Opinion ID: 196219
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Allegations of Disabling Pain

Text: 4 In support of his claim that the ALJ failed to consider his allegations of disabling pain, Figueroa states first that he constantly and persistently complained to examining physicians of severe disabling pain. He suggests that the ALJ ignored that evidence. The record does not substantiate his claim. 5 First, there are significant gaps in Figueroa's medical records between December 1988, when he first injured his back, and October 1991, when the hearing took place. We have found no medical records indicating that Figueroa complained of pain to examining physicians for the periods from May 1989 to December 1989, February 1990 to June 1990, or March 1991 to October 1991. 1 6 Second, as the transcript shows, at the hearing the ALJ elicited Figueroa's testimony on relevant aspects of the pain he alleged, as required under Avery v. Secretary of Health and Human Services, 797 F.2d 19, 29 (1st Cir.1986). 2 In his decision, the ALJ took account of that testimony and stated that Figueroa's salient complaint was pain and decreased sensation in his right leg. In view of the medical evidence, however, the ALJ did not fully credit Figueroa's allegations of pain. He noted the gaps in Figueroa's medical treatment history, including the fact that he had not sought any treatment after February 1991. He concluded that, while Figueroa's back condition could cause pain on an episodic basis, the pain had proven treatable and had not limited his functioning significantly, except to the extent that he could not perform medium or heavy work. 7 Besides the gaps in Figueroa's medical record, other evidence supports the ALJ's conclusion. Although Figueroa testified that his pain was constant and strong, he also said that medication alleviate[d] the pain and that massaging his leg alleviated painful cramping during the night. He testified that his medication gave him heartburn, and for that reason it had been changed; his current medication allegedly had side effects, too, but Figueroa gave no specifics and acknowledged that he took it anyway because it at least relieve[s] the pain a little. 3 The ALJ noted that Figueroa appeared in no distress at the hearing and that he walked adequately with no assistive device. Figueroa also testified that he could walk for 30 meters, that one of his daily activities was walking around his yard, and that he walked around the house when leg pain woke him up at night. A consulting neurologist reported in January 1991 that Figueroa had back pain syndrome, but that he could do tip toe gait, walk on his heels and squat on his knees; that his forward lumbar flexion was 80 degrees forward and his lateral lumbar flexion was 20 degrees; 4 that his Lasegue was negative 5 and his straight leg raising was 90 degrees; that he had no motor weakness and no muscle atrophy although he had minimal paravertebral muscle spasm; and that there was decreased sensation in his right leg without any anatomical distribution. In February and June 1991, Social Security physicians reviewed Figueroa's medical records and assessed his residual functional capacity (RFC). 6 Each indicated that, despite his back condition, Figueroa could perform the exertional requirements of light work: he could occasionally lift or carry 20 pounds and frequently lift or carry 10 pounds; he could stand, walk and sit with normal breaks each for a total of about 6 hours in an 8-hour workday; and he could push or pull without limit. See 20 C.F.R. Sec. 404.1567 (the physical exertional requirements of light work comprise the ability to lift no more than 20 pounds at a time while frequently lifting or carrying objects up to 10 pounds, to walk or stand a good deal, or to perform some pushing and pulling of arm or leg controls if the job mostly required sitting); SSR 83-10 ([T]he full range of light work involves standing or walking, off and on, for a total of approximately 6 hours of an 8-hour workday. Sitting may occur intermittently during the remaining time.). Figueroa has not submitted any physician's evaluation or other medical report which contradicts the neurologist's assessment of his condition as of January 1991, nor any residual functional capacity evaluation which contradicts the two RFC assessments indicating that he could perform light work.