci.1 ) 42 U. C.j 405( .Ac o dngy tin r ve ng f rs bsa ta
456 4t r 990 ;
S.
g) c r i l, ûj e iwi o u tnil
g
lc i
de
e biiy
e ie c ,ghs Co r d e ) n tu d ra e t r wei confitng evi nce,m ake cr di lt
vd n e t i u t o s o n e tk o e gh
d tr n to , rs b ttt (tj u g n f rta o t ALJ.. .W h r c n lcig e ie c
eemiains o u siue is j d me t o h t f he
. ee o fitn vd n e
a l s r as bl m i t dif r a t whe hera c a m a i dia e t r pons biiy f t t
low e ona e nds o f e s o
t
l i nt s s bl d, he es
i lt or ha
de sonflso t ALJ. Ha k,667F. a 472(nena atrto a ctto omit .
cii al n he
' ncoc
'
3d t
itr l le ains nd iains ted)
Laws bea st bur ofpr ng t ts i dia e wihi t m e ni o t Ac .
on r he den
ovi ha he s s bld t n he a ng f he t
Engih v. h ll,1 F.d 1 0,1 2(t Ci.1 9 )(ii 4 U. C. 4 3 d ()2 0 ). e
ls S aaa 0 3 08 08 4h r 9 3 ctng 2 S. j 2 ( )5 ( 0 6) Th
Ac defne ç s biiy' a t tnab lt t e gei a s t nta ganf a tviy by r a on of
t i s s a lt ' s he s iiy o nga n ny ubsa i l i ul c i t
di
i
es
a medialy dee mi bl ph i alormen ali im e ,whi h c n be e de t r s ti
ny
c l tr na e ysc
t mpar nt
e a
xpe d o e ul n
de t o w hi ha l s ed or c n be e c e t l tf r a c tnuo pe i ofnot l s t n 1
a h r ch s a t
a
xpe t d o as o
on i us r od
es ha 2
mo t s'4 U. C. 4 3 d ( )A) Dia ii u e teAc r q ie s o n mo et ntefc
nh . 2 S. j 2 ( )1( . s blt nd r h t e ur s h wig r ha h a t
'
y
t tt c am a s f sfom a i r ntwhi h afe t he a lt t pe f m da l aci te
ha he l i nt ufer r
n mpaime
c f c s r biiy o ror
iy tvii s
orc ti f n ofwor Rahe ,a c am a tmus s w t the i im e s p e nthe fom
era n olns
k. t r l i n
t ho ha < mpar nt r ve
rr
e gi i a 1f ms of s t nta ganf l e oyme gi n he age e
nga ng n 1 or
ubsa il i u mpl
nt ve
r , ducai a wo k
ton, nd r
e renc Se 42U. C.jj423d)2)
xpei e. e
S.
(( .
The Com misone us a ûve se pr es t evaua e a dia lt cai . W al v.
s i r es
- tp oc s o
l t
s biiy l m
ls
Bamhat 296 F. 287,290 ( h Ci.2002) TheCommisone as ,i s q nc whehe t
l r,
3d
4t r
.
si r ks n e ue e, t r he
cli nt ( )i wor ng;( hasas veei r nt ()ha ali ime t tmeesore s
ama : 1 s ki 2)
e r mpaime ; 3 s r mpar nt ha
t qual
t r uie nt ofalse i ime ( c n rt n t he patr e ntwor a i no,()
he eq rme s
itd mpar ntl 4) a eur o r s elva
k; nd f t 5
wh t r s e c n pef r ohe wo k He ke v.Cn bel 46 U. 4 8 4 046 ( 98 )
ehe h a ro m t r r . c lr
mp l, 1 S. 5 , 6 - 2 1 3 ;
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o nt
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nquiy e es f he
s i r i he l man sbld t ny tp
tep o e s 2 C. R.j 4 4 1 2 ()4 , 69 0 a( ) Th cama tb a st eb r e o p o f
h r c s . 0 F. j 0 .5 0 a( ) 41 .2 ()4 . e li n e r h u d n f r o
a se one t oug f t e t ih a prma f ce c s f diabiiy.The bur n s fst t
t t ps
hr h our o sabls
i a i a e or s lt
de hit o he
Comm isone a se tve t e tbls t t t c am a ma nti t r i
s i r t t p i o sa ih ha he l i nt i a ns he esdual f tonal
unc i
c pact (% ' c i rngt cai tsa e to wor e ince a i ime s
a iy $
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1A tlsed i paim ent'i one consder by t Soci Seclrt Adm i sr ton tt be s r
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i ed
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o e
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r
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i
wo ke e in e'20C. R. 40 1 25*.
r xp re c .
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t pe f r aval bl ale nai wor i t l al a na i l ec
o ro m
ia e tr tve
k n he oc nd tona
onomi s 42 U . C .
e.
