(SS) Champion v. Commissioner of Social Security, No. 1:2011cv01504 - Document 21 (E.D. Cal. 2012)

Court Description: ORDER DENYING 20 Defendant's Motion for Summary Judgment and ORDER REMANDING the Matter Pursuant to Sentence Four of 42 U.S.C. 405(g) signed by Magistrate Judge Jennifer L. Thurston on 10/29/2012. CASE CLOSED. (Jessen, A)

Download PDF

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT 9 EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA 10 11 CHERYL L. CHAMPION, 12 Plaintiff, 13 v. 14 15 16 MICHAEL J. ASTRUE, Commissioner of Social Security, 17 Defendant. 18 19 ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) Case No.: 1:11-cv-01504 - JLT ORDER DENYING DEFENDANT’S MOTION FOR SUMMARY JUDGMENT (Doc. 20) ORDER REMANDING THE MATTER PURSUANT TO SENTENCE FOUR OF 42 U.S.C. § 405(g) ORDER DIRECTING ENTRY OF JUDGMENT IN FAVOR OF PLAINTIFF CHERYL L. CHAMPION AND AGAINST DEFENDANT MICHAEL J. ASTRUE, COMMISSIONER OF SOCIAL SECURITY 20 21 Cheryl Champion (“Plaintiff”) asserts she is entitled to disability insurance benefits under Title 22 II of the Social Security Act. Plaintiff argues the administrative law judge (“ALJ”) erred in evaluating 23 the medical evidence and her subjective complaints. Therefore, Plaintiff seeks judicial review of the 24 administrative decision denying her claim for benefits. For the reasons set forth below, Defendant’s motion for summary judgment is DENIED, and 25 26 the matter is REMANDED for further proceedings. 27 /// 28 /// 1 PROCEDURAL HISTORY 1 2 Plaintiff filed an application for a period of disability and disability insurance benefits on May 3 1, 2008, alleging disability beginning January 1, 2007. (Doc. 13-6 at 2). The Social Security 4 Administration denied her claim initially on September 26, 2008, and upon reconsideration on July 9, 5 2009. (Doc. 12-4). After requesting a hearing, Plaintiff testified before an ALJ on June 23, 2010. 6 (Doc. 13-3 at 43). 7 The ALJ determined Plaintiff was not disabled under the Social Security Act, and issued an 8 order denying benefits on November 13, 2009. Id. at 18-26. Plaintiff requested a review by The 9 Appeals Council denied Plaintiff’s request for review on June 14, 2011. Id. at 2-7. Therefore, the 10 11 12 ALJ’s determination became the decision of the Commissioner of Social Security (“Commissioner”). STANDARD OF REVIEW District courts have a limited scope of judicial review for disability claims after a decision by 13 the Commissioner to deny benefits under the Social Security Act. When reviewing findings of fact, 14 such as whether a claimant was disabled, the Court must determine whether the Commissioner’s 15 decision is supported by substantial evidence or is based on legal error. 42 U.S.C. § 405(g). The 16 ALJ’s determination that the claimant is not disabled must be upheld by the Court if the proper legal 17 standards were applied and the findings are supported by substantial evidence. See Sanchez v. Sec’y of 18 Health & Human Serv., 812 F.2d 509, 510 (9th Cir. 1987). 19 Substantial evidence is “more than a mere scintilla. It means such relevant evidence as a 20 reasonable mind might accept as adequate to support a conclusion.” Richardson v. Perales, 402 U.S. 21 389, 401 (1971) (quoting Consol. Edison Co. v. NLRB, 305 U.S. 197 (1938)). The record as a whole 22 must be considered, because “[t]he court must consider both evidence that supports and evidence that 23 detracts from the ALJ’s conclusion.” Jones v. Heckler, 760 F.2d 993, 995 (9th Cir. 1985). 24 DISABILITY BENEFITS 25 To qualify for benefits under the Social Security Act, Plaintiff must establish she is unable to 26 engage in substantial gainful activity due to a medically determinable physical or mental impairment 27 that has lasted or can be expected to last for a continuous period of not less than 12 months. 