Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-arwd-5_05-cv-05151/USCOURTS-arwd-5_05-cv-05151-1/pdf.json

Nature of Suit Code: 864
Nature of Suit: Social Security - SSID Title XVI
Cause of Action: 42:405 Review of HHS Decision (SSID)

---

Michael J. Astrue became the Social Security Commissioner on February 12, 2007, 1

and pursuant to F.R.C.P. 25(d)(1), has been substituted for Jo Anne B. Barnhart in this

suit.

IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

WESTERN DISTRICT OF ARKANSAS

FAYETTEVILLE DIVISION

PATRICIA S. YEOMAN PLAINTIFF

v. Civil No. 05-5151

MICHAEL J. ASTRUE , Commissioner of 1

the Social Security Administration DEFENDANT

J U D G M E N T

Now on this 23rd day of March, 2007, the captioned matter

comes on for judicial review of the decision of the Commissioner

of the Social Security Administration, denying plaintiff Patricia

S. Yeoman benefits under the Social Security Act.

1. The Court's role upon review of the decision of a Social

Security Administrative Law Judge ("ALJ") is to determine whether

the decision is supported by substantial evidence on the record as

a whole. Ramirez v. Barnhart, 292 F.3d 576 (8th Cir. 2002).

Substantial evidence is less than a preponderance but enough that

a reasonable mind would find it adequate to support a conclusion.

Id. The Court must consider not only the evidence supporting the

ALJ's decision, but also that which fairly detracts from it, and

must affirm if the record - viewed as a whole - contains

substantial evidence to support the decision. Id. The Court may

not reverse simply because the record also contains substantial

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evidence that would have supported a contrary decision. Haley v.

Massanari, 258 F.3d 742 (8th Cir. 2001). 

The burden rests on the claimant to prove that she has a

mental or physical disability that has lasted - or can be expected

to last - at least one year and that prevents her from engaging in

any substantial gainful activity. Pearsall v. Massanari, 274 F.3d

1211 (8th Cir. 2001).

2. Yeoman filed her application for benefits on March 28,

2003, alleging that she became disabled on February 21, 2003, due

to asthma, depression, and seizures.

A hearing before an Administrative Law Judge ("ALJ") was held

on January 26, 2005. At that time Yeoman was 26 years old. She

had an 8th grade education, and no vocationally relevant past work

experience. 

The ALJ found that Yeoman had the following severe

impairments: borderline intellectual functioning, mood disorders,

and a seizure disorder. He found that her asthma was not severe.

He concluded that Yeoman's severe impairments, taken singly or as

a group, did not meet or medically equal any impairment listed in

Appendix 1, Subpart P, Regulations No. 4.

The ALJ determined that Yeoman had the ability to perform

light work, but had moderate limitations in the ability to accept

and follow instructions; the ability to maintain attention and

concentration; the ability to complete a normal workday and

Case 5:05-cv-05151-JLH Document 10 Filed 03/23/07 Page 2 of 23 PageID #: <pageID>
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workweek without interruptions from psychological symptoms; the

ability to perform at a consistent pace without unreasonable rest

periods; the ability to respond appropriately to criticism from

supervisors; the ability to set realistic goals; and the ability

to make independent plans. He found that she could perform "work

where interpersonal contact is incidental to work performed,

complexity of tasks is learned and performed by rote, with few

variables and require little judgment, and supervision required is

simple, direct, and concrete."

The ALJ discredited Dr. Vann Smith's residual functional

capacity assessment, finding it "not supported by the overall

evidence of record," noting that Dr. Smith gave Yeoman a Global

Assessment of Functioning ("GAF") score of 65, found her oriented

in all spheres, found her mood "essentially appropriate" and her

judgment and insight "grossly intact," her recall memory

unimpaired, and found that she made appropriate eye contact.

On the basis of answers to interrogatories submitted to a

Vocational Examiner, the ALJ determined that jobs exist in

sufficient numbers which Yeoman is capable of performing,

including hotel maid, assembler of small products, and poultry

worker.

On June 20, 2005, the ALJ rendered an unfavorable decision in

Yeoman's case. 

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On July 29, 2005, the Appeals Council denied Yeoman's request

for review, making the ALJ's decision the final decision of the

Commissioner. This appeal followed.

