Source: https://docs.justia.com/cases/federal/district-courts/california/cacdce/5:2016cv02036/659117/28
Timestamp: 2018-08-16 04:35:09
Document Index: 266951705

Matched Legal Cases: ['§ 405', '§ 423', '§ 423', '§ 404', '§ 404', '§ 12', '§ 404', '§ 404', '§ 404', '§ 404', '§ 405', '§ 405', '§ 6', 'art, 12', 'art, 427', 'art, 278', '§ 404']

DECISION AND ORDER by Magistrate Judge Victor E Bianchini for Nancy J. Zamora v. Carolyn W. Colvin :: Justia Dockets & Filings
Justia Dockets & Filings Ninth Circuit California California Central District Court Nancy J. Zamora v. Carolyn W. Colvin Filing 28
Nancy J. Zamora v. Carolyn W. Colvin
O 1 2 3 4 UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT 5 CENTRAL DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA 6 Case No. 5:16-CV-02036 (VEB) 7 8 NANCY J. ZAMORA, 10 11 DECISION AND ORDER Plaintiff, 9 vs. NANCY BERRYHILL, Acting Commissioner of Social Security, 12 Defendant. 13 I. INTRODUCTION 14 In January of 2013, Plaintiff Nancy J. Zamora applied for Disability Insurance 15 16 17 18 benefits and Supplemental Security Income benefits under the Social Security Act. The Commissioner of Social Security denied the applications.1 1 On January 23, 2017, Nancy Berryhill took office as Acting Social Security Commissioner. The 19 Clerk of the Court is directed to substitute Acting Commissioner Berryhill as the named defendant in this matter pursuant to Rule 25(d)(1) of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure. 20 1 DECISION AND ORDER – ZAMORA v BERRYHILL 5:16-CV-02036-VEB 1 Plaintiff, by and through her attorney, Lawrence D. Rohlfing, Esq., 2 commenced this action seeking judicial review of the Commissioner’s denial of 3 benefits pursuant to 42 U.S.C. §§ 405 (g) and 1383 (c)(3). 4 The parties consented to the jurisdiction of a United States Magistrate Judge. 5 (Docket No. 26, 27). On September 27, 2017, this case was referred to the 6 undersigned pursuant to General Order 05-07. (Docket No. 25). 7 8 II. BACKGROUND Plaintiff applied for benefits on January 10, 2013, alleging disability 9 10 beginning November 10, 2005. (T at 172-83).2 11 initially and on reconsideration. 12 Administrative Law Judge (“ALJ”). The applications were denied Plaintiff requested a hearing before an 13 On January 16, 2015, a hearing was held before ALJ Nancy Steward. (T at 14 33). Plaintiff appeared with her attorney and testified. (T at 37-56). The ALJ also 15 received testimony from Victoria Rei, a vocational expert. (T at 56-61). 16 17 On March 11, 2015, the ALJ issued a written decision denying the applications for benefits. (T at 13-32). The ALJ’s decision became the 18 19 20 2 Citations to (“T”) refer to the administrative record at Docket No. 15. 2 DECISION AND ORDER – ZAMORA v BERRYHILL 5:16-CV-02036-VEB 1 Commissioner’s final decision on July 26, 2016, when the Appeals Council denied 2 Plaintiff’s request for review. (T at 1-4). 3 On September 25, 2016, Plaintiff, acting by and through her counsel, filed this 4 action seeking judicial review of the Commissioner’s denial of benefits. (Docket No. 5 1). The Commissioner interposed an Answer on December 12, 2016. (Docket No. 6 14). Plaintiff filed a motion for summary judgment on May 18, 2017. (Docket No. 7 23). The Commissioner moved for summary judgment on June 19, 2017. (Docket 8 No. 24). 9 After reviewing the pleadings, the parties’ motion papers, and administrative 10 record, this Court finds that the Commissioner’s decision must be affirmed and this 11 case be dismissed. 12 13 III. DISCUSSION A. Sequential Evaluation Process 14 The Social Security Act (“the Act”) defines disability as the “inability to 15 engage in any substantial gainful activity by reason of any medically determinable 16 physical or mental impairment which can be expected to result in death or which has 17 lasted or can be expected to last for a continuous period of not less than twelve 18 months.” 42 U.S.C. §§ 423(d)(1)(A), 1382c(a)(3)(A). The Act also provides that a 19 claimant shall be determined to be under a disability only if any impairments are of 20 3 DECISION AND ORDER – ZAMORA v BERRYHILL 5:16-CV-02036-VEB 1 such severity that he or she is not only unable to do previous work but cannot, 2 considering his or her age, education and work experiences, engage in any other 3 substantial work which exists in the national economy. 