Boldt v. Berryhill

Filing 14

ORDER Reversing and Remanding Defendant's Decision to Deny Benefits by Judge Theresa L Fricke. (TW)

Download PDF
1 2 3 UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT WESTERN DISTRICT OF WASHINGTON AT TACOMA 4 5 6 BRUCE ELLIOTT BOLDT, Case No. 3:17-cv-05229-TLF 7 8 9 Plaintiff, v. NANCY A. BERRYHILL, Acting Commissioner of Social Security, 10 ORDER REVERSING AND REMANDING DEFENDANT’S DECISION TO DENY BENEFITS Defendants. 11 Bruce Elliott Boldt has brought this matter for judicial review of defendant’s denial of his 12 application for disability insurance benefits. The parties have consented to have this matter heard 13 by the undersigned Magistrate Judge. 28 U.S.C. § 636(c), Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 73; 14 Local Rule MJR 13. 15 Mr. Boldt seeks reversal of the ALJ’s decision and remand for further administrative 16 proceedings, arguing the ALJ erred in evaluating the medical opinion evidence. Specifically, Mr. 17 Boldt contends that the ALJ erred by failing to consider the opinion evidence of an examining 18 physician, Dr. John Kooiker, M.D., and a treating psychologist, Dr. Carole DeMarco, Ph.D. Dkt. 19 11, pp. 2-7. Mr. Boldt also argues the ALJ’s failure to properly evaluate the medical evidence 20 caused further error because the error in assessing medical evidence led to error in determining 21 Mr. Boldt’s RFC, and also led to error in finding Mr. Boldt could perform other jobs existing in 22 significant numbers in the national economy. Dkt. 11, p. 7. For the reasons set forth below, the 23 24 25 ORDER - 1 1 Court agrees. Accordingly, the Court will reverse the decision to deny benefits and remand for 2 further administrative proceedings. 3 On December 10, 2012, Mr. Boldt filed an application for a period of disability and 4 disability insurance benefits, alleging that he became disabled beginning October 25, 2005. Dkt. 5 9, Administrative Record (AR) 13. That application was denied on initial administrative review 6 and on reconsideration. Id. A hearing was held before an administrative law judge (ALJ) in June 7 2014. AR 55-88. Mr. Boldt appeared and testified, as did a vocational expert. AR 13. In a written 8 decision in August 2014, the ALJ found that Mr. Boldt could perform jobs existing in significant 9 numbers in the national economy and therefore was not disabled. AR 164-80. 10 The Appeals Council later vacated that decision and remanded it to the ALJ. AR 13. On 11 remand, the ALJ held another hearing, on March 22, 2016. AR 89-125. Mr. Boldt testified again, 12 as did a vocational expert. Id. In a written decision on August 19, 2016, the ALJ again found that 13 Mr. Boldt could perform jobs existing in significant numbers in the national economy and 14 therefore was not disabled. AR 13-32. The Appeals Council denied Mr. Boldt’s request for 15 review on February 10, 2017, making the ALJ’s decision the final decision of the Commissioner. 16 AR 1. Mr. Boldt then appealed that decision in a complaint filed with this Court on March 28, 17 2017. Dkt. 1; 20 C.F.R. § 404.981. 18 19 I. STANDARD AND SCOPE OF REVIEW The Commissioner employs a five-step “sequential evaluation process” to determine 20 whether a claimant is disabled. 20 C.F.R. § 404.520. If the ALJ finds the claimant disabled or not 21 disabled at any particular step, the ALJ makes the disability determination at that step and the 22 sequential evaluation process ends. See id. At issue here is the ALJ’s weighing of different 23 pieces of medical evidence and his resulting assessment of Mr. Boldt’s RFC and conclusion that 24 Mr. Boldt could perform jobs existing in significant numbers in the national economy. 