(SS) Her v. Commissioner of Social Security, No. 2:2008cv01922 - Document 23 (E.D. Cal. 2010)

Court Description: MEMORANDUM OPINION and ORDER signed by Magistrate Judge Craig M. Kellison on 3/29/10 ORDERING that Plaintiff's MOTION For Summary Judgment 20 is DENIED; Defendant's CROSS-MOTION for Summary Judgment 22 is GRANTED. The Clerk is directed to enter judgment and close the case. CASE CLOSED. (Mena-Sanchez, L)

Download PDF

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT 9 FOR THE EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA 10 11 CHA HER, 12 13 14 No. CIV S-08-1922-CMK Plaintiff, vs. MEMORANDUM OPINION AND ORDER COMMISSIONER OF SOCIAL SECURITY, 15 Defendant. 16 17 / Plaintiff, who is proceeding with retained counsel, brings this action for judicial 18 review of a final decision of the Commissioner of Social Security under 42 U.S.C. § 405(g). 19 Pursuant to the written consent of all parties, this case is before the undersigned as the presiding 20 judge for all purposes, including entry of final judgment. See 28 U.S.C. § 636(c). Pending 21 before the court are plaintiff s motion for summary judgment (Doc. 20) and defendant s cross- 22 motion for summary judgment (Doc. 22). 23 24 I. PROCEDURAL HISTORY Plaintiff applied for social security benefits on October 29, 2002. In the 25 application, plaintiff claimed that his disability began on March 8, 2002. Plaintiff claims that his 26 disability is caused by a combination of left eye problems - face wounded, joint pain, right wrist 1 1 pain, right shoulder pain, right hand numb, back pain, depression, poor concentration, and poor 2 memory. Plaintiff s claim was initially denied. Following denial of reconsideration, plaintiff 3 requested an administrative hearing, which was held on November 6, 2003, before 4 Administrative Law Judge ( ALJ ) Antonio Acevedo-Torres. In a December 22, 2003, decision, 5 the ALJ concluded that Plaintiff was not disabled based on the following findings: 6 1. The claimant has not engaged in substantial gainful activity since March 8, 2002. 2. The medical evidence establishes that the claimant has severe status post gunshot wounds to the face, left eye visual loss and an anxiety disorder, but that he does not have an impairment or combination of impairments listed in, or medically equal to one listed in Appendix 1, Subpart P, Regulation No. 4. 3. The claimant s testimony is not credible for the reasons stated in the body of the decision. 4. The claimant has the residual functional capacity to perform the exertion requirements of work except for frequently lifting more than 25 pounds and occasionally lifting more than 50 pounds (20 CFR 404.1545). He is also precluded from working in high stress environments, frequently socially interacting with the public and handling large objects, using power tools, working on an assembly line and working in hazardous environments. 5. The claimant has the residual functional capacity to perform medium work eroded by visual, environmental and mental impairment related nonexertional limitations (20 CFR 404.1567). 18 6. The claimant is unable to perform his past relevant work. 19 7. The claimant is 41 years old, which is defined as a younger age individual (20 CFR 404.1563). 8. The claimant has a high school education (20 CFR 404.1564). 9. In view of the claimant s age and residual functional capacity, the issue of transferability of work skills is not material. 10. Section 404.1569 of Regulations No. 4 and rule 203.29 of Table No. 3, of Appendix 2, Subpart P, Regulations No. 4, direct a conclusion that, considering the claimant s residual functional capacity, age, education, and work experience, he is not disabled within the framework of this rule. 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 /// 2 1 11. 2 3 The claimant was not under a disability, as defined in the Social Security Act, at any time through the date of this decision (20 CFR 404.1520(f)). (Certified Administrative Record ( CAR ) 19). 4 After the Appeals Council declined review on March 29, 2004, Plaintiff filed an 5 appeal with this court, case number 04cv1014-KMJ. The parties entered in to a stipulated 6 remand, wherein the parties agreed that the ALJ was to obtain vocational expert testimony to 7 clarify the effects of Plaintiff s assessed limitations on the occupational base. (CAR 267-70). 8 In addition, the ALJ was directed to consolidate Plaintiff s current and subsequent claims, which 9 were filed on May 27, 2004, and issue a new decision. 10 Following the stipulated remand order, the Appeals Council directed the ALJ to 11 consult with a vocational expert and articulate Plaintiff s high stress environment restrictions. In 12 addition, the Appeals Council noted that the State Agency concluded that the claimant became 13 disabled on June 1, 2004, based on his May 27, 2004, subsequent application. (CAR 277). The 14 ALJ was therefore directed to consider only the period prior to June 1, 2004, and to consult with 15 a mental health medical expert in determining whether an earlier onset date is possible. The ALJ 16 was further directed to offer Plaintiff a new hearing and address any additional evidence 17 submitted. (CAR 276-77). 18 A new administrative hearing was held November 2, 2005. In a December 27, 19 2005, decision, the ALJ again concluded that Plaintiff is not disabled based on the following 20 findings: 21 1. The claimant has not engaged in substantial gainful activity since March 8, 2002. 2. The medical evidence establishes that the claimant has severe status post gunshot wounds to the face, left eye visual loss and an anxiety disorder (posttraumatic stress disorder), but that he does not have an impairment or combination of impairments listed in, or medically equal to one listed in Appendix 1, Subpart P, Regulation No. 4. 22 23 24 25 26 /// 3 1 3. The claimant s testimony is not credible for the reasons stated in the body of the decision. 4. The claimant has the following residual functional capacity: the claimant remains capable of lifting 50 pounds occasionally and 25 pounds frequently. Therefore, he remains capable of performing medium work. However, he is further restricted to performing unskilled work where no bilateral visual acuity is required. The claimant must also avoid working with large objects, power tools and he is unable to perform assembly work. 5. The claimant is unable to perform his past relevant work. 6. The claimant is 43 years old, which is defined as a younger age individual (20 CFR 404.1563). 9 7. The claimant has a high school education (20 CFR 404.1564). 10 8. In view of the claimant s age and residual functional capacity, the issue of transferability of work skills is not material. 9. Pursuant to the testimony of the vocational expert, Ms. Clavel, given the above residual functional capacity and considering the claimant s age, education and past relevant work experience, the claimant would be able to perform the following jobs which exist in significant numbers in the national economy: An auto detailer. See Dictionary of Occupational Titles 915.687-034. There are 120,000 jobs in the United States and 10,000 jobs in California. The claimant could also work as a laundry factory worker with 2,400 jobs in California and 10,000 jobs in the United States. See Dictionary of Occupational Titles 361.687.018. The claimant could also work as a dishwasher with 37,000 jobs in California and 400,000 in the United States. See Dictionary of Occupational Titles DOT 599.687-030. At the light level, the claimant could work as an usher in a theater. There are 6,700 jobs available in California and 57,000 jobs in the U.S. See Dictionary of Occupational Titles 344.677-014. He could work as a storage facility clerk. There are 5,800 jobs in [] California and 55,000 jobs in the United States. See Dictionary of Occupational Titles 295.367-026. He could also work as a mail clerk. There are 79,000 jobs in the U.S. and 7,800 in California. See Dictionary of Occupational Titles 209.687-026. At the sedentary level, the claimant could work as a food order clerk. There are 17,000 jobs available in the United States and 12,000 in California. See Dictionary of Occupational Titles 209.567-014. He could work as a telephone information clerk. See Dictionary of Occupational Titles 237.367-046. There are 93,000 jobs available in the U.S. and 12,000 jobs in California. Finally, he could work as a charge account clerk. See Dictionary of Occupational Titles 205.367-014. There are 38,000 jobs in the U.S. and 4,000 jobs available in California. 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 4 1 10. Within the framework of Section 404.1569 of Regulations No. 4 and rule 203.29 of Table No. 3, of Appendix 2, Subpart P, Regulations No. 4, direct a conclusion that, considering the claimant s residual functional capacity, age, education, and work experience, he is not disabled within the framework of this rule. 11. The claimant was not under a disability, as defined in the Social Security Act, from his alleged onset date of March 8, 2002 through the end of May of 2004. However, as noted above, the claimant submitted a subsequent application dated May 27, 2004 while the current application was pending on appeal and at this time, as ordered by the Appeals Council, the undersigned will not disturb the determination that the claimant was disabled as of June 1, 2004 (20 CFR 404.1520(f)). 