Jonathan C. Forbes Sr. v. Kilolo Kijakazi

• Court: District Court, C.D. California
• Decided: November 30, 2022
• Docket: 2:21-cv-07612
• Status: Unknown

Opinion

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2 3 4 5 6 7 8 UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT 9 CENTRAL DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA 10 11 JONATHAN F., Case No. CV 21-07612-RAO

12 Plaintiff,

13 v. MEMORANDUM OPINION AND ORDER 14 KILOLO KIJAKAZI, Acting Commissioner of Social 15 Security, Defendant. 16 17 I. INTRODUCTION 18 Plaintiff Jonathan F.1 (“Plaintiff”) challenges the Commissioner’s denial of his 19 supplemental security income (“SSI”) under Title XVI of the Social Security Act. 20 For the reasons stated below, the decision of the Commissioner is AFFIRMED. 21 II. SUMMARY OF PROCEEDINGS 22 On April 30, 2019, Plaintiff protectively filed an application for SSI alleging 23 disability beginning on January 1, 2004, due to type 2 diabetes, neuropathy, nerve 24 damage, burning pain in the feet, difficulty walking, dependance on a non-prescribed 25

26 1 Plaintiff’s name is partially redacted in compliance with Federal Rule of Civil

27 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 28 States. Case 2:21-cv-07612-RAO Document 24 Filed 11/30/22 Page 2 of 11 Page ID #:1117

1 cane, memory issues, sharp pain in the arm and hand, use of a prescribed arm brace, 2 post-traumatic stress disorder (“PTSD”) with anxiety and panic attacks, difficulty 3 breathing, suicidal ideation, insomnia, an eating disorder, depression, and anti-social 4 behavior. (Administrative Record (“AR”) 82-83, 186.) The Commissioner denied 5 the claim by initial determination on August 19, 2019, and upon reconsideration on 6 February 12, 2020. (AR 82-86, 91-95.) Plaintiff requested a hearing before the 7 Administrative Law Judge (“ALJ”). (AR 97.) A hearing was held on March 3, 2021, 8 at which Plaintiff testified. (AR 33-53.) At the hearing Plaintiff amended his 9 disability onset date to April 30, 2019. (AR 39.) The ALJ issued a decision denying 10 Plaintiff’s applications on March 19, 2021. (AR 12-32.) The ALJ’s decision became 11 the Commissioner’s final decision on August 23, 2021, when the Appeals Council 12 denied Plaintiff’s request for review. (AR 1-6.) Plaintiff filed this action on 13 September 23, 2021. (Dkt. No. 1.) 14 To determine whether Plaintiff was disabled under the Social Security Act, the 15 ALJ followed the familiar five-step sequential evaluation process. Lester v. Chater, 16 81 F.3d 821, 828 n.5 (9th Cir. 1995). At step one, the ALJ found that Plaintiff has 17 not engaged in substantial gainful activity since April 30, 2019. (AR 17.) At step 18 two, the ALJ found that Plaintiff has the severe impairments of “type two diabetes 19 mellitus with neuropathy and retinopathy; degenerative disc disease of the cervical 20 and lumbar spine; left side carpal tunnel, trigger finger and ganglion cyst all post- 21 surgery; [PTSD]; major depressive disorder, moderate, recurrent, in partial 22 remission; antisocial and narcissistic personality traits; and cannabis use disorder.” 23 (Id.) At step three, the ALJ found that Plaintiff did not have an impairment or 24 combination of impairments that met or medically equaled the severity of a listed 25 impairment in 20 C.F.R. Part 404, Subpart P, Appendix 1 (20 C.F.R. §§ 416.920(d), 26 416.925, and 416.926). (AR 18.) 27 28

