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finding an ALJ properly discounted the claimant's credibility based on his inconsistent testimony
Summary of this case from Stupp v. Comm'r of Soc. Sec.Opinion
Case No. 3:11–cv–027.
2012-03-13
Timothy L. KENDRICK, Plaintiff, v. Michael J. ASTRUE, Commissioner of Social Security, Defendant.
Lori Burns Painter, Columbus, OH, for Plaintiff. John J. Stark, US Attorney Office, Lori Burns Painter, Columbus, OH, Patrick Edsenga, Social Security Administration–Office of General Counsel, Chicago, IL,
Lori Burns Painter, Columbus, OH, for Plaintiff. John J. Stark, US Attorney Office, Lori Burns Painter, Columbus, OH, Patrick Edsenga, Social Security Administration–Office of General Counsel, Chicago, IL,
ENTRY AND ORDER OVERRULING KENDRICK'S OBJECTIONS (Doc. # 14) TO THE MAGISTRATE JUDGE'S REPORT AND RECOMMENDATIONS; ADOPTING THE MAGISTRATE JUDGE'S REPORT AND RECOMMENDATIONS (Doc. 12) IN ITS ENTIRETY; AFFIRMING THE COMMISSIONER'S DECISION THAT KENDRICK WAS NOT ENTITLED TO SOCIAL SECURITY DISABILITY BENEFITS AND TERMINATING THIS CASE
THOMAS M. ROSE, District Judge.
Plaintiff Timothy L. Kendrick (“Kendrick”) brought this action pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 405(g) for judicial review of the decision of the Defendant Commissioner of Social Security (the “Commissioner”) that he is not disabled and, therefore, not entitled to Social Security disability benefits. On February 2, 2012, United States Magistrate Judge Michael J. Newman entered a Report and Recommendations (doc. # 12) recommending that the Commissioner's Decision be affirmed. Kendrick subsequently filed Objections (doc. # 14) and the time has run and the Commissioner has not responded to Kendrick's Objections. This matter is, therefore, ripe for decision.
Kendrick filed an application for Disability Insurance Benefits (“DIB”) on October 4, 2007, claiming that he had been disabled since February 11, 2002. However, the earliest date for a potential finding of disability is May 15, 2007. May 15, 2007 is the earliest date because Kendrick was denied social security disability benefits on May 14, 2007, and he did not challenge that decision.
Kendrick claims he is disabled due to various back impairments including a fractured disc, two herniated discs, degenerative disc disease and arthritis and due to high blood pressure and diabetes. The Commissioner denied Kendrick's most recent application initially and on reconsideration. Administrative Law Judge Peter Silvain (“ALJ Silvain”) then held a hearing and determined that Kendrick was not disabled. The Appeals Council denied Kendrick's request for review and ALJ Silvain's decision became the Commissioner's final decision. Kendrick then appealed to this Court pursuant to pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 405(g).
Based upon the reasoning and citations of authority set forth in the Magistrate Judge's Report and Recommendations (doc. # 12) and in Kendrick's Objections (doc. # 14), as well as upon a thorough de novo review of this Court's file, including the Administrative Transcript, and a thorough review of the applicable law, this Court adopts the aforesaid Report and Recommendations in its entirety. In so doing, this Court affirms the Commissioner's decision that Kendrick was not disabled and, therefore, not entitled to DIB.
This Court's function is to determine whether the record as a whole contains substantial evidence to support the ALJ's decision. Bowen v. Commissioner of Social Security, 478 F.3d 742, 745–46 (6th Cir.2007). This Court must also determine whether the ALJ applied the correct legal criteria. Id.
Regarding the substantial evidence requirement, the ALJ's findings must be affirmed if they are supported by “such relevant evidence as a reasonable mind might accept as adequate to support a conclusion.” Richardson v. Perales, 402 U.S. 389, 401, 91 S.Ct. 1420, 28 L.Ed.2d 842 (1971) (citing Consolidated Edison Company v. NLRB, 305 U.S. 197, 229, 59 S.Ct. 206, 83 L.Ed. 126 (1938)); Landsaw v. Secretary of Health and Human Services, 803 F.2d 211, 213 (6th Cir.1986). Substantial evidence is more than a mere scintilla, but only so much as would be required to prevent a directed verdict (now judgment as a matter of law) against the ALJ/Commissioner if this case were being tried to a jury. Foster v. Bowen, 853 F.2d 483, 486 (6th Cir.1988); NLRB v. Columbian Enameling and Stamping Company, 306 U.S. 292, 300, 59 S.Ct. 501, 83 L.Ed. 660 (1939).
