ALICIA G. ROSENBERG, Magistrate Judge.
Plaintiff Wendy A. Southard filed this action on September 24, 2014. Pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 636(c), the parties consented to proceed before the magistrate judge. (Dkt. Nos. 9, 10.) On March 31, 2015, the parties filed a Joint Stipulation ("JS") that addressed the disputed issues. The court has taken the matter under submission without oral argument.
Having reviewed the entire file, the court affirms the decision of the Commissioner.
On March 8, 2012, Southard filed an application for disability insurance benefits, alleging an onset date of December 31, 2008. Administrative Record ("AR") 113-16. The applications were denied. AR 10, 71-72. Southard requested a hearing before an Administrative Law Judge ("ALJ"). AR 78-79. On January 9, 2013, the ALJ conducted a hearing at which Southard, two medical experts, and a vocational expert testified. AR 24-40. On February 19, 2013, the ALJ issued a decision denying benefits. AR 10-20. On August 20, 2014, the Appeals Council denied the request for review. AR 1-3. This action followed.
Pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 405(g), this court has authority to review the Commissioner's decision to deny benefits. The decision will be disturbed only if it is not supported by substantial evidence, or if it is based upon the application of improper legal standards. Moncada v. Chater, 60 F.3d 521, 523 (9th Cir. 1995) (per curiam); Drouin v. Sullivan, 966 F.2d 1255, 1257 (9th Cir. 1992).
"Substantial evidence" means "more than a mere scintilla but less than a preponderance — it is such relevant evidence that a reasonable mind might accept as adequate to support the conclusion." Moncada, 60 F.3d at 523. In determining whether substantial evidence exists to support the Commissioner's decision, the court examines the administrative record as a whole, considering adverse as well as supporting evidence. Drouin, 966 F.2d at 1257. When the evidence is susceptible to more than one rational interpretation, the court must defer to the Commissioner's decision. Moncada, 60 F.3d at 523.
A person qualifies as disabled, and thereby eligible for such benefits, "only if his physical or mental impairment or impairments are of such severity that he is not only unable to do his previous work but cannot, considering his age, education, and work experience, engage in any other kind of substantial gainful work which exists in the national economy." Barnhart v. Thomas, 540 U.S. 20, 21-22, 124 S.Ct. 376, 157 L. Ed. 2d 333 (2003) (citation and quotation marks omitted).
The ALJ found that Southard met the insured status requirements through December 31, 2014. AR 12. Following the five-step sequential analysis applicable to disability determinations, Lounsburry v. Barnhart, 468 F.3d 1111, 1114 (9th Cir. 2006),
"To determine whether a claimant's testimony regarding subjective pain or symptoms is credible, an ALJ must engage in a two-step analysis." Lingenfelter v. Astrue, 504 F.3d 1028, 1035-36 (9th Cir. 2007). At step one, "the ALJ must determine whether the claimant has presented objective medical evidence of an underlying impairment `which could reasonably be expected to produce the pain or other symptoms alleged.'" Id. (quoting Bunnell v. Sullivan, 947 F.2d 341, 344 (9th Cir. 1991) (en banc)).
"Second, if the claimant meets this first test, and there is no evidence of malingering, the ALJ can reject the claimant's testimony about the severity of her symptoms only by offering specific, clear and convincing reasons for doing so." Lingenfelter, 504 F.3d at 1036 (citation and quotation marks omitted). "In making a credibility determination, the ALJ `must specifically identify what testimony is credible and what testimony undermines the claimant's complaints[.]'" Greger v. Barnhart, 464 F.3d 968, 972 (9th Cir. 2006) (citation omitted).
In weighing credibility, the ALJ may consider factors including: the nature, location, onset, duration, frequency, radiation, and intensity of any pain; precipitating and aggravating factors (e.g., movement, activity, environmental conditions); type, dosage, effectiveness, and adverse side effects of any pain medication; treatment, other than medication, for relief of pain; functional restrictions; the claimant's daily activities; and "ordinary techniques of credibility evaluation." Bunnell, 947 F.2d at 346 (citing Social Security Ruling ("SSR") 88-13)
As the ALJ noted, Southard testified that she cannot work secondary to difficulty walking and difficulty being in crowds or being around other people. AR 16-17, 29. She gets irritated and cannot communicate with other people. AR 17, 29. She has panic attacks that occur three to four times per week either at home or when she is outside. AR 17, 29-30. She hears voices of her deceased mother and her daughter's deceased father. AR 17, 30. She gets nervous easily and was told by her son that she sees things or people that are not there. AR 17, 30. Her medication side effects cause her to feel like her equilibrium is off. AR 19, 31. She has pain in her legs and hip, and uses a baby stroller or a push cart to hold on to when she walks outside of the house. AR 17, 31. She can walk about five blocks, but has to stop and rest "[a]fter a block or two." AR 17, 32. She cannot stand for long periods of time in one spot because her "legs will give out." AR 17, 32.
