CAROL MIRANDO, Magistrate Judge.
Plaintiff Michael Florio seeks judicial review of the denial of his claim for Supplemental Security Income ("SSI") by the Commissioner of the Social Security Administration ("Commissioner"). The Court has reviewed the record, the briefs, and the applicable law. For the reasons discussed herein, the decision of the Commissioner is AFFIRMED.
Plaintiff raises three issues on appeal: (1) whether substantial evidence supports the determination of the Administrative Law Judge ("ALJ") concerning Plaintiff's Residual Functional Capacity ("RFC") and in doing so whether the ALJ properly evaluated the opinions of Plaintiff's treating physician; (2) whether the ALJ's credibility assessment of Plaintiff is supported by substantial evidence, and (3) whether the ALJ's finding that Plaintiff is capable of performing other work that exists in substantial numbers in the national economy is supported by substantial evidence.
On July 8, 2011, Plaintiff filed an application for SSI alleging a disability onset date of November 29, 2010. Tr. 13, 146-55. Plaintiff alleged disability due to back and right knee injuries, a fractured toe, attention deficit disorder, anxiety and a mental condition. Tr. 180. The application was denied initially and upon reconsideration. Tr. 66, 76. Plaintiff requested and received a hearing, which was held in Ft. Myers, Florida before ALJ M. Dwight Evans on November 13, 2013. Tr. 13-23. Plaintiff was represented by counsel during the hearing; and Plaintiff and a vocational expert ("VE") testified at the hearing. Tr. 13, 29-65.
On April 18, 2014, the ALJ issued a decision finding Plaintiff not disabled from May 10, 2011 through the date of the decision. Tr. 13-23. At step one, the ALJ determined that Plaintiff had not engaged in substantial gainful activity since July 8, 2011, the application date. Tr. 15. At step two, the ALJ determined that Plaintiff has the following severe impairments: degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, low back pain, bilateral knee joint pain, great right toe pain, status post right great toe fracture and anxiety disorder. Id. At step three, the ALJ concluded that Plaintiff "does not have an impairment or combination of impairments that meets or medically equals the severity of one of the listed impairments in 20 CFR Part 404, Subpart P, Appendix 1" Id. The ALJ then determined that Plaintiff has the RFC to perform light work
Id. at 17 (emphasis in original). Next, the ALJ found Plaintiff is unable to perform any past relevant work as a tile finisher, handy man or carpet cutter/fork lift operator.
A claimant is entitled to disability benefits when he is unable to engage in any substantial gainful activity by reason of any medically determinable physical or mental impairment which can be expected to either result in death or last for a continuous period of not less than twelve months. 42 U.S.C. §§ 416(i)(1), 423(d)(1)(A); 20 C.F.R. § 404.1505(a). The Commissioner has established a five-step sequential analysis for evaluating a claim of disability. See 20 C.F.R. §416.920. The Eleventh Circuit has summarized the five steps as follows:
Atha v. Comm'r, Soc. Sec. Admin., 616 F. App'x 931, 933 (11th Cir. 2015) (citing 20 C.F.R. §§ 416.920(a)(4), (c)-(g), 416.960(c)(2); Winschel v. Comm'r of Soc. Sec., 631 F.3d 1176, 1178 (11th Cir. 2011)). The claimant bears the burden of persuasion through step four; and, at step five, the burden shifts to the Commissioner. Id.; Bowen v. Yuckert, 482 U.S. 137, 146 n.5 (1987). The scope of this Court's review is limited to determining whether the ALJ applied the correct legal standards and whether the findings are supported by substantial evidence. McRoberts v. Bowen, 841 F.2d 1077, 1080 (11th Cir. 1988) (citing Richardson v. Perales, 402 U.S. 389, 390 (1971)). The Commissioner's findings of fact are conclusive if supported by substantial evidence. 42 U.S.C. § 405(g). Substantial evidence is "more than a scintilla, i.e., evidence that must do more than create a suspicion of the existence of the fact to be established, and such relevant evidence as a reasonable person would accept as adequate to support the conclusion." Foote v. Chater, 67 F.3d 1553, 1560 (11th Cir. 1995) (internal citations omitted); see also Dyer v. Barnhart, 395 F.3d 1206, 1210 (11th Cir. 2005) (finding that "[s]ubstantial evidence is something more than a mere scintilla, but less than a preponderance") (internal citation omitted).
