The opinion
IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
WESTERN DISTRICT OF ARKANSAS
TEXARKANA DIVISION
IZIAR WHEATON, JR. PLAINTIFF
vs. Civil No. 4:20-cv-04020
COMMISSIONER, SOCIAL DEFENDANT
SECURITY ADMINISTRATION
MEMORANDUM OPINION
Iziar Wheaton, Jr. (“Plaintiff”) brings this action pursuant to § 205(g) of Title II of the
Social Security Act (“The Act”), 42 U.S.C. § 405(g) (2010), seeking judicial review of a final
decision of the Commissioner of the Social Security Administration (“SSA”) denying his
application for Supplemental Security Income (“SSI”) under Title XVI of the Act.
The Parties have consented to the jurisdiction of a magistrate judge to conduct any and all
proceedings in this case, including conducting the trial, ordering the entry of a final judgment, and
conducting all post-judgment proceedings. ECF No. 7.1 Pursuant to this authority, the Court
issues this memorandum opinion and orders the entry of a final judgment in this matter.
1. Background:
Plaintiff protectively filed his disability application on July 11, 2016. (Tr. 69). In this
application, Plaintiff alleges being disabled due to a focal tear in L5 and S1 discs; strained
ligaments; depression and stress; anxiety; and knee problems. (Tr. 224). Plaintiff alleges an onset
date of February 1, 2016. (Tr. 69). This application was denied initially and again upon
reconsideration. (Tr. 104-147).
1 The docket numbers for this case are referenced by the designation “ECF No. ___” The transcript pages
for this case are referenced by the designation “Tr” and refer to the document filed at ECF No. 11. These
references are to the page number of the transcript itself not the ECF page number.
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After Plaintiff’s application was denied, Plaintiff requested an administrative hearing on
this application, and this hearing request was granted. (Tr. 87-103). This hearing was held in
Shreveport, Louisiana on July 11, 2018. Id. Plaintiff and Vocational Expert (“VE”) Mr. Rue2
testified at the administrative hearing in this matter. Id.
After this hearing, on March 28, 2019, the ALJ entered a fully unfavorable decision
denying Plaintiff’s application. (Tr. 69-80). The ALJ found Plaintiff had not engaged in
Substantial Gainful Activity (“SGA”) since July 11, 2016, his application date. (Tr. 71, Finding
1). The ALJ found Plaintiff had the following severe impairments: carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS);
tarsal tunnel syndrome; osteoarthritis; and annular tear of the lumbar spine. (Tr. 71-73, Finding
2). Despite being severe, the ALJ also determined Plaintiff did not have an impairment or
combination of impairments that met or medically equaled one of the listed impairments in 20
C.F.R. Part 404, Subpart P, Appendix 1. (Tr. 74, Finding 3).
In this decision, the ALJ evaluated Plaintiff’s subjective complaints and determined his
Residual Functional Capacity (“RFC”). (Tr. 74-78, Finding 4). Specifically, the ALJ found
Plaintiff retained the following RFC:
After careful consideration of the entire record, the undersigned finds that the
claimant has the residual functional capacity to perform sedentary work as defined
in 20 CFR 416.967(a) except stoop and crouch 2/3rds of the time and kneel 1/3rd of
the time. The claimant can perform simple 2-3 step tasks. The claimant can reach,
handle, and finger for 2/3rds of the workday.
Id.
The ALJ evaluated his Past Relevant Work (“PRW”) and found Plaintiff had no PRW. (Tr.
78, Finding 5). The ALJ also determined Plaintiff was forty-one (41) years old, which is defined
as a “younger individual” under 20 C.F.R. § 416.963(c), on the date his application was filed. (Tr.
2 The first name of “Mr. Rue” was not included in the transcript. (Tr. 87).
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78, Finding 6). The ALJ determined Plaintiff had at least a high school education and was able to
communicate in English. (Tr. 78, Finding 7).
