Fagan v. Colvin, No. 2:2013cv00410 - Document 15 (E.D. Wash. 2014)

Court Description: ORDER denying 11 Plaintiff's Motion for Summary Judgment; granting 13 Defendant's Motion for Summary Judgment. The file is CLOSED. Signed by Judge Thomas O. Rice. (BF, Judicial Assistant)

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1 2 3 4 5 UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT EASTERN DISTRICT OF WASHINGTON 6 7 BRETT L. FAGAN, NO: 13-CV-0410-TOR 8 9 10 11 Plaintiff, ORDER GRANTING DEFENDANT’S MOTION FOR SUMMARY JUDGMENT v. CAROLYN W. COLVIN, Acting Commissioner of Social Security Administration, 12 Defendant. 13 14 BEFORE THE COURT are the parties’ cross motions for summary 15 judgment (ECF Nos. 11 and 13). Plaintiff is represented by Dana C. Madsen. 16 Defendant is represented by Richard M. Rodriguez. The Court has reviewed the 17 administrative record and the parties’ completed briefing and is fully informed. 18 For the reasons discussed below, the Court grants Defendant’s motion and denies 19 Plaintiff’s motion. 20 ORDER GRANTING DEFENDANT’S MOTION FOR SUMMARY JUDGMENT ~ 1 1 2 3 4 JURISDICTION The Court has jurisdiction over this case pursuant to 42 U.S.C. §§ 405(g). STANDARD OF REVIEW A district court’s review of a final decision of the Commissioner of Social 5 Security is governed by 42 U.S.C. § 405(g). The scope of review under §405(g) is 6 limited: the Commissioner’s decision will be disturbed “only if it is not supported 7 by substantial evidence or is based on legal error.” Hill v. Astrue, 698 F.3d 1153, 8 1158 (9th Cir. 2012) (citing 42 U.S.C. § 405(g)). “Substantial evidence” means 9 relevant evidence that “a reasonable mind might accept as adequate to support a 10 conclusion.” Id. at 1159 (quotation and citation omitted). Stated differently, 11 substantial evidence equates to “more than a mere scintilla[,] but less than a 12 preponderance.” Id. (quotation and citation omitted). In determining whether this 13 standard has been satisfied, a reviewing court must consider the entire record as a 14 whole rather than searching for supporting evidence in isolation. Id. 15 In reviewing a denial of benefits, a district court may not substitute its 16 judgment for that of the Commissioner. If the evidence in the record “is 17 susceptible to more than one rational interpretation, [the court] must uphold the 18 ALJ’s findings if they are supported by inferences reasonably drawn from the 19 record.” Molina v. Astrue, 674 F.3d 1104, 1111 (9th Cir. 2012). Further, a district 20 court “may not reverse an ALJ’s decision on account of an error that is harmless.” ORDER GRANTING DEFENDANT’S MOTION FOR SUMMARY JUDGMENT ~ 2 1 Id. at 1111. An error is harmless “where it is inconsequential to the [ALJ’s] 2 ultimate nondisability determination.” Id. at 1115 (quotation and citation omitted). 3 The party appealing the ALJ’s decision generally bears the burden of establishing 4 that it was harmed. Shinseki v. Sanders, 556 U.S. 396, 409-10 (2009). 5 FIVE-STEP SEQUENTIAL EVALUATION PROCESS 6 A claimant must satisfy two conditions to be considered “disabled” within 7 the meaning of the Social Security Act. First, the claimant must be “unable to 8 engage in any substantial gainful activity by reason of any medically determinable 9 physical or mental impairment which can be expected to result in death or which 10 has lasted or can be expected to last for a continuous period of not less than twelve 11 months.” 42 U.S.C. § 423(d)(1)(A). Second, the claimant’s impairment must be 12 “of such severity that he is not only unable to do his previous work[,] but cannot, 13 considering his age, education, and work experience, engage in any other kind of 14 substantial gainful work which exists in the national economy.” 42 U.S.C. 15 § 423(d)(2)(A). 16 The Commissioner has established a five-step sequential analysis to 17 determine whether a claimant satisfies the above criteria. See 20 C.F.R. 18 § 404.1520(a)(4)(i)-(v). At step one, the Commissioner considers the claimant’s 19 work activity. 