(SS) Alfaro v. Commissioner of Social Security

• Court: District Court, E.D. California
• Decided: November 20, 2023
• Docket: 1:21-cv-00173
• Status: Unknown

Opinion

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT 9 FOR THE EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA 10 11 VINCENT PAUL ALFARO, Case No. 1:21-cv-00173-HBK 12 Plaintiff, ORDER DENYING PLAINTIFF’S MOTION FOR SUMMARY JUDGMENT, GRANTING 13 v. DEFENDANT’S MOTION FOR SUMMARY JUDGMENT, AND AFFIRMING THE 14 KILOLO KIJAKAZI, DECISION OF THE COMMISSIONER OF COMMISSIONER OF SOCIAL SOCIAL SECURITY1 15 SECURITY, (Doc. Nos. 21, 26) 16 Defendant. 17 18 19 Vincent Paul Alfaro (“Plaintiff”), seeks judicial review of a final decision of the 20 Commissioner of Social Security (“Commissioner” or “Defendant”) denying his application for 21 supplemental security income and disability insurance benefits under the Social Security Act. 22 (Doc. No. 1). The matter is currently before the undersigned on the parties’ briefs, which were 23 submitted without oral argument. (Doc. Nos. 21, 26). For the reasons set forth more fully below, 24 the Court denies Plaintiff’s motion for summary judgment, grants Defendant’s motion for 25 summary judgment, and affirms the Commissioner’s decision. 26 //// 27 1 Both parties have consented to the jurisdiction of a magistrate judge, in accordance with 28 U.S.C. 28 §636(c)(1). (Doc. No. 31). 1 I. JURISDICTION 2 Plaintiff protectively filed for supplemental security income on May 2, 2017 and for 3 disability insurance benefits on May 1, 2017, alleging a disability onset date of July 16, 2016. 4 (AR 255-72). Benefits were denied initially (AR 64-97, 138-43) and upon reconsideration (AR 5 100-35, 146-51). Plaintiff appeared for a hearing before an administrative law judge (“ALJ”) on 6 May 6, 2020. (AR 35-63). Plaintiff testified at the hearing and was represented by counsel. 7 (Id.). The ALJ denied benefits (AR 12-34) and the Appeals Council denied review (AR 1-6). 8 The matter is before the Court under 42 U.S.C. § 405(g) and 42 U.S.C. § 1383(c)(3). 9 II. BACKGROUND 10 The facts of the case are set forth in the administrative hearing and transcripts, the ALJ’s 11 decision, and the briefs of Plaintiff and Commissioner. Only the most pertinent facts are 12 summarized here. 13 Plaintiff was 60 years old at the time of the hearing. (AR 55). He graduated from high 14 school. (AR 40). He has a work history as a forklift operator, extractor machine operator, 15 shipping and receiving clerk, and farmworker. (AR 41-47, 58). Plaintiff testified that his first 16 stroke caused right-sided weakness, and his second stroke caused balance problems. (AR 50). 17 He reported problems with memory, emotional issues, and foot drop if he walks too long. (AR 18 51). Plaintiff “loses grip” with his right hand but can lift 25 pounds at the most with his left arm. 19 (AR 49, 53). He testified that he has pain on the left side of his back and left hip, “some pain” in 20 his left knee, and he uses a cane “as much as possible” but he is “pretty steady sometimes.” (AR 21 54-55). 22 III. STANDARD OF REVIEW 23 A district court’s review of a final decision of the Commissioner of Social Security is 24 governed by 42 U.S.C. § 405(g). The scope of review under § 405(g) is limited; the 25 Commissioner’s decision will be disturbed “only if it is not supported by substantial evidence or 26 is based on legal error.” Hill v. Astrue, 698 F.3d 1153, 1158 (9th Cir. 2012). “Substantial 27 evidence” means “relevant evidence that a reasonable mind might accept as adequate to support a 28 conclusion.” Id. at 1159 (quotation and citation omitted). Stated differently, substantial evidence 1 equates to “more than a mere scintilla[,] but less than a preponderance.” Id. (quotation and 2 citation omitted). In determining whether the standard has been satisfied, a reviewing court must 3 consider the entire record as a whole rather than searching for supporting evidence in isolation. 4 Id. 5 In reviewing a denial of benefits, a district court may not substitute its judgment for that of 6 the Commissioner. “The court will uphold the ALJ's conclusion when the evidence is susceptible 7 to more than one rational interpretation.” Tommasetti v. Astrue, 533 F.3d 1035, 1038 (9th Cir. 8 2008). Further, a district court will not reverse an ALJ’s decision on account of an error that is 9 harmless. Id. An error is harmless where it is “inconsequential to the [ALJ’s] ultimate 10 nondisability determination.” Id. (quotation and citation omitted). The party appealing the ALJ’s 11 decision generally bears the burden of establishing that it was harmed. Shinseki v. Sanders, 556 12 U.S. 396, 409-10 (2009). 13 IV. SEQUENTIAL EVALUATION PROCESS 14 A claimant must satisfy two conditions to be considered “disabled” within the meaning of 15 the Social Security Act. First, the claimant must be “unable to engage in any substantial gainful 16 activity by reason of any medically determinable physical or mental impairment which can be 17 expected to result in death or which has lasted or can be expected to last for a continuous period 18 of not less than twelve months.” 42 U.S.C. §§ 423(d)(1)(A), 1382c(a)(3)(A). Second, the 19 claimant’s impairment must be “of such severity that he is not only unable to do his previous 20 work[,] but cannot, considering his age, education, and work experience, engage in any other kind 21 of substantial gainful work which exists in the national economy.” 42 U.S.C. §§ 423(d)(2)(A), 22 1382c(a)(3)(B). 23 The Commissioner has established a five-step sequential analysis to determine whether a 24 claimant satisfies the above criteria. See 20 C.F.R. §§ 404.1520(a)(4)(i)-(v), 416.920(a)(4)(i)-(v). 