PEGRAM v. O'MALLEY

IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

FOR THE MIDDLE DISTRICT OF NORTH CAROLINA

BRANDON P. )

)

Plaintiff, )

)

v. ) 1:23CV14

)

MARTIN J. OMALLEY;! )

Commissioner of Social Security, )

)

Defendant. )

MEMORANDUM OPINION AND ORDER

OF UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE

Plaintiff Brandon P. (“Plaintiff”) brought this action pursuant to Section 205(g) of the

Social Security Act (the “Act’’), as amended (42 U.S.C. § 405(g)), to obtain judicial review of a

final decision of the Commissioner of Social Security denying his claim for Disability

Insurance Benefits (“DIB”) under Title II of the Act. The Parties have filed cross-motions

for judgment, and the administrative record has been certified to the Court for review.

I PROCEDURAL HISTORY

Plaintiff protectively filed an application for DIB on July 2, 2020, alleging a disability

onset date of December 15, 2019. (Ir. at 16, 205-06.)? Plaintiffs application was denied

initially (Tr. 84-104, 115-18) and upon reconsideration (Tr. at 105-14, 125-29). Thereafter,

December 20, 2023, Martin J. O'Malley was sworn in as Commissioner of Social Security, replacing Acting

Commissioner Kilolo Kijakazi. Pursuant to Rule 25(d) of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, Martin J.

O’Malley should be substituted for Kilolo Kijakazi as Defendant in this suit. No further action need be taken

to continue this suit by reason of the last sentence of section 405(g) of the Social Security Act, 42 U.S.C. §

405(g).

2 Transcript citations refer to the Sealed Administrative Record [Doc. #5].

Plaintiff requested an administrative hearing de novo before an Administrative Law Judge

(“ALJ”). (Tt. at 130-31.) On July 1, 2022, Plaintiff, along with his attorney, attended the

subsequent telephonic hearing, at which Plaintiff and an impartial vocational expert testified.

(Ir. at 16, 40-83.) At that time, Plaintiff amended his alleged onset date to December 15,

2020. (Tr. at 16, 18, 47.) Following the hearing, the ALJ concluded that Plaintiff was not

disabled within the meaning of the Act (Tr. at 33), and on November 8, 2022, the Appeals

Council denied Plaintiff's request for review of that decision, thereby making the AL]’s

conclusion the Commissionet’s final decision for purposes of judicial review (Tr. at 1-6).

Il. LEGAL STANDARD

Federal law “authorizes judicial review of the Social Security Commissionet’s denial of

social security benefits.” Hines v. Barnhart, 453 F.3d 559, 561 (4th Cir. 2006). However, the

scope of review of such a decision is “extremely limited.” Frady v. Harris, 646 F.2d 143, 144

(4th Cir. 1981). “The courts are not to try the case de novo.” Oppenheim v. Finch, 495 F.2d

396, 397 (4th Cir. 1974). Instead, “a reviewing court must uphold the factual findings of the

AL] if they are supported by substantial evidence and were reached through application of the

correct legal standard.” Hancock v. Asttue, 667 F.3d 470, 472 (4th Cit. 2012) (internal brackets

and quotation omitted).

“Substantial evidence means such relevant evidence as a reasonable mind might accept

as adequate to support a conclusion.” Hunter v. Sullivan, 993 F.2d 31, 34 (4th Cir. 1993)

(internal quotation omitted). “It consists of more than a mere scintilla of evidence but may

be somewhat less than a preponderance.” Mastto v. Apfel, 270 F.3d 171, 176 (4th Cir. 2001)

(internal brackets and quotation omitted). “If there is evidence to justify a refusal to direct a

verdict were the case before a jury, then there is substantial evidence.” Hunter, 993 F.2d at 34

(internal quotation omitted).