20 C.F.R. § 404.1520(a)(4)(i). If the claimant is engaged in 20 ORDER GRANTING DEFENDANT’S MOTION FOR SUMMARY JUDGMENT ~ 3 1 “substantial gainful activity,” the Commissioner must find that the claimant is not 2 disabled. 20 C.F.R. § 404.1520(b). 3 If the claimant is not engaged in substantial gainful activities, the analysis 4 proceeds to step two. At this step, the Commissioner considers the severity of the 5 claimant’s impairment. 20 C.F.R. § 404.1520(a)(4)(ii). If the claimant suffers 6 from “any impairment or combination of impairments which significantly limits 7 [his or her] physical or mental ability to do basic work activities,” the analysis 8 proceeds to step three. 20 C.F.R. § 404.1520(c). If the claimant’s impairment 9 does not satisfy this severity threshold, however, the Commissioner must find that 10 11 the claimant is not disabled. Id. At step three, the Commissioner compares the claimant’s impairment to 12 several impairments recognized by the Commissioner to be so severe as to 13 preclude a person from engaging in substantial gainful activity. 20 C.F.R. 14 § 404.1520(a)(4)(iii). If the impairment is as severe or more severe than one of the 15 enumerated impairments, the Commissioner must find the claimant disabled and 16 award benefits. 20 C.F.R. § 404.1520(d). 17 If the severity of the claimant’s impairment does meet or exceed the severity 18 of the enumerated impairments, the Commissioner must pause to assess the 19 claimant’s “residual functional capacity.” Residual functional capacity (“RFC”), 20 defined generally as the claimant’s ability to perform physical and mental work ORDER GRANTING DEFENDANT’S MOTION FOR SUMMARY JUDGMENT ~ 4 1 activities on a sustained basis despite his or her limitations (20 C.F.R. 2 § 404.1545(a)(1)), is relevant to both the fourth and fifth steps of the analysis. 3 At step four, the Commissioner considers whether, in view of the claimant’s 4 RFC, the claimant is capable of performing work that he or she has performed in 5 the past (“past relevant work”). 20 C.F.R. § 404.1520(a)(4)(iv). If the claimant is 6 capable of performing past relevant work, the Commissioner must find that the 7 claimant is not disabled. 20 C.F.R. § 404.1520(f). If the claimant is incapable of 8 performing such work, the analysis proceeds to step five. 9 At step five, the Commissioner considers whether, in view of the claimant’s 10 RFC, the claimant is capable of performing other work in the national economy. 11 20 C.F.R. § 404.1520(a)(4)(v). In making this determination, the Commissioner 12 must also consider vocational factors such as the claimant’s age, education and 13 work experience. Id. If the claimant is capable of adjusting to other work, the 14 Commissioner must find that the claimant is not disabled. 20 C.F.R. 15 § 404.1520(g)(1). If the claimant is not capable of adjusting to other work, the 16 analysis concludes with a finding that the claimant is disabled and is therefore 17 entitled to benefits. Id. 18 The claimant bears the burden of proof at steps one through four above. 19 Lockwood v. Comm’r of Soc. Sec. Admin., 616 F.3d 1068, 1071 (9th Cir. 2010). If 20 the analysis proceeds to step five, the burden shifts to the Commissioner to ORDER GRANTING DEFENDANT’S MOTION FOR SUMMARY JUDGMENT ~ 5 1 establish that (1) the claimant is capable of performing other work; and (2) such 2 work “exists in significant numbers in the national economy.” 20 C.F.R. 3 § 404.1560(c); Beltran v. Astrue, 700 F.3d 386, 389 (9th Cir. 2012). 4 5 ALJ’S FINDINGS Plaintiff applied for Title II disability insurance benefits on December 9, 6 2010. Tr. 149-156. Plaintiff’s application was denied initially and upon 7 reconsideration. Tr. 97-99, 104-108. Plaintiff requested a hearing and appeared 8 with an attorney before an ALJ on July 25, 2012. Tr. 35-69. On September 17, 9 2012, the ALJ issued a decision denying Plaintiff benefits. Tr. 19-30. 