25 At step one, the Commissioner considers the claimant’s work activity. 20 C.F.R. §§ 26 404.1520(a)(4)(i), 416.920(a)(4)(i). If the claimant is engaged in “substantial gainful activity,” 27 the Commissioner must find that the claimant is not disabled. 20 C.F.R. §§ 404.1520(b), 28 416.920(b). 1 If the claimant is not engaged in substantial gainful activity, the analysis proceeds to step 2 two. At this step, the Commissioner considers the severity of the claimant’s impairment. 20 3 C.F.R. §§ 404.1520(a)(4)(ii), 416.920(a)(4)(ii). If the claimant suffers from “any impairment or 4 combination of impairments which significantly limits [his or her] physical or mental ability to do 5 basic work activities,” the analysis proceeds to step three. 20 C.F.R. §§ 404.1520(c), 416.920(c). 6 If the claimant’s impairment does not satisfy this severity threshold, however, the Commissioner 7 must find that the claimant is not disabled. 20 C.F.R. §§ 404.1520(c), 416.920(c). 8 At step three, the Commissioner compares the claimant’s impairment to severe 9 impairments recognized by the Commissioner to be so severe as to preclude a person from 10 engaging in substantial gainful activity. 20 C.F.R. §§ 404.1520(a)(4)(iii), 416.920(a)(4)(iii). If 11 the impairment is as severe or more severe than one of the enumerated impairments, the 12 Commissioner must find the claimant disabled and award benefits. 20 C.F.R. §§ 404.1520(d), 13 416.920(d). 14 If the severity of the claimant’s impairment does not meet or exceed the severity of the 15 enumerated impairments, the Commissioner must pause to assess the claimant’s “residual 16 functional capacity.” Residual functional capacity (RFC), defined generally as the claimant’s 17 ability to perform physical and mental work activities on a sustained basis despite his or her 18 limitations, 20 C.F.R. §§ 404.1545(a)(1), 416.945(a)(1), is relevant to both the fourth and fifth 19 steps of the analysis. 20 At step four, the Commissioner considers whether, in view of the claimant’s RFC, the 21 claimant is capable of performing work that he or she has performed in the past (past relevant 22 work). 20 C.F.R. §§ 404.1520(a)(4)(iv), 416.920(a)(4)(iv). If the claimant is capable of 23 performing past relevant work, the Commissioner must find that the claimant is not disabled. 20 24 C.F.R. §§ 404.1520(f), 416.920(f). If the claimant is incapable of performing such work, the 25 analysis proceeds to step five. 26 At step five, the Commissioner considers whether, in view of the claimant’s RFC, the 27 claimant is capable of performing other work in the national economy. 20 C.F.R. §§ 28 404.1520(a)(4)(v), 416.920(a)(4)(v). In making this determination, the Commissioner must also 1 consider vocational factors such as the claimant’s age, education, and past work experience. 20 2 C.F.R. §§ 404.1520(a)(4)(v), 416.920(a)(4)(v). If the claimant is capable of adjusting to other 3 work, the Commissioner must find that the claimant is not disabled. 20 C.F.R. §§ 4 404.1520(g)(1), 416.920(g)(1). If the claimant is not capable of adjusting to other work, analysis 5 concludes with a finding that the claimant is disabled and is therefore entitled to benefits. 20 6 C.F.R. §§ 404.1520(g)(1), 416.920(g)(1). 7 The claimant bears the burden of proof at steps one through four. Tackett v. Apfel, 180 8 F.3d 1094, 1098 (9th Cir. 1999). If the analysis proceeds to step five, the burden shifts to the 9 Commissioner to establish that (1) the claimant is capable of performing other work; and (2) such 10 work “exists in significant numbers in the national economy.” 20 C.F.R. §§ 404.1560(c)(2), 11 416.960(c)(2); Beltran v. Astrue, 700 F.3d 386, 389 (9th Cir. 2012). 12 V. ALJ’S FINDINGS 13 At step one, the ALJ found that Plaintiff has not engaged in substantial gainful activity 14 since July 16, 2016, the alleged onset date. (AR 17). At step two, the ALJ found that Plaintiff 15 has the following severe impairments: status post two strokes/cerebral infarctions, hypertension, 16 right rotator cuff tear, status post left knee arthroscopy, diabetes mellitus with peripheral 17 neuropathy, and obesity. (AR 17). At step three, the ALJ found that Plaintiff does not have an 18 impairment or combination of impairments that meets or medically equals the severity of a listed 19 impairment. (AR 18). The ALJ then found that Plaintiff has the RFC to 20 perform light work as defined in 20 CFR 404.1567(b) and 416.967(b). He can never climb ladders, ropes, or scaffolds, or be 21 exposed to unprotected heights or hazardous work environments; should avoid uneven terrain in the workplace; can occasionally climb 22 stairs or ramps; can occasionally balance, stoop, crouch, kneel, or crawl; can occasionally reach overhead on the right; must be able to 23 sit for five minutes every 30 minutes while remaining on-task; would be off task five percent of the workday; and needs to avoid operating 24 foot controls. 25 (AR 19-20). At step four, the ALJ found that Plaintiff is unable to perform past relevant work. 26 (AR 26). At step five, the ALJ found that considering Plaintiff’s age, education, work 27 experience, and RFC, there are jobs that exist in significant numbers in the national economy that 28 Plaintiff can perform, including routing clerk, mail clerk, and folding machine operator. (AR 27). 1 On that basis, the ALJ concluded that Plaintiff has not been under a disability, as defined in the 2 Social Security Act, from July 16, 2016, through the date of the decision. (AR 28). 