Source: http://ca.findacase.com/research/wfrmDocViewer.aspx/xq/fac.20091130_0004895.CCA.htm/qx
Timestamp: 2016-12-08 14:41:51
Document Index: 117793477

Matched Legal Cases: ['§ 404', '§ 416', 'art, 454', 'art, 4546', 'art, 427', 'art, 427', 'art, 427']

MICHELLE HILL, PLAINTIFF,v.MICHAEL J. ASTRUE, COMMISSIONER, SOCIAL SECURITY ADMINISTRATION, DEFENDANT.
Plaintiff Michelle Hill was born on April 22, 1971, and was thirty-seven years old at the time of her administrative hearing. [Administrative Record ("AR") 16, 19.] She has a limited education (tenth grade) and past relevant work experience as a sales attendant and retail sales person. [AR 16, 47, 123.] Plaintiff alleges disability on the basis of depression, bipolar disorder, anxiety attacks, short-term memory problems, difficulty concentrating, feelings of sadness, inability to drive due to phobias, lack of motivation, and plantar fasciitis. [AR 13.]
Plaintiff's complaint was lodged on April 17, 2009, and filed on April 24, 2009. On September 29, 2009, Defendant filed an answer and Plaintiff's Administrative Record ("AR"). On November 17, 2009, the parties filed their Joint Stipulation ("JS") identifying matters not in dispute, issues in dispute, the positions of the parties, and the relief sought by each party. This matter has been taken under submission without oral argument.
Plaintiff applied for a period of disability and disability insurance benefits ("DIB") under Title II of the Social Security Act and supplemental security income ("SSI") under Title XVI on December 22, 2006, alleging disability since September 27, 2005. [AR 9.] Plaintiff is insured for DIB purposes until September 30, 2010. [Id.] After the applications were denied initially and on reconsideration, Plaintiff requested an administrative hearing, which was held on December 18, 2008, before Administrative Law Judge ("ALJ") David M. Ganly. [AR 19-51.] Plaintiff appeared without counsel*fn1, and testimony was taken from Plaintiff, medical expert Joseph Malancharuvil and vocational expert Stephen Berry. [AR 19.] The ALJ denied benefits in a decision issued on January 15, 2009. [AR 9-18.] When the Appeals Council denied review on March 25, 2009, the ALJ's decision became the Commissioner's final decision. [AR 1-3.]
Claimants have the burden of proof at steps one through four, subject to the presumption that Social Security hearings are non- adversarial, and to the Commissioner's affirmative duty to assist claimants in fully developing the record even if they are represented by counsel. Tackett, 180 F.3d at 1098 and n.3; Smolen, 80 F.3d at 1288. If this burden is met, a prima facie case of disability is made, and the burden shifts to the Commissioner (at step five) to prove that, considering residual functional capacity ("RFC")*fn2, age, education, and work experience, a claimant can perform other work which is available in significant numbers. Tackett, 180 F.3d at 1098, 1100; Reddick, 157 F.3d at 721; 20 C.F.R. § 404.1520, § 416.920.
Here, the ALJ found that Plaintiff had not engaged in substantial gainful activity since her alleged disability onset date (step one); that Plaintiff had "severe" impairments, namely a depressive disorder not otherwise specified, mild, an anxiety disorder not otherwise specified and probably situational, a personality disorder with avoidant features, and plantar fasciitis (step two); and that Plaintiff did not have an impairment or combination of impairments that met or equaled a "listing" (step three). [AR 11-12.] The ALJ determined that Plaintiff had an RFC for light work with a restriction to standing and/or walking for four hours in an eight-hour period and to moderately complex tasks with four to five steps, with the provision that Plaintiff cannot be in charge of the safety of others or work with dangerous, moving machinery. [AR 13.] Plaintiff was unable to perform her past relevant work (step four). [AR 16.] The vocational expert testified that a person with Plaintiff's RFC could perform work existing in significant numbers, such as information clerk, final inspector and cashier II (step five). [AR 17.] Accordingly, Plaintiff was found not "disabled" as defined by the Social Security Act. [AR 17.]
The parties' Joint Stipulation identifies the following three disputed issues:
1. Whether the ALJ properly considered the opinion of a consultative examining physician regarding Plaintiff's bipolar disorder and Global Assessment of Functioning ("GAF") score of 45;
2. Whether the ALJ properly considered Plaintiff's medication side effects; and
3. Whether the ALJ properly considered the lay witness statements.
[JS 2.]
As discussed below, Issue One mandates reversal of the Commissioner's decision. Issues Two and Three are without merit.