The second judicial inquiry—reviewing the ALJ's legal criteria—may result in reversal even if the record contains substantial evidence supporting the ALJ's factual findings. See Bowen, 478 F.3d at 746. A reversal based on the ALJ's legal criteria may occur, for example, when the ALJ has failed to follow the Commissioner's “own regulations and where that error prejudices a claimant on the merits or deprives the claimant of a substantial right.” Bowen, 478 F.3d at 746(citing in part Wilson v. Commissioner of Social Security, 378 F.3d 541, 546–47 (6th Cir.2004)).
In this case, the ALJ's decision is supported by substantial evidence and the ALJ has applied the correct legal criteria. WHEREFORE, based upon the aforesaid, Kendrick's Objections to the Magistrate Judge's Report and Recommendations (doc. # 14) are OVERRULED, and this Court adopts the Report and Recommendations of the United States Magistrate Judge (doc. # 12) in its entirety. The Commissioner's decision that Kendrick was not disabled and, therefore, not entitled to DIB is AFFIRMED. Finally, the captioned cause is hereby ordered terminated upon the docket records of the United States District Court for the Southern District of Ohio, Western Division, at Dayton.
REPORT AND RECOMMENDATION THAT: (1) THE ALJ'S NON–DISABILITY FINDING BE FOUND SUPPORTED BY SUBSTANTIAL EVIDENCE, AND AFFIRMED; AND (2) THIS CASE BE CLOSED.
Attached hereto is NOTICE to the parties regarding objections to this Report and Recommendation.
MICHAEL J. NEWMAN, United States Magistrate Judge.
This is a Social Security appeal brought pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 405(g). At issue is whether the Administrative Law Judge (“ALJ”) erred in finding that Plaintiff Timothy Kendrick (“Plaintiff”) was “not disabled” and therefore unentitled to Disability Insurance Benefits (“DIB”). See doc. 6–2 at PAGEID 66.
This case is before the Court upon Plaintiff's Statement of Errors (doc. 7), Defendant's memorandum in opposition (doc. 11), the administrative record (doc. 6), and the record as a whole.
I. BACKGROUND
A. Procedural History
Plaintiff filed his DIB application on October 4, 2007, claiming that he has been “disabled” since February 11, 2002. Doc. 6–5 at PAGEID 178. However, the earliest date for a potential finding of disability is May 15, 2007. Plaintiff claims he is disabled due to various back impairments (including a fractured disc, two herniated discs, degenerative disc disease, and arthritis), as well as high blood pressure and diabetes. Doc. 6–6 at PAGEID 212.
Plaintiff previously applied for DIB on May 17, 2004, alleging a disability onset date of February 11, 2002. Doc. 6–3 at PAGEID 131. On May 14, 2007, ALJ Thaddeus Armstead, Sr. (“ALJ Armstead”), in a written decision, denied Plaintiff's benefits application. Id. at PAGEID 131–47. The Appeals Council denied review, and Plaintiff did not challenge that finding on appeal. See doc. 6–6 at PAGEID 208. Plaintiff did not appeal to the United States District Court under 42 U.S.C. § 405(g). See doc. 7 at PAGEID 736. Under principles of res judicata, the earliest he could be found “disabled” is May 15, 2007–the day after the issuance of the decision denying Plaintiff's prior application for DIB. See Wills v. Sec'y of Health & Human Servs., 802 F.2d 870, 871 n. 2 (6th Cir.1986).
Following initial administrative denials of his application, Plaintiff received a hearing before ALJ Peter Silvain (“ALJ Silvain”) on December 14, 2009. Doc. 6–2 at PAGEID 72–123. On April 23, 2010, ALJ Silvain issued a written decision, concluding that Plaintiff was “not disabled.” Id. at PAGEID 65.
