Gilewski v. Provident Life & Accident Insurance Co.

NOT RECOMMENDED FOR FULL-TEXT PUBLICATION
File Name: 17a0174n.06
Case No. 16-2028
FILED
UNITED STATES COURT OF APPEALS Mar 22, 2017
FOR THE SIXTH CIRCUIT DEBORAH S. HUNT, Clerk
LES A. GILEWSKI, )
)
Plaintiff-Appellant, )
) ON APPEAL FROM THE UNITED
v. ) STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR
) THE WESTERN DISTRICT OF
PROVIDENT LIFE AND ACCIDENT ) MICHIGAN
INSURANCE COMPANY, )
)
Defendant-Appellee. )
)
____________________________________/
Before: MERRITT, COOK, and McKEAGUE, Circuit Judges.
MERRITT, Circuit Judge. Plaintiff Les Gilewski brought a declaratory judgment
action against defendant Provident Life and Accident Insurance Company pursuant to the
Employee Retirement Income Security Act, 29 U.S.C. § 1132(a)(1)(B), alleging wrongful
termination of long-term disability benefits and seeking reinstatement of those benefits.
Gilewski suffered from depression and, at the age of 41, applied for benefits under two long-term
disability policies he held with Provident. Provident paid benefits under one policy for the two-
year duration of its term and those benefits are not at issue in this appeal. Provident also paid
benefits under the second policy, but, after four years, it terminated the benefits after it
determined that Gilewski was “able to perform the duties of his occupation” and was no longer
Case No. 16-2028, Gilewski v. Provident Life and Accident Ins. Co.
disabled under the terms of the policy. After exhausting Provident’s administrative appeals,
Gilewski brought this action against Provident. The district court granted judgment on the
administrative record to Provident. For the following reasons, we affirm.
I. FACTS AND HISTORY
Gilewski, born in 1968, was the owner and president of Radiance Mold and Engineering,
Inc., an auto supplier in Michigan, for 20 years. At one time the business employed as many as
100 people. In 2001, Gilweski’s son was born with cerebral palsy, putting a strain on his family
and work life. Gilewski also started experiencing marital difficulties that year. By the mid-
2000s, Gilewski was losing customers and sales personnel due to his personal struggles.
Gilewski’s business experienced further downturn during the recession that began in 2008, and
the business was put into bankruptcy and liquidated in the spring of 2009. Gilewski began
experiencing depression, culminating in his hospitalization for one week in June 2009 when he
became suicidal. Gilewski left the hospital under the care of Dr. Dan Guyer, who prescribed
medications for Gilewski. Gilewski was also under the care of a psychologist, Dr. Fred Roberts,
with whom he had weekly therapy sessions. Gilewski’s doctors determined he could not work,
and he filed for long-term disability pursuant to two disability insurance policies he had
previously purchased from Provident, citing his medical condition as anxiety and depression.
When he applied for benefits, Gilewski included a statement from his treating psychiatrist,
Dr. Guyer, which stated that Gilewski suffered from major depression and was unable to work.
Dr. Guyer further noted that he expected to see improvement in six to twelve months. Provident
began paying benefits effective June 2009 and continued until July 2013 when Provident
determined that Gilewski was able to return to his previous occupation.
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The first policy, which provided 24 months of disability benefits, is not at issue in this
case. The second policy requires Provident to pay monthly benefits to a participant who satisfies
various conditions, including being disabled within the meaning of the term as defined by the
policy. The policy states:
Disability, or disabled, means that, due solely to Injuries or Sickness:
1. you have a Loss of Time or Duties in your occupation; and
2. you have a Loss of Earnings of at least 20%.
...
Loss of Time or Duties means that:
1. you are not able to perform one or more of the substantial and material duties
of your occupation; or
2. you are not able to perform the substantial and material duties of your
occupation for as much time as you regularly performed them before you became
disabled.
...
Your occupation means the occupation . . . in which you are regularly engaged at
the time you become disabled.
Policy at 5-7 (emphasis omitted).