“In reviewing for substantial evidence, the court should not undertake to re-weigh

conflicting evidence, make credibility determinations, or substitute its judgment for that of the

[ALJ].” Mastto, 270 F.3d at 176 (internal brackets and quotation omitted). “Where conflicting

evidence allows teasonable minds to differ as to whether a claimant is disabled, the

responsibility for that decision falls on the ALJ.” Hancock, 667 F.3d at 472 (internal brackets

and quotation omitted). “The issue before [the reviewing court], therefore, is not whether [the

claimant] is disabled, but whether the AL]’s finding that [the claimant] is not disabled is

supported by substantial evidence and was reached based upon a correct application of the

relevant law.” Craig v. Chater, 76 F.3d 585, 589 (4th Cir. 1996).

In undertaking this limited review, the Court notes that “[a] claimant for disability

benefits beats the burden of proving a disability.” Hall v. Harris, 658 F.2d 260, 264 (4th Cit.

1981). In this context, “disability” means the “inability to engage in any substantial gainful

activity by reason of any medically determinable physical or mental impairment which can be

expected to result in death, or which has lasted or can be expected to last for a continuous

petiod of not less than 12 months.” Id. (quoting 42 U.S.C. § 423(d)(1)(A)).?

3 “The Social Security Act comprises two disability benefits programs. The Social Security Disability Insurance

Program (SSDI), established by Title IT of the Act as amended, 42 U.S.C. § 401 ef seq., provides benefits to

disabled persons who have contributed to the program while employed. The Supplemental Security Income

Program (SSD, established by Title XVI of the Act as amended, 42 U.S.C. § 1381 ef seq., provides benefits to

indigent disabled persons. The statutory definitions and the regulations promulgated by the Secretary for

determining disability, see 20 C.F.R. pt. 404 (SSDI); 20 CE.R. pt. 416 (SSD, governing these two programs ate,

in all aspects relevant here, substantively identical.” Craig, 76 F.3d at 589 n.1.

“The Commissioner uses a five-step process to evaluate disability claims.” Hancock,

667 F.3d at 472 (citing 20 C.F.R. §§ 404.1520(a)(4), 416.920(a)(4)). “Under this process, the

Commissioner asks, in sequence, whether the claimant: (1) worked during the alleged period

of disability; (2) had a severe impairment; (3) had an impairment that met or equaled the

requirements of a listed impairment; (4) could return to her past relevant work; and (5) if not,

could perform any other work in the national economy.” Id.

A finding adverse to the claimant at any of several points in this five-step sequence

forecloses a disability designation and ends the inquiry. For example, “[t]he first step

determines whether the claimant is engaged in ‘substantial gainful activity.’ If the claimant is

working, benefits are denied. The second step determines if the claimant is ‘severely’ disabled.

If not, benefits are denied.” Bennett v. Sullivan, 917 F.2d 157, 159 (4th Cir. 1990).

On the other hand, if a claimant carries his or her burden at the first two steps, and if

the claimant’s impairment meets or equals a “listed impairment” at step three, the claimant is

disabled. Mastro, 270 F.3d at 177. Alternatively, if a claimant clears steps one and two, but

falters at step thtee, ie., “[i]f a claimant’s impairment is not sufficiently severe to equal or

exceed a listed impairment,” then “the ALJ must assess the claimant’s residual functional

capacity (RFC’).” Id. at 179.4 Step four then requires the AL] to assess whether, based on

4 “REC is a measurement of the most a claimant can do despite [the claimant’s] limitations.” Hines, 453 F.3d

at 562 (noting that administrative regulations require RFC to reflect claimant’s “ability to do sustained work-

related physical and mental activities in a work setting on a regular and continuing basis . . . [which] means 8

hours a day, for 5 days a week, or an equivalent work schedule” (internal emphasis and quotation omitted)).

