3 U.S. F DIL ISE TD R I IN C TT H CE O URT EASTERN DISTRICT OF WASHINGTON 4 Dec 21, 2023 5 UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT 6 SEAN F. MCAVOY, CLERK EASTERN DISTRICT OF WASHINGTON 7 EVELIA R., 8 No. 4:23-CV-5031-WFN Plaintiff, 9 ORDER -vs- 10 KILOLO KIJAKAZI, Acting 11 Commissioner of Social Security
12 Defendant. 13 14 Evelia R. [Plaintiff] brings this action seeking judicial review of the Commissioner of 15 Social Security's final decision denying her application for disability benefits. ECF No. 1. 16 Attorney D. James Tree represents Plaintiff. Special Assistant United States Attorney Sarah 17 Moum represents the Commissioner [Defendant]. After reviewing the administrative record 18 and the briefs filed by the parties, the Court REVERSES the Commissioner's final decision. 19 JURISDICTION 20 Plaintiff applied for Supplemental Security Income and Disability Insurance Benefits 21 on October 25, 2019, alleging disability beginning on January 1, 2014. Tr. 15, 252–77. 22 Plaintiff later amended her alleged onset date to October 24, 2019. Tr. 51. The applications 23 were denied initially, Tr. 83–112, and on reconsideration, Tr. 113–46. Administrative Law 24 Judge [ALJ] Lori Freund held a hearing on May 12, 2021, Tr. 47–82, and issued an 25 unfavorable decision on December 1, 2021, Tr. 15–26. The Appeals Council denied review 26 on January 11, 2023. Tr. 1–6. The ALJ's December 1, 2021 decision became the 27 Commissioner's final decision, which is appealable to the district court pursuant to 42 U.S.C. 28 § 405(g). Plaintiff filed this action for judicial review on March 13, 2023. ECF No. 1. 1 FACTS 2 Plaintiff was born in 1969 and was 50 years of age as of her alleged onset date. Tr. 25, 3 51–52, 258. She completed some college, Tr. 25, 301, 412, and has past work as a medical 4 assistant and as a billing clerk, Tr. 25, 65–67. Plaintiff alleges disability based on rheumatoid 5 arthritis, depression, and anxiety. Tr. 53, 412–13. 6 STANDARD OF REVIEW 7 The ALJ is responsible for determining credibility, resolving conflicts in medical 8 testimony, and resolving ambiguities. Andrews v. Shalala, 53 F.3d 1035, 1039 (9th 9 Cir.1995). The Court reviews the ALJ's legal conclusions de novo but gives deference 10 to a reasonable interpretation of a statute the agency is charged with administering. See 11 McNatt v. Apfel, 201 F.3d 1084, 1087 (9th Cir. 2000). The ALJ's decision will be 12 reversed only if it is not supported by substantial evidence or if it is based on legal error. 13 Tackett v. Apfel, 180 F.3d 1094, 1097–98 (9th Cir. 1999). Substantial evidence is more 14 than a scintilla, but less than a preponderance. Id. at 1098. Put another way, "'[i]t means such 15 relevant evidence as a reasonable mind might assess as adequate to support a 16 conclusion.'" Richardson v. Perales, 402 U.S. 389, 401 (1971) (quoting Consol. Edison Co. 17 v. NLRB, 305 U.S. 197, 229 (1938)). If the evidence is susceptible to more than one rational 18 interpretation, the Court may not substitute its judgment for the ALJ's. Tackett, 180 F.3d at 19 1097–98; Morgan v. Comm'r of Soc. Sec. Admin., 169 F.3d 595, 599 (9th Cir. 1999). The 20 ALJ's decision is conclusive if it is supported by substantial evidence, even if conflicting 21 evidence supports a finding of either disability or non-disability. Sprague v. Bowen, 812 22 F.2d 1226, 1229–30 (9th Cir. 1987). But a decision supported by substantial evidence will 23 still be set aside if it is based on legal error. Brawner v. Sec'y of Health & Hum. Servs., 839 24 F.2d 432, 433 (9th Cir. 1988). 25 SEQUENTIAL EVALUATION PROCESS 26 The Commissioner has established a five-step sequential evaluation process for 27 determining whether a person is disabled. 20 C.F.R. §§ 404.1520(a), 416.920(a); Bowen v. 28 Yuckert, 482 U.S. 137, 140–42 (1987). In steps one through four the claimant bears the 1 burden of establishing disability. Tackett, 180 F.3d at 1098–99. This burden is met once a 2 claimant establishes that a physical or mental impairment prevents him from engaging in 3 past relevant work. 20 C.F.R. §§ 404.1520(a)(4), 416.920(a)(4). If a claimant cannot 4 perform past relevant work, the ALJ proceeds to step five, and the burden shifts to the 5 Commissioner to show (1) the claimant can make an adjustment to other work; and (2) the 6 claimant can perform specific jobs that exist in the national economy. Batson v. Comm'r of 7 Soc. Sec. Admin., 359 F.3d 1190, 1193–94 (9th Cir. 2004). If a claimant cannot make an 8 adjustment to other work in the national economy, she will be found disabled. 