Bruce v. Commissioner Social Security Administration, No. 6:2012cv00853 - Document 25 (D. Or. 2014)

Court Description: Opinion and Order. The Court AFFIRMS the decision of the Commissioner and DISMISSES this matter. Signed on 04/23/2014 by Judge Anna J. Brown. See attached 26 page Opinion and Order for full text. (bb)

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Bruce v. Commissioner Social Security Administration Doc. 25 IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE DISTRICT OF OREGON 6:12-CV-00853-BR STEVEN LEE BRUCE, OPINION AND ORDER Plaintiff, v. CAROLYN W. COLVIN, Commissioner, Social Security Adrninistration, 1 Defendant. STEVEN LEE BRUCE 1816 Pierce Street Eugene, OR 97405 (541) 525-7158 Plaintiff, Pro Se Carolyn W. Colvin became the Acting Commissioner of Social Pursuant to Rule 25(d) of the Security on February 14, 2013. Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, Carolyn W. Colvin should be No substituted for Michael J. Astrue as Defendant in this case. need be taken to continue this case by reason of further action the last sentence of section 205(g) of the Social Security Act, 42 u.s.c. § 405. 1 1 - OPINION AND ORDER Dockets.Justia.com S . AMANDA MARSHALL United States Attorney ADRIAN L. BROWN Assistant United States Attorney 1000 S.W. Third Avenue, Suite 600 Portland, OR 97204-2902 (503) 727-1003 DAVID MORADO Regional Chief Counsel ERIN F. HIGHLAND Special Assistant United States Attorney Social Security Administration 701 Fifth Avenue, Suite 2900, M/S 221A Seattle, WA 98104 . (206) 615-2531 Attorneys for Defendant BROWN, Judge. Plaintiff Steven Lee Bruce seeks judicial review of a final decision of the Commissioner of the Social Security Administration (SSA) in which she denied Plaintiff's application for Disability Insurance Benefits (DIB) under Title II of the Social Security Act. This Court has jurisdiction to review the Commissioner's final decision pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 405(g). For the reasons that follow, the Court AFFIRMS the decision of the Commissioner and DISMISSES this matter. ADMINISTRATIVE HISTORY Plaintiff filed an application for DIB on September 21, 2006, alleging a disability onset date of December 15, 1999. 2 - OPINION AND ORDER Tr. 116-20. 2 The application was denied initially and on reconsideration. An Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) held a hearing on January 13, 2009. Tr. 41-78. Plaintiff was represented by an attorney. vocational expert At the hearing Plaintiff and a (VE) testified. The ALJ issued a decision on March 18, 2009, in which he found Plaintiff was not disabled before his September 30, 2006, date last insured and, therefore, is not entitled to benefits. Tr. 29-40. Pursuant to 20 C.F.R. § 404.984(d), that decision became the final decision of the Commissioner on November 8, 2010, when the Appeals Council denied Plaintiff's request for review. BACKGROUND Plaintiff was born November 21, 1965, and was 43 years old at the time of the hearing. school. Tr. 39. experience. Tr. 116. Plaintiff completed high Plaintiff does not have any past relevant work Tr. 39, 154. Plaintiff alleges disability due to back, neck, leg, and hand pain, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Tr. 150. Except when noted, Plaintiff does not challenge the ALJ's summary of the medical evidence. After carefully reviewing the Citations to the official transcript of record filed by the Commissioner on August 20, 2013, are referred to as "Tr." 2 3 - OPINION AND ORDER medical records, this Court adopts the ALJ's summary of the medical evidence. See Tr. 32, 35-38. STANDARDS The initial burden of proof rests on the claimant to establish disability. Cir. 2012). Molina v. Astrue, 674 F.3d 1104, 1110 (9th To meet this burden, a claimant must demonstrate his inability ''to engage in any substantial gainful activity by reason of any medically determinable physical or mental impairment which . . has lasted or can be expected to last for a continuous period of not less than 12 months." § 423(d) (1) (A), 42 U.S.C. The ALJ must develop the record when there is ambiguous evidence or when the record is inadequate to allow for proper evaluation of the evidence. McLeod v. Astrue, 640 F.3d 881, 885 (9th Cir. 2011) (quoting Mayes v. Massanari, 276 F.3d 453, 459-60 (9th Cir. 2001)). The district court must affirm the Commissioner's decision if