“An ALJ's failure to cite specific evidence does not indicate that such 22 evidence was not considered[.]”
How later courts described this case
- “An ALJ's failure to cite specific evidence does not indicate that such 22 evidence was not considered[.]”
- “[I]f an ALJ has provided well-supported grounds 20 for rejecting testimony regarding specified limitations, we cannot ignore the ALJ’s 21 reasoning and reverse the agency merely because the ALJ did not expressly discredit 22 each witness who described the same limitations.”
- An ALJ need not provide reasons for rejecting 19 a physician’s opinion where the ALJ incorporated them in the RFC.
- The reviewing court is “not deprived of our 17 faculties for drawing specific legitimate references from the ALJ’s opinion.”
Written by the judges who cited it.
The opinion
1
FILED IN THE
2 U.S. DISTRICT COURT
EASTERN DISTRICT OF WASHINGTON
Aug 10, 2020
3
SEAN F. MCAVOY, CLERK
4
5 UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
EASTERN DISTRICT OF WASHINGTON
6
7 HARRY W.,1 No. 4:19-CV-5202-EFS
8 Plaintiff,
ORDER DENYING PLAINTIFF’S
9 v. SUMMARY-JUDGMENT MOTION
AND GRANTING DEFENDANT’S
10 ANDREW M. SAUL, the Commissioner SUMMARY-JUDGMENT MOTION
of Social Security,
11
Defendant.
12
13
14 Before the Court are the parties’ cross summary-judgment motions.2
15 Plaintiff Harry W. appeals the denial of benefits by the Administrative Law Judge
16 (ALJ). He alleges the ALJ erred by 1) improperly weighing the medical opinions; 2)
17 discounting Plaintiff’s symptom reports; and 3) improperly assessing Plaintiff’s
18 residual functional capacity and therefore erring at step five. In contrast,
19
20
1 To protect the privacy of the social-security Plaintiff, the Court refers to him by
21
first name and last initial or by “Plaintiff.” See LCivR 5.2(c).
22
2 ECF Nos. 10 & 11.
23
1
Defendant Commissioner of Social Security asks the Court to affirm the ALJ’s
2
decision finding Plaintiff not disabled. After reviewing the record and relevant
3
authority, the Court denies Plaintiff’s Motion for Summary Judgment, ECF No. 10,
4
and grants the Commissioner’s Motion for Summary Judgment, ECF No. 11.
5
I. Five-Step Disability Determination
6
A five-step sequential evaluation process is used to determine whether an
7
adult claimant is disabled.3 Step one assesses whether the claimant is currently
8
engaged in substantial gainful activity.4 If the claimant is engaged in substantial
9
gainful activity, benefits are denied.5 If not, the disability-evaluation proceeds to
10
step two.6
11
Step two assesses whether the claimant has a medically severe impairment,
12
or combination of impairments, which significantly limits the claimant’s physical
13
or mental ability to do basic work activities.7 If the claimant does not, benefits are
14
denied. 8 If the claimant does, the disability-evaluation proceeds to step three.9
15
16
3 20 C.F.R. § 404.1520(a).
17
4 Id. § 404.1520(a)(4)(i).
18
5 Id. § 404.1520(b).
19
6 Id.
20
7 20 C.F.R. § 404.1520(a)(4)(ii).
21
8 Id. § 404.1520(c).
22
9 Id.
23
1
Step three compares the claimant’s impairment(s) to several recognized by
2
the Commissioner to be so severe as to preclude substantial gainful activity.10 If an
3
impairment meets or equals one of the listed impairments, the claimant is
4
conclusively presumed to be disabled.11 If an impairment does not, the disability-
5
evaluation proceeds to step four.
6
Step four assesses whether an impairment prevents the claimant from
7
performing work he performed in the past by determining the claimant’s residual
8
functional capacity (RFC).12 If the claimant is able to perform prior work, benefits
9
are denied.13 If the claimant cannot perform prior work, the disability-evaluation
10
proceeds to step five.
11
Step five, the final step, assesses whether the claimant can perform other
12
substantial gainful work—work that exists in significant numbers in the national
13
economy—considering the claimant’s RFC, age, education, and work experience.14
14
If so, benefits are denied. If not, benefits are granted.15
15
16
10 Id. § 404.1520(a)(4)(iii).
17
11 Id. § 404.1520(d).
18
12 Id. § 404.1520(a)(4)(iv).
19
13 Id.
20
14 20 C.F.R. § 404.1520(a)(4)(v); Kail v. Heckler, 722 F.2d 1496, 1497-98 (9th Cir.