2009-2011
Provident paid Gilewski all available benefits under the first policy. Provident initially
denied Gilewski’s claim under the second policy because it determined that Gilewski had
negative earnings during the years preceding his disability onset date and therefore had not
sustained a 20-percent earnings loss as required under the policy. Provident later reconsidered
that determination, however, and paid all past due benefits. That dispute was resolved and is not
at issue in this appeal.
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Provident received periodic updates from Gilewski’s treating health-care professionals.
On January 5, 2010, Gilewski’s treating psychologist, Dr. Roberts, submitted documentation to
Provident noting that Gilewski’s depression had been severe in June 2009, but had improved to
moderate by October 2009. Dr. Roberts estimated that it was likely Gilewski would be ready to
work at least part-time by June 2010. In June 2011, Dr. Roberts submitted another report stating
that Gilewski was less depressed and feeling more hopeful about the future, but noting that it
would continue to be too stressful for Gilewski to run a large company.
2011-2013
In November 2010, Gilewski underwent a forensic psychiatric examination as part of his
bankruptcy proceeding. He was examined by Dr. Gerald Shiener, a board certified psychiatrist.
Dr. Shiener diagnosed Gilewski with “Major depression, recurrent and chronic,” and concluded
that Gilewski’s “current condition is incompatible with any sort of competitive employment.”
Because Dr. Shiener was not one of Gilewski’s regular treating physicians at this time, his initial
report was not sent to Provident at the time it was created. Gilewski, however, began to see Dr.
Shiener monthly after November 2010. Dr. Shiener began providing regular attending physician
statements to Provident in June 2011. However, the statements were simply photocopies of
previous statements with only the date changed, noting Gilewski’s diagnosis of “major
depression,” stating that he cannot work and that it “cannot [be] determined” when he will be
able to return to work. Gilewski stopped seeing Dr. Roberts in May 2011 and it appears that Dr.
Shiener became Gilewski’s sole treating physician for his depressive disorder. Dr. Robert’s last
treatment note, dated May 12, 2011, indicated that Gilewski was noticing “more energy” and
“was better able to think clearly” after a change in his medications.
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In early 2012, Provident began requesting further documentation from Dr. Shiener about
Gilewski’s current condition and prognosis. Dr. Shiener had been Gilewski’s treating physician
for a year, and he had provided Provident only with photocopies of the same attending physician
statement with the date changed each month. Provident sent a letter to Dr. Shiener on June 21,
2012, stating that it had sent him four previous requests for “additional information.” On June
18, 2012, Dr. Shiener responded with a letter stating that it was his policy not to release the
requested records because disclosure of sensitive personal information limits a patient’s ability to
participate in treatment. Dr. Shiener enclosed a copy of the narrative report he had sent to
Gilewski’s attorney on November 11, 2010, when he first examined Gilewski, and he said that
Gilewski’s condition “although stable is unimproved” and stated that Gilewski had “made an
attempt to withdraw from antidepressant medication which led to a significant setback and
reemergence of his depressive symptomatology.”
On December 6, 2012, Provident sent a letter to Dr. Shiener requesting that, in light of his
policy regarding the release of medical records, he provide the following: (1) a list of the dates
he treated Gilewski; (2) Gilewksi’s Global Assessment of Functioning score (referred to as the
“GAF” score in the record)1 every six months; and (3) a written summary of Gilewski’s current
condition, restrictions, and treatment plan, including medications. On February 20, 2013, Dr.
Shiener responded with a letter stating that he had seen Gilewski monthly since November 2010,
1
“Global Assessment of Functioning” is a simple ratings scale from the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental
Disorders for evaluating how well a person is able to function and go about their life. The scale range is from 0 to
100, where higher scores indicate greater levels of functioning. Optimal mental health and coping capabilities are
represented by scores in the 91–100 range. Persons with mild psychological problems fall in the 71–90 range.
