Lorene B Crater v. Michael J Astrue, No. 5:2011cv01523 - Document 13 (C.D. Cal. 2012)

Court Description: MEMORANDUM OPINION AND ORDER by Magistrate Judge Paul L. Abrams. IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that: (1) plaintiff's request for remand is GRANTED; (2) the decision of the Commissioner is reversed; and (3) this action is remanded to defendantfor further proceedings consistent with this Memorandum Opinion. This Memorandum Opinion and Order is not intended for publication, nor is itintended to be included in or submitted to any online service such as Westlaw or Lexis. **See Order for details.** (ch)

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1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT 9 CENTRAL DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA 10 EASTERN DIVISION 11 12 LORENE B. CRATER, 13 14 15 Plaintiff, v. 16 MICHAEL J. ASTRUE, COMMISSIONER OF SOCIAL SECURITY ADMINISTRATION, 17 Defendant. ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) No. ED CV 11-1523-PLA MEMORANDUM OPINION AND ORDER 18 19 I. 20 PROCEEDINGS 21 Plaintiff filed this action on September 23, 2011, seeking review of the Commissioner s 22 denial of her applications for Disability Insurance Benefits and Supplemental Security Income 23 payments. The parties filed Consents to proceed before the undersigned Magistrate Judge on 24 October 17, 2011, and October 27, 2011. Pursuant to the Court s Order, the parties filed a Joint 25 Stipulation on May 2, 2012, that addresses their positions concerning the disputed issues in the 26 case. The Court has taken the Joint Stipulation under submission without oral argument. 27 28 1 II. 2 BACKGROUND 3 Plaintiff was born on January 29, 1954. [Administrative Record ( AR ) at 62.] She 4 completed two years of college [AR at 163], and has past relevant work experience as an in-home 5 care provider and a telemarketer. [AR at 160.] 6 On December 21, 2005, plaintiff filed an application for Disability Insurance Benefits, 7 alleging that she had been unable to work since October 19, 2005, due to diabetes and problems 8 with her hearing and left leg. [AR at 55, 58.] After her application was denied initially and on 9 reconsideration, plaintiff requested a hearing before an Administrative Law Judge ( ALJ ). [AR 10 at 55.] A hearing was held on June 4, 2008, at which time plaintiff appeared without counsel and 11 testified on her own behalf. [Id.] A vocational expert ( VE ) and a medical expert also testified. 12 [Id.] On June 27, 2008, the ALJ determined that plaintiff was not disabled. [AR at 55-61.] Since 13 plaintiff did not appeal this decision, it became final and binding. See 20 C.F.R. § 404.905; Taylor 14 v. Heckler, 765 F.2d 872, 875 (9th Cir. 1985). 15 Thereafter, on August 6, 2009, plaintiff filed a subsequent application for Disability 16 Insurance Benefits and an application for Supplemental Security Income payments, alleging that 17 she has been unable to work since June 28, 2008, due to diabetes, chronic weakness, difficulty 18 walking, swelling in [her] left leg, memory problems, tingling[,] and numbness. [AR at 19, 133-38, 19 158-65.] After her applications were denied initially and on reconsideration, plaintiff requested a 20 hearing before an ALJ. [AR at 68-71, 73-83.] On November 8, 2010, a different ALJ held a 21 hearing, at which time plaintiff appeared with counsel and again testified on her own behalf. [AR 22 at 28-51.] A VE also testified. [AR at 44-49.] On December 10, 2010, the second ALJ determined 23 that plaintiff was not disabled.1 [AR at 19-24.] On July 27, 2011, the Appeals Council denied 24 plaintiff s request for review. [AR at 1-3, 13.] This action followed. 25 26 27 28 1 In so concluding, the ALJ cited to Chavez v. Bowen, 844 F.2d 691 (9th Cir. 1988), for the proposition that the principles of res judicata require an ALJ to adopt the findings from the prior decision unless there is new and material evidence relating to such findings. [AR at 23.] The Court will consider the impact of Chavez on this case in addressing plaintiff s contention below that plaintiff proved changed circumstances pursuant to Chavez. [Joint Stipulation ( JS ) at 7.] 2 1 III. 2 STANDARD OF REVIEW 3 Pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 405(g), this Court has authority to review the Commissioner s 4 decision to deny benefits. The decision will be disturbed only if it is not supported by substantial 5 evidence or if it is based upon the application of improper legal standards. Moncada v. Chater, 6 60 F.3d 521, 523 (9th Cir. 1995); Drouin v. Sullivan, 966 F.2d 1255, 1257 (9th Cir. 1992). 