Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-azd-2_10-cv-01887/USCOURTS-azd-2_10-cv-01887-0/pdf.json

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

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IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

FOR THE DISTRICT OF ARIZONA

Elizabeth Ann Perez, 

Plaintiff, 

vs.

Michael J. Astrue, Commissioner of Social

Security Administration, 

Defendant. 

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No. CV10-01887-PHX-NVW

ORDER

Elizabeth Ann Perez seeks review under 42 U.S.C. § 405(g) of the final decision of

the Commissioner of Social Security (“the Commissioner”), which denied her disability

insurance benefits and supplemental security income under sections 216(i), 223(d), and

1614(a)(3)(A) of the Social Security Act. Because the decision of the Administrative

Law Judge (“ALJ”) is partially based on legal error, the Commissioner’s decision will be

vacated and the matter remanded for further administrative proceedings.

I. Background

A. Factual Background

Perez was born on November 23, 1971. She was 34 years old on the alleged

disability onset date, February 15, 2006. She has been diagnosed with rheumatoid

arthritis, degenerative disk disease, narrowing of the spine, and depression. In 2008, she

had carpal tunnel surgery on each of her wrists. She has a high school education and

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most recently worked as a tax preparer. At the time of the administrative hearing, Perez

weighed 290 pounds and was 5' 4" tall.

B. Procedural History

On September 1, 2006, Perez protectively applied for disability insurance benefits

and supplemental security income. She alleged disability beginning February 15, 2006. 

Perez’s claims were denied initially on April 19, 2007, and upon reconsideration on

November 21, 2007. On January 7, 2008, Perez filed a written request for hearing. She

appeared and testified at a hearing held on November 19, 2008, at which she was

represented by counsel. The ALJ did not call a vocational expert to testify.

On February 27, 2009, the ALJ issued a decision that Perez is not disabled within

the meaning of the Social Security Act. Subsequently, the Appeals Council denied

Perez’s request for review of the hearing decision. Therefore, the ALJ’s decision became

the Commissioner’s final decision. On September 3, 2010, Perez sought review by this

Court.

II. Standard of Review

The district court reviews only those issues raised by the party challenging the

ALJ’s decision. See Lewis v. Apfel, 236 F.3d 503, 517 n.13 (9th Cir. 2001). The court

may set aside the Commissioner’s disability determination only if the determination is not

supported by substantial evidence or is based on legal error. Orn v. Astrue, 495 F.3d 625,

630 (9th Cir. 2007). Substantial evidence is more than a scintilla, less than a

preponderance, and relevant evidence that a reasonable person might accept as adequate

to support a conclusion considering the record as a whole. Id. In determining whether

substantial evidence supports a decision, the court must consider the record as a whole

and may not affirm simply by isolating a “specific quantum of supporting evidence.” Id.

As a general rule, “[w]here the evidence is susceptible to more than one rational

interpretation, one of which supports the ALJ’s decision, the ALJ’s conclusion must be

upheld.” Thomas v. Barnhart, 278 F.3d 947, 954 (9th Cir. 2002) (citations omitted).

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If the ALJ’s decision is not supported by substantial evidence or suffers from legal

error, the court has discretion to reverse and remand either for an award of benefits or for

further administrative proceedings. Smolen v. Chater, 80 F.3d 1273, 1292 (9th Cir.

1996); Sprague v. Bowen, 812 F.2d 1226, 1232 (9th Cir. 1987). “Remand for further

proceedings is appropriate if enhancement of the record would be useful.” Benecke v.

Barnhart, 379 F.3d 587, 593 (9th Cir. 2004). “Conversely, where the record has been

developed fully and further administrative proceedings would serve no useful purpose,

the district court should remand for an immediate award of benefits.” Id. (citing Smolen,

80 F.3d at 1292). 

The ALJ is responsible for resolving conflicts in medical testimony, determining

credibility, and resolving ambiguities. Andrews v. Shalala, 53 F.3d 1035, 1039 (9th Cir.

1995). In reviewing the ALJ’s reasoning, the court is “not deprived of [its] faculties for

drawing specific and legitimate inferences from the ALJ’s opinion.” Magallanes v.

Bowen, 881 F.2d 747, 755 (9th Cir. 1989). 