Severe problems fall in the 21 – 30 range and 1–10 is reserved for persistently suicidal persons or persons incapable
of meeting even minimal personal hygiene standards. The GAF score is made as a standard part of all
psychiatric/psychological diagnoses. A score between 51 and 60 means moderate symptoms of mental illness are
present, or that a person’s functioning in school, work, or social situations is moderately impaired. The Diagnostic
and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders provides some examples of moderate mental illness: Flat affect and
circumstantial speech and occasional panic attacks. Examples of moderate functional impairments are few friends,
and conflicts with peers or co-workers. The GAF is just one tool used by clinicians to develop the clinical picture. It
cannot be used in isolation from the rest of the evidence to make a disability decision.
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and he enclosed a services-rendered accounting ledger listing the dates of Gilewski’s visits but
no medical information. The letter further stated that Gilewksi’s Global Assessment of
Functioning score was 40 when the treatment relationship began and increased to 59 in late 2011,
that it fell to 40 thereafter, and that it had stabilized at around 50 after an adjustment in
Gilewski’s medications. Finally, Dr. Shiener listed Gilewski’s medications and described his
treatment plan.
After reviewing Dr. Shiener’s letter, Dr. John Szlyk, an in-house psychiatrist at
Provident, spoke with Dr. Shiener about Gilewski’s condition and treatment. After speaking
with Dr. Shiener, Dr. Szlyk made a file notation observing that after four years of treatment,
Gilewski still fluctuated in activity levels and symptoms. He noted that the duration of
Gilewski’s recovery had gone from a 6-12 month window in late 2009 and early 2010 to
“uncertain” under Dr. Shiener’s care. Based on this, Dr. Szlyk recommended that Provident
obtain an independent medical examination “to clarify the insured’s diagnostic formulation, to
assess his recent functional status and current Behavioral Health-based R/L’s, to provide
recommendations for appropriate treatment, and to offer a timeframe for functional recovery
with such care.” Dr. Szlyk opined that after four years of treatment with only marginal gains
reported that more “aggressive/intense” treatment was needed. Provident selected Dr. Calmeze
Dudley, a board certified psychiatrist, to conduct the exam of Gilewski.
On June 19, 2013, Dr. Dudley examined Gilewski. Dr. Dudley diagnosed Gilewski with
“Major Depressive Disorder, Unipolar, stabilized,” and assigned him a Global Assessment of
functioning score of 80. Dr. Dudley’s independent psychiatric evaluation consisted of a history,
mental status examination and record review. Dr. Dudley reported general improvement in sleep
(8-9 hours per night) and increased energy despite some ongoing affective symptoms with
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Gilewski reporting “good days and bad days.” Dr. Dudley noted that Gilewski had recently
restarted a regular exercise program consisting of gym workouts three to four times per week and
weekly tennis with his attorney. Gilewski also reported to Dr. Dudley that he was able to spend
time with close friends, enjoyed watching television and hunting, which he had done the
previous winter, fishing, and taking family vacations to his parents’ homes in Northern Michigan
and Florida. Gilewski reported that he and his wife shared the home chores and the care of their
severely disabled 11-year-old son. Gilewski stated that his mood would have to be more stable
before trying to return to work and that he had anticipatory anxiety at the prospect. Dr. Dudley
noted that Gilewski “continues to be maintained on antidepressant medication and by all
accounts is doing relatively well.” Dr. Dudley concluded that Gilewski did not require a
psychiatric disability status and that he was able to return to work without restrictions. Based on
Dr. Dudley’s report, Provident’s Dr. Szlyk concluded that Gilewski did not have restrictions or
limitations that prevented him from returning to work. Dr. Szylk entered the following review of
Dr. Dudley’s examination into the administrative record on July 2, 2013:
Medical Issue: Insured is a 44 year old Auto-Related Molding Shop Owner with a
history of Major Depressive Disorder who claimed disability as of 6-2-2009. The
insured has been engaged in Behavioral Health treatment over nearly 4 years with
no report of his return to his former occupational duties. Questions have arisen
regarding the insured’s diagnostic formulation, the current level of support for
Behavioral Health-based R/L’s, his engagement in appropriate Behavioral Health
treatment, and his prognosis for functional recovery with continued care. It has
appeared Dr. Shiener has viewed the insured as more ill than other providers
have,—and yet has provided less intensive Behavioral Health treatment as the
insured has seemingly done less well. Given the limited information provided by
Dr. Shiener as he had taken over the care of the insured in 2011, it has been
difficult to reconcile his reports of the insured’s doing poorly with a poor
prognosis with other clinical information indicating the insured’s clinical
progress, increased activity level, and thoughts of developing a small business.