Specifically, ALJ Silvain's “findings,” which represent the rationale of his decision, were as follows:
1. The claimant last met the insured status requirements of the Social Security Act on December 31, 2007.
2. The claimant did not engage in substantial gainful activity during the period from his effective alleged onset date of May 15, 2007, through his date last insured of December 31, 2007 (20 CFR 404.1571, et se, and Exhibit B–3–D).
3. Through the date last insured, the claimant had the following severe impairments: vertebrogenic disorder, multi-level degenerative disc disease, lumbar strain and sprain, and a chronic pain disorder (20 CFR 404.1520(c)).
4. Through the date last insured, the claimant did not have an impairment or combination of impairments that met or medically equaled one of the listed impairments in 20 CFR Part 404, Subpart P, Appendix 1 (20 CFR 404.1520(d), 404.1525 and 404.1526).
5. After careful consideration of the entire record, the undersigned finds that, through the date last insured, the claimant had the residual functional capacity [“RFC”] to perform sedentary work as defined in 20 CFR 404.1567(a) subject to the following additional limitations: lifting of no more than ten pounds occasionally and five pounds frequently; sitting as much as six hours during any given eight-hour workday; standing and walking as much as two hours during any given eight-hour workday; he should have been given the opportunity to sit or stand an added five minutes per hour at his convenience and need not be consecutively; he could perform only occasional climbing of ramps or stairs; he could not climb ladders, ropes, or scaffolding; he must have been allowed to alternate sitting or standing position at fifteen minute intervals throughout the day; he could not perform tasks requiring the use of balance, or stooping, kneeling, crouching, or crawling; could not tolerate exposure to hazards such as or similar to heights and moving machinery, concentrated heat, cold, wetness, humidity, vibration; could not perform more than occasional twisting at the trunk; could occasionally bend forward to 45–degree angle without restriction by locking the spine by slight backwards extension and then bend forward 45 degrees using the hips. Secondary to his mental impairment, the claimant was limited to performing simple, routine, and repetitive tasks in a work environment free of fast paced production requirements and which involved no more than simple, work-related decision[s] with few, if any workplace changes, and which involved no more than occasional interaction with the public and co-workers.
The Social Security Administration classifies jobs as “sedentary,” “light,” “medium,” “heavy,” and “very heavy” depending on the physical exertion requirements. 20 C.F.R. § 404.1567. “Sedentary work,” as defined in 20 C.F.R. § 404.1567(a), “involves lifting no more than 10 pounds at a time” and “a certain amount of walking and standing is often necessary.”
6. Through the date last insured, the claimant was unable to perform any past relevant work (20 CFR 404.1565).
7. The claimant was born on October 20,1966 and was 41 years old, which is defined as a younger individual age 18–44, on the date last insured (20 CFR 404.1563).
8. The claimant has at least a high school education and is able to communicate in English (20 CFR 404.1564).
9. Transferability of job skills is not material to the determination of disability because using the Medical–Vocational Rules as a framework supports a finding that the claimant is “not disabled,” whether or not the claimant has transferable job skills ( See SSR 82–41 and 20 CFR Part 404, Subpart P, Appendix 2).
10. Through the dated last insured, considering the claimant's age, education, work experience, and residual functional capacity, there were jobs that existed in significant numbers in the national economy that the claimant could have performed (20 CFR 404.1569 and 404.1569(a)).
11. The claimant was not under a disability, as defined in the Social Security Act, at any time from February 11, 2002, the alleged onset date, through December 31, 2007, the date last insured (20 CFR 404.1520(g)).
Id. at PAGEID 56–65 (brackets added).
The Appeals Council denied Plaintiff's request for review, thereby making ALJ Silvain's non-disability finding the final administrative decision of the Commissioner. Id. at PAGEID 44–46. See Casey v. Sec'y of Health & Human Servs., 987 F.2d 1230, 1233 (6th Cir.1993). Plaintiff then filed this appeal on February 1, 2011. Doc. 2.