The RFC includes both a “physical exertional or strength limitation” that assesses the claimant’s “ability to do

sedentaty, light, medium, heavy, or very heavy work,” as well as “nonexertional limitations (mental, sensory, or

skin impairments).” Hall, 658 F.2d at 265. “RFC is to be determined by the ALJ only after [the ALJ] considers

all relevant evidence of a claimant’s impairments and any related symptoms (¢,g., pain).” Hines, 453 F.3d at

562-63.

that RFC, the claimant can “perform past relevant work”; if so, the claimant does not qualify

as disabled. Id. at 179-80. However, if the claimant establishes an inability to return to prior

work, the analysis proceeds to the fifth step, which “requires the [Government] to prove that

a significant number of jobs exist which the claimant could perform, despite [the claimant’s]

impairments.” Hines, 453 F.3d at 563. In making this determination, the ALJ must decide

“whether the claimant is able to perform other work considering both [the claimant’s RFC]

and [the claimant’s] vocational capabilities (age, education, and past work experience) to adjust

to a new job.” Hall, 658 F.2d at 264-65. If, at this step, the Government cannot carry its

“evidentiary burden of proving that [the claimant] remains able to work other jobs available

in the community,” the claimant qualifies as disabled. Hines, 453 F.3d at 567.

Il. DISCUSSION

In the present case, the ALJ found that Plaintiff had not engaged in “substantial gainful

activity” since his amended alleged onset date of December 15, 2020. (Tr. at 18.) The ALJ

therefore concluded that Plaintiff met his burden at step one of the sequential evaluation

process. (Ir. at 18.) At step two, the ALJ further determined that Plaintiff suffered from the

following severe impaitments:

degenerative disc disease of the cervical and lumbar spine, fibromyalgia, asthma,

depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)[.]

(Tr. at 19.) The ALJ found at step three that none of these impairments, individually or in

combination, met ot equaled a disability listing. (Ir. at 19-24.) Therefore, the AL] assessed

Plaintiff's RFC and determined that, during the time period at issue, he could perform a range

of light work, defined as follows:

[Plaintiff] could lift, carry, push, and/or pull twenty (20) pounds occasionally

and ten (10) pounds frequently, sit for six (6) hours in an eight-hour workday,

and stand and/or walk for six (6) hours in an eight-hour workday. [He] could

occasionally climb ladders, ropes, or scaffolds and frequently climb ramps and

staits. [Plaintiff] could occasionally balance, as that term is defined in the DOT,

and occasionally stoop, kneel, crouch, and crawl. [He] could frequently reach

in all ditections. [Plaintiff] could tolerate occasional exposure to pulmonary

irritants, including dusts, fumes, odors, gases, and poor ventilation. [He] is

limited to understanding, remembering, and carrying out simple instructions,

can use judgment to make simple work-related decisions, and could sustain

concentration, attention, and pace sufficient to carty out those simple

instructions for two-hour intervals over the course of an eight-hour workday.

[Plaintiff] is limited to working in a low-stress setting, which is specifically

defined to mean: no paced production, such as on an assembly line where the

worker does not control the pace of production; only simple work-telated

decisions; few or no changes in the work setting or routine; no dealing with

ctisis situations as an essential function of the job; and only superficial contact

with the public, where “superficial” is defined to mean the contact is incidental

and not an essential function of the job.

(Tt. at 24.) At step four of the analysis, the AL] found, based on the above RFC and the

vocational expert’s testimony, that Plaintiff was unable to perform any of his past relevant

work. (Tt. at 31-32.) However, the ALJ determined at step five that, given Plaintiff's age,

education, work experience, RFC, and the testimony of the vocational expert as to these

factors, he could perform other jobs available in significant numbers in the national economy.

(Tt. at 32-33.) Therefore, the AL] concluded that Plaintiff was not disabled under the Act.

(Tr. at 33.)

Plaintiff now contends that the ALJ erred in two respects when assessing Plaintiff's

RFC. First, he argues that the ALJ failed to properly consider the “combined effect” of

Plaintiffs matijuana abuse and other medical conditions. (Pl.’s Br. [Doc. #9] at 9.) Second,

Plaintiff asserts that the ALJ “erred in failing to define the non-vocationally relevant phrase

‘low-stress setting, which is specifically defined to mean: no paced production, such as on an

assembly line where the worker does not control the pace of production[.|” Instead, Plaintiff

contends, the ALJ provided “an example rather than a true definition, which is insufficiently

cleat to permit judicial review of the RFC.” (PL’s Br. at 15.)