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1 Before proceeding to step four, the ALJ found that Plaintiff has the residual 2 functional capacity (“RFC”) to perform light work as defined in 20 C.F.R. 3 § 416.967(b), except Plaintiff 4 [C]an occasionally climb ramps and stairs; but can never climb ladders, ropes, or scaffolds. The [Plaintiff] can occasionally balance, stoop, 5 kneel, and crouch, but cannot crawl. The [Plaintiff] can frequently 6 reach, handle and finger with the left upper extremity. He must avoid concentrated exposure to extreme cold, extreme heat, and vibration. 7 The [Plaintiff] must avoid workplace hazards such as unprotected 8 heights, and dangerous, unshielded machinery with moving mechanical parts. The [Plaintiff] is limited to simple, routine and repetitive tasks 9 performed in a work environment free of fast-paced production 10 requirements. The [Plaintiff] can have occasional interaction with co- workers, supervisors, and the general public. He can tolerate no more 11 than occasional changes in work settings, and is expected to be off-task 12 from 5% to 10% of the workday. 13 (AR 21.) At step four, the ALJ found that Plaintiff does not have past relevant work 14 as defined in 20 C.F.R. § 416.965. (AR 25.) At step five, considering Plaintiff’s 15 age, education, work experience, and RFC, the ALJ found that Plaintiff is capable of 16 making a successful adjustment to other work that exists in significant numbers in 17 the national economy. (AR 26.) Accordingly, the ALJ determined that Plaintiff had 18 not been under a disability since April 30, 2019. (AR 27.) 19 III. STANDARD OF REVIEW 20 Under 42 U.S.C. § 405(g), a district court may review the Commissioner’s 21 decision to deny benefits. A court must affirm an ALJ’s findings of fact if they are 22 supported by substantial evidence, and if the proper legal standards were applied. 23 Mayes v. Massanari, 276 F.3d 453, 458-59 (9th Cir. 2001). “Substantial evidence . 24 . . is ‘more than a mere scintilla[,]’ . . . [which] means—and means only—‘such 25 relevant evidence as a reasonable mind might accept as adequate to support a 26 conclusion.’” Biestek v. Berryhill, __ U.S. __, 139 S. Ct. 1148, 1154, 203 L. Ed.2d 27 504 (2019) (citations omitted); Revels v. Berryhill, 874 F.3d 648, 654 (9th Cir. 2017). 28

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1 An ALJ can satisfy the substantial evidence requirement “by setting out a detailed 2 and thorough summary of the facts and conflicting clinical evidence, stating his 3 interpretation thereof, and making findings.” Reddick v. Chater, 157 F.3d 715, 725 4 (9th Cir. 1998) (citation omitted). 5 “[T]he Commissioner’s decision cannot be affirmed simply by isolating a 6 specific quantum of supporting evidence. Rather, a court must consider the record 7 as a whole, weighing both evidence that supports and evidence that detracts from the 8 Secretary’s conclusion.” Aukland v. Massanari, 257 F.3d 1033, 1035 (9th Cir. 2001) 9 (citations and internal quotations omitted). “‘Where evidence is susceptible to more 10 than one rational interpretation,’ the ALJ’s decision should be upheld.” Ryan v. 11 Comm’r of Soc. Sec., 528 F.3d 1194, 1198 (9th Cir. 2008) (citing Burch v. Barnhart, 12 400 F.3d 676, 679 (9th Cir. 2005)); see also Robbins v. Soc. Sec. Admin., 466 F.3d 13 880, 882 (9th Cir. 2006) (“If the evidence can support either affirming or reversing 14 the ALJ’s conclusion, we may not substitute our judgment for that of the ALJ.”). The 15 Court may review only “the reasons provided by the ALJ in the disability 16 determination and may not affirm the ALJ on a ground upon which he did not rely.” 17 Orn v. Astrue, 495 F.3d 625, 630 (9th Cir. 2007) (citing Connett v. Barnhart, 340 18 F.3d 871, 874 (9th Cir. 2003)). 19 IV. DISCUSSION 20 Plaintiff raises one issue for review: whether the ALJ properly evaluated 21 Plaintiff’s diabetes mellitus with neuropathy in accordance with Social Security 22 Ruling (“SSR”) 14-2P, 2014 WL 2472008 (2014), at step three. (Joint Stipulation 23 (“JS”) at 3.) For the reasons below, the Court affirms. 24 A. The ALJ’s Determination at Step Three Is Supported By 25 Substantial Evidence 26 1. Applicable Legal Standards 27 At step three, the ALJ considers the medical severity of a claimant’s 28 impairments to determine whether the impairments meet or equal the criteria of any