B. Administrative Hearing
At the December 14, 2009 administrative hearing, ALJ Silvain asked Plaintiff to describe his pain disorder as it existed from May 15, 2007 through December 31, 2007. See doc. 6–2 at PAGEID 76, 91. Plaintiff testified that he was depressed and in constant pain. Id. at PAGEID 92–93. Due to his pain, Plaintiff felt tired and groggy, and had difficulty concentrating. Id. at PAGEID 107–08. He also experienced emotional symptoms, such as crying spells and nervousness around other people. Id. at PAGEID 108. He reported that, when he took his pain medication, it reduced his pain. See id. at PAGEID 93.
As for his daily activities in 2007, Plaintiff testified that he spent a majority of his day in a reclining chair and watched television. Id. at PAGEID 94–95. He did not do any household chores. Id. at PAGEID 99–100. Plaintiff estimated that he drove two or three times per week. Id. at PAGEID 88.
In light of positive drug tests in the record, ALJ Silvain questioned Plaintiff regarding his drug use. Id. at PAGEID 80–81. Plaintiff testified that he had never used cocaine or marijuana. See id. at PAGEID 81. He also testified that he had not drank alcohol since 1989. Id. at PAGEID 103.
Plaintiff reported that he can lift a gallon of milk as long as he does not have to bend over to pick it up. Id. at PAGEID 103–04. Further, Plaintiff estimated that he can sit and stay focused for twenty to twenty-five minutes. Id. at PAGEID 104. He testified that standing or sitting, withoutreclining, for longer than thirty to forty minutes causes him pain. Id.
In addition, vocational expert Charlotta Ewers (“VE”) testified before ALJ Silvain. Id. at PAGEID 112–23. She testified that Plaintiff cannot perform his past relevant work. Id. at PAGEID 117. Based on ALJ Silvain's hypothetical, and Plaintiff's age, education, and work experience, the VE testified there were 3,400 jobs in the Dayton regional economy which Plaintiff could perform, including weight tester, lens inserter, charge account clerk, and microfilm document preparer. Id. at PAGEID 117–18.
II. APPLICABLE LAW
A. Substantial Evidence Standard
The Court's inquiry on a Social Security appeal is to determine (1) whether the ALJ's non-disability finding is supported by substantial evidence, and (2) whether the ALJ employed the correct legal criteria. 42 U.S.C. § 405(g); Bowen v. Comm'r of Soc. Sec., 478 F.3d 742, 745–46 (6th Cir.2007). In performing this review, the Court must consider the record as a whole. Hephner v. Mathews, 574 F.2d 359, 362 (6th Cir.1978).
Substantial evidence is “such relevant evidence as a reasonable mind might accept as adequate to support a conclusion.” Richardson v. Perales, 402 U.S. 389, 401, 91 S.Ct. 1420, 28 L.Ed.2d 842 (1971). When substantial evidence supports the ALJ's denial of benefits, that finding must be affirmed, even if substantial evidence also exists in the record upon which the ALJ could have found plaintiff disabled. Id. Thus, the Commissioner has a “ ‘zone of choice’ within which he can act without the fear of court interference.” Buxton v. Halter, 246 F.3d 762, 773 (6th Cir.2001).
The second judicial inquiry-reviewing the correctness of the ALJ's legal analysis-may result in reversal even if the ALJ's decision is supported by substantial evidence in the record. Rabbers v. Comm'r of Soc. Sec., 582 F.3d 647, 651 (6th Cir.2009). Thus, “a decision of the Commissioner will not be upheld where the SSA fails to follow its own regulations and where that error prejudices a claimant on the merits or deprives the claimant of a substantial right.” Bowen, 478 F.3d at 746.
B. “Disability” Defined
To be eligible for DIB, a claimant must be under a “disability” as defined by the Social Security Act. 42 U.S.C. §§ 423(a), (d). Narrowed to its statutory meaning, a “disability” includes physical and/or mental impairments that are both “medically determinable” and severe enough to prevent a claimant from (1) performing his or her past job and (2) engaging in “substantial gainful activity” that is available in the regional or national economies. Id. § 423(d). A DIB claimant bears the ultimate burden of establishing that he or she is disabled under the Social Security Act's definition. Key v. Callahan, 109 F.3d 270, 274 (6th Cir.1997).
