1 WO 2 3 4 5 6 IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT 7 FOR THE DISTRICT OF ARIZONA
9 Kelly Richardson, No. CV-20-08235-PCT-GMS
10 Plaintiff, ORDER
11 v.
12 Commissioner of Social Security Administration, 13 Defendant. 14 15 16 At issue is the Commissioner of Social Security’s denial of Plaintiff Kelly 17 Richardson’s (“Plaintiff”) application for disability insurance benefits. Plaintiff filed a 18 Complaint (Doc. 1) with this Court seeking judicial review of that denial. For the following 19 reasons, the Court affirms the Administrative Law Judge’s (“ALJ”) decision (Doc. 23-3 at 20 32–41), as upheld by the Appeals Council, (Doc. 23-3 at 10–15.) 21 BACKGROUND 22 Plaintiff filed an Application for Disability Insurance benefits in January 2017 for a 23 period of disability beginning November 1, 2008. His claim was denied initially in March 24 2017 and upon reconsideration in June 2017. Plaintiff requested a hearing before an ALJ, 25 where he amended his onset date of disability to December 31, 2013. (Doc. 23-2 at 32). 26 On September 9, 2019, the ALJ rendered an unfavorable decision denying Plaintiff’s claim. 27 In May 2020, the Appeals Council denied Plaintiff’s request for review and adopted the 28 ALJ’s decision as the agency’s final decision. (Doc. 23-3 at 10). 1 Upon considering the medical records and opinions, the ALJ evaluated Plaintiff’s 2 disability based on the following severe impairments: morbid obesity, hypertension, and 3 hypothyroidism (Doc. 23-3 at 35). Ultimately, the ALJ concluded that Plaintiff was not 4 disabled from the alleged disability onset date through the date of the decision (Doc. 23-3 5 at 41). The ALJ found that Plaintiff could still perform sedentary work, including his past 6 relevant work as a user support agent (Doc. 23-3 at 40). Therefore, the ALJ denied his 7 claim. 8 DISCUSSION 9 I. Legal Standard 10 Because the severity of an impairment may be greater than what can be shown by 11 objective medical evidence alone, the ALJ considers a claimant’s subjective testimony 12 regarding pain and symptoms. 20 C.F.R. § 404.1529(c)(3); Burch v. Barnhart, 400 F.3d 13 676, 680 (9th Cir. 2005). The claimant, however, must still show objective medical 14 evidence of an underlying impairment that could reasonably be expected to produce the 15 pain or symptoms alleged. 42 U.S.C. § 423(d)(5)(A); 20 C.F.R. § 404.1529(a). Although 16 such evidence is required to show the existence of an underlying impairment, “the [ALJ] 17 may not discredit the claimant’s testimony as to subjective symptoms merely because they 18 are unsupported by objective evidence.” Berry v. Astrue, 622 F.3d 1228, 1234 (9th Cir. 19 2010). Nevertheless, the ALJ evaluates the testimony in relation to the objective medical 20 evidence and other evidence in determining the extent to which the pain or symptoms affect 21 her capacity to perform basic work activities. 20 C.F.R. § 404.1529(c)(4). 22 II. Analysis 23 At the administrative hearing, Plaintiff and his wife testified that due to his 24 disabilities, Plaintiff needs assistance taking care of himself in the bathroom, including for 25 bowel movements and showering. (Doc. 24 at 5.) Despite this testimony, the ALJ opined 26 that Plaintiff’s “subjective complaints were not fully consistent with the evidence[,] and 27 the objective medical evidence [did] not support the alleged severity of symptoms.” (Doc. 28 23-3 at 39.) Plaintiff argues that (1) the ALJ failed to specifically reject his testimony about 1 needing assistance in the bathroom; and (2) even if the ALJ did specifically reject this 2 testimony, she failed to provide adequate reasoning for doing so.1 3 A. The ALJ Specifically Rejected Plaintiff’s Testimony 4 Plaintiff first argues that the ALJ erred by not specifically rejecting Plaintiff’s 5 testimony about needing assistance in the bathroom. General findings pertaining to a 6 claimant’s credibility are not sufficient to support rejecting his testimony. Lester v. Chater, 7 81 F.3d 821, 834 (9th Cir. 1995). Rather, “the ALJ must specifically identify the testimony 8 she or he finds not to be credible and must explain what evidence undermines the 9 testimony.” Holohan v. Massanari, 246 F.3d 1195, 1208 (9th Cir. 2001). In doing so, the 10 ALJ need not engage in “extensive” analysis but should, at the very least “provide some 11 reasoning in order for [a reviewing court] to meaningfully determine whether [the ALJ’s] 12 conclusions were supported by substantial evidence.” Brown-Hunter v. Colvin, 806 F.3d 13 487, 495 (9th Cir. 2015). 