Source: http://ca.findacase.com/research/wfrmDocViewer.aspx/xq/fac.20120926_0013141.ECA.htm/qx
Timestamp: 2016-10-20 20:07:48
Document Index: 362675403

Matched Legal Cases: ['§ 405', '§ 636', '§ 404', '§ 423', '§ 404', '§ 404']

| Michael James Roberts, Sr v. Commissioner of Social
Michael James Roberts, Sr v. Commissioner of Social
Plaintiff, who is proceeding with retained counsel, brings this action for judicial review of a final decision of the Commissioner of Social Security under 42 U.S.C. § 405(g). Pursuant to the written consent of all parties, this case is before the undersigned as the presiding judge for all purposes, including entry of final judgment. See 28 U.S.C. § 636(c). Pending before the court are plaintiff's motion for summary judgment (Doc. 16) and defendant's cross-motion for summary judgment (Doc. 21).
Plaintiff applied for social security benefits on March 7, 2007. In the application, plaintiff claims that disability began on June 1, 2006. Plaintiff's claim was initially denied. Following denial of reconsideration, plaintiff requested an administrative hearing, which was held on August 18, 2008, before Administrative Law Judge ("ALJ") Sandra K. Rogers. In a February 17, 2009, decision, the ALJ concluded that plaintiff is not disabled based on the following relevant findings:
1. The claimant has the following severe impairments: osteoarthritis of the left ankle and left knee; chronic right shoulder pain;
3. The claimant has the residual functional capacity to perform unskilled sedentary exertional work with no overhead reaching with the right upper extremity; and
4. Considering the claimant's age, education, work experience, residual functional capacity, and vocational expert testimony, jobs exist in significant numbers in the national economy that plaintiff can perform.
After the Appeals Council declined review on December 20, 2010, this appeal followed.
In his motion for summary judgment, plaintiff argues: (1) the ALJ erred at step two in failing to find plaintiff's mental impairment to be severe; (2) the ALJ erred by rejecting lay witness testimony without providing germane reasons for doing so; (3) the ALJ erred by failing to provide clear and convincing reasons for rejecting plaintiff's testimony as not credible;
(4) the ALJ erred in relying on the vocational expert's testimony at step five; and (5) the Appeals Council erred in failing to remand this matter after receipt of new evidence showing more severe limitations than those determined by the ALJ.
In order to be entitled to benefits, the plaintiff must have an impairment severe enough to significantly limit the physical or mental ability to do basic work activities. See 20 C.F.R. §§ 404.1520(c), 416.920(c). In determining whether a claimant's alleged impairment is sufficiently severe to limit the ability to work, the Commissioner must consider the combined effect of all impairments on the ability to function, without regard to whether each impairment alone would be sufficiently severe. See Smolen v. Chater, 80 F.3d 1273, 1289-90 (9th Cir. 1996); see also 42 U.S.C. § 423(d)(2)(B); 20 C.F.R. §§ 404.1523 and 416.923. An impairment, or combination of impairments, can only be found to be non-severe if the evidence establishes a slight abnormality that has no more than a minimal effect on an individual's ability to work. See Social Security Ruling ("SSR") 85-28; see also Yuckert v. Bowen, 841 F.2d 303, 306 (9th Cir. 1988) (adopting SSR 85-28). The plaintiff has the burden of establishing the severity of the impairment by providing medical evidence consisting of signs, symptoms, and laboratory findings. See 20 C.F.R. §§ 404.1508, 416.908. The plaintiff's own statement of symptoms alone is insufficient. See id.
In arguing that the ALJ erred at step two by failing to find his mental impairment to be severe, plaintiff also argues that the ALJ rejected the opinions of Drs. Castillo and Kalman without providing sufficient reasons for doing so. The weight given to medical opinions depends in part on whether they are proffered by treating, examining, or non-examining professionals. See Lester v. Chater, 81 F.3d 821, 830-31 (9th Cir. 1995). Ordinarily, more weight is given to the opinion of a treating professional, who has a greater opportunity to know and observe the patient as an individual, than the opinion of a non-treating professional. See id.; Smolen v. Chater, 80 F.3d 1273, 1285 (9th Cir. 1996); Winans v. Bowen, 853 F.2d 643, 647 (9th Cir. 1987). The least weight is given to the opinion of a non-examining professional. See Pitzer v. Sullivan, 908 F.2d 502, 506 & n.4 (9th Cir. 1990).
