Case Name: Mary C. MARKS, Plaintiff, v. Carolyn W. COLVIN, Acting Commissioner of Social Security, Defendant
Court: United States District Court for the Southern District of Ohio
Jurisdiction: United States
Decision Date: 2016-08-19
Citations: 201 F. Supp. 3d 870
Docket Number: Case No. 3:15-cv-339
Parties: Mary C. MARKS, Plaintiff, v. Carolyn W. COLVIN, Acting Commissioner of Social Security, Defendant.
Judges: Michael J. Newman, United States Magistrate Judge
Reporter: Federal Supplement 3d
Volume: 201
Pages: 870–884

Head Matter:
Mary C. MARKS, Plaintiff, v. Carolyn W. COLVIN, Acting Commissioner of Social Security, Defendant.
Case No. 3:15-cv-339
United States District Court, S.D. Ohio, Western Division.
Signed 08/19/2016
Gary Marc Blumenthal, Horenstein, Nicholson & Blumenthal, Dayton, OH, for Plaintiff.
John J. Stark, US Attorney Office, Columbus, OH, Meghan O’Callaghan, Social Security Administration, Chicago, IL, for Defendant.

Opinion:
DECISION AND ENTRY ADOPTING REPORT AND RECOMMENDATIONS OF UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE (DOC. # 12) IN THEIR ENTIRETY: PLAINTIFF'S OBJECTIONS TO SAID JUDICIAL FILING (DOC. #13) ARE OVERRULED; JUDGMENT TO BE ENTERED IN FAVOR OF PLAINTIFF AND AGAINST DEFENDANT CAROLYN W. COL-VIN, ACTING COMMISSIONER OF SOCIAL SECURITY, REVERSING COMMISSIONER'S DECISION THAT PLAINTIFF WAS NOT DISABLED AND, THEREFORE, NOT ENTITLED TO BENEFITS UNDER THE SOCIAL SECURITY ACT, AND REMANDING CAPTIONED CAUSE TO THE COMMISSIONER, PURSUANT TO THE FOURTH SENTENCE OF 42 U.S.C. § 405(g), FOR FURTHER PROCEEDINGS CONSISTENT WITH THE REPORT AND RECOMMENDATIONS: TERMINATION ENTRY
WALTER H. RICE, JUDGE '
Plaintiff has brought this action pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 405(g) to review a deci sion of the Defendant Carolyn W. Colvin, Acting Commissioner of Social Security ("Commissioner"), denying Plaintiffs application for Social Security disability benefits. On July 11, 2016, Magistrate Judge Michael J. Newman filed a Report and Recommendations, Doc. # 12, recommending that the Commissioner's decision that Plaintiff was not disabled and, therefore, not entitled to benefits under the Social Security Act ("Act"), 42 U.S.C. § 301 et seq., be reversed as not supported by substantial evidence, and that the above-captioned cause be remanded, pursuant to the fourth sentence of 42 U.S.C. § 405(g). Based upon reasoning and citations of authority set forth in the Magistrate Judge's Report and Recommendations, Doc. # 12, as well as upon a thorough de novo review of this Court's file, including the Administrative Transcript, Doc. #6, and a thorough review of the applicable law, this Court adopts the aforesaid Report and Recommendations in their entirety. The Plaintiffs Objections to said judicial filing, Doc. #13, are overruled. In so doing, the Court orders the entry of judgment in favor of Plaintiff and against the Commissioner. The decision of the Defendant Commissioner that Plaintiff was not disabled and, therefore, not entitled to benefits under the Act is reversed, and the captioned cause is remanded to the Defendant Commissioner, pursuant to the fourth sentence of 42 U.S.C. § 405(g), for proceedings consistent with the Report and Recommendations.
In reviewing the Commissioner s decision, the Magistrate Judge's task is to determine if that decision is supported by "substantial evidence." 42 U.S.C. § 405(g). Under 28 U.S.C. § 636(b)(1)(C), this Court, upon objections being made to the Magistrate Judge's Report and Recommendations, is required to make a de novo review of those recommendations of the report to which objection is made. This de novo review, in turn, requires this Court to re-examine all the relevant evidence, previously reviewed by the Magistrate Judge, to determine whether the findings "are supported by substantial evidence." Valley v. Comm'r of Soc. Sec., 427 F.3d 388, 390 (6th Cir. 2005). This Court's sole function is to determine whether the record as a whole contains substantial evidence to support the Commissioner's decision. The Commissioner's findings must be affirmed if they are supported by "such relevant evidence as a reasonable mind might accept as-adequate to support a conclusion." Richardson v. Perales, 402 U.S. 389, 401, 91 S.Ct. 1420, 28 L.Ed.2d 842 (1971) (quoting Consol. Edison Co. v. N.L.R.B., 305 U.S. 197, 229, 59 S.Ct. 206, 83 L.Ed. 126 (1938)). "Substantial evidence means more than a mere scintilla, but only so much as would be required to prevent a directed verdict." Foster v. Bowen, 853 F.2d 483, 486 (6th Cir, 1988). To be substantial, the evidence "must do more than create a suspicion of the existence of the fact to be established.... [I]t must be enough to justify, if the trial were to a jury, a refusal to direct a verdict when the conclusion sought to be drawn from it is one of fact for the jury." LeMaster v. Sec'y of Health & Human Servs., 802 F.2d 839, 840 (6th Cir. 1986) (quoting N.L.R.B. v. Columbian Enameling and Stamping Co., 306 U.S. 292, 300, 59 S.Ct. 501, 83 L.Ed. 660 (1939)).