21
1984).
22
15 20 C.F.R. §§ 404.1520(g), 416.920(g).
23
1
The claimant has the initial burden of establishing entitlement to disability
2
benefits under steps one through four.16 At step five, the burden shifts to the
3
Commissioner to show that the claimant is not entitled to benefits.17
4
II. Factual and Procedural Summary
5
Plaintiff filed a Title II application, alleging an amended disability onset
6
date of December 22, 2009.18 His claim was denied initially and upon
7
reconsideration.19 An administrative hearing was held before Administrative Law
8
Judge Lori L. Freund.20
9
In denying Plaintiff’s disability claim, the ALJ made the following findings:
10
Plaintiff met the insured status requirements through December 31,
11
2015;
12
Step one: Plaintiff had not engaged in substantial gainful activity
13
since December 22, 2009, the amended alleged onset date, through his
14
date last insured of December 31, 2015;
15
Step two: Plaintiff had the following medically determinable severe
16
impairments: fibromyalgia; rheumatoid arthritis, without synovitis;
17
18
16 Parra v. Astrue, 481 F.3d 742, 746 (9th Cir. 2007).
19
17 Id.
20
18 AR 46.
21
19 AR 88 & 101.
22
20 AR 16-79.
23
1
right shoulder plica syndrome; right knee meniscal tear, status-post
2
arthroscopic surgery; obesity; and degenerative disc disease of the
3
lumbar spine, status-post remote fusion;
4
Step three: Plaintiff did not have an impairment or combination of
5
impairments that met or medically equaled the severity of one of the
6
listed impairments;
7
RFC: Plaintiff had the RFC to perform light work except:
8
[Plaintiff] could stand and walk up to 20 minutes a time for a
total of two hours total in an eight-hour workday. He could
9
sit up to six hours in an eight-hour workday. He would need
to change positioning every 20 to 30 minutes for a brief
10
period. He should never kneel, crouch, crawl, or climb
ladders, ropes, or scaffolds but could occasionally balance,
11
stoop, and climb ramps and stairs. He could bilaterally
handle and finger frequently. He should avoid concentrated
12
exposure to extreme cold and excessive vibration; all
exposure to unprotected heights and hazardous machinery;
13
and even moderate exposure to the operational control of
moving machinery.
14
Step four: Plaintiff was not capable of performing past relevant work;
15
and
16
Step five: considering Plaintiff’s RFC, age, education, and work
17
history, Plaintiff could perform work that existed in significant
18
numbers in the national economy, such as office helper, parking-lot
19
attendant, and cashier II.21
20
21
22
21 AR 112-19.
23
1
When assessing the medical-opinion evidence, the ALJ gave:
2
great weight to the opinions of testifying expert H.C. Alexander, III,
3
M.D., Amanda Friese, PAC, William Kalichman, M.D., and Norman
4
Staley, M.D.; and
5
little weight to the opinions of Chester McLaughlin, M.D., Maria
6
Armstrong-Murphy, M.D., Clarence Fossier, M.D., Thomas Griztka,
7
M.D., and Scot Van Linder, M.D.22
8
The ALJ also found that Plaintiff’s medically determinable impairments
9
could reasonably be expected to cause some of the alleged symptoms, but that his
10
statements concerning the intensity, persistence, and limiting effects of those
11
symptoms were not entirely consistent with the medical evidence and other
12
evidence in the record.23
13
Plaintiff requested review of the ALJ’s decision by the Appeals Council,
14
which accepted review and adopted the ALJ’s decision.24 Plaintiff timely appealed
15
to this Court.
16
17
18
19
20
22 AR 115-16.
21
23 AR 113.
22
24 AR 4-6.
23
1
III. Standard of Review
2
A district court’s review of the Commissioner’s final decision is limited.25 The
3
Commissioner’s decision is set aside “only if it is not supported by substantial
4
evidence or is based on legal error.”26 Substantial evidence is “more than a mere
5
scintilla but less than a preponderance; it is such relevant evidence as a reasonable
6
mind might accept as adequate to support a conclusion.”27 Moreover, because it is
7
the role of the ALJ and not the Court to weigh conflicting evidence, the Court
8
upholds the ALJ’s findings “if they are supported by inferences reasonably drawn
9
from the record.”28 The Court considers the entire record as a whole.29
10
11
12
13
25 42 U.S.C. § 405(g).