III. Five-Step Sequential Evaluation Process

To determine whether a claimant is disabled for purposes of the Social Security

Act, the ALJ follows a five-step process. 20 C.F.R. § 404.1520(a). If the ALJ determines

that the claimant is disabled or not disabled at any step, the ALJ does not continue to the

next step. The claimant bears the burden of proof on the first four steps, but at step five,

the burden shifts to the Commissioner. Tackett v. Apfel, 180 F.3d 1094, 1098 (9th Cir.

1999).

At the first step, the ALJ determines whether the claimant is engaging in

substantial gainful activity. 20 C.F.R. § 404.1520(a)(4)(i). If so, the claimant is not

disabled and the inquiry ends. Id. At the step two, the ALJ determines whether the

claimant has a “severe” medically determinable physical or mental impairment. 

§ 404.1520(a)(4)(ii). If not, the claimant is not disabled and the inquiry ends. Id. At step

three, the ALJ considers whether the claimant’s impairment or combination of

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impairments meet or equal an impairment listed in Appendix 1 to Subpart P of 20 C.F.R.

Pt. 404. § 404.1520(a)(4)(iii). If so, the claimant is automatically found to be disabled. 

Id. If not, the ALJ proceeds to step four. At step four, the ALJ assesses the claimant’s

residual functional capacity and determines whether the claimant is still capable of

performing past relevant work. § 404.1520(a)(4)(iv). If so, the claimant is not disabled

and the inquiry ends. Id. If not, the ALJ proceeds to the fifth and final step, where he

determines whether the claimant can perform any other work based on the claimant’s

residual functional capacity, age, education, and work experience. § 404.1520(a)(4)(v). 

If so, the claimant is not disabled. Id. If not, the claimant is disabled. Id. 

IV. Analysis

The ALJ found that Perez meets the insured status requirements of the Social

Security Act through September 30, 2011, and, at step one, she has not engaged in

substantial gainful activity since February 15, 2006. At step two, the ALJ found that

Perez has the following severe impairments: rheumatoid arthritis, degenerative disk

disease, narrowing of the spine, and depression. At step three, the ALJ found that Perez

does not have an impairment or combination of impairments that meets or medically

equals one of the listed impairments in 20 C.F.R. Part 404, Subpart P, Appendix 1. Perez

challenges the ALJ’s residual functional capacity assessment at step four and his step five

conclusion that there are jobs that exist in significant numbers in the national economy

that Perez can perform. 

A. The ALJ Did Not Err in Weighing Medical Source Evidence.

1. Legal Standard

In weighing medical source opinions in Social Security cases, the Ninth Circuit

distinguishes among three types of physicians: (1) treating physicians, who actually treat

the claimant; (2) examining physicians, who examine but do not treat the claimant; and

(3) non-examining physicians, who neither treat nor examine the claimant. Lester v.

Chater, 81 F.3d 821, 830 (9th Cir. 1995). Generally, more weight should be given to the

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opinion of a treating physician than to the opinions of non-treating physicians. Id. A

treating physician’s opinion is afforded great weight because such physicians are

“employed to cure and [have] a greater opportunity to observe and know the patient as an

individual.” Sprague v. Bowen, 812 F.2d 1226, 1230 (9th Cir. 1987). Where a treating

physician’s opinion is not contradicted by another physician, it may be rejected only for

“clear and convincing” reasons, and where it is contradicted, it may not be rejected

without “specific and legitimate reasons” supported by substantial evidence in the record. 

Lester, 81 F.3d at 830. Moreover, the Commissioner must give weight to the treating

physician’s subjective judgments in addition to his clinical findings and interpretation of

test results. Id. at 832-33.

Further, an examining physician’s opinion generally must be given greater weight

than that of a non-examining physician. Id. at 830. As with a treating physician, there

must be clear and convincing reasons for rejecting the uncontradicted opinion of an

examining physician, and specific and legitimate reasons, supported by substantial

evidence in the record, for rejecting an examining physician’s contradicted opinion. Id. at

830-31. 

The opinion of a non-examining physician is not itself substantial evidence that

justifies the rejection of the opinion of either a treating physician or an examining

physician. Id. at 831. “The opinions of non-treating or non-examining physicians may

also serve as substantial evidence when the opinions are consistent with independent

clinical findings or other evidence in the record.” Thomas, 278 F.3d at 957. Factors that

an ALJ may consider when evaluating any medical opinion include “the amount of

relevant evidence that supports the opinion and the quality of the explanation provided;

the consistency of the medical opinion with the record as a whole; [and] the specialty of

the physician providing the opinion.” Orn, 495 F.3d at 631. 