it is based on proper legal standards and the findings are supported by substantial evidence in the record as a whole. U.S.C. § 405(g), 42 See also Brewes v. Comm'r of Soc. Sec. Admin., 682 F.3d 1157, 1161 (9th Cir. 2012). Substantial evidence is "relevant evidence that a reasonable mind might accept as adequate to support a conclusion.n Molina, 674 F.3d. at 1110-11 (quoting Valentine v. Comm'r Soc. Sec. Admin., 574 F.3d 685, 690 4 - OPINION AND ORDER (9th Cir. 2009)). "It is more than a mere scintilla [of evidence) but less than a preponderance." Id. (citing Valentine, 574 F. 3d at 690). The ALJ is responsible for determining credibility, resolving conflicts in the medical evidence, and resolving ambiguities. 2009). Vasquez v. Astrue, 572 F.3d 586, 591 (9th Cir. The court must weigh all of the evidence whether it supports or detracts from the Commissioner's decision. Ryan v. Comm'r of Soc. Sec., 528 F. 3d 1194, 1198 (9th Cir. 2008). Even when the evidence is susceptible to more than one rational interpretation, the court must uphold the Commissioner's findings if they are supported by inferences reasonably drawn from the record. Ludwig v. Astrue, 681 F. 3d 1047, 1051 (9th Cir. 2012). The court may not substitute its judgment for that of the Commissioner. Widmark v. Barnhart, 454 F. 3d 1063, 1070 (9th Cir. 2006) . DISABILITY ANALYSIS I. The Regulatory Sequential Evaluation The Commissioner has developed a five-step sequential inquiry to determine whether a claimant is disabled within the meaning of the Act. 2007). Parra v. Astrue, 481 F.3d 742, 746 (9th Cir. See also 20 C.F.R. dispositive. 5 - OPINION AND ORDER § 404.1520. Each step is potentially At Step One the claimant is not disabled if the Commissioner determines the claimant is engaged in substantial gainful activity. 20 C.F.R. § 404.1520(a) (4) (I). Comm'r of Soc. Sec., 648 F. 3d 721, 724 See also Keyser v. (9th Cir. 2011). At Step Two the claimant is not disabled if the Commissioner determines the claimant does not have any medically severe impairment or combination of impairments. 404.1520 (a) (4) (ii). See also Keyser, 20 C.F.R. §§ 404.1509, 648 F. 3d at 724. At Step Three the claimant is disabled if the Commissioner determines the claimant's impairments meet or equal one of the listed impairments that the Commissioner acknowledges are so severe as to preclude substantial gainful activity. § 404.1520(a) (4) (iii). See also Keyser, 20 C.F.R. 648 F. 3d at 724. The criteria for the listed impairments, known as Listings, are enumerated in 20 C.F.R. part 404, subpart P, appendix 1 (Listed Impairments) . If the Commissioner proceeds beyond Step Three, she must assess the claimant's residual functional capacity (RFC). The claimant's RFC is an assessment of the sustained, work-related physical and mental activities the claimant can still do on a regular and continuing basis despite his limitations. § 404.1520(e). See also Social Security Ruling (SSR) 20 C.F.R. 96-Bp. "A 'regular and continuing basis' means 8 hours a day, for 5 days a week, or an equivalent schedule.'' 6 - OPINION AND ORDER SSR 96-8p, at *1. In other words, the Social Security Act does not require complete incapacity to be disabled. Taylor v. Comm'r of Soc. Sec. Admin., 659 F. 3d 1228, 1234-35 (9th Cir. 2011) (citing Fair v. Bowen, 885 F.2d 597, 603 Cir. 1989)). At Step Four the claimant is not disabled if the Commissioner determines the claimant retains the RFC to perform work he has done in the past. See also Keyser, 20 C.F.R. § 404.1520(a) (4) (iv). 648 F.3d at 724. If the Commissioner reaches Step Five, she must determine whether the claimant is able to do any other work that exists in the national economy. 20 C.F.R. § 404.1520(a)( 4)(v). Keyser, 648 F.3d at 724-25. See also Here the burden shifts to the Commissioner to show a significant number of jobs exist in the national economy that the claimant can perform. Lockwood v. Comm' r Soc. Sec. Admin., 616 F. 3d 1068, 1071 (9th Cir. 2010). The Commissioner may satisfy this burden through the testimony of a VE or by reference to the Medical-Voca tional Guidelines set forth in the regulations at 20 C.F;R. part 404, subpart P, appendix 2. If the Commissioner meets this burden, the claimant is not disabled. 