Edward v. Commissioner of Social Security, No. 4:2019cv05130 - Document 16 (E.D. Wash. 2020)
Court Description: ORDER GRANTING 13 PLAINTIFF'S MOTION FOR SUMMARY JUDGMENT, denying 14 Motion for Summary Judgment. The matter is REMANDED for additional proceedings consistent with this order. This file is CLOSED. Signed by Magistrate Judge John T. Rodgers. (CLP, Case Administrator)
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Edward v. Commissioner of Social Security Doc. 16 1 2 3 FI LED I N THE U.S. DI STRI CT COURT EASTERN DI STRI CT OF WASHI NGTON 4 Jun 15, 2020 5 6 UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT 7 EASTERN DISTRICT OF WASHINGTON SEAN F. MCAVOY, CLERK 8 9 SYRECEA E., 10 No. 4:19-CV-05130-JTR Plaintiff, 11 v. 12 13 14 15 ORDER GRANTING PLAINTIFF’S MOTION FOR SUMMARY JUDGMENT ANDREW M. SAUL, COMMISSIONER OF SOCIAL SECURITY, 1 16 Defendant. 17 18 BEFORE THE COURT are cross-motions for summary judgment. ECF 19 Nos. 13, 14. Attorney Chad L. Hatfield represents Syrecea E. (Plaintiff); Special 20 Assistant United States Attorney Michael S. Howard represents the Commissioner 21 of Social Security (Defendant). The parties have consented to proceed before a 22 magistrate judge. ECF No. 8. After reviewing the administrative record and the 23 briefs filed by the parties, the Court DENIES Defendant’s Motion for Summary 24 25 1 Andrew M. Saul is now the Commissioner of the Social Security 26 Administration. Accordingly, the Court substitutes Andrew M. Saul as the 27 Defendant and directs the Clerk to update the docket sheet. See Fed. R. Civ. P. 28 25(d). ORDER GRANTING PLAINTIFF’S MOTION - 1 Dockets.Justia.com 1 Judgment; GRANTS, in part, Plaintiff’s Motion for Summary Judgment; and 2 REMANDS the matter to the Commissioner for additional proceedings pursuant to 3 42 U.S.C. §§ 405(g), 1383(c). 4 JURISDICTION 5 Plaintiff filed applications for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and 6 Disability Insurance Benefits (DIB) on May 29, 2015. Tr. 100-01. She alleged 7 disability since November 1, 2013, Tr. 233, 252, due to Behcet’s disease, lupus, 8 fibromyalgia, Sjogren’s Syndrome, hypertension, sleep apnea, depression, and 9 hyperthyroidism, Tr. 275. The applications were denied initially and upon 10 reconsideration. Tr. 140-52, 155-76. Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) Jesse K. 11 Shumway held a hearing on December 13, 2017 and heard testimony from 12 Plaintiff, medical expert Lynne Jahnke, M.D., and vocational expert Anne Jones. 13 Tr. 35-69. At the hearing, Plaintiff amended her alleged date of onset to August 14 25, 2014. Tr. 39. The ALJ issued a partially favorable decision on March 7, 2018 15 finding Plaintiff was not disabled before May 20, 2016 but was disabled on May 16 20, 2016 and through the date of the decision. Tr. 17-28. The Appeals Council 17 denied review on March 12, 2019. Tr. 1-5. The ALJ’s March 7, 2018 decision 18 became the final decision of the Commissioner, which is appealable to the district 19 court pursuant to 42 U.S.C. §§ 405(g), 1383(c). Plaintiff filed this action for 20 judicial review on May 16, 2019. ECF No. 1. 21 STATEMENT OF FACTS The facts of the case are set forth in the administrative hearing transcript, the 22 23 ALJ’s decision, and the briefs of the parties. They are only briefly summarized 24 here. 25 Plaintiff was 52 years old at the amended date of onset. Tr. 233. Plaintiff 26 completed three years of college in 2007 and received a degree in early childhood 27 education. Tr. 276. Her reported work history includes the positions of counseling 28 assistant, customer service lead, office assistance, and purchasing manager. Tr. ORDER GRANTING PLAINTIFF’S MOTION - 2 1 277. When applying for benefits Plaintiff reported that she was still working, but 2 that her conditions had caused her to make changes to her work activities as early 3 as August 1, 2014. Tr. 275-76. 