On July 12, 2013, Provident notified Gilewski that it would terminate his benefits based
on its determination that he was able to perform the duties of his occupation. The termination
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letter stated that Dr. Dudley noted a diagnosis of major depressive disorder that has been
stabilized. The termination letter also noted that Dr. Dudley concluded that Gilewski was doing
“relatively well” and should continue on antidepressants, and that he was probably at or near
maximum medical recovery. Benefits Termination Letter at 2, dated July 12, 2013. The letter
went on to explain that the medical information indicated that Gilewski is able to perform the
duties of his occupation and benefits would cease.
On September 4, 2013, Dr. Shiener sent Provident a letter responding to Dr. Dudley’s
report. Dr. Shiener stated that he believed Dr. Dudley’s assessment was incorrect, and that
Gilewski was limited in his ability to take pleasure in activities and that his mood was markedly
depressed. Dr. Shiener also noted that Dr. Dudley had limited experience in treating depressed
patients. In an October 8, 2013, letter to Provident, Dr. Dudley responded to Dr. Shiener’s
criticisms. Dr. Dudley stated that Dr. Shiener’s opinions were inconsistent with those rendered
by Gilewski’s previous medical providers, and that, if the diagnosis provided by Dr. Shiener was
accurate, Gilewski would require “a more intensified treatment intervention.” Finally, Dr.
Dudley defended his qualifications to render an opinion, pointing out that he had 27 years of
experience treating depressed patients. Thereafter, Provident informed Gilewski that it would
not change its benefits decision in light of the additional information provided by Dr. Shiener
and informed Gilewski of his right to appeal.
Administrative Appeal
On January 3, 2014, Gilewski appealed the termination of his benefits to Provident.
Gilewski provided additional materials, including affidavits from family members describing his
condition and activities, an affidavit from an executive in the automobile mold industry detailing
the demands of that position, and a report from a vocational expert. Dr. Peter Brown, an
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independent board certified psychiatrist hired by Provident, reviewed Gilewski’s file for the
appeal but did not conduct an independent medical examination. Dr. Brown concluded that
Gilewski’s medical information did not support any restrictions or limitations. Dr. Brown noted
that, although it was difficult to assess Dr. Shiener’s conclusions without medical records,
Gilewski’s course of treatment was not consistent with a severe and pervasive psychiatric
impairment. Dr. Brown also found that the Dr. Dudley’s independent examination was
“comprehensive, thoughtful and consistent with professional standards.”
On January 30, 2014, Provident notified Gilewski that it had affirmed its denial of
benefits. The letter provided Provident’s reasoning for denying the appeal:
The [independent] examiner [Dr. Dudley] did not find evidence of occupationally
precluding restrictions or limitations. He concluded that the current level of
treatment is appropriate and consistent with a stable condition. He recommended
ongoing treatment.
The attending psychiatrist [Dr. Shiener] has consistently asserted Mr. Gilewski
continues to have severe and pervasive psychiatric impairment. The lack of actual
treatment records does limit capacity to value this assertion. However, the course
of treatment with reportedly monthly psychotherapy and a relatively modest and
predominantly stable regimen through mid-2013 is not consistent with the
presence of severe and pervasive psychiatric impairment.
Appeal Denial Letter at 2-3, dated January 30, 2014. The letter stated that Gilewski’s treatment
records would be helpful in evaluating Dr. Shiener’s conclusions, and that if those records were
not available, Provident would review a summary that included changes in treatment and dates of
medical services during 2013. Gilewski did not provide the suggested documents.
Following the denial of his appeal, Gilewski filed this action in district court seeking
review of Provident’s decision pursuant to the Employee Retirement Income Security Act, 29
U.S.C. § 1132(a)(1)(B). Gilewski alleged that Provident wrongly terminated his long-term
benefits because the substantial weight of the evidence in the administrative record demonstrates
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that he has an ongoing disability and is unable to work under the terms of the policy. After a de
novo review of the record, the district court found that Gilewski was not disabled as defined by
the policy and affirmed Provident’s decision to terminate benefits. Gilewski v. Provident Life
and Accident Ins. Co., No. 1:15-CV-238, 2016 WL 3355555 (W.D. Mich. June 17, 2016). This
appeal followed.
