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Nature of Suit Code: 863
Nature of Suit: Social Security - DIWC/DIWW (405(g))
Cause of Action: 42:0405 Review of HHS Decision

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IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

EASTERN DISTRICT OF ARKANSAS

Jimmy Lee Nowlin, Jr. Plaintiff

v. No. 4:15‐CV–488‐SWW‐JTK

Carolyn W. Colvin, Acting Commissioner,

Social Security Administration Defendant

Instructions for Recommended Disposition

The following recommended disposition was prepared for U.S. District Judge

Susan W. Wright.  A party to this dispute may file written objections to this

recommendation.  An objection must be specific and state the factual and/or legal basis

for the objection.  An objection to a factual finding must identify the finding and the

evidence supporting the objection.  Objections must be filed with the clerk of the court

no later than 14 days from the date of this recommendation.1  The objecting party must

serve the opposing party with a copy of an objection.  Failing to object within 14 days

waives the right to appeal questions of fact.2

  If no objections are filed, Judge Wright

may adopt the recommended disposition without independently reviewing all of the

record evidence.

1

28 U.S.C. § 636(b)(1); Fed. R. Civ. P. 72(b).

2

Griffini v. Mitchell, 31 F.3d 690, 692 (8th Cir. 1994) (failure to file objections

waives right to de novo review and to appeal magistrate judge’s findings of fact).

Case 4:15-cv-00488-SWW Document 17 Filed 03/16/16 Page 1 of 11
Reasoning for Recommended Disposition

Jimmy Lee Nowlin, Jr., seeks judicial review of the denial of his second

application for disability insurance benefits (DIB).3  Nowlin worked as a plumber for

many years.4

  He stopped working in September 2010, due to problems with breathing.

He claims he has been disabled since then, due to a collapsed left diaphragm, chronic

obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and pain in the right knee and back.5

The Commissioner’s decision.  After considering the application, the ALJ

identified severe impairments — an elevated left hemidiaphragm, hypertension, COPD,

depression, knee pain, atypical chest pain, and fatigue6 — and determined Nowlin can

do some light work.7  Because a vocational expert identified available light work, the

ALJ concluded that Nowlin isn’t disabled and denied the application.8

After the Appeals Council denied review,9 the ALJ’s decision became the

3

SSA record at p. 140 (applying on May 2, 2012 and alleging onset on Sept. 1,

2010).  See id. at p. 165 (indicating first application was denied on October 2, 2011).  See

also id. at pp. 140 & 147.

4

Id. at pp. 169 & 174.

5

Id. at p. 168.

6

Id. at p. 48.

7

Id. at p. 50 (placing limitations on light work).

8

Id. at pp. 53‐54.

9

Id. at p. 1.

2

Case 4:15-cv-00488-SWW Document 17 Filed 03/16/16 Page 2 of 11
Commissioner’s final decision for the purpose of judicial review.10  Nowlin filed this

case to challenge the decision.11  This recommendation explains why substantial

evidence supports the decision and why the ALJ made no reversible legal error.

Nowlin’s allegations.  Nowlin contends the ALJ: (1) erred in analyzing his

medical records, (2) failed to assign appropriate weight to consultative‐examiner and

treating‐physician opinions, (3) ignored the impact of mental impairment, (4) failed to

do function‐by‐function assessment of his ability to work, and (5) identified work

exceeding his reasoning ability.  For these reasons, he contends substantial evidence

does not support the decision.12

Applicable legal principles.  When reviewing a decision denying an application

for DIB, the court must determine whether substantial evidence supports the decision

and whether the ALJ made a legal error.13  For substantial evidence to exist, a

10See Anderson v. Sullivan, 959 F.2d 690, 692 (8th Cir. 1992) (stating that “the Social

Security Act precludes general federal subject matter jurisdiction until administrative

remedies have been exhausted” and explaining that the Commissioner’s appeal

procedure permits claimants to appeal only final decisions).

11Docket entry # 1.

12Docket entry # 15.

