MEMORANDUM

RICHARD P. CONABOY, District Judge.

Pending before the Court is Plaintiff's appeal from the Commissioner's denial of Disability Insurance Benefits ("DIB") under Title II of the Social Security Act and Social Security Income ("SSI") under Title XVI. (Doc. 1.) He originally alleged disability beginning on March 2, 2004. (R. 12.) The Administrative Law Judge ("ALJ") who evaluated the claim, Michelle Wolfe, concluded in her October 7, 2014, decision that Plaintiff's severe impairments of headaches/migraines status post-concussion/post-concussion syndrome, cervicalgia, and, as of June 2014, seizure disorder did not alone or in combination meet or equal a listed impairment. (R. 15-17.) She also found that Plaintiff had the residual functional capacity ("RFC") to perform light work with certain nonexertional limitations and that he was capable of performing jobs that existed in significant numbers in the national economy. (R. 18-26.) ALJ Wolfe therefore found Plaintiff was not disabled during the relevant time period. (R. 26.)

With this action, Plaintiff asserts that the Acting Commissioner's decision should be reversed for the following reasons: 1) the ALJ erred in assessing Plaintiff's RFC; and 2) the ALJ erred in failing to give proper weight to Plaintiff's testimony. (Doc. 11 at 3.) After careful review of the record and the parties' filings, the Court concludes this appeal is properly granted.

I. Background

A. Procedural Background

Plaintiff protectively filed for DIB and SSI on April 26, 2013. (R. 12.) The claims were initially denied on August 13, 2013, and Plaintiff filed a request for a hearing before an ALJ on September 17, 2013. (Id.) Following the hearing, the ALJ issued her unfavorable decision on October 7, 2014, finding that Plaintiff was not disabled under the Social Security Act during the relevant time period.2 (R. 26.) On May 10, 2016, the Appeals Council denied Plaintiff's request for review of the ALJ's decision. (R. 1-6.) In doing so, the ALJ's decision became the decision of the Acting Commissioner. (R. 1.) In the denial, the Appeals Council noted that it had reviewed new information submitted but the new evidence did not provide a basis for changing the ALJ's decision.3 (R. 2.) Plaintiff was advised that if she wanted consideration of whether she was disabled after May 23, 2014, she would need to submit a new application for benefits. (R. 2.)

On July 7, 2016, Plaintiff filed his action in this Court appealing the Acting Commissioner's decision. (Doc. 1.) Defendant filed her answer and the Social Security Administration transcript on September 6, 2016. (Docs. 9, 10.) Plaintiff filed his supporting brief on October 21, 2016. (Doc. 11.) Defendant filed her brief on April 18, 2016. (Doc. 12.) Plaintiff did not file a reply brief and the time for doing so has passed. Therefore, this matter is fully briefed and ripe for disposition.

B. Factual Background

Plaintiff was born on January 2, 1965, and has a GED. (R. 25, 176; Doc. 11 at 2.) He has past relevant work as a furniture mover and furniture refinisher/refurbisher. (R. 25.)

1. Impairment Evidence

In his Statement of the Case, Plaintiff provides a general reference to the records of William Mattiace, M.D., stating that the cited records "well document the problems with respect to migraine headaches." (Doc. 11 at 2 (citing Exhibits 6F, 11F, 12F and 13F).) Plaintiff adds that Dr. Mattiace "confirms the inability to work when having a headache that Plaintiff testified to at the hearing. See Exhibit 13F wherein Dr. Mattiace states: `he gets daily severe migraine headaches when in the throes of such a headache has is incapable of sedentary work.'" (Id. (quoting Exhibit 13F [R. 591]).) This record is dated November 4, 2014. (Id.) Plaintiff's arguments do not contain any citation to the record. (See Doc. 11 at 3-6.)

