Kay J Whaley v. Michael J Astrue, No. 2:2007cv05557 - Document 18 (C.D. Cal. 2008)

Court Description: MEMORANDUM OPINION AND ORDER by Magistrate Judge Alicia G. Rosenberg. IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that the decision of the Commissioner is affirmed. (See Order for details.) (mp)

Download PDF

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT 9 CENTRAL DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA 10 WESTERN DIVISION 11 KAY J. WHALEY, 12 Plaintiff, 13 14 15 v. MICHAEL J. ASTRUE, Commissioner of Social Security Defendant. 16 ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) Case No. CV 07-5557 AGR MEMORANDUM OPINION AND ORDER 17 18 Plaintiff Kay J. Whaley ( Whaley ) filed a complaint on August 24, 2007. 19 Pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 636(c), the parties filed Consents to proceed before Magistrate 20 Judge Rosenberg on October 1, 2007 and February 27, 2008. The parties filed a Joint 21 Stipulation ( JS ) on August 29, 2008, that addresses the disputed issues in the case. 22 The Commissioner filed the certified administrative record ( A.R. ). The Court has 23 taken the Joint Stipulation under submission without oral argument. 24 Having reviewed the entire file, the Court concludes that the decision of the 25 Commissioner is affirmed. 26 /// 27 /// 28 /// 1 I. 2 PROCEDURAL BACKGROUND 3 On June 7, 2005, Whaley filed an application for Disability Insurance Benefits. 4 A.R. 15. The application was denied initially and upon reconsideration. A.R. 34-35. 5 Whaley requested a hearing. A.R. 48. The Administrative Law Judge ( ALJ ) 6 conducted a hearing on October 25, 2006, at which Whaley and a vocational expert 7 testified. A.R. 231-264. On November 9, 2006, the ALJ issued an order denying 8 benefits. A.R. 12-24. Whaley filed a request for review. A.R. 9. On June 21, 2007, the 9 Appeals Council denied the request for review. A.R. 4-6. 10 II. 11 STANDARD OF REVIEW Pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 405(g), this Court has authority to review the 12 13 Commissioner s decision to deny benefits. The decision will be disturbed only if it is not 14 supported by substantial evidence or it is based upon the application of improper legal 15 standards. Moncada v. Chater, 60 F.3d 521, 523 (9th Cir. 1995); Drouin v. Sullivan, 16 966 F.2d 1255, 1257 (9th Cir. 1992). In this context, substantial evidence means more than a mere scintilla but less 17 18 than a preponderance it is such relevant evidence that a reasonable mind might 19 accept as adequate to support the conclusion. Moncada, 60 F.3d at 523. When 20 determining whether substantial evidence exists to support the Commissioner s 21 decision, the Court examines the administrative record as a whole, considering adverse 22 as well as supporting evidence. Drouin, 966 F.2d at 1257. Where the evidence is 23 susceptible to more than one rational interpretation, the Court must defer to the decision 24 of the Commissioner. Moncada, 60 F.3d at 523. 25 /// 26 /// 27 /// 28 /// 2 1 III. 2 DISCUSSION 3 A. Disability 4 A person qualifies as disabled, and thereby eligible for such benefits, only if his 5 physical or mental impairment or impairments are of such severity that he is not only 6 unable to do his previous work but cannot, considering his age, education, and work 7 experience, engage in any other kind of substantial gainful work which exists in the 8 national economy. Barnhart v. Thomas, 540 U.S. 20, 21-22, 124 S. Ct. 376, 157 L. Ed. 9 2d 333 (2003). 