Ronald Oppel v. Andrew Saul

• Court: District Court, C.D. California
• Decided: March 31, 2021
• Docket: 5:19-cv-02007
• Status: Unknown

Opinion

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT 9 CENTRAL DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA 10 11 RONALD O., ) Case No. ED CV 19-2007-SP ) 12 Plaintiff, ) ) 13 v. ) MEMORANDUM OPINION AND ) ORDER 14 ) ANDREW M. SAUL, Commissioner of ) 15 Social Security Administration, ) ) 16 Defendant. ) ) 17 ) 18 19 I. 20 INTRODUCTION 21 On October 18, 2019, plaintiff Ronald O. filed a complaint against 22 defendant, the Commissioner of the Social Security Administration 23 (“Commissioner”), seeking a review of a denial of supplemental security income 24 (“SSI”). The parties have fully briefed the matters in dispute, and the court deems 25 the matter suitable for adjudication without oral argument. 26 Plaintiff presents two disputed issues for decision: (1) whether the 27 administrative law judge (“ALJ”) properly determined he did not meet the 12- 28 1 month disability durational requirement; and (2) whether the ALJ properly 2 considered the medical opinions. Plaintiff’s Memorandum in Support of 3 Complaint (“P. Mem.”) at 4-9; see Memorandum in Support of Defendant’s 4 Answer (“D. Mem.”) at 3-9. 5 Having carefully studied the parties’ memoranda on the issues in dispute, the 6 Administrative Record (“AR”), and the decision of the ALJ, the court concludes 7 that, as detailed herein, the ALJ committed harmless error in his durational analysis 8 and properly considered the medical opinions. Consequently, the court affirms the 9 decision of the Commissioner denying benefits. 10 II. 11 FACTUAL AND PROCEDURAL BACKGROUND 12 Plaintiff was 46 years old on January 1, 2014, his alleged disability onset 13 date, and has a GED and certified nursing assistant certification. AR at 187, 316. 14 Plaintiff has no past relevant work. Id. at 95, 183. 15 On December 29, 2015, plaintiff filed an application for SSI due to 16 schizophrenia, anxiety, obsessive compulsive disorder, a heart attack, an enlarged 17 liver, and 16 years of incarceration. Id. at 187-88. The application was denied 18 initially and upon reconsideration, after which plaintiff filed a request for a 19 hearing. Id. at 217-21, 227-34. 20 On September 20, 2018, plaintiff, represented by counsel, appeared and 21 testified at a hearing before the ALJ. Id. at 165-86. The ALJ also heard testimony 22 from Aida Worthington, a vocational expert. Id. at 182-85. On October 10, 2018, 23 the ALJ denied plaintiff’s claim for benefits. Id. at 86-97. 24 Applying the well-known five-step sequential evaluation process, the ALJ 25 found, at step one, that plaintiff had not engaged in substantial gainful activity 26 since December 29, 2015, the application date. Id. at 88. 27 At step two, the ALJ found plaintiff suffered from the severe impairments of 28 1 hypertension/angina, schizoaffective disorder, and anxiety disorder. Id. 2 At step three, the ALJ found plaintiff’s impairments, whether individually or 3 in combination, did not meet or medically equal one of the listed impairments set 4 forth in 20 C.F.R. part 404, Subpart P, Appendix 1. Id. at 89. 5 The ALJ then assessed plaintiff’s residual functional capacity (“RFC”),1 and 6 determined plaintiff had the RFC to perform medium work as defined in 20 C.F.R. 7 § 416.967(c),2 with the limitations that plaintiff could frequently balance, climb 8 ramps and stairs, stoop, kneel, crouch, and crawl. Id. at 91. The ALJ precluded 9 plaintiff from: climbing ladders, ropes, and scaffolds; exposure to unprotected 10 heights, hazards, or moving machinery parts; public contact; and work in a 11 workplace where a television would be in use. Id. The ALJ also determined 12 plaintiff could: perform simple routine tasks, but not at a production rate pace as 13 with an assembly line; tolerate occasional changes in the workplace environment; 14 make simple work related decisions; and have frequent contact with co-workers 15 and supervisors. Id. 16 The ALJ found, at step four, that plaintiff had no past relevant work. Id. at 17 95. 