ALJ Wolfe provides an extensive review of evidence in her Decision. (R. 19-24.) Defendant adopts the facts stated in the ALJ's Decision and highlights certain evidence in her brief (Doc. 12 at 5, 9-12). In the absence of any summary of evidence from Plaintiff, the Court will repeat excerpts from Defendant's recitation relevant to Plaintiff's alleged errors and provide additional background evidence related to Plaintiff's headache impairment.

Records indicate that Plaintiff suffered from migraine headaches from the time he was a child. (R. 495.) He had headaches a few times a week after an automobile accident in 2004, but by April 2009 he reported chronic daily migraine headaches. (R. 495, 499.) He was regularly followed by his primary care provider and at the Geisinger Neurology Clinic where his headaches were reported to be occurring on a daily basis in November 2011. (R. 369.)

As noted by Defendant,

(Doc. 12 at 9-10.)

More specifically, Plaintiff was followed regularly by William J. Mattiace, M.D., his primary care doctor, and also by Geisinger Neurology Department providers, including John P. Carlson, M.D. At his August 2008 visit with Dr. Mattiace, Plaintiff reported that he usually got a headache if he missed a dose of Relpax. (R. 487.) On August 11, 2011, Plaintiff reported to Dr. Mattiace that he was taking one or two Relpax per day for his migraines. (R. 480.) On August 30, 2011, Plaintiff reported to Geisinger PA Michelle Yasick that he rarely took only one Relpax for relief of migraine and stated that he could not function without it because his headaches become so severe that he could not work or resume activities of daily living. (R. 360.) Ms. Yasick recorded "[h]e reports `migraines have ruined my life and my job.' He states that he is self employed but because of the renal CA and migraines he cannot work full time." (Id.) On September 12, 2011, Plaintiff told Dr. Mattiace that his insurance reimbursement ran out and Dr. Mattiace noted "they are going to stop paying for his Relpax.

Unfortunately, he has needed to take either one or two Relpax on a daily basis. He has been doing that for years." (R. 479.) Dr. Mattiace further noted that Geisinger was going to write a letter to Medical Assistance to try to get the Relpax covered and Dr. Mattiace said he was willing to send a letter also, noting that "all other remedies have been tried and failed." (R. 479.) The need for Relpax and lack of coverage for an adequate amount was repeated in October 31, 2011, office notes—Dr. Mattiace noted that Relpax was "[t]he only thing that seems to keep life livable for him." (R. 478.)

On November 29, 2011, Dr. Carlson noted that Plaintiff reported having a headache every day, Relpax was the only thing that worked for him and his insurance company would only pay for six tablets where he needed as many as thirty-six tablets per month. (R. 369-70.) He opined that Plaintiff was "totally, permanently, and completely disabled from work." (R. 369.) In a letter to Plaintiff which was intended to be forwarded to the insurance company, Dr. Carlson noted that thirty-six tablets a month "would give you good headache control and function more normally." (R. 370.) Requests for additional Relpax do not appear to have been successful in that September 2012 records indicate Plaintiff's insurance was providing six Relpax per month. (R. 474.) Records also indicate that Dr. Carlson, and later Dr. Mattiace, provided an additional thirty-six Relpax every six months. (R. 537.)

Geisinger Interventional Pain Center records from July 2012 indicate that Plaintiff reported to CRNP Nichole Harmon that he got a headache/migraine daily; the pain seemed to take over his entire head; he had neck pain with the migraine; the pain was throbbing, stabbing, and pounding; the pain ranged from 1/10 to 10/10 in severity and it waxed and waned; the migraines were unpredictable though he had made multiple attempts to localize triggers; and the pain was associated with nausea/vomiting and light sensitivity. (R. 388.) Jolly L. Ombao, M.D., assessed Plaintiff to have "[c]hronic migraines which have not responded to previous medications." (R. 387.) He administered botox injections as a diagnostic and therapeutic intervention. (Id.) At his visit with Dr. Ombao on March 5, 2013, Plaintiff reported that his headaches were in the fronto-temporal region and they occurred daily with auras at times. (R. 453.) Dr. Ombao noted that the July 2012 botox injections gave six months of twenty percent pain relief but Plaintiff still had daily migraines after the botox. (Id.) His assesment was "[c]hronic intractable migraines which have not responded to previous medications or botox." (Id.) He added a medication to Plaintiff's regimen and encouraged Plaintiff to pursue cognitive behavioral therapy and relaxation methods. (Id.)

