Durham v. Astrue, No. 7:2010cv00545 - Document 24 (W.D. Va. 2011)

Court Description: MEMORANDUM OPINION. Signed by Judge James C. Turk on 12/8/11. (med)

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whehert y we er c t ough t a ia i oft c r ctl lsa r . See42 U. C. t he r ea hed hr he pplc ton he ore ega t nda ds S. j405( ( g) 2006) Cofma v. ; f n Bowe 8 F. 51 51 ( h Ci.1 7) Acc di y,a n, 29 2d 4, 7 4t r 98 . or ngl r ve n c u t yn ts b t uei j d me tfrta o t eCo s in r b tnse dmu t e iwig o r ma o u si t t u g n o h t f h mmiso e, u i ta s t s de e t t Co m i s one ' det r i to i t y a e s f r o he m s i rs e m na i ns f he r uppor e by s t nta e de e. H a td ubs a i l vi nc ys v.Suli n, F. 1 1 ( hCi.1 ) 42U. C.j405g) lva 907 2d 453, 456 4t r 990 ; S. ( .TheCommisoners si ' fndi ofa f c i c usvepr d i i s i ng ny a t s oncl i ovi ed t s upporedby s t nta evi nce.Riha ds v. t ubsa il de c r on Peaes 402U. 389,390( 971.Su tnta e de ei defne asls hr lvan e de a rl , S. 1 ) bsa il vi nc s i d çuc ee t vi nce s ar a ona e mi m i ac e a a qua et s ppor ac l i ' L. a 401 Subsa i l e s bl nd ght c pt s de t o u t oncuson. ds t . ' u t nta e de i no allr orc i r bl a vi nce s t sa ge onsde a e mountofe d e'Pir çv. vi enc ,' ç c Undç wpmd,487 U. r S. - 5 2 5 5( 9 8 , u i i t r ta ameesitl o e d n e(h u h s me a ls ta a 5 , 6 1 8 ) b tt s i e h n mo r cnia f vie c t o g ) o wh t e s h n l prpondea e,' wsv.Celbrzz ,368F. 640,642( hCi.1 . e rnc 'La e e e 2d 4t r 966) l . Pr e a H i t y and Fac ualBac ound l oc dur l s or t kgr D u ham w a bor on J 23,1 67 a w a 40 ye r ol a t tm e s a l gess r s n une 9 , nd s a s d t he i he le he bec me diabld. Shehasa hi s hoole a i a waspr vi l e oye asaknitng a s e gh c duc ton nd e ousy mpl d ti ma hi a s ngma hi ope aor ( 28) Dur m alge t ts bec media e fom c ne nd ewi c ne r t . R. . hn le s ha he a s bld r alfr o s sa ta g if e o me t nOco e 1 , 0 72 ( . 4 .Du h m alg she 1 o ms f ub tnil anul mply n o tb r 6 2 0 . R 2 ) r a le e r dia lt c i s biiy ontnuest t sda and i t r s tofc r t ls om ea me a lmia ins o hi y s he e ul a pel unne yndr nd nt l i t to . Dur m flda iai f D1 a SSIonOcobe 1 2007.( 22) He cams ha ie pplc tons or B nd t r 6, R. . r li we ede e on i talc i r tona o r onsde ai The e fe ,Dtr m r quese al r ni d nii onsde ai nd n ec i rton. r a tr lha e t d rd r c ie ah ai a drv e b fr a Ad nsrtv La J dg (ALJ'.l a o iind td e ev d e rng n e iw eo e n miitaie w u e ( ' n n pn o ae $ ) Fe u r 4,201 t ALJalo de e Dur m ' r q t f be isdee mi ngt ts wa br a y 0, he s nid ha s e uess or neft tr ni ha he s notdi a e Spec f c ly,t ALJ de e m i t tD ur s bl d. ii a l he t r ned ha ham ha s ve ali pa r e s t tm e d e r m im nt ha t t defnii ofas veei r ntu r20C. R.jj404.520()and41 920() c r al he i ton e r mpaime nde F. 1 c 6. c: a p 2Pl ntf' bre i caesadiabiiyons tdaeofAugus 3,2006, t sa r t bea t ai ifs if ndi t s lt e t t but hi ppea s o ypogr phi le r . a ca r or t n e s n r me rc re t j rd p e so a dp ncds r e .