The Eleventh Circuit recently has restated that "[i]n determining whether substantial evidence supports a decision, we give great deference to the ALJ's fact findings." Hunter v. Soc. Sec. Admin., Comm'r, 808 F.3d 818, 822 (11th Cir. 2015) (citing Black Diamond Coal Min. Co. v. Dir., OWCP, 95 F.3d 1079, 1082 (11th Cir. 1996)). Where the Commissioner's decision is supported by substantial evidence, the district court will affirm, even if the reviewer would have reached a contrary result as finder of fact, and even if the reviewer finds that the preponderance of the evidence is against the Commissioner's decision. Edwards v. Sullivan, 937 F.2d 580, 584 n.3 (11th Cir. 1991); Barnes v. Sullivan, 932 F.2d 1356, 1358 (11th Cir. 1991). "The district court must view the record as a whole, taking into account evidence favorable as well as unfavorable to the decision." Foote, 67 F.3d at 1560; see also Lowery v. Sullivan, 979 F.2d 835, 837 (11th Cir. 1992) (stating that the court must scrutinize the entire record to determine the reasonableness of the factual findings). It is the function of the Commissioner, and not the courts, to resolve conflicts in the evidence and to assess the credibility of the witnesses. Lacina v. Commissioner, 2015 WL 1453364, at *2 (11th Cir. 2015) (citing Grant v. Richardson, 445 F.2d 656 (5th Cir.1971)).
Plaintiff first argues that the ALJ's RFC determination is erroneous because the ALJ improperly "rejected" the opinions of Plaintiff's treating physician, Kenneth Berdick, M.D., specifically Dr. Berdick's opinion concerning Plaintiff's RFC. Doc. 20 at 4. The Commissioner responds that substantial evidence supports the ALJ's finding that Plaintiff has the RFC to perform a modified ranged of light work, and the ALJ properly considered Dr. Berdick's opinions and declined to give them controlling weight. Doc. 21 at 6-8. Having reviewed the record and controlling authority, the Court finds substantial evidence supports the ALJ's determination.
The RFC is the most that a claimant can do despite his limitations. See 20 C.F.R. § 404.1545(a). At the hearing level, the ALJ has the responsibility of assessing a claimant's RFC. See 20 C.F.R. § 404.1546(c). The ALJ is required to assess a claimant's RFC based on all of the relevant evidence in the record, including any medical history, daily activities, lay evidence and medical source statements. 20 C.F.R. § 404.1545(a). The claimant's age, education, work experience, and whether she can return to her past relevant work are considered in determining her RFC, Lewis v. Callahan, 125 F.3d 1436, 1440 (11th Cir. 1997) (citing 20 C.F.R. § 404.1520(f)), and the RFC assessment is based upon all relevant evidence of a claimant's ability to do work despite his impairments. Phillips v. Barnhart, 357 F.3d 1232, 1238 (11th Cir. 2004); Lewis, 125 F.3d at 1440 (citing 20 C.F.R. § 404.1545(a)).
When determining how much weight to afford a medical opinion, the ALJ considers whether there is an examining or treatment relationship and the nature and extent thereof; whether the source offers relevant medical evidence to support the opinion; consistency with the record as a whole; the specialization of the source, if any; and any other factors that tend to support or contradict the opinion. 20 C.F.R. § 404.1527(c)(1)-(6). Under the regulations, opinions of treating sources usually are given more weight because treating physicians are the most likely to be able to offer detailed opinions of the claimant's impairments as they progressed over time and "may bring a unique perspective to the medical evidence that cannot be obtained from the objective medical findings alone or from reports of individual examinations . . . ." 20 C.F.R. § 404.1527(c)(2). Medical source opinions may be discounted, however, when the opinion is not well-supported by medically acceptable clinical and laboratory diagnostic techniques or if the opinion is inconsistent with the record as a whole. SSR 96-2p; Crawford v. Comm'r, 363 F.3d 1155, 1159-60 (11th Cir. 2004). Accordingly, "[a]n ALJ must give a treating physician's opinion substantial weight, unless good cause is shown." Castle v. Colvin, 557 F. App'x 849, 854 (11th Cir. 2014) (citing Phillips, 357 F.3d at 1240); Lewis, 125 F.3d at 1440; Sabo v. Chater, 955 F.Supp. 1456, 1462 (M.D. Fla. 1996). "Good cause exists when the `(1) treating physician's opinion was not bolstered by the evidence; (2) evidence supported a contrary finding; or (3) treating physician's opinion was conclusory or inconsistent with the doctor's own medical records.'" Winschel, 631 F.3d at 1179 (quoting Phillips, 357 F.3d at 1241). Findings of fact made by state agency medical and psychological consultants as to the nature and severity of a claimant's impairments must be treated as expert opinion evidence of nonexamining sources by the ALJ, but the ultimate opinions as to whether a claimant is disabled, the severity of a claimant's impairments, the claimant's RFC and the application of vocational factors are exclusively reserved to the Commissioner. SSR 96-6p; 20 C.F.R. § 404.1527(d)(1)-(2). Unless a treating source's opinion is given controlling weight, the ALJ must explain the weight given to the opinions of other consultants, doctors or medical specialists. 20 C.F.R. § 404.1527(e)(2)(ii); Vuxta v. Comm'r of Soc. Sec., 194 F. App'x 874, 877 (11th Cir. 2006).
