Jones v. SSA, No. 7:2014cv00036 - Document 13 (E.D. Ky. 2014)

Court Description: MEMORANDUM OPINION AND ORDER: (1) that Commissioner's motion for summary judgment, DE 11 , is GRANTED; and (2) that Plaintiff's motion for summary judgment, DE 10 , is DENIED. Signed by Judge Joseph M. Hood on 9/22/2014. (RCB)cc: COR

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UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT EASTERN DISTRICT OF KENTUCKY SOUTHERN DIVISION at PIKEVILLE LINDA JONES, ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) Plaintiff, v. CAROLYN W. COLVIN, ACTING COMMISSIONER OF SOCIAL SECURITY, Defendant. *** This Summary matter Judgment Commissioner s is [DE reasons to 10, denial insurance benefits.1 response before the discussed of Civil Action No. 7:14-CV-36-JMH MEMORANDUM OPINION AND ORDER *** the 11] *** Court on her upon cross-motions Plaintiff s application appeal for of for the disability On September 20, 2014, Plaintiff filed a Commissioner s below, the motion. [DE Commissioner s 12]. For the motion will be granted and Plaintiff s motion will be denied. I. Overview of the Process and the Instant Matter The Administrative Law Judge (ALJ), in determining disability, must conduct a five-step analysis: 1. An individual who is working and engaging in substantial gainful activity is not disabled, regardless of the claimant's medical condition.                                                              1 These are not traditional Rule 56 summary judgment motions. Rather, it is a procedural device by which the parties bring the administrative record before the Court. 2. An individual who is working but does not have a "severe" impairment which significantly limits his physical or mental ability to do basic work activities is not disabled. 3. If an individual is not working and has a severe impairment which "meets the duration requirement and is listed in appendix 1 or is equal to a listed impairment(s)", then he is disabled regardless of other factors. 4. If a decision cannot be reached based on current work activity and medical facts alone, and the claimant has a severe impairment, then the Secretary reviews the claimant's residual functional capacity and the physical and mental demands of the claimant's previous work. If the claimant is able to continue to do this previous work, then he is not disabled. 5. If the claimant cannot do any work he did in the past because of a severe impairment, then the Secretary considers his residual functional capacity, age, education, and past work experience to see if he can do other work. If he cannot, the claimant is disabled. Preslar v. Sec'y of Health & Human Servs., 14 F.3d 1107, 1110 (6th Cir. 1994) (citing 20 C.F.R. § 404.1520 (1982)). The burden of proof is on the claimant throughout the first four steps of this process to prove that he is disabled. Id. If the analysis reaches the fifth step without a finding that the claimant is Secretary. The not the burden transfers to the Id. ALJ substantial disabled, determined gainful that activity Mullins since June had 4, not 2010 engaged [Tr. in 22]. Considering step two, the ALJ found that Mullins possessed the 2   severe impairments of cirrhosis of the liver and obesity. During step three of the analysis, the ALJ concluded that none of Mullins s impairments or combinations of impairments met the severity listed in 20 C.F.R. pt. 404, subpt. P, app. 1 [Tr. 23]. At step four, the ALJ determined that Mullins had a residual functional capacity (RFC) to perform light work as defined by 20 C.F.R. §§ 404.1567(b). However, Mullins was limited to lifting and carry twenty pounds occasionally and ten pounds frequently; standing or walking six hours in an eight-hour workday; sitting up to six hours in an eight-hour workday; only occasional climbing of stairs or ramps; never climbing ladders, ropes or scaffolds; no more than frequent stooping, kneeling, balancing, or crouching; and occasional crawling. [Tr. 25]. Based on this RFC, the ALJ found that Mullins was able to perform her past relevant work as an apartment manager. [Tr. 27]. Accordingly, he concluded, Mullins was not disabled as defined in the Social Security Act. Plaintiff argues that the Commissioner s decision is not supported by substantial evidence for various reasons. She contends that the ALJ erred by giving controlling weight to his own medical opinion and by relying upon the opinions of nontreating sources, which were not supported by medical evidence. Additionally, she argues that the 3   ALJ erred in failing to consider Mullins s dyspnea and chronic fatigue and did not give good reasons for rejecting the opinions of treating healthcare providers. Mullins Finally, she argues that the ALJ was biased against based on his alleged dislike of the individual who represented Mullins at her hearing. II. Standard of Review In reviewing the ALJ's decision to deny disability benefits, the