13See 42 U.S.C. § 405(g) (requiring the district court to determine whether the

Commissioner’s findings are supported by substantial evidence and whether the

Commissioner conformed with applicable regulations); Long v. Chater, 108 F.3d 185, 187

(8th Cir. 1997) (“We will uphold the Commissioner’s decision to deny an applicant

disability benefits if the decision is not based on legal error and if there is substantial

3

Case 4:15-cv-00488-SWW Document 17 Filed 03/16/16 Page 3 of 11
reasonable mind must accept the evidence as adequate to support the determination

that Nowlin can do some light work and that work exists that Nowlin can do.14

“Light work involves lifting no more than 20 pounds at a time with frequent

lifting or carrying of objects weighing up to 10 pounds.”15  The ALJ placed the following

limitations on light work:

(1) occasional stair climbing, balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, and

crawling;

(2) no ladder climbing, or work hazards like machinery and unprotected

heights;

(3) no extreme heat, wetness and/or humidity;

(4) no poor ventilation or exposure to moderate concentrations of dust,

fumes, gases, odor, or smoke; and

(5) simple instructions, simple work related decisions, tasks with few

variables that can be learned and performed by rote, few work changes,

incidental interpersonal contact, and simple, direct, concrete supervision.16

A reasonable mind will accept the evidence as adequate to show Nowlin can

work within these limitations for the following reasons:

evidence in the record as a whole to support the conclusion that the claimant was not

disabled.”).

14Britton v. Sullivan, 908 F.2d 328, 330 (8th Cir. 1990) (substantial evidence exists if

a reasonable mind will accept evidence as adequate to support conclusion).

1520 C.F.R. § 404.1567(b).

16SSA record at p. 50.

4

Case 4:15-cv-00488-SWW Document 17 Filed 03/16/16 Page 4 of 11
1.  The evidence shows Nowlin can no longer work as a plumber, but

can do some light work.  Nowlin had to prove disability with medical

evidence; his subjective complaints weren’t enough.17  Nowlin’s primary

complaint is problems with breathing.18  Two impairments cause

problems with breathing.

The first impairment is a markedly elevated left hemidiaphragm,

suggesting paralysis of the left hemidiaphragm.19  The hemidiaphragm

separates the chest cavity from the abdomen; it’s the main muscle for

respiration.  A properly functioning hemidiaphragm moves with

respiration, allowing expansion and contraction of the chest as a person

breathes in and out.  If the hemidiaphragm doesn’t move, a person will

experience shortness of breath.  Medical evidence of an elevated

hemidiaphragm supports Nowlin’s complaints of shortness of breath.

COPD is the second impairment causing problems with breathing.  COPD

“refers to two related, progressive diseases of the respiratory system,

1742 U.S.C. § 423 (d)(5)(A) (“An individual’s statement as to pain or other

symptoms shall not alone be conclusive evidence of disability...; there must be medical

signs and findings, established by medically acceptable clinical or laboratory diagnostic

techniques, which show the existence of a medical impairment...which could

reasonably be expected to produce the pain or other symptoms alleged and

which...would lead to a conclusion that the individual is under a disability”); 20 C.F.R.

§ 404.1508 (“A physical or mental impairment must be established by medical evidence

consisting of signs, symptoms, and laboratory findings, not only by your statement of

symptoms.”); 20 C.F.R. § 404.1529 (“[S]tatements about your pain or other symptoms

will not alone establish that you are disabled; there must be medical signs and

laboratory findings which show that you have a medical impairment(s) which could

reasonably be expected to produce the pain or other symptoms alleged and which,

when considered with all of the other evidence (including statements about the

intensity and persistence of your pain or other symptoms which may reasonably be

accepted as consistent with the medical signs and laboratory findings), would lead to a

conclusion that you are disabled.”).

18SSA record at pp. 184, 188, 192‐93, 204‐06 & 276‐77.

19Id. at p. 307.

5

Case 4:15-cv-00488-SWW Document 17 Filed 03/16/16 Page 5 of 11
chronic bronchitis and emphysema.”20  Both diseases are characterized by

“persistent difficulty in expelling (exhaling) air from the lungs resulting in

loss of lung function.”21  The medical examiner for the first application

diagnosed emphysema.22  Shortness of breath is an early symptom of

emphysema.23

After the second application, diagnostic testing confirmed the presence of

mild COPD.  Medical evidence of COPD supports complaints of shortness

of breath, but the diagnostic descriptor “mild” suggests no disabling

symptoms.

