Lawson v. Colvin, No. 7:2013cv00260 - Document 21 (W.D. Va. 2014)
Court Description: MEMORANDUM OPINION. Signed by Judge James C. Turk on 5/8/14. (med)
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ŠERKSOFFIA U.S. Tcou&r CE ATRo * . NoKe. vA FIED L #A r2 2 1 t 21 I TH E UNI N TED STATES DI STRI COURT CT FO R TH E W E STER N DI STR I T O F V I G I I C R N A ROANOKE DI I O N V SI JJ , UMAC. , ' ù .. . . , . , E DL RK % E .. ... (1 ; 5 1 7 1 cu LI NDA LAW SON, Ci lA c i No.7: 3- vvi t on 1 c 260 Pl nt f , ai i f M EM O R AND U M O PI O N NI CARO LYN W .COLVI N, Ac i Com m isone ofSocalSec iy, tng si r i urt H on.Jam e C.Tur s k Seni U nied St D i ri Judge or t ates st ct D e endant f . hi i or e ew Plitf Lida La o (t anif o i ws n' br an if n ws n s itf ' r ia o ' ought t s acton f r vi of pl ) Dee ntCaol W .Col n' Cl Commiso r' fnalde ii de ng he cam fr fnda r yn vi s t he sine' i ) cson nyi r li o s e ntlscurt i ome(t ' a dia lt i urncebe t (t B' unde Til XVI upplme a e iy nc û ' nd s biiy ns a SSI) neks iDl ' ) r tes a 1 o t eSo ilSe u i Ac (t eAc' , 2U. C.j 4 - 3 1 81 1 8 f Th sCo r h s nd 1 f h ca c rt t th t' 4 S. j 0143 , 3 - 3 3 . i u t a y i ) j rs ito o e te a to pu s a tt 4 U. C.j 4 5 g a d 1 8 ()3 . t La o a d u idcin v r h cin ru n o 2 S. j 0 ( ) n 3 3 c( ) Boh ws n n t Commisone fl motons f s he si r ied i or ummay j me .ECF Nos 1 1 The Cour he r r udg nt . 5, 7. t ad a g e on t m otons s e ECF N o. a t y a e now rpe f di pos ton. r um nt he i ,e 20, nd he r i or s ii I h rmoin f rs mma yj d me t La o c ne d ta te Co sin rer d i n e to o u r u g n , ws n o tn s h t h mmiso e re n c udi s wa notdi a ed.He prm a y a gumenti t tt Admi sr tve La J oncl ng he s s bl r i r r s ha he nitai w udge ($ ' er d by fii t e l t a pr pel c e tt opi onsofDr Ro r De r a % ' re ALJ ) alng o vauae nd o ry r di he ni . bet ve e ux, o ofhe te tng physcins Se c ne a l ECF N o.1 ne r r ai i a . e e r lv 6. Ha ng r e d t r or t Cour c l st tr verali r r d i t sc s Dr vi eviwe he ec d, he t onc ude ha t s s equie n hi a e. . De r ux opi d i De e be 2011 t t La on' physca lmia i pr ve ed he fom ve e ne n c m r ha ws s i l i t tons e nt r r w or ng. The A LJ de e m i t t o ni w a e il d onl t çltl ' wei , a i t ad ki t r ned ha pi on s ntte y o site ' ght nd ns e ac or d g e t r w e g t t opi ons of t no e m i ng physci ns w ho r vi w ed c de r a e i ht o he ni wo n- xn ni ia e e Laws s r or pror t t f nc i on' ec ds i o he u tonal evauai n a di no e n ha a ce s t Dr l to nd d t ve ve c s o . ' . ç Deve ea s r por .Pa tcul r y bec us D r D e e ux' o ni n w a s r ux' e t r i a l a e . ver a s pi o s uppor e by t ot r td he he me ia e d n eo rc r a dn ti c n itn wi s c ohe e i e c ,heALJSrj ci no dc l vie c f e o d n o n o sse t t u h t r v d n e t h ' ee to f i i c r r t t Comm isone ' own r gulto a c e l w.Fort s r as ,e ai d t s onta y o he s i rs e a i ns nd as a he e e ons xpl ne i m or deai belw ,t Cour fndst tt Co misone ' fna dec son i nots re by n e t l o he t i ha he m s i r s i l ii s uppo td s t nt a e de e A cc r ngl t Co m i s o r s M oton f Slm m a y J m e , ECF ubs a i l vi nc . o di y, he m s i ne ' i or l r udg nt No.1 i DENI 7, s ED,Pl ntf s M o i f r Summ a y J ai if ton o r udgme ,ECF N o.15,i GR ANTED, nt s and t ca ei REVERSED a REM ANDED f acaculton ofa a a d ofbe f . he s s nd or l a i n w r ne hs STANDARD O F REVI EW W he r viwi t Comm isone ' fna de i i t Cour i lm ied t de e mi ng n e e ng he s i rs i l c son, he t s i t o t r ni whe he t Com mi so rs fndi a e s t r he s i ne ' i ngs r uppored by s t nta e de e a whehe t t ubsa il vi nc nd t r he Com mi sone r c d t e fndi t oug a i a i oft c r c l ga sa r .See42 s i r ea he hos i ngs hr h pplc ton he or e t e l t nda ds U. C.j405( ;Ha k v. t 667F. 470,472( hCi.201 ) S. g) ncoç