Debra Moruzzi v. Michael J. Astrue, No. 5:2009cv00729 - Document 15 (C.D. Cal. 2010)
Court Description: MEMORANDUM OF DECISION by Magistrate Judge Andrew J. Wistrich. The Commissioner's decision is not supported by substantial evidence and does not reflect application of the proper legal standards. Accordingly, the Commissioner's decision is reversed, and this case is remanded to the Commissioner for further administrative proceedings consistent with this memorandum of decision. IT IS SO ORDERED. (mz)
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Debra Moruzzi v. Michael J. Astrue Doc. 15 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT 9 CENTRAL DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA 10 EASTERN DIVISION 11 12 13 14 15 16 DEBRA MORUZZI, ) ) Plaintiff, ) ) v. ) ) MICHAEL J. ASTRUE, ) Commissioner of the Social ) Security Administration, ) ) Defendant. ) _____________________________________) Case No. EDCV 09-00729 AJW MEMORANDUM OF DECISION 17 Plaintiff filed this action seeking reversal of the decision of defendant, the Commissioner of the 18 Social Security Administration (the “Commissioner”), denying plaintiff’s application for disability insurance 19 benefits and supplemental security income benefits. The parties have filed a Joint Stipulation (“JS”) setting 20 forth their contentions with respect to each disputed issue. 21 Administrative Proceedings 22 Plaintiff alleges that she became disabled on September 29, 2006 due to major depressive disorder, 23 severe; anxiety; hypothyroidism; arthritis; osteoarthritis of the right foot; bone spurs; fatigue; chronic pain; 24 and obesity. [JS 2; Administrative Record (“AR”) 6]. In a December 2008 written hearing decision that 25 constitutes the Commissioner’s final decision in this matter, an administrative law judge (“ALJ”) concluded 26 that plaintiff was not disabled because she retained the residual functional capacity (“RFC”) to perform jobs 27 existing in significant numbers in the national economy. [JS 2; AR 6-12]. 28 Dockets.Justia.com Standard of Review 1 2 The Commissioner’s denial of benefits should be disturbed only if it is not supported by substantial 3 evidence or is based on legal error. Stout v. Comm’r, Social Sec. Admin., 454 F.3d 1050, 1054 (9th Cir. 4 2006); Thomas v. Barnhart, 278 F.3d 947, 954 (9th Cir. 2002). “Substantial evidence” means “more than 5 a mere scintilla, but less than a preponderance.” Bayliss v. Barnhart, 427 F.3d 1211, 1214 n.1 (9th Cir. 6 2005). “It is such relevant evidence as a reasonable mind might accept as adequate to support a conclusion.” 7 Burch v. Barnhart, 400 F.3d 676, 679 (9th Cir. 2005)(internal quotation marks omitted). The court is 8 required to review the record as a whole and to consider evidence detracting from the decision as well as 9 evidence supporting the decision. Robbins v. Social Sec. Admin, 466 F.3d 880, 882 (9th Cir. 2006); 10 Verduzco v. Apfel, 188 F.3d 1087, 1089 (9th Cir. 1999). “Where the evidence is susceptible to more than 11 one rational interpretation, one of which supports the ALJ's decision, the ALJ's conclusion must be upheld.” 12 Thomas, 278 F.3d at 954 (citing Morgan v. Comm’r of Social Sec. Admin., 169 F.3d 595, 599 (9th 13 Cir.1999)). 14 Discussion 15 Treating psychiatrist 16 Plaintiff contends that the ALJ erred in disregarding the opinion of her treating psychiatrist, Jesse 17 R. Devera, M.D. [See JS 3-9]. 18 Where the opinion of a treating or examining physician is uncontroverted, the ALJ must provide 19 clear and convincing reasons, supported by substantial evidence in the record, for rejecting it. If contradicted 20 by that of another doctor, a treating or examining source opinion may be rejected for specific and legitimate 21 reasons that are based on substantial evidence in the record. Batson v. Comm’r of Social Sec. Admin., 359 22 F.3d 1190, 1195 (9th Cir. 2004); Tonapetyan v. Halter, 242 F.3d 1144, 1148-49 (9th Cir. 2001); Lester v. 23 Chater, 81 F.3d 821, 830-831 (9th Cir. 1995). 24 The record indicates that plaintiff began seeing Dr. Devera at Lucerne Valley Counseling, a San 25 Bernardino County Department of Behavioral Health (“County Behavioral Health”) clinic, in May 2005. 26 Her diagnosis was major depressive disorder, recurrent, severe, without psychotic features. Dr. Devera 27 prescribed antidepressant medications, including Lexapro and Cymbalta. [AR 37-38, 229-234, 255-266, 28 269-276, 374-384, 425-448]. 