18 At step five, the ALJ found that given plaintiff’s age, education, work 19 experience, and RFC, there were jobs that existed in significant numbers in the 20 national economy that plaintiff could perform, including marker, day worker, and 21 22 1 Residual functional capacity is what a claimant can do despite existing 23 exertional and nonexertional limitations. Cooper v. Sullivan, 880 F.2d 1152, 1155- 24 56 n.5-7 (9th Cir. 1989). “Between steps three and four of the five-step evaluation, the ALJ must proceed to an intermediate step in which the ALJ assesses the 25 claimant’s residual functional capacity.” Massachi v. Astrue, 486 F.3d 1149, 1151 26 n.2 (9th Cir. 2007). 27 2 All citations to the Code of Federal Regulations refer to regulations 28 applicable to claims filed before March 27, 2017. 1 linen room attendant. Id. at 95-96. Consequently, the ALJ concluded plaintiff did 2 not suffer from a disability as defined by the Social Security Act. Id. at 96. 3 Plaintiff filed a timely request for review of the ALJ’s decision, which the 4 Appeals Council denied. Id. at 1-4. The ALJ’s decision stands as the final 5 decision of the Commissioner. 6 III. 7 STANDARD OF REVIEW 8 This court is empowered to review decisions by the Commissioner to deny 9 benefits. 42 U.S.C. § 405(g). The findings and decision of the Social Security 10 Administration must be upheld if they are free of legal error and supported by 11 substantial evidence. Mayes v. Massanari, 276 F.3d 453, 458-59 (9th Cir. 2001) 12 (as amended). But if the court determines the ALJ’s findings are based on legal 13 error or are not supported by substantial evidence in the record, the court may 14 reject the findings and set aside the decision to deny benefits. Aukland v. 15 Massanari, 257 F.3d 1033, 1035 (9th Cir. 2001); Tonapetyan v. Halter, 242 F.3d 16 1144, 1147 (9th Cir. 2001). 17 “Substantial evidence is more than a mere scintilla, but less than a 18 preponderance.” Aukland, 257 F.3d at 1035. Substantial evidence is such 19 “relevant evidence which a reasonable person might accept as adequate to support 20 a conclusion.” Reddick v. Chater, 157 F.3d 715, 720 (9th Cir. 1998); Mayes, 276 21 F.3d at 459. To determine whether substantial evidence supports the ALJ’s 22 finding, the reviewing court must review the administrative record as a whole, 23 “weighing both the evidence that supports and the evidence that detracts from the 24 ALJ’s conclusion.” Mayes, 276 F.3d at 459. The ALJ’s decision “‘cannot be 25 affirmed simply by isolating a specific quantum of supporting evidence.’” 26 Aukland, 257 F.3d at 1035 (quoting Sousa v. Callahan, 143 F.3d 1240, 1243 (9th 27 Cir. 1998)). If the evidence can reasonably support either affirming or reversing 28 1 the ALJ’s decision, the reviewing court “‘may not substitute its judgment for that 2 of the ALJ.’” Id. (quoting Matney v. Sullivan, 981 F.2d 1016, 1018 (9th Cir. 3 1992)). 4 IV. 5 DISCUSSION 6 A. The ALJ Committed Harmless Error in His Durational Analysis 7 Plaintiff argues the ALJ erred when he failed to consider evidence of 8 plaintiff’s disability prior to the application date in reaching the determination that 9 his symptoms did not last for 12 continuous months. P. Mem. at 4-6. Specifically, 10 plaintiff contends the disability onset date is January 1, 2014,3 and the ALJ should 11 have examined the duration of the symptoms from that date rather than the 12 application date. Id. 13 In order for a claimant to be considered disabled, the severe impairment 14 must have lasted or be expected to last for a continuous period of at least 12 15 months. 