Court may not try the case de novo, nor resolve conflicts in the evidence, nor decide questions of credibility. Cutlip v. Sec'y of Health & Human Servs., 25 F.3d 284, 286 (6th Cir. 1994) (citations omitted). Instead, judicial review of the ALJ's decision is limited to an inquiry into whether the ALJ's findings were supported by substantial evidence, 42 U.S.C. § 405(g); Foster v. Halter, 279 F.3d 348, 353 (6th Cir. 2001) (citations omitted), and whether the ALJ employed the proper legal standards in reaching his conclusion. See Landsaw v. Sec'y of Health & Human Servs., 803 F.2d 211, 213 (6th Cir. 1986). "Substantial evidence is more than a scintilla of evidence but less than a preponderance; it is such relevant evidence support as a a reasonable conclusion." mind might Cutlip, 25 omitted). 4   accept F.3d at as adequate 286 to (citations III. BACKGROUND Olive Mullins applied for disability insurance benefits on April 15, 2010, alleging that her disability began on January 4, 2010. Following the denial of her claim, an Administrative Law Judge ( ALJ ) held a hearing on May 15, 2012. [Tr. 33]. The ALJ denied Mullins s claim on June 1, 2012. Denial was affirmed by the Appeals Council on February 7, 2014. Ms. Mullins passed away on December 14, 2012, and she is represented in this claim by her daughter and administrator of her estate, Linda Jones. At the time of the ALJ s decision, Mullins was sixty-four years of employed age. as a [Tr. 42]. manager performed mostly tenants, accepting at office rent From an 1994 to apartment work such payments, as and 2010, Mullins was where she complex, contacting handling potential complaints. Office work comprised nearly all of Mullins s shift, but she testified that she different apartments. often went up [Tr. 44-45]. and down stairs and to She reported that, at the time she quit working at the apartment complex, the most weight she was required to lift was five pounds. [Tr. 47]. In early 2010, Mullins was diagnosed with cirrhosis of the liver. [Tr. 321]. Dr. Castellanos, a gastroenterologist, treated Mullins for her liver conditions, but did not provide an 5   opinion as to Mullins s impairments. biopsy revealed inflammatory that Mullins changes, steatohepatitis. In March 2010, a liver had cirrhosis consistent [Tr. 479]. with with mild nonalcoholic Dr. Castellanos thought that Mullins was a good candidate for a liver transplant and referred her to the University of Kentucky Transplant Center. Dr. Hundley, the physician at the transplant center, agreed that Mullins was a good candidate for a transplant. underwent a transplant, however. She Mullins never reports that the University of Kentucky discontinued her treatment because she did not have medical insurance. Mullins Healthcare received by treatment Physician s years before her death. at Assistant [Tr. 79]. Knott Kevin County Davis for Family the ten The administrative record contains several treatment notes written by Davis, ranging from early 2009 to April 2012, when Davis performed a physical for insurance purposes. Treatment notes indicate that Mullins was seen for various issues over the years, including hypertension, bronchitis, diabetes, and abdominal pain. On April 3, 2012, Davis performed a physical assessment in support of Mullins s claim for indicated Social that Security Mullins benefits. had unspecified change, and subjective swelling. 6   In the report, tenderness, Davis weight He opined that her illnesses often interfered with her ability to concentrate, as well as her physical function. He determined that Mullins could stand or walk for less than two hours per day and that she could sit for about two hours. Further, he opined that she could occasionally lift less than five pounds, but never more than five pounds. Additionally, he concluded that her legs should be elevated with prolonged sitting and that she could never climb, stoop, or crawl. On January 26, 2011, Mullins underwent examination by Dr. William Waltrip. Mullins complained of lethargy, secondary to her liver disease. a consultative Dr. Waltrip noted that which she [Tr. 401]. speculated was Dr. Waltrip tested Mullins s range of motion, which was normal. He noted that she did not use any assistive devices and that her gait was normal. [Tr. 402]. only Ultimately, Dr. Waltrip determined that Mullins s limiting lethargy. factor was [Tr. 403]. her claim of loss of energy and He opined that she could walk moderate distances, and could stand and sit with very little limitation. He cautioned, lifting heavy however, objects, that but Mullins observed might that she have had difficulty good grip strength and could perform fine and gross manipulations. On February 9, 2011, Dr. Sudhideb Mukherjee reviewed Mullins s medical records and provided his assessment. 