20 C.F.R. § 404.1520(g) (1). ALJ 1 S FINDINGS At Step One the ALJ found Plaintiff had not engaged in substantial gainful activity from his December 15, 1999, alleged 7 - OPINION AND ORDER onset date through his September 30, 2006, date last insured. Tr. 31. At Step Two the ALJ found Plaintiff, before his date last insured, had the severe impairments of degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, depressive disorder not otherwise specified, and an anxiety disorder. Tr. 31. The ALJ found Plaintiff's impairment of pain in his neck, back, legs, and hands was not severe before Plaintiff's date last insured. found Plaintiff did not suffer from PTSD. Tr. 31. The ALJ Tr. 32. At Step Three the ALJ concluded Plaintiff's medically determinable impairments did not meet or medically equal one of the listed impairments in 20 C.F.R. part 404, subpart P, appendix 1, before his September 30, 2006, date last insured. Tr. 32. The ALJ found Plaintiff had the RFC to perform light work through his date last insured. Specifically [Plaintiff] was capable of lifting and/or carrying 20 pounds occasionally and 10 pounds frequently, standing and/or walking 6 of hours [sic], and sitting 6 of 8 hours. Further [Plaintiff) was capable of frequent balance, and occasionally climbing of ramps/stairs, as well as, occasionally , stooping, kneeling, crouching, and crawling. As to mental residual functional capacity, [Plaintiff] was capable of performing simple tasks with occasional public contact. Tr. 34. At Step Four the ALJ found Plaintiff did not have any past relevant work. Tr. 39. At Step Five the ALJ found Plaintiff could perform jobs that 8 - OPINION AND ORDER exist in significant numbers in the national economy before his date last insured. Tr. 39. Accordingly, the ALJ found Plaintiff was not disabled before his September 30, 2006, date last insured. DISCUSSION Plaintiff contends the ALJ erred by (1) develop the record; failing to fully (2) failing to find all of Plaintiff's impairments to be severe at Step Two; (3) improperly finding at Step Three that Plaintiff's impairments did not meet or equal a listed impairment; (4) improperly rejecting Plaintiff's testimony; and (5) improperly rejecting the opinions of Rex Turner, Ph.D., treating psychologist; Jason Quiring, Ph.D., examining psychologist; Thomas Harrison, a consultant with the Veterans Administration (VA); and William Lussier, examining physician's assistant. I. The ALJ did not fail to fully develop the record. Plaintiff asserts the ALJ erred by failing to fully develop the record. Specifically, Plaintiff contends the ALJ did not obtain all of Plaintiff's records from Sacred Heart Medical Center or the Veterans Administration. The Social Security Regulations require the Commissioner to develop a claimant's medical record as follows: "Before we make a determination that you are not disabled, we will develop your 9 - OPINION AND ORDER complete medical history for at least the 12 months preceding the month in which you file your application." § 404.1512(d). 20 C.F.R. Here the record reflects the Commissioner contacted each medical source identified by Plaintiff in his application and requested Plaintiff's medical records. Moreover, Plaintiff submitted additional records from the VA to the Appeals Council, and those records were considered during the review process. Finally, Plaintiff was represented by an attorney at the administrative level, and counsel did not assert there were records missing or that additional records could provide more information as to Plaintiff's condition before his September 30, 2006, date last insured. On this record the Court concludes the ALJ did not fail to fully develop the record. II. The alleged error by the ALJ at Step Two was harmless. Plaintiff contends the ALJ erred by failing to find at Step Two that Plaintiff suffered from PTSD and bipolar disorder. As noted, at Step Two the claimant is not disabled if the Commissioner determines the claimant does not have any medically severe impairment or combination of impairments. Commissioner, 454 F. 3d 1050, 1052 ( gth Cir. 2006) . C.F.R. § 404.1520(a) (4) (ii). Stout v. See also 20 A severe impairment "significantly limits" a claimant's "physical or mental ability to do basic work activities." 20 C.F.R. 10 - OPINION AND ORDER § 404.152l(a). See also Ukolov, 420 F.3d at 1003. The ability to do basic work activities is defined as ''the abilities and aptitudes necessary to do most jobs.'' C.F.R. §§ 404.1521(a), (b). 