On March 13, 2013, Dr. Mattiace noted "[b]etween the Relpax and the hydrocodone, his life is tolerable." (R. 473.)

Irfan A. Jafree, M.D., assessed "[h]eadaches medically refractory migraines" at a January 8, 2014, Geisinger Neurology consultation. (R. 556.) He noted that Plaintiff's typical headaches were "center of head, throbbing, photophobia, phonophobia, nausea. Wakes up with them at times and could happen any time of day." (R. 554.) He also noted that Plaintiff had tried "multiple medication including botox and the results were sub-satisfactory." (Id.) Dr. Jafree planned a different medication regimen. (R. 556.)

In March 2014, Dr. Mattiace noted that Plaintiff's migraines were about the same and "overall" he was "doing reasonably well." (R. 534.) Dr. Mattiace further commented that "things have been fairly stable for a number of years now." (R. 534.) In July 2014, Dr. Mattiace noted that Plaintiff's headaches had been "about the same" and he would continue to manage them with Relpax and PRN hydrocodone. (R. 536.) In August 2014, Dr. Mattiace recorded that Plaintiff was using six Relpax per month, Dr. Carlson had given him thirty-six at a time to last six months, that worked out "reasonably well," Dr. Mattiace planned to continue to provide the Relpax as Dr. Carlson had, and Plaintiff would continue to follow up with the Geisinger neurologist. (R. 537.)

2. Hearing Testimony4

At the September 23, 2014, hearing, Plaintiff testified that before his 2004 auto accident, he got migraines three to four times a week but after the accident he got them daily. (R. 38.) He said he was usually home because of the migraines and engaged in almost no activities in part because of them. (R. 35, 41-42.) Plaintiff stated that he had not worked anywhere since the 2004 accident and, when he was self-employed as a licensed private detective, there were lots of periods where he was unable to work because of the migraines. (R. 42, 46-47.)

Plaintiff testified that he was taking Relpax for his migraines and he needed to take two "to get rid of it for a number of hours." (R. 44-45.) He also said his insurance would only pay for six pills a month so the medication only covered three migraines a month. (R. 45.) When the ALJ asked what he did for the rest of the month, Plaintiff responded that he stayed in bed and just had to wait for the migraine to subside. (Id.) He testified that he continued to see Dr. Mattiase regularly and was seeing a new neurologist and hoped to find medications that would work better. (Id.)

3. ALJ Decision

In her October 7, 2014, Decision, ALJ Wolfe set out the following Findings of Fact and Conclusions of Law:

(R. 15-26.)

Other relevant portions of the Decision will be referenced in the Discussion section of this Memorandum.

II. Disability Determination Process

The Commissioner is required to use a five-step analysis to determine whether a claimant is disabled.5 It is necessary for the Commissioner to ascertain: 1) whether the applicant is engaged in a substantial activity; 2) whether the applicant is severely impaired; 3) whether the impairment matches or is equal to the requirements of one of the listed impairments, whereby he qualifies for benefits without further inquiry; 4) whether the claimant can perform his past work; 5) whether the claimant's impairment together with his age, education, and past work experiences preclude him from doing any other sort of work. 20 C.F.R. §§ 404.1520(b)-(g), 416.920(b)-(g); see Sullivan v. Zebley, 493 U.S. 521, 110 S.Ct. 885, 888-89 (1990).

If the impairments do not meet or equal a listed impairment, the ALJ makes a finding about the claimant's residual functional capacity based on all the relevant medical evidence and other evidence in the case record. 20 C.F.R. § 404.1520(e); 416.920(e). The residual functional capacity assessment is then used at the fourth and fifth steps of the evaluation process. Id.