The ALJ then evaluated whether Plaintiff retained the capacity to perform other work
existing in significant numbers in the national economy. (Tr. 78-79, Finding 9). The VE testified
at the administrative hearing regarding this issue. Id. Based upon this testimony, the ALJ
determined Plaintiff retains the capacity to perform work as an addressing clerk (sedentary,
unskilled) with 81,300 such jobs nationally; charge account clerk (sedentary, unskilled) with
192,360 such jobs nationally; and telephone order clerk (sedentary, unskilled) with 190,390 such
jobs nationally. (Tr. 79). Based upon this finding, the ALJ determined Plaintiff had not been
under a disability, as defined by the Act, at any time from July 11, 2016 (application date) through
March 28, 2019 (ALJ’s decision date). (Tr. 79, Finding 10).
Plaintiff sought the Appeals Council’s review of this unfavorable disability determination.
(Tr. 1-7). The Appeals Council denied that request for review. Id. On March 11, 2020, Plaintiff
filed the present appeal. ECF No. 1. The Parties consented to the jurisdiction of this Court on
March 11, 2020. ECF No. 7. This case is now ready for decision.
2. Applicable Law:
In reviewing this case, this Court is required to determine whether the Commissioner’s
findings are supported by substantial evidence on the record as a whole. See 42 U.S.C. § 405(g)
(2010); Ramirez v. Barnhart, 292 F.3d 576, 583 (8th Cir. 2002). Substantial evidence is less than
a preponderance of the evidence, but it is enough that a reasonable mind would find it adequate to
support the Commissioner’s decision. See Johnson v. Apfel, 240 F.3d 1145, 1147 (8th Cir. 2001).
As long as there is substantial evidence in the record that supports the Commissioner’s decision,
the Court may not reverse it simply because substantial evidence exists in the record that would
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have supported a contrary outcome or because the Court would have decided the case differently.
See Haley v. Massanari, 258 F.3d 742, 747 (8th Cir. 2001). If, after reviewing the record, it is
possible to draw two inconsistent positions from the evidence and one of those positions represents
the findings of the ALJ, the decision of the ALJ must be affirmed. See Young v. Apfel, 221 F.3d
1065, 1068 (8th Cir. 2000).
It is well-established that a claimant for Social Security disability benefits has the burden
of proving his or her disability by establishing a physical or mental disability that lasted at least
one year and that prevents him or her from engaging in any substantial gainful activity. See Cox
v. Apfel, 160 F.3d 1203, 1206 (8th Cir. 1998); 42 U.S.C. §§ 423(d)(1)(A), 1382c(a)(3)(A). The
Act defines a “physical or mental impairment” as “an impairment that results from anatomical,
physiological, or psychological abnormalities which are demonstrable by medically acceptable
clinical and laboratory diagnostic techniques.” 42 U.S.C. §§ 423(d)(3), 1382(3)(c). A plaintiff
must show that his or her disability, not simply his or her impairment, has lasted for at least twelve
consecutive months. See 42 U.S.C. § 423(d)(1)(A).
To determine whether the adult claimant suffers from a disability, the Commissioner uses
the familiar five-step sequential evaluation. He determines: (1) whether the claimant is presently
engaged in a “substantial gainful activity”; (2) whether the claimant has a severe impairment that
significantly limits the claimant’s physical or mental ability to perform basic work activities; (3)
whether the claimant has an impairment that meets or equals a presumptively disabling impairment
listed in the regulations (if so, the claimant is disabled without regard to age, education, and work
experience); (4) whether the claimant has the Residual Functional Capacity (RFC) to perform his
or her past relevant work; and (5) if the claimant cannot perform the past work, the burden shifts
to the Commissioner to prove that there are other jobs in the national economy that the claimant
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can perform. See Cox, 160 F.3d at 1206; 20 C.F.R. §§ 404.1520(a)-(f). The fact finder only
considers the plaintiff’s age, education, and work experience in light of his or her RFC if the final
stage of this analysis is reached. See 20 C.F.R. §§ 404.1520, 416.920 (2003).
3. Discussion:
In his appeal brief, Plaintiff claims the ALJ’s disability determination is not supported by
substantial evidence in the record. ECF No. 15. Specifically, Plaintiff alleges the ALJ erred in
her RFC determination, including in assessing his physical RFC and mental RFC. Id. In making
this argument, Plaintiff focuses upon the ALJ analysis of his subjective complaints. Id. As such,
the Court will address this argument for reversal.