7 In this context, the term substantial evidence means more than a mere scintilla but less 8 than a preponderance -- it is such relevant evidence that a reasonable mind might accept as 9 adequate to support the conclusion. Moncada, 60 F.3d at 523; see also Drouin, 966 F.2d at 10 1257. When determining whether substantial evidence exists to support the Commissioner s 11 decision, the Court examines the administrative record as a whole, considering adverse as well 12 as supporting evidence. Drouin, 966 F.2d at 1257; Hammock v. Bowen, 879 F.2d 498, 501 (9th 13 Cir. 1989). Where the evidence is susceptible to more than one rational interpretation, the Court 14 must defer to the decision of the Commissioner. Moncada, 60 F.3d at 523; Andrews v. Shalala, 15 53 F.3d 1035, 1039-40 (9th Cir. 1995); Drouin, 966 F.2d at 1258. 16 17 IV. 18 THE EVALUATION OF DISABILITY 19 Persons are disabled for purposes of receiving Social Security benefits if they are unable 20 to engage in any substantial gainful activity owing to a physical or mental impairment that is 21 expected to result in death or which has lasted or is expected to last for a continuous period of at 22 least twelve months. 42 U.S.C. § 423(d)(1)(A); Drouin, 966 F.2d at 1257. 23 24 A. THE FIVE-STEP EVALUATION PROCESS 25 The Commissioner (or ALJ) follows a five-step sequential evaluation process in assessing 26 whether a claimant is disabled. 20 C.F.R. §§ 404.1520, 416.920; Lester v. Chater, 81 F.3d 821, 27 828 n.5 (9th Cir. 1995, as amended April 9, 1996). In the first step, the Commissioner must 28 determine whether the claimant is currently engaged in substantial gainful activity; if so, the 3 1 claimant is not disabled and the claim is denied. Id. If the claimant is not currently engaged in 2 substantial gainful activity, the second step requires the Commissioner to determine whether the 3 claimant has a severe impairment or combination of impairments significantly limiting her ability 4 to do basic work activities; if not, a finding of nondisability is made and the claim is denied. Id. 5 If the claimant has a severe impairment or combination of impairments, the third step requires 6 the Commissioner to determine whether the impairment or combination of impairments meets or 7 equals an impairment in the Listing of Impairments ( Listing ) set forth at 20 C.F.R., Part 404, 8 Subpart P, Appendix 1; if so, disability is conclusively presumed and benefits are awarded. Id. 9 If the claimant s impairment or combination of impairments does not meet or equal an impairment 10 in the Listing, the fourth step requires the Commissioner to determine whether the claimant has 11 sufficient residual functional capacity to perform her past work; if so, the claimant is not disabled 12 and the claim is denied. Id. The claimant has the burden of proving that she is unable to 13 perform past relevant work. Drouin, 966 F.2d at 1257. If the claimant meets this burden, a 14 prima facie case of disability is established. The Commissioner then bears the burden of 15 establishing that the claimant is not disabled, because she can perform other substantial gainful 16 work available in the national economy. The determination of this issue comprises the fifth and 17 final step in the sequential analysis. 20 C.F.R. §§ 404.1520, 416.920; Lester, 81 F.3d at 828 18 n.5; Drouin, 966 F.2d at 1257. 19 20 B. THE ALJ S APPLICATION OF THE FIVE-STEP PROCESS 21 In this case, at step one, the ALJ found that plaintiff had not engaged in any substantial 22 gainful activity since her alleged disability onset date, June 28, 2008.2 [AR at 21.] At step two, 23 the ALJ concluded that plaintiff has the severe impairments of diabetes and obesity. [Id.] At step 24 three, the ALJ determined that plaintiff s impairments do not meet or equal any of the impairments 25 in the Listing. [AR at 22.] The ALJ further found that plaintiff retained the residual functional 26 27 2 28 The ALJ concluded that plaintiff meets the insured status requirements of the Social Security Act through June 30, 2011. [AR at 21.] 4 1 capacity ( RFC )3 to perform light work as defined in 20 C.F.R. §§ 404.1567(b) and 416.967(b)4, 2 with limitations. Specifically, the ALJ determined that plaintiff: can stoop and balance occasionally; 3 can stand or walk 2 hours in an 8-hour workday; can sit 6 hours in an 8-hour workday; cannot climb 4 ladders; cannot work at unprotected heights; and should work in an air-conditioned environment. 