De Rohn v. Comm Social Security

Opinions of the United
2004 Decisions States Court of Appeals
for the Third Circuit
5-5-2004
De Rohn v. Comm Social Security
Precedential or Non-Precedential: Non-Precedential
Docket No. 03-3487
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NOT PRECEDENTIAL
UNITED STATES COURT OF APPEALS
FOR THE THIRD CIRCUIT
___________
No. 03-3487
___________
BRUCE E. DE ROHN,
Appellant
v.
JO ANNE B. BARNHART,
COMM ISSIONER OF SOCIAL SECURITY
___________
APPEAL FROM THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
FOR THE EASTERN DISTRICT OF PENNSYLVANIA
(D.C. No. 01-cv-06026)
District Judge: The Honorable Robert F. Kelly
___________
ARGUED MARCH 8, 2004
Before: SLOVITER, NYGAARD, Circuit Judges and OBERDORFER, District Judge*
(Filed: May 5, 2004)
___________
Carla J. Thomas, Esq. (Argued)
Thomas & Thomas
704 Washington Street
Easton, PA 18042
Counsel for Appellant
*. Hon. Louis F. Oberdorfer, Senior District Judge, United States District Court for
the District of Columbia, sitting by designation.
Andrew C. Lynch, Esq. (Argued)
Social Security Administration
OGC/Region III
P. O. Box 41777
Philadelphia, PA 19101
Counsel for Appellee
___________
OPINION OF THE COURT
___________
NYGAARD, Circuit Judge.
This case involves a claim for supplemental security income (SSI) under
Title XVI of the Social Security Act. Bruce E. DeRohn, the Appellant, petitioned the
District Court to overturn the denial of his application for SSI. Upon consideration of
cross-motions for summary judgment, the District Court granted the Commissioner’s
motion and adopted the Report and Recommendation of the Magistrate Judge. DeRohn
now appeals. The District Court had jurisdiction pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 405(g) and we
have jurisdiction under 28 U.S.C. § 1291. We will affirm.
While we review the District Court’s order de novo, we will reverse a grant
of summary judgment in favor of the Commissioner only if we conclude that the ALJ’s
findings were not supported by “substantial evidence.” Podedworny v. Harris, 745 F.2d
210, 217 (3d Cir. 1984); 42 U.S.C. § 405(g). We define “substantial evidence” as
evidence “a reasonable mind might accept as adequate.” Ventura v. Shalala, 55 F.3d 900,
901 (3d Cir. 1995) (quoting Richardson v. Perales, 402 U.S. 389, 401 (1971)). That is to
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say, substantial evidence is “less than a preponderance of the evidence but more than a
mere scintilla.” Jesurum v. Sec’y of the United States Dep’t of Health & Human Servs.,
48 F.3d 114, 117 (3d Cir. 1995). In determining whether substantial evidence exists, “we
are not permitted to weigh the evidence or substitute our own conclusions for that of the
[ALJ].” Burns v. Barnhart, 312 F.3d 113, 118 (3d Cir. 2002) (citing Williams v. Sullivan,
970 F.2d 1178, 1182 (3d Cir. 1992)).
In order to qualify for SSI, a person must be "disabled" under the Social Security
Act and the accompanying regulations. Under Title XVI, the Act defines disability as the
inability “to engage in any substantial gainful activity by reason of any medically
determinable physical or mental impairment which can be expected to result in death or
which has lasted or can be expected to last for a continuous period of not less than twelve
months." 42 U.S.C. § 1382c(a)(3)(A). In determining whether a claimant qualifies for
SSI, the Social Security Administration applies a five-step test. 20 C.F.R. § 416.920. At
step one, the claimant must show that he is not currently engaging in "substantial gainful
activity," 20 C.F.R. § 416.920(b), as defined in the regulations. See 20 C.F.R. § 220.141.