42 U.S.C. §§ 423(d)(2)(A), 4 1382c(a)(3)(B). Thus, the definition of disability consists of both medical and 5 vocational components. Edlund v. Massanari, 253 F.3d 1152, 1156 (9th Cir. 2001). 6 The Commissioner has established a five-step sequential evaluation process 7 for determining whether a person is disabled. 20 C.F.R. §§ 404.1520, 416.920. Step 8 one determines if the person is engaged in substantial gainful activities. If so, 9 benefits are denied. 20 C.F.R. §§ 404. 1520(a)(4)(i), 416.920(a)(4)(i). If not, the 10 decision maker proceeds to step two, which determines whether the claimant has a 11 medically severe impairment or combination of impairments. 20 C.F.R. §§ 12 404.1520(a)(4)(ii), 416.920(a)(4)(ii). 13 If the claimant does not have a severe impairment or combination of 14 impairments, the disability claim is denied. If the impairment is severe, the 15 evaluation proceeds to the third step, which compares the claimant’s impairment(s) 16 with a number of listed impairments acknowledged by the Commissioner to be so 17 severe as to preclude substantial gainful activity. 20 C.F.R. §§ 404.1520(a)(4)(iii), 18 416.920(a)(4)(iii); 20 C.F.R. § 404 Subpt. P App. 1. If the impairment meets or 19 equals one of the listed impairments, the claimant is conclusively presumed to be 20 4 DECISION AND ORDER – ZAMORA v BERRYHILL 5:16-CV-02036-VEB 1 disabled. If the impairment is not one conclusively presumed to be disabling, the 2 evaluation proceeds to the fourth step, which determines whether the impairment 3 prevents the claimant from performing work which was performed in the past. If the 4 claimant is able to perform previous work, he or she is deemed not disabled. 20 5 C.F.R. §§ 404.1520(a)(4)(iv), 416.920(a)(4)(iv). At this step, the claimant’s residual 6 functional capacity (RFC) is considered. If the claimant cannot perform past relevant 7 work, the fifth and final step in the process determines whether he or she is able to 8 perform other work in the national economy in view of his or her residual functional 9 capacity, age, education, and past work experience. 20 C.F.R. §§ 404.1520(a)(4)(v), 10 416.920(a)(4)(v); Bowen v. Yuckert, 482 U.S. 137 (1987). 11 The initial burden of proof rests upon the claimant to establish a prima facie 12 case of entitlement to disability benefits. Rhinehart v. Finch, 438 F.2d 920, 921 (9th 13 Cir. 1971); Meanel v. Apfel, 172 F.3d 1111, 1113 (9th Cir. 1999). The initial burden 14 is met once the claimant establishes that a mental or physical impairment prevents 15 the performance of previous work. The burden then shifts, at step five, to the 16 Commissioner to show that (1) plaintiff can perform other substantial gainful 17 activity and (2) a “significant number of jobs exist in the national economy” that the 18 claimant can perform. Kail v. Heckler, 722 F.2d 1496, 1498 (9th Cir. 1984). 19 20 5 DECISION AND ORDER – ZAMORA v BERRYHILL 5:16-CV-02036-VEB 1 B. Standard of Review 2 Congress has provided a limited scope of judicial review of a Commissioner’s 3 decision. 42 U.S.C. § 405(g). A Court must uphold a Commissioner’s decision, 4 made through an ALJ, when the determination is not based on legal error and is 5 supported by substantial evidence. See Jones v. Heckler, 760 F.2d 993, 995 (9th Cir. 6 1985); Tackett v. Apfel, 180 F.3d 1094, 1097 (9th Cir. 1999). 7 “The [Commissioner’s] determination that a plaintiff is not disabled will be 8 upheld if the findings of fact are supported by substantial evidence.” Delgado v. 9 Heckler, 722 F.2d 570, 572 (9th Cir. 1983)(citing 42 U.S.C. § 405(g)). Substantial 10 evidence is more than a mere scintilla, Sorenson v. Weinberger, 514 F.2d 1112, 1119 11 n 10 (9th Cir. 1975), but less than a preponderance. McAllister v. Sullivan, 888 F.2d 12 599, 601-02 (9th Cir. 1989). Substantial evidence “means such evidence as a 13 reasonable mind might accept as adequate to support a conclusion.” Richardson v. 14 Perales, 402 U.S. 389, 401 (1971)(citations omitted). “[S]uch inferences and 15 conclusions as the [Commissioner] may reasonably draw from the evidence” will 16 also be upheld. Mark v. Celebreeze, 348 F.2d 289, 293 (9th Cir. 1965). On review, 17 the Court considers the record as a whole, not just the evidence supporting the 18 decision of the Commissioner. Weetman v. Sullivan, 877 F.2d 20, 22 (9th Cir. 19 1989)(quoting Kornock v. Harris, 648 F.2d 525, 526 (9th Cir. 1980)). 