VIRGINIA EMERSON HOPKINS, District Judge.
Plaintiff Teresa A. Grier ("Ms. Grier") brings this action pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 405(g) of the Social Security Act. She seeks review of a final adverse decision of the Commissioner of the Social Security
Ms. Grier was 45 years old at the time of her hearing before the Administrative Law Judge ("ALJ"). (Tr. 161). Ms. Grier testified that she had a ninth (9th) grade special education. (Tr. 32). Her past relevant work experience includes employment as a painter. (Tr. 21). Ms. Grier stated she stopped working on December 31, 2002, and claims she became disabled on that date.
On May 24, 2011, Ms. Grier protectively filed a Title XVI application for SSI.
Ms. Grier filed a complaint with this court on July 22, 2014, seeking review of the Commissioner's determination. (Doc. 1). The Commissioner answered on November 13, 2014. (Doc. 8). Ms. Grier filed a supporting brief (Doc. 12) on January 26, 2015, and the Commissioner responded with its own (Doc. 13) on February 27, 2015. With the parties having fully briefed the matter, the court has carefully considered the record and, for the reasons stated below, reverses and remands the decision of the ALJ.
The court's review of the Commissioner's decision is narrowly circumscribed. The function of this court is to determine whether the decision of the Commissioner is supported by substantial evidence and whether proper legal standards were applied. Richardson v. Perales, 402 U.S. 389, 390, 91 S.Ct. 1420, 28 L.Ed.2d 842 (1971); Wilson v. Barnhart, 284 F.3d 1219, 1221 (11th Cir.2002). This court must "scrutinize the record as a whole to determine if the decision reached is reasonable and supported by substantial evidence." Bloodsworth v. Heckler, 703 F.2d 1233, 1239 (11th Cir.1983). This court will determine that the ALJ's opinion is supported by substantial evidence if it finds "such relevant evidence as a reasonable person would accept as adequate to support a conclusion." Id. Substantial evidence is "more than a scintilla, but less than a preponderance." Id. Factual findings that are supported by substantial evidence must be upheld by the court. The ALJ's legal conclusions, however, are reviewed de novo, because no presumption of validity attaches to the ALJ's determination of the proper legal standards to be applied. Davis v. Shalala, 985 F.2d 528, 531 (11th Cir.1993). If the court finds an error in the ALJ's application of the law, or if the ALJ fails to provide the court with sufficient reasoning for determining that the proper legal analysis has been conducted, the ALJ's decision must be reversed. Cornelius v. Sullivan, 936 F.2d 1143, 1145-46 (11th Cir.1991).
To qualify for disability benefits and establish his or her entitlement for a period of disability, a claimant must be disabled as defined by the Social Security Act and the Regulations promulgated thereunder.
The Regulations provide a five-step process for determining whether a claimant is disabled. 20 C.F.R. § 404.1520(a)(4)(i-v). The Commissioner must determine in sequence:
Pope, 998 F.2d at 477; accord Foote v. Chater, 67 F.3d 1553, 1559 (11th Cir.1995). The Commissioner must further show that such work exists in the national economy in significant numbers. Id.
After consideration of the entire record, the ALJ made the following findings:
The court may only reverse a finding of the Commissioner if it is not supported by substantial evidence. 42 U.S.C. § 405(g). "This does not relieve the court of its responsibility to scrutinize the record in its entirety to ascertain whether substantial evidence supports each essential administrative finding." Walden v. Schweiker, 672 F.2d 835, 838 (11th Cir. 1982) (citing Strickland v. Harris, 615 F.2d 1103, 1106 (5th Cir.1980)).
The court has carefully reviewed the record and finds that this case should be remanded for further development. Under the instant circumstances, substantial evidence does not exist in the record to support the ALJ's conclusion that Ms. Grier is not disabled and can perform reduced light work because: (1) the ALJ's negative credibility finding was not based on substantial evidence; and (2) independent of the ALJ's erroneous negative credibility finding, the ALJ's RFC determination is not supported by substantial evidence. While the court has endeavored to separate the issues into their respective subparts, it recognizes the overlap and interrelated nature of these findings.