3. The administrative record reflects the following facts

relevant to decision in this matter:

* On January 13, 2003, Yeoman saw Jim Roelke, a

Physician's Assistant in the office of her family

doctor, Dr. Lonnie Robinson. Roelke noted that Yeoman

"thinks she had a seizure today," and had possibly had

a milder episode a few days earlier. She reported

headaches for 2-3 months, and gave a history of possible

seizure with a pregnancy four years earlier. He

scheduled Yeoman for an EEG and followup with Dr.

Robinson.

* On January 14, 2003, Yeoman had an EEG, which was read

as normal.

* On January 16, 2003, Yeoman was taken to the hospital by

ambulance, and seen in the emergency room for seizure

activity. A CT scan of the head that same day showed

"[n]o obvious acute process," a few "nonspecific

periventricular white matter changes," and "[m]ild

atrophy, consistent with age."

* On January 19, 2003, Yeoman was seen in the emergency

room for seizure activity. Dr. Phillip Bufford noted

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that she was noncompliant with her anti-convulsant

medication.

* On January 22, 2003, Yeoman saw Dr. Robinson. He

charted "new onset seizure disorder," but noted that

Yeoman had had "similar problems during her pregnancy,

described as generalized tonic, clonic seizures." He

noted that the seizures were accompanied by aura,

diminished hearing and vision, and tingling paresthesias

in her arms and legs. He noted that Yeoman was supposed

to be taking Dilantin, but was "somewhat noncompliant"

and that her level of the medication was low. He also

noted "at least 6 seizures in the last 2-3 weeks." CT

scan of the head was normal. Dr. Robinson added

Klonopin to the Dilantin "to try to add some control

until she can see Dr. Robbins."

* On February 3, 2003, Yeoman saw Dr. Bruce Robbins, a

Neurologist. Dr. Robbins noted a three-week history of

"spells" uncontrolled by Dilantin 400 mg a day, with a

normal CAT scan and EEG. Yeoman told Dr. Robbins she

was having throbbing headaches about three times a week,

sleeping only about four hours a night, and having

weakness and numbness in her fingers and toes. Yeoman

was taking Zoloft, Albuterol, Dilantin, and birth

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control pills. Dr. Robbins planned an MRI of the head

and a trial of Topiramate.

* On February 6, 2003, a cranial MRI was read as

"essentially normal."

* On February 7, 2003, Yeoman was taken by ambulance to

the emergency room following seizure activity, but

apparently did not stay there long enough to receive any

treatment.

* On February 10, 2003, Yeoman was seen in the emergency

room with complaints of a toothache.

* On February 25, 2003, Yeoman completed a Disability

Report Adult, in which she indicated that she could not

work because medicine did not stop her seizures, and

that she first became unable to work on January 11,

2003. In a Disability Supplemental Interview Outline

that same date, Yeoman indicated no restrictions on her

activities, but stated that she required naps, and that

three or four times a week her muscles would tense up,

and her legs would hurt for thirty minutes, and paralyze

her for a short time. Standing or walking made the pain

worse, and massaging her legs made it better. She also

noted that she had depression and asthma. She was taking

Topamax, Dilantin, Zoloft, and birth control pills. The

Dilantin upset her stomach. In answer to questions

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about her education, Yeoman indicated that she had

completed the 8th grade, and had not been in Special

Education classes.

* On March 9, 2003, an ambulance was called for Yeoman,

but she was not transported.

* On March 12, 2003, Yeoman was seen in the emergency room

with complaints of dental pain.

* On March 23, 2003, Yeoman was seen in the emergency room

for a toothache.

* On April 30, 2003, Dr. Robbins saw Yeoman, who reported

that she was "doing better on the Topiramate," having

"spells" about once a week. MRI of the head and EEG

were normal. Dr. Robbins decided to gradually increase

the dosage of Topiramate to see if it would give better

control of the seizures.

* On May 1, 2003, Dr. Jerry Thomas completed a Functional

Capacity Assessment for the Commissioner. Dr. Thomas

limited Yeoman to occasionally lifting 20 pounds, and

frequently lifting 10 pounds; standing, walking or

sitting about 6 hours in an 8-hour workday; and

occasionally climbing. He indicated that she should

observe seizure restrictions around hazards such as

machinery and heights. He placed no other limitations

on her.

