Brown v. Commissioner Social Security Administration, No. 3:2013cv00904 - Document 20 (D. Or. 2014)

Court Description: OPINION AND ORDER. Signed on 07/09/2014 by Judge Malcolm F. Marsh. (pvh)

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IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE DISTRICT OF OREGON 3:13-cv-00904-MA BRENDA BROWN, Plaintiff, v. COMMISSIONER SOCIAL SECURITY ADMINISTRATION, Defendant. MERRILL SCHNEIDER Schneider Kerr & Gibney Law Offices P.O. Box 14490 Portland, Oregon 97293 Attorneys for Plaintiff S. AMANDA MARSHALL United States Attorney ADRIAN L. BROWN Assistant United States Attorney 1000 S.W. Third Avenue, Suite 600 Portland, Oregon 97204-2902 GERALD J. HILL Social Security Administration 701 Fifth Avenue, Suite 2900 M/S 221A Seattle, Washington 98104 Attorneys for Defendant 1 - OPINION AND ORDER OPINION AND ORDER MARSH, Judge Plaintiff, Brenda Brown, brings this action for judicial review of a final decision of the Commissioner of Social Security (the Commissioner) denying her application for supplemental security income (SSI) disability benefits under Title XVI of the Social Security Act (the Act). See 42 U.S.C. §§ Court has jurisdiction pursuant to 42 U.S.C. reasons set forth below, I reverse the § 1381-1383f. 405(g). final This For the decision of the Commissioner and remand for further proceedings consistent with this Opinion and Order. PROCEDURAL BACKGROUND Plaintiff protectively filed the instant application for SSI on November 20, 2008, alleging disability due to bipolar disorder, clinical depression, diabetes, borderline personality disorder. Osgood-Schlatter disease, and Tr. 277. Plaintiff's claim was denied initially and upon reconsideration. An Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) presided over a hearing on February 25, supplemental hearing on May 20, 2011. At the 2011, first Plaintiff testified but was not represented by counsel. At the second hearing, Plaintiff represented by counsel. Tr. 67-77. Ryan, present Ph.D., was also testified again hearing, Tr. 78-91. and was Vocational Expert (VE) James throughout both testified at the conclusion of the first hearing. hearings and On June 7, 2011, the ALJ issued a decision denying Plaintiff's application. 2 - OPINION AND ORDER and a The Appeals Council, however, reversed and remanded for further consideration. On remand, a different ALJ held a new hearing on January 2, 2013, at which Plaintiff testified and was represented by counsel. VE Gary Jesky was present throughout the hearing and testified. January 23, Plaintiff's 2013, the claim. The ALJ issued Appeals an opinion Council again declined On denying review and Plaintiff timely appealed to this Court. FACTUAL BACKGROUND Born on December 13, 1971, Plaintiff was 36 years old on the alleged onset date of disability and 41 years old on the date of the most recent hearing. Tr. 250. Plaintiff has a 12th grade education with past relevant work as a Call Center Telemarketer, Plastic Bottle Production Worker, and Chips and Nuts Manufacturing or Processing Quality Assurance Technician. Tr. 283. alleges her conditions became disabling on August 1, Plaintiff 2008. Tr. 250. In addition to her testimony at the three hearings, Plaintiff submitted an Adult friend, Shardell Report. Function Report. Bodda, Tr. 286-93. also Tr. submitted a 302-07. Third Plaintiff's Party Function On March 24, 2009, Paul S. Stoltzfus, Ph.D., performed a psychodiagnostic evaluation and submitted an opinion as to Plaintiff's mental impairments. Tr. 485-91. On March 21, 2009, Yin Kan Hwee, M.D., performed a comprehensive physical evaluation 3 - OPINION AND ORDER and submitted an opinion as to Plaintiff's physical impairments. Tr. 557-61. reviewed Finally, the Functional on April 8, medical record 2009, and Capacity Assessment, Joshua J. submitted a and on April Boyd, Psy. D., Mental 13, Residual 2009, Martin Kehrli, M.D., reviewed Plaintiff's records and submitted a Physical Residual Functional Capacity Assessment. Tr. 513-24. THE ALJ'S DISABILITY ANALYSIS The Commissioner has established a five-step sequential process for determining whether a person is disabled. Yuckert, 482 U.S. 137, 140-42 (1987); 20 C. F.R. (v). § Bowen v. 416. 