Barton v SSA

2011 DNH 095
District Court, D. New Hampshire·Decided June 14, 2011·No. CV-10-151-PB·Published

Opinion

Barton v SSA CV-10-151-PB 6/14/11 UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE DISTRICT OF NEW HAMPSHIRE

Kristina Barton

v. Case N o . 10-cv-151-PB Opinion N o . 2011 DNH 095 Michael J. Astrue, Commissioner, Social Security Administration

MEMORANDUM AND ORDER

Kristina Barton moves to reverse the Commissioner of Social Security’s determination that she is not eligible for disability insurance benefits (“DIB”). She focuses her appeal on the Commissioner’s determination that, despite some mental limitations, her Residual Functional Capacity (“RFC”) allowed her to perform work that is available in the national economy and therefore she was not disabled during the relevant time period. For the reasons set forth below, I affirm the Commissioner’s decision.

I. BACKGROUND1

Barton first filed for DIB on July 2 4 , 2007, alleging

1 The background information is drawn from the Joint Statement of Material Facts submitted by the parties (Doc. N o . 10) and the Administrative Record. Citations to the Administrative Record are indicated by “Tr.”

disability as of April 2 8 , 2007, due to epilepsy, bipolar disorder, and migraines. (Tr. 142). 2 Barton’s applications were denied initially. (Tr. 55-62). Barton requested a hearing before an Administrative Law Judge (“ALJ”), and on November 2 , 2009 the ALJ issued a decision finding that plaintiff was not disabled. (Tr. 4-16).

In October 2006, prior to her alleged onset date, Barton was seen for her mental condition at Mid-State Health Center. (Tr. 5 0 8 ) . She was diagnosed with “Post Traumatic Stress Disorder” (PTSD), and the severity of her condition was noted as “moderate” as it affected her “intimacy.” (Tr. 508-11). Barton was also diagnosed with “Major Depressive Episode, recurrent, severe without psychosis,” which was improving based on her reduced symptoms of depression and increased energy. (Tr. 5 0 8 ) . Her symptoms included weight loss, anhedonia, insomnia, fatigue, feeling worthless, feeling guilty, indecisiveness, depressed

2 In this appeal, however, Barton only challenges the ALJ’s determinations as they relate to her alleged mental limitations. Therefore I will not address her history of seizures and headaches. 3 The GAF Scale is used by doctors to assess an individual's level of psychological, social, and occupational functioning. See American Psychiatric Ass'n, Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders 32–33 (4th ed., text rev. 2000) (“DSM I V ” ) . GAF scores in the range of 51–60 indicate “[m]oderate symptoms (e.g., flat affect and circumstantial speech, occasional panic attacks) OR mod2erate difficulty in social,

mood, and crying spells. (Tr. 5 1 1 ) . She was noted to have a dysthymic or anxious mood but an appropriate affect, normal speech and appearance, a grossly intact cognitive function, and no homicidal or suicidal ideation. (Tr. 5 1 1 ) . She was assigned a Global Assessment of Functioning (GAF) score of between 51 and 60. (Tr. 511). 3 On September 6, 2007, the Mid-State Health Center completed a Mental Impairment Questionnaire regarding Barton’s mental health status. (Tr. 513-14). She demonstrated appropriate behavior during her evaluation and her speech was within normal limits. (Tr. 5 1 3 ) . Her mood was characterized as “somewhat depressed” but she showed no evidence of suicidal or homicidal ideation. (Tr. 5 1 3 ) . Barton’s affect was appropriate and “full range.” (Tr. 5 1 3 ) . Her thought process was within normal limits and she had no evidence of any psychotic symptoms or obsessions, excessive rumination, or delusions, although she did

3 The GAF Scale is used by doctors to assess an individual's level of psychological, social, and occupational functioning. See American Psychiatric Ass'n, Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders 32–33 (4th ed., text rev. 2000) (“DSM I V ” ) . GAF scores in the range of 51–60 indicate “[m]oderate symptoms (e.g., flat affect and circumstantial speech, occasional panic attacks) OR moderate difficulty in social, occupational, or school functioning (e.g., few friends, conflicts with peers or co-workers).” DSM–IV 3 4 .

have some “oddities” in her perceptions and thoughts of mild paranoia. (Tr. 5 1 3 ) . Barton’s sensorium functions4 were within normal limits and her condition was noted to have only a “minimal impact” on her activities of daily living. (Tr. 5 1 4 ) . She was described as having problematic interpersonal relationships with others due to her inability to control her anger. (Tr. 5 1 4 ) . Finally, Barton was noted to respond to stress negatively and inappropriately, although her condition was found to have only “minimal interference” with her task performance. (Tr. 5 1 4 ) .

On October 1 0 , 2007, Barton was seen by Mid-State Health Center because of her ongoing problems with seizures and bipolar disorder.5 (Tr. 5 1 9 ) . Her neurologist suggested that she see a psychologist to assist with mood management during her

4 Sensorium functions are characteristics related to “orientation, memory, learning, attention and concentration, fund of information, etc.” (Tr. 5 1 3 ) . Sensoria are defined as “organ[s] of sensation.” Stedman’s Medical Dictionary (Stedman’s) at 1619 (27th ed. 2000). 5 The medical record is not clear on when Barton was officially diagnosed with bipolar disorder. Her records from Mid-State Health Center reference a pre-existing diagnosis, and when Barton was evaluated by D r . Hutton in 2009 she reported that she “was initially diagnosed with bipolar disorder at the age of sixteen.” (Tr. 5 9 6 ) . The parties do not appear to dispute that Barton was diagnosed at some point prior to her application for disability.

pregnancy. (Tr. 5 1 9 ) . Barton’s condition was described as “stable” and “improving” as she admitted that she was learning to “leave situations and take a walk.” (Tr. 5 1 9 ) . She was irritable and angry most days and she experienced rapid mood swings followed by crying spells. (Tr. 5 1 9 ) . She also noted that her father-in-law was going to buy her and her husband a trailer so they would have space once the baby arrived, which reduced her anxiety. (Tr. 5 2 0 ) . Barton indicated that she was seeing a “positive impact” from her cognitive behavioral therapy, which “empowered” her to have a “better way to manage emotions.” (Tr. 5 1 9 ) .

On November 1 3 , 2007, D r . Michael Schneider, a state agency physician, completed a psychiatric review technique form (PRTF) relative to Barton’s mental condition. (Tr. 521-34). Dr. Schneider found that Barton’s condition had improved with treatment and that her condition was not expected to be severe after April 2008 if she continued with treatment. (Tr. 5 3 3 ) . In sum, D r . Schneider concluded that Barton’s condition was severe, but was not expected to last for twelve months. (Tr. 521).

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