Boone v. Commissioner of Social Securtiy, No. 7:2018cv00223 - Document 17 (W.D. Va. 2019)
Court Description: MEMORANDUM OPINION. Signed by Senior Judge Glen E. Conrad on 08/12/2019. (aab)
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CLERK' S OFFICE U.S.DISX COURT AT ROANOKE,VA FILED Ats 12 2219 IN THE U N ITED STA TES D ISTRICT CO URT FOR TH E W ESTERN DISTR ICT O F V IRGN A ROAN OK E D IV ISION JULK C DUDLEY CLERK BX YE J1PUTY C RK M ELISSA L.BO ON E, Plaintiff, CivilActionNo.7:18CV00223 M EM OM NDUM OPINION A N D REW SAU L, CommissionerofSocialSecurity,l By:Hon.G len E.Conrad SeniorU nited States D istrictJudge Defendant. Plaintiffhassled thisaction challenging thefnaldecision oftheComm issionerofSocial Seclzrity denying plaintiffsclaim foraperiod ofdisability and disability insurancebenetksunder the SocialSecurity Act,asnmended,42 U.S.C.jj416(i)and423. Jurisdiction ofthiscourtis establishedpursuantto42U.S.C.j405(g). Thiscourt'sreview islimitedtoadeterminationasto whether there is substantialevidence to supportthe Commissioner's conclusion thatplaintiff failed to meetthe requirem ents for entitlem entto benefits underthe Act. If such substantial evidence exists,the finaldecision ofthe Com missionermustbe affirmed. Lawsv.Celebrezze, 368 F.2d 640 (4th Cir.1966). Stated briefly,substantialevidence has been defned as such relevantevidence,considering the record as a whole,as m ightbe fotmd adequate to supporta conclusionbyareasonablemind. Richardsonv.Perales,402U.S.389,401(1971). The plaintiff,M elissa L.Boone,wasbol. n on Decem ber29,1967. She graduated from Boone v. Commissioner of Social Securtiy Doc. 17 high schooland attended college forsix to eightm onths. (Tr.55-56). M s.Boonehaspreviously w orked asa cashier,salesassociate,and housekeeper. She lastw orked on aregularand sustained basison Jtme30,2012. (Tr.43). On February 9,2014,M s.Boonefiled an application fora !Andrew Saulisnow the Com m issionerofSocialSecurity, and heisautomatically substituted asaparty pursuanttoFederalRuleofCivilProcedure25(d);seealso42U.S.C.j405(g)(actionsurvivesregardlessofany changeinthepersonoccupyingtheofticeofCommissionerofSocialSecurity). Dockets.Justia.com period of disability and disability insurance benefits. In filing her ctlrrent claim ,M s.Boone allegedthatshebecamedisabled forallfonnsofsubstantialgainfulemploymenton June30,2011, due to medullary sponge kidney,initable bowelsyndrom e,hypertension,m igraine headaches, nervednmageinherhands,fatigue,diffusebodypain,depression,and anxiety. (Tr.218,265). Atthetim eofan adm inistrativehearing on June 16,2017,theplaintiffnmendedherapplication so asto reflectan alleged disability onsetdateofJtme30,2012,which wasthedatethatshestopped workingasacashier. (Tr.43). M s.Boonenow maintainsthatshehasremaineddisabledtothe presenttim e. Therecord revealsthatM s.Boone m etthe inslzred statusrequirem entsofthe Act throughthefirstquarterof2015butnotthereafter. Seegenerally42U.S.C.jj416(i)and423(a). Consequently,theplaintiffisentitledto aperiod ofdisabilityand disabilityinsurancebeneftsonly ifshehasestablishedthatshebecnm edisabled fora1lformsofsubstantialgainfulem ploym enton orbeforeM arch 31,2015,herdatelastinsured. M s.Boone'sapplication wasdenied upon initialconsideration and reconsideration. She then requested andreceived aétnovo hearing andreview beforean AdministrativeLaw Judge. In an opinion dated July 17,2017,the Law Judge also detennined,after applying the five-step sequentialevaluation process,thatM s.Boonewasnotdisabled on orbeforeherdatelastinsured.z See20 C.F.R.j404.1520. TheLaw JudgefotmdthatM s.Boonesuffered from severalsevere impairm ents tllrough that date,including initable bowelsyndrome,nepllrolithiasis medullary sponge lcidney, gastroesophageal reflex disease, cllrortic obstructive pulmonary disease, hyperlipidem ia,headaches,and m igraines,butthatthese im pairm ents did not,either individually 2TheprocessrequirestheLaw Judge to consider,in sequence,whethera claimant:(1) isengaged in substantialgainfulactivity;(2)hasasevereimpairment;(3)hasanimpainnentthatmeetsorequalstherequ'irements ofalistedimpairment;(4)canreturntoherpastrelevantwork;and(5)ifnot,whethershecanperform otherworkin thenationaleconomy. 