( 2 ) Ho v rt eALJ u n l y d o ,e u rn mao e r sin, n a i io d r R. 4 . we e ,h f ound t tnone oft s i pa r e t m e o w a m e ca l eq t a ls e i paim e ,a ha he e m im n s t r s di ly ual o i t d m r nt s dei di 20C. R.PM 40 Subpa t Appe x 1 ( 25) TheALJdeemi dt t fne n F. 4, r P, ndi . R. . tr ne ha Dur m hadt r iua f tonalc pact (( 't ha he esd l unci a iy ç RFC' o: ) Plro m lg t r .. x e tfrta wh c rq ie mo eta ef r ih wo k . e c p o h t ih e ur s r h n oc s ona pus ng o puli w ih t uppe e r m ii s o c l ot ca i l hi r lng t he r xt e t e r a m bedone by a i vi lwho h m od r t de i i i of n ndi dua as e a e fcences c once r ton, r itnc orpa e. nta i pe sse e, c ( 26 .Basd o t sRFC t ALJfundt tat ug Dur m co dnotpef r a ofhe R. ) e n hi he o ha lho h hn ul rom ny r p s rlv n wo k teeweej b a t lg ta du s ildlv l fe ri nt a Du h m c u d a t ee a t r ,h r r o s the ih n n kle e e o xe t h t r a o l o pef m,s ha c errntlclr a us rlbbyatnda .( 29 .TheCommison r ror uc s ount /e a ek nd he/o te nt R. ) si e a edt ALJsopi i , a Dtr m now a l . dopt he ' n on nd lha ppea s3 1 D i si 11. scus on Pl i i f sM o i n f r Sum m a y J gm e a nc t o a gum e s i s ppo tofhe a ntf to o r ud nt dva es w r nt n u r r r que tt tt sCour r re t tndi oft ALJ a nots e s ha hi t eve s he i ngs he ,s uppored by s t nta e de . t ubsa i l vi nce I he bre ,Dur m a g sprm a iyt tt ALJ Sfndi c e i t e e ofhe m e a n r if ha r ue i rl ha he ' i ngs onc m ng he xtnt r ntl lm ia i ar nots i t tons e uppore by s t nta evi nc a s c td ubs a i l de e nd e onda iy t t A LJ Sfndi s r l hat he ' i ng r ga di he physc lmia i ,a a r ul ofhe dignosswih c r t me s om e a e e r ng r ial i ttons s es t r a i t a pal ul l yndr , r nots upporedby s t nta e de e.Ho ve ,a or la g e , ai ifsc t ubsa il vi nc we r t a r um nt Pl ntf' ouns sa e he el tt d r prm a y a gumenti t tt ALJ Sfndi sr ga di Dur ' physca lm iatonsa enot i r r s ha he ' i ng e r ng hnm s i li t i r s uppore by s t nta evi nce Af e r vi w i t r or i t s c s ,t Cour fndst t td ubs a i l de . t r e e ng he ec d n hi a e he t i ha Pl i ifsa gum e s l ck m e i a t tt Com m i sone ' tna de i i i s a ntf r nt a rt nd ha he s i r s i l c s on s uppor e by td s t nta e de e. ubs a i l vi nc 3Dur m ha m e t i ur sausr quiement oft Ac a a1r ev nttm esc edby t Com m ison ' ha s t he ns ed tt e r s he t t l el a i over he s i ers fn l e iin.4 U.. j 41 i & 4 () ia d cso 2 SC. j 6() 23a. A. The A LJ' Fi ng t Pl ntf H a M ode at Defc e i ofC onc nt aton, S ndi hat ai if s r e i i nc es e r i Pe ss e e,orPacei Suppor e by SubsantalEvi nc r it nc s td t i de e. Dur m a s t t tt A LJ s d haveputm or w e ghton t tea m e not s of ha s ers ha he houl e i he r t nt e Pl ntf s l t r m e a he lh pr de ,M t Roge s a l s w e ghton t opi on ofD r ai if ong-e m nt l a t ovi r . r , nd es i he ni . Ber Ps D.whoperor d ac ulai e onDtr m.