Ratajski v. Astrue, No. 3:2011cv08119 - Document 17 (D. Ariz. 2012)
Court Description: ORDER AFFIRMING the decision of the Commissioner denying disability benefits. The clerk shall enter final judgment. Signed by Judge Frederick J Martone on 6/26/12. (DMT)
Download PDF
<![CDATA[
Ratajski v. Astrue Doc. 17 1 WO 2 3 4 5 6 IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT 7 FOR THE DISTRICT OF ARIZONA 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 ) ) ) Plaintiff, ) ) vs. ) ) Michael J. Astrue, Commissioner of Social) ) Security Administration, ) ) Defendant. ) ) Stacy Ratajski, No. CV-11-8119-PCT-FJM ORDER 16 17 The court has before it plaintiff’s opening brief (doc. 12), defendant’s response (doc. 18 15), and plaintiff’s reply (doc. 16). 19 This case arises from the denial by the Social Security Administration of plaintiff’s 20 applications for disability insurance benefits and supplemental security income filed on May 21 30, 2007, alleging a disability onset of January 26, 2007. The claims were denied initially 22 and upon reconsideration. After a hearing on February 9, 2010, the administrative law judge 23 (ALJ) issued a decision denying benefits. The decision became the final decision of the 24 Commissioner when the Appeals Council denied plaintiff’s request for review. Plaintiff then 25 filed this action for judicial review under 42 U.S.C. §§ 405(g) and 1383(c)(3). 26 A district court may set aside a denial of benefits “only if it is not supported by 27 substantial evidence or if it is based on legal error.” Thomas v. Barnhart, 278 F.3d 947, 954 28 Dockets.Justia.com 1 (9th Cir. 2002). Substantial evidence is “relevant evidence which, considering the record as 2 a whole, a reasonable person might accept as adequate to support a conclusion. Where the 3 evidence is susceptible to more than one rational interpretation, one of which supports the 4 ALJ’s decision, the ALJ’s conclusion must be upheld.” Id. (citation omitted). I. 5 6 Plaintiff was 30 years old on her alleged disability onset date. She graduated from 7 high school, attended two years of college, and worked in the past as a cashier, caregiver, and 8 hostess. In December 2006, she stopped working because she was going to have a baby. On 9 January 26, 2007, one week after her son’s birth, plaintiff suffered an acute myocardial 10 infarction and congestive heart failure. She contends that the damage to her heart muscle left 11 her with ventricular dysfunction, which causes extreme fatigue and shortness of breath, that 12 in turn prevents her from engaging in gainful employment. 13 On January 29, 2007, three days after her myocardial infarction, a CT of the thorax 14 was negative for pulmonary embolism or aortic dissection. A right heart catheterization, with 15 myocardial biopsy showed no evidence of myocarditis. 16 echocardiogram showed normal wall motion with ejection fraction1 estimated at 50%, mild 17 mitral regurgitation, and mild tricuspid regurgitation. In March 2007, plaintiff received 18 follow-up care from Robert Scott, M.D., and Jerome C. Robinson, M.D. Tr. 258, 325-28. 19 Plaintiff told Dr. Scott that she was “doing fairly well,” including caring for her newborn and 20 herself independently and performing “most” of her daily activities. Tr. 258. Drs. Scott and 21 Robinson noted that her ejection fraction was 44%. In April 2007, plaintiff told Dr. 22 Robinson that she was “feeling well in all regards,” and was “taking care of her three 23 children and household chores without difficulty.” Tr. 323. The cardiovascular examination 24 was normal, including no edema or jugular venous distention. Tr. 323. In May 2007, 25 plaintiff’s cardiovascular examination was again normal. Tr. 287. Her ejection fraction was On February 22, 2007, an 26 27 28 1 An ejection fraction represents the percentage of blood in the ventricle that is pumped out with each heart contraction. -2- 1 “slightly lower” at 37%, which Dr. Robinson interpreted as a moderate to severe reduction. 2 Tr. 287, 291. Dr. Robinson noted that plaintiff was “getting along well,” taking care of her 3 three young children, and had no angina (chest pain) or dyspnea (shortness of breath). Dr. 4 Robinson concluded that plaintiff’s condition was “stable.” Tr. 287. 5 In August 2007, plaintiff’s ejection fraction was 53%, but Dr. Robinson opined that 6 it may be overestimated when compared to her prior results. Tr. 317, 319. In September 7 2007, plaintiff told Dr. Robinson that she was “getting along well,” with no chest pain or 8 other heart-related symptoms, although she noted “easy fatiguability.” Tr. 317, 319. Dr. 9 Robinson concluded that plaintiff’s heart condition was “stable,” noting that her heart attack 10 was likely the result of a thrombus (blood clot) that had resolved. Tr. 317, 319. Dr. 11 Robinson also reported that plaintiff was “totally disabled from work because of the large 12 size of her myocardial infarction and her application for social security disability will be 13 supported fully.” Tr. 318. 