DAVID L. BUNNING, District Judge.
This action was brought pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 405(g) to obtain judicial review of an administrative decision of the Commissioner of Social Security. The Court, having reviewed the record and the parties' dispositive motions, will affirm the Commissioner's
Plaintiff Eddie Merida applied for a period of disability and disability insurance benefits (DIB) and supplemental security income (SSI) on March 21, 2007. (Tr. 140-43, 144-46). At the time of filing, Plaintiff was 36 years old and alleged a disability onset date of March 16, 2007. (Tr. 140). Plaintiff alleges that he is unable to work due to chronic bilateral knee pain and anger management issues. (Tr. 83, 174). His application was denied initially and again on reconsideration. (Tr. 118-121, 125-27). At Plaintiff's request, an administrative hearing was conducted on November 20, 2008. (Tr. 70-113). On March 9, 2009, Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) Don C. Paris ruled that Plaintiff was not disabled and therefore not entitled to DIB or SSI. (Tr. 37-50). This decision became the final decision of the Commissioner when the Appeals Council denied Plaintiff's request for review on December 26, 2009.
On February 24, 2010, Plaintiff filed the instant action. (Doc. # 1). The matter has culminated in cross-motions for summary judgment, which are now ripe for adjudication. (Docs. # 9, 10).
Judicial review of the Commissioner's decision is restricted to determining whether it is supported by substantial evidence and was made pursuant to proper legal standards. See Colvin v. Barnhart, 475 F.3d 727, 729 (6th Cir.2007). "Substantial evidence" is defined as "more than a scintilla of evidence but less than a preponderance; it is such relevant evidence as a reasonable mind might accept as adequate to support a conclusion." Cutlip v. Sec'y of Health & Human Servs., 25 F.3d 284, 286 (6th Cir.1994). Courts are not to conduct a de novo review, resolve conflicts in the evidence, or make credibility determinations. Id. Rather, we are to affirm the Commissioner's decision, provided it is supported by substantial evidence, even if we might have decided the case differently. Her v. Comm'r of Soc. Sec., 203 F.3d 388, 389-90 (6th Cir.1999). If supported by substantial evidence, the Commissioner's findings must be affirmed, even if there is evidence favoring Plaintiff's side. Listenbee v. Sec'y of Health & Human Servs., 846 F.2d 345, 349 (6th Cir.1988). Similarly, an administrative decision is not subject to reversal merely because substantial evidence would have supported the opposite conclusion. Smith v. Chater, 99 F.3d 780, 781-82 (6th Cir.1996).
The ALJ, in determining disability, conducts a five-step analysis. Step 1 considers whether the claimant still performs substantial gainful activity; Step 2, whether any of the claimant's impairments, alone or in combination, are "severe"; Step 3, whether the impairments meet or equal a listing in the Listing of Impairments; Step 4, whether the claimant can still perform her past relevant work; and Step 5, whether a significant number of other jobs exist in the national economy which the claimant can perform. As to the last step, the burden of proof shifts from the claimant to the Commissioner to identify "jobs
At Step 1, the ALJ found that Plaintiff has not engaged in substantial gainful activity since applying for benefits. (Tr. 39). At Step 2, the ALJ found that Plaintiff had the following severe impairments: osteoarthritis of the bilateral knees with chronic knee pain, left worse than right; anti-social traits; and a history of polysubstance abuse (alcohol and cannabis). (Tr. 39). At Step 3, the ALJ found that Plaintiff did not have an impairment or combination of impairments that meets or medically equals one of the listed impairments in 20 C.F.R. Part 404, Subpart P, Appendix 1. (Tr. 41).
At Step 4, the ALJ found that Plaintiff possessed the residual functional capacity (RFC) to perform light work as defined in 20 C.F.R. §§ 404.1567(b), 416.967(b). (Tr. 42). Plaintiff can lift/carry twenty pounds occasionally and ten pounds frequently. (Tr. 42). He can stand/walk a total of six hours in an eight hour work day and sit six hours in an eight hour work day. (Tr. 42). However, he requires a sit/stand option with no prolonged standing/walking in excess of one-half hour without interruption. (Tr. 42). Plaintiff is also limited to no more than frequent pushing/pulling or use of foot controls with the lower extremities. (Tr. 42). He can only occasionally climb stairs/ramps, stoop, kneel or crouch and can never climb ladders/ropes/scaffolds or crawl. (Tr. 42-43). In addition, Plaintiff should avoid concentrated exposure to full body vibration or hazards such as unprotected heights and dangerous machinery. (Tr. 43). Since Plaintiff also suffers from mental impairments, the ALJ found that he would be limited to performing simple and non-detailed work tasks. (Tr. 43). Furthermore, he requires a work environment that is object focused and contact with co-workers, supervisors and the general public is infrequent and casual. (Tr. 43). Based upon these findings, the ALJ found that Plaintiff is unable to perform any past relevant work. (Tr. 48).
