Opinion ID: 2808322
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Dr. Russell's and Griggs's Medical Opinions

Text: Wright first argues that the ALJ erred by assigning little weight to Dr. Russell's and Dr. Griggs's medical opinions. Regarding Dr. Russell, Wright argues that the ALJ erred by mischaracterizing him as a nonexamining physician. This error is relevant because the opinions of examining medical professionals are given more weight than nonexamining medical professionals. See Shontos v. Barnhart, 328 F.3d 418, 425 (8th Cir. 2003) ([An examining doctor] had what the regulations describe as an examining relationship, and accordingly, his opinion would be given more weight than a source who had not examined [the claimant]. (citing 20 C.F.R. § 404.1527(d)(1) [now subsection (c)(1)])). The record indicates that Dr. Russell did base his opinion on a physical examination of Wright. Even though there was only one such examination, this should qualify Dr. Russell as an examining medical professional. The Commissioner on appeal agrees that the ALJ mistakenly classified Dr. Russell as a nonexamining physician. When examining the ALJ's decision, however, this was the lesser of two reasons that Dr. Russell's opinion was given little weight. As the ALJ stated, [f]ar more significant is the fact that his conclusions are not supported by the record. (Emphasis added.) There is substantial evidence in the record to support the ALJ's finding that both Dr. Russell's and Dr. Griggs's opinions were not consistent with the objective medical evidence that relates to determining disabling pain levels. See Perkins, 648 F.3d at 897 (An ALJ may discount or even disregard the opinion of a treating physician where other medical assessments are supported by better or more thorough medical evidence, or where a treating physician renders inconsistent opinions that undermine the credibility of such opinions. (quotation and citation omitted)). In regard to Wright's back pain, his C-spine series x-ray was negative and his lumbar spine was described as unremarkable in 2000 after his severe car accident, which is supposedly the root cause of his current physical limitations. In 2009, Dr. Igbaseimokumo found no obvious deformity in Wright's lumbar spine. In 2010, an x-ray of Wright's back revealed that a compression deformity had gone unchanged -9- and otherwise only showed mild degenerative changes. In 2011, Dr. Tanaka found that Wright exhibited a 5/5 motor strength test in his lower extremities. In regard to Wright's knee pain, x-rays performed in 2009 did not show any fractures and Wright's knees were described as being unremarkable with minimal degenerative changes. These results were echoed in 2010 when x-rays of Wright's knees returned similar results. Thus, we find that there is substantial evidence to support the ALJ's decision to assign the opinions of Dr. Russell and Dr. Griggs little weight.3