Jones v. Commissioner, Social Security Administration, No. 6:2013cv00843 - Document 23 (D. Or. 2014)
Court Description: Opinion and Order. The Court AFFIRMS the Commissioners decision and DISMISSES this matter. Signed on 08/15/2014 by Judge Anna J. Brown. See attached 20 page Opinion and Order for full text. (bb)
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IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE DISTRICT OF OREGON VERONICA LYN JONES, Plaintiff, 6:13-cv-00843-BR OPINION AND ORDER v. CAROLYN W. COLVIN, Acting Commissioner, Social Security Administration,1 Defendant. ALAN STUART GRAF Alan Stuart Graf P.C. 208 Pine St. Floyd, VA 24091 (540)745-2519 Attorneys for Plaintiff 1 Carolyn W. Colvin became the Acting Commissioner of Social Security on February 14, 2013. Pursuant to Rule 25(d) of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, Carolyn W. Colvin should be substituted for Michael J. Astrue as Defendant in this case. No further action need be taken to continue this case by reason of the last sentence of Section 205(g) of the Social Security Act, 42 U.S.C. § 405. 1 - OPINION AND ORDER 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 JORDAN D. GODDARD Special Assistant United States Attorneys Social Security Administration 701 Fifth Avenue, Suite 2900, M/S 901 Seattle, WA 98104 (206) 615-2531 Attorneys for Defendant BROWN, Judge. Plaintiff Veronica Lyn Jones seeks judicial review of a final decision of the Commissioner of the Social Security Administration (SSA) in which she denied Plaintiff’s applications for Disability Insurance Benefits (DIB) under Title II of the Social Security Act and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) payments under Title XVI. This Court has jurisdiction to review the Commissioner’s decision pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 405(g). Following a thorough review of the record, the Court AFFIRMS the Commissioner’s final decision and DISMISSES this matter. 2 - OPINION AND ORDER ADMINISTRATIVE AND PROCEDURAL HISTORY Plaintiff filed her applications for DIB and SSI on October 9, 2009. Tr. 24.2 The applications were denied initially and on reconsideration. An Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) held a hearing on January 8, 2012. Plaintiff was represented by an attorney. Tr. 39. Tr. 39. a Vocational Expert (VE) testified at the hearing. At the hearing Plaintiff and Tr. 40-89. The ALJ issued a decision on February 15, 2012, in which he found Plaintiff was not disabled and, therefore, is not entitled to benefits. Tr. 34. That decision became the final decision of the Commissioner on March 14, 2013, when the Appeals Council denied Plaintiff’s request for review. Tr. 1. BACKGROUND Plaintiff was born on July 30, 1965, and was 44 years old at the time of the hearing. Tr. 32, 163. school and some college courses. Plaintiff completed high Tr. 45. She has past work experience as a call-center worker/telemarketer, customer-service representative, and call-center supervisor. Tr. 32, 76. Plaintiff alleges she has been disabled since October 9, 2009, due to “back,” arthritis, high-blood pressure, “leg sores,” depression, and severe headaches. 2 Tr. 177. Citations to the official transcript of record filed by the Commissioner on December 19, 2013, are referred to as “Tr.” 3 - OPINION AND ORDER Except when noted, Plaintiff does not challenge the ALJ’s summary of the medical evidence. After carefully reviewing the medical records, this Court adopts the ALJ’s summary of the medical evidence. See Tr. 21-28. 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 her 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. 42 U.S.C. § 405(g). 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 4 - OPINION AND ORDER accept as adequate to support a conclusion.” Molina, 674 F.3d. at 1110-11 (quoting Valentine v. Comm’r Soc. Sec. Admin., 574 F.3d 685, 690 (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. 5 - OPINION AND ORDER Keyser v. Comm’r of Soc. Sec. Admin., 648 F.3d 721, 724 (9th Cir. 2011). See also Parra v. Astrue, 481 F.3d 742, 746 (9th Cir. 2007); 20 C.F.R. §§ 404.1520, 416.920. Each step is potentially dispositive. 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), 416.920(a)(4)(I). See also Keyser, 648 F.3d at 724. 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), 416.920(a)(4)(ii). 20 C.F.R. §§ 404.1509, See also Keyser, 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), 416.920(a)(4)(iii). F.3d at 724. 