S.
j42 ()2 ( ; v o v. en e c r 51 F.d66 6 6( t Ci. 9 )
3 d ()A) Ta lr W ib r e , 2 2 4, 6 4h r 1 75 .
l.
l
PR O CED U R AL H ISTO R Y AN D FA CTU A L BAC K G RO UN D Z
A.
Ge raland Pr edur Bac ound
ne
oc
al kgr
La on wa bor on Aprl26,1
ws
s n
i
957,R.47,a wasffy-ouryea so1 a t tme oft
nd
it f
r d t he i
he
A LJ' de s on on J nua y 27,201 U nde t A c ' r a i ,t r f e,s w a E os l
S ci i
a r
2.
r he t s egul tons ht e or he s i e y
cl
a p o c nga va c d a e'20C. R.j4 4.5 ( .S eh san nh g a e e u a in a d ls
p r a hi d n e g .
'
F.
0 1 63* h a it rd d c to n at
a tmpt d t wor i 2006 a a home compa on.R.38- She p e ousy wase oye asa
te e o
k n
s
ni
39.
r vi l
mpl d
f r t es r a s nd c m a r a as ma r R.39,54.
u niur ande , a wi h ke , nd ock ke .
La on pr ec i l fl a ia i f SS1 a DI on J y 28,2009.R.1 61,
ws
ot tvey ied pplc tons or
nd B
ul
5,
al gi a ons tda eofAugus l 2004.She ale d s wasdia ed prm a iy due t c oni
le ng n e t
t s
l ge he
s bl
i rl
o hr c
b c pan wi n mb e si t elwe e te te , on p o lms mus l s a ms ic ni e c '
a k i t u n s n h o r x rmiis j it r be , ce p s ,n o tn n e
h
,
a a e y. .1 61
nd nxi t R 5, .
Pl i tf ' cl i w as deni d a t i ta a r cons de a i l ve s of a i s r tve
a n i fs a m
e t he nii l nd e
i r ton e l
dm ni ta i
r vi . .1 6 1 1 , l1 1 Ata Dec m be 13, 1 he rng be or ALJ Ge a di H .Pa ,
e ew R 5, - 08 3- 26.
e r 20l a i
f e
r l ne
ge
b t P an if( o wa rp e e td b c u e)a av c t n l x e t ç ' tsiid S eR.
oh litf wh s e r sn e y o nsl nd o ai a e p r (û ) etfe . e
o
VE'
3 - 0(rn ci fo h ai ) Th ALJis e h rd cso o J n a y)7 201 tn ig ta
3 6 ta s rpt r m e rng . e
su d e e iin n a u r , 2,i dn h t
La on was no dia e due t he a lt t pe f m he pa t wor a fndi i t
ws
t s bld
o r biiy o ror
r s
k nd
ng n he
atr aiet t e RFC al we h rt p ro oh r o st a e iti sg t n nu esi t
l n tv ha h r ' lo d e o ef nn t e j b h t xs n ini t mb r n he
e
ka
n t n l c n my. eR. 9 3 ; e as a n r l R.1 - 2 ( ' d cso )
ai a e o o Se 2 - 0 s e lo e eal
o
v 53 ALJS e iin .
I r c ng t s c l i t ALJ pr pe l u iied t fve se pr e s f r
n ea hi hi onc uson, he
o ry tlz
he i - tp oc s o
2 Alhough t ALJ f
t
he
ound ot r diablng condii and t e a e m edi r ds dic i
he s i
tons
her r
cal ecor
s ussng
t e, t Cour f us he ei on Lawson' chr c back pai becaus Dr Dever ux' opi ons
hos he
t oc es r n
s oni
n,
e .
ea s ni
r di herlm ia i wer bas prm arl on t di
egar ng
i ttons e ed i iy hat agnoss.SeeR.686i
687.
4
de e ni whehe a c am a i dia e . Se J m s v.B n n r, F.d 650, n. ( h
t nni ng
t r l i nt s s bl d e ol on
r ha t434 3
654 1 4t
-
Ci. 0 5 ( e c ra (iig20C. R. 4 4 1 2 )(etn f rh tefvese ) T ALJtrt
r 2 0 ) p r u im) ctn
F. j 0 .5 0 s tig o t h i tps. he
is
de e mi d t tLa o me t i lr saus r quie
t r ne ha ws n t he nszed t t e r ment oft Ac t ough Se embe 30,
s he t hr
pt
r
201 and t ts had notenga d i s tntalganf la tviy snc he al ge ons dae of
0,
ha he
ge n ubsa i i u c i t i e r le d et t
Augus 1 200 t o h he da e l ti ur R.1 . Att s ond se t ALJco ude t t
t , 4 hr ug r t as ns ed. 7
he ec
t p, he
ncl d ha
La on ha a numbe ofs ver i par e s s ii ly:çobe iy,rghts ders an wih
ws
d
r
e e m im nt , pecfcal ç st i houl pr i t
dege r tve c ng due t a hit y ofmot ve ce a ci nt m id de ne a i c ng of
ne a i ha es
o
sor
or hi l c de ; l ge r tve ha es
t l
he umba s ne;a c r c lr diul t ' R. 1 She f
r pi
nd e via a c opahy.'