14
26 Hill v. Astrue, 698 F.3d 1153, 1158 (9th Cir. 2012).
15
27 Id. at 1159 (quoting Sandgathe v. Chater, 108 F.3d 978, 980 (9th Cir. 1997)).
16
28 Molina v. Astrue, 674 F.3d 1104, 1111 (9th Cir. 2012).
17
29 Lingenfelter v. Astrue, 504 F.3d 1028, 1035 (9th Cir. 2007) (The court “must
18
consider the entire record as whole, weighing both the evidence that supports and
19
the evidence that detracts from the Commissioner's conclusion,” not simply the
20
evidence cited by the ALJ or the parties.); Black v. Apfel, 143 F.3d 383, 386 (8th
21
Cir. 1998) (“An ALJ's failure to cite specific evidence does not indicate that such
22
evidence was not considered[.]”).
23
1
Further, the Court may not reverse an ALJ decision due to a harmless
2
error.30 An error is harmless “where it is inconsequential to the [ALJ’s] ultimate
3
nondisability determination.”31 The party appealing the ALJ’s decision generally
4
bears the burden of establishing harm.32
5
IV. Analysis
6
A. Medical Opinions: Plaintiff fails to establish consequential error.
7
Plaintiff argues the ALJ erred in failing to assign weight to the opinions of
8
Kathleen Foltz, SDM, Wing Chau, M.D., and Owen Higgs, M.D. Plaintiff also
9
challenges the ALJ’s assignment of great weight to Amanda Friese, PAC and
10
William Kalichman, M.D.
11
1. Standard of Review
12
The weighing of medical opinions is dependent upon the nature of the
13
medical relationship, i.e., 1) a treating physician; 2) an examining physician who
14
examines but did not treat the claimant; and 3) a reviewing physician who neither
15
treated nor examined the claimant.33 Generally, more weight is given to the
16
opinion of a treating physician than to an examining physician’s opinion and both
17
18
19
30 Molina, 674 F.3d at 1111.
20
31 Id. at 1115 (quotation and citation omitted).
21
32 Shinseki v. Sanders, 556 U.S. 396, 409-10 (2009).
22
33 Garrison v. Colvin, 759 F.3d 995, 1012 (9th Cir. 2014).
23
1
treating and examining opinions are to be given more weight than the opinion of a
2
reviewing physician.34
3
When a treating physician’s or evaluating physician’s opinion is not
4
contradicted by another physician, it may be rejected only for “clear and
5
convincing” reasons, and when it is contradicted, it may be rejected for “specific
6
and legitimate reasons” supported by substantial evidence.35 A reviewing
7
physician’s opinion may be rejected for specific and legitimate reasons supported by
8
substantial evidence, and the opinion of an “other” medical source36 may be
9
rejected for specific and germane reasons supported by substantial evidence.37 The
10
opinion of a reviewing physician serves as substantial evidence if it is supported by
11
other independent evidence in the record.38
12
13
34 Id.; Lester v. Chater, 81 F.3d 821, 830-31 (9th Cir. 1995).
14
35 Lester, 81 F.3d at 830.
15
36 See 20 C.F.R. § 404.1502 (For claims filed before March 27, 2017, acceptable
16
medical sources are licensed physicians, licensed or certified psychologists, licensed
17
optometrists, licensed podiatrists, qualified speech-language pathologists, licensed
18
audiologists, licensed advanced practice registered nurses, and licensed physician
19
assistants within their scope of practice—all other medical providers are “other”
20
medical sources.).
21
37 Molina, 674 F.3d at 1111; Bruce v. Astrue, 557 F.3d 1113, 1115 (9th Cir. 2009).
22
38 Andrews v. Shalala, 53 F.3d 1035, 1041 (9th Cir. 1995).
23
1
The ALJ must evaluate every medical opinion received according to a list of
2
factors set forth by the Social Security Administration.39 “Where an ALJ does not
3
explicitly reject a medical opinion or set forth specific, legitimate reasons for
4
crediting one medical opinion over another, he errs.”40
5
The harmless error analysis may be applied where even a treating source’s
6
opinion is disregarded without comment.41 An error is harmful unless the
7
reviewing court “can confidently conclude that no ALJ, when fully crediting the
8
[evidence], could have reached a different disability determination.”42 This does not
9
preclude the reviewing court from considering other factors in the harmlessness
10
analysis, including whether the omitted evidence was cumulative of other
11
testimony.43
12
13
14
39 20 C.F.R. § 416.927(c).
