Boothe v. Berryhill

Filing 10

ORDER affirming the Commissioner and dismissing the case, by Judge Robert S. Lasnik. (SWT)

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UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
WESTERN DISTRICT OF WASHINGTON
AT TACOMA

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NIKKITTA CAROL ANN BOOTHE,
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Plaintiff,
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Case No. C17-5507 RSL
ORDER AFFIRMING THE
COMMISSIONER AND
DISMISSING THE CASE

v.
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NANCY A. BERRYHILL, Acting
11 Commissioner of Social Security,
Defendant.

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Nikkitta Carol Anne Boothe appeals the decision of the administrative law judge (“ALJ”)

14 finding her not disabled. Ms. Boothe contends the ALJ erroneously (1) found migraines,
15 seizures, and sleeping spells are not severe impairments, and (2) discounted the opinions of
16 Alysa Ruddell, Ph.D., and Alicia Grattan, M.D. Dkt. 8. For the reasons below, the Court rejects
17 the arguments, AFFIRMS the Commissioner’s final decision, and DISMISSES the case with
18 prejudice.
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THE ALJ’S DECISION

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Utilizing the five-step disability evaluation process, 1 the ALJ found:

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Step one: Ms. Boothe has not engaged in substantial gainful activity since January 1,
2011.

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20 C.F.R. §§ 404.1520, 416.920.

ORDER AFFIRMING THE COMMISSIONER
AND DISMISSING THE CASE - 1

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Step two: Ms. Boothe has the following severe impairments: posttraumatic stress
disorder (“PTSD”), depressive disorder, and fibromyalgia are severe impairments.

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Step three: These impairments do not meet or equal the requirements of a listed
impairment. 2

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Residual Functional Capacity: Ms. Boothe can perform light work with additional
physical, environmental, and mental limitations.

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Step four: Ms. Boothe has no past relevant work.
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Step five: Ms. Boothe can perform jobs that exist in significant numbers in the national
economy and is thus not disabled.

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8 Tr. 18-40. The ALJ’s decision is the Commissioner’s final decision because the Appeals Council
9 denied Ms. Boothe’s request for review. Tr. 1. 3
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DISCUSSION

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The ALJ’s Step Two Findings

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Ms. Boothe contends the ALJ, at step two, erroneously found migraines, seizures and

13 sleeping spells are not severe impairments. Dkt. 8 at 6-7. Ms. Boothe bears the burden at step
14 two to establish (1) she has a medically determinable impairment or combination of
15 impairments; (2) the impairment or combination of impairments is severe, i.e., the impairment
16 significantly limits a claimant’s physical or mental ability to do basic work activities, 20 C.F.R.
17 § 404.1520(c), 404.1521(a); and (3) the impairment lasted at least 12 months. See Bowen v.
18 Yuckert, 482 U.S. 137, 146 (1987); 20 C.F.R. § 404.1520(c), 416.920(c). She has failed to meet
19 her burden of proof.
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First, Ms. Boothe has not shown the contested impairments are medically determinable.

21 She argues that her “medical records demonstrate a diagnosis of persistent migraines,” citing to
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20 C.F.R. Part 404, Subpart P. Appendix 1.

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The rest of the procedural history is not relevant to the outcome of the case and is thus omitted.

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ORDER AFFIRMING THE COMMISSIONER
AND DISMISSING THE CASE - 2

1 the records of Jon D. Mortenson, Certified Physician Assistant. Dkt. 8 at 7. However, evidence
2 from an acceptable medical source is required to establish the existence of a medically
3 determinable severe impairment at step two. 20 C.F.R. § 404.1513(a). Acceptable medical
4 sources include licensed physicians, either medical or osteopathic doctors. Id. Mr. Mortenson is
5 not a medical doctor. Information from an “other source,” such as Mr. Mortenson, cannot
6 establish the existence of a medically determinable severe impairment. Social Security Ruling
7 (“SSR”) 06-03p. 4 As to seizures and sleeping spells, Ms. Boothe fails to point to any medical
8 source that determined she suffers from these conditions based upon medically acceptable
9 clinical and laboratory diagnostic techniques. See 20 C.F.R. § 404.1508 (An impairment is
10 medically determinable if it results from anatomical, physiological, or psychological
11 abnormalities which can be shown by medically acceptable clinical and laboratory diagnostic
12 techniques.). To the extent Ms. Booth testified about seizures and sleeping spells, her testimony
13 is insufficient. Symptoms are the claimant’s own descriptions of her physical or mental
14 impairment. 20 C.F.R. § 404.1528(a). However, a claimant’s statement of symptoms alone is
15 not enough to establish a physical or mental impairment. 20 C.F.R. § 404.1508, 404.1528(a).
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Second, Ms. Boothe has not established headaches, seizures and sleeping spells are