25 ORDER - 2 1 This Court affirms an ALJ’s determination that a claimant is not disabled if the ALJ 2 applied “proper legal standards” in weighing the evidence and making the determination and if 3 “substantial evidence in the record as a whole supports” that determination. Hoffman v. Heckler, 4 785 F.2d 1423, 1425 (9th Cir. 1986). Substantial evidence is “‘such relevant evidence as a 5 reasonable mind might accept as adequate to support a conclusion.’” Trevizo v. Berryhill, 871 6 F.3d 664, 674 (9th Cir. 2017) (quoting Desrosiers v. Sec'y of Health & Human Servs., 846 F.2d 7 573, 576 (9th Cir. 1988)). This requires “‘more than a mere scintilla,’” though “‘less than a 8 preponderance’” of the evidence. Id. (quoting Desrosiers, 846 F.2d at 576). In reviewing the 9 record, the Court must weigh both the evidence that supports the Commissioner’s decision and 10 evidence that detracts from that decision, considering the record as a whole. Id. at 675. The 11 Court’s scope of review is limited to the reasons provided by the ALJ in his or her decision; the 12 Court may not affirm on a ground that the ALJ did not rely upon. Id. 13 This Court will uphold the ALJ’s findings if “inferences reasonably drawn from the 14 record” support them. Batson v. Comm'r of Soc. Sec. Admin., 359 F.3d 1190, 1193 (9th Cir. 15 2004). If more than one rational interpretation may be drawn from the evidence, then this Court 16 must uphold the ALJ’s interpretation. Allen v. Heckler, 749 F.2d 577, 579 (9th Cir. 1984). 17 II. MEDICAL OPINION EVIDENCE 18 The ALJ is responsible for determining credibility and resolving ambiguities and 19 conflicts in the medical evidence. Reddick v. Chater, 157 F.3d 715, 722 (9th Cir. 1998). Where 20 the evidence is inconclusive, “‘questions of credibility and resolution of conflicts are functions 21 solely of the [ALJ]’” and this Court will uphold those conclusions. Morgan v. Comm’r of the 22 Soc. Sec. Admin., 169 F.3d 595, 601 (9th Cir. 1999) (quoting Sample v. Schweiker, 694 F.2d 639, 23 642 (9th Cir. 1982)). As part of this discretion, the ALJ determines whether inconsistencies in 24 25 ORDER - 3 1 the evidence “are material (or are in fact inconsistencies at all) and whether certain factors are 2 relevant” in deciding how to weigh medical opinions. Id. at 603. 3 The ALJ must support his or her findings with “specific, cogent reasons.” Reddick, 157 4 F.3d at 725. To do so, the ALJ sets out “a detailed and thorough summary of the facts and 5 conflicting clinical evidence,” interprets that evidence, and makes findings. Id. The ALJ does not 6 need to discuss all the evidence the parties present but must explain the rejection of “significant 7 probative evidence.” Vincent on Behalf of Vincent v. Heckler, 739 F.2d 1393, 1394-95 (9th Cir. 8 1984) (citation omitted). The ALJ may draw inferences “logically flowing from the evidence.” 9 Sample, 694 F.2d at 642. And the Court itself may draw “specific and legitimate inferences from 10 11 the ALJ’s opinion.” Magallanes v. Bowen, 881 F.2d 747, 755 (9th Cir. 1989). “The medical opinion of a claimant’s treating physician is given ‘controlling weight’ so 12 long as it ‘is well-supported by medically acceptable clinical and laboratory diagnostic 13 techniques and is not inconsistent with the other substantial evidence in [the claimant’s] case 14 record.’” 20 C.F.R. § 404.1527(c)(2); Trevizo, 871 F.3d at 675. In general, the ALJ gives more 15 weight to a treating physician’s opinion than to the opinions of physicians who do not treat the 16 claimant. See Lester v. Chater, 81 F.3d 821, 830 (9th Cir. 1996). Nonetheless, an ALJ need not 17 accept a treating physician’s opinion that “is brief, conclusory, and inadequately supported by 18 clinical findings” or “by the record as a whole.” Batson, 359 F.3d at 1195; see also Thomas v. 19 Barnhart, 278 F.3d 947, 957 (9th Cir. 2002); Tonapetyan v. Halter, 242 F.3d 1144, 1149 (9th 20 Cir. 2001). 21 To reject the uncontradicted opinion of either a treating or examining physician, an ALJ 22 must provide “clear and convincing” reasons. Revels v. Berryhill, 874 F.3d 648, 654 (9th Cir. 23 2017). When other evidence contradicts the treating or examining physician’s opinion, the ALJ 24 25 ORDER - 4 1 must still provide “specific and legitimate reasons,” supported by substantial evidence, to reject 2 that opinion. Trevizo, 871 F.3d at 675. An ALJ should weigh the physician’s opinion according 3 to factors such as the nature, extent, and length of the physician-patient working relationship, the 4 frequency of examinations, whether the physician’s opinion is supported by and consistent with 5 the record, and the specialization of the physician. Id.; see 20 C.F.R. § 404.1527(c)(1)-(6). 