Administrative regulations require a five-step sequential evaluation for disability determinations. 20 C.F.R. § 404.1520. Although a dispositive finding at any step ends the ALJ's review, Colvin v. Barnhart, 475 F.3d 727, 730 (6th Cir.2007), the complete sequential review poses five questions:
1. Has the claimant engaged in substantial gainful activity?
2. Does the claimant suffer from one or more severe impairments?
3. Do the claimant's severe impairments, alone or in combination, meet or equal the criteria of an impairment set forth in the Commissioner's Listing of Impairments (the Listings), 20 C.F.R. Subpart P, Appendix 1?
4. Considering the claimant's residual functional capacity (“RFC”), can he or she perform his or her past relevant work?
5. Considering the claimant's age, education, past work experience, and RFC, can he or she perform other work available in the national economy?
20 C.F.R. § 404.1520(a)(4).
III. ANALYSIS
As a preliminary matter, the Court notes that Plaintiff has a limited period of time to prove that he was “disabled”—between May 15, 2007 and December 31, 2007. Further, Plaintiff's pertinent medical records have been adequately summarized in the parties' briefs, see doc. 7 at PAGEID 737–40, 743–45; doc. 11 at PAGEID 771–76, and the Court will not repeat them here. Where applicable, the Court will identify the medical evidence relevant to its decision.
In his Statement of Errors, Plaintiff argues that ALJ Silvain erred by: (1) affording insufficient weight to the opinions of his treating physicians; (2) finding him not fully credible; and (3) relying on the VE's testimony. See doc. 7.
A. Substantial Evidence Supports ALJ Silvain's Determination That He Was Bound by ALJ Armstead's Previous RFC Finding
The Court will first address how ALJ's Armstead decision on May 14, 2007 impacts ALJ's Silvain's decision now before the Court. In Drummond v. Commissioner of Social Security, 126 F.3d 837 (6th Cir.1997), the Sixth Circuit held that, under the doctrine of res judicata, the Commissioner is bound by his disability determination in a prior final decision absent changed circumstances. Id. at 842–43.
Here, ALJ Silvain correctly recognized that, under Drummond, he was bound by ALJ Armstead's previous RFC determination, unless there was a significant change in Plaintiff's impairments. Doc. 6–2 at PAGEID 61–62. After reviewing the medical records, ALJ Silvain determined that Plaintiff's physical impairments had not significantly changed and therefore did not disturb the prior RFC finding. Id. Nonetheless, giving the “benefit of doubt to [Plaintiff's] subjective allegations,” ALJ Silvain added two restrictions to ALJ Armstead's previous RFC finding: (1) Plaintiff must be permitted to alternate positions at fifteen-minute intervals; and (2) Plaintiff could not be required to stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. Id.
In his May 2007 decision, ALJ Armstead found that Plaintiff had the following RFC: “The claimant is capable of performing the basic functional requirements of sedentary work, as such work is defined for Social Security purposes, subject to the following additional limitations: lifting of no more than ten pounds occasionally and five pounds frequently; can sit as much as six hours during any given eight-hour workday; can stand and walk as much as two hours during any given eight-hour workday; should be given the opportunity to sit or stand an added five minutes per hour at his convenience and need not be consecutively; only occasional climbing of ramps or stairs; no climbing of ladders, ropes, or scaffolding; all other posturals are occasional; no exposure to hazards such as or similar to heights and moving machinery; no exposure to concentrated heat, cold, wetness, humidity, vibration; no more than occasional twisting at the trunk; can occasionally bend forward to 45–degree angle without restriction by locking the spine by slight backwards extension and then bend forward 45 degrees using the hips.” Doc. 6–3 at PAGEID 146.
ALJ Silvain gave specific reasons for finding that Plaintiff's physical impairments had not significantly changed. He noted that a December 2007 MRI showed that Plaintiff had the same spinal condition as he did when the prior RFC finding was made: multi-level degenerative disc disease and mild narrowing of the neural exit foramina. Doc. 6–7 at PAGEID 450; see also doc. 6–9 at PAGEID 729. In addition, ALJ Silvain recognized that physical examinations of Plaintiff conducted after May 2007 did not reveal a significant difference in nerve root compression. See, e.g., doc. 6–8 at PAGEID 494, 541, 570, 605–06, 613–14, 624–25, 636–37, 653–54, 662; doc. 6–9 at PAGEID 697, 702.
