The opinion
IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
WESTERN DISTRICT OF ARKANSAS
FAYETTEVILLE DIVISION
TRAVIS RHODIFER PLAINTIFF
v. CIVIL NO. 23-5182
MARTIN J. O’MALLEY,1 Commissioner
Social Security Administration DEFENDANT
MEMORANDUM OPINION
Plaintiff, Travis Rhodifer, brings this action pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 405(g), seeking
judicial review of a decision of the Commissioner of the Social Security Administration
(Commissioner) denying his claims for a period of disability and disability insurance benefits
(DIB) and supplemental security income (SSI) benefits under the provisions of Titles II and XVI
of the Social Security Act (Act). In this judicial review, the Court must determine whether there
is substantial evidence in the administrative record to support the Commissioner's decision. See
42 U.S.C. § 405(g).
I. Procedural Background:
Plaintiff protectively filed his current applications for DIB and SSI on May 18, 2021,
alleging an inability to work since January 1, 2021, due to rheumatoid arthritis, a hernia, scoliosis,
an autoimmune deficiency, a crushed vertebra, nerve damage, shoulder pain, flat feet, anxiety, and
1 Martin J. O’Malley, has been appointed to serve as Commissioner of Social Security
Administration, and is substituted as Defendant, pursuant to Rule 25(d)(1) of the Federal Rules of
Civil Procedure.
panic attacks. (Tr. 61, 222, 227). An administrative telephonic hearing was held on October 17,
2022, at which Plaintiff appeared with counsel and testified. (Tr. 31-58).
By written decision dated November 2, 2022, the ALJ found that during the relevant time
period, Plaintiff had an impairment or combination of impairments that were severe. (Tr. 18).
Specifically, the ALJ found Plaintiff had the following severe impairments: inflammatory arthritis,
depression, and anxiety. However, after reviewing all the evidence presented, the ALJ determined
that Plaintiff’s impairments did not meet or equal the level of severity of any impairment listed in
the Listing of Impairments found in Appendix I, Subpart P, Regulation No. 4. (Tr. 18). The ALJ
found Plaintiff retained the residual functional capacity (RFC) to:
[P]erform light work as defined in 20 CFR 404.1567(b) and 416.967(b) except he
is limited to jobs with simple tasks with no detailed or complex instructions, work
tasks should be learned and performed by rote with few variables and little use of
judgement, interpersonal contact should be only incidental to the work performed
and supervision should be simple, direct and concrete.
(Tr. 19). With the help of a vocational expert, the ALJ determined Plaintiff could perform work as
a packer, an assembler, and a hardware assembler. (Tr. 23).
Plaintiff then requested a review of the hearing decision by the Appeals Council, who
denied that request on August 24, 2023. (Tr. 1-6). Subsequently, Plaintiff filed this action. (ECF
No. 2). This case is before the undersigned pursuant to the consent of the parties. (ECF No. 7).
Both parties have filed appeal briefs, and the case is now ready for decision. (ECF Nos. 12, 14).
The Court has reviewed the entire transcript. The complete set of facts and arguments are
presented in the parties’ briefs and are repeated here only to the extent necessary.
II. Applicable Law:
The Court reviews “the ALJ’s decision to deny disability insurance benefits de novo to
ensure that there was no legal error that the findings of fact are supported by substantial evidence
on the record as a whole.” Brown v. Colvin, 825 F. 3d 936, 939 (8th Cir. 2016). Substantial
evidence is less than a preponderance, but it is enough that a reasonable mind would find it
adequate to support the Commissioner’s decision. Biestek v. Berryhill, 139 S.Ct. 1148, 1154
(2019). We must affirm the ALJ’s decision if the record contains substantial evidence to support
it. Lawson v. Colvin, 807 F.3d 962, 964 (8th Cir. 2015). 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 have supported a contrary outcome,
or because the court would have decided the case differently. Miller v. Colvin, 784 F.3d 472, 477
(8th Cir. 2015). In other words, 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, we must
affirm the ALJ’s decision. Id.
It is well established that a claimant for Social Security disability benefits has the burden
of proving his disability by establishing a physical or mental disability that has lasted at least one
year and that prevents him from engaging in any substantial gainful activity. Pearsall v.
Massanari, 274 F.3d 1211, 1217 (8th Cir. 2001); see also 42 U.S.C. § 423(d)(1)(A). The Act
defines “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). A Plaintiff must show that
his disability, not simply his impairment, has lasted for at least twelve consecutive months.
