Cathy Lore v. SSA

2003 DNH 141
District Court, D. New Hampshire·Decided August 20, 2003·No. CV-02-318-B·Published

Opinion

Cathy Lore v . SSA CV-02-318-B 08/20/03

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE DISTRICT OF NEW HAMPSHIRE

Cathy Lore o/b/o Sean Lore

v. Civil N o . 02-318-B Opinion N o . 2003 DNH 141 Jo Anne B . Barnhart

MEMORANDUM AND ORDER

On October 2 0 , 1993, Sean Lore was granted Title XVI Supplemental Security Income (“SSI”) disability benefits for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (“ADHD”), and for the secondary diagnosis of seizure disorder. The Social Security Administration (“SSA”) conducted a continuing disability review in March 1999, concluding that Lore was no longer disabled and that entitlement to SSI benefits would end in May 1999. A disability hearing officer (“DHO”) reconsidered the decision on Lore’s request 1 , and reaffirmed SSA’s conclusion that Lore was no longer entitled to benefits. Lore filed a timely request for rehearing upon which administrative law judge (“ALJ”), Frederick

1 I note that Lore’s actions before the SSA and this court were brought by his mother, Cathy Lore, on his behalf.

Harap, held a discretionary hearing. On March 2 8 , 2001, the ALJ issued his decision determining that Lore was not disabled. Lore appealed, but on May 9, 2002, the Appeals Council denied his request for review.

Lore brings this action pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 405(g), seeking review of the SSA’s decision to discontinue Lore's benefits. In response, the Commissioner moves this court to enter an order affirming her final decision. For the reasons set forth below, I grant the Commissioner’s motion and affirm her final decision (Doc. N o . 1 0 ) .

I. BACKGROUND

A. Background Information Sean Lore was born on November 1 6 , 1990. He was two years old and in daycare when he was found to be disabled. In March 1999, when it was determined that he was no longer disabled, Lore was eight years old and in the second grade.

B. Medical Information Lore began having seizures in late October 1992. On November 6, 1992, Lore was brought to the emergency room of Elliot Hospital because of his seizures. A CT scan was

performed, which indicated that Lore suffered from a right thalamic hemmorhage.2 D r . Anthony Martino transferred Lore to Dartmouth-Hitchcock Hospital (“Hitchcock Center”). On November 9, 1992, D r . Robert Harbaugh performed a cerebral angiogram, which was negative, and Lore was discharged.

In December 1992, D r . Martino noted that Lore had been doing reasonably well since his discharge, but recommended the surgical removal of an accessible lesion to eliminate the risk of future hemorrhaging. A craniotomy (to remove the lesion) was performed on January 2 6 , 1993. On February 2 2 , 1993, D r . Martino reported that Lore was doing well and that, overall, he had returned to his normal activities. However, Lore’s mother reported that she was having difficulty giving Lore his prescribed anti-convulsive medication, and that Lore still suffered from seizures. The seizures consisted of sudden stiffening in all four extremities, frothing at the mouth, and loss of consciousness. D r . Martino referred Lore to D r . Brian Kossak for evaluation and treatment, as D r . Martino felt the seizures could be a longstanding problem.

2 Escape of blood or bleeding in the thalamus (sensory relay station of the brain). Attorneys’ Textbook of Medicine ¶ 82.21 (3d ed. 2002)

Lore’s seizures continued to be treated with anti-convulsive medications. From March 1994 to February 2000, Lore’s seizures generally occurred infrequently. In February 2000, however, Lore had an abnormal EEG finding. Although the cause of this abnormality apparently was never identified, the medical record notes that it could reflect an abnormal cleft of the brain substance or an old ischemic event.3 In an unrelated event, Lore was hospitalized in early February 2000 for regulation of his seizure medication. D r . Kossak switched Lore to a new medication. On March 2 8 , 2000, D r . Kossak noted that Lore was responding well to this medication. In January 2001, D r . Michael Robbins conducted a pediatric neurological evaluation of Lore, which resulted in a normal exam and EEG.

Prior to Lore’s onset of seizures and his craniotomy, he exhibited behavioral problems, such as hyperactivity and defiance. While recovering from the surgery at the Hitchcock Center, staff members observed Lore bang his head on the floor when being told “no” and when put in his crib for naps. On February 1 6 , 1993, Easter Seal Rehabilitation Center performed a

3 A deficiency of blood usually due to functional constriction or actual obstruction of a blood vessel. Dorland’s Medical Dictionary 861 (28th ed. 1994)

developmental evaluation because of concerns about Lore’s behavior. It concluded that Lore demonstrated skills typically seen in children his age. However, both D r . Martino and D r . Kossak noted that Lore threw temper tantrums and “acted out.”

Lore was admitted to the Hitchcock Center on May 1 1 , 1993 for evaluation of his destructive behavior. D r . Peter Williamson examined Lore and reported that his self-destructive episodic behavior consisted of screaming, hitting himself, head-banging, and gouging his eyes. D r . Williamson noted that this behavior predated Lore’s craniotomy. D r . Willaimson also concluded that epilepsy was unlikely, as Lore’s episodes were provoked and he was apparently cognizant of his surroundings during his “acting out.”

On May 1 7 , 1993, D r . Timothy Colbert conducted a behavioral pediatrics consultation of Lore. He noted that Lore was generally compliant with requests and without any clear opposition or defiant behavior. He suggested that there may be some correlation between the lesion Lore experienced and his behavioral issues. However, D r . Colbert ultimately concluded that Lore’s behavioral problems were more likely the product of his natural temperament and environment. In other words, Lore

acted out to get attention, whether positive or negative. Dr. Colbert suggested that Lore would respond to a strong, consistent behavioral management program. He recommended that Lore and his mother “be referred to a good behavioral psychologist for training and monitoring of behavioral modification techniques.”

A report from Lore's school psychologist, in November 1996, indicated that Lore was an active yet cooperative child with borderline to average intellectual ability, significantly impacted by severe deficits in visual-motor integration skills using paper/pencil. Additionally, the psychologist concluded that his attention, concentration and physical restlessness were notably improved following morning break, which included snack time. However, Lore continued to display some behavioral issues, including negative behavior at school and home.

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