20 Such abilities and aptitudes include walking, standing, sitting, lifting, pushing, pulling, reaching, carrying, handling, seeing, hearing, speaking; understanding, carrying out, and remembering simple instructions; using judgment; responding appropriately to supervision, co-workers, and usual work situations; and dealing with changes in a routine work setting. Id. The Step Two threshold is low: [A]n impairment can be considered as not severe only if it is a slight abnormality which has such a minimal effect on the individual that it would not be expected to interfere with the individual's ability to work . [T]he severity regulation is to do no more than allow the Secretary to deny benefits summarily to those applicants with impairments of a minimal nature which could never prevent a person from working. SSR 85-28, at *2 (Nov. 30, 1984) (internal quotations omitted). The record reflects even though Plaintiff was diagnosed with PTSD in 2002, Dr. Turner noted in 2004 that "the Mississippi Combat Scale as a psychological test was not designed to measure non-combat caused PTSD, and represents a dubious choice among psychological tests for that purpose." Tr. 386. After administering a number of psychological tests, Dr. Turner concluded Plaintiff did not have PTSD. Tr. 388. In addition, there is not any evidence in this record that any medical source 11 - OPINION AND ORDER diagnosed Plaintiff with bipolar disorder. The Ninth Cfrcuit has held a diagnosis from an acceptable medical source is a prerequisite to a finding that a medically determinable impairment exists and symptoms by themselves are not sufficient to establish such an impairment. Ukolov v. Barnhart, 420 F.2d 1002, 1005-06 (9th Cir. 2005). Finally, the Ninth Circuit has held when the ALJ has resolved Step Two in a claimant's favor, any error in designating specific impairments as severe does not prejudice a claimant at Step Two. Burch v. Barnhart, 400 F.3d 676, 682 (9th Cir. 2005) (any error in omitting an impairment from the severe impairments identified at Step Two was harmless when Step Two was resolved in claimant's favor). Because the ALJ resolved Step Two in Plaintiff's favor, the Court concludes any error by the ALJ in failing to identify PTSD or bipolar disorder as a severe impairment is harmless. III. The ALJ did not err at Step Three. Plaintiff contends the ALJ erred at Step Three by finding that Plaintiff failed to meet Listings 1.04(A), 1.04(C), and 12.02. A. Listings 1.04(A) and (C) To meet Listings 1.04(A) and (C) Plaintiff must establish he has a [d]isorder[] of the spine (e.g., herniated nucleus pulposus, spinal arachnoiditis, spinal stenosis, 12 - OPINION AND ORDER osteoarthritis, degenerative disc disease, facet arthritis, vertebral fracture), resulting in compromise of a nerve root (including the cauda equina) or the spinal cord. With: A. Evidence of nerve root compression characterized by neuro-anatomic distribution of pain, limitation of motion of the spine, motor loss (atrophy with associated muscle weakness or muscle weakness) accompanied by sensory or reflex loss and, if there is involvement of the lower back, positive straight-leg raising test (sitting and supine); or * * * C. Lumbar spinal stenosis resulting in pseudoclaudication , established by findings on appropriate medically acceptable imaging, manifested by chronic nonradicular pain and weakness, and resulting in inability to ambulate effectively, as defined in 1.00B2b. 20 C.F.R. pt. 404, subpt. P., app. 1, § 1.04. Listing 1.04 requires compromise of a nerve root or the spinal cord. The record, however, does not reflect Plaintiff has a compromised nerve root or spinal cord. The record also does not reflect Plaintiff has nerve-root compression characterized by neuroanatomic distribution of pain, limitation of motion of the spine, or motor loss (atrophy with associated muscle weakness or muscle weakness) accompanied by sensory or reflex loss. The record, however, reflects Plaintiff has mild foraminal stenosis, "no significant central canal or lateral recess stenosis," and "minimal degenerative disc disease." Tr. 637-38. In addition, the record does not reflect Plaintiff is 13 - OPINION AND ORDER unable ambulate effective ly as defined in Listing l.OOB2b. Listing 1.00B2b provides: (1) Definition . Inability to ambulate effective ly means an extreme limitation of the ability to walk; i.e., an impairmen t(s) that interferes very seriously with the individua