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 (CAR 255-56) 9 Following Plaintiff s appeal of that decision to the Appeals Council, on June 18, 10 2008, the Appeals Council issued a denial stating it found no reason to assume jurisdiction. This 11 appeal followed. 12 II. SUMMARY OF THE EVIDENCE 13 The CAR contains the following evidence, summarized chronologically below: 14 1. Medical Records, U.C. Davis Medical Center, March 12, 2002 through August 7, 2002(CAR 109-55); 2. Medical Records, We Care Medical Center, August 22, 2002 through February 7, 2003 (CAR 156-64); 3. Internal Medicine Consultative Examination, James L. Martin, M.D., December 30, 2002 (CAR 165-67); 4. Psychiatric Evaluation, Andrea Bates, M.D., December 28, 2002 (CAR 168-74); 5. Medical Consultant s Review of Physical Residual Functional Capacity Assessment, January 14, 2003 (CAR 175-82); 6. Psychiatric Review Technique Form, DDS physician, January 16, 2003 (CAR 183-96); 7 Psychiatric Review Technique Form, DDS physician, April 30, 2003 (CAR 197-210); 8. Medical Assessment of Ability to Do Work-Related Activities (Mental) April 30, 2003 (CAR 211-14); 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 /// 5 1 9. Medical Records, We Care Medical Center, May 28, 2003 through October 16, 2003 (CAR 218-22); 10. Medical Assessment of Ability to Do Work-Related Activities (Mental) from Wu-Hsiung Su, M.D., November 1, 2003 (CAR 223-24); 11. Medical Assessment of Ability to Do Work-Related Activities (Physical) from Wu-Hsiung Su, M.D., November 1, 2003 (CAR 225-26); 12. Medical Records, Sacramento Community Health Center, December 23, 2003 through July 9, 2004 (CAR 292-304); 13. Medical Records, Sacramento County Mental Health, June 23, 2004 through September 7, 2005 (CAR 305-25); 14. Psychiatric Review Technique Form (Medical Expert) November 2, 2005 (CAR 326-41); 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 A. 11 TREATMENT RECORDS1 2002 12 Plaintiff summarizes his treatment at U.C. Davis Medical Center as follows: 13 On March 8, 2002, Mr. Cha Her was shot in the face during an attempted robbery. He was taken to U.C. Davis Medical Center by ambulance. His diagnoses were: left orbital fracture; left mandibular fracture; left visual field loss; left maxillary sinus fracture; and status post gunshot wound x 2 to face. TR 138. Radiological evidence documented: 14 15 16 multiple bullet fragments superimposed on the mandible bilaterally, as well as over the left maxillary sinus. There is a comminuted fracture of the body of the left mandible, with multiple fracture fragments interspersed with shrapnel. This results in a fairly large defect of the left mandible, although the roots of the teeth are not involved. TR 145. 17 18 19 20 During the hospitalization he underwent surgery to extract a right submandibular foreign body. TR 155. Mr. Her was seen by multiple physicians and psychiatry. He was advised to continue the Remeron and contact Victims of Violent Crime. TR 137. Mr. Her was discharged on March 13, 2002, and instructed to followup with Ophthalmology and the Trauma Clinic. TR 137-138. 21 22 23 24 (Pl. s Mot. at 4-5). 25 1 26 A significant amount of the treatment notes are illegible. The court has interpreted them where possible, and has relied in large part on the summary Plaintiff provides. 6 1 2 Plaintiff summarizes his treatment at We-Care Medical Center, which the court notes contain the most illegible notes, as follows: 3 On August 22, 2002, Mr. Her reported neck and shoulder pain, and memory lost. The notes reflected that his left eye was blind and that he had severe pain. TR 163. 4 5 On September 19, 2002, Mr. Her reported eye problems. He was assessed with status post gunshot wound. TR 162. 6 On October 28, 2002, he reported neck, shoulder, and back pain. It was noted that his left eye was blind. He was prescribed Vioxx and Tylenol. TR 161. 7 8 On December 6, 2002 he reported that he was tired, had headaches, body pain, and mental problems. Insomnia, headaches, and fearfulness were noted. He was assessed with PTS (Post Traumatic Stress) as the victim of an assault. TR 160. 9 10 11 12 (Pl. s Mot. at 5). 2003 13 On January 7, 2003, he reported body pain and mouth bleeding. He was assessed as blind in left eye and referred to Ophthalmology. 14 15 On February 7, 2003, he reported back pain and an inability to sleep. He was given an eye referral. TR 158. 16 On May 28, 2003, Mr. Her was seen in follow-up for pain on the left side of his face. He was assessed with headaches secondary to gunshot wound. TR 222. 17 18 On June 26, 2003, Mr. Her reported back and eye pain. Left eye was termed abnormal with some tenderness. He was assessed status post gun shot injury to left eye with persistent pain. TR 221. 19 20 21 22 On October 16, 2003, he reported left face pain and was assessed with gunshot [wound] to left eye blind. (Pl. s Mot. at 5). 23 Plaintiff was seen on December 23, 2003, for medication refill. 24 25 26 2004 On June 11, 2004, Mr. Her was treated for headaches secondary to his gunshot wound. He was also assessed with anxiety and depression. The records reflected that he was 7 1 prescribed Feldene, Neurontin, and Elavil, and was to be referred to the psychiatrist. TR 298, 304. 2 3 4 5 On July 9, 2004, Mr. Her reported that his wrist and brain were hurting. He was assessed with low back pain, right wrist pain and neck pain, as well as depression. TR 294. Mr. Her s problems were listed as blindness, body aches and depression. His medications were Elavil, Neurontin, and Feldene. TR 293. (Pl. s Mot. at 5-6) 6 2004-2005 (Sacramento County Mental Health Services)2 7 Sacramento County Adult Mental Health Services (SCAMHS) medical records of June 23, 2004, reflected that Mr. Her underwent an initial psychiatric evaluation. His reliability was rated as good and he required an interpreter. He reported that his chief concern was feeling worthless caused by having to depend on others. He also stated that he was frequently fearful and sensitive to loud noises. He identified his problems starting after suffering multiple gunshot wounds in 2002. He also expressed that he was scared of groups of Hispanics because his unprovoked attack was perpetrated by a Hispanic person. Mr. Her further reported recurring dreams on a nightly basis which made it difficult to sleep. He stated that his girlfriend had been nice to him but he felt very inadequate due to not being able to work. 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 Currently he is negatively affected by the depression and the injuries from the multiple gunshot wounds. States that the depression makes him not want to do anything and he has lost a great deal of interest in his pets. Has to force himself to be active. Has a gun at home and has had thoughts of suicide but is hopeful that he ll get better. States that the gun is locked and none of the children are depressed. 15 16 17 18 The patient now feels that the depression has gotten worse over time. All money is gone and he is frustrated over the SSI process. 19 20 The patient reports that before the gunshot wound he had no past history of depression or mental illness. TR 321. 21 22 Mr. Her reported that he was unable to drive any more because he had two accidents. He further indicated that he has 23 24 2 25 26 Plaintiff s summary of these records are included here as they are contained in the record. However, the undersigned notes that the issues in this case are limited to the time frame of March 8, 2002 through June 1, 2004, as Plaintiff has already been determined to be disabled as of June 1, 2004, in response to his supplemental application. 8 1 2 3 4 5 6 constant headaches and back pain and blindness in the left eye. TR 322. The evaluation reflected that Mr. Her s walking was labored and he used a cane. He further expressed feelings of hopelessness and uselessness. He stated that he sleeps about five hours per night and has hyper startle to loud noise and traumatic dreams of the shooting. Mr. Her had also lost his sexual drive and that is negatively affecting the relationship. TR 323. The plan was to decrease the depression with Wellbutrin due to concern over worsening already suppressed sexual feelings and treat the PTSD with Seroquel. TR 324. Medical records of the same day reflected that Mr. Her was prescribed Wellbutrin, Seroquel and Viagra. TR 319. Medical records also reflected a DMS-IV diagnosis of: 7 Axis I: 8 9 Axis II: Axis III: 10 Axis IV: 11 12 Axis V: TR 324. Post-traumatic Stress Disorder. Major depression single episode. None. Jaw pain, tongue numbness, headaches, right leg numbness, all secondary to multiple gunshot wounds. Acute and chronic problems with his primary support group and economic conditions. Current GAF: 48. Past Year: 55. 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 On July 22, 2004, Mr. Her reported sleeping a little better but still being depressed; reported that the Seroquel helped but that he was still awakened every two hours with traumatic dreams; and that Wellbutrin caused him agitation. He also reported PTSD symptoms. His Wellbutrin was decreased and Restoril was added to the Seroquel. His medication compliance was rated as always/almost always, and his overall response to medication was rated partial, adequate. TR 318. On August 11, 2004, Mr. Her reported still feeling fearful, still having a loss of sex drive, being easily startled by loud noises, and having decreased sleep and anhedonia. He also reported that he had constant headaches, back pain, and was still unable to drive a vehicle. The records reflected that he had a current GAF of 48. TR 317. 