JAMES G. CARR, Senior District Judge.
This is a Social Security case in which plaintiff, Kasey A. Bernola, appeals from the Commissioner's decision denying her application for Social Security Disability (SSD) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits under Title II and XVI of the Social Security Act, 42 U.S.C. § 1381 et seq.
Bernola objects to the Magistrate Judge's Report and Recommendation (R & R) (Doc. 19) and asks I overrule the R & R and reverse the Commissioner's decision. (Doc. 20).
I have jurisdiction under 42 U.S.C. § 405(g).
For the following reasons, I adopt in full the R & R, and I affirm the decision of the administrative law judge (ALJ).
Numerous decisions have laid out the facts supporting Bernola's application to the Social Security Administration (SSA), so I only briefly summarize the information here.
Bernola applied for SSD and SSI benefits on January 3, 2011.
Upon receiving her application, the SSA notified her she did not have sufficient work history to be eligible for SSD benefits. (Doc. 13 at 119). Bernola did not appeal that determination, nor does she challenge it here. (Id.; Doc. 14 at 2).
Later, the SSA denied Bernola's SSI application, both initially and upon reconsideration. (Doc. 13 at 123-25, 133-35). On March 30, 2012, Bernola filed a written request for a hearing before an ALJ. (Id. at 140-41).
An ALJ heard Bernola's case on November 2, 2012. (Id. at 37-64).
To determine whether Bernola had a disability, the ALJ undertook the five-step sequential analysis set forth in 20 C.F.R. § 404.1520(a)(4)(i-v). (Doc. 13 at 14-25). The Sixth Circuit described the analysis in Wilson v. Commissioner of Social Security, 378 F.3d 541, 548 (6th Cir.2004):
Id. (citations omitted).
To evaluate Bernola's residual functional capacity, the ALJ looked to two reports (RFCs) her treating physician provided in October 2010 and October 2012. In the 2010 RFC, the physician assessed Bernola to be "markedly limited" in twelve of twenty RFC categories,
In the 2012 RFC, the physician diagnosed Bernola with Bipolar II Disorder; PTSD; Personality Disorder, not otherwise specified; and Psychosis, not otherwise specified. (Id. at 517). She described Bernola's prognosis as "guarded." (Id.). The physician determined, based on Bernola's physical and mental limitations, taken in combination, Bernola would be unable to perform a job — i.e., would be "off-task" — only five percent or less of an eight-hour workday. (Id. at 517). Later in the report, however, the physician concluded Bernola would be unable to obtain and retain full-time work in a competitive work setting. (Id. at 518).
The ALJ found while Bernola had several severe physical and mental impairments, she "does not have an impairment or combination of impairments that meets or
Further, Bernola had "residual functional capacity to perform light work as defined in the [applicable regulation]." (Id.). "Considering [Bernola's] age, education, work experience, and residual functional capacity, there were jobs that exist in significant numbers in the national economy that [she] can perform." (Id.) Thus, Bernola "has not been under a disability, as defined in the SSA, since ... the date the application was filed." (Id.).
The SSA Appeals Council denied Bernola's request for review, thus rendering the ALJ's decision the final decision of the Commissioner. (Id. at 1-3).
Bernola now seeks judicial review of the Commissioner's final decision under 42 U.S.C. §§ 405(g) and 1383(c). She raises two legal issues: 1) "Did the ALJ produce reversible error by refusing to grant the greatest weight to the sole longitudinal health source of record?"; and 2) "[w]as the ALJ's evaluation of the treating mental health source procedurally deficient so as to leave that determination not supported by the weight of substantial evidence?" (Doc. 14 at 2).
When reviewing a Magistrate Judge's R & R, I make a de novo determination regarding the portions to which plaintiff objects. See 28 U.S.C. § 636(b)(1).
In reviewing the Commissioner's decision, I must determine whether substantial evidence supports the ALJ's findings, and whether the ALJ applied the proper legal standards. See 42 U.S.C. § 405(g); Brainard v. Sec'y of Health & Human Servs., 889 F.2d 679, 681 (6th Cir.1989) (citing Richardson v. Perales, 402 U.S. 389, 401, 91 S.Ct. 1420, 28 L.Ed.2d 842 (1971)).
