Gilewski v. Provident Life & Accident Insurance Co.

NOT RECOMMENDED FOR FULL-TEXT PUBLICATION

File Name: 17a0174n.06

Case No. 16-2028

FILED

UNITED STATES COURT OF APPEALS Mar 22, 2017

FOR THE SIXTH CIRCUIT DEBORAH S. HUNT, Clerk

LES A. GILEWSKI, )

)

Plaintiff-Appellant, )

) ON APPEAL FROM THE UNITED

v. ) STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR

) THE WESTERN DISTRICT OF

PROVIDENT LIFE AND ACCIDENT ) MICHIGAN

INSURANCE COMPANY, )

)

Defendant-Appellee. )

)

____________________________________/

Before: MERRITT, COOK, and McKEAGUE, Circuit Judges.

MERRITT, Circuit Judge. Plaintiff Les Gilewski brought a declaratory judgment

action against defendant Provident Life and Accident Insurance Company pursuant to the

Employee Retirement Income Security Act, 29 U.S.C. § 1132(a)(1)(B), alleging wrongful

termination of long-term disability benefits and seeking reinstatement of those benefits.

Gilewski suffered from depression and, at the age of 41, applied for benefits under two long-term

disability policies he held with Provident. Provident paid benefits under one policy for the two-

year duration of its term and those benefits are not at issue in this appeal. Provident also paid

benefits under the second policy, but, after four years, it terminated the benefits after it

determined that Gilewski was “able to perform the duties of his occupation” and was no longer

Case No. 16-2028, Gilewski v. Provident Life and Accident Ins. Co.

disabled under the terms of the policy. After exhausting Provident’s administrative appeals,

Gilewski brought this action against Provident. The district court granted judgment on the

administrative record to Provident. For the following reasons, we affirm.

I. FACTS AND HISTORY

Gilewski, born in 1968, was the owner and president of Radiance Mold and Engineering,

Inc., an auto supplier in Michigan, for 20 years. At one time the business employed as many as

100 people. In 2001, Gilweski’s son was born with cerebral palsy, putting a strain on his family

and work life. Gilewski also started experiencing marital difficulties that year. By the mid-

2000s, Gilewski was losing customers and sales personnel due to his personal struggles.

Gilewski’s business experienced further downturn during the recession that began in 2008, and

the business was put into bankruptcy and liquidated in the spring of 2009. Gilewski began

experiencing depression, culminating in his hospitalization for one week in June 2009 when he

became suicidal. Gilewski left the hospital under the care of Dr. Dan Guyer, who prescribed

medications for Gilewski. Gilewski was also under the care of a psychologist, Dr. Fred Roberts,

with whom he had weekly therapy sessions. Gilewski’s doctors determined he could not work,

and he filed for long-term disability pursuant to two disability insurance policies he had

previously purchased from Provident, citing his medical condition as anxiety and depression.

When he applied for benefits, Gilewski included a statement from his treating psychiatrist,

Dr. Guyer, which stated that Gilewski suffered from major depression and was unable to work.

Dr. Guyer further noted that he expected to see improvement in six to twelve months. Provident

began paying benefits effective June 2009 and continued until July 2013 when Provident

determined that Gilewski was able to return to his previous occupation.

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The first policy, which provided 24 months of disability benefits, is not at issue in this

case. The second policy requires Provident to pay monthly benefits to a participant who satisfies

various conditions, including being disabled within the meaning of the term as defined by the

policy. The policy states:

Disability, or disabled, means that, due solely to Injuries or Sickness:

1. you have a Loss of Time or Duties in your occupation; and

2. you have a Loss of Earnings of at least 20%.

...

Loss of Time or Duties means that:

1. you are not able to perform one or more of the substantial and material duties

of your occupation; or

2. you are not able to perform the substantial and material duties of your

occupation for as much time as you regularly performed them before you became

disabled.

...

Your occupation means the occupation . . . in which you are regularly engaged at

the time you become disabled.

Policy at 5-7 (emphasis omitted).