Asnw, 3d 4t r 2 . Subsa i le de i i uc r e nt e denc as a r a ona e mi m i a c pt a t nta vi nce s ç h elva vi e s e s bl nd ght c e s ade t t s qua e o uppo ta conc uson'i c it ofm or t n a m e e s ntla ofe de e b m a be r l i , t ons s s e ha r ci il vi nc ut y s wha ls t naprponde a e. Cri v.Chae,76F. 585,589 ( h Ci.1 )(ntr l ome t e s ha e r nc ' ac ' tr 3d 4t r 996 i ena ctt ns o te ) Ha c k 6 7 F.d a 47 I t Co sin rs d tnniain m' ii a o mi d ; n oc , 6 3 t 2. f he mmiso e ' ee n to s e t s p o td b s bsa ta e ie e a rve n c u tma n ts bsi t isj d me tf rte u p re y u tnil vd nc , e iwi g o r y o u tt e t u g n o h u Com misone ',but i t d m us de e t t e detr i tons ys v. Suli n,907 F. s i rs nsea t f r o hos e m na i .Ha lva 2d 1 453,1 ( h Ci.1 ) 42 U. C.j 405( .Ac o dngy tin r ve ng f rs bsa ta 456 4t r 990 ; S. g) c r i l, ûj e iwi o u tnil g lc i de e biiy e ie c ,ghs Co r d e ) n tu d ra e t r wei confitng evi nce,m ake cr di lt vd n e t i u t o s o n e tk o e gh d tr n to , rs b ttt (tj u g n f rta o t ALJ.. .W h r c n lcig e ie c eemiains o u siue is j d me t o h t f he . ee o fitn vd n e a l s r as bl m i t dif r a t whe hera c a m a i dia e t r pons biiy f t t low e ona e nds o f e s o t l i nt s s bl d, he es i lt or ha de sonflso t ALJ. Ha k,667F. a 472(nena atrto a ctto omit . cii al n he ' ncoc ' 3d t itr l le ains nd iains ted) Laws bea st bur ofpr ng t ts i dia e wihi t m e ni o t Ac . on r he den ovi ha he s s bld t n he a ng f he t Engih v. h ll,1 F.d 1 0,1 2(t Ci.1 9 )(ii 4 U. C. 4 3 d ()2 0 ). e ls S aaa 0 3 08 08 4h r 9 3 ctng 2 S. j 2 ( )5 ( 0 6) Th Ac defne ç s biiy' a t tnab lt t e gei a s t nta ganf a tviy by r a on of t i s s a lt ' s he s iiy o nga n ny ubsa i l i ul c i t di i es a medialy dee mi bl ph i alormen ali im e ,whi h c n be e de t r s ti ny c l tr na e ysc t mpar nt e a xpe d o e ul n de t o w hi ha l s ed or c n be e c e t l tf r a c tnuo pe i ofnot l s t n 1 a h r ch s a t a xpe t d o as o on i us r od es ha 2 mo t s'4 U. C. 4 3 d ( )A) Dia ii u e teAc r q ie s o n mo et ntefc nh . 2 S. j 2 ( )1( . s blt nd r h t e ur s h wig r ha h a t ' y t tt c am a s f sfom a i r ntwhi h afe t he a lt t pe f m da l aci te ha he l i nt ufer r n mpaime c f c s r biiy o ror iy tvii s orc ti f n ofwor Rahe ,a c am a tmus s w t the i im e s p e nthe fom era n olns k. t r l i n t ho ha < mpar nt r ve rr e gi i a 1f ms of s t nta ganf l e oyme gi n he age e nga ng n 1 or ubsa il i u mpl nt ve r , ducai a wo k ton, nd r e renc Se 42U. C.jj423d)2) xpei e. e S. (( . The Com misone us a ûve se pr es t evaua e a dia lt cai . W al v. s i r es - tp oc s o l t s biiy l m ls Bamhat 296 F. 287,290 ( h Ci.2002) TheCommisone as ,i s q nc whehe t l r, 3d 4t r . si r ks n e ue e, t r he cli nt ( )i wor ng;( hasas veei r nt ()ha ali ime t tmeesore s ama : 1 s ki 2) e r mpaime ; 3 s r mpar nt ha t qual t r uie nt ofalse i ime ( c n rt n t he patr e ntwor a i no,() he eq rme s itd mpar ntl 4) a eur o r s elva k; nd f t 5 wh t r s e c n pef r ohe wo k He ke v.Cn bel 46 U. 4 8 4 046 ( 98 ) ehe h a ro m t r r . c lr mp l, 1 S. 5 , 6 - 2 1 3 ; J h sm v.Ba a t 4 4 F.d 6 0 6 4 n. ( t Ci.2 0 ) ( r cli (i n 2 C. R. o nt mh r, 3 3 5 , 5 1 4h r 0 5 pe t mn) ct g 0 F. r i j404.520) Thei r c as i t Commisone fndst cai tdia e a a se of 1 . nquiy e es f he s i r i he l man sbld t ny tp tep o e s 2 C. R.j 4 4 1 2 ()4 , 69 0 a( ) Th cama tb a st eb r e o p o f h r c s . 0 F. j 0 .5 0 a( ) 41 .2 ()4 . e li n e r h u d n f r o a se one t oug f t e t ih a prma f ce c s f diabiiy.The bur n s fst t t t ps hr h our o sabls i a i a e or s lt de hit o he Comm isone a se tve t e tbls t t t c am a ma nti t r i s i r t t p i o sa ih ha he l i nt i a ns he esdual f tonal unc i c pact (% ' c i rngt cai tsa e to wor e ince a i ime s a iy $ RFC') onsde i he l man ' ge, ducain, k xpere , nd mpar nt, 1A tlsed i paim ent'i one consder by t Soci Seclrt Adm i sr ton tt be s r tit m r 's i ed he al ziy nita i so eve e enough t pr ventan i vi f doi any gai ulac i t r dl ofhi orhe age,e o e ndi dual rom ng nf tviy, egar ess s r ducaton,or i wo ke e in e'20C. R. 40 1 25*. r xp re c . ' F. j 4. 