3 VI. ISSUES 4 Plaintiff seeks judicial review of the Commissioner’s final decision denying him 5 supplemental security income benefits under Title XVI of the Social Security Act and disability 6 insurance benefits under Title II of the Social Security Act. (Doc. No. 1). Plaintiff raises the 7 following issues for this Court’s review: 8 1. Whether the ALJ properly weighed the medical opinion evidence; and 9 2. Whether the ALJ properly considered Plaintiff’s symptom claims. 10 (Doc. No. 21 at 19-39). 11 VII. DISCUSSION 12 A. Medical Opinions 13 For claims filed on or after March 27, 2017, new regulations apply that change the 14 framework for how an ALJ must evaluate medical opinion evidence. Revisions to Rules 15 Regarding the Evaluation of Medical Evidence, 2017 WL 168819, 82 Fed. Reg. 5844-01 (Jan. 18, 16 2017); 20 C.F.R. §§ 404.1520c, 416.920c. The new regulations provide that the ALJ will no 17 longer “give any specific evidentiary weight…to any medical opinion(s)…” Revisions to Rules, 18 2017 WL 168819, 82 Fed. Reg. 5844, at 5867-68; see 20 C.F.R. §§ 404.1520c(a), 416.920c(a). 19 Instead, an ALJ must consider and evaluate the persuasiveness of all medical opinions or prior 20 administrative medical findings from medical sources. 20 C.F.R. §§ 404.1520c(a) and (b), 21 416.920c(a) and (b). The factors for evaluating the persuasiveness of medical opinions and prior 22 administrative medical findings include supportability, consistency, relationship with the claimant 23 (including length of the treatment, frequency of examinations, purpose of the treatment, extent of 24 the treatment, and the existence of an examination), specialization, and “other factors that tend to 25 support or contradict a medical opinion or prior administrative medical finding” (including, but 26 not limited to, “evidence showing a medical source has familiarity with the other evidence in the 27 claim or an understanding of our disability program’s policies and evidentiary requirements”). 20 28 C.F.R. §§ 404.1520c(c)(1)-(5), 416.920c(c)(1)-(5). 1 Supportability and consistency are the most important factors, and therefore the ALJ is 2 required to explain how both factors were considered. 20 C.F.R. §§ 404.1520c(b)(2), 3 416.920c(b)(2). Supportability and consistency are explained in the regulations: 4 (1) Supportability. The more relevant the objective medical evidence and supporting explanations presented by a medical source are to 5 support his or her medical opinion(s) or prior administrative medical finding(s), the more persuasive the medical opinions or prior 6 administrative medical finding(s) will be. 7 (2) Consistency. The more consistent a medical opinion(s) or prior administrative medical finding(s) is with the evidence from other 8 medical sources and nonmedical sources in the claim, the more persuasive the medical opinion(s) or prior administrative medical 9 finding(s) will be. 10 20 C.F.R. §§ 404.1520c(c)(1)-(2), 416.920c(c)(1)-(2). The ALJ may, but is not required to, 11 explain how the other factors were considered. 20 C.F.R. §§ 404.1520c(b)(2), 416.920c(b)(2). 12 However, when two or more medical opinions or prior administrative findings “about the same 13 issue are both equally well-supported ... and consistent with the record ... but are not exactly the 14 same,” the ALJ is required to explain how “the other most persuasive factors in paragraphs (c)(3) 15 through (c)(5)” were considered. 20 C.F.R. §§ 404.1520c(b)(3), 416.920c(b)(3). 16 The Ninth Circuit has additionally held that the new regulatory framework displaces the 17 longstanding case law requiring an ALJ to provide “specific and legitimate” or “clear and 18 convincing” reasons for rejecting a treating or examining doctor’s opinion. Woods v. Kijakazi, 32 19 F.4th 785, 787 (9th Cir. 2022). Nonetheless, in rejecting an examining or treating doctor’s 20 opinion as unsupported or inconsistent, an ALJ must still provide an explanation supported by 21 substantial evidence. Id. at 792. This means that the ALJ “must ‘articulate ... how persuasive’ 22 [he or she] finds ‘all of the medical opinions’ from each doctor or other source ... and ‘explain 23 how [he or she] considered the supportability and consistency factors’ in reaching these findings.” 24 Id. (citing 20 C.F.R. §§ 404.1520c(b), 404.1520(b)(2)). 25 The record in this case reveals that in 2019, Ramu Thiagarajan, M.D. completed a “stroke 26 medical source statement,” opining that Plaintiff could walk 10 minutes without rest; sit one and a 27 half hours at one time before needing to get up; stand for 15 minutes before needing to sit down 28 1 or walk around; sit and stand/walk for about 2 hours total in an 8-hour working day; need to shift 2 positions at will from sitting, standing or walking; take unscheduled breaks every hour for 10-15 3 minutes at a time to sit; elevate legs to 30 degrees 50% of an 8-hour working day if prolonged 4 sitting; must use a cane or other assistive device; frequently lift and carry 10 pounds; occasionally 5 lift and carry 20 pounds; never climb ladders; rarely twist or climb stairs; occasionally stoop or 6 crouch; grasp, turn and twist objects 100% of an 8-hour working day; use fingers for fine 7 manipulations 50% of an 8-hour working day; reach in front of his body for 90% of an 8-hour 8 working day; reach overhead for 25% of an 8-hour working day; avoid even moderate exposure 9 to extreme heat; is capable of low stress work; is likely to be “off-task” 20% of a typical 10 workday; impairments are likely to produce good days and bad days; and he is likely to be absent 11 from work about four days per month on average. (AR 948-52). The ALJ found this opinion was 12 unpersuasive. (AR 25). 