A. Marijuana use

Plaintiffs challenge regarding the effects of his marijuana use relies on 20 C.F.R.

§ 404.1535 and Social Security Ruling (“SSR”) 13-2p, both of which set out the steps an ALJ

must take to properly consider the impact of a claimant’s marijuana use alongside his other

impairments. A claimant cannot be considered disabled for Social Security purposes if

alcoholism and/or drug addiction is “a contributing factor matetial to the Commissionet’s

determination that the individual is disabled.” 42 U.S.C. § 423(d)(2)(C). To determine whether

this is the case, the regulations provide as follows:

(1) The key factor we will examine in determining whether drug addiction ot

alcoholism is a contributing factor material to the determination of disability is

whether we would still find you disabled if you stopped using drugs or alcohol.

(2) In making this determination, we will evaluate which of your current physical

and mental limitations, upon which we based our current disability

determination, would remain if you stopped using drugs or alcohol and then

determine whether any or all of your remaining limitations would be disabling.

(i) If we determine that your remaining limitations would not be

disabling, we will find that your drug addiction or alcoholism is a

conttibuting factor material to the determination of disability.

(ii) If we determine that your remaining limitations ate disabling,

you ate disabled independent of your drug addiction of

alcoholism and we will find that your drug addiction or

alcoholism is not a contributing factor material to the

determination of disability.

20 C.E.R. § 404.1535(b). In other words, § 404.1535 describes a two-step process, which has

been further clarified in Social Security Ruling 13-2p. Social Security Ruling 13-2p: Titles

and XVI: Evaluating Cases Involving Drug Addiction and Alcoholism (DAA), SSR 13-2p, 78

Fed. Reg. 11939, 2013 WL 603764 (effective March 22, 2013). As part of that two-step

ptocess, an ALJ “must first make a determination as to disability by following the five-step

sequential evaluation process, ‘without segregating out any effects that might be due to

substance use disorders.” Piccini v. Comm’r of Soc. Sec., No. 13-cv-3461 (AJN)(SN), 2014

WL 4651911, at *12 (S.D.N.Y. Sept. 17, 2014) (quoting Brueggemann v. Barnhart, 348 F.3d

689, 694 (8th Cir. 2003)). If the AL] finds the claimant disabled based on symptomology

alone, she must then follow the five-step sequential analysis a second time to determine

“whether the claimant would still be considered disabled if he stopped abusing drugs or

alcohol.” See Piccini, 2014 WL 4651911, at *12.

In the present case, the ALJ did not include a substance abuse disorder among

Plaintiff's severe impaitments at step two of the sequential analysis. (Tr. at 19.) However, in

assessing Plaintiff's RFC, she found that Plaintiff “reported daily use of marijuana despite

advisement to stop.” (It. at 27.) The ALJ also noted “some inconsistencies between

[Plaintiff's] allegations and the evidence of record.” (I'r. at 28.) In particular, the ALJ noted

that

[Plaintiff's] treatment for both his physical and mental conditions has been

complicated by his failure to disclose his marijuana use to his mental health and

pain management providers. Although [Plaintiff] reported during a June 2022

visit to his psychiatrist that he had informed his pain management provider of

his marijuana use two (2) months earlier, pain management records do not

reflect this as of his last visit in April 2022 (Exhibits 18F/64-69; 24F/3).

[Plaintiff] initially admitted to his mental health providers that he was using

“large amounts” of CBD products with some THC and then in June 2022

reported reducing his marijuana use to two (2) to three (3) times per week, with

the last use on June 3, 2022 (Exhibit 24F/2). He testified that he was getting

marijuana from his uncle who has a medical marijuana prescription and that he

also was paying for it out of his savings (Exhibits 5F/3, 7F/3-4; 10F/15;

17F/14, 24; 25F/3; Heating Testimony). However, this is not consistent with

[Plaintiff's] report that he did not have the funds to pay for medical treatment

at Carolina Pain Institute, nor does it comport with urinalysis screenings that

were negative for THC (Exhibits 7F/3, 18F/59). Although it is unclear how

much marijuana ot THC the claimant was using, any use would have been in

direct violation of the recommendations of his mental health providers, who

strongly advised against its use due to the interaction with psychotropic

medications (Exhibit 24F/2).

The record reflects numerous instances of not disclosing marijuana use to

examining and treating sources (Exhibits 5F/3, 7F/3, 17F/11, 24, 32, 18F/67,

21F/2,). Although [Plaintiffs] marijuana use itself may not be a significant

issue, it does raise concerns about the accuracy of his other reports. Further,

the failure to report such use to mental health and pain management providers

calls into question the extent of his symptoms and his commitment to treating

his allegedly limiting physical and mental health problems.

(Tr. at 28.)

Plaintiff now argues that “the ALJ’s discussion of marijuana use lacks clarity about

whether she is evaluating credibility, DAA [drug abuse], symptom severity, compliance with

treatment, or all four, rendering unclear the extent to which [Plaintiffs] marijuana use

impacted the ALJ’s decision.” (Pl.’s Br. at 9.) However, the sole matter at issue under both

20 C.F.R. § 404.1535 and SSR 13-2p is whether the ALJ considered the materiality of Plaintiffs

substance abuse when assessing his RFC. Here, the ALJ specifically determined that Plaintiff's

marijuana use was not, by itself, “a significant issue.” (Tr. at 28.) Accordingly, substance abuse

did not amount to a severe impaitment at step two, nor did it directly impact Plaintiff's RFC.

In other words, it was immaterial to the ultimate issue of disability. As such, there was no

need for the ALJ to separately determine whether Plaintiff would be disabled absent his

substance use.

Moreover, the ALJ clearly explained that the crucial issue surrounding Plaintiff's

marijuana use was not the impact of the drug use itself on his functioning, but rather Plaintiff's

lack of candor to both the Court and his providers. As specifically noted by the ALJ, Plaintiff's

nondisclosure and under-disclosure of his marijuana use throughout the relevant time period

calls into question “the accuracy of his other reports.” (T'r. at 28.) This is supported by the

medical record, reflecting his failure to disclose his marijuana use (Ir. at 448, 456, 486, 1030,

1041, 1049, 1122 ) and his provider’s frustration with his lack of honesty (T'r. at 1019-20, 1028,

1031-32, 1144-45, 1154, 1288.) The ALJ also noted Plaintiffs report that he could not pay

for treatment at the Pain Institute, which was “not consistent” with his admission that he was

continuing to pay for marijuana. (Tt. at 28.) The AL] further noted that Plaintiff was failing

to follow the recommendation of his treatment providers (Tr. at 28, 1149, 1283), and the AL]

concluded that Plaintiffs failure to report his marijuana use to his medical providers “calls

into question the extent of his symptoms and his commitment to treating his [medical

conditions].” (Tr. at 28.) The AL] took Plaintiff's lack of candor into consideration when

considering his statements regarding symptoms, and Plaintiff does not directly challenge this

determination.> In short, the Court finds no basis for remand.

5 The AL] also considered other evidence in the record regarding Plaintiff's “inconsistencies” and lack of

candor, including “symptom exaggeration” on a functional capacity evaluation, specifically:

the June 15, 2022 functional capacity evaluation completed by Adam Paul Najmulski, PT, tn which

the claimant failed most of the validity criteria (Exhibit 25F/14-36). While Mr. Najmulskt is not an

acceptable medical source per Social Security regulations, his findings are persuasive as to the

determination of the claimant’s effort in the evaluation, which was found to be “very poor or

voluntary submaximal,” which is not necessarily related to pain, impairment, or disability (Exhibit

25F/15). His explanation of his findings regarding the claimant’s effort was detailed and specific. In

addition, the undersigned notes that the claimant displayed leg and torso lift capabilities of zero (0)

pounds, which is inconsistent with objective examination findings noting 5/5 strength in the upper

and lower extremities (Exhibit 5F/5-6). The results of this evaluation suggest the clatmant’s other

subjective reports to treating and examining sources have not been entirely accurate.