Ms. Grier argues that "the ALJ did not properly assess [Ms. Grier]'s credibility consistent with the Regulations." (Doc. 12 at 4). The court agrees. More specifically, the ALJ's decision that Ms. Grier does not meet the pain standard is based on an inadequate negative credibility finding as to Ms. Grier's subjective pain testimony.
The pain standard "applies when a disability claimant attempts to establish a
The ALJ may reject a claimant's complaints of pain if he finds them not credible. See Marbury v. Sullivan, 957 F.2d 837, 839 (11th Cir.1992) ("After considering a claimant's complaints of pain, the ALJ may reject them as not creditable [sic], and that determination will be reviewed for substantial evidence."). However, if the ALJ discredits a claimant's testimony regarding the severity of her symptoms, that determination must be supported by substantial evidence. Id.; see also Doughty v. Apfel, 245 F.3d 1274, 1278 (11th Cir.2001) (explaining that the Commissioner's factual findings must be supported by substantial evidence).
Furthermore, the ALJ may not reject the claimant's statements as to the intensity and persistence "solely because the available objective medical evidence does not substantiate [claimant's] statements." 20 C.F.R. § 404.1529(c)(2); see also SSR 96-7p ("[T]he effect the symptoms have on [the claimant's] ability to work may not be disregarded solely because they are not substantiated by objective medical evidence.").
This other evidence includes "any symptom-related functional limitations and restrictions which [the claimant], [the claimant's] treating or non-treating source, or other persons report, which can be reasonably be accepted as consistent with the objective medical evidence and other evidence[.]" Id. Relevant factors that may show the effect of claimant's symptoms on her functional abilities include: the claimant's daily activities; the location, duration, frequency and intensity of the claimant's pain; any precipitating and aggravating factors; the type, dosage, effectiveness, and side effects of medication taken to alleviate the pain; and other treatments or measures taken by the claimant, not including medication.
In applying this standard to the present case, the ALJ found that "the claimant's medically determinable impairments could reasonably be expected to cause the alleged symptoms." (Tr. 15). However, the ALJ determined "the claimant's statements concerning the intensity, persistence and limiting effects of these symptoms are not entirely credible for the reasons explained in this decision." Id. As explained infra, the court finds that the ALJ's reasons for discrediting the claimant's statement, while explicit, are not adequate as a matter of law.
The ALJ attempted to articulate several adequate reasons for his credibility finding adverse to Ms. Grier, including: her failure to seek additional treatment for her mental impairments; her noncompliance with treatment recommendations; silence from her treating physicians concerning whether she is disabled; his determination that Ms. Grier's treatment for her impairments has generally been routine and conservative; and her testimony regarding her daily activities cannot be objectively verified. As addressed in detail below, the court finds that the ALJ's proffered reasons for discrediting the claimant's pain testimony are flawed and, therefore, do not satisfy the substantial evidence standard.
The ALJ inferred from Ms. Grier's lack of treatment by a mental health professional that her statements about the negative effect of her mental impairments on her ability to work were not entirely credible.
SSR 96-7p provides a detailed explanation for how lack of medical treatment should be handled by an ALJ when determining a claimant's credibility, stating:
At the hearing, the ALJ's inquiry into the status of Ms. Grier's treatment for her mental health issues consisted of the following questions:
(Tr. 40-41). Absent in the ALJ's inquiry is any question asking Ms. Grier why has she not sought out treatment.
Additionally, the ALJ either overlooked, or simply ignored, other credibility-related evidence in the record that supports Ms. Grier's stated limitations caused by her mental conditions. For example, according to the report produced by Dr. Bentley, Ms. Grier has a long history of psychiatric symptoms. (Tr. 294). In 1992, Ms. Grier was treated for two years at a Mental Health Center in Georgia. Id. Her mental condition degraded to the point that she attempted suicide on three occasions. Id. Ms. Grier has taken various antidepressants and benzodiazepines over the last fifteen years which she claims improves her mood on some days. Id. Dr. Bentley concluded that Ms. Grier's prognosis is guarded. (Tr. 296).