15
40 Garrison v. Colvin, 759 F.3d 995, 1012 (9th Cir. 2014) (citing Nguyen v. Chater,
16
100 F.3d 1462, 1464 (9th Cir. 1996)).
17
41 March v. Colvin, 792 F.3d 1170, 1173 (9th Cir. 2015).
18
42 Stout v. Comm’r Soc. Sec. Admin., 454 F.3d 1050, 1056 (9th Cir. 2006).
19
43 Molina, 674 F.3d at 1119, 1121 (“[I]f an ALJ has provided well-supported grounds
20
for rejecting testimony regarding specified limitations, we cannot ignore the ALJ’s
21
reasoning and reverse the agency merely because the ALJ did not expressly discredit
22
each witness who described the same limitations.”).
23
1
As discussed below, the Court finds Plaintiff fails to establish that the ALJ
2
consequentially erred when weighing the medical opinions.
3
2. Kathleen Foltz, SDM
4
Plaintiff argues the ALJ erred in failing to assign weight to Ms. Foltz’s
5
opinion.44 Plaintiff is correct in that the ALJ did not assign a weight to the opinion
6
of Ms. Foltz’, however, any error is harmless.
7
Ms. Foltz opined Plaintiff had an RFC with the following exertional
8
limitations: occasionally lift and/or carry 20 pounds; frequently lift and/or carry 10
9
pounds; stand and/or walk (with normal breaks) for 2 hours; sit (with normal
10
breaks) for 6 hours in an 8-hour workday; push and/or pull (including operation of
11
hand and/or foot controls) unlimited, other than shown; occasionally climb ramps
12
and stairs, balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, and crawl; never climb ladders, ropes, or
13
scaffolds; limited to frequent fingering and handling; avoid concentrated exposure
14
extreme cold and hazards; and unlimited exposure to extreme heat, wetness,
15
humidity, noise, vibration, and fumes.45
16
17
18
19
20
21
44 ECF No. 10 at 11.
22
45 AR 84-86.
23
1
An ALJ may not accord any weight to the opinion of a non-physician SDM,
2
such as Ms. Foltz.46 Furthermore, the ALJ constructed a more restrictive RFC
3
compared to Ms. Foltz’s opined limitations.47
4
Plaintiff’s fails to establish the ALJ erred by failing to assign a weight
5
analysis to Ms. Foltz’s opinion.
6
3. Dr. Wing Chau
7
Plaintiff also argues the ALJ erred in failing to assign weight to Dr. Chau’s
8
opinion.48 Plaintiff is correct in that the ALJ failed to assign a weight to Dr. Chau’s
9
opinion, however, any error is harmless.
10
11
46 Morgan v. Colvin, 531 Fed.Appx. 793, 794-95 (9th Cir. 2013) (unpublished)
12
(citing POMS DI 24510.050 (“SDM-completed forms are not opinion evidence at the
13
appeal levels.”)).
14
47 See Montalbo v. Colvin, 231 F. Supp. 3d 846, 861 (D. Haw. 2017) (ALJ’s rejection
15
of a treating and examining physicians’ opinion when assessing claimant’s
16
application of SSI benefits was not harmless error, where there was a conflict in
17
medical evidence; rejected opinions, if credited, could have suggested more
18
restrictive RFC than the ALJ found; the ALJ failed to set forth specific and
19
legitimate reasons for rejecting opinions; the court could not reasonably discern the
20
path the ALJ followed in weighing evidence; and could not confidently state that no
21
reasonable ALJ would have reached a different conclusion.).
22
48 ECF No. 10 at 11.
23
1
Dr. Chau treated Plaintiff from 2008 to 2009 and from 2011 to 2016.49 In
2
2011, Dr. Chau opined Plaintiff was temporarily unable to work as a Dial A Ride
3
Driver.50 In May 2012, Dr. Chau opined Plaintiff was able to perform modified
4
work from May 2012 to July 2012, with the following restrictions: never climb,
5
twist, bend/stoop, squat/kneel, or crawl; occasionally (1-3 hours) sit, stand/walk,
6
reach, work above shoulders, and vibratory tasks; and frequently (3-6 hours)
7
keyboard, wrist flexion/extension, grasp, fine manipulation, and operate foot
8
controls with left foot.51 In December 2012, Dr. Chau opined Plaintiff could perform
9
the jobs of a medical assistant and phlebotomist.52 In June 2014, after an MRI, Dr.
