Source: http://ca.findacase.com/research/wfrmDocViewer.aspx/xq/fac.20091130_0015377.ECA.htm/qx
Timestamp: 2016-12-02 18:36:16
Document Index: 31060214

Matched Legal Cases: ['art 404', '§ 1382', '§ 404', '§ 416', 'art 404', '§ 416', 'art, 278', 'art, 400']

| Morgan v. Astrue
CONNIE F. MORGAN, PLAINTIFF,v.MICHAEL J. ASTRUE, COMMISSIONER OF SOCIAL SECURITY, DEFENDANT.
Plaintiff Connie F. Morgan ("Plaintiff") seeks judicial review of a final decision of the Commissioner of Social Security ("Commissioner") denying her application for disability insurance benefits pursuant to Title XVI of the Social Security Act. The matter is currently before the Court on the parties' briefs, which were submitted, without oral argument, to the Honorable Gary S. Austin, United States Magistrate Judge.*fn1
Plaintiff filed her initial application for Supplemental Security Income ("SSI") on March 26, 2004, alleging disability since March 1, 2003. AR 58-62. Her application was denied initially on December 3, 2004, and on reconsideration on April 25, 2005. A.R. 28-32; 34-38. Plaintiff requested a hearing before an Administrative Law Judge ("ALJ"). AR 7. ALJ Bert C. Hoffman, Jr. held a hearing on October 31, 2006, and denied benefits on February 12, 2007. AR 11-18; 364-392. On May 22, 2008, the Appeals Council denied review. AR 4-6.
ALJ Hoffman held a hearing on October 31, 2006, in Fresno, California. AR 366. Plaintiff appeared with her attorney, Ms. Melissa Proudian. AR 366. At the time of the hearing, Plaintiff was twenty eight years old. She was five feet nine inches tall and weighed three hundred and fifty pounds. AR 367. Her normal weight is one hundred and forty-five pounds, however, she had recently gained weight due to the side effects of her medications. AR 367. Plaintiff is divorced and does not have any children. AR 368. She is currently living with her aunt and her mother. AR 386. Plaintiff has completed the ninth grade. AR 370. She attempted to obtain a GED but was unsuccessful. AR 370.
Plaintiff worked at McDonalds in May 2001 for approximately three months but stopped working because she was unable to concentrate. She last worked for her cousin in 2003 and 2004 delivering food but was fired when she got into a fight with another driver. AR 372. In 2003, Plaintiff was also convicted of forgery and was incarcerated for seven months in jail. AR 375; 388. Plaintiff was taking drugs when she was fired, as well as at the time of her conviction. AR 372; 375. Plaintiff last took drugs in October 2005. AR 372. Her drug of choice is crack cocaine, however she has also used methamphetamine. AR 384; 387.
Plaintiff is unable to work currently because she suffers from anxiety attacks and she has gotten violent with others. AR 373. She has been receiving mental health treatment and was diagnosed with massive depression, post traumatic stress disorder, and bipolar disorder with psychotic features. AR 373. She is being treated by Dr. Ghermay where she was seen once every two or three months. AR 373. She currently takes Seroquel, Neurontin, and Paxil. AR 374. When taking the medications, Plaintiff is unable to function because the medications make her dizzy and drowsy. AR 374. She sleeps all day and all night. AR 374. Plaintiff stated that the medications help her with most of her symptoms because by sleeping most of the day she doesn't fight with people. AR 375. However, Plaintiff can't function without her medications. AR 374. If she does not take her medications, her outbursts become more severe. AR 386. At times, she does not take her medications because she runs out and it is hard to get to see the doctor. AR 387. It is also difficult to fill her prescriptions because she does not have health insurance and it is hard to find a pharmacy that will accept county insurance. AR 387.
Plaintiff suffers from violent outbursts. AR 376. She gets angry and loses control when people talk to her in a demanding voice or with an attitude. AR 384-385. Plaintiff was sent home to California from her aunt's house in Mississippi because she got into a fight with her cousin. AR 385. She was not taking her medication at the time. AR 385. Her last violent outburst occurred approximately one week ago when she got into a fistfight with her sister. AR 376.