6 Finally, a non-examining physician’s opinion may constitute substantial evidence for an ALJ’s 7 findings if that opinion “is consistent with other independent evidence in the record.” 8 Tonapetyan, 242 F.3d at 1149. 9 A. Examining Psychiatrist: John Kooiker, M.D. Dr. Kooiker examined Mr. Boldt on September 19, 2009. AR 714. In a mental status 10 11 examination, he found Mr. Boldt’s “persistent feature” to be his “persistent anger,” observing 12 that his “speech was accelerated” and that he stood and moved around for part of the interview. 13 Dr. Kooiker recounted Mr. Boldt’s statements to him, including that he had shot himself in the 14 ribs, he felt tired and depressed, and he had “suicidal ideas daily.” Dr. Kooiker reiterated his 15 impression that Mr. Boldt was “very angry.” AR 715. Dr. Kooiker diagnosed Mr. Boldt with “features of major depression” and scored him at 16 17 47-50 of 100 on the Global Assessment of Functioning (GAF) scale, 1 citing “[s]erious 18 symptoms, serious impairment of social and occupational functioning, and suicidal ideation.” AR 19 715. Dr. Kooiker described Mr. Boldt’s status as “fixed and stable” but also noted “episodic loss 20 21 1 22 23 24 A global assessment of functioning (“GAF”) score is “a subjective determination based on a scale of 100 to 1 of ‘the [mental health] clinician's judgment of [a claimant’s] overall level of functioning.’” Pisciotta v. Astrue, 500 F.3d 1074, 1076 n.1 (10th Cir. 2007) (citation omitted). “A GAF score of 41-50 indicates ‘[s]erious symptoms . . . [or] serious impairment in social, occupational, or school functioning,’ such as inability to keep a job.” Langley v. Barnhart, 373 F.3d 1116, 1123 n.3 (10th Cir. 2004) (quoting Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (Text Revision 4th ed. 2000) (“DSM-IV-TR”) at 34). 25 ORDER - 5 1 of self-control” and “risk of causing damage to community or self.” AR 716. He opined that Mr. 2 Boldt’s “[p]rognosis for returning to work appears to be very unlikely at this point.” Id. 3 4 5 The ALJ assigned Dr. Kooiker’s opinion “little weight.” AR 28. Mr. Boldt contends that the ALJ gave insufficient reasons for doing so. As a preliminary matter, the Commissioner asks this Court to uphold the ALJ’s decision 6 for several reasons the ALJ did not state. She contends that the ALJ was justified in rejecting Dr. 7 Kooiker’s opinion because Dr. Kooiker opined on an issue reserved to the Commissioner in 8 stating that Mr. Boldt was “unlikely” to be able to return to work; because Mr. Boldt’s activities 9 of daily living were inconsistent with the limitations Dr. Kooiker assessed; and because Mr. 10 11 Boldt searched for work after his disability’s alleged onset date. Dkt. 12, pp. 5-7. “Long-standing principles of administrative law require us to review the ALJ's decision 12 based on the reasoning and factual findings offered by the ALJ—not post hoc rationalizations 13 that attempt to intuit what the adjudicator may have been thinking.” Bray v. Comm'r of Soc. Sec. 14 Admin., 554 F.3d 1219, 1225–26 (9th Cir. 2009) (citing SEC v. Chenery Corp., 332 U.S. 194, 15 196 (1947)). Following these principles, the Court declines to review the post-hoc reasons the 16 Commissioner offers for the ALJ’s decision. 17 18 19 Moreover, none of the reasons the ALJ gave for rejecting Dr. Kooiker’s opinion were specific and legitimate. First, the ALJ stated broadly that Dr. Kooiker’s opinions were “inconsistent with the 20 overall medical evidence of record as stated above.” As the Ninth Circuit has explained, 21 To say that medical opinions are not supported by sufficient objective findings or are contrary to the preponderant conclusions mandated by the objective findings does not achieve the level of specificity our prior cases have required, even when the objective factors are listed seriatim. The ALJ must do more than offer his conclusions. He must set forth his own interpretations and explain why they, rather than the doctors', are correct. 