Use v. Colvin

Filing 14

ORDER ON PLAINTIFF'S COMPLAINT by Judge David W. Christel. (KEB)

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1 2 3 4 5 6 7 UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT WESTERN DISTRICT OF WASHINGTON AT SEATTLE 8 9 10 DAWNA T. USE, 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 Plaintiff, CASE NO. 2:16-CV-01675-DWC ORDER ON PLAINTIFF’S COMPLAINT v. NANCY A. BERRYHILL, Acting Commissioner of Social Security Administration, Defendant. Plaintiff filed this action, pursuant to 42 U.S.C § 405(g), seeking judicial review of the denial of Plaintiff’s applications for Disability Insurance Benefits (“DIB”) and Supplemental Security Income (“SSI”) benefits. The parties have consented to proceed before a United States Magistrate Judge. See 28 U.S.C. § 636(c), Fed. R. Civ. P. 73 and Local Magistrate Judge Rule MJR 13. See also Consent to Proceed before a United States Magistrate Judge, Dkt. 6. After reviewing the record, the Court concludes the Administrative Law Judge (“ALJ”) erred by failing to properly evaluate whether Plaintiff’s macular degeneration constituted a severe impairment at Step Two of the sequential evaluation. The ALJ also erred in failing to 24 ORDER ON PLAINTIFF’S COMPLAINT - 1 1 properly evaluate the opinion of one non-examining psychologist. Therefore, this matter is 2 reversed and remanded, pursuant to sentence four of 42 U.S.C. § 405(g), for further proceedings. 3 4 PROCEDURAL& FACTUAL HISTORY On May 10, 2013, Plaintiff filed applications for DIB and SSI. See Dkt. 9, Administrative 5 Record (“AR”) 198-211. Plaintiff alleges she became disabled on January 1, 2009, due to Post6 Traumatic Stress Disorder (“PTSD”), lumbar stenosis, gender identity disorder, macular 7 degeneration with vision loss, and frequent cellulitis infections. See AR 198, 241. Plaintiff’s 8 applications were denied upon initial administrative review and on reconsideration. See AR 869 87, 122-23. A hearing was held before an ALJ on May 19, 2015, at which Plaintiff, represented 10 by counsel, appeared and testified. See AR 31. During the hearing, Plaintiff amended her 11 disability onset date to April 24, 2012. AR 33. 12 On June 26, 2015, the ALJ found Plaintiff was not disabled within the meaning of 13 Sections 216(i), 223(d), and 1614(a)(3)(A) of the Social Security Act. AR 22. Plaintiff’s request 14 for review of the ALJ’s decision was denied by the Appeals Council on September 19, 2016, 15 making that decision the final decision of the Commissioner of Social Security (the 16 “Commissioner”). See AR 1, 20 C.F.R. § 404.981, § 416.1481. On October 27, 2017, Plaintiff 17 filed a complaint in this Court seeking judicial review of the Commissioner’s final decision. 18 Plaintiff argues the denial of benefits should be reversed and remanded for further 19 proceedings, because the ALJ: 1) improperly found Plaintiff’s macular degeneration was not a 20 severe impairment at Step Two of the sequential evaluation; 2) failed to properly evaluate the 21 opinions of one non-examining and one examining psychologist; and 3) the ALJ improperly 22 discounted Plaintiff’s subjective symptom testimony Dkt. 11, p. 1. 23 24 ORDER ON PLAINTIFF’S COMPLAINT - 2 1 STANDARD OF REVIEW 2 Under 42 U.S.C. § 405(g), this Court may set aside the Commissioner's denial of social 3 security benefits only if the ALJ's findings are based on legal error or not supported by 4 substantial evidence in the record as a whole. Bayliss v. Barnhart, 427 F.3d 1211, 1214 n.1 (9th 5 Cir. 2005) (citing Tidwell v. Apfel, 161 F.3d 599, 601 (9th Cir. 1999)). “Substantial evidence” is 6 more than a scintilla, less than a preponderance, and is such “‘relevant evidence as a reasonable 7 mind might accept as adequate to support a conclusion.’” Magallanes v. Bowen, 881 F.2d 747, 8 750 (9th Cir. 1989) (quoting Davis v. Heckler, 868 F.2d 323, 325-26 (9th Cir. 1989)). 9 10 DISCUSSION I. Whether the ALJ Erred by Failing to Consider Plaintiff’s Macular Degeneration to be a Severe Impairment at Step Two of the Sequential Evaluation. 11 At Step Two of the sequential evaluation, the ALJ must determine if a claimant has a 12 “severe medically determinable physical or mental impairment.” 