20C.F.R.j404.1520. Theclaimantbearstheburden ofproofattheflrstfotlrsteps,after whichtheburdenshihstotheCommissionertoprovethefifthstep. Thomasv.Berryhill,916F.3d307,310(4thCir. 2019). Ifadecisioncanbereachedatanystepinthesequentialevaluationprocess,ftlrtherevaluationislmnecessmy 20C.F.R.j404.1520. 2 orincombination,meetormedicallyequaltherequirementsofalistedimpairment.3 (Tr.25-26). TheLaw Judgethen assessed M s.Boone'sresidualfunctionalcapacity asfollows: Aftercarefulconsideration ofthe entirerecord,Ifind that,through the date last insured, the claimant had the residual functional capacity to perfbrm sedentary work as defned in 20 C.F.R.gjq 404.1567(a)4 except the claimant can climb rnmps and stairs occasionally;neverclim b ladders,ropes,orscaffolds;occasionally balance,stoop,kneel,crouch,and nevercrawl. The claim antcan gequentlywork attmprotectedheights,m ovingm echanicalparts,in hum idity and wetness, in dust, odors, f'umes and pulm onary initants,in extreme cold,in extrem eheat,and in vibration, (Tr.27). Given such a residualftmctionalcapacity,and afterconsidering testimony from a vocationalexpert,theLaw JudgedetenninedthatM s.Boonewaslm abletoperform any ofherpast relevantworkthroughthedatelastinsured. (Tr.29). However,theLaw JudgefotmdthatM s. Boone retained the capacity to perform otherwork roles existing in significantntlmberin the nationaleconomy. (Tr.30). Accordingly,theLaw Judgeconcluded thatM s.Boonewasnot disabled atany tim efrom the alleged onsetdate through the date lastinsured,and thatsheisnot entitledto aperiod ofdisability ordisability insurancebenests. See20 C.F.R.j404.1520(g). The Law Judge'sopinion wasadopted asthe tsnaldecision ofthe Com missionerby the Social Sectlrity Administration's Appeals Council. Having exhausted a11 available adm inistrative remedies,M s.Boonehasnow appealed to thiscourt. 3Although plaintiffwastreatedfordepression and anxietyduringtherelevantperiod,theLaw Judgefound thatanymentalimpairmentwasnon-severe. (Tr.26). TheLaw Judgealsofoundthattheplaintic sçsallegedcapal ttmnelsyndrome,multiplesclerosisandperipheralneuropathy(wereqnon-medicallydeterminableimpairmentlsj becausethere(was)nodocumentationofdiagnosisortreatmentoftheseconditions.'' (Tr.26). 4çssedentaly work''isdefined in theregulationsasfollows; Sedentary work involves lifting no more than 10 pounds at a time and occasionally lihing orcarlying articleslikedocketfiles,ledgers,andsm alltools. Although a sedentaryjob is defmed asone which involvessitting,a certain amountofwalkingand standing isoften necessary in carrying outjob duties. Jobs are sedentary ifwalking and standing arerequired occasionally and other sedentarycriteriaaremet. 20C.F.R.j404.156709. W hile plaintiff may be disabled for certain form s of employm ent,the crucialfacm al detennination is whether plaintiff is disabled for a1lforms of substantial gainflllemployment. See42U.S.C.j423(d)(2). Therearefotlrelementsofproofwhich m ustbeconsideredin maldng such an analysis. These elementsare snmmarized asfollows:(1)objectivemedicalfactsand clinicalfndings;(2)theopinionsand conclusionsoftreatingphysicians;(3)subjectiveevidence ofphysicalmanifestationsofimpainnents,asdescribed tllrough aclaimant'stestimony;and (4) the claim ant's education,vocationalhistory,residualskills,and age. Vitek v.Finch,438 F.2d 1157,1159-60(4th Cir.1971);Undelwoodv.Ribicoff,298F.2d 850,851(4th Cir.1962). After a review ofthe record ip this case,the courtis constrained to conclude thatthe Com missioner's snaldecision