II. ANALYSIS
The sole issue on appeal is whether the district court erred in holding that Provident’s
decision to terminate Gilewski’s long-term disability benefits was supported by substantial
evidence in the administrative record. Gilewski’s primary complaint is that the Provident did not
give enough weight to the opinion of his treating physician, Dr. Shiener, and relied instead on the
opinions of nontreating psychiatrists, only one of whom had actually examined Gilewski.
Gilewski also contends on appeal that the district court erred in not requiring Provident to
consider the evidence submitted by Gilewski regarding a vocational expert who opined about the
demands of Gilewski’s occupation, and he also maintains that the administrative process was
marred by a conflict of interest because Provident is both the decisionmaker and the payor of
benefits.
Standard of Review
Provident does not dispute that the plan administrator’s decision in this case is not
entitled to deference. “In cases in which a plan administrator is given no discretionary authority
by the plan, review of the plan administrator’s decision by the district court—as well as the court
of appeals—is de novo, with respect to both the plan administrator’s interpretation of the plan
and the plan administrator’s factual findings.” Wilkins v. Baptist Healthcare Sys., Inc., 150 F.3d
609, 616 (6th Cir. 1998). We therefore review the district court’s judgment on Gilewski’s claim
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de novo, applying the same standard of review to the plan administrator’s action as the district
court, taking a “fresh look” at the administrative record, and according no deference or
presumption of correctness to the decisions of either the district court or plan administrator. Id.Medical Evidence
To succeed in his claim for disability benefits under ERISA, Gilewski must prove by a
preponderance of the evidence that he was “disabled,” as that term is defined in the policy. See
Tracy v. Pharmacia & Upjohn Absence Payment Plan, 195 F. App’x 511, 516 n.4 (6th Cir.
2006) (plaintiff bears the burden of proof in an ERISA benefits case). The policy defines
“disability” in part to mean that the insured has experienced a “Loss of Time or duties in your
occupation.” The definition of “Loss of Time or Duties in your occupation” requires that “you
are not able to perform one or more of the substantial and material duties of your occupation,” or
that “you are not able to perform the substantial and material duties of your occupation for as
much time as you regularly performed them before you became disabled.” Policy at 5, 7. The
administrative record demonstrates that every health-care professional agrees that Gilewski
suffers from Major Depressive Disorder. The question is whether that condition had stabilized
sufficiently as of July 12, 2013, to allow Gilewski to return to his past profession running an
automotive supply company. After a careful and comprehensive review of the full
administrative record, we find that Gilewski has not established that he is unable to work in a
position equivalent to when he was the owner of Radiance Mold and Engineering.
In reaching this conclusion, we look at the medical evidence. “Generally speaking, an
administrator may not summarily reject the opinions of a treating physician, but must instead
give reasons for adopting an alternative opinion.” Elliott v. Metro. Life Ins. Co., 473 F.3d 613,
620 (6th Cir. 2006). Administrators, however, are not obligated to accord special deference to
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the opinions of treating physicians. Black & Decker Disability Plan v. Nord, 538 U.S. 822, 834
(2003). To that extent, a lack of objective medical evidence upon which to base a treating
physician’s opinion has been held sufficient reason for an administrator’s choice not to credit
that opinion. See, e.g., Boone v. Liberty Life Assur. Co. of Boston, 161 F. App’x 469, 473 (6th
Cir. 2005) (administrator’s decision not to credit treating physicians’ assessments not arbitrary
because the assessments were not supported by objective evidence, as required by the plan
document). Provident is not entitled to simply ignore the opinions provided by Gilewski’s
treating psychiatrist, but it can resolve conflicts between that opinion and the opinions of its own
file reviewers or independent examiners if it provides reasons—including a lack of objective
evidence from the treating physician—for adopting the alternative opinions that are consistent
with its responsibility to provide a full and fair review of the claim. See Curry v. Eaton Corp.,
400 F. App’x 51, 55 (6th Cir. 2010); Calvert v. Firstar Finance, Inc., 409 F.3d 286, 296 (6th Cir.
2005) (There is “nothing inherently objectionable about a file review by a qualified physician in
the context of a benefits determination.”)