920 (a) (4) (i)- Each step is potentially dispositive. The claimant bears the burden of proof at Steps One through Four. Tackett v. Apfel, 180 F.3d 1094, 1098 (9th Cir. 1999). The burden shifts to the Commissioner at Step Five to show that a significant number of jobs exist in the national economy that the claimant can perform. See Yuckert, 482 U.S. at 141-42; Tackett, 180 F.3d at 1098. At Step One, the ALJ determined Plaintiff has not engaged in substantial gainful activity since the application date, November 20, 2008. See 20 C.F.R. §§ 416.920(b), 416.971 et seq.; Tr. 21. At Step Two, the ALJ determined Plaintiff's degenerative disc disease with a history of a microdiscectomy, diabetes, depressive disorder not otherwise specified,· borderline personality disorder, amphetamine dependence, 4 - OPINION AND ORDER cannabis dependence, and history of polysubstance abuse were severe impairments. See 20 C.F.R. § 416.920(c); Tr. 21-22, 27. At Step Three, the ALJ determined Plaintiff does not have an impairment or combination of impairments that meet or medically equal any listed impairment. See 20 C.F.R. §§ 416.920(d), 416,925, 416.926; Tr. 22-23, 27-28. The ALJ found Plaintiff has the residual functional capacity (RFC) to perform light work, but further limited Plaintiff to no climbing of ropes, ladders, or scaffolds; and occasional climbing of stairs and ramps. routine, The ALJ further limited Plaintiff to simple, repetitive work without public contact, occasional or minimum contact with coworkers and supervisors, and working best alone and without teamwork to complete a task. found that attention Finally, the ALJ Plaintiff would occasionally have periods of marked and concentration deficits. Tr. 23-25. The ALJ, however, found that if Plaintiff ceased substance abuse she would no longer experience occasional periods of marked attention and concentration deficits. Tr. 28-29. At Step Four, the ALJ found Plaintiff cannot perform her past relevant work. See 20 C.F.R. § 416.965; Tr. 26, 29. At Step Five, however, the ALJ found that jobs do not exist in significant numbers in the national economy that perform if she continues substance abuse. Tr. 26-27. Plaintiff can If Plaintiff ceased substance abuse, however, the ALJ found jobs would exist in 5 - OPINION AND ORDER significant numbers perform, in the national economy that Plaintiff can including Janitor and Small Product Assembler. See 20 C.F.R. §§ 416.969, 416.969(a); Tr. 29-30. Accordingly, the ALJ found Plaintiff was not disabled within the meaning of the Act. ISSUES ON REVIEW Plaintiff raises three issues on appeal. First, Plaintiff submits the ALJ erred at Step Three by failing to provide rationale for the "paragraph B" criteria findings. Second, Plaintiff asserts the ALJ erred in considering Plaintiff's testimony because the ALJ impermissibly made two separate credibility findings and ultimately cited insufficient Finally, reasons Plaintiff argues to the reject ALJ's Plaintiff's RFC is not testimony. supported by substantial evidence because the ALJ failed to account for the most recent evidence in the medical record and failed to obtain new evidence concerning Plaintiff's impairments. STANDARD OF REVIEW The court must affirm the Commissioner's decision if the Commissioner applied proper legal standards and the findings are supported by substantial 405(g); Andrews v. ''Substantial evidence Shalala, e~idence in the 53 F.3d 1035, record. 1039 42 U.S. C. (9th Cir. § 1995). means more than a mere scintilla but less than a preponderance; it is such relevant evidence as a reasonable mind might accept as adequate to support a conclusion." 6 - OPINION AND ORDER Id. The court must weigh all of the evidence, whether detracts from the Commissioner's decision. 