2009-2011

Provident paid Gilewski all available benefits under the first policy. Provident initially

denied Gilewski’s claim under the second policy because it determined that Gilewski had

negative earnings during the years preceding his disability onset date and therefore had not

sustained a 20-percent earnings loss as required under the policy. Provident later reconsidered

that determination, however, and paid all past due benefits. That dispute was resolved and is not

at issue in this appeal.

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Provident received periodic updates from Gilewski’s treating health-care professionals.

On January 5, 2010, Gilewski’s treating psychologist, Dr. Roberts, submitted documentation to

Provident noting that Gilewski’s depression had been severe in June 2009, but had improved to

moderate by October 2009. Dr. Roberts estimated that it was likely Gilewski would be ready to

work at least part-time by June 2010. In June 2011, Dr. Roberts submitted another report stating

that Gilewski was less depressed and feeling more hopeful about the future, but noting that it

would continue to be too stressful for Gilewski to run a large company.

2011-2013

In November 2010, Gilewski underwent a forensic psychiatric examination as part of his

bankruptcy proceeding. He was examined by Dr. Gerald Shiener, a board certified psychiatrist.

Dr. Shiener diagnosed Gilewski with “Major depression, recurrent and chronic,” and concluded

that Gilewski’s “current condition is incompatible with any sort of competitive employment.”

Because Dr. Shiener was not one of Gilewski’s regular treating physicians at this time, his initial

report was not sent to Provident at the time it was created. Gilewski, however, began to see Dr.

Shiener monthly after November 2010. Dr. Shiener began providing regular attending physician

statements to Provident in June 2011. However, the statements were simply photocopies of

previous statements with only the date changed, noting Gilewski’s diagnosis of “major

depression,” stating that he cannot work and that it “cannot [be] determined” when he will be

able to return to work. Gilewski stopped seeing Dr. Roberts in May 2011 and it appears that Dr.

Shiener became Gilewski’s sole treating physician for his depressive disorder. Dr. Robert’s last

treatment note, dated May 12, 2011, indicated that Gilewski was noticing “more energy” and

“was better able to think clearly” after a change in his medications.

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In early 2012, Provident began requesting further documentation from Dr. Shiener about

Gilewski’s current condition and prognosis. Dr. Shiener had been Gilewski’s treating physician

for a year, and he had provided Provident only with photocopies of the same attending physician

statement with the date changed each month. Provident sent a letter to Dr. Shiener on June 21,

2012, stating that it had sent him four previous requests for “additional information.” On June

18, 2012, Dr. Shiener responded with a letter stating that it was his policy not to release the

requested records because disclosure of sensitive personal information limits a patient’s ability to

participate in treatment. Dr. Shiener enclosed a copy of the narrative report he had sent to

Gilewski’s attorney on November 11, 2010, when he first examined Gilewski, and he said that

Gilewski’s condition “although stable is unimproved” and stated that Gilewski had “made an

attempt to withdraw from antidepressant medication which led to a significant setback and

reemergence of his depressive symptomatology.”

On December 6, 2012, Provident sent a letter to Dr. Shiener requesting that, in light of his

policy regarding the release of medical records, he provide the following: (1) a list of the dates

he treated Gilewski; (2) Gilewksi’s Global Assessment of Functioning score (referred to as the

“GAF” score in the record)1 every six months; and (3) a written summary of Gilewski’s current

condition, restrictions, and treatment plan, including medications. On February 20, 2013, Dr.

Shiener responded with a letter stating that he had seen Gilewski monthly since November 2010,

1

“Global Assessment of Functioning” is a simple ratings scale from the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental

Disorders for evaluating how well a person is able to function and go about their life. The scale range is from 0 to

100, where higher scores indicate greater levels of functioning. Optimal mental health and coping capabilities are

represented by scores in the 91–100 range. Persons with mild psychological problems fall in the 71–90 range.

Severe problems fall in the 21 – 30 range and 1–10 is reserved for persistently suicidal persons or persons incapable

of meeting even minimal personal hygiene standards. The GAF score is made as a standard part of all

psychiatric/psychological diagnoses. A score between 51 and 60 means moderate symptoms of mental illness are

present, or that a person’s functioning in school, work, or social situations is moderately impaired. The Diagnostic

and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders provides some examples of moderate mental illness: Flat affect and

circumstantial speech and occasional panic attacks. Examples of moderate functional impairments are few friends,

and conflicts with peers or co-workers. The GAF is just one tool used by clinicians to develop the clinical picture. It

cannot be used in isolation from the rest of the evidence to make a disability decision.