Moreover, Ms. Grier's sister described in a third-party function report that Ms. Grier has problems getting along with others, does not handle stress well, does not handle changes well, and that she has effectively shut everybody out. (Tr. 194-96). The ALJ did not acknowledge, much less give any reasons for rejecting the report made by Ms. Grier's sister. On remand, the ALJ should review this report and state the weight accorded and the reasons for accepting or rejecting this piece of evidence corroborating Ms. Grier's subjective limitations. See Lucas v. Sullivan, 918 F.2d 1567, 1574 (11th Cir.1990) (reversed and remanded for further proceedings partially because the ALJ failed to review the testimony of the claimant's daughter and neighbor and did not give reasons for rejecting such testimony); id. ("On remand the ALJ should state the weight he accords to each item of impairment evidence and the reasons for his decision to accept or reject that evidence, including all testimony presented at the previous hearing or any subsequent hearings." (citing Gibson v. Heckler, 779 F.2d 619 (11th Cir.1986))).
In sum, the ALJ's conclusion that Ms. Grier's stated limitations caused by her mental illnesses are incredible based upon his limited questioning during the hearing constitutes reversible error. As explained above, an ALJ may not draw any negative inferences without first considering any reasonable explanations behind a claimant's lack of treatment. See SSR 96-7p. Despite this legal principle, as shown through the hearing transcript, the ALJ made no attempt to ask Ms. Grier if she had a reason for not seeking treatment from a mental health professional. (Tr. 28-52). Furthermore, the ALJ did not consider and/or adequately address other evidence in the record that supports Ms. Grier's credibility regarding the limitations associated with her mental health. Therefore,
The ALJ states in his opinion that Ms. Grier "has consistently been noncompliant with treatment recommendations" regarding her nicotine dependence, despite its negative impact on her conditions of bronchitis and her sleep apnea. (Tr. 17). Although the ALJ never explicitly states that her noncompliance is a factor he relied upon when discounting her credibility, it is implicitly apparent that the ALJ considered this to be one of the reasons for his adverse credibility determination.
The Commissioner may deny benefits for the failure to follow treatment when the claimant, without good reason, fails to follow a prescribed course of treatment that could restore the ability to work. See Lucas v. Sullivan, 918 F.2d 1567, 1571 (11th Cir.1990) ("The Secretary may deny SSI disability benefits if the Secretary determines that 1) the claimant failed to follow a prescribed course of treatment, and 2) her ability to work would be restored if she had followed the treatment."); McCall v. Bowen, 846 F.2d 1317, 1319 (11th Cir.1988) ("Secretary may deny SSI disability benefits only when a claimant, without good reason, fails to follow a prescribed course of treatment that could restore her ability to work."). While the court is unaware of any Eleventh Circuit published decision that speaks directly to the issue of noncompliance to quit smoking, there is an analogous case decided within the district that this court adopts as persuasive authority.
In Seals v. Barnhart, 308 F.Supp.2d 1241, 1247 (N.D.Ala.2004), the ALJ refused to credit the claimant's subjective complaints because the claimant continued smoking despite numerous warnings from doctors to stop. Because the claimant had failed to follow prescribed treatment to quit smoking, the ALJ found that 20 C.F.R. § 404.1530
In addressing the claimant's appeal in Seals, Judge Guin began his analysis by correcting one of his previous holdings, stating "[t]his court has previously held that `continuing to smoke despite a physician's warning as to consequences indicates that a claimant has made a conscious lifestyle choice which is inconsistent with a finding of disability.'" Id. at 1248 (quoting Wilda Elliot v. Apfel, No. 5:98-CV-00820-JFG, (Doc. 8 at 2) (N.D.Ala. Nov. 18, 1998)). Judge Guin determined that his prior holding "is not correct as a general statement of the law." Id. The court then discussed and adopted the approach utilized by the Seventh Circuit in Shramek
In Shramek, the court found that "the ALJ erred in relying on [claimant's] inability to quit smoking as evidence of non-compliance and as a basis to find her incredible." 226 F.3d at 813. The Seventh Circuit reached this decision after noting that "the ALJ here made no finding that the prescribed treatment would restore [claimant's] ability to work, and the record would not in fact support such a finding." Id. Furthermore, no connection had been made between the claimant's symptoms and her smoking. Id.