10 The ALJ found that Plaintiff met the insured status requirement of the Social 11 Security Act through June 30, 2013. Tr. 21. At step one, the ALJ found that 12 Plaintiff had not engaged in substantial gainful activity since January 1, 2009, the 13 amended alleged onset date. Id. At step two, the ALJ found that Plaintiff had 14 severe impairments, including: depression; personality disorder with anti-social 15 and paranoid features; and migraine headaches episodic abdominal pain. Id. The 16 ALJ then determined that Plaintiff had the RFC to perform light work as defined in 17 20 C.F.R. 404.1567(b), and that he 18 19 20 can understand and remember locations, work-like procedures, and very short, simple instructions. When not abusing drugs, he can carry out very short, simple instructions, perform activities within a schedule, maintain regular attendance, and be punctual within customary tolerances. He can sustain an ordinary routine without special supervision, make simple work related decision and complete ORDER GRANTING DEFENDANT’S MOTION FOR SUMMARY JUDGMENT ~ 6 1 2 3 4 5 a normal workday and workweek without interruptions from psychologically based symptoms. He can perform at a consistent pace without an unreasonable number and length of rest periods. He can ask simple questions or request assistance. He can respond to changes in the work setting. He can be aware of normal hazards and take appropriate precautions. He can travel in unfamiliar places, use public transportation, and set realistic goals or make plans independently of others. He has the ability to work in proximity to, but not close cooperation with, others. He can have superficial contact with coworkers and supervisors. He can have no interaction with the public. 6 7 Tr. 23-24. At step four, the ALJ found that Plaintiff was unable to perform any 8 past relevant work. Tr. 28. At step five, after considering Plaintiff’s age, 9 education, work experience, and RFC, the ALJ found Plaintiff could perform other 10 work existing in significant numbers in the national economy, such as small 11 product assembler, house keeper, and hand packager. Tr. 29. Accordingly, the 12 ALJ found that Plaintiff was not disabled under the Social Security Act and denied 13 his claims on that basis. Tr. 30. 14 Plaintiff requested review by the Appeals Council on October 1, 2012. Tr. 15 14-15. The Appeals Council denied this request on October 11, 2013. Tr. 1-5, 16 making the ALJ’s decision the Commissioner’s final decision that is subject to 17 judicial review. 42 U.S.C. §§ 405(g), 1383(c)(3); 20 C.F.R. §§ 416.1481, 18 422.210. 19 20 ISSUE Whether the ALJ properly weighed the medical opinion evidence. ORDER GRANTING DEFENDANT’S MOTION FOR SUMMARY JUDGMENT ~ 7 1 2 DISCUSSION Plaintiff contends the ALJ failed to provide specific and legitimate reasons 3 for rejecting the opinions of examining psychologists Scott Mabee, Ph.D. and John 4 Arnold, Ph.D. ECF No. 11 at 11-12. 5 There are three types of physicians: “(1) those who treat the claimant 6 (treating physicians); (2) those who examine but do not treat the claimant 7 (examining physicians); and (3) those who neither examine nor treat the claimant 8 [but who review the claimant's file] (nonexamining [or reviewing] physicians).” 9 Holohan v. Massanari, 246 F.3d 1195, 1201-1202 (9th Cir. 2001) (citations 10 omitted) (brackets in original). “Generally, a treating physician's opinion carries 11 more weight than an examining physician's, and an examining physician's opinion 12 carries more weight than a reviewing physician's.” Id. If a treating or examining 13 physician’s opinion is uncontradicted, an ALJ may reject it only by offering “clear 14 and convincing reasons that are supported by substantial evidence.” Bayliss v. 15 Barnhart, 427 F.3d 1211, 1216 (9th Cir. 2005). 