Haderman v. Commissioner of Social Security

Opinion

WESTERN DISTRICT OF WASHINGTON DENIESE H. Case No. C19-5791 TLF Plaintiff, v. ORDER REVERSING AND REMANDING DEFENDANT’S COMMISSIONER OF SOCIAL SECURITY, DECISION TO DENY BENEFITS Defendants.

Plaintiff has brought this matter for judicial review of defendant’s denial of plaintiff’s application for Supplemental Security Income disability benefits. The parties have consented to have this matter heard by the undersigned Magistrate Judge. 28 U.S.C. § 636(c); Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 73; Local Rule MJR 13. For the reasons set forth below, the Court REVERSES and REMANDS defendant’s decision to deny benefits. 1. Did the ALJ properly evaluate Dr. Wingate’s opinion? 2. Did the ALJ properly evaluate Dr. Hander’s opinion? 3. Did the ALJ properly evaluate lay witness testimony? 4. Did the ALJ properly evaluate plaintiff’s testimony? 5. Did the ALJ err in determining plaintiff’s Residual Functional Capacity(“RFC”) and at the ALJ’s Step Five findings?

On June 2, 2016 plaintiff filed a claim for a period of disability and disability benefits alleging an onset date of February 20, 2015. AR 356-62. Plaintiff’s application was denied upon initial administrative review and on reconsideration. AR 288-98. A hearing was held before Administrative Law Judge (“ALJ”) Allen G. Erickson. AR 68-

167. On June 22, 2018, the ALJ issued a written decision finding that plaintiff was not disabled. AR 48-67. The ALJ found that plaintiff has the severe, medically determinable impairments of fibromyalgia, obesity, depressive disorder, and anxiety disorder. AR 53. Based on the limitations stemming from these impairments, the ALJ found that plaintiff can perform light work with additional limitations. AR 56. The ALJ found that plaintiff can occasionally climb ladders, ropes and scaffolding and occasionally crawl. AR 56. The ALJ also found that plaintiff can withstand occasional exposure to hazards, vibrations and temperature and humidity extremes. AR 56. Further, the ALJ found that plaintiff can engage in

frequent, but not continuous, handling and fingering bilaterally. AR 56. Finally, the ALJ determined that plaintiff can understand, remember and apply detailed, but not complex, instructions, but not in a fast-paced, production type environment. AR 56. Relying on the plaintiff’s testimony and the vocational expert’s testimony, the ALJ determined that plaintiff is unable to perform past relevant work, but is capable of performing jobs existing in significant numbers in the national economy. AR 60. Accordingly, the ALJ determined that plaintiff is not disabled. AR 61. Plaintiff seeks judicial review of the ALJ’s June 22, 2018 decision. Dkt. 1. Pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 405(g), this Court may set aside the Commissioner's denial of Social Security benefits if the ALJ's findings are based on legal error or not supported by substantial evidence in the record as a whole. Revels v. Berryhill, 874 F.3d 648, 654 (9th Cir. 2017). Substantial evidence is “‘such relevant evidence as a

reasonable mind might accept as adequate to support a conclusion.’” Biestek v. Berryhill, 139 S. Ct. 1148, 1154 (2019) (internal citations omitted). A. Medical Evidence The ALJ must provide “clear and convincing” reasons for rejecting the uncontradicted opinion of either a treating or examining physician. Trevizo v. Berryhill, 871 F.3d 664, 675 (9th Cir. 2017) (quoting Ryan v. Comm’r of Soc. Sec., 528 F.3d 1194, 1198 (9th Cir. 2008)). When a treating or examining physician’s opinion is contradicted, an ALJ must provide specific and legitimate reasons for rejecting it. Id. In