17 “severe.” An impairment is severe if it significantly limits the claimant’s physical or mental
18 ability to do basic work activities. 20 C.F.R. § 404.1520(c), 404.1521(a). The evidence regarding
19 the impact that headaches, seizures and sleeping spells have on Ms. Boothe’s functioning is
20 skimpy. At the hearing conducted by the ALJ in 2015, Ms. Boothe was asked by her attorney
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SSRs do not have the force of law. Nevertheless, they “constitute Social Security
Administration (SSA) interpretations of the statute it administers and of its own regulations,” and
22 are binding on all SSA adjudicators. 20 C.F.R. § 402.35(b); Holohan v. Massanari, 246 F.3d
1195, 1203 n.1 (9th Cir. 2001). Accordingly, such rulings are given deference by the courts
23 “unless they are plainly erroneous or inconsistent with the Act or regulations.” Han v. Bowen,
882 F.2d 1453, 1457 (9th Cir. 1989).
ORDER AFFIRMING THE COMMISSIONER
AND DISMISSING THE CASE - 3

1 “Why is it you think you cannot work now, Nikkitta?” Tr. 70. Ms. Boothe testified she could not
2 work “due to either anxiety or physical illness caused by anxiety or physical illness just caused
3 by whatever is wrong with my back.” Id. Ms. Boothe also stated her PTSD caused her to
4 blackout, she has a fear of clowns, and that she has panic attacks. Tr. 72-74. Ms. Boothe,
5 however, made no mention of headaches, seizures, or sleeping spells.
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Ms. Boothe also submitted two written “Function Reports” in which she described how

7 her conditions limited her ability to work. In the first, submitted in 2011, she stated she had
8 intense migraines and that she often falls asleep during any activity. Tr. 263. In the second,
9 submitted in 2014, she stated she could not work due to PTSD which triggered high states of
10 anxiety and hip, neck and back problems that limited her ability to stand, walk and lift items over
11 20 pounds. Tr. 328.
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Ms. Boothe was also examined by Dr. Gary Gaffield, DO, in 2011. She reported to the

13 doctor that although she suffered from migraine headaches, “she has never missed work because
14 of a headache.” Tr. 387. In short, Ms. Boothe testified headaches and sleepiness limited her
15 ability to work in 2011, but she also stated in 2011 that headaches did not cause her to miss
16 work. After 2011, Ms. Boothe provided no testimony indicating she was limited by headaches,
17 seizures or sleeping spells. In 2011 and in January 2012, Mr. Mortenson noted Ms. Boothe’s
18 complaints about suffering migraine headaches three times a week. Tr. 511. But thereafter, there
19 is just occasional mention of migraine headaches, and no specific treatment notes or plans in the
20 medical record. See e.g. Tr. 642 (“Migraine, Migraine unspecified without mention of intractable
21 migraine.”).
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The Court accordingly concludes the ALJ’s step two determination that migraine

23 headaches, seizures and sleeping spells are not severe impairments is supported by substantial
ORDER AFFIRMING THE COMMISSIONER
AND DISMISSING THE CASE - 4

1 evidence and that the ALJ’s step two determinations should be affirmed. See e.g., Jones v.
2 Heckler, 760 F.2d 993, 995 (9th Cir. 1985) (ALJ should be affirmed when ALJ’s determination
3 is not based on legal error and is supported by substantial evidence.).
4 B.

The ALJ’s Evaluation of the Medical Evidence

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Ms. Boothe contends that the ALJ erroneously rejected portions of the opinions of Alysa

6 Ruddell, Ph.D., and Alicia Grattan, M.D., while giving significant weight to the opinions of two
7 non-examining doctors. Dkt. 8 at 8. The Commissioner correctly argues Ms. Boothe’s argument
8 is “facially insufficient.” Dkt. 9 at 6.
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Claims that are unsupported by explanation or authority may be deemed waived. See