20 C.F.R. §§ 404.1520(a)(4)(ii), 13 416.920(a)(4)(ii) (2015) . See also Smolen v. Chater, 80 F.3d 1273, 1289-90 (9th Cir. 1996) 14 (internal citation omitted). Impairments must result “from anatomical, physiological, or 15 psychological abnormalities which can be shown by medically acceptable clinical and laboratory 16 diagnostic techniques.” 20 C.F.R. § 416.908 (2010). A medically determinable impairment is 17 considered “severe” if it “significantly limits [a claimant’s] physical or mental ability to do basic 18 work activities . . . .” 20 C.F.R. §§ 404.1520(a)(4)(iii) & (c), 416.920(a)(4)(iii) & (c); see also 19 SSR 96-3p, 1996 WL 374181 *1. Basic work activities are those “abilities and aptitudes 20 necessary to do most jobs,” including, for example, “walking, standing, sitting, lifting, pushing, 21 pulling, reaching, carrying or handling; capacities for seeing, hearing and speaking; 22 understanding, carrying out, and remembering simple instructions; use of judgment; responding 23 24 ORDER ON PLAINTIFF’S COMPLAINT - 3 1 appropriately to supervision, co-workers and usual work situations; and dealing with changes in 2 a routine work setting.” 20 C.F.R. § 404.1521(b), § 416.921(b); SSR 85- 28, 1985 WL 56856 *3. 3 The Step Two inquiry, however, is merely a threshold determination as to whether a 4 claimant has raised a “prima facie case of a disability.” Hoopai v. Astrue, 499 F.3d 1071, 1076 5 (9th Cir. 2007). See also Smolen v. Chater, 80 F.3d 1273, 1290 (9th Cir. 1996) (noting the Step 6 Two determination is a de minimis screening device used to dispose of groundless claims). 7 “Ample authority cautions against a determination of nondisability at step two.” Ortiz v. 8 Commissioner of Social Sec., 425 Fed.Appx. 653, 655 (9th Cir. 2011) (citing Bowen v. Yuckert, 9 482 U.S. 137, 153 (1987); Webb v. Barnhart, 433 F.3d 683, 686 (9th Cir. 2005), Smolen, 80 F.3d 10 at 1290. An impairment or combination of impairments may be found “not severe only if the 11 evidence establishes a slight abnormality that has no more than a minimal effect on an 12 individual’s ability to work.” Smolen, 80 F.3d at 1290. 13 Here, Plaintiff argues she presented sufficient evidence to demonstrate her macular 14 degeneration was a severe medically determinable impairment. The record reflects Plaintiff had 15 20/200 visual acuity on a Snellen eye test in August, 2013, despite a prior history of eye surgery. 16 AR 603, 615. Plaintiff was referred to an ophthalmologist at that time. AR 615. At her hearing, 17 Plaintiff testified she had difficulty seeing out of her right eye, and her prior ophthalmologist had 18 advised her they would be unable to help her. AR 42. Further, two state agency medical 19 consultants opined Plaintiff’s macular degeneration constituted a severe medically determinable 20 impairment, and concluded this would lead to Plaintiff experiencing limited near and far visual 21 acuity in her right eye. AR 76, 79-80, 111, 115. 22 The ALJ discounted this evidence by noting Plaintiff had failed to seek treatment for this 23 condition “during the period at issue.” AR 14 (citing AR 601-10, 615). The ALJ also noted 24 ORDER ON PLAINTIFF’S COMPLAINT - 4 1 Plaintiff’s 20/200 visual acuity result on the Snellen eye test was obtained without glasses, and 2 the examining physician who performed the test, Paul Seville, M.D., did not assess any 3 limitations arising out of Plaintiff’s visual acuity. AR 14, 603. The ALJ’s reasoning, however, 4 was improper. For instance, the record indicates, prior to the period at issue, Plaintiff had 5 unsuccessfully treated for her macular degeneration through surgery and medication. AR 601. 6 Plaintiff also testified her medical providers had, at that time, informed her further treatment 7 would be ineffective. AR 42. 8 Further, while Dr. Seville did not assess any limitations arising out of Plaintiff’s macular 9 degeneration, two state agency medical consultants did opine to limited near and far visual acuity 10 based on Plaintiff’s macular degeneration and 20/200 right-eye Snellen score. However, the ALJ 11 failed to discuss either state agency medical consultant at Step Two. Instead, the ALJ discounts 12 both state agency medical consultants’ opinions later in the written decision, solely by reference 13 to the fact he found Plaintiff did not have a severe visual impairment at Step Two. This reasoning 14 is plainly circular. The ALJ cannot ignore significant, probative evidence of limitations at Step 15 Two of the sequential evaluation, then address and discount that evidence at a later stage based 16 solely on his prior Step Two findings. Such a cart-before-the-horse approach will not satisfy the 17 ALJ’s responsibility to support his findings with substantial evidence. 