At step two, the claimant must show that he suffers from a "severe impairment." 20
C.F.R. § 416.920(c). If the claimant fails to make the proper showing at either step one or
two, he will be denied benefits. At step three, a claimant may attempt to demonstrate that
his disability meets or equals an impairment listed in Appendix 1 to Subpart P of Part 404
("Listing of Impairments"). 20 C.F.R. § 416.920(d). If the impairment meets or equals a
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listed impairment (hereinafter referred to as a "Listing"), the claimant is considered
disabled and the evaluation process ends. See Plummer v. Apfel, 186 F.3d 422, 428 (3d
Cir.1999). If, however, the claimant's impairments do not satisfy step three, the process
continues to step four. At step four, the claimant must demonstrate that he does not have
sufficient residual functional capacity to perform his past relevant work. 20 C.F.R. §
416.920(e). Residual functional capacity is "the most [he] can still do despite [his]
limitations." 20 C.F.R. § 416.945(a)(1). If the claimant fails to make the necessary
showing at step four, he will be denied benefits. If he satisfies step four, the inquiry
moves to step five. At step five, the burden shifts to the Commissioner to show that the
claimant can perform "other work." 20 C.F.R. § 416.920(e). "Other work" consists of
jobs that exist in significant numbers in the national economy that the claimant can
perform given his age, education, past work experience, and residual functional capacity.
Plummer, 186 F.3d at 428; See also Burns, 312 F.3d at 119. At the fourth and fifth steps,
the ALJ often seeks advisory testimony from a vocational expert. Burns, 312 F.3d at 119.
DeRohn claimed eligibility for SSI due to mental health problems. After his claim
was denied, he appealed to an ALJ. At the hearing, the ALJ heard testimony from
DeRohn, DeRohn’s wife, and a vocational expert. The ALJ also considered the reports
and records of various treating physicians, reviewing psychiatrists and psychologists. On
August 13, 2001, the ALJ issued a decision denying DeRohn benefits. Specifically, the
ALJ found that while DeRohn did suffer from certain severe impairments, he retained the
4
residual functional capacity to perform his past work and, in the alternative, he could
perform a range of light or sedentary work that exists in significant numbers in the
national economy. DeRohn sought review of the ALJ’s determination by the District
Court, which upheld the ALJ’s decision. DeRohn now appeals the matter to us.
On appeal, DeRohn attacks the ALJ’s decision on several grounds. First, he
contends that he should have been found disabled at step three of the analysis, as his
mental problems met or equaled an impairment under Listing 12.06. 20 C.F.R. pt. 404,
subpt. P, app. 1, § 12.06. Specifically, DeRohn argues that his anxiety disorder is severe
enough to satisfy the requirements of section 12.06B, because the disorder places marked
restrictions on his daily activities as well as on his social functioning, and section 12.06C,
because he is unable to function outside of his home. He points to various sections of the
record to support his arguments.
Next, DeRohn argues that the ALJ incorrectly rejected the disability
findings of his treating physicians. Third, he maintains that the ALJ’s credibility
determination is not supported by substantial evidence. Finally, DeRohn argues that the
ALJ erred in posing a hypothetical question that did not include either panic attacks he
supposedly experiences when he leaves his home or the effects of his medications. We
find no merit in any of the arguments DeRohn raises and will affirm the determination of
the District Court. For the benefit of the parties, however, we will briefly address each
issue raised by the Appellant.
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A. Listing 12.06 Criteria
First, we examine whether there is substantial evidence to support the ALJ’s
determination that DeRohn’s condition did not meet or equal the type of disorders
contemplated in Listing 12.06. To meet Listing 12.06, DeRohn must demonstrate that he
suffers from an “anxiety related disorder” that meets “[t]he required level of severity for
these disorders [which] is met when the requirements in both A and B are satisfied, or
when the requirements in both A and C are satisfied.” 2 Here, the ALJ stated that DeRohn
2. Listing 12.06, Anxiety Related Disorders, provides:
1. In these disorders anxiety is either the predominant disturbance or it is
experienced if the individual attempts to master symptoms; for example,
confronting the dreaded object or situation in a phobic disorder or resisting the
obsessions or compulsions in obsessive compulsive disorders.
The required level of severity for these disorders is met when the requirements
in both A and B are satisfied, or when the requirements in both A and C are
satisfied.