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* Also on May 1, 2003, Dr. Tammy Berke, a Psychologist,

conducted a psychological evaluation of Yeoman for the

Baxter County Department of Children and Family

Services. During that evaluation, Yeoman reported her

seizures, and that her current regimen of Dilantin and

Topamax had slowed them down. She also reported feeling

sad, depressed, weak, tired, guilty, fearful, panicky,

and suicidal. She reported headaches, neck and back

pains, nightmares, and difficulty sleeping. Dr. Berke

found Yeoman's "stream of mental activity" to be

"logical and organized," and considered that she

"displayed no symptoms of psychosis or other major

mental disorders." However, Dr. Berke considered that

Yeoman had significant limitations in her adaptive

functioning, and stated that she was unable to "carry

out her daily activities in a manner consistent with her

intellectual functioning," which appeared to be "at

least low to average." Dr. Berke diagnosed major

depression, anxiety disorder, personality disorder with

borderline personality traits and dependent personality

traits, and seizures. She pointed out that any

improvements in Yeoman's condition would have to take

into consideration her emotional instability, tendency

to withdraw, and mistrust of others, and suggested that

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interventions "focused on symptom relief without

confronting major personality problems" were likely to

have more success than those which would "confront[]

major personality problems."

* On May 5, 2003, Yeoman was treated in the emergency room

for a urinary tract infection.

* On May 15, 2003, Nancy Bunting, a Psychologist, prepared

a report entitled Mental Status And Evaluation Of

Adaptive Functioning, based on an examination of Yeoman.

Yeoman reported seizures starting in February, happening

once or twice a week, one or two seizures per day,

during which her vision blurred, she could not hear, and

she became lightheaded. She was taking Dilantin,

Zoloft, Topomax, and birth control pills. She reported

that DHS had taken her children from her on February 13,

2003, and that her mother had died on October 31, 2002.

She described her education as going through the eighth

grade, with special classes for reading, math, and

speech. Dr. Bunting described Yeoman as "defensive,

guarded, and tense," and estimated her IQ as 70-79. Dr.

Bunting diagnosed major depression, and "severe" Axis IV

problems, i.e., "problems with primary group, legal

problems, school interrupted." Dr. Bunting rated

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A GAF between 51 and 60 indicates moderate symptoms (such as flat affect or 2

occasional panic attacks) or moderate difficulty in social, occupational or school

functioning (such as few friends or conflicts with peers or co-workers). Diagnostic And

Statistical Manual Of Mental Disorders, 4th Ed.

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Yoeman's GAF at 55. Dr. Bunting's prognosis was that 2

Zoloft was "clearly not containing [Yeoman's] depression

over the loss of her mother and her children." Dr.

Bunting opined that Yeoman's functioning was not

consistent with a diagnosis of mental retardation.

* On May 22, 2003, an ambulance was called on behalf of

Yeoman following seizure activity. She refused

transport and treatment.

* On May 28, 2003, Dr. Robbins noted that Topiramate had

decreased Yeoman's "spells" and headaches, but that she

had stopped taking it "because of the cost." She was

still taking Dilantin, but reported feeling "medicated"

at the dosage prescribed.

* On June 11, 2003, Yeoman was seen in the emergency room

with complaint of seizure activity. Dr. Bufford noted

that Yeoman had not taken Dilantin in two weeks, because

she could not afford it. Dr. Bufford planned to set up

a social services consultation to try to help Yeoman get

her medications.

* On June 17, 2003, Dr. Bunting again examined Yeoman, and

made a report entitled Intellectual Assessment And

Adaptive Functioning. Yeoman was taking Dilantin,

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Zoloft, Albuterol, and Topamax. Dr. Bunting

administered the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale III,

and determined that Yeoman had a Full Scale IQ of 79.

* On June 30, 2003, Dr. Brad Williams, a Psychologist,

completed a report noting affective disorders

(depression) and mental retardation (significantly subaverage general intellectual functioning with deficits

in adaptive functioning). These disorders were rated as

mildly limiting activities of daily living, and

moderately limiting social functioning and

concentration, persistence, or pace. In another report

that same date, Dr. Williams noted moderate limitations

in the ability to understand, remember, and carry out

detailed instructions; the ability to maintain attention

and concentration for extended periods; the ability to

complete a normal workday and workweek without

interruptions from psychologically based symptoms and to

perform at a consistent pace without an unreasonable

number and length of rest periods; the ability to accept

instructions and respond appropriately to criticism from

supervisors; and the ability to set realistic goals or

make plans independently of others.