5 [Id.] At step four, the ALJ concluded that plaintiff is capable of performing her past relevant work 6 as an in-home care provider and a telemarketer. [AR at 24.] Accordingly, the ALJ determined that 7 plaintiff has not been disabled at any time from June 28, 2008, to December 10, 2010, the date 8 of the decision. [Id.] 9 10 V. 11 THE ALJ S DECISION 12 Plaintiff contends that the ALJ improperly (1) concluded that plaintiff failed to prove a 13 worsening of her condition, and (2) discounted plaintiff s credibility. [JS at 6-9, 12-15.] As set forth 14 below, the Court agrees with plaintiff and remands the matter for further proceedings. 15 16 A. PLAINTIFF S EVIDENCE OF HER WORSENING CONDITION 17 Plaintiff argues that the ALJ improperly found that Chavez applied and that plaintiff s 18 condition had not changed since the previous decision of June 27, 2008. [JS at 6-9.] Plaintiff 19 asserts that an examining doctor s opinions, a treating osteopathic doctor s diagnosis, and the 20 results of a set of nerve studies reveal that her pain and limitations had worsened. [Id.] 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 3 RFC is what a claimant can still do despite existing exertional and nonexertional limitations. See Cooper v. Sullivan, 880 F.2d 1152, 1155 n.5 (9th Cir. 1989). 4 20 C.F.R. §§ 404.1567(b) and 416.967(b) define light work as work involving lifting no more than 20 pounds at a time with frequent lifting or carrying of objects weighing up to 10 pounds. A job is light work when it requires a good deal of walking or standing, or when it involves sitting most of the time with some pushing and pulling of arm or leg controls. The capacity to do light work implicates that one can also do sedentary work, unless there are additional limiting factors such as loss of fine dexterity or inability to sit for long periods of time. 28 5 1 The principles of res judicata apply to administrative decisions; however, the doctrine is not 2 as rigidly applied to administrative proceedings as it is to judicial proceedings. See Chavez, 844 3 F.2d at 693; see also Gregory v. Bowen, 844 F.2d 664, 666 (9th Cir. 1988). Social Security 4 Acquiescence Ruling 97-4(9), adopting Chavez, applies to cases involving a subsequent disability 5 claim with an unadjudicated period when there has been a prior claim with a final administrative 6 decision that the claimant is not disabled. 7 determination of nondisability creates a presumption of continuing nondisability with respect to any 8 subsequent unadjudicated period of alleged disability. See Lester, 81 F.3d at 827; see also Miller 9 v. Heckler, 770 F.2d 845, 848 (9th Cir. 1985); Lyle v. Secretary of Health & Human Servs., 700 10 F.2d 566, 568-69 (9th Cir. 1983). However, the presumption may be overcome by a showing of 11 changed circumstances, such as new and material changes to the claimant s residual functional 12 capacity, age, education, or work experience. See Lester, 81 F.3d at 827-28; see also Chavez, 13 844 F.2d at 693; Lyle, 700 F.2d at 568 n.2; Taylor v. Heckler, 765 F.2d 872, 875 (9th Cir. 1985). 14 In order to show changed circumstances, the evidence must establish that the claimant suffers 15 from an impairment that indicates a greater disability. See Chavez, 844 F.2d at 693. Accordingly, 16 res judicata does not apply when the claimant raises an issue not considered in the previous 17 decision, such as the existence of a new impairment, or demonstrates an increase in the severity 18 of an impairment, either one of which adversely affects her RFC. See Lester, 81 F.3d at 827; see 19 also Acquiescence Ruling 97-4(9) ( where the final decision by the ALJ on the prior claim, which 20 found the claimant not disabled, contained findings of the claimant s residual functional capacity, 21 education, and work experience, [the Social Security Administration] may not make different 22 findings in adjudicating the subsequent disability claim unless there is new and material evidence 23 relating to the claimant s residual functional capacity, education or work experience ). Acquiescence Ruling 97-4(9). A prior final 24 In the decision in this case, the ALJ acknowledged the prior decision and noted that the 25 principles of res judicata created a presumption of continuing nondisability following the period 26 previously adjudicated. [AR at 23-24.] The ALJ further noted that he was required to adopt the 27 findings from the prior decision, which included a conclusion that plaintiff retained the ability to 28 perform light exertion work, unless evidence is presented to overcome this presumption. [AR 6 1 at 23.] The ALJ discussed some of the medical evidence submitted after the previous decision, 2 i.e., medical records from Dr. Robert F. Steinberg, but concluded that [plaintiff] has not met her 3 burden of establishing a material change of circumstances since the prior decision of June 27, 4 2008. [AR at 24.] 