7.
ound La on' ur i ntne e,
ws s ge nco i nc
hit y ofce vca ca c noma a sa uspos hyse e t y,sa uspos pr a e vag na vaul,
sor
r i l ri
nd t t
t tr com t t
t olps d i l
t
a a ey we e non- e r ,eihe bec us t y ha be r ponsve t te t ntorbec us
nd nxit
r
s ve e t r a e he d en es i o r a me
a e
t c us d no mor t mi maly vocai nal r lva lm iai .R.18.She c l
hey a e
e han ni l
to ly ee nt i ttons
oncuded a
t
t t r se t t none of La on' i r e t or c
he hid tp ha
ws s mpaim n s
ombi ton of i paim e s m e o
na i
m r nt
t r
medialy equaedt s ve iy ofa lse i panne . 20c l
l he e rt
ny it d m i nt R. 21.
Ba e o t e de be or he ,t ALJ de e mi d t t La o ha t r sdua
s d n he vi nce f e r he
t r ne ha ws n d he e i l
f tona ca iy, hr
unc i l pact t ough t dae l ti u ed,t
he t as ns r o:
p ro m arng o lg two k a d tn d i 20C. R. 4.5 7 b
ef r a e f ih r s ei e n
F. 40 1 6 ( )
a d 41 9 7 . e cama two l b c p b eo l t gc ryn
n 6.6 1) Th li n u d e a a l f i i /ar ig
fn
1 pounds feque l a
0
r nty
nd 20 pounds oc sona l
ca i ly;
sa ng waki f r 6 hou si a nor a 8 hourwo k da sti
t ndi / l ng o
r n
m l
r y; itng
f 6 ho s i a nor a 8 hour wo k da oc asonal ci bi
or
ur n
m l
r y; c i ly lm ng
r mps a sar , ba a i kne lng, c a i c ouc ng, a
a
nd t is l nc ng, e i
r wlng, r hi
nd
soopi pe f mi wor i vi fe nt r ac ng ove hea
t ng; ror ng
k nvol ng r que e hi
r d
wih he rghtuppe e r m iy;a pe f nni wor t tdoesnot
t ri
r xte t nd r o ng
k ha
r quie m ode a e e
e r
r t xpos e t ha r us m a hi y, unpr e t d
m o za do
c ner
ot c e
he g s ci bi l dde s r pe , o s afol , or on vi a i
i ht , lm ng a r , o s r c f ds
br tng
s f es
ur ac .
R .22.The A LJ r le on t VE' t s i ony t t s RFC w oul alow Laws t pe f m bot
e id
he
s e tm
hat hi
d l
on o r or
h
pas wok a as ot rj t te se i sgnii a number i t nai ec
t r nd lo he obs ha xitd n i tc nt
s n he tonal onomy. 27R.
28. c r ngl t A LJ c l d Law s w a notdi abl d unde t A c .R.28A co di y, he
onc ude
on s
s e
r he t
29.
5
Pli ifr quese Appe l Counci r vi oft ALJ' dec son, R .1,and t Appeal
antf e t d
as
l e ew
he
S ii
he
s
Counci de e r vi w, R. 14, r nde i t ALJ' de ii n t fnal de ii n of t
l nid e e
- e rng he
S c so he i
c so
he
Commisone .Se 20 C. R.j404. La on tmel fl t sCo aits e ngrviw of
si r e
F.
981. ws i y ied hi mpl n e ki e e
t Co m i s one ' dec son.
he m s i r s i i
B.
M s La on' Tesi ony a t H e i
. ws s tm
t he ar ng
Att hea i M s La s t tfe i r pons t t ALJ Squesi a t wha gi
he rng, . w on esii d, n es e o he
'
ton s o
t ves
hert mos pr e ,t tiwashe towe ba a ( r l . R. 43.Shee ane t t
he t oblms ha t
r t r ck nd he) egs' 42l
'
xpli d ha
s haschr c pan,whe he s i sti ors a ng,t ts ne rknowswhe s i g ng
he
oni i
t r he s itng
t ndi ha he ve
n he s oi
t l e c r ofher lgs orbe a e t sa a t t s ha f le a a r s t R.43.She
o os ontol
e
bl o t nd nd ha he s al n s e ul.
