Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-azd-2_11-cv-02274/USCOURTS-azd-2_11-cv-02274-0/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)

---

1 

2 

3 

4 

5 

6 

7 

8 

9 

10 

11 

12 

13 

14 

15 

16 

17 

18 

19 

20 

21 

22 

23 

24 

25 

26 

27 

28 

WO

IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT 

FOR THE DISTRICT OF ARIZONA 

Christopher D. Bowens, 

Plaintiff, 

v. 

Michael J. Astrue, Commissioner of Social 

Security, 

Defendant.

No. CV-11-2274-PHX-DGC

ORDER 

 Plaintiff Christopher Bowens applied for disability insurance benefits and 

supplemental security income on October 27, 2008, claiming to be disabled since 

March 1, 2004, due to multiple medical problems resulting in severe, chronic pain. Tr. 

46-52. The applications were denied initially on January 29, 2009, and upon 

reconsideration on June 3, 2009. Tr. 32, 37. A hearing before an Administrative Law 

Judge (“ALJ”) was held on October 5, 2010. Tr. 260-86. At the hearing, Plaintiff moved 

to amend his alleged onset date to September 1, 2006. Tr. 263. The ALJ issued a written 

decision on January 22, 2011, finding that Plaintiff was not disabled within the meaning 

of the Social Security Act. Tr. 12-23. This decision became Defendant’s final decision 

when the Appeals Council denied review. Tr. 7-9. Plaintiff then commenced this action 

for judicial review pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 405(g). Doc. 1. For reasons that follow, the 

Court will remand for further proceedings. 

I. Standard of Review. 

 Defendant’s decision to deny benefits will be vacated “only if it is not supported 

Case 2:11-cv-02274-DGC Document 21 Filed 12/06/12 Page 1 of 12
- 2 - 

1 

2 

3 

4 

5 

6 

7 

8 

9 

10 

11 

12 

13 

14 

15 

16 

17 

18 

19 

20 

21 

22 

23 

24 

25 

26 

27 

28 

by substantial evidence or is based on legal error.” Robbins v. Soc. Sec. Admin., 466 F.3d 

880, 882 (9th Cir. 2006). “‘Substantial evidence’ means more than a mere scintilla, but 

less than a preponderance, i.e., such relevant evidence as a reasonable mind might accept 

as adequate to support a conclusion.” Id. In determining whether the decision is 

supported by substantial evidence, the Court must consider the record as a whole, 

weighing both the evidence that supports the decision and the evidence that detracts from 

it. Reddick v. Charter, 157 F.3d 715, 720 (9th Cir. 1998). The Court cannot affirm the 

decision “simply by isolating a specific quantum of supporting evidence.” Day v. 

Weinberger, 522 F.2d 1154, 1156 (9th Cir. 1975); see Robbins, 466 F.3d at 882. 

II. Analysis. 

 Whether a claimant is disabled is determined using a five-step sequential 

evaluation process. The claimant bears the burden in steps one through four. To 

establish disability the claimant must show (1) he is not currently working, (2) he has a 

severe medically determinable physical or mental impairment, and (3) the impairment 

meets or equals a listed impairment or (4) his residual functional capacity (“RFC”) 

precludes him from performing his past work.1

 At step five, the Commissioner bears the 

burden of showing that the claimant has the RFC to perform other work that exists in 

substantial numbers in the national economy. 20 C.F.R. § 416.920(a)(4)(i)-(iv); see 20 

C.F.R. pt. 404, subpt. P, app. 1 (Listing of Impairments). “The Commissioner can meet 

this burden through the testimony of a vocational expert or by reference to the Medical 

Vocational Guidelines[.]” Thomas v. Barnhart, 278 F.3d 947, 955 (9th Cir. 2002) (citing 

Tackett v. Apfel, 180 F.3d 1094, 1099 (9th Cir. 1999)). 

 Plaintiff has not worked since the alleged onset date of disability. Tr. 17, ¶ 2. The 

ALJ found that Plaintiff has the following severe combination of impairments: lumbar 

herniated disk; degenerative disc disease; spondylolisthesis; and a history of kidney 

 

1

 RFC is the most a claimant can do despite the limitations caused by his impairments. See Rodriguez v. Bowen, 876 F.2d 759, 762 (9th Cir. 1989); 20 C.F.R. 

