ANDREW T. BAXTER, Magistrate Judge.
This matter was referred to me, for all proceedings and entry of a final judgment, by the Honorable Mae A. D'Agostino, United States District Judge, by Order dated July 24, 2015 (Dkt. No. 14), in accordance with the provisions of 28 U.S.C. § 636(c), Fed. R. Civ. P. 73, N.D.N.Y. Local Rule 73.1, and the consent of the parties.
On October 16, 2012, plaintiff filed an application for Disability Insurance Benefits ("DIB"), claiming disability beginning on May 24, 2012. (Administrative Transcript ("T") 147-48). The application was denied initially, and plaintiff requested a hearing which was held on January 8, 2014, before Administrative Law Judge ("ALJ") F. Patrick Flannagan. (T. 27-74). On June 27, 2014, ALJ Flannagan issued a decision denying benefits. (T. 10-20). The ALJ's decision became the final decision of the Commissioner when the Appeals Council ("AC") denied plaintiff's request for review on January 6, 2015. (T. 1-4).
To be considered disabled, a plaintiff seeking disability insurance benefits or SSI disability benefits must establish that 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 result in death or which has lasted or can be expected to last for a continuous period of not less than twelve months. . . ." 42 U.S.C. § 1382c(a)(3)(A). In addition, the plaintiff's
42 U.S.C. § 1382c(a)(3)(B).
The Commissioner uses a five-step process, set forth in 20 C.F.R. sections 404.1520 and 416.920, to evaluate disability insurance and SSI disability claims.
Berry v. Schweiker, 675 F.2d 464, 467 (2d Cir. 1982); see 20 C.F.R. §§ 404.1520, 416.920. The plaintiff has the burden of establishing disability at the first four steps. However, if the plaintiff establishes that her impairment prevents her from performing her past work, the burden then shifts to the Commissioner to prove the final step. Id.
In reviewing a final decision of the Commissioner, a court must determine whether the correct legal standards were applied and whether substantial evidence supported the decision. Selian v. Astrue, 708 F.3d at 417; Brault v. Soc. Sec. Admin, Comm'r, 683 F.3d 443, 448 (2d Cir. 2012); 42 U.S.C. § 405(g)). Substantial evidence is "such relevant evidence as a reasonable mind might accept as adequate to support a conclusion." Talavera v. Astrue, 697 F.3d 145, 151 (2d Cir. 2012). It must be "more than a scintilla" of evidence scattered throughout the administrative record. Id. However, this standard is a very deferential standard of review "— even more so than the `clearly erroneous standard.'" Brault, 683 F.3d at 448.
"To determine on appeal whether an ALJ's findings are supported by substantial evidence, a reviewing court considers the whole record, examining the evidence from both sides, because an analysis of the substantiality of the evidence must also include that which detracts from its weight." Williams on behalf of Williams v. Bowen, 859 F.2d 255, 258 (2d Cir. 1988). However, a reviewing court may not substitute its interpretation of the administrative record for that of the Commissioner, if the record contains substantial support for the ALJ's decision. Id. See also Rutherford v. Schweiker, 685 F.2d 60, 62 (2d Cir. 1982).
An ALJ is not required to explicitly analyze every piece of conflicting evidence in the record. See, e.g., Mongeur v. Heckler, 722 F.2d 1033, 1040 (2d Cir. 1983); Miles v. Harris, 645 F.2d 122, 124 (2d Cir. 1981) (we are unwilling to require an ALJ explicitly to reconcile every conflicting shred of medical testimony). However, the ALJ cannot "`pick and choose' evidence in the record that supports his conclusions." Cruz v. Barnhart, 343 F.Supp.2d 218, 224 (S.D.N.Y. 2004); Fuller v. Astrue, No. 09-CV-6279, 2010 WL 5072112, at *6 (W.D.N.Y. Dec. 6, 2010).
Plaintiff's brief includes a summary of most of the medical and testimonial evidence in the record. (Pl.'s Br. at 1-5) (Dkt. No. 13). Defendant has only incorporated the "procedural statement" contained in the first two pages of plaintiff's brief, and has instead relied heavily on the ALJ's findings. (Def.'s. Br. at 1, 3-4). The court will incorporate the facts as stated by both plaintiff and the ALJ with additions and exceptions as noted below in discussing the specific issues raised by plaintiff.