42 U.S.C. 28 § 1382c(a)(3)(A). An individual shall be considered to have a disability only if: 2 physical or mental impairment or impairments are of such severity that he is not only unable to do his previous work, but cannot, considering his age, education, and work experience, engage in any other kind of substantial gainful work which exists in the national economy, regardless of whether such work exists in the immediate area in which he lives, or whether a specific job vacancy exists for him, or whether he would be hired if he applied for work. 1 2 3 4 5 42 U.S.C. § 1382c(a)(3)(B). The burden of proof is on a claimant to establish disability. Terry v. 6 Sullivan, 903 F.2d 1273, 1275 (9th Cir. 1990). When a claimant establishes a prima facie case of 7 disability, the burden shifts to the Commissioner to prove the claimant is able to engage in other 8 substantial gainful employment. Maounis v. Heckler, 738 F.2d 1032, 1034 (9th Cir. 1984). 9 DETERMINATION OF DISABILITY 10 To achieve uniform decisions, the Commissioner established a sequential five-step process for 11 evaluating a claimant’s alleged disability. 20 C.F.R. §§ 404.1520 (a)-(f). The process requires the 12 ALJ to determine whether Plaintiff (1) engaged in substantial gainful activity during the period of 13 alleged disability, (2) had medically determinable severe impairments (3) that met or equaled one of 14 the listed impairments set forth in 20 C.F.R. § 404, Subpart P, Appendix 1; and whether Plaintiff (4) 15 had the residual functional capacity to perform to past relevant work or (5) the ability to perform other 16 work existing in significant numbers at the state and national level. Id. The ALJ must consider 17 objective medical evidence and hearing testimony. 20 C.F.R. §§ 404.1527, 404.1529. 18 A. 19 Relevant Medical Opinions Dr. Khong reviewed Plaintiff’s medical records and completed a physical residual functional 20 capacity assessment on August 14, 2008. (Doc. 13-9 at 59-63). Dr. Khong noted Plaintiff was status 21 post- lumbar spine fusion and removal schwannoma, and opined she had the ability to lift and carry 22 ten pounds frequently and twenty pounds occasionally. Id. at 59-60. In addition, Dr. Khong 23 determined Plaintiff had the ability to stand, sit, and walk about six hours in an eight-hour workday. 24 Id. at 60. According to Dr. Khong, Plaintiff could occasionally climb, balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, 25 and crawl. Id. at 61. Plaintiff did not have any limitations with her ability to push and/or pull, or any 26 manipulative limitations. Id. at 60-61. 27 On September 11, 2008, Dr. Shireen Damania performed a psychiatric evaluation. (Doc. 13-9 28 at 68-72). Plaintiff reported she could not bend or twist, stand for more than ten minutes, or lift items 3 1 more than five pounds. Id. at 68. In addition, Plaintiff informed Dr. Damania that her “depression- 2 anxiety” made it difficult to relate to people or leave her house. Id. Dr. Damania noted Plaintiff 3 reported a history of depression, which Plaintiff believed was exacerbated by “her inability now to be 4 gainfully employed and her medical problems and the financial difficulties her family now faces, since 5 her husband had to take a medical retirement as a fire fighter.” Id. at 69. Plaintiff stated she had 6 difficulty sleeping, tended to isolate herself, and she had suicidal thoughts. Id. Dr. Damania opined 7 Plaintiff’s “[m]emory for recent and past recall was intact,” and “[n]o difficulties were noted in 8 memory, concentration, persistence and pace. Id. at 71-72. Dr. Damania determined: 9 10 11 She is able to understand, carryout, and remember three- and four-step job instructions in a work like setting. She is able to respond appropriately to coworkers, supervisors, and the public. From the psychiatric point of view, she is able to respond appropriately to usual work situations and deal with changes in a routine work setting with normal supervision. 12 13 Id. at 72. According to Dr. Damania, Plaintiff’s level of psychological stressors was in the “Mild to 14 Moderate” range, and she had a GAF score of 61.1 Id. 15 16 17 Dr. Biala completed a psychiatric review on September 24, 2008. (Doc. 13-9 at 73). Dr. Biala opined Plaintiff’s affective disorder was not a severe impairment. Id. On June 6, 2009, Dr. Greg Hirokawa performed a comprehensive psychiatric evaluation. 