l's ability to independe ntly initiate, sustain, or complete activities . Ineffectiv e ambulation is defined generally as having insufficie nt lower extremity functionin g . , . to permit independe nt ambulation without the use of a hand-held assistive device(s) that. limits the functionin g of both upper extremitie s. * * * (2) To ambulate effective ly, individua ls must be capable of sustaining a reasonable walking pace over a sufficien t distance to be able to carry out activities of daily living. They must have the ability to travel without companion assistance to and from a place of employmen t or school. Therefore , examples of ineffectiv e ambulation include, but are not limited to, the inability to walk without the use of a walker, two crutches or two canes, the inability to walk a block at a reasonable pace on rough or uneven surfaces, the inability to use standard public transporta tion, the inability to carry out routine ambulatory activities , such as shopping and banking, and the inability to climb a few steps at a reasonable pace with the use of a single hand rail. The ability to walk independe ntly about one's home without the use of assistive devices does not, in and of itself, constitute effective ambulation . The record reflects Plaintiff uses a single cane to ambulate (which was not prescribed by any medical profes.sio nal). As noted, however, § 1.00B2b defined the as requiring two canes to walk. he was to ambulate" In addition, Plaintiff reported to attend to all [activitie s of daily living]." 14 - OPINION AND ORDER Tr. 593. The record also contains references to several instances in which treatment providers noted Plaintiff's gait was stable and he did not have difficulty ambulating. Tr. 512, 536. On this record the Court concludes the ALJ did not err when he found Plaintiff did not have an impairment or combination of impairments that met Listings 1.04(A) or (C) before his September 30, 2006, date last insured. B. Listing 12.02 Although he does not cite Listing 12.02 specifically, Plaintiff appears to contend the ALJ erred when he found Plaintiff did not meet this Listing for Organic Mental Disorders. To meet Listing 12.02 Plaintiff must establish "the requirements in both A and B are satisfied, or when the requirements in C are satisfied." Plaintiff asserts he meets Listing 12.02 (A) (6), which requires "[e)motional lability (e.g., explosive temper outbursts, sudden crying, etc.) and impairment in impulse control." The record, however, reflects Plaintiff's health-care providers found Plaintiff's impulse control to be intact. Tr. 381, 664, 726. In addition, Plaintiff does not assert and the record does not reflect any health-care provider found Plaintiff suffers from any of the B or C criteria. On this record the Court concludes the ALJ did not err when he found Plaintiff did not have an impairment or combination of impairments that satisfied Listing 12.02 before his September 15 - OPINION AND ORDER 30, 2006, date last insured. Accordingly, the Court concludes the ALJ did not err at Step Three when he found Plaintiff's medically determinable impairments did not meet or medically equal one of the listed impairments in 20 C.F.R. part 404, subpart P, appendix 1, before his September 30, 2006, date last insured. IV. The ALJ provided clear and convincing reasons for partially rejecting Plaintiff's testimony. Plaintiff alleges the ALJ erred by failing to provide clear and convincing reasons for partially rejecting Plaintiff's testimony. In Cotton v. Bowen the Ninth Circuit established two requirements for a claimant to present credible symptom testimony: The claimant must produce objective medical evidence of an impairment or impairments, and he must show the impairment or combination of impairments could reasonably be expected to produce some degree of symptom. Cir. 1986). Cotton, 799 F.2d 1403, 1407 (9th The claimant, however, need not produce objective medical evidence of the actual symptoms or their severity. Smolen, 80 F.3d at 1284. If the claimant satisfies the above test and there is not any affirmative evidence of malingering, the ALJ can reject the claimant's pain testimony only if he provides clear and convincing reasons for doing so. Parra v. Astrue, 481 F.3d 742, 750 (9th Cir. 2007) (citing Lester v. Chater, 81 F.3d 821, 834 (9'h 16 - OPINION AND ORDER Cir. 1995)). General assertions that the claimant's