20 C.F.R. 9 §§ 404.1520(a)(4)(v), 416.920(a)(4)(v). 10 ADMINISTRATIVE DECISION 11 On December 1, 2021, the ALJ issued a decision finding Plaintiff was not disabled as 12 defined in the Social Security Act. Tr. 15–26. 13 At step one, the ALJ found Plaintiff had not engaged in substantial gainful activity 14 since the alleged onset date. Tr. 18. 15 At step two, the ALJ determined Plaintiff had the following severe impairments: 16 "rheumatoid arthritis[,] degenerative joint disease of the right shoulder[,] obesity[,] major 17 depressive disorder[, and] generalized anxiety disorder." Id. 18 At step three, the ALJ found Plaintiff did not have an impairment or combination of 19 impairments that met or medically equaled the severity of one of the listed impairments. 20 Tr. 18–20. 21 The ALJ assessed Plaintiff's Residual Functional Capacity [RFC] and found she could 22 do light work but 23 would need to avoid climbing ladders/ropes/scaffolding and crawling but could 24 occasionally climb ramps/stairs, stoop, kneel, crouch, and balance. She would 25 need to avoid reaching overhead with the right upper extremity. She should 26 avoid concentrated exposure to excessive vibrations and extreme temperatures. 27 She should also avoid all exposure to unprotected heights, hazards, and 28 hazardous machinery. This individual would be limited to simple and repetitive 1 tasks (1–3 steps) but would be capable of performing such for at least 2 hours 2 at one time with regular 15-minute breaks thereafter throughout an 8-hour 3 workday. She could have brief, superficial interaction with the general public 4 and occasional interaction with coworkers without the performance of tandem 5 tasks. 6 Tr. 20. 7 At step four, the ALJ found Plaintiff was unable to perform past relevant work. Tr. 25. 8 At step five, the ALJ found, based on the vocational expert's testimony, and 9 considering Plaintiff's age, education, work experience, and RFC, there were jobs that 10 existed in significant numbers in the national economy that Plaintiff could perform. Tr. 11 25-26. The ALJ specifically identified the representative occupations of routing clerk, order 12 caller, and marker. Tr. 26.
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3 U.S. F DIL ISE TD R I IN C TT H CE O URT EASTERN DISTRICT OF WASHINGTON 4 Dec 21, 2023 5 UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT 6 SEAN F. MCAVOY, CLERK EASTERN DISTRICT OF WASHINGTON 7 EVELIA R., 8 No. 4:23-CV-5031-WFN Plaintiff, 9 ORDER -vs- 10 KILOLO KIJAKAZI, Acting 11 Commissioner of Social Security
12 Defendant. 13 14 Evelia R. [Plaintiff] brings this action seeking judicial review of the Commissioner of 15 Social Security's final decision denying her application for disability benefits. ECF No. 1. 16 Attorney D. James Tree represents Plaintiff. Special Assistant United States Attorney Sarah 17 Moum represents the Commissioner [Defendant]. After reviewing the administrative record 18 and the briefs filed by the parties, the Court REVERSES the Commissioner's final decision. 19 JURISDICTION 20 Plaintiff applied for Supplemental Security Income and Disability Insurance Benefits 21 on October 25, 2019, alleging disability beginning on January 1, 2014. Tr. 15, 252–77. 22 Plaintiff later amended her alleged onset date to October 24, 2019. Tr. 51. The applications 23 were denied initially, Tr. 83–112, and on reconsideration, Tr. 113–46. Administrative Law 24 Judge [ALJ] Lori Freund held a hearing on May 12, 2021, Tr. 47–82, and issued an 25 unfavorable decision on December 1, 2021, Tr. 15–26. The Appeals Council denied review 26 on January 11, 2023. Tr. 1–6. The ALJ's December 1, 2021 decision became the 27 Commissioner's final decision, which is appealable to the district court pursuant to 42 U.S.C. 28 § 405(g). Plaintiff filed this action for judicial review on March 13, 2023. ECF No. 1. 