Summary
affirming ALJ's rejection of symptom testimony based in part on the consideration of a claimant's "lack of referrals for pain clinics or physical therapy"
Summary of this case from Norbert S. v. BerryhillOpinion
No. 2:11-cv-0654 GGH (TEMP)
06-06-2012
CHOU YANG, Plaintiff, v. MICHAEL J. ASTRUE, Commissioner of Social Security, Defendant.
ORDER
Plaintiff seeks judicial review of a final decision of the Commissioner of Social Security ("Commissioner") denying her application for Supplemental Security Income ("SSI") under Title XVI of the Social Security Act ("Act"). For the reasons that follow, Plaintiff's Motion for Summary Judgment is DENIED, the Commissioner's Cross Motion for Summary Judgment is GRANTED, and the Clerk is directed to enter judgment for the Commissioner.
BACKGROUND
Plaintiff, born July 15, 1966, applied on December 31, 2007 for Supplemental Security Income disability benefits, alleging disability beginning August 22, 2004. (Tr. at 96-116.) Plaintiff alleged she was unable to work due to pain from spine, shoulder, and back injuries. In a later disability report, plaintiff also reported problems with depression and high blood pressure. (Tr. at 128.) In a decision dated July 23, 2010, ALJ L. Kalei Fong determined that plaintiff was not disabled. (Tr. at 8-15.) The ALJ made the following findings (citations to CFR omitted):
Disability Insurance Benefits are paid to disabled persons who have contributed to the Social Security program, 42 U.S.C. § 401 et seq. Supplemental Security Income is paid to disabled persons with low income. 42 U.S.C. § 1382 et seq. Both provisions define disability, in part, as an "inability to engage in any substantial gainful activity" due to "a medically determinable physical or mental impairment. . . ." 42 U.S.C. §§ 423(d)(1)(a) & 1382c(a)(3)(A). A parallel five-step sequential evaluation governs eligibility for benefits under both programs. See 20 C.F.R. §§ 404.1520, 404.1571-76, 416.920 & 416.971-76; Bowen v. Yuckert, 482 U.S. 137, 140-142, 107 S. Ct. 2287 (1987). The following summarizes the sequential evaluation:
Step one: Is the claimant engaging in substantial gainful activity? if so, the claimant is found not disabled. If not, proceed to step two.
Step two: Does the claimant have a "severe" impairment? If so, proceed to step three. If not, then a finding of not disabled is appropriate.
Step three: Does the claimant's impairment or combination of impairments meet or equal an impairment listed in 20 C.F.R., Pt. 404, Subpt. P, App.1? If so, the claimant is automatically determined disabled. If not, proceed to step four.
Step four: Is the claimant capable of performing his past work? If so, the claimant is not disabled. If not, proceed to step five.
Step five: Does the claimant have the residual functional capacity to perform any other work? If so, the claimant is not disabled. If not, the claimant is disabled.
1. The claimant has not engaged in substantial gainful activity since December 31, 2007, the application date.(Tr. at 10-14.)
2. The claimant has the following severe impairments: left shoulder clavicular fracture and left hip pain and tenderness.
3. The claimant does not have an impairment or combination of impairments that meets or medically equals one of the listed impairments in 20 CFR Part 404, Subpart P, Appendix 1.
4. After careful consideration of the entire record, the undersigned finds that the claimant has the residual functional capacity to perform medium work as defined in 20 CFR 416.967(c) except occasional lifting overhead with
left upper extremity.
5. The claimant is capable of performing past relevant work as a care provider. This work does not require the performance of work-related activities precluded by the claimant's residual functional capacity.
6. The claimant has not been under a disability, as defined in the Social Security Act, since December 31, 2007, the date the application was filed.
ISSUES PRESENTED
Plaintiff has raised the following issues: A. Whether the ALJ Committed Error at Step Two by Finding Plaintiff's Depression Was Nonsevere; B. Whether the ALJ Properly Assessed Plaintiff's Residual Functional Capacity; C. Whether the ALJ Improperly Discredited Plaintiff's Testimony; and D. Whether the ALJ Committed Error at Step Four in the Past Work Finding.