In determining "whether there is substantial evidence in the record . we review the evidence in the record taken as a whole." Wilcox v. Sullivan, 917 F.2d 272, 276-77 (6th Cir. 1990) (citing Allen v. Califano, 613 F.2d 139, 145 (6th Cir. 1980)). However, the Court "may not try the case de novo[;] nor resolve conflicts in evidence[;] nor decide questions of credibility." Jordan v. Comm'r of Soc. Sec., 548 F.3d 417, 422 (6th Cir. 2008) (quoting Garner v. Heckler, 745 F.2d 383, 387 (6th Cir. 1984)). "The findings of the Commissioner are not subject to reversal merely because there exists in the record substantial evidence to support a different conclusion." Buxton v. Halter, 246 F.3d 762, 772 (6th Cir. 2001). Rather, if the Commissioner's decision "is supported by substantial evidence, then we must affirm the [Commissioner's] decision[,] even though as triers of fact we might have arrived at a different result." Elkins v. Sec'y of Health and Human Servs., 658 F.2d 437, 439 (6th Cir. 1981) (citing Moore v. Califano, 633 F.2d 727, 729 (6th Cir. 1980)).
In addition to the foregoing, in ruling as aforesaid, this Court makes the following, non-exclusive, observations:
1. The decisions of the Administrative Law Judge ("ALJ") to assign great weight to the opinions of two agency consulting physicians, Drs. Gary Hinzman and Diane Manos, and to assign little weight to the opinion of Plaintiffs treating physician, Dr. Rajindra Bhat, Doc. # 6, PAGEID # 71-72, were not supported by substantial evidence. The ALJ was required to follow a two-step process in assigning weight to Dr. Bhat's opinion. First, he was to determine "whether Dr. Bhat's opinion is 'well[-]supported by medically acceptable clinical and laboratory diagnostic techniques and . not inconsistent with [the] other substantial evidence in the case record.'" Doc. # 12, PAGEID # 647 (quoting 20 C.F.R. § 404.1527(c)(2)). If Dr. Bhat's opinion satisfied both criteria, then the ALJ was required to give the opinion controlling weight. 20 C.F.R. § 404.1527(c)(2). Second, if the ALJ determined that Dr. Bhat's opinion did not meet the above criteria, and declined to assign it controlling weight, then he was required to:
"[G]ive good reasons in the notice of determination or decision for the weight" given to the claimant's treating source's opinion. Those good reasons must be "supported by the evidence in the case record, and must be sufficiently specific to make clear to any subsequent reviewers the weight the adjudicator gave to the treating source's medical opinion and the reasons for that weight."
Blakley v. Comm'r of Soc. Sec., 581 F.3d 399, 406-07 (6th Cir. 2009) (quoting 20 C.F.R. § 404.1527(c)(2); Soc. Sec. Ruling 96-2p, 1996 WL 374188, at *5). The ALJ, in his cursory discussion of Dr. Bhat's opinion, Doc. #6, PAGEID #71-72, failed to satisfy the requirements of either step. As noted in the Report and Recommendations, the ALJ:
[0]mit[ted] reference to the number of . objective and/or clinical findings tending to support Dr. Bhat's opinion..., The ALJ's failure to conduct a controlling weight analysis — and, further, to address the foregoing objective and/or clinical evidence in rejecting Dr. Bhat's opinion — deprives the Court of the opportunity to meaningfully review whether he undertook the "two-step inquiry" required when analyzing treating source opinions.
Doc. # 12, PAGEID #648 (citations omitted). Further, even if the ALJ had conducted a proper controlling weight analysis, he was still required to consider several factors in determining the proper weight to assign Dr. Baht's opinion, "including the length of treatment relationship- and the frequency of examination, the nature and extent of the treatment relationship, supportability of the opinion, consistency of the opinion with the record as a whole, and any specialization of the treating physician." Blakley, 581 F.3d at 406. Other than finding that "[t]he claimant's 'plantar fasciitis' is not well documented in the record," and stating, with no citation to evidence of record, that "Dr. Bhat's records do not suggest a reason the claimant could not perform medium work activity," Doc. #6, PA-GEID #72, the ALJ's analysis of Dr. Bhat's opinion does not reflect consideration of those factors.
