Touchet v. Social Security Administration Commissioner, No. 2:2013cv02115 - Document 11 (W.D. Ark. 2014)
Court Description: MEMORANDUM OPINION. Signed by Honorable Barry A. Bryant on June 10, 2014. (lw)
Download PDF
<![CDATA[
N THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT WESTERN DISTRICT OF ARKANSAS FORT SMITH DIVISION REBECCA JUNE TOUCHET vs. PLAINTIFF Civil No. 2:13-cv-02115 CAROLYN COLVIN Commissioner, Social Security Administration DEFENDANT MEMORANDUM OPINION Rebecca June Touchet ( Plaintiff ) brings this action pursuant to § 205(g) of Title II of the Social Security Act ( The Act ), 42 U.S.C. § 405(g) (2010), seeking judicial review of a final decision of the Commissioner of the Social Security Administration ( SSA ) denying her applications for Disability Insurance Benefits ( DIB ) and Supplemental Security Income ( SSI ) under Titles II and XVI of the Act. The parties have consented to the jurisdiction of a magistrate judge to conduct any and all proceedings in this case, including conducting the trial, ordering the entry of a final judgment, and conducting all post-judgment proceedings. ECF No. 7.1 Pursuant to this authority, the Court issues this memorandum opinion and orders the entry of a final judgment in this matter. 1. Background: Plaintiff protectively filed her applications for benefits on April 14, 2010. (Tr. 12, 130-144). Plaintiff alleges being disabled due to COPD, ruptured disc in back, severe allergies, chronic bronchitis, depression, right hip pain, numb hands, and panic attacks. (Tr. 175). Plaintiff alleges an onset date of December 29, 2009. (Tr. 175). These applications were denied initially and again upon reconsideration. (Tr. 12). Thereafter, Plaintiff requested an administrative hearing on her 1 The docket numbers for this case are referenced by the designation ECF No. ____ The transcript pages for this case are referenced by the designation Tr. 1 applications, and this hearing request was granted. (Tr. 85). An administrative hearing was held on December 15, 2011. (Tr. 31-60). At the administrative hearing, Plaintiff was present and was represented by attorney Iva Gibbons. Id. Plaintiff and Vocational Expert ( VE ) John Massey, testified at this hearing. Id. On the date of this hearing, Plaintiff was fifty-one (51) years old and had a high school education. (Tr. 35). On May 4, 2012, subsequent to the hearing, the ALJ entered an unfavorable decision on Plaintiff s applications. (Tr. 12-24). In this decision, the ALJ determined the Plaintiff met the insured status of the Act through December 31, 2013. (Tr. 14, Finding 1). The ALJ also determined Plaintiff had not engaged in Substantial Gainful Activity ( SGA ) since December 29, 2009. (Tr. 14, Finding 2). The ALJ determined Plaintiff had severe impairments of osteoarthritis/degenerative disc disease of the cervical and lumbar spine with chronic neck and low back pain, COPD, hypertension, depressive disorder not otherwise specified, mood disorder not otherwise specified, anxiety disorder not otherwise specified, and a personality disorder not otherwise specified. (Tr. 14-15, Finding 3). The ALJ also determined Plaintiff s impairments did not meet or medically equal the requirements of any of the Listings of Impairments in Appendix 1 to Subpart P of Regulations No. 4 ( Listings ). (Tr. 15, Finding 4). In this decision, the ALJ evaluated Plaintiff s subjective complaints and determined her Residual Functional Capacity ( RFC ). (Tr. 17-23, Finding 5). First, the ALJ indicated he evaluated Plaintiff s subjective complaints and found her claimed limitations were not entirely credible. Id. Second, the ALJ determined Plaintiff retained the RFC for light work except she could only occasionally balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, crawl, and climb ramps and stairs; could never climb 2 ladders, ropes, or scaffolds; could not perform overhead work; must avoid concentrated exposure to temperature extremes, humidity, fumes, odors, dusts, gases, and poor ventilation; and must avoid concentrated exposure to hazards. (Tr. 14, Finding 5). The ALJ further found Plaintiff could perform work where interpersonal contact was incidental to the work performed, the complexity of tasks was learned and performed by rote with few variables and little judgment required, and supervision was simple, concrete, and direct. Id. The ALJ evaluated Plaintiff s Past Relevant Work ( PRW ). (Tr. 23, Finding 6). The ALJ determined Plaintiff was unable to perform her PRW as a janitorial worker and housekeeper. Id. The ALJ, however, also determined there was other work existing in significant numbers in the national economy Plaintiff could perform. (Tr. 23, Finding 10). The ALJ based his determination upon the testimony of the VE. Id. Specifically, the VE testified that given all Plaintiff s vocational factors, a hypothetical individual would be able