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Case No. 16-2028, Gilewski v. Provident Life and Accident Ins. Co.

and he enclosed a services-rendered accounting ledger listing the dates of Gilewski’s visits but

no medical information. The letter further stated that Gilewksi’s Global Assessment of

Functioning score was 40 when the treatment relationship began and increased to 59 in late 2011,

that it fell to 40 thereafter, and that it had stabilized at around 50 after an adjustment in

Gilewski’s medications. Finally, Dr. Shiener listed Gilewski’s medications and described his

treatment plan.

After reviewing Dr. Shiener’s letter, Dr. John Szlyk, an in-house psychiatrist at

Provident, spoke with Dr. Shiener about Gilewski’s condition and treatment. After speaking

with Dr. Shiener, Dr. Szlyk made a file notation observing that after four years of treatment,

Gilewski still fluctuated in activity levels and symptoms. He noted that the duration of

Gilewski’s recovery had gone from a 6-12 month window in late 2009 and early 2010 to

“uncertain” under Dr. Shiener’s care. Based on this, Dr. Szlyk recommended that Provident

obtain an independent medical examination “to clarify the insured’s diagnostic formulation, to

assess his recent functional status and current Behavioral Health-based R/L’s, to provide

recommendations for appropriate treatment, and to offer a timeframe for functional recovery

with such care.” Dr. Szlyk opined that after four years of treatment with only marginal gains

reported that more “aggressive/intense” treatment was needed. Provident selected Dr. Calmeze

Dudley, a board certified psychiatrist, to conduct the exam of Gilewski.

On June 19, 2013, Dr. Dudley examined Gilewski. Dr. Dudley diagnosed Gilewski with

“Major Depressive Disorder, Unipolar, stabilized,” and assigned him a Global Assessment of

functioning score of 80. Dr. Dudley’s independent psychiatric evaluation consisted of a history,

mental status examination and record review. Dr. Dudley reported general improvement in sleep

(8-9 hours per night) and increased energy despite some ongoing affective symptoms with

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Case No. 16-2028, Gilewski v. Provident Life and Accident Ins. Co.

Gilewski reporting “good days and bad days.” Dr. Dudley noted that Gilewski had recently

restarted a regular exercise program consisting of gym workouts three to four times per week and

weekly tennis with his attorney. Gilewski also reported to Dr. Dudley that he was able to spend

time with close friends, enjoyed watching television and hunting, which he had done the

previous winter, fishing, and taking family vacations to his parents’ homes in Northern Michigan

and Florida. Gilewski reported that he and his wife shared the home chores and the care of their

severely disabled 11-year-old son. Gilewski stated that his mood would have to be more stable

before trying to return to work and that he had anticipatory anxiety at the prospect. Dr. Dudley

noted that Gilewski “continues to be maintained on antidepressant medication and by all

accounts is doing relatively well.” Dr. Dudley concluded that Gilewski did not require a

psychiatric disability status and that he was able to return to work without restrictions. Based on

Dr. Dudley’s report, Provident’s Dr. Szlyk concluded that Gilewski did not have restrictions or

limitations that prevented him from returning to work. Dr. Szylk entered the following review of

Dr. Dudley’s examination into the administrative record on July 2, 2013:

Medical Issue: Insured is a 44 year old Auto-Related Molding Shop Owner with a

history of Major Depressive Disorder who claimed disability as of 6-2-2009. The

insured has been engaged in Behavioral Health treatment over nearly 4 years with

no report of his return to his former occupational duties. Questions have arisen

regarding the insured’s diagnostic formulation, the current level of support for

Behavioral Health-based R/L’s, his engagement in appropriate Behavioral Health

treatment, and his prognosis for functional recovery with continued care. It has

appeared Dr. Shiener has viewed the insured as more ill than other providers

have,—and yet has provided less intensive Behavioral Health treatment as the

insured has seemingly done less well. Given the limited information provided by

Dr. Shiener as he had taken over the care of the insured in 2011, it has been

difficult to reconcile his reports of the insured’s doing poorly with a poor

prognosis with other clinical information indicating the insured’s clinical

progress, increased activity level, and thoughts of developing a small business.