22 23 24 25 ORDER - 6 1 Embrey v. Bowen, 849 F.2d 418, 421–22 (9th Cir. 1988). Accordingly, although the ALJ had 2 reviewed Mr. Boldt’s medical record earlier in the ALJ’s decision, his vague statement about Dr. 3 Kooiker’s opinion is inadequate to justify rejecting it. See AR 19-25. The record shows Dr. 4 Kooiker had reviewed extensive clinical evidence of Mr. Boldt’s mental illness that caused 5 severe impairment in his ability to function at work; Dr. Kooiker cited Boldt’s loss of self6 control, a risk that Boldt would cause damage to the community, and a risk that he might cause 7 harm to himself. AR 714-16. Dr. Kooiker also referred to Mr. Boldt’s history of attempted 8 suicide and recurrent depressive episodes. Id. 9 Second, the ALJ stated that Mr. Boldt’s “representation and performance during the 10 examination was generally unremarkable from a mental health standpoint.” AR 28. The record 11 does not support this reason. As noted above, Dr. Kooiker observed Mr. Boldt’s “speech was 12 accelerated” throughout the interview, Mr. Boldt stood and moved around, and “persistent 13 anger” was the interview’s dominant feature. AR 714. The ALJ could not reasonably infer from 14 these statements that Mr. Boldt presented as “generally unremarkable.” See Batson, 359 F.3d at 15 1193. 16 Third, the ALJ explained that “the medical evidence shows that the claimant’s mental 17 health symptoms responded well to medication.” But Dr. Kooiker made the same finding. See 18 AR 716 (noting that “chart indicates that antidepressant medication has been helpful”). While 19 Dr. Kooiker recommended medication “on an indefinite basis,” he nonetheless opined that Mr. 20 Boldt had “very unlikely” prospects of returning to work. Id. As an examining physician, Dr. 21 Kooiker was in a better position to evaluate Mr. Boldt’s condition given the finding that 22 medication had helped him. See Gonzalez Perez v. Secretary of Health and Human Services, 812 23 F.2d 747, 749 (1st Cir. 1987) (ALJ may not substitute own opinion for findings and opinion of 24 25 ORDER - 7 1 physician). The ALJ gave no explanation why he reached the opposite conclusion based on the 2 same facts. See AR 28. Mr. Boldt’s improvement with medication was thus not a specific and 3 legitimate basis on which to reject Dr. Kooiker’s opinion. 4 Finally, the ALJ rejected Dr. Kooiker’s opinion because it “appears to be based, at least 5 in part, on the claimant’s subjective complaints.” AR 28. The ALJ found those complaints 6 unreliable because “evidence in the record strongly suggest[s] that the claimant exaggerated the 7 severity of his symptoms.” AR 28. 8 9 “If a treating provider's opinions are based ‘to a large extent’ on an applicant's selfreports and not on clinical evidence, and the ALJ finds the applicant not credible, the ALJ may 10 discount the treating provider's opinion.” Ghanim v. Colvin, 763 F.3d 1154, 1162 (9th Cir. 2014) 11 (quoting Tommasetti v. Astrue, 533 F.3d 1035, 1041 (9th Cir. 2008). But an ALJ has “no 12 evidentiary basis” to reject an opinion that “is not more heavily based on a patient's self-reports 13 than on clinical observations.” Id. The Ninth Circuit in Ghanim observed that the treating 14 providers’ evaluations discussed “observations, diagnoses, and prescriptions, in addition to 15 Ghanim's self-reports.” Id. The Court held that the ALJ erred because he “offered no basis for his 16 conclusion that these opinions were based more heavily on Ghanim's self-reports, and substantial 17 evidence does not support such a conclusion.” Id. 18 The Commissioner relies on the ALJ’s statement that Dr. Kooiker’s opinion was based 19 “at least in part” on unreliable self-reports by Mr. Boldt. But the court in Ghanim clearly 20 contemplated that medical sources rely on self-reports to varying degrees, and it held that an ALJ 21 may reject a medical source’s opinion as based on unreliable self-reports only when the medical 22 source relied “more heavily” “on a patient's self-reports than on clinical observations.” Ghanim, 23 763 F.3d at 1162. Because the ALJ erred in failing to make such a finding here, it