4 5 STANDARD OF REVIEW The ALJ is responsible for determining credibility, resolving conflicts in 6 medical testimony, and resolving ambiguities. Andrews v. Shalala, 53 F.3d 1035, 7 1039 (9th Cir. 1995). The Court reviews the ALJ’s determinations of law de novo, 8 deferring to a reasonable interpretation of the statutes. McNatt v. Apfel, 201 F.3d 9 1084, 1087 (9th Cir. 2000). The decision of the ALJ may be reversed only if it is 10 not supported by substantial evidence or if it is based on legal error. Tackett v. 11 Apfel, 180 F.3d 1094, 1097 (9th Cir. 1999). Substantial evidence is defined as 12 being more than a mere scintilla, but less than a preponderance. Id. at 1098. Put 13 another way, substantial evidence is such relevant evidence as a reasonable mind 14 might accept as adequate to support a conclusion. Richardson v. Perales, 402 U.S. 15 389, 401 (1971). If the evidence is susceptible to more than one rational 16 interpretation, the court may not substitute its judgment for that of the ALJ. 17 Tackett, 180 F.3d at 1097. If substantial evidence supports the administrative 18 findings, or if conflicting evidence supports a finding of either disability or non- 19 disability, the ALJ’s determination is conclusive. Sprague v. Bowen, 812 F.2d 20 1226, 1229-30 (9th Cir. 1987). Nevertheless, a decision supported by substantial 21 evidence will be set aside if the proper legal standards were not applied in 22 weighing the evidence and making the decision. Brawner v. Secretary of Health 23 and Human Services, 839 F.2d 432, 433 (9th Cir. 1988). 24 25 SEQUENTIAL EVALUATION PROCESS The Commissioner has established a five-step sequential evaluation process 26 for determining whether a person is disabled. 20 C.F.R. §§ 404.1520(a), 27 416.920(a); see Bowen v. Yuckert, 482 U.S. 137, 140-42 (1987). In steps one 28 through four, the burden of proof rests upon the claimant to establish a prima facie ORDER GRANTING PLAINTIFF’S MOTION - 3 1 case of entitlement to disability benefits. Tackett, 180 F.3d at 1098-99. This 2 burden is met once the claimant establishes that physical or mental impairments 3 prevent her from engaging in her previous occupations. 20 C.F.R. §§ 404.1520(a), 4 416.920(a)(4). If the claimant cannot do her past relevant work, the ALJ proceeds 5 to step five, and the burden shifts to the Commissioner to show (1) the claimant 6 can make an adjustment to other work, and (2) the claimant can perform specific 7 jobs that exist in the national economy. Batson v. Comm’r of Soc. Sec. Admin., 8 359 F.3d 1190, 1193-94 (9th Cir. 2004). If the claimant cannot make an 9 adjustment to other work in the national economy, she is found “disabled.” 20 10 C.F.R. §§ 404.1520(a)(4)(v), 416.920(a)(4)(v). 11 ADMINISTRATIVE DECISION 12 On March 7, 2018, the ALJ issued a decision finding Plaintiff was not 13 disabled as defined in the Social Security Act before May 20, 2016, but she was 14 disabled from May 20, 2016 through the date of the decision. At step one, the ALJ found Plaintiff had not engaged in substantial gainful 15 16 activity since August 25, 2014, the amended date of onset. Tr. 19. At step two, the ALJ determined that Plaintiff had the following severe 17 18 impairments since August 25, 2014: osteoarthritis in the bilateral knees; Bechet’s 19 disease; fibromyalgia; extreme obesity (BMI 65+); and mild bilateral carpal tunnel 20 syndrome status post bilateral surgical releases in March and April of 2016. Tr. 21 20. 22 At step three, the ALJ found that before May 20, 2016 Plaintiff did not have 23 an impairment or combination of impairments that met or medically equaled the 24 severity of one of the listed impairments. Tr. 20. 25 At step four, the ALJ assessed Plaintiff’s residual function capacity and 26 determined that before May 20, 2016 she could perform a range of sedentary work 27 with the following limitations: 28 ORDER GRANTING PLAINTIFF’S MOTION - 4 [S]he could not climb ladders, ropes, or scaffolds; could not climb stairs or ramps; could not kneel or crawl; could only occasionally perform all other postural activities; could frequently handle and finger; could not have concentrated exposure to extreme cold or vibration; could have no exposure to hazards such as unprotected heights and moving mechanical parts. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Tr. 21. The ALJ identified Plaintiff’s past relevant work as order clerk and general 7 clerk and found that before May 20, 2016 she could perform her past relevant work 8 as an order clerk. Tr. 25-26. The ALJ concluded that Plaintiff was not under a 9 disability within the meaning of the Social Security Act before May 20, 2016. Tr. 10 27. 11 Next, the ALJ found that beginning on May 20, 2016, the severity of 12 Plaintiff’s impairments medically equaled the criteria of section 1.02 of 20 C.F.R. 13 Part 400, Subpart P, Appendix 1. Tr. 26. Therefore, the ALJ concluded that as of 14 May 20, 2016 Plaintiff was disabled at step three and this disability continued 15 through the date of his decision. Tr. 27. ISSUES 16 The question presented is whether substantial evidence supports the ALJ’s 17 18 decision denying benefits prior to May 20, 2016 and, if so, whether that decision is 19 based on proper legal standards. Plaintiff contends the ALJ erred by (1) failing to 20 properly weigh the medical opinions in the record; (2) failing to find Plaintiff’s 21 mental health conditions severe at step two; (3) failing to properly weigh Plaintiff’s 22 symptom statements; and (4) failing to make proper determinations at steps four 23 and five. DISCUSSION 24 25 1. Medical Opinions 26 Plaintiff argues the ALJ failed to properly consider and weigh the medical 27 opinions expressed by Dev Banerjee, M.D., Lynn M. Orr, Ph.D., Lynne Jahnke, 28 M.D., and Leslie Postovoit, Ph.D. ECF No. 13 at 9-14. ORDER GRANTING PLAINTIFF’S MOTION - 5 1 In weighing medical source opinions, the ALJ should distinguish between 2 three different types of physicians: (1) treating physicians, who actually treat the 3 claimant; (2) examining physicians, who examine but do not treat the claimant; 4 and, (3) nonexamining physicians who neither treat nor examine the claimant. 5 Lester v. Chater, 81 F.3d 821, 830 (9th Cir. 1995). The ALJ should give more 6 weight to the opinion of a treating physician than to the opinion of an examining 7 physician. Orn v. Astrue, 495 F.3d 625, 631 (9th Cir. 2007). Likewise, the ALJ 8 should give more weight to the opinion of an examining physician than to the 9 opinion of a nonexamining physician. Id. 10 When an examining physician’s opinion is not contradicted by another 11 physician, the ALJ may reject the opinion only for “clear and convincing” reasons, 12 and when an examining physician’s opinion is contradicted by another physician, 13 the ALJ is only required to provide “specific and legitimate reasons” to reject the 14 opinion. Lester, 81 F.3d at 830-31. The specific and legitimate standard can be 15 met by the ALJ setting out a detailed and thorough summary of the facts and 16 conflicting clinical evidence, stating his interpretation thereof, and making 17 findings. Magallanes v. Bowen, 881 F.2d 747, 751 (9th Cir. 1989). The ALJ is 18 required to do more than offer his conclusions, he “must set forth his 19 interpretations and explain why they, rather than the doctors’, are correct.” 20 Embrey v. Bowen, 849 F.2d 418, 421-22 (9th Cir. 1988). 21 A. Dev Banerjee, M.D. 2 22 23 2 The Court notes that when some providers refer to Plaintiff’s primary care 24 physician, the name used is Dev Banerjee, M.D. in Richland, WA. Tr. 1067, 1072, 25 1094-95, 1165. However, records from Kadlec include evidence from a Sirshendu 26 Banerjee, M.D. and a Turhin Banerjee, M.D. Sirshendu Banerjee, M.D. is 27 consistently referred to as Plaintiff’s primary care physician or as the referring 28 provider demonstrating a longitudinal history of treatment. Tr. 278, 376, 790, 835, ORDER GRANTING PLAINTIFF’S MOTION - 6 1 On December 5, 2017, Dr. Banerjee completed a Medical Report form 2 opining that Plaintiff would have to lie down due to pain for more than four hours 3 in a day. Tr. 1232. He also opined that if Plaintiff attempted to work a 40-hour per 4 week schedule, she would probably miss four or more days per month. Tr. 1233. 