either case, substantial evidence must support the ALJ’s findings. Id. Under Ninth Circuit law, opinions from non-examining medical sources that contradict a treating physician’s opinion will trigger the “specific and legitimate reasons” standard of review. See, e.g., Revels v. Berryhill, 874 F.3d 648, 662 (9th Cir. 2017) (requiring only specific and legitimate reasons where treating doctor's opinion was “contradicted by the findings of Dr. Rowse and Dr. Blando, the non-examining doctors from the state agency, and, to some extent, the opinion of Dr. Ruggeri, the hand specialist”). “Determining whether inconsistencies are material (or are in fact inconsistencies at all) and whether certain factors are relevant to discount the opinions of [treating or examining doctors] falls within this responsibility.” Morgan v. Comm'r of Soc. Sec. Admin., 169 F.3d 595, 603 (9th Cir. 1999); see also Rollins v. Massanari, 261 F.3d 853, 856 (9th Cir. 2001) (upholding ALJ’s rejection of internally inconsistent medical opinion). An ALJ need not accept a medical opinion that is brief and conclusory when the ALJ faces conflicting evidence regarding the claimant's condition. Tonapetyan v. Halter, 242

F.3d 1144, 1149 (9th Cir. 2001). 1. Dr. Wingate Terilee Wingate PhD examined plaintiff on August 15, 2016 and provided a psychological evaluation. AR 592-598. Dr. Wingate administered the Wechsler Memory Scale IV, and Trail Making Test to evaluate learning and memory. AR 594-595. Dr. Wingate diagnosed an unspecified depressive disorder, and unspecified anxiety disorder. AR 595. Among other findings, Dr. Wingate opined that plaintiff is able to “understand, remember and learn simple and some complex tasks”, but also would have “difficulty sustaining attention to tasks through a daily or weekly schedule without

interruption from anxiety, depressed mood, fatigue and inattention”. AR 596. The ALJ gave Dr. Wingate’s opinion some weight, finding that the opinion is consistent with the overall record. AR 59. However, the ALJ discounted Dr. Wingate’s opinion that plaintiff may have difficulty sustaining attention to tasks throughout a daily work schedule. AR 59. The ALJ stated that this opinion was inconsistent with Dr. Wingate’s own exam, with other exams revealing normal concentration and with plaintiff’s activities indicating adequate concentration and attention. AR 59. As to the first reason, the ALJ’s decision is not supported by the record. Dr. Wingate found that plaintiff’s memory was average to low average. AR 595. Dr. Wingate also found that plaintiff has difficulty with complexity and the ability to shift attention. AR 595. Dr. Wingate opined that plaintiff has difficulty sustaining concentration to tasks during a daily or weekly work schedule without interruption from anxiety, depressed mood, fatigue and inattention. AR 596. The fact that plaintiff has average memory, was able to recall some information after a 20-30 minute delay and was able to complete a

one-time psychological evaluation does not contradict an opinion that plaintiff would struggle to maintain concentration and stay on tasks during an entire workday or week. The ALJ’s second reason is also unsupported by the record. The ALJ cites to a single record indicating normal concentration. AR 59, 971. The record indicates that plaintiff sought emergency medical services for severe pelvic pain. AR 968. The treating doctor noted that plaintiff displayed normal affect, normal insight and normal concentration. AR 971. The fact that plaintiff had normal concentration during an emergency room visit, when speaking to an emergency room physician, does not indicate whether plaintiff would be able to maintain the same level of concentration

during an entire day or week. Accordingly, this record does not contradict Dr. Wingate’s opinion regarding plaintiff’s concentration. The final reason provided by the ALJ is also unsupported by the record. The ALJ found that plaintiff’s activities such as shopping, using a computer and completing some household cleaning such as laundry undermined Dr. Wingate’s opinion. AR 59. The ALJ cites to activities that plaintiff described in her adult function reports. AR 59, 382-389, 431-438. Plaintiff’s first functional report lists her daily activities as “wake up, use restroom, feed animals, do dishes, rest, eat, rest, try and do laundry, rest, take a shower go to bed.” AR 383. Plaintiff also states that she is unable to prepare meals because she is too tired and will forget what she is doing while preparing meals. AR 384. Plaintiff’s report also indicates that she has difficulty with written instructions and must reread things multiple times. AR 387. Plaintiff’s second report indicates that she has difficulties with washing dishes