to perform the requirements of a representative occupation such as a cafeteria attendant with approximately 200 such jobs in the region and 65,000 such jobs in the nation, and merchandise marker pricer with approximately 1,500 such jobs in the region and 300,000 such jobs in the nation. Id. Based upon this finding, the ALJ determined Plaintiff had not been under a disability as defined by the Act from December 29, 2009 through the date of the decision. (Tr. 24, Finding 11). On May 21, 2012, Plaintiff requested the Appeals Council s review of the ALJ s unfavorable decision. (Tr. 8). On March 15, 2013, the Appeals Council declined to review this disability determination. (Tr. 1-3). On April 29, 2013, Plaintiff filed the present appeal. ECF No. 1. The Parties consented to the jurisdiction of this Court on May 3, 2013. ECF No. 7. Both Parties have filed appeal briefs. ECF Nos. 9, 10. This case is now ready for decision. 3 2. Applicable Law: In reviewing this case, this Court is required to determine whether the Commissioner s findings are supported by substantial evidence on the record as a whole. See 42 U.S.C. § 405(g) (2006); Ramirez v. Barnhart, 292 F.3d 576, 583 (8th Cir. 2002). Substantial evidence is less than a preponderance of the evidence, but it is enough that a reasonable mind would find it adequate to support the Commissioner s decision. See Johnson v. Apfel, 240 F.3d 1145, 1147 (8th Cir. 2001). As long as there is substantial evidence in the record that supports the Commissioner s decision, the Court may not reverse it simply because substantial evidence exists in the record that would have supported a contrary outcome or because the Court would have decided the case differently. See Haley v. Massanari, 258 F.3d 742, 747 (8th Cir. 2001). If, after reviewing the record, it is possible to draw two inconsistent positions from the evidence and one of those positions represents the findings of the ALJ, the decision of the ALJ must be affirmed. See Young v. Apfel, 221 F.3d 1065, 1068 (8th Cir. 2000). It is well-established that a claimant for Social Security disability benefits has the burden of proving his or her disability by establishing a physical or mental disability that lasted at least one year and that prevents him or her from engaging in any substantial gainful activity. See Cox v. Apfel, 160 F.3d 1203, 1206 (8th Cir. 1998); 42 U.S.C. §§ 423(d)(1)(A), 1382c(a)(3)(A). The Act defines a physical or mental impairment as an impairment that results from anatomical, physiological, or psychological abnormalities which are demonstrable by medically acceptable clinical and laboratory diagnostic techniques. 42 U.S.C. §§ 423(d)(3), 1382(3)(c). A plaintiff must show that his or her disability, not simply his or her impairment, has lasted for at least twelve consecutive months. See 42 U.S.C. § 423(d)(1)(A). 4 To determine whether the adult claimant suffers from a disability, the Commissioner uses the familiar five-step sequential evaluation. He determines: (1) whether the claimant is presently engaged in a substantial gainful activity ; (2) whether the claimant has a severe impairment that significantly limits the claimant s physical or mental ability to perform basic work activities; (3) whether the claimant has an impairment that meets or equals a presumptively disabling impairment listed in the regulations (if so, the claimant is disabled without regard to age, education, and work experience); (4) whether the claimant has the Residual Functional Capacity (RFC) to perform his or her past relevant work; and (5) if the claimant cannot perform the past work, the burden shifts to the Commissioner to prove that there are other jobs in the national economy that the claimant can perform. See Cox, 160 F.3d at 1206; 20 C.F.R. §§ 404.1520(a)-(f). The fact finder only considers the plaintiff s age, education, and work experience in light of his or her RFC if the final stage of this analysis is reached. See 20 C.F.R. §§ 404.1520, 416.920 (2003). 3. Discussion: In her appeal brief, Plaintiff claims the ALJ s disability determination is not supported by substantial evidence in the record and should be reversed and remanded. ECF No. 9, Pgs. 9-20. Specifically, Plaintiff claims the ALJ erred (1) in his RFC determination, (2) in his credibility determination, (3) in the weight given to Plaintiff s physicians opinions, (4) by failing to properly develop the record, and (5) in his Step 5 determination. Id. In response, the Defendant argues the ALJ did not err in any of his findings. ECF No. 10. Because this Court finds the ALJ erred in his RFC determination and by failing to fully evaluate Plaintiff s Global Assessment of Functioning ( GAF ) scores, this Court finds Plaintiff s case must be reversed and remanded. Prior to Step Four of the sequential analysis in a disability determination, the ALJ is required 5 to determine a claimant s