Fleming v. Colvin

218 F. Supp. 3d 1242, 2016 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 169120, 2016 WL 6994256
CourtDistrict Court, D. Colorado
DecidedOctober 21, 2016
DocketCivil Action No. 15-cv-614-JLK
StatusPublished
Cited by3 cases

This text of 218 F. Supp. 3d 1242 (Fleming v. Colvin) is published on Counsel Stack Legal Research, covering District Court, D. Colorado primary law. Counsel Stack provides free access to over 12 million legal documents including statutes, case law, regulations, and constitutions.

Bluebook
Fleming v. Colvin, 218 F. Supp. 3d 1242, 2016 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 169120, 2016 WL 6994256 (D. Colo. 2016).

Opinion

CORRECTED MEMORANDUM DECISION REVERSING DENIAL UF BENEFITS AND FOR REMAND1

Kane, Judge. ■

Plaintiff John L. Fleming seeks judicial review of a final decision of the Acting [1244]*1244Commissioner of Social Security denying his applications for Disability Insurance Benefits (DIB) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI). Mr. Fleming claims he has been unable to work since May 2012, due to numerous physical and psychiatric impairments. After a hearing held in August 2013, an Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) rejected Mr. Fleming’s disability claim at Step 4 of the five-step sequential evaluation,2 concluding he has the residual functional capacity (RFC) to perform his past relevant work as a bottle filler, deli worker, solar panel installer, and or barista. Mr. Fleming challenges the ALJ’s decision, arguing she erred by improperly weighing the medical source statements of his psychiatrist, Dr. Jean-Mare Wong, and family care physician, Dr. Guthrie. I exercise jurisdiction under 42 U.S. C. § 405(g) and REVERSE.3

I.

Plaintiff applied for Disability Insurance Benefits and Supplemental Security Income on August 3, 2012, asserting a disability onset date of May 10, 2012, as a result of mood disorder/affective psychosis and epilepsy. (R. 178-90, 208.)

Like the majority of all initial disability applicants, Mr. Fleming’s initial claim was denied.4 He exercised his option to request a hearing before an administrative law judge (ALJ), waiting nearly a year, until August 2013, to have one. At the time of that hearing, his attorney asked that a previously denied application of Mr. Fleming’s be reopened so his disability onset date could be amended back to the earlier claim. The ALJ granted the request, resulting in a new disability onset date of October 1, 2011. (R. 633.) Mr. Fleming testified at the hearing, as did a vocational expert, who appeared at the Commissioner’s behest.

Mr. Fleming’s Medical and Treatment History.

The material facts of this case are fairly straightforward.

Mr. Fleming was 45 at the time of his claimed disability. He has a high school education with some college. He has worked in the past as a deli worker, commercial water bottle filler, solar panel installer, coffee make, and hand packager. He and a girlfriend made jewelry for awhile. He Uves in Section 8 housing in Boulder, alone, and has no spouse or children. He’s engaged in no substantial gain[1245]*1245ful activity since October 2011. He says his mental health problems make it hard for him to pay attention or follow directions, and as a result, he is unable to work.

At the time of his application, Mr. Fleming had been a client at Boulder Mental Health Center off and on for nearly 20 years. His treating psychiatrist was Dr. Jean-Marc Wong, wh'o had been managing his care and medications for anxiety, racing thoughts, and sleep difficulties for the past several years. Treatment records from Dr. Wong and Boulder Mental Health Center date from 2009 to 2013. (R. 340-58, 506-46, 549-52, 553-600.) Mr. Fleming’s physical care was provided by the People’s Clinic (Clinica Family Health Services) in Boulder, where he was seen by family physician Dr. Pamela Guthrie and other practitioners from 2008 to 2010 (R. 434-84), and again in 2012 and 2013 for evaluations related to his disability claim and other care. (R. 365, 354-81.)

Treatment records from Boulder Mental Health show Mr. Fleming has been diagnosed over the years with seizure disorder, a mood disorder (R. 510, 557—Aug. 2010 Multiaxial Assessment), and psychotic disorder (R. 342—July 2012 Multiaxial Assessment), with global functioning (GAF) scores ranging from 60 (moderate symptoms) in 2010 to 45 (serious symptoms) in 2012. He was seen regularly by Dr. Wong, who assessed him, monitored his meds, and referred him for therapy, which he attended (R. 560-600). The 2008-2010 Cli-nica records reveal a history of knee, back, elbow, and shoulder pain complaints related to an old rock climbing fall, a bicycle accident, and landscaping work for which he received pain medication, and a history of seizure disorder for which he has taken phenobarbital. (R. 434-84.) Treatment notes from late 2012 to 2013 reflect complaints of chronic pain related to his knees and back, for which he received physical therapy and improved. (R. 409, 6/13/13 PT Progress Note, pain scale 2/10-3/10; R. 625-26, 7/13/13 PT Progress Note, pain scale 1/10).

As part of his disability application process, Mr. Fleming was asked to submit to two consultative evaluations (CEs) with doctors retained by the Social Security Administration. Dr. William Graham conducted a psychiatric evaluation of Mr. Fleming on April 16, 2012, diagnosing him with generalized anxiety disorder and noting, based on Mr. Fleming’s self-reporting, chronic pain, arthritis, previous stroke, and seizure disorder. (R. 601-06.) Dr. Graham’s functional assessment was that Mr. Fleming had mild-to-moderate impairment in his ability to understand, carry out, and remember instructions; ability to sustain concentration, persistence, and pace; and in his adaptive abilities in taking instructions from supervisors, interacting with coworkers, and dealing with work pressures on an ongoing basis.5 (R. 605-06.) He not[1246]*1246ed a mild impairment in his social functioning, and a moderate GAF score of 65. (R. 605.) Dr. Graham acknowledged the ongoing nature of Mr. Fleming’s treatment and therapy through Boulder County, and recommended he undergo further evaluation to clarify his physical limitations from a bike accident when he was a senior in high school and the 15-year old rock climbing accident and fall. (R. 602, 605.)

The second CE was performed by Dr. Richard P. Carson, an internist, who was asked to evaluate Mr. Fleming’s neurological (seizure) complaints and assess his ability to do work and related activities such as sitting, standing, moving about, lifting, carrying, handling objects, hearing, speaking, and travelling. (R. 611.) Dr. Carson’s April 13, 2012, report noted Fleming’s self-reported history of a seizure disorder and a knee surgery, but stated Fleming could work on a regular, continuous basis with no restrictions. (R. 614-15.)

In September and December 2012, two state agency psychologists, MaryAnn Wharry, Psy.D., and Hillel Raclaw, PhD, reviewed the medical evidence records and completed form disability questionnaires for the Commisioner. (R. 308-39.)6 Both opined that Mr. Fleming had mild to moderate psychological limitations and could perform simple, rote occupational tasks involving only occasional interaction with supervisors and co-workers and no significant interaction with the public. (Id.)

Dr. Wong completed a Mental Medical Source Statement for Mr. Fleming on June 26, 2013, answering a series of questions regarding Fleming’s impairments, their severity, and functional abilities. (R. 428-33.) Dr. Wong noted Fleming had been a Boulder Mental Health Center client since 1993 and that he’d been seen every three months “or sooner, if needed.” Dr.

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218 F. Supp. 3d 1242, 2016 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 169120, 2016 WL 6994256, Counsel Stack Legal Research, https://law.counselstack.com/opinion/fleming-v-colvin-cod-2016.