14 Here, the ALJ’s decision begins by reviewing Plaintiff’s and his wife’s testimony— 15 which included the testimony at issue—and by concluding that Plaintiff’s statements 16 “concerning the intensity, persistence[,] and limiting effects of these symptoms are not 17 entirely consistent with the medical evidence.” (Doc. 23-3 at 37.) The ALJ then 18 specifically rejects Plaintiff’s testimony regarding the “severity of symptoms” caused by 19 his “morbid obesity.” (Doc. 23-3 at 37.) That sentence is followed by two paragraphs of 20 support. (Doc. 23-3 at 38.) The statement recounting Plaintiff’s issues in the bathroom— 21 which is closely followed by a rejection of his symptom testimony altogether—is 22 sufficiently specific. The ALJ need not provide “extensive” analysis—only enough for a 23 court to discern what testimony is being rejected. Clearly, a recounting of testimony 24 followed by a rejection of that testimony is sufficient to meet this standard. This is 25 especially true, where, as here, there is no evidence that Plaintiff discussed this specific
26 1 Although Plaintiff did not raise these issues during the administrative hearing, his failure to do so does not preclude him from raising them on appeal. Milne v. Berryhill, No. 5:17– 27 cv–01042–SHK, 2018 WL 3197749, at *5–6 (June 27, 2018 C.D. Cal.) (reviewing Ninth Circuit precedent regarding waiver); Shaibi v. Berryhill, 883 F.3d 1102, 1109 (9th Cir. 28 2017) (narrowly holding that forfeiture applies when claimants fail to challenge vocational experts’ job estimates during the administrative hearing). 1 problem as causing difficulties with any of his medical providers prior to the date he was 2 last insured. (Doc. 23-3 at 39.) The ALJ, therefore, sufficiently rejected Plaintiff’s specific 3 testimony relating to the hygiene difficulties caused by his obesity. 4 B. Specific, Clear, and Convincing Reasons 5 Plaintiff next argues that the ALJ did not provide “specific, clear, and convincing 6 reasons” to reject his testimony. Unless there is evidence of malingering by the claimant, 7 the ALJ may only reject symptom testimony for reasons that are specific, clear, and 8 convincing. Burch, 400 F.3d at 680. In evaluating the credibility of a claimant’s testimony, 9 the ALJ may consider the claimant’s “reputation for truthfulness, inconsistencies either in 10 his testimony or between his testimony and his conduct, his daily activities, his work 11 record, and testimony from physicians and third parties concerning the nature, severity, 12 and effect of the symptoms of which he complains.” Light v. Soc.
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1 WO 2 3 4 5 6 IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT 7 FOR THE DISTRICT OF ARIZONA
9 Kelly Richardson, No. CV-20-08235-PCT-GMS
10 Plaintiff, ORDER
11 v.
12 Commissioner of Social Security Administration, 13 Defendant. 14 15 16 At issue is the Commissioner of Social Security’s denial of Plaintiff Kelly 17 Richardson’s (“Plaintiff”) application for disability insurance benefits. Plaintiff filed a 18 Complaint (Doc. 1) with this Court seeking judicial review of that denial. For the following 19 reasons, the Court affirms the Administrative Law Judge’s (“ALJ”) decision (Doc. 23-3 at 20 32–41), as upheld by the Appeals Council, (Doc. 23-3 at 10–15.) 21 BACKGROUND 22 Plaintiff filed an Application for Disability Insurance benefits in January 2017 for a 23 period of disability beginning November 1, 2008. His claim was denied initially in March 24 2017 and upon reconsideration in June 2017. Plaintiff requested a hearing before an ALJ, 25 where he amended his onset date of disability to December 31, 2013. (Doc. 23-2 at 32). 26 On September 9, 2019, the ALJ rendered an unfavorable decision denying Plaintiff’s claim. 27 In May 2020, the Appeals Council denied Plaintiff’s request for review and adopted the 28 ALJ’s decision as the agency’s final decision. (Doc. 23-3 at 10). 1 Upon considering the medical records and opinions, the ALJ evaluated Plaintiff’s 2 disability based on the following severe impairments: morbid obesity, hypertension, and 3 hypothyroidism (Doc. 23-3 at 35). Ultimately, the ALJ concluded that Plaintiff was not 4 disabled from the alleged disability onset date through the date of the decision (Doc. 23-3 5 at 41). The ALJ found that Plaintiff could still perform sedentary work, including his past 6 relevant work as a user support agent (Doc. 23-3 at 40). Therefore, the ALJ denied his 7 claim. 8 DISCUSSION 9 I. Legal Standard 10 Because the severity of an impairment may be greater than what can be shown by 11 objective medical evidence alone, the ALJ considers a claimant’s subjective testimony 12 regarding pain and symptoms. 