The Court notes that in assessing the credibility of a claimant, the ALJ is required to
examine and to apply the five factors from Polaski v. Heckler, 739 F.2d 1320 (8th Cir. 1984) or
from 20 C.F.R. § 404.1529 and 20 C.F.R. § 416.929.3 See Shultz v. Astrue, 479 F.3d 979, 983
(2007). The factors to consider are as follows: (1) the claimant’s daily activities; (2) the duration,
frequency, and intensity of the pain; (3) the precipitating and aggravating factors; (4) the dosage,
effectiveness, and side effects of medication; and (5) the functional restrictions. See Polaski, 739
at 1322.
The factors must be analyzed and considered in light of the claimant’s subjective
complaints of pain. See id. The ALJ is not required to methodically discuss each factor as long
as the ALJ acknowledges and examines these factors prior to discounting the claimant’s subjective
3 Social Security Regulations 20 C.F.R. § 404.1529 and 20 C.F.R. § 416.929 require the analysis of two
additional factors: (1) “treatment, other than medication, you receive or have received for relief of your
pain or other symptoms” and (2) “any measures you use or have used to relieve your pain or symptoms
(e.g., lying flat on your back, standing for 15 to 20 minutes every hour, sleeping on a board, etc.).”
However, under Polaski and its progeny, the Eighth Circuit has not yet required the analysis of these
additional factors. See Shultz v. Astrue, 479 F.3d 979, 983 (2007). Thus, this Court will not require the
analysis of these additional factors in this case.
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complaints. See Lowe v. Apfel, 226 F.3d 969, 971-72 (8th Cir. 2000). As long as the ALJ properly
applies these five factors and gives several valid reasons for finding that the Plaintiff’s subjective
complaints are not entirely credible, the ALJ’s credibility determination is entitled to deference.
See id.; Cox v. Barnhart, 471 F.3d 902, 907 (8th Cir. 2006). The ALJ, however, cannot discount
Plaintiff’s subjective complaints “solely because the objective medical evidence does not fully
support them [the subjective complaints].” Polaski, 739 F.2d at 1322.
When discounting a claimant’s complaint of pain, the ALJ must make a specific credibility
determination, articulating the reasons for discrediting the testimony, addressing any
inconsistencies, and discussing the Polaski factors. See Baker v. Apfel, 159 F.3d 1140, 1144 (8th
Cir. 1998). The inability to work without some pain or discomfort is not a sufficient reason to find
a Plaintiff disabled within the strict definition of the Act. The issue is not the existence of pain, but
whether the pain a Plaintiff experiences precludes the performance of substantial gainful activity.
See Thomas v. Sullivan, 928 F.2d 255, 259 (8th Cir. 1991).
In the present action, the ALJ fully considered Plaintiff’s subjective complaints and gave
“good cause” for discounting those complaints. As such, that determination should be affirmed.
See Goff v. Barnhart, 421 F.3d 785, 793 (8th Cir. 2005). Indeed, the ALJ noted, “[b]y his own
report, he [claimant] is able to handle his grooming and hygiene independently, perform chores,
prepare simple meals, drive, attend church, and shop. At one point, he told his counselor that he
mowed yards and detailed cars to make ends meet.” (Tr. 77). The ALJ also recognized Plaintiff
“consistently [reported] that medications made pain tolerable and did not cause side effects.” (Tr.
78). Thus, the Court cannot find a basis for reversal on this issue.4
4 Furthermore, as a part of his briefing under his Polaski argument, Plaintiff claims his anxiety and
depression cause him to be disabled. ECF No. 15 at 13-20. In her opinion, the ALJ did not even find those
impairments were severe. (Tr. 71-73). The ALJ based this severity determination primarily upon the
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4. Conclusion:
Based on the foregoing, the undersigned finds no basis for reversing the decision of the
ALJ. As such, it is affirmed. A judgment incorporating these findings will be entered pursuant to
Federal Rules of Civil Procedure 52 and 58.
ENTERED this 30th day of November 2020.
Barry A. Bryant
/s/
HON. BARRY A. BRYANT
UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE
following: “At his January 2017 visit, he reported that medications were helpful and there were no side
effects. Mental status examination was unremarkable. . . . During his November 2017 clinician’s visit, he
reported that he had a good mood. . . . Mental status examinations done in January 2018 and April 2018
were unremarkable.” (Tr. 72) (emphasis added). In accordance with that determination, the Court also
finds no basis for reversal on this issue.
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