10
Chau took Plaintiff off of clinical work and opined that Plaintiff might need a
11
vocational counselor to get more of a sedentary job and was capable of office type
12
work.53 In November 2014, Dr. Chau approved Plaintiff to work as a support
13
14
15
49 AR 395-419 & 559-86.
16
50 AR 569-70 (Plaintiff unable to temporarily perform the duties of a Dial A Ride
17
Driver position for 1-2 months.); AR 574 (Plaintiff unable to temporarily perform
18
the physical activities for a Dial A Ride Driver for three months because he failed
19
the PCE.).
20
51 AR 575.
21
52 AR 412 & 579-80.
22
53 AR 404.
23
1
analyst.54 In May 2015, Dr. Chau approved Plaintiff to work in bookkeeper and
2
receptionist’s jobs.55
3
Here, the ALJ reviewed Dr. Chau’s treatment notes and noted that Plaintiff
4
was ambulatory without an assistive device.56 The ALJ also noted that Dr. Chau’s
5
treatment notes showed Plaintiff was in no distress, without pain behavior, and
6
had a slight limp in the right side of his gait.57
7
Plaintiff argues Dr. Chau opined many employment restrictions, including a
8
complete inability to work.58 However, the record reflects Dr. Chau temporarily
9
opined Plaintiff could not work as a driver, and that after work hardening therapy
10
for a phlebotomist was unsuccessful, opined Plaintiff could work in a more
11
sedentary work environment as a receptionist or bookkeeper.59 Plaintiff fails to
12
point to anything in the record that shows a “complete inability to work.”60 In
13
14
54 AR 402.
15
55 AR 400.
16
56 AR 114 (citing AR 395-419).
17
57 AR 114 (citing AR 395).
18
58 ECF No. 10 at 11.
19
59 AR 400.
20
60 Temporary limitations are not sufficient to meet the durational requirement for
21
a finding of disability. See 20 C.F.R. § 416.905(a) (recognizing a claimant must
22
have impairments expected to last for a continuous period of not less than 12
23
1
addition, Dr. Chau’s treatment notes support an RFC equal to or less restrictive
2
than the RFC the ALJ crafted.61
3
Plaintiff’s fails to establish the ALJ consequentially erred by failing to assign
4
a weight analysis to Dr. Chau’s opinion.
5
4. Dr. Oliver Higgs
6
Plaintiff also argues the ALJ erred in failing to assign weight to Dr. Higgs’
7
opinion.62 Plaintiff is correct in that the ALJ failed to assign a weight to the opinion
8
of Dr. Higgs, however, any error is harmless.
9
Dr. Higgs treated Plaintiff from 2009 to 2010.63 In 2009, Dr. Higgs
10
performed an arthroscopy of Plaintiff’s right knee to repair a medial meniscus
11
tear.64 On January 4, 2010, Dr. Higgs opined Plaintiff was able perform modified
12
duties from January 4, 2010 to present, with the following restrictions: never climb
13
14
months; 42 U.S.C. § 423(d)(1)(A); Carmickle, 533 F.3d at 1165 (affirming ALJ’s
15
finding that treating physicians’ short term excuse from work was not indicative of
16
“claimant’s long term functioning.”).
17
61 AR 112 &118 compare with AR 400 & 575; see Turner v. Comm’r Soc. Sec. Admin.,
18
613 F.3d 1217, 1223 (9th Cir. 2010) (An ALJ need not provide reasons for rejecting
19
a physician’s opinion where the ALJ incorporated them in the RFC.).
20
62 ECF No. 10 at 11.
21
63 AR 453-54, 466, & 472.
22
64 AR 453-54.
23
1
ladders, squat, kneel, or crawl; occasionally twist, bend, or stoop; and no restriction
2
when sit, stand, walk, reach, work above shoulders, keyboard, wrist, grasp, fine
3
manipulation, and operate foot controls (left).65 In May 2010, Dr. Higgs opined
4
Plaintiff was temporarily unable to perform work as a Dial A Ride Driver for one
5
month.66 In July 2010, after an MRI showed a tear in the same meniscus, Dr.