Finally, the court commented that failure to quit smoking is not synonymous with treatment in the typical sense, stating:
Shramek, 226 F.3d at 813.
In applying these rules set forth in Shramek, the court in Seals stated that even assuming the doctor's statements did constitute a prescribed course of treatment, "the [claimant]'s failure to stop smoking does not necessarily constitute a refusal to follow that prescribed treatment. A willful refusal to follow treatment may not be assumed from a mere failure to accomplish the recommended change." Seals, 308 F.Supp.2d at 1250 (citing McCall, 846 F.2d at 1319) (holding that a claimant's failure to lose weight does not constitute a refusal to follow the treatment). The court found evidence in the record that the claimant had been trying to quit, and determined that "the record does not contain substantial evidence to support a finding that the plaintiff did not try to stop smoking in the present case." Id. at 1251.
Judge Guin also commented about how the claimant's addiction necessitates a slightly different analysis than the typical noncompliance situation, stating:
Seals, 308 F.Supp.2d at 1251.
Further, the ALJ also failed to make another essential finding when discrediting because of noncompliance with treatment. More specifically, the ALJ omitted any
Assuming that the statements made to Ms. Grier by her treating physicians do constitute prescribed treatment, the ALJ did not inquire whether her failure was unjustified. Similar to the claimant in Seals, Ms. Grier is nicotine dependent and, thus, because of her addiction, her inability to quit smoking does not constitute an unjustified reason for noncompliance without any further inquiry by the ALJ. (Tr. 13); see Seals, 308 F.Supp.2d at 1251 ("If the plaintiff was unable to stop smoking because she was addicted to nicotine, her noncompliance would not be unjustified. The burden is on the Commissioner to produce evidence of unjustified noncompliance."); see also SSR 96-7p ("individual's statements may be less credible . . ., if the medical reports or records show that the individual is not following the treatment as prescribed and there are no good reasons for this failure") (emphasis added).
In the present case, the ALJ did not state whether Ms. Grier was mentally and physically capable of quitting smoking, nor did the ALJ cite to any evidence, other than her failure to stop, to show that her noncompliance was unjustified.
The ALJ made the following observation about the medical record:
(Tr. 20). This finding by the ALJ not only runs afoul of Eleventh Circuit precedent, but also misstates the evidence in the record.
The Eleventh Circuit has held that a physician's silence regarding a claimant's functional capacity does not translate into an opinion that a claimant can work. See Lamb v. Bowen, 847 F.2d 698, 703 (11th Cir.1988). In Lamb, the Commissioner attempted to argue that because claimant's treating physicians only noted that the claimant could not return to his past work, the Commissioner's finding that the claimant
Id. (emphasis added). The ALJ in the instant case committed an error comparable to the one described in Lamb.
It is plain from the ALJ's statement that he treated silence by her treating physicians regarding Ms. Grier's limitations as evidence showing that the degree of her stated limitations is not credible. This is inconsistent with the principle espoused in Lamb.
Furthermore, the ALJ's description of the record, specifically that "a review of the record does not contain any opinions from treating or examining physicians that indicate that the claimant was disabled or even had limitations greater than those determined in this decision," misstates the evidence. (Tr. 20). Ramesh Reddy, MD, performed a complete physical examination of Ms. Grier on August 2, 2011, and concluded that, in his opinion, Ms. Grier is unable to work.