21 22 23 24 25 26 Treatment notes dated August 17, 2004, reflected that Mr. Her was attempting to apply for the Victim s Compensation Benefits. The psychiatric staff believed that he needed long-term counseling. TR 316, 317. On September 2, 2004, Mr. Her reported: I am no better. The patient reports a marginal improvement in his sleep but even the addition of Lexapro to the Wellbutrin was not helpful. The patient reports that he feels anxious and fearful. States his anxiety gets better and worse. Has also 9 1 [has] panic attacks. States the panic attacks occur more when he leaves home. Nightmares still occurring every night. 2 3 TR 315. The remarks included: Still despondent and having marked panic anxiety problems. TR 315. 4 On October 28, 2004, Mr. Her reported sleeping too much and getting really tired, and hearing noises. He reported that his sleep was too heavy on his current medications and he got up at 6:00 a.m. and then went back to bed until 10:00 a.m. Reported that he seemed to see shadows coming at him with a gun and saw the shadow even more when he did not take his medication. He indicated that the shadow brought on anxiety attacks and that he was very sensitive to the feeling of being threatened. He said he was depressed over problems with his relationship and felt that his girlfriend was more concerned about money than him. He also reported having thoughts of suicide but no intent as his girlfriend had hidden the guns. The record reflected that his medication compliance was always/almost always, side effects were that he was sedated, and his overall response to medication was partial, inadequate. TR 314. 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 On December 13, 2004, Mr. Her felt like a one out of ten if ten was the best. He reported being upset that he was unable to earn money, upset with his wife s kids, and still thought about suicide. Cymbalta was started and Lexapro and Wellbutrin discontinued. His medication compliance was rated always/almost always, and his overall response to medication was rated partial, inadequate. He was continued on Restoril and Seroquel. TR 312. 13 14 15 16 On January 26, 2005, Mr. Her reported a good response to Viagra. The records indicated that he was very concerned about the possible loss of Medi-Cal. His Cymbalta was increased and Seroquel was discontinued. His medication compliance was rated always/almost always, and his overall response to medication was rated partial/adequate. TR 311. 17 18 19 20 On March 9, 2005, Mr. Her reported I had a severe nightmare last night most of the night. He reported that his nightmares were intermittent and his sleep was very light. He stated that he felt Cymbalta made him feel calmer and rated his mood at five/ten. He denied family stresses and his daily activities included raising chickens and participating in the child rearing. The record reflected that because Mr. Her was depressed for approximately two years before coming to SCAMHS it might take another two months to see a full response. His medication compliance was rated always/almost always, and his overall response to medication was rated partial, inadequate. TR 310. 21 22 23 24 25 26 /// 10 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 The SCAMHS Annual/Update Medication Services Plan dated May 18, 2005, reflected that Mr. Her had been treated for depression since June of 2004. He has been severely depressed subsequent to a disabling gunshot injury in 2002. Initially he was treated with Lexapro and Wellbutrin without success and now had a good response to Cymbalta. Sleep has been improved on Seroquel. He feels the Viagra has helped his marriage. Rates his mood now at six to seven if ten is best. The staff reported that his mood and affect were much improved and he enjoyed raising his chickens and felt that without the chickens his life would be miserable. His medication compliance was rated at always/almost always and his overall response to medications was rated as complete. TR 308. 8 On the same day, his DSM diagnosis was: 9 Axis I: 10 Axis II: Axis III: 11 Axis IV: 12 Axis V: PTSD. Major depression single episode. None. Gunshot wound causing pain and problems with ambulation and vision. Acute and chronic problems with primary support, education, and economic problems. Current 60; Past 60. 13 14 15 Improved and stabilization is good . . . still re-experiencing the event by feeling someone will break into the house. Also tends to see the perpetrator out of the left side of his field of vision. States he startles easily. Always feels that people walking toward him are potential attackers. 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 Annual medication care plans and goal review: Continue Cymbalta, Seroquel and Viagra. See if Ability will dampen his hyper-reactivity from the PTSD. TR 307. On July 9, 2005, Mr. Her was seen for major depression accompanied by physical pain from his gunshot wound. He rated his mood at six/ten and reported that he was less worried. He reported that during the day he typically went outside and took care of his chickens. He also indicated that he just returned from a visit with his family in Wisconsin and was able to enjoy it. His progress toward rehabilitation was regarded as limited due to limited vision caused by the gunshot wound and the overall assessment was that he was doing well. His medication compliance was rated always/almost always and he was experiencing no side effects and his overall response to medications was considered partial/adequate. TR 306. 25 26 On July 11, 2005, Mr. Her was approved for Cymbalta pharmacy prescription. TR 305. 11 1 On August 8, 2005, and September 7, 2005, Mr. Her s treatment focused on his laboratory work in regard to his Seroquel dosage. TR 305. 2 3 (Pl. s Mot. at 6-10). 4 B. 5 Internal Medicine Consultative Examination, Dr. Martin, December 30, 2002 6 EVALUATIONS Plaintiff reported his chief medical complaint was vision loss following an assault 7 in March 2002 wherein he was shot in the left side of his face. He required emergency care and 8 facial surgery, but lost the vision in his left eye. He also had minimal cosmetic sequelae. He 9 reported he continues to have pain in his face due to bullet fragments remaining within, and that 10 the pain sometimes extends to his neck and shoulders. Dr. Martin did not have Plaintiff s 11 medical records, except a one page clinic note from October 2002. On examination, Dr. Martin 12 found Plaintiff to be grossly euthymic, and noted Plaintiff had no obvious difficulty moving 13 about the office. Plaintiff s uncorrected vision was OD: 20/80 OS: >20/200 ( I see black ). 14 (CAR 166). Dr. Martin noted that Plaintiff s [c]ooperation was fair with grimacing and pain 15 vocalization not noted casually. (CAR 166). Plaintiff had normal range of motion, was able to 16 squat fully, but reported it provoked lumbago. Seated and supine sciatic tension testing was 17 negative bilaterally. There was no obvious palpable paraspinous spasm. (CAR 166). Dr. 18 Martin also noted that there were no obvious muscular asymmetry or atrophy. Plaintiff s gait 19 was grossly normal, he was able to walk on his heels and toes, his motor tone was grossly 20 normal, and finger-to-nose intact bilaterally although he found it challenging. (CAR 167). 21 Plaintiff s grip strength was 5/5 bilaterally. 22 Dr. Martin s assessment was: (1) Unilateral vision impairment; (2) 23 Musculoskeletal complaints of unknown significance. Based on the objective findings and 24 available information at the time of [the] examination, [Dr. Martin found] no functional 25 restrictions attributable to medical conditions apart from his vision impairment. (CAR 167). 26 /// 12 1 2 Psychiatric Evaluation, Dr. Bates, December 28, 2002 At this psychiatric evaluation, Plaintiff reported his chief complaint was I have a 3 gunshot at my face and made me mental. (CAR 168). Dr. Bates did not have medical records, 4 but did have some background information which was reviewed. Plaintiff reported he had 5 impaired vision due to being shot, decreased memory after the incident, and some depression. 6 He also reported nightmares of the shooting every night and increased startle response as well as 7 flashbacks. (CAR 169). He also avoids situations or circumstances or things that remind him 8 of the shooting. (CAR 169). Plaintiff reported no psychiatric hospitalization, no suicide 9 attempt, and no psychiatric treatment. 10 Dr. Bates reported his current level of functioning is as follows: 11 15 The claimant lives with his family. He takes care of self-dressing, self-bathing, and personal hygiene. He does household chores, errands, shopping and cooking. The claimant can manage his funds and pay bills. He spends the day occasionally vacuuming. He will also try to walk outside a little bit. Claimant also attends appointments that he has to go to, but he stated that he usually is scared to go alone and is accompanied by his girlfriend. The claimant gets along with family members. He does have close friends. He has no problems with neighbors. (CAR 170). 