20 6 DECISION AND ORDER – ZAMORA v BERRYHILL 5:16-CV-02036-VEB 1 It is the role of the Commissioner, not this Court, to resolve conflicts in 2 evidence. Richardson, 402 U.S. at 400. If evidence supports more than one rational 3 interpretation, the Court may not substitute its judgment for that of the 4 Commissioner. Tackett, 180 F.3d at 1097; Allen v. Heckler, 749 F.2d 577, 579 (9th 5 Cir. 1984). Nevertheless, a decision supported by substantial evidence will still be 6 set aside if the proper legal standards were not applied in weighing the evidence and 7 making the decision. Brawner v. Secretary of Health and Human Services, 839 F.2d 8 432, 433 (9th Cir. 1987). Thus, if there is substantial evidence to support the 9 administrative findings, or if there is conflicting evidence that will support a finding 10 of either disability or non-disability, the finding of the Commissioner is conclusive. 11 Sprague v. Bowen, 812 F.2d 1226, 1229-30 (9th Cir. 1987). 12 C. Commissioner’s Decision 13 The ALJ determined that Plaintiff had not engaged in substantial gainful 14 activity since November 10, 2005, the alleged onset date, and met the insured status 15 requirements of the Social Security Act through December 31, 2010 (the “date last 16 insured”). (T at 18). 17 affective disorder, and anxiety disorder were “severe” impairments under the Act. 18 (Tr. 18). The ALJ found that Plaintiff’s spinal disorder, obesity, 19 20 7 DECISION AND ORDER – ZAMORA v BERRYHILL 5:16-CV-02036-VEB 1 However, the ALJ concluded that Plaintiff did not have an impairment or 2 combination of impairments that met or medically equaled one of the impairments 3 set forth in the Listings. (T at 19). 4 The ALJ determined that Plaintiff retained the residual functional capacity 5 (“RFC”) to perform a limited range of medium work, as defined in 20 CFR § 6 404.1567 (c), as follows: she cannot work around hazards; she is limited to non- 7 complex tasks that require reasoning skill levels of “one or two;” she is precluded 8 from fast-paced work and limited to non-public work; and she is precluded from 9 jobs that require teamwork, hyper-vigilance, or monitoring the safety of others. (T at 10 20-21). 11 The ALJ found that Plaintiff could not perform her past relevant work as a 12 school bus driver. (T at 26). Considering Plaintiff’s age (39 years old on the alleged 13 onset date), education (limited), work experience, and residual functional capacity, 14 the ALJ found that jobs exist in significant numbers in the national economy that 15 Plaintiff can perform. (T at 26). 16 Accordingly, the ALJ determined that Plaintiff was not disabled within the 17 meaning of the Social Security Act between November 10, 2005 (the alleged onset 18 date) and March 11, 20156 (the date of the decision) and was therefore not entitled 19 to benefits. (T at 27-28). As noted above, the ALJ’s decision became the 20 8 DECISION AND ORDER – ZAMORA v BERRYHILL 5:16-CV-02036-VEB 1 Commissioner’s final decision when the Appeals Council denied Plaintiff’s request 2 for review. (T at 1-4). 3 D. Disputed Issue 4 Plaintiff offers a single argument in support of her claim that the 5 Commissioner’s decision should be reversed. She contends that the ALJ did not 6 properly assess the medical opinion evidence. 