because she forgets what she is doing. AR 431. The report also indicates that plaintiff takes breaks and rests between activities during the day. AR 432. Plaintiff’s adult function reports do not indicate that plaintiff is able to maintain concentration during an entire workday or week and do not contradict Dr. Wingate’s opinion. Based on the foregoing discussion, the ALJ erred in evaluating Dr. Wingate’s opinion. This error was not harmless -- the ALJ should reconsider Dr. Wingate’s opinion, and decide whether the plaintiff’s limitations are actually more severe, as determined by Dr. Wingate; this could potentially lead to an adjustment of the RFC. 2. Dr. Hander

The ALJ did not err in evaluating the opinions of Dr. Hander. Dr. Robert Hander is a State agency medical consultant. AR 58. On December 2, 2016, Dr. Hander reviewed plaintiff’s medical records and opined that plaintiff can occasionally and frequently lift/carry ten pounds, could stand and/or walk for a total of two hours, and sit for a total of six hours in an eight-hour workday. AR 273. Dr. Hander also opined that plaintiff can frequently climb ramps and stairs, and balance. AR 273. Next. Dr. Hander opined that plaintiff can occasionally, climb ladders, ropes and scaffolds, stoop, kneel and crawl. AR 273. Finally, Dr. Hander stated that plaintiff has limitations caused by plaintiff’s limited field of vision. AR 274. The ALJ adopted some of Dr. Hander’s postural limitations finding that plaintiff can only occasionally climb ladders, ropes and scaffolds, and can only occasionally crawl. AR 56. The ALJ discredited the remainder of Dr. Hander’s opinion. AR 59. The ALJ reasoned that Dr. Hander’s opinion was inconsistent with records showing normal visual acuity with over-the-counter glasses. AR 59. The ALJ also reasoned that Dr.

Hander’s opined physical limitations were inconsistent with plaintiff’s unremarkable physical exam findings. AR 59. Plaintiff challenges the ALJ’s rejection of Dr. Hander’s opinion that plaintiff can only stand/walk for two hours, can only sit for six hours, can only lift ten pounds, and certain postural limitations. Dkt. 14 at 7-9. With respect to the ALJ’s first reason, an inconsistency with the medical record can serve as a specific and legitimate reason for discounting limitations assessed by a physician. See 20 C.F.R. §§ 404.1527(c)(4), 416.927(c)(4) (“Generally, the more consistent a medical opinion is with the record as a whole, the more weight [the Social Security Administration] will give to that medical opinion.”); Ghanim v. Colvin, 763 F.3d

1154, 1161 (9th Cir. 2014) (An ALJ may give less weight to medical opinions that conflict with treatment notes). The ALJ cited to a number of records from March 28, 2016 to December 18, 2017. AR 59. These records indicate that plaintiff was diagnosed with fibromyalgia, there were mild findings of arthritis in plaintiff’s left knee, and the records show improvement with treatment. AR 1329-1335 (June 2016 treatment notes diagnosing fibromyalgia and indicating mild diagnostic imaging results); AR 1238-1242 (November 21, 2016 treatment notes finding mild osteoarthritis, administering cortisone injection and recommending low impact activity to manage condition.); AR 1246 (November 27, 2016 treatment note, plaintiff states that the cortisone injection in her knee has “helped tremendously”); AR 1233-1237 (November 29, 2016 treatment note finding mild osteoarthritis with no significant joint space narrowing and recommending conservative treatment. The treatment note also indicates no structural problems with plaintiff’s left knee and encouraged plaintiff to continue low impact activity to manage symptoms.