I may "not try the case de novo, nor resolve conflicts in the evidence, nor decide questions of credibility." Cutlip v. Sec'y of Health & Human Servs., 25 F.3d 284, 286 (6th Cir.1994). If substantial evidence supports it, I must affirm the ALJ's decision, even if I would have decided the matter differently. See 42 U.S.C. § 405(g); Kinsella v. Schweiker, 708 F.2d 1058, 1059 (6th Cir.1983); see also Mullen v. Bowen, 800 F.2d 535, 545 (6th Cir.1986).
Substantial evidence is "more than a scintilla of evidence but less than a preponderance and is such relevant evidence as a reasonable mind might accept as adequate to support a conclusion." Brainard, supra, 889 F.2d at 681 (citing Consol. Edison Co. v. NLRB, 305 U.S. 197, 229, 59 S.Ct. 206, 83 L.Ed. 126 (1938)). In determining whether substantial evidence supports the ALJ's findings, I view the record as a whole, see Allen v. Califano, 613 F.2d 139, 145 (6th Cir.1980), and consider anything in the record suggesting otherwise. See Beavers v. Sec'y of Health, Educ. & Welfare, 577 F.2d 383, 387 (6th Cir.1978).
Bernola objects the Magistrate Judge's R & R is flawed because it fails to conclude: 1) the ALJ's decision violated the "treating physician" rule; and (2) a "procedural error" by the ALJ created a false picture of Bernola's capabilities. (Doc. 20 at 2, 4).
An ALJ must generally give greater deference to the opinions of a claimant's treating physicians than to those of non-treating physicians. Gayheart v. Comm'r, 710 F.3d 365, 375 (6th Cir.2013).
The so-called "treating physician" rule requires an ALJ to give a treating physician's opinion controlling weight
Even when a treating physician's opinion is not entitled to controlling weight, an ALJ still must determine how much weight to assign the opinion by applying specific factors set forth in the applicable regulations. Gayheart, 710 F.3d at 376; 20 C.F.R. §§ 404.1527(c)(1)-(6), 416.927(c)(1)-(6).
An ALJ must give "good reasons" for discounting a treating physician's opinion. Blakley, 581 F.3d at 405; Vance, 260 Fed.Appx. at 804-05. Those "good reasons" must have support in the record, and must be sufficiently specific to make clear to subsequent reviewers the weight assigned to the treating physician's opinion, and the reasons for that weight. Gayheart, 710 F.3d at 376; Blakley, 581 F.3d at 406-07.
Remand may be appropriate when an ALJ fails to provide adequate reasons explaining the weight assigned to the treating physician's opinion, even though "substantial evidence otherwise supports the decision of the Commissioner." Kalmbach v. Comm'r of Soc., Sec., 409 Fed. Appx. 852, 860 (6th Cir.2011).
Bernola contends the ALJ did not properly weigh evidence in her treating physician's records, which reflect Bernola's longitudinal medical history. (Doc. 20 at 2). Specifically, "[t]he ALJ did not reasonably account for the waxing and waning of symptoms, despite clear documentation of [Bernola's] roller coaster of functionality." (Id.).
Instead, Bernola complains, the ALJ improperly focused on short periods during which Bernola was stable enough to work due to large doses of medication that caused "unlivable" side effects. (Id. at 3). Bernola asserts when her dosages were low enough to avoid unpleasant side effects, the "worst of her symptomatology" returned. (Id.). Thus, she claims, when viewed in its entirety, her treatment history indicates she was unfit for full-time work. (Id. at 2).
The Commissioner responds the ALJ reasonably assessed the medical and functional evidence relating to Bernola's impairments and accounted for them in her analysis. (Id.). The Commissioner argues:
(Doc. 17 at 11 (citing Doc. 13 at 27-29)).
The Commissioner contends Bernola's argument rests principally on her subjective disagreement with the ALJ's weighing of the divergent medical evidence, which is not a proper basis for reversal where the ALJ provides "good reasons" for discounting certain evidence. (Id.). I agree. See Mullins v. Secretary of Health and Human Servs., 836 F.2d 980, 984 (6th Cir. 1987) (argument over weight given medical opinions not basis for setting aside ALJ factual findings).
There is substantial evidence in the record supporting the ALJ's conclusion Bernola's condition had stabilized. (Doc. 13 at 29). Although her treating physician noted a need to fine-tune the dosages of certain medications, the physician also noted Bernola: 1) seemed to be improving (id. at 493, 513); 2) was having fewer hallucinations (id. at 491-92, 513); and 3) was tolerating her medications well (id. at 491).