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1 of the impairments listed in the Listings of Impairments, 20 C.F.R. Part 404, Subpart 2 P, Appendix 1 (“Listings”). 20 C.F.R. § 416.920(4)(iii); § 416.925; see Ford v. Saul, 3 950 F.3d 1141, 1148 (9th Cir. 2020). The Listings describe the impairments 4 considered to be severe enough to prevent an individual from doing any gainful 5 activity, regardless of age, education, or work experience. 20 C.F.R. § 416.925(a). 6 Each impairment is described in terms of the “objective medical and other findings 7 needed to satisfy the criteria of that listing.” 20 C.F.R. § 416.925(c)(3). 8 A claimant's impairment, or combination of impairments, is medically 9 equivalent to a listed impairment if the claimant's impairment “is at least equal in 10 severity and duration to the criteria of any listed impairment.” 20 C.F.R. 11 § 416.926(a); Kennedy v. Colvin, 738 F.3d 1172, 1175 (9th Cir. 2013). “[F]or a 12 claimant to qualify for benefits by showing that his unlisted impairment, or 13 combination of impairments, is ‘equivalent’ to a listed impairment, he must present 14 medical findings equal in severity to all the criteria for the one most similar listed 15 impairment.” Kennedy, 738 F.3d at 1176 (citing Sullivan v. Zebley, 493 U.S. 521, 16 531 (1990)). “Listed impairments are purposefully set at a high level of severity 17 because the listings were designed to operate as a presumption of disability that 18 makes further inquiry unnecessary.” Id. (internal quotations and citation omitted). 19 Thus, a claimant is required to present medical findings equal in severity to each 20 criterion in a listing. See id. 21 Diabetes mellitus (“diabetes”) is not a listed impairment for adults, but the 22 effects of diabetes, either alone or in combination with other impairments, may 23 medically equal the criteria of a listing. SSR, 14-2P, 2014 WL 2472008, at *6. One 24 example offered by the regulations is diabetic neuropathy. Id. The criteria for Listing 25 11.14 peripheral neuropathy are: 26 A. Disorganization of motor function in two extremities (see 11.00D1), resulting in an extreme limitation (see 11.00D2) in the ability to 27 stand up from a seated position, balance while standing or walking, 28 or use the upper extremities; or

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B. Marked limitation (see 11.00G2) in physical functioning (see 1 11.00G3a), and in one of the following: 2 1. Understanding, remembering, or applying information (see 11.00G3b(i)); or 3 2. Interacting with others (see 11.00G3b(ii)); or 4 3. Concentrating, persisting, or maintaining pace (see 11.00G3b(iii)); or 4. Adapting or managing oneself (see 11.00G3b(iv)). 5 6 2. Discussion 7 Plaintiff argues that his diabetic neuropathy, in combination with his other 8 impairments, could have medically equaled Listing 11.14. (JS at 6.) First, Plaintiff 9 contends that the ALJ’s failure to cite Listing 11.14 at step three suggests the ALJ 10 did not properly evaluate the evidence. (JS at 5-6.) Plaintiff’s argument is without 11 merit. “It is unnecessary to require the Secretary, as a matter of law, to state why a 12 claimant failed to satisfy every different section of the [Listings].” Gonzalez v. 13 Sullivan, 914 F.2d 1197, 1201 (9th Cir. 1990). “An ALJ is not required to discuss 14 the combined effects of a claimant's impairments or compare them to any listing in 15 an equivalency determination, unless the claimant presents evidence in an effort to 16 establish equivalence.” Burch, 400 F.3d at 683 (citing Lewis v. Apfel, 236 F.3d 503, 17 514 (9th Cir. 2001)). 18 Here, the ALJ considered Listing 1.02 for dysfunction of major joints; 1.04 for 19 disorders of the spine; 12.04 for depressive, bipolar, and related disorders; 12.08 for 20 personality and impulse-control disorders; 12.15 for trauma- and stressor-related 21 disorders; and also considered the effects of Plaintiff’s diabetes in conjunction with 22 other impairments. (AR 18-21.) The ALJ also found Plaintiff’s “neuropathy and 23 retinopathy have not caused the [Plaintiff] listing level impairment such as an 24 inability to perform fine and gross movements effectively.” (AR 19.) Although 25 Plaintiff argues his diabetes in combination with his other impairments could have 26 medically equaled Listing 11.14, Plaintiff does not identify where in the record he 27 presented medical evidence in an effort to establish equivalence for Listing 11.14. 28 See Kennedy, 738 F.3d at 1178. The ALJ was not required to discuss Listing 11.14

