Opinion ID: 2804487
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: VA Disability Determination

Text: On January 16, 1999, the VA determined Ostborg was disabled. 1 The VA decision lists Ostborg’s disabilities as degenerative-disc disease of the cervical and lumbar spines, dextroscoliosis of the lumbar spine, degenerative changes of the thoracic spine, residuals from a head injury, and leg-length discrepancy. Medical findings of various doctors are summarized in the decision, including the opinion of Dr. Lee Jacobs that Ostborg could work a desk job for not more than four hours a day. The rating decision also briefly summarized a December 21, 1996, report from Cobb Hospital and Medical Center concerning Ostborg’s accident and stated Ostborg had suffered trauma to the back of his head. The VA determined Ostborg did not meet the schedular-requirements disability. 2 The VA rated his disabilities as (1) 20% for degenerative-disc disease of the lumbar spine with dextroscoliosis, (2) 10% for his leg-length discrepancy, (3) 10% for degenerative-disc disease and osteoarthritis of the cervical spine, (4) 10% for degenerative changes of the thoracic spine, and (5) 10% for residuals from a concussion. Nevertheless, the VA determined that “an extraschedular permanent and total disability rating [was] authorized,” based on Ostborg’s “level 1 The rating decision in the record is undated; however, the exhibit list states the decision was issued on January 16, 1999. Additionally, a duplicate-partial copy of the VA rating decision has the same date handwritten on one of the pages. 2 The schedular requirements are (1) a single disability ratable at 60% or more, or (2) two or more disabilities combining to 70% with at least one ratable at 40%. 7 Case: 14-13895 Date Filed: 05/29/2015 Page: 8 of 25 of disability and other factors, such as [his] age, education and occupational background.” R. at 192. E. 2008 ALJ Decision and Remand by the Appeals Council
On May 28, 2008, at a hearing concerning Ostborg’s subject application for disability benefits, Ostborg testified that, as a security guard, he sometimes worked full-time and sometimes part-time, depending on what was available and what he could handle. He characterized his job as a house manager as a “desk job” that involved admitting people to the residence halls. Ostborg testified his grip was fair. He experienced difficulty walking, bending over, climbing stairs, and lifting anything over ten pounds. He became fatigued frequently and needed to lie down several times per day. He had experienced some improvement in his memory in the seven years following his 1996 fall, but none thereafter. Immediately following Ostborg’s 1996 fall, he was in a great deal of pain; he could not drive and had difficulty concentrating. In the past three years, however, he had driven from Atlanta, Georgia, to Asheville, North Carolina, to visit his sister. Ostborg lived alone, shopped for himself, and attended church. He also exercised regularly, by swimming two to three times a week for about 30 minutes, doing aerobics, and walking. At one time, Ostborg had freelanced as a 8 Case: 14-13895 Date Filed: 05/29/2015 Page: 9 of 25 violin player, but he could no longer play well because of arthrosis, a degenerativejoint disease, in his hands. Ostborg had volunteered at his church periodically for the past year and a half by sitting at the front desk for about 45 minutes to greet people and make sure they knew where they were going. For the past three years, he has volunteered at a museum in Smyrna, Georgia once per week, which also involved greeting people, asking them to sign in, and showing them around. Asked why he could not perform his previous job in security in view of his exercise and volunteer activities, Ostborg responded he volunteered only on a limited basis; his other activities were low stress and did not require him to be on his feet or to remember anything. The following exchange occurred between the ALJ and Ostborg: ALJ: I mean it’s kind of hard to imagine that you don’t have to concentrate at the museum job and the church job. I mean you kind of know a lot of stuff and where to send people, and you have to know your way around. .... Wouldn’t that be similar to what you had to do at the hospital [or] when you were doing the security work? OSTBORG: Well, in a way, but at the hospital I had a lot more to deal with. A lot more people to, a lot more people coming in, just a lot more to do. 9 Case: 14-13895 Date Filed: 05/29/2015 Page: 10 of 25 R. at 755-56. 2. 2008 ALJ Decision and Remand by the Appeals Council In September 2008, the ALJ issued a decision denying Ostborg’s claim for disability benefits. The ALJ mentioned Ostborg had sought and been awarded disability benefits by the VA but did not discuss further the VA’s disability rating. Additionally, the ALJ found Ostborg’s testimony concerning his limitations to be incredible because, in the hearing, he described only minimal volunteer work, but a Google search of Ostborg revealed a much wider array of activities. Ostborg sought review from the Appeals Council (“AC”). The AC remanded the case to the ALJ. The AC concluded the ALJ had failed to provide Ostborg with the post-hearing evidence obtained from the internet and to discuss adequately the VA’s disability rating or indicate the weight that the VA’s determination was accorded. F. Post-Remand Proceedings 1. 