Spence v. Commissioner of Social Security

Filing 18

ORDER signed by Magistrate Judge Grady J Leupold. The Commissioner's final decision is AFFIRMED, and this case is DISMISSED. (GMR)

Case 3:22-cv-05745-GJL Document 18 Filed 05/18/23 Page 1 of 9

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UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
WESTERN DISTRICT OF WASHINGTON
AT TACOMA

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TAMARA S.,
Plaintiff,

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CASE NO. 3:22-cv-05745-GJL
ORDER ON PLAINTIFF’S
COMPLAINT

v.
COMMISSIONER OF SOCIAL
SECURITY,
Defendant.

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This Court has jurisdiction pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 636(c), Fed. R. Civ. P. 73 and Local

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Magistrate Judge Rule MJR 13. See also Consent to Proceed Before a United States Magistrate

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Judge, Dkt. 2. This matter has been fully briefed. See Dkts. 11, 14, 15.

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After considering and reviewing the record, the Court concludes the Administrative Law

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Judge (“ALJ”) did not err in finding Plaintiff not disabled. The Court accordingly AFFIRMS the

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Commissioner’s final decision in this matter.

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ORDER ON PLAINTIFF’S COMPLAINT - 1

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I.

PROCEDURAL HISTORY

Plaintiff’s application for Supplemental Security Income (“SSI”) benefits pursuant to 42

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U.S.C. § 1382(a) (Title XVI) of the Social Security Act was denied initially and, again,

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following reconsideration. Administrative Record (“AR”) 96, 107. After briefly appearing at a

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hearing on October 8, 2019, and requesting a postponement, AR 37-46, Plaintiff’s requested

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hearing was held before the ALJ on September 15, 2020. AR 47-65.

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On November 3, 2020, the ALJ issued a written decision in which the ALJ concluded

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that Plaintiff was not disabled pursuant to the Social Security Act. AR 118-37. The Appeals

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Council vacated and remanded the case because the ALJ did not consider certain evidence

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regarding Plaintiff’s alleged physical impairments and poorly articulated the residual function

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capacity (“RFC”) finding. AR 139-40; Dkt. 11 at 3.

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Plaintiff attended a third hearing on January 27, 2022. AR 66-95. The ALJ issued a

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decision on March 23, 2022, again concluding Plaintiff was not disabled. AR 12-36. On

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September 8, 2022, the Appeals Council denied Plaintiff’s request for review, making the written

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decision by the ALJ the final agency decision subject to judicial review. AR 1-6. On October 5,

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2022, Plaintiff filed a Complaint in this Court seeking judicial review of the ALJ’s written

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decision. Dkt. 5. Defendant filed the sealed AR regarding this matter on January 9, 2023. Dkt. 9.

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II.

BACKGROUND

Plaintiff was born in 1967 and was 50 years old on the alleged date of disability onset of

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April 24, 2018. AR 96-97. Plaintiff has a high school education and completed two years of

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college. AR 24, 727. Plaintiff previously worked as a data entry clerk and receptionist. AR 24.

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According to the ALJ, Plaintiff suffers from, at a minimum, the severe impairments of

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degenerative disc disease, degenerative joint disease, major depressive disorder, ADHD, and

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ORDER ON PLAINTIFF’S COMPLAINT - 2

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adjustment disorder. AR 17. However, the ALJ found Plaintiff was not disabled because she had

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the RFC “to perform light work as defined in 20 CFR 416.967(b), except she can perform simple

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tasks not involving contact with the public.” AR 20.
III.

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DISCUSSION

Pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 405(g), this Court may set aside the Commissioner’s denial of

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social security benefits if the ALJ’s findings are based on legal error or not supported by

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substantial evidence in the record as a whole. Bayliss v. Barnhart, 427 F.3d 1211, 1214 n.1 (9th

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Cir. 2005) (citing Tidwell v. Apfel, 161 F.3d 599, 601 (9th Cir. 1999)).