We recognize that depression can be difficult to measure through “objective” tests, but
that difficulty does not render us unable to evaluate the medical evidence. The record provides
numerous evaluations made by mental-health professionals over a four-year period. There are
self-reporting records from the patient collected during examinations, home visits, and in the
form of activity logs completed by Gilewski. The medical evidence in the administrative record
indicates that depression made it difficult for Gilewski to concentrate, handle stress, remember
things, interact with employees and customers or to make decisions. We acknowledge that all
the mental health professionals who have evaluated Gilewski since the onset of his illness, both
treating and nontreating, have diagnosed major depression. But the records also show that with
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therapy and medication, Gilewski has shown consistent improvement in his activity level in the
four-year period since he became ill, including participating in regular exercise, taking vacations,
“tinkering” in his barn, hunting and fishing, handling chores around the house, including child
care, taking care of his own hygiene, and interacting with family and friends appropriately.
Gilewski repeatedly maintains in his briefs on appeal that Dr. Shiener’s opinion was “not
credited.” Dr. Shiener’s attending physician statements provided to Provident, however, did not
contain any analysis or content to help enlighten or explain in any detail why Dr. Shiener
believed Gilewski could not work or what treatment he was providing to move Gilewski toward
better mental health. Dr. Shiener submitted photocopies of the exact same statements with only
the date changed for over a year: they said simply said that Gilewski was depressed, unable to
work and his prognosis was uncertain. Dr. Shiener stopped submitting photocopies of prior
statements in the spring of 2013 after Provident asked for an independent examination, but even
his later statements provided minimal information. For example, Dr. Shiener changed
Gilewski’s prognosis from “good” to “guarded” in April 2013 without further explanation. With
such abbreviated analyses from Dr. Shiener, we cannot say on review of the administrative
record that it was improper of Provident to fail to give controlling weight to Dr. Shiener’s
opinion.
In addition to a dearth of information from Dr. Shiener, the attending physician
statements and reports he did provide were incompatible with Gilewski’s self-reported activity
level and abilities in 2012 and 2013, as well as with the other medical opinions, including the
opinion of Dr. Dudley, who performed an independent medical examination on Gilewski in June
2013, and the file reviews of Dr. Szylk, Provident’s in-house psychiatrist, and Dr. Brown, the
independent reviewer for the administrative appeal. The nontreating physicians all agreed with
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Dr. Shiener’s diagnosis of major depressive disorder, but the nontreating physicians believed the
condition to be “stabilized” and well-treated with Gilewski’s current medications. Dr. Dudley
noted that if after four years of treatment Gilewski’s condition and prognosis were as poor as Dr.
Shiener believed, Gilewski should be receiving more intensive treatment through changed
medications, intensive psychotherapy, or even in-patient treatment at a psychiatric facility. Even
after Dr. Dudley sent his report to Dr. Shiener, Dr. Shiener gave no indication that he thought a
change in treatment was needed at that time.
Dr. Shiener’s opinion is also at odds with the earlier opinions of Dr. Guyer and Dr.
Roberts who treated Gilewski in 2009 through 2011. Both treating doctors indicated in their
treatment notes that Gilewski was improving by 2010, and Dr. Roberts noted in 2011 that
Gilewski should be able to return to work within six months. Gilewski himself told Dr. Roberts
in 2010 that he was feeling better and was thinking about what he might do as far as future work.
We recognize that these reports are not as current as Dr. Shiener’s, but without medical records
or further explanation from Gilewski, we are left to review an administrative record that shows
progress for two years under two doctors followed by apparent setbacks in 2012 and 2013
according to Dr. Shiener’s reports. Dr. Shiener notes the tragic death of one of Gilewski’s good
friends in 2011 and Gilewski’s decision to cut back on his medications as reasons for the
setback. What the record does not show is why Dr. Shiener did not respond to these setbacks
more vigorously if he believed them to so severely compromise Gilewski’s progress up to that
time.
