Source: https://docs.justia.com/cases/federal/district-courts/arkansas/aredce/4:2007cv01228/70439/13
Timestamp: 2017-10-21 12:20:21
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MEMORANDUM AND ORDER affirming the final determination of the Commissioner and dismisses Plaintiff's complaint with prejudice for Strickland v. Social Security Administration :: Justia Dockets & Filings
Justia Dockets & Filings Eighth Circuit Arkansas Arkansas Eastern District Court Strickland v. Social Security Administration Filing 13
MEMORANDUM AND ORDER affirming the final determination of the Commissioner and dismisses Plaintiff's complaint with prejudice. Signed by Magistrate Judge Beth Deere on 2/12/09. (hph)
IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT E A S T E R N DISTRICT OF ARKANSAS W E S T E R N DIVISION F IN U S A. STRICKLAND v. M I C H A E L J. ASTRUE, C o m m iss io n e r , Social Security Administration, M E M O R A N D U M AND ORDER P la in tif f , Finus A. Strickland, has appealed the final decision of the Commissioner of th e Social Security Administration to deny his claim for Disability Insurance benefits and S u p p le m e n ta l Security Income, based on disability. Both parties have submitted appeal b rie f s and the case is ready for decision. T h e Court's function on review is to determine whether the Commissioner's decision is supported by substantial evidence on the record as a whole and free of legal error. Long v. C h a te r, 108 F.3d 185, 187 (8th Cir. 1997); see also, 42 U.S.C. � 405(g). Substantial ev iden ce is such relevant evidence as a reasonable mind might accept as adequate to support a conclusion. Richardson v. Perales, 402 U.S. 389, 401 (1971); Reynolds v. Chater, 82 F.3d 2 5 4 , 257 (8th Cir. 1996). In assessing the substantiality of the evidence, the Court must consider evidence that d etracts from the Commissioner's decision as well as evidence that supports it; the Court m a y not, however, reverse the Commissioner's decision merely because substantial evidence w o u ld have supported an opposite decision. Sultan v. Barnhart, 368 F.3d 857, 863 (8th Cir. 2 0 0 4 ); Woolf v. Shalala, 3 F.3d 1210, 1213 (8th Cir. 1993). " D is a b ility" is the "inability to engage in any substantial gainful activity by reason of a n y medically determinable physical or mental impairment which can be expected to result in death or which has lasted or can be expected to last for a continuous period of not less 4 :0 7 C V 0 1 2 2 8 BD P L A IN T IF F DEFENDANT th a n 12 months." 42 U.S.C. � 423(d)(1)(A). A "physical or mental impairment" is "an im p a irm e n t that results from anatomical, physiological, or psychological abnormalities w h ich are demonstrable by medically acceptable clinical and laboratory diagnostic tech n iqu es. " 42 U.S.C. � 423(d)(3). P la in tif f alleged that he was limited in his ability to work by high blood pressure, b a c k problems, loss of memory, bad feet and wrists, and diabetes. (Tr. 114) The C o m m is s io n e r found that he was not disabled within the meaning of the Social Security Act. The only issue before this Court is whether the Commissioner's decision that Plaintiff was n o t disabled within the meaning of the Act is supported by substantial record evidence. A f te r conducting an administrative hearing, the Administrative Law Judge 1 (ALJ) c o n c lu d e d that Plaintiff had not been under a disability within the meaning of the Social S e c u rity Act at any time through March 28, 2007, the date of her decision. (Tr. 25) On N o v e m b e r 5, 2007, the Appeals Council received and considered additional evidence and th e n denied Plaintiff's request for a review of the ALJ's decision, making the ALJ's decision th e final decision of the Commissioner. (Tr. 5-7) Plaintiff then filed his complaint initiating th is appeal. (Docket #2) After consideration of the record as a whole, the Court finds that th e decision of the Commissioner is supported by substantial evidence. P la in tif f was 31 years old at the time of the hearing. (Tr. 595) He testified that he c o m p lete d the tenth grade in school.2 Id. He has past relevant work as a groundskeeper, c e rtif ie d nurse's assistant and production helper. (Tr. 25) 1 The Honorable Penny M. Smith. On two forms, he indicated that he completed the eleventh grade. (Tr. 120, 146) It makes little difference; either would qualify as a "limited" education. 20 C.F.R. �� 404.1564(b)(3), 4 1 6 .9 6 4 (b )(3 ) (2006). 2 2 T h e ALJ considered Plaintiff's impairments by way of the required five-step s e q u e n tia l evaluation process. The first step involves a determination of whether the claim an t is involved in substantial gainful activity. 