WILLIAM B. MITCHELL CARTER, Magistrate Judge.
This action was instituted pursuant to 42 U.S.C. §§ 405(g) and 1383(c)(3) seeking judicial review of the final decision of the Commissioner of Social Security denying the plaintiff supplemental security income under Title XVI of the Social Security Act.
This matter has been referred to the undersigned pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 636(b) and Rule 72(b) of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure for a Report and Recommendation regarding the disposition of:
For the reasons stated herein, I
Plaintiff was fifty-two years old when the ALJ issued his decision (Tr. 115). Plaintiff completed the ninth grade (Tr. 132), and worked as a waiter, short order cook, material handler, landscape laborer, construction worker, animal caretaker, and automobile wrecker (Tr. 44, 148).
On July 19, 2010, Plaintiff protectively filed an application for Supplemental Security Income ("SSI")
Disability is defined as the inability to engage in any substantial gainful activity by reason of a medically determinable physical or mental impairment that has lasted or can be expected to last for a continuous period of not less than 12 months. 42 U.S.C. § 423(d)(1)(A). The burden of proof in a claim for social security benefits is upon the claimant to show disability. Barney v. Sec'y of Health & Human Servs., 743 F.2d 448, 449 (6th Cir. 1984); Allen v. Califano, 613 F.2d 139, 145 (6th Cir. 1980); Hephner v. Mathews, 574 F.2d 359, 361 (6th Cir. 1978). Once the claimant makes a prima facie case that he/she cannot return to his/her former occupation, however, the burden shifts to the Commissioner to show that there is work in the national economy which claimant can perform considering his/her age, education, and work experience. Richardson v. Sec'y of Health & Human Servs., 735 F.2d 962, 964 (6th Cir. 1984); Noe v. Weinberger, 512 F.2d 588, 595 (6th Cir. 1975). "This Court must affirm the Commissioner's conclusions absent a determination that the Commissioner has failed to apply the correct legal standards or has made findings of fact unsupported by substantial evidence in the record." Warner v. Comm'r of Soc. Sec., 375 F.3d 387, 390 (6th Cir. 2004) (quoting Walters v. Comm'r of Soc. Sec., 127 F.3d 525, 528 (6th Cir. 1997)). If there is substantial evidence to support the Commissioner's findings, they should be affirmed, even if the Court might have decided facts differently, or if substantial evidence also would have supported other findings. Smith v. Chater, 99 F.3d 780, 782 (6th Cir. 1996); Ross v. Richardson, 440 F.2d 690, 691 (6th Cir. 1971). The Court may not re-weigh the evidence and substitute its own judgment for that of the Commissioner merely because substantial evidence exists in the record to support a different conclusion. The substantial evidence standard allows considerable latitude to administrative decision makers because it presupposes there is a zone of choice within which the decision makers can go either way, without interference by the courts. Felisky v. Bowen, 35 F.3d 1027, 1035 (6th Cir. 1994) (citing Mullen v. Bowen, 800 F.2d 535, 548 (6th Cir. 1986)); Crisp v. Sec'y of Health & Human Servs., 790 F.2d 450, 453 n.4 (6th Cir. 1986).
As the basis of the administrative decision that plaintiff was not disabled, the ALJ made the following findings:
Tr. 13-24.