§ 416.927(a); SSR 96-8p, 1996 WL 374184 (July 2, 1996). 

Case 2:11-cv-02274-DGC Document 21 Filed 12/06/12 Page 2 of 12
- 3 - 

1 

2 

3 

4 

5 

6 

7 

8 

9 

10 

11 

12 

13 

14 

15 

16 

17 

18 

19 

20 

21 

22 

23 

24 

25 

26 

27 

28 

stones. Tr. 17, ¶ 3. The ALJ determined that these impairments are not severe enough to 

meet or equal a listed impairment. Tr. 17, ¶ 4. The ALJ concluded that while Plaintiff is 

not able to perform his past work (Tr. 20, ¶ 6), he is not disabled because he has the RFC 

to perform light work (Tr. 17, ¶ 5), including the jobs of janitor, housekeeper, food 

preparation worker, and telemarketing representative (Tr. 22). 

 Plaintiff argues that the ALJ erred by discounting Plaintiff’s testimony (Doc. 15 at 

8-14), by failing to properly weigh medical source opinion evidence (id. at 14-17), and by 

failing to develop the record properly (id. at 17). Defendant contends the decision is 

supported by substantial evidence and free from legal error. Doc. 16 at 1. 

A. Plaintiff’s Testimony. 

 Plaintiff testified that he suffers from constant lower back and leg pain. Tr. 266-

67. His pain is aggravated by bending over, walking, sitting and standing. Tr. 267-68. 

Plaintiff testified that his pain results in muscle spasms and causes him to have problems 

concentrating and with his memory. Tr. 268-69. Plaintiff also testified that he suffers a 

loss of feeling in his feet that occurs once or twice a week and can last for a few minutes 

or all day. Tr. 267-68. Plaintiff stated that his treatment has consisted of one session of 

physical therapy and pain medications. Tr. 268-69. Plaintiff takes Oxycodone, which 

makes Plaintiff nauseous. Tr. 271. Plaintiff testified he takes Phenergan to alleviate the 

nausea. Tr. 271. Plaintiff testified that he can sit only for 20 minutes, stand for 

approximately 10-15 minutes, or walk for approximately 10-15 minutes before he must 

change positions or lie down. Tr. 269-70. Plaintiff has difficulty sleeping. Tr. 270. 

Plaintiff testified he does not do many chores, although he does occasionally help cook 

and will walk approximately three miles to the grocery store once a week. Tr. 271-72. 

 The ALJ concluded Plaintiff’s statements concerning the intensity, persistence, 

and limiting effects of his symptoms were not credible to the extent they are inconsistent 

with the RFC assessment. Tr. 19. In reaching this conclusion, the ALJ evaluated 

Plaintiff’s testimony using the two-step analysis established by the Ninth Circuit. See 

Smolen v. Chater, 80 F.3d 1273, 1281 (9th Cir. 1996). Applying the test of Cotton v. 

Case 2:11-cv-02274-DGC Document 21 Filed 12/06/12 Page 3 of 12
- 4 - 

1 

2 

3 

4 

5 

6 

7 

8 

9 

10 

11 

12 

13 

14 

15 

16 

17 

18 

19 

20 

21 

22 

23 

24 

25 

26 

27 

28 

Bowen, 799 F.2d 1403 (9th Cir. 1986), the ALJ first determined that Plaintiff’s 

impairments could reasonably produce the symptoms alleged. Tr. 19. Given this 

conclusion, and because there is no evidence of malingering, the ALJ was required to 

present “specific, clear and convincing reasons” for finding Plaintiff not entirely credible. 

Smolen, 80 F.3d at 1281. This clear and convincing standard “is the most demanding 

required in Social Security cases.” Moore v. Comm’r of SSA, 278 F.3d 920, 924 (9th Cir. 

2002). 

 “Pain of sufficient severity caused by a medically diagnosed ‘anatomical, 

physiological, or psychological abnormality’ may provide the basis for determining that a 

claimant is disabled.” Light v. SSA, 119 F.3d 789, 792 (9th Cir. 1997) (citing 42 U.S.C. 