( 45 .Dur m f t rsae ry, y. , f me ons ttve xam lhn R. 9) ha urhe tts t a h rcin s o l n tb p eu ie b t fc ta Mt Ro e sd e n tp o ier sd a h t e le t h ud o e rj dc d y he a th t . g r o s o r vd e iu l f n to a c p ct (: 'e lain .ThsCo t rj csDu h m' a g me tfn igt a te u cin l a a iy ( RFC' vau to s i u' ee t r a s r u n ,i dn h th ) t ALJ Sde son a t Dur m ' men a ca biii si s ppore by s tnta e de e. ' cii s o ha s t l pa lte s u td ubs a i l vi nc The a i bl r a i ditt t ti de di ho muc weghtt gi a m e c pplca e egultons c ae ha n ci ng w h i o ve ny dial opi on,heALJmus c i r()whehe t p iinc ni t t onsde l t r he hysca onduce a i pes e mi to o td n n- ron xa nain f t cai t ( t te t trlto hi bewe nt physcina t cli nt i l ngt he l mmz; 2) he ramen eains p t e he i a nd he ama ,ncudi he lngt oft rltons p a t naur a e e oft te t nt ( t s e h he eai hi nd he t e nd xtnt he rame ' 3) he uppora lt oft , tbiiy he physca sopi on,( t co it yoft opi onwiht rc d,5)whehe t opi o iin' ni 4) he nssenc he ni t he e or ( t r he nin c sfom as i itand( anyohe fcor t ttndt s ome r pecals, 6) t r a t s ha e o uppor orconta c t o ni t rdit he pi on. Se 20C. R.jj404.5 d)1-6) 20C. R.jj41 927()1-6) Se as Hi sv. e F. 1 27( ( )( ; F. 6. d ()( . e lo ne Banha t45 F. 559,563( h Ci.20 .M o e ve ,fate tngphyscin' opi o i not r r, 3 3d 4t r 06) r o r i rai i a s nin s gi n con r lngweiht t ALJ i r uie t t xpli i t e de i in t we g gi n t t ve toli g , he s eq r d o d an n h c so he i ht ve o he e opi onsofa St t a nc m e c o ps hol i lc ula torot rpr n phys c a ni a e ge y di al r yc og ea ons t n he ogr m i i n, ps c ogit orohe me c ls cils..'20C. R.j40 1 27()2)i) 20C. R. y hol s, t r dia pe ait.. ' F. 4.5 f( (i; F. j41 9 ( 2)i) 6.279( (i. The ALJ a pr pra e y a f de t St t r vi w i ps hol s sQg e tw ei ht'be us p o i t l f or d he a e e e ng yc ogi t t r a g ' ca e t i opi onsweel onsse a wels her ni r t itnt nd l-uppored. ( 28 .l Aug t2008, . osph1 c t ' R. ) n us ' Dr J e . Lez r Ph. ,rviwe Dur m' me c lhit y.( 39139 .Spe fcal hef t t ie, D. e e d ha s dia sor R. - 3) cii ly, ound ha Dur m w a C od a el lm ie ' n s ver la e s i l ng c t gorespera ni t her ha s l er t y i t d' i e a r a nc udi a e i m ti ng o unde sa ng a m e y, usaned c e r ton a pe sse ,s i li e a ton, nd rt ndi nd mor s t i onc ntai nd r it nce oc a nt r c i a a lt t a pt( 3912) Dr Lez rc l dt tDur m woul t a et pef m t biiy o da . R. - . . ie oncude ha ha d k bl o ror he be me a de ndsofsmpl uns le a nonsrsf wor '( 393 .Dr A. ohnKallPI. , ntl ma i e, kild nd te sul k. R. ) . J ' i, AD. a s r vi we Dur m ' r c dsi Aug t2008,a r a he t s m ec uson a Dr Le z r lo e e d ha s e or n us nd e c d he a oncl i s . i e . ( 41 ) R. 8 . TheCour' r viw o t r co dr ve