m ustbe affirm ed. Although M s.Boone has a long history of m ultiple physical and mental im pairm ents, substantial evidence supports the Law Judge's detennination that she retained the residualfunctionalcapacity to perform a lim ited range of sedentary work through herdatelastinstlred. The record reveals thatin November of2011,approxim ately eightmonths prior to the alleged onsetdate ofdisability,M s.Boone presented to the emergency room atCarilion New River Valley M edicalCenterwith complaints of sore tllroat,earpain,dysmia,and hem aturia. (Tr.352). A review ofsystemsrevealednomalaise,fatigue,muscleaches,orjointpain,andher musculoskeletal,neurological,and psychologicalexnminationswere normal. (Tr.353). The attending physician noted thatthere was no obvious ttrinary tractinfection and thatplaintiffs primarycarephysicianwasaddressingthehematuria. (Tr.357-39). M s.Boonewasadvisedto stop smokingim mediately and to seean ENT physician ifherupperrespiratory symptomsdidnot improve, (Tr.355). 4 M s.Boone presented to her primary care physician,Dr.Garry Kuiken,with various complaintsin 2011and 2012. On severaloccasions,Dr.Kuiken issued notesexcusingplaintiff from workforshortperiodsrangingfrom onedaytotwoweeks(Tr.1410-12). OnJune18,2012, justbeforeherallegedonsetdate,M s.Boonereportedthatshewantedtoquitherjob sothatshe couldreceiveM edicaidagain. (Tr.663). In September of 2012, M s. Boone presented to the emergency room with acute nephrolithiasis. (Tr.607). Shereceived follow-up treatmentatUrology AssociatesofNRV. On October5,2012,plaintiffreported thatshewasitdoing we1l.'' (Tr.606). Thediagnostic assessm entincluded distalureteralstone,medullaryspongekidney,and nephrolithiasis. Plain'tiff wasadvisedtorettzl' nforanotherevaluationin sixmonthstoayear. (Tr.606). On April 29, 2013, M s. Boone presented to Christiansburg Gastroenterology with complaintsofabdominalcrnmping and diarrhea. (Tr.376). Shewasexamined by Dr.Mark Itingold,w ho noted thatplaintiffw asin Gtno distress''and reported no fatigue,w eakness,m yalgia, back'pain,orjointpain. (Tr.376). Plaintiffsabdomen wasfound to besofqnontender,and nondistended;she exhibited norm alrangeofmotion and no musculoskeletaltenderness;and her physical exnmination fndings were otherwise normal. (Tr.376). Dr.Ringold diagnosed plaintiff with diarrhea and predominant initable bowel syndrom e,for which he prescribed medication. (Tr.377). M s.Boone returned to Christiansblzrg Gastroenterology for follow -up evaluationson July 29, 2013 and Septem ber 24, 2013. Although plaintiff continued to experience diarrhea, the exnmination notes indicate thatitwas GGbetter controlled.'' (Tr.386). Physicalexnmination findings in Septem ber w ere w ithin nonnal lim its,and a biopsy show ed no evidence of celiac disease. (Tr.386). A review ofsystemsrevealed nofatigue,wenkness,myalgia,backpain,or jointpain,and plaintiffexhibited nonnalrange ofmotion and no musculoskeletaltenderness.' (Tr.386). M s.Boone's diarrhea rem ained under control in Decem ber of 2013,but she required treatmentforhemorrhoids. (Tr.390-391)..She ultimately tmderwent a complex Ferguson hemorrhoidectomyonDecember16,2013. (Tr.441). In M arch of 2014,plaintiffpresented to Com munity Hea1th Center of the New River Valley, where she was exnmined by Dr.Abrahnm Hardee. Plaintiff complained of head congestion,sinusdrainage,andmuscleaches. Shedeniedhavinganyjointpaintordio culties with balance,coordination,orgait. (Tr.784). On physicalexnmination,herthroatand ltmgs were clear,and she exhibited f' u11range ofmotion. (Tr.785). The diagnostic assessment includedallergicrhinitis,hypertension,tobaccouse disorder,hyperlipidem ia,m usclespasms,and depressivedisorder. (Tr.785). Dlzringfollow-upevaluationsinM ayandJuneof2014,plaintiff reportedexperiencingjointpainandadepressedmoodforwhichDr.HardeeprescribedCymbalta. (Tr.791). On