Indeed, in the 2012 RFC, Bernola's treating physician stated she would be "off-task" no more than five percent of the workday, which the ALJ found to be consistent with other substantial evidence in the record. (Doc. 13 at 29, 517 § 5). The ALJ therefore afforded that statement "great weight." (Doc. 13 at 29).
Bernola argues the ALJ and R & R gave that statement too much weight. (Doc. 14 at 1213 (citing Doc. 13 at 29)). She points to statements later in the RFC where the physician opines Bernola could not hold down a full-time job. (Doc. 20 at 3). However, the ALJ found those later statements to be "inconsistent with her prior notation of being off tasks only five percent," and also inconsistent with the physician's own treatment notes. (Doc. 13 at 29, 518 § 15).
Accordingly, I find "good reasons," see Blakley, 581 F.3d at 405, and substantial evidence, see 42 U.S.C. § 405(g), support the ALJ's weighing of the treating physician's opinion. Bernola's first objection to the R & R is therefore unavailing.
Bernola's other objection is the ALJ's weighing of her treating physician's opinion violated Social Security Rulings (SSR) 96-2p and 96-6p, and 20 C.F.R. § 416.927. (Doc. 14 at 16-22; Doc. 20 at 4-6). Bernola argues these "procedural errors" disregarded opinions in her RFCs without supporting substantial evidence. (Doc. 14 at 16; Doc. 20 at 4-6).
The language of § 416.927(c) (weight of medical opinions) is identical to that of § 404.1527(c) (same), which the Sixth Circuit cites as the basis for the "treating physician" rule. See Gayheart, 710 F.3d at 376; supra Part A. Likewise, the relevant portions of SSR 96-2p state the same legal standard for weighing medical opinions as set forth in §§ 416.927(c) and 404.1527(c). Thus, to the extent Bernola's second objection relies on § 416.927 and SSR 96-2p, it fails for the same reasons her first objection fails.
SSR 96-6p requires an ALJ to consider opinions of state-agency medical experts when considering disability claims. Such medical opinions are not binding on the ALJ, but the ALJ "may not ignore [them] and must explain the weight given to the opinions in their decisions." Edwards ex rel. L.T. v. Colvin, 2013 WL 3934228, *4 (N.D.Ill.) (internal quotation marks omitted). SSR 96-6p explicitly provides: "[i]n appropriate circumstances, opinions from State agency medical and psychological consultants and other program physicians and psychologists may be
Bernola contends non-examining sources "should only properly outweigh a treating source opinion if they had a more complete record at their disposal in forming their opinions." (Doc. 14 at 17). She argues, for various reasons, the ALJ gave these sources too much weight. (Doc. 14 at 16-22). I do not agree.
As part of a "careful consideration of the entire record," the ALJ evaluated the medical opinions at issue using the relevant factors set forth 20 C.F.R. § 416.927(a)-(d). (Doc 13 at 23). The ALJ "afforded [the opinions] some weight because they had the benefit of Ms. Bernola's longitudinal record and because [the] opinions are generally consistent with the record as a whole and her routine and conservative treatment." (Id. at 28 (emphasis added)). Bernola cannot reasonably argue "some weight" outweighs the "great weight" the ALJ afforded portions of the 2012 RFC.
Again, as with her first objection to the R & R, Bernola's arguments largely amounts to subjective disagreement with the ALJ's weighing of medical-opinion evidence. That is not a proper basis for reversal. See Mullins 836 F.2d at 984.
In sum, the ALJ is responsible for reviewing all the evidence, including all medical evidence, in making her determination. 20 C.F.R. § 416.927(c)-(e). The ALJ will consider any statements from medical sources, whether or not based on formal medical evaluations. 20 C.F.R. § 416.945(a)(3). Although the ALJ considers all evidence before her, the ALJ makes the final finding as to Bernola's residual functional capacity. 20 C.F.R. § 416.946(c).
I find substantial evidence supports the ALJ's findings of fact, and the ALJ applied the law correctly to those facts. Brainard 889 F.2d at 681. I therefore must affirm. 42 U.S.C. § 405(g); Kinsella, 708 F.2d at 1059; see also Mullen v. Bowen, 800 F.2d at 545.
For the foregoing reasons, it is hereby:
ORDERED THAT
So ordered.