7   [Tr. 85]. He determined that she could occasionally lift or carry twenty pounds and frequently lift or carry ten pounds. He believed that she could stand, walk, or sit about six hours in an eight-hour workday. Although he determined that she should never ropes, climb ladders, or scaffolds, there was no limitation on her ability to climb stairs or to balance, stoop, kneel, or crouch. He added that the reason for these postural limitations was Mullins s back pain. He also determined that she had a normal gait and could walk moderate distances. [Tr. 87]. Mullins described her limitations during her hearing with the ALJ. She stated that the issue with her liver was her major problem and reported daily intermittent stabbing pain in her rib area as a result of it. [Tr. 55]. She reported that she could walk for about two minutes before stopping. [Tr. 56]. She stated that her doctors have recommended walking as exercise, but that she was unable to do it due to problems breathing, which she believed were caused by cirrhosis. [Tr. 57]. She reported that she could stand for five or ten minutes and often could not bend or stoop due to fluid buildup. She had had fluid withdrawn five weeks prior to the hearing and reported that she was told it would probably have to be done every couple of months. She reported that the maximum weight she could pick up 8   off a table was five to six pounds and that she could sit for thirty minutes without having to change positions. The ALJ impairments concluded of that cirrhosis while of the Mullins liver [Tr. 59]. had and the severe obesity, her impairments did not meet or medically equal the severity of one of the impairments listed in 20 C.F.R. 404, Subpart P, Appendix 1. [Tr. 23]. He functional Mukherjee, but occasional climbing frequent occasional considered, large by consulting imposed the of stooping, crawling. but in suggested capacity adopted, did Assistant Kevin Davis. additional stairs and kneeling, In not part, the physician limitations ramps only more than crouching, and no making his determination, accept, the opinion [Tr. 27]. Dr. of and balancing, residual of the ALJ Physician s In rejecting Davis s opinion, the ALJ noted that the opinion was not supported by the physical findings he reported in the evaluation tenderness, subjective swelling, and weight change. Id. The ALJ gave great weight to the opinions of Dr. Waltrip and Dr. Mukherjee. Both doctors determined that, based on Mullins s early-stage cirrhosis, she might have lethargy or loss of energy, but she had no other limiting factor. 9   IV. ANALYSIS A. The Commissioner s Substantial Evidence Decision Is Supported By The only treating source that provided an opinion in this case is Physician s Assistant Kevin Davis. The Social Security regulations assistants make clear that physician s are not acceptable medical sources, but, rather, other sources whose opinions must be considered. 20 C.F.R. § 404.1513(d). The ALJ decision reveals that the ALJ considered Davis s opinion, but gave good reasons for rejecting it. [Tr. 27]. Davis reported diagnoses of hypertension, cirrhosis, and diabetes, and noted objective findings of subjective swelling. tenderness, weight change, and He went on to conclude that Mullins s activity should be extremely limited but, as the ALJ noted, did not support Further, the his recommendations limitations evidence of record. are not with objective supported by the evidence. medical In early 2010, Mullins was hospitalized for confusion and jaundice, but there is no evidence that these problems persisted beyond that limited time frame. Mullins also complained of shortness of breath secondary to cirrhosis, but there is no objective evidence supporting her claim of pulmonary dysfunction. The ALJ gave great weight to the opinions of non-treating sources, Dr. Waltrip and Dr. Mukherjee. 10   Dr. Waltrip recorded Mullins s vital signs and described her as moderately obese. [Tr. 401]. He noted that she had no evidence of jaundice and that her abdomen was obese, but nontender, with no palpable masses. Mullins s range of motion was found to be normal throughout her spine and extremities. Her gait was normal, and she did not use an assistive device. Dr. Waltrip had Mullins perform heel-to-walk, tandem walking, walking on the tips of her toes, and on her heels all of which she was able to perform. She was also able to squat and had no loss of sensation. Id. He concluded that Mullins s claim of lethargy might impact her function but, based on the objective testing performed during the examination, that would be her only limiting factor. Dr. Mukherjee also found that Mullins s primary limiting factor was loss of energy. [Tr. 85]. He noted that she had had no recurrence of supraventricular tachycardia since March 2010. He acknowledged uterine that fibroids, and Mullins a suffered history of from low frequent back pain, urinary tract infections, but concluded that those problems did not limit her ability to function at the time. Dr. Mukherjee noted that an x- ray of Mullins s