5 ( t pe f r aval bl ale nai wor i t l al a na i l ec o ro m ia e tr tve k n he oc nd tona onomi s 42 U . C . e. S. j42 ()2 ( ; v o v. en e c r 51 F.d66 6 6( t Ci. 9 ) 3 d ()A) Ta lr W ib r e , 2 2 4, 6 4h r 1 75 . l. l PR O CED U R AL H ISTO R Y AN D FA CTU A L BAC K G RO UN D Z A. Ge raland Pr edur Bac ound ne oc al kgr La on wa bor on Aprl26,1 ws s n i 957,R.47,a wasffy-ouryea so1 a t tme oft nd it f r d t he i he A LJ' de s on on J nua y 27,201 U nde t A c ' r a i ,t r f e,s w a E os l S ci i a r 2. r he t s egul tons ht e or he s i e y cl a p o c nga va c d a e'20C. R.j4 4.5 ( .S eh san nh g a e e u a in a d ls p r a hi d n e g . ' F. 0 1 63* h a it rd d c to n at a tmpt d t wor i 2006 a a home compa on.R.38- She p e ousy wase oye asa te e o k n s ni 39. r vi l mpl d f r t es r a s nd c m a r a as ma r R.39,54. u niur ande , a wi h ke , nd ock ke . La on pr ec i l fl a ia i f SS1 a DI on J y 28,2009.R.1 61, ws ot tvey ied pplc tons or nd B ul 5, al gi a ons tda eofAugus l 2004.She ale d s wasdia ed prm a iy due t c oni le ng n e t t s l ge he s bl i rl o hr c b c pan wi n mb e si t elwe e te te , on p o lms mus l s a ms ic ni e c ' a k i t u n s n h o r x rmiis j it r be , ce p s ,n o tn n e h , a a e y. .1 61 nd nxi t R 5, . Pl i tf ' cl i w as deni d a t i ta a r cons de a i l ve s of a i s r tve a n i fs a m e t he nii l nd e i r ton e l dm ni ta i r vi . .1 6 1 1 , l1 1 Ata Dec m be 13, 1 he rng be or ALJ Ge a di H .Pa , e ew R 5, - 08 3- 26. e r 20l a i f e r l ne ge b t P an if( o wa rp e e td b c u e)a av c t n l x e t ç ' tsiid S eR. oh litf wh s e r sn e y o nsl nd o ai a e p r (û ) etfe . e o VE' 3 - 0(rn ci fo h ai ) Th ALJis e h rd cso o J n a y)7 201 tn ig ta 3 6 ta s rpt r m e rng . e su d e e iin n a u r , 2,i dn h t La on was no dia e due t he a lt t pe f m he pa t wor a fndi i t ws t s bld o r biiy o ror r s k nd ng n he atr aiet t e RFC al we h rt p ro oh r o st a e iti sg t n nu esi t l n tv ha h r ' lo d e o ef nn t e j b h t xs n ini t mb r n he e ka n t n l c n my. eR. 9 3 ; e as a n r l R.1 - 2 ( ' d cso ) ai a e o o Se 2 - 0 s e lo e eal o v 53 ALJS e iin . I r c ng t s c l i t ALJ pr pe l u iied t fve se pr e s f r n ea hi hi onc uson, he o ry tlz he i - tp oc s o 2 Alhough t ALJ f t he ound ot r diablng condii and t e a e m edi r ds dic i he s i tons her r cal ecor s ussng t e, t Cour f us he ei on Lawson' chr c back pai becaus Dr Dever ux' opi ons hos he t oc es r n s oni n, e . ea s ni r di herlm ia i wer bas prm arl on t di egar ng i ttons e ed i iy hat agnoss.SeeR.686i 687. 4 de e ni whehe a c am a i dia e . Se J m s v.B n n r, F.d 650, n. ( h t nni ng t r l i nt s s bl d e ol on r ha t434 3 654 1 4t - Ci. 0 5 ( e c ra (iig20C. R. 4 4 1 2 )(etn f rh tefvese ) T ALJtrt r 2 0 ) p r u im) ctn F. j 0 .5 0 s tig o t h i tps. he is de e mi d t tLa o me t i lr saus r quie t r ne ha ws n t he nszed t t e r ment oft Ac t ough Se embe 30, s he t hr pt r 201 and t ts had notenga d i s tntalganf la tviy snc he al ge ons dae of 0, ha he ge n ubsa i i u c i t i e r le d et t Augus 1 200 t o h he da e l ti ur R.1 . Att s ond se t ALJco ude t t t , 4 hr ug r t as ns ed. 7 he ec t p, he ncl d ha La on ha a numbe ofs ver i par e s s ii ly:çobe iy,rghts ders an wih ws d r e e m im nt , pecfcal ç st i houl pr i t dege r tve c ng due t a hit y ofmot ve ce a ci nt m id de ne a i c ng of ne a i ha es o sor or hi l c de ; l ge r tve ha es t l he umba s ne;a c r c lr diul t ' R. 1 She f r pi nd e via a c opahy.' 