The ALJ's analysis of the opinions of Drs. Hinzman and Manos was similarly inadequate, as he merely recited their conclusion that Plaintiff was "capable of medium work activity with postural limitations given her left ankle condition and diabetes," Doc. # 6, PAGEID # 71 (citing Doc. # 6, PAGEID # 106-16, 118-29), and stated that he gave "these opinions great weight and adopted some of the postural restrictions." Id. The ALJ's brief analysis contained no evaluation of their opinions or discussion of how those opinions were consistent with evidence of record; nor did it contain any analysis of the supporting explanations included by Drs. Hinzman and Manos in their opinions. See 20 C.F.R. § 404,1627(c)(3) ("because nonexamining sources have no examining or treating relationship with you, the weight we will give their opinions will depend on the degree to which they provide supporting explanations for their opinions"). As the Report and Recommendations correctly states, the ALJ's cursory analysis "evidences application of 'greater scrutiny' to the opinions given by treating sources, a practice deemed error by the Sixth Circuit." Doc. # 12, PAGEID # 661 (citing Gayheart v. Comm'r of Soc. Sec., 710 F.3d 365, 380 (6th Cir. 2013)).
In sum, the ALJ's failure to weigh the opinions of the treating and consulting physicians using the appropriate factors meant that her finding that Plaintiff was not disabled was unsupported by substantial evidence, and must be reversed.
2. Plaintiff, in her objections, argues that "the overwhelming medical evidence supports the opinion of Dr. Bhat, and the opinions of the State agency reviewers are not substantial evidence to support a rejection." Doc. #13, PAGEID #665-66. Thus, she claims, "the decision of the ALJ should be reversed and benefits should be awarded." Id. However, "[a] judicial award of benefits is proper only where the proof of disability is overwhelming or where the proof of disability is strong and evidence to the contrary is lacking." Faucher v. Sec. of Health & Human Servs., 17 F.3d 171, 176 (6th Cir. 1994) (emphasis added). The opinions of Drs. Hinzman and Manos constitute non-minimal evidence suggesting that Plaintiff was not disabled as defined by the Act. Doc. # 6, PAGEID # 110-12, 114-16, 122-25,127-29. While, as discussed above, their opinions (and the opinion of Dr. Bhat) were not appropriately evaluated and weighed by the ALJ, the Commissioner should have the opportunity to do so on remand. Accordingly, remand for further proceedings, rather than award of benefits, is appropriate under Sixth Circuit precedent.
WHEREFORE, based upon the aforesaid, this Court adopts the Report and Recommendations of the United States Magistrate Judge, Doc. #12, in their entirety. Plaintiffs Objections to said judicial filing, Doc. #13, are overruled. Judgment will be ordered entered in favor of Plaintiff and against the Defendant Commissioner, reversing the decision of the Defendant Commissioner that Plaintiff was not disabled and, therefore, not entitled to benefits under the Social Security Act, and remanding to the Commissioner, pursuant to the fourth sentence of 42 U.S.C. § 405(g), for further proceedings consistent with the Report and Recommendations.
The captioned cause is hereby ordered terminated upon the docket records of the United States District Court for the Southern District of Ohio, Western Division, at Dayton.
REPORT AND RECOMMENDATION THAT: (1) THE ALPS NON-DISABILITY FINDING BE FOUND UNSUPPORTED BY SUBSTANTIAL EVIDENCE, AND REVERSED; (2) THIS MATTER BE REMANDED TO THE COMMISSIONER UNDER THE FOURTH SENTENCE OF 42 U.S.C. § 405(g) FOR PROCEEDINGS CONSISTENT WITH THIS OPINION; AND (8) THIS CASE BE CLOSED
Michael J. Newman, United States Magistrate Judge
This is a Social Security disability benefits appeal. At issue is whether the Administrative Law Judge ("ALJ") erred in finding Plaintiff not "disabled" and therefore unentitled to Disability Insurance Benefits ("DIB") and/or Supplemental Security Income ("SSI"). This case is before the Court upon Plaintiffs Statement of Errors (doc. 7), the Commissioner's memorandum in opposition (doc. 10), Plaintiffs reply (doc. 11), the administrative record (doc. 6), and the record as a whole.
I.
A. Procedural History
Plaintiff filed for DIB and SSI alleging a disability onset date of October 15, 2005. PagelD 185-88, 203-18. Plaintiff claims disability as a result of a number of alleged impairments including residuals of a 1988 right ankle fracture, diabetes melli-tus, and depression. PagelD 68.
After initial denials of her applications, Plaintiff received a hearing before ALJ Gregory G. Kenyon on January 31, 2014. PagelD 80-104. The ALJ issued a written decision on March 27, 2014 finding Plaintiff not disabled. PagelD 64-75. Specifically, the ALJ's findings were as follows:
1. The claimant meets the insured status requirements of the Social Security Act through December 31, 2010.
2. The claimant has not engaged in substantial gainful activity since October 15, 2005, the alleged onset date (20 CFR 404.1571 et seq. and 416.971 et seq.).
3. The claimant has the following severe impairments: residuals of a 1988 right ankle fracture; diabetes melli-tus; and depression (20 CFR 404.1520(c) and 416.920(c)).