5 He further opined that Plaintiff could perform sedentary work defined as “[c]an lift 6 10 pounds maximum and frequently lift and/or carry articles such as dockets, 7 ledgers, and small tools. Although a sedentary job involves sitting, a certain 8 amount of walking and standing may be necessary.” Id. He limited the use of her 9 upper extremities to occasional handling and reaching. Tr. 1234. He stated that 10 the opined limitations had existed since August 15, 2014. Id. 11 The ALJ gave the opinion little weight stating the following: “Little weight 12 is afforded to this checkbox form. Dr. Banerjee provided little explanation for his 13 findings. His opinion is not consistent with the longitudinal medical record 14 documenting effective treatment. Greater weight is afforded to the medical 15 expert’s testimony.” Tr. 24. Here the ALJ’s reasons failed to meet the specific 16 and legitimate standard because they amounted to a conclusory rejection of the 17 opinion. See Garrison v. Colvin, 759 F.3d 95, 1012-13 (9th Cir. 2014) (“an ALJ 18 errs when he rejects a medical opinion or assigns it little weight while doing 19 nothing more than ignoring it, asserting without explanation that another medical 20 opinion is more persuasive, or criticizing it with boilerplate language that fails to 21 offer a substantive basis for his conclusion.”). 22 23 891, 918, 956, 962, 968, 977, 984, 1019. Turhin Banerjee, M.D. appears to be the 24 admitting Hospitalist who treated Plaintiff at the emergency room in October of 25 2017. Tr. 880, 885-91. The opinion at issue was signed “Banerjee, MD,” Tr. 26 1234, but states the first date of treatment was April 5, 2015, Tr. 1232. Therefore, 27 substantial evidence supports the conclusion that Sirshendu Banerjee, M.D. is also 28 Dev Banerjee and the provider penning the opinion. ORDER GRANTING PLAINTIFF’S MOTION - 7 1 Defendant points to several locations in the ALJ’s decision that provides 2 further support and explanation for his decision to reject the opinion. ECF No. 14 3 at 7-9. However, the Court is limited to reviewing the reasons the ALJ clearly 4 provided for rejecting Dr. Banerjee’s opinion. The only reasons provided by the 5 ALJ are in the four conclusory sentences set forth above. Tr. 24. These 6 conclusory statements are not sufficient under Embrey. The Court acknowledges 7 that the ALJ’s reasons for rejecting the opinion alluded to reasons that the Ninth 8 Circuit has found to be specific and legitimate, but the ALJ failed to provide the 9 specificity required in Embrey to meet the specific and legitimate standard. 849 10 F.2d at 421-22 (The ALJ is required to do more than offer his conclusions, he 11 “must set forth his interpretations and explain why they, rather than the doctors’, 12 are correct.”). 13 First, the ALJ mentioned that the opinion was expressed on a check-the-box 14 form. Tr. 24. The Ninth Circuit has stated a preference for individualized medical 15 opinions over check-off reports. See Murray v. Heckler, 722 F.2d 499, 501 (9th 16 Cir. 1983). However, check-the-box forms that do not stand alone, but are 17 supported by records should be “entitled to weight that an otherwise unsupported 18 and unexplained check-box form would not merit.” Garrison, 759 F.3d at 1013. 19 Here, Dr. Banerjee was Plaintiff’s treating physician who had treated Plaintiff 20 since 2015. Tr. 649-66, 777-80, 854-68, 899-904, 908-12, 926-35, 943-49, 952-55. 21 Therefore, the check-the-box form did not stand alone and the treatment records 22 should have been considered when addressing the supportability of the opinion. 23 Therefore, this reason falls short of the specific and legitimate standard. 24 The ALJ’s second reason for rejecting the opinion, that Dr. Banerjee did not 25 provide an explanation for his opinion, is not specific and legitimate. An ALJ may 26 discredit treating physicians’ opinions that are conclusory, brief, and unsupported 27 by the record as a whole. Batson, 359 F.3d at 1195. However, the form Dr. 28 Banerjee completed requested that he explain the reasons for the limitations he ORDER GRANTING PLAINTIFF’S MOTION - 8 1 opined, and he provided such an explanation. Tr. 1232 (the reason for needing to 2 lie down during the day was pain, and the pain was caused by her impairments 3 including fibromyalgia); Tr. 1233 (missing four or more days a week was 4 attributed to Plaintiff’s pain and dizziness). As such, the ALJ’s rationale that Dr. 5 Banerjee did not provide an explanation for his opinion is not supported by 6 substantial evidence. 