13 First, as to supportability, the ALJ found that 14 in support of his opinions, Dr. Thiagarajan cites to the following: balance problems, poor coordination, weakness, slight paralysis, 15 unstable walking, fatigue, vertigo/dizziness, and difficulty remembering. However, these medical signs are not documented in 16 his treatment notes. Dr. Thiagarajan examined the claimant on four occasions: July 28, 2017; September 7, [2017] ; May 8, 2018; and 17 August 14, 2018. During those exams, the only abnormality with which the claimant presented was an obese body habitus. 18 Accordingly, Dr. Thiagarajan advised the claimant to engage in regular exercise and manage his diet, and prescribed him Neurontin. 19 Thus it appeared Dr. Thiagarajan based his opinion upon the claimant’s subjective complaints rather than upon objective medical 20 evidence. There is no logical nexus between the clinical findings observed and treatment recommended by the treatment provider and 21 his opinion; therefore, the opinion is unsupported. 22 (AR 25 (citing AR 682-83, 685-86, 941-42, 945-46); see Tommasetti, 533 F.3d at 1041 (“An ALJ 23 may reject a treating physician’s opinion if it is based ‘to a large extent’ on a claimant’s self- 24 reports that have been properly discounted as incredible.”); Stephens v. Kijakazi, 2023 WL 25 6937296, at *2 (9th Cir. 2023) (finding substantial evidence supported ALJ’s discounting of 26 medical opinion, in part because the assessed limitations were only supported by plaintiff’s 27 properly rejected subjective complaints); see also Bayliss v. Barnhart, 427 F.3d 1211, 1216 (9th 28 Cir. 2005) (finding ALJ’s rejection of opinion supported by substantial evidence, including 1 discrepancy between a doctor’s recorded observation and his opinion regarding a plaintiff’s 2 limitations). 3 To the extent Plaintiff addresses the supportability finding, he argues that the ALJ failed 4 to consider treatment records from treatment providers other than Dr. Thiagarajan for status post- 5 stroke symptomology and general health treatment, and further contends that the “ALJ’s 6 suggestion that the right hand did not know what the left hand was doing, such that the long-term, 7 treating neurological specialist somehow crafted a MSS based [on] treating the ‘neurological’ 8 aspects of Mr. Alfaro’s status-post stroke symptomology in a vacuum, absent knowledge, 9 consideration or access to his” overall treatment records “is not a logical conclusion supported by 10 substantial evidence.” (Doc. No. 21 at 27). However, as noted by Defendant, under the new 11 regulations “the more relevant the objective medical evidence and supporting explanations 12 presented by a medical source are to support” the medical opinion, the more persuasive the 13 medical opinion will be. 20 C.F.R. § 404.1520c(c)(1); 416.920c(c)(1)(emphasis added). 14 Further, in support of his argument, Plaintiff cites his own subjective complaints and 15 diagnoses noted in Dr. Thiagarajan’s opinion and treatment notes, including headaches, dizziness, 16 balance a “little off,” neck and shoulder pain, neck and shoulder pain, joint stiffness, hip pain, 17 upper extremity weakness, muscle fatigue, lack of coordination and “jerks,” and sleep disturbance 18 (AR 681, 684, 940, 948); but he fails to cite objective or clinical findings in Dr. Thiagarajan’s 19 opinion, or his treatment notes, to support the assessed limitations. Rather, as noted by the ALJ, 20 the only clinical abnormality noted by Dr. Thiagarajan was obese body habitus, and he prescribed 21 Neurontin and advised Plaintiff to engage in regular exercise and manage his diet. (AR 22, 25 22 (citing AR 682-83, 685-86)). Moreover, the objective medical examinations conducted by Dr. 23 Thiagarajan included findings of normal gait, normal range of motion of all muscle groups, 5/5 24 muscle strength in all major muscle groups, and normal neurological findings. (Id.). Based on 25 the foregoing, substantial evidence supports the ALJ’s finding that Dr. Thiagarajan’s opinion was 26 unpersuasive because there “is no logical nexus between the clinical findings observed and 27 treatment recommended by the treatment provider and his opinion; therefore, the opinion is 28 1 unsupported.”2 (AR 25). 2 Second, as to the consistency factor, the ALJ found Dr. Thiagarajan’s opinion was not 3 consistent with the broader case record, as Plaintiff “has not presented on exam with persistent 4 abnormalities reasonably supportive of his allegations or the degree of limitation assessed by Dr. 5 Thiagarajan.” (Id.); 20 C.F.R. §§ 404.1520c(c)(2), 416.920c(c)(2)(“ The more consistent a 6 medical opinion(s) . . . is with the evidence from other medical sources and nonmedical sources in 7 the claim, the more persuasive the medical opinion(s) . . . will be”); see also Warre v. Comm’r of 8 Soc. Sec. Admin., 439 F.3d 1001, 1006 (9th Cir. 2006) (“Impairments that can be controlled 9 effectively with medication are not disabling for the purpose of determining eligibility for SSI 10 benefits.”). Plaintiff argues the ALJ’s rejection of Dr. Thiagarajan’s opinion as inconsistent with 11 the broader case record is not supported by substantial evidence. (Doc. No. 21 at 25-28). In 12 support of this argument Plaintiff cites objective findings of “persistent abnormalities” in the 13 record including decreased strength and limited range of motion at the time of Plaintiff’s first 14 stroke; shoulder scapular winging, tenderness to palpation in the lateral subacromial space, 15 positive Hawkin’s impingement test, positive Neer’s impingement test, decreased shoulder 16 strength and range of motion, and rotator cuff tear; impaired gait and noticeable limp; left knee 17 symptoms including effusion, tenderness, decreased flexion, swelling, and assistive device used 18 for walking prior to his left knee surgery for a medial meniscus tear in December 2017; edema 19 with varicose veins; limited range of motion and tenderness in lumbar spine; and moderate 20 narrowing of the L4-5 disc space on imaging. (Doc. No. 21 at 26 n. 9 (citing AR 486-87 (noting 21 “there are individuals with rotator cuff tears that have good function and little shoulder pain” and 22 do not require surgery), 491-92, 494, 504, 510, 655, 657-58, 705-10, 718, 736, 758-59, 766-67, 23