Ability to Return to Previous Position
We also looked to the nature of Gilewski’s previous position. See Elliott, 473 F.3d at
618 (a decision on a disability benefits claim requires “an application of the relevant evidence to
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the occupational standard” because “medical data, without reasoning, cannot produce a logical
judgment about a claimant’s work ability”). Both parties agree that Gilewski’s job as the owner
and president of an auto supply company was demanding, stressful and required long hours. Dr.
Dudley, the independent psychiatrist who examined Gilewski, was instructed to consider
whether Gilewski was disabled from performing the material and substantial duties of his
previous occupation as the owner and president of an automotive supply company. Dr. Dudley
concluded that Gilewski’s Global Assessment of Functioning score of 80 indicated no more than
a “slight impairment” in occupational functioning, and he determined that Gilewski did not have
any restrictions that would prevent him from returning to his previous position. Gilewski had
provided Provident with extensive information about the nature and duties of his occupation.
They are not in dispute. Dr. Dudley, and the psychiatrists who reviewed the file, had this
information when they determined that Gilewski could return to work with no limitations.
Gilewski disputes this finding and contends that Provident should have provided a job
analysis by consulting a vocational expert about his ability to return to his former occupation.
Provident maintains it was not required to do so. See Judge v. Metro. Life Ins. Co., 710 F.3d
651, 662 (6th Cir. 2013) (collecting cases); Burge v. Republic Engineered Prods., Inc., 432 F.
App’x 539, 550 (6th Cir. 2011) (“Republic was also not required to consider vocational
evidence, as opposed to medical evidence, in analyzing Burge’s claim.”) (citing Douglas v. Gen.
Dynamics Long Term Disability Plan, 43 F. App’x 864, 870 (6th Cir. 2002) (vocational expert
not required outside of social security context)). Vocational expert testimony “is the special
creature of social security,” and has no relevance to long-term disability claims like the one here
where the question is whether Gilewski is able to return to his former position based on the
medical evidence. Conley v. Pitney Bowes, 176 F.3d 1044, 1050 (8th Cir. 1999).
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Conflict of Interest
Gilewski correctly asserts that Provident has a conflict of interest because of its dual role
as both payor of benefits and decisionmaker, and that courts treat this conflict as a factor in
reviewing a plan administrator’s decision. Metro. Life Ins. Co. v. Glenn, 554 U.S. 105, 111
(2008). The Supreme Court also noted in Glenn that such a conflict “should prove more
important . . . where circumstances suggest a higher likelihood that it affected the benefits
decision.” Id. at 117; accord Judge, 710 F.3d at 663 (“[T]his court has given greater weight to
the conflict-of-interest factor when the claimant ‘offers more than conclusory allegations of
bias.’”) (quoting DeLisle v. Sun Life Assur. Co. of Canada, 558 F.3d 440, 445 (6th Cir. 2009)).
Gilewski has demonstrated no circumstances indicating a need to give the conflict significant
weight. Gilewski’s conflict argument on appeal centers on his assertion that Dr. Dudley, the
independent psychiatrist, “relied” on the summaries written by Provident’s in-house psychiatrist,
Dr. Szylk. As the independent medical examiner, Dr. Dudley was provided with all the medical
records in Gilewski’s file, which included treating physician records as well as in-house
documents. Our review of Dr. Dudley’s report does not show that Dr. Dudley “relied” on Dr.
Szylk’s summaries. Dr. Dudley conducted his own examination of Gilewski and wrote a
comprehensive report. The fact that Dr. Dudley agreed with some of Dr. Szylk’s summaries and
put them in his report does not demonstrate that Dr. Dudley was not independent and unbiased in
reporting on his examination of Gilewski.
In conclusion, reviewing the administrative record and giving no deference to Provident’s
decision to terminate benefits, we find substantial evidence supports Provident’s decision to
terminate Gilewski’s long-term disability benefits. We affirm the judgment of the district court.
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