The Commissioner’s regulations require him to apply a five-step sequential evaluation
process to each claim for disability benefits: (1) whether the claimant has engaged in substantial
gainful activity since filing his claim; (2) whether the claimant has a severe physical and/or mental
impairment or combination of impairments; (3) whether the impairment(s) meet or equal an
impairment in the listings; (4) whether the impairment(s) prevent the claimant from doing past
relevant work; and, (5) whether the claimant is able to perform other work in the national economy
given his age, education, and experience. See 20 C.F.R. §§ 404.1520, 416.920. Only if the final
stage is reached does the fact finder consider the Plaintiff’s age, education, and work experience
in light of his residual functional capacity. Id.
III. Discussion:
Of particular concern to the undersigned is the ALJ’s RFC determination. RFC is the most
a person can do despite that person’s limitations. 20 C.F.R. § 404.1545(a)(1). It is assessed using
all relevant evidence in the record. Id. This includes medical records, observations of treating
physicians and others, and the claimant’s own descriptions of his limitations. Guilliams v.
Barnhart, 393 F.3d 798, 801 (8th Cir. 2005); Eichelberger v. Barnhart, 390 F.3d 584, 591 (8th
Cir. 2004). Limitations resulting from symptoms such as pain are also factored into the assessment.
20 C.F.R. § 404.1545(a)(3). The United States Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit has held
that a “claimant’s residual functional capacity is a medical question.” Lauer v. Apfel, 245 F.3d
700, 704 (8th Cir. 2001). Therefore, an ALJ’s determination concerning a claimant’s RFC must
be supported by medical evidence that addresses the claimant’s ability to function in the
workplace. Lewis v. Barnhart, 353 F.3d 642, 646 (8th Cir. 2003). “[T]he ALJ is [also] required
to set forth specifically a claimant’s limitations and to determine how those limitations affect his
RFC.” Id.
In the present case, the ALJ determined Plaintiff maintained the RFC to perform light work
with limitations. In doing so, the ALJ did not address Plaintiff’s alleged gastrointestinal issues and
what impact this impairment had on Plaintiff’s ability to perform substantial gainful activity.
A review of the record revealed that an SSA disability form dated March 16, 2022,
indicated Plaintiff reported a worsening of his condition due to irritable bowel syndrome and
abdominal pain. (Tr. 356-363). Medical records during this time period also revealed that Plaintiff
was diagnosed with chronic diarrhea, reported upper stomach cramps and messy diarrhea, and was
referred to a gastroenterologist for a consult due to possible irritable bowel syndrome. (Tr. 429-
431, 420-421, 462-463). On March 9, 2022, Plaintiff was seen by Chelsea Marquis, NP, of GI
Alliance, who noted Plaintiff’s report of sharp pain throughout the abdomen most notable in the
epigastric region and bilateral lower quadrants and having three to ten random loose stools during
the day and throughout the night. (Tr. 487-489). After examining Plaintiff, NP Marquis diagnosed
Plaintiff with diarrhea, abdominal pain, gastroesophageal reflux disease, excessive belching,
nausea and vomiting and ordered an esophagogastroduodenoscopy and a colonoscopy. NP
Marquis noted Plaintiff’s symptoms could be due to irritable bowel syndrome and/or functional
dyspepsia and that treatment recommendations would be given after testing. At the administrative
hearing on October 17, 2022, Plaintiff testified that he was on medication to help with vomiting
and stomach problems. (Tr. 42). Plaintiff testified that he continued to experience abdominal
discomfort and diarrhea daily, and that he has had accidents because he could not get to a restroom
in time. (Tr. 47-48). Because the ALJ failed to address Plaintiff’s testimony regarding his
gastrointestinal problems to include frequent and unexpected use of the restroom that appears to
be supported by the medical records that revealed Plaintiff’s diagnosis and treatment for on-going
gastrointestinal problems, the Court is unable to determine if the ALJ’s determination is supported
by substantial evidence.
Accordingly, the Court believes remand is warranted for the ALJ to more fully and fairly
develop the record with respect to Plaintiff’s gastrointestinal impairment. With this evidence, the
ALJ should then re-evaluate Plaintiff's RFC and specifically list in a hypothetical to a vocational
expert any limitations that are indicated in the RFC assessment and supported by the evidence.
IV. Conclusion:
Accordingly, the Court concludes that the ALJ’s decision is not supported by substantial
evidence, and therefore, the denial of benefits to the Plaintiff should be reversed and this matter
should be remanded to the Commissioner for further consideration pursuant to sentence four of 42
U.S.C. § 405(g).
DATED this 16th day of May 2024.
/s/ sty (Comstock
CHRISTY COMSTOCK
UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE