Opinion ID: 3187989
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Physical Therapist Blankespoor

Text: Michel also claims that the ALJ did not properly consider the opinion of Blankespoor, the physical therapist who performed the functional capacity evaluation. The ALJ afforded little weight to Blankespoor's opinion that Michel would not be able to perform anything 'on a full-time basis' because the ALJ found that this opinion appeared to be based solely on [Michel's] subjective complaints and not from any objective medical testing. The ALJ noted that Michel had reported difficulties with 'performing significant lifting, carrying, gripping, pinching, pushing and pulling as well as prolonged sitting, standing, walking, reaching, bending, squatting and climbing.' According to the ALJ, such difficulties were essentially the same limitations Mr. Blankespoor noted when indicating that [Michel] would be unable to perform work on a full-time basis. The ALJ also explained that while testing may have indicated [Michel's] ability to lift, there was no evidence with which the therapist could form an opinion on her ability to perform this activity full-time, outside of her subjective allegations. Finally, the ALJ found that other medical evidence of record from [Michel's] treating and consult[ing] rheumatologists indicated normal range of motion and good strength throughout the upper and lower extremities, in contrast to Blankespoor's findings. Based on these inconsistencies, the [ALJ] afford[ed] the opinions little weight. and records in weighing Dr. [Viner's] opinion. No further clarification was required. Id. at 1201–02 (citing Stormo, 377 F.3d at 806). -16- A physical therapist7 is not an 'acceptable medical source' whose opinion is entitled to substantial weight. Castro v. Barnhart, 119 F. App'x 840, 842 (8th Cir. 2005) (per curiam) (quoting 20 C.F.R. §§ 404.1513, 416.913). Instead, [a] therapist's assessment is 'other medical evidence.' Id. (quoting 20 C.F.R. § 404.1513(d)(1)). Statements from a physical therapist are entitled to consideration as additional evidence, but are not entitled to controlling weight. Hatton v. Comm'r of Soc. Sec. Admin., 131 F. App'x 877, 878 (3d Cir. 2005) (citing 20 C.F.R. § 404.1513(d)). [A] physical therapist's opinion can be considered, but the opinion is entitled to less weight than that accorded to the opinions of acceptable medical sources. Komar v. Apfel, 134 F.3d 382, 1998 WL 30267, at  (10th Cir. Jan. 9, 1998) (Table) (citing Craig v. Chater, 76 F.3d 585, 590 (4th Cir. 1996)). When assigning weight to 'other medical evidence,' the ALJ may consider any inconsistencies with the record. Castro, 119 F. App'x at 842 (citing 20 C.F.R. § 416.927(d)(4)). Here, the ALJ explained how Blankespoor's finding that Michel was unable to perform work on a full-time basis contradicted the findings of other acceptable medical sources in the record, and the ALJ properly relied on the acceptable medical sources. See Huff v. Astrue, 275 F. App'x 713, 716 (9th Cir. 2008) (memorandum) (citing Lewis v. Apfel, 236 F.3d 503, 511 (9th Cir. 2001)). Furthermore, [t]he ALJ was entitled to give less weight to [Blankespoor's] opinion [as to Michel's capability to perform work tasks on a full-time basis], because it was based largely on [Michel's] 7 While Blankespoor's credentials indicate that he holds a doctor of physical therapy degree, they do not reflect that he is a medical doctor or other acceptable medical source. See, e.g., Sommers v. Colvin, No. 5:14CV163/EMT, 2015 WL 4633516, at  n.10 (N.D. Fla. Aug. 3, 2015) (Plaintiff refers to this physical therapist as 'Dr. Hussein.' While his credentials indicate he holds a doctor of physical therapy degree . . . , they do not reflect that this therapist is a medical doctor or other acceptable medical source.); Adesina v. Astrue, No. 12-CV-3184 WFK, 2014 WL 5380938, at  (E.D.N.Y. Oct. 22, 2014) (Plaintiff's treating source for her musculoskeletal impairments was not a medical doctor, but a Doctor of Physical Therapy . . . .). -17- subjective complaints rather than on objective medical evidence. See Kirby v. Astrue, 500 F.3d 705, 709 (8th Cir. 2007) (emphasis added) (citation omitted).