LEGAL STANDARDS
The court reviews the Commissioner's decision to determine whether (1) it is based on proper legal standards pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 405(g), and (2) substantial evidence in the record as a whole supports it. Tackett v. Apfel, 180 F.3d 1094, 1097 (9th Cir. 1999). Substantial evidence is more than a mere scintilla, but less than a preponderance. Connett v. Barnhart, 340 F.3d 871, 873 (9th Cir. 2003) (citation omitted). It means "such relevant evidence as a reasonable mind might accept as adequate to support a conclusion." Orn v. Astrue, 495 F.3d 625, 630 (9th Cir. 2007), quoting Burch v. Barnhart, 400 F.3d 676, 679 (9th Cir. 2005). "The ALJ is responsible for determining credibility, resolving conflicts in medical testimony, and resolving ambiguities." Edlund v. Massanari, 253 F.3d 1152, 1156 (9th Cir. 2001) (citations omitted). "The court will uphold the ALJ's conclusion when the evidence is susceptible to more than one rational interpretation." Tommasetti v. Astrue, 533 F.3d 1035, 1038 (9th Cir. 2008).
ANALYSIS
A. Step Two
Plaintiff contends that the ALJ erred in finding plaintiff's depression was not severe at step two of the sequential evaluation. At the second step of the disability analysis, an impairment is not severe only if it "would have no more than a minimal effect on an individual's ability to work, even if the individual's age, education, or work experience were specifically considered." SSR 85-28. The purpose of step two is to identify claimants whose medical impairment is so slight that it is unlikely they would be disabled even if age, education, and experience were taken into account. Bowen v. Yuckert, 482 U.S. 137, 107 S. Ct. 2287 (1987). "The step-two inquiry is a de minimis screening device to dispose of groundless claims." Smolen v. Chater, 80 F.3d 1273, 1290 (9th Cir. 1996). At this step, the ALJ may decline to find a severe impairment "only if the evidence establishes a slight abnormality that has no more than a minimal effect on an individual's ability to work." Webb v. Barnhart, 433 F.3d 683, 686-87 (9th Cir. 2005) (emphasis in original).
In this case, the ALJ found plaintiff had severe impairments of left shoulder clavicular fracture and left hip pain and thus proceeded with the rest of the sequential analysis. (Tr. at 10-11.) The ALJ did not find any mental impairments to be severe. The record contains no treatment records for any mental ailment; the sole evidence on the subject appears in a "one-shot" mental examination performed as a consultative examination in the administrative process in 2010. (Tr. 168-170). Despite her partial, tearful manifestation on the date of the examination, nothing in that report indicates that the depression noted, with its rather mild/moderate effects, was an affliction which had lasted 12 months, or would be expected to last twelve months. See Molina v. Astrue, 674 F.3d 1104, 1110 (9th Cir. 2012) specifying that at the severe impairment stage, the impairment alleged must have lasted 12 months (or would be expected to last twelve months). Plaintiff cannot expect this one day finding to qualify as a statement that plaintiff had a 12 month or more severe impairment.
As noted by the consultative examiner, plaintiff had access to the county clinic. Although plaintiff reported that she had been prescribed medication for depression, medication which she had not procured, the mere prescription of medicine cannot in itself be found to reflect a condition that has more than a minimal effect on one's ability to work.
Even if the ALJ erred in finding plaintiff's depression to be non-severe at step two, such error was harmless. See Curry v. Sullivan, 925 F.2d 1127, 1129 (9th Cir.1990) (harmless error analysis applicable in judicial review of social security cases). Moreover, the ALJ properly found, based on the record, that plaintiff had only mild limitations in activities of daily living, social functioning, and concentration, persistence and pace. (Tr. at 11, 169-170.) The ALJ expressly noted that the residual functional capacity assessment reflected the degree of these mental limitations. (Tr. at 11.) See Hoopai v. Astrue, 499 F.3d 1071, 1077 (9th Cir. 2007) (mild or moderate mental limitation is not sufficiently severe nonexertional limitation that significantly limits ability to do work beyond exertional limitation). There was no reversible error committed at step two.