As to Dr. Castillo, plaintiff argues that the ALJ erred by failing to even consider the doctor's opinion, which differs from the ALJ's residual functional capacity finding. The record reflects that agency examining psychiatrist, Manolito Castillo, M.D., conducted a psychiatric evaluation of plaintiff on December 3, 2007, at the request of the agency. The doctor recorded the following general information:
. . . The claimant is a 40-year-old, single male with 4 children from a past relationship. He currently resides with his aunt in Manteca. The claimant arrived on time for this appointment, accompanied by his aunt who drove him here today. The claimant was used as the historian. The claimant's native language is English.
As to plaintiff's subjective complaints and history, Dr. Castillo noted:
The chief complaints are: hepatitis C, arthritis, a bad shoulder, and chronic depression. The claimant reports that his stepfather physically abused him when he was young. Also, at that time, he was picked on by other children as he used to be obese. He then later started abusing illicit substances, and this made his depression worse. In 2002, while he was under the influence of a substance, he contemplated killing himself by walking in front of a train. He shared these thoughts with a person, and this led to his psychiatric hospitalization. Presently, he has been clean and sober for at least a year. Despite this, he continues to feel depressed, mostly due to his poor health. He mentioned being diagnosed with hepatitis C 12 years ago. Recently, his viral count increased to more than a million. This is now compromising his liver and his health in general. He mentioned having flu-like symptoms daily. He also tends to oversleep.
His body also aches, and he tends to have cold sweats. He has difficulty concentrating as he tends to develop "brain fog." In addition to this, he also suffers from right shoulder pain caused by an injury he obtained while playing football when he was a teenager. He also has a history of left knee injury several years ago from a motorcycle accident. He broke his left ankle several years ago as well when he was involved in a fight while he was in jail. All of these injuries are causing him severe pain. When I explored his psychiatric illness further, he still experiences nightmares of his past abuse; however, his sleep has improved since he was started on amitriptyline. He still has a poor energy level and appetite. He also has difficulty concentrating and remembering things. Due to these reasons, the claimant decided to apply for disability.
Based on his evaluation, Dr. Castillo diagnosed major depressive disorder with polysubstance dependence in sustained remission. The doctor opined that plaintiff has moderate limitation in his ability to understand instructions; a slight limitation in his ability to complete simple tasks; moderate limitation in his ability to complete detailed tasks; moderate limitation in his ability to complete complex tasks; and moderate limitation in his ability to concentrate for at least two-hour increments at a time. A review of the hearing decision reflects that the ALJ did not discuss Dr. Castillo's report in any way. As plaintiff notes, defendant ignores this argument in his brief.
As discussed above, a contradicted opinion of an examining professional may be rejected only for "specific and legitimate" reasons supported by substantial evidence. See Lester, 81 F.3d at 830. This test is met if the Commissioner sets out a detailed and thorough summary of the facts and conflicting clinical evidence, states her interpretation of the evidence, and makes a finding. See Magallanes v. Bowen, 881 F.2d 747, 751-55 (9th Cir. 1989). In this case, Dr. Castillo's assessed moderate limitations are not included in the ALJ's residual functional capacity finding and are, therefore, necessarily contradicted by the evidence relied upon by the ALJ which did not note such limitations. Further, the hearing decision clearly reflects that the ALJ failed to state any reasons whatsoever for rejecting the moderate limitations found by Dr. Castillo, an examining professional. The ALJ did not summarize Dr. Castillo's opinion in the context of the other evidence of record, or set forth any reasons -- let alone specific and legitimate reasons -- for rejecting the doctor's assessed moderate limitations.
Because the ALJ committed reversible error by failing to discuss the reasons for rejecting the moderate limitations assessed by examining psychiatrist Dr. Castillo, a remand is required and it is not necessary to address plaintiff's remaining arguments.
2. The Commissioner's cross motion for summary judgment (Doc. 21) is denied;