2 1 In June 2005, shortly after she started seeing Dr. Devera, plaintiff went to Arrowhead Regional 2 Medical Center (“ARMC”) “with suicidal ideas, impaired judgment, hopelessness, anxiety, and irritability.” 3 [AR 320; see AR 316-337]. She told the attending physician that she was overwhelmed with depression 4 related to her responsibilities as the adoptive parent of her 3- and 5-year-old grandchildren, the children of 5 her drug-addicted daughter, and as the caretaker of another adult daughter, who was brain-injured and 6 wheelchair-bound. [AR 327-329, 332]. Plaintiff was deemed a danger to herself or others and was 7 involuntarily admitted to ARMC for five days of inpatient care. [AR 9, 327-337, 380]. 8 Plaintiff’s discharge summary states that her diagnosis was major depressive disorder, recurrent, 9 severe. The attending physician stated that her mood had been stabilized with medications, and she also 10 had been treated for symptomatic allergies and a urinary tract infection. Plaintiff had participated in group 11 therapy and “did well” with it. She was discharged in “improved” condition, without suicidal ideation or 12 psychosis. She was prescribed Lexapro, Klonopin, Wellbutrin, and Seroquel for her psychiatric condition 13 and was instructed to follow up at a County Behavioral Health clinic [AR 320-321]. 14 In July 2005, plaintiff resumed monthly medication visits with Dr. Devera, and she continued to see 15 him monthly until December 2007. [See AR 37-38, 229-234, 255-266, 269-276, 374-384, 425-448]. In 16 December 2007, Dr. Devera completed a “Work Capacity Evaluation (Mental)” checklist form indicating 17 that plaintiff had “moderate” or “marked” limitations in all of the work-related mental functional abilities 18 listed on the form. [AR 419-420]. 19 The record contains no evidence of mental health treatment between December 2007 and September 20 2008, when plaintiff went to another County Behavioral Health clinic complaining of anxiety and 21 depression. Plaintiff was examined by Romeo Villar, M.D., who diagnosed major depression and prescribed 22 medications. On an intake assessment from the same facility, it was noted that plaintiff reported often using 23 marijuana and having occasionally used speed, most recently more than a year earlier. [AR 450-458]. 24 The ALJ found that plaintiff had severe impairments consisting of major depressive disorder, 25 recurrent, without psychotic symptoms; generalized anxiety disorder; history of cannabis abuse disorder; 26 history of polysubstance abuse and dependence, in remission; moderate to marked right foot osteoarthritis; 27 obesity with compensated hypothyroidism; and history of generalized joint pain. [AR 8]. The ALJ noted 28 that plaintiff had a long history of severe anxiety and depression. [AR 9]. The ALJ added that plaintiff was 3 1 given a Global Assessment of Function (“GAF”) score of 25 when she was admitted for psychiatric 2 hospitalization, and that her GAF score on discharge was 45.1 The ALJ remarked that plaintiff had received 3 a GAF score of 45 when she started treatment in May 2005, and that she also received a GAF score of 45 4 in June 2006. [AR 9, 321-332, 383-385]. The ALJ concluded that plaintiff’s condition had not changed 5 significantly between her discharge from ARMC and December 2007, when she stopped seeing Dr. Devera. 6 The ALJ characterized plaintiff’s treatment as “conservative,” noting that there had been no indication of 7 any change in her medication. The ALJ pointed out that plaintiff received a GAF score of 60, indicative 8 of moderate symptoms or a moderate functional impairment, on September 16, 2008,2 and that her 9 examination findings on that date were within normal limits. [AR 9, 453]. See note 1, supra. 