The opinions at issue were given by Plaintiff's primary care physician, Kenneth Berdick, M.D., on August 9, 2011 and November 12, 2013. Tr. 270, 725-26. The August 2011 opinion was a one-page two-question supplemental mental impairment questionnaire in which Dr. Berdick checked "no" in answer to the question whether Plaintiff suffers from a mental impairment that significantly interferes with daily functioning. Tr. 270. With respect to this opinion, the ALJ accorded the opinion little weight, because Dr. Berdick did not provide any explanation for his opinion, thus it was not supported. Tr. 21. In addition, the ALJ noted that Dr. Berdick is Plaintiff's primary care practitioner, and giving an opinion on Plaintiff's mental impairments is "outside of his expertise." Id. As noted, the ALJ found that Plaintiff's anxiety disorder was a severe impairment at step two of the evaluation process, finding that Plaintiff has moderate difficulties with regard to concentration, persistence or pace, and cannot pay attention for long and needs help following written instructions. Tr. 15-16.
When considering Plaintiff's mental RFC, the ALJ noted that the record shows Plaintiff was treated conservatively with psychotropic medications prescribed by Dr. Berdick, and he never sought or received treatment from a specialist. Tr. 20. The ALJ found that, provided Plaintiff complies with treatment recommendations and takes medication as prescribed, his mental health condition is not disabling such that he cannot work. Id. The ALJ further explained that Plaintiff's limitations have been accounted for in the RFC, which limits Plaintiff to work in which Plaintiff can understand, remember and carry out simple instructions, representative positions of which have SVPs only of 1 or 2. Tr. 17, 23. The Court finds substantial evidence supports the ALJ's decision concerning Plaintiff's mental RFC, and he adequately explained the reasons for discounting Dr. Berdick's opinion concerning Plaintiff's mental impairment, and he had good cause for doing so. Winschel, 631 F.3d at 1179.
The second opinion at issue is another "check-the-box" questionnaire dated November 12, 2013, in which Dr. Berdick opined without any discussion or explanation about Plaintiff's physical capacity to work. Tr. 725-26. Dr. Berdick concluded that in an eight-hour workday, Plaintiff could stand/walk only one hour at a time and only two hours total, and sit five hours at one time and 7 hours total; Plaintiff could not do any lifting, pushing or pulling, but he was able to do simple grasping and fine manipulation; Plaintiff could not use his feet for repetitive movements as in operating foot controls nor could he at all bend, squat, crawl or climb; and he could reach above shoulder level. Id. The ALJ considered this opinion and, noting that Dr. Berdick opined that Plaintiff could not perform even sedentary work, accorded the opinion little weight because it is not supported by or consistent with either the medical records as a whole or Dr. Berdick's own treatment records. Tr. 21. In fact, as the ALJ noted, Dr. Berdick's treatment records at the time indicated that Plaintiff was doing very well and ambulating better, and the objective diagnostic testing results also did not support Dr. Berdick's opinion. Id.