RFC. See 20 C.F.R. § 404.1520(a)(4)(iv). This RFC determination must be based on medical evidence that addresses the claimant s ability to function in the workplace. See Stormo v. Barnhart, 377 F.3d 801, 807 (8th Cir. 2004). The ALJ should consider all the evidence in the record in determining the RFC, including the medical records, observations of treating physicians and others, and an individual s own description of his limitations. Stormo v. Barnhart, 377 F.3d 801, 807 (8th Cir. 2004) (quoting Krogmeier v. Barnhart, 294 F.3d 1019 (8th Cir. 2002)). In social security cases where a mental impairment is alleged, it is important for an ALJ to evaluate a claimant s Global Assessment of Functioning ( GAF ) score in determining whether that claimant is disabled due to the claimed mental impairment. GAF scores range from 0 to 100. Am. Psychiatric Ass n, Diagnostic & Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV-TR) 34 (4th ed., text rev. 2000). The Eighth Circuit has repeatedly held that GAF scores (especially those at or below 40) must be carefully evaluated when determining a claimant s RFC. See, e.g., Conklin v. Astrue, 360 F. App x. 704, 707 (8th Cir. 2010) (reversing and remanding an ALJ s disability determination in part because the ALJ failed to consider the claimant s GAF scores of 35 and 40); Pates-Fires v. Astrue, 564 F.3d 935, 944-45 (8th Cir. 2009) (holding that the ALJ s RFC finding was not supported by substantial evidence in the record as a whole, in part due to the ALJ s failure to discuss or consider numerous GAF scores below 50). Indeed, a GAF score at or below 40 should be carefully considered because such a low score reflects a major impairment in several areas such as work, family relations, judgment, or mood. Conklin, 360 F. App x at 707 n.2 Am. Psychiatric Ass n, Diagnostic & Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV-TR) 34 (4th ed., text rev. 2000)). A GAF score of 40 to 50 also indicates a claimant suffers from severe symptoms. Specifically, a person with that GAF score suffers from 6 [s]erious symptoms (e.g., suicidal ideation, severe obsessional rituals, frequent shoplifting) OR any serious impairment in social, occupational, or school functioning (e.g., no friends, unable to keep a job). Am. Psychiatric Ass n, Diagnostic & Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV-TR) 34 (4th ed., text rev. 2000). On July 12, 2010, Plaintiff was seen by Dr. Terry Efird. (Tr. 367-371). Dr. Efird indicated Plaintiff s mood was anxious, she was somewhat tearful, and suicidal thoughts were noted. (Tr. 369). Dr. Efrid diagnosed Plaintiff with anxiety disorder NOS, depressive disorder NOS, cluster B traits and a GAF score of 55-65. (Tr. 370). On March 14, 2011, Plaintiff was seen by Dr. Steve Shry. (Tr. 413-416). Dr. Shry indicated Plaintiff s intelligence was in the low range and Plaintiff was diagnosed with mood disorder, personality disorder, and a GAF of 60-65. Id. Between July 17, 2011 through July 26, 201, Plaintiff received therapy at Counseling Associates Inc. (Tr. 438-442). She was diagnosed with anxiety disorder, mood disorder, arthritis, stomach problems, and a torn ligament in her knee. (Tr. 439). Plaintiff also had a GAF score of 41. Id. Additional records from Counseling Associates show Plaintiff with GAF scores of 40 on September 6, 2011, and 41 on October 6, 2011. (Tr. 450-451). On September 20, 2011, Dr. Don Pennington diagnosed Plaintiff with a panic disorder and assigned a GAF score of 41. (Tr. 452). Throughout the remainder of 2011 and into 2013, Plaintiff s GAF scores were between 40-45. (Tr. 471, 492-498, 500). Other than mentioning two of Plaintiff s GAF scores 40 and 41 from Counseling Associates, (Tr. 22), the ALJ failed to discuss or even mention Plaintiff s GAF scores in his opinion. It was the ALJ s responsibility to evaluate Plaintiff s GAF scores and make a finding regarding its reliability as a part of the underlying administrative proceeding. See Conklin, 360 F. App x at 707. Indeed, it 7 is especially important that the ALJ address low GAF scores where, as in this case, Plaintiff has been diagnosed with mood disorder, panic disorder, anxiety and personality disorder. Accordingly, because the ALJ was required to evaluate these scores and provide a reason for discounting the low GAF scores but did not do so, Plaintiff s case must be reversed and remanded for further development of the record on this issue. See Pates-Fires, 564 F.3d at 944-45. 4. Conclusion: Based on the foregoing, the undersigned finds that the decision of the ALJ, denying benefits to Plaintiff, must be reversed and remanded. A judgment incorporating these findings will be entered pursuant to Federal Rules of Civil Procedure 52 and 58. ENTERED this 10th day of June 2014. /s/ Barry A. Bryant HON. BARRY A. BRYANT U.S. MAGISTRATE JUDGE 8
]]>
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.