18 (Doc. 13-10 at 35-40). Plaintiff “reported feeling depressed, anxious, having poor concentration, and 19 short-term memory problems.” Id. at 35. Dr. Hirokawa observed Plaintiff’s recent and past memory 20 recall “appear[ed] intact,” and her concentration was adequate. Id. at 38. Based upon the 21 examination, Dr. Hirokawa opined Plaintiff was “mildly limited” in her ability to understand, 22 remember, and carry out simple instructions; maintain attention and concentration for extend periods; 23 perform activities within a schedule; maintain attendance and consistent pace; and “complete a normal 24 workday and workweek without interruptions from psychologically based symptoms.” Id. at 39. 25 26 27 28 1 GAF scores range from 1-100, and in calculating a GAF score, the doctor considers “psychological, social, and occupational functioning on a hypothetical continuum of mental health-illness.” American Psychiatric Association, Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 34 (4th ed.) (“DSM-IV). A GAF score between 61-70 indicates “[s]ome mild symptoms (e.g., depressed mood and mild insomnia) OR some difficulty in social, occupational, or school functioning . . . but generally functioning pretty well, has some meaningful interpersonal relationships.” DSM-IV at 34. 4 Dr. Kammen reviewed the medical records on July 8, 2009, and opined Plaintiff “should be 1 2 capable of returning to prior work.” (Doc. 13-10 at 86). Dr. Kammen noted Plaintiff’s leg pain was 3 “easily managed with ibuprofen.” Id. In addition, Dr. Kammen observed Plaintiff’s “[n]euro exam is 4 normal, and she appeared to be “recovering well” after the removal of a schwanomma from her left 5 palm. Id. Thus, Dr. Kammen opined there was “no evidence of a closed period of disability.” Id. 6 Plaintiff’s treating physician, Dr. Steven Miller, provided evaluations of her mental and 7 physical capacities on May 23, 2010. (Doc. 13-12 at 46-47, 49-50). Dr. Miller noted he began 8 treating Plaintiff on February 8, 1999, as her family physician. Id. at 46. With regard to Plaintiff’s 9 mental abilities, Dr. Miller suspected Plaintiff had “difficulty with her short-term memory, which may 10 be exacerbated by the fairly large number of medications she takes, including a muscle relaxer, an 11 antidepressant, and an opioid.” Id. According to Dr. Miller, Plaintiff’s medication could cause 12 “drowsiness, poor memory, and decreased cognition, especially with the muscle relaxer and opioid.” 13 Id. Dr. Miller doubted Plaintiff was able to maintain concentration for two-hour increments, and 14 opined Plaintiff was unable to withstand the stress associated with an eight-hour work day. Id. Dr. Miller opined Plaintiff had the ability to sit, stand, and walk for one hour each in an eight- 15 16 hour day, and explained she must alternate sitting and standing every fifteen minutes to relieve pain. 17 (Doc. 13-21 at 49). He believed Plaintiff had the ability to lift and carry up to five pounds 18 occasionally, but never more. Id. Dr. Miller opined Plaintiff was able to bend and kneel occasionally, 19 but never squat, crawl, climb, or stoop. Id. Dr. Miller explained he believed “her primary disabling 20 problems are now secondary to her low back pain and problems with her cognition caused by both the 21 pain and the side effects of her medication.” Id. at 50. 22 B. 23 The ALJ’s Findings Pursuant to the five-step process, the ALJ determined Plaintiff had not engaged in substantial 24 gainful activity during the period from her alleged onset date through her date last insured. (Doc. 13-3 25 at 20). The ALJ found Plaintiff’s severe impairments included “disorder of the back with a history of 26 surgery and a history of schwannoma.” Id. However, the ALF found Plaintiff’s depression was not a 27 severe impairment. Id. The ALJ found Plaintiff’s severe impairments did not meet or medically equal 28 a listing. Id. at 20-21. 