After reviewing the record, the Court finds substantial evidence supports the ALJ's decision to reject Dr. Berdick's opinion, as there was good cause to do so because the opinion was inconsistent not only with the record evidence but with the physician's own treatment notes within that time frame. Winschel, 631 F.3d at 1179. Moreover, as noted by the ALJ and discussed in the Commissioner's brief, the type of form questionnaire or so-called "checklist" opinion that Dr. Berdick used, without providing any explanation or context concerning the reasons for his opinion, generally is disfavored as it does not provide the ALJ nor the Court with any basis on which to rely upon the opinion. Tr. 21; Doc. 21 at 9 n.8. See Foster v. Astrue, 410 F. App'x 831, 833 (5th Cir. 2011) (physician's use of "questionnaire" format typifies "brief or conclusory" testimony); Mason v. Shalala, 994 F.2d 1058, 1065 (3d Cir. 1993) (noting "[f]orm reports in which a physician's obligation is only to check a box or fill in a blank are weak evidence at best"); Hammersley v. Astrue, No. 5:08-cv-245-Oc-10GRJ, 2009 WL 3053707, *6 (M.D. Fla. Sept. 18, 2009) (stating "courts have found that check-off forms . . . have limited probative value because they are conclusory and provide little narrative or insight into the reasons behind the conclusions").
Plaintiff's medical records, including treatment notes of Dr. Berdick, also support the ALJ's decision. In December 2010, Plaintiff sought treatment in the emergency room complaining of pain in his right big toe after a fall. Tr. 268. An x-ray revealed a slight fracture of the distal phalanx, and Plaintiff's foot was placed in a postop shoe. Id. Following this incident, Plaintiff was treated by Dr. Berdick primarily with pain injections and medications; however, as noted by the ALJ, many of the physician's handwritten treatment notes are for the most part illegible. Tr. 18; see, e.g., Tr. 251-61. See also Tr. 352 (chiropractic notes of Anthony Inglese, with reports from Plaintiff that Dr. Berdick gave him shots in his lower back); Tr. 497 (orthopedic consultation in which Plaintiff stated he received multiple injections to his low back region).
The next legible medical record shows that Plaintiff returned to the emergency room in June 2011, complaining of right knee pain that had been ongoing for a few weeks. Tr. 262-63. During that visit, Plaintiff reported he had not followed up with orthopedics as recommended after his toe fracture and that he was taking medication for his pain, which he said was controlling it. Tr. 262. Plaintiff's physical examination showed that he was moving all extremities with no bony deformities, he was neurologically intact and he was diagnosed with right knee pain/sprain. Tr. 262-63. Although he was scheduled for an x-ray during the visit, because of the wait time Plaintiff decided instead to take an orthopedic referral and leave. Tr. 262.
From September to October 2011, treatment records show that Plaintiff began massage therapy, chiropractic treatment and physical therapy to address pain in his right foot, lower back and both knees following his fall in December 2010. See generally, Tr. 284-355. In addition during that time period, Plaintiff had multiple x-rays and MRIs performed of his lumbar spine, right root and knees. Id. In general, the results of these diagnostic tests were unremarkable, or in the case of the MRI of his right knee, grossly unremarkable, with some exceptions, showing, for example, possible bone spurs in his right foot (but negative for fracture) and left knee (Tr. 329, 349), a tiny tear of the posterior horn of his medial meniscus of his left knee (Tr. 349), and a possible bone cyst with no fracture and questionable tear versus age-related change in his right knee (Tr. 346-47). See also Tr. 498-99 (summary of diagnostic testing).
As noted by the ALJ, most of Plaintiff's complaints following his fall concerned his right knee, which he reported felt unstable and weak. Tr. 18. In October 2011, an arthroscopy of his right knee was performed. Tr. 356. An examination by consultative physician Fatemeh Mousavi, M.D., on October 31, 2011, revealed that Plaintiff appeared to be in "no acute distress;" however, he was using a cane for balance, his gait was abnormal, he had difficulty getting on and off the examination table and arising from a chair and he was limping on his left side. Tr. 362. Plaintiff was unable to squat or walk on heels and toes. Id. The ALJ discussed this opinion, specifically Dr. Mousavi's opinion that Plaintiff needed a cane to keep his balance; and the ALJ accepted the opinion and accounted for Plaintiff's limitation in his RFC. Tr. 19.
In February 2012, Plaintiff returned to Dr. Berdick, who noted Plaintiff's major complaint was chronic low back pain and degenerative joint disease exacerbated by his obesity. Tr. 376. On examination, Plaintiff had no joint swelling, a minor para-lumbar muscle spasm, tenderness in his sacroiliac and mild restriction to his lumbar spine flexion. Id. Rotation and extension were normal, and there were no motor, sensory or reflex abnormalities. Id. In March 2012, Dr. Berdick noted that post-arthroscopy Plaintiff was ambulating without an assistive device and had only mild restriction to his right knee flexion, no joint swelling, erythema or warmth, and no motor, sensory or reflex abnormalities. Tr. 374. Similarly, Plaintiff's May, July and September 2012 examinations by Dr. Berdick showed some sacroiliac tenderness and mild restriction in movement in Plaintiff's lumbar spine, but full range of motion in all other joints; negative straight leg raising bilaterally; and no motor, sensory, or reflex abnormalities. Tr. 372-73; 568. Dr. Berdick noted in the September visit that Plaintiff was "relatively stable," had returned for his bimonthly diazepam refill, was receiving Vicodin from pain management, and told the physician that his "only problem" is that he "needs a job." Tr. 568.