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In Plaintiff’s Opening Brief, Plaintiff raises the following issues: (1) whether the ALJ

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properly evaluated the testimony of Plaintiff; (2) whether the ALJ properly evaluated the medical

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opinion of David Mashburn, Ph.D.; (3) whether the ALJ erred by not incorporating a restriction

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on Plaintiff’s interactions with supervisors in the RFC; and (4) whether the ALJ erred by not

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considering Plaintiff’s doctor’s statement on her disabled parking application.

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A.

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Plaintiff’s Testimony
Initially, Plaintiff argues the ALJ erred by not giving “clear and convincing” reasons for

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discounting Plaintiff’s testimony. Dkt. 11 at 6-11 (citing Garrison v. Colvin, 759 F.3d 995, 1014-

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15 (9th Cir. 2014)).

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Plaintiff testified that she could not sit, stand, or walk for more than two hours, she

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needed to move every 15 minutes because of burning pain in her back, and was “not often” able

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to lift ten pounds. AR 76-79. While the ALJ found Plaintiff’s impairments “could reasonably be

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expected to cause the alleged symptoms,” he also found that Plaintiff’s statements “concerning

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the intensity, persistence, and limiting effects of these symptoms” were “not entirely consistent

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with the medical evidence and other evidence in the record.” AR 20.

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First, the ALJ cited multiple x-rays and MRIs which were unremarkable, showed only

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moderate or mild degenerative changes, mildly restricted range of motion, and diffuse

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tenderness. AR 20-21. While the ALJ cannot require Plaintiff to provide medical evidence to

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support each part of her pain testimony, he may find that medical evidence inconsistent with

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Plaintiff’s testimony challenges her credibility. Smartt v. Kijakazi, 53 F.4th 489, 498 (9th Cir.

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2022). While Plaintiff points to notes from her treating orthopedist, Dr. Patel, frequently

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indicating her symptoms were consistent with MRI scans, Dkt. 11 at 8; Dkt. 15 at 3, the

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symptoms referenced in these appointments were not necessarily the same as those about which

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she testified. See, e.g., AR 1059 (lying down exacerbated symptoms but “sitting down alleviates

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her pain”).
Second, the ALJ noted that Plaintiff’s treatment “has generally been routine and

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conservative. She was prescribed NSAID pain relievers, neuropathic pain medication, and

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muscle relaxant; and attended physical therapy, massage, and chiropractic care.” AR 21. The

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ALJ noted further noted that Plaintiff had “short-term relief from pain medication, massage, and

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chiropractic care” and “good relief from injections.” AR 21. Evidence of conservative treatment

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is sufficient to discount a claimant’s testimony regarding severity of an impairment. Doney v.

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Berryhill, 728 F. App'x 687, 689 (9th Cir. 2018) (citing Parra v. Astrue, 481 F.3d 742, 750–51

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(9th Cir. 2007)). This is especially true where a claimant acknowledges a favorable response to

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the conservative treatment. See Tommasetti v. Astrue, 533 F.3d 1035, 1040 (9th Cir. 2008)

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(where plaintiff received “physical therapy and the use of anti-inflammatory medication, a

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transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation unit, and a lumbosacral corset,” his positive response

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to these treatments undermined testimony “regarding the disabling nature of his pain”); see also

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Patricia B. v. Kijakazi, No. 2:21-CV-00118-ACE, 2023 WL 173611, at *4 (E.D. Wash. Jan. 12,

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2023) (affirming ALJ where plaintiff had “short-term relief following epidural injections”).

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Plaintiff argues that Dr. Patel recommended surgery and often noted that conservative treatments

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were not working. Dkt. 11 at 9-10. However, the ALJ properly considered this difference in

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opinion between Plaintiff’s doctors. AR 20 (“some providers have discussed or recommended

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surgical interventions, although others recommend continued conservative treatment”). It is the

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ALJ’s responsibility to resolve conflicts in medical testimony. Andrews v. Shalala, 53 F.3d 1035,

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1039 (9th Cir. 1995). Where the evidence is susceptible to more than one rational interpretation,

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one of which supports the ALJ's decision, the ALJ's conclusion must be upheld. Thomas v.

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Barnhart, 278 F.3d 947, 954 (9th Cir. 2002).