5 The record before the ALJ included reports of an October 18, 2010, exam performed by Dr. 6 Steinberg. [AR at 255-57, 259-66.] Dr. Steinberg s examination involved a survey of plaintiff s 7 past medical conditions and symptoms, a physical exam, a blood test, and an osteoarthritis test. 8 [Id.] Based on Dr. Steinberg s examination and plaintiff s allegations of reduced sensation in her 9 hands and feet, Dr. Steinberg diagnosed plaintiff with: poorly controlled diabetes; left knee pain; 10 degenerative joint disease; obesity; diabetic neuropathy in her hands and feet; lower back pain; and 11 gastroesophageal reflux disease. [AR at 259-60.] Dr. Steinberg opined, based on plaintiff s 12 diabetic neuropathy and her reported tendency to drop[] items, that plaintiff was limited in doing 13 repetitive reaching, handling, fingering[,] or lifting. [AR at 262.] Dr. Steinberg further opined that 14 plaintiff: can occasionally lift and carry five to ten pounds; can never lift or carry more than ten 15 pounds; cannot push or pull; can perform reaching with either arm only minimally; is [s]ignificantly 16 limited but not completely precluded from [g]rasping, turning, [and] twisting objects; and is 17 essentially precluded from [u]sing fingers/hands for fine manipulations. [See AR at 262-63, 265.] 18 19 In his decision, the ALJ gave Dr. Steinberg s opinions little weight, stating that: 22 Dr. Steinberg appears to have reviewed [plaintiff] s records and examined [plaintiff] at the request of her representative and opined [plaintiff] has multiple limitations unsupported by her records. It is unknown how long the one time consultation on October 18, 2010 was. It appears that [plaintiff] s allegations and subjective complaints were the basis of Dr. Steiberg s [sic] opined limitations as they are not supported by objective evidence. 23 [AR at 23.] The ALJ concluded that plaintiff retained the RFC to perform light work and can perform 24 her past relevant work as an in-home care provider and a telemarketer. [AR at 24.] 20 21 25 26 27 28 7 1 After the ALJ s decision, plaintiff submitted additional evidence to the Appeals Council, 2 including records from plaintiff s treating osteopathic doctor5 and the results of nerve conduction 3 studies performed on plaintiff. [AR at 4, 269-73, 276, 279.] The Appeals Council considered this 4 evidence but found that [it did] not provide a basis for changing the [ALJ] s decision. [AR at 1-5.] 5 Where a claimant submits new and material evidence to an Appeals Council relating to 6 the period on or before the date of the [ALJ] hearing decision, the Appeals Council must consider 7 the additional evidence. 20 C.F.R. §§ 404.970(b), 416.1470(b); see Warner v. Astrue, __ F. Supp. 8 2d __, 2012 WL 1657739, at *5 (C.D. Cal. April 26, 2012). The Appeals Council will grant review 9 if the Council finds that the [ALJ s] action, finding, or conclusion is contrary to the weight of the 10 evidence currently of record. See 20 C.F.R. §§ 404.970(b), 416.1470(b). Here, plaintiff 11 submitted new evidence to the Appeals Council relating to the periods both before and after the 12 ALJ s decision. Nevertheless, where the Council, as it did here, considered additional evidence 13 but apparently discounted it and denied review, the additional evidence becomes part of the 14 Administrative Record for the Court to analyze in light of the record as a whole. See Penny v. 15 Sullivan, 2 F.3d 953, 957 n. 7 (9th Cir.1993) ( the Appeals Council considered this information and 16 it became part of the record we are required to review as a whole ); Warner, 2012 WL 1657739, 17 at **6-7 (though Appeals Councils are not required to provide reasons for discounting additional 18 evidence, the Court must review the ALJ s decision in light of the record as a whole, including the 19 evidence submitted for the first time to the Appeals Council ) (citing Taylor v. Commissioner of Soc. 20 Sec., 659 F.3d 1228, 1231-32 (9th Cir. 2011)). The Court may subsequently remand upon finding 21 that there is a substantial likelihood the ALJ s consideration of the additional evidence submitted 22 to the Appeals Council will materially alter the ALJ s disability analysis. Warner, 2012 WL 23 1657739, at *8. While defendant argues that plaintiff s medical evidence, including evidence that 24 plaintiff submitted to the Appeals Council after the December 10, 2010, decision, fails to support 25 that plaintiff is disabled [JS at 10-12], defendant does not dispute that the Court must review the 26 27 28 5 Plaintiff submitted records to the Administration two days prior to the date of the ALJ s decision, but the ALJ did not discuss or reference them in his decision. [See AR at 21-24, 269-73, 276.] 