B. Residual Functional Capacity
Plaintiff contends the ALJ failed to properly develop the record with respect to her residual functional capacity. Plaintiff asserts the ALJ should have obtained a more recent physical exam based on a February 18, 2010 x-ray examination which revealed a grade III acromioclavicular separation. (Tr. at 181.)
Disability hearings are not adversarial. Dixon v. Heckler, 811 F.2d 506, 510 (10th Cir. 1987) (holding that ALJ has basic duty to "inform himself about facts relevant to his decision") (quoting Heckler v. Campbell, 461 U.S. 458, 471 n.1 (1983) (Brennan, J., concurring)). The ALJ must fully and fairly develop the record, and when a claimant is not represented by counsel, an ALJ must be "especially diligent in exploring for all relevant facts." Tonapetyan v. Halter, 242 F.3d 1144 (9th Cir. 2001). The duty also is heightened in the case of a mentally ill claimant who may not be able to protect him or herself. Id.
See also Crane v. Shalala, 76 F.3d 251, 255 (9th Cir.1996) (ALJ has duty to develop the record even when claimant is represented).
Evidence raising an issue requiring the ALJ to investigate further depends on the case. Generally, there must be some objective evidence suggesting a condition which could have a material impact on the disability decision. See Smolen v. Chater, 80 F.3d 1273, 1288 (9th Cir.1996); Wainwright v. Secretary of Health and Human Services, 939 F.2d 680, 682 (9th Cir.1991). "Ambiguous evidence . . . triggers the ALJ's duty to 'conduct an appropriate inquiry.'" Tonapetyan, 242 F.3d at 1150 (quoting Smolen, 80 F.3d at 1288.) The ALJ's decision may be set aside due to his failure to develop the record if the claimant can demonstrate prejudice or unfairness as a result of said failure. Vidal v. Harris, 637 F.2d 710, 713 (9th Cir. 1991). Thus, the Ninth Circuit places the burden of proving prejudice or unfairness on the claimant.
The ALJ can develop the record by (1) making a reasonable attempt to obtain medical evidence from the claimant's treating sources, (2) ordering a consultative examination when the medical evidence is incomplete or unclear and undermines ability to resolve the disability issue; (3) subpoenaing or submitting questions to the claimant's physicians; (4) continuing the hearing; or (5) keeping the record open for supplementation. See Tonapetyan, 242 F.3d. at 1150; 20 C.F.R. 404.1517, 416.917; 42 U.S.C. § 423(d)(5)(A), (B). Ordering a consultative examination ordinarily is discretionary, see Wren v. Sullivan, 925 F.2d 123, 128 (5th Cir.1991); Jones v. Bowen, 829 F.2d 524, 526 (5th Cir.1987), and is required only when necessary to resolve the disability issue. See Reeves v. Heckler, 734 F.2d 519, 522 (11th Cir.1984); Turner v. Califano, 563 F.2d 669, 671 (5th Cir.1977).
Plaintiff alleged an onset of disability beginning August 22, 2004. Plaintiff provided no medical records at the time of her disability application or in supplemental disability reports and attempts by the state agency to obtain records referenced in plaintiff's application were unavailing. (Tr. at 99, 104-105, 117, 120 125, 129, 136-140, 154.) The entirety of the medical records submitted by counsel in support of plaintiff's claim are one page of notes from an initial examination by Hung Hoang, M.D., dated January 7, 2010, and six pages of records from Primary Care Center dated February 18, 2010 to April 13, 2010. (Tr. at 165, 176-181.) No further records were submitted by counsel despite being afforded an opportunity to do so by the ALJ. (Tr. at 42, 45.) Consultative physical and mental examinations were ordered for plaintiff and she underwent a comprehensive evaluation on August 1, 2008 by a physical medicine and rehabilitation specialist and a consultative mental evaluation on April 9, 2010 by a clinical psychologist. (Tr. at 141-145, 166-170). Neither of the consultative examiners opined plaintiff was disabled and the residual functional capacity assessed by the ALJ was consistent with the limitations assessed by the examiners and the state agency physician. (Id., see also Tr. at 11, 149-151, 171-173.) Although plaintiff makes much of an x-ray report from 2010, plaintiff failed to show up for an x-ray examination ordered at state agency expense in 2008, which is closer in time to the alleged onset date. (Tr. at 146-147). In 2008, when examined by the physical medicine specialist, although no x-ray results were available due to plaintiff failing to show up for the x-ray examination, the examining doctor specifically focused the physical examination on plaintiff's left shoulder. Based on the clinical findings, the examining physician assessed plaintiff with an ability to lift and carry 50 pounds occasionally and 25 pounds frequently, with reaching using the left arm to be done on an occasional basis. (Tr. at 145.) Appropriate attempts were made to obtain plaintiff's medical records, she was sent out for consultative examinations, plaintiff failed to undergo x-ray examination, and the record was kept open after the hearing for further submission of medical evidence. Under these circumstances, the ALJ met his duty to develop the record and there was no error in the assessment of plaintiff's residual functional capacity, which is consistent with the assessed limitations in the record.