* On July 1, 2003, Larry Jenkins, a Case Consultant,

indicated that Yeoman was capable of unskilled light

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work, if restricted from working at unprotected heights

and around dangerous machinery, operating an automobile,

or carrying a firearm. She needed work "where

interpersonal contact is only incidental to work

performed. Performed tasks can be no more complex than

those learned and performed by rote with few variables

and little judgment. Simple, direct and concrete

supervision is required." He indicated that jobs such

as fast foods worker, counter attendant, and cafeteria

worker would fit this description.

* On July 29, 2003, Yeoman was seen in the emergency room

with a complaint of "deep depression."

* On August 26, 2003, Yeoman completed a Reconsideration

Disability Report, in which she indicated that her

condition had changed since she filed her claim, in that

her medications helped some, but "not much." She

indicated that her doctor had restricted her from

working and that she needed "to live with some one."

She also noted that she had "deep depression" and

asthma. She stated that she could "do things on own,"

but needed to be watched if she had a seizure. She

tried to avoid stressful environments.

* On October 15, 2003, Yeoman was seen in the emergency

room complaining of an asthma attack.

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* On October 25, 2003, Yeoman was seen in the hospital for

seizures. She told her care givers that she had no

money to buy medications.

* On October 29, 2003, Yeoman was seen in the hospital

with complaints of seizure disorder.

* On October 30, 2003, Yeoman was back at the hospital,

stating that she was unable to fill her prescriptions.

Dr. Charles Smith took steps to put Yeoman in touch with

Friends Fund, which appears to be a source of funds for

medications.

* On November 3, 2003, Yeoman was seen in the emergency

room with pain in her hand, diagnosed as superficial

thrombophlebitis secondary to an IV that was started in

the ambulance when she was taken to the hospital on

October 30, 2003.

* On November 7, 2003, Yeoman completed another Disability

Supplemental Interview Outline. As in the earlier

Outline, she indicated no areas where her functioning

was restricted, but said that if she became stressed,

she would "go into a seizure," and that she suffered

from unusual fatigue, first noticed in February, 2003,

and had to take a 2-3 hour nap daily. Stress and

standing caused pain in her legs, lasting an hour or

two, which was helped by rubbing them. She was taking

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Dilantin, which made her "sleepy and sick" and Topamax,

which made her sleepy. She again noted that she had

asthma and "deep depression." 

* On December 19, 2003, Yeoman was seen in the emergency

room for complaints of shortness of breath. She had a

normal chest x-ray, and was treated with Albuterol.

* On December 29, 2003, Yeoman was seen in the emergency

room for a toothache. Dr. Charles Smith noted that she

had a "3-month history of toothaches. She has not quite

made it into the dentist." He found a decayed wisdom

tooth.

* On March 11, 2004, Yeoman was seen in the emergency room

for a toothache. Exam showed a fractured molar.

* On April 14, 2004, Yeoman was seen in the emergency room

for seizure activity. She was advised on that visit to

call Social Services for assistance getting her

prescriptions filled.

* On April 16, 2004, Yeoman was seen in the emergency room

for a toothache. She told Dr. Jennifer Sadler that she

was supposed to be taking Dilantin and Topamax, but was

not taking them because she could not afford them. She

was advised to contact Social Services for help with her

prescriptions.

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A GAF between 61 and 70 indicates that a person has some mild symptoms (such as 3

depressed mood or mild insomnia) or some difficulty in social, occupational, or school

functioning (such as occasional truancy or theft in the household), but is generally

functioning pretty well and has some meaningful interpersonal relationships. Diagnostic

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* On April 20, 2004, Yeoman was seen in the emergency room

with a head contusion and cervical strain sustained in

some type of altercation.

* On May 4, 2004, Yeoman was seen in the emergency room

following a motor vehicle accident.

* On May 13, 2004, Yeoman was treated in the emergency

room for dental pain.

* On May 19, 2004, Yeoman was treated in the emergency

room for seizure activity. The chart noted that she was

"noncompliant," apparently referring to her seizure

medication.

* On June 2, 2004, Dr. Vann Smith conducted a

neurophyschological evaluation of Yeoman. He

administered a battery of tests, and reviewed Yeoman's

history. He found Yeoman to have "impaired brain

function," consistent with head injury, which would be

compatible with Yeoman's history of repeated assaults by

her husband. He also related her depression - at least

potentially - to head injuries. He diagnosed organic

brain dysfunction, organic brain syndrome, cognitive

dysfunction, organic affective dysfunction, multiple

TBI, and seizure disorder. He rated Yeoman's GAF at 65.3

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And Statistical Manual Of Mental Disorders, 4th Ed.

