# Haga v. Commissioner Social Security Administration

> District Court, D. Oregon · January 5, 2024

URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/cases/10396868

## Case

- **Court:** District Court, D. Oregon
- **Decided:** January 5, 2024
- **Opinion:** 100trialcourt
- **Cited by:** 0 later opinions in the Frix Law Library

## Citator (automated)

- No negative treatment found by the automated citator. That is not the same as a confirmation that the case is good law; read the citing cases.
- Full citator and citing cases: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/cases/10396868

## How later opinions describe it (automated extraction)

- affirming the ALJ’s credibility finding when the plaintiff’s testimony of weight fluctuation was inconsistent with the medical record

## Opinion text

IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

FOR THE DISTRICT OF OREGON

TAMERA H.,1 No. 6:20-cv-1428-MO

Plaintiff, OPINION & ORDER

v.

COMMISSIONER, SOCIAL
SECURITY ADMINISTRATION,

Defendant.

MOSMAN, District Judge:

This matter comes before me on Plaintiff Tamera H.’s Complaint [ECF 1] against
Defendant Commissioner of the Social Security Administration. For the reasons given below, I
AFFIRM the Commissioner’s decision and DISMISS this case.

1 In the interest of privacy, this opinion uses only the first name and the initial of the last name of
the nongovernmental party in this case.
PROCEDURAL BACKGROUND
On July 17, 2017, Plaintiff applied for Disability Insurance Benefits (“DIB”) under Title
II of the Social Security Act and on July 31, 2017, applied for Supplemental Security Income
(“SSI”) under Title XVI, with an amended alleged onset date of September 16, 2015. Tr. 210-11.

The Social Security Administration (“SSA”) denied her claim initially and upon reconsideration.
Tr. 130, 135, 141, 144. Plaintiff appeared and testified at a hearing held on August 1, 2019,
before Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) Steven A. De Monbreum. Tr. 37-63. On August 14,
2019, the ALJ issued a decision finding that Plaintiff had not been under a disability at any time
from the alleged onset date through the date of the decision. Tr. 19-36. Plaintiff filed an appeal,
and the Appeals Council denied review. Tr. 1-6.
THE ALJ’S FINDINGS
At step one, the ALJ found that Plaintiff had not engaged in substantial gainful activity
since September 16, 2015, the amended alleged onset date. Tr. 25. At step two, the ALJ
determined that Plaintiff had the following severe impairments: asthma, residuals from double

mastectomy, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), major depressive disorder, and unspecified
psychosis/schizophrenia. Tr. 25. At step three, the ALJ found no impairment that met or equaled
the severity of any impairment listed in 20 C.F.R. Part 404, Subpart P, Appendix 1. Tr. 25. The
ALJ assessed Plaintiff’s residual functional capacity (“RFC”) to:
perform light work as defined in 20 CFR 404.1567(b) and 416.967(b) except she
must avoid more than occasional overhead reaching bilaterally due to residuals
from her double mastectomy. Due to her asthma, she must avoid more than
occasional exposure to dust, fumes, odors, chemicals, gases, or other pulmonary
irritants, consistent with an indoor office environment. Due to her mental
impairments, she can understand, remember, and carry out only short, simple,
routine job instructions consistent with unskilled work with a DOT GED
reasoning level of 2 or less. She can tolerate no more than occasional interaction
with co-workers or the public.
Tr. 26-27.

At step four, the ALJ determined that Plaintiff was unable to perform any past relevant
work. Tr. 29. At step five, the ALJ determined that there are jobs that exist in significant
numbers in the national economy that the claimant can perform such as electronics worker,
electrical accessories assembler, and small parts assembler. Tr. 30. The ALJ therefore found
Plaintiff not disabled. Tr. 31.
LEGAL STANDARD
Courts must uphold the ALJ’s decision if it “was supported by substantial evidence and
based on proper legal standards.” Lewis v. Astrue, 498 F.3d 909, 911 (9th Cir. 2007). Substantial
evidence is “more than a mere scintilla,” and means only “such relevant evidence as a reasonable
mind might accept as adequate to support a conclusion.” Biestek v. Berryhill, 139 S. Ct. 1148,
1150 (2019) (internal quotation marks omitted). When “evidence is susceptible of more than one
rational interpretation ... the ALJ’s conclusion ... must be upheld.” Burch v. Barnhart, 400 F.3d
676, 679 (9th Cir. 2005). Errors in the ALJ’s decision do not warrant reversal if they are