§ 423(d)(5)(A); Bunnell v. Sullivan, 947 F.2d 341, 344-45 (9th Cir. 1991)). “Once a 

claimant produces objective medical evidence of an underlying impairment, an ALJ may 

not reject a claimant’s subjective complaints based solely on lack of objective medical 

evidence to fully corroborate the alleged severity of pain.” Moisa v. Barnhart, 367 F.3d 

882, 885 (9th Cir. 2004) (citation and alterations omitted); see 20 C.F.R. 

§ 404.1529(c)(2); SSR 96-7p, 1996 WL 374186, at *1 (July 2, 1996). 

 Additionally, although “[a]n ALJ’s finding that a claimant generally lacked 

credibility is a permissible basis to reject excess pain testimony, . . . a finding that the 

claimant lacks credibility cannot be premised wholly on a lack of medical support for the 

severity of the pain.” Light, 119 F.3d at 792 (citations omitted). General assertions that 

the claimant's testimony is not credible are insufficient. See Parra v. Astrue, 481 F.3d 

742, 750 (9th Cir.2007). The ALJ must identify “what testimony is not credible and what 

evidence undermines the claimant's complaints.” Id. (quoting Lester, 81 F.3d at 834). In 

weighing a claimant’s credibility, the ALJ may consider some of the following factors: 

claimant’s reputation for truthfulness, inconsistencies either in claimant’s testimony or 

between his testimony and his conduct, unexplained or inadequately explained failure to 

seek treatment or to follow a prescribed course of treatment, claimant’s daily activities, 

claimant’s work record, and the compatibility of claimant’s testimony with the medical 

Case 2:11-cv-02274-DGC Document 21 Filed 12/06/12 Page 4 of 12
- 5 - 

1 

2 

3 

4 

5 

6 

7 

8 

9 

10 

11 

12 

13 

14 

15 

16 

17 

18 

19 

20 

21 

22 

23 

24 

25 

26 

27 

28 

evidence. Thomas, 278 F.3d at 958-59; Lee v. Astrue, 472 Fed. Appx. 553, 555 (9th Cir. 

2012) 

 In this case, the ALJ rejected Plaintiff’s testimony on two grounds. First, the 

ALJ’s examined the objective evidence of record and made the following findings: 

(1) the most recent CT of Plaintiff’s abdomen and pelvis showed that a prior identified 

kidney stone had passed and that the other stones remained unchanged; (2) a renal lesion 

was stable; (3) the most recent lumbar spine MRI showed spondylolysis at the L5 level 

with grade 1 spondylolisthesis and a small disc extrusion at L4-5 with foraminal 

narrowing, and a mild bulging disc at L5-S1 with mild to moderate foraminal narrowing. 

Tr. 19. In noting the above, the ALJ found that “these objective findings are not 

consistent throughout the record and more often, physical examination results regarding 

claimant’s gait, as well as neurological examination findings are negative, indicative of 

no problems.” Tr. 19. 

 Second, the ALJ noted several inconsistencies in Plaintiff’s testimony. Tr. 19-20. 

(1) Plaintiff testified that his feet are constantly numb, but treatment notes indicate 

Plaintiff’s sensation is normal (Tr. 19); (2) Plaintiff testified that pain medication makes 

him nauseous, but he also testified that he has taken Phenergan for quite some time (Tr. 

19); (3) Plaintiff testified that physical therapy increased his pain, but he only attended 

one initial evaluation (Tr. 19-20); (4) Plaintiff testified that he had been to the emergency 

room on three occasions since June 2010, but records indicated that Plaintiff presented 

only once (Tr. 20); (5) Plaintiff’s lack of aggressive or alternative treatment other than 

pain medication despite his state insurance (Tr. 20); and (6) Plaintiff testified to having 

worked consistently the past 15 years, but the record showed an inconsistent work history 

and few earnings prior to his alleged date of disability (Tr. 20). 