The ALJ determined that plaintiff met the insured status requirement for disability benefits through December 31, 2015. After finding at step one of the disability analysis, that the plaintiff has not engaged in substantial gainful activity since the alleged May 24, 2012 onset date, the ALJ found that plaintiff had the following severe impairments at step two: degenerative disc disease of the cervical and lumbar spine, degenerative joint disease of the left knee, degenerative joint disease of the right shoulder, status post September 2012 arthroscopic shoulder repair, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease ("COPD"). (T. 12).
The ALJ found that although plaintiff has been "medically managed" for alcohol abuse, cirrhosis of the liver, history of alcoholic cardiomyopathy, abdominal pain, right wrist fracture, unspecified sleep apnea, gastroesophageal reflux disease ("GERD"), syncope secondary to dehydration, and acute eye injury due to bleach, these impairments were not "severe" within the meaning of the regulations.
At step three, the ALJ found that plaintiff did not have an impairment or combination of impairments that met or equaled the severity of a listed impairment in 20 C.F.R. Pt. 404, Subpt. P, App. 1. (T. 15-16). The ALJ compared plaintiff's impairments to Listing 1.02A or 1.02B (major dysfunction of a joint), 1.04 (disorders of the spine), 3.02 (chronic pulmonary insufficiency), and 3.03 (asthma). (T. 16).
The ALJ determined that plaintiff had the RFC to perform light work because he could lift and/or carry twenty pounds occasionally and ten pounds frequently.
The ALJ called a Vocational Expert ("VE") to testify at plaintiff's hearing. The VE's testified that plaintiff could not perform his past relevant work. The ALJ found that plaintiff also had impairments which would "impede" the ability to perform all or substantially all the requirements of light work.
Plaintiff raises the following arguments:
Defendant argues that the Commissioner's determination was supported by substantial evidence and should be affirmed. (Dkt. No. 15). This court finds that the ALJ's RFC determination regarding plaintiff's capacity for prolonged walking, standing, and sitting is not supported by substantial evidence. Although other aspects of the ALJ's RFC determination are supported by substantial evidence, I am constrained to order remand for further evaluation of plaintiff's RFC.
In rendering a residual functional capacity ("RFC") determination, the ALJ must consider objective medical facts, diagnoses and medical opinions based on such facts, as well as a plaintiff's subjective symptoms, including pain and descriptions of other limitations. 20 C.F.R. §§ 404.1545, 416.945. See Martone v. Apfel, 70 F.Supp.2d 145, 150 (N.D.N.Y. 1999). An ALJ must specify the functions plaintiff is capable of performing, and may not simply make conclusory statements regarding a plaintiff's capacities. Id. (citing, inter alia, Ferraris v. Heckler, 728 F.2d 582, 588 (2d Cir. 1984)). RFC can only be established when there is substantial evidence of each physical requirement listed in the regulations. Id. (citing LaPorta v. Bowen, 737 F.Supp. 180, 183 (N.D.N.Y. 1990)). The RFC assessment must also include a narrative discussion, describing how the evidence supports the ALJ's conclusions, citing specific medical facts, and non-medical evidence. Trail v. Astrue, 5:09-CV-1120 (DNH/GHL), 2010 WL 3825629, at *6 (N.D.N.Y. Aug. 17, 2010) (citing SSR 96-8p, 1996 WL 374184, at *7).
Social Security Ruling ("SSR") 83-10 elaborates on the requirements of light work:
While a treating physician's opinion is not binding on the Commissioner, the opinion must be given controlling weight when it is well supported by medical findings and not inconsistent with other substantial evidence. See Veino v. Barnhart, 312 F.3d 578, 588 (2d Cir. 2002); 20 C.F.R. §§ 404.1527(c)(2), 416.927(c)(2). If the treating physician's opinion is contradicted by other substantial evidence, the ALJ is not required to give the opinion controlling weight. Halloran v. Barnhart, 362 F.3d 28, 32 (2d Cir. 2004). The ALJ must, however, properly analyze the reasons that a report of a treating physician is rejected. Id. An ALJ may not arbitrarily substitute his/her own judgment for competent medical opinion. Rosa v. Callahan, 168 F.3d 72, 79 (2d Cir. 1999). When controlling weight is not given, the ALJ should consider the following factors to determine the proper weight assigned to a treating physician's opinion: (1) frequency of the examination and the length, nature, and extent of the treatment relationship; (2) the evidence in support of the opinion; (3) the opinion's consistency with the record as a whole; and (4) whether the opinion is from a specialist. See 20 C.F.R. § 404.1527(c); Shaw v. Chater, 221 F.3d 126, 134 (2d Cir. 2000).