According to the pulmonologist, Nowlin can no longer do his normal

work as a plumber, because the required bending, twisting, and getting

into small spaces impairs breathing.24  Nowlin contends the opinion

proves disability, but the ALJ properly focused on medical evidence and

the ability to do any work.  Not all work requires bending, twisting, and

getting into small spaces.

By his own report, Nowlin has the lifting capacity needed for light work.25

His symptoms manifest with postural functions.  According to agency

medical experts, respiratory impairment limits Nowlin to light work in

environments without moderate concentrations of dust and fumes.26

Medical opinion evidence supports: (1) the determination that Nowlin

20Harry W. Golden & Tish Davidson, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease,

2 The Gale Encyclopedia of Med. 1024 (4th ed.).

21Id.

22SSA record at p. 280.

23Harry W. Golden & Tish Davidson, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease,

2 The Gale Encyclopedia of Med. 1026 (4th ed.).

24SSA record at pp. 301 & 470.

25Id. at pp. 209 & 281.

26Id. at pp. 319 & 354.

6

Case 4:15-cv-00488-SWW Document 17 Filed 03/16/16 Page 6 of 11
cannot work as a plumber — because working as a plumber is heavy

work, and (2) the determination that Nowlin can so some light work.

2.  Treatment controls respiratory symptoms.  “An impairment which can

be controlled by treatment ... is not considered disabling.”27  The nerve

damage that caused the paralysis of the left hemidiaphragm can’t be

reversed, but COPD’s respiratory symptoms can be treated.  Treatment

options include medication, pulmonary rehabilitation, lung transplants,

and cessation of smoking.28  Nowlin’s pulmonologist prescribed

medication and smoking cessation.

Prescribed medication improved Nowlin’s symptoms,29 but Nowlin did

27Estes v. Barnhart, 275 F.3d 722, 725 (8th Cir. 2002).

28Harry W. Golden & Tish Davidson, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease,

2 The Gale Encyclopedia of Med. 1027‐28 (4th ed.).

29SSA record at pp. 301‐02 (Apr. 25, 2012: medication helped to some extent;

auscultation is clear with no audible wheezing, bronchial breathing or pleura; no

significant crackles; percussion and expansion are within normal range); pp. 341‐42

(July 26, 2012: an increase in shortness of breath with heat and humidity; COPD has

been stable with no recent infection; auscultation is clear with no audible wheezing,

bronchial breathing, or pleural rubs; no significant crackles; percussion and expansion

within normal range); p. 452 (Oct. 30, 2012: still complaining about left chest wall pain,

but there’s no pulmonary cause for pain; his six‐minute walk was normal; he could

walk over 1000 feet); pp. 449‐50 (June 4, 2013: still complaining about left chest wall

discomfort although multitude of investigations shows no cause; paralyzed left

hemidiaphragm appears stable, no obvious progression; he’s still smoking; auscultation

is clear with no audible wheezing, bronchial breathing, or pleural rubs; no significant

crackles; percussion and expansion within normal range) & pp. 446‐47 (July 22, 2013:

he’s been feeling better, but adversely affected by the heat and humidity; chest pain

improved with prescribed medication; auscultation is clear with no audible wheezing,

bronchial breathing, or pleural rubs; no significant crackles; percussion and expansion

within normal range).

7

Case 4:15-cv-00488-SWW Document 17 Filed 03/16/16 Page 7 of 11
not cease smoking.30  Because smoking causes COPD and aggravates

respiratory symptoms, continuing to smoke indicates Nowlin’s symptoms

aren’t as severe as he claims.  A reasonable mind would expect a person

with disabling symptoms to comply with medical recommendations.

3.  The ALJ accounted for residual physical symptoms.  In determining a

claimant’s ability to work, the ALJ should identify the claimant’s

functional limitations and assess work‐related abilities on a

function‐by‐function basis.31  The ALJ’s numerous requirements reflect a

function‐by‐function assessment of Nowlin’s ability to work and

undermines an argument to the contrary.

Respiratory impairment limits Nowlin, but he will have residual

symptoms even if he stops smoking.  Allergens and respiratory irritants

can aggravate respiratory symptoms.  Nowlin says certain odors make it

hard to breathe.32  The ALJ responded by excluding poor ventilation and

moderate concentrations of dust, fumes, gases, odor, and smoke.