10 B. 11 Whaley has severe impairments of the left ankle and has other conditions. A.R. ALJ s Findings 12 23. Whaley alleged bilateral ankle impairments, left shoulder and arm impairments, 13 migraine headaches, irritable bowel syndrome, sleep problems and attention deficit 14 disorder. A.R. 15. The ALJ found that the left ankle impairment was severe but, 15 alternatively, also found that his conclusion that Whaley was not disabled would remain 16 valid even if he considered the other impairments to be severe. A.R. 16. Whaley has the residual functional capacity for light work that does not require 17 18 more than occasional climbing of ramps or stairs, crouching or crawling, requires no 19 climbing of ladders, ropes or scaffolds, and she should avoid concentrated exposure to 20 hazards, such as dangerous machinery and unprotected heights. A.R. 23-24. The 21 ALJ found that Whaley can stand and/or walk 6 of 8 hours and lift/carry 20/10 pounds. 22 A.R. 19; see A.R. 16. Alternatively, Whaley was not disabled even if she were limited to 23 standing and/or walking 2 of 8 hours, could lift/carry 10 pounds, and could use her right 24 dominant hand only occasionally. A.R. 19-20. 25 The ALJ found that Whaley could perform her past work as a loan officer and 26 administrative assistant. A.R. 24. Alternatively, assuming an additional limitation to 27 only occasional use of her right hand, Whaley would not be able to perform her past 28 /// 3 1 relevant work but is capable of performing jobs existing in significant numbers in the 2 national economy. Id. 3 C. 4 Whaley argues that the ALJ improperly discounted the medical records of three 5 Treating Physicians treating physicians, Drs. Avelino, Schultz and Kaufman. (JS at 9.) Migraine Headaches. Contrary to Whaley s argument, the ALJ acknowledged 6 7 the diagnosis of migraine headaches which started in high school. A.R. 17. However, 8 the mere existence of an impairment is insufficient proof of a disability. Matthews v. 9 Shalala, 10 F.3d 678, 680 (9th Cir 1993). A claimant must show that she is precluded 10 from engaging in substantial gainful activity by reason of her impairments. Id. (citing 42 11 U.S.C. § 423(d)(1)(A)). 12 The ALJ found that Whaley s treating physician does not limit work functions, at 13 least by narrative report. A.R. 17. There is substantial evidence supporting the ALJ s 14 finding. On October 27, 2005, Dr. Schultz, a neurologist, stated that [w]ith respect to 15 her migraine headaches Ms. Whaley has no limitations in her ability to perform usual 16 activities such as sitting, standing, walking, lifting, carrying or handling objects and there 17 is no interference in mental activities such as memory or understanding wtih respect to 18 her migraine headaches. A.R. 180. Previously, on April 9, 2004, Dr. Schultz noted 19 that Whaley had a flare-up of migraine headaches beginning on March 20, 2004 but 20 had subsided by the date of the report. A.R. 181. The patient has been functioning 21 fairly well with over-the-counter medications and a rare Fiorinal with Codeine and at this 22 time no changes in her medication are being recommended as long as the headaches 23 will remain under fairly good control. Id. Accordingly, the ALJ did not reject Dr. Schultz s report. An ALJ is required to set 24 25 forth specific and legitimate reasons supported by substantial evidence in the record 26 only when the ALJ rejects a treating physican s opinion.1 See Matthews, 10 F.3d at 27 1 28 Indeed, Whaley s complaint appears to be that the ALJ did not reject Dr. Schultz s opinion given his underlying medical records diagnosing migraine headaches. (JS at 10.) However, as 4 1 680-81 (when treating physician did not opine claimant was disabled, ALJ was not 2 required to set forth explanation of reasons). 3 Whaley refers to Dr. Avelino s diagnosis of migraine headaches. However, the 4 ALJ addressed Dr. Avelino s medical records. A.R. 20-21. On May 31, 2005, Dr. 5 Avelino noted that Whaley complained of migraine for the past two weeks and found 6 that Whaley is only in moderate discomfort from the headache. A.R. 128, 149. 7 Whaley was referred to Dr. Schultz, whose findings are discussed above. A.R. 147- 8 148. Dr. Avelino s notes appear to corroborate Dr. Schultz s description of a flare-up of 9 migraine headache in March 2004. A.R. 158-161. Dr. Avelino referred Whaley to Dr. 10 Schultz, whose findings are discussed above. A.R. 159. Dr. Avelino s medical records 11 do not contain functional limitations and are not inconsistent with Dr. Schultz s opinion 12 or the ALJ s finding. 