42 U.S.C. § 423(d)(1)(A); 20 C.F.R. § 416.909. Unlike disability 16 insurance benefits, the Social Security Act precludes SSI payments prior to the 17 application date and therefore, generally, the onset date and application date are the 18 same. See 42 U.S.C. § 1382(c)(7); 20 C.F.R. §§ 416.335, 416.501; Social Security 19 Ruling (“SSR”) 83-20 (“Onset will be established as of the date of filing provided 20 the individual was disabled on that date.”). Nevertheless, logic dictates that an 21 impairment appears before a claimant files an application for benefits. As such, 22 Social Security’s internal policy manual, the Program Operations Manuel System 23 24 3 In his memorandum, plaintiff contends the Commissioner, in the initial disability determination, “recorded and assessed” the alleged onset of disability 25 date as October 1, 2014. P. Mem. at 6. This appears to be a typographical error 26 since the initial disability determination reflects an alleged onset of disability date of January 1, 2014. See AR at 187-88. Contrary to plaintiff’s contention, this 27 recording is not of any significance. This date was simply a recording of the 28 disability onset date plaintiff alleged. 1 (“POMS”), recognizes an ALJ may need to consider medical evidence prior to the 2 application date in order to determine the severity or duration of a claimant’s 3 impairments. POMS DI 25501.370 (“we do consider the period before the filing 4 date under certain circumstances, for example when determining if a claimant met 5 the 12-month duration requirement”). 6 Here, the ALJ determined that plaintiff’s symptoms were controlled within 7 one year of the application date and any limitations in the broad areas of 8 functioning were only moderate. See AR at 89-90, 92. Plaintiff argues that the 9 duration of a disability may begin prior to the application date and the ALJ’s 10 finding that the symptoms were controlled within one year of the application date 11 suggests the ALJ failed to consider the period prior to that date. The court agrees 12 the ALJ erred by measuring the duration of plaintiff’s symptoms from the 13 application date. But this error was harmless. 14 It is plaintiff’s burden to prove the onset date of disability. See Morgan v. 15 Sullivan, 945 F.2d 1079, 1080 (9th Cir. 1991) (discussing an application for 16 disability insurance benefits). Although plaintiff alleges he has been disabled since 17 January 1, 2014, he has not produced any evidence, medical or otherwise, to 18 support this onset date. December 2014 hospital records for chest pain treatment 19 indicate plaintiff was alert, oriented, exhibited normal mood and affect, and 20 cooperative, thereby suggesting plaintiff did not have disabling mental symptoms 21 at that time. See AR at 406, 424, 444. The earliest mental health record in the 22 administrative record is a November 13, 2015 treatment note. See id. at 481-82. 23 From a logical perspective, plaintiff’s symptoms arose prior to November 13, 2015 24 since he would not have sought treatment unless he was already experiencing 25 symptoms. But plaintiff has not presented any medical evidence of when his 26 symptoms began or their severity when they began. Plaintiff points to Dr. Rashin 27 D’Angelo’s statement in a March 31, 2016 psychiatric evaluation that plaintiff “has 28 1 a long history of mental illness with fixed delusional system,” but nothing in the 2 record supports such a long history, and it appears Dr. D’Angelo made this 3 statement based solely on plaintiff’s own report that he has experienced 4 “delusional thinking and distorted reality since 1995.” See AR 507-08. As such, 5 there is no basis in the record to conduct a durational analysis beginning earlier 6 than November 13, 2015. 7 Substantial evidence supports the ALJ’s determination that plaintiff’s 8 symptoms did not last for a continuous period of 12 months. Plaintiff began to 9 receive antipsychotic medication on November 13, 2015. See id. Although 10 plaintiff continued to hear voices from the television in December 10, 2015, he 11 reported that he was stable on the medication and the clinic did not indicate any 12 abnormal objective findings. See id. at 475-76. In February 13, 2016, plaintiff 13 continued to report hearing voices from the television but stated he was “doing 14 very well.” See id. at 468-70. Plaintiff’s treating physician, Dr. Salvador Arella, 15 observed only normal objective findings during the mental status examination. See 16 id. On March 31, 2016, consultative examiner Dr. D’Angelo observed plaintiff 17 had, among other things, monotonous speech, slightly depressed mood, flat and 18 blunted affect, and mild difficulties interacting with him and focusing, but noted 19 plaintiff’s symptoms were subsiding with medication. See id. at 506-07. Indeed, 20 throughout 2016-2018, other than a few complaints of anxiety an paranoia, 21 plaintiff consistently reported that he was doing well, including “100% better,” and 22 the medications were effective, and Dr. Arella did not observe any abnormal 23 objective findings.4 See, e.g., id. at 105-64; 527-64. 