The ALJ found that Southard's medically determinable impairments could reasonably be expected to cause the alleged symptoms, but that her statements concerning the intensity, persistence and limiting effects of her symptoms were not credible. AR 17. The ALJ primarily relied on three reasons: (1) the objective evidence did not support Southard's claims of disabling pain and limitations; (2) Southard received conservative treatment; and (3) Southard's activities of daily living were not consistent with the alleged degree of pain and impairment. AR 17.
Southard argues that the objective evidence supports her testimony regarding her pain. Specifically, she argues that the record demonstrates that she complained to Dr. Gill, a treating physician, about pain in the knees, pelvic area, right shoulder and joints. AR 254-55, 258, 260-61.
Although lack of objective medical evidence supporting the degree of limitation "cannot form the sole basis for discounting pain testimony," it is a factor that an ALJ may consider in assessing credibility. Burch v. Barnhart, 400 F.3d 676, 681 (9th Cir. 2005). Regarding Southard's right shoulder, the record indicates that Southard had a follow-up appointment with Dr. Gill on November 4, 2011, at which time she reported that she hit herself with a coffee table on Friday night and was hospitalized for four days for severe pain in her right shoulder blade. AR 260. At her next appointment on November 22, 2011, Southard complained only of a cold. AR 259. Southard did not mention right shoulder pain in subsequent appointments with Dr. Gill or to Dr. Sedgh, a consultative examiner. AR 232, 254-58, 308. X-rays of the bilateral knees in June 2011 and February 2012 showed no acute bony change, although swelling was present in February 2012. AR 17, 258, 267-68, 276. An examination of the back and knees on July 21, 2012, showed good range of motion with no swelling or deformity, although a July 30, 2012 treatment note indicated swelling of the right knee with tenderness. AR 17, 234-36, 254. An x-ray of the right hip in June 2011 showed small bony density overlying the femoral head, and possible old avulsion injury at the posterior acetabulum. AR 275. An x-ray of the pelvis in February 2012 showed a normal right hip. AR 269. In addition, the ALJ found that the objective evidence showed that Southard's hypertension could be controlled with medication, with no evidence of stroke or congestive heart failure. AR 17, 233, 236. Radiographs of the left wrist and hand showed no fracture or dislocation, although there was deformity and decreased range of motion of the left wrist and decreased left hand grip. AR 14, 236, 238. Dr. Sedgh found that Southard retained the ability to perform a range of light work, with fine and gross manipulative functions on an occasional basis with the left hand, and postural functions on an occasional basis. AR 14, 236.
Regarding the degree of Southard's alleged mental limitations, the ALJ noted that the treatment records did not corroborate panic attacks to the extent Southard alleged. AR 17, 163-74, 206-30, 293-306. Southard had Global Assessment of Functioning ("GAF") scores between 60 and 65, which indicate mild to moderate mental symptoms.
The ALJ's finding as to the objective medical record as a whole is supported by substantial evidence.
"[E]vidence of `conservative treatment' is sufficient to discount a claimant's testimony regarding severity of an impairment." Parra v. Astrue, 481 F.3d 742, 751 (9th Cir. 2007) (citation omitted). The ALJ noted that Dr. Gill recommended conservative management for Southard's physical pain in the form of medication, diet modifications, and exercise.