13 Left Ankle. The ALJ acknowledged that Whaley s left ankle condition constitutes 14 a severe impairment. A.R. 23. The ALJ cites Dr. Kaufman s reports (Exs. 1F and 10F). 15 A.R. 17-18. The ALJ found that Whaley obtained long periods of relief from pain from 16 injections and repeats the injections when necessary. A.R. 18. The ALJ also cited a 17 report from an examining physician, Dr. Singh. A.R. 18-19. The ALJ concluded that 18 neither Dr. Singh s examination or report nor other source information supports a work 19 restriction. A.R. 19. The ALJ s findings are supported by substantial evidence. 20 Whaley argues that the ALJ does not address Whaley s pain, swelling, and 21 limited range of motion from her left ankle condition. (JS at 10.) However, the ALJ did 22 address those conditions. A.R. 18. 23 According to Dr. Kaufman, a treating physician, Whaley reported on April 21, 24 2005 that when she stands up from a sitting position she gets popping and severe pain 25 along the anterior lateral aspect of the left ankle. When she starts walking after the 26 ankle pops it feels better. A.R. 125. On physical examination, Dr. Kaufman noted 27 28 set forth above, the diagnosis and treatment of a condition is not sufficient to prove disability. 5 1 slight swelling, range of motion that is markedly limited, and sounds along the 2 anterior lateral aspect of the ankle on motion. A.R. 126. Dr. Kaufman diagnosed 3 [s]evere ankle arthritis with inflammation of the extensor and lateral extensor 4 structures. Id. Dr. Kaufman administered a corticosteroid injection and told her to 5 return if this is not effective. Id. Dr. Avelino s subsequent note on May 31, 2005 6 indicates that [c]ortizone seems to work very well. A.R. 128. 7 On September 13, 2005, Whaley returned to Dr. Kaufman for a second shot 8 when the pain returned. A.R. 228. On examination, Dr. Kaufman found slight swelling 9 throughout the ankle, marked limitation of motion, and two tender areas. Id. Dr. 10 Kaufman administered an injection. Id. 11 Whaley returned to Dr. Kaufman on August 22, 2006. Whaley stated that the 12 steroid injection in September 2005 helped significantly. 2 A.R. 227. Dr. Kaufman 13 noted that Patient walks with a normal gait. A.R. 226. On examination, Whaley had 14 slight-to-moderate swelling throughout the ankle with very little motion and marked 15 crepitus [sound] with motion. There is tenderness over the entire anterior ankle joint. 16 Id. at 227. Dr. Kaufman administered an injection. Id. On November 7, 2005, Whaley was seen by an examining physician, Dr. Singh, 17 18 who reviewed her medical records. A.R. 202. Like Dr. Kaufman, Dr. Singh noted 19 swelling around the left ankle area, and limited range of motion in the left ankle. A.R. 20 204. Like Dr. Kaufman, Dr. Singh found that Whaley had a normal gait. A.R. 205. 21 Whaley had no problems walking from the waiting room to the examination room and 22 getting on and off the examining table. A.R. 203. Dr. Singh opined that Whaley is 23 able to stand and walk for 6 hours. Sitting with no restrictions. Assistive device none. 24 She would be able to lift and carry occasionally and frequently 20 and 10 pounds. A.R. 25 206. Posturally, she will have problems with excessive climbing. Id. 26 27 2 28 Whaley testified that a cortisone injection helps for a while. She still has pain but is able to move. She takes medication for pain. A.R. 245-246. 