Plaintiff presented for a consultative medical examination with Dr. Emelito Pinga in October 2010 at the request of SSA (Tr. 182). Dr. Pinga noted that Plaintiff was obese, with a height of 70 inches and a weight of 247 pounds, equating to a body mass index of at least 35.4. Dr. Pinga also noted he had dyspnea on exertion in the office. His examination revealed some limited range of motion of Plaintiff's cervical spine, distant breath sounds bilaterally, few wheezes and rhonchi over both lung fields, some decreased range of motion of the shoulders, elbows, wrists, fingers, lumbar spine, hips, knees, and ankles (Tr. 184-185). A chest x-ray revealed calcifications in the hilar region which favor healed granulomatous disease, as well as some hyperinflation of the lungs. Pulmonary vascularity was normal (Tr. 189). On pulmonary function testing, it was noted Plaintiff was unable to blow for six seconds despite being cooperative and expending maximum effort (Tr. 187-188). Based upon his examination and review, Dr. Pinga diagnosed Plaintiff with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and emphysema, hyperlipidemia, hypertension, and obesity (Tr. 185). Dr. Pinga further stated that Plaintiff was limited to sitting six hours, standing five hours, and walking four hours in an eight-hour workday, with only occasional lifting up to fifteen pounds, and the need for rest periods of fifteen minutes within each one-hour interval (Tr. 186).
Plaintiff returned for more pulmonary function testing at the request of SSA in January 2011. This testing revealed moderate restriction with no significant improvement using bronchodilators, and his lung age was estimated to be ninety-one years (Tr. 194-195).
In April 2011, Plaintiff was hospitalized for several days related to his respiratory difficulties after experiencing progressively increasing, severe shortness of breath (Tr. 230, 240). He also reported neck pain and intermittent headache, as well as joint pain, arthralgias and paresthesia of the extremities. Objective examination revealed considerable shortness of breath on very minimal exertion or at rest, and it was noted that he felt better with oxygen. Examination also revealed emphysematous chest with poor air exchange, bilateral harsh breath sounds, scattered rhonchi, somewhat tense and distended abdomen, and osteoarthritis of the extremities. X-rays of his cervical spine from a couple of years prior showed anterolisthesis of C4 on C5 with moderate multiple degenerative disease. The impression included COPD with acute exacerbation, probable degenerative disk disease causing some disk problems with the neurological compromise, distention of the abdomen, and hyperglycemia versus diabetes mellitus. While he had initially been placed on oxygen due to his breathing difficulties, which he felt helped, it was decided that he did not qualify for oxygen on room air. He was admitted for increasing shortness of breath but his blood gases were fairly satisfactory. In addition, it was stated that his elevated blood sugar was due to diabetes with elevated hemoglobin A1c. (Tr. 228, 230-231). A progress note from the following day states that he also had problems with insomnia, and noted that he had "fairly advanced COPD." He was still on nasal oxygen at two liters, and examination revealed emphysematous findings (Tr. 250). Due to his significant neck and upper extremity symptoms, an MRI of his cervical spine was performed on April 6, 2011 which revealed abnormal alignment with reversal of lordosis indicating paraspinal muscle spasms, anterior spondylitic spurring spanning from C3 through C6 intervals, disc osteophyte complex at C4-5 with complete effacement of the thecal sac and mild impingement on the ventral cervical spinal cord, as well as moderate bilateral neural foraminal stenosis, and a right eccentric disc osteophyte complex at C5-6 with severe right foraminal stenosis and effacement of the ventral thecal sac. (Tr. 250, 255-257).
Follow-up treatment notes from April 2011 show a new diagnosis of diabetes after his hospitalization. He reported respiratory difficulties, his stomach "stays hard," muscle spasms, insomnia, and headaches (Tr. 274). He was assessed with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), muscle spasms, headaches, gastroesophageal reflux disease, high blood pressure, and insomnia (Tr. 275).
Due to his neck and upper extremity symptoms, Plaintiff was referred for physical therapy. He reported his symptoms began about a year and a half prior, and had been worsening since then. He also reported weakness in his hands, right worse than left, with occasional dropping things, as well as headaches. He estimated his pain ranged from a zero to eight out of ten, and he also reported occasional numbness and tingling in his bilateral fingers. Objectively, he was noted to have decreased bilateral hand strength, decreased cervical spine range of motion, and decreased posture (Tr. 269-271).
Plaintiff returned in May 2011 with complaints of constant headache, as well as stomach pain and sleep disturbance. He was diagnosed with tension migraine headache, severe muscle spasms, degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine, and COPD, and his medications were adjusted (Tr. 267).