18 Finally, the ALJ discounts the 20/200 Snellen visual acuity score for Plaintiff’s right eye 19 as the test was performed “without glasses.” AR 603. However, Dr. Seville’s 20/200 score is the 20 only right eye visual acuity measure in the record. This contrasts with the fact that records for 21 Plaintiff’s left eye reflect a score of 20/50 without glasses, and 20/30 with glasses. AR 80, 603. 22 At best, Plaintiff has presented sufficient evidence to demonstrate her macular degeneration 23 caused impairments in her right-eye visual acuity which had “more than a minimal effect on an 24 ORDER ON PLAINTIFF’S COMPLAINT - 5 1 individual’s ability to work.” Smolen, 80 F.3d at 1290. At worst, the contrast between Plaintiff’s 2 left eye and right eye testing creates an ambiguity in the evidence the ALJ should have resolved, 3 either by obtaining additional records or recontacting Dr. Seville, before determining Plaintiff’s 4 macular degeneration was not severe. See 20 C.F.R. §§ 404.1520b, 416.920b. See Tonapetyan v. 5 Halter, 242 F.3d 1144, 1150 (9th Cir. 2001). 6 As Plaintiff has presented evidence sufficient to demonstrate she had the severe 7 impairment of macular degeneration, the ALJ erred. Further, the error is not harmless. An error 8 is harmless if “there remains substantial evidence supporting the ALJ’s decision and the error 9 does not negate the validity of the ALJ’s ultimate conclusion.” Molina v. Astrue, 674 F.3d 1104, 10 1115 (9th Cir. 2012) (quoting Batson v. Comm’r of Soc. Sec. Admin, 359 F.3d 1190, 1197 (9th 11 Cir. 2004)). Thus, if a claimant prevails at Step Two and the ALJ considers all impairments— 12 regardless of severity—in the subsequent steps, an ALJ’s failure to consider an impairment 13 “severe” is harmless. See Lewis v. Astrue, 498 F.3d 909, 911 (9th Cir. 2007). See also Orn v. 14 Astrue, 495 F.3d 625, 630 (9th Cir. 2007), Garcia v. Commissioner of Soc. Sec., 587 Fed.Appx. 15 367, 370 (9th Cir. 2014). While Plaintiff prevailed at Step Two, the ALJ did not consider 16 Plaintiff’s visual impairments at all in the remainder of the decision. AR 13-14. In fact, as 17 discussed above, the ALJ explicitly discounted two medical opinions when evaluating Plaintiff’s 18 residual functional capacity, simply because they included limitations arising out of Plaintiff’s 19 macular degeneration. AR 18. As the ALJ failed to consider Plaintiff’s macular degeneration 20 throughout the remainder of the five-step sequential evaluation, the ALJ’s error was harmful, and 21 requires remand. 22 23 II. Whether the ALJ Properly Evaluated the Medical Opinion Evidence. A. Standard 24 ORDER ON PLAINTIFF’S COMPLAINT - 6 1 The ALJ must provide “clear and convincing” reasons for rejecting the uncontradicted 2 opinion of either a treating or examining physician or psychologist. Lester v. Chater, 81 F.3d 3 821, 830 (9th Cir. 1996) (citing Embrey v. Bowen, 849 F.2d 418, 422 (9th Cir. 1988); Pitzer v. 4 Sullivan, 908 F.2d 502, 506 (9th Cir. 1990)). However, “[i]n order to discount the opinion of an 5 examining physician in favor of the opinion of a nonexamining medical advisor, the ALJ must 6 set forth specific, legitimate reasons that are supported by substantial evidence in the record.” 7 Nguyen v. Chater, 100 F.3d 1462, 1466 (9th Cir. 1996) (citing Lester, 81 F.3d at 831). The ALJ 8 can accomplish this by “setting out a detailed and thorough summary of the facts and conflicting 9 clinical evidence, stating his interpretation thereof, and making findings.” Reddick v. Chater, 157 10 F.3d 715, 725 (9th Cir. 1998) (citing Magallanes, 881 F.2d at 751). In addition, the ALJ must 11 explain why the ALJ’s own interpretations, rather than those of the doctors, are correct. Reddick, 12 157 F.3d at 725 (citing Embrey, 849 F.2d at 421-22). The ALJ “may not reject ‘significant 13 probative evidence’ without explanation.” Flores v. Shalala, 49 F.3d 562, 570-71 (9th Cir. 1995) 14 (quoting Vincent v. Heckler, 739 F.2d 1393, 1395 (9th Cir. 1984) (quoting Cotter v. Harris, 642 15 F.2d 700, 706-07 (3d Cir. 1981))). The “ALJ’s written decision must state reasons for 16 disregarding [such] evidence.” Flores, 49 F.3d at 571. 