Opinion ID: 729912
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Hearing Testimony Bearing on Plaintiff's Allegations

Text: 8 Plaintiff testified that she suffers from panic attacks 20-25 times a month, during which she feels dizzy, shaky, nauseous, and feels she just has to get away from people. (R. at 295-299.) She also stated she does not socialize much, but that she has played cribbage three out of five times that she was scheduled to play (she canceled twice due to having a bad day). She also testified that she no longer traveled, although she admitted to going to Kentucky to visit some relatives, once in 1991 and once in 1992. (R. at 325.) She explained that she was a passenger on those trips because she refuses to drive long distances, and in fact, only drives within city limits to her daughter's house or to the grocery store. (R. at 321.) She further noted that because of her condition she has to lean on the grocery cart and go shopping at off hours to avoid crowds. (R. at 300.) She also testified that her right leg constantly numbs; but she admitted that this numbness does not impair her ability to walk. (R. at 314.) On the other hand, she testified that pain prevents her from walking more than a half block, that she is unable to sit for more than thirty minutes without needing to move around to allay stiffness and discomfort, and that she had difficulty climbing stairs. (R. at 302, 312, 323-24.) Nevertheless, she admitted to doing light housework, for up to forty-five minutes at a time without a break, including dusting, mopping, watering plants, and laundry (which is located in her basement and thus requires climbing stairs). Moreover, she admitting to cooking meals for her family, although to cook she leans on the counter and elevates her foot on a stool during the process. (R. at 316-17.) 9 Dr. Hauer, a medical expert (ME), also testified at the hearing and gave an opinion of Plaintiff's residual functional capacity (RFC) based on his review of Plaintiff's medical history and Plaintiff's testimony. Contrary to the findings given in Dr. Hague's RFCA, the ME testified that Plaintiff had Good ability to deal with co-workers, supervisors, and the public, and to follow simple and complex work instructions. (R. at 331-34.) The only point he agreed with Dr. Hague with was that Plaintiff had Good ability to use judgment. (R. at 330-31.) He rated Plaintiff's ability to deal with work stress as Fair, meaning seriously limited but not totally precluded. Further, the ME testified that while Plaintiff currently had Poor ability to complete a typical work week, after a transition period, she would attain a Fair ability in the long run. (R. at 334.) When asked by counsel how long this transition period would take, he conceded that it could take up to a year. (R. at 336.) 10 William Dingess, a vocational expert (VE), also testified at the hearing. The ALJ asked the VE to state, hypothetically, whether jobs existed in the national economy for an individual possessing the residual functional capacity attributed to Plaintiff by the ME and, alternatively, by Dr. Hague. The VE responded that there were a significant number of jobs available in Wisconsin for an individual possessing the RFC attributed to Plaintiff by the ME (hypo. # 1), including the following categories and number of jobs: light office cleaner, 44,830; food preparation workers, 20,100; hand-packers and packagers, 19,240; and machine tenders, 37,990. (R. at 339.) Next, assuming a restriction of exertionally-light work (hypo. # 2), the VE responded that the previous listed categories of jobs would still be available but that 75% of the office cleaner jobs and the machine tenders jobs would be eliminated and that 25% of the food preparation jobs would be eliminated. Id. Third, the VE considered an individual possessing the same characteristics as assumed in the first hypothetical (without the light exertional limit) but having a Poor rather than Fair ability to complete a normal work week without interruption from psychologically based symptoms (hypo. # 3) (R. at 340). The VE responded that there would still be jobs available to such an individual assuming the individual undergoes an adjustment period starting with a few hours and building forward. (R. at 340-41.) For instance, the VE noted that such an individual could seek part-time employment as a food preparation worker, janitor, or cleaner. Id. Concerning the available number of such jobs, the VE acknowledged there would be some diminishment, but for industries hiring those types of workers, they readily have part-time work available. Id. Finally, assuming the symptoms and limitations expressed by Plaintiff and by Dr. Hague in his RFCA, the VE testified that no jobs existed for such an individual (hypo. # 4) (R. at 341-42.)