l t tt opi o oft St t r viwi ts e e f he e r e a s ha he ni ns he a e e e ng ps hol s s a e co i t ntw ih t r co d asa w hol Af e pe f yc ogi t r ns s e t he e r e. t r r onni a c ula i ng ons t tve e i ton on Oc obe 13, xam na i t r 2009, r Be r o ne t tD ur m ' s m pt sm e tt c ie i D . r y pi d ha hn s y om e he rt ra f rMao De r sieDio d ra dPa i Dio d r b tddn t e t ciei f rada n ss o j r p e sv s r e n nc s r e, u i o me the rtra o ig o i ofBi a Dior r ( 462) ct l Dr Ber notdDur m ha modeaelmiains polr s de . R. .Spe ikaly, . ry e ha d rt i tto ofhe a lt t unde s a a r m e berc pl x i t u tons c r y outc m pl x i t uc i ns r biiy o r t nd nd e m om e nsr c i , a r o e ns r to , ma j d me t o c mpe wo k rltdd cso s itrc a p o itl wihc - r e s a d ke u g n s n o lx r -eae e iin ,n ea t p rpraey t o wok r, n rs nda oprael t us wor st tonsa t c nge i ar i wor s ti ( 464epo ppr it y o ual k iuai nd o ha s n outne k etng. R. 5) l asmia ven,te t ntnoe pr de byDr Clya M t Rogesi c t t talhough . n i lr i r ame ts ovi d . a t . r ndiae ha t Dlr m diplyso ng s m pt sofa e y a de es i i Oc obe 2007, hn ' zhn s a ngoi y om nxit nd pr son, n t r Dur m s c ton w asç ognii f r t ,' r i i htw a tf i,' he -j me C r sy i ac. ( 442) conc e e ' he ns g s da r' and r udg nti osl nt t'R. . g ' Si lrobsr to weema i Nove mia e vains r de n mber2007 ( 441, a c 2008,( 439 ,Se e r , R. )M rh R. ) ptmbe 2008,( 436) Aprl20 ( 433) a J y2009( 432)4 M or ve,i Oct 2009, bot R. , i 09,R. , nd ul R. . eo r n ober h Dr Ber a M tRoge spero me Gl lAse s ntofFunci ng(t 'e uai . . ry nd . r fr d oba ssme toni : GAF' val tons ) Dr Ber f Dur m s orda61 ( 462) whieMt Rogesf undDur m s r da65,( . ry ound ha c e ,R. , l . r o ha co e R. 4TheCou talonot t tol r or , fom Dr Gr ha ,whoteae Pli ifbewee Dece r s es ha der ec ds r . a m r td antf t n mber2006a nd M ac 2007,i caet tDur m w a doi w elfo aps hiti sa rh ndi t ha ha s ng l ' m r yc arc tndpoit l De m be 2006, .Grha n . n ce r Dr a m sat ta tth r i n e d n eo p ritn d peso , o ees eso s iia o voe tie to .S e ttd h t< lee s o vie c f esse t e rsin h p lsn s r ucd l r iln d ains h t demonsrt noaci e de ofdeusons halucnai ort oughtdior r H e ore a i i i ac.He taes tve vi nce l i , l i tons h s de . r intton s nt t r atnina dc n e tainaeitc. ( 3 8.Dr Grh m ma esmi ro srain i Mac 2 0 , R. 5 ) t to n o c nrt r na t' R. 5 ) . a a d i l b ev to s n rh 0 7 ( 3 9, e o ' a a dJ l 2 0 . R. 61 . n uy 0 7 ( 3 ) 469) bot i c tngt tDur onl s frdfom mids omsors ditc t wih , h ndiai ha ham y ufee r l ympt ome fi uly t appr i e soci f i ng. oprat al unctoni Se ond,t o ni oft St t r vi wi ps hol ssa es c he pi ons he ae e e ng yc ogit r uppore by Pl n ifs td aitf ow n s a e e s t M t Roge sa D r Be r Fo exa pl i J nua y 2009,D u ham r pore t t m nt o . r nd . r y. r m e, n a r r e td t ts wastfei betrorwoul bei Ehefna ilsrsf st