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1 equivalence. 2 1. Plaintiff’s testimony alone cannot support an equivalence determination. 3 Plaintiff argues that his testimony makes clear that his diabetic neuropathy in 4 combination with his other impairments could have medically equaled the criteria for 5 Listing 11.14. (JS at 6.) Plaintiff points to testimony he gave that he was prescribed 6 a cane for balance (AR 41), he was unable to stand without either using the cane or 7 leaning on something for balance (AR 42), and he could only walk for about 500 8 yards without stopping (AR 42). (JS at 6.) Plaintiff also points to statements that he 9 holds his cane with his right hand, but due to severe nerve pain, he is unable to use 10 his left hand for activities like grasping, fingering, and typing. (AR 40-42; JS at 6.) 11 A finding of equivalence is based on medical evidence only. 20 C.F.R. 12 § 416.929(d)(3) (“[The ALJ] will look to see whether your symptoms, signs, and 13 laboratory findings are at least equal in severity to the listed criteria . . . [and] will not 14 substitute your allegations of pain or other symptoms for a missing or deficient sign 15 or laboratory finding to raise the severity of your impairment(s) to that of a listed 16 impairment.”); see Kennedy, 738 F.3d at 1176 (“[Claimant] must present medical 17 findings equal in severity to all the criteria for the one most similar listed 18 impairment.”) (citing Zebley, 493 U.S. at 532)); see also Hamilton v. Astrue, No. 19 EDCV 08-1843-MAN, 2010 WL 3748744, at *7 (C.D. Cal. Sept. 22, 2010) 20 (“[Claimant]'s self-reports of symptoms and functional limitations based on hip and 21 joint pain cannot suffice to raise the severity of her related impairment to that of [a] 22 Listing.”) (citations omitted)). Plaintiff’s testimony cannot support a determination 23 of medical equivalence. 24 2. Medical evidence supports the ALJ’s step three determination. 25 Plaintiff contends that the evidence supports the conclusion that Plaintiff’s use 26 of a cane was medically required. (JS at 6.) Defendant argues that the ALJ properly 27 relied on Plaintiff’s treatment records and the medical consultant’s report to find that 28 use of a cane was not medically necessary. (JS at 9.)

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1 In finding that Plaintiff’s use of a cane was not medically supported, the ALJ 2 relied on evidence from Plaintiff’s treatment records. (AR 24.) Specifically, the ALJ 3 found that Plaintiff requested a cane as opposed to being prescribed one. (AR 24, 4 732.) Plaintiff contends that the treatment records support a finding that a cane was 5 medically necessary because the records show Plaintiff was “working [with] 6 neurosurgery who suggested he get a cane for support with ambulation.” (AR 732; 7 JS at 6.) Indeed, at the end of the visit, the provider included instructions for Plaintiff 8 to continue working with neurosurgery and gave Plaintiff a cane. (AR 735.) 9 Although Plaintiff provides an alternative interpretation of the evidence, the 10 ALJ’s decision should be upheld. “When evidence is susceptible to more than one 11 rational interpretation, we uphold the ALJ’s reasonable interpretation.” Rawson v. 12 Berryhill, 722 F. App'x 697, 697 (9th Cir. 2018) (internal quotations omitted) (citing 13 Ryan, 528 F.3d at 1198). Here, the ALJ’s interpretation is reasonable. To find that 14 a cane is medically required, there must be medical documentation establishing the 15 need for a cane to stand or walk and describing the circumstances for which it is 16 needed. SSR 96-9P, 1996 WL 374185 (1996), at *7; see Sou v. Saul, 799 F. App'x 17 563, 564-65 (9th Cir. 2020) (holding that claimant failed to show a cane was 18 medically required where the evidence did not describe the circumstances for which 19 a cane was need); see also Amber C. v. Saul, No. 2:19-CV-03208-MAA, 2020 WL 20 2061771, at *3 (C.D. Cal. Apr. 29, 2020) (holding that the objective medical evidence 21 did not describe the circumstances for which a walker was needed). Plaintiff does 22 not cite to anywhere in the record that establishes the need for a cane and describes 23 the circumstances for which it is needed. Thus, the Court finds the ALJ’s 24 determination is a reasonable interpretation of the evidence and upholds the finding. 25 The ALJ also relied on the inconsistencies in the medical consultant’s report 26 to find that Plaintiff’s use of a cane is not a medical necessity. (AR 25.) The medical 27 consultant opined that Plaintiff “requires a cane for balance on long distances.” (AR 28 815.) The medical consultant also noted that Plaintiff made an allegation of poor