20 C.F.R. �� 404.1520(a)(4)(i); 4 1 6 .9 2 0 (a )(4 )(i) (2006). If the claimant is, benefits are denied, regardless of medical c o n d itio n , age, education or work experience. Id. at �� 404.1520(b); 416.920(b). S te p 2 involves a determination of whether the claimant has an impairment or c o m b in a tio n of impairments which is "severe" and meets the duration requirement. Id. at � � 404.1520(a)(4)(ii); 416.920(a)(4)(ii). If not, benefits are denied. Id. A "severe" im p a irm e n t significantly limits a claimant's ability to perform basic work activities. Id. at � � 404.1520(c); 416.920(c). S tep 3 involves a determination of whether the severe impairment(s) meets or equals a listed impairment. Id., �� 404.1520(a)(4)(iii); 416.920(a)(4)(iii). If so, and the duration re q u ire m e n t is met, benefits are awarded. Id. If the claimant does not meet or equal a Listing, then a residual functional capacity a s s e s s m e n t is made. Id., �� 404.1520(a)(4); 416.920(a)(4). This residual functional c a p a c ity assessment is utilized at Steps 4 and 5. Id. S te p 4 involves a determination of whether the claimant has sufficient residual f u n c tio n a l capacity to perform past relevant work. Id., �� 404.1520(a)(4)(iv); 4 1 6 .9 2 0 (a )( 4 )( iv ). If so, benefits are denied. Id. S te p 5 involves a determination of whether the claimant is able to make an a d ju s tm e n t to other work, given claimant's age, education and work experience. Id., � � 404.1520(a)(4)(v); 416.920(a)(4)(v). If so, benefits are denied; if not, benefits are a w a rd e d . Id. T h e ALJ found that Plaintiff had not engaged in substantial gainful activity since his a lle g e d onset date. (Tr. 17) She found that Plaintiff had "severe" impairments, including 3 d ia b e te s mellitus, kidney stones, obesity, and an adjustment disorder,3 but that he did not h a v e an impairment or combination of impairments that met or equaled a Listing. (Tr. 171 8 ) She judged that Plaintiff's allegations regarding his limitations were not totally credible. (Tr. 19) T h e ALJ found that Plaintiff retained the residual functional capacity for medium w o rk with additional restrictions. The limits included an inability to climb scaffolds, ladders a n d ropes; an inability to be directly involved with the public; a requirement that the tasks p erf o rm ed not be complex, require little judgment and simple reading skills, and where s u p e rv is io n be direct, specific, and concrete. (Tr. 18) Based on the testimony of a v o c a tio n a l expert, she found that Plaintiff was able to perform his past relevant work as a g ro u n d s k e e p er as he had performed it. (Tr. 24-25) Consequently, the ALJ concluded that P la in tif f was not disabled. Id. P lain tiff argues that the ALJ erred by failing to evaluate his depression according to the psychiatric review technique. (Br. 21-23) At the administrative law judge hearing and Appeals Council levels, the w ritten decision issued by the administrative law judge or Appeals Council m u s t incorporate the pertinent findings and conclusions based on the te c h n iq u e . The decision must show the significant history, including ex am in atio n and laboratory findings, and the functional limitations that were c o n sid e re d in reaching a conclusion about the severity of the mental im p a irm e n t(s ). The decision must include a specific finding as to the degree o f limitation in each of the functional areas described in paragraph (c) of this s e c ti o n . 2 0 C.F.R. �� 404.1520a(e)(2); 416.920a(e)(2) (2001) (2006). The referenced functional areas are activities of daily living; social functioning; c o n c e n tra tio n , persistence, or pace and episodes of decompensation. 20 C.F.R. �� 404.1520a(c)(3); 416.920a(c)(3) (2006). 3 She found that Plaintiff's hypertension and hyperlipidemia were not "severe." (Tr. 17) 4 A s noted, the ALJ found that Plaintiff had an adjustment disorder, which she found to b e a "severe" impairment. (Tr. 17) In the opinion, she wrote: T h e claimant's mental impairments have not caused a substantial loss in his ab ility to respond appropriately to supervision, coworkers, and usual work s itu a tio n s (Social Security Ruling 85-15). On August 29, 2005, the claimant v is ite d the Counseling Associates Clinic (Exhibit 28F, page 6). The c la im a n t's counselor reported that the claimant said: "my lawyer told me I n e e d ed to come in" (Exhibit 28F, page 6). The claimant had a diagnosis of an a d ju stm e n t disorder with depressed mood and a borderline personality d is o rd e r. Thereafter, the claimant had only one follow up appointment for c o u n se lin g . The claimant