6 An examining physician s opinion based on clinical findings constitutes 1 2 substantial evidence. Andrews v. Shalala, 53 F.3d 1035, 1041 (9th Cir. 1995). Here, 3 the ALJ relied on the opinion of Dr. Singh, who took into account the pain, swelling and 4 range of motion caused by Whaley s left ankle condition. The ALJ did not err. 5 Irritable Bowel Syndrome. The ALJ found there is little here by way of 6 objective findings, contemporaneous statements to treating physicians or the nature of 7 treatment to establish that it [irritable bowel syndrome] impacts on the claimant s work 8 capacity. A.R. 20. The ALJ s finding is supported by substantial evidence. Whaley 9 argues that there is a medical record on January 6, 2004 noting that she was being 10 treated for constipation and diarrhea. (JS at 11.) Again, however, the existence of an 11 impairment is insufficient to prove disability.3 Matthews, 10 F.3d at 680. There is no 12 evidence in the medical record that irritable bowel syndrome affected Whaley s ability to 13 work. 14 D. Pain As a Severe Impairment at Step Two 15 At Step Two of the sequential analysis, the claimant bears the burden of 16 demonstrating a severe, medically determinable impairment that meets the duration 17 requirement. 20 C.F.R. § 404.1520(a)(4)(ii); Bowen v. Yuckert, 482 U.S. 137, 146 n.5, 18 107 S. Ct. 2287, 96 L. Ed. 2d 119 (1987). To satisfy the duration requirement, the 19 severe impairment must have lasted or be expected to last for a continuous period of 20 not fewer than 12 months. Id. at 140. 21 Your impairment must result from anatomical, physiological, or 22 psychological abnormalities which can be shown by medically 23 acceptable clinical and laboratory diagnostic techniques. A 24 physical or mental impairment must be established by medical 25 26 27 28 3 Whaley appears to complain that the ALJ did not reference the diagnosis and treatment plans of each physician. However, the ALJ does not need to discuss every piece of evidence. Howard ex rel. Wolff v. Barnhart, 341 F.3d 1006, 1012 (9th Cir. 2003) (citation omitted). The ALJ addressed whether the medical records indicated any limitation on work function. 7 1 evidence consisting of signs, symptoms, and laboratory 2 findings, not only by your statement of symptoms. 3 20 C.F.R. § 404.1508; 20 C.F.R. § 416.908. [T]he impairment must be one that significantly limits your physical or mental 4 5 ability to do basic work activities. 4 Yuckert, 482 U.S. at 154 n.11 (quoting 20 C.F.R. § 6 404.1520(c)); Smolen, 80 F.3d at 1290 ( [A]n impairment is not severe if it does not 7 significantly limit [the claimant s] physical ability to do basic work activities. ) (citation 8 and internal quotation marks omitted). An impairment or combination of impairments may be found not severe only if 9 10 the evidence establishes a slight abnormality that has no more than a minimal effect on 11 an individual s ability to work. Webb v. Barnhart, 433 F.3d 683, 686-87 (9th Cir. 2005) 12 (emphasis in original, citation omitted). Step Two is a de minimis screening device 13 [used] to dispose of groundless claims and the ALJ s finding must be clearly 14 established by medical evidence. Id. at 687 (citations and internal quotations omitted). 15 [T]he ALJ must consider the combined effect of all of the claimant s impairments on her 16 ability to function, without regard to whether each alone was sufficiently severe. 17 Smolen, 80 F.3d at 1290 (citations omitted). The ALJ is also required to consider the 18 claimant s subjective symptoms, such as pain or fatigue, in determining severity. Id. 19 (citations omitted). The Commissioner does not consider age, education, and work 20 experience. 20 C.F.R. § 404.1520(c). 21 The ALJ found that Whaley has severe impairments of the left ankle and has 22 other conditions. A.R. 23. Whaley argues that the ALJ s finding improperly failed to 23 specify the other conditions. (JS at 17.) Elsewhere in the opinion, however, the ALJ 24 25 26 27 28 4 The ability to do basic work activities includes physical functions such as walking, standing, sitting, lifting, pushing, pulling, reaching, carrying, or handling, capacities for seeing, hearing, and speaking, understanding, carrying out, and remembering simple instructions, use of judgment, responding appropriately to supervision, co-workers, and usual work situations, and dealing with changes in a routine work setting. Yuckert, 482 U.S. at 168 (internal quotations omitted); Smolen v. Chater, 80 F.3d at 1273, 1290 (9th Cir. 1996). 