7. ound La on' ur i ntne e, ws s ge nco i nc hit y ofce vca ca c noma a sa uspos hyse e t y,sa uspos pr a e vag na vaul, sor r i l ri nd t t t tr com t t t olps d i l t a a ey we e non- e r ,eihe bec us t y ha be r ponsve t te t ntorbec us nd nxit r s ve e t r a e he d en es i o r a me a e t c us d no mor t mi maly vocai nal r lva lm iai .R.18.She c l hey a e e han ni l to ly ee nt i ttons oncuded a t t t r se t t none of La on' i r e t or c he hid tp ha ws s mpaim n s ombi ton of i paim e s m e o na i m r nt t r medialy equaedt s ve iy ofa lse i panne . 20c l l he e rt ny it d m i nt R. 21. Ba e o t e de be or he ,t ALJ de e mi d t t La o ha t r sdua s d n he vi nce f e r he t r ne ha ws n d he e i l f tona ca iy, hr unc i l pact t ough t dae l ti u ed,t he t as ns r o: p ro m arng o lg two k a d tn d i 20C. R. 4.5 7 b ef r a e f ih r s ei e n F. 40 1 6 ( ) a d 41 9 7 . e cama two l b c p b eo l t gc ryn n 6.6 1) Th li n u d e a a l f i i /ar ig fn 1 pounds feque l a 0 r nty nd 20 pounds oc sona l ca i ly; sa ng waki f r 6 hou si a nor a 8 hourwo k da sti t ndi / l ng o r n m l r y; itng f 6 ho s i a nor a 8 hour wo k da oc asonal ci bi or ur n m l r y; c i ly lm ng r mps a sar , ba a i kne lng, c a i c ouc ng, a a nd t is l nc ng, e i r wlng, r hi nd soopi pe f mi wor i vi fe nt r ac ng ove hea t ng; ror ng k nvol ng r que e hi r d wih he rghtuppe e r m iy;a pe f nni wor t tdoesnot t ri r xte t nd r o ng k ha r quie m ode a e e e r r t xpos e t ha r us m a hi y, unpr e t d m o za do c ner ot c e he g s ci bi l dde s r pe , o s afol , or on vi a i i ht , lm ng a r , o s r c f ds br tng s f es ur ac . R .22.The A LJ r le on t VE' t s i ony t t s RFC w oul alow Laws t pe f m bot e id he s e tm hat hi d l on o r or h pas wok a as ot rj t te se i sgnii a number i t nai ec t r nd lo he obs ha xitd n i tc nt s n he tonal onomy. 27R. 28. c r ngl t A LJ c l d Law s w a notdi abl d unde t A c .R.28A co di y, he onc ude on s s e r he t 29. 5 Pli ifr quese Appe l Counci r vi oft ALJ' dec son, R .1,and t Appeal antf e t d as l e ew he S ii he s Counci de e r vi w, R. 14, r nde i t ALJ' de ii n t fnal de ii n of t l nid e e - e rng he S c so he i c so he Commisone .Se 20 C. R.j404. La on tmel fl t sCo aits e ngrviw of si r e F. 981. ws i y ied hi mpl n e ki e e t Co m i s one ' dec son. he m s i r s i i B. M s La on' Tesi ony a t H e i . ws s tm t he ar ng Att hea i M s La s t tfe i r pons t t ALJ Squesi a t wha gi he rng, . w on esii d, n es e o he ' ton s o t ves hert mos pr e ,t tiwashe towe ba a ( r l . R. 43.Shee ane t t he t oblms ha t r t r ck nd he) egs' 42l ' xpli d ha s haschr c pan,whe he s i sti ors a ng,t ts ne rknowswhe s i g ng he oni i t r he s itng t ndi ha he ve n he s oi t l e c r ofher lgs orbe a e t sa a t t s ha f le a a r s t R.43.She o os ontol e bl o t nd nd ha he s al n s e ul. des i d ve y lm ie da l aci te c it ntwih t tt ofc oni pan,es e i ly l ng crbe r i t d iy tviis onsse t ha ype hr c i s ntal yi down a l tdurng t da wih oc asona pe i ofsti up.He t e ge da ht rhepst o i he y, t c i l rods itng r e na ug e l o pr pa e Pli ifs meas al do he lundr a s de c i d t r a nu be of t ngs s e r a ntf l td ra y, nd he s rbe he e m r hi he woul lke t bea et do a ound t hous ,buti nota e t She doesenga i s m elm ied d i o bl o r he e s bl o. ge n o i t drvi a c n do lm ied c ng or dih- hi by at r tng s tpe i of sti on a i ng nd a i t ooki s was ng le na i hor rods it ng sooland sa ng. 44t t ndi R. 47. D r.D e vereaux' R eport s Shorl afe t he rng,La on' c ty tr he a i ws s ouns ls e ubmit a De mbe 28,2011 r por fom ted ce r e tr Dr Robe tDeve e whih wa pr vi d a co elsr que t R.686- I t tr por,whih . r r ux, c s o de t uns ' e s . 