7 8 IV. ANALYSIS 9 In disability proceedings, a treating physician’s opinion carries more weight 10 than an examining physician’s opinion, and an examining physician’s opinion is 11 given more weight than that of a non-examining physician. Benecke v. Barnhart, 12 379 F.3d 587, 592 (9th Cir. 2004); Lester v. Chater, 81 F.3d 821, 830 (9th Cir. 13 1995). If the treating or examining physician’s opinions are not contradicted, they 14 can be rejected only with clear and convincing reasons. Lester, 81 F.3d at 830. If 15 contradicted, the opinion can only be rejected for “specific” and “legitimate” reasons 16 that are supported by substantial evidence in the record. Andrews v. Shalala, 53 F.3d 17 1035, 1043 (9th Cir. 1995). Historically, the courts have recognized conflicting 18 medical evidence, and/or the absence of regular medical treatment during the alleged 19 period of disability, and/or the lack of medical support for doctors’ reports based 20 9 DECISION AND ORDER – ZAMORA v BERRYHILL 5:16-CV-02036-VEB 1 substantially on a claimant’s subjective complaints of pain, as specific, legitimate 2 reasons for disregarding a treating or examining physician’s opinion. Flaten v. 3 Secretary of Health and Human Servs., 44 F.3d 1453, 1463-64 (9th Cir. 1995). 4 An ALJ satisfies the “substantial evidence” requirement by “setting out a 5 detailed and thorough summary of the facts and conflicting clinical evidence, stating 6 his interpretation thereof, and making findings.” Garrison v. Colvin, 759 F.3d 995, 7 1012 (9th Cir. 2014)(quoting Reddick v. Chater, 157 F.3d 715, 725 (9th Cir. 1998)). 8 Here, Dr. Geetha Puri, a treating psychiatrist, completed a mental work 9 restriction questionnaire in January of 2015. Dr. Puri diagnosed bipolar disorder and 10 assessed marked limitation with regard to Plaintiff’s ability to remember work-like 11 procedures, understand and remember short and simple instructions, maintain 12 attention for 2-hour segments, maintain regular attendance and be punctual, and 13 sustain an ordinary routine without special supervision. (T at 617). She opined that 14 Plaintiff had severe limitation with respect to completing a normal workday without 15 interruptions from psychologically based symptoms and marked limitations as to 16 working with others. (T at 618). 17 The ALJ afforded little weight to Dr. Puri’s opinion, finding it contradicted by 18 the record as a whole. (T at 25). This Court finds the ALJ’s decision supported by 19 substantial evidence. First, the ALJ noted that Dr. Puri’s restrictive assessment was 20 10 DECISION AND ORDER – ZAMORA v BERRYHILL 5:16-CV-02036-VEB 1 contradicted by her treatment notes, which do not document extreme symptoms or 2 objective findings of marked or severe impairment over time. (T at 607-12). See 3 Bayliss v. Barnhart, 427 F.3d 1211, 1216 (9th Cir. 2005)(finding that “discrepancy” 4 between treatment notes and opinion was “a clear and convincing reason for not 5 relying on the doctor's opinion regarding” the claimant’s limitations). 6 In addition, treatment notes were provided by Dr. Audrey King, another 7 treating psychiatrist. Dr. King’s treatment notes were generally unremarkable, with 8 documented complaints of “anxiousness,” but few extreme, abnormal findings of the 9 sort one would expect if Plaintiff were as limited as Dr. Puri suggests. (T at 582-85). 10 Second, other physicians offered opinions contrary to Dr. Puri’s. 11 Thawaorn Rathana-Nakintara completed a consultative psychiatric evaluation in 12 April of 2013. Dr. Rathana-Nakintara assigned a GAF score3 of 75 (T at 580). A 13 GAF between 71 and 80 indicates that if symptoms are present, they are transient 14 and expectable reactions to psychological stressors (e.g., difficulty concentrating 15 after family argument); no more than slight impairment in social, occupational, or 16 school functioning (e.g., temporarily falling behind in schoolwork). Bizonia v. Dr. 17 18 3 “A GAF score is a rough estimate of an individual's psychological, social, and occupational 19 functioning used to reflect the individual's need for treatment." Vargas v. Lambert, 159 F.3d 1161, 1164 n.2 (9th Cir. 1998). 20 11 DECISION AND ORDER – ZAMORA v BERRYHILL 5:16-CV-02036-VEB 1 Astrue, 2011 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 47700, 2011 WL 1656075, at *2 n.3 (C.D. Cal. May 2 3, 2011) (citing DSM-IV). 3 Dr. Rathana-Nakintara opined that Plaintiff would have no limitations 4 performing work-related tasks or handling usual stresses, changes, or demands of 5 gainful employment. (T at 580). 