Opinion ID: 2831704
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: ALJ and Appeals Council’s Decisions

Text: The ALJ concluded Perez had not been under a disability since June 24, 2010, the date on which she filed her application for SSI. The ALJ determined Perez had not engaged in substantial gainful activity since that date. The ALJ found Perez suffered from the following severe impairments: status post-stroke, hypertension, major depressive disorder, and anxiety disorder. In discussing Perez’s severe impairments, the ALJ did not mention her multiple myeloma. The ALJ determined Perez did not have an impairment or combination of impairments that met or medically equaled the severity of those listed in 20 C.F.R. Part 404, 13 Case: 14-14671 Date Filed: 08/27/2015 Page: 14 of 32 Subpart P, Appendix 1. Specifically, the examining consulting psychologist, Dr. Miro, reported Perez had no more than mild restrictions in her activities of daily living, because she testified her children helped her with housework, but she reported being independent in self-care, including grooming, dressing, bathing, and eating. Additionally, the ALJ noted Perez reported to the state agency she was able to clean around the house, cook, drive her ten-year-old daughter to and from school, and oversee her daughter’s homework. Perez had no more than moderate difficulties with social functioning; although she testified she had no social life, she reported to the state agency she lived with her children and reported no difficulties with that arrangement. Additionally, Dr. Mendez-Villamil noted Perez was cooperative, and the ALJ observed Perez interacted appropriately with her counsel, court staff, and the ALJ. The ALJ determined Perez had moderate difficulties regarding concentration, persistence, or pace. The ALJ explained Perez’s testimony regarding her difficulty concentrating was consistent with Dr. Miro’s opinion. The ALJ noted, however, Perez was able to follow the hearing without perceptible difficulties and to provide meaningful testimony. The ALJ next determined Perez had the RFC to perform a reduced range of light work, as defined in 20 C.F.R. § 416.967(b). Because of her psychological problems, however, she could perform only simple, routine, and repetitive tasks. 14 Case: 14-14671 Date Filed: 08/27/2015 Page: 15 of 32 Ultimately, the ALJ found Perez’s medically determinable impairments reasonably could be expected to cause her alleged symptoms. Nevertheless, the ALJ determined Perez’s statements regarding the persistence, severity, and limiting effects of her impairments were inconsistent with the medical evidence, because she (1) had not been hospitalized or required emergency-room treatment at any time relevant to the ALJ’s decision, (2) had not reported any side effects from medication to her treating or examining sources, and (3) was independent in selfcare; consequently, her actual functioning evidenced greater abilities than alleged. The ALJ accorded little weight to the opinion of Perez’s treating physician, Dr. Hasbun, that she had very limited physical functioning and explained it was inconsistent with Dr. Hasbun’s contemporaneous treatment notes, the opinion of consultative examiner Dr. Meruelo, and the record as a whole. The ALJ emphasized Dr. Meruelo’s findings (1) Perez could tandem walk and heel-and-toe walk; (2) her joints appeared normal; (3) her upper extremities were rated at 5/5 strength; and (4) her strength in her lower extremities was 4+/5 and 1+/5. The ALJ accorded considerable weight to Dr. Meruelo’s opinion Perez had no impairment of either ambulation or dexterity, given Dr. Meruelo’s physical findings and Perez’s history, symptomatology, ambulation, and dexterity. The ALJ explained Dr. Meruelo’s opinion was consistent with the record medical evidence. In deference to Perez’s subjective complaints, however, the ALJ limited 15 Case: 14-14671 Date Filed: 08/27/2015 Page: 16 of 32 Perez’s physical functioning to the exertional demands of light work. Likewise, the ALJ accorded considerable weight to agency reviewer Marta Sanchez, to whom the ALJ referenced as a “reviewing physician,” because Sanchez’s opinion Perez retained the ability to perform the physical demands of light work, afforded “sufficient weight” to Perez’s subjective complaints about pain. R. at 63. The ALJ accorded little weight to the opinion of treating psychiatrist, Dr. Mendez-Villamil, that Perez had no more than a poor ability to perform most mental work-related functioning. The ALJ explained: “While I find that Dr. Mendez-Villamil’s opinion was inconsistent with his treatment notes, I find that his treatment notes are scant and rely entirely upon a form of check boxes which generally indicate that [Perez] was cooperative, had fair eye contact, was oriented [and] had no delusions, or compulsions.” R. at 63. Additionally, the ALJ found Dr. Mendez-Villamil’s opinion was inconsistent with Perez’s actual functioning. The ALJ accorded considerable weight to Dr. Miro’s opinion Perez was likely to experience limitations in carrying out complex instructions and achieving satisfactory work performance. The ALJ explained Dr. Miro’s opinion was consistent with the record as a whole and with Perez’s overall functioning. The ALJ also accorded considerable weight to the opinion of consulting psychologist, 16 Case: 14-14671 Date Filed: 08/27/2015 Page: 17 of 32 Dr. Nunez, that Perez retained the ability to manage her finances and function in a work-like setting, because it was consistent with the record medical evidence. Relying on the VE’s testimony, the ALJ determined Perez was capable of performing her “past relevant work” as an event worker, because it did not require the performance of work-related activities precluded by her RFC. R. at 64. The ALJ did not make specific findings about Perez’s ability to perform other work. Perez sought review by the Appeals Council of the ALJ’s decision. The Appeals Council denied the request, which made the ALJ’s decision the final decision of the Commissioner of Social Security (“the Commissioner”).