On July 12, 2013, Provident notified Gilewski that it would terminate his benefits based

on its determination that he was able to perform the duties of his occupation. The termination

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letter stated that Dr. Dudley noted a diagnosis of major depressive disorder that has been

stabilized. The termination letter also noted that Dr. Dudley concluded that Gilewski was doing

“relatively well” and should continue on antidepressants, and that he was probably at or near

maximum medical recovery. Benefits Termination Letter at 2, dated July 12, 2013. The letter

went on to explain that the medical information indicated that Gilewski is able to perform the

duties of his occupation and benefits would cease.

On September 4, 2013, Dr. Shiener sent Provident a letter responding to Dr. Dudley’s

report. Dr. Shiener stated that he believed Dr. Dudley’s assessment was incorrect, and that

Gilewski was limited in his ability to take pleasure in activities and that his mood was markedly

depressed. Dr. Shiener also noted that Dr. Dudley had limited experience in treating depressed

patients. In an October 8, 2013, letter to Provident, Dr. Dudley responded to Dr. Shiener’s

criticisms. Dr. Dudley stated that Dr. Shiener’s opinions were inconsistent with those rendered

by Gilewski’s previous medical providers, and that, if the diagnosis provided by Dr. Shiener was

accurate, Gilewski would require “a more intensified treatment intervention.” Finally, Dr.

Dudley defended his qualifications to render an opinion, pointing out that he had 27 years of

experience treating depressed patients. Thereafter, Provident informed Gilewski that it would

not change its benefits decision in light of the additional information provided by Dr. Shiener

and informed Gilewski of his right to appeal.

Administrative Appeal

On January 3, 2014, Gilewski appealed the termination of his benefits to Provident.

Gilewski provided additional materials, including affidavits from family members describing his

condition and activities, an affidavit from an executive in the automobile mold industry detailing

the demands of that position, and a report from a vocational expert. Dr. Peter Brown, an

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independent board certified psychiatrist hired by Provident, reviewed Gilewski’s file for the

appeal but did not conduct an independent medical examination. Dr. Brown concluded that

Gilewski’s medical information did not support any restrictions or limitations. Dr. Brown noted

that, although it was difficult to assess Dr. Shiener’s conclusions without medical records,

Gilewski’s course of treatment was not consistent with a severe and pervasive psychiatric

impairment. Dr. Brown also found that the Dr. Dudley’s independent examination was

“comprehensive, thoughtful and consistent with professional standards.”

On January 30, 2014, Provident notified Gilewski that it had affirmed its denial of

benefits. The letter provided Provident’s reasoning for denying the appeal:

The [independent] examiner [Dr. Dudley] did not find evidence of occupationally

precluding restrictions or limitations. He concluded that the current level of

treatment is appropriate and consistent with a stable condition. He recommended

ongoing treatment.

The attending psychiatrist [Dr. Shiener] has consistently asserted Mr. Gilewski

continues to have severe and pervasive psychiatric impairment. The lack of actual

treatment records does limit capacity to value this assertion. However, the course

of treatment with reportedly monthly psychotherapy and a relatively modest and

predominantly stable regimen through mid-2013 is not consistent with the

presence of severe and pervasive psychiatric impairment.

Appeal Denial Letter at 2-3, dated January 30, 2014. The letter stated that Gilewski’s treatment

records would be helpful in evaluating Dr. Shiener’s conclusions, and that if those records were

not available, Provident would review a summary that included changes in treatment and dates of

medical services during 2013. Gilewski did not provide the suggested documents.

