Stell v. Social Security Administration Commissioner ( 2020 )

IN UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT WESTERN DISTRICT OF ARKANSAS HOT SPRINGS DIVISION CONNIE S. STELL PLAINTIFF vs. Civil No. 6:19-cv-06063 ANDREW SAUL, DEFENDANT Commissioner, Social Security Administration MEMORANDUM OPINION Plaintiff, Connie S. Stell, brings this action under 42 U.S.C. § 405(g), seeking judicial review of a decision of the Commissioner of Social Security Administration (Commissioner) denying her claim for supplemental security income (“SSI”) under Title XVI of the Social Security Act (hereinafter “the Act”), 42 U.S.C. §§ 423(d)(1)(A), 1382c(a)(3)(A). In this judicial review, the court must determine whether there is substantial evidence in the administrative record to support the Commissioner’s decision. See 42 U.S.C. § 405(g). The Parties have consented to the jurisdiction of a magistrate judge to conduct any and all proceedings in this case, including conducting the trial, ordering the entry of a final judgment, and conducting all post-judgment proceedings. ECF No. 5. Pursuant to this authority, the Court issues this memorandum opinion and orders the entry of a final judgment in this matter. 1. Background: Plaintiff protectively filed her application for SSI on April 20, 2015. (Tr. 10)1. In her application, Plaintiff alleged being disabled due to scoliosis, depression, insomnia, and memory problems with an alleged onset date of January 1, 2015. (Tr. 10, 179, 190). Plaintiff’s application was denied initially and again upon reconsideration. (Tr. 10). Plaintiff requested an 1 References to the Transcript will be (Tr. ___) and refer to the document filed at ECF No. 10, These references are to the page number of the transcript itself not the ECF page number. 1 administrative hearing and that administrative hearing was held on September 14, 2016. (Tr. 25- 56). At this hearing, Plaintiff was present and represented by counsel, Sherri McDonough. (Id.). Plaintiff and a Vocational Expert (“VE”) testified at the hearing. (Id.). At the hearing, Plaintiff amended her onset date to April 20, 2015. (Tr. 28). Following the administrative hearing, on December 1, 2016, the ALJ entered an unfavorable decision. (Tr. 7-21). The ALJ found Plaintiff had not engaged in substantial gainful activity since her amended onset date of April 20, 2015. (Tr. 12, Finding 1). The ALJ determined Plaintiff had the severe impairments of: degenerative joint disease, bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. (Tr. 12, Finding 2). Despite being severe, the ALJ determined those impairments did not meet or medically equal the requirements of any of the Listings of Impairments in 20 CFR Part 404, Subpart P, Appendix 1 (“Listings”). (Tr. 12-13, Finding 3). The ALJ considered Plaintiff’s subjective complaints and determined her RFC. (Tr. 13- 16, Finding 4). The ALJ evaluated Plaintiff’s subjective complaints and found her claimed limitations were not entirely consistent with the medical evidence and other evidence in the record. Id. The ALJ determined that Plaintiff retained the RFC to: [P]erform light work as defined in 20 CFR 416.967(b) except this individual cannot walk on uneven surfaces or climb ladders, ropes, or scaffolding, but can occasionally climb, crouch, kneel, stoop, and crawl. This individual cannot be exposed to dust, gases, fumes, odors, temperature extremes, or other pulmonary irritants and is limited to reaching and handling with the dominant right upper extremity Id. The ALJ found, in the alternative, Plaintiff also had the RFC to perform sedentary work with the other restrictions as listed above. (Tr. 13). Plaintiff had no Past Relevant Work (“PRW”). (Tr. 16, Finding 5). However, the ALJ found there were jobs in the significant 2 numbers in the national economy that Plaintiff could perform. (Tr. 16-17, Finding 9). With the help of the VE, the ALJ found Plaintiff could perform the representative occupations of mail clerk with approximately 20,000 jobs in the nation, circuit board assembler with 24,000 jobs in the nation, or toy stuffer. Id. Based upon this finding, the ALJ determined Plaintiff was not disabled at any time from April 20, 2015, through the date of his decision. (Tr. 17, Finding 10). On October 23, 2017, Plaintiff filed an appeal, which resulted in the case being remanded for further proceedings. (Tr. 576-83). On May 8, 2018, the Appeals Council found the hypothetical given to the VE did not match the RFC found in the hearing decision and ordered the ALJ to give further consideration to Plaintiff’s RFC and to obtain supplemental evidence from a vocational expert to clarify the effect of the assessed