10 The ALJ reasoned that “[g]iven the lack of change in the clinical findings since shortly after the 11 hospitalization in 200[5]3 and the recent admissions regarding at least occasional amphetamine abuse prior 12 to 2008, I must discount the assessment of [Dr. Devera] . . . and give greater weight to [Dr. Villar’s] 13 1 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 The GAF score is a “multiaxial” assessment that reflects a clinician's subjective judgment of a patient’s overall level of functioning by asking the clinician to rate two components: the severity of a patient's psychological symptoms, or the patient’s psychological, social, and occupational functioning. The GAF score is the lower of the symptom severity score or the functioning severity score. A GAF score of 21 through 30 means that delusions or hallucinations considerably influence the individual’s behavior, a serious impairment in communication or judgment exists (e.g., sometimes incoherent, acts grossly inappropriately, suicidal preoccupation), or the individual is unable to function in almost all areas (e.g., stays in bed all day; no job, home, or friends). A score of 41 through 50 denotes serious symptoms, such as suicidal ideation or severe obsessional rituals, or any serious impairment in social, occupational, or school functioning, such as the absence of friends or the inability to keep a job. A score of 51 through 60 signifies moderate symptoms, such as flat affect or occasional panic attacks, or moderate difficulty in social, occupational, or school functioning, such as having few friends or conflicts with peers or co-workers. See American Psychiatric Association, Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition Multiaxial Assessment, 27-36 (rev. 2000)); see also Morgan, 169 F.3d at 598 n.1 (“Clinicians use a GAF to rate the psychological, social, and occupational functioning of a patient.”); Sousa v. Chater, 945 F.Supp. 1312, 1319 n.7, 1320 n.8, 1322 n.9 (E.D. Cal. 1996)(discussing the significance of GAF scores), rev’d on other grounds,143 F.3d 1240, 1245 (9th Cir. 1998). 2 25 26 27 28 The ALJ appears to have misstated this date as September 16, 2006 and to have cited the wrong exhibit, but from the context, it is clear he was referring to Dr. Villar’s September 16, 2008 examination report at AR 452-453. 3 The ALJ said “2006,” but from his prior discussion, it appears that he was referring to plaintiff’s June 2005 hospitalization. The record does not contain any evidence of a 2006 hospitalization. 4 1 assessment, which is more consistent with the detailed assessment and findings of” the medical expert, Dr. 2 Glassmire. [AR 9 (footnote added)]. 3 The ALJ’s stated reasons for rejecting Dr. Devera’s opinion are not legitimate. The ALJ emphasized 4 that plaintiff’s treating GAF score had remained stable at 45 during much of the period she was undergoing 5 treatment with Dr. Devera, other than during her episode of decompensation in June 2005, and that her 6 clinical findings did not significantly change during that period. The ALJ also noted that plaintiff’s 7 treatment was “conservative in that it involved monthly medications visits with no indication of any change 8 in her medications.” [AR 9]. 9 By the ALJ’s own logic, plaintiff’s stable GAF score of 45 means that she exhibited serious 10 symptoms or a serious functional impairment despite seeing Dr. Devera on a monthly basis for about 11 eighteen months and taking psychotropic medication. As the ALJ also noted, plaintiff’s clinical findings 12 did not change significantly during that time. In 2006 and 2007, after months of treatment with Dr. Devera, 13 plaintiff continued to exhibit abnormalities on her mental status examination, such as limited insight, sad 14 affect, and depressed mood, despite “good” medication compliance. [E.g., AR 374-376, 432-433]. Although 15 Dr. Devera noted some improvement in her symptoms at times, his notes do not reflect consistent or 16 sustained improvement. 17 The ALJ also buttressed his rejection of Dr. Devera’s opinion by asserting that plaintiff’s clinical 18 findings were within normal limits on September 16, 2006. [AR 9]. That is incorrect; there is no 19 examination report bearing that date. It appears that the ALJ was referring to a September 16, 2008 report 20 from Dr. Villar, who indicated that plaintiff’s mental status examination findings were within normal limits. 21 Dr. Villar diagnosed major depression, recurrent, without psychosis. He gave plaintiff a GAF score of 60, 22 signifying moderate symptoms or a moderate functional impairment. [AR 453]. See note 1, supra. Plaintiff, 23 however, alleges that she became disabled two years earlier, in September 2006, when the record 24 consistently shows that she was still exhibiting signs and symptoms of major depression. Thus, Dr. Villar’s 25 September 2008 report, which reflected his initial evaluation of plaintiff, does not contradict Dr. Devera’s 26 prior assessments, which were based on a longitudinal psychiatric treatment relationship of 18 months’ 27 duration that involved frequent examinations. See 20 C.F.R. §§ 404.1527(d)(2), 416.927(d)(2)(stating that 28 the length, nature, and extent of a treatment relationship and the frequency of examinations are factors 5 1 affecting the weight given a medical opinion). 