Opinion ID: 857799
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: The Credibility Finding

Text: A claimant may establish her disability through her own testimony of pain or other subjective symptoms. See Dyer, 395 F.3d at 1210; Foote v. Chater, 67 F.3d 1553, 1560‒61 (11th Cir. 1995). The ALJ must consider a claimant’s testimony of pain and other subjective symptoms where the claimant meets our three-part “pain standard.” See Foote, 67 F.3d at 1560. Under that test, evidence of an underlying medical condition must exist. Id. If that threshold is met, then there must be either 4 Case: 12-15355 Date Filed: 04/11/2013 Page: 5 of 8 objective medical evidence that confirms the severity of the alleged pain or symptoms arising from the underlying medical condition, or evidence that the objectively-determined medical condition is of such a severity that it can reasonably be expected to give rise to the alleged pain or symptoms. Id. A claimant’s subjective testimony supported by medical evidence that satisfies our pain standard is sufficient to support a finding of disability. Id. at 1561. If the record shows that the claimant has a medically-determinable impairment that could reasonably be expected to produce her symptoms, the ALJ must evaluate the intensity and persistence of the symptoms in determining how they limit the claimant’s capacity for work. 20 C.F.R. § 404.1529(c)(1). In doing so, the ALJ considers all of the record, including the objective medical evidence, the claimant’s history, and statements of the claimant and her doctors. Id. § 404.1529(c)(1)-(2). The ALJ may consider other factors, such as: (1) the claimant’s daily activities; (2) the location, duration, frequency, and intensity of the claimant’s pain or other symptoms; (3) any precipitating and aggravating factors; (4) the type, dosage, effectiveness, and side effects of the claimant’s medication; (5) any treatment other than medication; (6) any measures the claimant used to relieve her pain or symptoms; and (7) other factors concerning the claimant’s functional limitations and restrictions due to her pain or symptoms. Id. § 404.1529(c)(3). The ALJ then will examine the claimant’s statements regarding 5 Case: 12-15355 Date Filed: 04/11/2013 Page: 6 of 8 her symptoms in relation to all other evidence, and consider whether there are any inconsistencies or conflicts between those statements and the record. Id. § 404.1529(c)(4). If the ALJ decides not to credit the claimant’s testimony as to her subjective symptoms, the ALJ must articulate explicit and adequate reasons for doing so or the record must be obvious as to the credibility finding. See Foote, 67 F.3d at 1561-62. While the ALJ does not have to cite particular phrases or formulations, broad findings that a claimant was incredible and could work are, alone, insufficient for us to conclude that the ALJ considered the claimant’s medical condition as a whole. Id. at 1562. The ALJ’s articulated reasons must also be supported by substantial evidence. Jones v. Dep’t of Health & Human Servs., 941 F.2d 1529, 1532 (11th Cir. 1991). We will not disturb a properly articulated credibility finding that is supported by substantial evidence. Foote, 67 F.3d at 1562. The failure to articulate reasons for discrediting a claimant’s subjective testimony, however, requires that the testimony be accepted as true and becomes grounds for remand where credibility is critical to the outcome of the case. Id. The ALJ explicitly and adequately articulated her credibility finding. In support of this finding, the ALJ relied on Strickland’s course of treatment, particularly relying upon the opinions of Dr. Reid, Dr. Scott, Dr. Valentine, Dr. Greenberg, and Dr. Stevenson. Generally, the ALJ found that Strickland’s symptoms improved with 6 Case: 12-15355 Date Filed: 04/11/2013 Page: 7 of 8 treatment, or that at least, the medical opinions did not corroborate her subjective complaints regarding her limitations. Moreover, substantial evidence supports the ALJ’s credibility finding. First, various aspects of the medical evidence are inconsistent with Strickland’s subjective complaints regarding the limiting effects of her symptoms. Second, there was sufficient evidence regarding Strickland’s daily living activities to support the ALJ’s finding. These activities were inconsistent with her subjective complaints regarding the limiting effects of her symptoms. Accordingly, substantial evidence supports the ALJ’s adverse credibility finding.