testimony is not credible are insufficient. The ALJ must identify "what Id. testimony is not credible and what evidence undermines the claimant's complaints." I d. (quoting Lester, 81 F. 3d at 834) . At the hearing Plaintiff testified he has chronic pain, problems with his nerves, and problems with his spine. Plaintiff testified he cannot sit in one position for "long periods of time," and he has to continually shift and move. Tr. 45. Plaintiff stated he cannot sit longer than 15 minutes or he becomes numb from the waist down. Plaintiff stated he has meralgia paresthetica on the inside of his legs which affects his ability to walk and stand. Tr. 46. Plaintiff testified he can only walk three blocks before he has severe leg pain. Tr. 47. Plaintiff also characterized his mental state as erratic and testified he has a lot of paranoia and anxiety as well as "anger and irritability issues." Tr. 50-52. The ALJ found Plaintiff's "medically determinable impairments could reasonably be expected to cause some of [Plaintiff's] alleged symptoms," but he concluded Plaintiff's testimony "concerning the intensity, persistence, and limiting effects" of his symptoms "are not credible to the extent they are inconsistent with the [RFC] ." Tr. 35. The ALJ noted MRI studies of Plaintiff's lumbar spine showed only scattered degenerative changes, mild degenerative disc disease, and mild foraminal 17 - OPINION AND ORDER ' ' stenosis. He ALJ noted Plaintiff's medical providers primarily prescribed and/or advised conservative treatments such as physical therapy, acupuncture, and anti-inflammatories. Plaintiff's mental-health records show he was on a low dose of Paxil for a short period of time. In addition, the ALJ noted Linda Clausen, L.C.S.W., stated in her treatment notes of March 2004 that "in two years of counseling [Plaintiff's] gains [have been] minimal at best." Tr. 669. L.C.S.W. Clausen stated "the issue of secondary gain cannot as yet be ruled out as one of the barriers to therapeutic progress. He claims to be severely disabled by PTSD, but this clinician has not observed the degree of disability he claims." Tr. 669. On January 30, 2004, examining nurse practitioner (N.P.) Mical Dutson reported Plaintiff exhibited "almost an overexaggerated pain response." Tr. 689. N.P. Dutson noted "when [Plaintiff was] test walking, there was no limp but coming into the clinic from the waiting room, there was a significant rightsided limp that appeared to be somewhat exaggerated from exam findings." Tr. 689. Finally N.P. Dutson noted "possibly not some of the best efforts were elicited to test against strength." Tr. 689. Similarly, Dr. Turner noted in his January 2004 examination that Plaintiff reported he was limited by his back injury and pain as well as socially isolated. As a result, Plaintiff reported has engaged in reduced recreational 18 - OPINION AND ORDER activities. Tr. 388. Dr. Turner stated, however, that he had "conflicting information in that regard." Tr. 388. Specifically, Dr. Turner noted: I was party to a recent case review meeting wherein [Plaintiff's] Social Worker noted seeing him at the Country Fair, apparently socializing in large crowds and having a good time. The staff psychiatrist noted seeing [Plaintiff] in a park in recent months being very physically active, and showing few signs of pain or physical limitation. Tr. 388. On this record the Court finds the ALJ provided clear and convincing reasons supported by substantial evidence in the record for finding Plaintiff's testimony was not entirely credible as to the intensity, persistence, and limiting effects of his conditions. The Court, therefore, concludes the ALJ did not err when he rejected Plaintiff's testimony in part. V. Opinions of medical and lay sources Plaintiff contends the ALJ erred when he rejected the opinions of Dr. Turner, treating psychologist; Jason Quiring, examining psychologist; Thomas Harrison, a vocationalrehabilitation consultant with the VA; and William Lussier, examining physician's assistant. A. Drs. Turner and Quiring An ALJ may reject an examining physician's opinion when it is inconsistent with the opinions of other treating or examining physicians if the ALJ makes "findings setting forth 19 - OPINION AND ORDER . ' specific, legitimate reasons for doing so that are based on substantial evidence in the record." F.3d 947, 957 Thomas v, Barnhart, 278 (9th Cir. 2002) (quoting Magallanes v. Bowen, 881 F.2d 747, 751 (9th Cir, 1989)). When the medical opinion of an examining or treating physician is uncontroverted, however, the ALJ must give "clear and convincing reasons" for rejecting it. Thomas, 278 F. 3d at 957. See also Lester v. Chater, 81 F.3d 821, 830-32 (9tt Cir. 1995). 