7 The ALJ’s third reason for rejecting the opinion, that it was not supported by 8 the medical record, is not specific and legitimate. An opinion’s inconsistency with 9 the majority of objective evidence is a specific and legitimate reason for rejecting 10 the opinion. Batson, 359 F.3d at 1195. However, the ALJ failed to provide any 11 reference to evidence that did not support Dr. Banerjee’s opinion. Therefore, he 12 failed to meet the specificity required under Embrey to meet the specific and 13 legitimate standard. 849 F.2d at 421-22 (The ALJ is required to do more than offer 14 his conclusions, he “must set forth his interpretations and explain why they, rather 15 than the doctors’, are correct.”). 16 The ALJ failed to provide specific and legitimate reasons for rejecting the 17 opinion of treating provider, Dr. Banerjee. Therefore, this case is remanded for 18 additional proceedings to properly address this opinion. 19 B. 20 On July 29, 2015, Dr. Orr completed a psychological evaluation of Plaintiff Lynn M. Orr, Ph.D. 21 and provided a Medical Source Statement. Tr. 781-86. Dr. Orr stated that Plaintiff 22 “complains of memory problems. Results from the Wechsler Memory Scale 23 indicate significant impairment. There are, however, some questions raised 24 regarding the validity and reliability of these scores.” Tr. 785. She also stated that 25 Plaintiff “would have difficulty with concentration, persistence, and pace currently. 26 This is also the case with adaptation. She did not appear to comprehend or 27 understand all information given,” and “[e]motionally she would have difficulty 28 however in being consistent in carrying out tasks in a consistent way.” Id. ORDER GRANTING PLAINTIFF’S MOTION - 9 1 The ALJ summarized the opinion as Dr. Orr “stated that the claimant has 2 significant memory impairment. She stated that the claimant is socially isolated 3 and has difficulty with concentration, persistence, pace, and adaptation.” Tr. 25. 4 The ALJ then assigned the opinion little weight stating “Dr. Orr observed poor 5 effect on testing, rendering the evaluation invalid. Also, this opinion is not 6 consistent with the longitudinal medical record, which reflects minimal complaints 7 and treatment for depression.” Id. 8 Here, the ALJ’s first finding, that an observation of poor effort on testing 9 rendered the entire evaluation invalid, is not specific and legitimate. Typically, a 10 claimant’s poor effort can provide substantial evidence to discount the claimant’s 11 credibility. See Thomas v. Barnhart, 278 F.3d 947, 959 (9th Cir. 2002) 12 (discounting the claimant’s credibility for failing to give maximum effort during an 13 examination). However, absent further explanation, it is not a legitimate basis for 14 discounting a physician’s opinion. See Ogin v. Colvin, 608 F. App'x 519, 520 (9th 15 Cir. 2015) (finding the ALJ erred in discounting a physician’s opinion based on 16 “lackluster effort” where the physician took a lack of cooperation into account 17 when formulating a conclusion). Therefore, without more explanation 18 demonstrating that Dr. Orr failed to take Plaintiff’s poor effort into account when 19 forming her opinion, this fails to meet the specific and legitimate standard. 20 The ALJ’s conclusion that Dr. Orr’s opinion was not consistent with the 21 longitudinal medical record that reflects minimal complaints and treatment for 22 depression is also not specific and legitimate. First, this reason lacks the 23 specificity required in Embrey to meet the specific and legitimate standard. 849 24 F.2d at 421-22 (The ALJ is required to do more than offer his conclusions, he 25 “must set forth his interpretations and explain why they, rather than the doctors’, 26 are correct.”). Here, the ALJ only points to a lack of complaints and treatment for 27 depression without citing to evidence in the record. Furthermore, the Ninth Circuit 28 has held that a failure to seek treatment for a mental health impairment ORDER GRANTING PLAINTIFF’S MOTION - 10 1 demonstrates poor judgment in seeking rehabilitation and does not mean that the 2 impairment is nonexistent. Nguyen v. Chater, 100 F.3d 1462, 1465 (9th Cir., 3 1996). Therefore, this reason also fails to meet the specific and legitimate 4 standard. 