Following the denial of his appeal, Gilewski filed this action in district court seeking

review of Provident’s decision pursuant to the Employee Retirement Income Security Act, 29

U.S.C. § 1132(a)(1)(B). Gilewski alleged that Provident wrongly terminated his long-term

benefits because the substantial weight of the evidence in the administrative record demonstrates

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that he has an ongoing disability and is unable to work under the terms of the policy. After a de

novo review of the record, the district court found that Gilewski was not disabled as defined by

the policy and affirmed Provident’s decision to terminate benefits. Gilewski v. Provident Life

and Accident Ins. Co., No. 1:15-CV-238, 2016 WL 3355555 (W.D. Mich. June 17, 2016). This

appeal followed.

II. ANALYSIS

The sole issue on appeal is whether the district court erred in holding that Provident’s

decision to terminate Gilewski’s long-term disability benefits was supported by substantial

evidence in the administrative record. Gilewski’s primary complaint is that the Provident did not

give enough weight to the opinion of his treating physician, Dr. Shiener, and relied instead on the

opinions of nontreating psychiatrists, only one of whom had actually examined Gilewski.

Gilewski also contends on appeal that the district court erred in not requiring Provident to

consider the evidence submitted by Gilewski regarding a vocational expert who opined about the

demands of Gilewski’s occupation, and he also maintains that the administrative process was

marred by a conflict of interest because Provident is both the decisionmaker and the payor of

benefits.

Standard of Review

Provident does not dispute that the plan administrator’s decision in this case is not

entitled to deference. “In cases in which a plan administrator is given no discretionary authority

by the plan, review of the plan administrator’s decision by the district court—as well as the court

of appeals—is de novo, with respect to both the plan administrator’s interpretation of the plan

and the plan administrator’s factual findings.” Wilkins v. Baptist Healthcare Sys., Inc., 150 F.3d

609, 616 (6th Cir. 1998). We therefore review the district court’s judgment on Gilewski’s claim

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de novo, applying the same standard of review to the plan administrator’s action as the district

court, taking a “fresh look” at the administrative record, and according no deference or

presumption of correctness to the decisions of either the district court or plan administrator. Id.

Medical Evidence

To succeed in his claim for disability benefits under ERISA, Gilewski must prove by a

preponderance of the evidence that he was “disabled,” as that term is defined in the policy. See

Tracy v. Pharmacia & Upjohn Absence Payment Plan, 195 F. App’x 511, 516 n.4 (6th Cir.

2006) (plaintiff bears the burden of proof in an ERISA benefits case). The policy defines

“disability” in part to mean that the insured has experienced a “Loss of Time or duties in your

occupation.” The definition of “Loss of Time or Duties in your occupation” requires that “you

are not able to perform one or more of the substantial and material duties of your occupation,” or

that “you are not able to perform the substantial and material duties of your occupation for as

much time as you regularly performed them before you became disabled.” Policy at 5, 7. The

administrative record demonstrates that every health-care professional agrees that Gilewski

suffers from Major Depressive Disorder. The question is whether that condition had stabilized

sufficiently as of July 12, 2013, to allow Gilewski to return to his past profession running an

automotive supply company. After a careful and comprehensive review of the full

administrative record, we find that Gilewski has not established that he is unable to work in a

position equivalent to when he was the owner of Radiance Mold and Engineering.

In reaching this conclusion, we look at the medical evidence. “Generally speaking, an

administrator may not summarily reject the opinions of a treating physician, but must instead

give reasons for adopting an alternative opinion.” Elliott v. Metro. Life Ins. Co., 473 F.3d 613,

620 (6th Cir. 2006). Administrators, however, are not obligated to accord special deference to

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the opinions of treating physicians. Black & Decker Disability Plan v. Nord, 538 U.S. 822, 834

(2003). To that extent, a lack of objective medical evidence upon which to base a treating

physician’s opinion has been held sufficient reason for an administrator’s choice not to credit

that opinion. See, e.g., Boone v. Liberty Life Assur. Co. of Boston, 161 F. App’x 469, 473 (6th

Cir. 2005) (administrator’s decision not to credit treating physicians’ assessments not arbitrary

because the assessments were not supported by objective evidence, as required by the plan

document). Provident is not entitled to simply ignore the opinions provided by Gilewski’s

treating psychiatrist, but it can resolve conflicts between that opinion and the opinions of its own

file reviewers or independent examiners if it provides reasons—including a lack of objective

evidence from the treating physician—for adopting the alternative opinions that are consistent

with its responsibility to provide a full and fair review of the claim. See Curry v. Eaton Corp.,

400 F. App’x 51, 55 (6th Cir. 2010); Calvert v. Firstar Finance, Inc., 409 F.3d 286, 296 (6th Cir.

2005) (There is “nothing inherently objectionable about a file review by a qualified physician in

the context of a benefits determination.”)