At Step 5, the ALJ found that Plaintiff was born on October 7, 1970 and was 36 years old, which is defined as a "younger person," on the alleged disability onset date. (Tr. 48). See 20 C.F.R. §§ 404.1563, 416.963. The ALJ also found that Plaintiff has at least a high school education and is able to communicate in English. (Tr. 48). Considering the Plaintiff's age, education, work experience and residual functional capacity, the ALJ determined that a significant number of jobs exist in the national economy that Plaintiff can perform. (Tr. 49). ALJ Paris therefore concluded that Plaintiff has not been under a disability within the meaning of the Social Security Act since Plaintiff's alleged onset disability date of March 16, 2007 through the date of the decision. (Tr. 50).
Plaintiff raises several arguments on appeal. First, Plaintiff contends the ALJ failed to give appropriate weight to the opinions of treating physicians, Jeffrey W. Golden, M.D. and Veronica Vasicek, M.D., and failed to give adequate reasoning for refusing to accept these opinions. Second, Plaintiff argues that the ALJ did not consider the combined effects of his impairments. Third, Plaintiff argues the ALJ did not consider the durational requirement of substantial gainful activity. Next, Plaintiff alleges the ALJ erred in finding his impairments did not meet or medically
Plaintiff argues that the ALJ failed to give deference to the opinions of two treating physicians, Drs. Golden and Vasicek.
In this case, the ALJ gave little weight to the restrictions included in Dr.
First, the ALJ noted that Dr. Vasicek's assessment was based on an examination of the Plaintiff that she performed over one year prior to the assessment.
Furthermore, Dr. Vasicek's assessment contradicts her own medical records. In a May 2007 evaluation, Plaintiff was allowed to return to modified work on April 30, 2007. (Tr. 290). It was noted that he could perform full weight bearing activities; constantly sit, stand and walk; frequently climb stairs; occasionally bend, squat and climb ladders; and had no lifting limitations. (Tr. 290). This directly conflicts with her September 2007 assessment, and she did not even examine Plaintiff during the intervening months. (Tr. 290, 369-73). See Stanley v. Sec'y of Health & Human Servs., 39 F.3d 115, 118 (6th Cir.1994) (holding the ALJ did not err in declining to refer to treating physician's opinion where he originally opined that Plaintiff could perform sedentary work and then changed his opinion without providing any supporting objective medical evidence). Additionally, the ALJ noted that there was nothing in Dr. Vasicek's treatment records to support her opinion that Plaintiff would need to take unscheduled breaks or miss work secondary to his impairment. (Tr. 47). Because the record is devoid of any deterioration in Plaintiff's condition that would support the more restrictive limitations, the ALJ did not commit any error, much less reversible error, in affording little weight to Dr. Vasicek's opinion.
The ALJ also gave little weight to Dr. Golden's residual functional capacity assessment dated May 1, 2008. (Tr. 47-48). Dr. Golden opined that Plaintiff could lift/carry twenty pounds occasionally and frequently and stand a total of four hours in an eight hour day. (Tr. 394). He further
The ALJ gave little weight to Dr. Golden's assessment because he is a general practitioner, not a mental health specialist, and is not qualified to assess Plaintiff's mental impairments. (Tr. 48). See 20 C.F.R. §§ 404.1527(d)(5), 416.927(d)(5). Furthermore, the ALJ found Dr. Golden's assessment that Plaintiff can never climb, stoop, crouch, kneel or crawl to be inconsistent with the objective medical evidence. (Tr. 47).