14 In December, 2007, John Prieve, D.O., performed a consultative examination. Tr. 15 367-70. Plaintiff told Dr. Prieve that she had fatigue and shortness of breath two to five 16 times a week, but she could walk for a mile, stand for an hour, sit all day, perform household 17 chores, and take care of her personal needs. Examination findings were normal in most 18 areas, and Dr. Prieve observed no shortness of breath. Tr. 368-69. He concluded that 19 plaintiff’s fatigue was likely due to muscle deconditioning, with her congestive heart failure 20 a contributing factor. Tr. 369. Dr. Prieve opined that plaintiff could meet the physical 21 demands of light work. Tr. 370. 22 In January 2008, Ernest Griffith, M.D., a State agency physician, reviewed the record 23 and also determined that plaintiff could meet the physical demands of light work. Tr. 372- 24 79. 25 In February 2008, plaintiff complained to Dr. Robinson of “significant” fatigue. Tr. 26 398. Dr. Robinson noted that her condition was “clinically stable,” Tr. 398, and that her tests 27 showed “progressive improvement”overall. Tr. 392. That same month, Dr. Robinson 28 completed a form related to plaintiff’s ability to perform work-related functions. Tr. 444-46. -3- 1 He opined that plaintiff had extreme functional limitations and “severe” fatigue as a result 2 of her heart attack and significant reduction in pumping function of her heart. He concluded 3 that she is “considered totally disabled from gainful employment now and for the future.” 4 Tr. 446. 5 In July 2008, Dr. Robinson noted that plaintiff was “getting along well,” and 6 concluded that she was making a “satisfactory” recovery. Tr. 424. He nevertheless again 7 opined that plaintiff was “totally disabled” from any type of gainful employment due to her 8 “left ventricular dysfunction.” Tr. 425. 9 In February 2009 and June 2009, plaintiff returned to Dr. Robinson for follow-up care. 10 Tr. 416-17, 420-21. Dr. Robinson noted that she was “doing well” and “really getting along 11 very nicely,” without cardiopulmonary complaints. Tr. 416, 420. Diagnostic tests showed 12 that plaintiff’s ejection fraction was between 45% and 50%, which was “slightly lower than 13 normal.” Tr. 420. Dr. Robinson concluded that plaintiff was “clinically doing quite nicely,” 14 with “progressive improvement” in her ejection fraction. An echocardiogram on February 15 25, 2009 showed that plaintiff had “some enlargement of the left ventricle” “with a moderate 16 degree of reduction of the systolic function but preserved diastolic function.” Tr. 419. Dr. 17 Robinson noted that when compared to the study of February 13, 2008, “left ventricular 18 diastolic function now appears to be normal.” Tr. 419. 19 In April 2009, Dr. Robinson completed another disability form, and continued to 20 opine that plaintiff has extreme functional limitations. Tr. 447-49. He now opined that she 21 could sit for 8 hours during a workday, Tr. 447, but that she could not perform even 22 sedentary work because the mental stress would aggravate her condition. Tr. 449. 23 The ALJ concluded that the medical evidence does not support disabling limitations. 24 Tr. 16. Rather, according to the ALJ, the evidence indicates progressive improvement of her 25 cardiac condition. The ALJ found that plaintiff had severe impairments but her condition did 26 not meet or equal the requirements of any of the listings, including Listing 4.02 concerning 27 the cardiovascular system. See 20 C.F.R., part 404, subpt. P, app. 1 § 4.00. The ALJ held 28 that plaintiff retained the residual functional capacity to perform a full range of unskilled -4- 1 work at the sedentary exertional level, although she cannot perform her past relevant work. 2 Referring to the Medical-Vocational Guidelines, and given plaintiff’s age, education, work 3 experience, and residual functional capacity, the ALJ concluded that plaintiff is “not 4 disabled” pursuant to Rule 201.28 of the Medical-Vocational Guidelines. See 20 C.F.R. pt. 5 404, subpt. P, app. 2, Rule 201.28. II. 6 7 Plaintiff raises two challenges to the ALJ’s decision. She first contends that the ALJ 8 erred in concluding that plaintiff’s heart condition does not meet Listing 4.02 for chronic 9 heart failure. The listings at 20 C.F.R. pt. 404, subpt. P, app.1 cover medical conditions that 10 are so debilitating that they warrant an automatic finding of disability without further 11 consideration of the claimant’s residual functional capacity to perform past or other work. 12 Sullivan v. Zebley, 493 U.S. 521, 534, 110 S. Ct. 885, 893 (1990). The claimant bears the 13 burden of establishing that she meets a listing for a period of 12 continuous months, by 14 showing that she meets “all the specified medical criteria” for the listing. Id. at 530, 110 S. 15 Ct. at 891 (emphasis in original); 20 C.F.R. § 404.1509. 