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Dr. Smith also filled out a form for Yeoman's attorney,

noting that Yeoman had impaired impulse control; mood

disturbance; difficulty thinking and concentrating;

psychological or behavioral abnormalities associated

with brain dysfunction; emotional lability; easy

distractibility; and memory impairment. He opined that

Yeoman was "unable to meet competitive standards" for

maintaining attention for a two-hour segment;

punctuality and regularity of attendance; sustaining an

ordinary routine without special supervision; completing

a normal workday and workweek without interruptions from

psychologically-based symptoms; performing at a

consistent pace without an unreasonable number and

length of rest periods; responding appropriately to

changes in a routine work setting; understanding,

remembering, and carrying out detailed instructions;

traveling to unfamiliar places, and using public

transportation. He estimated that her impairments would

cause her to miss about four days of work each month.

* On July 7, 2004, Melvin Perryman, Yeoman's father,

signed off on a letter describing a seizure he had

witnessed, and stating that Yeoman had a leaning

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disability, a split personality, and had been classified

as mentally retarded in junior high school.

* Joseph Wells and Becky Short each wrote undated notes

describing Yeoman's seizures.

* On July 8, 2004, Yeoman was treated at the emergency

room for seizure activity. At the time, she had not

been taking Dilantin, and the chart noted that she was

"noncompliant."

* On July 14, 2004, Doris Sloniker, Yeoman's grandmother,

wrote a note describing her granddaughter's seizures.

* On December 10, 2004, Yeoman completed a Questionnaire

for her attorney. She listed, as "health problems which

make you unable to work," epileptic seizures, deep

depression, and asthma. She said that her seizures

began in February, 2003, and that all the jobs she had

attempted after this date were affected by multiple

absences due to seizures. She stated that she had

muscle contractions during seizures which caused

excruciating "charlie horse" type pain in her legs. The

pain lasted for thirty minutes to an hour, and the

seizures were sporadic. She listed her medications as

Dilantin (which upset her stomach), Topamax, Zoloft,

Advair, and Albuterol. She also indicated that she took

six Tylenol tablets a day for headaches. She indicated

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no problems sitting, standing, or walking, until a

seizure occurred. She indicated she had no problems

lifting and carrying except that she had to be careful

not to bend over too fast so as to avoid going into a

seizure. She also indicated that exposure to marked

changes in temperature or humidity, or to dust, fumes or

gasses, caused asthma attacks. She also stated that she

needed help around the house because after a seizure she

was "dysfunctional" for six to eight hours. The

seizures caused her severe headaches.

* On January 25, 2005, Allen Richter signed a letter

stating that he had seen Yeoman twice have seizures.

* On January 26, 2005, the ALJ conducted a hearing on

Yeoman's claim. Yeoman's attorney stated that he

believed if Yeoman could afford her seizure medication,

it would control her seizures, but that would leave the

"bigger problem" of organic brain dysfunction, cognitive

dysfunction, organic affective dysfunction. He noted

Dr. Smith's GAF score of 65 and estimation that Yeoman

would miss about four days of work a month, and argued

that Yeoman would be disabled even if her seizures were

controlled by medication.

* At the hearing, Yeoman testified that her husband drank

and hit her, knocking her out on many occasions. She

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also had had loss of consciousness in a car wreck as a

child. She had two small children who had been taken

out of her home by DHS, and had been adopted out. She

testified that she slept only about three hours out of

24; that she had weight fluctuations; that she was

depressed; that in a typical day she sat around, watched

television, and listened to music; that she had

difficulty concentrating; that she had low energy, and

felt tired upon awakening; that she had trouble

controlling her emotions; that Dilantin had been

reducing her seizures but she stopped taking it sinch

she stopped receiving Medicaid; that she had trouble

finding the right words to use; that she became anxious

around people; and that when she took all her

medications - Dilantin, Topamax and Zoloft - she was

sick and sleepy.

* Subsequent to the hearing, the ALJ submitted

Interrogatories to a Vocational Expert, and based on the

VE's testimony, found that Yeoman could perform

unskilled light work.

4. The Court finds that the ALJ erred in failing to

consider the combined effect of Yeoman's impairments and the side

effects of her anti-convulsant and anti-depressant medications.

