Opinion ID: 772957
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Use of Guidelines

Text: 27 The ALJ found that Muncy's exertional impairments of cervical and lumbar strain limited Muncy to performing a full range of light work. The ALJ also found that given Muncy's medical improvement, i.e., the twenty-five point increase in his WAIS-R IQ scores, Muncy had no additional non-exertional impairments to further reduce his work base. As a consequence, the ALJ did not use the testimony of a vocational expert, relying instead on Rule 202.16 of the medical-vocational guidelines. AR 16-17. Muncy argues that his non-exertional impairments of pain, muscle atrophy, neuropathy, and borderline intellectual functioning required the ALJ to hear testimony from a vocational expert rather than relying on the guidelines. 28 Using the guidelines, an ALJ may find a claimant not disabled 29 if the claimant does not have non-exertional impairments, or if the non-exertional impairment does not diminish the claimant's RFC to perform the full range of activities listed in the guidelines. If the non-exertional impairments significantly affect the RFC, however, the guidelines are not controlling and may not be used to direct a conclusion of not disabled. 'Adequate training and intellectual capacity are presumed in the [g]uidelines and evidence that militates against those presumptions makes the [g]uidelines inapplicable.' 30 Holz v. Apfel, 191 F.3d at 947 (citations omitted) (alterations in original). The issue here, then, is whether the ALJ properly found that Muncy had no non-exertional impairments. To resolve the issue, we remand the matter to the Commissioner for further findings consistent with this opinion. 31 Even assuming that Muncy's IQ score of 84 is valid, it nevertheless represents borderline intellectual functioning. Thomas v. Sullivan, 876 F.2d at 668 n.1. Such a score indicates a significant non-exertional impairment that needed to be considered by the VE. Holz v. Apfel, 191 F.3d at 947 (citing Foreman v. Callahan, 122 F.3d 24, 26 (8th Cir. 1997); Lucy v. Chater, 113 F.3d 905, 908 (8th Cir. 1997)). Consequently, further proceedings are needed to determine the effect of Muncy's borderline intellectual functioning. From the evidence developed thus far, it appears that Muncy is illiterate, cannot write or manage his own finances, cannot perform his past relevant work, has no relevant skills, and is physically limited to light work. On remand, the Commissioner is directed to consider whether the guidelines suggest a finding of disability in the particular circumstances of this case. 32 A question also exists about whether the ALJ properly discredited Muncy's subjective complaints of pain when determining that Muncy had no non-exertional impairments. The ALJ stated that Muncy's claims were not credible because the record lacked objective medical findings by treating and examining physicians and because Muncy did not take pain medication, frequent doctors' offices, or exhibit discomfort at the thirty-six minute hearing. 33 The medical record, however, does not appear to support these findings. Muncy saw doctors regularly after his 1991 accident; several of these doctors prescribed narcotic pain relievers or muscle relaxants for his pain. Moreover, the record objectively reports that Muncy's left calf has atrophied a full inch, that his grip strength varies markedly between his hands, and that he experiences neuropathy in his left hand and leg. In addition, Muncy's failure to sit and squirm with pain during the hearing cannot be dispositive of his credibility. See Miller v. Sullivan, 953 F.2d at 422 (observing that a claimant's appearance and demeanor at the hearing can be deceiving). 34 We therefore direct the Commissioner also to reconsider on remand Muncy's credibility with respect to his subjective complaints of pain , using the familiar factors found in Polaski v. Heckler, 739 F.2d 1320, 1322 (8th Cir. 1984).