8 1 evidence submitted to the Appeals Council in light of the record as a whole. See Warner, 2012 2 WL 1657739, at **6-7. 3 Since the denial of her first application for Disability Insurance Benefits on June 27, 2008, 4 plaintiff on average received monthly treatment from at least three Arrowhead Regional Medical 5 Center ( ARMC ) doctors and other staff members between December 2008 and February 2009 6 [AR at 223-26, 237], monthly treatment again between May 2009 and April 2010 [AR at 213-22, 7 229, 242-49, 276], and treatment in June 2010 and September 2010. [AR at 270-73.] On 8 December 22, 2008, plaintiff was diagnosed at ARMC with diabetes mellitus II and hypertension, 9 advised to return to ARMC for [a] breast exam in 3-4 weeks, and prescribed Glucotrol, Actos, 10 and Vasotec. [AR at 225-26.] Plaintiff s diabetes mellitus was assessed at ARMC as not well 11 controlled on January 22, 2009 [AR at 223], and as suboptimaly [sic] controled [sic] on August 12 3, 2009. [AR at 217.] On November 4, 2009, plaintiff s hypertension was assessed at ARMC as 13 subopt[imally] controlled, and plaintiff was prescribed Ultram. 14 continued to note that plaintiff s diabetes mellitus was not controlled on December 11, 2009, and 15 January 27, 2010 [AR at 246, 248], and poor[ly] controlled on February 25, 2010. [AR at 244.] 16 On June 24, 2010, ARMC osteopathic doctor Stephanie White6 noted that plaintiff s history of 17 present illness included dropping things and numbness in both hands that had 18 wax[ed]/wane[d] over a period of one month, but [no] pain, [no] injury, [no] [history] of 19 numbness, and [no] exacerbat[ing]/allev[iating] factors. [AR at 272-73.] Dr. White diagnosed 20 plaintiff with, inter alia, probable carpal tunnel, diabetes mellitus 2, and osteoarthritis in her leg. 21 [AR at 272.] Dr. White prescribed Actos and Ultram refills for plaintiff s diabetes mellitus and 22 osteoarthritis. [Id.] For the probable carpal tunnel diagnosis, she recommended rest, ice, 23 compression, elevation, and a splint. [Id.] Additionally, a set of nerve conduction studies, which 24 appears to have been ordered by ARMC staff, was performed on February 9, 2011. [AR at 279.] [AR at 213.] ARMC staff 25 26 27 6 28 Plaintiff s characterization of Dr. White as plaintiff s treating osteopathic doctor is not disputed by defendant. [See JS at 8.] 9 1 The interpreting physician stated that the studies of [plaintiff s] upper extremities demonstrate[d] 2 evidence of sensorimotor neuropathy. [Id.] 3 In light of the additional evidence submitted to the Appeals Council, the ALJ s conclusion 4 that a change in [plaintiff] s condition has not occurred to warrant a more restrictive residual 5 functional capacity is not supported by substantial evidence. [See AR at 24.] In the first ALJ s 6 decision in 2008, the ALJ stated that plaintiff has alleged her main problem is her hearing and [her] 7 left leg. [AR at 58.] In that decision, there is no discussion of any impairments in plaintiff s upper 8 extremities, and the ALJ stated that plaintiff represented she could lift 25 pounds occasionally and 9 10 pounds frequently. [See AR at 55-61.] 10 Contrary to the medical evidence discussed in the first ALJ s decision, Dr. White s diagnosis 11 and the results of the nerve conduction studies corroborate Dr. Steinberg s opinion that plaintiff had 12 limitations in doing repetitive reaching, handling, fingering[,] or lifting; show that plaintiff had 13 probable carpal tunnel; and demonstrate evidence of sensorimotor neuropathy. Thus, the 14 evidence first presented to the Appeals Council indicates the existence of a new impairment which 15 appears to adversely affect plaintiff s RFC. Lester, 81 F.3d at 827. Specifically, plaintiff s 16 limitations in reaching, handling, fingering[,] or lifting, probable carpal tunnel diagnosis, and 17 evidence of sensorimotor neuropathy support that plaintiff has impairments in her upper 18 extremities, an issue not considered in the first ALJ s decision. [See AR at 37, 262, 272, 279]; 19 Lester, 81 F.3d at 828 (application of res judicata is precluded when plaintiff alleges an impairment 20 that was not addressed by the ALJ in the prior decision); see also Light v. Social Sec. Admin., 119 21 F.3d 789, 792 (9th Cir. 1997) (presumption of nondisability rebutted by evidence that a previous 22 impairment had become increasingly severe, and evidence of diagnosis of a new impairment, either 23 of which could have been a basis for a finding of disability either independently or when aggregated 24 with all of the claimant s pre-existing infirmities); Stubbs-Danielson v. Astrue, 539 F.3d 1169, 1173 25 (9th Cir. 2008) (evaluations presented after a prior nondisability determination necessarily 26 presented new and material information not presented to the first ALJ); Schneider v. Commissioner 27 of Soc. Sec. Admin., 223 F.3d 968 (9th Cir. 2000) (finding changed circumstances to overcome the 28 presumption of nondisability based on changes in test scores and diagnosis). Given that plaintiff 10 1 provided proof of changed circumstances, the ALJ s application of the principles of res judicata 2 was incorrect. 