24 Accordingly, the ALJ erred when he used the application date as the onset 25 date, but the error was harmless. Substantial evidence supported the ALJ’s 26 27 4 Plaintiff submitted additional treatment notes to the Appeals Council in 28 support of his request for review. See AR at 2, 102-64. 1 determination that plaintiff’s symptoms did not last a continuous 12 months. 2 B. The ALJ Properly Considered the Medical Opinions 3 Plaintiff contends the ALJ failed to properly consider the opinions of Dr. 4 Salvador Arella, a treating physician, and Dr. Rashin D’Angelo, a consultative 5 examiner. P. Mem. at 6-9. Specifically, plaintiff argues the ALJ rejected Dr. 6 Arella’s and Dr. D’Angelo’s opinions without provide specific and legitimate 7 reasons. Id. at 6. 8 In determining whether a claimant has a medically determinable impairment, 9 among the evidence the ALJ considers is medical evidence. 20 C.F.R. § 10 416.927(b). In evaluating medical opinions, the regulations distinguish among 11 three types of physicians: (1) treating physicians; (2) examining physicians; and 12 (3) non-examining physicians.5 20 C.F.R. § 416.927(c), (e); Lester v. Chater, 81 13 F.3d 821, 830 (9th Cir. 1996) (as amended). “Generally, a treating physician’s 14 opinion carries more weight than an examining physician’s, and an examining 15 physician’s opinion carries more weight than a reviewing physician’s.” Holohan v. 16 Massanari, 246 F.3d 1195, 1202 (9th Cir. 2001); 20 C.F.R. § 416.927(c)(1)-(2). 17 The opinion of the treating physician is generally given the greatest weight because 18 the treating physician is employed to cure and has a greater opportunity to 19 understand and observe a claimant. Smolen v. Chater, 80 F.3d 1273, 1285 (9th Cir. 20 1996); Magallanes v. Bowen, 881 F.2d 747, 751 (9th Cir. 1989). 21 “[T]he ALJ may only reject a treating or examining physician’s 22 uncontradicted medical opinion based on ‘clear and convincing reasons.’” 23 Carmickle v. Comm’r, 533 F.3d 1155, 1164 (9th Cir. 2008) (citing Lester, 81 F.3d 24 at 830-31). “Where such an opinion is contradicted, however, it may be rejected 25 26 5 Psychologists are considered acceptable medical sources whose opinions are 27 accorded the same weight as physicians. 20 C.F.R. § 416.913(a)(2). Accordingly, 28 for ease of reference, the court will refer to all psychologists as physicians. 1 for ‘specific and legitimate reasons that are supported by substantial evidence in 2 the record.’” Id. (quoting Lester, 81 F.3d at 830-31). The opinion of a non- 3 examining physician, standing alone, cannot constitute substantial evidence. 4 Morgan v. Comm’r, 169 F.3d 595, 602 (9th Cir. 1999); Lester, 81 F.3d at 831. 5 1. Dr. Salvador Arella 6 Dr. Salvador Arella, a psychiatrist, treated plaintiff from November 13, 2015 7 through July 2017.6 See id. at 147-48, 481-82. At the initial office visit, plaintiff 8 reported that the television talks to him, he had a bad temper, and he had been in 9 prison for most of his life. Id. at 481. During the mental status examination, Dr. 10 Arella observed no abnormalities and noted plaintiff’s orientation, memory, 11 judgment, concentration, attention, and insight were intact.7 Id. at 481-82. Dr. 12 Arella diagnosed plaintiff with schizoaffective disorder and opted to treat him with 13 Invegna. Id. at 482. At other visits in November 2015, plaintiff reported anxiety, 14 sadness, anhedonia, and insomnia, but Dr. Arella did not indicate any abnormal 15 objective findings. See id. at 477-80. By December 