We recognize that depression can be difficult to measure through “objective” tests, but

that difficulty does not render us unable to evaluate the medical evidence. The record provides

numerous evaluations made by mental-health professionals over a four-year period. There are

self-reporting records from the patient collected during examinations, home visits, and in the

form of activity logs completed by Gilewski. The medical evidence in the administrative record

indicates that depression made it difficult for Gilewski to concentrate, handle stress, remember

things, interact with employees and customers or to make decisions. We acknowledge that all

the mental health professionals who have evaluated Gilewski since the onset of his illness, both

treating and nontreating, have diagnosed major depression. But the records also show that with

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therapy and medication, Gilewski has shown consistent improvement in his activity level in the

four-year period since he became ill, including participating in regular exercise, taking vacations,

“tinkering” in his barn, hunting and fishing, handling chores around the house, including child

care, taking care of his own hygiene, and interacting with family and friends appropriately.

Gilewski repeatedly maintains in his briefs on appeal that Dr. Shiener’s opinion was “not

credited.” Dr. Shiener’s attending physician statements provided to Provident, however, did not

contain any analysis or content to help enlighten or explain in any detail why Dr. Shiener

believed Gilewski could not work or what treatment he was providing to move Gilewski toward

better mental health. Dr. Shiener submitted photocopies of the exact same statements with only

the date changed for over a year: they said simply said that Gilewski was depressed, unable to

work and his prognosis was uncertain. Dr. Shiener stopped submitting photocopies of prior

statements in the spring of 2013 after Provident asked for an independent examination, but even

his later statements provided minimal information. For example, Dr. Shiener changed

Gilewski’s prognosis from “good” to “guarded” in April 2013 without further explanation. With

such abbreviated analyses from Dr. Shiener, we cannot say on review of the administrative

record that it was improper of Provident to fail to give controlling weight to Dr. Shiener’s

opinion.

In addition to a dearth of information from Dr. Shiener, the attending physician

statements and reports he did provide were incompatible with Gilewski’s self-reported activity

level and abilities in 2012 and 2013, as well as with the other medical opinions, including the

opinion of Dr. Dudley, who performed an independent medical examination on Gilewski in June

2013, and the file reviews of Dr. Szylk, Provident’s in-house psychiatrist, and Dr. Brown, the

independent reviewer for the administrative appeal. The nontreating physicians all agreed with

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Dr. Shiener’s diagnosis of major depressive disorder, but the nontreating physicians believed the

condition to be “stabilized” and well-treated with Gilewski’s current medications. Dr. Dudley

noted that if after four years of treatment Gilewski’s condition and prognosis were as poor as Dr.

Shiener believed, Gilewski should be receiving more intensive treatment through changed

medications, intensive psychotherapy, or even in-patient treatment at a psychiatric facility. Even

after Dr. Dudley sent his report to Dr. Shiener, Dr. Shiener gave no indication that he thought a

change in treatment was needed at that time.

Dr. Shiener’s opinion is also at odds with the earlier opinions of Dr. Guyer and Dr.

Roberts who treated Gilewski in 2009 through 2011. Both treating doctors indicated in their

treatment notes that Gilewski was improving by 2010, and Dr. Roberts noted in 2011 that

Gilewski should be able to return to work within six months. Gilewski himself told Dr. Roberts

in 2010 that he was feeling better and was thinking about what he might do as far as future work.

We recognize that these reports are not as current as Dr. Shiener’s, but without medical records

or further explanation from Gilewski, we are left to review an administrative record that shows

progress for two years under two doctors followed by apparent setbacks in 2012 and 2013

according to Dr. Shiener’s reports. Dr. Shiener notes the tragic death of one of Gilewski’s good

friends in 2011 and Gilewski’s decision to cut back on his medications as reasons for the

setback. What the record does not show is why Dr. Shiener did not respond to these setbacks

more vigorously if he believed them to so severely compromise Gilewski’s progress up to that

time.