87. n ha e t c i a t he r oft sa al Dr De r a lse adi gnossoftc oni l w ba k pan' a i s t he a t hi ppe , . ve e ux it d a i thr c o c i ' nd n t s c f r Sci c fndi , wr e Pl ntf had ta e l r e r m iy r fe s lmie he pa e o tlnial i ngs' ot ai if ' tbs nt owe xte t e lxe , i t d rn eo moi n g fte lmb rs n , a d wa ç r il o e e'Hete fl d o tn me o s a g f to o h l u a pie' n s û bd y b s . ' mo ' h n il u u r u e c kboxe ,i c tng t t s c d s t sand or w a k f r l s t n t o hour e h outof a hec s ndi a i ha he oul i, t l o es ha w s ac n e ghtho w or y;a t ts c d lf up t t n pounds oc s ona l butne r a g e t r i - ur kda nd ha he oul i t o e ca i ly, ve ny r a e wei .He f rhe opi d t the s ght u t r ne ha r ympt swoul i e f r wih he c e r ton fe nty, om d nt re e t r onc nta i r que l pr e ( oduc t good' a t d' da a t tt y woul c us he t be a e fo wor mor t n ' nd i ' ys nd ha he ba d a e ro bs nt r m k e ha f tm e a m on h. ii a l , Dr De r a e e sy r lt d t s lmia i ba k t M a 29, our i s t Crt c ly . ve e ux xpr s l ea e he e i t tons c o y 2007,t dat t ts wasfr ts en by Dr M c ahon ofD r D e r a spr c i .R . he e ha he is e . M . ve e ux' a tce 686687. At t he zng, La o s ator as d t VE whehe t r woul b a wor he a i ws n' t ney ke he t r he e d e ny k a ia e t La s i s woul mis mor t n t da of wo k pe mont , a t VE val bl o w on f he d s e ha wo ys r r h nd he r ponde t tt r woul not Thus i Dr Deve e ux' r por i f l c edt i i cea t t es d ha he e d . ,f . r a s e t s uly r ied, s t l r ha La on quaii asdiabl a l s fom t da eofM a 29,2007 f wa d. ws ltes s ed, t ea t r he t y or r 11 1. DI SCUSSI ON l hera alt t sCour,La on' prm a y a pl nti t ALJ e r d i dico i n ppe o hi t ws s i r r me s he r e n s untng t opi ons ofDr Deve ea I r s e,t Comm isone a guest tt ALJS o ni i he ni . r ux. n e pons he si r r ha he ' pi on s s uppore by s t nta e de e.The Comm isone frt diput s t t Dr De r az i td ubsa i l vi nc s i r is s e ha . ve e lx s Pl i ifs te tng physc a but a s c e antf r a i ii n, lo ont nds t t t ALJ pr l r f e t c edi Dr ha he opery e us d o r t . D e e ux' opi o be a e t a e a l dl G nco it nt w ih t m e c l e de e of ver a s ni ns c us hey r lege y l ns s e i t he di a vi nc r c d'a bec us t e o ni we e co a ne o a c kls f m .ECF No.1 a 8- The e or ' nd a e hos pi ons r nt i d n hec it or 8 t 9. Co t doe not fnd t Com m i s one ' a gum e s pe s sve a di c s d i m or de a l ur s i he s i rs r nt r ua i , s s us e n e ti beow .I t d,t Co tc l s t tt ALJ e r d i notgi ng Dr De r a s opi on l nsea he ur oncude ha he re n vi . ve e ux' ni con r lng we g ,a t t tt ALJ Sdec son i nots toli i ht nd hus ha he ' ii s uppo td by s t nta e de . re ubsa il vi nce A. Dr.D evereaux i a Treatng Physi an s i ci As t t Com mi sone ' co e i t tDr De e ux i nota te tng physc a t o he s i r s nt nton ha . ver a s rai ii n, he Cour di a e .Fis of a l i i pa e l i cc ae t s y t t he ha ç e mi ng or t s gr es rt l, t s t nty na ur t o a ha d û xa ni no te t e r a i hi wih Pli if' as t Com misone ar .ECF No. 18 a 8. The r am nt eltons p t antf , ' he s i r gues t r co ds r l c t tDr De r a tea e La o a e mi d he on a l a to oc ason e r efe t ha . ve e ux r t d ws n nd xn ne r t e s ne c i pr o t c pl tng hi r por ,R .669- 2,o Aug t24,2011. r i a s ond t e t e no e i r o om e i se t 67 n us The e s ec r a m nt t t ti unda e at ha s t d, lhough i a t ppea st ha bee a trt 201l r por,buti lke s r f r nc r o ve n fe he t t t i wie e e e es Dr De r a as La on' pr de . R . 