Opinion ID: 665607
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: the testimony of the vocational expert

Text: 11 Rather, the Secretary alleges that she met her burden by presenting the testimony of a vocational expert. In response to the ALJ's hypothetical, the Secretary's vocational expert initially testified that Van Ausdle had the residual functional capacity to perform four jobs: (1) small parts assembler, (2) outside deliverer, (3) tool and parts attendant, and (4) security guard. Van Ausdle argues that this testimony is entitled to no weight because (1) the expert later testified Van Ausdle could not perform the first of these jobs and (2) the expert's description of the other three jobs conflicts with the Dictionary of Occupational Titles, U.S. Dept. of Labor (DOT) and Selected Characteristics of Occupation Defined in the Dictionary of Occupational Titles, U.S. Dept. of Labor (Selected Characteristics ). In addition, he argues that the ALJ's hypothetical to the expert erroneously omitted Van Ausdle's nonexertional diabetes symptoms. We agree. 12 A. The Expert Testified that Van Ausdle Could Not Work as a Small Parts Assembler because His Diabetes Required Him to Eat Frequently 13 The ALJ's initial hypothetical to the vocational expert described only Van Ausdle's shoulder difficulties and did not mention that his diabetes requires him to eat frequently. In response to this description of Van Ausdle's impairments, the vocational expert testified that Van Ausdle was qualified for four jobs. 6 When the ALJ added the requirement of frequent eating, however, the vocational expert stated that this limitation would eliminate the small parts assembler job because it is a production type job, and the flexibility [to eat frequently] is not there. Van Ausdle's diabetes is well documented and his need to eat frequently is undisputed. Thus, the ALJ's finding that Van Ausdle could work as a small parts assembler contradicts the testimony of the Secretary's own expert and is not supported by substantial evidence. 14 B. The Expert's Description of the Other Three Jobs Conflicted with the Descriptions of these Jobs Contained in Dept. of Labor Publications 15 Van Ausdle contends that the vocational expert's description of the other three jobs she identified is not consistent with the job descriptions set forth in the DOT and Selected Characteristics. We may review vocational testimony to ensure it is consistent with the Secretary's own regulations. GRID Preamble Sec. 201.00; SSR 82-41; Terry v. Sullivan, 903 F.2d 1273, 1276-79 (9th Cir.1990). A vocational expert's testimony that conflicts with the DOT is entitled to no weight. Swenson v. Sullivan, 876 F.2d 683, 688 (9th Cir.1989) (citing 20 C.F.R. Pt. 404, Subpt. P, App. 2 Secs. 200.00(d), (e)). 16 In the instant case, the vocational expert testified that all four of the jobs she identified qualified as light work. However, the DOT classifies both tool crib attendant (the DOT listing most similar to tool and parts attendant) and outside deliverer as medium level work. See DOT (5th Ed.1991) at 201, 232. Medium work requires lifting object of up to 50 pounds with frequent lifting or carrying of objects weighing 25 pounds. 20 CFR Sec. 404.1567(c). The ALJ specifically found Van Ausdle could not lift objects over 20 pounds. Thus, both of these jobs are outside Van Ausdle's residual functional capacity. 17 In response to these arguments, the Secretary argues (1) that Van Ausdle did not raise this issue previously and (2) that the vocational expert testified that there were a significant number of tool clerk and outside delivery jobs which require light exertion. The record does not support either of these assertions. Van Ausdle did raise this issue in his reply brief to the district court, and the vocational expert made no such assertion, testifying that all jobs she identified were light or sedentary. 18 The vocational expert also testified that security guard was an unskilled job. However, DOT 372.667-034 classifies security guard as a semiskilled job, (SV 3) requiring between thirty and ninety days to learn. Terry, 903 F.2d at 1277. Mr. Van Ausdle has no skills transferable to this job and is fifty-seven years old. Moreover, in considering the security guard position, the ALJ does not appear to have considered the severity of Van Ausdle's diabetes symptoms. Thus, the ALJ erred in finding that Van Ausdle was qualified to work as a security guard. Id. at 1277-78.