The ALJ notes that the treatment Ms. Grier has received for her diagnosed impairments of fibromyalgia, mild degenerative disk disease of the spine, and diabetes (non-insulin dependant Type II) has been "essentially routine and conservative in nature and has been successful in controlling her symptoms." (Tr. 15-16, 19). Ms. Grier argues that the ALJ mischaracterized her treatment and that the ALJ failed to properly credit the longitudinal treatment history for her pain. (Doc. 12 at 5). The court agrees with Ms. Grier that the ALJ did not accurately describe the treatment received by Ms. Grier for fibromyalgia and the ALJ also failed to credit Ms. Grier's longitudinal history of back pain.
The Regulations state that relevant factors for an ALJ to consider when evaluating a claimant's pain symptoms include, "the type, dosage, effectiveness, and side effects of any medication" taken by the claimant, as well as any "[t]reatment, other than medication, [claimant] receives or ha[s] received for relief of [claimant's] pain or other symptoms[.]" 20 C.F.R. § 404.1529(c)(3)(iv)-(v). A claimant's
96-7p (emphasis added). In the instant case, the ALJ did not consider the obvious explanations for Ms. Grier's perceived conservative treatment for her fibromyalgia.
On February 28, 2013, Ms. Grier was examined by one of her treating physicians, William J. Shergy, MD. (Tr. 441). Dr. Shergy noted in his report that "Ms. Grier has underlying fibromyalgia, most likely secondary to severe sleep apnea. She clearly will not improve from her fibromyalgia symptoms unless her sleep apnea is addressed and she begins to exercise." Id. (emphasis added). The ALJ failed to recognize this link between her fibromyalgia and her severe sleep apnea condition.
Consequently, the treatment prescribed for Ms. Grier's sleep apnea condition also relates to managing her symptoms associated with fibromyalgia. Further, after reviewing Ms. Grier's treatment for sleep apnea, the record lacks substantial evidence to support the ALJ's conclusion that such treatment was conservative or effective. Ms. Grier was evaluated at the Shoals Sleep Center on September 6, 2012. (Tr. 358). The study found that Ms. Grier suffered from obstructive sleep apnea syndrome. (Tr. 379). It was recommended that Ms. Grier use a continuous positive airway pressure machine (CPAP) to treat her sleep apnea; however, Ms. Grier did not have the ability pay for a CPAP initially.
Lastly, regarding Ms. Grier's mild degenerative disk disease of the spine, the ALJ again erroneously labeled her treatment received as "routine and conservative in nature and has generally been successful in controlling her symptoms." (Tr. 16).
Id. Ms. Grier's medical record shows that she has continuously sought medical treatment for her back pain, and the ALJ was incorrect in classifying her treatment as conservative and effective.
The record reveals that Ms. Grier has consistently been complaining of back since March of 2009. (Tr. 254). Ms. Grier returned twice that year with complaints of back pain. (Tr. 252-53). On August 5, 2010, Ms. Grier reported that her back pain seemed to be getting worse. (Tr. 249). On April 18, 2012, Ms. Grier was examined at the Shoals Pain Center where she was diagnosed with lumbar radiculopathy and lumbar disc displacement. (Tr. 344-45). Following this diagnoses, Ms. Grier underwent an interlaminar lumbar steroid injection at the L5-S1 level; however, instead of getting relief, Ms. Grier reported that the injections made her feel worse. (Tr. 346, 412). She further stated that she had increased her pain medication without much relief. (Tr. 412). Because of Ms. Grier's history of continuously complaining about her back pain, while also getting little to no relief from medication, the court finds that the ALJ erred in classifying her treatment as conservative and effective. Therefore, the ALJ's observation about Ms. Grier's treatment received for her fibromyalgia and mild degenerative disc disease does not constitute substantial evidence supporting the ALJ's credibility determination.