des i d ve y lm ie da l aci te c it ntwih t tt ofc oni pan,es e i ly l ng
crbe r i t d iy tviis onsse
t ha ype hr c i s ntal yi
down a l tdurng t da wih oc asona pe i ofsti up.He t e ge da ht rhepst
o
i he y, t c i l rods itng
r e na
ug e l o
pr pa e Pli ifs meas al do he lundr a s de c i d t r a nu be of t ngs s
e r a ntf
l td
ra
y, nd he s rbe he e
m r hi
he
woul lke t bea et do a ound t hous ,buti nota e t She doesenga i s m elm ied
d i o
bl o
r
he
e
s
bl o.
ge n o i t
drvi a c n do lm ied c ng or dih- hi by at r tng s tpe i of sti on a
i ng nd a
i t ooki
s was ng
le na i hor rods it
ng
sooland sa ng. 44t
t ndi R. 47.
D r.D e
vereaux' R eport
s
Shorl afe t he rng,La on' c
ty tr he a i
ws s ouns ls
e ubmit a De mbe 28,2011 r por fom
ted
ce r
e tr
Dr Robe tDeve e whih wa pr vi d a co elsr que t R.686- I t tr por,whih
.
r
r ux, c
s o de t uns ' e s .
87. n ha e t c
i a t he r oft sa al Dr De r a lse adi gnossoftc oni l w ba k pan' a i
s t he a t hi ppe , . ve e ux it d
a
i thr c o
c i ' nd n
t s c f r Sci c fndi , wr e Pl ntf had ta e l r e r m iy r fe s lmie
he pa e o tlnial i ngs' ot ai if
'
tbs nt owe xte t e lxe , i t d
rn eo moi n g fte lmb rs n , a d wa ç r il o e e'Hete fl d o tn me o s
a g f to o h l u a pie' n s û bd y b s .
'
mo
' h n il u u r u
e
c kboxe ,i c tng t t s c d s t sand or w a k f r l s t n t o hour e h outof a
hec
s ndi a i ha he oul i, t
l o es ha w
s ac
n
e ghtho w or y;a t ts c d lf up t t n pounds oc s ona l butne r a g e t r
i - ur kda nd ha he oul i t o e
ca i ly,
ve ny r a e
wei .He f rhe opi d t the s
ght
u t r ne ha r ympt swoul i e f r wih he c e r ton fe nty,
om
d nt re e t r onc nta i r que l
pr e (
oduc t
good' a t d' da a t tt y woul c us he t be a e fo wor mor t n
' nd i ' ys nd ha he
ba
d a e ro
bs nt r m
k
e ha
f tm e a m on h. ii a l , Dr De r a e e sy r lt d t s lmia i ba k t M a 29,
our i s
t Crt c ly . ve e ux xpr s l ea e he e i t tons c o y
2007,t dat t ts wasfr ts en by Dr M c ahon ofD r D e r a spr c i .R .
he e ha he
is e
.
M
. ve e ux' a tce 686687.
At t he zng, La o s ator as d t VE whehe t r woul b a wor
he a i
ws n' t ney ke he
t r he e
d e ny
k
a ia e t La s i s woul mis mor t n t da of wo k pe mont , a t VE
val bl o w on f he
d s
e ha wo ys
r r
h nd he
r ponde t tt r woul not Thus i Dr Deve e ux' r por i f l c edt i i cea t t
es
d ha he e
d .
,f .
r a s e t s uly r ied, s t l r ha
La on quaii asdiabl a l s fom t da eofM a 29,2007 f wa d.
ws
ltes
s ed, t ea t r he t
y
or r
11
1.
DI
SCUSSI
ON
l hera alt t sCour,La on' prm a y a pl nti t ALJ e r d i dico i
n
ppe o hi
t ws s i r r me s he
r e n s untng
t opi ons ofDr Deve ea I r s e,t Comm isone a guest tt ALJS o ni i
he ni
.
r ux. n e pons he
si r r
ha he
' pi on s
s
uppore by s t nta e de e.The Comm isone frt diput s t t Dr De r az i
td
ubsa i l vi nc
s i r is s e ha
. ve e lx s
Pl i ifs te tng physc a but a s c e
antf r a i
ii n,
lo ont nds t t t ALJ pr l r f e t c edi Dr
ha he
opery e us d o r t .
D e e ux' opi o be a e t a e a l dl G nco it nt w ih t m e c l e de e of
ver a s ni ns c us hey r lege y l ns s e
i
t he di a vi nc
r c d'a bec us t e o ni we e co a ne o a c kls f m .ECF No.1 a 8- The
e or ' nd a e hos pi ons r nt i d n hec it or
8 t 9.