4. The claimant does not have an impairment or combination of impairments that meets or medically equals the severity of one of the listed impairments in 20 CFR Part 404, Subpart P, Appendix 1 (20 CFR 404.1520(d), 404.1525, 404.1526, 416.920(d), 416.925 and 416.926).
5. The undersigned finds that the claimant retains the residual functional capacity ["RFC"] to perform medium[ ] level work subject to the following limitations: (1) frequent crouching, crawling, kneeling, stooping, balancing, and climbing of ramps and stairs; (2) no climbing of ladders, ropes, and scaffolds; (3) no work around hazards such as unprotected heights or dangerous machinery; (4) limited to performing unskilled, simple, repetitive tasks; (5) limited to jobs involving no more than occasional contact with coworkers and supervisors; (6) no public contact; (7) no jobs involving fast paced production work or strict production quotas; and (8) limited to performing jobs in a relatively static work environment in which there is very little, if any, change in the job duties or the work routine from one day to the next.
6. The claimant is unable to perform any [of her] past relevant work (20 CFR 404.1565 and 416.965).
7. The claimant was born [in] 1958 and was 47 years old, which is defined as a younger individual age 18-49, on the alleged disability onset date. The claimant subsequently changed age category to closely approaching advanced age (20 CFR 404.1563 and 416.963).
8. The claimant has a limited education and is able to communicate in English (20 CFR 404.1564 and 416.964).
9. Transferability of job skills is not material to the determination of disability because using the Medical-Vocational Rules as a framework supports a finding that the claimant is "not disabled," whether or not the claimant has transferable job skills (20 CFR 404.1568 and 416.964).
10. Considering the claimant's age, education, work experience, and [RFC], there are jobs that exist in significant numbers in the national economy that the claimant can perform (20 CFR 404.1569, 404.1569(a), 416.969, and 416.969(a)).
11. The claimant has not been under a disability, as defined in the Social Security Act, from October 15, 2005, through the date of this decision (20 CFR 404.1520(g) and 416.920(g)).
PagelD 66-74.
Thereafter, the Appeals Council denied Plaintiffs Request for review, making the ALJ's non-disability finding the final administrative decision of the Commissioner. PagelD 46-9. Plaintiff then filed this timely appeal. Cook v. Comm'r of Soc. Sec., 480 F.3d 432, 435 (6th Cir. 2007) (noting that, "[u]nder the Federal Rules of Appellate Procedure, [claimant] had 60 days from the Appeals Council's notice of denial in which to file his appeal").
B. Evidence of Record
The ALJ set forth a detailed recitation of the underlying medical evidence in this case. PagelD 63-73. Plaintiff and the Commissioner both summarize the record evidence in their respective filings. Doc. 7 at PagelD 600-05; doc. 10 at PagelD 619-22. Accordingly, except as otherwise noted, the undersigned incorporates the ALJ's recitation of the evidence as well as the parties' summaries of the evidentiary rec ord. Where applicable, the Court will identify the medical evidence relevant to this Report and Recommendation.-'
II.
A. Standard of Review
The Court's inquiry on a Social Security appeal is to determine (1) whether the ALJ's non-disability finding is supported by substantial evidence, and (2) whether the ALJ employed the correct legal criteria. 42 U.S.C. § 405(g); Bowen v. Comm'r of Soc. Sec., 478 F.3d 742, 745-46 (6th Cir. 2007). In performing this review, the Court must consider the record as a whole. Hephner v. Mathews, 574 F.2d 359, 362 (6th Cir. 1978).
Substantial evidence is "such relevant evidence as a reasonable mind might accept as adequate to support a conclusion." Richardson v. Perales, 402 U.S. 389, 401, 91 S.Ct. 1420, 28 L.Ed.2d 842 (1971). When substantial evidence supports the ALJ's denial of benefits, that finding must be affirmed, even if substantial evidence also exists in the record upon which the ALJ could have found Plaintiff disabled. Buxton v. Halter, 246 F.3d 762, 772 (6th Cir. 2001). Thus, the ALJ has a " 'zone of choice' within which he [or she] can act without the fear of court interference." Id. at 773.
The second judicial inquiry — reviewing the correctness of the ALJ's legal analysis — may result in reversal even if the ALJ's decision is supported by substantial evidence in the record. Rabbers v. Comm'r of Soc. Sec., 582 F.3d 647, 651 (6th Cir. 2009). "[A] decision of the Commissioner will not be upheld where the [Social Security Administration] fails to follow its own regulations and where that error prejudices a claimant on the merits or deprives the claimant of a substantial right." Bowen, 478 F.3d at 746.
B. "Disability" Defined
To be eligible for disability benefits, a claimant must be under a "disability" as defined by the Social Security Act. 42 U.S.C. § 423(d)(1)(A). Narrowed to its statutory meaning, a "disability" includes physical and/or mental impairments that are both "medically determinable" and severe enough to prevent a claimant from (1) performing his or her past job and (2) engaging in "substantial gainful activity" that is available in the regional or national economies. Id.
