Source: http://mi.findacase.com/research/wfrmDocViewer.aspx/xq/fac.20150310_0000308.WMI.htm/qx
Timestamp: 2016-12-03 21:49:13
Document Index: 257235986

Matched Legal Cases: ['§ 405', '§ 405', '§ 405', '§ 404', '§ 404', '§ 404', '§ 423', 'art 404', '§ 404', '§ 405']

| Weaver v. Commissioner of Social Security
GREGORY WEAVER, Plaintiff,v.COMMISSIONER OF SOCIAL SECURITY, Defendant.
This is an action pursuant to Section 205(g) of the Social Security Act, 42 U.S.C. § 405(g), to review a final decision of the Commissioner of Social Security denying Plaintiff's claim for Disability Insurance Benefits (DIB) under Title II of the Social Security Act. On April 29, 2014, the parties agreed to proceed in this Court for all further proceedings, including an order of final judgment. (Dkt. #9). Section 405(g) limits the Court to a review of the administrative record and provides that if the Commissioner's decision is supported by substantial evidence it shall be conclusive. The Commissioner has found that Plaintiff is not disabled within the meaning of the Act. For the reasons stated below, the Court concludes that the Commissioner's decision is not supported by substantial evidence. Accordingly, the Commissioner's decision is reversed and this matter remanded for further factual findings pursuant to sentence four of 42 U.S.C. § 405(g).
Plaintiff was 46 years of age on his alleged disability onset date. (Tr. 46, 126, 195). He successfully completed high school and worked previously as a bricklayer, supervisor, and construction worker. (Tr. 24). Plaintiff applied for benefits on December 1, 2010, alleging that he had been disabled since April 15, 2010, [1] due to obesity, shortness of breath, and knee/back impairments. (Tr. 46, 126-27, 152, 195). Plaintiff's application was denied, after which time he requested a hearing before an Administrative Law Judge (ALJ). (Tr. 73-124). On July 23, 2012, Plaintiff appeared before ALJ James Prothro with testimony being presented by Plaintiff and a vocational expert. (Tr. 30-72). In a written decision dated September 21, 2012, the ALJ determined that Plaintiff was not disabled. (Tr. 14-25). The Appeals Council declined to review the ALJ's determination, rendering it the Commissioner's final decision in the matter. (Tr. 1-6). Plaintiff subsequently initiated this appeal pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 405(g), seeking judicial review of the ALJ's decision.
On November 5, 2010, Plaintiff was examined by Dr. R. Scott Lazzara. (Tr. 214-20). Plaintiff reported that he was disabled due to "knees, back, stroke, shortness of breath, obesity." (Tr. 216). Plaintiff reported that he injured his left knee several years previously after which he experienced "gradual deterioration" thereof. (Tr. 216). Plaintiff reported that he "is able to do chores around the house and drive...does some light cooking but does not grocery shop." (Tr. 216). Plaintiff reported that "he can walk about 80 yards, sit about 30 minutes, stand about 10 minutes, and can still lift upwards of 100 pounds." (Tr. 216). A physical examination revealed the following:
APPEARANCE/MENTAL STATUS: The patient is cooperative in answering questions and following commands. The patient's immediate, recent and remote memory is intact with normal concentration. The patient's insight and judgment are both appropriate. The patient provides a good effort during the examination.
VITAL SIGNS: Weight = 570 lbs. Height = 68" (without shoes.) SKIN: Normal.
EYES/EARS: Visual acuity right eye = 20/30, left eye = 20/20, without corrective lenses. Pupils are equal, round, and reactive to light. The patient can hear conversational speech without limitation or aids.
NECK: The neck is supple without masses.
CHEST: There is diminished air entry. Breath sounds are clear to auscultation and symmetrical. There is no accessory muscle use.
HEART: Heart sounds are distant. There is regular rate and rhythm without enlargement. There is a normal S1 and S2.
ABDOMEN: The abdomen is obese. There is no organomegaly or masses. Bowel sounds are normal.
VASCULAR: No clubbing or cyanosis is present. There is 2 non pitting edema appreciated. The posterior tibial pulses are absent. Hair growth is present on the lower extremities. The feet are warm and normal color.