Moreover, Social Security Rules expressly require a treating source’s opinion on

an issue of a claimant’s impairment be given controlling weight if it is well-supported by

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medically acceptable clinical and laboratory diagnostic techniques and is not inconsistent

with the other substantial evidence in the record. 20 C.F.R. § 404.1527(d)(2). If a

treating source’s opinion is not given controlling weight, the weight that it will be given is

determined by length of the treatment relationship, frequency of examination, nature and

extent of the treatment relationship, relevant evidence supporting the opinion, consistency

with the record as a whole, the source’s specialization, and other factors. Id.

Finding that a treating physician’s opinion is not entitled to controlling weight

does not mean that the opinion should be rejected:

[A] finding that a treating source medical opinion is not wellsupported by medically acceptable clinical and laboratory diagnostic

techniques or is inconsistent with the other substantial evidence in the case

record means only that the opinion is not entitled to “controlling weight,”

not that the opinion should be rejected. Treating source medical opinions

are still entitled to deference and must be weighed using all of the factors

provided in 20 C.F.R. §404.1527. . . . In many cases, a treating source’s

medical opinion will be entitled to the greatest weight and should be

adopted, even if it does not meet the test for controlling weight.

Orn, 495 F.3d at 631-32 (quoting Social Security Ruling 96-2p). Where there is a

conflict between the opinion of a treating physician and an examining physician, the ALJ

may not reject the opinion of the treating physician without setting forth specific,

legitimate reasons supported by substantial evidence in the record. Id. at 632. 

2. The ALJ Did Not Err in Weighing Treating Physician Dr. Holly

E. Rooney’s Mental and Physical Assessments.

Perez contends the ALJ erred by failing to consider Dr. Rooney’s mental

assessment and by rejecting Dr. Rooney’s physical assessment. However, the ALJ was

not required to consider Dr. Rooney’s mental assessment and provided specific and

legitimate reasons supported by substantial evidence for rejecting Dr. Rooney’s

contradicted physical assessment.

Dr. Rooney was Perez’s primary care physician from May 16, 2007, through at

least October 24, 2008. On September 7, 2007, Dr. Rooney completed a form titled

“Medical Source Statement of Ability to Do Work Related Activities (Mental).” On the

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form she indicated that Perez had no limitation in her ability to understand, remember,

and carry out simple and detailed instructions, sustain an ordinary routine without special

supervision, work and get along with others, make simple work related decisions, adhere

to basic standards of neatness and cleanliness, and set realistic goals or make plans

independently of others. The only category in which Dr. Rooney checked “markedly

limited (poor or none)” was “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.” She stated

this conclusion was based on the following findings: “The multitude of physical

symptoms & the depression hinder steady work pace & duration.” Under “additional

comments,” Dr. Rooney wrote: “Depression definitely limits pt’s abilities but her

physical diagnoses are the most dominantly disabling factors.”

The record does not show that Dr. Rooney provided mental health care for Perez,

only physical health care. Therefore, Dr. Rooney is not a treating physician for mental

health assessment. Further, even though Dr. Rooney stated Perez’s psychologically based

symptoms would markedly limit her ability to complete a normal workday and

workweek, she indicated that Perez’s depression was not as disabling as her physical

diagnoses. Therefore, the ALJ did not err by failing to accept, reject, or discuss Dr.

Rooney’s September 2007 assessment of Perez’s work-related mental limitations as Perez

contends.

On October 24, 2008, Dr. Rooney completed a form titled “Medical Assessment of

Ability to Do Work Related Physical Activities.” She checked boxes to indicate that

Perez is able to occasionally lift and/or carry less than 10 pounds, stand and/or walk for

less than 2 hours in an 8-hour work day, and sit less than 6 hours in an 8 hours in an

8-hour workday. She also indicated that Perez could never climb, balance, stoop, kneel,

crouch, or crawl and could use either hand occasionally for handling, fine manipulation,

feeling, and reaching. 