He again returned in July 2011 with persistent complaints of respiratory difficulties, insomnia, headaches with migraines in the morning, and upper back spasms and pain. He was also noted to have bilateral scattered rhonchi, and his blood pressure was elevated, at 150/110. He was again assessed with muscle spasms, cervical degenerative disc disease with chronic neck pain, headaches, COPD, insomnia, and nicotine dependence, and his medications were adjusted (Tr. 263). It also appears a nebulizer was prescribed for treatment of his persistent respiratory symptoms and difficulties as well as Hydrocodone for pain (Tr. 264).
In August 2011, Plaintiff returned again with persistent complaints of chronic neck and head pain with frequent headaches. He was noted to be tender in the spine with severe foraminal stenosis at C5-6, and his headaches were thought to be secondary to his cervical disc disease. In addition, he was diagnosed with chronic pain and COPD, and his medications were increased (Tr. 262).
In October 2011, Plaintiff was admitted to the hospital for emergency cholecystectomy after presenting with progressive, severe upper right quadrant pain with nausea and vomiting (Tr. 278-318). On initial presentation, he was noted to have wheezing with an oxygen saturation of only 91% on room air, as well as very high blood pressure of 221/109 (Tr. 289, 306). He was given oxygen supplementation, as it was noted that his oxygen saturation remained low at only 93% (Tr. 292, 308). After his gallbladder was removed and he was stable, he was discharged with diagnoses of acute cholecystitis and calculus of gallbladder, chronic airway obstruction, cervical spondylosis without myelopathy, esophageal reflux, diaphragmatic hernia, pure hypercholesterolemia, and tobacco use disorder (Tr. 279). He was instructed not to lift anything over fifteen pounds, and to follow up with his primary care doctor (Tr. 296).
In December 2011, Plaintiff's treating nurse practitioner, Marwan Moughrabi, NP-C, completed a Medical Source Statement of Ability to Do Work-Related Activities (Physical) regarding Plaintiff's impairments (Tr. 322-327). Mr. Moughrabi assessed Mr. Powell with limitations to lifting up to twenty (20) pounds occasionally and lifting no more than ten (10) pounds occasionally (Tr. 322). He further assessed limitations to sitting up to three (3) hours, standing for one (1) hour, and walking less than one (1) hour during an eight-hour workday, as well as only occasional use of his hands bilaterally for handling, fingering, feeling, and pushing/pulling, as well as only frequent reaching bilaterally in any direction (except only occasional overhead reaching with the left arm) (Tr. 324). This opinion included limitations to never performing postural activities, except for occasional stooping, and no exposure to heights, moving mechanical parts, humidity and wetness, dust odors, fumes and pulmonary irritants, extreme heat or cold, and vibrations (Tr. 325-326). Mr. Moughrabi indicated these limitations had lasted or were expected to last for at least twelve consecutive months (Tr. 327).
In January 2012, Plaintiff underwent a sleep study that revealed many desaturation events, with his lowest oxygen saturation during the study of 83%. Despite these numerous desaturation events and difficulties, it was assessed that he did not qualify for nocturnal oxygen under Medicare guidelines (Tr. 329-331).
Plaintiff first argues the ALJ erred in failing to address or resolve the significant inconsistencies between his RFC finding and the medical opinions of record in the Plaintiff's claim, including the opinions of the consultative examining physician, Dr. Emelito Pinga. The ALJ stated that "significant weight" was given to Dr. Pinga's assessment, but Plaintiff argues he nevertheless failed to address or resolve these significant inconsistencies in reaching his RFC finding (Tr. 14, 21).
The ALJ is required to evaluate every medical opinion received.
