Dearmond v. Astrue, No. 1:2011cv00244 - Document 25 (S.D. Ala. 2012)
Court Description: MEMORANDUM OPINION AND ORDER that the decision of the Commissioner be REVERSED and that this action be REMANDED for further action not inconsistent with the Orders of this Court, as further set out. Signed by Magistrate Judge Bert W. Milling, Jr on 2/29/2012. (clr)
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IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF ALABAMA SOUTHERN DIVISION KAREN S. DEARMOND, : : Plaintiff, : : vs. : : MICHAEL J. ASTRUE, : Commissioner of Social Security,: : Defendant. : CIVIL ACTION 11-0244-M MEMORANDUM OPINION AND ORDER In this action under 42 U.S.C. § 405(g), Plaintiff seeks judicial review of an adverse social security ruling which denied a claim for disability insurance benefits (Docs. 1, 16). The parties filed written consent and this action has been referred to the undersigned Magistrate Judge to conduct all proceedings and order the entry of judgment in accordance with 28 U.S.C. § 636(c) and Fed.R.Civ.P. 73 (see Doc. 22). argument was heard on February 27, 2012. Oral Upon consideration of the administrative record, the memoranda of the parties, and oral argument, it is ORDERED that the decision of the Commissioner be REVERSED and that this action be REMANDED for further action not inconsistent with the Orders of this Court. This Court is not free to reweigh the evidence or 1 substitute its judgment for that of the Secretary of Health and Human Services, Bloodsworth v. Heckler, 703 F.2d 1233, 1239 (11th Cir. 1983), which must be supported by substantial evidence. Richardson v. Perales, 402 U.S. 389, 401 (1971). The substantial evidence test requires "that the decision under review be supported by evidence sufficient to justify a reasoning mind in accepting it; it is more than a scintilla, but less than a preponderance." Brady v. Heckler, 724 F.2d 914, 918 (11th Cir. 1984), quoting Jones v. Schweiker, 551 F.Supp. 205 (D. Md. 1982). At the time of the administrative decision, Plaintiff was fifty years old, had completed high school as well as a business college educational course for legal secretaries (Tr. 36), and had previous work experience as an office assistant to a property tax collector (Doc. 24, Fact Sheet). In claiming benefits, Dearmond alleges disability due to injuries suffered in a motor vehicle accident (Doc. 24, Fact Sheet). The Plaintiff filed an application for disability insurance benefits on October 11, 2006 (Tr. 92-96; see also Tr. 16). Benefits were denied following a hearing by an Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) who determined that although she could not perform her past relevant work, Dearmond was physically capable 2 of performing specified jobs in the light and sedentary ranges of work (Tr. 16-29). Plaintiff requested review of the hearing decision (Tr. 9-12) by the Appeals Council, but it was denied (Tr. 1-4). Plaintiff claims that the opinion of the ALJ is not supported by substantial evidence. alleges that: Specifically, Dearmond (1) The ALJ did not properly consider the opinions of her treating physician; (2) the ALJ did not properly consider her nonexertional impairments of pain and fatigue; and (3) she does not have the ability to perform the jobs which the ALJ found she could do (Doc. 16). and denies these claims (Doc. 19). Defendant has responded to The relevant medical evidence of record follows. Plaintiff was admitted to Thomas Hospital on February 2-5, 2006 for an anterior cervical decompression and fusion of the C3 through C7 to aid in the relief of persistent neck, right shoulder, and arm symptoms (Tr. 181-87). It was noted that she had degenerative disk disease of the cervical spine with corresponding nerve root impingement and a radiculopathic component. medication. Dearmond was stable on discharge with pain Over the next several months, outpatient records from the hospital revealed a normal brainstem auditory-evoked 3 response, a normal EEG, and a negative MR of the brain; an MRI of the lumbar spine showed central disc protrusions at L4-5 and L5-S1, with bilateral foraminal narrowing at L5-S1 (Tr. 188-91). Dr. Paul Canale, of Baldwin Bone & Joint saw Dearmond on June 13, 2006 and noted that although she still had some neck pain, it was vastly improving following surgery (Tr. 231; see generally Tr. 226-31). He further noted that her neurovascular status was intact distally in both upper extremities; a c-spine series showed anterior cervical plates in good alignment from C3 through C7 with evidence of bone graft