17 18 19 B. Application of Standard 1. John F. Robinson, Ph.D. Dr. Robinson reviewed Plaintiff’s application for disability benefits and rendered an 20 opinion as to Plaintiff’s mental residual functional capacity on January 9, 2014. AR 101. Dr. 21 Robinson diagnosed Plaintiff with Anxiety Disorder, Personality Disorder, Affective Disorder, 22 and Learning Disorder. AR 95. When evaluating whether Plaintiff met the requirements of a 23 listing, Dr. Robinson opined Plaintiff had mild restrictions in her activities of daily living, 24 ORDER ON PLAINTIFF’S COMPLAINT - 7 1 moderate limitations in her social functioning and in maintaining concentration, persistence, or 2 pace, and no episodes of decompensation. AR 95. Dr. Robinson further opined Plaintiff’s severe 3 mental health impairments would lead to moderate limitations in her ability to: understand and 4 remember detailed instructions; carry out detailed instructions; maintain attention and 5 concentration for extended periods; work in coordination with or in proximity to others without 6 being distracted by them; interact appropriately with the general public, and accept instructions 7 and respond appropriately to criticism from supervisors. AR 100-101. Though Dr. Robinson 8 opined Plaintiff’s concentration, persistence, and pace would wax and wane from time to time 9 due to psychological factors, he further opined Plaintiff would be able to redirect herself, focus, 10 and concentrate enough to perform simple, routine tasks for two-hour intervals. AR 100-101, 11 117-18. Dr. Robinson noted Plaintiff could interact with the public, and work with coworkers 12 and supervisors, in only a superficial manner. AR 101, 118. Dr. Robinson opined Plaintiff would 13 require a “safe” workplace, which may require a careful choice of work venue in order to 14 exclude Plaintiff’s “PTSD-like anxiety triggers.” AR 101, 118. 15 The ALJ discounted aspects of Dr. Robinson’s opinion for four reasons: 16 [1] Dr. Robinson opined that the claimant was capable of “at least simple repetitive tasks,” yet continued to indicate that the claimant exhibited no more than mild limitations in concentration, persistence, or pace. [AR 88-121]. In his narrative, Dr. Robinson does not discuss the basis for this potential limitation. Thus, this portion of his opinion is either too vague or internally inconsistent. Thus, I have not adopted this limitation. However, I note that the work identified by the vocational expert at the fifth step of the sequential evaluation is consistent with this limitation. [2] Dr. Robinson also posited social limitations that are generally consistent with the finding above. [3] Finally, Dr. Robinson proposed a “safe” work environment, which was apparently an instruction to Vocational Rehabilitation, rather than a reflection of the claimant’s residual functional capacity. See [AR 96]. [4] Dr. Robinson opined that the claimant’s sexual orientation and transgenderism would exclude some work venues such as the military. However, the hiring practices of employers is not a relevant consideration in the sequential evaluation process. Thus, I have not adopted this suggestion in the above finding either. 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 ORDER ON PLAINTIFF’S COMPLAINT - 8 1 AR 19. Plaintiff argues the ALJ erred by failing to include Dr. Robinson’s opined social 2 limitations in the ALJ’s residual functional capacity assessment, and the Court agrees. 3 Normally, the Court reviews an ALJ’s rejection of a non-examining physician’s opinion 4 to determine if the ALJ offered specific reasons supported by the medical record. See Sousa v. 5 Callahan, 143 F.3d 1240, 1244 (9th Cir. 1998). However, Plaintiff’s principal objection to the 6 ALJ’s evaluation of Dr. Robinson’s testimony is not that the ALJ offered improper reasons for 7 discounting Dr. Robinson’s social limitations. Instead, Plaintiff argues the ALJ erred by failing 8 to include Dr. Robinson’s opined social limitations in the residual functional capacity finding, 9 despite purporting to give them weight. An ALJ errs by purporting to give great weight to a 10 physician’s opinion, yet failing to include all of the physician’s opined limitations into the 11 residual functional capacity. See Betts v. Colvin, 531 Fed.Appx. 799, 800 (9th Cir. 2013). 