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The ALJ stated he did not afford “any significant weight” to the opinion of Perez’s

treating physician Dr. Rooney because her opinions appear “on a fill-in-the-blank form,”

she “failed to cite any medical testing results or objective observations to support her

conclusions as to the claimant’s residual functional capacity,” and her opinion conflicted

with the substantial evidence of record that documented less severe limitations. These

specific, legitimate reasons for giving Dr. Rooney’s physical assessment little weight are

supported by substantial evidence, including Perez’s testimony that she is able to read,

watch television, change her son’s diapers, dress her younger children, and go grocery

shopping and that medication improved her rheumatoid arthritis symptoms.

3. The ALJ Did Not Err by Failing to Provide Sufficient Reasons to

Reject Examining Psychologist Dr. Stephen Hirdes’ Assessment.

Perez contends “[t]he ALJ erred by failing to provide sufficient reasons to reject

the assessment of the examining psychologist.” She states that although the ALJ

purported to give Dr. Hirdes’s assessment significant weight, he disregarded Dr. Hirdes’s

determination that Perez had moderate limitations in nine areas. 

On September 5, 2007, State agency psychologist Dr. Hirdes examined Perez. His

assessment procedures included a mini-mental state exam, clinical interview, behavioral

observations, and review of records. In addition to a narrative report, Dr. Hirdes

completed a Medical Source Statement of Ability to Do Work Related Activities (Mental)

in which he opined that she was “moderately limited (fair/limited but not precluded)” in

the following abilities: maintain attention and concentration for extended periods;

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

customary tolerances; work in coordination with or proximity to others without being

distracted by them; 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; interact appropriately with the general

public; ask simple questions or request assistance; accept instructions and respond

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appropriately to criticism from supervisors; get along with coworkers or peers without

distracting them or exhibiting behavioral extremes; and set realistic goals or make plans

independently of others. Dr. Hirdes did not assess Perez as being “markedly limited

(poor or none)” in any area. In other words, Dr. Hirdes did not opine that Perez’s mental

impairments precluded full-time work.

In his hearing decision, the ALJ stated:

The claimant saw Steven Hirdes, Ed.D., for a mental consultative

examination. Dr. Hirdes opined that there were no indications of a formal

thought disorder, delusions or hallucinations. Judgment and insight were

deemed to be in the fair to good range. Informal assessment of intellectual

functioning suggested the average range and the possibility of underlying

learning disorder were also indicated. She was oriented to specific time,

date and place as well as name, date of birth and age. The doctor further

opined that the claimant had depressive disorder not otherwise specified

with agitation (Exhibit 19F).

. . . .

Pursuant to 20 CFR § 404.1527, the undersigned assigns significant weight

to these opinions, as they are well-supported by the medical evidence,

including the claimant’s medical history and clinical and objective signs

and findings as well as detailed treatment notes, which provides a

reasonable basis for claimant’s chronic symptoms and resulting limitations. 

Moreover, the opinions are not inconsistent with other substantial evidence

of record. In addition, these physicians are examining sources who are

familiar with Social Security Rules and Regulations and legal standards set

forth therein and best able to provide a superior analysis of the claimant’s

impairments and resulting limitations.

The ALJ did not reject Dr. Hirdes’s mental assessment. He was not required to

restate each of Dr. Hirdes’s opinions, especially his opinions that Perez had moderate

limitations, but was not precluded from maintaining attention and concentration for

extended periods; performing activities within a schedule, maintaining regular attendance,

and being punctual within customary tolerances; etc.

B. The ALJ Did Not Err in Evaluating Perez’s Credibility.

In evaluating the credibility of a claimant’s testimony regarding subjective pain or

other symptoms, the ALJ is required to engage in a two-step analysis: (1) determine

whether the claimant presented objective medical evidence of an impairment that could

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reasonably be expected to produce some degree of the pain or other symptoms alleged;

and, if so with no evidence of malingering, (2) reject the claimant’s testimony about the

severity of the symptoms only by giving specific, clear, and convincing reasons for the

rejection. See Vasquez v. Astrue, 572 F.3d 586, 591 (9th Cir. 2009). To support a lack of

credibility finding, the ALJ is required to point to specific facts in the record that

demonstrate that Perez is in less pain than she claims. Id. at 592. 