3 Absent a thorough examination by the ALJ of the additional medical evidence presented by 4 plaintiff, the Court cannot conclude that the ALJ properly determined that [plaintiff] has not met her 5 burden of establishing a material change of circumstances. [AR at 24.] Dr. Steinberg s opinions, 6 when considered with Dr. White s opinions and the results of the nerve conduction studies, show 7 a substantial likelihood of materially altering the ALJ s analysis. See Taylor, 659 F.3d at 1231-32; 8 Warner, 2012 WL 1657739, at **6-7. In light of this additional medical evidence, the ALJ s 9 conclusion that plaintiff has not met her burden of establishing a material change of 10 circumstances is not supported by substantial evidence. Chavez, 844 F.2d at 693; Moncada, 60 11 F.3d at 523; see also Drouin, 966 F.2d at 1257. Remand is warranted. 12 13 14 15 B. PLAINTIFF S CREDIBILITY Plaintiff contends that the ALJ failed to properly consider her testimony and make proper credibility findings. [JS at 12-15.] 16 To determine whether a claimant s testimony regarding subjective pain or symptoms is 17 credible, an ALJ must engage in a two-step analysis. Lingenfelter v. Astrue, 504 F.3d 1028, 18 1035-36 (9th Cir. 2007). First, the ALJ must determine whether the claimant has presented 19 objective medical evidence of an underlying impairment which could reasonably be expected to 20 produce the pain or other symptoms alleged. Id. (quoting Bunnell v. Sullivan, 947 F.2d 341, 344 21 (9th Cir. 1991) (en banc)). Second, if the claimant meets the first test, the ALJ may only reject the 22 claimant s testimony about the severity of her symptoms upon (1) finding evidence affirmatively 23 suggesting that the claimant was malingering, or (2) offering specific, clear and convincing reasons 24 for doing so. See Dodrill v. Shalala, 12 F.3d 915, 918 (9th Cir. 1999); see also Lingenfelter, 504 25 F.3d at 1036; Benton v. Barnhart, 331 F.3d 1030, 1040 (9th Cir. 2003). The factors to be 26 considered in weighing a claimant s credibility include: (1) the claimant s reputation for 27 truthfulness; (2) inconsistencies either in the claimant s testimony or between the claimant s 28 testimony and her conduct; (3) the claimant s daily activities; (4) the claimant s work record; and 11 1 (5) testimony from physicians and third parties concerning the nature, severity, and effect of the 2 symptoms of which the claimant complains. See Thomas v. Barnhart, 278 F.3d 947, 958-59 (9th 3 Cir. 2002); see also 20 C.F.R. §§ 404.1529(c), 416.929(c). If properly supported, the ALJ s 4 credibility determination is entitled to great deference. See Green v. Heckler, 803 F.2d 528, 532 5 (9th Cir. 1986). 6 During the November 8, 2010, hearing, plaintiff testified, in part, that she had been losing 7 control of [her] hands. [AR at 33.] Plaintiff also testified that her hand condition has limited her 8 ability to hold[] on to things, lift[] a lot of heavy things, unscrew bottle tops, and write for long 9 durations without feeling tingling in her fingers. [AR at 36-37.] Plaintiff further testified that she 10 takes her medication as prescribed. [AR at 39.] 11 At step one of the two-step credibility analysis, the ALJ found that plaintiff s medically 12 determinable impairments could reasonably be expected to produce the alleged symptoms. [AR 13 at 23.] The ALJ nevertheless concluded that plaintiff s statements concerning the intensity, 14 persistence[,] and limiting effects of these symptoms were less than credible. [Id.] At step two, 15 then, as the record contains no evidence of malingering by plaintiff,7 the ALJ was required to offer 16 specific, clear and convincing reasons for rejecting her subjective symptom testimony. See 17 Lingenfelter, 504 F.3d at 1036. General findings are insufficient; rather, the ALJ must identify 18 what testimony is not credible and what evidence undermines the claimant s complaints. Reddick 19 v. Chater, 157 F.3d 715, 722 (9th Cir. 1998) (quoting Lester, 81 F.3d at 834). 