The consultative medical examination with Dr. Emelito Pinga was conducted in October 2010 at the request of SSA (Tr. 182). Dr. Pinga noted Plaintiff was obese, with a height of 70 inches and a weight of 247 pounds, equating to a body mass index of at least 35.4. Dr. Pinga also noted that he had dyspnea on exertion in the office. His examination revealed some limited range of motion of Plaintiff's cervical spine, distant breath sounds bilaterally, few wheezes and rhonchi over both lung fields, some decreased range of motion of the shoulders, elbows, wrists, fingers, lumbar spine, hips, knees, and ankles (Tr. 184-185). A chest x-ray revealed calcifications in the hilar region which favor healed granulomatous disease, as well as some hyperinflation of the lungs. Pulmonary vascularity was normal (Tr. 189). On pulmonary function testing, it was noted that he was unable to blow for six seconds despite being cooperative and expending maximum effort (Tr. 187-188). Based upon his examination and review, Dr. Pinga diagnosed Plaintiff with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and emphysema, hyperlipidemia, hypertension, and obesity (Tr. 185). Dr. Pinga further stated that Plaintiff was limited to sitting six hours, standing five hours, and walking four hours in an eight-hour workday, with only occasional lifting up to fifteen pounds, and the need for rest periods of fifteen minutes within each one-hour interval (Tr. 186).
In addressing this evidence in his decision, the ALJ stated that he gave "significant weight" to Dr. Pinga's assessment, except for his opinion that Mr. Powell would require a fifteen-minute work break during each hour. The only reason provided for rejecting that portion of Dr. Pinga's opinion was that it "is not supported by his own examination report or the record as a whole." (Tr. 21). However, the ALJ failed to provide any explanation or basis for this conclusory finding. Dr. Pinga's examination revealed limited range of motion of Plaintiff's cervical spine, distant breath sounds bilaterally, wheezes and rhonchi over both lung fields, some decreased range of motion of the shoulders, elbows, wrists, fingers, lumbar spine, hips, knees, and ankles. Tr. 184-185. He noted that Plaintiff exhibited shortness of breath on exertion in the office. As Plaintiff argues, there was other evidence in the record including the April 6, 2011, MRI of Plaintiff's cervical spine and his persistent complaints regarding his neck pain, headaches, and upper extremity difficulties which are all consistent with and support such a limitation (Tr. 255-257). In addition there was a very limiting assessment of ability to do work-related activities by Marwan Moughrabi, NP-C, his treating nurse practitioner. However, the ALJ failed to address the consistency of this evidence with Dr. Pinga's limitation to a fifteen minute rest period every hour, and he failed to provide any explanation whatsoever for his conclusory finding to the contrary. On the basis of the record as a whole, I conclude the ALJ did not give a sufficient basis for rejecting the more limiting portion of Dr. Pinga's opinion. The only evidence in the record to the contrary was the evaluation of the State Agency Physicians who never saw Plaintiff but based their opinion on a partial record review. Dr. Kushner's opinion allowing a full range of light work was given on February 2, 2011, prior to the MRI of April 6, 2011. The MRI revealed abnormal alignment with reversal of lordosis indicating paraspinal muscle spasms, anterior spondylitic spurring spanning from C3 through C6 intervals, disc osteophyte complex at C4-5 with complete effacement of the thecal sac and mild impingement on the ventral cervical spinal cord, as well as moderate bilateral neural foraminal stenosis, and a right eccentric disc osteophyte complex at C5-6 with severe right foraminal stenosis and effacement of the ventral thecal sac. Other evidence after Dr. Kushner's opinion includes the May 2011 incident where Plaintiff presented with complaints of constant headache, as well as stomach pain and sleep disturbance. He was diagnosed with tension migraine headache, severe muscle spasms, degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine, and COPD. In July 2011 Plaintiff had persistent complaints of respiratory difficulties, insomnia, headaches with migraines in the morning, and upper back spasms and pain. He was also noted to have bilateral scattered rhonchi, and his blood pressure was elevated, at 150/110. He was again assessed with muscle spasms, cervical degenerative disc disease with chronic neck pain, headaches, COPD, insomnia, and nicotine dependence (Tr. 263). It also appears a nebulizer was prescribed for treatment of his persistent respiratory symptoms and difficulties as well as Hydrocodone for pain (Tr. 264). Finally in August 2011, Plaintiff returned again with persistent complaints of chronic neck and head pain with frequent headaches. He was noted to be tender in the spine with severe foraminal stenosis at C5-6, and his headaches were thought to be secondary to his cervical disc disease. In addition, he was diagnosed with chronic pain and COPD, and his medications were increased (Tr. 262). None of that medical evidence was reviewed by the non-examining state agency physician, Dr. Kushner, or for that matter by Dr. Pinga. The ALJ gave great weight to Dr. Kushner's opinion because it was most consistent with the record as a whole. However, it did not consider much of the record evidence in this case and cannot therefore be substantial evidence to support the conclusion of the ALJ when the treating or consulting physicians both have opined Plaintiff incapable of light work.