12 Further, an ALJ “may not reject ‘significant probative evidence’ without explanation.” Flores v. 13 Shalala, 49 F.3d 562, 570-71 (9th Cir. 1995) (quoting Vincent v. Heckler, 739 F.2d 1393, 1395 14 (9th Cir. 1984) (quoting Cotter v. Harris, 642 F.2d 700, 706-07 (3d Cir. 1981))). The “ALJ’s 15 written decision must state reasons for disregarding [such] evidence.” Flores, 49 F.3d at 571. 16 Here, the ALJ found Plaintiff had the residual functional capacity to have “occasional and 17 superficial contact with the general public . . . .” AR 13. The ALJ found this to be generally 18 consistent with Dr. Robinson’s opined social limitations. AR 19. However, Dr. Robinson opined 19 Plaintiff would have moderate limitations in her ability to interact with both the general public as 20 well as her supervisors. AR 101, 118. Dr. Robinson also opined Plaintiff could work with 21 coworkers and supervisors in a superficial manner only. AR 101, 118. The ALJ does not address 22 Dr. Robinson’s opined limitations concerning supervisor and coworker interaction anywhere in 23 the written decision, nor did the ALJ propound a hypothetical question to the vocational expert 24 ORDER ON PLAINTIFF’S COMPLAINT - 9 1 which addressed such limitations. AR 19-27. The ALJ’s failure to incorporate these limitations 2 into the residual functional capacity finding, or otherwise provide a specific and legitimate 3 reason for rejecting these limitations, renders the ALJ’s residual functional capacity finding 4 incomplete and unsupported by substantial evidence. See Hill v. Astrue, 698 F.3d 1153, 1162 5 (9th Cir. 2012); Betts, 531 Fed.Appx. at 800. 6 Defendant argues the ALJ nonetheless properly discounted Dr. Robinson’s opinion 7 because it was “vague and internally inconsistent.” Dkt. 12, p. 4. But, this reason is applicable 8 only to one articulated limitation in Dr. Robinson’s opinion. The ALJ discounted Dr. Robinson’s 9 limitations to simple, repetitive tasks as it was purportedly vague or internally inconsistent with 10 the rest of Dr. Robinson’s opinion. AR 19. However, the ALJ explicitly indicates he discounted 11 other aspects of Dr. Robinson’s opinion for different reasons. For example, the ALJ discounted 12 Dr. Robinson’s opinion concerning Plaintiff’s need to work in a “safe” environment, not due to 13 inconsistency or vagueness, but because the ALJ read this limitation to be an instruction to 14 Vocational Rehabilitation, rather than a functional limitation. AR 19. The ALJ also does not 15 indicate he rejected Dr. Robinson’s opined social limitations whatsoever. AR 19. Thus, while the 16 ALJ may have offered one valid reason to discount one aspect of Dr. Robinson’s opinion, that 17 reason does not bolster the balance of the ALJ’s analysis by its mere proximity. Cf. Dale v. 18 Colvin, 823 F.3d 941, 945-46 (9th Cir. 2016) (“[A]n ALJ errs when he discounts an other 19 source’s entire testimony because of inconsistency with evidence in the record, when the ALJ 20 has divided the testimony into distinct parts and determined that only one part of the testimony is 21 inconsistent.”). 1 22 23 1 In any event, the ALJ’s conclusion there was an internal inconsistency in Dr. 24 Robinson’s opinion is suspect. Contrary to the ALJ’s statement about the opinion being vague ORDER ON PLAINTIFF’S COMPLAINT - 10 1 Because the ALJ failed to articulate a specific reason, supported by substantial evidence, 2 for discounting Dr. Robinson’s opined social limitations, the ALJ erred. 3 4 2. T. Christopher Portman, Ph.D. Dr. Portman examined Plaintiff on March 28, 2013. AR 722. On examination, Plaintiff 5 presented with moderately anxious mood. AR 722. Otherwise, however, Plaintiff presented 6 entirely within normal limits on mental status examination. AR 22. Dr. Portman diagnosed 7 Plaintiff with PTSD, assessed a GAF score of 60, and opined Plaintiff would have severe 8 limitations in her ability to: perform activities within a schedule, maintain regular attendance, 9 and be punctual within customary tolerances without special supervision; and maintain 10 appropriate behavior in a work setting. AR 721. Dr. Portman also assessed marked limitations in 11 Plaintiff’s ability to understand, remember, and persist in tasks by following detailed 12 instructions; respond to changes in a routine work setting; and set realistic goals and plan 13 independently. AR 721. 