16 She reports that Plaintiff was able to recall two of three objects immediately, and 17 one of three objects after several minutes. Plaintiff s concentration was not fully intact. He was 18 not able to repeat five digits forwards or three backwards, was not able to accurately subtract 19 three from twenty in a serial fashion, was able to add and subtract simple terms only. However, 20 his abstractions were intact, insight and judgment were fair, and his fund of knowledge was fair 21 to poor. His mood was a bit frustrated but not overwhelmed. He was not profoundly depressed. 22 He was a bit anxious. Affect was constricted. (CAR 171). 12 13 14 23 24 25 26 Dr. Bates stated Plaintiff s diagnosis was post traumatic stress disorder, and his current global assessment function scale was 55-62. She stated his functional assessment as: 1. Not significantly impaired in his ability to understand, remember, and carry out simple one or two-step job instructions. 13 1 2. 2 3. 3 4. 4 5. 5 6. 6 7. 7 8. 8 9 10 Not significantly impaired in his ability to do detailed and complex instructions. Not significantly impaired in his ability to relate and interact with supervisors, coworkers, and the public. Not significantly impaired in his ability to maintain concentration and attention, persistence and pace. Not significantly impaired in his ability to associate with day-to-day work activity, including attendance and safety. Moderately impaired in his ability to adapt to the stresses common to a normal work environment. Not significantly impaired in his ability to maintain regular attendance in the work place and perform work activities on a consistent basis. Not significantly impaired in his ability to perform work activities without special or additional supervision. (CAR 172-73). She further stated that [f]rom a psychiatric perspective, the claimant has a good prognosis for returning to the workforce at some point. (CAR 173). 11 Physical RFC, January 14, 2003 12 An agency physician, Dr. Pong, reviewed the record and determined Plaintiff had 13 the ability to lift and/or carry 50 pounds occasionally, 25 pounds frequently; stand and/or walk 14 about six hours in an eight-hour day; sit about six hours in an eight-hour day; unlimited ability to 15 push and/or pull; no postural limitations; no manipulative limitations; visual limitations in depth 16 perception and field of vision, with the additional limitations to avoid handling very large 17 objects, power tools or working on assembly line; must avoid exposure to hazards due to vision 18 only in one eye. Dr. Pong noted these opinions differ from treating/examining source 19 conclusions, noting Claimant still has residual pain R wrist R shoulder R hand back and jaw 20 from 3-02 assault and is blind OS M RFC with visual limitations is more appropriate. (CAR 21 181). 22 23 Psychiatric Review Technique Form, DDS physician, January 16, 2003 Agency physician found no medically determinable impairment due to anxiety 24 related disorders, with notation of recurrent and intrusive recollections of traumatic experience, 25 which are a source of marked distress. It was noted that the mere presence of a diagnosis is not 26 enough, that the diagnosis must cause a disability (read dis-ability ); ie impairment. Here, the 14 1 impairment is physical (ie visual) & there is no [psychiatric] impairment (see 12/28/02 2 [psychiatric] CE MSS). (CAR 188). The reviewer found no functional limitations exist as a 3 result of Plaintiff s mental disorder. 4 5 Psychiatric Review Technique Form, DDS physician, April 30, 2003 A second agency physician, Dr. Tyl, found that an RFC assessment was necessary, 6 and there were coexisting nonmental impairments that required referral to another medical 7 specialty, noting anxiety-related disorders. Dr. Tyl noted PTSD per CE & TP as a medically 8 determinable impairment present that does not precisely satisfy the diagnostic criteria under 9 affective disorders. (CAR 200). Dr. Tyl found Plaintiff to have mild limitations in his activities 10 of daily living and maintaining concentration, persistence, or pace; moderate limitations in his 11 ability to maintain social functioning; and insufficient evidence regarding any episodes of 12 decompensation. She further noted the evidence does not establish the presence of the C 13 criterion. She specifically references a consult from April 30, 2003. 14 15 Mental RFC, April 30, 2003 Agency physician, Dr. Tyl, also completed this mental RFC. She found Plaintiff 16 not significantly limited in all categories, except moderately limited in his ability to interact 17 appropriately with the general public. 18 19 Medical Assessment of Abilities (Mental), Dr. Su, November 1, 2003 Plaintiff s treating physician, Dr. Su, completed the assessment form, noting 20 Plaintiff s abilities in all categories as either fair or poor or none due to his depression, pain 21 and weakness. Dr. Su rated Plaintiff s abilities as fair in the following categories: use judgment; 22 understand, remember, and carry out detailed, but not complex, job instructions; understand, 23 remember and carry out simple job instructions, maintain personal appearance, and demonstrate 24 reliability. He rated Plaintiff s abilities as poor or none in the following categories: follow work 25 rules; relate to co-workers; deal with the public; interact with supervisors; deal with work 26 stresses; function independently; maintain attention/concentration; understand, remember and 15 1 carry out detailed, complex job instructions; behave in an emotionally stable manner; and relate 2 predictably in social situations. 3 Medical Assessment of Abilities (Physical), Dr. Su, November 1, 2003 4 Dr. Su also found Plaintiff s physical abilities to be limited. He notes the 5 medical findings supporting his assessment include Plaintiff s pain, weakness, depression and 6 left eye blindness. He limited Plaintiff s lifting/carrying abilities to less than five pounds 7 frequently, up to ten pounds occasionally; standing/walking abilities to two hours total in an 8 eight-hour day with only one hour without interruption; and his sitting abilities to four hours in 9 an eight-hour day with only two hours uninterrupted. He found Plaintiff had postural limitations 10 to the extent he could never balance, and only occasionally bend, climb, stoop, crouch, crawl, or 11 kneel. He was also had impaired abilities to reach, handle, feel, push/pull and see, but not in his 12 ability to hear or speak. Dr. Su further noted environmental restrictions as to heights, moving 13 machinery, humidity and vibrations, but not to chemicals, dust, noise, or fumes. 14 15 C. HEARING TESTIMONY Two administrative hearings were conducted; the first was on November 6, 2003, 16 the second was on November 2, 2005. Plaintiff testified at both hearings, with the help of an 17 interpreter at the second hearing. Also at the second hearing, vocational expert Susan Creighton- 18 Clavell and medial expert Dr. Sidney Walter both testified. 19 20 Plaintiff s 2003 Testimony At the first administrative hearing, Plaintiff testified without an interpreter. He 21 testified that he finished high school and then worked in electronics and testing. He stopped 22 working due to his injury in March 2002. He sees the doctor every month and takes four types of 23 medication for pain, sleeping, and headaches. His pain is in his left eye. He sleeps from seven to 24 eight hours at night, interrupted every two hours, and takes naps during the day due to his 25 medication. He testified he lives with his girlfriend but no children. He no longer goes camping, 26 hunting, fishing or dancing since his injury. He stated he can walk maybe two blocks. Any 16 1 further than that and his back hurts and his legs become weak. He can stand for about twenty 2 minutes and sit for about an hour before he has to switch positions. He does not carry anything 3 due to the pain in his back. The pain medication he takes is for both his eye and his back. 4 He spends his morning staying home watching television. His girlfriend takes 5 care of all the cooking, housework, laundry, and dishes. In the afternoon he takes a little walk 6 then returns to sleep. He also testified that he suffers from pain in his neck, shoulder, and jaw 7 since being shot. He also has headaches since the gunshot. His doctor prescribed a cane for him 8 to use when he was released from the hospital due to his limited eyesight, as he is blind. 9 Plaintiff s 2005 Testimony 10 At the second administrative hearing, Plaintiff testified through a Hmong 11 interpreter. He testified he finished high school in Stockton. In the past he worked for 12 technicians, test operator for Billboard Testing and I do drilling fixture and drilling billboard 13 testing. (CAR 345). He lost his vision after being shot. He sees three types of doctors: 14 chiropractor, family doctor, and mental health doctor. His medications include Seroquel, Zopota 15 [sic], and Tylenol. He takes the Tylenol for pain as needed. If he does not take medication I 16 cannot fall asleep because I see somebody come all the time. So I cannot sleep all night. (CAR 17 349). With medication, he sleeps about five hours. He does not take naps because with nobody 18 at home, he is scared. He lives with his girlfriend and her five children. They all go to school. 