20 In finding plaintiff less than credible, the ALJ appeared to rely on (1) plaintiff s testimony 21 regarding her daily activities [AR at 22-23], (2) plaintiff s conservative treatment for her diabetes 22 mellitus and obesity [AR at 21, 23], (3) plaintiff s failure to follow her doctors recommendations 23 [AR at 23], and (4) plaintiff s failure to present objective medical evidence of her alleged knee pain. 24 [Id.] 25 26 27 7 28 The ALJ made no finding that plaintiff was malingering, nor does the evidence suggest plaintiff was doing so. 12 1 As to the first reason, the Court finds that the ALJ s summary of plaintiff s daily activities 2 mischaracterizes plaintiff s statements regarding those activities. [See AR at 22-23, 37, 42-44.] 3 The ALJ noted, referencing plaintiff s testimony at the November 8, 2010, hearing, that plaintiff 4 does her own grocery shopping, her friends drive her, and she is able to cook, clean up and do 5 laundry. She has two small dogs that she picks up after and bathes. [AR at 22-23, 42-44.] 6 However, in the same hearing, plaintiff also testified that she does her own grocery shopping only 7 sometimes, and a friend accompanies her when she does so. [AR at 42.] Next, although plaintiff 8 testified that she cooks [AR at 43], she also testified that in the month prior to the hearing, she 9 sustained a second degree burn after dropping a roasting pan that she was taking out of the oven. 10 [AR at 33, 37.] Plaintiff also testified that she tr[ies] to -- not that she is always able to -- clean 11 up after [her]self, and that she only sometimes picks up after and bathes her small dogs. [AR 12 at 43-44 (emphasis added).] The ALJ mischaracterized plaintiff s statements regarding plaintiff s 13 daily activities, and the ALJ erred insofar as he relied on those mischaracterizations to find plaintiff 14 less than credible. See Day v. Weinberger, 522 F.2d 1154, 1156 (9th Cir. 1975) (an ALJ is not 15 permitted to reach a conclusion simply by isolating a specific quantum of supporting evidence ). 16 17 Moreover, the Court is not persuaded that plaintiff s ability to cook, to try to clean up after 18 herself, to sometimes do grocery shopping with a friend, and to sometimes pick up after and 19 bathe her dogs supports the ALJ s finding that plaintiff can perform her past relevant work, 20 because those abilities do not necessarily translate into an ability to do activities that are 21 transferable to a work setting. See Fair v. Bowen, 885 F.2d 597, 603 (9th Cir. 1989) (noting that 22 many home activities are not easily transferable to what may be the more grueling environment 23 of the workplace, where it might be impossible to periodically rest or take medication ). 24 As to the second reason, the ALJ appeared to rely on plaintiff s conservative treatment 25 for diabetes mellitus and obesity to discount plaintiff s credibility. [See AR at 21, 23.] Plaintiff s 26 treatment included prescriptions for Actos, Glipizide, Glucotrol, and Metformin; referrals to 27 diabetes mellitus education; and recommendations to diet and exercise. [AR at 172, 217-18, 221, 28 223, 225-27, 245, 243-46, 248.] The ALJ pointed to nothing in the record to show that any specific 13 1 treatment in addition to the treatment plaintiff was receiving are standard methods of treating 2 diabetes mellitus or obesity. [See AR at 23.] Indeed, there is no evidence in the record from any 3 physician that anything more could have been done that would have alleviated plaintiff s 4 symptoms. See, e.g., Lapeirre-Gutt v. Astrue, 382 Fed.Appx. 662, 664 (9th Cir. 2010) (citable for 5 its persuasive value pursuant to Ninth Circuit Rule 36-3) ( A claimant cannot be discredited for 6 failing to pursue non-conservative treatment options where none exist. ). 7 As to the third reason, the ALJ appeared to discount plaintiff s credibility because he 8 concluded that plaintiff has had several periods of time wherein she was not taking her medication 9 as prescribed and plaintiff has been advised to diet and exercise, which she appears to have not 10 done. [See AR at 23, 221-22, 225-26, 244-45.] Social Security Ruling8 82-59 provides that the 11 SSA may make a determination that an individual has failed to follow prescribed treatment only 12 where four conditions exist. SSR 82-59; 20 C.F.R. §§ 404.1530(a), 416.930(a). Among those 13 conditions, [t]he evidence of record [must] disclose[] that there has been refusal to follow 14 prescribed treatment. SSR 82-59. Here, the ALJ does not specifically identify, and the Court is 15 not aware of, any records that support that plaintiff has refused to follow prescribed treatment. 