6
Higgs performed a second arthroscopy of the right knee, which debrided the medial
7
meniscus and debrided the lateral meniscus. In September 2010, Dr. Higgs noted
8
Plaintiff was doing better after his second knee surgery and that he anticipated
9
releasing Plaintiff to full activities at work in October 2010.67 By November 2010,
10
Plaintiff had gone back to light duty work, and Dr. Higgs noted Plaintiff’s
11
symptoms were out of proportion with what he saw at the time of surgery and that
12
he did not think there was anything else he could do for Plaintiff.68
13
The ALJ erred when she did not discuss Dr. Higgs’ treatment history in her
14
analysis.69 However, any error was harmless. In conducting the harmless error
15
inquiry, “we must consider whether the ALJ’s failure to discuss the [evidence] was
16
17
65 AR 455.
18
66 AR 458.
19
67 AR 470.
20
68 AR 472.
21
69 See Garrison v. Colvin, 759 F.3d 995, 1012 (9th Cir. 2014) (citing Nguyen v. Chater,
22
100 F.3d 1462, 1464 (9th Cir. 1996)).
23
1
inconsequential to the ultimate nondisability determination in the context of the
2
record as a whole.”70 Here, Dr. Higgs opined temporary work restrictions before
3
Plaintiff eventually returned to light duty work.71 In addition, any opined
4
restriction would not negate the ALJ’s ultimate nondisability determination.
5
Consequently, any error in failing to discuss Dr. Higgs’ opinion was harmless.72
6
5. Kirk Holle, P.T.
7
Plaintiff also argues the ALJ erred in failing to provide a weight analysis of
8
the Physical Capacities Evaluation (PCE) conducted by Mr. Holle. Plaintiff is
9
correct in that the ALJ failed to assign a weight to the PCE, however, any error is
10
harmless.
11
On November 21, 2011, Mr. Holle performed a PCE on Plaintiff.73 The PCE
12
demonstrated Plaintiff was able to sit for 30 to 45 minutes at a time, 8-hours in a
13
day; stand for 15 to 30 minutes at a time, 4 hours in an 8-hour day; walk for 5 to 10
14
minutes at a time, 2 to 3 hours in an 8-hour day; lift 20 pounds from floor to waist
15
occasionally, 25 pounds from waist to shoulder, and 15 pounds from shoulder to
16
overhead; carry 10 pounds occasionally for 25 feet; and push with 35 pounds of
17
18
19
70 Molina, 674 F.3d at 1122 (quotation marks omitted).
20
71 See 20 C.F.R. § 416.905(a); 42 U.S.C. § 423(d)(1)(A); Carmickle, 533 F.3d at 1165.
21
72 See Molina, 674 F.3d at 1122.
22
73 AR 506-14.
23
1
force and pull with 20 pounds of force occasionally.74 Based on the results of the
2
examination, Mr. Holle opined Plaintiff was able to work 8 hours per day in a job
3
that requires sedentary to light physical demand.75
4
Testifying medical expert H.C. Alexander, II, M.D. gave the PCE little
5
weight because it is not considered a reliable source, and in his experience as a
6
rheumatologist, PCEs are very subjective.76 After reviewing the longitudinal
7
record, including the PCE, Dr. Alexander opined Plaintiff could stand up to 4 hours
8
total in an 8-hour workday, up to 20 minutes at a time; walk up to two hours total
9
in an 8-hour work day, up to 20 minutes at a time; and occasionally bend, stoop,
10
and climb ramps and stairs, but never crouch crawl, knee, or climb ladders, ropes
11
or scaffolds.77 The ALJ gave Dr. Alexander’s opinion great weight – Plaintiff does
12
not challenge this.78
13
Plaintiff fails to show how these limitations are more restrictive than the
14
limitations in the RFC.79
15
16
17
74 AR 513.
18
75 Id.
19
76 AR 39.
20
77 AR 31-34.
21
78 AR 116.
22
79 See Turner, 613 F.3d at 1223.
23
1
6. Amanda Friese, PA-C and William Kalichman, M.D.
2
Plaintiff argues the ALJ erred in assigning any weight to Ms. Friese’s and Dr.