did not attend a scheduled appointment for October 2 4 , 2005 (Exhibit 31F, page 2). T h u s, the record shows that the claimant has only sought mental health tre a tm e n t at the suggestion of his lawyer. He is not receiving regular treatment f o r depression. If the claimant truly had disabling mental impairments, he lik e ly would have sought treatment on his own. (T r. 23-24) A lth o u g h she did not utilize the psychiatric review technique, she did comment on P la in tif f 's activities of daily living. Under the circumstances presented in this case, the f a ilu re to utilize the psychiatric review technique was harmless error. See Hardy v. Chater, 6 4 F.3d 405, 408 (8th Cir. 1995)(on record before ALJ, completion of [then required] P syc h iatric Review Technique Form was little more than formality); Montgomery v. Shalala, 3 0 F.3d 98, 100-01 (8th Cir. 1994)(suggesting that failure to complete Psychiatric Review T e c h n iq u e Form could, in certain cases, be harmless). Next, Plaintiff argues that the ALJ erred at Step 3 of the sequential evaluation process b y not discussing whether he met Listing 12.04 and by not finding that he met that Listing. (Br. 23-25) Although it is preferable that ALJs address a specific listing, failure to do so is n o t reversible error if the record supports the overall conclusion, as it does in th is case. See Dunahoo v. Apfel, 241 F.3d 1033, 1037 (8th Cir.2001)(holding a f a ilu re to explain why the claimant did not meet the listing for rheumatoid a rth ritis was not an error); Briggs v. Callahan, 139 F.3d 606, 609 (8th C ir.1 9 9 8 ) (stating that "although the ALJ did not specifically discuss [the] 5 c o n d itio n in the context of listing 112.05(D)," the record supported the co n clus ion ). P e p p e r ex rel. Gardner v. Barnhart, 342 F.3d 853, 855 (8th Cir. 2003). The Listing in question reads as follows: 1 2 .0 4 Affective Disorders: Characterized by a disturbance of mood, ac co m p an ied by a full or partial manic or depressive syndrome. Mood refers to a prolonged emotion that colors the whole psychic life; it generally involves e ith e r depression or elation. T h e required level of severity for these disorders is met when the req u irem en ts in both A and B are satisfied, or when the requirements in C are s a tis f ie d . A . Medically documented persistence, either continuous or in te rm itte n t, of one of the following: 1 . Depressive syndrome characterized by at least four of the following: a . Anhedonia or pervasive loss of interest in almost all activities; or b . Appetite disturbance with change in weight; or c . Sleep disturbance; or d . Psychomotor agitation or retardation; or e . Decreased energy; or f . Feelings of guilt or worthlessness; or g . Difficulty concentrating or thinking; or h . Thoughts of suicide; or i. Hallucinations, delusions or paranoid thinking; or 2 . Manic syndrome characterized by at least three of the following: a . Hyperactivity; or b . Pressure of speech; or c . Flight of ideas; or d . Inflated self-esteem; or e . Decreased need for sleep; or f . Easy distractibility; or g . Involvement in activities that have a high probability of painful c o n se q u e n ce s which are not recognized; or h . Hallucinations, delusions or paranoid thinking; or 3 . Bipolar syndrome with a history of episodic periods manifested by th e full symptomatic picture of both manic and depressive syn d ro m e s (and currently characterized by either or both s yn d r o m e s ) ; AND B . Resulting in at least two of the following: 1 . Marked restriction of activities of daily living; or 2 . Marked difficulties in maintaining social functioning; or 3 . Marked difficulties in maintaining concentration, persistence, or p a c e; or 4 . Repeated episodes of decompensation, each of extended duration; 6 OR C . Medically documented history of a chronic affective disorder of at le a st 2 years' duration that has caused more than a minimal lim ita tio n of ability to do basic work activities, with symptoms o r signs currently attenuated by medication or psychosocial s u p p o rt, and one of the following: 1 . Repeated episodes of decompensation, each of extended d u ra tio n ; or 2 . A residual disease process that has resulted in such marginal a d ju s tm e n t that even a minimal increase in mental d e m a n d s or change in the environment would be p re d ic te d to cause the individual to decompensate; or 3 . Current history of 1 or more years' inability to function o u ts id e a highly supportive living arrangement, with an in d ica tio n of continued need for such an arrangement. 