The ALJ addressed Ms. Grier's diabetic condition by noting the following, "[r]egarding the claimant's alleged diabetes (non-insulin dependent Type II), again the undersigned notes while the claimant has undergone treatment for her alleged impairment, the treatment she has received has again been essentially routine and conservative in nature and has been successful in controlling her symptoms." (Tr. 19). The ALJ is generally correct that the treatment received for Ms. Grier's diabetes has been conservative and effective; however, the court finds that the ALJ's inclusion of Ms. Grier's conservative treatment for diabetes as a factor weighing against her credibility is inappropriate under the circumstances of this case.
The ALJ also made no attempt to explain how evidence of routine treatment for her diabetic condition somehow makes Ms. Grier's subjective complaints caused by her other independent impairments not credible, including, in particular her mental limitations. Nonetheless, the ALJ partially and inadequately based his decision to discredit Ms. Grier's entire subjective disabling symptoms because of routine treatment she received to deal with her diabetic condition. Therefore, to the extent that Ms. Grier's diabetes treatment is appropriately characterized as conservative and successful in controlling her symptoms, such evidence does not serve as substantial evidence supporting the ALJ's entire credibility determination.
During Ms. Grier's hearing in front of the ALJ, she testified that her impairments have a profound effect on her daily activities. She stated that she is unable to sit or stand for longer than about fifteen minutes. (Tr. 38). She testified that she is unable to walk to her mailbox without stopping. (Tr. 39). Ms. Grier testified that because of her depression and bipolar disorder and her physical pain she stays in bed 90% of the day. (Tr. 40). Ms. Grier also indicated that she does the laundry and dishes with the aid of her nephew or daughter. (Tr. 41). She stated that she only goes to the grocery store about once a month and is only able to stay in the store ten to fifteen minutes at a time. (Tr. 43). Ms. Grier indicated that she usually drives herself to the grocery store or to doctor appointments; however, she testified that when she makes the thirty-minute commute to her doctor's office she sometimes has to stop and walk around her car because of the pain. (Tr. 43-44).
The ALJ attempted to explain his reasoning for not crediting her statements about her limited daily activities, stating:
Id. The court finds that both factors listed by the ALJ are inadequate.
As to the first factor mentioned by the ALJ, the court is unable to find any binding authority that states testimony regarding daily activities must be objectively verified. Furthermore, if a claimant is not required to provide objective proof of pain, it follows that the claimant's testimony regarding daily activities does not need to be objectively verified either. Seemingly, the ALJ would never credit a claimant's testimony about limited daily activities, unless the claimant allows some third-party to observe her daily activities for some period of time.
The ALJ's second reason for discrediting Ms. Grier's testimony about her limited daily activities is also inadequate. Regarding the "other factors" mentioned by the ALJ, the court has determined that none of the other factors mentioned by the ALJ constitute substantial evidence supporting the ALJ's credibility determination. See supra sections (A)-(E). The "weak medical evidence" the ALJ mentions was an erroneous finding as described in section (C) above. Lastly, the ALJ's statement that "it is difficult to attribute that degree of limitation to the claimant's medical condition, as opposed to other reasons" seemingly implies that the ALJ believes Ms. Grier has chosen to live her limited lifestyle. While the ALJ's theory may be correct, he did not point to adequate evidence to back up this conclusion.
For all the reasons described above, the ALJ failed to adequately support his credibility assessment of Ms. Grier. On remand, the ALJ should re-assess the effect of the claimant's testimony on her ability to work after either accepting her testimony, including her sister's corroborating statements, or by articulating adequate reasons to reject Ms. Grier's subjective pain and mental limitations.
In determining Ms. Grier's RFC, the ALJ placed "great weight" on the mental and physical assessments prepared by state agent medical consultants who never saw Ms. Grier and only reviewed her record. (Tr. 20). The ALJ gave "little weight" to the opinions prepared by Dr. Reddy and Dr. Bentley because they "only saw the claimant on one occasion and they did not treat her, and their assessments appear to be based primarily on the claimant's subjective complaints and they are not consistent with the medical record." Ms. Grier contends that the non-examining opinions produced by the state agency consultants are "flawed and incomplete at best." (Doc. 12 at 8). The court agrees with Ms. Grier. More specifically, the court finds that the ALJ's reasons for placing more weight to the non-examining reports over the examining reports is not backed by substantial evidence.