For those reasons, I agree with Plaintiff that the ALJ erred in relying upon the opinions of the reviewing, non-examining physician's opinions over those of Dr. Pinga (or Marwan Moughrabi, NP-C, as discussed below). As Plaintiff notes, the regulations specifically provide that, "[g]enerally, we give more weight to the opinion of a source who has examined you than to the opinion of a source who has not examined you." 20 C.F.R. 404.1527(c)(1). Moreover, the ALJ again provided a merely conclusory statement that this opinion was "most consistent with the record as a whole." (Tr. 21). Other than the opinion of Dr. Kushner whose opinion was made before significant amounts of the medical record existed, there are only disabling opinions. In accordance with the above, the reasons provided by the ALJ for rejecting the opinion of Dr. Pinga are insufficient.
Based on the foregoing, I conclude the ALJ's decision is not supported by substantial evidence and must be remanded.
Plaintiff next argues the opinion of the nurse practitioner was improperly evaluated and rejected. In his evaluation of the opinion evidence of record, the ALJ implicitly rejected the opinions of Marwan Moughrabi, NP-C, Mr. Powell's treating nurse practitioner at Healthforce Primary Care although the ALJ appears to have concluded it was the opinion of Dr. Baldwin (
First, the ALJ voiced his confusion regarding this opinion, stating that "the source that provided the forms is not clear." (Tr. 20). He then noted (correctly) that Plaintiff alleged in the prehearing memorandum that Marwan Moughrabi of Healthforce Primary Care offered these opinions (Tr. 20; Tr. 173-174). The ALJ then noted that, at the hearing, the claimant identified Dr. Mary Baldwin as the author of the medical source statements." (Tr. 20). However, a review of the hearing transcript does not show that Plaintiff stated Dr. Baldwin completed these assessments; rather, he stated that "She's the one who originally diagnosed me with it. But I go to a different doctor now, I go to a Dr. Marwan." (Tr. 34). It appears Mr. Powell was indicating that Dr. Baldwin did not complete these forms, but rather "Dr. Marwan" completed them (although Marwan Moughrabi is not an M.D.) (Tr. 33-35). At the very least it is unclear why the ALJ concluded it to be Dr. Baldwin in spite of counsel's clear assertion that it was Marwan Moughrabi's opinion.
The ALJ went on to explain why these opinions should not be given any weight "[i]f Dr. Baldwin is in fact the author." He based it on the remoteness of Dr. Baldwin's treatment from 2008 (Tr. 20). I conclude it is likely that Marwan Moughrabi was the author and if so his opinion would still have been entitled to be considered.
The ALJ failed to evaluate or address these opinions under Social Security Ruling 06-3p, as required for evaluating the opinions of treating nurse practitioners because he appears to have concluded it was not his opinion. The ALJ did state that "little weight" was given to the opinions "[r]egardless of who provided the statements... because they are not supported by the clinical records." However, the ALJ again failed to provide any basis for this completely conclusory finding. Rather, the ALJ merely recited the limitations assessed in Mr. Moughrabi's opinion and stated that he "cited no medical findings" to support the opinion (Tr. 20). The ALJ failed to provide any specific reasons or offer any contradictory evidence to discredit the opinions of Mr. Moughrabi. Furthermore, the ALJ failed to evaluate this opinion using the required regulatory factors, as required by Social Security Ruling 06-3p.