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1 balance, however, Plaintiff was “non-cooperative with the examination[,] . . . appears 2 to be exaggerating his symptoms[,] and appears to walk normally without the cane.” 3 (AR 814.) The ALJ determined that “[t]his internal inconsistency undermines [the 4 medical consultant’s] finding of medical necessity for a cane.” (AR 25.) Plaintiff 5 argues the medical consultant only examined Plaintiff once and cites multiple entries 6 in the record that demonstrate Plaintiff’s unsteady gait.2 (JS at 6.) 7 An ALJ reviews every medical opinion for supportability and consistency. 8 Reynolds v. Kijakazi, No. 21-35672, 2022 WL 4095381, at *1 (9th Cir. Sept. 7, 2022) 9 (citing Woods v. Kijakazi, 32 F.4th 785, 791-92 (9th Cir. 2022)); 20 C.F.R. 10 § 416.920c(a). Supportability means the extent to which a medical source supports 11 the medical opinion by explaining the relevant objective evidence. 20 C.F.R. 12 § 416.920c(c)(1); see Woods, 32 F.4th at 791-92. Consistency means the extent to 13 which a medical opinion is consistent with the evidence from other medical sources 14 and nonmedical sources in the claim. 20 C.F.R. § 416.920c(c)(2); see Woods, 32 15 F.4th at 792. Here, the ALJ found that the medical consultant’s opinion was not 16 supported by the relevant objective evidence. (AR 25.) “Where evidence is 17 susceptible to more than one rational interpretation, the ALJ's decision should be 18 upheld.” Ryan, 528 F.3d at 1198 (internal quotations and citation omitted). Although 19 Plaintiff provides evidence that the medical consultant’s opinion is consistent with 20 the rest of the record, the ALJ’s determination must be upheld. 21 Additionally, even assuming Plaintiff’s use of a cane was medically necessary, 22 Plaintiff does not meet the Listing requirements of 11.14 A or B. Listing 11.14A 23 requires interference with movement of two extremities due to a neurological 24 disorder (11.00D1), resulting in the inability to stand up from a seated position, 25 maintain balance in a standing position and while walking, or use your upper 26 extremities to independently initiate, sustain, and complete work-related activities 27 2 Plaintiff also cites to various entries in the record that support Plaintiff’s nerve pain 28 and neuropathy. (JS at 6-7.)

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1 (11.00D2). Plaintiff does not provide evidence that he has interference with 2 movement of a second extremity. The ALJ determined that even though Plaintiff has 3 the severe impairments of left side carpal tunnel, trigger finger, and ganglion cyst, 4 Plaintiff has the RFC to frequently reach, handle and finger with the upper left 5 extremity. (AR 17, 21.) Plaintiff does not meet the two-extremity requirement of 6 11.14A. 7 Nor can Plaintiff demonstrate he meets the Listing requirements for 11.14B. 8 Listings 11.14B requires medical evidence showing a marked limitation in physical 9 functioning and a marked limitation in one of the following: understanding, 10 remembering, or applying information; interacting with others; concentrating, 11 persisting, or maintaining pace; or adapting or managing oneself. Although 12 Plaintiff’s use of a cane could satisfy the first prong of 11.14B, Plaintiff does not 13 provide any evidence that he has another marked limitation. Indeed, the ALJ 14 determined that despite Plaintiff’s severe limitations, he has the RFC to occasionally 15 interact with co-workers, supervisors, and the general public. (AR 21.) Plaintiff can 16 also tolerate occasional changes in the work setting and would be off-task 5% to 10% 17 of the workday. (Id.) Plaintiff does not meet the requirements of 11.14B. 18 The Court finds that substantial evidence supports the ALJ’s determination at 19 step three that Plaintiff’s impairments, or combination of impairments, do not meet 20 or medically equal the severity of one of the Listings. 21 /// 22 /// 23 /// 24 /// 25 /// 26 /// 27 28

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1 V. CONCLUSION 2 IT IS ORDERED that Judgment shall be entered AFFIRMING the decision of 3 the Commissioner denying benefits. 4 IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that the Clerk of the Court serve copies of this 5 Order and the Judgment on counsel for both parties. 6 7 DATED: November 30, 2022 /s/ ROZELLA A. OLIVER 8 UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE 9

11 NOTICE

12 THIS DECISION IS NOT INTENDED FOR PUBLICATION IN WESTLAW, LEXIS/NEXIS, OR ANY OTHER LEGAL DATABASE. 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28