D. ISSUE ONE: DR. ZIMMERMAN Background
In the first claim, Plaintiff asserts that the ALJ did not properly consider the medical evidence, particularly the opinion of Dr. Emery Zimmerman, who examined Plaintiff on August 14, 2006, at the CHARLEE Family Care clinic in Riverside County for an "Assessment/Care Plan: INITIAL." [JS 3-4; AR 181-82.] During the assessment, Dr. Zimmerman gave a diagnosis of Bipolar Disorder I, Depressed, Severe; and Panic Disorder without Agoraphobia; and a GAF score of 45.*fn3 [AR 181.] In the comments section, Dr. Zimmerman wrote:
Client suffering from severe depression and anxiety. She is having panic attacks. She had to quit her job of 9 years [due] to symptoms. Client crying and sleepless, constantly worrying. She's also paranoid and fearful. She [has] 3 children, is separate from her husband. She's a domestic violence and child sexual abuse victim. [Id.]
The next day, on August 15, 2006, a therapist at the CHARLEE facility approved Plaintiff for monthly psychiatric evaluations with medication monitoring and weekly therapy sessions for a six-month period. [AR 183.] The stated goal of the treatment was to decrease Plaintiff's depressive moods and anxiety from a daily to weekly occurrence within six months. [Id.]
On September 25, 2006, Dr. Zimmerman completed a Psychiatric Assessment/Evaluation stating a diagnosis of Bipolar Disorder I, depressed; and panic disorder without agoraphobia (post-traumatic stress disorder ("PTSD")). [AR 184.] In the comments section, Dr. Zimmerman wrote, in part, that Plaintiff is "probably encountering PTSD [due to] early abuse... and needs therapy desperately." [Id.]
At the administrative hearing of December 12, 2008, Plaintiff testified that she received counseling with a therapist through county services, that the sessions were scheduled for every two weeks, that she had not seen the therapist for approximately one month, and that she was waiting for a referral to resume the sessions. [AR 24, 26.] The current record does not contain any notes of Plaintiff's ongoing treatment or therapy after September 2006, as referenced by Dr. Zimmerman, the initial CHARLEE notes, and Plaintiff's testimony.
On May 8, 2007, Plaintiff had a Complete Psychiatric Evaluation performed by Dr. Romualdo R. Rodriguez. [AR 185-91.] There were no psychiatric records for Dr. Rodriguez to review, but after reviewing Plaintiff's history and conducting a mental status exam, Dr. Rodriguez gave a diagnosis of PTSD, a learning disorder not otherwise specified, and a GAF score of 65.*fn4 [AR 185-90.] In the prognosis section of the opinion, Dr. Rodriguez stated that, "From a psychiatric standpoint, as long as this claimant is properly treated for her PTSD she will be able to recover within the next 12 months." [AR 190.] In the functional assessment section, Dr. Rodriguez stated, among other things, that Plaintiff was able to understand, remember and carry out simple one or two-step job instructions, perform detailed and complex instructions, and was slightly limited in all listed areas of mental functioning, such as the ability to relate to supervisors, co-workers and the public. [AR 191.]
At the administrative hearing of December 18, 2008, Dr. Malancharuvil, the medical expert, testified that based on his review of the available records, Plaintiff had an anxiety disorder not otherwise specified, personality difficulties with avoidance features, and mild depression. [AR 28.] Based on the record, Plaintiff was capable of performing moderately complex tasks up to four to five-step instructions but should avoid safety operations or hazardous machinery. [AR 28.] Dr. Malancharuvil further testified that Plaintiff was on a "maintenance course" of treatment, that "she's maintaining with the regimen," and that her anxiety appeared to be "situational." [AR 30.] Dr. Malancharuvil also testified that based on the record, "there is no suggestion that she has not improved," that her activities were normal, and that there was no evidence of hospitalization or an increase in treatment. [AR 34.] Dr. Malancharuvil then discussed the opinion of Dr. Rodriguez, noting that it demonstrated that Plaintiff did not meet the requirements of establishing disability at the time of the examination, and testified that the medical record did not support Dr. Zimmerman's diagnosis of bipolar disorder. [AR 34-35.]
In the administrative decision, the ALJ noted Dr. Zimmerman's initial opinion, the recommendation for individual therapy, and the treatment note of September 25, 2006. [AR 14-15.] The ALJ stated that based on the treating records, Plaintiff "was noted to have no grave disability" and that she "received only routine outpatient treatment, and the records do not reflect any acute mental health crisis requiring inpatient hospitalization or intensive treatment." [AR 15.] The ALJ then discussed Dr. Rodriguez's opinion and conclusions in detail, as well as the testimony of Dr. Malancharuvil. [Id.] The ALJ concluded that, "I give more weight to the medical expert's testimony and opinion, since the medical expert had an opportunity to review the entire record as developed," and credited Dr. Malancharuvil's opinion regarding Plaintiff's functional capacity. [AR 16.]