At the time of Dr. Golden's assessment, he had been seeing Plaintiff for less than five months. (Tr. 422-25). Upon a review of Dr. Golden's treatment records, it appears he only performed two brief knee examinations. (Tr. 422, 425). At Plaintiff's first visit, Dr. Golden noted the knee examination did not reveal any effusions and stated "[a]n extensive examination was not done in the office today." (Tr. 425). Further, on May 1, 2008, Dr. Golden's examination simply noted his knees were tender to palpation in the medial joint lines. (Tr. 422). Beyond these two examinations, Dr. Golden's records are devoid of any extensive examinations or other objective testing. Consultative examining physician Dr. Barry Burchett did perform an extensive examination of the Plaintiff. His examination revealed no tenderness, redness, warmth, swelling, fluid, laxity or crepitus of the right knee, ankles or feet. (Tr. 337). He also noted no calf tenderness, redness, warmth, cord sign or Homans sign. (Tr. 337). He found a trace of generalized swelling about the left knee. (Tr. 337). The Plaintiff was able to stand on one leg at a time without difficulty and was able to fully squat. (Tr. 337-38). While Dr. Burchett found Plaintiff would be limited in activities that require climbing or squatting, he did not restrict him from such activities altogether. (Tr. 338). Given the evidence of record, substantial evidence supports the ALJ's determination to give little weight to the opinion of Dr. Golden.
Plaintiff argues the ALJ did not properly consider the combined effect of all his impairments. An examination of the ALJ's decision refutes this argument. The Commissioner must "consider the combined effect of all [the individual's] impairments without regard to whether any such impairment, if considered separately, would be of sufficient severity. If [the Commissioner] find[s] a medically severe combination of impairments, the combined impact of the impairments will be considered throughout the disability determination process." 20 C.F.R. §§ 404.1523; 416.923. The ALJ considered all of Plaintiff's severe impairments, and Plaintiff's RFC reflects a consideration of their combined effects. (Tr. 42-43). The ALJ individually addressed Plaintiff's bilateral knee pain, anti-social traits and polysubstance abuse, referencing the medical records pertinent to each condition discussed. (Tr. 39-40). The ALJ's "individual discussion of multiple impairments does not imply that he failed to consider the effect of the impairments in combination." Loy v. Sec'y of Health & Human Servs., 901 F.2d 1306, 1310 (6th Cir.1990) (quoting Gooch v. Sec'y
Moreover, Plaintiff does not provide the Court with any rationale to support his argument. Rather, Plaintiff relies on conclusory statements, telling the Court that "[i]t is clear from the medical evidence within the records that Plaintiff is severely impaired from his physical and mental difficulties." (Doc. # 9-2 at 5). Despite this supposed abundance of evidence in the record, Plaintiff does not cite to a single portion of the transcript that would support his position that the ALJ did not consider the combined effects of all Plaintiff's impairments.
Plaintiff contends that the ALJ erred by failing to consider the durational requirement of substantial gainful activity. Plaintiff cites Gatliff v. Comm'r of Soc. Sec., 172 F.3d 690 (9th Cir.1999) for the proposition that substantial gainful activity means more than merely the ability to find a job and physically perform the same but also requires the ability to hold the job for a significant period of time. Id. at 694. While the ALJ did not cite to Gatliff, his decision rejects Plaintiff's contention that he cannot maintain a job. Implicit in the RFC assigned to Plaintiff by the ALJ is a finding that Plaintiff is capable of maintaining employment. Moreover, the VE testified that jobs exist in significant number in the national economy that Plaintiff could perform. (Tr. 49-50). As stated above, the ALJ gave little weight to Dr. Vasicek's opinion that Plaintiff would miss two days of work per month due to his impairments, because it was not supported by the objective medical evidence. Furthermore, Plaintiff does not explain why an individual with his RFC would be unable to maintain employment. Plaintiff simply states:
(Doc. # 9-2 at 6). Plaintiff's conclusory argument is simply not supported by the record herein.
Plaintiff also argues that the ALJ should have found his impairments severe enough to meet or medically equal one of the listed impairments in 20 C.F.R. Part 404, Subpart P, Appendix 1. However, Plaintiff failed to identify what listing(s) he believes his impairments meet or medically equal. Furthermore, he does not cite to any part of the record to support his argument. In failing to direct this Court's attention to which listing(s) his impairments allegedly meet or medically equal and any supporting medical evidence, Plaintiff's argument lacks the specificity required on appeal. Hollon ex rel. Hollon v. Comm'r of Soc. Sec., 447 F.3d 477, 491 (6th Cir.2006). As stated above, when a plaintiff fails to offer any particularized argument to support his assertion, this Court will not "formulate arguments on the Plaintiff's behalf" or engage in an "open-ended review of the entirety of the administrative record to determine ... whether it might contain evidence that arguably is inconsistent with the Commissioner's decision, and . . . whether the Commissioner sufficiently accounted for this evidence." Id.