Plaintiff tries to avoid people by isolating herself. AR 376. For the past ten years, she grocery shops at night to avoid crowds. AR 376-377. She currently has no friends but has had friends in the past. AR 377. Most of her previous friends were drug addicts so she no longer associates with them. AR 377. However, Plaintiff attends hockey games. AR 377. She has seasons tickets after winning them in a contest. AR 377-378. She also enjoys reading and doing crossword puzzles. AR 383.
Plaintiff is depressed four out of seven days a week. AR 379. When she is depressed her mind races and she is unable to concentrate. AR 383. She gets very tired and does not want to do anything. AR 380. She can only concentrate for approximately forty-five minutes and then she loses interest. AR 383. She has thoughts of suicide at least three to four times a month. AR 381. On November 23, 2005, she was hospitalized for one night when she tried to kill herself because an on-line relationship did not work out. AR 381-382. Her doctor does not want her to live alone because of her suicidal tendencies. AR 389.
Plaintiff does dishes about eighty percent of the time but her mother does her laundry because Plaintiff does not have the patience. AR 380. Plaintiff is able to drive a car and has a car at her disposal but only drives once a week because of the side effects from her medication. AR 369-370.
Plaintiff was a patient at University Medical Center from March 2002 until April 2004 in the emergency room for minor illnesses and a physical exam. AR 128. Plaintiff was also seen by Dr. Roy Lichtenstein, M.D., from March 2004 through March 2006 for regular gynecological exams and treatment. AR 243-260.
In addition to the above medical treatment, Plaintiff received treatment for her psychological conditions. Progress notes for Adult Health Center from the Fresno County Mental Health Department indicate that Plaintiff received ongoing psychiatric treatment from March 3, 2003 until November 2004. AR 152-215.
Plaintiff was seen on April 25, 2003, for crisis intervention while she was incarcerated due to depression, as well as for an assessment for dangerousness to herself. AR 215. At that time, Plaintiff reported that she had mood swings, suffered from nightmares, and was hearing voices. AR 215. Although Plaintiff reported trying to hurt herself in the past, she was not a danger to herself at the time. AR 215. Plaintiff was referred for a women's group for group therapy. AR 215. Plaintiff was diagnosed with post traumatic stress disorder, depression not otherwise specified, and polysubstance abuse. AR 211.
On June 2, 2003, Plaintiff had stabilized and no psychosis was noted. AR 211. Although Plaintiff complained that she was only sleeping a few hours a night and suffered from migraine headaches, she was alert, responsive and oriented times four. AR 207. Plaintiff was released from jail on August 1, 2003. AR 330; 340.
Upon her release, Plaintiff was evaluated on October 24, 2003, at Fresno County Human Services System, Adult Services. AR 201. She was diagnosed with major depression, recurrent, severe with psychosis, post traumatic stress disorder, polysubstance dependence in early remission, and personality disorder. AR 201. It was noted that Plaintiff was highly agitated and had been off her medications for one and a half months. AR. 189. The examiner assessed Plaintiff's Global Assessment of Functioning ("GAF") at 50.*fn3 AR. 192, 337.
Plaintiff was rearrested for a probation violation on November 10, 2003. She was evaluated by the Department of Adult Services, Jail Psychiatric Services after her arrest on November 22, 2003. AR 330-331. Plaintiff was assessed at a low risk with no desire to harm herself. AR 330. Plaintiff was diagnosed with post traumatic stress disorder, depression not otherwise specified, and polysubstance dependance in early remission. Plaintiff was given a GAF score of 45. AR 331. She had been sentenced and was scheduled to be incarcerated until January 26, 2004. Plaintiff was released from custody on an unknown date.
On December 3, 2004, Dr. Archimedes Garcia, M.D., a non-examining state agency psychiatrist found that Plaintiff was not significantly limited in her ability to: 1) remember locations and work procedures, 2) understand and remember long-term instructions, 3) carry out very short and simple instructions, 4) maintain concentration for extended periods, 5) perform activities within a schedule, 6) sustain an ordinary routine without special supervision, 7) work in coordination with others without being distracted, and 8) to make simple work-related decisions. AR. 216. He also found no significant limitations in the areas of social interaction, and adaption. AR 217. Dr. Garcia did note mild limitations in Plaintiff's ability to remember and carry out detailed instructions. AR 218. Based on the these findings, Dr. Garcia opined that Plaintiff was capable of: 1) completing simple repetitive tasks for two-hour intervals, 2) finishing a normal workday, 3) maintaining regular attendance, 4) would not require supervision, 5) that she was capable of working with coworkers or the general public and 6) would not have difficulty adapting to ususal work. AR 218. These findings were reviewed and affirmed by Dr. Murillo, M.D. a non examining state agency doctor on April 11, 2005. AR 225.