16 [See AR at 23.] On the contrary, an Out Patient Note dated May 15, 2009, states that plaintiff had 17 been out of med[ication]s for a period because her prescription request was faxed, but no one 18 filled [the prescription]. [AR at 222, 226.] Thus, the record does not support that plaintiff has 19 refused to follow prescribed treatment. See SSR 82-59. In addition, contrary to the ALJ s 20 statement that plaintiff failed to diet and exercise as advised by her doctors, plaintiff testified at the 21 November 8, 2010, hearing that she had been trying to lose weight and that she has weighed 22 160 pounds before, but that sometimes it ll go down to 130 [or] 120 [pounds]. [AR at 40.] An Out 23 Patient Note dated August 3, 2009, further indicates that plaintiff ha[d] been eating better, i.e., 24 [fewer] carbohydrates and [more] vegetables, and that plaintiff had increased her level of 25 26 27 28 8 Social Security Rulings ( SSR ) do not have the force of law. Nevertheless, they constitute Social Security Administration [ SSA ] interpretations of the statute it administers and of its own regulations and are given deference unless they are plainly erroneous or inconsistent with the Act or regulations. Han v. Bowen, 882 F.2d 1453, 1457 (9th Cir. 1989). 14 1 activity. [AR at 217-18.] Plaintiff s medical records and testimony therefore provide that plaintiff 2 attempted to follow her doctors recommendations. [See AR at 40, 217-18.] Thus, the ALJ erred 3 insofar as he used plaintiff s failure to follow prescribed treatment as a basis to discount her 4 credibility. [See AR at 23]; SSR 82-59. The third ground on which the ALJ apparently discounted 5 plaintiff s credibility was not specific, clear and convincing. See Lingenfelter, 504 F.3d at 1036 6 (quoting Smolen v. Chater, 80 F.3d 1273, 1281 (9th Cir. 1996)). 7 As to the fourth reason, the ALJ appeared to discount plaintiff s credibility because [t]here 8 is no credible evidence that she has any limitations, even mild, due to her knee. [AR at 23.] 9 While an ALJ may consider whether a lack of objective medical evidence supports the degree of 10 limitation, this cannot form the sole basis for discounting pain testimony. Burch v. Barnhart, 400 11 F.3d 676, 681 (9th Cir. 2005). The rationale for this restriction is that pain testimony may 12 establish greater limitations than can medical evidence alone. Id. at 680 (citing SSR 96-7p). 13 Thus, even assuming the ALJ s characterization of the medical evidence is supported by 14 substantial evidence, the ALJ may rely upon this rationale only if his other reasons for discounting 15 plaintiff s credibility are proper. They are not. Moreover, an Out Patient Note dated November 16 4, 2009, provides that plaintiff had [left] knee pain, was prescribed Ultram for that pain, and went 17 to [an] ER [and] was told to have severe o[steo]a[rthritis] of [her] l[eft] knee [AR at 213-14]; and 18 an Out Patient Note dated January 27, 2010, provides that although plaintiff s left knee pain was 19 stable, plaintiff still had osteoarthritis in that knee. [AR at 246.] An Out Patient Note dated 20 February 25, 2010, provides that plaintiff was prescribed more Ultram for her [left] knee pain [AR 21 at 244]; an Out Patient Note dated March 22, 2010, provides that plaintiff had moderate 22 degenerative joint disease in her left knee [AR at 242]; and an Outpatient Note dated June 24, 23 2010, provides that plaintiff had osteoarthritis in her leg, for which she was prescribed Ultram. 24 [AR at 272.] 25 The ALJ offered no legally adequate reason for discounting plaintiff s credibility. Remand 26 is warranted on this issue. 27 / 28 / 15 1 VI. 2 REMAND FOR FURTHER PROCEEDINGS 3 As a general rule, remand is warranted where additional administrative proceedings could 4 remedy defects in the Commissioner s decision. See Harman v. Apfel, 211 F.3d 1172, 1179 (9th 5 Cir. 2000), cert. denied, 531 U.S. 1038 (2000); Kail v. Heckler, 722 F.2d 1496, 1497 (9th Cir. 6 1984). In this case, remand is appropriate for the ALJ to properly consider (1) all the medical 7 evidence in the record since June 28, 2008, in determining plaintiff s RFC, and (2) plaintiff s 8 credibility. The ALJ is instructed to take whatever further action is deemed appropriate and 9 consistent with this decision. 10 Accordingly, IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that: (1) plaintiff s request for remand is granted; 11 (2) the decision of the Commissioner is reversed; and (3) this action is remanded to defendant 12 for further proceedings consistent with this Memorandum Opinion. 13 14 This Memorandum Opinion and Order is not intended for publication, nor is it intended to be included in or submitted to any online service such as Westlaw or Lexis. 15 16 DATED: July 30, 2012 PAUL L. ABRAMS UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 16

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