Further, ALJ Silvain relied on the opinions of several doctors who, after May 2007, opined that Plaintiff retained the RFC to perform sedentary work. In January 2008, Dr. McCloud, after reviewing Plaintiff's medical records, found that Plaintiff's RFC had not changed based on his physical impairments, doc. 6–7 at PAGEID 469–76, and Dr. Klyop affirmed that assessment in May 2008. Id. at PAGEID 489. Dr. Duritsch opined, in August 2009, that Plaintiff was capable of performing a reduced range of sedentary work. Doc. 6–9 at PAGEID 699.
Moreover, ALJ Silvain recognized that, following ALJ Armstead's decision, Plaintiff continued to receive only conservative treatment for his physical impairments. See, e.g., doc. 6–8 at PAGEID 565, 570, 606–07, 637, 654–55; doc. 6–9 at PAGEID 732. Thus, substantial evidence supports ALJ Silvain's conclusion that Plaintiff's physical impairments had not worsened since ALJ Armstead's decision so as to warrant a significant departure from ALJ Armstead's previous finding of Plaintiff's RFC.
Nonetheless, ALJ Silvain recognized that Plaintiff had developed a mental impairment—pain disorder—since ALJ Armstead's decision. Doc. 6–2 at PAGEID 62. To determine how Plaintiff's pain disorder affected his ability to work, ALJ Silvain evaluated the relevant evidence, including Plaintiff's subjective complaints and the limitations proposed by psychologist Donald Weinstein, Ph.D., who diagnosed Plaintiff with the disorder in September 2007. See id.; doc. 6–7 at PAGEID 381–85.
To accommodate Plaintiff's pain disorder, ALJ Silvain added several restrictions to Plaintiff's RFC: “performing simple, routine, and repetitive tasks in a work environment free of fast paced production requirements and which involved no more than simple, work-related decision[s] with few, if any workplace changes, and which involved no more than occasional interaction with the public and co-workers.” Doc. 6–2 at PAGEID 60.
In sum, ALJ Silvain's finding—that Plaintiff's physical impairments had not significantly changed—is supported by substantial evidence. Thus, ALJ Silvain correctly determined that he was bound by ALJ Armstead's prior RFC finding under Drummond. Accordingly, the dispositive issue before this Court is whether Plaintiff's subsequent diagnosis of chronic pain disorder rendered him “disabled” on or before December 31, 2007.
B. Substantial Evidence Supports ALJ Silvain's Decision to Not Defer to the Opinions of Plaintiff's Treating Physicians
Plaintiff first argues that ALJ Silvain erroneously discredited the opinions of his treating physicians—Dr. Adams, Dr. Altic, Dr. Murray and Dr. Leak—in violation of the treating physician rule, and failed to give good reasons for doing so. Doc. 7 at PAGEID 742–43. Plaintiff does not point to the specific disability findings of these doctors, however. See id. Based on the Court's review of the record, none of these doctors found Plaintiff disabled due to his chronic pain disorder. See doc. 6–7 at PAGEID 354–55; doc. 6–8 at PAGEID 499, 506–07, 511, 515, 520, 526, 539; doc. 6–9 at PAGEID 715.
The treating physician rule requires an ALJ to give controlling weight to a treating source if the opinion is well-supported by medically acceptable data and not inconsistent with other substantial evidence in the record. Wilson v. Comm'r of Soc. Sec., 378 F.3d 541, 544 (6th Cir.2004) (citing 20 C.F.R. § 404.1527(d)(2)).
In the Statement of Errors, Plaintiff focuses on his primary care physician, Dr. Adams. See doc. 7 at PAGEID 742–47. It appears that Plaintiff is referring to Dr. Adams' non-disability finding in November 2007–that Plaintiff was “not able to work.” Doc. 6–7 at PAGEID 355. In addition, Plaintiff appears to be referring to Dr. Murray's standard notation on his treatment reports that Plaintiff is “totally disabled from all work activities at this time.” See, e.g., doc. 6–8 at PAGEID 499, 511, 515, 520, 526, 539. Neither doctor mentioned pain disorder as a basis for their respective disability findings. See id. at PAGEID 354.