Among the recognized side effects of Topamax, the branded form of

Case 5:05-cv-05151-JLH Document 10 Filed 03/23/07 Page 19 of 23 PageID #: <pageID>
Physicians' Desk Reference, 2007 Ed. 4

Physicians' Desk Reference, 1995 Ed. 5

Physicians' Desk Reference, 2007 Ed. 6

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topirimate, are confusion; psychomotor slowing; difficulty with

concentration, attention, memory, and speech; depression; and

somnolence and fatigue. Dilantin can cause mental confusion, 4

dizziness, nausea, vomiting, insomnia, transient nervousness, and

headaches. Somnolence is one of the more common side effects of 5

Zoloft. Yeoman complained of these types of symptoms 6

consistently, and specifically indicated that her fatigue began in

February, 2003, which is when she began taking anti-convulsants.

She indicated at various times that both financial difficulties

and sleepiness and nausea caused her to not take her anticonvulsants.

It may be that some of the problems Yeoman exhibited in tests

and observations by Dr. Berke, Dr. Bunting, and Dr. Smith were

caused by Yeoman's medications, but those problems may have been

caused by conditions other than the medications. If the latter

situation obtains, there is the very real possibility that the

side effects of Yeoman's medications, when combined with otherwise

existing depression, low IQ, emotional lability, and cognitive

impairments, would make it impossible for her to work. Yet

without anti-convulsant medications, Yeoman clearly cannot work

because of the frequency of her seizures. There is also the

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fatigue/nap problem caused by the medications. In order to

evaluate Yeoman's subjective complaints of nausea, fatigue, and

insomnia, it is necessary to consider the side effects of her

medications. Polaski v. Heckler, 739 F.2d 1320 (8th Cir. 1984).

In addition, the extremely limited nature of Yeoman's daily

activities and social contacts suggests that Yeoman may be one of

those people with mental disorders who "have their lives

structured in such a way as to minimize stress and reduce their

signs and symptoms," and who is "much more impaired for work than

their signs and symptoms would indicate." Hutsell v. Massanari,

259 F.3d 707, 711 (8th Cir. 2001)(quotation marks and citations

omitted).

Neither Dr. Robinson nor Dr. Robbins was asked to assess

either Yeoman's seizure disorder or the side effects of her

seizure medication on her ability to perform work. Dr. Berke,

Dr. Bunting, and Dr. Smith did not treat Yeoman, and based their

opinions on tests and examinations from only one visit (Drs. Berke

and Smith) or two visits (Dr. Bunting). Thus the record is not

sufficiently developed for an informed decision to be made about

whether Yeoman's conditions, and the necessary pharmaceutical

treatment for those conditions, when considered in combination,

would allow her to perform full-time work in a competitive

environment.

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The Court, therefore, will remand this case, with

instructions for the ALJ to obtain reports from Dr. Robinson and

Dr. Robbins about the effect of Yeoman's seizure disorder and the

medications she takes for it on her ability to perform work. In

addition, given that Yeoman's problems apparently stem from

repeated head injuries, the Court suggests that the ALJ obtain a

neuropsychiatric work-up from a source other than Dr. Smith, whose

opinion the ALJ discredited. The sophisticated testing a

neuropsychiatrist can perform is capable of identifying

performance deficits stemming from head injuries which may not be

readily apparent to other specialists. The neuropsychiatrist

should also be requested to evaluate the effect of Yeoman's

medications on her ability to perform work.

When the foregoing information is obtained, the Commissioner

is directed to reconsider the disability determination in light of

the combined effect of Yeoman's mental impairments and the side

effects of necessary medications on her ability to work.

Accordingly, the Court reverses the decision of the

Commissioner, and remands this case to the Commissioner for

further consideration pursuant to sentence four of 42 U.S.C.

§405(g).

If plaintiff wishes to request an award of attorney's fees

and costs under the Equal Access to Justice Act, an application

may be filed up until thirty days after the judgment becomes "not

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appealable," i.e., thirty days after the sixty-day time for appeal

has ended. Shalala v. Schaefer, 509 U.S. 292 (1993); 28 U.S.C. §§

2412(d)(1)(B) and (d)(2)(G).

IT IS SO ORDERED.

/s/Jimm Larry Hendren 

JIMM LARRY HENDREN

UNITED STATES DISTRICT JUDGE

Case 5:05-cv-05151-JLH Document 10 Filed 03/23/07 Page 23 of 23 PageID #: <pageID>