24 2 Plaintiff argues the ALJ’s reference to Dr. Thiagarajan examining Plaintiff “on four occasions” is “not a reason based on ‘substantial evidence’ to assume this RFC opinion is not supported by the totality of the 25 evidence of record as a whole, or even that it was embellished and based only on subjective symptomology, rather than based on her long-term, specialized knowledge and treatment of [Plaintiff], 26 status-post CVA.” (Doc. No. 21 at 28). Defendant argues the ALJ did not rely on the number of treatment visits as a reason to discount Dr. Thiagarajan’s opinion. (Doc. No. 26 at 17-18). The Court agrees. A plain 27 reading of the decision indicates the ALJ listed the four treatment visits and then, as discussed supra, went on to find Dr. Thiagarajan’s opinion less persuasive because the notes from those treatment visits did not 28 support the severity of the limitations opined. (AR 25). 1 783, 893, 900-01, 1037-38, 1042, 1092, 1114)). 2 Even under the new regulations, the ALJ may not “cherry-pick” evidence in discounting a 3 medical opinion. See Timothy P. v. Comm’r Soc. Sec. Admin., 2022 WL 2116099, at *9 (D. Or. 4 June 13, 2022) (“Although Woods made it clear that the hierarchy among physicians’ opinions no 5 longer applies in this Circuit, the court did not address whether the new regulations upend the 6 entire body of caselaw relating to medical evidence… It remains true that the ALJs may not 7 cherry-pick evidence in discounting a medical opinion.”). However, a review of the ALJ’s 8 decision indicates that that she did review the medical evidence and other evidence of record as 9 part of the summary of medical evidence, including abnormal findings related to Plaintiff’s two 10 strokes, left knee pain, shoulder pain, and chiropractic care. (AR 21-22). Moreover, the ALJ 11 cited ongoing objective and clinical findings from the record that reflect consistent resolution of 12 claimed symptoms, and do not support the degree of limitation assessed by Dr. Thiagarajan, 13 including a December 2016 brain computed tomography x-ray, which showed complete 14 resolution of the intracerebral hemorrhage from July 2016; normal findings on exam in March 15 2017 aside from right shoulder strength, which resolved by May 2017 according to subsequent 16 normal examination findings of Plaintiff’s upper extremity; normal findings on examination in 17 July 2017 subsequent to the second stroke; normal findings aside from left knee symptoms in July 18 2017, for which he underwent surgery and reported full range of motion by December 2017; 19 normal findings in June 2019 aside from small tremor in right upper extremity and mild decrease 20 in strength in right upper and lower extremities; normal findings aside from mild decrease in 21 range of motion and tenderness in left ankle in October 2019 after a fall; and right knee 22 tenderness after jumping off a pickup truck in November 2019. (AR 21-22 (citing AR 544, 599, 23 681-84, 778, 882, 888, 940, 948, 1052, 1087 1095,). 24 Thus, when viewing the medical record as a whole, it was reasonable for the ALJ to 25 conclude that the severity of limitations assessed in Dr. Thiagarajan’s opinion were not consistent 26 with the longitudinal treatment record, that included consistent resolution of Plaintiff’s symptoms 27 and largely normal examination results. Burch v. Barnhart, 400 F.3d 676, 679 (9th Cir. 2005) 28 (“Where the evidence is susceptible to more than one rational interpretation, it is the ALJ’s 1 conclusion that must be upheld.”); Magallanes v. Bowen, 881 F.2d 747, 751 (9th Cir. 1989) (ALJ 2 is responsible for reviewing the evidence and resolving conflicts or ambiguities in testimony). 3 As part of his argument regarding the medical opinion evidence, Plaintiff additionally 4 contends that the ALJ impermissibly assessed the RFC “based on her own interpretation of 5 medical data” by including greater limitations than those assessed by the state agency physicians, 6 and further “erred by failing to obtain an opinion from an examining physician source or submit 7 the updated records to an ‘acceptable’ medical professional for interpretation.” (Doc. No. 21 at 8 29-32). In support of this argument, Plaintiff cites evidence from treatment records subsequent to 9 the most recent state agency medical opinion, including findings of right handed weakness, right 10 shoulder pain with range of motion and positive impingement sign, impaired gait, positive 11 straight leg test, pain and decreased flexion in Plaintiff’s lumbar spine, and x-rays showing 12 moderate narrowing of the L4-5 disc space. (Id. at 30-31). Defendant argues the ALJ’s 13 assessment of the medical opinions was properly supported by substantial evidence, and it is well- 14 settled in the Ninth Circuit that “the RFC finding does not need to match exactly any particular 15 medical opinion.” (Doc. No. 26 at 19 (citing Magallanes, 881 F.2d at 753 (9th Cir. 1989)). The 16 Court agrees. The RFC assessment is an administrative finding based on all relevant evidence in 17 the record, not just medical evidence. Bayliss v. Barnhart, 427 F.3d 1211, 1217 (9th Cir. 2005). 