and bony growth within the vertebral disc spaces. On August 8, Canale noted that Dearmond could quit wearing her Miami J-style collar but could continue wearing the bone growth stimulator; she was to resume physical therapy and could return to driving and other activities as tolerated (Tr. 230). On August 30, the doctor noted that Plaintiff had suffered a recent fall and had bruising on the arms, shoulders, and back; nevertheless, she had 5/5 strength in her extremities and that sensation was intact (Tr. 227). Radiographs revealed that there had been no damage to the fusion. On October 4, Canale noted that the fusion site was essentially healed and that Dearmond could return to her usual activities; he further noted that she was still having carpal 4 tunnel symptoms on the right and that he would replace the splint that she had lost (Tr. 226). On September 26, 2006, Dr. Daniel K. Stubler, a Neurologist, examined Plaintiff whose blood pressure was 98/70; motor strength was 5/5 (Tr. 223-24, 287). Deep tendon reflexes were 2/4 throughout; sensory examination revealed some positive Tinel s sign of the right carpal tunnel and cubital tunnel on the right and negative on the left. impression was: Gait was normal. Stubler s (1) most likely encephalopathy related to depression and stress; (2) post-concussive headache syndrome, history of fibromyalgia and vertigo; (3) left lumbar radiculitis as well as cervical radiculitis status post cervical surgery; and (4) probable right carpal tunnel syndrome as well as right cubital tunnel syndrome. The doctor prescribed a low fat and low cholesterol diet. Notes from Dr. Daren A. Scroggie, a Rheumatologist, on January 13, 2006 show that Plaintiff was about to undergo surgical back fusion to relieve muscle spasm and pain; he talked with her extensively about fibromyalgia and its chronic nature, managed with medication and exercise (Tr. 248; see generally Tr. 237-51, 292). He prescribed sleep medication. On the next visit, on March 20, Scroggie noted that she was in no acute 5 distress but that there was limited lateral flexion and rotation in her neck and that extreme range of motion (hereinafter ROM) produced pain; he also noted tender paracervical musculature with spasm (Tr. 245). Scroggie noted that Dearmond was recovering well from her fusion surgery and needed less pain medicine; he talked with her again about fibromyalgia. On August 3, the doctor stated that although Plaintiff was in no acute distress, she had pain on palpation at multiple tenderpoints; he further noted that her pain had not responded to conservative measures and that he would try some compounded cream (Tr. 242). Scroggie prescribed Ambien1 for sleep and Klonipin2 for anxiety (Tr. 243). On October 25, the doctor noted limited abduction and positive impingement signs in the left shoulder, resulting from a recent fall; he also noted positive Phalen s and Tinel s signs in her wrists (Tr. 239). Dearmond was encouraged to wear wrist braces at night and to avoid precipitating activity; he discontinued her Percocet3 1 AmbienError! Main Document Only. is a class four narcotic used for the short-term treatment of insomnia. Physician's Desk Reference 2799 (62nd ed. 2008). 2 Klonopin is a class four narcotic used for the treatment of panic disorder. Error! Main Document Only.Physician's Desk Reference 2732-33 (62nd ed. 2008). 3 Percocet is used for the relief of moderate to moderately severe pain. Error! Main Document Only.Physician's Desk Reference 1125-28 (62nd ed. 2008). 6 prescription and prescribed Oxycodone4 (Tr. 240). On November 6, 2006, Orthopedist Canale noted that Plaintiff had recently fallen, injuring her neck and shoulder; he noted improvement and that x-rays showed that her fusion had not been damaged in the fall (Tr. 295). A month later, Canale noted that Dearmond had limited ROM throughout all planes as well as a positive Hawkins s sign; Plaintiff was very tender to palpation over the AC joint and had a positive empty can sign (Tr. 294). X-rays showed her left shoulder was within normal limits; he gave her an injection, in the left shoulder, of Celestone and Marcaine. On December 5, 2006, Neurologist Stubler reported that Dearmond was walking on her own and that her motor strength was 5/5; sensory examination was intact (Tr. 302-03; see generally Tr. 297-303). He noted some positive Tinel s sign of the right carpal tunnel and cubital tunnel on the right and negative on the left. Stubler s impression was 1) most likely encephalopathy; (2) post-concussive headache syndrome; (3) left lumbar radiculitis as well as cervical radiculitis; and (4) probable right carpal tunnel syndrome as well as right cubital 4 Error! Main Document Only.Oxycodone is a pure agonist opioid whose principal therapeutic action is analgesia. Physician's Desk Reference 2680-81 (62nd ed. 2008). 