Co t doe not fnd t Com m i s one ' a gum e s pe s sve a di c s d i m or de a l
ur
s
i he
s i rs r
nt r ua i , s s us e n
e ti
beow .I t d,t Co tc l s t tt ALJ e r d i notgi ng Dr De r a s opi on
l
nsea he ur oncude ha he
re n
vi
. ve e ux' ni
con r lng we g ,a t t tt ALJ Sdec son i nots
toli
i ht nd hus ha he
'
ii s
uppo td by s t nta e de .
re
ubsa il vi nce
A.
Dr.D evereaux i a Treatng Physi an
s
i
ci
As t t Com mi sone ' co e i t tDr De e ux i nota te tng physc a t
o he
s i r s nt nton ha . ver a s
rai
ii n, he
Cour di a e .Fis of a l i i pa e l i cc ae t s y t t he ha ç e mi ng or
t s gr es rt
l, t s t nty na ur t o a ha
d û xa ni
no
te t e r a i hi wih Pli if' as t Com misone ar .ECF No. 18 a 8. The
r am nt eltons p t antf ,
' he
s i r gues
t
r co ds r l c t tDr De r a tea e La o a e mi d he on a l a to oc ason
e r efe t ha . ve e ux r t d ws n nd xn ne r
t e s ne c i
pr o t c pl tng hi r por ,R .669- 2,o Aug t24,2011. r i a s ond t e t e no e
i r o om e i
se t
67 n
us
The e s ec
r a m nt t
t ti unda e at
ha s
t d, lhough i a
t ppea st ha bee a trt 201l r por,buti lke s r f r nc
r o ve n fe he
t t
t i wie e e e es
Dr De r a as La on' pr de . R . 684. I po t nty, m or ve , t Com m i s o r s
. ve e ux
ws s ovi r
m ra l
eo r he
s i ne '
a gume i nor st f c t tDr Deve e wa pa toft s me gr ofphysca t had
r
nt g e he a t ha .
r aux s r
he n
oup
i ins hat
bee te tng Pl ntf f yea s a t the ha a c st he me c lr cor fom t ttme.
n rai
ai if or r , nd ha
d c es o r di a e ds r
ha i
Thus whie he m a ha onl beg te tng he s rl be or co pl i t r que td f m ,
, l
y ve y un r a i
r ho ty f e m etng he e se or
a exa i d heronl t ce t Cour as t ke not oft tf c t the i pa4 o t s m e
nd m ne
y wi , ht
t lo a s e ha a t ha
s l f he a
pr c ie gr a ha f la e st ye r a ye r o te t ntr or fom t tgr . Thus,
a tc oup nd d ul cc s o a s nd a s f r a me ec ds r ha oup
whie Pl ntf ste t e r ltons p wih Dr De r ux i s tr a l sextnsvet n he
l ai if r am nt ea i hi t . ve e s hore nd es e i ha r
r ltons p wih Dr .M c a
ea i hi t
s
M hon a W ake of t s m e gr
nd l r he a
oup,he i no t l s a te tng
s ne he e s r a i
physca unde t r gulto .See20C. R.jj404.502,41 902 ( te tngphysca i one
iin
r he e ains
F.
1
6. a r ai
iin s
wh S a p o d d gh cama t wi me ia te t n o e au to a dwh ha , rh sh d
o ç s r vie t e li n) t d c l r ame t r v lain n o s o a a ,
h
h
a o i teame r ltons pwihghecama )
n ngong r t nt eai hi t t li nf'.
Ha ng dee m i t tDr De r ux i a teai physcin,t r gul i ns pr de
vi
tr ned ha . ve ea s r tng
i a he e ato
ovi
t thi opi on i e ild t c r lng we g i i i C l-uppore by m e c ly ac e a e
ha s ni s ntte o ontoli
i ht f t s t ls
we
td
di al c pt bl
clnia a lbo at y di nosi t c que and not i ons sent wih t ot r s t tal
i c l nd a r or ag tc e hni s
nc it
t he he ubsan i
evi nce'ofrc d.20 C. R.j41 927( ( ;20 C. R.j404.5 ( ( ;Huntrv.Suli n,
de ' e or
F.
6. Q 2)
F.