The ALJ discussed all these and other medical records and concluded:
Tr. 19. The ALJ further discussed that Plaintiff's pain management records indicated he was doing well with his regimen; however, Plaintiff was discharged from pain management at some point for poor compliance and behavior. Moreover, in March 2013 Plaintiff was noted as displaying narcotic-seeking behavior when he no longer had access to pain management services. Tr. 19-20, 712. In a visit to the ER for reasons unrelated to the conditions at issue here, Plaintiff was diagnosed with "chronic narcotic use" and was noted to be "very upset at the fact that we would not be prescribing for him additional narcotics." Tr. 712.
Accordingly, for these reasons, the Court concludes the ALJ's decision is supported by substantial evidence, he applied the proper legal standards, and he properly discounted Dr. Berdick's form opinion that was inconsistent with the physician's own treatment records.
Plaintiff next contends that the ALJ erred in drawing an adverse inference regarding Plaintiff's credibility based on his receiving unemployment benefits in 2011 and 2012. Tr. 20. The Commissioner asserts that substantial evidence supports the ALJ's credibility determination. Doc. 21 at 10.
The regulations require the ALJ to consider specific factors when making credibility determinations. Those factors include the claimant's daily activities; the location, duration, frequency and intensity of pain and other symptoms; precipitating and aggravating factors; the type, dosage, effectiveness and side effects of any medications; treatment other than medication; and any other measures to reduce pain or other symptoms. 20 C.F.R. § 404.1529(c)(3).
SSR 96-7p further explains the process by which a claimant's credibility must be evaluated:
Id. A claimant's statements as to the intensity and persistence of pain or other symptoms, or how they affect his ability to work, may not be disregarded simply because they are not supported by objective medical evidence; instead, the ALJ must state specific reasons for his credibility determination and the weight given to subjective statements, which must be supported by the record. 20 C.F.R. § 404.1529(c)(4) (subjective complaints are evaluated in relation to other evidence); SSR 96-7p; Wilson v. Barnhart, 284 F.3d 1219, 1225 (11th Cir. 2002) ("If the ALJ discredits subjective testimony, he must articulate explicit and adequate reasons for doing so.").
Here, the ALJ opined that while he was "persuaded" that Plaintiff's treatment history provided a "reasonable basis" for some of the symptoms he alleged and that Plaintiff's impairments would impose some restrictions on his ability to work, the "totality of his statements regarding his limitations are inconsistent with the objective evidence that does not demonstrate the existence of limitations of such severity as to preclude [Plaintiff] from performing any work on a continuing basis." Tr. 20-21. The ALJ also discussed Plaintiff's records that he received unemployment benefits in 2011 and 2012, noting that Florida law requires that when a person draws unemployment benefits he is certifying he is ready, willing and able to work. Tr. 20. The ALJ noted this certification is inconsistent with the allegation that Plaintiff is disabled and unable to work, and thus diminishes his credibility. Id.
The Court finds substantial evidence supports the ALJ's decision. As noted by the Commissioner, the ALJ based his credibility decision on several factors, only one of which was that Plaintiff was receiving unemployment benefits, such as Plaintiff's narcotic-seeking behavior, as previously discussed; Plaintiff's conservative treatment; Plaintiff's self-reports as late as September 2012 that he was doing well; and the objective clinical findings of x-rays and MRI reports. Doc. 21 at 11-12; Tr. 19-20. Furthermore, with respect to any alleged error in discounting Plaintiff's credibility for receiving unemployment benefits, the authority cited by Plaintiff does not foreclose the ALJ considering this issue among others when looking at the totality of the circumstances, as the ALJ did here.
Therefore, upon a review of the full record, the Court finds that substantial evidence supports the ALJ's credibility determination. "The question is not . . . whether the ALJ could have reasonably credited [a claimant's] testimony, but whether the ALJ was clearly wrong to discredit it." Werner v. Comm'r of Soc. Sec., 421 F. App'x 935, 939 (11th Cir. 2011). "A clearly articulated credibility finding with supporting evidence in the record will not be disturbed by a reviewing court." Foote, 67 F.3d at 1562. The Court declines to do so here.