limitations on Plaintiff’s occupational base. (Tr. 588-91). An administrative hearing was held on August 27, 2018, at which Plaintiff was present and represented by counsel, Sherri McDonough. (Tr. 548-75). Plaintiff and a Vocational Expert (“VE”) testified at the hearing. (Id.). Following the administrative hearing, on April 5, 2019, the ALJ entered an unfavorable decision. (Tr. 508-26). The ALJ found Plaintiff had not engaged in substantial gainful activity since her amended onset date of April 20, 2015. (Tr. 514, Finding 1). The ALJ determined Plaintiff had the severe impairments of: history of right knee scope, bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, bursitis, asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), sleep apnea, degenerative disc disease, restless leg syndrome, anxiety, and depression. (Tr. 514, Finding 2). Despite being severe, the ALJ determined those impairments did not meet or medically equal the requirements of any of the Listings of Impairments in 20 CFR Part 404, Subpart P, Appendix 1 (“Listings”). (Tr. 514-15, Finding 3). 3 The ALJ considered Plaintiff’s subjective complaints and determined her RFC. (Tr. 514- 19, Finding 4). The ALJ evaluated Plaintiff’s subjective complaints and found her claimed limitations were not entirely consistent with the medical evidence and other evidence in the record. Id. The ALJ determined that with mild to moderate pain, Plaintiff retained the RFC to: [P]erform light work as defined in 20 CFR 416.967(b) noting that she can lift 20 pounds occasionally and 10 pounds more frequently. She can sit for six to eight hours in an eight-hour workday and for one to two hours without interruption. The claimant can occasionally climb, stoop, crouch, kneel, or crawl. She cannot walk on uneven ground or climb ladders and multiple stairs. The claimant is restricted from working around heavy chemicals, dust, fumes, and temperature extremes; and her reaching and handling is limited to frequent, no more than two-thirds of the day. Further, the claimant is restricted to unskilled rote work. She can understand, follow, and remember concrete instructions. The claimant is limited to superficial interaction with supervisors, co-workers, and the public, such as meeting, greeting, making change, and giving simple instructions. Id. The ALJ found Plaintiff had no Past Relevant Work (“PRW”). (Tr. 519, Finding 5). However, the ALJ found there were jobs in the significant numbers in the national economy that Plaintiff could perform. (Tr. 520-21, Finding 9). With the help of the VE, the ALJ found Plaintiff could perform the representative occupations of rental clerk with approximately 17,000 jobs in the nation and child attendant monitoring with 18,000 jobs in the nation. Id. Based upon this finding, the ALJ determined Plaintiff was not disabled at any time from April 20, 2015, through the date of his decision. (Tr. 521, Finding 10). On June 10, 2019, Plaintiff filed the present appeal. ECF No. 2. Both Parties have filed appeal briefs. ECF Nos. 12, 13. This case is now ready for decision. 2. Applicable Law: It is well-established that a claimant for Social Security disability benefits has the burden of proving his or her disability by establishing a physical or mental disability that lasted at least 4 one year and that prevents him or her from engaging in any substantial gainful activity. See Cox v. Apfel, 160 F.3d 1203, 1206 (8th Cir. 1998); 42 U.S.C. §§ 423(d)(1)(A), 1382c(a)(3)(A). The Act defines a “physical or mental impairment” as “an impairment that results from anatomical, physiological, or psychological abnormalities which are demonstrable by medically acceptable clinical and laboratory diagnostic techniques.” 42 U.S.C. §§ 423(d)(3), 1382(3)(c). A plaintiff must show that his or her disability, not simply his or her impairment, has lasted for at least twelve consecutive months. See 42 U.S.C. § 423(d)(1)(A). To determine whether the adult claimant suffers from a disability, the Commissioner uses the familiar five-step sequential evaluation. He determines: (1) whether the claimant is presently engaged in a “substantial gainful activity”; (2) whether the claimant has a severe impairment that significantly limits the claimant’s physical or mental ability to perform basic work activities; (3) whether the claimant has an impairment that meets or equals a presumptively disabling impairment listed in the regulations (if so, the claimant is disabled without regard to age, education, and work experience); (4) whether the claimant has the Residual Functional Capacity (RFC) to perform his or her past relevant work; and (5) if the claimant cannot perform the past work, the burden shifts to the Commissioner to prove that there are other jobs in the national economy that the claimant can perform. See Cox, 160 F.3d at 1206; 20 C.F.R. §§ 404.1520(a)-(f). The fact finder only considers the plaintiff’s age, education, and work experience in light of his or her RFC if the final stage of this analysis is reached. See 20 C.F.R. §§ 404.1520, 416.920 (2003). 