 Plaintiff argues that the ALJ improperly rejected his subjective symptom 

testimony due to a lack of supporting objective evidence and an erroneous credibility 

determination based upon errors of fact. Doc. 15 at 10-11. Although the ALJ noted that 

the objective evidence revealed disc disease, the ALJ concluded that the findings overall 

Case 2:11-cv-02274-DGC Document 21 Filed 12/06/12 Page 5 of 12
- 6 - 

1 

2 

3 

4 

5 

6 

7 

8 

9 

10 

11 

12 

13 

14 

15 

16 

17 

18 

19 

20 

21 

22 

23 

24 

25 

26 

27 

28 

were inconsistent and sometimes indicative of no problems. Tr. 19. The ALJ supported 

this finding by pointing to medical records that indicated Plaintiff had normal mobility, 

only moderate neck and back pain, and no neurological complaints (Tr. 209-10), and 

other records that showed Plaintiff had denied acute back pain (Tr. 148). The Court finds 

that the ALJ did not err in finding the objective medical evidence inconsistent and not 

supportive of Plaintiff’s pain allegations. See Carmickle v. Comm'r, Soc. Sec. Admin.,

533 F.3d 1155, 1161 (9th Cir.2008) (“Contradiction with the medical record is a 

sufficient basis for rejecting the claimant's subjective testimony.”) (citation omitted); 

Batson v. Comm'r of Soc. Sec. Admin., 359 F.3d 1190, 1197 (9th Cir.2004) (lack of 

objective medical evidence supporting claimant's allegations supported ALJ's finding that 

claimant was not credible). 

 Plaintiff also raises specific objections to the ALJ’s credibility determinations. 

Doc. 15 at 11. The Court will review the ALJ’s reasons for finding Plaintiff less than 

fully credible. 

1. The ALJ stated that Plaintiff testified that his feet are constantly numb, and 

found this testimony to be inconsistent with treatment notes stating that Plaintiff had 

normal sensation in his feet. Tr. 19. The Court’s review of the record shows, however, 

that Plaintiff testified that the numbness in his feet occurs only once or twice a week. Tr. at 

268. This testimony is not inconsistent with the treatment notes.

2. The record shows that Plaintiff testified that Oxycodone makes him nauseous, 

and that he takes Phenergan to alleviate the nausea. Tr. 149, 271. It is unclear how 

Plaintiffs testimony about Phenergan is inconsistent with his testimony about Oxycodone 

as the ALJ suggested. Taking anti-nausea medication would by consistent with his 

testimony that Oxycodone makes him nauseous.2

 

2

 The Court notes that Phenergan, brand name for the drug Promethazine, may be “used to prevent and control nausea and vomiting that may occur after surgery, and with other medications to help relieve pain after surgery.” PUBMED HEALTH, Promethazine, Jan. 1, 2011, http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0000637/ (last visited 

Nov. 26, 2012). 

Case 2:11-cv-02274-DGC Document 21 Filed 12/06/12 Page 6 of 12
- 7 - 

1 

2 

3 

4 

5 

6 

7 

8 

9 

10 

11 

12 

13 

14 

15 

16 

17 

18 

19 

20 

21 

22 

23 

24 

25 

26 

27 

28 

3. The ALJ found Plaintiff’s testimony that physical therapy treatments increased 

his pain to be less than credible given that Plaintiff attended only one initial evaluation. 

Tr. 20. Plaintiff in fact attended only one physical therapy session. Tr. 183. Plaintiff 

contends that physical therapy was discontinued with the advice of his treating doctor, but 

the record shows only that the physical therapist noted Plaintiff was unable to complete the 

treatment due to pain. Tr. 182. Plaintiff testified that he was told not to return. Tr. 269. 

The record also indicates that the therapist attempted to follow-up with Plaintiff after the 

initial evaluation, but Plaintiff did not return phone messages. Tr. 183. Plaintiff’s 

termination of treatment after only one session is a valid basis to doubt his credibility. See 

Lee, 472 Fed. Appx. at 555. 

4. The ALJ found Plaintiff less than credible because he testified to having visited 

an emergency room on three occasions since June 2010, while the record indicated that 

Plaintiff had presented only once. Tr. 20. Although the record shows that Plaintiff visited 

an urgent care center on at least four occasions since June 2010 (Tr. 141, 146, 149, 154), it 

does not appear that Plaintiff confused the emergency room with urgent care as Plaintiff 

himself distinguished between them during his testimony. Tr. 274. The record thus 

contradicts Plaintiff’s testimony, and an ALJ may consider inconsistencies between a 

claimant’s testimony and the medical records. See Thomas, 278 F.3d at 958-59. 