5 The ALJ determined Plaintiff had the residual functional capacity (“RFC”) “to perform light 1 2 work as defined in 20 CFR 404.1567(b).” (Doc. 13-3 at 22). Specifically, the ALJ found Plaintiff 3 “could lift and carry 20 pounds occasionally and 10 pounds frequently and stand and/or walk six hours 4 in an eight-hour workday, and sit six hours in an eight-hour workday with stooping, crouching, 5 kneeling, crawling, climbing and balancing occasionally.” Id. With this RFC, Plaintiff was capable of 6 performing her past relevant work as a medical transcriptionist. Id. at 25-26. Therefore, the ALJ 7 concluded Plaintiff was not disabled as defined by the Social Security Act. Id. at 26. DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS 8 9 10 A. The ALJ erred in his evaluation of the medical evidence. In this circuit, the opinions of three categories of physicians are distinguished: (1) treating 11 physicians, (2) examining physicians, who examine but do not treat the claimant, and (3) non- 12 examining physicians, who neither examine nor treat the claimant. Lester v. Chater, 81 F.3d. 821, 830 13 (9th Cir. 1996). Generally, the opinion of a treating physician is afforded the greatest weight in 14 disability cases, but it is not binding on an ALJ in determining the existence of an impairment or on 15 the ultimate issue of a disability. Id.; see also 20 C.F.R. § 404.1527(d)(2); Magallanes v. Bowen, 881 16 F.2d 747, 751 (9th Cir. 1989). 17 A treating physician’s opinion is not binding upon the ALJ when the ALJ provides “specific 18 and legitimate” reasons for rejecting the opinion, supported by substantial evidence in the record. 19 Lester, 81 F.3d at 830; see also Thomas v. Barnhart, 278 F.3d 947, 958-59 (9th Cir. 2002). When 20 there is conflicting medical evidence, “it is the ALJ’s role to determine credibility and to resolve the 21 conflict.” Allen v. Heckler, 749 F.2d 577, 579 (9th Cir. 1984). Notably, the opinion of a treating 22 physician may be rejected whether or not the opinion is contradicted by another. Magallanes, 881 23 F.2d at 751. 24 Plaintiff contends the ALJ improperly rejected the opinion of her treating physician. (Doc. 16 25 at 9-12). Plaintiff observes, “Dr. Miller opined that [she] would have limitations on her ability to 26 function at less than a sedentary level of exertion as a result of her severe impairments.” Id. at 10. 27 Defendant argues, “The ALJ properly weighed the medical evidence,” and “reasonably relied upon the 28 6 1 findings of a State agency reviewing physician, A. Khong, M.D., and a consultative examiner, Dr. 2 Damania.”2 (Doc. 20 at 6). 3 Notably, the ALJ explained he relied upon the assessment of Dr. Khong in formulating 4 Plaintiff’s RFC. (Doc. 13-3 at 22). Thus, the ALJ chose to adopt the opinion of a non-examining 5 physician over Plaintiff’s treating physician, and gave “little weight” to the opinion of Dr. Miller. Id. 6 at 25. The ALJ explained, 7 8 9 10 11 12 Although Dr. Miller indicated the claimant can only do a very narrow range of sedentary work, his assessment is inconsistent with his own treatment records, as well as the record as a whole. For example, the claimant took several trips to Mexico and one to Michigan despite alleging debilitating pain. Limitations involving the claimant’s feet and hands are not supported by the objective evidence; for example, her left arm improved significantly after the carpal tunnel release. Id. Therefore, the ALJ concluded the assessment of Dr. Miller was not entitled to controlling weight. Significantly, when a treating physician’s opinion is unsupported by the objective medical 13 evidence, the ALJ must identify the conflicting evidence to set forth a specific, legitimate reason for 14 discounting the opinion. See Cotton v. Bowen, 799 F.2d 1403, 1408 (9th Cir. 1986). To disregard a 15 treating physician’s opinion as contradicted by the medical evidence, the ALJ has a burden to “set out 16 a detailed and thorough summary of the facts and conflicting clinical evidence, stating his 17 interpretation thereof, and making findings.” Id. (emphasis added); Thomas v. Barnhart, 278 F.3d 947, 18 957 (9th Cir. 2002). Here, the ALJ offered only his conclusion that the treating record contradicted 19 the opinion of Dr. Miller, and cites broadly to the treatment records, without referencing any findings 20 or clinical evidence therein. 