ton)wa n' ha ni ' ha he de lng te d f t i nca te sul iuai s t ppe ng. ' ( 434) AsofJ y2009,Du ha rpore t the me c tonsweehel nghe c pewihhe R. . ul r m e td ha r diai r pi r o t r sr sa hepi he t see bet r ( 450- )5 Pl n ifalo not d t s wa a et tes nd l ng r o l p te . R. 51 . aitf s e hat he s bl o p rom h u e r a dk e i t u hwihh rfmiybyp o e ( 45 ) Fial, u igte e fr o swo k n e p n o c t e a l h n . R. 0 . n l d rn h y cons t tvee m ,Dur ulai xa ham r poredt ts wa a et co plt s l- r t s , a gehe e t ha he s bl o m e e efca e a ks m na r tna esi pe nty,a oc sonal s ai wihfmiya finds ( 461.Noneof i nc nde nde l nd ca i ly ocilze t a l nd re . R. ) Pl i ifsownr t r ga di he a lte i c t t ts i dia e fom al wor antf' epors e r ng r biii s ndia e ha he s s bld r 1 k. Thus t A LJ a ount f rt Pl i if sm e a lm ia i i hi RFC a s s e , he cc ed o he a ntf ' nt l i t tons n s s es m nt whe hef n oundt tDur m wa lm iedt lg wo kte e f rt twhi h ..ca tbedo ha ha s i t o i ht r txc pt o ha c . nno ne bya i vi lwhohasmodeaedeiince ofc e r to pesse ,orpa .'( 26) n ndi dua rt fce is onc ntain, ritnce ce' R. . The e o e t ALJ' de son i s po td by s t nta e de e. r f r , he S cii s up re ubsa i l vi nc B. The ALJ A f or d A ppr i t W ei t D r H um phr e 'O pi on. f de opr a e ght o . is ni Durng or la gum e , ur m a gue t tt ALJ e r d by a f di D r H um pl e ' i a r nt D ha r d ha he re f or ng . ui s opi o m or weghtt n i wasen ild i lgh oft i onssencesbe we n t r viwi nin e i ha t tte n i t he nc it i t e he e e ng . i . tr e e ng he ec ds phys c a 'opi i a t eofDr Humphres6 Afe r vi wi t r or ofDr i i ns n ons nd hos . Hu phre a t St t a ncyr viwi physca ,t Cour c l m is nd he ae ge e e ng i ins he t oncudest tt sdif r nc i ha hi fe e e n 5Dur m ' c mentt the s ha s om ha r ympt shad i p ove wiht us ofmedi ton i pariulryr lva be a eti om m r d t he e cai s tc a l ee nt c us ûf as m pt c ber as y om an e onabl co r l bym edi to orte t e ,i i no dia i ' Gr sv. e klr 785F. y ntoled cain r am nt t s t s blng. os H c e , ' 2d 1 6 ,1 6 (t Ci.1 8 )(in P rh m v Cee rz e 3 9F.d8 8 8 0( hCi.l 6 )20C. R. 1 3 1 6 4h r 9 6 ct g u d a . lbe z , 4 2 2 , 3 4t r 9 5 ; F. j i 4 41 3 ) 0 .5 0 . 6Thi agum e wa no de ope i Pl ntf' bre be sr nt s t vel d n ai ifs if yond aconcus ys nt esai trhee i cla a l or e enc ttng:< r s e r nd s fce e de i t r c dt e tbls a c r ae t scai ntsm e ala physc lhe t pr e s ufiint vi nce n he e or o sa ih nd oroborts hi l ma ' nt nd ia alh oblm icu igp i, li el tn c n iin a dhe ia it t p ro pe iu j b s eh l. n ldn an mut i ig o dt s n rn bly o efnn rvo s o s h ed' pl mi o i ' 6 opi on i i ma e i a t ALJonl afor weihtt t tpo ton ofDr Humphres opi on ni s m t ral s he y f ded g o ha ri . i ' ni t twasnotco r di ed by t opi o oft St t a nc r vi w i ph i i ns Thus t ha nt a ct he ni ns he a e ge y e e ng ys c a . , he ALJafo ded a opra