3
Kalichman’s opinions.80
4
On November 30, 2015, Ms. Friese opined Plaintiff could return to work
5
immediately with no restrictions.81 Ms. Friese noted Plaintiff had both asthma and
6
rheumatoid arthritis, and took Humera, which treats Plaintiff’s RA by decreasing
7
the response of his immune system. Ms. Friese also noted that Plaintiff taking
8
Humera “caus[ed] him to be more susceptible to infection and also contributes to
9
poor healing from infections.”82
10
On September 23, 2016, Dr. Kalichman, who treated Plaintiff for bronchitis,
11
opined Plaintiff should remain out of school/work until September 28, 2016.83
12
The ALJ gave great weight to Ms. Friese’s and Dr. Kalichman’s opinions
13
because they were familiar with Plaintiff’s limitations as his treating provider and
14
their opinions were consistent with the objective medical evidence.84 Plaintiff
15
contends that Ms. Friese’s and Dr. Kalichman’s opinions “seem[] irrelevant” to the
16
claim, thus do not warrant a weight analysis. However, beyond objecting that a
17
18
80 ECF No. 10 at 12.
19
81 AR 539.
20
82 Id.
21
83 AR 540.
22
84 AR 116.
23
1
weight was assigned to Ms. Friese’s and Dr. Kalichman’s opinions, Plaintiff has not
2
argued that the opinions were in error. The ALJ’s decision “will only be disturbed if
3
it is not supported by “substantial evidence or it is based on legal error.”85 And
4
“[w]here evidence is susceptible to more than one rational interpretation, it is the
5
ALJ’s conclusion that must be upheld.”86 Plaintiff failed to identify a legal error
6
with respect to the ALJ’s weighing of Ms. Friese’s and Dr. Kalichman’s opinions.
7
B. Plaintiff’s Symptom Reports: Plaintiff fails to establish error.
8
Plaintiff argues the ALJ failed to provide valid reasons for rejecting his
9
symptom reports. When examining a claimant’s symptom reports, the ALJ must
10
make a two-step inquiry. “First, the ALJ must determine whether there is objective
11
medical evidence of an underlying impairment which could reasonably be expected
12
to produce the pain or other symptoms alleged.”87 Second, “[i]f the claimant meets
13
the first test and there is no evidence of malingering, the ALJ can only reject the
14
claimant’s testimony about the severity of the symptoms if [the ALJ] gives ‘specific,
15
clear and convincing reasons’ for the rejection.”88 Here, the ALJ found Plaintiff’s
16
17
85 Magallanes v. Bowen, 881 F.2d 747, 750 (9th Cir. 1989) (internal quotation marks
18
omitted).
19
86 Burch v. Barnhard, 400 F.3d 676, 679 (9th Cir. 2005).
20
87 Molina, 674 F.3d at 1112.
21
88 Ghanim v. Colvin, 763 F.3d 1154, 1163 (9th Cir. 2014) (quoting Lingenfelter, 504
22
F.3d at 1036).
23
1
statements concerning the intensity, persistence, and limiting effects of his
2
symptoms inconsistent with the objective medical evidence and other evidence in
3
the record.89
4
Plaintiff argues the ALJ did not provide specific reasons to discount
5
Plaintiff’s reported symptoms. However, the ALJ is not required to recite “magic
6
words” to indicate why she discounted Plaintiff’s reported symptoms.90 When
7
evidence reasonably supports confirming the ALJ’s decision, the reviewing court
8
may not substitute its own judgment for that of the ALJ.91 As to the ALJ’s finding
9
that Plaintiff’s symptom reports were inconsistent with the objective medical
10
evidence, symptom reports cannot be solely discounted on the grounds that they
11
were not fully corroborated by the objective medical evidence.92 However, objective
12
medical evidence is a relevant factor in considering the severity of the reported
13
symptoms. 93 Here, the ALJ summarized the medical evidence, highlighting that
14
15
89 AR 113.
16
90 See Magallanes, 881 F.2d at 755 (The reviewing court is “not deprived of our
17
faculties for drawing specific legitimate references from the ALJ’s opinion.”).