18 In determining the RFC, the ALJ must consider all limitations, severe and non-severe, that are 19 credible and supported by substantial evidence in the record. (Id.) (RFC determination will be 20 affirmed if supported by substantial evidence). However, an ALJ’s RFC findings need only be 21 consistent with relevant assessed limitations and not identical to them. Turner v. Comm'r of Soc. 22 Sec., 613 F.3d 1217, 1222-23 (9th Cir. 2010). Ultimately, a claimant’s RFC is a matter for the 23 ALJ to determine. See Vertigan v. Halter, 260 F.3d 1044, 1049 (9th Cir. 2001) (“It is clear that it 24 is the responsibility of the ALJ ... to determine residual functional capacity.”). 25 Here, Plaintiff does not specifically argue that the ALJ improperly considered the state 26 agency opinions under the new regulations; nor does she identify any specific functional 27 limitations, based on the cited medical evidence, that were not properly accounted for in the 28 assessed RFC. See Carmickle v. Comm’r, Soc. Sec. Admin., 533 F.3d 1155, 1161 n.2 (9th Cir. 1 2008) (court may decline to address issue not raised with specificity in Plaintiff’s briefing); see 2 also Turner v. Comm'r of Soc. Sec. Admin., 613 F.3d 1217, 1223 (9th Cir. 2010) (where 3 physician's report did not assign any specific limitations or opinions in relation to an ability to 4 work, “the ALJ did not need to provide [reasons] for rejecting [the] report because the ALJ did 5 not reject any of [the report's] conclusions”). State agency medical consultants opined that 6 Plaintiff could perform light work with limited right overhead reaching, and occasional kneeling, 7 crawling, climbing ramps and stairs, stooping, crouching, balancing, and climbing ladders, ropes, 8 or scaffolds. (AR 76-77, 110-12). The ALJ found the opinions were persuasive because their 9 findings were consistent with Plaintiff’s longitudinal medical history and self-reported daily 10 activities, and their “findings are accompanied by detailed narratives that explain what evidence 11 the consultants relied upon when rendering their conclusions”; however, “giving some limited 12 credence to the claimant’s otherwise unsubstantiated allegations, the [ALJ] found that the 13 claimant has some greater nonexertional limitations than were assessed” by the state agency 14 reviewing consultants. (AR 24). While not challenged by Plaintiff, the Court notes the ALJ’s 15 finding that the state agency opinions were persuasive is supported by substantial evidence after 16 proper consideration of the supportability and consistency factors under the new regulations. 20 17 C.F.R. § 416.920c(c)(1)-(2). Thus, the Court finds no error in the ALJ’s assessment of the RFC 18 as supported by the “cumulative medical and non-medical evidence.” (AR 25); see Bayliss, 427 19 F.3d at 1217. 20 Moreover, to the extent Plaintiff argues the ALJ had a duty to develop the record based on 21 treatment records, his argument is unavailing. “The ALJ in a social security case has an 22 independent duty to fully and fairly develop the record and to assure that the claimant's interests 23 are considered,” even when the claimant is represented by counsel. Tonapetyan v. Halter, 242 24 F.3d 1144, 1150 (9th Cir. 2001) (quoting Smolen v. Chater, 80 F.3d 1273, 1288 (9th Cir. 1996)) 25 (internal quotation marks omitted). This duty is “triggered when the evidence is ambiguous or 26 when the record is inadequate to allow for proper evaluation of the evidence.” Mayes v. 27 Massanari, 276 F.3d 453, 460 (9th Cir. 2001); Thomas, 278 F.3d at 958. However, it is widely 28 held in the Ninth Circuit that “[t]he mere existence of medical records post-dating a state agency 1 physician’s review does not in and of itself trigger a duty to further develop the record.” 2 Digiacomo v. Saul, 2020 WL 6318207, at *8 (citing Charney v. Colvin, 2014 WL 1152961, at *7 3 (C.D. Cal. Mar. 21, 2014), aff’d, 647 F. App’x 762 (9th Cir. 2016)) (“[a]n updated opinion is not 4 required simply because additional medical evidence is received after State agency consultants 5 review a claimant’s case.”); Cindy T. v. Kijakazi, 2022 WL 16633010 (S.D. Cal. Sept. 23, 2022) 6 (“Because it is Plaintiff’s burden to present evidence in support of her alleged disability, the mere 7 absence of a report from a treating or examining physician does not give rise to a duty to develop 8 the record.”). Here, the ALJ properly relied on prior administrative findings, as discussed above, 9 and 700 pages of medical records and treatment notes regarding Plaintiff’s claimed impairments, 10 including evidence cited by Plaintiff in support of this argument. Thus, the record was sufficient 11 for the ALJ to make a non-disability determination, and the ALJ did not err by failing to order an 12 additional opinion for “interpretation” of “updated records” where the record was adequate and 13 unambiguous. See LeBeouf v. Saul, 2020 WL 5702240, at *10-11 (E.D. Cal. Sept. 24, 2020) 14 (ALJ was not required to request a consultative examination in part because the “record contained 15 what appears to be Plaintiff’s complete treatment records, which supported the ALJ’s finding and 16 did not present an ambiguity or inadequacy.”). 17 After viewing the ALJ’s reasoning in light of the record as a whole, the Court concludes 18 that the ALJ’s finding that Dr. Thiagarajan’s opinion was not persuasive was supported by 19 substantial evidence after proper consideration of the supportability and consistency factors. 