7 tunnel syndrome; he prescribed Gabitril5 and Wellbutrin.6 Plaintiff saw the doctor again on April 27, 2007 with complaints of dizziness and depression for which he discontinued the Wellbutrin and prescribed Antivert (Tr. 300-01). Stubler examined Dearmond on August 23 and noted no real changes. The next day, the doctor completed a physical capacities evaluation in which he indicated that Plaintiff was capable of sitting for one hour at a time and two hours during an eight-hour day; she could stand and walk for one hour, each, during an eight-hour day (Tr. 284). It was Stubler s opinion that Plaintiff could lift up to ten pounds occasionally and carry up to five pounds on an occasional basis; she was not capable of using either hand or leg controls. Dearmond would never be able to bend, squat, crawl, or climb, but could reach occasionally. The doctor indicated that she was moderately limited in her ability to work at unprotected heights and driving automobile equipment and mildly limited in being around moving machinery. Stubler also completed a pain questionnaire in which he found her to suffer pain to such an extent as to be distracting from performing her daily activities; he thought that physical activity would 5 Gabitril is an anti-epilepsy drug. Error! Main Document Only.Physician's Desk Reference 2352-53 (62nd ed. 2008). 6 Error! Main Document Only.Wellbutrin is used for treatment of 8 greatly increase her pain (Tr. 285-86). The doctor thought that medication would cause to her to suffer some side effects but that they would not be serious. On November 21, 2007, the doctor noted that Dearmond said she was exercising more and was undergoing hormonal changes; his examination and diagnostic impression was, essentially, the same as previous visits (Tr. 298). On February 20, 2008, Dr. Stubler s examination and impression showed no real changes (Tr. 297). On December 28, 2006, Rheumatologist Scroggie noted that Plaintiff was in no acute distress, but that she had limited lateral flexion and rotation in her neck and that extreme ROM produced neck pain; she also had tender paracervical musculature with spasm (Tr. 320-22; see generally Tr. 310-22). The doctor noted normal ROM in all shoulder planes with multidirectional instability though there was no tenderness to palpation of the subacromial bursa; he diagnosed fibromyalgia and depression which had improved. Scroggie further noted degenerative changes in Plaintiff s neck as well as pain and muscle spasm for which he continued physical therapy stretching exercises and relaxation techniques; he continued her prescription for oxycodone. On April 13, 2007, the doctor did not note the neck depression. Physician's Desk Reference 1120-21 (52nd ed. 1998). 9 limitations of the prior visit; otherwise, the examination and his diagnostic impression were the same (Tr. 317-19). On June 18, Dr. Scroggie reported pain on palpation of multiple tenderpoints; he otherwise, noted that she was not completely responding to opioid analgesia, so he added Namenda7 (Tr. 31416). On October 30, the doctor found that Dearmond s neck had limited lateral flexion and rotation with extreme ROM producing neck pain; he further noted tender paracervical musculature with spasm and pain on palpation at multiple tenderpoints (Tr. 31113). The Rheumatologist s impression was the same as previously noted. On July 17, 2008, Orthopedic Surgeon Dr. William A. Crotwell, III examined Plaintiff who could flex her knees Indian style: She brings her knees up to her chest, flexing them 130 to 140 degrees at the knees and bringing the knees up to her chest with no problems, rocking back and forth, moving without any problems (Tr. 332; see generally Tr. 331-34). Toe and heel walk was fairly normal; forward flexion only 30 to 40 with poor attempt. Extension only 10 percent and after just seeing her flex more than 150 degrees, she could only flex 10 percent this 7 Namenda is used for the treatment of moderate to severe dementia of the Alzheimer s type. Error! Main Document Only.Physician's Desk Reference 1181-85 (62nd ed. 2008). 