An ALJ may consider a claimant's daily activities when weighing credibility. Bunnell, 947 F.2d at 346. The ALJ found that Southard could perform a fairly wide range of activities of daily living, go to church, manage her money and shop by herself for about three to four hours. AR 17, 144, 154. Southard told Dr. Nadella in July 2012 that she could dress, bathe and take care of her personal hygiene without assistance. AR 245. In the Function Report — Adult dated June 26, 2012, Southard reported that she prepares her own food weekly, which takes her one or two hours, and she stays away from fire and knives because her hands shake. She cleans the kitchen, bathroom, and washes clothes every one to two weeks, with occasional help from her son. AR 153. She enjoys watching television, eating, and playing with her three year-old grandson on a daily basis. She goes to church almost every Sunday and does not need someone to accompany her. AR 155. She walks about five blocks to the market by herself, using a baby stroller or push cart to hold onto. AR 31-32. Southard argues that she need not be completely incapacitated in order to be determined disabled. However, the ALJ permissibly relied on evidence that Southard could perform a variety of daily activities as a factor undermining the alleged severity of symptoms.
The ALJ's credibility finding is supported by substantial evidence. "If the ALJ's credibility finding is supported by substantial evidence in the record, we may not engage in second-guessing." Thomas, 278 F.3d at 959 (citing Morgan v. Comm'r of Soc. Sec. Admin., 169 F.3d 595, 600 (9th Cir. 1999)). The ALJ did not err.
Southard contends the ALJ did not properly consider the Third Party Function Report of her daughter, Anndraya Stinson.
"In determining whether a claimant is disabled, an ALJ must consider lay witness testimony concerning a claimant's ability to work." Stout v. Comm'r of Soc. Sec. Admin., 454 F.3d 1050, 1053 (9th Cir. 2006). "When an ALJ discounts the testimony of lay witnesses, `he [or she] must give reasons that are germane to each witness.'" Valentine v. Comm'r of Soc. Sec. Admin., 574 F.3d 685, 694 (9th Cir. 2009) (citation omitted).
Ms. Stinson completed a Third Party Function Report on June 25, 2012. AR 141-50. In the report, she stated that Southard forgets, hears voices, needs reminders to do things "every now and then," and has a "disabled" left hand. AR 141. Southard can no longer walk straight, stand for a long time, remember things, and sleep well. AR 142. She has difficulty dressing and bathing, and cannot use her hands too long to shave, feed herself, or cook due to numbness. AR 142-43. Her left hand and arm are not fully functional. AR 144. She does light chores for three or four hours per week, but must be reminded to clean. AR 143. She uses a baby stroller to walk, and may go out to get the mail, shop, or use public transportation. When she shops, she goes for three to four hours twice a month either by herself or with someone else. AR 144. She does not spend time with others because she "trust[s] no one," but she goes to church "at least once or twice" with the neighbor. AR 145. She cannot climb five stairs without taking breaks, cannot concentrate long or get things done without reminders, has difficulty following simple instructions, and has mood swings where she may appear to be a totally different person. AR 146. She has difficulty lifting, squatting, bending, standing, reaching, walking, sitting, kneeling, talking, hearing, stair climbing, seeing, remembering, completing tasks, concentrating, understanding, following instructions, using her hands, and getting along with others. AR 148. She is stressed, cries a lot, and overeats. AR 149.
The ALJ discussed and summarized the Third Party Function Report of Ms. Stinson, but did not give any reasons for discounting her testimony. AR 16. However, the ALJ's error was harmless in this case. "Where lay witness testimony does not describe any limitations not already described by the claimant, and the ALJ's well supported reasons for rejecting the claimant's testimony apply equally well to the lay witness testimony, it would be inconsistent with our harmless error precedent to deem the ALJ's failure to discuss the lay witness testimony to be prejudicial per se." Molina v. Astrue, 674 F.3d 1104, 1117 (9th Cir. 2012); Valentine, 574 F.3d at 694 (when ALJ provided clear and convincing reasons for rejecting claimant's testimony and lay witness' testimony was similar, "it follows that the ALJ also gave germane reasons for rejecting the [lay witness'] testimony."). Here, Ms. Stinson did not identify material limitations that were not generally described by Southard. AR 29-32, 141-59. As discussed above, the ALJ articulated sufficient reasons supported by substantial evidence for discounting Southard's credibility. The ALJ's error in failing to articulate reasons for discounting Ms. Stinson's statements was, therefore, harmless. Moreover, Southard does not contend otherwise.
IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that the decision of the Commissioner is affirmed.
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that the Clerk serve copies of this Order and the Judgment herein on all parties or their counsel.