807 F.2d 771, 772 (9th Cir. 1986). to more than one rational supports or Martinez v. Heckler, If the evidence is susceptible interpretation, Andrews, decision must be upheld. it the Commissioner's 53 F.3d at 1039-40. If the evidence supports the Commissioner's conclusion, the Commissioner must be affirmed; "the court may not substitute its judgment for that of the Commissioner." Edlund v. Massanari, 253 F.3d 1152, 1156 (9th Cir. 2001). DISCUSSION I. Step Three "Paragraph B" Findings Plaintiff first argues the ALJ failed to provide rationale for the "paragraph B" findings at Step Three. must evaluate the relevant, evidence At Step Three, "[a]n ALJ before concluding that a claimant's impairments do not meet or equal a listed impairment." Lewis v. Apfel, 236 F.3d 503, 512 (9th Cir. 2001). "A boilerplate finding is insufficient to support a conclusion that a claimant's impairment does not do so." To satisfy the "paragraph B" criteria used to evaluate mental impairments at Step Three, the claimant's the impairments following: Ill Ill Ill 7 - OPINION AND ORDER must result in at least two of (1) (2) Marked restriction of activities of daily living; Marked difficulties in maintaining social functioning; Marked difficulties in maintaining concentration, persistence, or pace; or Repeated episodes of decompensation, each of extended duration. (3) (4) 20 C.F.R. Pt. 404, Subpt. P, App. 1 at 12.04, i2.os. The ALJ found that "in the presence of substance abuse disorders[,] mental health factors result in a mild restriction in activities of daily living, social functioning, concentration, and moderate to marked difficulties in moderate persistence or difficulties pace," and history of episodes of decompensation." with that Tr. regard "[t] here 23. is to no If Plaintiff ceased substance abuse, the ALJ found Plaintiff's limitations with respect to social functioning would downgrade to "moderate." Tr. 27. The ALJ, however, did not provide any explanation for these findings. While the ALJ' s findings are similar though not identical - to the findings of Dr. Boyd, that connection is for the ALJ to draw, not for the Court to infer. See Tr. 509. Accordingly, because the ALJ failed to provide any explanation of the paragraph B findings, the ALJ made the sort of "boilerplate finding" that is insufficient at Step Three. at 512. Ill Ill 8 - OPINION AND ORDER See Lewis, 236 F.3d II. Plaintiff's Credibility In deciding whether to accept subjective symptom testimony, an 20 C.F.R. ALJ must perform two stages of analysis. § 404.1529. First, the claimant must produce objective medical evidence of an underlying impairment that could reasonably be expected to produce the symptoms alleged. Cir. 1996). Smolen v. Chater, 80 F.3d 1273, 1281-82 (9th Second, absent a finding of malingering, the ALJ can reject the claimant's testimony about the severity of his symptoms only by offering specific, clear, and convincing reasons for doing so. Id. at 1281. If an ALJ finds that the claimant's testimony regarding his subjective symptoms is unreliable, the "ALJ must make a credibility citing unpersuasive." (9th Cir. 1999). reasons In doing so, why testimony Morgan v. Comm'r Soc. Sec. Admin., 599 the the determination is 169 F.3d 595, the ALJ must identify what testimony is credible and what testimony undermines the claimant's complaints, and make "findings sufficiently specific to permit the court to conclude that the ALJ did not arbitrarily discredit [the] claimant's testimony." Cir. 2002). The ALJ credibility evaluation Thomas v. Barnhart, 278 F.3d 947, 958 (9th may in rely weighing upon the ordinary techniques claimant's credibility. Tommasetti v. Astrue, 533 F.3d 1035, 1039 (9th Cir. 2008). Ill Ill 9 - OPINION AND ORDER of A. February 25, 2011, Hearing Testimony At the February 25, 2011, hearing Plaintiff testified that she cooks during the afternoon, cleans grocery shopping with her sister. her own laundry, and goes In a typical day she Tr. 83. takes care of her dog and does some cleaning around the house, but spends a significant amount of time sitting while watching movies, surfing the internet, and playing video games. testified that depression, she was diabetes, currently and back pain, receiving at this hearing that she Plaintiff treatment for and that her treatment for depression and diabetes seemed to be working. reported Tr. 83. had Tr. 84. abused Plaintiff illegal drugs including marijuana and methamphetamine in the past, but that she had not done so for over a year. Tr. 85. Plaintiff additionally reported that she has never abused alcohol, but that she used it "[o) n and off." Tr. 85. As to her ability to lift Plaintiff testified she cannot lift more than five pounds. B. items, Tr. 89. May 20, 2011, Hearing Testimony At the May 20, 2011, hearing Plaintiff testified that the last time she used illegal drugs was in March of 2011 while she was in a mental hospital, Christmas in 2010. and that Tr. 71-72. she had not abused alcohol since As to her efforts to stop using drugs, Plaintiff testified thctt she uses resources from Narcotics Anonymous, although she had not been to a meeting since August of 2010, and that she frequently speaks by telephone with her sponsor. 