ALL Silvain acknowledged the disability findings of Dr. Adams and Dr. Murray, but rejected them on the grounds that they were not supported by the objective and clinical findings in the record, nor showed a significant change in the severity or character of Plaintiff's physical impairments. Doc. 6–2 at PAGEID 63. After carefully reviewing the record, the Court finds that ALJ Silvain's decision—to not defer to the disability findings of Dr. Adams and Dr. Murray—is based on substantial evidence. An ALJ may properly reject a treating physician's opinion if it is not supported by sufficient medical data or if it is inconsistent with the other evidence of record. See Walters v. Comm'r of Soc. Sec., 127 F.3d 525, 529–30 (6th Cir.1997). Such is the case here. Neither opinion is sufficiently supported by objective medical evidence to show that Plaintiff's physical impairments had worsened to such an extent to warrant a significant departure from ALJ Armstead's previous RFC finding.
It appears that there are only two psychologist opinions in the record that even hint that Plaintiff may not be able to work as a result of his pain disorder. Dr. Weinstein stated that Plaintiff was temporarily disabled due to his pain disorder, and recommended that he undergo psychotherapy. Doc. 6–7 at PAGEID 385. However, there is no evidence that Plaintiff attended psychotherapy. In addition, Dr. Tecklenburg, who examined Plaintiff as part of his worker's compensation claim, found that Plaintiff was six percent (6%) impaired by his pain disorder. Doc. 6–9 at PAGEID 713. However, Plaintiff has not alleged that these psychologists were his treating sources. See doc. 7 at PAGEID 742–47.
Social Security regulations require a claimant to follow prescribed treatment if it can restore his or her ability to work. 20 C.F.R. § 404.1530.
Accordingly, there were no treating source opinions to which ALJ Silvain should have deferred. Because ALJ Silvain was bound by ALJ Armstead's previous RFC finding regarding Plaintiff's physical impairments, he reasonably evaluated only how Plaintiff's mental impairment (chronic pain disorder) affected his ability to perform work. Plaintiff has not presented any treating source opinions to show that his pain disorder is disabling. Nor has he submitted any records suggesting that he underwent mental health treatment. Therefore, Plaintiff's treating physician argument lacks merit.
C. Substantial Evidence Supports ALJ Silvain's Credibility Assessment
Plaintiff also challenges ALJ Silvain's credibility assessment. An ALJ's credibility findings are entitled to considerable deference and should not be lightly discarded. Casey, 987 F.2d at 1234. The Court is “limited to evaluating whether or not the ALJ's explanations for partially discrediting [a claimant] are reasonable and supported by substantial evidence in the record.” Jones v. Comm'r of Soc. Sec., 336 F.3d 469, 476 (6th Cir.2003) (brackets added). In evaluating a claimant's assertions of disabling pain, the ALJ must engage in a two-step process. Felisky v. Bowen, 35 F.3d 1027, 1038–39 (6th Cir.1994). First, the ALJ should determine whether the claimant has a medically determinable impairment which could reasonably be expected to produce the pain. See id. Second, the ALJ should evaluate the severity of the alleged pain in light of all relevant evidence, including the factors set out in 20 C.F.R. § 404.1529(c). See id. at 1039–41.
There are seven factors listed in 20 C.F.R. § 404.1529(c): (1) daily activities; (2) the location, duration, frequency and intensity of the symptoms; (3) precipitating and aggravating factors; (4) the type, dosage, effectiveness and side effects of any medication taken to alleviate the symptoms; (5) treatment, other than medication, you receive or have received for relief of your pain; (6) any measures used to relieve the symptoms; and (7) other factors concerning the functional limitations and restrictions due to the symptoms.
Here, ALJ Silvain did not completely disregard Plaintiff's allegations of pain, but determined that they lack credibility to the extent that Plaintiff claims he is totally disabled. Id. at PAGEID 63. Indeed, ALJ Silvain added two physical limitations to Plaintiff's RFC, as well as several mental limitations, based on Plaintiff's pain allegations. See doc. 6–2 at PAGEID 61–62.