5 C. 6 At the ALJ hearing, Dr. Jahnke provided a residual functional opinion. Tr. 7 46. Upon cross-examination by Plaintiff’s attorney, she stated that since April of 8 2015 Plaintiff was limited to occasional handling and fingering. Tr. 50. Then, 9 following additional questions by the ALJ, Dr. Jahnke stated “I’ve really never Lynne Jahnke, M.D. 10 vacillated like this, but I think in this, I think frequent was more appropriate choice 11 for her.” Tr. 51. In the decision, the ALJ gave Dr. Jahnke’s opinion great weight. 12 Tr. 24. Plaintiff argues that the ALJ erred by not taking Dr. Jahnke’s initial 13 limitation to occasionally handling and fingering. ECF No. 13 at 12-13. Here, the 14 case is remanded for the ALJ to further address Dr. Banerjee’s opinion, which 15 includes a limitation to occasional handling and reaching. Therefore, the ALJ will 16 readdress Dr. Jahnke’s opinion on remand. 17 D. 18 Dr. Postovoit reviewed the medical evidence in the record on August 24, Leslie Postovoit, Ph.D. 19 2015 as a part of the initial evaluation of the claim. Tr. 76. She opined that 20 Plaintiff was capable of completing simple tasks with episodic disruption of 21 concentration, persistence, and pace but was nonetheless capable of a production 22 rate of work activities within physical limits. Tr. 80. She also opined that Plaintiff 23 was capable of asking simple questions, requesting assistance, accepting 24 instructions, and responding appropriately. Id. She further opined Plaintiff would 25 do “best with superficial social contact.” Id. 26 The ALJ gave the opinion little weight because “mental status exams 27 showed largely benign findings, which supports a finding of non-severe 28 depression. She put forth minimal effort during the psychological consultative ORDER GRANTING PLAINTIFF’S MOTION - 11 1 exam, calling into question the validity of any low scores.” Tr. 24. Considering 2 Dr. Postovoit never examined Plaintiff, and her opinion is based on the treatment 3 record available to her at the time of the initial determination, the specific and 4 legitimate standard and clear and convincing standard set forth in Lester do not 5 apply. However, since the case is being remanded for the ALJ to properly address 6 the opinion of Dr. Orr and since Dr. Postovoit reviewed Dr. Orr’s opinion when 7 formulating her own opinion, Tr. 72, the ALJ will also readdress Dr. Postovoit’s 8 opinion on remand. 9 2. Plaintiff challenges the ALJ’s step two determination that Plaintiff’s mental 10 11 Step Two health impairments were not severe. ECF No. 13 at 14-15. The step-two analysis is “a de minimis screening device used to dispose of 12 13 groundless claims.” Webb v. Barnhart, 433 F.3d 683, 687 (9th Cir. 2005). An 14 impairment is “not severe” if it does not “significantly limit” the ability to conduct 15 “basic work activities.” 20 C.F.R. §§ 404.1522(a), 416.922(a). Basic work 16 activities are “abilities and aptitudes necessary to do most jobs.” 20 C.F.R. §§ 17 404.1522(b), 416.922(b). The ALJ found Plaintiff’s mental health impairments were not severe at step 18 19 two. Tr. 20. Since the case is being remanded for the ALJ to further address the 20 opinions of Dr. Orr and Dr. Postovoit, the ALJ will make a new step two 21 determination for the period prior to May 20, 2016. 22 3. 23 24 25 Plaintiff’s Symptom Statements Plaintiff contests the ALJ’s determination that Plaintiff’s symptom statements were unreliable. ECF No. 13 at 15-18. It is generally the province of the ALJ to make determinations regarding the 26 reliability of Plaintiff’s symptom statements, Andrews, 53 F.3d at 1039, but the 27 ALJ’s findings must be supported by specific cogent reasons, Rashad v. Sullivan, 28 903 F.2d 1229, 1231 (9th Cir. 1990). Absent affirmative evidence of malingering, ORDER GRANTING PLAINTIFF’S MOTION - 12 1 the ALJ’s reasons for rejecting the claimant’s testimony must be “specific, clear 2 and convincing.” Smolen v. Chater, 80 F.3d 1273, 1281 (9th Cir. 1996); Lester, 81 3 F.3d at 834. “General findings are insufficient: rather the ALJ must