Administrative regulations require a five-step sequential evaluation for disability determinations. 20 C.F.R. § 404.1520(a)(4). Although a dispositive finding at any step ends the ALJ's review, see Colvin, 475 F.3d at 730, the complete sequential review poses five questions:
1. Has the claimant engaged in substantial gainful activity?
2. Does the claimant suffer from one or more severe impairments?
3. Do the claimant's severe impairments, alone or in combination, meet or equal the criteria of an impairment set forth in the Commissioner's Listing of Impairments (the "Listings"), 20 C.F.R. Subpart P, Appendix 1?
4. Considering the claimant's RFC, can he or she perform his or her past relevant work?
5. Assuming the claimant can no longer perform his or her past relevant work — and also considering the claimant's age, education, past work experience, and RFC — do significant numbers of other jobs exist in the national economy which the claimant can perform?
20 C.F.R. § 404.1520(a)(4); see also Miller v. Comm'r of Soc. Sec., 181 F.Supp.2d 816, 818 (S.D. Ohio 2001). A claimant bears the ultimate burden of establishing that he or she is disabled under the Social Security Act's definition. Key v. Comm'r of Soc. Sec., 109 F.3d 270, 274 (6th Cir. 1997).
III.
In her Statement of Errors, Plaintiff argues that the ALJ erred in: (1) relying on the opinions of record-reviewers Gary Hinzman, M.D. and Diane Manos, M.D. to the exclusion of treating physician Rajin-dra Bhat, M.D.; and (2) finding her not fully credible. Doc. 7 at PagelD 606-12. The undersigned finds the ALJ committed reversible error in weighing Dr. Bhat's opinion, and thus, does not reach Plaintiffs second assignment of error.
"[T]he Commissioner's regulations establish a hierarchy of acceptable medical source opinions[.]" Snell v. Comm'r of Soc. Sec., No. 3:12-cv-119, 2013 WL 372032, at *9 (S.D. Ohio Jan. 30, 2013). Treating physicians and psychologists top the hierarchy. Id. "Next in the hierarchy are examining physicians and psychologists, who often see and examine claimants only once." Id. "[N]on-examining physicians' opinions are on the lowest rung of the hierarchy of medical source opinions." Id. "The regulations provide progressively more rigorous tests for weighing opinions as the ties between the source of the opinion and the individual [claimant] become weaker." Id. (citing SSR 96-6p, 1996 WL 374180, at *2 (July 2, 1996)).
"An ALJ is required to give controlling weight to 'a treating source's opinion on the issue(s) of the nature and severity of [the claimant's] impairment(s)' if the opinion 'is well-supported by medically acceptable clinical and laboratory diagnostic techniques and is not inconsistent with the other substantial evidence in [the] case record.' " LaRiccia v. Comm'r of Soc. Sec., 549 Fed.Appx. 377, 385 (6th Cir. 2013) (citation omitted) (alterations in original). This requirement is known as the "treating physician" rule. Blakley v. Comm'r of Soc. Sec., 581 F.3d 399, 406 (6th Cir. 2009) (citation omitted). Greater deference is given to treating source opinions "since these sources are likely to be the medical professionals most able to provide a detailed, longitudinal picture of your medical impairments) and may bring a unique perspective to the medical evidence that cannot be obtained from the objective medical findings alone or from reports of individual examinations^]" 20 C.F.R. § 404.1527(c)(2); see also Blakley, 581 F.3d at 406. Thus, an ALJ must give controlling weight to a treating source if the ALJ finds the treating physician's opinion well-supported by medically acceptable evidence and not inconsistent with other substantial evidence in the record. Wilson v. Comm'r of Soc. Sec., 378 F.3d 541, 544 (6th Cir. 2004).
Closely associated with the treating physician rule is the "good reasons rule," which "require[s] the ALJ to always give good reasons in [the] notice of determination or decision for the weight given to the claimant's treating source's opinion." Blakley, 581 F.3d at 406-07. "Those good reasons must be 'supported by the evidence in the case record, and must be sufficiently specific to make clear to any subsequent reviewers the weight the adjudicator gave to the treating source's medical opinion and the reasons for that weight.' " Id.
Thus, when the ALJ declines to give controlling weight to a treating physician's assessment, "the ALJ must still determine how much weight is appropriate by considering a number of factors, including the length of treatment relationship and the frequency of examination, the nature and extent of the treatment relationship, supportability of the opinion, consistency of the opinion with the record as a whole, and any specialization of the treat ing physician." Id. at 406; see also 20 C.F.R. § 404.1527(c). In addition, unless the opinion of the treating source is entitled to controlling weight, an ALJ must "evaluate all medical opinions according to [these]' factors, regardless of their source[.]" Walton v. Comm'r of Soc. Sec., No. 97-2030, 1999 WL 506979, at *2 (6th Cir. June 7,1999).