20 B. Symptom Claims 21 An ALJ engages in a two-step analysis when evaluating a claimant’s testimony regarding 22 subjective pain or symptoms. Lingenfelter v. Astrue, 504 F.3d 1028, 1035-36 (9th Cir. 2007). 23 The ALJ first must determine whether there is “objective medical evidence of an underlying 24 impairment which could reasonably be expected to produce the pain or other symptoms alleged.” 25 Id. (internal quotation marks omitted). “The claimant is not required to show that his impairment 26 could reasonably be expected to cause the severity of the symptom he has alleged; he need only 27 show that it could reasonably have caused some degree of the symptom.” Vasquez v. Astrue, 572 28 F.3d 586, 591 (9th Cir. 2009) (internal quotation marks omitted). 1 Second, “[i]f the claimant meets the first test and there is no evidence of malingering, the 2 ALJ can only reject the claimant’s testimony about the severity of the symptoms if [the ALJ] 3 gives ‘specific, clear and convincing reasons’ for the rejection.” Ghanim v. Colvin, 763 F.3d 4 1154, 1163 (9th Cir. 2014) (internal citations and quotations omitted). “General findings are 5 insufficient; rather, the ALJ must identify what testimony is not credible and what evidence 6 undermines the claimant’s complaints.” Id. (quoting Lester v. Chater, 81 F.3d 821, 834 (9th Cir. 7 1995)); Thomas v. Barnhart, 278 F.3d 947, 958 (9th Cir. 2002) (“[T]he ALJ must make a 8 credibility determination with findings sufficiently specific to permit the court to conclude that 9 the ALJ did not arbitrarily discredit claimant’s testimony.”). “The clear and convincing 10 [evidence] standard is the most demanding required in Social Security cases.” Garrison v. 11 Colvin, 759 F.3d 995, 1015 (9th Cir. 2014) (quoting Moore v. Comm’r of Soc. Sec. Admin., 278 12 F.3d 920, 924 (9th Cir. 2002)). 13 Here, the ALJ found that Plaintiff’s medically determinable impairments could reasonably 14 be expected to cause some of the alleged symptoms; however, Plaintiff’s “statements concerning 15 the intensity, persistence, and limiting effects of these symptoms are not entirely consistent with 16 the medical evidence and other evidence in the record” for several reasons. 17 First, the ALJ found Plaintiff’s “allegations are not fully consistent with or supported by 18 the medical evidence of record.” (AR 23). Medical evidence is a relevant factor in determining 19 the severity of a claimant’s pain and its disabling effects. Rollins v. Massanari, 261 F.3d 853, 20 857 (9th Cir. 2001)(an ALJ may not discredit a claimant’s pain testimony and deny benefits 21 solely because the degree of pain is not supported by objective medical evidence). Moreover, a 22 favorable response to treatment can undermine a claimant’s complaints of debilitating pain or 23 other severe limitations. See Tommasetti, 533 F.3d at 1040; Warre v. Comm'r of Soc. Sec. 24 Admin., 439 F.3d 1001, 1006 (9th Cir. 2006) (conditions effectively controlled with medication 25 are not disabling for purposes of determining eligibility for benefits). In support of this finding, 26 the ALJ set out, in detail, medical evidence documenting the resolution of Plaintiff’s symptom 27 claims across the relevant adjudicatory period, in contradiction to Plaintiff’s claims of disabling 28 limitations. (AR 21-23). For example, the ALJ noted the “residuals of both strokes resolved 1 within six months of their manifestation. As a result, claimant has no persistent cognitive or 2 neurological deficits of the nature alleged, such as impaired memory or right-sided weakness.” 3 (AR 21-23, 599 (complete resolution of intracerebral hemorrhage of the left frontal lobe), 487, 4 534, 682, 686, 942 (noting improvement with balance and weakness and advising regular 5 exercise), 946, 994, 1006, 1008, 1046, 1049, 1052 (mild decrease in right upper and lower 6 extremity strength), 1070, 1084, 1103). Moreover, “[a]lthough unable to undergo surgical repair 7 of his right rotator cuff tear due to his hypertension, the deficits related thereto resolved within 8 two months.” (AR 23, 534, 682, 686, 942, 946, 993-94 (noting no shoulder surgery and normal 9 upper extremity strength), 1006 (normal upper extremity strength), 1008, 1052, 1074). And the 10 “deficits caused by the left knee impairment resolved within six months of their onset. While the 11 claimant has used a cane sporadically since, the record does not document it or any other assistive 12 [device] being a medical necessity. That is, the claimant is not documented to have presented 13 with a chronic weakness, unsteadiness, or lack of coordination that would warrant a finding that 14 he must use a cane or other assistive device in order to work within the [RFC] described herein.” 15 (AR 23, 682, 686, 888 (ceased regular use of cane), 942 (normal gait), 946 (normal gait), 1006 16 (noting full recovery after left knee surgery and no ambulation difficulties), 1008, 1046, 1049, 17 1070, 1077 (recommended exercise at least 30 minutes a day), 1084, 1103). Finally, the ALJ 18 found Plaintiff’s testimony regarding limiting medication side effects are uncorroborated by 19 objective evidence “(e.g., he has not presented as tired or lethargic consistent with his reports that 20 his medication causes significant, limiting fatigue).” (AR 23). 21 Plaintiff argues this finding is “internally inconsistent” with the ALJ’s finding that his 22 status post two strokes/cerebral infarctions, right rotator cuff ear, and status post left knee 23 arthroscopy were severe impairments at step two of the sequential evaluation, defined as having 24 had more than a minimal effect on the claimant’s ability to perform basic work activities for a 25 continuous period of 12 months. (Doc. No. 21 at 35-36). However, as discussed supra, the ALJ 26 supports the RFC assessment at step four by citing evidence of improvement in Plaintiff’s 27 claimed impairments across the longitudinal treatment record. Moreover, as step two was 28 resolved in Plaintiff’s favor any error at that step in the sequential analysis would be harmless. 