Stiner v. Commissioner of Social Security

District Court, N.D. Ohio·Decided August 16, 2024·No. 1:24-cv-00146·Unknown

Opinion

IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT NORTHERN DISTRICT OF OHIO EASTERN DIVISION

CHRISTINE STINER, CASE NO. 1:24-cv-0146

Plaintiff, DISTRICT JUDGE BRIDGET MEEHAN BRENNAN vs.

COMMISSIONER OF SOCIAL MAGISTRATE JUDGE SECURITY, JAMES E. GRIMES JR.

Defendant. REPORT AND RECOMMENDATION

Plaintiff Christine Stiner filed a complaint against the Commissioner of Social Security seeking judicial review of the Commissioner’s decision denying disability insurance benefits and supplemental security income. Doc. 1. This Court has jurisdiction under 42 U.S.C. §§ 405(g) and 1383(c). The Court referred this matter to a Magistrate Judge under Local Rule 72.2(b)(1) for the preparation of a Report and Recommendation. Following review, and for the reasons stated below, I recommend that the District Court affirm the Commissioner’s decision. Procedural Background In February 2021, Stiner filed an application for disability insurance benefits, alleging a disability onset date in November 2020.1 Tr. 84. In March

2021, Stiner filed an application for social security income, also alleging a disability onset date in November 2020. Tr. 76. In her application, Stiner alleged disability relating to shortness of breath, heart palpitations, blood pressure, gastroesophageal reflux disease, edema, pink eye, and diabetes. Tr. 76, 84. The Commissioner denied Stiner’s application initially and on reconsideration. Tr. 92–95.

In February 2022, Stiner requested a hearing. Tr. 135. Administrative Law Judge (“ALJ”) Peter Beekman held a telephonic hearing in January 2023. Tr. 43. Stiner appeared, testified, and was represented by counsel at the hearing. Id. Qualified vocational expert Robert Breslin also testified. Tr. 66. In March 2023, the ALJ issued a written decision, which found that Stiner was not entitled to benefits. Tr. 16. In April 2023, Stiner appealed the ALJ’s decision to the Appeals

Counsel. Tr. 234. In December 2023, the Appeals Counsel denied Stiner’s appeal, Tr. 1, making the ALJ’s March 2023 decision the final decision of the Commissioner. Tr. 16–42; see 20 C.F.R. § 404.981.

1 “Once a finding of disability is made, the [agency] must determine the onset date of the disability.” McClanahan v. Comm’r of Soc. Sec., 193 F. App’x 422, 425 (6th Cir. 2006). Evidence2 1. Personal and Vocational Evidence Stiner was born in 1963 making her approximately 57 years of age at

the alleged onset date. Tr. 84. She obtained a GED. Tr. 270. 2. Medical Evidence In December 2020, Stiner contracted COVID-19. Tr. 396. In January 2021, David M. Rosenberg, M.D., diagnosed dyspnea3 and “post Covid syndrome.” Tr. 609. Dr. Rosenberg noted that Stiner had persistent coughing, fatigue, diarrhea, recent onset of diabetes, and some brain fog. Tr. 609. He also

recorded that Stiner complained of shortness of breath with talking or exertion, but that “recent cardiac evaluation revealed no specific concerns.” Tr. 609. In May 2021, Eric J. Shapiro, M.D., treated Stiner for complaints of cramping and fecal urgency, often after eating. Tr. 513–514. Dr. Shapiro noted that Stiner claimed “everything [was] worse since COVID-19” and advised that Stiner “keep working on the diet,” eat “more vegetables, less of everything else,” and schedule a colonoscopy. Tr. 514.

2 The recitation of medical evidence and testimony is not intended to be exhaustive and is generally limited to the evidence that was cited in the parties’ briefs.

3 Dyspnea is the medical term for breathlessness, shortness of breath, or difficult or labored respiration. Dorland’s Illustrated Medical Dictionary 576 (33rd Ed. 2020). Dyspnea on exertion happens when dyspnea is provoked by physical effort or exertion. Id. In July 2021, Dorothy Bradford, M.D., examined Stiner based on a referral for a disability evaluation. Tr. 525–535. Dr. Bradford noted that Stiner had COVID-19 in December 2020, and “did not require admission or home

oxygen.” Tr. 533. She also opined that Stiner was likely deconditioned due to prolonged inactivity during the COVID-19 pandemic. Tr. 534. Dr. Bradford diagnosed the following conditions: hypertension, non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus, morbid obesity, and trigeminal neuralgia. Tr. 534. Dr. Bradford assessed that Stiner had no activity restrictions. Tr. 534. In August 2021, a colonoscopy showed chronic active inflammation in

the cecum, which “given the short duration of symptoms,” was attributed “most likely” to acute self-limiting colitis. Tr. 711. Stiner was advised to return to normal activities the day after her colonoscopy, to resume her previous diet, and to continue medications. Tr. 716. In June 2022, Melinda Lawrence, M.D., noted Plaintiff’s history of back and left-side radicular symptoms4 with pain that correlated to an L4 nerve distribution. Tr. 810. Also in June 2022, Stiner underwent an echocardiogram,

which showed normal left ventricular function but mild aortic valve regurgitation. See Tr. 764–765. A physical examination in June 2022 was also

4 Radiculopathy happens when the root of a nerve is compressed or irritated. Radiculopathy, Cleveland Clinic Health Library, https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/22564-radiculopathy [https://perma.cc/S8UE-8FYT]. Radiculopathy can cause pain, numbness, or tingling in the area around the nerve. Id. unremarkable and showed no increased effort in Stiner’s breathing or other signs of respiratory distress. Tr. 774. In June and August 2022, Stiner also discussed and received epidural steroid injections with Dr. Lawerence. Tr.

810–814. In September 2022, Jordan McQuilkin, M.D., treated Stiner based on complaints of pain her lower chest and back, which kept her from taking a deep breath. Tr. 815. Dr. McQuilkin noted that Stiner experienced chest pain, shortness of breath, and a cough but did not have palpitations or any abdominal pain. Tr. 815. He observed that Stiner had a tachycardic5 heart rate

and significant shortness of breath with stable blood pressure. Tr. 816. Dr. McQuilkin listed potential differential6 diagnoses including pulmonary embolism, pneumonia, congestive heart failure, and viral syndrome, andCOVID-19. Tr 816. Stiner was ultimately “admitted in stable condition” and diagnosed with shortness of breath, pulmonary embolus, and tachycardia. Tr. 817.

5 Tachycardia, or a tachycardic heart rate, describes a heart rate above 100 beats per minute. Tachycardia may be caused by anything from ordinary exercise or stress to a more serious health condition. Tachycardia, Mayo Clinic, Diseases & Conditions, https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases- conditions/tachycardia/symptoms-causes/syc-20355127 [https://perma.cc/RT25-WCVK].

6 Differential diagnoses are list of possible conditions that all share the symptoms described to a provider. This is not a final diagnosis but of the process that a healthcare provider uses to reach a final diagnosis. Differential Diagnosis, Cleveland Clinic Health Library, https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diagnostics/22327-differential-diagnosis [https://perma.cc/6GHM-AU2F]. In October 2022, Dr. Rosenberg noted that Stiner showed no increased effort when breathing or other signs of respiratory distress. Tr. 680. He also remarked that Stiner was participating in aquatic therapy. Tr. 675. In

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