The disability determination involves shifting burdens of proof. The initial burden rests with the claimant to demonstrate that he or she is unable to engage in his or her past relevant work. If the claimant satisfies this burden, then the Commissioner must show that jobs exist in the national economy that a person with the claimant's abilities, age, education, and work experience can perform. Mason v. Shalala, 993 F.2d 1058, 1064 (3d Cir. 1993).

As set out above, the instant decision was decided at step five of the sequential evaluation process when the ALJ found that Plaintiff could perform jobs which existed in significant numbers in the national economy. (R. 25-26.)

III. Standard of Review

This Court's review of the Commissioner's final decision is limited to determining whether there is substantial evidence to support the Commissioner's decision. 42 U.S.C. § 405(g); Hartranft v. Apfel, 181 F.3d 358, 360 (3d Cir. 1999). Substantial evidence means "more than a mere scintilla. It means such relevant evidence as a reasonable mind might accept as adequate to support a conclusion." Richardson v. Perales, 402 U.S. 389, 401 (1971); see also Cotter v. Harris, 642 F.2d 700, 704 (3d Cir. 1981). The Third Circuit Court of Appeals further explained this standard in Kent v. Schweiker, 710 F.2d 110 (3d Cir. 1983).

Kent, 710 F.2d at 114.

This guidance makes clear it is necessary for the Secretary to analyze all evidence. If she has not done so and has not sufficiently explained the weight given to all probative exhibits, "to say that [the] decision is supported by substantial evidence approaches an abdication of the court's duty to scrutinize the record as a whole to determine whether the conclusions reached are rational." Dobrowolsky v. Califano, 606 F.2d 403, 406 (3d Cir. 1979). In Cotter, the Circuit Court clarified that the ALJ must not only state the evidence considered which supports the result but also indicate what evidence was rejected: "Since it is apparent that the ALJ cannot reject evidence for no reason or the wrong reason, an explanation from the ALJ of the reason why probative evidence has been rejected is required so that a reviewing court can determine whether the reasons for rejection were improper." Cotter, 642 F.2d at 706-07. However, the ALJ need not undertake an exhaustive discussion of all the evidence. See, e.g., Knepp v. Apfel, 204 F.3d 78, 83 (3d Cir. 2000). "There is no requirement that the ALJ discuss in its opinion every tidbit of evidence included in the record." Hur v. Barnhart, 94 F. App'x 130, 133 (3d Cir. 2004). "[W]here [a reviewing court] can determine that there is substantial evidence supporting the Commissioner's decision, . . . the Cotter doctrine is not implicated." Hernandez v. Comm'f of Soc. Sec., 89 Fed. Appx. 771, 774 (3d Cir. 2004) (not precedential).

A reviewing court may not set aside the Commissioner's final decision if it is supported by substantial evidence, even if the court would have reached different factual conclusions. Hartranft, 181 F.3d at 360 (citing Monsour Medical Center v. Heckler, 806 F.2d 1185, 1190-91 (3d Cir. 1986); 42 U.S.C. § 405(g) ("[t]he findings of the Commissioner of Social Security as to any fact, if supported by substantial evidence, shall be conclusive . . ."). "However, even if the Secretary's factual findings are supported by substantial evidence, [a court] may review whether the Secretary, in making his findings, applied the correct legal standards to the facts presented." Friedberg v. Schweiker, 721 F.2d 445, 447 (3d Cir. 1983) (internal quotation omitted). Where the ALJ's decision is explained in sufficient detail to allow meaningful judicial review and the decision is supported by substantial evidence, a claimed error may be deemed harmless. Albury v. Comm'r of Soc. Sec., 116 F. App'x 328, 330 (3d Cir. 2004) (not precedential) (citing Burnett v. Commissioner, 220 F.3d 112 (3d Cir. 2000) ("[O]ur primary concern has always been the ability to conduct meaningful judicial review."); see also Rutherford v. Barnhart, 399 F.3d 546, 553 (3d Cir. 2005) (a remand is not required where it would not affect the outcome of the case.). An ALJ's decision can only be reviewed by a court based on the evidence that was before the ALJ at the time he or she made his or her decision. Matthews v. Apfel, 239 F.3d 589, 593 (3d Cir. 2001).