2 0 C.F.R. Pt. 404, Subpart P, App. 1 (2006). P la in tif f contends that his GAF of 40 is below what is necessary to meet the f u n c tio n a l limitations of the "B" criteria of the Listing. (Br. 25) That argument must fail. GAF does not have a direct correlation to the severity requirements in mental disorders lis tin g s . 65 Fed.Reg. 50746, 50764-65 (2000). Furthermore, the GAF was assigned by M a rk Coffman, L.P.C.4 (Tr. 468, Br. 17) A licensed professional counselor is not an " a c c e p tab le medical source" upon which the ALJ may rely to establish a medically d e te rm in a b le impairment. 20 C.F.R. �� 404.1513(a), 416.913(a) (2006). He also argues that the "A" criteria are met by his diagnoses and testimony. (Br. 25) A diagnosis alone does not establish that a Listing has been met. Harris v. Barnhart, 356 F .3 d 926, 929 (8th Cir. 2004); 20 C.F.R. �� 404.1525(d); 416.925(d) (2006). (It appears th a t the diagnoses were also provided by Counselor Coffman.) Plaintiff may not rely on his tes tim o n y, either, since the question of whether a plaintiff meets a Listed impairment is s tric tly a medical determination. Cockerham v. Sullivan, 895 F.2d 492, 496 (8th Cir. 1990). Licensed Professional Counselor. Neal M. Davis, Medical Abbreviations: 15,000 C o n v en i en c es at the Expense of Communications and Safety, 188 (10th ed. 2001). 7 4 P la in tif f has the burden of showing that he met a Listing. Pyland v. Apfel, 149 F.3d 873, 8 7 7 (8th Cir. 1998). He failed to meet that burden. F in a lly, Plaintiff contends that the ALJ erred in his physical residual functional c a p ac ity determination. (Br. 25-30). The ALJ must determine the claimant's residual f u n c tio n a l capacity based on all relevant evidence, including medical records, observations o f treating physicians and others, and claimant's own descriptions of his limitations. Tellez v . Barnhart, 403 F.3d 953, 957 (8th Cir. 2005); Baldwin v. Barnhart, 349 F.3d 549, 556 (8th C ir. 2003); Pearsall v. Massanari, 274 F.3d 1211, 1217 (8th Cir. 2001). Before determining a claimant's residual functional capacity, the ALJ first must evaluate the claimant's c re d ib ility. Pearsall, 274 F.3d at 1218. Plaintiff faults the ALJ for noting that one treating physician had made a record of P la in tif f 's drug-seeking behavior, contending that there was objective evidence to back up h is complaints of pain. (Br. 27) This was not an isolated instance, however. As far back as 1 9 9 8 , there is a doctor's notation of a history of narcotics abuse. (Tr. 291) Plaintiff had b e e n seen at the emergency room the night before, and was to have seen his urologist, but re tu rn e d to the emergency room again. The notation indicates that he never kept urology a p p o in tm e n ts . Id. The doctor noted "avoid further narcotics here." Id. (Emphasis in o r ig i n a l .) In 2002, another doctor observed, "Patient complains of pain out of proportion to e x a m in a tio n ." (Tr. 334) "Patient always wants more pain medicine and this has become an issue with him." (Tr. 335) In February of 2002, his treating urologist noted: S U B J E C T IV E : Mr. Strickland comes in today complaining of pain again. Mr. Strickland, his wife, and I discussed his pain at length. This has been an o n g o in g issue with Mr. Strickland and it is hard to diagnose exactly what is g o in g on. The patient has had several CT scans, ureteroscopies and one E S W L procedure and he says that this has not made any change in his pain. 8 T h e re seems to be no anatomical abnormality other than his stone disease. The patient has had several stents, removals of stones, removal of stents, and h e says he has constant, continuing left flank pain that shoots down toward his g ro in with some mild nausea and vomiting from time to time. With the stent in , he also has a little bit of urgency and frequency. I have given him various pain medicines. I personally know that his ureter is a s clear as can be up to the UPJ. We shot a retrograde and it showed a totally c le a r UPJ and renal pelvis. We put in a stent. He says the pain is the same. This is a troublesome case. A f te r discussing this patient's case at length, I gave him several boxes of s a m p l e s of Celebrex, Roxicet, and antibiotics. This is a very tough case and I d o not have a really good idea of what is going on as far as his chronic pain. Most patients have improvement after removal of the stone, but he claims that e v e n after all of his ureteroscopies, stone removals, stents, ESWLs, he has had n o change in his pain, just chronic constant pain. I have decided we need to d e te rm in e if his left kidney is blocked off. He has a stent in and it should not b e . I have ordered a Lasix renal scan to evaluate for left