harmless. Stout v. Comm’r Soc. Sec. Admin., 454 F.3d 1050, 1054 (9th Cir. 2006).
DISCUSSION
Plaintiff raises just one issue with the ALJ’s decision. Plaintiff argues the ALJ erred by
erroneously discounting her subjective symptom testimony about physical pain resulting from a
double mastectomy.
I. Subjective Symptom Testimony
The ALJ is responsible for evaluating symptom testimony. SSR 16-3p, 2017 WL
5180304, at *1 (Oct. 25, 2017). The ALJ engages in a two-step analysis for subjective symptom
evaluation. Molina v. Astrue, 674 F.3d 114, 1112 (9th Cir. 2012) (superseded on other grounds).
First, the ALJ determines whether there is “objective medical evidence of an underlying
impairment which could reasonably be expected to produce the pain or other symptoms alleged.”
Id. (internal quotations omitted). Second, “if the claimant has presented such evidence, and there
is no evidence of malingering, then the ALJ must give specific, clear and convincing reasons in

order to reject the claimant’s testimony about the severity of the symptoms.” Id.
When evaluating subjective symptom testimony, “[g]eneral findings are insufficient.”
Reddick v. Chater, 157 F.3d 715, 722 (9th Cir. 1998). “An ALJ does not provide specific, clear,
and convincing reasons for rejecting a claimant’s testimony by simply reciting the medical
evidence in support of his or her residual functional capacity determination.” Brown-Hunter v.
Colvin, 806 F.3d 487, 489 (9th Cir. 2015). Instead, “the ALJ must specifically identify the
testimony she or he finds not to be credible and must explain what evidence undermines the
testimony.” Holohan v. Massanari, 246 F.3d 1195 (9th Cir. 2001); see also Orteza v. Shalala, 50
F.3d 748, 750 (9th Cir. 1995) (The reasons proffered must be “sufficiently specific to permit the
reviewing court to conclude that the ALJ did not arbitrarily discount the claimant’s testimony.”).

At the hearing, Plaintiff testified that after her double mastectomy she experiences pain in
her chest area and in her bilateral arms when holding them out in front of her above waist level,
and while performing such activities as washing dishes. Tr. 43-44. She stated that she is unable
to lift anything over 10 pounds due to pain. Tr. 47. She also alleged an inability to reach because
it pulls on her shoulder and causes instant pain. Tr. 282. Plaintiff also shared that she has
exercise-induced asthma, and as a result she can only walk for a half hour before having to sit
down due to shortness of breath. Tr. 46-47. Plaintiff alleged not being able to stand for prolonged
periods due to her impairments. Tr. 54.
The ALJ found Plaintiff’s medically determinable impairments could reasonably be
expected to cause some of the alleged symptoms and did not identify evidence of malingering.
Tr. 23. However, the ALJ concluded that Plaintiff’s statements concerning the intensity,
persistence and limiting effects of her symptoms were not entirely consistent with the medical

evidence and other evidence in the record. Tr. 25. Specifically, the ALJ found Plaintiff’s
symptom allegations were inconsistent with the objective medical evidence, Plaintiff’s
improvement with treatment, and other testimony about her typical daily activities. Tr. 25.
A. Objective Medical Evidence
The ALJ is instructed to evaluate objective evidence in considering a claimant’s symptom
allegations. 20 C.F.R. § 416.929(c)(2) (“Objective medical evidence ... is a useful indicator to
assist us in making reasonable conclusions about the intensity and persistence of your
symptoms[.]”). Indeed, “[w]hen objective medical evidence in the record is inconsistent with the
claimant’s subjective testimony, the ALJ may indeed weigh it as undercutting such testimony.”
Smartt v. Kijakazi, 53 F.4th 489, 498 (9th Cir. 2022) (emphasis in original); see also Connett v.