1 FACTS 2 Plaintiff was born in 1969 and was 50 years of age as of her alleged onset date. Tr. 25, 3 51–52, 258. She completed some college, Tr. 25, 301, 412, and has past work as a medical 4 assistant and as a billing clerk, Tr. 25, 65–67. Plaintiff alleges disability based on rheumatoid 5 arthritis, depression, and anxiety. Tr. 53, 412–13. 6 STANDARD OF REVIEW 7 The ALJ is responsible for determining credibility, resolving conflicts in medical 8 testimony, and resolving ambiguities. Andrews v. Shalala, 53 F.3d 1035, 1039 (9th 9 Cir.1995). The Court reviews the ALJ's legal conclusions de novo but gives deference 10 to a reasonable interpretation of a statute the agency is charged with administering. See 11 McNatt v. Apfel, 201 F.3d 1084, 1087 (9th Cir. 2000). The ALJ's decision will be 12 reversed only if it is not supported by substantial evidence or if it is based on legal error. 13 Tackett v. Apfel, 180 F.3d 1094, 1097–98 (9th Cir. 1999). Substantial evidence is more 14 than a scintilla, but less than a preponderance. Id. at 1098. Put another way, "'[i]t means such 15 relevant evidence as a reasonable mind might assess as adequate to support a 16 conclusion.'" Richardson v. Perales, 402 U.S. 389, 401 (1971) (quoting Consol. Edison Co. 17 v. NLRB, 305 U.S. 197, 229 (1938)). If the evidence is susceptible to more than one rational 18 interpretation, the Court may not substitute its judgment for the ALJ's. Tackett, 180 F.3d at 19 1097–98; Morgan v. Comm'r of Soc. Sec. Admin., 169 F.3d 595, 599 (9th Cir. 1999). The 20 ALJ's decision is conclusive if it is supported by substantial evidence, even if conflicting 21 evidence supports a finding of either disability or non-disability. Sprague v. Bowen, 812 22 F.2d 1226, 1229–30 (9th Cir. 1987). But a decision supported by substantial evidence will 23 still be set aside if it is based on legal error. Brawner v. Sec'y of Health & Hum. Servs., 839 24 F.2d 432, 433 (9th Cir. 1988). 25 SEQUENTIAL EVALUATION PROCESS 26 The Commissioner has established a five-step sequential evaluation process for 27 determining whether a person is disabled. 20 C.F.R. §§ 404.1520(a), 416.920(a); Bowen v. 28 Yuckert, 482 U.S. 137, 140–42 (1987). In steps one through four the claimant bears the 1 burden of establishing disability. Tackett, 180 F.3d at 1098–99. This burden is met once a 2 claimant establishes that a physical or mental impairment prevents him from engaging in 3 past relevant work. 20 C.F.R. §§ 404.1520(a)(4), 416.920(a)(4). If a claimant cannot 4 perform past relevant work, the ALJ proceeds to step five, and the burden shifts to the 5 Commissioner to show (1) the claimant can make an adjustment to other work; and (2) the 6 claimant can perform specific jobs that exist in the national economy. Batson v. Comm'r of 7 Soc. Sec. Admin., 359 F.3d 1190, 1193–94 (9th Cir. 2004). If a claimant cannot make an 8 adjustment to other work in the national economy, she will be found disabled. 20 C.F.R. 9 §§ 404.1520(a)(4)(v), 416.920(a)(4)(v). 10 ADMINISTRATIVE DECISION 11 On December 1, 2021, the ALJ issued a decision finding Plaintiff was not disabled as 12 defined in the Social Security Act. Tr. 15–26. 13 At step one, the ALJ found Plaintiff had not engaged in substantial gainful activity 14 since the alleged onset date. Tr. 18. 15 At step two, the ALJ determined Plaintiff had the following severe impairments: 16 "rheumatoid arthritis[,] degenerative joint disease of the right shoulder[,] obesity[,] major 17 depressive disorder[, and] generalized anxiety disorder." Id. 18 At step three, the ALJ found Plaintiff did not have an impairment or combination of 19 impairments that met or medically equaled the severity of one of the listed impairments. 20 Tr. 18–20. 21 The ALJ assessed Plaintiff's Residual Functional Capacity [RFC] and found she could 22 do light work but 23 would need to avoid climbing ladders/ropes/scaffolding and crawling but could 24 occasionally climb ramps/stairs, stoop, kneel, crouch, and balance. She would 25 need to avoid reaching overhead with the right upper extremity. She should 26 avoid concentrated exposure to excessive vibrations and extreme temperatures. 