obstruction. If it is n o t, I think I am going to send him to a chronic pain doctor. I have told him th is and they understand that. (T r. 343) T h e following day, he wrote: I saw Mr. Strickland today. He had very questionable drug seeking behavior. I am getting worried about him. Apparently he has gone to the Russellville E R complaining tearfully of pain and wanting IV narcotics. I talked to the e m e r g e n c y room doctor there and he reports that Mr. Strickland has shown up th e re many times for multiple reasons, always wanting large narcotics for his p a in . . . . . (Tr. 342) Plaintiff was terminated as a patient by the doctors in the urology clinic. (Tr. 341) Under the circumstances, the ALJ properly discussed Plaintiff's behavior and his doctors' re a c tio n to it. P la in tif f argues that the ALJ impermissibly relied on opinions of state agency p h ysic ian s who did not examine him. (Br. 30) The ALJ noted the findings of the two state a g e n cy physicians, and remarked, "These opinions can only serve to add to the conclusions r e a c h e d above." (Tr. 24) The ALJ was required to consider their findings. 9 A d m in istra tiv e law judges are not bound by any findings made by State a g e n cy medical or psychological consultants, or other program physicians or p syc h o lo g ists. However, State agency medical and psychological consultants a n d other program physicians and psychologists are highly qualified p h ysic ian s and psychologists who are also experts in Social Security disability e v a lu a tio n . Therefore, administrative law judges must consider findings of S ta te agency medical and psychological consultants or other program p h ysic ian s or psychologists as opinion evidence, except for the ultimate d e te rm in a tio n about whether you are disabled. . . . . 2 0 C.F.R. �� 404.1527(f)(2)(i); 416.927(f)(2)(i) (2006) (emphasis added); accord, Social S e c u rity Ruling 96-6p. There was a lack of restrictions on Plaintiff's activities by his physicians. See Raney v . Barnhart, 396 F.3d 1007, 1010 (8th Cir. 2005) (none of claimant's treating physicians o f f e re d opinion she was so impaired or disabled she could not work any job); Hensley v. B a r n h a r t, 352 F.3d 353, 357 (8th Cir. 2003)(no functional restrictions on activities is in c o n sis ten t with claim of disability); Depover v. Barnhart, 349 F.3d 563, 567 (8th Cir. 2 0 0 3 )(A L J may consider absence of such opinion by treating physicians); Baldwin v. B a r n h a r t, 349 F.3d 549, 557 (8th Cir. 2003)(none of claimant's independent physicians re stric ted or limited his activities); Tennant v. Apfel, 224 F.3d 869, 871 (8th Cir. 2000) (a b se n c e of physician-ordered restrictions). To the contrary, at least one physician urged P la in tif f to be as active as possible. (Tr. 556) P la in tif f 's residual functional capacity argument seeks to place the burden of proof on the Commissioner. It is the claimant's burden, and not the Social Security Commissioner's b u rd e n , to prove the claimant's residual functional capacity. Goff v. Barnhart, 421 F.3d 785, 7 9 0 (8th Cir. 2005); Eichelberger v. Barnhart, 390 F.3d 584, 591 (8th Cir. 2004); Masterson v . Barnhart, 383 F.3d 731, 737 (8th Cir. 2004); Baldwin v. Barnhart, 349 F.3d 549, 556 (8th C ir. 2003); Pearsall, 274 F.3d at 1217; Young v. Apfel, 221 F.3d 1065, 1069 n.5 (8th Cir. 2 0 0 0 ); Anderson v. Shalala, 51 F.3d 777, 779 (8th Cir. 1995). 10 It is not the task of this Court to review the evidence and make an independent d e c is io n . Neither is it to reverse the decision of the ALJ because there is evidence in the re c o rd which contradicts his findings. The test is whether there is substantial evidence on th e record as a whole which supports the decision of the ALJ. E.g., Mapes v. Chater, 82 F .3 d 259, 262 (8th Cir. 1996); Pratt v. Sullivan, 956 F.2d 830, 833 (8th Cir. 1992). T h e Court has reviewed the entire record, including the briefs, the ALJ's decision, the tra n sc rip t of the hearing and the medical and other evidence. There is ample evidence on the re c o rd as a whole that "a reasonable mind might accept as adequate to support [the] c o n c lu s io n " of the ALJ in this case. Richardson v. Perales, 402 U.S. at 401; see also R e u t te r ex rel. Reutter v. Barnhart, 372 F.3d 946, 950 (8th Cir. 2004). The Commissioner's d ec isio n is not based on legal error. A c c o rd in g ly, the Court hereby affirms the final determination of the Commissioner a n d dismisses Plaintiff's complaint with prejudice. IT IS SO ORDERED, this 12th day of February, 2009. ____________________________________ U N IT E D STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE 11