1. Dr . Turner In January 2004 Dr. Turner assessed Plaintiff with a GAF of 48. 3 The ALJ rejected Dr. Turner's assessment of Plaintiff's GAF on the ground that it was inconsistent with Dr. Turner's treatment reports and the medical record. For example, the ALJ noted Dr. Turner reported Plaintiff's thought processes were clear, his communication was direct, and he had intact memory and speech rate. Tr. 388. In addition, the ALJ noted Dr. Turner appeared to rely on Plaintiff's subjective complaints when assessing Plaintiff's GAF and, at the same time, questioned Plaintiff's credibility. 3 As noted, Dr. Turner The GAF scale is used to report a clinician's judgment of the patient's overall level of functioning on a scale of 1 to 100. A GAF of 41-50 indicates serious symptoms (suicidal ideation, severe obsessional rituals frequent shoplifting) or any serious impairment in social, occupational, or school functioning (e.g., few friends, unable to keep a job). Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders IV (DSM-IV) 31-34 (4th ed. 2 000) . 20 - OPINION AND ORDER ' ' reported information from Plaintiff's social worker and a VA staff psychiatrist that contradicted Plaintiff's self-reported pain and limitations. On this record the Court concludes the ALJ did not err when he rejected Dr. Turner's GAF assessment of Plaintiff because the ALJ provided legally sufficient reasons supported by substantial evidence in the record for doing so. 2. Dr. Quiring In July 2005 Dr. Quiring conducted a psychological evaluation of Plaintiff connected to Plaintiff's request for an increase in his VA disability rating. Dr. Quiring noted Plaintiff's thought processes were logical; his communication was normal; he had an average ability to maintain personal hygiene; and his speech was normal in rate, volume, and tone. Tr. 488-89. Dr. Quiring found Plaintiff had a generalized anxiety disorder and assessed Plaintiff with a GAF of 39. 4 The ALJ rejected Dr. Quiring's assessment of Plaintiff's GAF on the grounds that it was inconsistent with Dr. Quiring's examination, inconsistent with the medical record, and based on Plaintiff's subjective complaints that the ALJ had found not were not credible. Tr. 37. As noted, the record reflects Dr. Turner and L.C.S.W. Clausen 4 A GAF of 31-40 reflects "[s]ome impairment in reality testing or communication . OR major impairment in several areas, such as work or school, family relations, judgment, thinking, or mood)." Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders IV (DSM-IV) 32 (4th ed. 2000). 21 - OPINION AND ORDER questioned Plaintiff's credibility with respect to the severity of his mental-health issues, and the ALJ found Plaintiff not credible with respect to the intensity and limiting effects of his impairments. On this record the Court concludes the ALJ did not err when he rejected Dr. Quiring's GAF assessment of Plaintiff because the ALJ provided legally sufficient reasons supported by substantial evidence in the record for doing so. B. William Lussier Medical sources are divided into two categories: ''acceptable'' and ''not acceptable.'' 20 C.F.R. § 416.902. Medical sources classified as ''not acceptable'' include, but are not limited to, nurse practitioners, therapists, licensed clinical social workers, and chiropractors. SSR 06-03p, at *2. Factors the ALJ should consider when determining the weight to give an opinion from those sources include the length of time the source has known the claimant and the number of times and frequency that the source has seen the claimant, the consistency of the source's opinion with other evidence in the record, the relevance of -the source's opinion, the quality of the source's explanation of his opinion, and the source's training and expertise. *4. SSR 06-03p, at On the basis of the particular facts and the above factors, the ALJ may assign a not-acceptable medical source either greater or lesser weight than that of an acceptable medical source. 