A. Medically documented findings of at least one of the following:
1. Generalized persistent anxiety accompanied by three out of
four of the following signs or symptoms:
a. Motor tension; or b. Autonomic hyperactivity; or c.
Apprehensive expectation; or d. Vigilance and scanning;
or
2. A persistent irrational fear of a specific object, activity, or
situation which results in a compelling desire to avoid the
dreaded object, activity, or situation; or
3. Recurrent severe panic attacks manifested by a sudden
unpredictable onset of intense apprehension, fear, terror and
sense of impending doom occurring on the average of at least
once a week; or
(continued...)
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had no more than moderate limitations in activities of daily living; maintaining social
functioning; or maintaining concentration, persistence or pace. The ALJ specifically
linked this conclusion to medical sources. For example, Dr. Warren, one of DeRohn’s
treating physicians, reported that DeRohn’s examination was “normal” and he presented
as a “relatively stable” patient. A.R. at 145. Also, the ALJ pointed to the testimony of
(...continued)
4. Recurrent obsessions or compulsions which are a source of
marked distress; or
5. Recurrent and intrusive recollections of a traumatic experience,
which are a source of marked distress;
And
B. Resulting in at least two of the following:
1. Marked restriction of activities of daily living; or
2. Marked difficulties in maintaining social functioning; or
3. Marked difficulties in maintaining concentration, persistence,
or pace; or
4. Repeated episodes of decompensation, each of extended
duration;
Or
C. Resulting in complete inability to function independently outside the
area of one's home.
20 C.F.R., pt. 404, subpt. P, app. 1, § 12.06.
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the state agency medical expert, Dr. Gold, who testified that DeRohn had no more than
moderate limitations of function in other areas related to understanding, memory,
sustained concentration and persistence, social interaction and adaption. Appropriately
relying on medical evidence, the ALJ determined that DeRohn’s impairments were not
marked but slight. Based upon our review of the record, we find sufficient evidence to
support the ALJ’s determination that DeRohn did not meet the criteria in Listing 12.06.
B. Opinions of the Treating Physician
DeRohn next contends that the ALJ erred by rejecting the opinions of his
treating physicians. Controlling weight is given to the opinion of a claimant’s treating
physician regarding the nature and severity of the claimant’s impairment when, among
other things, it is not inconsistent with other substantial evidence. See 20 C.F.R. §§
404.1527(d)(2), 416.927(d)(2). Here, the ALJ found that the opinions of DeRohn’s
treating physicians were inconsistent and that finding is supported by substantial
evidence. As a result, their opinions were not entitled to controlling weight. Because the
opinions were not entitled to controlling weight, the ALJ properly evaluated and weighed
them against other medical evidence in the record. Id.C. Credibility Determinations
Next, DeRohn asserts that the ALJ’s credibility finding is not supported by
substantial evidence. We disagree. We afford the credibility determinations of the ALJ
great weight because she had the opportunity to observe the demeanor and hear the
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testimony given by DeRohn. Atlantic Limousine, Inc. v. NLRB, 243 F.3d 711, 718 (3d
Cir. 2001). The ALJ gave legally sufficient reasons in support of her finding that
DeRohn’s testimony was not entirely credible. The ALJ's decision to discount DeRohn's
testimony, therefore, is supported by substantial evidence and will be upheld.
D. Hypothetical Question
DeRohn argues that the hypothetical question posed by the ALJ to the vocational
expert did not include the panic attacks that he experiences when he leaves his house or
the effect of his medication on these incidents. An ALJ's hypothetical question to a
vocational expert must accurately portray the claimant's individual impairments that are
supported by the record. See Chrupcala v. Heckler, 829 F.2d 1269, 1276 (3d Cir. 1987);
Podedworny v. Harris, 745 F.2d 210, 218 (3d Cir. 1984). As previously indicated, the
ALJ rejected some of DeRohn’s claimed impairments and that rejection was supported by
substantial evidence. The ALJ incorporated the remaining impairments in the
hypothetical question she posed to the vocational expert. This hypothetical, therefore,
met the requirements we set forth in Chrupcala.
Accordingly, we will affirm the order of the District Court.