2 It also bears noting that a week before plaintiff saw Dr. Villar, she underwent an initial clinical 3 assessment that was signed by two County Behavioral Health clinicians, neither of whom was a licensed 4 physician or psychologist. [See AR 454-458]. Those clinicians reported several abnormal mental status 5 findings, including a somewhat disheveled appearance; rapid, anxious speech; impaired recall; ruminating 6 thought process; fair insight; impaired judgment; and depressive mood. [AR 454]. They gave plaintiff a 7 GAF score of 50, which is in the same range (41 through 50) as her prior GAF scores of 45 and denotes 8 serious symptoms or a serious functional impairment. [AR 454]. See note 1, supra. 9 Because neither clinician was an acceptable medical source, the ALJ was entitled to credit Dr. 10 Villar’s benign examination findings and GAF score of 60. However, the ALJ selectively credited other 11 aspects of the clinicians’ assessment that were unfavorable to plaintiff, even when their assessment was 12 inconsistent with evidence from an acceptable medical source. Specifically, the clinicians gave plaintiff 13 diagnoses of mood disorder not otherwise specified, active cannabis dependence, and polysubstance 14 dependence, in remission by client report. [AR 458]. Dr. Villar diagnosed major depression but made no 15 diagnosis of substance abuse of any kind. After examining plaintiff, Dr. Glassmire, the medical expert, 16 testified that her diagnoses were major depressive disorder, severe, without psychotic features; generalized 17 anxiety disorder; a six-month history of cannabis abuse; and no credible evidence of amphetamine or 18 polysubstance abuse.4 [AR 30, 33-34]. 19 Citing the reports of Dr. Villar and Dr. Glassmire, the ALJ found that plaintiff had severe, 20 nondisabling mental impairments consisting of major depressive disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, 21 history of cannabis abuse, and a history of polysubstance abuse and dependence in remission. [AR 8-9]. 22 The ALJ did not acknowledge that the only diagnosis of history of polysubstance abuse appeared in the 23 24 25 26 27 28 4 In response to Dr. Glassmire’s questions, plaintiff denied that she had reported using any drug other than marijuana and stated that she did not understand the diagnosis of polysubstance abuse. [AR 29-30]. Plaintiff testified that she had used marijuana about once or twice a week for about six months, and that her last use was about a month prior to the hearing. [AR 26-28]. Dr. Glassmire said that “looking at the longitudinal record I don’t see evidence of anything other than the cannabis abuse during the six-month period that she testified to today, so I just want to state that for the record, that that doesn’t seem to be supported by the record or her testimony today, which I find credible on that.” [AR 33-34]. 6 1 clinicians’ controverted report, which the ALJ ignored in other respects that tended to undermine his 2 findings. 3 The ALJ erred in selectively adopting the diagnosis of polysubstance abuse and dependence in 4 remission, which was controverted by the opinions of two acceptable medical sources. The ALJ 5 compounded that error by assuming that plaintiff’s purported amphetamine abuse made Dr. Devera’s 6 treating source opinion less trustworthy. 7 evidence is not based on substantial evidence and does not comport with the governing legal standards. Accordingly, the ALJ’s assessment of the medical opinion 8 Nonexamining state agency physicians 9 Plaintiff contends that the ALJ erred in failing to discuss the opinion of the nonexamining state 10 agency physician, Dr. Gregg. Plaintiff argues that the ALJ impermissibly ignored a “degree of consistency” 11 between Dr. Gregg’s opinion that plaintiff had several “moderate” mental functional limitations [AR 338- 12 339] and Dr. Devera’s findings. [JS 10; see JS 9-12]. 