Opinion ID: 788479
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: ALJ's Credibility Assessment

Text: 11 Eichelberger first argues that the ALJ improperly assessed her credibility citing Simonson v. Schweiker, 699 F.2d 426 (8th Cir.1983). In Simonson, we stated that an ALJ may not disregard a claimant's subjective complaints of pain solely because there exists no evidence in support of such complaints. 699 F.2d at 429 (emphasis added). Accordingly, we held that it is error for an ALJ to disbelieve a claimant's testimony merely because there are no medical reports to provide an objective basis for the subjective report of pain. Id.; but see Kisling v. Chater, 105 F.3d 1255, 1257 (8th Cir.1997) (holding that the absence of medical evidence supporting a claimant's subjective complaints of pain is a factor supporting the discounting of such complaints). We have been careful to explain that an ALJ may disbelieve a claimant's subjective reports of pain because of inherent inconsistencies or other circumstances. Id. After all, it is the statutory duty of the ALJ, in the first instance, to assess the credibility of the claimant. Harris v. Barnhart, 356 F.3d 926, 928 (8th Cir.2004) (citations omitted). 12 In Polaski v. Heckler, 739 F.2d 1320, 1322 (8th Cir.1984), we set out five factors an ALJ is required to examine when analyzing a claimant's subjective complaints of pain: (1) the claimant's daily activities; (2) the duration, frequency and intensity of pain; (3) dosage, effectiveness, and side effects of medication; (4) precipitating and aggravating factors; and (5) functional restrictions. The ALJ must make express credibility determinations and set forth the inconsistencies in the record which cause him to reject the plaintiff's complaints. Masterson v. Barnhart, 363 F.3d 731, 738 (8th Cir.2004). However, the ALJ need not explicitly discuss each Polaski factor. Strongson v. Barnhart, 361 F.3d 1066, 1072 (8th Cir.2004). The ALJ only need acknowledge and consider those factors before discounting a claimant's subjective complaints. Id. 13 In this case, the ALJ found that Eichelberger had objectively determinable impairments, but also noted that her incentive to work might be inhibited by her long-term disability check of $1,700 per month. Gaddis v. Chater, 76 F.3d 893, 896 (8th Cir.1996) (allowing an ALJ to judge credibility based on a strong element of secondary gain). In addition, the ALJ discounted Eichelberger's complaints noting that she ceased employment at the same time she became the primary care giver to her grandchild. Furthermore, the ALJ considered that Eichelberger watched television, read, drove, and attended church. The ALJ paid particular attention to the fact that Eichelberger cancelled several physical therapy appointments and that no physician had imposed any work-related restrictions on her. Brown v. Chater, 87 F.3d 963, 965 (8th Cir.1996) (holding that a claimant's failure to comply with prescribed medical treatment and a lack of significant medical restrictions is inconsistent with complaints of a disabling pain). Based on these findings, the ALJ concluded that Eichelberger's subjective complaints of pain so debilitating as to prevent her from all types of work were not credible. Davis v. Apfel, 239 F.3d 962, 967 (8th Cir.2001) (Allegations of pain may be discredited by evidence of daily activities inconsistent with such allegations.). 14 We will not substitute our opinion for that of the ALJ, who is in a better position to assess credibility. Brown v. Chater, 87 F.3d 963, 965 (8th Cir.1996). Here, the ALJ did not rely solely on Eichelberger's lack of objective evidence of pain. Instead, citing to the Polaski factors, the ALJ determined that Eichelberger's testimony was not credible. Under the facts of this case, we cannot say that the ALJ improperly weighed the credibility of Eichelberger's subjective claims of pain.