Plaintiff indicated that she was feeling great after the cortisone injection.); AR 1218- 1225 (January 2017 treatment notes indicating that plaintiff’s fibromyalgia was stable, and symptoms markedly improved with medication); AR 1316-1318 (March 2017 treatment notes indicating normal findings with mild osteoarthritis); AR 1211-1214 (May 2017 treatment notes indicating that plaintiff reported the cortisone injections worked well and recommending conservative treatment to manage condition); AR 1202-1210 (June 2017 treatment notes indicating that plaintiff’s fibromyalgia and arthritis symptoms are managed with medication and recommending plaintiff continue current medication). Dr. Hander cited to plaintiff’s pain symptoms as supporting a finding of sedentary

exertional limitations. AR 272-273. The records cited by the ALJ indicate mild findings before Dr. Hander’s report and indicate improvement with medications after Dr. Hander’s report. Accordingly, the ALJ’s conclusion that Dr. Hander’s findings were inconsistent with the medical record is supported by the record. B. Lay Witness Testimony Next, plaintiff contends that the ALJ erred in discrediting the lay witness statement of plaintiff’s caregiver. Dkt. 14 at 10-12. Plaintiff’s caregiver submitted a letter stating that she is a state-funded caregiver hired to assist plaintiff due to plaintiff’s pain symptoms. AR 1319. Plaintiff’s caregiver stated she has observed plaintiff struggling around the home, having problems sitting and standing for prolonged periods, and difficulty using her arms, due to pain. AR 1319. The ALJ gave little weight to plaintiff’s caregiver’s statements because 1) the caregiver’s assertions are inconsistent with the record showing unremarkable findings, 2) the caregiver’s statement is inconsistent with plaintiff’s activities, and 3) the caregiver was not an acceptable medical source. AR 59.

Lay testimony regarding a claimant’s symptoms “is competent evidence that an ALJ must take into account,” unless the ALJ “expressly determines to disregard such testimony and gives reasons germane to each witness for doing so.” Lewis v. Apfel, 236 F.3d 503, 511 (9th Cir. 2001). In rejecting lay witness testimony, the ALJ is not required to cite the specific supporting documents as long as “arguably germane reasons” for dismissing the testimony are noted. Id. at 512. The ALJ cited to medical records indicating mild findings and that plaintiff’s pain symptoms were managed with treatment. AR 59. By noting inconsistency between the opinion of plaintiff’s caregiver and the medical record, the ALJ has provided a germane

reason for discounting the lay witness opinion. See, Baylis v. Barnhart, 427 F.3d 1211, 1218 (9th Cir. 2005) (“Inconsistency with medical evidence” is germane reason for discrediting lay testimony”). Because the ALJ’s first reason is supported by the record, any error regarding the other reasons provided would be harmless. Molina v. Astrue, 674 F.3d 1104, 1115 (9th Cir. 2012). C. Plaintiff’s Testimony Finally, plaintiff argues that the ALJ erred in discounting plaintiff’s subjective claims about symptoms and limitations. Dkt. 14 at 12-13. Plaintiff argues that the ALJ erred because plaintiff’s subjective statements were supported by the statement of plaintiff’s caregiver, and by the opinions of Dr. Wingate and Dr. Hander. Dkt. 14 at 13. In weighing a plaintiff’s testimony, an ALJ must use a two-step process. Trevizo v. Berryhill, 871 F.3d 664, 678 (9th Cir. 2017). First, the ALJ must determine whether there is objective medical evidence of an underlying impairment that could reasonably

be expected to produce some degree of the alleged symptoms. Ghanim v. Colvin, 763 F.3d 1154, 1163 (9th Cir. 2014). If the first step is satisfied and there is no evidence of malingering, the second step allows the ALJ to reject the claimant’s testimony of the severity of symptoms if the ALJ provides specific findings and clear and convincing reasons for rejecting the claimant’s testimony. Id. If the ALJ’s decision is based on a rational interpretation of conflicting evidence, the Court will uphold the ALJ’s finding. Carmickle v. Comm’r of Soc. Sec. Admin., 533 F.3d 1155, 1165 (9th Cir. 2008). Further, “if the evidence admits of more than one rational interpretation,” the Court must uphold the ALJ’s finding. Allen v. Heckler, 749