The ALJ has a "special duty to fully and fairly develop the record and to assure that the claimant's interests are considered... even when the claimant is represented by counsel." Celaya v. Halter, 332 F.3d 1177, 1183 (9th Cir. 2003)(ellipsis in original) (quoting Brown v. Heckler, 713 F.2d 441, 443 (9th Cir.1983); Smolen v. Chater, 80 F.3d 1273, 1288 (9th Cir. 1996); see also Widmark v. Barnhart, 454 F.3d 1063, 1069 (9th Cir. 2006)(ALJ has a duty to develop the record where there is a "gap" in the medical evidence). When a claimant is not represented by counsel, this responsibility is heightened: the ALJ's duty is "'to scrupulously and conscientiously probe into, inquire of, and explore for all the relevant facts. He must be especially diligent in ensuring that favorable as well as unfavorable facts and circumstances are elicited.'" Higbee v. Sullivan, 975 F.2d 558, 561 (9th Cir. 1992)(quoting Cox v. Califano, 587 F.2d 988, 991 (9th Cir. 1978)). "When 'the heavy burden imposed by Cox' is not met, and the claimant may have been prejudiced, 'the interests of justice demand that the case be remanded.'" Higbee v. Sullivan, 975 F.2d at 561 (citing Vidal v. Harris, 637 F.2d 710, 714-715 (9th Cir. 1981)); see also Widmark v. Barnhart, 4546 F.3d at 1069; Celaya v. Halter, 332 F.3d 1177, 1183 (9th Cir. 2003).
Here, the record is not adequately developed to evaluate whether substantial evidence supports the Commissioner's interpretation of the medical opinion evidence and the determination to adopt the medical expert's opinion while not adopting the treating physician's opinion. The record contains almost no treating medical evidence or therapy notes, despite clear indications elsewhere in the record - such as Dr. Zimmerman's initial evaluations, the CHARLEE referral, and Plaintiff's testimony -- that Plaintiff underwent therapy and treatment on at least a semi-regular basis. Accordingly, the court cannot properly evaluate the opinion of the medical expert, which was adopted by the Commissioner, that Plaintiff was on a "maintenance course" of treatment and that "she's maintaining with the regimen." Under these circumstances, particularly the heightened responsibility to scrupulously develop the record in light of the fact that Plaintiff was unrepresented at the hearing and clear indications of a significant gap in the record that may be prejudicial, remand for further proceedings is appropriate. Higbee v. Sullivan, 975 F.2d at 561.
E. ISSUE TWO: MEDICATION SIDE EFFECTS
In the second claim, Plaintiff argues that the ALJ did not make specific findings as to her allegation of medication side effects. [JS 7-8.] As part of her disability application, Plaintiff reported that her medications were Celexa, Ibuprofen, Klonopin and Vicodin. [AR 155.] Plaintiff reported that the Klonopin resulted in memory loss and that the Vicodin resulted in nausea. [Id.] At the hearing, Plaintiff testified that her medications were Seroquel, Celexa and Klonopin. [AR 24.] Jayne Campbell, a third party witness, testified later at the hearing that Plaintiff gets sleepy from the medication and "can't function" and needs to nap. [AR 41.] In the administrative decision, the ALJ rejected the proposition that Plaintiff's medication side effects presented significant functional limitations, stating that, "Although the claimant alleged that her medications make her sleepy, no side effects are objectively documented or corroborated. There is no evidence that the doctor substituted medications in an attempt to produce less symptomatology or relieve side effects." [AR 14.]
Contrary to Plaintiff's assertion, the ALJ did make specific findings as to the claim of medication side effects, and they were supported by the record. There was no documentation of the side effects alleged by Plaintiff; moreover, a treatment note by Dr. Zimmerman indicated that there were no reported side effects. [AR 184.] Neither was there evidence that Plaintiff's medications were adjusted in response to side effects; for example, the record indicates that Plaintiff was still taking Klonopin from the time of her application filing to the date of the hearing. Moreover, the ALJ found that Plaintiff's subjective symptom statements and other testimony were not entirely credible, which Plaintiff does not contest as an issue in the present action, and Plaintiff's challenge to the ALJ's finding that Ms. Campbell's testimony was not entirely credible is without merit, as discussed below. Accordingly, this issue does not warrant reversal of the ALJ's decision.