3. Discussion: Plaintiff brings three points on appeal: 1) whether the ALJ erred in his RFC determination by failing to account for her limitations from carpal tunnel when he limited her to frequent reaching and handling; 2) whether the ALJ erred by relying on improper VE testimony when he found work 5 available to Plaintiff at the light level; and 3) whether the ALJ erred in failing to find Plaintiff limited to sedentary work, and therefore disabled as of her 50th birthday. ECF No. 12. The Commissioner argues substantial evidence supported the ALJ’s RFC findings, and that the ALJ relied on proper VE testimony at step five. ECF No. 13. Of particular concern to the undersigned is the ALJ’s RFC determination. RFC is the most a person can do despite that person’s limitations. 20 C.F.R. § 404.1545(a)(1). It is assessed using all relevant evidence in the record. Id. This includes medical records, observations of treating physicians and others, and the claimant’s own descriptions of her limitations. Guilliams v. Barnhart, 393 F.3d 798, 801 (8th Cir. 2005); Eichelberger v. Barnhart, 390 F.3d 584, 591 (8th Cir. 2004). Limitations resulting from symptoms such as pain are also factored into the assessment. 20 C.F.R. § 404.1545(a)(3). The United States Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit has held that a “claimant’s residual functional capacity is a medical question.” Lauer v. Apfel, 245 F.3d 700, 704 (8th Cir. 2001). Therefore, an ALJ’s determination concerning a claimant’s RFC must be supported by medical evidence that addresses the claimant’s ability to function in the workplace. Lewis v. Barnhart, 353 F.3d 642, 646 (8th Cir. 2003). “[T]he ALJ is [also] required to set forth specifically a claimant’s limitations and to determine how those limitations affect h[er] RFC.” Id. In making his RFC determination, the ALJ gave little weight to the opinion offered by the state agency medical consultants. (Tr. 519). The ALJ gave good reasons for affording little weight to these opinions. However, the ALJ did not specifically consider any other medical opinion evidence. The ALJ’s RFC determination must be supported by medical evidence that addresses Plaintiff’s ability to function in the workplace. “Well-settled precedent confirms that the ALJ bears a responsibility to develop the record fairly and fully, independent of the claimant’s 6 burden to press his case.” Vossen v. Astrue, 612 F.3d 1011, 1016 (8th Cir. 2010) (quoting Snead v. Barnhart, 360 F.3d 834, 838 (8th Cir. 2004). The Court finds the ALJ’s RFC determination is not supported by substantial evidence and requires remand to further develop the record and further consider Plaintiff’s maximum RFC. On remand, the ALJ is directed to address interrogatories to a medical professional requesting that said physician review Plaintiff's medical records; complete a RFC assessment regarding Plaintiff's capabilities during the time period in question; and give the objective basis for the opinion so that an informed decision can be made regarding Plaintiff's ability to perform basic work activities on a sustained basis. The ALJ may also order a consultative examination, in which, the consultative examiner should be asked to review the medical evidence of record, perform examinations and appropriate testing needed to properly diagnosis Plaintiff's condition(s), and complete a medical assessment of Plaintiff's abilities to perform work related activities. See 20 C.F.R. § 416.917. With this evidence, the ALJ should then re-evaluate Plaintiff's RFC and specifically list in a hypothetical to a vocational expert any limitations that are indicated in the RFC assessments and supported by the evidence. The undersigned acknowledges that the ALJ’s decision may be the same after proper analysis. Nonetheless, proper analysis must occur. Groeper v. Sullivan, 932 F.2d 1234, 1239 (8th Cir. 1991). 7 1. Conclusion: Accordingly, the Court concludes that the ALJ’s decision is not supported by substantial evidence, and therefore, the denial of benefits to the Plaintiff should be reversed and this matter should be remanded to the Commissioner for further consideration pursuant to sentence four of 42 U.S.C. § 405(g). ENTERED this 21st day of July 2020. Barry A. Bryant /s/ HON. BARRY A. BRYANT U.S. MAGISTRATE JUDGE 8