19 Plaintiff has a driver s license and a car, but only drives maybe ten miles per week 20 because he is too scared to drive by himself. He does not drive himself to the doctors because it 21 is too far. He can only walk about one block then has to rest. He can stand for about ten 22 minutes, and sit for about fifteen then has to get up. Since he got hurt, he cannot lift anything. 23 Prior to his injury he could only lift five to ten pounds. His outdoor activities consists of helping 24 raise twenty to thirty chickens; he helps feed them which takes about five to ten minutes. He also 25 helps with one dog. In the morning he showers, feeds the chickens, then comes back inside to sit 26 down. The chickens are close to the house, about 100 yards away. He does not do the dishes, 17 1 cooking, laundry or any housework. He will sometimes watch television for about twenty 2 minutes, but does not read. In the evenings, after the kids come home, he tells them to study and 3 do their homework. He does not help them, just tells them to do it. He cannot see and read. 4 In order to do his previous job, he needed good vision because he used a drill bit 5 that was very small. He also was required to take measurements to make sure he was using the 6 right drill bit. His depth perception is now mixed up. In his previous job, he had to sit down, 7 stand up, and walk around. He used four different machines, and had to walk back and forth to 8 get material and change drill bits. He received on the job training, which took about three 9 months. 10 When the weather is raining or sunny, he feels pain on the side of his face. It gets 11 very hot. He was shot by a person unknown to him. He and his family went to take a picture, a 12 guy walked by and asked for a quarter. Plaintiff stated he did not have a quarter, so the person 13 pointed a gun at him and shot him. The bullet is still in his face. He has pain on the left side of 14 his face, including his nose, and it is still numb. He also has pain in his neck, back, and wrist. 15 He also has ringing in his ear, which bothers him. 16 He has to take medication to go to sleep about once a week. It will sometimes 17 leave him drowsy in the morning. He no longer drives because he is scared to. He was in two 18 accidents due to his limited vision. 19 After having been shot, he is scared to be alone. He hears noises like somebody is 20 coming. He has to stay far away from strangers. During the day when he is home he stays in the 21 house. He is scared to go out. He is also scared of loud noises. 22 23 24 25 26 He uses a cane which he received following a surgery on his thigh for blood clot. Still has pain in his leg and cannot stand up very long. Medical Expert 2005 Testimony At the second hearing, the ALJ called Dr. Sidney Walter, a Psychologist, to testify as a medical expert (ME). In addition to his testimony, Dr. Walter also completed a Psychiatric 18 1 Review Technique Form, wherein he opined that Plaintiff had no medically determinable 2 impairment, not A&B, noting that there were coexisting nonmental impairments. This medical 3 disposition was based on anxiety- related disorders, noted as PTSD (mod). Dr. Walter also 4 noted Plaintiff s dysphoric mood under affective disorders, but did not check the box. Dr. Walter 5 also noted, under evidence of affective disorder, that Plaintiff had sleep disturbance, which was 6 corrected by medication, feelings of worthlessness, and difficulty concentrating or thinking. 7 Under anxiety-related disorders, Dr. Walter noted moderate recurrent recollections of traumatic 8 experience, and moderate severity PTSD, including nightmares of shooting, flashbacks, and 9 startle response. As to Plaintiff s degree of limitation, Dr. Walter found Plaintiff had mild 10 restriction of activities of daily living, mild to moderate difficulties in maintaining social 11 functioning, moderate to marked difficulties in maintaining concentration, persistence, or pace, 12 and one or two episodes of decompensation. Dr. Walter further found Plaintiff had no limitation 13 in his ability to understand, remember, or carry out short, simple instructions, or to interact 14 appropriately with supervisors or co-workers; a slight limitation in his ability to respond 15 appropriately to work pressures and changes in routine; and a moderate limitation in dealing 16 appropriately with the public. (CAR 326-41). 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 At the hearing Dr. Walter testified that he had reviewed Dr. Bates assessment of December 2002. At that time, according to Dr. Bates, the claimant does household chores, he runs errands, he does shopping, he cooks, he pays his own bills, and he gets along with others. And a simple test of memory was in tact, but his concentration was poor. [He was] classified as [having] a post-traumatic stress disorder, with a GAF 55 to 62, which means he has a moderate impairment, but not severe. I read the exhibit today, and they classified him having major depression of single episode, a GAF of 60, which again is a moderate impairment, not severe. I agree with the former, he has a post-traumatic stress disorder with symptoms of poor sleep with nightmares. His concentration is affected somewhat. He has I would say stoggled [phonetic] responses and some flashbacks. But it s overall based on the activities he does and his testimony today, it would be moderate severity rather than severe. .... 19 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 His depression is more of a dysphoric mood rather than a pathological depression. It s the mood that s low because of his injury and his lack of ability to continue work for a while, until he rehabilitates. So I would say, it requires an MRFC because he doesn t meet A and B. He meets A, and that is a post-traumatic stress disorder, but not B, which makes it more severe or would make it meet the listings. In part B, . . . ... Daily living would be mild based upon the record and testimony on Exhibit 5 primarily and his testimony today. Social functioning I have mild to moderate because at least nine months after his accident he gets along with others. I don t know what they mean by others, but at least that s the statement. So I would rate it mild to moderate. As far as concentration, persistence or pace, moderate to marked based upon a post-traumatic stress disorder and some degree of depression. And decompensation there s only one. And so he doesn t meet the criteria for B, so I recommended a MRFC. ... 11 12 13 14 15 He cannot do complex activities because of concentration and attention, but I think he understands and can do very simple tasks, one to three steps, but not detailed. It [would] all have to be at a very basic level until he rehabilitates. (CAR 368-69). Upon questioning by Plaintiff s attorney representative at the hearing, regarding 16 an exhibit, that was not in the record, dated September 11, 2004, Dr. Walter further testified that 17 [a]gain it says he can do his own shopping. He can be able to do simple calculations. I agree. 18 It has to be simple type of activity. He said he should be able to socialize with family and 19 friends. (CAR 370). 20 Dr. Walter agreed with the attorney s clarification that the report stated that 21 Plaintiff stays home, lies down, and walks around, but he should be able to do his own shopping. 22 The report also noted his GAF of 40 based on post-traumatic stress disorder. A GAF of 40 is a 23 24 25 26 severe condition based upon primarily psychotic symptoms. And I don t, I didn t picked up any information about psychotic symptoms in the reports I ve read . . . including the late one today. . . . So I don t know what he s talking about. As I said before, he s basing that the claimant may not be able to work because of posttraumatic stress disorder. . . . I would limit his work to very simple types of tasks that would not, did not require concentration, 20 1 attention beyond simple. . . . Which the other[s] agree with me, including the last report submitted today. (CAR 371-72). 2 3 As to Plaintiff s testimony that he suffers from being afraid of people coming 4 [from] behind, flashbacks, etcetera, Dr. Walter agreed that those can be consistent with a 5 diagnosis of post-traumatic stress, and there was no reason to doubt Plaintiff suffers from those 6 symptoms. 7 Plaintiff s attorney and Dr. Walter then had a discussion about the B criteria and 8 the lack of any formal guidance as to what symptoms meet the B criteria. Finally, Dr. Walter 9 testified that Plaintiff would have only a slight limitation in getting along with others, but once 10 he got to know his supervisor and co-workers, he would not be afraid of them. It might be a little 11 traumatic for him at first, but once he adjusted, it would only be a slight factor. There would be 12 more of a moderate factor as to his ability to relate to the public. 