10 time, so this is definitely inconsistent (id.). Crotwell noted no tenderness over the paraspinous areas and the L5-S1 generally, but none over the lumbar spine; sensory exam was spotty over the lower extremities. Motor was 5/5; straight leg raise was ninety degrees with no pain sitting while straight leg raise, while lying down, was ninety degrees with increased pain on the right and left with plantar flexion. There was [n]o change with dorsiflexion on the right and slightly increased with dorsiflexion on the left, which is again inconsistent (id.). Plaintiff had hyperextension of both elbows about ten degrees, full flexes, supination, and pronation; Dearmond complained of tenderness in general over both the medial and lateral epicondyles. In the cervical spine, she had forward flexion of fifty percent, extension of forty percent, and lateral motion of fifty percent; [s]ensory was totally decreased in the right arm over no dermatome with some very strange, spotty changes (id.). Grip strength was normal. Crotwell s impression was that she had post-operative cervical fusion C3 through C7 with no radiculopathy at the present time; he further noted a history of elbow pain, a history of carpal tunnel syndrome, a history of lumbar pain, and a history of knee pain, though he found no objective evidence of any of these. 11 This is the conclusion of the evidence reviewed by the ALJ. It should be noted that "[a] reviewing court is limited to [the certified] record [of all of the evidence formally considered by the Secretary] in examining the evidence." 760 F.2d 1186, 1193 (11th Cir. 1985). Cherry v. Heckler, However, new evidence first submitted to the Appeals Council is part of the administrative record that goes to the district court for review when the Appeals Council accepts the case for review as well as when the Council denies review. Keeton v. Department of Health and Human Services, 21 F.3d 1064, 1067 (11th Cir. 1994). However, when the [Appeals Council] has denied review, we will look only to the evidence actually presented to the ALJ in determining whether the ALJ s decision is supported by substantial evidence. Falge v. Apfel, 150 F.3d 1320, 1323 (11th Cir. 1998), cert. denied, 525 U.S. 1124 (1999). In examining the action at hand, the Court notes that the Appeals Council denied review of the additional evidence (Tr. 14). The Court further notes that Plaintiff is claiming that the ALJ s decision is not supported by substantial evidence and is not challenging the Appeals Council s decision to deny review of the new evidence (Docs. 1, 16). review the new evidence. Therefore, this Court need not Falge, 150 F.3d at 1324. 12 The Court will limit its review of the evidence to the same evidence that the ALJ considered. Dearmond claims that she does not have the ability to perform the jobs which the ALJ found she could do (Doc. 16, pp. 18-20). The Court notes that, based on questions asked of the vocational expert (hereinafter VE), the ALJ determined that Dearmond had the ability to perform the jobs of surveillance, system monitor, parking lot attendant, and gate guard (Tr. 2829). The ALJ s specific questions to the VE were as follows: Q If I were to assume a hypothetical individual who has similar age, education and past work history as Ms. Dearmond and we re to assume that this individual retains the residual functional capacity to perform light work, they could return to both of those positions? A Yes, ma am. Q And if I were to find sedentary work that she could they could not return to those positions? A Yes, ma am, that s correct. Q And if I were to also assume that they could further assume that they that such a person could perform light work activity as that s defined in the Dictionary of Occupational Titles, but they would need an option to sit or stand to relieve pain, would there be positions that the person 13 could perform? And that they would also need simple, one to two-step tasks. A There would be some positions that would be available that would be sit/stand option type jobs that would be in the light category. Some examples of those would be parking lot attendant, which would be DOT code 915.473-010. And Q Numbers? A There s 48,000 in the nation and about 850 in the state. Q There would be a surveillance system monitor, which is DOT code 379.367-010. There s about 50,000 in the nation, 1,000 in the state of Alabama. Q Okay. A There would be gate guard, which is DOT code 372.667-030. And there s 100,000 in the nation, 2,000 in the state. (Tr. 52-53). The Court notes that, according to the DOT, the surveillance system monitor is a sedentary position while parking lot attendant and gate guard are both light jobs. See http://www.occupationalinfo.org/. The Court notes that the ALJ determined that Dearmond had