1 26c)2)
e
lva
993F. 31 35 ( h Ci.1 .W hie not ng i t go mi saut orrgulto rquie
3d , 4t r 992)
l hi n he ve ng tt e e ains e r s
t tmo e weg tawa s b gv n t te o no o te tng s tv s 2 CFR.j 41 .2 ()
ha r ih l y e ie o h piins f rai ou e , 0
69 7d
die t t ALJ t alo c i r whe de e m i ng how m uc we g t a sgn a m e c l
r c s he
o s onsde ,
n t r ni
h i ht o s i
di a
opi on,t s
ni he uppo tbiiy of t physcin' o ni n,t co it nc oft opi o wih t
ra lt
he
i a s pi o ht nsse y
he ni n t he
rc r ,a wheh rt p y iin i a s cait S e 2 C. R.j 41 .2 ( )3 -5 ;s e as
e o d nd te he h sca s pe ils. e 0 F. j 69 7 d ()() e lo
Hie v. r h r, 5 F.d5 9 5 (t Ci. 0 6 . u ,h F u t Cic t se p an dt a
n s Ba n a t4 3 3 5 , 63 4h r 2 0 ) Th s te o rh ruiha x lie h t
t r i no la ol e'r e t tgr atr weght s d be a f r d t a te tng physca s
he e s
sbs ut' ul ha e e
i
houl
f o de o r ai
i in'
o ni n a i d,i ma begi n l sweghtûft r i pe s asveco r r e de .' nes
pi o nd ndee t y
ve es i s he e s r u i
i
nta y vi nce'Hi ,
4 3 F.d a 5 3 & n. ( u tn Hu trv.S l v n 9 3 F.d 31 3 ( t Ci.1 9 :.1,f r
5 3 t6
2 q oig ne
ul a , 3 2 , 5 4h r 9 2 f o
i
8
e m pl t te tng physc a s opi on i nots
xa e, he r a i
ii n' ni s
uppored ori ot r s i onsse w'h t
t
s he wie nc itnt i he
t
rc d Cts dbea or d sgniia l ls weg .'Cr cv.Chatr 76 F. 585,5 ( h
e or t houl
i
cc de i fc nty e s iht' ai
re , 3d
90 4t
Ci.l .I anALJdoesnotgi contoli weg t ate tngphyscin' opi on,howeve,
r 996) f
ve r lng iht o rai
i a s ni
r
t ALJ mus tgve g d r a ons'f t t de iin. Se 20 C. R. jj 404.527( ()
he
t ûi oo e s ' or ha cso
e
F.
1 d)2 ;
41 927( ( .
6. d)2)
B.D r De r
. ve eaux' R e tI N otl ons s e W i h O t r R e ord Evi nc
s por s
nc i t nt t
he
c
de e
He e t ALJg v t ra o swh s e rj ce Dr De ra x so no a dt yae
r ,he
a e wo e s n y h ee td . vee u ' piin, n he z
t s r a onsa
he nme e s
dvanc by t Com misone .R.27. rt t ALJcli e t tt r por i
ed he
si r
Fis, he
am d ha he e t s
t s ppo td' by t mediale de e ofr c d a t ti was c aned on a t hec it'
s
not u re ' he
c vi nc
e or nd ha t
ont i
t kls'
c
t cc
s
una ompa e by m e ca exa i tonsorr po t ofci c fndi .'
nid
di l m na i
e rs lnial
ngs'
To t e e t Commisone a guest tDr De r a s o ni i i o itntwih
he xtnt he
si r r
ha . ve e ux' pi on s nc nsse
t
ohe e de e ofr c d,t Cour dia e .Pl ntf has r ulzy viie t Gies Fa iy
t r vi nc
e or he
t s gr es ai if
eg a l std he l
m l
M edii pr tc snce J y 2007,a wa teaed prm a iy by Ke t J W al r M . a
cne aci e i
ul
nd s r t
i rl
nneh . ke , D. nd
M i ha A.M c a
c el
M hon,M . Durng t eviis s ha r pe t dl and r i l c
D. i hos st , he s e a e y
outne y ompl i of
aned
m ode a e a s ve eba k pan,a he physcinsha pr s rbe va i media i t msit
r t nd e r c i nd r
ia
ve e c i d rous
c tons o ss
wih t pan,i l ng Pe c e a me ha
t he i nc udi
r oc t nd t done.Se ge r ly R. 415,421 435,483e ne a l 374489,
5 67 She ha a s us d a TENS u tt a tm ptt c r he c oni pan a t doc o so
46- 9.
s lo e
ni o te
o ontol r hr c i nd he t r f
t tpr c i as r f r e he t physc lt r py s ve a tm e ,once i 2007 and o ei 2009.
ha a tce lo e e r d r o
i a he a e r l i s
n
nc n
R.
420,534- 57 73 611- 9,62745, 2- ,
1
29.
l ge r l t e r c ds i c t t t Pli if ha r pore c oni , unc nge or
n ne a , hos e or ndi a e ha a ntf s e td hr c
ha d,
oc sona l wor e ng s
ca i ly
s ni ympt s a pan ove t c zs oft al ge pe i o dia lt
om nd i
r he olr e he le d rod f s biiy.
Se e. ,R.572- 607- 1 620- 4.H e phys ca t r pi tno e asm uc i M a 201 asw e l
e. g.