13 Vocational Expert Testimony 14 At the 2005 hearing, the ALJ called Susan Creighton-Clavell to testify as a 15 vocational expert (VE). She testified that the way Plaintiff performed his past relevant work, as 16 Plaintiff testified, would be as an electronic tester. She would classify that position as light with 17 an SVP of 5, or skilled work. (CAR 384). His position as a circuit board technician was also 18 light with an SVP of 3, or semi-skilled. (CAR 384). He would not have any transferable 19 skills, other than in electronics. The ALJ provided a hypothetic which included plaintiff s age of 20 43 years, his twelfth grade education and multiple physical medical complaints; the medical 21 evidence showed Plaintiff had blindness in the left eye, but normal 20/20 vision in the right; an 22 internal medicine consultation in December 2002 showed that apart from his vision, he has no 23 functional limitations; and that DDS agreed with CE findings with a medium residual functional 24 capacity avoiding handling large objects, using power tool or working on assembly lines. (CAR 25 385). 26 diagnosis of post-traumatic stress disorder, but no resulting limitations; the ME s testimony that The ALJ also included in the hypothetical the psychiatric CE of December 2002 with a 21 1 Plaintiff can follow simple job instructions; DDS decision that he could have mild impairments 2 handling daily activities; moderate impairment in social activities as well as mild difficulties 3 maintaining attention, concentration, persistence or pace; slight impairment in dealing with 4 supervisors and co-workers; slight to moderate impairment in dealing with the public. Based on 5 those restrictions, the ALJ asked the VE to identify jobs Plaintiff could perform at the medium, 6 light and sedentary level, where no bi-lateral visual acuity is required. 7 The VE testified at the medium level, Plaintiff could be an auto detailer, a laundry 8 laborer or worker, or a dishwasher, which are all medium with an SVP of 2. At the light level, he 9 could be an usher in a theater, a storage facility clerk, or a mail clerk, which are all light with an 10 SVP of 2. At the sedentary level, he could be food order clerk, a telephone information clerk, or 11 a charge account clerk, which are all sedentary with an SVP of 2. 12 Plaintiff s attorney representative then added additional limitations including 13 being limited to only occasionally engaging in fine manipulation, limited public contact to only 14 occasionally, only occasionally work by himself. The VE responded that in such a situation, auto 15 detailer would be eliminated as they use their hands all day long, as would laundry laborer, and 16 dishwasher. Usher would be eliminated as they work with the public. Storage facility clerk 17 would be eliminated as they work by themselves all the time. Mail clerk would also be 18 eliminated as working by himself and using the hands all day. Food order clerk works with the 19 public, so it would be eliminated. Telephone informational clerk and credit clerk job would 20 remain. If an additional limitation as to reading was added, that would eliminate the credit clerk, 21 but the telephone informational clerk would remain. 22 If a standing limitation was also included in a hypothetical, to no more than two 23 hours a day, one hour at a time, the VE testified that would eliminate the medium and light jobs 24 except storage facility clerk. If the hypothetical included the need for unscheduled extended 25 breaks at least one day a week for an hour or more, then they could not do any job. In addition, if 26 the person had trouble getting to work and functioning effectively in the mornings, that would 22 1 also eliminate all jobs. 2 III. STANDARD OF REVIEW 3 The court reviews the Commissioner s final decision to determine whether it is: 4 (1) based on proper legal standards; and (2) supported by substantial evidence in the record as a 5 whole. See Tackett v. Apfel, 180 F.3d 1094, 1097 (9th Cir. 1999). Substantial evidence is 6 more than a mere scintilla, but less than a preponderance. See Saelee v. Chater, 94 F.3d 520, 521 7 (9th Cir. 1996). It is such evidence as a reasonable mind might accept as adequate to support a 8 conclusion. Richardson v. Perales, 402 U.S. 389, 402 (1971). The record as a whole, including 9 both the evidence that supports and detracts from the Commissioner s conclusion, must be 10 considered and weighed. See Howard v. Heckler, 782 F.2d 1484, 1487 (9th Cir. 1986); Jones v. 11 Heckler, 760 F.2d 993, 995 (9th Cir. 1985). The court may not affirm the Commissioner s 12 decision simply by isolating a specific quantum of supporting evidence. See Hammock v. 13 Bowen, 879 F.2d 498, 501 (9th Cir. 1989). If substantial evidence supports the administrative 14 findings, or if there is conflicting evidence supporting a particular finding, the finding of the 15 Commissioner is conclusive. See Sprague v. Bowen, 812 F.2d 1226, 1229-30 (9th Cir. 1987). 16 Therefore, where the evidence is susceptible to more than one rational interpretation, one of 17 which supports the Commissioner s decision, the decision must be affirmed, see Thomas v. 18 Barnhart, 278 F.3d 947, 954 (9th Cir. 2002), and may be set aside only if an improper legal 19 standard was applied in weighing the evidence, see Burkhart v. Bowen, 856 F.2d 1335, 1338 (9th 20 Cir. 1988). 21 IV. DISCUSSION 22 Plaintiff argues the ALJ erred in three ways: (1) rejecting his treating physician s 23 opinion without a legitimate basis; (2) rejecting Plaintiff s testimony without a legitimate basis; 24 and (3) failure to properly assess Plaintiff s RFC resulting in an inadequate hypothetical to the 25 VE. 26 /// 23 1 A. 2 The weight given to medical opinions depends in part on whether they are MEDICAL OPINIONS 3 proffered by treating, examining, or non-examining professionals. See Lester v. Chater, 81 F.3d 4 821, 830-31 (9th Cir. 1995). Ordinarily, more weight is given to the opinion of a treating 5 professional, who has a greater opportunity to know and observe the patient as an individual, 6 than the opinion of a non-treating professional. See id.; Smolen v. Chater, 80 F.3d 1273, 1285 7 (9th Cir. 1996); Winans v. Bowen, 853 F.2d 643, 647 (9th Cir. 1987). The least weight is given 8 to the opinion of a non-examining professional. See Pitzer v. Sullivan, 908 F.2d 502, 506 & n.4 9 (9th Cir. 1990). 10 In addition to considering its source, to evaluate whether the Commissioner 11 properly rejected a medical opinion the court considers whether: (1) contradictory opinions are 12 in the record; and (2) clinical findings support the opinions. The Commissioner may reject an 13 uncontradicted opinion of a treating or examining medical professional only for clear and 14 convincing reasons supported by substantial evidence in the record. See Lester, 81 F.3d at 831. 15 While a treating professional s opinion generally is accorded superior weight, if it is contradicted 16 by an examining professional s opinion which is supported by different independent clinical 17 findings, the Commissioner may resolve the conflict. See Andrews v. Shalala, 53 F.3d 1035, 18 1041 (9th Cir. 1995). A contradicted opinion of a treating or examining professional may be 19 rejected only for specific and legitimate reasons supported by substantial evidence. See Lester, 20 81 F.3d at 830. This test is met if the Commissioner sets out a detailed and thorough summary of 21 the facts and conflicting clinical evidence, states her interpretation of the evidence, and makes a 22 finding. See Magallanes v. Bowen, 881 F.2d 747, 751-55 (9th Cir. 1989). Absent specific and 23 legitimate reasons, the Commissioner must defer to the opinion of a treating or examining 24 professional. See Lester, 81 F.3d at 830-31. The opinion of a non-examining professional, 25 without other evidence, is insufficient to reject the opinion of a treating or examining 26 professional. See id. at 831. In any event, the Commissioner need not give weight to any 24 1 conclusory opinion supported by minimal clinical findings. See Meanel v. Apfel, 172 F.3d 1111, 2 1113 (9th Cir. 1999) (rejecting treating physician s conclusory, minimally supported opinion); 3 see also Magallanes, 881 F.2d at 751. 4 Here, the ALJ rejected Plaintiff s treating physician, Dr. Su s, opinion, stating: 5 10 the undersigned is rejecting the opinion stated by Dr. Wu Su in November 2003. Dr. Su s assessment is lacking in credibility because it is not corroborated by any objective clinical findings; is inconsistent with the findings of the consultative internist and the non-examining state agency s physician; [it is] inconsistent with the scant medical treatment evidence in the record; it is inconsistent with the recent testimony by the medical expert who reviewed the entire record; and it does not appear that Dr. [Su] treated the claimant for more than 1 or 2 occasions. Additionally, it appears that this assessment is based upon the claimant s selfserving statements. (CAR 253-54). 11 The ALJ does not specify whether he rejected Dr. Su s opinion as to Plaintiff s 12 physical or mental limitations. In Dr. Su s opinion, set forth above, Plaintiff was incapable of 13 any level of work, both physically and mentally. Plaintiff objects to the treatment of Dr. Su s 14 opinion in that as his treating physician his opinion should have been given greater weight than 15 the opinion of any other physician, and the ALJ failed to set forth a legitimate basis for rejecting 16 the opinion. 