is unnecessary 24 25 ORDER - 8 1 to consider whether the record would support one. 2 The ALJ’s decision to reject Dr. Kooiker’s 2 opinion because the doctor based it on Mr. Boldt’s self-reports is neither legitimate nor 3 supported. The Commissioner asserts that Mr. Boldt has waived this argument by not challenging 4 5 the ALJ’s underlying determination that Mr. Boldt’s reports of his symptoms were not fully 6 credible. The Commissioner is incorrect: the Court does not need to consider that underlying 7 determination, because, as discussed above, the ALJ did not find that Dr. Kooiker relied “more 8 heavily” on those self-reports than on clinical observations. Thus, regardless of whether those 9 self-reports were credible, the ALJ’s explanation was not valid. 10 Because the ALJ did not offer specific and legitimate reasons, supported by the record, to 11 reject Dr. Kooiker’s opinion, the Court must reverse the ALJ’s decision that Mr. Boldt is not 12 disabled and remand for further proceedings. See Trevizo, 871 F.3d at 675. 13 B. Treating Psychologist: Carole DeMarco, Ph.D. 14 Dr. DeMarco performed psychological evaluations of Mr. Boldt in September 2010, 15 January 2011, and May 2011. AR 480, 495, 511. She opined that Mr. Boldt suffered from 16 depression and symptoms of anxiety—such as sleeplessness, shaking, and anger—that 17 “interfere[d] with his daily functioning.” 482, 498, 514. She assessed a GAF score of 41 in each 18 report. Id. She based these opinions on clinical observations, clinical interview, and behaviors 19 that “indicate an individual who continues to experience Depression and symptoms of Anxiety.” 20 AR 497. 21 22 2 23 24 In addition to considering Mr. Boldt’s self-reported symptoms, Dr. Kooiker reviewed Mr. Boldt’s medical history and made clinical findings based on a mental status exam. AR 712-16. Thus, even if the Court reached this issue, Dr. Kooiker’s evaluation would not support a finding that he relied primarily on Mr. Boldt’s self-reports. 25 ORDER - 9 1 The ALJ did not address any of these opinions. Rather, the ALJ considered a letter that 2 Dr. DeMarco wrote in July 2010 concurring with Dr. Kooiker’s opinion. Dr. DeMarco referred 3 to that letter at the beginning of her September 2010 psychological evaluation of Mr. Boldt. AR 4 480. 5 The ALJ rejected Dr. DeMarco’s concurring opinion, along with the GAF score of 41 6 that she assessed, “for the reasons discussed above.” AR 28. Presumably the ALJ was referring 7 to the reasons he gave for rejecting Dr. Kooiker’s opinion. Because, as discussed above, those 8 reasons were not specific and legitimate, the ALJ erred in rejecting Dr. DeMarco’s opinion on 9 the same basis. 10 Moreover, Dr. DeMarco did not, as the ALJ implied, simply “affirm[ ] Dr. Kooiker’s 11 opinion.” AR 28. She also independently performed three psychological evaluations of Mr. 12 Boldt. AR 480, 495, 511. The ALJ does not appear to have considered the opinions Dr. DeMarco 13 reached as part of these evaluations. “[A]n ALJ errs when he rejects a medical opinion or assigns 14 it little weight while doing nothing more than ignoring it, asserting without explanation that 15 another medical opinion is more persuasive, or criticizing it with boilerplate language that fails 16 to offer a substantive basis for his conclusion.” Garrison v. Colvin, 759 F.3d 995, 1012–13 (9th 17 Cir. 2014). The ALJ erred by overlooking Dr. DeMarco’s opinions in this case. 18 III. 19 RFC Assessment A claimant’s residual functional capacity (RFC) assessment is used at step four of the 20 sequential evaluation process to determine whether he or she can do his or her past relevant 21 work, and at step five to determine whether he or she can do other work. Social Security Ruling 22 (SSR) 96-8p, 1996 WL 374184 *2. The RFC is what the claimant “can still do despite his or her 23 limitations.” Id. 24 25 ORDER - 10 1 A claimant’s RFC is the maximum amount of work the claimant is able to perform based 2 on all of the relevant evidence in the record. Id. However, an inability to work must result from 3 the claimant’s “physical or mental impairment(s).” Id. Thus, the ALJ must consider only those 4 limitations and restrictions “attributable to medically determinable impairments.” Id. In assessing 5 a claimant’s RFC, the ALJ must also discuss why the claimant’s “symptom-related functional 6 limitations and restrictions can or cannot reasonably be accepted as consistent with the medical 7 or other evidence.” Id. at *7. 