Dr. Bhat treated Plaintiff for various physical impairments beginning in 2005. See PagelD 399, 401. On November 9, 2010, he listed Plaintiffs medical conditions as including chronic right anide pain, plantar fasciitis, diabetes, hypertension, gastroesophageal reflux disease ("GERD"), and obesity. PagelD 441. Dr. Bhat also opined that Plaintiff can walk/ stand for thirty minutes at a time (up to two hours out of an eight hour workday); can frequently lifl/carry up to five pounds and occasionally lift/carry up to ten pounds; is markedly limited in her ability to push/pull and perform repetitive foot movements; and is moderately limited in her ability to bend. PagelD 442. Such limitations translate into a restriction to sedentary work activity. See PagelD 71, 103; 20 C.F.R. § 404.1567(a); Social Security Ruling ("SSR") 83-10, 1983 WL 31251, at *5 (Jan. 1,1983) (stating that, at the "sedentary level of exertion, periods of standing or walking should generally total no more than about 2 hours of an 8-hour workday, and sitting should generally total approximately 6 hours"). Although typically an individual who can perform séden-tary work is deemed "not disabled," given Plaintiffs age and other relevant vocational factors, it is arguable that a sedentary work finding would deem Plaintiff disabled under the Medical-Vocational Guidelines ("Grid"). See 20 C.F.R. Part 404, Subpart P, Appendix 2, Rule 201.10.
The ALJ gave Dr. Bhat's opinion "little weight," stating:
The claimant's right ankle pain began in 1988 after a fracture. However, the claimant returned to her light work activity until 2005 when she was let go for lack of educational credentials. There is otherwise no reason to believe she would have stopped working. The claimant's "plantar fasciitis" is not well documented in the record and nor is the treatment therefore. Her diabetes is- uncontrolled because she is not compliant with diet, exercise, or medications. Lastly, the record reflects her treatment for her impairments did not begin until September 2005 or after her termination. Dr. Bhat's records do not suggest a reason the claimant could not perform medium work activity, which has the same stand/ walk requirements as light work.
PagelD 71-72. The undersigned agrees with Plaintiff that the ALJ erred in aiialyz- ing, and ultimately discounting, Dr. Bhat's opinion.
Initially, the undersigned notes that the ALJ failed to mention the "controlling weight" concept and made no specific finding — and provided no analysis — as to whether Dr. Bhat's opinion is "well supported by medically acceptable clinical and laboratory diagnostic techniques and.. .not inconsistent with other substantial evidence in the case recordf,]" i e., the factors for determining whether a treating physician's opinion is entitled to controlling weight. See 20 C.F.R. § 404.1527(c)(2). The ALJ's silence in this regard omits reference to the number of objective and/or clinical findings tending to support Dr. Bhat's opinion, such as: tenderness and reduced range of motion on exam, PagelD 375; an abnormal gait, PagelD 354; multiple x-rays indicating joint space narrowing at the ankle mortise associated with sclerosis and soft-tissue swelling, PagelD 408, 556; decreased sensation in her feet, right ankle swelling, and decreased range of motion, PagelD 480, 486, 518, 528; and increased lumbar lordosis. PagelD 573. The ALJ's failure to conduct a controlling weight analysis — and, further, to address the foregoing objective and/or clinical evidence in rejecting Dr. Bhat's opinion— deprives the Court of the opportunity to meaningfully review whether he undertook the "two-step inquiry" required when analyzing treating source opinions. See supra note 5; see also Gayheart v. Comm'r of Soc. Sec., 710 F.3d 365, 376-78 (6th Cir. 2013) (stating that the lack of explanation regarding the "controlling weight [analysis] hinders a meaningful review of whether the ALJ properly applied the treating-physician rule that is at the heart of this regulation"). Such failure amounts to reversible error. See Aytch v. Comm'r of Soc. Sec., No. 3:13-cv-135, 2014 WL 4080075, at *5 (S.D. Ohio Aug. 19, 2014) (citation omitted).
Even assuming, arguendo, that the ALJ properly conducted a controlling weight analysis — which the undersigned concludes he did not — the ALJ failed to provide good reasons for the ultimate weight given to Dr. Bhat's opinion. For example, the ALJ tried to discredit Dr. Bhat's opinion concerning Plaintiffs physical limitations by pointing out that her "diabetes is uncontrolled because she is not compliant with diet, exercise, or medications." PagelD 72. Under the Social Security regulations, a claimant must follow treatment recommendations in order to be awarded benefits, unless the claimant can demonstrate a "good reason" for non-compliance. 20 C.F.R. § 404.1530(a)-(b).