C. Credibility
Plaintiff further contends that the ALJ improperly discredited her testimony. The ALJ determines whether a disability applicant is credible, and the court defers to the ALJ who used the proper process and provided proper reasons. See, e.g., Saelee v. Chater, 94 F.3d 520, 522 (9th Cir. 1995). If credibility is critical, the ALJ must make an explicit credibility finding. Albalos v. Sullivan, 907 F.2d 871, 873-74 (9th Cir. 1990); Rashad v. Sullivan, 903 F.2d 1229, 1231 (9th Cir. 1990) (requiring explicit credibility finding to be supported by "a specific, cogent reason for the disbelief").
In evaluating whether subjective complaints are credible, the ALJ should first consider objective medical evidence and then consider other factors. Vasquez v. Astrue, 572 F.3d 586, 591 (9th Cir. July 8, 2009); Bunnell v. Sullivan, 947 F.2d 341, 344 (9th Cir.1991) (en banc). The ALJ may not find subjective complaints incredible solely because objective medical evidence does not quantify them. Bunnell at 345-46. If the record contains objective medical evidence of an impairment reasonably expected to cause pain, the ALJ then considers the nature of the alleged symptoms, including aggravating factors, medication, treatment, and functional restrictions. See Vasquez, 572 F.3d at 591. The ALJ also may consider the applicant's: (1) reputation for truthfulness or prior inconsistent statements; (2) unexplained or inadequately explained failure to seek treatment or to follow a prescribed course of treatment; and (3) daily activities. Smolen v. Chater, 80 F.3d 1273, 1284 (9th Cir. 1996); see generally SSR 96-7P, 61 FR 34483-01; SSR 95-5P, 60 FR 55406-01; SSR 88-13. Work records, physician and third party testimony about nature, severity, and effect of symptoms, and inconsistencies between testimony and conduct, may also be relevant. Light v. Social Security Administration, 119 F.3d 789, 792 (9th Cir. 1997). The ALJ may rely, in part, on his or her own observations, see Quang Van Han v. Bowen, 882 F.2d 1453, 1458 (9th Cir. 1989), which cannot substitute for medical diagnosis. Marcia v. Sullivan, 900 F.2d 172, 177, n.6 (9th Cir. 1990). Plaintiff is required to show only that her impairment "could reasonably have caused some degree of the symptom." Vasquez, 572 F.3d at 591 (quoting Lingenfelter v. Astrue, 504 F.3d 1028, 1036 (9th Cir. 2007), Smolen, 80 F.3d at 1282). Absent affirmative evidence demonstrating malingering, the reasons for rejecting applicant testimony must be specific, clear and convincing. Vasquez, 572 F.3d at 591.
Daily activities which consume a substantial part of an applicants day are relevant. "This court has repeatedly asserted that the mere fact that a plaintiff has carried on certain daily activities, such as grocery shopping, driving a car, or limited walking for exercise, does not in any way detract from her credibility as to her overall disability. One does not need to be utterly incapacitated in order to be disabled." Vertigan v. Halter, 260 F.3d 1044, 1049 (9th Cir. 2001) (quotation and citation omitted).