684. I po t nty, m or ve , t Com m i s o r s . ve e ux ws s ovi r m ra l eo r he s i ne ' a gume i nor st f c t tDr Deve e wa pa toft s me gr ofphysca t had r nt g e he a t ha . r aux s r he n oup i ins hat bee te tng Pl ntf f yea s a t the ha a c st he me c lr cor fom t ttme. n rai ai if or r , nd ha d c es o r di a e ds r ha i Thus whie he m a ha onl beg te tng he s rl be or co pl i t r que td f m , , l y ve y un r a i r ho ty f e m etng he e se or a exa i d heronl t ce t Cour as t ke not oft tf c t the i pa4 o t s m e nd m ne y wi , ht t lo a s e ha a t ha s l f he a pr c ie gr a ha f la e st ye r a ye r o te t ntr or fom t tgr . Thus, a tc oup nd d ul cc s o a s nd a s f r a me ec ds r ha oup whie Pl ntf ste t e r ltons p wih Dr De r ux i s tr a l sextnsvet n he l ai if r am nt ea i hi t . ve e s hore nd es e i ha r r ltons p wih Dr .M c a ea i hi t s M hon a W ake of t s m e gr nd l r he a oup,he i no t l s a te tng s ne he e s r a i physca unde t r gulto .See20C. R.jj404.502,41 902 ( te tngphysca i one iin r he e ains F. 1 6. a r ai iin s wh S a p o d d gh cama t wi me ia te t n o e au to a dwh ha , rh sh d o ç s r vie t e li n) t d c l r ame t r v lain n o s o a a , h h a o i teame r ltons pwihghecama ) n ngong r t nt eai hi t t li nf'. Ha ng dee m i t tDr De r ux i a teai physcin,t r gul i ns pr de vi tr ned ha . ve ea s r tng i a he e ato ovi t thi opi on i e ild t c r lng we g i i i C l-uppore by m e c ly ac e a e ha s ni s ntte o ontoli i ht f t s t ls we td di al c pt bl clnia a lbo at y di nosi t c que and not i ons sent wih t ot r s t tal i c l nd a r or ag tc e hni s nc it t he he ubsan i evi nce'ofrc d.20 C. R.j41 927( ( ;20 C. R.j404.5 ( ( ;Huntrv.Suli n, de ' e or F. 6. Q 2) F. 1 26c)2) e lva 993F. 31 35 ( h Ci.1 .W hie not ng i t go mi saut orrgulto rquie 3d , 4t r 992) l hi n he ve ng tt e e ains e r s t tmo e weg tawa s b gv n t te o no o te tng s tv s 2 CFR.j 41 .2 () ha r ih l y e ie o h piins f rai ou e , 0 69 7d die t t ALJ t alo c i r whe de e m i ng how m uc we g t a sgn a m e c l r c s he o s onsde , n t r ni h i ht o s i di a opi on,t s ni he uppo tbiiy of t physcin' o ni n,t co it nc oft opi o wih t ra lt he i a s pi o ht nsse y he ni n t he rc r ,a wheh rt p y iin i a s cait S e 2 C. R.j 41 .2 ( )3 -5 ;s e as e o d nd te he h sca s pe ils. e 0 F. j 69 7 d ()() e lo Hie v. r h r, 5 F.d5 9 5 (t Ci. 0 6 . u ,h F u t Cic t se p an dt a n s Ba n a t4 3 3 5 , 63 4h r 2 0 ) Th s te o rh ruiha x lie h t t r i no la ol e'r e t tgr atr weght s d be a f r d t a te tng physca s he e s sbs ut' ul ha e e i houl f o de o r ai i in' o ni n a i d,i ma begi n l sweghtûft r i pe s asveco r r e de .' nes pi o nd ndee t y ve es i s he e s r u i i nta y vi nce'Hi , 4 3 F.d a 5 3 & n. ( u tn Hu trv.S l v n 9 3 F.d 31 3 ( t Ci.1 9 :.1,f r 5 3 t6 2 q oig ne ul a , 3 2 , 5 4h r 9 2 f o i 8 e m pl t te tng physc a s opi on i nots xa e, he r a i ii n' ni s uppored ori ot r s i onsse w'h t t s he wie nc itnt i he t rc d Cts dbea or d sgniia l ls weg .'Cr cv.Chatr 76 F. 585,5 ( h e or t houl i cc de i fc nty e s iht' ai re , 3d 90 4t Ci.l .I anALJdoesnotgi contoli weg t ate tngphyscin' opi on,howeve, r 996) f ve r lng iht o rai i a s ni r t ALJ mus tgve g d r a ons'f t t de iin. Se 20 C. R. jj 404.527( () he t ûi oo e s ' or ha cso e F. 1 d)2 ; 41 927( ( . 6. d)2) B.D r De r . ve eaux' R e tI N otl ons s e W i h O t r R e ord Evi nc s por s nc i t nt t he c de e He e t ALJg v t ra o swh s e rj ce Dr De ra x so no a dt yae r ,he a e wo e s n y h ee td . vee u ' piin, n he z t s r a onsa he nme e s dvanc by t Com misone .R.27. rt t ALJcli e t tt r por i ed he si r Fis, he am d ha he e t s t s ppo td' by t mediale de e ofr c d a t ti was c aned on a t hec it' s not u re ' he c vi nc e or nd ha t ont i t kls' c t cc s una ompa e by m e ca exa i tonsorr po t ofci c fndi .' nid di l m na i e rs lnial ngs' To t e e t Commisone a guest tDr De r a s o ni i i o itntwih he xtnt he si r r ha . ve e ux' pi on s nc nsse t ohe e de e ofr c d,t Cour dia e .Pl ntf has r ulzy viie t Gies Fa iy t r vi nc e or he t s gr es ai if eg a l std he l m l M edii pr tc snce J y 2007,a wa teaed prm a iy by Ke t J W al r M . a cne aci e i ul nd s r t i rl nneh . ke , D. nd M i ha A.M c a c el M hon,M . Durng t eviis s ha r pe t dl and r i l c D. i hos st , he s e a e y outne y ompl i of aned m ode a e a s ve eba k pan,a he physcinsha pr s rbe va i media i t msit r t nd e r c i nd r ia ve e c i d rous c tons o ss wih t pan,i l ng Pe c e a me ha t he i nc udi r oc t nd t done.Se ge r ly R. 415,421 435,483e ne a l 374489, 5 67 She ha a s us d a TENS u tt a tm ptt c r he c oni pan a t doc o so 46- 9. s lo e ni o te o ontol r hr c i nd he t r f t tpr c i as r f r e he t physc lt r py s ve a tm e ,once i 2007 and o ei 2009. ha a tce lo e e r d r o i a he a e r l i s n nc n R. 420,534- 57 73 611- 9,62745, 2- , 1 29. l ge r l t e r c ds i c t t t Pli if ha r pore c oni , unc nge or n ne a , hos e or ndi a e ha a ntf s e td hr c ha d, oc sona l wor e ng s ca i ly s ni ympt s a pan ove t c zs oft al ge pe i o dia lt om nd i r he olr e he le d rod f s biiy. Se e. ,R.572- 607- 1 620- 4.H e phys ca t r pi tno e asm uc i M a 201 asw e l e. g. 74, 1, 2 r i l he a s t d h n y 0, l, sa i t ts ha r pore c oni bac pan a i ied m obiiy.The t r pita s not d t tng ha he d e td hr c k i nd mpar lt he a s l o e i ie r mpar d ange o m oton,mobiiy,ba a e a fe biiy,wih fmc i lsr t dek i.R. f i lt l nc nd l xi lt t t tona teng h t t 535.As a l s pty ummmi ed by Pli if t GiesFamiy M e cne r or û ume ( r z antf, he l l dii ec ds s doc nt he) pe s se c pl nt ofpan a eforst s e r i fom t tpan ove as n ofma ye r ' r itnt om ai s i nd f t o e k elef r ha i r pa ny a s' a t e c pl i s ' nd r a e di c f ta e ke c pone s of vi t ly e r ofi e vi i nd hos om a nt ç a el t d s om or r y om nt rua l ve y tc s t 6 t3 a Gie Fa iy M edii f t ls m l cne ound i t r or .' EC F N o.1 a . n he ec d ' Thus t lm iai i , he i t tons mpos d by Dr Deve ea a e s e . r ux z uppored by t te t ntno esof t he r a me t ot r physci ns i Dr D e r a s pr c i e, whi h r tec r pe t d c pl i s of pa n and he i a n . ve e ux' a tc c el t e a e om a nt i lm ie f ton by Pl ntf asw el as e m i tons ofPl ntf s w i t nde nes i t l e i t d unc i ai if l xa na i ai if ho ng e r s n he ow r bac a ea and di i s r texe .Dr De r ux' opi ons a e as s k r m nihed el s . ve ea s ni r lo uppore by hi own td s physc e m i ton ofPl i ifon Augus 24,2011 durng whih he f ial xa na i antf t , i c ound a dec e s d r nge ra e a ofm oton i t l r ba k a a e pa e l rand a hil sr l xe . .669i n he owe c nd bs nt t la c le efe s R 73. Addii ly,i Se e r 2011 Dr Raph Br tona l n pt mbe , . l own pe f m e ne v c ror d r e onduc i sudi ton t es of Pli if I hi r por,Dr Br antf . n s e t . own c r c e i d t r s t as S y a ha a t rze he e uls ç ver bnor ' a f mal' nd ound Pli t fh d S e e et v r sv r Slrdc o ah o t e1fE ' sv r rd c lp t y o t e ani a t v r o ey e e e a iulp t y n h e1, ' e e e a iuo ah n h f s ) rght,'a ç i gj' nd i rt r diul t e i t biaea 15myotme .' 682.Hef t ro ned modeae a c opahis n he ltrl . o s'R. urhe pi t t t r uls we e m os lkel t r ul of s nalse i,alhough he i c t d he woul ha he es t r t i y he es t pi t noss t ndi a e d 2 n hor, . ve ea s ni ne a ii na t t t de e mi t t4 R .68 . I s t Dr De r ux' opi ons a e not ed dd to l ess o tr ne ha . r i nsse wih ot rmediale denc a a e f t rs nco it nt t he c vi e nd r urhe uppore by La on' own t tm o td ws s esi ny a t he lm ia i . s o r i t tons 3 l addii t t Gies Famiy M edi ne r ds, Pl ntf r t l n ton o he l l ci ecor ai if epored ower back and biaer lt al l ower extem iy pai t Dr Judy Chun,i A ugus 2007 a s ver back pai t Dr Tamer Howel i r t n o . n t nd e e n o . a ln Sept ber2007.R.306,370. em 4The Cour agr w ih Laws t tt A LJm i nt r t Dr Br t ees t on ha he si ep e s . own' sat e t tt e was s t em nt ha her a abs n ence of fndi ofpe pher neur hy or nerv dieas i t l i ngs ri al opat e s e n he ower extem ii as s ehow r tes om