27 She should also avoid all exposure to unprotected heights, hazards, and 28 hazardous machinery. This individual would be limited to simple and repetitive 1 tasks (1–3 steps) but would be capable of performing such for at least 2 hours 2 at one time with regular 15-minute breaks thereafter throughout an 8-hour 3 workday. She could have brief, superficial interaction with the general public 4 and occasional interaction with coworkers without the performance of tandem 5 tasks. 6 Tr. 20. 7 At step four, the ALJ found Plaintiff was unable to perform past relevant work. Tr. 25. 8 At step five, the ALJ found, based on the vocational expert's testimony, and 9 considering Plaintiff's age, education, work experience, and RFC, there were jobs that 10 existed in significant numbers in the national economy that Plaintiff could perform. Tr. 11 25-26. The ALJ specifically identified the representative occupations of routing clerk, order 12 caller, and marker. Tr. 26. 13 The ALJ thus concluded Plaintiff was not under a disability within the meaning of the 14 Social Security Act at any time from the alleged onset date. Id. 15 ISSUES 16 The question presented is whether substantial evidence supports the ALJ's decision 17 denying benefits and, if so, whether the decision is based on proper legal standards. 18 Plaintiff contends the ALJ erred by (1) improperly rejecting Plaintiff's symptom 19 testimony and (2) improperly assessing medical opinion evidence. 20 DISCUSSION 21 (1) Plaintiff's Symptom Testimony 22 Plaintiff contends the ALJ erred by rejecting her symptom testimony without reasons 23 that w ere specific, clear, and convincing. ECF No. 7 at 3–12. 24 It is the province of the ALJ to make determinations regarding a claimant's subjective 25 complaints. Andrews v. Shalala, 53 F.3d 1035, 1039 (9th Cir. 1995). However, the ALJ's 26 findings must be supported by specific, cogent reasons. Rashad v. Sullivan, 903 F.2d 1229, 27 1231 (9th Cir. 1990). Once the claimant produces medical evidence of an underlying 28 medical impairment, the ALJ may not discredit testimony as to the severity of an impairment 1 merely because it is unsupported by medical evidence. Reddick v. Chater, 157 F.3d 715, 722 2 (9th Cir. 1998). Absent affirmative evidence of malingering, the ALJ's reasons for rejecting 3 the claimant's testimony must be "specific, clear and convincing." Smolen, 80 F.3d at 1281; 4 see also Lester v. Chater, 81 F.3d 821, 834 (9th Cir. 1996), superseded on other grounds by 5 regulation, Revisions to Rules Regarding the Evaluation of Medical Evidence, 82 Fed. Reg. 6 5844, 5852 (Jan. 18, 2017) (codified at 20 C.F.R. pts. 404 & 416), as recognized in Woods 7 v. Kijakazi, 32 F.4th 785, 789-90 (9th Cir. 2022). "General findings are insufficient; rather 8 the ALJ must identify what testimony is not credible and what evidence undermines the 9 claimant's complaints." Lester, 81 F.3d at 834; see also Dodrill v. Shalala, 12 F.3d 915, 918 10 (9th Cir. 1993). 11 Plaintiff testified that she cannot work anymore because she cannot concentrate. 12 Tr. 53, 65. She also said she cannot sit for more than fifteen minutes due to hip and knee 13 pain, cannot reach above her shoulders, and has weakness in her hands that prevents fine 14 motor activity. Tr. 67–68, 72–73. Notably, Plaintiff testified: "I wake up with pain every 15 day. On a scale of zero to ten, I stay a four every day." Tr. 75. 16 The ALJ found Plaintiff's medically determinable impairments could reasonably be 17 expected to cause the alleged symptoms; however, she found Plaintiff's statements 18 concerning the intensity, persistence and limiting effects of her symptoms were not entirely 19 consistent with the medical evidence and other evidence in the record. Tr. 21. Specifically, 20 the ALJ rejected Plaintiff's symptom claims because they were inconsistent with the 21 objective findings, persuasive medical opinions, Plaintiff's conservative course of treatment, 22 and Plaintiff's daily activities. Tr. 21–23. 