the ability to perform a limited range of light work. specifically, the ALJ found that the claimant s capacity for a full range of light work in inhibited by the need to 14 Even more avoid lifting and carrying of greater than 15 pounds, sit and stand at her option every 1 to 2 hours to help alleviate some credible mild symptoms, and remember, understand, and carry out more than simple work one and two step work tasks. (Tr. 26-27). The Court finds that the ALJ s finding of Plaintiff s residual functional capacity (hereinafter RFC) is inconsistent with the hypothetical questions posed of the VE. Specifically, although the ALJ s hypothetical included the option to stand or sit and the need for one-to-two step instructions, the ALJ specified light work as it s defined in the DOT (Tr. 53). Light work, under the social security regulations, specifically allows for lifting up to twenty pounds. 20 C.F.R. § 404.1567(b) (2011). The ALJ s RFC is inconsistent with the questions posed to the VE. The Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals has held that an ALJ's failure to include severe impairments suffered by a claimant in a hypothetical question to a VE to be reversible error where the ALJ relied on that expert's testimony in reaching a disability decision. 1561 (11th Cir. 1985). Pendley v. Heckler, 767 F.2d Although the ALJ s error in this action was not the failure to include severe impairments, the failure 15 to properly present Dearmond s RFC to the VE is no less serious. With this finding, the Court cannot say that the VE s and, therefore, the ALJ s conclusion that Plaintiff is capable of performing the jobs of parking lot attendant and gate guard is supported by substantial evidence as they are both light work jobs. As far as the other job, the Court notes that the DOT sets out the requirements for surveillance system monitor as follows: Monitors premises of public transportation terminals to detect crimes or disturbances, using closed circuit television monitors, and notifies authorities by telephone of need for corrective action: Observes television screens that transmit in sequence views of transportation facility sites. Pushes hold button to maintain surveillance of location where incident is developing, and telephones police or other designated agency to notify authorities of location of disruptive activity. Adjusts monitor controls when required to improve reception, and notifies repair service of equipment malfunctions. GOE: 04.02.03 STRENGTH: S GED: R3 M1 L3 SVP: 2 DLU: 86 see http://www.occupationalinfo.org/37/379367010.html. This is relevant because Plaintiff has directed the Court s attention to another inconsistency in the ALJ s opinion. Specifically, in reporting the findings by Dr. Crotwell, the ALJ stated as 16 follows: [t]he claimant was considered able to only occasionally (not frequently or repetitively) utilize her hands to grasp or push and pull, i.e. with excessive twisting and turning or repetitive overhead activities ruled out completely (Tr. 26). Dr. Crotwell actually found that Dearmond could never use her hands for pushing and pulling of arm controls or simple grasping (Tr. 334). This casts doubt on her ability to perform the job of surveillance systems monitor as the DOT states that it requires the ability to [p]ush[] hold button to maintain surveillance of location where incident is developing. While this is a small thing and might actually be an insignificant difference the Court is not in a position to make that finding.8 It does find, however, that the ALJ s conclusions cannot be found to be supported by substantial evidence. Therefore, it is ORDERED that the action be REVERSED and REMANDED to the Social Security Administration for further administrative proceedings consistent with this opinion, to include, at a minimum, a supplemental hearing for the gathering of evidence regarding what work Plaintiff can perform. will be entered by separate Order. 8 Judgment For further procedures not The Court notes that Plaintiff has also asserted that as she was fifty years old at the time of the ALJ s decision, a finding that she was capable of performing only unskilled sedentary work would mean 17 inconsistent with this recommendation, see Shalala v. Schaefer, 509 U.S. 292 (1993). DONE this 29th day of February, 2012. s/BERT W. MILLING, JR. UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE that she was disabled under the GRID (see Doc. 16, p. 20). will not, however, reach that question in this decision. 18 The Court
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