MUSCULOSKELETAL: There is no evidence of joint laxity or effusion. There is crepitance over the left patellar joint. Grip strength remains intact. Dexterity is unimpaired. The patient could button clothing and open a door. The patient had mild difficulty getting in and out of a chair, mild difficulty heel and toe walking, moderate difficulty squatting 30 degrees, and was unable to hop. Straight leg raising is negative. There is no paravertebral muscle spasm.
NEURO: Cranial nerves are intact. Motor strength and tone are normal. Sensory is intact to light touch and pinprick. Romberg testing is negative. The patient walks with a mild left limp and wide based antalgic gait without the use of an assist device.
(Tr. 217-19). The doctor concluded that Plaintiff suffered from morbid obesity and further noted the following:
This appears to be his most significant ailment. He does complain of some left knee pain and did have some crepitance over the anterior aspect of the left knee. He did have moderate difficulty doing a partial squat. He was not able to hop due to his weight. He does walk with a mild left limp and an antalgic gait but remains relatively stable. He did have diminished range of motion in multiple joints due to his body habitus. He did have significant lower extremity edema and findings of restrictive lung disease. Spirometry may be of benefit but he did not appear dyspneic today. His endurance does appear mildly impaired. At this point, he would benefit from extensive weight reduction. He is not a surgical candidate at this point due to his size and risks. He states he had a cerebral vascular accident but I did not find any residual deficits today. His blood pressure was not obtainable due to his size.
(Tr. 220).
On May 31, 2012, Plaintiff was examined by Physicians Assistant John Kehl. (Tr. 245-49). Plaintiff reported that he was experiencing "decreased exercise tolerance" and "difficulty breathing on exertion." (Tr. 246). Plaintiff also reported experiencing "back pain, back ache, decreased range of motion, joint pain, joint stiffness, muscle pain, muscle weakness, myalgia, physical disability and swelling of extremities." (Tr. 246). Plaintiff exhibited abnormal posture and a "wider than normal" gait with "decreased" speed and step length. (Tr. 247). An examination of Plaintiff's left knee revealed decreased range of motion and pain with palpation. (Tr. 247). Plaintiff was prescribed Lortab[2] and Lisinopril.[3] (Tr. 247).
On July 6, 2012, Physicians Assistant Kehl and Dr. Joseph Roth reported the following regarding Plaintiff's functional capacity. (Tr. 254-55). Plaintiff can frequently lift/carry 10 pounds and occasionally lift/carry lesser weight. (Tr. 254). During an 8-hour workday, Plaintiff can stand and walk less than two hours and sit "about" two hours. (Tr. 254). Plaintiff would need to "lie down" more than 50% of the time during an 8-hour workday. (Tr. 254). Plaintiff can only rarely twist and climb stairs and can never stoop, crouch, or climb ladders. (Tr. 255). Physicians Assistant Kehl also provided a sworn statement to Plaintiff's attorney. (Tr. 256-59). Kehl reported that Plaintiff was experiencing "degenerative changes in his low back and his knees" which " causes him to not be able to stand for any period of time." (Tr. 256). Kehl also reported that Plaintiff was experiencing "generalized osteoarthritis" primarily in his knees and possibly in his hips, ankles, and back. (Tr. 257). Kehl further speculated that Plaintiff was experiencing "some spinal stenosis and that would certainly explain the numbness in his legs." (Tr. 258). ANALYSIS OF THE ALJ'S DECISION The social security regulations articulate a five-step sequential process for evaluating disability. See 20 C.F.R. §§ 404.1520(a-f), 416.920(a-f).[4] If the Commissioner can make a dispositive finding at any point in the review, no further finding is required. See 20 C.F.R. §§ 404.1520(a), 416.920(a). The regulations also provide that if a claimant suffers from a nonexertional impairment as well as an exertional impairment, both are considered in determining his residual functional capacity. See 20 C.F.R. §§ 404.1545, 416.945.
The burden of establishing the right to benefits rests squarelyon Plaintiff's shoulders, and he can satisfy his burden by demonstrating that his impairments are so severe that he is unable to perform his previous work, and cannot, considering his age, education, and work experience, perform any other substantial gainful employment existing in significant numbers in the national economy. See 42 U.S.C. § 423(d)(2)(A); Cohen, 964 F.2d at 528. While the burden of proof shifts to the Commissioner at step five, Plaintiff bears the burden of proof through step four of the procedure, the point at which his residual functioning capacity (RFC) is determined. See Bowen v. Yuckert, 482 U.S. 137, 146 n.5 (1987); Walters v. Comm'r of Soc. Sec., 127 F.3d 525, 528 (6th Cir. 1997) (ALJ determines RFC at step four, at which point claimant bears the burden of proof).