On March 22, 2004, Plaintiff was evaluated by treating physician Petros Ghermay, M.D., at the Fresno County Health Services Agency, Mental Health Department. Dr. Ghermay noted Plaintiff's history of mental illness, substance abuse, and incarceration for fraud. AR 168-170. He diagnosed Plaintiff with post-traumatic stress disorder, polysubstance abuse in remission, borderline personality disorder, and a possible mood disorder. AR. 168. He assigned Plaintiff a GAF of 45. AR. 168. At that point, Plaintiff noted that her prescribed medications were working. AR. 170. Dr. Ghermay continued Plaintiff's medications. AR 168. Subsequent visits through September indicate that Plaintiff's condition was unchanged and that she should continue with her medications. AR 159, 160.
On October 20, 2004, Plaintiff informed Dr. Ghermay that she had been in Mississippi for about a month and that she had not taken her medications. AR 153. Dr. Ghermay noted Plaintiff's depression, anxiety, and mood swings were high. AR 153. Plaintiff's medications were resumed. AR 153. By November 19, 2004, Plaintiff reported she was doing "alright" and Dr. Ghermay noted that Plaintiff's condition was stable. AR 224. Plaintiff was prescribed Seroquel, Paroxetine, and Nuerontin. AR 290.
On January 28, 2005, Dr. Ghermay noted that Plaintiff's symptoms were controlled on the medications and she exhibited no suicidal or homicidal tendencies. AR 222. On April 13, 2005, Plaintiff was seen for a prescription refill because she had been out of medications for one and a half weeks. AR 293. Plaintiff indicated that she had gotten engaged and she noted that "all of the medications together help control me." AR 293. On October 5, 2005, Plaintiff indicated that she was sleeping more and the medications were "just right now." AR 288.
On December 9, 2005, Plaintiff reported that they had changed her medications in Sacramento the day before Thanksgiving and she tried to commit suicide. Plaintiff reported that she had broken up with her boyfriend and that she had taken all four pills she had left. AR 287. Plaintiff was taken to the hospital after 911 was called. AR 287. Plaintiff indicated that she was feeling better after leaving her boyfriend and that her medications had been changed. AR 287.
Dr. Ghermay's notes reflect Plaintiff's continual improvement while she was taking her medications through the date of the last progress report of August 4, 2006. AR 280, 282, 283, 285.
The ALJ determined that Plaintiff had not engaged in substantial gainful activity since March 1, 2003. AR 13. Although the ALJ determined that Plaintiff suffered from the severe impairment of post traumatic stress disorder, he nonetheless found that this severe impairment did not meet or equal any listing impairments resulting in a disability finding. A.R. 14 . Based on his review of the medical evidence, the ALJ determined that Plaintiff retained the residual functional capacity ("RFC") to perform a full range of work at all exertional levels but with limited public contact. AR 14. Considering that functional limitation, the ALJ found that Plaintiff was unable to perform any past relevant work. AR 17. Applying the Medical-Vocational Guidelines at 20 C.F.R. Part 404, Subpt. P, App. 2, the ALJ determined that Plaintiff was capable of performing a significant number of jobs in the national economy. A.R. 18. Based on these factors, the ALJ concluded that Plaintiff was not disabled within the meaning of the Act. AR 18.
In order to qualify for benefits, a claimant must establish that he or she is unable to engage in substantial gainful activity due to a medically determinable physical or mental impairment which has lasted or can be expected to last for a continuous period of not less than 12 months. 42 U.S.C. § 1382c (a)(3)(A). A claimant must show that he or she has a physical or mental impairment of such severity that she is not only unable to do her previous work, but cannot, considering his or her age, education, and work experience, engage in any other kind of substantial gainful work which exists in the national economy. Quang Van Han v. Bowen, 882 F.2d 1453, 1456 (9th Cir. 1989). The burden is on the claimant to establish disability. Terry v. Sullivan, 903 F.2d 1273, 1275 (9th Cir. 1990).