10, 2015, plaintiff reported he 16 was stable on the medications. Id. at 475. Although plaintiff continued to hear 17 voices occasionally, plaintiff reported he was doing well on medications from 18 February 2016 through July 2017, and Dr. Arella did not note any abnormal 19 findings. See, e.g., id. at 147-48, 468-69, 527-28, 532-33, 564-65. In an opinion 20 dated December 30, 2016, Dr. Arella opined plaintiff was unable to meet 21 22 6 Although plaintiff continued to be treated at the same clinic employing Dr. Arella, the treatment records indicate that starting in August 2017, a nurse 23 practitioner took over plaintiff’s treatment. See AR at 105-46. 24 7 The record contains undated handwritten treatment notes that appear to be 25 from November 13, 2015 or near that date given the subjective reports are 26 substantially the same as those in the November 13, 2015 electronic notes. Compare AR at 481-82 and 487-91. However, in contrast to the electronic notes, 27 the handwritten notes contain objective findings that plaintiff was depressed, 28 guarded, and paranoid, and had a despairing and anxious mood. Id. at 490. 1 competitive standards in every functional area due to his inability to cope and poor 2 concentration. Id. at 554-55. 3 2. Dr. Rashin D’Angelo 4 Dr. Rashin D’Angelo, a psychologist, examined plaintiff on March 31, 2016 5 and reviewed two treatment notes. Id. at 504-08. Plaintiff reported to Dr. 6 D’Angelo he suffered from psychiatric symptoms since 1995, including, among 7 other things, talking to his television, difficulty managing his anger, paranoia, and 8 difficulty with concentration and short term memory. See id. at 504-05. Dr. 9 D’Angelo observed plaintiff, among other things, spoke in a monotonous tone, had 10 a slightly depressed mood, had a flat and blunted affect, was able to do serial 11 threes, and had common sense understandings. See id. at 506-07. Dr. D’Angelo 12 diagnosed plaintiff with schizoaffective disorder, unspecified, and noted plaintiff’s 13 symptoms were improving and would continue to improve with medication. See 14 id. at 507-08. Based on plaintiff’s subjective complaints, the mental status 15 examination, and treatment notes, Dr. D’Angelo opined plaintiff had mild 16 difficulties: maintaining composure and even temperament; focusing or 17 maintaining attention; and in concentration, persistence, or pace. Id. Dr. 18 D’Angelo opined plaintiff would have moderate difficulties or limitations: in 19 maintaining social functioning; performing simple or repetitive tasks; performing 20 work activities on a consistent basis without special or additional supervision; 21 completing a normal workday or work week; accepting instructions from 22 supervisors; interacting with coworkers and the general public; and handling the 23 usual stresses, changes, and demands of gainful employment. Id. at 508. Dr. 24 D’Angelo further opined plaintiff would have marked limitations performing 25 detailed and complex tasks. Id. Finally, Dr. D’Angelo opined plaintiff’s prognosis 26 was poor due to the chronicity of his symptoms. Id. 27 28 1 3. State Agency Physicians 2 State agency physicians reviewed plaintiff’s mental health medical records 3 and Dr. D’Angelo’s opinion. See id. 191-92, 207. On May 19 and October 12, 4 2016, the state agency physicians opined plaintiff had moderate limitations in his 5 ability to: understand, remember, and carry out detailed instructions; complete a 6 normal workday and workweek without interruptions from psychologically based 7 symptoms; perform at a consistent pace; interact with the general public; accept 8 instructions and respond appropriately to criticism from supervisors; get along with 9 coworkers; respond appropriately to changes in the work setting; and set realistic 10 goals or make plans independently of others. See id. at 196-98, 211-12. The state 11 agency physicians opined plaintiff was capable of understanding, remembering, 12 and carrying out simple instructions; making simple work-related decisions; 13 maintaining a simple schedule; and completing simple tasks on a consistent basis. 