10 - OPINION AND ORDER Tr. 72-73. Plaintiff testified that many of the problems in her life have been a result of using drugs and alcohol. C. Tr. 75. January 2, 2013, Hearing Testimony At the January 2, 2013, hearing on remand from the Appeals Council, Plaintiff testified that her day-to-day activities depend on how much pain she is in, and that she frequently has to lay down during the day. Tr. 44. Plaintiff reported that the pain centers around her hips and down into her feet, and that she had two back surgeries in 2011 to try to resolve this pain. noted, however, Tr. 44. Plaintiff that she had not received any medical treatment since returning to Oregon in the Spring of 2012, after living in Virginia. Tr. 46. As to her diabetes, Plaintiff reported that she was in the "early stagesn of diabetic neuropathy that causes sharp, stabbing pains in her feet and calves, poor circulation, numbness, and tingling. Tr. 49. As to her functional limitations, Plaintiff testified that she can only stand for 15-20 minutes at a time, and can sit for less than one hour at a time. that when cannery, she returned to Oregon attempted Plaintiff noted to work at a but that she was asked to leave because of workplace problems caused by her back pain. As she Tr. 50. to drug use, Plaintiff Tr. 54. reported that she had used methamphetamine three weeks before the hearing, but that such use had been a relapse and she had not been using regularly since May of 2012. Tr. 50-51. 11 - OPINION AND ORDER Plaintiff reported that she did not use methamphetamine while she was in Virginia from July of 2009 until January of 2012. Tr. 51. Plaintiff reported that she used marijuana three-to-four times per week to help her pain, but that she had not used alcohol for approximately two years. to her mental health, Plaintiff testified that Tr. 54. As her depression symptoms had been particularly bad, and the medications prescribed by her current mental health provider aggravated her symptoms and caused her to sleep more than usual. D. Tr. 53. December 19, 2008, Adult Function Report In her Adult Function Report, Plaintiff reported that her daily activities consist of waking up around 10:00 am, showering, and looking for part-time work until around 4:00 p.m. When she relaxes returns until home, Tr. 302. Plaintiff reported she eats dinner approximately 10:00 p.m. Tr. 302. and Plaintiff reported that she has no problems with personal care, and prepares meals daily for between 20 minutes and one hour. Tr. 300-01. Plaintiff noted that she performs household chores on a daily basis and cleans her own laundry every week. Tr. 301. Plaintiff checked that her knee, hip, and back problems limit her abilities to lift, stairs, and remember. squat, Tr. 307. bend, stand, walk, kneel, climb Plaintiff reported she could walk ftabout a milen before requiring 15 minutes of rest, and that she can pay attention ftfor a long time.a Tr. 307. Plaintiff reported no problems getting along with others or following instructions, 12 - OPINION AND ORDER and noted that she "work[s] Plaintiff wrote, however, that diabetes and lack of sleep. E. well under pressure." she felt Tr. 307-08. "sluggish" due to her Tr. 309, Sufficiency of the ALJ's Credibility Determination The ALJ found that Plaintiff "is credible concerning the many symptoms and limitations," but that the credibility determina.tion was not a "determination of truthfulness, intention, or sincerity, but whether the findings and information is consistent with supported by objective medical actual findings." Tr. 24-25. Accordingly, with respect to Plaintiff's functioning if she ceased substance use, the ALJ found Plaintiff's credibility "low because of [Plaintiff's] denial of consistent substance abuse history despite of manipulative contrary evidence, behavior, and her history of refusing to take responsibility for her own actions." Tr. 28-29. reasons I conclude these reasons are not clear and convincing supporting the manner in which the ALJ discredited Plaintiff's testimony. At the outset, I reject Plaintiff's suggestion that the ALJ conducted two separate credibility analyses. Read as a whole, the ALJ's credibility analysis found that Plaintiff was being truthful about her symptoms, but that her reported symptoms and limitations described her functionality when she was using illegal drugs and did not provide an accurate report of her functionality in the absence of substance abuse. 