1 See Stout v. Comm'r Soc. Sec. Admin., 454 F.3d 1050, 1055 (9th Cir. 2006); Burch, 400 F.3d at 2 682. Plaintiff also argues that “[s]poradic and isolated references to ‘improvements’ or ‘stability’ 3 . . . do not constitute ‘clear and convincing’ reasons to reject symptomology testimony.” (Doc. 4 No. 21 at 36). However, in support of this argument, Plaintiff relies largely on examination 5 findings during the initial treatment of Plaintiff’s claimed impairments, without argument as to 6 documented resolution of those individual symptoms. (See id. at n.13). Here, the ALJ explicitly 7 recognized evidence in the record that could be considered more favorable to Plaintiff, including 8 evidence from the precise treatment records cited by Plaintiff in support of this argument, and 9 nonetheless found the severity of her symptom claims were not consistent with the documented 10 improvement in each individual claim across the treatment record. (See AR 21-23). “[W]here 11 evidence is susceptible to more than one rational interpretation, it is the [Commissioner’s] 12 conclusion that must be upheld.” Burch v. Barnhart, 400 F.3d 676, 679 (9th Cir. 2005). 13 Second, the ALJ found Plaintiff has a “fair overall work record; however, he was 14 sporadically employed in the years immediately preceding the alleged onset date of disability.” 15 (AR 23, 295). The ALJ also noted that Plaintiff stopped working on May 27, 2016, before the 16 alleged disability onset date, “for non-medical reasons: he was laid off.” (AR 23, 303). The 17 Court may decline to consider this issue as it was not raised with specificity in Plaintiff’s opening 18 brief. See Carmickle v. Comm’r, Soc. Sec. Admin., 533 F.3d 1155, 1161 n.2 (9th Cir. 2008). 19 Regardless, evidence of a poor work history that suggests a claimant is not motivated to work is a 20 permissible reason to discredit a claimant’s testimony that he is unable to work. Thomas, 278 21 F.3d at 959; 20 C.F.R. §§ 404.1529, 416.929 (prior work record can be considered in assessing 22 credibility). In addition, the ALJ may consider that a claimant stopped working for reasons 23 unrelated to the allegedly disabling condition when weighing the Plaintiff's symptom reports. 24 Bruton v. Massanari, 268 F.3d 824, 828 (9th Cir. 2001). These are clear, convincing, and 25 unchallenged reasons for the ALJ to discount Plaintiff’s symptom claims. 26 Third, the ALJ cites Plaintiff’s testimony that he needs assistance with household tasks 27 and is at a high risk of falling so he does not leave his house “unless [he] absolutely needs to,” 28 and found “the cumulative evidence does not establish a reasonable basis for the extreme 1 limitations the claimant alleged with regard to their activities of daily living. . . . The weight of 2 the evidence indicates that it is more likely than not that, to the extent the claimant’s activities of 3 daily living are limited, this is due primarily to non-disability factors, such as lifestyle choices, 4 rather than being the necessary consequence of their impairments.” (AR 23-24). The ALJ may 5 consider a claimant’s activities that undermine reported symptoms. Rollins v. Massanari, 261 6 F.3d 853, 857 (9th Cir. 2001). However, the ALJ here fails to cite to any activities in the record 7 that would contradict Plaintiff’s reported symptom claims. Orn v. Astrue, 495 F.3d 625, 639 (9th 8 Cir. 2007). Moreover, as noted by Plaintiff, the ALJ does not address Plaintiff’s testimony that if 9 he “pushes himself” to perform daily activities, he requires elongated recovery periods due to 10 right side weakness, fatigue, pain, and balance issues. (Doc No. 21 at 38-39; AR 52). Thus, to 11 the extent the ALJ found Plaintiff’s activities were inconsistent with his claimed limitations this 12 was not a clear and convincing reason, supported by substantial evidence, to discount his 13 symptom claims. However, the error is harmless because the ALJ supported the consistency 14 analysis with substantial evidence, as discussed in detail supra. See Stout v. Comm'r Soc. Sec. 15 Admin., 454 F.3d 1050, 1055 (9th Cir. 2006) (error harmless where it is non-prejudicial to 16 claimant or irrelevant to ALJ's ultimate disability conclusion). 17 VIII. CONCLUSION 18 A reviewing court should not substitute its assessment of the evidence for the ALJ’s. 19 Tackett, 180 F.3d at 1098. To the contrary, a reviewing court must defer to an ALJ’s assessment 20 as long as it is supported by substantial evidence. 42 U.S.C. § 405(g). As discussed in detail 21 above, the ALJ properly considered the medical opinion evidence and Plaintiff’s symptom 22 claims. After review, the Court finds the ALJ’s decision is supported by substantial evidence and 23 free of harmful legal error. 24 Accordingly, it is ORDERED: 25 1. Plaintiff’s Motion for Summary Judgment (Doc. No. 21) is DENIED. 26 2. Defendant’s Cross-Motion for Summary Judgment (Doc. No. 26) is GRANTED and 27 the decision of the Commissioner of Social Security is AFFIRMED for the reasons set 28 forth above. 1 3. The Clerk is directed to enter judgment in favor of the Commissioner of Social 2 Security, terminate any pending motions/deadlines, and close this case. 3 4 Dated: November 20, 2023 ooo. Zh. fared Hack 5 HELENA M. BARCH-KUCHTA ‘ UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 19