lumbar spine showed good alignment and that the disc spaces strength and and SI range joint of were motion preserved. were within Finding normal that limits, her he concluded that Mullins could occasionally lift or carry twenty 11   pounds and could frequently lift or carry ten pounds. He opined that she could stand or walk six hours in an eight-hour workday and that she could sit for about six hours, as well. [Tr. 85]. He also determined that she had an unlimited ability to climb stairs. The weight ALJ s is decision supported by to give these substantial opinions evidence in controlling the record. Medical records indicate that Mullins s hyptertension was stable and that she was not having any heart problems at the time of the ALJ s decision. Despite her complaints of low back pain, the x-ray of her lumbar spine was unremarkable. Dr. Waltrip s examination revealed normal range of motion, strength, and gait. While she did experience an episode of confusion in early 2010, the record indicates that this was due to high blood ammonia levels, caused by her cirrhosis, which was undiagnosed until that time. episode [Tr. 301]. of There is no evidence of any subsequent confusion. Plaintiff contends that the ALJ arbitrarily chose portions of the record upon which to rely, but does not identify which portions he failed to consider. Contrary to Plaintiff s assertion, on page seven of the ALJ s decision, he acknowledged Mullins s complaints of dyspnea. Plaintiff has failed to identify any objective medical evidence of record, however, that the ALJ should have considered with 12   respect to dyspnea. The her Court notes oxygen that Dr. Waltrip was ninety-eight examined Mullins, percent. Plaintiff also argues that the ALJ did not consider Mullins s chronic fatigue. identified fatigue or saturation when Both Dr. Waltrip and Dr. Mukherjee lethargy as Mullins s primary limiting factor, and the ALJ opinion reflects that this was taken into consideration. Plaintiff argues that the ALJ gave controlling weight to his own medical opinion, contrary to Gayheart v. Commissioner of Social Security, 710 F.3d 365 (6th Cir. 2013). Plaintiff argues that the ALJ erred in Specifically, determining Mullins s liver disease was in its early stages. the terminology used, however, it is clear that Regardless of from the ALJ s analysis that Mullins s liver disease did not meet or medically equal the severity required for chronic liver disease under 20 C.F.R. Part 404, Subpart P, Appendix 1. The Court was unable to locate in the record, and Plaintiff has not pointed out, any evidence of: hemorrhaging from esophageal, gastric, or ectopic varices or from hypertensive gastrophy; ascites or hydrothorax present on two evaluations at least sixty days apart within a six-month period; spontaneous bacterial peritonitis; hepatorenal syndrome; hepatopulmonary syndrome; hepatic encephalopathy present on at least two evaluations; or end stage liver disease. 13   Plaintiff relies University of candidate for heavily upon Kentucky liver the believed fact that transplant. that doctors Mullins Plaintiff was at a the good provides no authority, however, to establish that this meant that Mullins had end stage liver disease. Accordingly, there is no evidence that the ALJ formulated his own medical opinion with respect to Mullins s cirrhosis. B. Plaintiff Has Not Established Bias Finally, Plaintiff suggests that the ALJ was biased when deciding Mullins s claim based on his Mullins s non-attorney representative. apparent dislike of The Court has reviewed the hearing transcript in this matter and finds no evidence of impropriety on representative the to ALJ s make an part. The opening ALJ statement allowed and the asked for clarification when he did not understand the purpose of what the representative was saying. [Tr. 38]. At another point, after the representative interjected during the ALJ s examination of Mullins, the ALJ suggested that she not interrupt and told her that she Mullins. that would have her own uninterrupted time to examine The Court is required to start with the presumption administrative adjudicators are unbiased it is the Plaintiff s burden to provide convincing evidence that a risk of actual bias or prejudgment 14   is present. Navistar Int l Transp. Corp. v. EPA, 941 F.2d 1339, 1360 These comments do not constitute such evidence. (6th Cir. 1991). See Karnofel v. Comm r of Soc. Sec., 518 F. App x 455, 456 (6th Cir. 2013) (citing Navistar, 941 F.2d at 1360) ( [A]ny alleged prejudice on the part of the decisionmaker must be evidence from the record and cannot be based on speculation or inference. ). V. CONCLUSION Accordingly, IT IS ORDERED: (1) that the Commissioner s motion for summary judgment, [DE 11], is GRANTED; and (2) that Plaintiff s motion for summary judgment, [DE 10], is DENIED. This the 22nd day of September, 2014.   15  

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