In this case, plaintiff argues that the ALJ erred in determining that plaintiff could perform light work. Plaintiff argues that the ALJ's determination fails to "account for the full extent of Plaintiff's limitations caused by the impairments to his knee, back, and shoulder,"
Dr. White has been plaintiff's treating internist at least since 2011,
The Questionnaire also asked about the effects of plaintiff's medical conditions. Dr. White checked boxes indicating that plaintiff's conditions would cause pain and fatigue. (T. 462) She also answered "yes" to questions asking whether the plaintiff's conditions, his pain, or the side effects
By contrast, Dr. Jenouri found that plaintiff had only a "mild restriction to heavy lifting and carrying and activities requiring fine and gross motor activity using the right upper extremity." (T. 433). Dr. Jenouri also examined plaintiff's hands and fingers, finding that plaintiff's dexterity was "intact," and his grip strength was 5/5 bilaterally. (T. 433). Dr. Jenouri also found that the plaintiff should avoid smoke, dust, or other respiratory irritants.
The ALJ gave Dr. White's 2014 RFC no weight because it was inconsistent with the "overall medical evidence," Dr. Jenouri's report, and Dr. White's own treatment notes. (T. 18). The ALJ stated that Dr. White's opinion that plaintiff could not stand for more than one hour at a time was inconsistent with her treatment notes, in which she found that plaintiff had normal gait and station and normal alignment and mobility of the spine. (T. 18). The ALJ found that Dr. White did not explain her statement that plaintiff required frequent position changes or engage in activities higher than waist level because "there is no evidence of an impairment with the claimant's dominant upper left extremity." (Id.)
The ALJ's decision to afford no weight to Dr. White's very restrictive 2014 RFC is supported by substantial evidence. Dr. White's most recent report prior to the RFC evaluation is dated July 12, 2013.
With respect to his right upper extremity, although the report states that plaintiff had "[p]ain with movement in any direction more than 90 degrees," flexion was "fine to 120 deg.," extension to 50 degrees, abduction to 100 degrees, internal rotation was normal, and external rotation was to 40 degrees. (T. 450). Plaintiff's left upper extremity had normal range of motion and strength. Plaintiff had normal sensation, and had no impairment in his coordination. (T. 450). In the section entitled "Depression Screening," the report states that plaintiff denied any depression at all. (T. 447).
The July 2013 report states that coordination tests showed that plaintiff had no dysmetria (poor control of his range of movement), had normal rapid alternating movements, his finger-to-nose and heel-to-shin testing were within normal limits, and he had a negative Romberg
Although the "depression screening" was positive in Dr. White's February 5, 2013 report, suggesting that plaintiff's "functionality was impaired," and although he stated that his condition would make it "very difficult" to get along with others, plaintiff denied feeling "bad" about himself" and denied trouble "concentrating." (T. 454). Despite complaints of "joint pain," plaintiff "denied back pain," joint swelling, body aches, muscle cramps, muscle weakness, stiffness, or recent injury. (Id.) Once again, plaintiff's gait and station were "normal," and his spine, ribs, and pelvis were all in normal alignment, had "normal mobility," and no deformity. (T. 456). The plaintiff was able to touch the back of his head with his right upper extremity, but it "catches on the way down." (Id.) There was "crepitus" mid-rhomboid with flexion and extension, and plaintiff had pain on internal rotation. However, there was no clubbing, cyanosis, edema, or varicosities. (Id.) Plaintiff did have shoulder pain, and it was listed as "unchanged," but his COPD was listed as "improved." (T. 457).
In November of 2012, Dr. White indicated that plaintiff's shoulders were a bit forward, his right arm was in a sling after his rotator cuff surgery, he had a flattened lordosis, and his hips rocked forward. However, there was no indication that plaintiff moved slowly
(T. 263). In October of 2012, plaintiff's gait and station were the same, he did have shoulder pain, but his COPD was asymptomatic except for a cough. (T. 370). In September of 2012, plaintiff denied back pain, joint swelling, muscle aches, cramps, weakness or stiffness. (T. 374). The court notes that Dr. White never estimated what functions plaintiff would or would not be able to perform, nor did she discuss any limitations from his impairments until the January 2014 Questionnaire.