A review of the administrative record in conjunction with the ALJ's written
With regard to Plaintiff's mental impairments, the ALJ evaluated Plaintiff's limitations under Listings 12.08 (Personality Disorders) and 12.09 (Substance Addiction Disorders). The ALJ found that Plaintiff's impairments did not result in at least two of the following: marked restriction of activities of daily living; marked difficulties in maintaining social functioning; marked difficulties in maintaining concentration, persistence or pace; or repeated episodes of decompensation, each of extended duration.
At the hearing, Plaintiff testified that he cares for his personal needs and performs household chores such as cooking, straightening his room, doing laundry and caring for his friend's pets. (Tr. 97-98). In addition, Dr. Prout found that Plaintiff only had mild restrictions in his ability to perform daily activities. (Tr. 355). Furthermore, no treating or examining physician has precluded Plaintiff from performing daily activities secondary to his mental impairments. The record also shows that Plaintiff only has moderate difficulties in social functioning. Plaintiff had problems relating appropriately with his supervisors at work which sometimes led to anger outbursts. (Tr. 196). However, Plaintiff's employer stated he got along fine with coworkers and listened to management. (Tr. 196-197). Plaintiff's own testimony concludes that he has several social relationships. He testified that he has lived with several friends, smokes marijuana once or twice a month when he runs into friends and depends on friends and family for transportation and money. (Tr. 74-75, 318). Finally, the record reflects that Plaintiff only has mild difficulties with concentration, persistence or pace. The ALJ noted that Plaintiff was able to maintain concentration and attention at the hearing and answered all questions appropriately. (Tr. 42). Further, Dr. Fitz opined that Plaintiff's memory and concentration were grossly intact, and Plaintiff had the ability to sustain attention to perform simple, repetitive tasks. (Tr. 315, 321). Therefore, given the lack of objective medical evidence that would support Plaintiff's allegation that his impairments meet or medically equal a listing, the Court finds the ALJ's determination that Plaintiff's impairments do not meet or medically equal a listed impairment is supported by substantial evidence.
Plaintiff's final argument on appeal is that this case should be remanded to the
Plaintiff offers no explanation as to why this new evidence has met the good cause test of sentence six other than simply stating the evidence was not available at the time of the hearing. (Doc. # 9-2 at 4). In fact, Plaintiff does not even acknowledge that he has the burden of demonstrating remand is proper pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 405(g). This Circuit, however, takes a hard line on the good cause test; the fact that medical reports are prepared after the Commissioner's final decision does not demonstrate good cause. Oliver v. Sec'y of Health & Human Servs., 804 F.2d 964, 966 (6th Cir.1986). In order to show good cause, the Plaintiff must give a valid reason for his failure to obtain relevant examinations prior to the hearing. Id.
Here, Plaintiff offers absolutely no explanation why the medical tests, the results of which he asserts justify remand, could not have been performed prior to the hearing when there was ample opportunity to do so. Because the Plaintiff has offered the Court no reason why he did not avail himself of the opportunity to supplement the record before his hearing, he has failed to satisfy the good cause test of section 405(g). Therefore, the Plaintiff's request to remand this case for the consideration of additional medical evidence is denied.
Therefore, for the reasons stated herein, the Court concludes that the ALJ's finding that the Plaintiff was not disabled for purposes of the Social Security Act is supported by substantial evidence. Accordingly,
In failing to direct this Court's attention to the medical findings or opinions the ALJ allegedly disregarded, or in what manner the ALJ's RFC was impermissibly inconsistent with the assessment of Plaintiff's treating and examining physicians, Plaintiff's argument lacks the specificity required by this Court on appeal. Hollon ex rel. Hollon v. Comm'r of Soc. Sec., 447 F.3d 477, 491 (6th Cir.2006). When a plaintiff neglects to offer any particularized argument to support her assertion, this Court will not devise arguments on plaintiff's behalf, nor will the Court engage in an "open-ended" review of the entire record to determine which opinions—if any—the ALJ failed to assign proper deference. Id. Accordingly, "[i]n the absence of any such focused challenge, we decline to broadly scrutinize any and all treating physician's opinions in the record to ensure that they are properly accounted for in the ALJ's decision." Id. Consistent with Sixth Circuit precedent, this Court will not conduct an "open-ended" review of the entire medical record in search of all possible inconsistencies to determine whether the ALJ properly performed his duty as trier of fact in resolving the conflicts in the evidence. Id. See also Richardson v. Perales, 402 U.S. 389, 399, 91 S.Ct. 1420, 28 L.Ed.2d 842 (1971).