(Tr. at 28-29, 31.)

10

B. Low-sttess setting

Plaintiff next contends that the ALJ “erred in failing to define the non-vocationally

televant phrase ‘low-stress setting, which is specifically defined to mean: no paced production,

such as on an assembly line where the worker does not control the pace of production,’ instead

giving an example rather than a true definition.” (PL’s Br. at 15.) He argues that this error

tenders the RFC “insufficiently clear to permit judicial review of the RFC.” (Pl.’s Br. at 15.)

Notably, it is the function of the ALJ to consider the record and articulate the relevant

functional limitations in the RFC. The AL] did so here by concluding that Plaintiff could

work in occupations with a low-sttess setting, more specifically defined as requiring no paced

production work. Indeed, contrary to Plaintiffs assertion, myriad cases in this district have

noted that ALJs frequently, and without error or objection, define low stress work as work

not tequiting fast-paced production or rigid quotas. See, e.g. Sizemore v. Berryhill, 878 F.3d

72, 79 (4th Cir. 2017) (ALJ defined “a low stress work setting” as “non-production jobs

without any fast-paced work” (internal brackets omitted)); Green v. Berryhill, No. TMD 15-

3467, 2017 WL 1048155, at *8 (D. Md. Mar. 20, 2017) (AL) included limitation to low-stress

work defined as occasional decision-making and no fast-paced production work); Winston v.

Colvin, No. 4:13-CV-221-FL, 2015 WL 450835, at *3 (E.D.N.C. Feb. 3, 2015) (ALJ defined a

low stress work setting as one that was non-production pace or quota based, with no more

than occasional changes in the work setting, and no mote than occasional decision-making);

Nelson v. Colvin, No. 4:11-03367-TER, 2013 WL 4647531, at *3 (D.S.C. Aug. 29, 2013) (ALJ’s

RFC finding included a restriction to a low stress environment, which was defined as no fast-

paced production or rigid quotas).

11

Here, the ALJ reasoned that Plaintiff was limited to low stress work as a result of his

multiple mental impairments, and then included this limitation in Plaintiffs RFC, further

describing such work as including “no paced production, such as on an assembly line where

the worker does not control the pace of production.” (T't. at 24.) The ALJ further defined a

“low-stress setting” as involving “only simple work-related decisions; few or no changes in the

work setting or routine; no dealing with crisis situations as an essential function of the job;

and only superficial contact with the public, where ‘superficial’ is defined to mean the contact

is incidental and not an essential function of the job.” (Tr. at 24.) The AL] specifically

considered the psychiatric consultative examination, and found that

in consideration of [Plaintiffs] reported anxiety and panic attacks, he would

require a low stress setting with no paced production and only simple work-

telated decisions, few or no changes in the work setting or routine, and no

dealing with crisis situations as an essential function of the job.

(Tr. at 30.) The ALJ also considered and found persuasive the findings of the state agency

psychological consultants. Specifically, Dr. Tyrell found that Plaintiff could “interact

appropriately in a low-stress work setting with limited public contact, and adapt to routine

changes in a work setting.” (I't. at 30, 99.) Dr. Strobel-Nuss found that Plaintiff could “adapt

[to] a variety of simple tasks when requited to perform them at a non-rapid pace.” (Tr. at 30,

112.) The AL] adopted these limitations in setting the RFC, and concluded that

the limitations to simple instructions, simple work-related decisions, and low

sttess work account not only for his mental health symptoms, but also for the

effects of chronic pain, including headaches, and side effects of medication.

(Tr. at 31.) Thus, read as a whole, the ALJ’s decision clearly accounted for restrictions telated

to Plaintiffs depression, anxiety, and PTSD by limiting him, in part, to work performed in a

low-stress setting.