With respect to the lifting requirement for light work, Dr. White stated in the 2014 Questionnaire, that plaintiff could not lift more than five pounds, but did not specify whether this limitation was "bilateral." There is no impairment in plaintiff's left shoulder, and the ALJ found that plaintiff could not reach overhead with his right upper extremity. (T. 16). And although the RFC in the ALJ's decision does not differentiate between left and right with respect to plaintiff's ability to lift, the court notes that the hypothetical question that the ALJ asked the VE specifically stated that plaintiff could "lift 20 pounds occasionally and 10 pounds frequently with . . . the dominant left arm and hand," could do no overhead lifting with the non-dominant right arm and could occasionally use the non-dominant right arm for other reaching, but could frequently handle finger and feel with the right hand.
The ALJ did address the limitations imposed by plaintiff's shoulder impairment on the right side,
Notwithstanding the fact that many aspects of the ALJ's RFC determination were supported by substantial evidence, his findings regarding plaintiff's capacity for prolonged standing, walking, and sitting were not adequately supported by the medical opinion evidence. Dr. Jenouri did not comment on any limitations on plaintiff's ability to sit, stand, or walk.
The omission of any conclusion by a consultative examiner regarding prolonged sitting or standing could not have been reasonably construed by the ALJ as a conclusion that plaintiff satisfied the sitting or standing requirements of light work, without seeking clarification from the doctor. See, e.g., Vongsouvanh v. Comm'r of Soc. Sec., No. 6:13-CV-1581 (TJM/ATB), 2015 WL 926200, at *10 (N.D.N.Y. Mar. 3, 2015) (the omission of any conclusion from the consulting examiner regarding prolonged sitting could not have been reasonably construed by the ALJ as a conclusion that plaintiff could sit for six hours in an eight-hour day); DiVetro v. Comm'r of Social Sec., No. 5:05-CV-830 (GLS/DEP), 2008 WL 3930032, at *12 (N.D.N.Y. Aug. 21, 2008) (the record lacks any assessment from either a treating source or a consultant supporting a finding of plaintiff could sit for eight hours in a given workday; this portion of the ALJ's RFC determination was not well-supported); Tricic v. Astrue, No. 6:07-CV-997 (NAM), 2010 WL 3338697, at *3-4 (N.D.N.Y. Aug. 24, 2010) (the ALJ's determination that plaintiff could stand/walk and sit for about six hours in an eight-hour workday was not supported by substantial evidence where two treating doctors opined that plaintiff should avoid prolonged sitting and/or standing, and no examining doctor provided a specific opinion about plaintiff's ability to sit or stand for particular periods of time). It is possible that Dr. Jenouri could have intended the interpretation made by the ALJ, but without further support, the case law dictates that such interpretation is insufficient. Because the ability to stand and walk is critical to the finding that plaintiff can perform light work, the case must be remanded for further evaluation of plaintiff's ability to sit, stand, and walk.
Plaintiff also alleges that the ALJ failed to properly address the "effect" of plaintiff's COPD. Plaintiff argues that although Dr. Jenouri found that plaintiff should "avoid" smoke, dust, or other known respiratory irritants, his RFC stated that plaintiff must avoid "concentrated" exposure to respiratory irritants such as fumes, odors, dust, and gases. (T. 16, 433). Plaintiff interprets the term "avoid" as the "ability to tolerate very little irritants," which according to plaintiff has "a considerable impact on the occupational base." (Pl.'s Br. at 12) (citing SSR 85-15). Plaintiff argues that the ALJ gave the incorrect environmental restriction to the VE.
This court does not agree. In support of his argument, plaintiff cites Long v. Colvin, 3:13-CV-578, 2013 WL 3051601, at *6 (N.D.N.Y. June 17, 2013) for the proposition that a restriction to avoid exposure to odors or dust "directs that evaluations must be conducted on an individual basis." (Pl.'s Br at 12) (citing Long, supra (emphasis in original) & SSR 85-15). However, the court in Long stated that where a person has a medical restriction to avoid "excessive" amounts of "noise, dust, etc." the impact on the ability to work would be minimal because most job environments do not contain those environmental irritants. But, where an individual can tolerate "very little" noise, dust, or other irritants, the impact on the ability to work would be considerable, and where the restriction falls somewhere in between, "resolution of the issue will generally require consultation of occupational reference materials or the services of [a VE]." Id. (citing SSR 85-15).