April10,2014,M s.Boone was admitted to the hospitalafterbeing diagnosed with kidney stones. The following day,sheunderwentabilateralcystoureteropyeloscopy with stone basketmnnipulation,stone laserlithotripsy,and stentplacement. (Tr.518). Ata follow-up appointmenttwoweekslater,plaintiffreportedthatshewasfeelingwelloverall. (Tr.597). Her range ofm otion was grossly intact,her abdomen wasnotdistended,herm ood and affectwere nonnal,andnomotordysftmction wasobserved. (Tr.598). OnJtme2,2014,anM RIofplaintiffsbrainrevealedççlslcatteredmildchangesofgliosis withinthedeepwhitematter.'' (Tr.507). Thereviewingcliniciannotedthatsuchûndingstçcan 6 beseen in demyelinating disorderslikemultiplesclerosis.'' (Tr.507). Plaintiffsprimary care physiciannotedthatwhitematterchangescanalsoresultfrom smoking. (Tr.641). M s.Boonewasreferred to Dr.DouglasJeffrey,anelzrologistwho specializesin m ultiple sclerosis. On July 18,2014,Dr.Jeffrey noted thatplaintiffsM RIresultswereltsuspicious,''but thattheywereûtnotabnormalenough ...toallow fordiagnosisofmultiplesclerosis.'' (Tr.922). Dr.Jeffrey also observed thattçthere could beanumberofotheretiologieswhich could give this typeofappearanceon (anjM RIscan.'' (Tr.922). Dr.Jeffreyrequested anM RIofthecervical spine,which wasperformed on August 13,2014. The results ofthatM RIrevealed only m ild degenerativechangesandnowhitematterabnormalities. (Tr.920,1033). During a subsequent exnm ination on August 18, 2014, plaintiff reported xfsom e depression''and decreased memory. (Tr.920). However,her mentalstatus evaluation was normal. Dr.Jeffrey noted thatM s.Boone Eçwas alertand odented times 3,''thatttgnjnming, repetitions,andcommandswereintact,''thathertçgalttentionandaffectwerenormal,''andthather çigcqognition appeared intact.'' (Tr.921). On motor exnmination,M s.Boone llwas able to generate fu11power in both upper and lower extrem ities in a11m uscle groups proxim ally and distallyy''andhertdgaitwasnormalbutshehad difsculty doing atandem gait'' (Tr.921). Dr. Jeffrey noted that plaintiffs Stgsjensory exnmination was intact to touch and temperature throughout.'' (Tr.921). Eçvibration was diminished in the leftmore so than the rightlower extremity,''andplaintiffççswayledqonRombergtestingbutdidnotfal1.'' (Tr.921). W ithrespect to plaintiff sreflexes,Dr.Jeffrey observed thatthey ççw ere 2+ and sym m etricin thetriceps,biceps, and brachialradialisy''and thatplaintifft'w as clonicatthe leftknee and 3+ attherightknee.'' 921). Ultimately,Dr.Jeffreyassessedplaintiffwithççpossiblemultiplesclerosis.'' (Tr.921). On October3,2014,M s.BoonepresentedtoCarilion ClinicUrology withrecurrentkidney stones. (Tr.858). Plaintiff complained of flarlk pain,butherabdominal,musculoskeletal, neurological,andpsychiatricexaminationsndingswerenormal. (Tr.861). Duringafollow-up appointm entin December of 2014,plaintiffs lddney stones were stable,she exhibited norm al rangeofmotionandnoabdominaltenderness,andhermood,affect,behavior,andjudgmentwere normal. (Tr.871). ln January of2015,M s.Boone presented to Dr.KelliLinick with com plaintsofurinary pain and discom fort. Dr.Linick noted thatplaintiT sm ood and affectwere nonnal,and thatshe interacted appropriately. Dr.Linick diagnèsed plaintiffwith dysm ia,tlrinary infrequency,and hematuria,which waslikelyrelatedtokidneystones. (Tr.947). Plaintiff rettmaed to Dr. Jeffrey's multiple sclerosis clinic on Febnzary 23, 2015. Plaintiff's m entalstatus evaluation was nonnal,and the physical exnm ination sndings were largely unchanged from the previous visit. Dr.Jeffrey continued to diagnose plaintiff with possiblemultiplesclerosis. (Tr.926). ln M arch of 2015,Howard S.Leizer,Ph.D.,a state agency psychologist,completed a PsychiatricReview Technique form aspartofthe disability determination atthereconsideration level. Based on hisreview ofthem edicalevidence,Dr.LeizerdeterminedthatM s.Boonedidnot have aseverem entalimpairm ent. Although plaintiffhad been diagnosed with depression by her prim m' y care physician and reported experiencing mem ory problem s,Dr.Leizernoted thatççher mentalstatusexnmshavebeennormal,including(the)mostrecentexnm,whichindicatedthatshe had normal attention, concentration, intact naming, repetitions, and com mands, and intact cognition.'' (Tr.159). Dr.Leizeralsofotmd thatany resulting limitationsweremild in nattzre anddidnotsignifcantlyaffectM s.Boone'sabilitytoperform basicworkactivities. (Tr.159). 