Here, the ALJ failed to consider whether Plaintiffs non-compliance with treatment was due to a "good reason." This failure might have been harmless had the record contained no evidence supporting a plausible reason for non-compliance. The record contains such evidence, however. For instance, evidence of record shows that, at one point, Plaintiff ran out of medication and could not afford to buy more. PagelD 395; see also SSR 82-59, 1982 WL 31384, at *1 (Jan. 1, 1982) (stating that an inability to afford treatment can be an acceptable reason for failing to comply with treatment). In addition, mental health treatment records note that Plaintiff was overwhelmed with her diabetes care, and was caring for her brother who was gravely ill with Stage IV cancer. PagelD 536. Additionally, the record reveals that Plaintiff suffers from depression, a mental health disorder the ALJ found to be a "severe impairment" in Plaintiffs case. See PagelD 66. As stated by the Sixth Circuit, the failure to seek or comply with treatment recommendations can simply be a symptom of mental health disorders. White v. Comm'r of Soc. Sec., 572 F.3d 272, 283 (6th Cir. 2009). With regard to Plaintiffs purported failure to comply with diet recommendations, the Court also notes that "physicians' recommendations to lose weight do not necessarily constitute a' prescribed course of treatment, nor does a claimant's failure to accomplish the recommended change constitute a refusal to undertake treatment." Johnson v. Sec'y of Health & Human Servs., 794 F.2d 1106, 1113 (6th Cir. 1986); Posey v. Heckler, No. 86-5410, 1987 WL 36583, at *3 (6th Cir. Jan. 14, 1987).
Based upon the foregoing, the undersigned concludes that the ALJ's cursory treatment of the non-compliance issue fails to demonstrate consideration of any reason for Plaintiffs purported non-compliance with treatment. Absent further explanation by the ALJ, the undersigned concludes that Plaintiffs purported failure to comply with treatment does not provide a "good reason" for rejecting Dr. Bhat's opinion.
The undersigned also finds the ALJ's assessment of Dr. Bhat's opinion fails to consider the significant factors under 20 C.F.R. § 404.1527(c) favoring the assessment of deferential weight. Blakley, 581 F.3d at 406 (stating that when the ALJ declines to give controlling weight to a treating physician's assessment, "the ALJ must still determine how much weight is appropriate by considering a number of factors" set forth in 20 C.F.R. § 404.1527(c)). Here, the ALJ fails to mention Dr. Bhat's long-term treatment relationship with Plaintiff — over five years at the time he provided his opinion — and how he could, therefore, provide a meaningful, "detailed, longitudinal picture of [Plaintiffs] medical impairment[,]" as contemplated by the regulations. See 20 C.F(R. § 404.1527(c)(2); PagelD 399-401. The ALJ also failed to acknowledge the consistency between Dr. Bhat's opinion and the opinion of podiatrist Tanisha Richmond, D.P.M. — ie., the only other medical source to have treated or personally examined Plaintiff. 20 C.F.R. § 404.1527(c)(4) ("the more consistent an opinion is with the record as a whole, the more weight we will give to that opinion"). Notably, Dr. Richmond similarly opined in April 2010 that Plaintiff is limited to sedentary work. Pa-gelD 439-40.
Finally, the ALJ's conclusory analysis of the "great weight" given to the record reviewers exacerbates these aforementioned errors. Drs. Hinzman and Manos both provided opinions in which they concluded Plaintiff is capable of medium work activity with postural limitations related to her left ankle condition and diabetes. Pa-gelD 71, 111-12, 123-25. The entirety of the ALJ's analysis of the reeord reviewers' opinions is as follows:
The undersigned gives these opinions great weight and adopted some of the postural restrictions but has further restricted the claimant to no climbing of ladders, ropes, or scaffolds and no work around hazards due to her ankle and diabetes.
PagelD 71. The ALJ makes no effort to specifically scrutinize the opinions of the record-reviewers and points to nothing in the record to support their warranting "great weight." The ALJ's conclusory assessment of the record-reviewers' opinions thus erroneously fails to give a meaningful explanation of any of the required 20 C.F.R. § 404.1527(c) factors, and evidences application of "greater scrutiny" to the opinions given by treating sources, a practice deemed error by the Sixth Circuit. See Gayheart, 710 F.3d at 380 (holding that "the regulations do not allow the application of greater scrutiny to a treating-source opinion as a means to justify giving such an opinion little weighty" and "[i]n-deed, they call for just the opposite"). Therefore, even assuming, arguendo, that the ALJ conducted a proper "controlling weight" analysis of Dr. Bhat's opinion, the ALJ's decision should still be reversed as a result of the ALJ's failure to appropriately weigh the opinions of the record-reviewers in accordance with the Social Security regulations and Sixth Circuit precedent.
IV.
When the ALJ's non-disability determination is unsupported by substantial evidence, the Court must determine whether to remand the matter for rehearing or to award benefits. Generally, benefits may be awarded immediately "if all essential factual issues have been resolved and the record adequately establishes a plaintiffs entitlement to benefits." Faucher v. Sec'y of Health & Human Servs., 17 F.3d 171, 176 (6th Cir. 1994); see also Abbott v. Sullivan, 905 F.2d 918, 927 (6th Cir. 1990). The Court may only award benefits where proof of disability is strong and opposing evidence is lacking in substance, so that remand would merely involve the presentation of cumulative evidence, or where proof of disability is overwhelming. Faucher, 17 F.3d at 176; see also Felisky v. Bowen, 35 F.3d 1027, 1041 (6th Cir. 1994); Mowery v. Heckler, 771 F.2d 966, 973 (6th Cir. 1985).