20 C.F.R. See also Keyser, 648 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 6 - OPINION AND ORDER regular and continuing basis despite her limitations. §§ 404.1520(e), 416.920(e). (SSR) 96-8p. See also Social Security Ruling “A ‘regular and continuing basis’ means 8 hours a day, for 5 days a week, or an equivalent schedule.” at *1. 20 C.F.R. SSR 96-8p, 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 (9th Cir. 1989)). The assessment of a claimant’s RFC is at the heart of Steps Four and Five of the sequential analysis when the ALJ is determining whether a claimant can still work despite severe medical impairments. An improper evaluation of the claimant’s ability to perform specific work-related functions “could make the difference between a finding of ‘disabled’ and ‘not disabled.’” SSR 96-8p, at *4. At Step Four the claimant is not disabled if the Commissioner determines the claimant retains the RFC to perform work she has done in the past. 416.920(a)(4)(iv). 20 C.F.R. §§ 404.1520(a)(4)(iv), See also Keyser, 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. 416.920(a)(4)(v). 20 C.F.R. §§ 404.1520(a)(4)(v), See also Keyser, 648 F.3d at 724-25. Here the burden shifts to the Commissioner to show a significant number of jobs exist in the national economy that the claimant can perform. 7 - OPINION AND ORDER 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-Vocational 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), 416.920(g)(1). ALJ’S FINDINGS At Step One the ALJ found Plaintiff has not engaged in substantial gainful activity since October 9, 2009, her alleged onset date. Tr. 26. At Step Two the ALJ found Plaintiff has the severe impairments of obstructive sleep apnea, morbid obesity, mild lumbar spondylosis, and major depressive disorder.3 Tr. 26. At Step Three the ALJ found Plaintiff’s impairments do not meet or equal the criteria for any impairment in the Listing of Impairments. Tr. 23. The ALJ found Plaintiff has the RFC to perform sedentary work with the functional limitations of lifting and carrying of 10 pounds occasionally and less than 10 pounds frequently, standing and walking two hours of an eight hour workday and sitting six hours of an eight hour workday. She can occasionally climb 3 The Court notes the ALJ based his findings as to these impairments on the medical diagnoses of Plaintiff that appear in the record rather than statements in Plaintiff’s applications. See Tr. 26, 177. 8 - OPINION AND ORDER stairs and ramps, balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl and never climb ladders, ropes or scaffolds. She is to avoid even moderate exposure to unprotected heights and moving/dangerous machinery. The claimant can perform unskilled work (routine, repetitive tasks with simple instructions) with occasional public contact. Tr. 29. At Step Five the ALJ found Plaintiff could perform jobs that exist in significant numbers in the national economy such as a clerical addresser, credit clerk, and telephone operator for a business answering service. Tr. 30. Accordingly, the ALJ found Plaintiff is not disabled. DISCUSSION Plaintiff contends the ALJ erred by (1) improperly rejecting the opinions of examining physicians Paul C. Coelho, M.D., and Pamela R. Roman, Ph.D,4 and (2) improperly rejecting Plaintiff’s testimony. I. Medical Opinion Testimony Plaintiff contends the ALJ failed to fully credit the opinions of Drs. Coelho and Roman. An ALJ may reject a treating physician’s opinion when it is inconsistent with the opinions of other treating or examining physicians if the ALJ makes findings setting forth specific, 4 According to the parties, Dr. Roman was formerly Dr. Joffe. See Tr. 220-25 (record signed as Dr. Joffe); 346-47 (record signed as Dr. Roman). 9 - OPINION AND ORDER legitimate reasons for doing so that are supported by substantial evidence in the record. Taylor v. Comm’r of Soc. Sec. Admin., 659 F.3d 1228, 1232 (9th Cir. 2011). When the medical opinion of a treating physician is uncontroverted, however, the ALJ must give “clear and convincing reasons” for rejecting it. Turner v. Comm’r of Soc. Sec., 613 F.3d 1217, 1222 (9th Cir. 2010)(quoting Lester v. Chater, 81 F.3d 821, 830–31 (9th Cir. 1995)). The opinion of a treating physician is “given greater weight than the opinions of other physicians.” Kelly v. Astrue, No. 10–36147, 2012 WL 767306, at *1 (9th Cir. 2012)(quoting Smolen v. Chater, 80 F.3d 1273, 1285 (9th Cir. 1996)). A nonexamining physician is one who neither examines nor treats the claimant. Cir. 1995). Lester v. Chater, 81 F.3d 821, 830 (9th See also Garrison v. Colvin, No. 12-CV-15103, 2014 WL 3397218, at *13 (9th Cir. 2014). "The opinion of a nonexamining physician cannot