mii i hi fndi ofs e r cul hy.Rat t bei a m ii tng f ct ,i appea s f m hi tgatng s i ngs ever adi opat her han ng tga i a or t r or s r eportt Dr.Br hat own' pur e i sr i t abs nce ofneur t or l s pos n tessng he e opahy owcre r iy nel dieas xtem t ' s e ve w as t e phasie t s ce of Pl ntf pr e .ECF No.16 a 7 n. s R.682.Thati ,he was o m z he our ai ifs oblm t 3; ee s e phasi ng t her s pt s ar caus by dam age ator nea t r of ner aong t s ne,as m zi hat ym om e ed r he oot ves l he pi oppos t bei t r ul ofm aluncton att pe i alner ed o ng he es t f i he rpher ves. 10 TheFac t Dr.De re sOpi o Ar Coni ne ona t hat ve aux' nins e ai d Che kls For D oe N otl i e The c it m s nvaldat m Fi ly,t C o m i sone al o crtc ze D r De r au sopi on o t gr na l he m s i r s ii i s . ve e x' ni n he oundst ti ha t i pr ded o afl-n-he- a f s ovi n ili t blnk onn.Se ECF No. 18( t M aon v. ll 99 F. 1 e cii ng s Shaaa, 4 2d 058, 1 6 ( dCi.1 9 )f rtep o o iint a Sfo m rp rsi wh c ap y iin' o lg to i 0 5 3 r 9 3 o h r p sto h t t q r e o t n ih h sca s bi ain s l onl t c k a box orf1 i a blnk a e wea e denc a be t' . efcsi Ma-n h we e , y o hec i1 n a r k vi e t s . ' Th a t n s , o v r ) o dif rfom t f c she e.Spe ii a l i M a on, t phys c an who c pl t d t f m w asnot fe r he a t r cfc ly, n s he ii om e e he or a tea i physcin;a m os,he wa a e m i ng physc a who pr de t f m i r s r tng ia t t s n xa ni ii n ovi d he or n e pons e t a voc i na c o ato l ouns orsi uiy.I a 1 el ' nq r d. t 062,1065.Addii ly,t Thid Cic tno e t t tona l he r r ui t d ha t e was t i tta e e de ir co her t den ii bl vi nta y nobo a i of t q n ia i r ct l a no r ton he ua tt tve e ia s boutsa ng tndi a lfi 'i t f m r por.1 a 1 nd itng' n he or e t d. t 066.I t s c e,by c r s,Dr De r a s r por i n hi as onta t . ve e ux' e t s s uppored by hi ow n e m i to no e a t yea s' w o t of t ea m e not s by ot t s xa na i n t s nd he r rh r t nt e her physcins i hi pr c i ,aswelasby Dr Br i a n s a tce l . own' r por.Sees a a Se ton llB. s e alo se t upr t c i 1. ; e s Las nv Asr e 61 F.d7 4 7 ( t Ci. 01 )(c n wld igt M a o c u tssae n ro . tu , 5 3 4 , 51 7h r 2 0 a k o e gn he s n o r' ttme t t ta c k- f r a ont m i be w e k e d e,butnotng t t( he f m t kes on gr t ha hec box o m l ght a vi enc i ha t or a t ea er sgnika ewhe i i s i t nc n t s upporedby me c lr c ds' t dia e or . ). I s r none oft r s gi n by t ALJf dic i Dr De r ux' opi on n ho q he ea ons ve he or s ountng . ve ea s ni ae s r uppore by s t nta e de e. l t d,t Cour c udest topi on s d ha td ubsa il vi nc nsea he t oncl ha ni houl ve be gi n c r lng we ght Se Huntr 993 F. a 35. en ve ontoli i . e e, 3d t I . V C O N C LUSI N O The Cour has deer ne t tt ALJ S fna decson i nots t t mi d ha he ' i l ii s uppo td by s t nta re ubsa i l e de e.The e or ,t Cour D ENI t Com m i soner s M o i n f Sum m a y J m e , vi nc r f e he t ES he si ' t o or r udg nt ECF N o. 17, and G R AN T S t Pl ntf s M oton f Sum m ary Judgm ent ECF N o. 15.The he ai if' i or , Cour fndst tpli ifhasmett bur n ofpr a pr s rbe by a pur ua t t Ac , ti ha antf he de oof s e c i d nd s nt o he t a d tus t tr j d me t f rt e p anif Th fn ld cso o t Co sine wilb n h n es u g n o h litf. e ia e iin f he mmiso r l e REVERSED and t ca e REM ANDED t t Comm isone f r co putton a a r o he s o he s i r o m a i nd wa d f a oprae be ft .Specfc ly,bene hss lbea r d f t pe i be nni on M a 29, ppr i t ne is ii a l f hal wa de or he rod gi ng y 2007,w hi h i t e r i s da e t w hi Dr D e r a s opi on e es l r l t . c s he a le t t o ch . ve e ux' ni xpr s y e a es An a oprae Or rs li s t sda ppr it de hal s ue hi y. E T R Ti / dy f y21. N E : hs aoMa,04 f . J a esC . k m Tur Se orU nie St t D it i tJ ni t d a es s rc udge . 12
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