IV. Discussion

Plaintiff asserts that the Acting Commissioner's decision should be reversed for the following reasons: 1) the ALJ erred in assessing Plaintiff's RFC; and 2) the ALJ erred in failing to give proper weight to Plaintiff's testimony. (Doc. 11 at 3.) Despite the inadequate development of these arguments in Plaintiff's brief, the Court will review the issues raised given the remedial nature of the Social Security Act, Dobrowolsky, 606 F.2d at 406. Because the claimed error regarding Plaintiff's testimony relates to the ALJ's RFC assessment, the Court will address the specific error before turning to the general RFC issue.

A. Subjective Complaints

Plaintiff contends the ALJ erred in not crediting his subjective complaints and limitations, specifically his testimony that he has daily migraine headaches. (Doc. 11 at 4.) Defendant responds "the ALJ comprehensively discussed Plaintiff's longitudinal treatment history, his benign examination and diagnostic findings, his favorable response to headache medication, and the various medical opinions in the record stating he retained work-related abilities." (Doc. 12 at 17 (citing R. 18-24).) The Court concludes the ALJ did not properly consider evidence of record regarding Plaintiff's pain related to his migraine headaches. Because the Court cannot conclude that this error is harmless, remand for further consideration is warranted.

The Third Circuit Court of Appeals has stated that "[w]e `ordinarily defer to an ALJ's credibility determination because he or she has the opportunity at a hearing to assess a witness's demeanor.'" Coleman v. Commissioner of Social Security, 440 F. App'x 252, 253 (3d Cir. 2012) (not precedential) (quoting Reefer v. Barnhart, 326 F.3d 376, 380 (3d Cir. 2003)). "Credibility determinations are the province of the ALJ and should only be disturbed on review if not supported by substantial evidence." Pysher v. Apfel, Civ. A. No. 00-1309, 2001 WL 793305, at *3 (E.D. Pa. July 11, 2001) (citing Van Horn v. Schwieker, 717 F.2d 871, 873 (3d Cir. 1983)).

The Social Security Regulations provide a framework within which a claimant's subjective complaints are to be considered. 20 C.F.R. §§ 404.1529, 416.929. First, symptoms such as pain, shortness of breath, and fatigue will only be considered to affect a claimant's ability to perform work activities if such symptoms result from an underlying physical or mental impairment that has been demonstrated to exist by medical signs or laboratory findings. 20 C.F.R. §§ 404.1529(b), 416.929(b). Once a medically determinable impairment which results in such symptoms is found to exist, the Commissioner must evaluate the intensity and persistence of such symptoms to determine their impact on the claimant's ability to work. Id. In so doing, the medical evidence of record is considered along with the claimant's statements. Id.

At the time of the ALJ Decision in this case, Social Security Ruling 96-7p provided guidance regarding the evaluation of a claimant's statements about his or her symptoms:6

SSR 96-7p, 1996 WL 374186, at *4 (S.S.A.). The ruling adds that "[o]ne strong indication of the credibility of an individual's statements is their consistency, both internally and with other information in the case record." SSR 96-7p, 1996 WL 374186, at *5.

The Third Circuit has explained:

Mason v. Shalala, 994 F.2d 1058, 1067-68 (3d Cir. 1993).