5. The ALJ considered Plaintiff’s “lack of aggressive or alternative treatment 

other than pain medication” despite the fact that he had state insurance. Tr. 20. Plaintiff 

responds by arguing that no doctor recommended more aggressive treatment (Doc. 15 at 

12), but, as noted above, Plaintiff quit physical therapy after only one visit. The ALJ was 

entitled to conclude that a claimant in the kind of severe and limiting pain Plaintiff claimed 

would have sought out alternative or more aggressive treatments than Plaintiff did, 

particularly when Plaintiff had insurance to pay for additional care. 

6. Plaintiff’s inconsistent work history was the final basis for the ALJ’s negative 

credibility determination. Tr. 20. The record shows that Plaintiff earned between $7,938 

and $20,574 from 1993 to 2001 (Tr. 46), and earned virtually nothing after 2001 (Tr. 46-

Case 2:11-cv-02274-DGC Document 21 Filed 12/06/12 Page 7 of 12
- 8 - 

1 

2 

3 

4 

5 

6 

7 

8 

9 

10 

11 

12 

13 

14 

15 

16 

17 

18 

19 

20 

21 

22 

23 

24 

25 

26 

27 

28 

47) despite claiming that he did not stop working until 2006 (Tr. 263, 265). A claimant’s 

work history is a valid factor to weigh in making a credibility determination. See Thomas, 

278 F.3d at 958-59. 

In summary, the ALJ based his credibility determination on six factors. The Court 

has determined that substantial evidence supports four of them: Plaintiff’s failure to 

follow-up with the physical therapy course of treatment, his emergency room testimony, 

his failure to seek alternative or more aggressive treatments, and his work history. These 

findings, when considered with the inconsistent objective medical evidence, constitute 

clear and convincing reasons, based upon substantial evidence, for discounting Plaintiff’s 

credibility. The question is not what the Court would have done in the ALJ’s position, 

but whether her reasons for acting were consistent with the Ninth Circuit’s standard. The 

Court concludes that they were. 

 B. Medical Opinions. 

 “The ALJ must consider all medical opinion evidence.” Tommasetti v. Astrue, 

533 F.3d 1035, 1041 (9th Cir. 2008); see 20 C.F.R. § 404.1527(d); SSR 96-5p, 1996 WL 

374183, at *2 (July 2, 1996). Regarding the weight that an ALJ should give to a 

particular medical opinion, the Ninth Circuit distinguishes between the opinions of 

treating physicians, examining physicians, and non-examining physicians. See Lester v. 

Chater, 81 F.3d 821, 830 (9th Cir. 1996). “The ALJ need not accept the opinion of any 

physician, including a treating physician, if that opinion is brief, conclusory, and 

inadequately supported by clinical findings.” Thomas, 278 F.3d at 957. 

 Opinions of examining or consulting physicians alone may constitute substantial 

evidence supporting the ALJ’s decision when they are consistent with other evidence in 

the record. See Magallanes v. Bowen, 881 F.2d 747, 752 (9th Cir. 1989) (“[T]he reports 

of consultative physicians . . . may serve as substantial evidence.”); Morgan v. Comm’r of 

Soc. Sec. Admin, 169 F.3d 595, 600 (9th Cir. 1999) (“Opinions of a nonexamining, 

testifying medical advisor may serve as substantial evidence when they are supported by 

other evidence in the record and are consistent with it.”); Thomas, 278 F.3d at 957 (“The 

Case 2:11-cv-02274-DGC Document 21 Filed 12/06/12 Page 8 of 12
- 9 - 

1 

2 

3 

4 

5 

6 

7 

8 

9 

10 

11 

12 

13 

14 

15 

16 

17 

18 

19 

20 

21 

22 

23 

24 

25 

26 

27 

28 

opinions of non-treating or non-examining physicians may . . . serve as substantial 

evidence when the opinions are consistent with independent clinical findings or other 

evidence in the record.”); see also 20 C.F.R. § 404.1527(f) (stating that the opinions of 

non-examining physicians constitute medical evidence). 