13 The ALJ erred in failing to mention, or give reasons for rejecting, Dr. Gregg’s opinion. See Shafer 14 v. Astrue, 518 F.3d 1067, 1069-1070 (9th Cir. 2008) (noting that an ALJ’s silent disregard of a 15 nonexamining physician’s opinion “contravened governing regulations requiring him to . . . evaluate every 16 medical opinion received” and was legal error). Since the ALJ articulated no reasons for rejecting Dr. 17 Gregg’s report and also erred in evaluating other treating and nonexamining source opinions, the record 18 does not permit the inference that the ALJ’s error was “nonprejudicial” to plaintiff and “irrelevant to [the 19 ALJ’s] nondisability finding.” See Stout v. Comm’r, Soc. Sec. Admin., 454 F.3d 1050, 1055-1056 (9th Cir. 20 2006). Accordingly, the error was not harmless. 21 Lay witness testimony 22 Plaintiff contends that the ALJ erred in ignoring a “Third Party Function Report” completed by Katy 23 King, plaintiff’s County Behavioral Health case manager. Among other things, Ms. King commented on 24 plaintiff’s often disheveled appearance, tendency to become distraught, inability to handle stress, and 25 problems with concentration, memory, and following instructions. [JS 12-15; AR 183-190]. 26 While an ALJ must take into account lay witness testimony about a claimant's symptoms, the ALJ 27 may discount that testimony by providing “reasons that are germane to each witness.” Greger v. Barnhart, 28 464 F.3d 968, 972 (9th Cir. 2006)(quoting Dodrill v. Shalala, 12 F.3d 915, 919 (9th Cir.1993)). The ALJ 7 1 erred in failing to mention, or give reasons for rejecting, Ms. King’s lay witness statements. The court 2 cannot conclude that the ALJ’s error was harmless when he articulated no basis for rejecting Ms. King’s 3 report, which corroborated some of the observations made by plaintiff’s treating sources. See Stout, 454 4 F.3d at 1054-1056 (holding that the ALJ’s silent disregard of lay testimony was not harmless error because 5 “the ALJ, not the district court, is required to provide specific reasons for rejecting lay testimony,” the court 6 “cannot affirm the decision of an agency on a ground that the agency did not invoke in making its decision,” 7 and the ALJ’s error was not nonprejudicial or irrelevant to the nondisability finding). 8 Plaintiff’s obesity 9 Plaintiff’s sole contention with respect to the ALJ’s physical RFC finding is that the ALJ erred in 10 failing adequately to consider the effects of her obesity. [JS 15-20]. 11 The ALJ has a duty to determine the effect of a disability claimant's “obesity upon her other 12 impairments, and its effect on her ability to work and general health,” even where the claimant's obesity was 13 not independently “severe” and was not explicitly alleged to be a “disabling factor.” Celaya v. Halter, 332 14 F.3d 1177, 1182 (9th Cir. 2003)(reversing and remanding the Commissioner's decision that the claimant 15 could perform light work for a “multiple impairment analysis that explicitly accounts for the direct and 16 marginal effects of the plaintiff's obesity during the period in question and that culminates in reviewable, 17 on-the-record findings”). 18 In February 2007, plaintiff’s weight was measured at 186 pounds and her height was 64 1/2 inches. 19 Using a calculator provided on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website, plaintiff had a Body 20 Mass Index of 31.4, which is considered obese but not extremely so.5 21 Unlike the claimant in Celaya, plaintiff was represented by counsel during the hearing [AR 23], and 22 the ALJ did not ignore plaintiff’s obesity. Instead, he found that it constituted a severe physical impairment, 23 along with moderate to marked right foot osteoarthritis,“compensated hypothyroidism, ” and a history of 24 generalized joint pain. [AR 8]. The ALJ adequately took into account October 2006 x-rays showing 25 moderate to severe osteoarthritis of the right midfoot, moderate bunion deformity, and spurs of the third and 26 fourth metatarsal shafts. [AR 297, 412]. He also noted that while plaintiff complained of foot pain, she also 27 5 28 See http://www.cdc.gov/healthyweight/assessing/bmi/ (last visited Sept. 8, 2010). 8 1 testified that she cleaned house, shopped for and cared for an elderly man, and cleaned her daughter’s trailer. 