8 1 explained his alternative findings. The ALJ found that the left ankle impairment was 2 severe and that no other impairment meets this threshold standard. A.R. 16. The ALJ 3 addressed each impairment in turn in detailed fashion. A.R. 17-21. Alternatively, the 4 ALJ found that his ultimate conclusion as to nondisability would remain valid even if he 5 considered the other impairments to be severe. A.R. 16. 6 Given the ALJ s alternative findings at Step Two and his statement that his 7 conclusion as to nondisability would remain valid even if Whaley s stated impairments 8 were found to be severe at Step Two, any error at Step Two is harmless and Whaley 9 must show prejudice at a later step in the sequential analysis. See Burch v. Barnhart, 10 400 F.3d 676, 682 (assuming error in failing to find obesity to be a severe impairment at 11 Step Two, such error can prejudice claimant only at a later step in the sequential 12 analysis when Step Two is otherwise resolved in claimant s favor); see Stout v. 13 Commissioner, 454 F.3d 1050, 1055 (9th Cir. 2006) (error that is inconsequential to the 14 ultimate nondisability determination is harmless). 15 E. ALJ s Consideration of Combined Effect of Claimant s Non-Exertional Impairments in Determining Residual Functional Capacity 16 17 Whaley argues that the ALJ erred in failing to consider the combined effect of her 18 impairments. Whaley acknowledges that she has been able to work in the past despite 19 pain from her left ankle and migraine headaches (JS at 19), but argues that her memory 20 retention is worse. (Id.; A.R. 247-248.) 21 The ALJ stated that he considered all severe and non-severe impairments and 22 their interplay. A.R. 16. The ALJ s decision expressly considered pain from various 23 sources and memory retention. A.R. 16-18. Whaley s argument that the ALJ did not 24 consider the combined effect of her impairments is without merit. 25 F. Plaintiff s Credibility 26 To determine whether a claimant s testimony regarding subjective pain or 27 symptoms is credible, an ALJ must engage in a two-step analysis. Lingenfelter v. 28 Astrue, 504 F.3d 1028, 1035-36 (9th Cir. 2007). 9 First, the ALJ must determine whether the claimant has presented objective 1 2 medical evidence of an underlying impairment which could reasonably be expected to 3 produce the pain or other symptoms alleged. Id. (citing Bunnell v. Sullivan, 947 F.2d 4 341, 344 (9th Cir. 1991) (en banc)). Whaley satisfies the first prong. Second, if the claimant meets this first test, and there is no evidence of 5 6 malingering, the ALJ can reject the claimant s testimony about the severity of her 7 symptoms only by offering specific, clear and convincing reasons for doing so. 8 Lingenfelter, 504 F.3d at 1036 (citations omitted). In making a credibility determination, 9 the ALJ must specifically identify what testimony is credible and what testimony 10 undermines the claimant s complaints. Greger v. Barnhart, 464 F.3d 968, 972 (9th Cir. 11 2006) (citation omitted). Here, the ALJ did not find that Whaley was a malingerer. However, the ALJ 12 13 found that Whaley s allegations are credible only to the extent that they comport with 14 Finding no. 5" as to residual functional capacity. A.R. 23; see also A.R. 16 ( claimant 15 presents as partially credible, but only as consistent with the aforementioned assessed 16 work capacity ). 17 Whaley argues that the ALJ erred in discounting her testimony regarding pain. 18 (JS at 21.) Whaley specifically addresses only one of the ALJ s stated reasons the 19 ALJ s finding that the information in Whaley s prior statements regarding her daily 20 activities suggests that the claimant s pain is not so frequent or intense so as to 21 preclude all substantial gainful activity. A.R. 18; (JS at 21-22.) Whaley misconstrues 22 the ALJ s finding. The ALJ relied not only on Whaley s ability to perform daily activities, 23 but also on her inconsistent statements about them. A.R. 17-18. The ALJ stated that 24 he gave greater weight to the claimant s contemporaneous statements to examiners. 