Barnhart, 340 F.3d 871, 874 (9th Cir. 2003) (affirming the ALJ’s credibility finding when the
plaintiff’s testimony of weight fluctuation was inconsistent with the medical record). The
absence of corroborating objective medical evidence is not enough, on its own, however, to
reject a claimant’s symptom testimony. 20 C.F.R. §§ 404.1529(c)(2), 416.929(c)(2); SSR 16-3p,
2017 WL 5180304, at *5; Robbins v. Soc. Sec. Admin., 466 F.3d 880, 883 (9th Cir. 2006).
The ALJ reasonably relied on conflicting medical records to discount Plaintiff’s
testimony about the extent of her pain related to her double mastectomy.2 Conflict with objective

2 The ALJ also discounted aspects of Plaintiff’s testimony about her mental health, which
Plaintiff does not contest. See Tr. 28, Pl. Br., ECF No. 13 at 4-8.
medical evidence is a sufficient basis for discounting a claimant’s testimony. Smartt, 53 F.4th at
498; 20 C.F.R. §§ 404.1529(c)(2), 416.929(c)(2). At the hearing, Plaintiff testified that her
shoulder pain following her double mastectomy gives her significant back and shoulder pain, that
she can’t lift over 10 pounds, extend her arms, or work for more than half an hour before needing

a break. Tr. 45-47. As the ALJ reasonably noted, the medical records suggested otherwise. For
example, the ALJ cited medical records that showed Plaintiff had normal motor strength,
sensation, and reflexes, which undermined her testimony about shoulder pain and difficulty
lifting anything over 10 pounds. Tr. 28 (citing Tr. 888). At times, Plaintiff told her providers that
her “post-mastectomy pain” was tolerable. Tr. 1048; see also Tr. 1049 (“with lidocaine patches”
her pain “drops to 3/10” and she becomes sore only “if very active (i.e., doing laundry, gardening
etc.).” Regarding her left shoulder issues, the ALJ specifically noted Plaintiff’s medical records
reflected “normal range of motion,” and that “radiological evidence from late 2017 revealed no
abnormalities.” Tr. 28 (citing Tr. 876-77, 889, 1343). Furthermore, though more recent evidence
showed that Plaintiff had some intermittent discomfort in her back, the ALJ noted she did not

experience these symptoms earlier in the relevant period. Tr. 28 (citing Tr. 473, 539). The ALJ
reasonably concluded that this evidence stood in contrast to Plaintiff’s allegations of back and
shoulder pain. The decision to discount Plaintiff testimony about these symptoms was clear,
convincing, and supported by substantial evidence in the record.
Plaintiff argues these reasons are legally insufficient, because absence of medical
evidence is an inappropriate basis for discrediting a claimant’s testimony about her pain, and that
the record more strongly supports her testimony than the ALJ let on. Pl. Br. at 7. She cites two
Ninth Circuit cases to support the idea that a “claimant need not produce objective medical
evidence of the pain or fatigue itself, or the severity thereof.” Id. (citing Smolen v. Chater, 80
F.3d 1273, 1282 (9th Cir. 1996), and Rollins v. Massanari, 261 F.3d 853, 857 (9th Cir. 2001)).
And Plaintiff is correct, that absence of corroborating objective medical evidence is not a clear
and convincing reason to discount subjective symptom testimony about pain; conflict with
objective medical evidence is, however. Smartt, 53 F.4th at 498. And here, the ALJ relied on

several inconsistencies between Plaintiff’s testimony and the record—all valid reasons to
discount her testimony about the extent of her pain and physical limitations. Plaintiff also cited
other medical evidence that she believes supports her allegations. Pl. Br. at 6-7 (citing, e.g., a
January, 2018 medical appointment that reflected pain and mobility issues following her double
mastectomy). In citing these records, Plaintiff is asking the Court to re-weigh the evidence,
which is beyond the scope of review. Ahearn v. Saul, 988 F.3d 1111, 1115 (9th Cir. 2021) (“We
may not reweigh the evidence or substitute our judgment for that of the ALJ.”). Even when there
are two reasonable interpretations—Plaintiff’s and the ALJ’s—the ALJ’s interpretation must
prevail. Burch v. Barnhart, 400 F.3d 676, 679 (9th Cir. 2005) (“Where evidence is susceptible to
more than one rational interpretation, it is the [Commissioner’s] conclusion that must be