6 7 8 9 17 The undersigned first notes that Dr. Su s opinion is contradicted by other medical 18 opinions in the record. The examining physicians found Plaintiff s abilities significantly less 19 limited than Dr. Su. Dr. Bates, during the psychiatric consultative examination, found Plaintiff 20 not significantly impaired in any category, with the exception of his ability to adapt to the 21 stresses common to a normal work environment, in which he was moderately impaired. This 22 opinion was based on her independent clinical findings. The reviewing doctors similarly found 23 Plaintiff less limited than Dr. Su. In addition, the ALJ s ME, whom the ALJ significantly relied 24 upon in his opinion, concurred with Dr. Bates and the other non-examining physicians in 25 assessing Plaintiff s limitations. Specifically, as the ALJ outlined in his decision, the ME found 26 Plaintiff had mild limitations in activities of daily living, mild to moderate difficulties in 25 1 maintaining social functioning, moderate to marked difficulties in maintaining concentration and 2 pace with only 1 or 2 episodes of decompensation each of an extended duration. (CAR 252, 3 336). In addition, the ME s medical source statement indicated Plaintiff has none to moderate 4 limitations in his ability to perform work-related activities 8 hours a day for 5 days a week. 5 (CAR 252, 341). As there were conflicting medical opinions, the ALJ properly resolved the 6 conflict, and did so utilizing the testimony of a ME, which was consistent with, or more limiting 7 than, the examining physician. 8 9 In addition, the ALJ set forth specific and legitimate reasons, even clear and convincing reasons, for discounting Dr. Su s opinion. Those reasons included lack of 10 supporting objective clinical findings, inconsistency with other medical opinions, inconsistency 11 with the scant medial treatment evidence in the record, and inconsistency with the ME s 12 testimony.3 The court notes the only medical/clinical findings Dr. Su used to support his 13 conclusory assessment was depression, pain, and weakness. Plaintiff points to no specific 14 findings which support Dr. Su s significant limitations. Rather, he states generally that there 15 were radiological evidence, testing and clinical observations. (Pl. s Mot. at 20). The 16 undersigned finds that there was sufficient support for the ALJ s determination. In addition, the 17 court agrees that Dr. Su s opinions, both physical and mental, are inconsistent with other 18 opinions in the record and are conclusory. This is another valid reason for discounting Dr. Su s 19 limitations. Finally, the undersigned notes that some of Dr. Su s limitations, those consistent 20 with the other opinions in the record, were credited, such as Plaintiff s limited ability to relate to 21 others, perform complex tasks, and concentrate. These limitations were addressed by the ALJ 22 finding Plaintiff capable of only simple tasks and unskilled work. 23 24 3 25 26 The ALJ set forth two other reasons, that Dr. Su only treated Plaintiff one or two times, and relied on Plaintiff s self serving statements. Plaintiff argues these two reasons are not supported by the record, and the undersigned agrees. However, the ALJ provided sufficient other reasons for discounting Dr. Su s opinion. 26 1 The undersigned finds the ALJ s rejection of Dr. Su s limitations was properly 2 supported. The reasons the ALJ set forth in support of his rejection of the limitations were 3 specific and legitimate, as required based on the conflicting medical opinions. 4 B. 5 Plaintiff alleges the ALJ improperly discredited his testimony without a legitimate CREDIBILITY 6 basis for so doing. Defendant argues the ALJ set forth proper reasons for discrediting his 7 testimony. 8 The Commissioner determines whether a disability applicant is credible, and the 9 court defers to the Commissioner s discretion if the Commissioner used the proper process and 10 provided proper reasons. See Saelee v. Chater, 94 F.3d 520, 522 (9th Cir. 1996). An explicit 11 credibility finding must be supported by specific, cogent reasons. See Rashad v. Sullivan, 903 12 F.2d 1229, 1231 (9th Cir. 1990). General findings are insufficient. See Lester v. Chater, 81 F.3d 13 821, 834 (9th Cir. 1995). Rather, the Commissioner must identify what testimony is not credible 14 and what evidence undermines the testimony. See id. Moreover, unless there is affirmative 15 evidence in the record of malingering, the Commissioner s reasons for rejecting testimony as not 16 credible must be clear and convincing. See id.; see also Carmickle v. Comm r, 533 F.3d 1155, 17 1160 (9th Cir. 2008) (citing Lingenfelter v Astrue, 504 F.3d 1028, 1936 (9th Cir. 2007), and 18 Gregor v. Barnhart, 464 F.3d 968, 972 (9th Cir. 2006)). 19 If there is objective medical evidence of an underlying impairment, the 20 Commissioner may not discredit a claimant s testimony as to the severity of symptoms merely 21 because they are unsupported by objective medical evidence. See Bunnell v. Sullivan, 947 F.2d 22 341, 347-48 (9th Cir. 1991) (en banc). As the Ninth Circuit explained in Smolen v. Chater: 23 24 25 26 The claimant need not produce objective medical evidence of the [symptom] itself, or the severity thereof. Nor must the claimant produce objective medical evidence of the causal relationship between the medically determinable impairment and the symptom. By requiring that the medical impairment could reasonably be expected to produce pain or another symptom, the Cotton test requires only that the causal relationship be a reasonable inference, not a medically proven phenomenon. 27 1 80 F.3d 1273, 1282 (9th Cir. 1996) (referring to the test established in Cotton v. Bowen, 799 2 F.2d 1403 (9th Cir. 1986)). 3 The Commissioner may, however, consider the nature of the symptoms alleged, 4 including aggravating factors, medication, treatment, and functional restrictions. See Bunnell, 5 947 F.2d at 345-47. In weighing credibility, the Commissioner may also consider: (1) the 6 claimant s reputation for truthfulness, prior inconsistent statements, or other inconsistent 7 testimony; (2) unexplained or inadequately explained failure to seek treatment or to follow a 8 prescribed course of treatment; (3) the claimant s daily activities; (4) work records; and (5) 9 physician and third-party testimony about the nature, severity, and effect of symptoms. See 10 Smolen, 80 F.3d at 1284 (citations omitted). It is also appropriate to consider whether the 11 claimant cooperated during physical examinations or provided conflicting statements concerning 12 drug and/or alcohol use. See Thomas v. Barnhart, 278 F.3d 947, 958-59 (9th Cir. 2002). If the 13 claimant testifies as to symptoms greater than would normally be produced by a given 14 impairment, the ALJ may disbelieve that testimony provided specific findings are made. See 15 Carmickle, 533 F.3d at 1161 (citing Swenson v. Sullivan, 876 F.2d 683, 687 (9th Cir. 1989)). 16 As to Plaintiff s credibility, the ALJ stated: 17 Clearly, if the undersigned were to find the testimony of the claimant to be credible, a finding of disability would be directed. However, the claimant s subjective complaints, standing alone, do not provide a basis to find disability, and the undersigned finds that the objective medical evidence, including records from the claimant s treating physician, do not support the degree of fatigue, pain, side effects from medications, and other limitations as alleged by the claimant for the period prior to June 1, 2004 (the date the claimant was found disabled under his new application for benefits). Although the claimant s impairments could reasonably be expected to produce some limitations, the claimant s testimony and statements of record suggest greater limitations that can be shown by the objective medical evidence. 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 (CAR 252). 25 /// 26 /// 28 1 The ALJ further supported his determination stating: 2 The undersigned notes the claimant has testified to both pain and limitations due to his anxiety disorder which he opines would preclude him from being able to perform even sedentary or unskilled work. However, the undersigned concludes the claimant s complaints are out of proportion to the overall weight of the objective medical evidence of record and other factors of a nonmedical nature. Therefore, the undersigned finds the claimant s subjective complaints cannot be relied upon and are not substantially credible. 3 4 5 6 7 The undersigned notes that after the initial treatment for the claimant s facial injury, the claimant did not seek treatment on a frequent basis complaining of severe pain in his face and or back. The undersigned notes that the claimant continues to be able to drive and perform other chores around the home and his reports to his treating physician do not show significant limitations in his ability to perform daily tasks. 8 9 10 11 12 (CAR 253). Plaintiff argues the ALJ improperly disregarded his testimony, as to the degree of 13 his pain, mental impairments, and functional limitations, as not credible solely based on the 14 weight of objective medical evidence. He argues this type of reasoning is eschewed by the Ninth 15 Circuit, and does not meet the clear and convincing standard. 16 In response, Defendant argues the reasons set forth by the ALJ are sufficient in 17 that the ALJ specifically relied on the general scarcity of treatment records, the lack of mental 18 health treatment until after the relevant period, Plaintiff s statements to his treating physicians, 19 and his statements to the consultative examiner in December 2002. 20 Here, the ALJ acknowledged that Plaintiff suffers from medically-established 21 impairments that could reasonably be expected to produce some limitations. Therefore, his 22 subjective testimony regarding those limitations could be rejected only for clear and convincing 23 reasons. Plaintiff argues that he provided testimony as to his pain, weakness, fearfulness of 24 strangers, depression, impaired concentration, inability to handle stress, and visual limitations. 25 The ALJ found his testimony to be largely not credible. However, based on the RFC set forth in 26 the decision, the ALJ found some of those limitations to be substantiated. Specifically, the 29 1 decision set forth that Plaintiff is limited in his abilities due to his vision, and his ability to lift 2 and carry is somewhat diminished in that the ALJ determined he is only capable of medium 3 work. The ALJ further found Plaintiff only capable of performing unskilled work, which he 4 determined satisfied Plaintiff s limitations regarding working with others as [u]nskilled work 5 usually requires working more with things than with people. (CAR 253). The ALJ s 6 determination that he is limited to unskilled, simple work also took into consideration Plaintiff s 7 abilities to concentrate and handle stress. Therefore, the only two limitations the ALJ discredited 8 were the amount of pain Plaintiff testified to and the effects of his depression or anxiety. 9 As to Plaintiff s pain testimony, the ALJ supported his determination on the basis 10 of Plaintiff s lack of treatment on a frequent basis for pain in either his face or his back, his 11 continued ability to drive and perform chores around the house, and his reports to his treating 12 physician. In addition, the undersigned notes the ALJ partially credited Plaintiff s back pain 13 limitations, but noted that there were no medical findings showing any motor loss, reflex 14 changes, or neurological deficits. As stated above, a finding of inconsistent statements, 15 unexplained lack of treatment, and inconsistent daily actives are sufficient reasons for 16 discrediting a claimant s testimony. See Smolen, 80 F.3d at 1284. In addition, [c]ontradiction 17 with the medical record is a sufficient basis for rejecting the claimant s subjective testimony. 18 Carmickle, 533 F.3d at 1161 (citing Johnson v. Shalala, 60 F.3d 1428, 1434 (9th Cir. 1995)). 19 The undersigned finds the reasons set forth by the ALJ to reject Plaintiff s pain testimony were 20 clear and convincing and supported by the record. As the ALJ noted, upon examination Plaintiff 21 was found to have no physical limitations except due to his vision, and he reported to the 22 consulting psychiatric physician a wide range of daily activities in December 2002. 23 As to the limitations caused by Plaintiff s anxiety and/or depression, the ALJ 24 noted the lack of treatment prior to 2003 and that he reported improvement in his symptoms upon 25 receiving treatment and medication. Plaintiff argues that his improvement noted in his medical 26 records in 2005 are irrelevant as that improvement was after the applicable time frame this case 30 1 is addressing, specifically March 8, 2002, through June 1, 2004. However, although the 2 improvement noted by the ALJ occurred after June 2004, the court cannot find it inapplicable as 3 treatment was not sought until after the relevant time period. The court also notes that Plaintiff 4 was first referred for psychiatric treatment immediately following his assault as is noted in the 5 discharge summary from U.C. Davis in March 2002. Therefore, his argument that he should not 6 be penalized for failing to appreciate the need for mental health treatment is somewhat 7 contradicted by that referral. Plaintiff only points to one complaint to his treating physician that 8 he is suffering from some mental problems. Finally, as directed by the Appeals Council, the ALJ 9 obtained the assistance of a mental health medical expert, Dr. Walter, in addition to the CE 10 previously utilized, in order to assess Plaintiff s mental capacity. The limitations the ALJ found 11 were consistent with the ME s testimony, and as set forth above, were appropriately addressed. 12 The issues raised relative to Plaintiff s anxiety and depression were properly addressed in the 13 RFC. 14 15 The undersigned therefore finds the reasons set forth in the ALJ s decision for discrediting Plaintiff s testimony were clear and convincing, and supported by the record.4 16 C. 17 Finally, Plaintiff alleges the ALJ erred in assessing his RFC, resulting in an RESIDUAL FUNCTIONAL CAPACITY 18 inadequate hypothetical to the VE. Defendant argues the RFC was supported by the record, and 19 the hypothetical questions included all of Plaintiff s limitations. 20 Residual functional capacity is what a person can still do despite [the 21 4 22 23 24 25 26 While not included in Plaintiff s argument, the court notes that there appears to be some language barrier issues in this case. During the first proceedings, including the first administrative hearing and the consultative examinations, Plaintiff was not provided with a Hmong interpreter. However, at the second administrative hearing and at his mental health treatment appointments beginning in 2004, Plaintiff was provided with an interpreter. It is unclear in the record before this court whether some of the inconsistencies in the record, especially those noted in his report of abilities to the CE in 2002 and those he testified to at the hearing, could be explained due to a language barrier. There is no such argument before this court, and not enough information in the record to make this determination. However, the court notes that as a possible explanation for some of the inconsistencies. 31 1 individual s] limitations. 20 C.F.R. §§ 404.1545(a), 416.945(a) (2003); see also Valencia v. 2 Heckler, 751 F.2d 1082, 1085 (9th Cir. 1985) (residual functional capacity reflects current 3 physical and mental capabilities ). Thus, residual functional capacity describes a person s 4 exertional capabilities in light of his or her limitations. 5 Hypothetical questions posed to a vocational expert must set out all the 6 substantial, supported limitations and restrictions of the particular claimant. See Magallanes v. 7 Bowen, 881 F.2d 747, 756 (9th Cir. 1989). If a hypothetical does not reflect all the claimant s 8 limitations, the expert s testimony as to jobs in the national economy the claimant can perform 9 has no evidentiary value. See DeLorme v. Sullivan, 924 F.2d 841, 850 (9th Cir. 1991). While 10 the ALJ may pose to the expert a range of hypothetical questions based on alternate 11 interpretations of the evidence, the hypothetical that ultimately serves as the basis for the ALJ s 12 determination must be supported by substantial evidence in the record as a whole. See Embrey v. 13 Bowen, 849 F.2d 418, 422-23 (9th Cir. 1988). 14 Plaintiff argues the ALJ s RFC failed to include all of his limitations in the 15 hypothetical questions posed to the VE. Specifically, he argues the ALJ failed to include his 16 limitations regarding maintaining concentration, persistence and pace, as well as his limitations 17 to stress and interacting with the public. Defendant argues the ALJ s RFC properly included all 18 of his limitations and the hypotheticals posed were adequate. 19 As set forth above, the RFC the ALJ adopted included Plaintiff s limitations as to 20 his ability to interact with the public, tolerate stress, and his abilities regarding concentration, 21 persistence and pace. As to Plaintiff s ability to interact with the public, the ALJ addressed that 22 by finding him limited to unskilled work, which he noted requires working more with things than 23 people. In addition, the hypothetical propounded to the VE included this limitation. As to 24 Plaintiff s ability to tolerate stress and concentrate, this also was addressed in the ALJ s RFC by 25 finding that Plaintiff was only able to tolerate simple, unskilled work. As the ME testified, due 26 to his concentration and attention, he would not be able to handle complex activities, but could 32 1 handle simple ones. 2 Similarly, the hypothetical the ALJ set forth to the VE included these limitations. 3 The ALJ specifically requested the VE consider a hypothetical person who was limited to simple 4 job instructions due to concentration impairments, mild difficulties maintaining attention, 5 concentration, persistence of pace, and a slight impairment in dealing with supervisors and co- 6 workers, but a moderate impairment in dealing with the public. While the undersigned finds the 7 hypothetical posed to the VE was not very concise or eloquent, the impairments it included were 8 supported by the record as a whole. 9 10 V. CONCLUSION Based on the foregoing, the court concludes that the Commissioner s final 11 decision is based on substantial evidence and proper legal analysis. Accordingly, IT IS HEREBY 12 ORDERED that: 13 1. Plaintiff s motion for summary judgment (Doc. 20) is denied; 14 2. Defendant s cross-motion for summary judgment (Doc. 22) is granted; and 15 3. The Clerk of the Court is directed to enter judgment and close this file. 16 17 18 19 DATED: March 29, 2010 ______________________________________ CRAIG M. KELLISON UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 33

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.