Treatment records indicate summer heat and humidity aggravate

Nowlin’s symptoms.33  The ALJ responded by excluding work involving

extreme heat, wetness, and humidity.34  Bending, twisting, and getting

into small spaces impairs Nowlin’s breathing.35  The ALJ limited postural

functions like bending and twisting.

30Id. at p. 419 (as of Dec. 13, 2012, smoking 1.5 of cigarettes packs daily and

smoking marijuana occasionally).

31Depover v. Barnhart, 349 F.3d 563, 567 (8th Cir. 2003).

32SSA record at pp. 73 & 205.

33Id. at pp. 341 & 446.

34Harry W. Golden & Tish Davidson, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, 2

The Gale Encyclopedia of Med. 1028 (4th ed.) (avoiding respiratory irritants, allergens,

temperature extremes can improve function in COPD patients).

35SSA record at pp. 301 & 470.

8

Case 4:15-cv-00488-SWW Document 17 Filed 03/16/16 Page 8 of 11
Nowlin injured his right knee before he stopped working.36  Although

knee surgery “dramatically improved” his symptoms,37 the ALJ accounted

for residual symptoms by excluding ladder‐climbing and work hazards,

and limiting kneeling and crawling.

4.  The ALJ accounted for mental impairment.  Nowlin relies on mental

symptoms for judicial review, but when he applied for DIB, he reported

no problems with memory, concentration, understanding, following

instructions, or getting along with others.38  His claim focused on

problems with breathing.

Untreated respiratory problems ultimately led to the loss of a life‐long

profession and resulted in depression.  Despite decreased physical

functioning, the mental diagnostic evaluator opined that Nowlin retains

the mental capacity to work as a plumber.39

According to an agency mental health expert, Nowlin can do unskilled

work involving incidental interpersonal contact, tasks with few variables

learned and performed by rote, little required judgment, and simple,

direct, concrete supervision.40  That is the type of work the ALJ required.

A reasonable mind will accept the evidence as adequate to support the

ALJ’s determination.

Nowlin’s reliance on the mental examiner’s one‐time GAF score provides

no basis for relief because a clinician’s assessment has no direct correlation

to the ALJ’s determination of disability.41

36Id. at p. 397 (18 month before he stopped working, he hurt his knee jumping

from a deer stand).

37Id. at p. 388.

38Id. at pp. 189 & 209.  See also id. at p. 246 (uncle’s report).

39Id. at p. 324.

40Id. at p. 358.

41Jones v. Astrue, 619 F.3d 963, 974‐75 (8th Cir. 2010).

9

Case 4:15-cv-00488-SWW Document 17 Filed 03/16/16 Page 9 of 11
5.  Vocational evidence supports the decision.  After determining Nowlin

can no longer work as a plumber — because the job is heavy work — the

ALJ questioned a vocational expert about available light work.  The

vocational expert identified information clerk as a representative job.42

The availability of a representative job shows work exists that Nowlin can

do, regardless of whether such work exists where he lives, whether a job

vacancy exists, or whether he would be hired if he applied for work.43

Because such work exists, Nowlin isn’t disabled under social security law.

Nowlin contends working as an information clerk exceeds his mental

capacity for reasoning, math development, and language development.

No serious argument exists about whether Nowlin can work as an

information clerk because he has the mental capacity to work as a

plumber.  Working as plumber requires the same capacity for reasoning

and language development as an information clerk, and exceeds the

required capacity for math development.44

Conclusion and Recommended Disposition

The decision reflects a thorough analysis of the evidence.  The ALJ properly

relied on treatment records and medical opinion evidence in determining Nowlin’s

ability to work.  A reasonable mind will accept the evidence as adequate to support the

decision.  The ALJ made no legal error.  For these reasons, the undersigned magistrate

judge recommends DENYING Nowlin’s request for relief (docket entry # 2) and

AFFIRMING the Commissioner’s decision.

42SSA record at p. 78.

4342 U.S.C. § 1382c(a)(3)(B).

44Working as a plumber requires reasoning level 4, language development level

3, and math development level 3.  Working as an information clerk requires reasoning

level 4, language development level 3, and math development level 2.

10

Case 4:15-cv-00488-SWW Document 17 Filed 03/16/16 Page 10 of 11
Dated this 16th day of March, 2016.

____________________________

United States Magistrate Judge

11

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