eweghtt Dr Humphres opi on. fr ppr it i o . i ' ni Thei nconsse y be we n Dr Humphre 'opi o andt eoft r viwi it nc t e . i s ni n hos he e e ng phys c a 's e sf om a di a ee e a thow m uc Dur m e d r as bl lf i lg of i i ns t m r s gr m nt bou h hn oul e ona y i t n i ht t lm ia i o t us ofhe ha l hi opi on,heALJsaed û c di a opra e he i ttons n he e r nd, n s ni t t t û or ng ppr it Ac weghtt t opi on ofDr Humphres 1tnd t tc pact f wor a t lghtl lofe ri i o he ni . i , i ha a iy or k t he i eve xe ton i rd c db t ia it t pefr j b t a rq iemo et a oc a in l u hn o p l s e u e y he n bl y o rom o s h t e u r r h n c so a p s ig r ulng i i wiht uppe e rmii .'( 28 .Dr Humphresopi dt Dur m iwoul belmiedt t he r xte tes' R. ) . i ne hat ha d d i t o sti sa ng a wa ki 6 hour ada i a 8 hou wor da t lfi 50 pounds itng, t ndi nd l ng s y n n - r k y,o itng oc asonal and25pou feq nty. Shewou dbelm ie t oc asonalgrppi a c i ly nds r ue l l i td o c i i ng nd gr s ng wih e t ruppere r iy and s w oul be lm ied t oc as ona c i bi a no a pi t ihe xtem t he d i t o c i l lm ng nd ca i .7 ( . 6 ) Ho v r Dr. c ad S ru c a dDo ad W il ms t eStt rwl ' R 3 8 . we e , s Rih r ur so n n l li ,h ae ng ' a r viwi physc a ,o nedt ttwih s m elm iedus ofoneha i woul notber s na e e e ng ii ns pi ha ç t o i t e nd, t d ea o bl t e c t tt cai ntwoul bea et lf 2550pot .'( 375,400) Be aus t ALJ o xpe t ha he l ma d bl o it / mds' R. . c e he lm ied Dur m ' RFC t lghtwor i i cla t tt ALJd dno pl ea we gh on Dr i t ha s o i k,t s e r ha he i t ac ny i t . H u phr e 'o ni t tD ur m co d lf 25 pounds fe nty a 50 poundsocc s ona l m i s pi on ha ha ul i t r que l nd a i ly. M or ove , . e r Dr Hum phres opi on t tDur m woul belm ie t oc sonalg i ng a i ' ni ha ha d i t d o ca i rppi nd g as ng w ih he uppe e r m ii s i no c t a c e by t opi onsoft St t r vi w i r pi t r r xt e te s t on r di t d he ni he a e e e ng phys ci ns A c di y, he A LJ' de s on t a f d a op i t w e g t t o ni ofDr i a . cor ngl t S ci i o f or ppr r a e i ht o he pi on . Hum phresi s i s uppore by s t nta evi nce td ubs a i l de . 7Dr Hu hisp ro me ac n uttv e a n to o Mac 1 , 0 .( 3 5 . . mp re efr d o s laie x miain n rh 7 2 08 R. 6 ) I Cone us on V. l i Afe r vi oft r or t sCour fndst tt ALJ' dec son i s tr e ew he ec d, hi t i ha he S ii s uppored by t s tnta e de e. Acc di y, hi Cour GRANTS t Comm isone ' M oton f r ubsa il vi nc or ngl t s t he s i rs i o Summ a y J r udgme a DENI t Pl itf sM oto f Summ a y J nt nd ES he an if in or r udgm e . nt a pr prae o de s l t sda is . p o i t r r ha l hi y s ue The Clr i diece t s nd c esoft sM e or ndum Opi on a a c e k s r td o e opi hi m a ni nd c ompa ng nyi Or rt al co elofr c d. de o l uns e or E E NT R: v i ,' dyo oee e 2 1 hs î* a r cmbr 0 1 , ' 8 rU nied St t Di t ' tJ t a es s c udge

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