 Physical therapists, like physician’s assistants, are considered ‘other source’ 

opinions, and although not acceptable medical sources, an ALJ must take into account 

‘other source’ opinion evidence unless he or she expressly determines to disregard it and 

provides germane reasons for doing so. Cole v. Astrue, 395 Fed. Appx. 387, 389 (9th 

Cir. 2010); see also Turner v. Comm'r of Soc. Sec., 613 F.3d 1217, 1224; Lewis v. Apfel, 

236 F.3d 503, 511 (9th Cir. 2001). 

 1. Dr. K. Steinhardt. 

 Dr. K. Steinhardt, a state agency medical consultant, reviewed Plaintiff’s medical 

records and completed a physical RFC assessment. Tr. 20, 116. The assessment 

indicated that Plaintiff had denied joint swelling, muscle weakness, or difficulty walking, 

was observed to have normal posture and gait at a urologic exam, and that a neurological 

examination revealed no focal deficits. Tr. 20, 110. Dr. Steinhardt’s report noted that 

Plaintiff had presented with no problems standing or walking at the field office and found 

that this presentation was consistent with Plaintiff’s statements of only being able to walk 

one block before having to stop and rest. Tr. 20, 110. 

 Plaintiff argues that a non-treating, non-examining physician’s report cannot 

constitute substantial evidence. Doc. 15 at 16. Plaintiff argues that Dr. Steinhardt did not 

identify himself as an M.D., D.O., or Ph.D. upon signing his assessment (Doc. 15 at 14-

15), and that there is no offer of proof that he is a licensed physician despite the use of the 

medical consultant code on the assessment form (Doc. 20 at 10). Plaintiff submits Dr. 

Steinhardt failed to identify the medical records reviewed, and does not discuss relevant 

medical records such as Dr. Chirban’s referral of Plaintiff to a rehabilitative center and 

the physical therapist’s record notes. Doc. 15 at 15. Plaintiff also argues Dr. Steinhardt 

erroneously concluded that Plaintiff has no problems standing, walking, or sitting 

Case 2:11-cv-02274-DGC Document 21 Filed 12/06/12 Page 9 of 12
- 10 - 

1 

2 

3 

4 

5 

6 

7 

8 

9 

10 

11 

12 

13 

14 

15 

16 

17 

18 

19 

20 

21 

22 

23 

24 

25 

26 

27 

28 

because the Field Officer actually observed that Plaintiff “was limping and cringed when 

he stood up, after the interview.” Id. (citing Tr. 100). 

 Although the ALJ gave “substantial” weight to the opinion of Dr. Steinhardt (Tr. 

20), this constitutes legal error only if his opinion was not consistent with independent 

clinical findings or other evidence in the record. See Thomas, 278 F.3d at 957. Dr. 

Steinhardt’s opinion is consistent with other evidence in the record (Tr. 19-20), and 

confirmed by Dr. Goodrich (Tr. 103). It appears Dr. Steinhardt did note the medical 

records he relied upon in making the RFC assessment (Tr. 110), and as a state agency 

medical consultant, the ALJ was obligated to consider Dr. Steinhardt’s opinion regardless 

of whether he is in fact a licensed physician. See 20 C.F.R. § 404.1527(e). The ALJ’s 

decision to rely upon Dr. Steinhardt’s opinion does not constitute legal error. 

 2. Colette Januszewski, L.P.T.

 Ms. Colette Januszewski, licensed physical therapist (“L.P.T.”), performed an inperson examination of Plaintiff’s physical capacities and functional impairments. Tr. 

184-86. Ms. Januszewski’s notes indicate Plaintiff showed decreased lordosis, rounded 

shoulders, and forward head. Tr. 186. She found Plaintiff to have core strength 

weakness, minimal trunk range of motion, and that he was unable to bend and lift. Tr. 

186. Additionally, she observed that Plaintiff had decreased sitting tolerance to 15 to 20 

minutes; decreased standing tolerance to 10 to 15 minutes; and decreased walking 

tolerance to two blocks. Tr. 186. 

 The ALJ failed to mention Januszewski’s opinion evidence in determining that 

Plaintiff had presented no opinions from treating sources. Tr. 20. The ALJ appears to 

have rejected, without explanation, Januszewski’s opinion evidence in its RFC 

assessment. Tr. 12-23. Because the ALJ has not stated germane reasons to reject 

Januszewski’s opinion evidence, the ALJ’s RFC determination constitutes legal error. 