10 Avila v. Astrue, No. C07-1331, 2008 WL 4104300 (E.D. Cal. Sept. 2, 2008) at * 2 (unpublished
11 opinion) (citing Northwest Acceptance Corp. v. Lynnwood Equip., Inc., 841 F.2d 918, 923-24
12 (9th Cir. 1996) (party who presents no explanation in support of claim of error waives issue).
13 Here, it is not enough merely to present an argument in the skimpiest way, leaving the Court to
14 do counsel’s work of framing the argument and putting flesh on its bones through a discussion of
15 the applicable law and facts. See e.g. Vandenboom v. Barnhart, 421 F.3d 745, 750 (8th Cir.
16 2005) (rejecting out of hand conclusory assertion that ALJ failed to consider whether claimant
17 met Listings because claimant provided no analysis of relevant law or facts regarding Listings);
18 Perez v. Barnhart, 415 F.3d 457, 462 n. 4 (5th Cir. 2005) (argument waived by inadequate
19 briefing); Murrell v. Shalala, 43 F.3d 1388, 1389 n. 2 (10th Cir. 1994) (perfunctory complaint
20 fails to frame and develop issue sufficiently to invoke appellate review). The Court thus further
21 rejects the claims lacking in any support and as waived.
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Even if the Court delves into the merits of this bare bones contention, it finds that the

23 ALJ reasonably evaluated the doctors’ opinions. The ALJ found that Dr. Ruddell’s opinion that
ORDER AFFIRMING THE COMMISSIONER
AND DISMISSING THE CASE - 5

1 Ms. Boothe’s mental disorders markedly limited her is inconsistent with the doctor’s assessment
2 that Ms. Boothe had mild to moderate functional limitations and no marked limitations. Tr. 333 34. The record supports this finding. See Tr. 376, 378, 380. The ALJ is charged with evaluating
4 the medical evidence. Andrews v. Shalala, 53 F.3d 1035, 1043 (9th Cir. 1995). It is the ALJ’s
5 province to resolve conflicts and ambiguity in the medical evidence. See Morgan v.
6 Commissioner, 169 F.3d 595, 599-600 (9th Cir. 1999). That is what the ALJ did here in finding
7 that Dr. Ruddell’s opinion about the severity of Ms. Boothe’s mental conditions is inconsistent
8 with the doctor’s conclusion that she had mild to moderate functional limitations. While Ms.
9 Boothe may disagree with the ALJ’s finding, the Court is not in a position to reweigh the
10 evidence or substitute its judgment for that of the ALJ. Thomas v. Barnhart, 278 F.3d 947, 954
11 (9th Cir. 2002).
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The ALJ also properly rejected Dr. Grattan’s opinion that Ms. Boothe cannot maintain

13 regular work attendance or complete a normal workweek. The ALJ found the opinion to be
14 inconsistent with Ms. Boothe’s ability to perform part-time work as a nanny until she became
15 pregnant; her past work performance in which attendance was never a reason for termination;
16 and her ability to work with computers, read for hours, volunteer at and participate in
17 conventions, and care for an infant. Tr. 34. An ALJ may give less weight to an opinion that is
18 inconsistent with other evidence in the record. Batson v. Comm’r of Soc. Sec. Admin., 359 F.3d
19 1190, 1195 (9th Cir. 2004). A material inconsistency between a doctor’s opinion and a
20 claimant’s activities can furnish a specific, legitimate reason for rejecting the treating physician's
21 opinion. See, e.g., Rollins v. Massanari, 261 F.3d 853, 856 (9th Cir. 2001). This is what the ALJ
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In sum, Ms. Boothe fails to set forth how or why the ALJ erred in discounting portions of
ORDER AFFIRMING THE COMMISSIONER
AND DISMISSING THE CASE - 6

1 the opinions of Drs. Ruddell and Grattan. She has accordingly failed to meet her burden of
2 showing the ALJ erred. The Court has also reviewed the record and the ALJ’s reasoning and
3 concludes the ALJ’s findings are supported by substantial evidence and free of legal error. To the
4 extent Ms. Boothe claims the ALJ erred as a matter of law by giving more weight to the opinions
5 of non-examining doctors than to examining doctors, the argument fails. The ALJ did not engage
6 in this type of impermissible weighing and instead, as noted above, gave valid reasons for
7 discounting the opinions of Drs. Ruddell and Grattan. The Court accordingly affirms the ALJ’s
8 evaluation of the doctors’ opinions.
CONCLUSION

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For the foregoing reasons, the Commissioner’s final decision is AFFIRMED and this

11 case is DISMISSED with prejudice.
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Dated this 27th day of February, 2018.

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A
ROBERT S. LASNIK

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United States District Judge
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ORDER AFFIRMING THE COMMISSIONER
AND DISMISSING THE CASE - 7