18
91 Tackett v. Apfel, 180 F.3d 1094, 1098 (9th Cir. 1999).
19
92 See Rollins v. Massanari, 261 F.3d 853, 857 (9th Cir. 2001).
20
93 Id. “Objective medical evidence” means signs, laboratory findings, or both. 20
21
C.F.R. § 416.902(k). In turn, “signs” is defined as:
22
one or more anatomical, physiological, or psychological abnormalities
23 that can be observed, apart from [the claimant’s] statements
1
the examinations and imaging showed Plaintiff was ambulatory without assistive
2
devices, mild reduced flexion of his wrist but no synovitis, limited motion in his
3
right knee but a smooth gait and intact sensations, no evidence of nerve root
4
compression, and normal range of motion of his back with diffused tenderness.94
5
This was a relevant factor for the ALJ to consider.
6
The ALJ also accounted for the medical opinion evidence when weighing
7
Plaintiff’s symptom reports. The ALJ discussed the opinions of agency reviewing
8
expert Dr. Staley and testifying expert Dr. Alexander, gave great weight to their
9
opinions – opinions Plaintiff did not contest – and adopted most of their findings
10
because they were consistent with the record as a whole.95 Regarding Plaintiff’s
11
allegations of physical limitations, Dr. Staley opined Plaintiff was capable of light
12
exertional work, could stand or walk up to 2 hours in an 8-hour day; sit up to 6
13
14
15 (symptoms). Signs must be shown by medically clinical diagnostic
techniques.
16
Id. § 416.902(l). Evidence obtained from the “application of a medically acceptable
17
clinical diagnostic technique, such as evidence of reduced joint motion, muscle
18
spasm, sensory deficits, or motor disruption” is considered objective medical
19
evidence. 3 Soc. Sec. Law & Prac. § 36:26, Consideration of objective medical
20
evidence (2019).
21
94 AR 364-65, 368, 370, 395, 545-46, & 555.
22
95 AR 116.
23
1
hours in an 8-hour workday; occasionally balance stoop, kneel, crouch, crawl, and
2
climb ramps and stairs; never climb ladders, ropes, or scaffolds; frequent handling
3
and fingering; occasionally lift and/or carry 20 pounds; and frequently lift and/or
4
carry 10 pounds.96 As previously explained, Dr. Alexander opined similar
5
limitations.97 In short, the medical opinions did not support Plaintiff’s subjective
6
claim that he cannot engage in work within the limitations of his RFC
7
assessment.98
8
The ALJ’s decision to discount Plaintiff’s reported symptoms is upheld on
9
this record.
10
C. Step Five: Plaintiff fails to establish error.
11
Plaintiff argues that the ALJ’s hypothetical failed to consider the limitations
12
set forth by his providers and Plaintiff’s symptom testimony. However, this
13
argument merely restates Plaintiff’s earlier allegations of error, which are not
14
15
16
17
18
96 AR 97-98.
19
97 AR 31-34.
20
98 Roberts v. Colvin, No. 2:12-CV-01456-JO, 2013 WL 5819092, at *4 (D. Or. Oct.
21
29, 2013) (upholding the ALJ assessing the medical opinion evidence of agency
22
reviewing experts when discounting the plaintiff’s reported symptoms).
23
1
supported by the record.99 Accordingly, the ALJ’s hypothetical properly accounted
2
for the limitations supported by the record.100
3
V. Conclusion
4
Accordingly, IT IS HEREBY ORDERED:
5
1. Plaintiff’s Motion for Summary Judgment, ECF No. 10, is DENIED.
6
2. The Commissioner’s Motion for Summary Judgment, ECF No. 11, is
7
GRANTED.
8
3. The Clerk’s Office shall enter JUDGMENT in favor of Defendant.
9
4. The case shall be CLOSED.
10
IT IS SO ORDERED. The Clerk’s Office is directed to file this Order and
11
provide copies to all counsel.
12
DATED this 10th day of August 2020.
13
s/Edward F. Shea
14
EDWARD F. SHEA
Senior United States District Judge
15
16
17
99 Plaintiff also argues Dr. Alexander had incomplete evidence when he provided
18
an RFC, thus his RFC was incomplete. However, Plaintiff does not challenge the
19
great weight given to Dr. Alexander’s opinion, thus, any challenges are waived. See
20
Carmickle v. Comm’r Soc. Sec. Admin., 533 F.3d 1155, 1161 n.2 (9th Cir. 2008).
21
100 See Magallanes, 881 F.2d at 756–57 (holding it is proper for the ALJ to limit a
22
hypothetical to those restrictions supported by substantial evidence in the record).
23