The opinion of a non-examining physician "is entitled to little weight and taken alone does not constitute substantial evidence to support an administrative decision." Swindle v. Sullivan, 914 F.2d 222, 226 n. 3 (11th Cir.1990) (citing Broughton v. Heckler, 776 F.2d 960, 962 (11th Cir.1985)). When the opinion of an
An ALJ may accord substantial weight to the opinion of a non-examining physician if the opinion is consistent with examining physician reports. See Edwards v. Sullivan, 937 F.2d 580, 584-85 (11th Cir.1991) (finding that the ALJ did not err in relying on the opinion of the non-examining physician since this opinion did not contradict the opinions of the examining physicians). Reports from non-examining sources must also be supported by other evidence in the record. See 20 C.F.R. § 404.1527(d)(3) ("[B]ecause nonexamining sources have no examining or treating relationship with [the claimant], the weight will depend on the degree to which [the physicians] provide supporting explanations for their opinions[.]"). These opinions will be evaluated by "the degree to which these opinions consider all of the pertinent evidence in [the claimant's] claim, including opinions of treating and other examining sources." Id. (emphasis added).
(Tr. 20). The first of many flaws associated with the ALJ's analysis is his assessment that the non-examining physicians provided "extensive evaluations." Dr. Callins's physical RFC assessment of Ms. Grier was based on, at most, three treatment notes, not including Dr. Reddy's examination. (Tr. 324). Kirstin J. Bailey, Ph.D., produced the mental evaluation which the ALJ relies upon. (Tr. 299). As Ms. Grier points out in her brief, it is unclear if Dr. Bailey examined any of Ms. Grier's actual treatment records. (Doc. 12 at 8). The only report that Dr. Bailey cites in her notes section is the report produced by consultative examiner Dr. Bentley.
The second critical flaw about the ALJ's analysis is the lack of support provided by the ALJ for his determination that the non-examining physician reports were deserving of greater weight than the examining physician reports of Dr. Reddy and Dr. Bentley. The ALJ's first reason for not placing greater weight with the examining physicians' reports was because they "only saw the claimant on one occasion and they did not treat her[.]" (Tr. 20). The undersigned might have been persuaded by this observation had the ALJ not placed greater weight to reports produced by physicians who have never seen nor treated Ms. Grier.
The second justification the ALJ proffers is that "their assessments appear to be based primarily on the claimant's subjective complaints and they are not consistent with the medical record." Id. Assuming this is correct, the ALJ's reliance on Dr. Bailey's non-examining report should be discounted for the same reasoning, considering her report is based solely from Dr. Bentley's report. Further, the ALJ's contention that Dr. Reddy's report is based primarily on subjective complaints is not backed by substantial evidence. Dr. Reddy reviewed the medical record provided to him by DDS and he conducted various physical tests on Ms. Grier, including a
Lastly, and possibly most critically, the ALJ's RFC analysis is unsupported by substantial evidence because it is based solely on the reports of the non-examining physicians. See Swindle, 914 F.2d at 226 n. 3 (explaining that the opinion of a non-examining physician "is entitled to little weight and taken alone does not constitute substantial evidence to support an administrative decision."). Therefore, for the reasons discussed above, the ALJ's RFC determination is not supported by substantial evidence. This alone requires that the ALJ's decision be reversed.
Furthermore, because Dr. Reddy's finding is ambiguous as to whether he was referring to all work at any exertional level or only her past work,
Based upon the court's evaluation of the evidence in the record and the submissions of the parties, the court finds that the Commissioner's final decision was not supported by substantial evidence. More specifically, the ALJ inadequately discredited Ms. Grier's subjective testimony, and failed to provide a proper, medically-supported RFC. Accordingly, the decision of the Commissioner is due to be reversed and remanded. A separate order in accordance with this memorandum opinion will be entered.