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Lastly, the ALJ found Plaintiff’s pain inconsistent with observations from physical

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examinations. Plaintiff often ambulated independently with a normal gait and without any acute

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distress. Likewise, examination of Plaintiff’s cervical spine “frequently was unremarkable,

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showing normal range of motion with no tenderness, while lumbar examination also showed no

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tenderness.” AR 21.

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Plaintiff argues that this “does not conflict with her testimony that she could not stand or

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walk for prolonged periods.” Dkt. 15 at 3 (emphasis in original). Even if the physical exams

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were not a legitimate basis to discredit this portion of Plaintiff’s testimony, the other issues

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discussed above constitute “clear and convincing” reasons on their own. Garrison, 759 F.3d at

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1014.

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B.

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The April 2018 Opinion of David Mashburn, Ph.D.
Plaintiff also assigns error to the ALJ’s evaluation of an April 2018 opinion from

examining psychologist David Mashburn, Ph.D. Dkt. 11 at 11-15.

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For applications filed on or after March 27, 2017, the Administration has directed ALJs

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to not defer to medical opinions from treating or examining sources. See 20 C.F.R. § 416.927(c).

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Instead, they must evaluate the persuasiveness of all medical opinions by analyzing their

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“supportability” and “consistency,” as well as other appropriate factors. 20 C.F.R. § 416.920c(a).

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The Ninth Circuit recently held that the “revised social security regulations are clearly

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irreconcilable with [its] caselaw according special deference to the opinions of treating and

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examining physicians on account of their relationship with the claimant.” Woods v. Kijakazi, 32

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F.4th 785, 792 (9th Cir. 2022). Therefore, for applications filed after March 27, 2017, “an ALJ’s

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decision, including the decision to discredit any medical opinion, must simply be supported by

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substantial evidence.” Id. at 787.
In his report for the Washington State Department of Social and Health Services, Dr.

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Mashburn noted Plaintiff’s history of abuse, previous psychiatric hospitalizations, and her

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termination from her most recent job due to paranoia and inability to focus on her work. AR 727-

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28. Dr. Mashburn observed that Plaintiff was cooperative, had an affect that was “labile and

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other times flat,” abnormal thought process and content (tangential and circumstantial thoughts),

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and abnormal concentration (“somewhat poor serial 3’s and very difficult to get concise answers

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to questions”). AR 730-31. The remainder of Dr. Mashburn’s observations appeared to be

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normal. Plaintiff showed normal orientation, perception, memory, fund of knowledge, abstract

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thought, insight and judgment, and “goal directed” speech. Id. With respect to mood, Plaintiff

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said, “considering what I am going through fine…I have to think positively- but I want to have a

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complete breakdown.” AR 730. Dr. Mashburn awarded Plaintiff a 19 on the Hamilton Scale for

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depression (moderate to severe) and concluded that Plaintiff had marked limitations in her ability

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to understand, remember, and persist in tasks by following detailed instructions, perform

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activities within a schedule, maintain regular attendance, and be punctual, communicate and

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perform effectively in a work setting, maintain appropriate behavior in a work setting, and

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complete a normal workday and work week without interruptions from psychologically based

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symptoms. AR 729. Dr. Mashburn also found moderate limitations to Plaintiff’s ability to learn

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new tasks, perform routine tasks without special supervision, adapt to changes in a routine work

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setting, make simple work-related decisions, be aware of normal hazards and take appropriate

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precautions, ask simple questions or request assistance, and set realistic goals and plan

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independently. Id.

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However, the ALJ found Dr. Mashburn’s opinion unpersuasive, stating that it was neither

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internally consistent with Dr. Mashburn’s own observations nor with the medical record. AR 23.

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Plaintiff argues this was error because the ALJ ignored many of Dr. Mashburn’s abnormal

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findings. Dkt. 11 at 13. This Court disagrees and finds the ALJ’s reasoning for rejecting Dr.

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Mashburn’s opinion was supported by substantial evidence.