In this case, the ALJ used a VE, and there is no indication that the ALJ's interpretation of Dr. Jenouri's statement was incorrect. This is particularly so because, notwithstanding Dr. White's suggestion that plaintiff quit smoking, he has not done so for years. While plaintiff testified at the January 8, 2014 hearing that he was "down to" one or two cigarettes per day, in November of 2012, plaintiff was still smoking 20-40 cigarettes per day; in February of 2013, he estimated that he smoked 40 cigarettes per day; and on July 12, 2013, he was still smoking 20-40 cigarettes per day. (T. 56, 447, 453). Yet, Dr. White never assessed any limitations based on plaintiff's COPD.
If a claimant is unable to perform a full range of a particular exertional category of work, or the issue is whether a claimant's work skills are transferable to other jobs, then the ALJ may utilize the services of a vocational expert. 20 C.F.R. §§ 404.1566, 416.966. A vocational expert may provide testimony regarding the existence of jobs in the national economy and whether a particular claimant may be able to perform any of those jobs given his or her functional limitations. See Rautio v. Bowen, 862 F.2d 176, 180 (8th Cir. 1988); Dumas v. Schweiker, 712 F.2d 1545, 1553-54 (2d Cir. 1983).
If the ALJ utilizes a VE at the hearing, generally, the VE is questioned using a hypothetical question that incorporates plaintiff's limitations. See Aubeuf v. Schweiker, 649 F.2d 107, 114 (2d Cir. 1981). Although the ALJ is initially responsible for determining the claimant's capabilities based on all the evidence, see Dumas v. Schweiker, 712 F.2d 1545, 1554 n.4 (2d Cir. 1983), a hypothetical question that does not present the full extent of a claimant's impairments cannot provide a sound basis for vocational expert testimony. See De Leon v. Sec'y of Health and Human Servs., 734 F.2d 930, 936 (2d Cir. 1984); Lugo v. Chater, 932 F.Supp. 497, 503-04 (S.D.N.Y. 1996). Conversely, the ALJ may rely on a VE's testimony regarding the availability of work as long as the hypothetical facts the expert is asked to consider are based on substantial evidence and accurately reflect the plaintiff's limitations. Calabrese v. Astrue, 358 F. App'x 274, 276 (2d Cir. 2009). Where the hypothetical is based on an ALJ's RFC analysis, which is supported by substantial facts, the hypothetical is proper. Id. at 276-277.
Plaintiff argues that the ALJ asked an incomplete hypothetical, in which the RFC was not supported by substantial evidence. This court finds that because the ALJ's finding with respect to plaintiff's ability to sit, stand, or walk was not supported by substantial evidence, the hypothetical question was similarly flawed. On remand the ALJ must formulate hypothetical questions to a VE so that they conform to an RFC determination that is supported by substantial evidence.
Plaintiff also argues that in addition to the alleged errors in the hypothetical question, the VE's answer did not identify jobs existing in "significant numbers" in the national economy. (Pl.'s Br. at 15-16). In Koutrakos v. Colvin, Magistrate Judge Joan Margolis discussed the "significant numbers issue" and reviewed the some of the case law discussing whether "significant numbers" existed. Koutrakos v. Colvin, No. 3:13-CV-1290, 2015 WL 1190100, at *20-22 (D. Conn. Mar. 16, 2015). Magistrate Judge Margolis first pointed out that "[n]either the Social Security Act, nor the Commissioner's Regulations or Rulings provide a definition for a `significant' number of jobs." Id. at *21. The court is generally guided by numbers that have been found "significant" in other cases. Id. (citing Schadenfroh v. Colvin, No. 09-CV-223, 2014 WL 1260123 (S.D. Ind. Mar. 27, 2014)). Significant numbers include 408 jobs in the regional economy and 98,008 jobs in the national economy; and 180 jobs in the regional economy and 40,027 jobs nationally. Barbato v. Astrue, No. 09-CV-6530, at *7 (W.D.N.Y. July 7, 2010) (citing Lee v. Sullivan, 988 F.2d 789, 794 (7th Cir. 1993) (1400 jobs was significant)
In Koutrakos v. Colvin, the court questioned whether 85 jobs in the state of Connecticut were a "sufficient number" of surveillance system monitor jobs. However, the VE in Koutrakos also testified that there were 1,296 information clerk jobs in Connecticut and 152,000 nationally, which was a significant number. 2015 WL 1190100, at *22 (citing inter alia Durante v. Colvin, No. 13-CV-1298, 2014 WL 4843684, at *5 (D. Conn. Sept. 29, 2014) (finding that 660 positions in the state of Connecticut is a significant number); Dugan v. Soc. Sec. Admin. Comm'r, 501 F. App'x 24, 25 (2d Cir. 2012) (noting VE's testimony that there were two jobs with a total of 600 positions in Vermont and 344,000 nationwide)). Because of the additional job with a more extensive number of positions in the state of Connecticut, the court in Koutrakos affirmed the Commissioner's determination and found that the VE had cited significant numbers of jobs that the plaintiff could perform.