16 In order to meet the introductory requirements of Listing 4.02, plaintiff must show 17 evidence of chronic heart failure “while on a regimen of prescribed treatment,” with 18 “symptoms and signs described in 4.00D2.” 20 C.F.R. pt. 404, subpt. P, app. 1, Listing 4.02. 19 Section 4.00D2(b)(i) provides that symptoms of chronic heart failure include easy fatigue, 20 weakness, shortness of breath (dyspnea), cough, or chest discomfort at rest or with activity. 21 Plaintiff regularly denied having ongoing cardiac-related symptoms. See, e.g., Tr. 287 22 (no angina or dyspnea); Tr. 317, 319 (no angina or other symptoms); Tr. 416, 420 (no overt 23 cardiopulmonary symptoms); Tr. 422 (no significant dyspnea, no angina, and occasional 24 palpitations). Moreover, plaintiff’s cardiologist routinely noted normal cardiovascular 25 examination findings, such as no edema or jugular venous abnormalities. See, e.g., Tr. 258, 26 287, 319, 323, 398, 416, 424. Therefore, plaintiff has not satisfied the introductory 27 requirements of Listing 4.02. 28 In addition, plaintiff must show that her impairments satisfy one set of criteria from -5- 1 subsection 4.02A and one set of criteria from subsection 4.02B. The Commissioner argues 2 that even if we assume that plaintiff satisfied subsection 4.02A, she nevertheless does not 3 meet the criteria for Listing 4.02 because she fails to satisfy 4.02B(3).2 4 Section 4.02B(3) requires a showing of plaintiff’s “[i]nability to perform on an 5 exercise tolerance test at a workload equivalent to 5 METs or less” due to “[d]yspnea, 6 fatigue, palpitations, or chest discomfort.” Plaintiff does not refer to any evidence that she 7 could not perform such a test. Therefore, she has not met the criteria of subsection 4.02B and 8 accordingly fails to satisfy all of the requirements of Listing 4.02. The ALJ did not err in 9 concluding that plaintiff’s impairment does not meet Listing 4.02 for chronic heart failure. 10 III. 11 Plaintiff next contends that the ALJ failed to comply with 20 C.F.R. § 404.1527 by 12 failing to accord proper weight to plaintiff’s treating cardiologist, Dr. Jerome Robinson. 13 “Although a treating physician’s opinion is generally afforded the greatest weight in 14 disability cases, it is not binding on an ALJ with respect to the existence of an impairment 15 or the ultimate determination of disability.” Ukolov v. Barnhart, 420 F.3d 1002, 1004 (9th 16 Cir. 2005). 17 The ALJ discounted Dr. Robinson’s conclusions that plaintiff was totally disabled 18 from work, finding that his opinions are inconsistent with the overall medical evidence, 19 which indicates progressive improvement in her heart condition, her ejection fractions and 20 left ventricular function. Tr. 18. The ALJ further explained that Dr. Robinson’s opinions 21 are contradicted by consultative physicians Dr. Prieve and Dr. Ernest Griffith’s3 opinions that 22 plaintiff can perform light work. Tr. 19. 23 Moreover, Dr. Robinson’s conclusion that plaintiff is totally disabled was based in 24 25 2 26 3 27 28 The parties agree that only 4.02B(3) is at issue in this case. The ALJ erroneously refers to Dr. Ernest Griffith as “Jerome C. Robinson. M.D., a State Agency psychological consultant.” Tr. 19 (emphasis added). This error had no adverse impact on the ALJ’s conclusions given the ALJ’s proper construction of Dr. Griffith’s findings. See Shinseki v. Sanders, 556 U.S. 396, 407, 129 S. Ct. 1696, 1705 (2009). -6- 1 large part on plaintiff’s complaints of disabling fatigue. The ALJ found, however, that 2 plaintiff’s complaints were not credible. The ALJ noted that plaintiff testified that she cares 3 for her children, grocery shops, goes to the laundromat, cooks and socializes. The ALJ 4 correctly found that these activities of daily living are inconsistent with plaintiff’s claim of 5 disabling limitations. Tr. 18. Plaintiff has not challenged this conclusion. 6 Even when considering that more weight is generally given to a specialist’s opinion, 7 see 20 C.F.R. § 404.1527(c)(5), we conclude that the ALJ properly discounted Dr. 8 Robinson’s opinion. IV. 9 10 Based on the foregoing, we conclude that the ALJ’s decision that plaintiff is not 11 disabled is supported by substantial evidence in the record. Therefore, IT IS ORDERED 12 AFFIRMING the decision of the Commissioner denying disability benefits. The clerk shall 13 enter final judgment. 14 DATED this 26th day of June, 2012. 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 -7-
]]>
Some case metadata and case summaries were written with the help of AI, which can produce inaccuracies. You
should read the full case before relying on it for legal research purposes.
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google
Privacy Policy and
Terms of Service apply.