2 [See AR 11]. The ALJ noted that aside from evidence of arthritis in the right foot, there were no clinical 3 findings or diagnostic test results related to her complaints of generalized joint pain. [AR 8]. He noted that 4 the consultative examiner found no disturbance in gait or station and no need for an assistive device in 5 February 2007. The consultative examiner found no physical abnormalities to support plaintiff’s complaints 6 of joint pain. He noted that plaintiff took thyroid medication and saw her doctor regularly for thyroid 7 function monitoring. [See AR 8, 354-358]. Plaintiff has not pointed to any evidence of record supporting her contention that she had obesity- 8 9 related functional limitations that were overlooked by the ALJ. Therefore, her contentions lack merit. 10 Vocational expert’s testimony 11 Plaintiff contends that the vocational expert’s testimony does not constitute substantial evidence 12 supporting the ALJ’s nondisability determination because: (1) the ALJ’s hypothetical question to the 13 vocational expert failed to incorporate the limitations assessed by Dr. Devera or the nonexamining state 14 agency physician [JS 19-23]; and (2) plaintiff cannot perform the mental demands of the jobs identified by 15 the ALJ based on the vocational expert’s testimony. [JS 23-28]. 16 Hypothetical questions posed to the vocational expert must accurately describe all of the limitations 17 and restrictions of the claimant that are supported by substantial evidence in the record. Robbins, 466 F.3d 18 at 886; Tackett v. Apfel, 180 F.3d 1094, 1101 (9th Cir. 1999). For the reasons described above, the ALJ did 19 not properly assess the medical evidence relevant to plaintiff’s mental impairments or the lay witness 20 testimony. Therefore, the ALJ’s RFC finding and his hypothetical question do not describe all of the 21 limitations and restrictions that were supported by the record. 22 At step five of the sequential evaluation, the ALJ must identify alternative jobs that are within the 23 claimant’s RFC. See 20 C.F.R. §§ 404.1520, 416.920; Tackett, 180 F.3d at 1098-1099. For the reasons 24 already described, the ALJ committed legal error in assessing plaintiff’s RFC, and some parts of his RFC 25 finding lack substantial support in the record. Therefore, the ALJ’s step-five finding cannot stand. 26 /// 27 Remedy 28 The choice whether to reverse and remand for further administrative proceedings, or to reverse and 9 1 simply award benefits, is within the discretion of the court. See Harman v. Apfel, 211 F.3d 1172, 1178 (9th 2 Cir.) (holding that the district court's decision whether to remand for further proceedings or payment of 3 benefits is discretionary and is subject to review for abuse of discretion), cert. denied, 531 U.S. 1038 4 (2000). The Ninth Circuit has adopted the following test, known as the “Smolen test,” to determine whether 5 evidence should be credited and the case remanded for an award of benefits: 6 (1) the ALJ has failed to provide legally sufficient reasons for rejecting such evidence, (2) 7 there are no outstanding issues that must be resolved before a determination of disability can 8 be made, and (3) it is clear from the record that the ALJ would be required to find the 9 claimant disabled were such evidence credited. 10 Harman, 211 F.3d at 1178 (quoting Smolen v. Chater, 80 F.3d 1273, 1292 (9th Cir. 1996)). 11 A remand for further administrative proceedings is the appropriate remedy because it is not clear 12 from the record that plaintiff would be required to find plaintiff disabled if he properly weighed the evidence 13 of record. On remand, the ALJ should give plaintiff the opportunity for a new hearing and issue a new 14 hearing decision with appropriate findings. See Bunnell v. Barnhart, 336 F.3d 1112, 1115-1116 (9th Cir. 15 2003)(remanding for further administrative proceedings where several “outstanding issues” remain to be 16 resolved, including “if she is disabled, the timing and duration of her disability,” and whether, according 17 to a vocational expert, there was alternative work the claimant could perform with all of the limitations 18 supported by the record). Conclusion 19 20 For the reasons stated above, the Commissioner's decision is not supported by substantial evidence 21 and does not reflect application of the proper legal standards. Accordingly, the Commissioner's decision 22 is reversed, and this case is remanded to the Commissioner for further administrative proceedings 23 consistent with this memorandum of decision. 24 IT IS SO ORDERED. 25 September 15, 2010 _________________________ ANDREW J. WISTRICH United States Magistrate Judge 26 27 28 10
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