14 See id. at 196-97, 211. 15 4. The ALJ’s Findings 16 The ALJ determined plaintiff had the mental RFC to: perform simple 17 routine tasks, but not at a production rate pace as with an assembly line; tolerate 18 occasional changes in the work environment; make simple work related decisions; 19 and have frequent contact with co-workers and supervisors. Id. at 91. The ALJ 20 precluded plaintiff from public contact and work in a workplace where a television 21 would be in use. Id. In reaching this determination, the ALJ gave partial weight to 22 Dr. D’Angelo’s opinion, specifically rejecting the marked mental limitation, and 23 less weight to Dr. Arella’s and the state agency physicians’ opinions. See id. at 94- 24 95. 25 The ALJ’s reasons for discounting Dr. Arella’s and Dr. D’Angelo’s opinions 26 were specific and legitimate, and supported by substantial evidence. The ALJ gave 27 less weight to Dr. Arella’s opinion because it was inconsistent with the treatment 28 1 records and plaintiff’s testimony. See id. at 95. Inconsistency with medical 2 evidence is a specific and legitimate reason to discount a physician’s testimony. 3 See Ghanim v. Colvin, 763 F.3d 1154, 1161 (9th Cir. 2014) (“A conflict between 4 treatment notes and a treating provider's opinions may constitute an adequate 5 reason to discredit the opinions of a treating physician”); Batson v. Comm’r, 359 6 F.3d 1190, 1195 (9th Cir. 2004) (an ALJ may discredit physicians’ opinions that 7 are “unsupported by the record as a whole . . . or by objective medical findings”). 8 Here, plaintiff’s treatment notes reflect plaintiff experienced improvement within a 9 month of starting antipsychotic medication, he was “doing well” by as early as 10 March 2016, he stated he was “100% better” in December 2016, and his symptoms 11 continued to be controlled through 2018. See, e.g., AR at 129-30, 145-48, 468-69, 12 475-76, 532-33, 535-36, 547-48, 564-65. Dr. Arella also did not observe any 13 abnormal objective findings, and instead regularly noted plaintiff was alert and 14 oriented, had intact cognition, had clear speech, and had no hallucinations or 15 paranoia. See, e.g., id. at 528, 535, 545, 548, 568. Similarly, Dr. Arella’s opinion 16 was also inconsistent with plaintiff’s testimony. See Rushing v. Astrue, 360 Fed. 17 Appx. 781, 782 (9th Cir. 2009) (upholding ALJ’s rejection of medical opinions 18 because they were inconsistent with claimant’s testimony); Clark v. Astrue, 321 19 Fed. Appx. 570, 572 (9th Cir. 2009) (inconsistency with a claimant’s testimony 20 was a specific and legitimate reason to discount a physician’s opinion). Although 21 plaintiff testified he had anxiety around strangers and heard voices from the 22 television, he testified his symptoms improved with medication. See AR at 170- 23 73. 24 With regard to Dr. D’Angelo, the ALJ only rejected a limited portion of his 25 opinion – that plaintiff had marked limitations performing detailed and complex 26 tasks – on the basis that even if plaintiff had marked limitations in March 2016, he 27 improved after continuous treatment. See id. at 94-95, 508. Plaintiff’s treatment 28 1 || records reflect Dr. D’ Angelo issued his opinion relatively early in plaintiff's 2 || treatment and, as discussed above, his symptoms improved with medication. 3 || Moreover, although the ALJ expressly rejected this portion of Dr. D’Angelo’s 4 || opinion, he limited plaintiff to simple, routine work. Thus, even if the ALJ erred in 5 || rejecting this opined limitation, the error would have been harmless. 6 Accordingly, the ALJ properly discounted Dr. Arella’s opinion, and properly 7 || discounted Dr. D’Angelo’s opinion concerning plaintiff's ability to perform 8 || detailed and complex tasks. 9 V. 10 CONCLUSION 11 IT IS THEREFORE ORDERED that Judgment shall be entered 12 | AFFIRMING the decision of the Commissioner denying benefits, and dismissing 13 the complaint with prejudice. 14 15 || DATED: March 31, 2021 ep 17 SHERIPYM —— United States Magistrate Judge 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 13