8 The ALJ found Mr. Boldt had the RFC 9 to perform medium work, as defined in 20 CFR § 404.1567(c), that did not require standing for more than 20 minutes at one time and two hours in an eight-hour workday; that did not require sitting for more than 45 minutes at one time and six hours in an eight-hour workday; that did not require walking for more than 15 minutes at one time and one and-a-half hours in an eight-hour workday; that did not require below shoulder lifting of more than 40 pounds occasionally and 20 pounds frequently; that did not require above shoulder lifting of more than 30 pounds occasionally and none frequently; that did not require more than occasional carrying; that did not require pushing or pulling more than 60 pounds occasionally and 30 pounds frequently; that did not require more than frequent kneeling; that did not require more than occasional crouching and crawling; that did not require more than seldom (10% of the workday) stooping and climbing; that did not require more than frequent operation of foot controls with the right lower extremity and occasional operation of foot controls with the left lower extremity; that did not require more than occasional reaching overhead; that did not require more than frequent fingering or handling; that consisted of simple tasks that required little or no judgment; and that did not require more than frequent interaction with co-workers or the general public. 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 AR 18 (emphasis in the original). Because as discussed above the ALJ erred in considering the medical opinion evidence, 21 the ALJ’s RFC assessment likewise does not include a consideration of the medical evidence that 22 would completely and accurately describe all of Mr. Boldt’s functional limitations. 23 Consequently, the hypothetical question the ALJ posed to the vocational expert—and thus that 24 25 ORDER - 11 1 expert’s testimony and the ALJ’s reliance thereon—were not supported by substantial evidence 2 or free of error, either. 3 4 IV. REMAND This Court has discretion to either remand for additional proceedings, or to remand for 5 award of benefits. Trevizo v. Berryhill, 871 F.2d 664, 682 (9th Cir. 2017). If there are 6 uncertainties or ambiguities in the record, and a remand would be useful to remedy the errors 7 that led to reversal, the Court should remand for additional proceedings. Leon v. Berryhill, No. 8 15-15277, slip. op. at 12 (9th Cir. November 7, 2017); Revels v. Berryhill, 874 F.3d 648, 668 (9th 9 Cir. 2017). In this case the ALJ erred in failing to properly consider the medical opinion 10 evidence; a remand would be useful to remedy the errors that led to reversal. The ALJ is directed 11 to consider the treating psychologist’s and the examining psychiatrist’s medical opinions and 12 related medical evidence in light of the record as a whole. After doing so, the ALJ must apply the 13 appropriate medical evidence to the evaluation of Mr. Boldt’s residual functional capacity and 14 the determination of whether he is able to work despite limitations. 15 16 V. CONCLUSION Based on the foregoing discussion, the Court finds the ALJ improperly determined Mr. 17 Boldt to be not disabled. The Commissioner’s decision to deny benefits therefore is REVERSED 18 and this matter is REMANDED for further administrative proceedings. 19 Dated this 21st day of November, 2017. 20 21 22 A 23 Theresa L. Fricke United States Magistrate Judge 24 25 ORDER - 12

Disclaimer: Justia Dockets & Filings provides public litigation records from the federal appellate and district courts. These filings and docket sheets should not be considered findings of fact or liability, nor do they necessarily reflect the view of Justia.


Why Is My Information Online?