The ALJ determined that Plaintiff suffers from: (1) morbid obesity; (2) low back pain; (3) knee pain; and (4) left lower extremity discomfort with numbness at times, severe impairments that whether considered alone or in combination with other impairments, failed to satisfy the requirements of any impairment identified in the Listing of Impairments detailed in 20 C.F.R., Part 404, Subpart P, Appendix 1. (Tr. 19).
With respect to Plaintiff's residual functional capacity, the ALJ determined that Plaintiff retained the capacity to perform light work[5] subject to the following limitations: (1) he can lift/carry 10 pounds frequently and 20 pounds occasionally; (2) during an 8-hour workday with normal breaks, Plaintiff can stand for two hours, walk for 1-2 hours, and sit for 6 hours; (3) he can occasionally climb ramps and stairs; (4) he can never climb ladders, ropes, or scaffolds; (5) he can occasionally balance and stoop, but can never kneel; (6) he can occasionally crouch, but can never crawl; and (7) he should avoid concentrated exposure to cold, heat, humidity, fumes, odors, dusts, gases, poor ventilation, and hazardous machinery. (Tr. 19).
The ALJ found that Plaintiff cannot perform his past relevant work at which point the burden of proof shifted to the Commissioner to establish by substantial evidence that a significant number of jobs exist in the national economy which Plaintiff could perform, his limitations notwithstanding. See Richardson, 735 F.2d at 964. While the ALJ is not required to question a vocational expert on this issue, "a finding supported by substantial evidence that a claimant has the vocational qualifications to perform specific jobs" is needed to meet the burden. O'Banner v. Sec'y of Health and Human Services, 587 F.2d 321, 323 (6th Cir. 1978) (emphasis added). This standard requires more than mere intuition or conjecture by the ALJ that the claimant can perform specific jobs in the national economy. See Richardson, 735 F.2d at 964. Accordingly, ALJs routinely question vocational experts in an attempt to determine whether there exist a significant number of jobs which a particular claimant can perform, his limitations notwithstanding. Such was the case here, as the ALJ questioned a vocational expert at the administrative hearing.
The vocational expert testified that there existed approximately 8, 900 jobs in the state of Michigan which an individual with Plaintiff's RFC could perform, such limitations notwithstanding. (Tr. 63-64). This represents a significant number of jobs. See Born v. Sec'y of Health and Human Services, 923 F.2d 1168, 1174 (6th Cir. 1990); Hall v. Bowen, 837 F.2d 272, 274 (6th Cir. 1988); Martin v. Commissioner of Social Security, 170 Fed.Appx. 369, 374 (6th Cir., Mar. 1, 2006). The ALJ concluded, therefore, that Plaintiff was not entitled to disability benefits.
I. Dr. Roth's Opinion
As noted above, Dr. Roth (along with Physicians Assistant Kehl) reported that Plaintiff's ability to function was significantly more impaired than the ALJ recognized. Plaintiff argues that he is entitled to relief because the ALJ failed to afford controlling weight to Dr. Roth's opinion. The ALJ afforded "very little weight" to Dr. Roth's opinion on the ground that the doctor "apparently never met with the claimant personally." (Tr. 23). There is nothing in the scant record to suggest that Dr. Roth ever actually examined Plaintiff. The ALJ's observation that Dr. Roth never actually examined Plaintiff is supported by substantial evidence. Thus, Dr. Roth's opinion was not entitled to any deference. See Kornecky v. Commissioner of Social Security, 167 Fed.Appx. 496, 506-07 (6th Cir. 2006). Accordingly, this argument is rejected.
At the administrative hearing, Plaintiff testified that he experiences far greater functional limitations than the ALJ recognized. (Tr. 37-63). Plaintiff also completed a function report indicating that he experiences far greater limitations than the ALJ recognized. (Tr. 157-64). It is well recognized that a claimant can be found disabled on the basis of his subjective allegations. See King v. Heckler, 742 F.2d 968, 974 (6th Cir. 1984); Grecol v. Halter, 46 Fed.Appx. 773, 775 (6th Cir., Aug. 29, 2002). However, a claimant's "statements about [his] pain or other symptoms will not alone establish that [he is] disabled." 20 C.F.R. § 404.1529(a); see also, Hash v. Commissioner of Social Security, 309 Fed.Appx. 981, 989 (6th Cir., Feb. 10, 2009). Thus, where a claimant's subjective allegations are inconsistent with the ability to work, the ALJ must assess the claimant's credibility and determine the weight to be afforded to his allegations. See Walters v. Commissioner of Social Security, 127 F.3d 525, 531 (6th Cir. 1997).