8 That same m onth,Dr.Lewis Singer, a state agency physician, completed a physical residualfunctionalcapacity assessment. Dr.Singeropinedthatplaintiffwascapable ofm eeting theliftingrequirementsforsedentarywork,thatshecouldstandand/orwalk(withnonnalbreaks) foratotaloftwohoursinan eight-hourworkday,andthatshecouldsit(withnormalbreaks)fora totalofsix hotlrsduringan eight-hotlrworkday. (Tr.160). Dr.Singeralso fotmdthatplaintiff had occasionalpostlzrallimitationsand someenvironmentallimitations. (Tr.161). Dr.Singer noted thatthe identifed lim itationsaccotmted forM s.Boone'slipossible diagnosis ofmultiple sclerosis(moretestingneeded),fatigue,diftkulttandem gait,diminishedvibrationL>R,swaying onRombergtesting,(andjclonicleftknee.'' (Tr.161). M s.Booneunderwentasecond M RIofthebrain on July 11,2015,afterherinslzred status expired. The testing revealed no signiicant intervalchanges from the previous M R. I and no evidenceofnew orenhanced lesions. (Tr.1022). Dr.Jeffrey subsequently observed thatthe resultsoftheM R. Iweretsnotsufscientbywhichtomakeadiagnosisofmultiplesclerosis.'' (Tr. 1005). Dlzringafollow-upexnminationonNovember23,2015,Dr.Jeffreynotedthatplaintiffs appearance,mentalstatus,attention,and affectwere norm al,thatshe was able to generate fu11 powerin bothupperandlowerextrem itiesina11m usclegroupsbilaterally and distally,andthather Sllgjaitwasnormalbutshehaddifscultydoingatandem gait.'' (Tr.1006). Sensoryandreflex exnm ination findingsrem ained the snm e. M s.Boone returned to Carilion Urology on Decem ber22,2015. She reported that she was çtdoing well'' and had no localized flnnk pain. 1141-42). Plaintiffs physical examinationfndingswerewitllinnormallimits. Likewise,hermood,affect,behavior,judgment, andthoughtcontentwerenonnal. (Tr.1144). 9 Atthe administrativehearing held on June 16,2017,M s.Boone testified thatshestopped worldng in Jtme of2002 because ofissueswith allergies,irritable bowelsyndrom e,and kidney stones. (Tr.61). Plaintiffalso testised thatfrom heralleged onsetdatethrough herdate last insured,she experienced depression,lçalloverbody pain,''m igraineheadaches,fatigue,pain and nllmbnessin herhands,anxiety attacks,pnnic attacks,and numbnessin herlegs. (Tr.63-72). M s.Booneestim atedthatshecouldonlysitforbetween thirtyandfortym inutesbeforeshewould needtostand and stretch,andthatshecould only standforbetweenthirty andforty m inutesbefore shewouldneedto changepositions. (Tr.75-76). Plaintiffalsotestisedthatshewouldneedto 1ie down three orfourtimesa day for approximately an holzr. (Tr.77). M s.Boone further testified thatsheexperienced m emoryproblem sduring therelevanttim epqriodandthatshecould notconcentrateç&atall.'. ' (Tr.81). Afterconsidering a11of the evidence of record,the Law Judge found thatM s.Boone's impairm entswerenotso severeasto preventperfonnanceofcertain sedentarywork rolesthrough her date last insured. In m aldng this detennination, the Law Judge fotmd that plaintic s allegations of totally disabling physicalarld m entallimitations during the relevanttim e period wereinconsistentwiththeclinicalfindingsandotherevidencein therecord. (Tr.27-29). The Law Judge em phasized thatplaintiffs im pairm ents were adequately m anaged with prescribed treatmentandmedication. (Tr.28-29). Althoughplaintiffcomplainedofitalloverbodypain,'' the