25 A.R. 17. For example, the ALJ relied on a report of contact in which Whaley said she 26 is able to concentrate, focus and stay on track when reading (A.R. 18, 61), which is 27 inconsistent with her testimony at the hearing. Compare A.R. 247 (claimant not able to 28 /// 10 1 concentrate or remember what she read in a book). The ALJ may consider a claimant s 2 inconsistent statements. Smolen, 80 F.3d at 1284. 3 But even assuming the ALJ erred in relying upon Whaley s daily activities, the 4 fact that the ALJ may have erred in one of his credibility findings does not automatically 5 result in remand. In Carmickle v. Comm r of the Soc. Sec. Admin., 533 F.3d 1155 (9th 6 Cir. 2008), the Ninth Circuit concluded that two of the ALJ s reasons for making an 7 adverse credibility finding were invalid. The court held that when an ALJ provides 8 specific reasons for discounting the claimant s credibility, the question is whether the 9 ALJ s decision remains legally valid, despite such error, based on the ALJ s remaining 10 reasoning and ultimate credibility determination. Id. at 1162 (italics in original). 11 Therefore, when, as here, an ALJ articulates specific reasons for discounting a 12 claimant s credibility, reliance on an illegitimate reason(s) among others does not 13 automatically result in a remand. See Batson v. Comm r of Soc. Sec. Admin., 359 F.3d 14 1190, 1197 (9th Cir. 2004) ( in light of all the other reasons given by the ALJ for 15 Batson's lack of credibility and his residual functional capacity, and in light of the 16 objective medical evidence on which the ALJ relied, there was substantial evidence 17 supporting the ALJ's decision ). 18 The ALJ articulated several reasons for discounting Whaley s credibility. For 19 ease of reference, this court groups those reasons into three categories: (1) most of 20 Whaley s conditions are longstanding and did not prevent her from working; (2) the 21 weight of the medical evidence does not support restriction on her functional ability; and 22 (3) Whaley acknowledges that medication helps her pain. A.R. 16-21. The ALJ s 23 reasons are supported by substantial evidence. 24 The ALJ properly found that Whaley has a work history notwithstanding problems 25 sleeping, migraines, left ankle conditions, and irritable bowel syndrome. A.R. 16-18, 20, 26 181, 202, 247. 27 28 The ALJ also properly relied on the absence of medical records supporting the severity of Whaley s allegations (A.R. 18-21), although this factor would not be sufficient 11 1 alone to discount her credibility. See Burch, 400 F.3d at 681 ( Although lack of medical 2 evidence cannot form the sole basis for discounting pain testimony, it is a factor that the 3 ALJ can consider in his credibility analysis. ). 4 Whaley testified that she does obtain relief from pain medication and injections 5 for some period of time before having to get another injection. A.R. 17-18, 61, 154, 6 225-228, 245-247, 250. Whaley acknowledged taking narcotic medication while she 7 was working. A.R. 252. 8 When, as here, the ALJ s credibility finding is supported by substantial evidence 9 in the record, we may not engage in second-guessing. Thomas v. Barnhart, 278 F.3d 10 947, 959 (9th Cir. 2002); Morgan v. Commissioner of the Social Security Administration, 11 169 F.3d 595, 600 (9th Cir. 1999). 12 IV. 13 CONCLUSION 14 IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that the decision of the Commissioner is affirmed. 15 IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that the Clerk of the Court serve copies of this Order 16 and the Judgment herein on all parties or their counsel. 17 18 19 20 DATED: December 10, 2008 ALICIA G. ROSENBERG UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 12

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.