Opinion ID: 145210
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Watson’s Claims

Text: Because Watson’s exertional limitations fell between two exertional levels (sedentary and light work)9 and because Watson also had nonexertional limitations, the ALJ did not rely upon the grids and consulted a VE.10 Watson does not challenge the ALJ’s decision to consult a VE. Nor does he challenge the ALJ’s 8 For example, the regulations state that when there is a combination of exertional and nonexertional limitations, the grids “are considered in determining first whether a finding of disabled may be possible based on the strength limitations alone.” 20 C.F.R. pt. 404, subpt. P, app. 2 § 200.00(e)(2). If not, then the grids “provide a framework for consideration of how much the individual’s work capability is further diminished in terms of any types of jobs that would be contraindicated by the nonexertional limitations.” Id. “Also, in these combinations of nonexertional and exertional limitations which cannot be wholly determined under” the grids, “full consideration must be given to all of the relevant facts in the case in accordance with the definitions and discussion of each factor in the appropriate sections of the regulations, which will provide insight into the adjudicative weight to be accorded each factor.” Id. If the issue of occupational base erosion is complex, the ALJ “may use the services of a vocational expert or other specialist.” 20 C.F.R. § 404.1566(e); see also S.S.R. 83-14 (stating that in complex situations, “the assistance of a vocational resource may be necessary”). 9 Sedentary work involves lifting no more than 10 pounds at a time, with occasional lifting or carrying of articles such as docket files, ledgers or small tools, and occasional walking or standing. 20 C.F.R. §§ 404.1567(a), 416.967(a). Light work involves lifting no more than 20 pounds at a time, with frequent lifting and carrying of objects weighing up to 10 pounds, and a good deal of walking, standing or sitting and manipulating arm and leg controls. 20 C.F.R. §§ 404.1567(b), 416.967(b). The ALJ found that Watson could frequently lift or carry between 10 and 15 pounds, could stand and walk for 2 to 3 hours and could sit for 6 to 8 hours per workday. Thus, Watson could lift and carry more than is required for light work and could walk and stand less than is required for a full range of light work, but more than is required for sedentary work. 10 We note that the ALJ may have considered the grids in its decisionmaking. However, because the ALJ did not refer to the grids explicitly in its written decision, we assume for purposes of this appeal that the ALJ did not use the grids “as a framework” at the fifth step of the evaluative process. 9 hypothetical questions posed to the VE or the VE’s answers in response. Instead, Watson argues only that the ALJ was required to also consult the grids “as a framework” in deciding his case. We disagree. Nothing in the relevant statutes or regulations requires the ALJ to use the grids as a framework in all instances. Further, Watson provides no precedent from this Circuit or any other circuit to support his claim that the grids must always serve as a framework for the ALJ’s step five determination. As we concluded in Phillips, the ALJ has two options under step five: the grids or the testimony of a VE. Under certain circumstances, the ALJ cannot rely solely on the grids and must consult a VE. Under other circumstances, it may be appropriate to consider both. However, this Court has never held that when the ALJ uses VE testimony, the ALJ must also consider the grids. Once it is clear that the grids do not direct a finding of disability one way or the other, the ALJ must make an individualized assessment of whether the claimant can “make an adjustment” to other work based on that particular claimant’s RFC, including any exertional and nonexertional limitations, and the claimant’s other vocational factors such as age, education and past experience.11 While reference to the grids may be helpful in 11 The phrase “make an adjustment to other work” in the regulations reflects the fact that, although there may be jobs the claimant is able to perform given his RFC (called the occupational base), the claimant may have trouble getting one of those jobs because of other vocational factors, such as age, education and work experience. S.S.R. 83-10. The grids build in 10 some cases, the grids are in fact a proxy for individualized evidence, and may not always be helpful. The VE, on the other hand, seems especially suited to the sort of individualized assessment needed in complex cases. See Boone v. Barnhart, 353 F.3d 203, 210 (3d Cir. 2003) (explaining that when the case involves difficult judgments as to whether the occupational base has been eroded, “a VE can provide a more individualized analysis as to what jobs the claimant can and cannot perform”). Watson’s case is a good example. Watson does not fall neatly into any categories used in the grids. Some of his exertional limitations correspond more closely to one exertional level or another (sedentary work for standing and walking, but light work for sitting, lifting, carrying, pushing and pulling). One of Watson’s vocational factors – age – changed during the alleged period of disability. He started out at 49, which falls in the “younger individual” criterion on the grids, but aged into the “closely approaching advanced age” criterion, which begins at 50. See 20 C.F.R. pt. 404, subpt. P, app. 2 §§ 201.00(h)(1), 202.00(d). Furthermore, Watson’s combination of severe impairments produced a mixed bag an “administrative evaluation” of whether a work adjustment is possible “based on the interaction between the person’s occupational base as determined by RFC with his or her age, education and work experience.” Id. Generally, the grids assume that the older the claimant is, the more difficult it will be to make an adjustment to other work. Thus, for example, when a claimant is 50 or older, has no transferable skills and is restricted to sedentary work, “a finding of disabled ordinarily obtains.” 20 C.F.R. pt. 404, subpt. P, app. 2 § 200.00(g). 11 of exertional and nonexertional limitations. Thus, if Watson could have performed only a full range of sedentary work, the grids would have directed a finding of not disabled at 49 and disabled at 50. See 20 C.F.R. pt. 404, subpt. P, app. 2 §§ 201.09, 201.18. However, if Watson could have performed a full range of light work, the grids would have directed a finding of not disabled throughout the alleged period of disability. See 20 C.F.R. pt. 404, subpt. P, app. 2 § 202.10.12 But, because of Watson’s particular mix of limitations, Watson could perform both some sedentary work and some light work. The VE opined that there were a significant number of jobs in the economy that fell in Watson’s reduced range of light work. Under the circumstances, the ALJ did not commit reversible error by choosing to rely only on the VE’s testimony to determine, under step five, whether given Watson’s age, education and work experience, Watson could “make an adjustment” to a range of light work reduced by his specific exertional and nonexertional limitations. We reject Watson’s contention that the ALJ was required to make explicit numerical findings as to any erosion of his occupational base. The VE’s testimony established that there were a significant number of jobs in the economy to which 12 Notably, the ALJ’s hypothetical question included age ranges of 48 to 50 and then 50 to 54, with all other factors remaining the same, and the VE testified that the number of unskilled, light work jobs could would not change due to age. 12 Watson could adjust, which is what the statute and regulations require at step five of the sequential evaluation. See 42 U.S.C. § 423(d)(2)(A); 20 C.F.R. §§ 404.1560(c), 416.960(c). AFFIRMED. 13