Jeffrey A Bell v. Andrew Saul

District Court, C.D. California·Decided July 7, 2021·No. 2:20-cv-00936·Unknown

Opinion

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT CENTRAL DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA-WESTERN DIVISION JEFFREY A. B.,1 ) Case No. CV 20-00936-AS ) Plaintiff, ) MEMORANDUM OPINION ) v. ) ) ANDREW SAUL, Commissioner ) of the Social Security ) Administration, ) ) Defendant. ) ) For the reasons discussed below, IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that, pursuant to Sentence Four of 42 U.S.C. § 405(g), the Commissioner’s decision is affirmed. 1 Plaintiff’s name is partially redacted in accordance with Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 5.2(c)(2)(B) and the recommendation of the Committee on Court Administration and Case Management of the Judicial Conference of the United States. On January 29, 2020, 2019, Jeffrey A. B. (“Plaintiff”) filed a Complaint seeking review of the denial of his applications for Disability Insurance Benefits and Supplemental Security Income by the Social Security Administration. (Dkt. No. 1). The parties have consented to proceed before the undersigned United States Magistrate Judge. (Dkt. Nos. 11-12). On September 11, 2020, Defendant filed an Answer along with the Administrative Record (“AR”). (Dkt. Nos. 15-16). On December 7, 2020, the parties filed a Joint Submission (“Joint Stip.”) setting forth their respective positions regarding Plaintiff’s claim. (Dkt. No. 17). The Court has taken this matter under submission without oral argument. See C.D. Cal. L.R. 7-15. BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF ADMINISTRATIVE DECISIONS On July 14, 2016, Plaintiff, formerly employed as a sales representative for automobile parts/supply companies (see AR 70-71, 250), filed applications for Disability Insurance Benefits and Supplemental Security Income, both alleging a disability onset date of August 1, 2009. (See AR 205-19, 222-30, 243-44). Plaintiff’s applications were denied initially on November 18, 2016. (See AR 124- 28, 130-35). On October 4, 2018, Plaintiff, represented by counsel, testified at a hearing before Administrative Law Judge (“ALJ”) John W. Rolph. (See AR 70-81). The ALJ also heard testimony from vocational expert (“VE”) Mark Tasso. (See AR 81-88). On November 19, 2018, the ALJ issued a decision denying Plaintiff’s requests for benefits. (See AR 31-45). Applying the five-step sequential process, the ALJ found at step one that Plaintiff had not engaged in substantial gainful activity since August 1, 2009, the alleged disability onset date. (AR 34). At step two, the ALJ determined that, with respect to the Supplemental Security Income claim, Plaintiff had the following severe impairments: “lumbar spine problems with pain; bilateral knee problems with pain; right lower extremity problems/pain status post necrotizing fasciitis and four compartment fasciotomy; polymyositis; myofascial muscle pain; chronic pain syndrome; and morbid obesity.” (AR 34).2 At step three, the ALJ determined that Plaintiff did not have an impairment or combination of impairments that met or medically equaled the severity of any of the listed impairments in the regulations. (AR 37-38).3 2 The ALJ found that, with respect to the Disability Insurance Benefits claim, Plaintiff’s impairments were not medically determinable as of December 31, 2012, the date last insured. (AR 34). The ALJ found that, with respect to the Supplemental Security Income claim, Plaintiff’s other impairments –- “status post altered mental state/confusion; status post-sepsis; unspecified protein-calorie malnutrition; generalized weakness; open wound of the abdominal wall; agitation; hypoalbuminemia; penile discharge; encephalopathy; status post closed head injury with concussion and preorbital hematoma; status post scalp lacerations with sutures; grand mal seizure; syncopal episode; gastroenteritis; bradycardia; hypokalemia; nausea/vomiting; possible fracture left fifth rib; dermatitis right lower extremity; headache; bilateral lower extremity edema; [] diverticulosis of the sigmoid colon”; “left fifth metatarsal fracture; paronchyia of toe/nail disorder; a pressure ulcer, stage 2 and 3 (abdomen); dyspnea on effort; left ankle strain; [] erectile dysfunction”; essential hypertension; asthma; alcohol abuse; marijuana use; opiate dependence; mood disorder/depression; and anxiety disorder -- were non-severe. (AR 34- 37). 3 The ALJ specifically considered Listings 1.02 (major dysfunction of a joint), 1.04 (disorders of the spine), 1.08 (soft (continued...) The ALJ then assessed Plaintiff’s residual functional capacity (“RFC”)4 and found that Plaintiff could perform light work5 with the following limitations: [T]he claimant is able to lift, carry, push, and pull up to 20 pounds occasionally and 10 pounds frequently. The claimant can stand and/or walk a combined total of two hours in an eight-hour day, for 15 to 20 minutes at a time. The claimant can sit six hours in an eight-hour day. The claimant requires a sit/stand option at 30 to 45 minutes intervals for three to five minutes at a time, during which period he may remain on task. The claimant may occasionally climb ramps and stairs, stoop, kneel, and crouch. The claimant may never climb ladders, ropes, scaffolds, or crawl. With the lower extremities, the claimant may never push, pull, or engage in foot pedal operations. The claimant must avoid more than occasional exposure to extreme cold, wetness, vibration, and irritants such as fumes, odors, dust, gases, chemicals, and poorly ventilated spaces. The claimant should avoid all exposure to hazards such as dangerous moving machinery and unsecured heights. (AR 38-43). At step four, the ALJ found that Plaintiff was not able to perform any past relevant work. (AR 43). At step five, the ALJ determined, based on Plaintiff’s age (35 years old on the alleged disability onset date), education (completed high school), work experience, RFC, and the VE’s testimony, that Plaintiff can perform the following jobs that exist in significant numbers in the national economy: telephone order clerk (Dictionary of Occupational Titles [“DOT”] 209.567-014); addresser (DOT 209.587-010); sorter (DOT 209.687-022); and charge-account clerk (DOT 3 (...continued) tissue injury), 14.05 (polymyositis and dermatomyositis). (AR 37). 4 A Residual Functional Capacity is what a claimant can still do despite existing exertional and nonexertional limitations. See 20 C.F.R. §§ 404.1545(a)(1), 416.945(a)(1). 5 “Light work involves lifting no more than 20 pounds at a time with frequent lifting or carrying of objects weighing up to 10 pounds.” 20 C.F.R. §§ 404.1567(b), 416.967(b). 205.367-014). (AR 44-45). Accordingly, the ALJ concluded that Plaintiff had not been under a disability, as defined in the Social Security Act, from August 1, 2009 through November 19, 2018, the date of the decision. (AR 45). The Appeals Council denied Plaintiff’s request for review on December 3, 2019. (AR 1-5). Plaintiff now seeks judicial review of the ALJ’s decision, which stands as the final decision of the Commissioner. See 42 U.S.C. §§ 405(g), 1383(c). STANDARD OF REVIEW This Court reviews the Commissioner’s decision to determine if it is free of legal error and supported by substantial evidence. See Brewes v. Comm’r, 682 F.3d 1157, 1161 (9th Cir. 2012). “Substantial evidence” is more than a mere scintilla, but less than a preponderance. Garrison v. Colvin, 759 F.3d 995, 1009 (9th Cir. 2014). “It means such relevant evidence as a r

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