13 - OPINION AND ORDER Nonetheless, the ALJ's reasons for discrediting Plaintiff's testimony are insufficient because they are not logically related to the manner in which the ALJ rejected Plaintiff's testimony. of the reasons cited by the ALJ (Plaintiff's history All of manipulative behavior, denial of substance abuse, and refusal to take responsibility for her actions) truthfulness of Plaintiff's testimony. are relevant to the They do not, however, speak to the ALJ's finding that Plaintiff was telling the truth about her symptoms and limitations, but that her testimony was not reflective of her functional capacity in the absence of substance abuse. Properly explained, this it is possible that the ALJ' s conclusion in respect may find sufficient support in the again, record. that explanation is for the ALJ to provide, Court to infer. convincing Accordingly, reasons in But, not for the the ALJ failed to cite clear and support of his conclusion concerning Plaintiff's credibility. 1 III. Remand After finding the ALJ erred, remand for benefits. further proceedings this Court has discretion to or for immediate payment of Harman v. Apfel, 211 F.3d 1172, 1178 (9th Cir. 2000). "Remand for further administrative proceedings is appropriate if 1 Because the ALJ failed to cite clear and convincing reasons for the manner in which he rejected Plaintiff's testimony, the RFC is insufficient. Accordingly, the Court need not reach Plaintiff's additional arguments concerning the RFC. 14 - OPINION AND ORDER enhancement of the record would be useful." 379 F.3d 587, 593 (9th Cir. 2004) Benecke v. Barnhart, When, however, "the record has been developed fully and further administrative proceedings would serve no useful purpose," a remand for an award of benefits is appropriate. Id. It is well settled that a court will: [C]redit evidence that was rejected during the administrative process and remand for an immediate award of benefits if ( 1) the ALJ failed to provide legally sufficient reasons for rejecting the evidence; (2) there are no outstanding issues that must be resolved before a determination of disability can be made; and (3) it is clear from the record that the ALJ would be required to find the claimant disabled were such evidence credited. Id. (citing Harman, 211 F.3d at 1178). is not entitled to benefits . disabled, no matter how Nonetheless, "[a] claimant . unless the claimant is, in fact, egregious the ALJ' s errors may be." Strauss v. Comm'r Soc. Sec. Admin., 635 F.3d 1135, 1138 (9th Cir. 2011). Thus, a . remand for further proceedings is generally appropriate unless, in light of the ALJ' s errors, it is clea·r from the record that the claimant is disabled within the meaning of the Act. See id. Further administrative proceedings are useful in this case because the record requires additional development and the ALJ's findings require additional explanation. On remand, in light of the age of the prior examining opinions and potential changes in Plaintiff's condition, the·ALJ shall order new mental and physical examinations and permit 15 - OPINION AND ORDER Plaintiff to submit additional medical evidence. In addition, the ALJ shall explain the rationale for the paragraph B findings, citing specific record evidence. the ALJ shall reconsider Plaintiff's testimony and, again chooses to discredit Plaintiff's testimony, Finally, if the ALJ cite legally sufficient reasons relevant to the credibility determination. CONCLUSION Based on the foregoing, the Commissioner's decision is REVERSED, and this case is REMANDED pursuant to sentence four of 42 U.S.C. § 405(g) for further administrative proceedings consistent with this opinion. IT IS SO ORDERED. DATED this~ day of July, 2014. Malcolm F. Marsh United States District Judge 16 - OPINION AND ORDER

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