by itself constitute substantial evidence that justifies the rejection of the opinion of either an examining physician or a treating physician." at 1233 (quoting Lester, 81 F.3d at 831). Taylor, 659 F.3d When a nonexamining physician's opinion contradicts an examining physician's opinion and the ALJ gives greater weight to the nonexamining physician's opinion, the ALJ must articulate her reasons for doing so with specific and legitimate reasons supported by substantial evidence. See, e.g., Ryan v. Comm’r of Soc. Sec., 528 F.3d 1194, 10- OPINION AND ORDER 1198 (9th Cir. 2008). A nonexamining physician's opinion can constitute substantial evidence if it is supported by other evidence in the record. Morgan v. Comm’r of Soc. Sec. Admin., 169 F.3d 595, 600 (9th Cir. 1999). See also Simpson v. Astrue, No. 10-cv-06399-BR, 2012 WL 1340113, at *5 (D. Or. Apr. 18, 2012). A. Dr. Coelho Plaintiff was referred by Disability Determination Services (DDS)5 to Dr. Coelho for a comprehensive orthopedic evaluation to assess Plaintiff for back pain, arthritis, and back sores. evaluation took place on December 21, 2009. The Tr. 214-18. Dr. Coelho noted Plaintiff is “morbidly obese” and that her “affect is somewhat flat, although there are no overt pain behaviors.” Tr. 215. Dr. Coelho examined Plaintiff’s vascular system, range of motion, and lower extremities and performed a functional evaluation. Dr. Coelho noted Plaintiff is able to lift, to grasp, and to manipulate small objects with her hands; her gait is nonantalgic (although she is obese and waddles “somewhat”); her straight-raise leg test was “negative bilaterally”; and her mental status was intact. Tr. 216. Dr. Coelho also reviewed a “lumbar AP and lateral plain film 5 DDS is a federally funded state agency that makes eligibility determinations on behalf and under the supervision of the Social Security Administration pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 421(a) and 20 C.F.R. § 416.903. 11- OPINION AND ORDER series” of Plaintiff’s back. Tr. 217. Dr. Coelho diagnosed Plaintiff with lumbar spondylosis, lumbago, bilateral sciatic pain, morbid obesity, venostasis ulcers in the left leg, depression, and sleep apnea. Tr. 217. Dr. Coelho opined Plaintiff’s obesity and lumbar spondylosis are “certainly likely to . . . limit her ability to stand and walk for anything more than 10-15 minutes . . . [but] should not limit her ability to lift and carry items which weigh 10-15 pounds.” Tr. 217. Dr. Coelho also “suspected” Plaintiff’s sciatic pain is due to lumbar spinal stenosis, but he was unable to confirm this suspicion in light of the lack of a “lumbar MRI” or “axial CT." Tr. 217-18. He, nevertheless, opined “the posterior bridging osteophytes seen at L3-4 is [sic] in a position to encroach upon the spinal canal and may be related to the patient’s bilateral sciatic symptoms.” Tr. 217-18. Dr. Coelho opined “[t]his would also limit [Plaintiff’s] ability to stand, walk, and sit for prolonged periods of time.” 18. Tr. 217- Accordingly, Dr. Coleho “suspect[ed] that [Plaintiff] could do so for no more than 10-15 minutes at a time, without a position change.” Tr. 218. Dr. Coelho opined Plaintiff’s venostasis ulcers are likely to be functionally limiting if she has to sit or stand for more than two hours at a time throughout the day. Tr. 218. The ALJ gave “no weight” to the opinion of Dr. Coelho 12- OPINION AND ORDER because “the only imaging is quite benign and neurological examinations [are] negative,” and they undermine Dr. Coelho’s conclusion that Plaintiff has lumbar spondylosis and bilateral sciatic pain. Tr. 31. Moreover, although Dr. Coelho opined Plaintiff’s ability to sit, to stand, or to walk is limited “for any significant intervals”, the ALJ observed at the hearing that Plaintiff sat “for a full hour without a single change of positions and did not exhibit any pain behaviors.” Tr. 31. In addition, despite Plaintiff’s complaints of pain, the ALJ noted the medical record shows Plaintiff had only been taking prescription-level ibuprofen for approximately one year and tramadol for two weeks, and the record contains little evidence of Plaintiff seeking treatment for her alleged pain. Tr. 31. The Court concludes on this record that the ALJ did not err when he did not give any weight to the opinion of Dr. Coelho because the ALJ provided legally sufficient reasons supported by substantial evidence in the record for doing so. B. Dr. Roman Plaintiff was referred to Dr. Roman by Oregon Department of Human Services for a psychodiagnostic evaluation, which took place on December 28, 2009. Tr. 