Plaintiff argues finally that the ALJ committed error in his finding that Plaintiff is capable of performing other work that exists in substantial numbers in the national economy, such as automatic grinding machine operator, design applicator and ampoule sealer. Doc. 20 at 9; Tr. 23. Plaintiff asserts that these positions exceed the RFC determined by the ALJ. Doc. 20 at 10. For example, Plaintiff asserts that the automatic grinding machine operator requires a medium exertional level at a specific vocational preparation ("SVP") level of 3, semi-skilled work at a level above Plaintiff's light exertional level and assessed mental RFC, and that position and the ampoule sealer position each require reasoning levels of 2. Id. Plaintiff also argues that the design applicator position requires frequent standing, which exceeds the ALJ's RFC of standing four hours in an eight-hour workday and frequent balancing using an assistive device. Doc. 20 at 10; Tr. 17.
The Commissioner responds that the positions identified by the VE adequately account for Plaintiff's RFC limitation of understanding, remembering and carrying out simple instructions. Doc. 21 at 15; Tr. 17. The Commissioner further argues that there is no evidence in the record suggesting that Plaintiff is limited in his ability to reason, and no physicians have opined that Plaintiff has such limitations. Id., citing Tr. 17-21. Furthermore, a reasoning level of 2 is not inconsistent with the mental RFC here, particularly with respect to the ampoule sealer position, which is "unskilled." Id. at 15-16. Moreover, the design applicator position is a sedentary, unskilled position with a reasoning level of only 1, and the Commissioner correctly points out that the VE identified that this job exists in substantial numbers in the national economy. Id. at 16, Tr. 59. Finally, with respect to Plaintiff's use of a cane, the Commissioner states that Plaintiff misapprehends the ALJ's RFC determination, pointing out that the ALJ did not conclude, as Plaintiff suggests, that Plaintiff requires an assistive device to stand. Doc. 21 at 16.
With respect to Plaintiff's mental RFC, there is no error. All three jobs identified by the VE have reasoning levels or SVP time of either 1 or 2
In terms of Plaintiff's physical ability to perform the jobs identified by the VE, the automatic grinding machine operator, design applier and ampoule sealer positions each are classified under the DOT as sedentary jobs. "Sedentary work" is defined in the regulations at 20 C.F.R. § 404.1567(a) as work which involves:
Id. As noted, the ALJ found that Plaintiff could stand and/or walk for 4 hours in an 8-hour workday. Tr. 17. He also found that with the use of his cane Plaintiff can "frequently balance." Id. The ALJ presented the VE with a hypothetical including these limitations, and the VE identified the above three positions. Tr. 58-59. As noted, the VE also confirmed there were no inconsistencies between her testimony and the DOT. Tr. 60. Although Plaintiff appears to contend that the design applicator job requires standing in excess of the RFC determination (Doc. 20 at 10), as noted by the Commissioner, the DOT description of this position identifies it as a sedentary job that requires sitting "most of the time" and may involve walking and standing "for brief periods of time." DOT, 690.686-056, 1991 WL 678634; Doc. 21 at 17 n.13.
Concerning Plaintiff's contention that there is some conflict between the ALJ's RFC with respect to Plaintiff frequently balancing with the use of his cane and the positions identified by the VE, which the Court finds there is not because the ALJ addressed the use of a cane with the VE (Tr. 62), the ALJ confirmed with the VE that her testimony was consistent with the DOT. Tr. 60. It was not error for the ALJ to rely on the VE's opinion, and the Court will not remand this case on that basis. See Leigh v. Comm'r of Soc. Sec., 496 F. App'x 973, 975 (11th Cir. 2012). The ALJ fully complied with his obligation under SSR 00-4p and was not under an independent obligation to identify and resolve any inconsistency aside from any presented by the VE. Additionally, there was no apparent inconsistency between the DOT and VE testimony.
Upon review of the record, the undersigned concludes that the ALJ applied the proper legal standards, and his determination that Plaintiff is not disabled is supported by substantial evidence.
ACCORDINGLY, it is hereby
1. The decision of the Commissioner is
2. The Clerk of Court is directed to enter judgment pursuant to sentence four of 42 U.S.C. § 405(g) in favor of the Commissioner, and close the file.
20 C.F.R. § 404.1567(b).