16 Scott Mabee, Ph.D. 17 Plaintiff first contends the ALJ improperly rejected Dr. Mabee’s opinions 18 offered in a report prepared by Amy Robinson, M.S. ECF Nos. 11 at 3-4, and 14 19 at 2. Dr. Mabee’s signature appears near the box for the releasing authority’s 20 approval, not the box for the examining professional’s signature. Tr. 288. There is ORDER GRANTING DEFENDANT’S MOTION FOR SUMMARY JUDGMENT ~ 8 1 no evidence Dr. Mabee prepared, supervised or concurred in the report. Even so, 2 the ALJ considered the evaluation and gave little weight to Ms. Robinson’s 3 opinion that “the claimant would be unable to maintain employment due his 4 irritability and aggression.” Tr. 27-28, 294. The ALJ correctly points out that Ms. 5 Robinson is an M.S. and is not considered an acceptable medical source and 6 further that her opinion was inconsistent with her examination results. Tr. 28, 292. 7 This inconsistency is a germane reason for discounting Ms. Robinson’s conclusion. 8 Dr. Mabee completed two evaluations; one in December 2009 (Tr. 435-40) 9 and one in November 2010 (Tr. 275-78). The ALJ gave significant weight to Dr. 10 Mabee’s opinion of November 2010 “because he had an opportunity to examine 11 the claimant and his opinion was consistent with the record as a whole.” Tr. 27. 12 Plaintiff complains that the ALJ did not properly reject Dr. Mabee’s opinions but 13 the ALJ incorporated the identified limitations in Plaintiff’s RFC determination. 14 The Plaintiff has failed to show the ALJ’s RFC finding is inconsistent with the 15 limitations set forth by Dr. Mabee. An ALJ's findings need only be consistent with 16 relevant assessed limitations and not identical to them. Turner v. Comm'r of Soc. 17 Sec., 613 F.3d 1217, 1222-23 (9th Cir. 2010) (holding that there is no conflict to 18 resolve when an ALJ incorporates limitations that are "entirely consistent," if not 19 identical, to a doctor's assessed limitations into the RFC); Batson v. Comm’r of 20 Social Sec. Admin., 359 F.3d 1190, 1198 (9th Cir. 2004) (finding that substantial ORDER GRANTING DEFENDANT’S MOTION FOR SUMMARY JUDGMENT ~ 9 1 evidence supported ALJ's RFC determination because the limitations included in 2 the RFC were "consistent with"—albeit not identical to—the examining 3 therapist’s). The ALJ did not err by assigning significant weight to Dr. Mabee’s 4 assessment and incorporating it in Plaintiff’s RFC. 5 John Arnold, Ph.D. 6 Next, Plaintiff argues that the ALJ did not properly consider and assess Dr. 7 Arnold’s opinion. ECF No. 11 at 11-12. On April 27, 2011, Dr. Arnold completed 8 a psychological evaluation of Plaintiff. Tr. 420-426. Dr. Arnold diagnosed 9 Plaintiff with major depressive disorder and personality disorder with borderline 10 and antisocial features. Tr. 26, 421. Dr. Arnold opined that Plaintiff would be able 11 to remember locations and simple repetitive work procedures; understand, 12 remember and carry out simple instructions; and maintain attention and 13 concentration for limited periods. Tr. 27, 422. During the examination, Plaintiff 14 was fully oriented and alert; dressed appropriately; had normal speech and 15 unremarkable psychomotor activity; scored 25/30 on his mental status 16 examination; and was goal-directed with fair insight and fair impulse control. Tr. 17 26, 424. 18 The ALJ gave significant weight to Dr. Arnold’s conclusions. Tr. 27. The 19 ALJ’s RFC finding is consistent with Dr. Arnold’s assessed limitations and thus, 20 no error has been shown. ORDER GRANTING DEFENDANT’S MOTION FOR SUMMARY JUDGMENT ~ 10 1 ACCORDINGLY, IT IS HEREBY ORDERED: 2 1. Plaintiff’s Motion for Summary Judgment, ECF No. 11, is DENIED. 3 2. Defendant’s Motion for Summary Judgment, ECF No. 13, is 4 5 6 7 GRANTED. The District Court Executive is hereby directed to file this Order, enter Judgment for Defendant, provide copies to counsel, and CLOSE this file. DATED December 29, 2014. 8 9 10 THOMAS O. RICE United States District Judge 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 ORDER GRANTING DEFENDANT’S MOTION FOR SUMMARY JUDGMENT ~ 11

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