F. ISSUE THREE: LAY TESTIMONY AND STATEMENTS
In the final claim, Plaintiff asserts that the ALJ did not properly consider the written statements and hearing testimony of Jayne Campbell, Plaintiff's friend. [JS 9-11.] On February 2, 2007, Ms. Campbell completed a "Function Report - Adult - Third Party" describing Plaintiff's daily activities and other functions. [AR 133-40.] Ms. Campbell wrote that she has known Plaintiff for nine years and that she sees Plaintiff fifteen hours per week for bible study.
[AR 133.] Ms. Campbell also wrote, among other things, that Plaintiff's anxiety makes it difficult to sleep, that driving is too stressful for Plaintiff, that Plaintiff has problems with memory, concentration, and focusing on instructions, and that Plaintiff does not handle stress or changes in routine well. [AR 134, 136, 138, 139.] At the hearing on December 18, 2008, Ms. Campbell testified that she sees Plaintiff three times a week for bible meetings and gives Plaintiff rides to the grocery store and doctor's appointments. [AR 40.] Ms. Campbell also testified that Plaintiff has anxiety and depression, that Plaintiff's medications cause sleepiness so that Plaintiff "can't function" and needs to nap, that Plaintiff withdraws and "can't deal with people," and that Plaintiff had physical problems such as plantar fasciitis. [AR 41-42.]
In the administrative decision, the ALJ stated that, after reading and considering Ms. Campbell's statements, he found that "these statements are only credible to the extent that the claimant can do the work described by the vocational expert." [AR 14.] The ALJ noted that Plaintiff's daily activities included cleaning, cooking, laundry, shopping, and taking care of her children. [Id.] The ALJ stated that Ms. Campbell's statements regarding Plaintiff's impaired memory and other limitations "may be true," but that the medical opinions in the record did not support a disabling level of impaired functioning. [Id.] The ALJ noted that Ms. Campbell "is not a medical professional" and was "not competent to make a diagnosis or argue the severity of the claimant's symptoms in relationship to her ability to work." [Id.] Finally, the ALJ noted that third party evidence "do not overcome the medical evidence" and that "it has not yet come to a point at which untrained, medically unqualified relatives can have their kindly attempts to help the claimant overcome the opinions of medically trained personnel." [AR 14.] Plaintiff contends that the ALJ's evaluation "failed to properly consider" Ms. Campbell's statements and revealed "a highly troubling and fundamentally unfair judicial bias toward lay witness statements." [JS 10.]
The testimony of lay witnesses about their own observations regarding the claimant's impairments constitutes competent evidence that must be taken into account and evaluated by the Commissioner in the disability evaluation. Robbins v. Soc. Sec. Admin., 466 F.3d 880, 885 (9th Cir. 2006); Stout v. Commissioner, Social Sec. Admin., 454 F.3d 1050, 1053 (9th Cir. 2006). Such testimony cannot be discounted unless the ALJ gives reasons that are germane to that witness. Carmickle v. Commissioner, Social Sec. Admin., 533 F.3d 1155, 1164 (9th Cir. 2008); Stout v. Commissioner, 454 F.3d at 1053 (citing Dodrill v. Shalala, 12 F.3d 915, 919 (9th Cir. 1993)); Bayliss v. Barnhart, 427 F.3d 1211, 1218 (9th Cir. 2005); Lewis v. Apfel, 236 F.3d 503, 511 (9th Cir. 2001). "Inconsistency with medical evidence is one such reason." Bayliss v. Barnhart, 427 F.3d at 1218 (citing Lewis v. Apfel, 236 F.3d at 511). In this case, the ALJ's detailed evaluation of Ms. Campbell's statements satisfied this standard. The ALJ accepted statements by Ms. Campbell that were consistent with evidence of Plaintiff's activities and objective medical evidence, but rejected the portions of her statements that did not meet this standard. The ALJ's rejection of those statements was supported by substantial evidence and was not erroneous. See Bayliss v. Barnhart, 427 F.3d at 1218 (upholding rejection of lay witness testimony that was inconsistent with Plaintiff's activities and objective evidence in the record). Accordingly, this claim is without merit.
G. REMAND FOR FURTHER PROCEEDINGS
The decision whether to remand for further proceedings is within the discretion of the district court. Harman v. Apfel, 211 F.3d 1172, 1175-1178 (9th Cir. 2000). Where no useful purpose would be served by further proceedings, or where the record has been fully developed, it is appropriate to exercise this discretion to direct an immediate award of benefits. Harman, 211 F.3d at 1179 (decision whether to remand for further proceedings turns upon their likely utility). However, where there are outstanding issues that must be resolved before a determination can be made, and it is not clear from the record that the ALJ would be required to find the claimant disabled if all the evidence were properly evaluated, remand is appropriate. Id. Here, as set out above in the discussion of Issue One, outstanding issues remain before a finding of disability can be made. Accordingly, remand is appropriate.