In an effort to achieve uniformity of decisions, the Commissioner has promulgated regulations which contain, inter alia, a five-step sequential disability evaluation process. 20 C.F.R. §§ 404.1520 (a)-(f), 416.920 (a)-(f). Applying this process in this case, the ALJ found that Plaintiff: (1) had not engaged in substantial gainful activity since March 1,2003; (2) did have an impairment, post traumatic stress disorder, that is considered "severe" based on the requirements in the Regulations (20 CFR §§ 416.920 (c)); (3) did not have an impairment or combination of impairments which meets or equals one of the impairments set forth in 20 CFR Part 404, Subpart P, Appendix 1(20 CFR §§ 416.920(d), 416.925 and 416.926); (4) had a residual functional capacity to perform a full range of work at all exertional levels but with limited public contact; and (5) that she could perform jobs that exist in significant numbers in the national economy. AR 13-18.
In reaching these conclusions, the ALJ found that the objective findings failed to provide support for the Plaintiff's allegations of disabling symptoms and limitations. AR 15. Although Plaintiff's condition could be expected to produce some symptoms, Plaintiff was not entirely credible regarding the intensity, persistence, and limiting effects of those symptoms. AR 16.
Plaintiff contends that the ALJ's decision is erroneous because he improperly rejected her testimony and did not properly evaluate her ability to perform activities of daily living.
Plaintiff argues that in rejecting her testimony, the ALJ relied upon the fact that the objective medical evidence did not support the level of limitation Plaintiff described, and that Plaintiff's ability to perform her daily activities are inconsistent with disability. However, in evaluating her activities of daily living, the ALJ failed to analyze how Plaintiff's ability to do the daily activities he relied upon prevents her from performing continuous full-time work. Because it is impermissible to reject subjective pain solely on the basis of objective medical evidence, the ALJ did not offer clear and convincing evidence to reject Plaintiff's testimony. Plaintiff relies upon Bunnell v. Sullivan, 947 F. 2d 341 (9th Cir. 1991) in support of her position. A review of the record demonstrates that Plaintiff's arguments are misplaced.
The ALJ is required to make specific findings assessing the credibility of plaintiff's subjective complaints. Cequerra v. Secretary of HHS, 933 F.2d 735 (9th Cir. 1991). "An ALJ is not 'required to believe every allegation of disabling pain' or other non-exertional impairment," Orn v. Astrue, 495 F.3d 625, 635 (9th Cir. 2007) (citation omitted). In rejecting the complainant's testimony, "the ALJ must identify what testimony is not credible and what evidence undermines the claimant's complaints." Lester v. Chater, 81 F.3d 821, 834 (9th Cir. 1996) quoting Varney v. Secretary of Health and Human Services, 846 F.2d 581, 584 (9th Cir. 1988)).
In making this determination, the ALJ conducts a two-step analysis to assess subjective testimony. Under step one, the claimant "must produce objective medical evidence of an underlying impairment" or impairments that could reasonably be expected to produce some degree of symptom. Tommasetti v. Astrue, 533 F. 3d at 1039. If the first step is met and there is no affirmative evidence of malingering, "the ALJ can reject the claimant's testimony about the severity of her symptoms only by offering specific, clear and convincing reasons for doing so." Id. Factors the ALJ may consider in weighing a claimant's credibility include "(1) ordinary techniques of credibility evaluation, such as the claimant's reputation for lying, prior inconsistent statements concerning the symptoms, and other testimony by the claimant that appears less than candid; (2) unexplained or inadequately explained failure to seek treatment or to follow a prescribed course of treatment; and (3) the claimant's daily activities." Id. citing Smolen v. Chater, 80 F. 3d 1273 (9th Cir. 1996). If the ALJ's finding is supported by substantial evidence, the court "may not engage in second-guessing." Thomas v. Barnhart, 278 F.3d at 959.