In Vining v. Astrue, 720 F.Supp.2d 126, 136 (D. Me. 2010), the court found that "assuming" that 30 jobs in the state of Maine is
In this case, the ALJ identified three job categories: Work Ticket Distributor, with 278,490 jobs in the national economy; Usher, with 106,860 jobs in the national economy; and Ironer, with 218,740 jobs in the national economy. (T. 19-20). At the hearing, the VE testified that these numbers were Occupational Employment Statistics ("OES") figures that apply to broader job classifications which include multiple job titles. (T. 66). The VE then looked up the "individual numbers" for each particular job title, which he stated were only "estimated" numbers. (T. 67). For the Work Ticket Distributor, the number was 177, and for the Usher, the number was 4,803. (T. 67). The "SkillTRAN" computer program used by the VE did not have a specific number for the Ironer job title. (T. 67). The VE did not clarify whether the "individual" numbers for the particular job classification related to the national economy or some subset thereof.
The ALJ found that "[e]ven though the [VE] listed limited actual job numbers for specific DOT titles, the numbers were only estimates that were not from any job databases. I rely upon the numbers listed above from the OES job categories." (T. 20). The ALJ determined that, even though the OES statistics applied to job classifications containing multiple job titles, the VE's opinion was still sufficient evidence that there was a significant number of jobs in the "national economy" that the plaintiff could perform. (Id.)
Generally, the OES numbers in this case are sufficient. There are over 200,000 jobs in two of the categories that the VE listed and over 100,000 in the third category. In Williams v. Colvin, No. 5:13-CV-180, 2014 WL 1681707, at *13 (D. Vt. Apr. 28, 2014), adopting Rep. Rec.), the court found "no error in the VE's reliance on OES numbers instead of DOT numbers, particularly when one of the OES categories only had one DOT code, and thus, no reduction of the OES numbers was required. The court in Williams also cited Brault, for the proposition that it was sufficient that the VE identified "the sources he generally consulted to determine [the job numbers]," and noting the "marked absence of any applicable regulation or decision of th[e] Court requiring a vocational expert to identify with greater specificity the source of his figures or provide supporting documentation." Id. (quoting Brault, 683 F.3d at 450; Galiotti v. Astrue, 266 F. App'x 66, 68 (2d Cir. 2008) (internal quotations omitted, alterations in original)). However, the "individual" numbers as to which the VE testified, depending on what they actually represent, appear to fall into the category that the above-cited cases found to be "insufficient."
The VE's testimony is unclear regarding what the "individual" job estimates covered. Finally, the VE testified that there was no "estimate" for the third job, but that does not appear to mean that there are "no" jobs for that position.
As stated above, there is substantial debate in the case law about the statistics as stated by the VE, but generally, the courts have determined that a VE's experience allows him or her to form a reliable opinion on whether significant numbers of jobs exist in the national economy. See e.g. Blake v. Colvin, No. 2:14-CV-52, 2015 WL 3454736, at *9 (D. Vt. May 29, 2015) (discussing inter alia Vandermark, supra). Although it appears that there were significant number of jobs to which the VE testified in the case, if the RFC changes based on additional review, the ALJ will need to address the issue with a new VE. Even if the RFC does not change, the ALJ should clarify the job numbers with a VE because the testimony below was not completely clear.
Remand to the Commissioner for further development of the evidence is appropriate when there are gaps in the administrative record or where the ALJ has applied an improper legal standard. Rosa v. Callahan, 168 F.3d 72, 82-83 (2d Cir. 1999). Reversal for calculation of benefits is appropriate only if the record contains persuasive proof of disability and a remand for further evidentiary proceedings would serve no useful purpose. Id.
This court has found that the ALJ's decision is not supported by substantial evidence. In this case, the court concludes that further review is necessary to make a proper determination of plaintiff's RFC, but that a remand for calculation of benefits is not appropriate. Depending upon the resolution of the RFC issue, it may be necessary to utilize the services of a VE.