20 C.F.R. § 404.1529(c)(3); Burch v. Barnhart, 400 F.3d 13 676, 680 (9th Cir. 2005). The claimant, however, must still show objective medical 14 evidence of an underlying impairment that could reasonably be expected to produce the 15 pain or symptoms alleged. 42 U.S.C. § 423(d)(5)(A); 20 C.F.R. § 404.1529(a). Although 16 such evidence is required to show the existence of an underlying impairment, “the [ALJ] 17 may not discredit the claimant’s testimony as to subjective symptoms merely because they 18 are unsupported by objective evidence.” Berry v. Astrue, 622 F.3d 1228, 1234 (9th Cir. 19 2010). Nevertheless, the ALJ evaluates the testimony in relation to the objective medical 20 evidence and other evidence in determining the extent to which the pain or symptoms affect 21 her capacity to perform basic work activities. 20 C.F.R. § 404.1529(c)(4). 22 II. Analysis 23 At the administrative hearing, Plaintiff and his wife testified that due to his 24 disabilities, Plaintiff needs assistance taking care of himself in the bathroom, including for 25 bowel movements and showering. (Doc. 24 at 5.) Despite this testimony, the ALJ opined 26 that Plaintiff’s “subjective complaints were not fully consistent with the evidence[,] and 27 the objective medical evidence [did] not support the alleged severity of symptoms.” (Doc. 28 23-3 at 39.) Plaintiff argues that (1) the ALJ failed to specifically reject his testimony about 1 needing assistance in the bathroom; and (2) even if the ALJ did specifically reject this 2 testimony, she failed to provide adequate reasoning for doing so.1 3 A. The ALJ Specifically Rejected Plaintiff’s Testimony 4 Plaintiff first argues that the ALJ erred by not specifically rejecting Plaintiff’s 5 testimony about needing assistance in the bathroom. General findings pertaining to a 6 claimant’s credibility are not sufficient to support rejecting his testimony. Lester v. Chater, 7 81 F.3d 821, 834 (9th Cir. 1995). Rather, “the ALJ must specifically identify the testimony 8 she or he finds not to be credible and must explain what evidence undermines the 9 testimony.” Holohan v. Massanari, 246 F.3d 1195, 1208 (9th Cir. 2001). In doing so, the 10 ALJ need not engage in “extensive” analysis but should, at the very least “provide some 11 reasoning in order for [a reviewing court] to meaningfully determine whether [the ALJ’s] 12 conclusions were supported by substantial evidence.” Brown-Hunter v. Colvin, 806 F.3d 13 487, 495 (9th Cir. 2015). 14 Here, the ALJ’s decision begins by reviewing Plaintiff’s and his wife’s testimony— 15 which included the testimony at issue—and by concluding that Plaintiff’s statements 16 “concerning the intensity, persistence[,] and limiting effects of these symptoms are not 17 entirely consistent with the medical evidence.” (Doc. 23-3 at 37.) The ALJ then 18 specifically rejects Plaintiff’s testimony regarding the “severity of symptoms” caused by 19 his “morbid obesity.” (Doc. 23-3 at 37.) That sentence is followed by two paragraphs of 20 support. (Doc. 23-3 at 38.) The statement recounting Plaintiff’s issues in the bathroom— 21 which is closely followed by a rejection of his symptom testimony altogether—is 22 sufficiently specific. The ALJ need not provide “extensive” analysis—only enough for a 23 court to discern what testimony is being rejected. Clearly, a recounting of testimony 24 followed by a rejection of that testimony is sufficient to meet this standard. This is 25 especially true, where, as here, there is no evidence that Plaintiff discussed this specific
26 1 Although Plaintiff did not raise these issues during the administrative hearing, his failure to do so does not preclude him from raising them on appeal. Milne v. Berryhill, No. 5:17– 27 cv–01042–SHK, 2018 WL 3197749, at *5–6 (June 27, 2018 C.D. Cal.) (reviewing Ninth Circuit precedent regarding waiver); Shaibi v. Berryhill, 883 F.3d 1102, 1109 (9th Cir. 28 2017) (narrowly holding that forfeiture applies when claimants fail to challenge vocational experts’ job estimates during the administrative hearing). 1 problem as causing difficulties with any of his medical providers prior to the date he was 2 last insured. (Doc. 23-3 at 39.) The ALJ, therefore, sufficiently rejected Plaintiff’s specific 3 testimony relating to the hygiene difficulties caused by his obesity. 