22 - OPINION AND ORDER SSR I < 06-03p, at *5-6. The ALJ, however, must explain the weight assigned to such sources to the extent that a claimant or subsequent reviewer may follow the ALJ's reasoning. SSR 06-03p, at *6. On June 29, 2005, Lussier, a physician's assistant (P.A.), examined Plaintiff in connection with Plaintiff's request for an increase in his disability rating by the VA. P.A. Lussier noted Plaintiff "demonstrate[d] remarkable tenderness to palpation" in his lumbar region. Tr. 377. evaluated Plaintiff's range of motion. P.A. Lussier then During that evaluation Plaintiff "suddenly collapsed across the examination table complaining of severe painful spasms in his right paravertebral region of the upper lumbar." Tr. 377. P.A. Lussier noted "no palpable spasm appreciated by the examiner in this region," but Plaintiff could not participate in the range of motion measurements after that point due to "a reported persistence of severe pain." Tr. 377. P.A. Lussier was, therefore, limited in his physical examination of Plaintiff and relied on Plaintiff's medical records and self-reports of pain. P,A. Lussier concluded Plaintiff's "state of low back pain with marked limitations in range of motion capabilities" rendered Plaintiff unemployable. Tr. 378. The ALJ gave "little weight" to P.A. Lussier's opinion on the ground that it was based in large part on Plaintiff's 23 - OPINION AND ORDER self-reported symptoms, which, as noted, the ALJ found not credible. The ALJ also noted P.A. Lussier's opinion was not supported by other evidence in the record such as the results of Plaintiff's MRI scans and Plaintiff's ability to conduct all of his activities of daily living. On this record the Court concludes the ALJ did not err when he rejected P.A. Lussier's opinion because the ALJ provided legally sufficient reasons supported by substantial evidence in the record for doing so. C. Thomas Harrison Plaintiff contends the ALJ erred when he rejected the opinion of Thomas Harrison, a vocational-rehabil itation consultant with the VA. Harrison's credentials are not set out in the record, and, therefore, the Court assumes he is not a medical source. Accordingly, the Court evaluates Harrison's opinion as lay-witness testimony. Lay-witness testimony regarding a claimant's symptoms is competent evidence that the ALJ must consider unless he "expressly determines to disregard such testimony and gives reasons germane to each witness for doing so." 236 F.3d 503, 511 (9th Cir. 2001). Lewis v. Apfel, The ALJ's reasons for rejecting lay-witness testimony must also be "specific." 454 F.3d at 1054. Nevertheless, an ALJ is not required to address each lay-witness statement or testimony on an 24 - OPINION AND ORDER Stout, ' ' "individualized, witness-by-witness basis. Rather if the ALJ gives germane reasons for rejecting testimony by one witness, the ALJ need only point to those reasons when rejecting similar testimony by a different witness." Molina v. As true, 67 4 F. 3d 1104, 1114 (9th Cir. 2012) (quotation omitted). In April 2005 Harrison reviewed Plaintiff's VA medical records and concluded: Given [Plaintiff's) limited/erratic work hx, incomplete education, virtually no transferable skills, residing in a state where the unemployment rate is greater than the national average - when combined with his SC conditions - lead me to believe this man is not employable with his present skill level. He does not possess requisite skills/education to pursue suitable/gainful employment. Tr. 647. The ALJ gave "little weight" to Harrison's opinion on the ground that it was based in large part on Plaintiff's selfreported symptoms, which, as noted, the ALJ found not credible. The ALJ also noted Harrison's opinion was contradicted by evidence in the record such as the results of Plaintiff's MRI scans and his ability to conduct all of his activities of daily living. Finally, the ALJ noted Plaintiff's ability to work is an issue reserved to the Commissioner. § See 20 C.F.R. 404.1527(d)(1). On this record the Court concludes the ALJ did not err when he rejected Harrison's opinion because the ALJ provided 25 - OPINION AND ORDER ' ' legally sufficient reasons supported by substantial evidence in the record for doing so. CONCLUSION For these reasons, the Court AFFIRMS the decision of the Commissioner and DISMISSES this matter. IT IS SO ORDERED. DATED this 23'd day of April, 2014. 26 - OPINION AND ORDER United States District Judge

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