Given that the ALJ denied Plaintiff's claim, the ALJ obviously discounted Plaintiff's credibility and afforded little (if any) weight to Plaintiff's subjective allegations. However, the ALJ completely failed to address the subject of Plaintiff's credibility. The ALJ did not identify the weight he afforded to Plaintiff's subjective allegations and, more importantly, the ALJ offered absolutely no insight into his apparent decision to so significantly discount Plaintiff's credibility. This failure constitutes reversible error. See, e.g., Cunningham v. Astrue, 360 Fed.Appx. 606, 613 (6th Cir., Jan. 5, 2010) ("an ALJ's decision to discount a claimant's credibility must contain specific reasons for the finding on credibility, supported by the evidence in the case record, and must be sufficiently specific to make clear to the individual and to any subsequent reviewers the weight the adjudicator gave to the individual's statements and the reasons for that weight").
A claimant's RFC represents his ability to perform "work-related physical and mental activities in a work setting on a regular and continuing basis, " defined as "8 hours a day, for 5 days a week, or an equivalent work schedule." Social Security Ruling 96-8P, 1996 WL 374184 at *1 (Social Security Administration, July 2, 1996); see also, Payne v. Commissioner of Social Security, 402 Fed.Appx. 109, 116 (6th Cir., Nov. 18, 2010). Plaintiff argues that the ALJ's RFC fails to sufficiently account for his impairments and limitations.
While the record contains precious little medical evidence, it more than supports the conclusion that Plaintiff requires a sit/stand option. Physician's Assistant Kehl and Dr. Roth both concluded as much. (Tr. 254-59). This conclusion is also supported by the consultive examination performed by Dr. Lazzara on which the ALJ placed such great reliance. (Tr. 21, 214-20). Accordingly, the Court finds that the ALJ's RFC determination is not supported by substantial evidence.
The ALJ's conclusion that Plaintiff is not disabled was based on the vocational expert's testimony that if limited to the extent reflected by the ALJ's RFC determination, there exist a significant number of jobs which Plaintiff could nevertheless perform. As discussed above, however, the ALJ's RFC is not supported by substantial evidence and because the vocational expert's testimony was premised upon a faulty RFC determination, the ALJ's reliance thereon does not constitute substantial evidence. See Cline v. Comm'r of Soc. Sec., 96 F.3d 146, 150 (6th Cir. 1996) (while the ALJ may rely upon responses to hypothetical questions posed to a vocational expert, such questions must accurately portray the claimant's impairments).
While the Court finds that the ALJ's decision fails to comply with the relevant legal standards, Plaintiff can be awarded benefits only if "all essential factual issues have been resolved" and "the record adequately establishes [his] entitlement to benefits." Faucher v. Secretary of Health and Human Serv's, 17 F.3d 171, 176 (6th Cir. 1994); see also, Brooks v. Commissioner of Social Security, 531 Fed.Appx. 636, 644 (6th Cir., Aug. 6, 2013). This latter requirement is satisfied "where the proof of disability is overwhelming or where proof of disability is strong and evidence to the contrary is lacking." Faucher, 17 F.3d at 176; see also, Brooks, 531 Fed.Appx. at 644.
The record fails to establish that Plaintiff is entitled, at this juncture, to an award of benefits. There does not exist overwhelming evidence that Plaintiff is disabled. Moreover, while there exists evidence that Plaintiff is more limited than recognized by the ALJ, the record contains evidence supporting the contraryconclusion. Simply put, evaluation of Plaintiff's claim requires the resolution of factual disputes which this Court is neither authorized nor competent to undertake in the first instance. Accordingly, the Commissioner's decision is reversed and this matter remanded for further factual findings.
For the reasons articulated herein, the Court concludes that the ALJ's decision is not supported by substantial evidence. Accordingly, the Commissioner's decision is reversed and the matter remanded for further factual findings pursuant to sentence four of 42 U.S.C. § 405(g). A judgment consistent with this opinion will enter.