C. ALJ’s Duty to Develop the Record. 

 “The ALJ has a duty to develop the record . . . even when the claimant is 

represented by counsel.” DeLorme v. Sullivan, 924 F.2d 841, 849 (9th Cir. 1991). The 

Case 2:11-cv-02274-DGC Document 21 Filed 12/06/12 Page 10 of 12
- 11 - 

1 

2 

3 

4 

5 

6 

7 

8 

9 

10 

11 

12 

13 

14 

15 

16 

17 

18 

19 

20 

21 

22 

23 

24 

25 

26 

27 

28 

ALJ’s duty to develop the record further is triggered only when there is ambiguous 

evidence or when the record is inadequate to allow for proper evaluation of the evidence. 

Mayes v. Massanari, 276 F.3d 453, 459-60 (9th Cir. 2001) (citing Tonapetyan v. Halter, 

242 F.3d 1144, 1150 (9th Cir. 2001)). 

 Plaintiff contends the ALJ was obligated to obtain a consultative examination after 

an agency examiner noted that it was unable to schedule one. Doc. 15 at 17. The Court 

disagrees. While the ALJ has a duty to develop the record, the government is not 

required to bear the expense of an examination for every claimant, and consultative 

examinations are normally required only where there is an ambiguity or insufficiency in 

the evidence that must be resolved. See Reed v. Massanari, 270 F.3d 838, 841-42 (9th 

Cir. 2001) (citing 20 C.F.R. §§ 404.1517-19). The Court finds that a consultative 

examination does not appear to have been necessary to enable the ALJ to make the 

disability determination. Plaintiff also submits the ALJ failed to develop the record by 

not attempting to secure the records of treating pain management specialist Dr. Chirban, 

and the records of the Payson Regional Medical Center. Doc. 15 at 17.3

 Again, the 

Court finds that the record appears free from ambiguities and thus the ALJ’s development 

of the record does not constitute legal error. 

III. Remedy. 

 The Court has discretion to remand for further development of the record or for an 

award benefits. 42 U.S.C. § 405(g); see Harman v. Apfel, 211 F.3d 1172, 1173-74 (9th 

Cir. 2000). Plaintiff asks the Court to consider granting him disability status based on his 

subjective complaints of pain. Doc. 15 at 17-18. As explained above, however, the ALJ 

did not err in rejecting Plaintiff’s pain testimony. 

 The Ninth Circuit has held that evidence should be credited as true, and an action 

remanded for an award of benefits, where three conditions are met: the ALJ has failed to 

 

3

 Plaintiff has presented a news article indicating that Dr. Chirban’s records are in the possession of the Drug Enforcement Agency (“DEA”). Doc. 15-1 at 3-4. The DEA’s possession, however, does not trigger the ALJ’s duty as the record still appears free from ambiguous evidence. 

Case 2:11-cv-02274-DGC Document 21 Filed 12/06/12 Page 11 of 12
- 12 - 

1 

2 

3 

4 

5 

6 

7 

8 

9 

10 

11 

12 

13 

14 

15 

16 

17 

18 

19 

20 

21 

22 

23 

24 

25 

26 

27 

28 

provide legally sufficient reasons for rejecting evidence, no outstanding issue remains 

that must be resolved before a determination of disability can be made, and it is clear 

from the record that the ALJ would be required to find the claimant disabled were the 

rejected evidence credited as true. See, e.g., Varney v. Sec'y of HHS, 859 F.2d 1396, 

1400 (9th Cir. 1988). 

 With respect to the opinion of Ms. Januszewski, the Court concludes that it need 

not be credited as true on remand. The credit-as-true rule applied in Varney and its 

progeny is “specifically limited to cases ‘where there are no outstanding issues that must 

be resolved before a proper disability determination can be made[.]’” Vasquez v. Astrue, 

572 F.3d 586, 593 (9th Cir. 2009) (quoting Varney, 859 F.2d at 1401). When crediting 

Ms. Januszewski’s improperly rejected evidence as true, a conflict exists between the 

opinions of Ms. Januszewski and Dr. Steinhardt which must be resolved before a 

disability determination can be made. Because issues remain to be resolved, the Court 

will remand for further proceedings consistent with this order. 

 IT IS ORDERED: 

 1. Defendant’s administrative decision denying benefits is reversed. 

 2. The case is remanded for further proceedings consistent with this order. 

 Dated this 6th day of December, 2012. 

Case 2:11-cv-02274-DGC Document 21 Filed 12/06/12 Page 12 of 12