Here, in evaluating Plaintiff's functional residual capacity, the ALJ noted that none of the Plaintiff's examiners imposed any restrictions on her ability to function due to her mental impairment, however, he also relied on other factors. AR 16. He stated the following:
Lastly, after considering the evidence of the record, I find that the claimant's medically determinable impairment could reasonably be expected to produce the alleged symptoms, but that the claimant's statements concerning the intensity, persistence and limiting effects of these symptoms are not entirely credible. At the hearing, the claimant testified that she had a driver's license and does drive; however, the record reveals that she stated she does not drive and uses public transportation. She testified that she last used drugs in October 2005. She testified that she sees her doctor at [m]ental [h]ealth once every one to three months and attends AA meetings once every two weeks. She testified that the medications help and when taking them she will not fight with people and does not have violent outbursts. The claimant testified that she is unable to be around people and avoids crowds; however, she attends [h]ockey games on what appears to be a regular seasonal bases, even so far as following the team to other cities for games.
Although Plaintiff argues that the ALJ improperly rejected her testimony because he failed to explain how her activities of daily living impact on her ability to work, a review of the record demonstrates that the ALJ properly rejected Plaintiff's subjective complaints. Contrary to Plaintiff's assertions, the ALJ relied upon factors other than Plaintiff's activities of daily living to discount her testimony and gave specific, clear and convincing reasons for doing so. For example, the ALJ noted that Plaintiff had not used drugs since October 2005, that she regularly attended her physician's appointments, and that she participated in AA meetings once every two weeks. AR 16. The ALJ further relied upon the fact that Plaintiff stated she does not fight with people and does not have violent outbursts when she takes her medications. AR 16. Moreover, the ALJ noted that although Plaintiff testified that she is unable to be around people and avoids crowds, she regularly attends hockey games. AR 16. This is a valid reason to reject Plaintiff's subjective complaints as this is an inconsistency between her conduct and her testimony. " Fair, 885 F.2d at 603; Bunnell, 947 F. 3d at 346-347; see also Thomas, 278 F.3d at 958-59. This is especially true here given that Plaintiff contended that one of the reasons she could not work was due to her violent tendencies toward others. AR 376-377, 384-385. Finally, notwithstanding rejecting Plaintiff's subjective complaints, the ALJ did recognize Plaintiff's limitation by discounting the state agency doctors' opinions and adapting her residual functional capacity to perform at all exertional levels but with limited public contact. AR 14, 16. (emphasis added).
Similarly, the Court is not persuaded by Plaintiff's argument that it is unclear that the ALJ found her testimony not credible. Plaintiff argues that the ALJ's credibility finding is inconsistent because on the one hand, the ALJ noted that there was no evidence to contradict her assertions that she stopped working as a result of her mental impairments which precluded her past employment, however, on the other hand, the ALJ later rejects Plaintiff's testimony regarding her ability to work. AR 14, 16. The Court finds that the ALJ's adverse credibility determination is clear and consistent because the ALJ was examining two different issues-past,versus current ability to work. Contrary to Plaintiff's contentions, Plaintiff did not establish a current inability to perform regular and continuous full-time work. The medical record did not establish any such limitation, and the ALJ's rejection of Plaintiff's testimony concerning the subjective effects of her impairments is supported by substantial evidence.
It is not the role of the Court to redetermine Plaintiff's credibility de novo. Although evidence supporting an ALJ's conclusions might also permit an interpretation more favorable to the claimant, if the ALJ's interpretation of evidence was rational, as here, the Court must uphold the ALJ's decision where the evidence is susceptible to more than one rational interpretation. Burch v. Barnhart, 400 F.3d 676, 680-81 (9th Cir. 2005). For the reasons stated above, the Court finds that the ALJ set forth sufficient reasons to conclude that he did not arbitrarily discredit Plaintiff's subjective complaints. Accordingly, Plaintiff's claim must be denied.
Based on the foregoing, the Court finds that the ALJ's decision is supported by substantial evidence in the record as a whole and is based on proper legal standards. Accordingly, this Court DENIES Plaintiff's appeal from the administrative decision of the Commissioner of Social Security. The clerk of this Court is DIRECTED to enter judgment in favor of Defendant, Michael J. Astrue, Commissioner of Social Security and against Plaintiff, Connie F. Morgan.