4 B. Specific, Clear, and Convincing Reasons 5 Plaintiff next argues that the ALJ did not provide “specific, clear, and convincing 6 reasons” to reject his testimony. Unless there is evidence of malingering by the claimant, 7 the ALJ may only reject symptom testimony for reasons that are specific, clear, and 8 convincing. Burch, 400 F.3d at 680. In evaluating the credibility of a claimant’s testimony, 9 the ALJ may consider the claimant’s “reputation for truthfulness, inconsistencies either in 10 his testimony or between his testimony and his conduct, his daily activities, his work 11 record, and testimony from physicians and third parties concerning the nature, severity, 12 and effect of the symptoms of which he complains.” Light v. Soc. Sec. Admin., 119 F.3d 13 789, 792 (9th Cir. 1997); see 20 C.F.R. § 404.1529(c)(4). 14 No evidence of malingering exists in the record; therefore, the ALJ must provide 15 “specific, clear, and convincing” reasons to reject Plaintiff’s testimony. The ALJ points to 16 three reasons to discredit Plaintiff’s testimony: (1) objective medical findings; (2) gaps in 17 medical treatment; and (3) history of effective treatment. The Court considers each in turn. 18 First, the ALJ observed that Plaintiff did not “generally receive[ ] the type of 19 medical treatment one would expect for a totally disabled individual.” (Doc. 23-3 at 38.) 20 The records indicated that although Plaintiff’s “[thyroid-stimulating hormone] level was 21 low, . . . his free T4 level was normal,”2 and he was asymptomatic. (Doc. 23-3 at 38.) 22 Moreover, his physical examinations “were unremarkable,” and Plaintiff “appeared in no 23 acute distress and exhibited a normal gait.” (Doc. 23-3 at 38.) Plaintiff argues that he 24 should not have been discredited for failing to pursue other treatment options; however, 25 the ALJ’s principal point was not Plaintiff’s failure to seek treatment but that Plaintiff’s 26 condition, as based on the medical findings above, did not merit the more extreme 27 2 “T4,” or thyroxine, is a hormone produced by the thyroid gland. T4 (thyroxine) Test, 28 UCLA Health, https://www.uclahealth.org/endocrine-center/t4-thyroxine-test (last visited Aug. 31, 2021). 1 treatments one would expect out of a “totally disabled individual.” (Doc. 23-3 at 38.) 2 Plaintiff’s medical issues were largely asymptomatic, and Plaintiff did not appear in 3 distress. This is a sufficient reason to support the ALJ’s credibility determination. 4 Second, the ALJ noted “significant gaps” in Plaintiff’s history of treatment. The 5 ALJ emphasized one particular instance in which Plaintiff failed to follow up on an 6 abnormal thyroid function test result until over a year later. (Doc. 23-3 at 38.) The ALJ 7 characterized this failure as evidence that Plaintiff was unwilling “to do what [was] 8 necessary to improve his condition” and “an indication that his symptoms [were] not as 9 severe as he purport[ed].” (Doc. 23-3 at 38.) Although this testimony does not directly 10 relate to Plaintiff’s obesity (Doc. 24 at 8), it does relate to his credibility. Plaintiff testified 11 that his thyroid condition caused him issues at his former job, including paranoia, difficulty 12 getting along with coworkers, and extreme fatigue and sleepiness. (Doc. 23-3 at 61–62.) 13 It was reasonable for the ALJ to conclude that a person suffering from such “persistent and 14 disabling symptoms” would not fail to seek treatment “because [he] got too busy.” 15 (Doc. 23-3 at 38.) Therefore, this reason supports an adverse finding as to Plaintiff’s 16 credibility. 17 Third, the ALJ determined that after receiving a total thyroidectomy in July 2017, 18 Plaintiff’s treatment was “generally routine,” “conservative,” and “generally effective.” 19 (Doc. 23-3 at 38.) His hypertension was “controlled with prescribed medication and herbal 20 tea.” (Doc. 23-3 at 38.) Moreover, the results of Plaintiff’s physical examinations were 21 “generally normal,” demonstrated that Plaintiff had a normal gait, and that Plaintiff was 22 “generally ‘doing well’ with an ‘excellent prognosis moving forward.’” (Doc. 23-3 at 38.) 23 These findings undermine Plaintiff’s testimony that he was unable to wipe or shower 24 without assistance: Plaintiff was responding well to treatment and performed “generally 25 well” on physical examinations. Therefore, this reason supports the ALJ’s decision. 26 CONCLUSION 27 Because the ALJ provided specific, clear, and convincing reasons to support 28 rejecting Plaintiff’s testimony, the Court finds no error, and Plaintiff’s appeal is denied. 1 IT IS THEREFORE ORDERED affirming the September 9, 2019 decision of the 2|| Administrative Law Judge Kathleen Mucerino, as upheld by the Appeals Council on May 29, 2020. 4 IT IS FURTHER ORDERED directing the Clerk of Court to enter judgment 5 || accordingly and terminate this matter. 6 Dated this 24th day of September, 2021. Wars ) A Whacrsay Sooo) 9 Chief United States District Judge 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28
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