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In assessing plaintiff's credibility, the ALJ noted the inconsistencies between plaintiff's testimony and the observations of the examining physician who noted plaintiff was able to stand comfortably throughout the interview, with distraction was able to hop onto the exam table despite reporting difficulty doing so, had exaggerated tenderness with the lightest amount of touch, and was observed having less antalgia when walking outside the office as opposed to in the exam room. (Tr. at 13, 142-143.) The observations of the examining physician suggest malingering on the part of plaintiff. The ALJ also correctly noted that plaintiff had very minimal treatment records despite her claims of disabling pain. (Tr. at 13.) While plaintiff argues her lack of treatment was due to lack of funds or insurance, she also testified that her brother would give her $100 every two months to see the doctor and that she had seen the doctor in October 2009. (Tr. at 31.) Yet these records were never provided and plaintiff failed to explain why she had not sought any kind of treatment prior to 2010 for a condition that was allegedly disabling since 2004. The ALJ also factored into the credibility analysis the lack of referrals for pain clinics or physical therapy. While plaintiff is correct that there was a single referral for physical therapy in April, 2010 (Tr. at 176), this belated, one-time referral does not undermine the validity of the ALJ's observation that there were no referrals for management of an allegedly disabling painful condition over a six year time span. Plaintiff's credibility was properly questioned for the reasons pointed out by the ALJ.
D. Past Relevant Work
Finally, plaintiff contends the ALJ committed error by not taking the testimony of a vocational expert. The ALJ found at step four of the sequential analysis that plaintiff could perform her past relevant work as a caregiver. (Tr. at 13.) "Although the burden of proof lies with the claimant at step four, the ALJ still has a duty to make the requisite factual findings to support his conclusion. S.S.R. 82-62. See 20 C.F.R. §§ 404.1571 and 416.971, 404.1574 and 416.974, 404.1565 and 416.965." Pinto v. Massanari, 249 F.3d 840, 844 (9th Cir. 2001). "This is done by looking at the 'residual functional capacity and the physical and mental demands' of the claimant's past relevant work. 20 C.F.R. §§ 404.1520(e) and 416.920(e)." Pinto, 249 F.3d at 844-45. The claimant must be able to perform: (1) the actual functional demands and job duties of a particular past relevant job; or (2) the functional demands and job duties of the occupation as generally required by employers throughout the national economy. Id. at 845 (citing S.S.R. 82-61). "This requires specific findings as to the claimant's residual functional capacity, the physical and mental demands of the past relevant work, and the relation of the residual functional capacity to the past work." Id. (citing S.S.R. 82-62).
"Social Security Regulations name two sources of information that may be used to define a claimant's past relevant work as actually performed: a properly completed vocational report, S.S.R. 82-61, and the claimant's own testimony, S.S.R. 82-41." Id. "[T]he best source for how a job is generally performed is usually the Dictionary of Occupational Titles." Id. at 845-46 (citing Johnson v. Shalala, 60 F.3d 1428, 1435 (9th Cir. 1995) and 20 C.F.R. §§ 404.1566(d) and 416.966(d)).
Plaintiff reported in a disability report that she had previously worked for five years at 8 hours per day, 5 days a week as a babysitter, which involved walking two hours, standing three hours and sitting two hours a day, lifting and carrying children from room to room and lifting a maximum of 20 pounds with frequent lifting of 10 pounds. (Tr. at 102-103.) Such work is well within the residual functional capacity properly assessed by the ALJ. Moreover, the record contains a vocational profile which notes plaintiff's past relevant work as a baby sitter was within plaintiff's residual functional capacity. (Tr. at 48.) Under these circumstances, the ALJ correctly found plaintiff could perform her past relevant work and there was no error in not consulting a vocational expert.
CONCLUSION
For the reasons stated herein, IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that:
1. Plaintiff's Motion for Summary Judgment (dkt. no. 16) is denied;
2. The Commissioner's Cross Motion for Summary Judgment (dkt. no. 17) is granted; and
3. Judgment is entered for the Commissioner.
Gregory G. Hollows
UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE
Lester v. Chater, 81 F.3d 821, 828 n.5 (9th Cir. 1995).
The claimant bears the burden of proof in the first four steps of the sequential evaluation process. Bowen, 482 U.S. at 146 n.5, 107 S. Ct. at 2294 n.5. The Commissioner bears the burden if the sequential evaluation process proceeds to step five. Id.