The regulations and relevant rulings set out factors which are considered relevant to symptoms such as pain: 1) activities of daily living; 2) the location, duration, frequency and intensity of the pain or other symptoms; 3) precipitating and aggravating factors; 4) the type, dosage, effectiveness and side effects of medications taken to alleviate symptoms; 5) treatment received other than medication intended to relieve pain or other symptoms; 6) other measures used for pain/symptom relief; and 7) other factors concerning functional limitations and restrictions due to pain or other symptoms. 20 C.F.R. §§ 404.1529(c)(3)(i-vii), 416.929(c)(3)(i-vii); SSR 96-7, 1996 WL 374186, at *3; SSR 16-3p, 2016 WL 1119029, at *7.

Here, the ALJ found that Plaintiff's medically determinable impairments could reasonably be expected to cause the alleged symptoms but "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." (R. 18-19.) The Court's review of the record does not find such an explanation. (See R. 18-24.)

Regarding the headache pain at issue in this action, the ALJ recognized that Plaintiff had the severe impairment of headaches/migraine status post-concussion/post-concussion syndrome. (R. 15) Her extensive review of evidence referenced Plaintiff's complaints of headache pain numerous times, including: complaints to his neurologist, John P. Carlson, M.D.; he was being followed for his migraines by William J. Mattiace, M.D.; he received botox injections to treat his headaches at the Inteventional Pain Center; he had seen another neurologist, Irfan A. Jafree, M.D., for complaints of headache; and a 2009 MRI of the brain conducted in part due to complaints of worsening headaches and to rule out an intracranial mass was normal. (R. 19-22.)

ALJ Wolfe's only discussion of the pain associated with Plaintiff's headaches is found in her consideration of Dr. Carlson's opinion that Plaintiff was "totally, permanently, and completely disabled from work." (R. 24 (citing Exhibit B5F/96 [R. 369]).) ALJ Wolfe gave the opinion little weight because it was "based primarily on the claimant's subjective complaints" and the opinion was

Relevant guidance regarding the ALJ's obligation to make a specific credibility finding is quite detailed:

SSR 96-7p, 1996 WL 374186, at *4.

ALJ Wolfe's conclusory statement regarding Plaintiff's credibility (R. 19) clearly does not satisfy the obligation explained in SSR 96-7p. Importantly, the ALJ did not mention Plaintiff's extensive testimony about limitations related to migraine headache pain—subjective complaints which were to be given serious consideration.7 Mason, 994 F.2d at 1067. The ALJ did not discuss any of the factors which are to be considered relevant to symptoms such as pain except for the effectiveness of medications taken to alleviate pain. See, e.g., 20 C.F.R. § 404.1529(c)(3). ALJ Wolfe's mention of the effectiveness of pain medication does not suffice as an explanation for a credibility determination for several reasons. First, the factor is not considered in the context of the required explanation—the effectiveness of the medication is considered only in the context of the ALJ's assessment of Dr. Carlson's opinion. (R. 24.) Second, medication effectiveness is the only factor mentioned.8 (Id.) Third, ALJ Wolfe misconstrued the evidence relied upon—her notation that "medication `controls' his headaches and he would be able to function normally with the medication," (R. 24 [quoting R. 379]), is not an accurate assessment of Dr. Carlson's statement. In a letter to Plaintiff which was intended to be forwarded to Plaintiff's insurance company, Dr. Carlson briefly set out the history of Plaintiff's headaches (including their progression from occurring a few times a week to daily) and stated that the "only medication" which gave him relief was Relpax. (R. 369.) He then said

(R. 369-70.)

The problem with the ALJ's interpretation of Dr. Carlson's statement is twofold. A discrepancy exists between an ability to "function more normally" with adequate medication (R. 370) and the ability "to function normally with his medication" (R. 24)—Dr. Carlson's description of Plaintiff's ability in relative terms should not be construed to equate with normal functioning as ALJ Wolfe did in her assessment. Moreover, Dr. Carlson's letter indicates that Relpax would give Plaintiff good headache control if a sufficient quantity were available. That quantity was not available at the time Dr. Carlson wrote the letter on November 29, 2011, and it was not available as of August 6, 2014, when Dr. Mattiace noted that Plaintiff was using six per month and was being given thirty-six at a time by Dr. Carlson, a practice Dr. Mattiace intended to continue. (R. 369-70, 537.) Thus, although Relpax provided a potential for good headache control, the record does not support a conclusion that the potential was realized. In addition to evidence that Plaintiff did not have access to a sufficient quantity of Relpax, a conclusion that Plaintiff's headaches were consistently controlled with medication is contradicted by Dr. Jafree's January 8, 2014, assessment of "[h]eadaches medically refractory migraines" (R. 556) and similar diagnoses of record (see, e.g., R. 453).9