23 Plaintiff argues the ALJ made several errors in rejecting Plaintiff's symptoms. ECF 24 No. 7 at 6–14. Most significantly, Plaintiff argues the ALJ erred by finding that Plaintiff 25 claimed to suffer nine-out-of-ten pain every day. Id. at 10–11. Plaintiff is correct. The ALJ 26 wrote: "The claimant stated she has severe 9/10 pain on a daily basis." Tr. 21. As Defendant 27 concedes, the ALJ was wrong. See ECF No. 11 at 4, 9. Plaintiff testified: "I wake up with 28 pain every day. On a scale of zero to ten, I stay a four every day." Tr. 75. The ALJ's error 1 matters because the ALJ found Plaintiff's symptom claims were inconsistent with her 2 conservative course of treatment. Tr. 22–23. The ALJ wrote: "The undersigned also finds 3 the claimant's allegations of debilitating physical and mental symptoms to be inconsistent 4 with her routine and conservative course of treatment." Tr. 23. 5 Defendant concedes that Plaintiff testified to suffering four-out-of-ten pain daily, and 6 that the ALJ erred by finding Plaintiff claimed to suffer nine-out-of-ten pain daily. ECF No. 7 11 at 9. However, Defendant argues the error was harmless because the ALJ gave other valid 8 reasons for rejecting Plaintiff's symptom claims. Id. The Court does not agree that the error 9 was harmless. 10 If an ALJ provides invalid reasons for disbelieving a claimant's testimony but 11 provides valid reasons too, the error may be harmless. Molina v. Astrue, 674 F.3d 1104, 12 1115 (9th Cir. 2012), superseded on other grounds by 20 C.F.R. § 416.920(a)). The ultimate 13 question is whether the error affected the ALJ's disability determination. Id. If it is clear the 14 error did not affect the ALJ's decision, then the error is harmless. Id. Otherwise, the matter 15 must be remanded. Id. 16 In this case, it is not clear that the ALJ would have rejected Plaintiff's symptom claims 17 absent the error. Plaintiff argues that her activities and course of treatment are entirely 18 consistent with her claim that she suffers four-out-of-ten pain daily. ECF No. 7 at 9–11. The 19 ALJ might have agreed, and if the ALJ knew Plaintiff had testified to daily four-out-of-ten 20 pain, she might not have decided Plaintiff's activities and course of treatment were 21 inconsistent with her symptom claims. This is not to say the ALJ's remaining reasons for 22 rejecting Plaintiff's claims were invalid or even insufficient, but it is not clear the ALJ's 23 decision would have been the same absent the error. Therefore, the matter must be remanded 24 for the ALJ to reassess Plaintiff's symptom claims. See Molina, 674 F.3d at 1115. 25 Plaintiff asks the Court to remand for an award of benefits, ECF No. 7 at 19, but that 26 remedy is only appropriate if it is clear from the record that the claimant is disabled, see 27 Treichler v. Comm'r of Soc. Sec. Admin., 775 F.3d 1090, 1100–01 (9th Cir. 2014). That is 28 not the case here. The ALJ gave additional reasons for rejecting Plaintiff's symptom claims, 1|| and those reasons may be sufficient. The Court will remand this matter for addition: proceedings and explanation. See Benecke v. Barnhart, 379 F.3d 587, 595 (9th Cir. 2004). 3 (2) Medical Opinion Evidence 4 Plaintiff alleges the ALJ erred by improperly evaluating the opinion of Ole 5|| Sandulyak, A.R.N.P. ECF No. 7 at 14-19. The analysis Mr. Sandulyak's opinion could b 6|| impacted by the ALJ's reassessment of Plaintiff's symptom claims. Therefore, the ALJ sha reevaluate Mr. Sandulyak's opinion on remand as well. 8 CONCLUSION 9 Having reviewed the record and the ALJ's findings, the Court finds th Commissioner's final decision is in error because the ALJ's decision contains a concede factual error, and the error is not apparently harmless. The Court has reviewed the briefs an the file and is fully informed Accordingly, 13 IT IS ORDERED that: 14 1. Plaintiff's Brief, filed June 7, 2023, ECF No. 7, is GRANTED. 15 2. Defendant's Brief, filed August 4, 2023, ECF No. 11, is DENIED. 16 3. This matter is REMANDED to the Commissioner for additional proceeding consistent with this Order. 18 4. An application for attorney fees may be filed by separate motion. 19 The District Court Executive is directed to file this Order and provide copies t 20|| counsel. Judgment shall be entered for Plaintiff and the file shall be CLOSED. 21 DATED this 21st day of December, 2023. 22 . 23 L. D1. Aa — 94 WM. FREMMING NIELSEN 95 12-13-23 SENIOR UNITED STATES DISTRICT JUDGE 26 27 28
ORDER - 7