220-25. Dr. Roman’s evaluation consisted of a clinical interview of Plaintiff and a series of tests that included the Wechsler Memory Scale, Revised (WMS-R); the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale, 13- OPINION AND ORDER Third Edition (WAIS-III); the Woodcock-Johnson III, Test of Achievement; and the Beck Depression Inventory - Second Edition (BDI-II). Dr. Roman gave Plaintiff Axis I diagnoses of major depressive disorder, recurrent, severe, without psychotic features and “Partner Relational Problem”; an Axis II diagnosis of “Rule Out . . . Borderline Intellectual Functioning”; an Axis III diagnoses of obesity, sleep apnea, hyperlipidemia, high blood pressure, and back pain; and a GAF6 of 50 indicating serious symptoms. Tr. 224. Dr. Roman opined Plaintiff may have borderline intellectual functioning and that “it would likely be quite difficult” for Plaintiff to maintain attention and concentration throughout a normal work week and workday. Tr. 224. Dr. Roman noted Plaintiff seemed to be “rather avoidant and is embarrassed about her weight and mood.” Tr. 224. On January 12, 2012, Dr. Roman completed a Mental Residual Function Capacity Report for Plaintiff in which Dr. Roman opined Plaintiff was “markedly limited” in her ability to maintain attention and concentration for extended periods, to perform activities within a schedule, to maintain regular attendance, and 6 A Global Assessment of Functioning (GAF) score rates a person’s psychological, social, and occupational functioning on a hypothetical continuum of mental-health illness. See DSM-1V at 34. 14- OPINION AND ORDER to be punctual within customary tolerances. Tr. 346-47. Dr. Roman also opined Plaintiff was “moderately limited” in her ability to understand, to remember, and to carry out detailed instructions; to work in coordination with or in proximity to others without being distracted by them; to complete a normal workday without interruptions from psychologically-based symptoms and to perform at a consistent pace without an unreasonable number and length of rest periods; and to interact appropriately with the general public. Dr. Roman opined Plaintiff’s prognosis was poor, but Dr. Roman did not know Plaintiff’s onset date even though she sated Plaintiff’s condition has lasted or will last at least twelve months. Tr. 347. The ALJ acknowledged Dr. Roman’s December 2009 evaluation of Plaintiff and the January 2012 Mental Residual RFC of Plaintiff, but the ALJ still gave Dr. Roman’s opinion “no weight.” Tr. 31. The AJL noted as of April 2011 Plaintiff’s treating physicians characterized Plaintiff’s depression as “mild” and “fairly well controlled with medication.” Tr. 30, 337. The ALJ concluded “there is no explanation for [Dr. Roman’s] enhanced assessment of severity” and found it to be inconsistent with the assessment Plaintiff’s treating physician, Peter B. Schur, Ph.D. Tr. 30. In March 2010 and March 2012 Dr. Schur assigned Plaintiff a GAF of 55 “indicating moderate symptoms or moderate difficulty in social, occupational or social functioning.” 15- OPINION AND ORDER Tr. 281, 380. The ALJ also noted Dr. Roman’s January 2012 RFC of Plaintiff took place three years after Dr. Roman’s initial evaluation of Plaintiff and was not accompanied by any additional information. Tr. 30. Moreover, the Court notes the record does not reflect that Dr. Roman examined Plaintiff prior to completing her evaluation of Plaintiff’s RFC or that Plaintiff had seen Dr. Roman between her initial evaluation and completion of the RFC form. The Court concludes on this record that the ALJ did not err when he did not give any weight to the opinion of Dr. Roman because the ALJ provided legally sufficient reasons supported by substantial evidence in the record for doing so. II. Plaintiff’s Testimony Plaintiff alleges the ALJ erred by failing to give clear and convincing reasons for rejecting Plaintiff's testimony as to her alleged limitations. 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 she must show the impairment or combination of impairments could reasonably be expected to produce some degree of symptom. 1986). 799 F.2d 1403, 1407 (9th Cir. The claimant, however, need not produce objective medical evidence of the actual symptoms or their severity. 