74,
1,
2
r
i l he a s t d
h n y
0,
l,
sa i t ts ha r pore c oni bac pan a i ied m obiiy.The t r pita s not d
t tng ha he d e td hr c k i nd mpar
lt
he a s l o e
i ie r
mpar d ange o m oton,mobiiy,ba a e a fe biiy,wih fmc i lsr t dek i.R.
f i
lt
l nc nd l xi lt
t t tona teng h t t
535.As a l s
pty ummmi ed by Pli if t GiesFamiy M e cne r or û ume ( r
z
antf, he l
l dii ec ds s
doc nt he)
pe s se c pl nt ofpan a eforst s e r i fom t tpan ove as n ofma ye r '
r itnt om ai s
i nd f t o e k elef r ha i
r pa
ny a s'
a t e c pl i s ' nd r a e di c f ta e ke c pone s of vi t ly e r ofi e vi i
nd hos om a nt ç
a el t d s om or r y om
nt
rua l ve y tc s t
6 t3
a Gie Fa iy M edii f
t ls m l
cne ound i t r or .' EC F N o.1 a .
n he ec d '
Thus t lm iai i
, he i t tons mpos d by Dr Deve ea a e s
e
.
r ux z uppored by t te t ntno esof
t
he r a me
t
ot r physci ns i Dr D e r a s pr c i e, whi h r tec r pe t d c pl i s of pa n and
he
i a n . ve e ux' a tc
c el t e a e om a nt
i
lm ie f ton by Pl ntf asw el as e m i tons ofPl ntf s w i t nde nes i t l e
i t d unc i
ai if
l xa na i
ai if ho ng e r s n he ow r
bac a ea and di i s r texe .Dr De r ux' opi ons a e as s
k r
m nihed el s . ve ea s ni
r lo uppore by hi own
td
s
physc e m i ton ofPl i ifon Augus 24,2011 durng whih he f
ial xa na i
antf
t
, i
c
ound a dec e s d r nge
ra e a
ofm oton i t l r ba k a a e pa e l rand a hil sr l xe . .669i n he owe c nd bs nt t la
c le efe s R
73.
Addii ly,i Se e r 2011 Dr Raph Br
tona l n pt mbe
, . l
own pe f m e ne v c
ror d r e onduc i sudi
ton t es
of Pli if I hi r por,Dr Br
antf . n s e t . own c r c e i d t r s t as S y a
ha a t rze he e uls ç
ver bnor ' a f
mal' nd ound
Pli t fh d S e e et v r sv r Slrdc o ah o t e1fE ' sv r rd c lp t y o t e
ani a t v r o ey e e e a iulp t y n h e1, ' e e e a iuo ah n h
f
s
)
rght,'a ç
i gj' nd i rt r diul t e i t biaea 15myotme .' 682.Hef t ro ned
modeae a c opahis n he ltrl .
o s'R.
urhe pi
t t t r uls we e m os lkel t r ul of s nalse i,alhough he i c t d he woul
ha he es t r
t i y he es t pi t noss t
ndi a e
d
2 n hor, . ve ea s ni
ne a ii na t t t de e mi t t4 R .68 . I s t Dr De r ux' opi ons a e not
ed dd to l ess o tr ne ha .
r
i nsse wih ot rmediale denc a a e f t rs
nco it nt t he
c vi e nd r urhe uppore by La on' own t tm o
td
ws s
esi ny
a t he lm ia i .
s o r i t tons
3 l addii t t Gies Famiy M edi ne r ds, Pl ntf r t l
n
ton o he l
l
ci ecor
ai if epored ower back and biaer
lt al
l
ower extem iy pai t Dr Judy Chun,i A ugus 2007 a s ver back pai t Dr Tamer Howel i
r t
n o .
n
t
nd e e
n o .
a
ln
Sept ber2007.R.306,370.
em
4The Cour agr w ih Laws t tt A LJm i nt r t Dr Br
t ees t
on ha he
si ep e s . own' sat e t tt e was
s t em nt ha her
a abs
n ence of fndi ofpe pher neur hy or nerv dieas i t l
i ngs
ri al
opat
e s e n he ower extem ii as s ehow
r tes
om
mii i hi fndi ofs e r cul hy.Rat t bei a m ii tng f ct ,i appea s f m hi
tgatng s i ngs ever adi opat
her han ng
tga i a or t
r or s
r
eportt Dr.Br
hat
own' pur e i sr i t abs nce ofneur t or l
s pos n tessng he e
opahy owcre r iy nel dieas
xtem t ' s e
ve
w as t e phasie t s ce of Pl ntf pr e .ECF No.16 a 7 n. s R.682.Thati ,he was
o m
z he our
ai ifs oblm
t
3; ee
s
e phasi ng t her s pt s ar caus by dam age ator nea t r of ner aong t s ne,as
m
zi hat
ym om
e
ed
r he oot
ves l
he pi
oppos t bei t r ul ofm aluncton att pe i alner
ed o ng he es t
f i
he rpher
ves.