In this case, the evidence of disability is not overwhelming. There are conflicting medical opinions regarding the severity of Plaintiffs impairments. See supra. Therefore, a remand for further proceedings is proper. On remand, the ALJ should: (1) conduct an appropriate review of all evidence of record; (2) assess Plaintiffs credibility; and (3) determine Plaintiffs disability status anew.
V.
IT IS THEREFORE RECOMMENDED THAT:
1. The Commissioner's non-disability finding be found unsupported by substantial evidence, and REVERSED;
2. This matter be REMANDED to the Commissioner under the Fourth Sentence of 42 U.S.C. § 405(g) for proceedings consistent with this opinion; and
3. This case be CLOSED.
. Now known as a "Judgment as a Matter of Law." Fed. R Civ. P. 50.
. Attached hereto is a NOTICE to the parties regarding objections to this Report and Recommendation.
. "The Commissioner's regulations governing the evaluation of disability for DIB and SSI are identical.. .and are found at 20 C.F.R. § 404.1520, and 20 C.F.R. § 416.920[,] respectively." Colvin v. Barnhart, 475 F.3d 727, 730 (6th Cir. 2007). Citations in this Report and Recommendation to DIB regulations are made with full knowledge of the corresponding SSI regulations, and vice versa.
. Hereafter, citations to the electronically-filed administrative record will refer only to the PagelD number.
. The Social Security Administration classifies jobs as sedentary, light, medium, heavy, and very heavy depending on the physical exertion requirements. 20 C.F.R. § 404.1567. Medium work "involves lifting no more than 50 pounds at a time with frequent lifting or carrying of objects weighing up to 25 pounds." Id. § 404.1567(c). An individual who can perform medium work is presumed also able to perform light and sedentary work. Id. Light work "involves lifting no more than 20 pounds at a time with frequent lifting or carrying of objects weighing up to 10 pounds" and "requires a good deal of walking or standing, or.. .sitting most of the time with some pushing and pulling of arm or leg controls." Id. § 404.1567(b), An individual who can perform light work is presumed also able to perform sedentary work. Id. Sedentary work "involves lifting no more than 10 pounds at a time and occasionally lifting or carrying articles like docket files, ledgers, and small tools. Although a sedentary job is defined as one which involves sitting, a certain amount of walking and standing is often necessary in carrying out job duties." Id. § 404.1567(a).
. In essence, "opinions of a treating source.. .must be analyzed under a two-step process, with care being taken not to conflate the steps." Cadle v. Comm'r of Soc. Sec., No. 5:12 CV 3071, 2013 WL 5173127, at *5 (N.D. Ohio Sept. 12, 2013). Initially, "the opinion must be examined to determine if it is entitled to controlling weight" and "[o]nly if. .the ALJ does not give controlling weight to the treating physician's opinion is the opinion subjected to another analysis based- on the particulars of" 20 C.F.R. § 404.1527. Id.
. The ALJ considers the Grid "in the fifth and final stage of the disability determination, after it has been determined that the claimant has not met the requirements of a listed impairment but is nevertheless incapable of performing past relevant work." Abbott v. Sullivan, 905 F.2d 918, 926 (6th Cir. 1990). The Grid sets forth the vocational factors of age, education, work experience, and maximum sustained work capability. See 20 C.F.R. Pt. 404, Subpt. P, App. 2, Rule 200.00(a). A plaintiff's "maximum sustained work capability" is categorized as one of five "exertional levels" — including the sedentary exertional level — and is defined as "[t]he highest functional level a person can perform on a regular work basis[.]" SSR 83-10, 1983 WL 31251, at *6.
. Plaintiff also argues that the ALJ erred in his treating source analysis of Dr. Richmond. Doc. 7 at PagelD 606-11. However, it appears that Dr. Richmond only saw Plaintiff on one occasion and, therefore, Dr. Richmond is not a "treating physician" under the applicable regulations. PagelD 439-41; see 20 C.F.R. § 404.1502 (defining a treating source as a physician who "has provided [Plaintiff] with medical treatment or evaluation and who has, or has had, an ongoing relationship with [Plaintiffj"; see also Smith.v. Comm'r of Soc. Sec.,.482 F.3d 873, 876 (6th Cir. 2007). While Dr. Richmond is not a treating source, the ALJ was still required to evaluate her "medical opinion[] according to [the 20 C.F.R. § 404.1527(c)] factors[.]" Walton, 1999 WL 506979, at *2. Finding remand warranted based upon the ALJ's analysis of Dr. Bhat's opinion, the undersigned makes no finding regarding Dr. Richmond's opinion. Instead, Dr. Richmond's opinion — along with all medical opinion evidence of record — shoüld be assessed anew on remand.