6 prognosis as “good.” (T at 581). Dr. Rathana-Nakintara described Plaintiff’s 7 Two non-examining State Agency review physicians reviewed the record and 8 assessed no mental functional limitations. (T at 70-72, 94-96). “The opinions of 9 non-treating or non-examining physicians may … serve as substantial evidence 10 when the opinions are consistent with independent clinical findings or other 11 evidence in the record.” Thomas v. Barnhart, 278 F.3d 947, 957 (9th Cir. 2002); see 12 also see also 20 CFR § 404.1527 (f)(2)(i)(“State agency medical and psychological 13 consultants and other program physicians, psychologists, and other medical 14 specialists are highly qualified physicians, psychologists, and other medical 15 specialists who are also experts in Social Security disability evaluation.”). 16 Third, the ALJ noted that Plaintiff had several significant gaps in seeking 17 mental health treatment. Although Plaintiff contends this was caused by a lack of 18 insurance, there are nevertheless gaps during sustained periods when she was 19 insured, sought treatment for other ailments, but did not seek mental health 20 12 DECISION AND ORDER – ZAMORA v BERRYHILL 5:16-CV-02036-VEB 1 treatment. (T at 375-574). See Molina v. Astrue, 674 F.3d 1104, 1114 (9th Cir. 2 2012)(“Although [claimant] provided reasons for resisting treatment, there was no 3 medical evidence that … resistance was attributable to her mental impairment rather 4 than her own personal preference, and it was reasonable for the ALJ to conclude that 5 the ‘level or frequency of treatment [was] inconsistent with the level of 6 complaints.’”)(quoting SSR 96-7p). 7 Plaintiff argues that the ALJ should have weighed the evidence differently and 8 resolved the conflict in favor of Dr. Puri’s opinion. However, it is the role of the 9 Commissioner, not this Court, to resolve conflicts in evidence. Magallanes v. 10 Bowen, 881 F.2d 747, 751 (9th Cir. 1989); Richardson, 402 U.S. at 400. If the 11 evidence supports more than one rational interpretation, this Court may not 12 substitute its judgment for that of the Commissioner. Allen v. Heckler, 749 F.2d 577, 13 579 (9th 1984). If there is substantial evidence to support the administrative 14 findings, or if there is conflicting evidence that will support a finding of either 15 disability or nondisability, the Commissioner’s finding is conclusive. Sprague v. 16 Bowen, 812 F.2d 1226, 1229-30 (9th Cir. 1987). Here, the ALJ’s decision was 17 supported by substantial evidence and must therefore be sustained. See Tackett v. 18 Apfel, 180 F.3d 1094, 1098 (9th Cir. 1999)(holding that if evidence reasonably 19 20 13 DECISION AND ORDER – ZAMORA v BERRYHILL 5:16-CV-02036-VEB 1 supports the Commissioner’s decision, the reviewing court must uphold the decision 2 and may not substitute its own judgment). 3 4 V. CONCLUSION 5 After carefully reviewing the administrative record, this Court finds 6 substantial evidence supports the Commissioner’s decision, including the objective 7 medical evidence and supported medical opinions. It is clear that the ALJ thoroughly 8 examined the record, afforded appropriate weight to the medical evidence, including 9 the assessments of the treating and examining medical providers and medical 10 experts, and afforded the subjective claims of symptoms and limitations an 11 appropriate weight when rendering a decision that Plaintiff is not disabled. This 12 Court finds no reversible error and because substantial evidence supports the 13 Commissioner’s decision, the Commissioner is GRANTED summary judgment and 14 that Plaintiff’s motion for judgment summary judgment is DENIED. 15 16 17 18 19 20 14 DECISION AND ORDER – ZAMORA v BERRYHILL 5:16-CV-02036-VEB 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 VI. ORDERS IT IS THEREFORE ORDERED that: Judgment be entered AFFIRMING the Commissioner’s decision and DISMISSING this action, and it is further ORDERED that The Clerk of the Court shall file this Decision and Order, serve copies upon counsel for the parties, and CLOSE this case. DATED this 9th day of April, 2018, /s/Victor E. Bianchini VICTOR E. BIANCHINI UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 15 DECISION AND ORDER – ZAMORA v BERRYHILL 5:16-CV-02036-VEB