Law Judgenoted thathertreatmentttneverincluded physicaltherapy orapain m anagem ent program y''and thatphysical exnm inations revealed çtgeneralbenign tindingsy''including norm al range ofm otion,no edem a ortenderness,and fullstrength in the upperand lowerextrem ities. (Tr.29). ln assessingplaintiffsresidualfunctionalcapacity,theLaw Judgeassigned ççgreatweight'' to Dr.Singer's opinion thatM s.Boone could perform sedentary work with certain posturaland environmentallimitations. (Tr.29). The Law Judge ultimately determined thatthe assessed residualfunctionalcapacity adequately accomm odatedplaintiffsçO story ofepisodicfatigueand wenkness,gastrointestinalissues,urinary issues,respiratoryissues,headachesand migraines,''and thatthe evidence of record did not supportthe m ore extrem e limitations to which M s.Boone testised. (Tr.29). On appealto thiscourt,M s.Boone,thzough counsel,makesthreecategoriesofargllm ents. First,plaintiffargues thatthe Law Judge failed to properly considera1lofherimpairments. particular,M s.Boone contendsthatthe Law Judge erred in determining thatherdepression and episodic anxiety were non-severe im pairm ents, and by failing to identify multiple sclerosis, peripheralneuropathy,and sbromyalgia asm edically determinableand severeim pairments. At the second step of the sequentialevaluation process,the Law Judge considers the medicalseverityofaclaimant'simpairmentts). 20C.F.R.j404.1520(a)(4)(ii). Ifaclaimantdid nothave a severe im pairmentorcombination ofimpairmentspriorto the date lastinsured,the claim antmustbe found notdisabled atstep two,and the sequentialevaluation processneed not progress further. J.t . l j 404.1520(c). The regulations provide that a physical or mental impainnentE&mustbe established by objective medicalevidence from an acceptable medical solzrce.'' ld.j 404.1521. An impairmentis tsnot severe if it does not significantly limitEa claimant'slphysicalormentalabilitytodobasicworkactivities.'' Id.j404.1522. Additionally, to beconsidered Gtsevere,''an im painnentm ustlast,orbeexpectedto last,fora continuousperiod ofatleast12months. Id.jj404.1509,1520(a)(4)(ii). 11 In thiscase,the Law Judgeacknowledged thatM s.Boonewasdiagnosed with depression andepisodicanxietypriortoherdatelastinsured. (Tr.26). However,theLaw Judgeconcluded thatthese impairments did Stnotcause m ore tharlm inim allim itation in the claimant's ability to perform basicmentalworkactivitiesand gwere)thereforenon-severe.'' (Tr.25). Inmnkingtllis snding,the Law Judgeconsideredthefourfunctionalareassetforth in 20 C.F.R.j 1520a,and found thatM s.Boone's lim itationsin each area offunctiorling w ere eitherm ild ornonexistent. (Tr.25);seealso20C.F.R.j404.1520a(d)(1)(<$1fweratethedegreesofyourlimitationasçnone' orimild,'wewillgenerally concludethatyourimpairmentts)isnotsevere,unlesstheevidence otherwise indicatesthatthere ism orethan a minimallimitation in yourability to do basic work activitiesg.j'). AlthoughM s.Boonereportedmemoryproblems,theLaw Judgenotedthatmental status evaluations throughoutthe record revealed Gçnormalfndings,including normalattention, concentration,intactnnming,repetition and commands,and intactcognition.'' (Tr.26). The Law Judge also observed thattreatmentforplaintiffsmentalhealth issues had been ttfairl# conservative including only m edicationsand no form altreatm entby a mentalhealth provider.'' (Tr.26). Basedonthisandotherevidenceofrecord,theLaw Judgeconcludedthatanymental impainnentwasnon-severethroughthedatelastinsured. (Tr.26). Upon review oftherecord,thecourtisconvinced thattheLaw Judge's>ssessm entofM s. Boone's m ental impairm ents is supported by substantialevidence,including the exnmination records from treating physicians and the M arch 2015 reportf' rom Dr.Leizer,who likewise concluded thatplaintifrsmentalimpairmentswere non-severe. Asnoted by Dr.Leizerand the Law Judge,m