identify what 4 testimony is not credible and what evidence undermines the claimant’s 5 complaints.” Lester, 81 F.3d at 834. The ALJ found Plaintiff’s “statements concerning the intensity, persistence, 6 7 and limiting effects of these symptoms are not fully supported before May 20, 8 2016, for the reasons explained in this decision.” Tr. 22. The evaluation of a 9 claimant’s symptom statements and their resulting limitations relies, in part, on the 10 assessment of the medical evidence. See 20 C.F.R. §§ 404.1529(c), 416.929(c); 11 S.S.R. 16-3p. Therefore, in light of the case being remanded for the ALJ to 12 readdress the medical source opinions in the file, a new assessment of Plaintiff’s 13 subjective symptom statements prior to May 20, 2016 will be necessary. 14 4. 15 Step Four Plaintiff challenges the ALJ’s determination at steps four and five. ECF No. 16 13 at 18-19. Since the case is being remanded to further address medical source 17 opinions and Plaintiff’s symptom statements, a new residual functional capacity 18 determination and step four determination will be required for the period prior to 19 May 20, 2016. The Court notes that the ALJ did not make a step five 20 determination as one was not required following a finding that Plaintiff was able to 21 do her past relevant work prior to May 20, 2016. Tr. 25. Upon remand, the ALJ 22 will make a step five determination if one is required. 23 REMEDY 24 The decision whether to remand for further proceedings or reverse and 25 award benefits is within the discretion of the district court. McAllister v. Sullivan, 26 888 F.2d 599, 603 (9th Cir. 1989). An immediate award of benefits is appropriate 27 where “no useful purpose would be served by further administrative proceedings, 28 or where the record has been thoroughly developed,” Varney v. Secretary of Health ORDER GRANTING PLAINTIFF’S MOTION - 13 1 & Human Servs., 859 F.2d 1396, 1399 (9th Cir. 1988), or when the delay caused 2 by remand would be “unduly burdensome,” Terry v. Sullivan, 903 F.2d 1273, 1280 3 (9th Cir. 1990); see also Garrison, 759 F.3d at 1021 (noting that a district court 4 may abuse its discretion not to remand for benefits when all of these conditions are 5 met). This policy is based on the “need to expedite disability claims.” Varney, 6 859 F.2d at 1401. But where there are outstanding issues that must be resolved 7 before a determination can be made, and it is not clear from the record that the ALJ 8 would be required to find a claimant disabled if all the evidence were properly 9 evaluated, remand is appropriate. See Benecke v. Barnhart, 379 F.3d 587, 595-96 10 11 (9th Cir. 2004); Harman v. Apfel, 211 F.3d 1172, 1179-80 (9th Cir. 2000). This case is remanded for additional proceedings because it is not clear from 12 the record that the ALJ would be required to find Plaintiff disabled if all the 13 evidence were properly evaluated. Additional proceedings are necessary for the 14 ALJ to further address the medical source opinions in the record, the step two 15 determination, Plaintiff’s symptom statements, and steps four and five prior to May 16 20, 2016. Additionally, the ALJ will supplement the record with any outstanding 17 medical evidence pertaining to the period in question and take testimony from a 18 vocational expert in the event that a step four or five determination is required. 19 CONCLUSION 20 Accordingly, IT IS ORDERED: 21 1. 22 23 Defendant’s Motion for Summary Judgment, ECF No. 14, is DENIED. 2. Plaintiff’s Motion for Summary Judgment, ECF No. 13, is 24 GRANTED, in part, and the matter is REMANDED for additional proceedings 25 consistent with this order. 26 3. 27 The District Court Executive is directed to file this Order and provide a copy 28 Application for attorney fees may be filed by separate motion. to counsel for Plaintiff and Defendant. Judgment shall be entered for Plaintiff ORDER GRANTING PLAINTIFF’S MOTION - 14 1 2 and the file shall be CLOSED. DATED June 15, 2020. 3 4 5 _____________________________________ JOHN T. RODGERS UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 ORDER GRANTING PLAINTIFF’S MOTION - 15
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