ALJ Silvain reasonably concluded that Plaintiff was not fully credible. See doc. 6–2 at PAGEID 62–63. Notably, ALJ Silvain recognized that “the veracity of the claimant's allegations is significantly undermined by inconsistencies in his testimony concerning alcohol and/or drug use.” Id. at PAGEID 63. The record shows that Plaintiff tested positive for cocaine, doc. 6–8 at PAGEID 501, 625; yet, at the administrative hearing, he testified that he had never used cocaine. Doc. 6–2 at PAGEID 81. Likewise, he testified that he never drank alcohol, doc. 6–2 at PAGEID 103, which was inconsistent with his statement to Dr. Tecklenburg, in July 2009, that he drinks alcohol occasionally. See doc. 6–9 at PAGEID 707. In addition, ALJ Silvain considered the following factors: there was no evidence of Plaintiff experiencing adverse side effects from his medication or treatment; and he had received only conservative treatment. Doc. 6–2 at PAGEID 63. Moreover, ALJ Silvain reasonably found that Plaintiff's reported daily activities were outweighed by the other factors undermining his credibility. See id.
Accordingly, in making the credibility assessment, ALJ Silvain applied the proper factors and reasonably concluded that Plaintiff's pain allegations were not entirely credible. Further, ALJ Silvain's reasons for making such a finding are each supported by substantial evidence.
D. ALJ Silvain Properly Relied on the VE's Testimony
Plaintiff also argues that ALJ Silvain improperly relied on the VE's testimony because: (1) the hypothetical regarding Plaintiff's limitations was inaccurate; and (2) the VE's testimony—that the cited jobs could be performed with a sit/stand option at fifteen-minute intervals—was inconsistent with the Dictionary of Occupational Titles (“DOT”). See doc. 7 at PAGEID 752–54.
At the “fifth step,” the Commissioner must prove that there is work available in the economy that the claimant can perform. Her v. Comm'r of Soc. Sec., 203 F.3d 388, 391 (6th Cir.1999). To satisfy this burden, the ALJ can rely on the VE's testimony, as long as the VE's testimony is in response to an accurate hypotheticalof the claimant's physical and mental limitations. Varley v. Sec'y of Health & Human Servs., 820 F.2d 777, 779 (6th Cir.1987). In formulating the hypothetical, the ALJ needs to incorporate only those limitations that he or she accepts as credible. See Casey, 987 F.2d at 1235.
Here, ALJ Silvain's hypothetical to the VE included all of the limitations provided for in Plaintiff's RFC, see doc. 6–2 at PAGEID 114–17, and, as discussed above, that RFC finding is supported by substantial evidence. Based on that hypothetical, the VE testified that there are 3,400 jobs in the Dayton regional economy which Plaintiff could perform. Id. at PAGEID 117–18. Accordingly, ALJ Silvain satisfied his “step five” burden.
Moreover, Plaintiff's argument—that ALJ Silvain erred in crediting the VE's testimony because it is was inconsistent with the DOT—lacks merit. The VE is not required to follow the DOT. Wright v. Massanari, 321 F.3d 611, 616 (6th Cir.2003). Further, ALJ Silvain fulfilled his duty by asking the VE whether his testimony was “pursuant to the DOT,” id. at PAGEID 121, and Plaintiff's counsel did not interrogate the VE regarding any conflicts between her testimony and the DOT. See doc. 6–2 at PAGEID 119–21. See Lindsley v. Comm'r of Soc. Sec., 560 F.3d 601, 606 (6th Cir.2009). Accordingly, ALJ Silvain did not err in relying on the VE's testimony, and substantial evidence supports his “step five” finding.
The VE testified that a person could alternate between sitting and standing every fifteen minutes in performing the cited jobs. See doc. 6–2 at PAGEID 120.
IV. RECOMMENDATION
For the foregoing reasons, the Court finds Plaintiff's assignments of error to be unavailing. The ALJ's decision is supported by substantial evidence and should be affirmed.
IT IS THEREFORE RECOMMENDED THAT:
1. The Commissioner's final non-disability finding ( i.e., ALJ Silvain's April 2010 decision) be found supported by substantial evidence, and AFFIRMED; and
2. This case be CLOSED.