2010 Hearing At a hearing in November 2010, the ALJ provided Ostborg and his counsel with printouts from the ALJ’s Google search; Ostborg provided additional testimony concerning his hobbies and volunteer activities. In August 2008, following the 2008 hearing, but before the ALJ’s 2008 decision, Ostborg had presented two sessions on veterans benefits at Life University, which involved 10 Case: 14-13895 Date Filed: 05/29/2015 Page: 11 of 25 standing and teaching for approximately an hour each time. Ostborg’s original art work was displayed at an exhibition at the Smyrna Library Gallery for about two months. Approximately 8 to 10 drawings and paintings, which Ostborg had produced over the past forty years, were on display. While Ostborg did not need to be present during the exhibition, he went approximately once a week to check in. Ostborg further testified he had taken numerous pictures of houses and properties for the Smyrna Historical and Genealogical Society (“SHGS”) in 2006. He did so approximately once a month for three years. Additionally, Ostborg volunteered at the SHGS museum three Saturdays per month, which involved remaining at a desk, assisting people as needed, and answering questions. He was a member of the Cobb County Stamp Club. He attended meetings, which occurred twice a month, and volunteered at shows periodically. Ostborg had given violin and viola instruction privately in the past, but he had not done so for at least the past five years. When he last taught violin, Ostborg had one student, with whom he met once a week for approximately one year. Although Ostborg was listed on the roster of private violin instructors for a middle school in Georgia, he did not know how his name came to be on that list. Ostborg was asked again why he could not have used his mind to work instead of to volunteer; Ostborg responded he volunteered only occasionally, and he could pursue his volunteer and other activities as he was inclined. 11 Case: 14-13895 Date Filed: 05/29/2015 Page: 12 of 25
Although Ostborg represented his disability began on August 5, 1996, the ALJ concluded the June 25, 1998, denial of his previous application had the effect of administrative res judicata. Consequently, the relevant period began on June 26, 1998. The ALJ followed the five-step sequential process in evaluating Ostborg’s disability claim. 3 At step two, the ALJ found Ostborg had the severe impairments of scoliosis, leg-length discrepancy, and residuals from a 1996 closed-head injury. In evaluating the effects from Ostborg’s 1996 fall and head injury, the ALJ discussed Dr. Rose’s findings and letter at length. In the analysis at step three, the ALJ acknowledged Ostborg had exhibited deficits on medical examinations with regard to concentration, persistence, or pace, but found he was only mildly impaired, because he was able to drive long distances and navigate to new areas successfully. At step four, the ALJ found Ostborg capable of performing only light work, because of his leg-length discrepancy. Because of his lapses in concentration, the ALJ also determined he could work up to 32 hours per week. 3 Under the five-step sequential process to determine whether a claimant is disabled, the claimant must show (1) he is not currently engaged in substantial gainful activity; (2) he has a severe impairment; (3) his impairment meets or equals the criteria in one of the listed impairments in 20 C.F.R. Part 404, Subpart P, Appendix 1; and (4) his impairment prevents him from performing his past relevant work. 20 C.F.R. § 404.1520(a)(4)(i)-(iv). If the claimant shows he cannot perform his past relevant work, then, at the fifth step, the burden shifts to the Commissioner to show significant numbers of jobs exist in the national economy the claimant can perform. Id. § 404.1520(a)(4)(v). 12 Case: 14-13895 Date Filed: 05/29/2015 Page: 13 of 25 The ALJ found Ostborg’s medically determinable impairments could reasonably be expected to produce his alleged symptoms but decided his testimony regarding the intensity, persistence, and limiting effects of those symptoms to be incredible. The ALJ explained Ostborg was engaged in a far wider variety of hobbies and activities than he originally had represented. While these hobbies and activities did not directly contradict his allegations of disability, the ALJ found they were sufficiently inconsistent with his stated mental limitations and did not support his overall credibility. The ALJ noted various inconsistent statements Ostborg had made elsewhere in the record, including the discrepancy in his statements to his doctors concerning his alcohol consumption. Additionally, the ALJ highlighted Ostborg’s testimony he could not direct his energies toward work, in view of his volunteer and other activities, because he volunteered only randomly and pursued his hobbies, when he was so inclined. The ALJ also found the VA’s disability determination had “little bearing” on Ostborg’s claim for Social Security disability benefits, because the VA used a different standard to assess disability and may not have been aware of his hobbies and activities. R. at 41. Ostborg again requested AC review of the ALJ’s decision. This time, the AC denied review and adopted the ALJ’s decision as the final decision of the Commissioner. Through counsel, Ostborg has appealed that decision to this court. 13 Case: 14-13895 Date Filed: 05/29/2015 Page: 14 of 25