10
TheFac t Dr.De re sOpi o Ar Coni ne ona
t hat
ve aux' nins e
ai d
Che kls For D oe N otl i e The
c it m
s
nvaldat
m
Fi ly,t C o m i sone al o crtc ze D r De r au sopi on o t gr
na l he m s i r s ii i s . ve e x' ni n he oundst ti
ha t
i pr ded o afl-n-he- a f
s ovi
n ili t blnk onn.Se ECF No. 18( t M aon v. ll 99 F. 1
e
cii
ng s
Shaaa, 4 2d 058,
1 6 ( dCi.1 9 )f rtep o o iint a Sfo m rp rsi wh c ap y iin' o lg to i
0 5 3 r 9 3 o h r p sto h t t q r e o t n ih h sca s bi ain s
l
onl t c k a box orf1 i a blnk a e wea e denc a be t' . efcsi Ma-n h we e ,
y o hec
i1 n a r
k vi e t s . ' Th a t n s , o v r
)
o
dif rfom t f c she e.Spe ii a l i M a on, t phys c an who c pl t d t f m w asnot
fe r he a t r
cfc ly, n s he
ii
om e e he or
a tea i physcin;a m os,he wa a e m i ng physc a who pr de t f m i r s
r tng
ia t t
s n xa ni
ii n
ovi d he or n e pons
e
t a voc i na c
o
ato l ouns orsi uiy.I a 1
el ' nq r d. t 062,1065.Addii ly,t Thid Cic tno e t t
tona l he r r ui t d ha
t e was t i tta e e de ir co
her
t den ii bl vi nta y nobo a i of t q n ia i r ct l a
no
r ton
he ua tt tve e ia s boutsa ng
tndi
a lfi 'i t f m r por.1 a 1
nd itng' n he or e t d. t 066.I t s c e,by c r s,Dr De r a s r por i
n hi as
onta t . ve e ux' e t s
s
uppored by hi ow n e m i to no e a t yea s' w o t of t ea m e not s by ot
t
s
xa na i n t s nd he
r
rh
r t nt e
her
physcins i hi pr c i ,aswelasby Dr Br
i a n s a tce
l
. own' r por.Sees a a Se ton llB. s e alo
se t
upr t c i 1. ; e s
Las nv Asr e 61 F.d7 4 7 ( t Ci. 01 )(c n wld igt M a o c u tssae n
ro . tu , 5 3 4 , 51 7h r 2 0 a k o e gn he s n o r' ttme t
t ta c k- f r a ont m i be w e k e d e,butnotng t t( he f m t kes on gr t
ha hec box o m l
ght
a vi enc
i ha t or a
t
ea er
sgnika ewhe i i s
i t nc
n t s upporedby me c lr c ds'
t
dia e or .
).
I s r none oft r s gi n by t ALJf dic i Dr De r ux' opi on
n ho q
he ea ons ve
he
or s ountng . ve ea s ni
ae s
r uppore by s t nta e de e. l t d,t Cour c udest topi on s d ha
td
ubsa il vi nc nsea he
t oncl
ha
ni houl ve
be gi n c r lng we ght Se Huntr 993 F. a 35.
en ve ontoli
i . e
e,
3d t
I .
V
C O N C LUSI N
O
The Cour has deer ne t tt ALJ S fna decson i nots
t
t mi d ha he
' i l ii s
uppo td by s t nta
re
ubsa i l
e de e.The e or ,t Cour D ENI t Com m i soner s M o i n f Sum m a y J m e ,
vi nc
r f e he
t
ES he
si '
t o or
r udg nt
ECF N o. 17, and G R AN T S t Pl ntf s M oton f Sum m ary Judgm ent ECF N o. 15.The
he ai if'
i or
,
Cour fndst tpli ifhasmett bur n ofpr a pr s rbe by a pur ua t t Ac ,
ti
ha antf
he de
oof s e c i d
nd s nt o he t
a d tus t tr j d me t f rt e p anif Th fn ld cso o t Co sine wilb
n h n es u g n o h litf. e ia e iin f he mmiso r l e
REVERSED and t ca e REM ANDED t t Comm isone f r co putton a a r o
he s
o he
s i r o m a i nd wa d f
a oprae be ft .Specfc ly,bene hss lbea r d f t pe i be nni on M a 29,
ppr i t ne is
ii a l
f hal
wa de or he rod gi ng
y
2007,w hi h i t e r i s da e t w hi Dr D e r a s opi on e es l r l t .
c s he a le t t o
ch . ve e ux' ni xpr s y e a es
An a oprae Or rs li s t sda
ppr it de hal s ue hi y.
E T R Ti / dy f y21.
N E : hs aoMa,04
f
.
J
a esC . k
m
Tur
Se orU nie St t D it i tJ
ni
t d a es s rc udge
.
12
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