Finally, the ALJ's inference that Plaintiff's subjective complaints regarding his headaches were not entirely credible because of normal test results—including a September 2013 normal EEG and Dr. Jafree's January 2014 normal neurological examination (R. 24)—is also problematic. First, it is noteworthy that Dr. Jafree diagnosed "medically refractory migraines" at the same office visit where his neurological exam was normal. (R. 555-56.) More importantly, normal examination and diagnostic testing do not undermine a migraine diagnosis and/or subjective complaints.

Salberg v. Astrue, Civ. A. No. 11-175, 2012 WL 4478310, at *13 (W.D. Pa. Sept. 27, 2012).

Because of the lack of objective verification, "[a]n ALJ must be particularly diligent in making credibility determinations with regard to migraines." Thomas v. Colvin, No. 1:14-CV-00274-TFM, 2015 WL 4067147, at *5 (W.D. Pa. July 2, 2015) (internal citation omitted). Courts look at a number of factors in determining whether a claimant's complaints of migraines are credible, including:

Kulbacki v. Colvin, 2016 WL 2609984, at *6 (W.D. Pa. May 6, 2016) (citing Thomas, 2015 WL 4067147, at *5-7). Relevant to consideration of the functional limitations caused by episodic symptoms, Abbruzzese noted that "headaches are episodic, thus affecting [the] ability to work on a regular, sustained basis," 2010 WL 5140615, at *8, and the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals explained that "full-time work does not allow for the flexibility to work around periods of incapacitation," Moore v. Colvin, 743 F.3d 1118, 1126 (7th Cir. 2014).

Not only do these observations and principles provide a framework for the proper consideration of Plaintiff's migraine headache complaints, they also point to error in ALJ Wolfe's conclusion that Dr. Carlson's opinion was entitled to little weight on the basis that "[t]here is nothing in the record to substantiate Dr. Carlson's opinion other than the claimant's subjective complaints." (R. 24.) Thus, upon remand, a much more thorough and legally appropriate analysis of Plaintiff's headache impairment must be conducted.

Additional consideration should be conducted in accord with the instruction found in SSR 97-6p that "[w]hen additional information is needed to assess the credibility of the individual's statements about symptoms and their effects, the adjudicator must make every reasonable effort to obtain available information that could shed light on the credibility of the individual's statements." 1996 WL 374186, at *3. In this case, further evidence is likely required regarding Plaintiff's ongoing problems securing effective medication (see, e.g., R. 370, 479, 538, 554) and clarification of the relative terms used by his primary care doctor to describe his status (e.g., doing "reasonably well" (R. 480, 536, 537), "his life is tolerable" (R. 473), "things have been fairly stable" (R. 534)).10

B. Residual Functional Capacity

Plaintiff asserts that there is no evidence of record that he retained the RFC assessed by ALJ Wolfe. (Doc. 11 at 3.) Defendant responds that substantial evidence supports the ALJ's RFC. (Doc. 12 at 7.) Because the Court has concluded that remand is required for the reasons set out above, reevaluation of Plaintiff's RFC is required.11

V. Conclusion

For the reasons discussed above, the Court concludes the ALJ's credibility and RFC findings are not supported by substantial evidence. Therefore, Plaintiff's appeal of the Acting Commissioner's decision is properly granted and this matter is remanded to the Acting Commissioner for further consideration consistent with this opinion. An appropriate Order is filed simultaneously with this Memorandum.