14 The ALJ gave Dr. Portman’s opinion little weight for four reasons: 15 [1] [Dr. Portman’s evaluation] occurred prior to the amended alleged onset date. [2] Furthermore, while Dr. Portman check [sic] boxes indicating a variety of significant limitations, including an inability to maintain appropriate behavior in a work setting, he did not explain any of these limitations. [AR 721]. [3] The MSE was entirely normal. [AR 722]. Since he is not one of the claimant’s providers, there are no contemporaneous notes to explain such limitations either. 16 17 18 19 [4] Furthermore, he assigned the claimant a [GAF] score of 60, which appears inconsistent with the limitations he assessed. [AR 720]; Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (4th ed.) (DSM-IV). As explained below, I have not 20 21 and internally inconsistent, Dr. Robinson repeatedly documented moderate, rather than mild, 22 limitations in Plaintiff’s concentration, persistence, and pace. AR 95, 100-01, 117-18. Also, contrary to the ALJ’s findings, Dr. Robinson did explain these limitations by noting “[Plaintiff’s 23 concentration, persistence, and pace] would wax and wane from time to time due to psych factors, but she can redirect self, and focus and concentrate enough to perform [simple, routine 24 tasks] for at least two hour intervals.” AR 101. ORDER ON PLAINTIFF’S COMPLAINT - 11 1 assigned significant weight to GAF scores, but this score is indicative of internal inconsistency in this form. Given the inconsistency and lack of explanation for the significant limitations checked by Dr. Portman, I assigned this form minimal weight. 2 3 AR 20. 4 The Court notes the ALJ’s first reason for discounting Dr. Portman’s opinion is plainly 5 erroneous. Plaintiff amended her disability onset date to April 24, 2012. AR 10, 33. Dr. Portman 6 examined Plaintiff and rendered his opinion on March 28, 2013. AR 722. However, the ALJ 7 properly discounted Dr. Portman’s opinion due to his failure to explain his opinion, and due to 8 the apparent contradiction between his assessed marked and severe limitations and his otherwise 9 entirely normal examination findings. See Batson, 359 F.3 at 1195 (discounting a claimant’s 10 treating physician opinion because it was “conclusory, brief, and unsupported by the record as a 11 whole”). Nonetheless, as discussed above, the ALJ erred in evaluating Dr. Robinson’s opinion. 12 Thus, on remand, the ALJ should reevaluate Dr. Portman’s opinion. 13 III. Other Assignments of Error 14 In addition to the foregoing, Plaintiff also argues the ALJ erred by improperly 15 discounting Plaintiff’s subjective symptom testimony, and in finding Plaintiff was capable of 16 performing other jobs existing in significant numbers in the national economy. However, in light 17 of the ALJ’s error at Step Two and in evaluating the medical opinion evidence, the ALJ will 18 necessarily need to reconsider these findings on remand. 19 CONCLUSION 20 Based on the foregoing reasons, the Court finds the ALJ committed harmful error by 21 failing to consider Plaintiff’s macular degeneration to be a severe medically determinable 22 impairment at Step Two, and by failing to properly evaluate Dr. Robinson’s opinion. Therefore, 23 the Court orders this matter be reversed and remanded pursuant to sentence four of 42 U.S.C. § 24 ORDER ON PLAINTIFF’S COMPLAINT - 12 1 405(g). On remand, the ALJ should evaluate whether Plaintiff has the severe impairment of 2 macular degeneration, re-evaluate the medical opinion evidence, re-evaluate Plaintiff’s 3 subjective symptom testimony, re-evaluate Plaintiff’s residual functional capacity, and proceed 4 on to Step Four and/or Step Five of the sequential evaluation as appropriate. The ALJ should 5 also develop the record as needed. Judgment should be for Plaintiff and the case should be 6 closed. 7 Dated this 21st day of April, 2017. 8 A 9 David W. Christel United States Magistrate Judge 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 ORDER ON PLAINTIFF’S COMPLAINT - 13

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