12

Plaintiff nevertheless contends that the Fourth Circuit’s more recent decisions in

Thomas v. Berryhill, 916 F.3d 307 (4th Cir. 2019) and Perry v. Berryhill, 765 F. App’x 869 (4th

Cir. 2019), have “held [that] phrases such as ‘production rate or demand pace’ ate not

vocationally relevant.” (PL’s Br. at 17) (citing Thomas, 916 F.3d at 312; Perry, 765 F. App’x

at 872). In Thomas v. Berryhill, the Fourth Circuit found that an RFC limitation prohibiting

work “requiting a production rate or demand pace” did not provide “enough information to

understand what those terms mean.” ‘Thomas, 916 F.3d at 312. Accordingly, the Fourth

Circuit in Thomas held that, “[w]ithout further explanation,” it would not determine “whether

the RFC finding—particularly the portion restricting Thomas to jobs that do not require a

‘production rate’ or ‘demand pace’-—properly account|ed] for Thomas’s moderate limitations

in concenttation, persistence, and pace.” Id. at 312 n.5; see also Perry, 765 F. App’x at 873

(finding that the failure to define the term “non-production oriented work setting” precluded

meaningful review).

However, the RFC in the present case provides the “further explanation” absent in

Thomas, Perty, and their progeny. Specifically, as noted by Defendant, the limitations in the

present case align with another Fourth Circuit decision, Sizemore, 878 F.3d at 80-81, in which

the Fourth Circuit held that substantial evidence supported a limitation to “low stress non-

ptoduction jobs with no public contact.” In Perry, the Fourth Circuit noted that

the AL] in Sizemore provided additional context, explaining that the claimant

could perform work only in a ‘low stress’ setting, without any ‘fast-paced work’

ot ‘public contact,’ to account for moderate limitations in concentration,

persistence and pace. ‘Those descriptors helped to explain the restriction

intended by the ALJ, and allowed us to evaluate whether that restriction

adequately accounted for the claimant’s limitations.

Perty, 765 F. App’x at 872 n.1 (internal citation omitted).

13

Here, as in Sizemore, the ALJ’s RFC finding included sufficient additional context to

explain the restrictions intended by the ALJ. As discussed above, the ALJ in the present case

discussed the limitations based on the specific findings of the consultative psychiatric examiner

and the state agency psychiatric consultants, and then provided far more context than the cases

cited by Plaintiff, limiting Plaintiff to

working in a low-sttess setting, which is specifically defined to mean: no paced

production, such as on an assembly line where the worker does not control the

pace of production; only simple work-related decisions, few or no changes in

the work setting or routine; no dealing with crisis situations as an essential

function of the job; and only superficial contact with the public, where

“superficial” is defined to mean the contact is incidental and not an essential

function of the job.

(Tt. at 24.) This language tracks the explanation that the ALJ provided to the Vocational

Expert at the hearing, in which the AL] posed a hypothetical in which:

The individual is limited to working in a low stress setting which is defined to

mean no paced production such as on an assembly line where the worker does

not conttol the pace of production, only simple work related decisions, few or

no changes in the work setting or routine, no dealing with crisis situations as an

essential function of the job and only superficial [contact] with the [public]

where superficial is defined to mean the contact is incidental and not an essential

function of the job.

(Tr. at 79-80.) In short, the ALJ did not use “paced production,” in isolation to define a “low-

stress setting,” but instead described the necessaty factors for a low-stress setting in great

detail, including limitations relating to the paragraph B criteria identified as mildly ot

moderately limited at step three of the sequential analysis. (See Tr. at 22-24.) In light of these

descriptors, the Court finds that the RFC in this case was both supported by substantial

evidence and readily susceptible to judicial review.

14

IT IS THEREFORE ORDERED that the Commissioner’s decision finding no

disability is AFFIRMED, that Plaintiffs Dispositive Brief [Doc. #9] is DENIED, that

Defendant’s Motion for Judgment on the Pleadings [Doc. #13] is GRANTED, and that this

action is DISMISSED with prejudice.

This, the 21st day of March, 2024.

/s/ Joi Elizabeth Peake

United States Magistrate Judge

15