ental status evaluations during the relevant period repeatedly revealed norm al findings. For instance,on July 18,2014,August 18,2014,and February 23,2015,Dr.Jeffrey noted thatM s.Boone wasalertand fully oriented;thatnnming,repetitions,and com mandswere intact;thatherattention and concentration were normal;and thathercognition appeared intact. (Tr.921,923,926). Exnmination reportsfrom other clinicians dtzring the snme time period containsubstantially similarfndings. (Tr.598,602,861,871,881). ln short,thecourtbelieves thattheLaw Judge'sassessm entofplaintiY smentalimpairmentsiswellsupported bytherecord. M s.Boone also assigns ezw r to the Law Judge's assessment of her alleged m ultiple sclerosisand peripheralneuropathy,and to the Law Judge'sfailureto identify fbromyalgia asa determinable and severe impairment. As indicated above,however,M s.Boone has not been desnitively diagnosed with multiple sclerosis,and M RIscanshave proven inconclusive. (Tr. 1005)(ççl-lerMIRIscan doesshow multiplesmallwhitematterlesionsbutitisnotsuffcientby whichtomakeadiagnosisofmultiplesclerosis.'');(Tr.922)(çsl-flherecouldbeanumberofother etiologieswhichcouldgivethistypeofappearanceon (the)MRIscan.''). Likewise,plaintiffwas notdiagnosed with possible fbromyalgia untilJune of2016,m ore than a yearafterherinsured status expired,and she does not cite to any earlier clinicalfindings or objective evidence establishing the existehce of such impairment. Accordingly,the courtfinds no error in this regard. PlaintiffcorrectlynotesthatDr.Singer,who reviewed therecord attherequestofthestate agency,idensified peripheralneuropathy as one plaintiffs severe medicalimpairments. (Tr. 158). However,despitethisimpairmentandapossiblediagnosisofmultiplesclerosis,Dr.Singer determined thatplaintiffwascapable ofperforming a limited range ofsedentary work. (Tr. 158-162). TheLaw JudgefullyconsideredDr.Singer'sreportandthelimitationsnotedtherein in assessing plaintiff's residual functional capacity. Consequently, any error in declining to classify peripheralneuropathy asa severeimpairmentwasharm less. Seeme.g.,Fry v.Berryhill, 721 F.App'x 714,715 (9th Cir.2018)(holding thatany errorin failing to considerallofthe 13 claimant'simpairm entsatsteptwo washarmlessbecausetheLaw Judgeproperly considereda11of theclaimant'slimitationsin assessing hisresidualftmctionalcapacityl;Canico v.Colvin,No. 6:14-cv-00032,2016U.S.Dist.LEXIS 33597,at*8 (W .D.Va.M ar.16,2016)(explaining that çtany errorby the ALJ atstep two ishnrmlessifthe ALJ considersthe effects ofallof (the claimant'sqimpairmentsinthesubsequentsteps'')(collectingcases). M s.BoonenextarguesthattheLaw Judgefailedto conductaproperfunction-by-ft m ction analysisin assessing herresidualcapacity. In particular,M s.BoonecontendsthattheLaw Judge failedtomakesuffcientfindingsregardingheralleged ldinabilitytom aintain astaticworkposture, herneedto 1iedown dtlringtheday,orherrateoftmacceptableabsenteeism .'' P1.'sBr.13,Dkt. N o.14. Upon review of the record and applicable caselaw, the court snds this azgument tmpersuasive. Although guidelines from the Social Security Administration instnzctthe Law Judge to take a çGfunction-by-function''approach to determining a claimant'sresidualfunctional capacity,SSR 96-8p,1996SSRLEXIS5(July2,1996),theUnitedStatesCourtofAppealsforthe Fourth Circuithasttrejected aperserule requiringremand when the ALJ doesnotperform an explicitfunction-by-function analysis.'' M ascio v.Colvin,780 F.3d 632,636 (4th Cir.2015). Instead,theCotu'tagreedwiththeSecondCircuitthatçtç(rqemandmaybeappropriate...wherean ALJ fails to assess a claim ant's capacity to perform relevantfunctions,despite contradictory evidence in the record,or'where otherinadequaciesin the ALJ'Sanalysisfrustrate meaningful review.''' 1d.