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“Supportability means the extent to which a medical source supports the medical opinion

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by explaining the ‘relevant . . . objective medical evidence.’” See Woods, 32 F.4th at 791–92

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(citing 20 C.F.R. § 404.1520c(c)(1)); see also § 416.920c(c)(1). Dr. Mashburn’s observations

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generally indicated Plaintiff was acting and appearing within normal limits, and other psychiatric

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exams indicate the same. AR 730, 758, 762. The ALJ correctly found that such observations “are

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inconsistent with moderate to marked limitations and marked overall impairment severity.” AR

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23.

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Plaintiff argues that the ALJ ignored other evidence consistent with Dr. Mashburn’s

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opinion. Dkt. 11 at 14-15. Plaintiff notes that she was late for half of ten sessions with a given

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health provider, was “visibly agitated” in one visit, “was struggling with organization because of

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the stressors in her life” and “was tearful when discussing her history of abuse” in other visits.

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Id. (citing AR 735-43, 741, 736, 743). An ALJ need not discuss every treatment note in a

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claimant’s medical record, but must explain why significant probative evidence has been

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rejected. Loader v. Kijakazi, No. 21-35429, 2022 WL 823656, at *1 (9th Cir. Mar. 18, 2022)

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(citing Vincent ex rel. Vincent v. Heckler, 739 F.2d 1393, 1394–95 (9th Cir. 1984)). Of the

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observations cited by Plaintiff, none vary drastically from those normal observations Dr.

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Mashburn recorded, and none “are probative of more severe limitations” than those in the RFC.

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Loader, 2022 WL 823656, at *1. Thus, it was not error for the ALJ to disregard these notes.

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C.

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Restriction on Interactions with Supervisors
Plaintiff assigns error to the ALJ’s RFC determination because it did not include any

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restriction on Plaintiff’s interactions with supervisors. Dkt. 11 at 15-16 (citing AR 23).

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Consulting doctors Carla van Dam, Ph.D. and Jon Anderson, Ph.D., both reviewed the record

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and found Plaintiff had several mild and moderate limitations. AR 108-17. Dr. van Dam found

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Plaintiff could “function with occasional, but not frequent, criticism from supervisors.” AR 115.

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The ALJ found both opinions “generally persuasive” and “largely consistent with the medical

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record.” Plaintiff argues the ALJ erred when he failed to address the limitation on supervisors “or

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adopt it in his residual functional capacity assessment.” Dkt. 11 at 16.

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This Court finds persuasive the Commissioner’s cite to Patricia T. v. Comm'r of Soc.

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Sec., No. 1:17-CV-00912-MC, 2018 WL 4610053, at *2 (D. Or. Sept. 25, 2018), aff'd sub nom.

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Thomas v. Saul, 796 F. App'x 923 (9th Cir. 2019). In Patricia T., the ALJ gave great weight to

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the majority of an opinion but gave no weight to a portion about the plaintiff’s need for an

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“understanding supervisor.” Id. at *3. The district court affirmed, finding this requirement was

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“not a proper functional assessment of a work limitation” and “simply too vague and

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unquantifiable to incorporate into the claimant’s RFC or into a VE hypothetical.” Id. at 4. The

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same is true for Dr. van Dam’s requirement here, and the ALJ did not err by ignoring it.

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D.

Disabled Parking Application

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Plaintiff also argues the ALJ erred when he did not consider Plaintiff’s primary care

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physician’s statements on a disabled parking application, recommending her for permanent

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parking privileges and indicating that she could not walk 200 feet before stopping to rest or must

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use an assistive device. Dkt. 11 at 16; AR 1259. The form contains no other statements or notes

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from the doctor. AR 1259. As the Commissioner points out, this is not a medical opinion and the

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ALJ was not required to consider it. Dkt. 14 at 10-11. See Papin v. Barnhart, 221 F. App'x 540,

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541 (9th Cir. 2007) (ALJ was not required to consider a “disabled person placard statement”

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because it was conclusory).

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IV.

CONCLUSION

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Based on these reasons and the relevant record, the Court ORDERS that this matter be

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AFFIRMED to pursuant to sentence four of 42 U.S.C. § 405(g). The Clerk is directed to enter

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judgment for Defendant and close the case.

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Dated this 18th day of May, 2023.

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A

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Grady J. Leupold
United States Magistrate Judge

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