To be found credible regarding subjective pain or fatigue, a claimant is not

required to: (1) produce objective medical evidence of the pain or fatigue itself, or the

severity thereof; (2) produce objective medical evidence of the causal relationship

between the medically determinable impairment and the symptom; or (3) show that her

impairment could reasonably be expected to cause the severity of the alleged symptom,

only that it could reasonably have caused some degree of the symptom. Smolen v.

Chater, 80 F.3d 1273, 1282 (9th Cir. 1996). 

First, the ALJ found that Perez’s medically determinable impairments could

reasonably be expected to cause the alleged symptoms. The ALJ did not make a finding

of malingering. Second, the ALJ found Perez’s statements regarding the intensity,

persistence, and limiting effects of the symptoms not credible to the extent they are

inconsistent with the ALJ’s residual functional capacity assessment. 

Perez testified that she lived with her parents and her three children, who at the

time were fourteen, three, and one years old. She said she was inactive because of pain

from rheumatoid arthritis, which caused her to gain 70 pounds over the previous two

years. She said she also had pain in her right ankle, both wrists, both hands, fingers, and

lower back. She said she did not do any cooking, washing dishes, washing laundry,

house cleaning, or exercising, but she did read, change her baby’s diapers, and dress both

of the younger children. She said that she usually went grocery shopping weekly and

would spend about 30 minutes at the store. She testified that she used a motorized cart

for shopping. 

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Perez described pain, stiffness, and swelling she experienced in both of her wrists

and both of her ankles. She said she also felt a sharp, burning pain in her right ankle,

lower back, both elbows, and both hands. She said that the pain was alleviated by laying

down for 20 or 30 minutes and somewhat alleviated by medications. She said her pain

was worse if she stands for more than 30 minutes. She said she could sit for 30 to 40

minutes and then she needed to stand up. She further testified that in a typical 9:00 to

5:00 day, she would spend about four and a half hours laying down.

Perez also testified that the carpal tunnel surgery had not helped her left hand at

all, but her right hand was not as numb after the surgery. She said she continued to have

arthritic pain in both hands. She said the epidurals did not help her back pain at all.

She also said she had depression and anxiety with panic. She said she did not

leave her house anymore and did not see or talk on the telephone with friends. She said

she was depressed and always cries, except around her children. 

The ALJ provided specific, clear, and convincing reasons for rejecting Pimentel’s

subjective testimony. See Vasquez, 572 F.3d at 591. He also pointed to specific facts in

the record that demonstrate that Perez is in less pain than she claims although some of his

“facts” were incorrect. For example, he stated that Perez admitted at the hearing that the

medications she takes help and he incorrectly described them as medications for

rheumatoid arthritis, but her testimony did not identify which medications helped which

condition. Also, the ALJ incorrectly said that Perez testified that the epidural injections

helped with her back condition, and she said they did not help at all. Further, the ALJ

said she testified that the carpal tunnel surgeries did not help, but in fact, she said that her

right hand was not as numb after the surgery. 

However, the ALJ correctly identified record evidence showing that in March

2008 Perez had been satisfied with the relief provided by the carpal tunnel surgery on her

right wrist, the methotrexate seemed to help her generalized arthritic symptoms such as

stiffness and generalized pain, and she had received temporary relief from epidural

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steroid injections. Five days after the January 2008 carpal tunnel surgery Perez had

reported that she could tell a difference already, her fingers did not feel tingly, and the

deep pain was better.

The ALJ also found Perez’s allegations regarding the severity of her depression

lacked credibility. He stated specific, clear, and convincing reasons for his finding, such

as she has not required inpatient psychiatric hospitalization, her course of treatment has

generally been conservative, and her thought processes were normal despite her depressed

mood.

C. The ALJ Erred by Failing to Include a Function-by-Function

Assessment in the Residual Functional Capacity Determination.

A claimant’s residual functional capacity is “what an individual can still do despite

his or her limitations.” Social Security Ruling 96-8p. The residual functional capacity

assessment is “a function-by-function assessment based upon all of the relevant evidence

of an individual’s ability to do work-related activities.” Id. “At step 4 of the sequential

evaluation process, the [residual functional capacity] must not be expressed initially in

terms of the exertional categories of “sedentary,” “light,” “medium,” “heavy,” and “very

heavy” work because the first consideration at this step is whether the individual can do

past relevant work as he or she actually performed it.” Id. At step five, the residual

functional capacity

. . . must be expressed in terms of, or related to, the exertional categories

when the adjudicator determines whether there is other work the individual

can do. However, in order for an individual to do a full range of work at a

given level, such as sedentary, the individual must be able to perform

substantially all of the exertional and nonexertional functions required in

work at that level. Therefore, it is necessary to assess the individual’s

capacity to perform each of these functions in order to decide which

exertional level is appropriate and whether the individual is capable of

doing the full range of work contemplated by the exertional level.