(quoting Cichocld v.Astnle,729F.3d 172,177(2dCir.2013:. Inthiscase,itis clearfrom the Law Judge'sdecision thathe considered allofM s.Boone'sclaim ed limitations, . including those described dudng the adm inistrativeheadng,butfound thatsuch limitationswere inconsistent with the findings on physical exnm ination prior to her date last instlred, the 14 conservative nature of the treatment provided, and the plaintiffs own statem ents to treating physicians. (Tr.27-29). Consequently,thecourtûndsnoerrorintheLaw Judge'sassessment of plaintiffs residualfunctional capacity and concludes that the assessment is supported by substantialevidence. ln her final argum ent, M s. 800th contends that the Law Judge's assessment of her testimony andsubjectivecomplaintsisnotsupportedbysubstantialevidence. W hileM s.800th testifed atthe administrative hearing thatsheexperienced totally disabling pain,ntlmbness,and fatiguepriorherdatelastinsm ed,theLaw Judgefound thattheplaintiffsçûstatementsconcem ing theintensity,persistenceandlimiting effectsofthesesymptom sarenotentirely consistentwiththe medicalevidenceandotherevidenceofrecord.'' (Tr.28). TheLaw Judgeemphasized thatthe plaintiffspain and discomfortwerem anagedwith relativelyconservativetreatmentm easures,and thathertreatmentSsneverincludedphysicaltherapy orapain managementprogrnm.'' (Tr.29). TheLaw Judgealsonoted thatthe clinicalevaluationsdiscussed aboverevealed generally benign findings,and thatplaintiffw asconsistently found to have nonnalrangeofm otion,no edem a,no tendem ess,fu11strength in the upperand lowerextremities,clearlungs,andneurologically intact functioning. (Tr.29). Upon review oftherecord,the cottrtisunableto discel. n any enprin the Law Judge's credibility tindings. ThecourtagreesthatM s.Boone'sallegationsoftotally disabling symptoms are inconsistentwith the com plaintsdocum ented in the treatmentrecordspriorto the date last inslzred,theobjectivefindingsonexnmination,andtherelativelyconservativetreatmentmeastlres provided forpain and discom fort. Thus,the courtissatisfed thatsubstantialevidence supports the Law Judge's decision notto f'ully creditM s.Boone's testim ony. 15 ! ! l .ngth:'Comml .ssionerysfmaldecision,thecpurtdoesnotsuggestthatM s.Boone Innffrml 1 !was9eeofallpain anddiscomfortduringtherelevanttimeperiod. h deed,themedicalevidence i lconfrmsthatplaintiffsusered9om acombination ofimpairmentsthatcouldbeexpectedtoresult 1 nsubjectivelimitations However,therecord simply doesnotincludemedicalevidencethatis ti . - . - ; . j 1 i i èentwith totally disabling symptom atology prior to the expitation ofpln. , consi st lntiffs insured j j ' . lstatus.! M oreover, none of plmnt ''iT s treating physicinnq indicated that plnintiff had more l ) ' jsimliEc 1antfnnctionallimi 't .afons.thanthoseidentised bytheLaw Judge. Itm ltqtbe recognized ! ' * '' ' thattheinabilitytowork withoutany subjectivecomplnl 'ntsdoegnotofitselfrenderaclaimant disabled. SeeCraigv.Chater!76F.3d585,592(4thCir.1996). Itappe-arstothecourtthatthe , j Law J,udge considered allofthe medicalevidence,aswellas al1oft'he subjective factors reasonably supported bytherecord,inadjudicae gMs.Boone'sclaim forbenefts. Thus,the courtconcludesthata1lfacetsoftheCommlssioner'sfinaldecision ar: supported by substnntial evidence. Asageneralrule,theresolùtion ofcoM ictsintheevidenceisam atterwithintheprovince . oftheCpmmissioner,çven ifthe courtmkhtresolvethecoH ictsdifferently. Richardson v. Perales.suora;Oopenheim v.Finch.495F.2d396 (4th Cir.1974). Forthereaonsstated,the courtfindstheComrnissionei'sresolution ofthepertinentconflictsin therecord in thiscasetobe iuppdrted bysubs-tantialevidence. Accordingly,thefmaldecision ofthe Commissionermustbe al rm ed. Lawsv.Uelebrezze.supra. TheClerk isdirectedtosend celïiled cop' iesofthismemorandllm oplniontoa11counselof I*ecord. ' DATED:This / dayorAugust 2019. SeniorUnited StatesD istrictJudge . 16
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