Nesvold v. Bowen

683 F. Supp. 1246, 1988 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 3183, 1988 WL 33662
CourtDistrict Court, N.D. Indiana
DecidedApril 14, 1988
DocketCiv. S 87-97
StatusPublished
Cited by3 cases

This text of 683 F. Supp. 1246 (Nesvold v. Bowen) is published on Counsel Stack Legal Research, covering District Court, N.D. Indiana primary law. Counsel Stack provides free access to over 12 million legal documents including statutes, case law, regulations, and constitutions.

Bluebook
Nesvold v. Bowen, 683 F. Supp. 1246, 1988 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 3183, 1988 WL 33662 (N.D. Ind. 1988).

Opinion

MEMORANDUM AND ORDER

ALLEN SHARP, Chief Judge.

I.

This is an action related to those provisions of the Social Security Act which provide for establishment of a period of disability and payment of disability insurance benefits where the requirements specified therein have been met. 42 U.S.C. §§ 416(i) and 423. The jurisdiction of this court to review the final decision of the Secretary is stated at 42 U.S.C. § 405(g).

The plaintiff, John Nesvold, filed his application for disability insurance benefits on May 29, 1985, alleging an onset date of February 11, 1985. His claim was denied initially and on reconsideration. Mr. Nes-vold then requested and was granted a hearing, which was held before Administrative Law Judge (AU) John Evans on December 3, 1985. AU Evans took testimony from the plaintiff, the plaintiffs ex-wife, and Dr. David Abramson, a specialist *1247 in cardiovascular disease, who was enlisted by the ALJ as a medical advisor.

The plaintiffs testimony consisted of a review of his work history and daily activities. Mr. Nesvold stated that he had loved one job so much that he had to be tapped on the shoulder and told to go home at the end of a ten-hour day. During any periods of layoff he sought additional jobs, but found after suffering a heart attack that he could not do welding because he would choke on fumes from the electro rod.

Mr. Nesvold testified that after his heart attack, his friends on the job “covered” for him by doing his work. He was able to get his most recent job only by having someone else take the pre-employment physical for him. At one point in discussing his work history it became necessary to recess, due to signs of emotional stress in the plaintiff. He stated that not being able to do anything made him feel useless, and acknowledged recent difficulty in getting along with others.

The plaintiffs ex-wife corroborated Mr. Nesvold’s incapacity to do any of the chores he once had done. She testified that even going down the stairs and back up with a small load of clothing would leave him exhausted and breathless. She agreed that the plaintiffs mood had changed greatly and that he now becomes upset very easily.

The medical advisor later described Mr. Nesvold as a “Type A” personality, stating that as a hypertensive Type A, Mr. Nesvold would need to avoid emotional stress. Dr. Abramson opined that the plaintiffs story “certainly would support the diagnosis of angina pectoris.” He thought it a good possibility that the pain in the plaintiffs chest was due to coronary arteriosclorosis, but could not be certain without an angio-gram.

Dr. Abramson directed his comments to a stress test dating from May of 1985. The test was conducted by Dr. Carol Schobert, a specialist in internal medicine who was the plaintiffs treating physician. Dr. Abramson noted that it was an “acceptable test” technically, in the sense that the plaintiff reached the target heartrate, so as not to meet listing 4.04A. He observed, however, that there were changes in the electrocardiogram in the post-exercise period, and that the plaintiffs history would support a diagnosis of ischemic heart dis^ ease.

At the close of the hearing, the record was kept open to receive the results of a cardiac catheterization, which had already been scheduled with cardiac specialist Joel D. Eisenberg, for December 9, 1985, about a week after the hearing. This test was subsequently performed as scheduled. Dr. Eisenberg noted from the test, a 70-75% mid-lesion of the right coronary artery, which he felt would be amenable to bypass grafting, a 90% proximal lesion of the second obtuse marginal, and a 75% lesion in the proximal portion of the posterolateral branch of the distal circumflex.

On January 20, 1986, medical advisor Abramson reviewed Dr. Eisenberg’s report noting a

complete occlusion of the anterior de-cending artery, 70 to 75% stenosis of the right coronary artery in its midportion, and complete occlusion of the marginal branches (or almost complete occlusion) of the circumflex artery.

The medical advisor further noted from the report, the presence of “a fairly large aneurysm of the apical portion of the heart.” The proximal anterior, anterobasilar wall was described as hypokinetic. There was found a “discrete aneurysm involving the distal septum” which was “evidently part of the aneurysm of the anteroapical location.”

Dr. Abramson stated that Dr. Eisenberg had strongly suggested excision of the aneurysm and bypass surgery for three coronary arteries, excluding the anterior descending artery. The ventricular aneurysm was thought to be the probable cause for dyspnea and the possible cause for the angina pectoris from which the claimant suffered.

From the catheterization report, Dr. Abramson revised his earlier views, concluding that the plaintiff met the Listing 4.04(B)(7)(b). He noted again that the old *1248 record included a stress test which showed no ST segment depressions with 7 mets of work, but that following its termination, abnormal changes were noted in the post-exercise period. Dr. Abramson opined that these abnormal changes would have “real significance with regard to the functional capacities of the heart” even though such changes would not technically have met the requirements of a Listed Impairment. He believed that “the presence of a ventricular aneurysm definitely reduces the capacity of the left ventricle to perform physical work,” adding that “[i]ts presence represents a definite risk to the existence of the claimant.”

Three doctors, including a treating inter-nalist, a treating cardiologist, and the administration’s medical advisor, who is also a cardiologist, agreed that the plaintiffs condition meets or equals a listed impairment. The only contrary medical evidence consisted of the opinions of two non-examining DDS physicians who, on the basis of an incomplete record, found a residual functional capacity in the plaintiff for light work. One of these agency consultants listed no specialties; the other listed pediatrics. Inasmuch as the case was properly decided at level three, these reports are inapplicable. In any event, they would not constitute substantial evidence viewing the record as a whole, even if the case were such that it should be decided at level four or five of the sequential evaluation.

In arriving at his decision, AU Evans considered “all the documents identified in the record as exhibits, the testimony at the hearing and arguments presented.” He concluded that the plaintiff met the disability insured status requirements, that he had not engaged in substantial gainful activity since the alleged date of onset, and that the medical evidence established a severe is-chemic heart disease with angina. The AU further found that the severity of Mr. Nesvold’s impairment met the requirements of section 4.04(A), Appendix 1, Sub-part P, Regulations No. 4, precluding him from working for at least 12 continuous months. Mr.

Free access — add to your briefcase to read the full text and ask questions with AI

Related

Mayfield v. Sullivan
730 F. Supp. 180 (N.D. Illinois, 1990)
Nesvold v. Bowen
687 F. Supp. 443 (N.D. Indiana, 1988)
Cushman v. Bowen
683 F. Supp. 672 (N.D. Indiana, 1988)

Cite This Page — Counsel Stack

Bluebook (online)
683 F. Supp. 1246, 1988 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 3183, 1988 WL 33662, Counsel Stack Legal Research, https://law.counselstack.com/opinion/nesvold-v-bowen-innd-1988.