Id. (emphasis added). 

Here, the ALJ did not provide a function-by-function assessment. At step four, the

ALJ found that Perez “has the residual functional capacity to perform light work . . .

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except [she] is limited to simple, unskilled work.” If the ALJ had found that Perez had no

exertional or nonexertional limitations, he would not have limited her to “light work” and

“simple, unskilled work.” But his narrative discussion sheds no light on what, if any,

function-by-function assessment he reached.

The hearing decision states that the ALJ found Perez’s testimony regarding the

intensity, persistence, and limiting effects of her symptoms not credible. He also did not

afford significant weight to her primary care physician’s opinion. Regarding physical

limitations, the ALJ assigned significant weight to the opinions of two State agency

examining physicians but did not explain how their assessments equated to “light work.”

The ALJ assigned significant weight to the opinion of Dr. Brent Layton, a State

agency physician, who examined Perez on February 22, 2007, when she was 32 weeks

pregnant. At the time, she reportedly weighed 254 pounds and was 5' 21⁄2". He assessed

Perez with obesity, pregnancy, positive rheumatoid factor without other evidence of

rheumatoid arthritis, and posttraumatic degenerative changes to her ankles. He noted that

she was able to dress and undress, get up from the chair, get on the examining table, walk,

tandem walk, walk on her heels and toes, hop on each lower extremity, squat, rise from a

squatting position, and bend over and touch her toes. With regard to work-related

activities, Dr. Layton opined that Perez did not have “any problems with sitting, standing,

walking, lifting, carrying, handling objects, hearing, speaking, or traveling.”

The ALJ also assigned significant weight to the opinion of Dr. Jamshid Mirzaei,

another State physician, who examined Perez on October 27, 2007. He diagnosed Perez

with ankle pain, rheumatoid arthritis with signs of active inflammatory changes in the

small joints of the hands, and low back pain. Dr. Mirzaei opined that Perez would be able

to stand and walk 6-8 hours in an 8-hour workday given frequent and routine breaks, lift

and carry 25 pounds frequently and 50 pounds occasionally, and climb stairs frequently.

Regarding mental limitations, the ALJ assigned significant weight to three

assessments by two State psychology consultants. He described Dr. Hirdes’ opinion

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without mentioning the existence or absence of work-related mental limitations. Dr.

Brady Dalton reviewed Perez’s records on November 7, 2005, and on November 13,

2007. He found moderate work-related limitations in a number of areas, but no marked

limitations. He concluded that Perez appeared capable of performing “simple to semiskilled work.” That comment may be the basis for the ALJ’s step four determination that

Perez “is limited to simple, unskilled work.” 

At step five, the ALJ explained:

If the claimant had the residual functional capacity to perform the full range

of light work, considering the claimant’s age, education, and work

experience, a finding of “not disabled” would be directed by MedicalVocational Rule 202.21. However, the additional limitations have little or

no effect on the occupational base of unskilled light work. A finding of

“not disabled” is therefore appropriate under the framework of this rule.

Thus, the hearing decision states, in essence, Perez is capable of doing “simple,

unskilled” “light” work, she has some unidentified limitations but they do not prevent her

from performing some jobs involving “unskilled light work,” and therefore she is not

disabled under Social Security law. 

Because the ALJ did not perform a function-by-function assessment, it is

impossible to determine whether his conclusions at steps four and five are supported by

substantial evidence and not based on legal error.

IT IS THEREFORE ORDERED that the final decision of the Commissioner of

Social Security is VACATED and this case is REMANDED for further proceedings

consistent with this opinion. The Clerk shall enter judgment accordingly and shall

terminate this case.

DATED this 22nd day of August, 2011.

Case 2:10-cv-01887-NVW Document 33 Filed 08/23/11 Page 14 of 14