Ability to Return to Previous Position

We also looked to the nature of Gilewski’s previous position. See Elliott, 473 F.3d at

618 (a decision on a disability benefits claim requires “an application of the relevant evidence to

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the occupational standard” because “medical data, without reasoning, cannot produce a logical

judgment about a claimant’s work ability”). Both parties agree that Gilewski’s job as the owner

and president of an auto supply company was demanding, stressful and required long hours. Dr.

Dudley, the independent psychiatrist who examined Gilewski, was instructed to consider

whether Gilewski was disabled from performing the material and substantial duties of his

previous occupation as the owner and president of an automotive supply company. Dr. Dudley

concluded that Gilewski’s Global Assessment of Functioning score of 80 indicated no more than

a “slight impairment” in occupational functioning, and he determined that Gilewski did not have

any restrictions that would prevent him from returning to his previous position. Gilewski had

provided Provident with extensive information about the nature and duties of his occupation.

They are not in dispute. Dr. Dudley, and the psychiatrists who reviewed the file, had this

information when they determined that Gilewski could return to work with no limitations.

Gilewski disputes this finding and contends that Provident should have provided a job

analysis by consulting a vocational expert about his ability to return to his former occupation.

Provident maintains it was not required to do so. See Judge v. Metro. Life Ins. Co., 710 F.3d

651, 662 (6th Cir. 2013) (collecting cases); Burge v. Republic Engineered Prods., Inc., 432 F.

App’x 539, 550 (6th Cir. 2011) (“Republic was also not required to consider vocational

evidence, as opposed to medical evidence, in analyzing Burge’s claim.”) (citing Douglas v. Gen.

Dynamics Long Term Disability Plan, 43 F. App’x 864, 870 (6th Cir. 2002) (vocational expert

not required outside of social security context)). Vocational expert testimony “is the special

creature of social security,” and has no relevance to long-term disability claims like the one here

where the question is whether Gilewski is able to return to his former position based on the

medical evidence. Conley v. Pitney Bowes, 176 F.3d 1044, 1050 (8th Cir. 1999).

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Conflict of Interest

Gilewski correctly asserts that Provident has a conflict of interest because of its dual role

as both payor of benefits and decisionmaker, and that courts treat this conflict as a factor in

reviewing a plan administrator’s decision. Metro. Life Ins. Co. v. Glenn, 554 U.S. 105, 111

(2008). The Supreme Court also noted in Glenn that such a conflict “should prove more

important . . . where circumstances suggest a higher likelihood that it affected the benefits

decision.” Id. at 117; accord Judge, 710 F.3d at 663 (“[T]his court has given greater weight to

the conflict-of-interest factor when the claimant ‘offers more than conclusory allegations of

bias.’”) (quoting DeLisle v. Sun Life Assur. Co. of Canada, 558 F.3d 440, 445 (6th Cir. 2009)).

Gilewski has demonstrated no circumstances indicating a need to give the conflict significant

weight. Gilewski’s conflict argument on appeal centers on his assertion that Dr. Dudley, the

independent psychiatrist, “relied” on the summaries written by Provident’s in-house psychiatrist,

Dr. Szylk. As the independent medical examiner, Dr. Dudley was provided with all the medical

records in Gilewski’s file, which included treating physician records as well as in-house

documents. Our review of Dr. Dudley’s report does not show that Dr. Dudley “relied” on Dr.

Szylk’s summaries. Dr. Dudley conducted his own examination of Gilewski and wrote a

comprehensive report. The fact that Dr. Dudley agreed with some of Dr. Szylk’s summaries and

put them in his report does not demonstrate that Dr. Dudley was not independent and unbiased in

reporting on his examination of Gilewski.

In conclusion, reviewing the administrative record and giving no deference to Provident’s

decision to terminate benefits, we find substantial evidence supports Provident’s decision to

terminate Gilewski’s long-term disability benefits. We affirm the judgment of the district court.

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