21 Moreover, although the ALJ references Plaintiff’s trips to Mexico as support of his assertion 22 that Dr. Miller’s assessment is inconsistent with her conduct, Plaintiff’s trips to Mexico were before 23 the onset date provided by Dr. Miller. Plaintiff testified she went to Mexico in 2006, and a treatment 24 note from Dr. Miller dated February 1, 2007, indicated Plaintiff would be leaving for Mexico in two 25 days. (Doc. 20 at 9). However, Dr. Miller opined the onset date for Plaintiff’s physical limitations 26 27 28 2 Notably, consultative examination performed by Dr. Damania related to Plaintiff’s mental impairments, rather than physical. (See Doc. 13-9 at 68-72). Dr. Damania did not offer an opinion regarding Plaintiff’s physical capacities, and the ALJ did not cite the opinion of Dr. Damania as support for the physical RFC assesment. (Doc. 13-3 at 25). 7 1 was November 12, 2007. (Doc. 13-12 at 50). Accordingly, Plaintiff’s trips to Mexico were not 2 inconsistent with the assessment offered by Dr. Miller, and fail to support the ALJ’s assessment of the 3 medical evidence. The ALJ has not carried his burden to set forth “a detailed and thorough summary of the facts 4 5 and conflicting clinical evidence.” See Cotton, 799 F.2d at 1408. The ALJ failed to identify “specific, 6 legitimate reasons” to give less weight to the opinion of Dr. Miller regarding Plaintiff’s physical 7 abilities and limitations. See Thomas, 278 F.3d at 957. 8 B. 9 Remand is appropriate in this matter. The decision whether to remand a matter pursuant to sentence four of 42 U.S.C. § 405(g) or to 10 order immediate payment of benefits is within the discretion of the district court. Harman v. Apfel, 11 211 F.3d 1172, 1178 (9th Cir. 2000). Except in rare instances, when a court reverses an administrative 12 agency determination, the proper course is to remand to the agency for additional investigation or 13 explanation. Moisa v. Barnhart, 367 F.3d 882, 886 (9th Cir. 2004), citing INS v. Ventura, 537 U.S. 14 12, 16 (2002). Generally, an award of benefits is directed when: 15 16 17 18 (1) the ALJ has failed to provide legally sufficient reasons for rejecting such evidence, (2) there are no outstanding issues that must be resolved before a determination of disability can be made, and (3) it is clear from the record that the ALJ would be required to find the claimant disabled were such evidence credited. Smolen v. Chater, 80 F.3d 1273, 1292 (9th Cir. 1996). In addition, an award of benefits is 19 directed where no useful purpose would be served by further administrative proceedings, or where the 20 record has been fully developed. Varney v. Sec’y of Health & Human Serv., 859 F.2d 1396, 1399 (9th 21 Cir. 1988). 22 Applying the Smolen factors to this case, the ALJ failed to set forth legally sufficient reasons to 23 properly reject the opinion of Plaintiff’s treating physician. This opinion is intertwined with the 24 testimony of the vocational expert regarding Plaintiff’s ability to perform work in the national 25 economy and the RFC determination based thereon by the ALJ. Moreover, it is not clear from the 26 record that the ALJ would be required to find Plaintiff disabled based upon the opinion of Dr. Miller, 27 who “indicated the claimant can only do a very narrow range of sedentary work.” (Doc. 13-13 at 25). 28 Consequently, the matter should be remanded for the ALJ to re-evaluate the medical evidence. 8 1 CONCLUSION AND ORDER 2 For all these reasons, the Court concludes the ALJ erred in his evaluation of the medical 3 record. As a result, the administrative decision should not be upheld by the Court. See Sanchez, 812 4 F.2d at 510. Because the Court finds remand is appropriate on this matter, it will not address the 5 remaining issue raised by Plaintiff on appeal. 6 Accordingly, IT IS HEREBY ORDERED: 7 1. Defendant’s motion for summary judgment (Doc. 20) is DENIED; 8 2. Pursuant to sentence four of 42 U.S.C. § 405(g), this matter is REMANDED for further proceedings consistent with this decision; and 9 10 3. The Clerk of Court IS DIRECTED to enter judgment in favor of Plaintiff Cheryl Champion and against Defendant Michael J. Astrue, Commissioner of Social Security. 11 12 13 14 15 16 IT IS SO ORDERED. Dated: October 29, 2012 /s/ Jennifer L. Thurston UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE DEAC_Signature-END: 9j7khijed 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 9

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.