16- OPINION AND ORDER 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 she 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 (9th Cir. 1995)). General assertions that the claimant's testimony is not credible are insufficient. Id. The ALJ must identify "what testimony is not credible and what evidence undermines the claimant's complaints." Id. (quoting Lester, 81 F.3d at 834). At the hearing Plaintiff testified she stopped working in October 2008 because the facility she was working for at the time closed for economic reasons. Tr. 45. Plaintiff testified she is unable to work because her back pain makes it difficult to sit, to stand, or to walk for long periods. Tr. 48. She also stated she has difficulty staying awake during the day due to insomnia. Tr. 48-49. Plaintiff testified she only had three weeks of physical therapy for her back pain and that the physical therapist recommended she use a walker. Tr. 50-51. Plaintiff testified she uses compression socks and keeps her legs elevated twice a day for approximately an hour or two to prevent her legs from swelling and to prevent ulcers from forming. Tr. 52. Plaintiff also testified she is “severely depressed” and 17- OPINION AND ORDER takes Prozac and another unspecified medication to treat her depression. Tr. 52-53. Plaintiff testified she sleeps, cries, or wants to be alone on days that she is depressed. Tr. 53. Plaintiff stated she has seen a counselor for her depression, but she stopped going approximately one and a half years ago because her counselor thought she “was doing okay.” Tr. 54. Plaintiff also testified she has a difficult time focusing, speaking clearly, and communicating with certain people. Tr. 55-59. The ALJ concluded Plaintiff’s medically determinable impairments could reasonably be expected to cause Plaintiff's alleged symptoms, but he concluded Plaintiff’s testimony concerning the intensity, persistence, and limiting effects of her symptoms are not credible. Tr. 30. The ALJ noted Plaintiff’s testimony at the hearing that Plaintiff’s counselor advised Plaintiff that she did not need to continue counseling sessions because there was not any further need, and the ALJ found that advice to be consistent with the medical record in which Plaintiff “provided [numerous] representations of her state of mind and the counselor’s notation that [Plaintiff] could return as needed if she wanted more sessions.” Tr. 30, 343. The ALJ also noted Plaintiff once reported her depression was above a five on a zero-to-ten scale and one week later reported it had decreased significantly. Tr. 30, 343-44. 18- OPINION AND ORDER The ALJ also found persuasive that Dr. Schur assigned Plaintiff a GAF of 55, which indicates moderate symptoms or moderate difficulty in social, occupational, or academic functioning. Tr. 30. Although the record shows at least one provider, Martha Griffith, P.A.-C (Physicians Assistant Certified), opined a CPAP machine would help Plaintiff “with many different comorbidities in her health,” the ALJ noted Plaintiff had not consistently used her CPAP machine. Tr. 284. With respect to Plaintiff’s back pain, the ALJ noted the only imaging in the record “is quite benign and neurologic examination negative.” Tr. 31. Plaintiff contends the ALJ erred, in part, because his opinion is based on incorrect facts. For example, although Plaintiff testified she used a walker, the ALJ stated the record does not reflect physician has prescribed one for Plaintiff. Tr. 31. The record, however, reflects even though a walker was not prescribed by any physician for Plaintiff to use on a consistent basis for walking, physical therapist Keith Blackwell, P.T., recommended Plaintiff use a walker for physical-therapy exercises. See Tr. 212. Accordingly, the ALJ’s statement regarding this issue was not in error. The ALJ also stated Plaintiff testified that she missed multiple appointments due to forgetfulness even though there is not any evidence in the record that she missed any appointments. 19- OPINION AND ORDER The Commissioner concedes, however, that the record reflects Plaintiff missed one appointment with physical therapist Keith Blackwell, P.T., in December 2009. Tr. 256. Nevertheless, evidence of one missed appointment is inconsistent with Plaintiff’s testimony that she missed numerous appointments, and, accordingly, the Court concludes the ALJ’s error is harmless. The Court concludes on this record that the ALJ did not err when he discredited Plaintiff’s testimony because the ALJ provided clear and convincing reasons supported by substantial evidence in the record for doing so. CONCLUSION For these reasons, the Court AFFIRMS the Commissioner’s decision and DISMISSES this matter. IT IS SO ORDERED. DATED this 15th day of August, 2014. /s/ Anna J. Brown ___________________________ ANNA J. BROWN United States District Judge 20- OPINION AND ORDER
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