upheld.”). Against that backdrop, Plaintiff has not established error by simply advancing a
different interpretation of the evidence, and the ALJ reasonably relied on conflicting medical
evidence to discount aspects of Plaintiff’s testimony.
B. Improvement with Treatment
An ALJ may reject a claimant’s symptom testimony if that testimony is contradicted by
evidence in the medical record. Carmickle v. Comm’r of Soc. Sec. Admin., 533 F.3d 1155, 1161
(9th Cir. 2008). If the record shows a claimant's symptoms have improved with treatment, that
improvement is “an important indicator of the intensity and persistence of ... symptoms.” 20
C.F.R. §§ 404.1529(c)(3), 416.929(c)(3). The Ninth Circuit has held that “evidence of medical
treatment successfully relieving symptoms can undermine a claim of disability.” Wellington v.
Berryhill, 878 F.3d 867, 876 (9th Cir. 2017).
The ALJ reasonably concluded that Plaintiff’s back and shoulder pain improved with
treatment, which undermined her hearing testimony concerning the severity of those symptoms.

Although Plaintiff complained that she was unable to work in part due to back and shoulder pain
stemming from a double mastectomy (see, e.g., Tr. 43-47), the ALJ noted that chiropractic
treatment and massage both lessened the symptoms. Tr. 28. The ALJ also cited the chiropractor’s
note showing that Plaintiff’s back pain was “intermittent,” happening only “25% to 50%” of the
time, which further supported the ALJ’s decision to discount the extent of Plaintiff’s testimony
about the frequency of her back and shoulder pain. Tr. 47, 947. Plaintiff also repeatedly
referenced her ability to decrease her discomfort with medication. See, e.g., Tr. 949. In all,
Plaintiff demonstrated marked improvement in back and shoulder pain with chiropractic
treatment and medication, and this was another clear and convincing reason for the ALJ to rely
upon to discount her more severe subjective complaints about her back and shoulder limitations.

Plaintiff disputes the legal and factual sufficiency of this evidence, but does not
undermine the ALJ’s supportable conclusion that improvement with treatment undermined her
hearing testimony. First, Plaintiff argues that because “intermittent” pain, happening “25% to
50%” of the time, corresponds to the SSA’s definition of the term “frequent,” defined as
happening 1/3 to 2/3 of the time, this cannot be a clear and convincing reason to discount her
testimony. Pl. Reply at 2 (citing Tr. 947). As a starting point, 1/3-2/3, or “frequent” is more than
25-50%, or “intermittent.” Plaintiff also pulls this definition of “frequent” from Social Security
Ruling 83-10, which defines how often a claimant can do an activity during a work day when
performing “light work.” SSR 83-10 at *3. This unrelated definition does not undermine the
ALJ’s conclusion that “intermittent” pain was less that what Plaintiff testified to at the hearing,
or his proper citation to medical evidence reflecting variability of pain symptoms to undermine
Plaintiffs testimony about the frequency of her pain. 20 C-F.R. §§ 404.1513(a)(3) (requiring
ALJs to consider “evidence from a medical source...including judgments about the nature and
severity of [a claimant’s] impairments...”). Plaintiff also argues that she “reported her pain levels
to be 4 out of 5 and 5 out of 5,” which supports her testimony about the extent to which her back
pain limits her activities. Pl. Reply at 2 (citing Tr. 43-44, 947). In fact, the medical record
Plaintiff cites shows Plaintiff reported “the intensity of discomfort...as a level 4 on a scale of 1
to 10 with 10 being the most severe,” or “‘as a level 5 on a scale of 1 to 10.” Tr. 947. Plaintiff's
effort to undermine the sufficiency of the ALJ’s factual conclusion that her pain was overstated
at the hearing fails on this count as well.
CONCLUSION
For the reasons given above, I AFFIRM the Commissioner’s decision and DISMISS this
case.
IT IS SO ORDERED.
DATED: _ 1/5/2024

Wlechal U/ Vlosman __
MICHAEL W. MOSMAN
United States District Judge

9 — OPINION & ORDER

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Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/cases/10396868. Public record. Not legal advice.