F.2d 577, 579 (9th Cir. 1984). The ALJ relied on medical records inconsistent with plaintiff’s subjective complaints. AR 57-58. Plaintiff contends that the ALJ erred because some of the evidence in the record supported plaintiff’s subjective complaints. The ALJ is responsible for weighting the medical evidence and resolving conflicts in the evidence. As discussed above, the ALJ did not err by discounting Dr. Hander’s opinion. The fact that the medical evidence lends itself to more than one rational interpretation is insufficient grounds to reverse the decision of the ALJ concerning plaintiff’s testimony about physical limitations. With respect to mental health conditions, as discussed above, the ALJ erroneously determined that Dr. Wingate’s opinion was not supported by the medical record. Therefore, when the ALJ discounted plaintiff’s symptom testimony about mental health conditions, this was error. D. Harmless Error

Harmless error principles apply in the Social Security context. Molina v. Astrue, 674 F.3d 1104, 1115 (9th Cir. 2012). An error is harmless only if it is not prejudicial to the claimant, or if it is “inconsequential” to the ALJ’s “ultimate nondisability determination.” Stout v. Comm’r Soc. Sec. Admin., 454 F.3d 1050, 1055 (9th Cir. 2006); see Molina, 674 F.3d at 1115. The determination as to whether an error is harmless requires a “case-specific application of judgment” by the reviewing court, based on an examination of the record made “‘without regard to errors’ that do not affect the parties’ ‘substantial rights.’” Molina, 674 F.3d at 1118-19 (quoting Shinseki v. Sanders, 556 U.S. 396, 407 (2009)).

In this situation, the error regarding Dr. Wingate’s opinion is not harmless. The ALJ found that plaintiff could “understand, remember and apply detailed, but not complex, instructions, but not in a fast-paced, production type environment.” AR 56. However, this limitation to non-complex instructions does not account for difficulty in maintaining concentration through an entire workday or the amount of time off task that plaintiff may require. Additionally, properly weighing Dr. Wingate’s opinion could change the ALJ’s assessment of plaintiff’s testimony about mental health symptoms, and may affect the hypotheticals provided to a Vocational Expert; this would potentially change the RFC. Therefore, the ALJ’s errors are not harmless. E. Remand for Further Proceedings “‘The decision whether to remand a case for additional evidence, or simply to award benefits[,] is within the discretion of the court.’” Trevizo v. Berryhill, 871 F.3d 664, 682 (9th Cir. 2017) (quoting Sprague v. Bowen, 812 F.2d 1226, 1232 (9th Cir. 1987)). If an ALJ makes an error and the record is uncertain and ambiguous, the court should

remand to the agency for further proceedings. Leon v. Berryhill, 880 F.3d 1041, 1045 (9th Cir. 2017). Likewise, if the court concludes that additional proceedings can remedy the ALJ’s errors, it should remand the case for further consideration. Revels, 874 F.3d at 668. The Ninth Circuit has developed a three-step analysis for determining when to remand for a direct award of benefits. Such remand is generally proper only where “(1) the record has been fully developed and further administrative proceedings would serve no useful purpose; (2) the ALJ has failed to provide legally sufficient reasons for rejecting evidence, whether claimant testimony or medical opinion; and (3) if the improperly discredited evidence were credited as true, the ALJ would be required to find the claimant disabled on remand.”

Trevizo, 871 F.3d at 682-83 (quoting Garrison v. Colvin, 759 F.3d 995, 1020 (9th Cir. 2014)). The Ninth Circuit emphasized in Leon v. Berryhill that even when each element is satisfied, the district court still has discretion to remand for further proceedings or for award of benefits. 80 F.3d 1041, 1045 (9th Cir. 2017). In this case, there is ambiguity because upon re-evaluation of Dr. Wingate’s opinion, the ALJ may decide to alter the RFC or may apply a new interpretation of the existing record. Accordingly, there are outstanding issues which must be resolved and remand for further proceedings is appropriate. Based on the foregoing discussion, the Court finds that the ALJ committed harmful error when reviewing the Dr. Wingate’s opinion. Defendant’s decision to deny

benefits is therefore REVERSED and this matter is REMANDED for further administrative proceedings. Dated this 29th day of March, 2021. A Theresa L. Fricke United States Magistrate Judge