Social Security Ruling 06-3p requires that Marwan Moughrabi's opinion receive the same consideration as an acceptable medical source and be weighed using the
(Emphasis added). Ruling 06-3p also states that:
(Emphasis added).
As Plaintiff notes, the Sixth Circuit has emphasized the requirements of SSR 06-3p, stating that "with the growth of managed health care in recent years and the emphasis on containing medical costs, medical sources who are not `acceptable medical sources,' such as nurse practitioners ... have increasingly assumed a greater percentage of the treatment and evaluation functions handled primarily by physicians and psychologists." Cruse v. Commissioner, 502 F.3d 532, 541 (6th Cir. 2007); see SSR 06-3p. The opinion refers to SSR 06-3p which states that "opinions from these medical sources who are not technically deemed `acceptable medical sources,' under our rules, are important and should be evaluated on key issues such as impairment severity and functional effects, along with the other evidence in the file."
As Plaintiff argues, the medical records tend to support the assessment by Marwan Moughrabi. Mr. Moughrabi's treatment notes show Plaintiff's difficulties with his COPD (including bilateral scattered rhonchi); severe neck pain and muscle spasms with symptoms into his upper extremities; chronic, persistent severe headaches/migraines on a frequent basis that Mr. Moughrabi felt was related directly to his cervical spine impairments; and insomnia (Tr. 262-277). Due to his persistent neck and upper extremity symptoms, Mr. Moughrabi referred Plaintiff for physical therapy (Tr. 269-270). He reported his symptoms began about a year and a half prior, and had been worsening since then. He also reported weakness in his hands, right worse than left, with occasional dropping things, as well as headaches. He estimated his pain ranged from a zero to eight out of ten, and he also reported occasional numbness and tingling in his bilateral fingers.
Further, other medical records are consistent with and provide support to Mr. Moughrabi's assessment. For example, the consultative examination revealed some limited range of motion of Plaintiff's cervical spine, distant breath sounds bilaterally, wheezes and rhonchi over both lung fields, and decreased range of motion of the shoulders, elbows, wrists, fingers, lumbar spine, hips, knees, and ankles (Tr. 184-185). He has also had significant difficulties with his respiratory impairments and COPD noted in the hospital records (Tr. 225-261, 278-318, 329-331). Furthermore, the MRI of his cervical spine revealed abnormal alignment with reversal of lordosis indicating paraspinal muscle spasms, anterior spondylitic spurring spanning from C3 through C6 intervals, disc osteophyte complex at C4-5 with complete effacement of the thecal sac and mild impingement on the ventral cervical spinal cord, as well as moderate bilateral neural foraminal stenosis, and a right eccentric disc osteophyte complex at C5-6 with severe right foraminal stenosis and effacement of the ventral thecal sac (Tr. 255-257) (emphasis added). This MRI appears to be to be objective evidence confirming Plaintiff's cervical spine impairments which are of a severity which could cause the symptoms he alleges, including the intensity, persistence, and limiting effects thereof. This evidence appears to be consistent with and provides substantial support for the limitations assessed by Mr. Moughrabi. Nevertheless, the ALJ failed to address or even consider the consistency of this evidence with his opinions.
Based on the foregoing, I conclude the ALJ's decision is not supported by substantial evidence and must be remanded.
Plaintiff next argues the ALJ erred in failing to properly consider his cervical spinal impairments, and further misrepresented and/or mischaracterized the evidence regarding these impairments in his decision. In addressing Plaintiff's cervical spine impairments, the ALJ stated that "[t]his is a recently identified impairment, and there is no evidence that the claimant's cervical spine was particularly symptomatic as there is no evidence that he sought treatment for his neck or headaches prior to the April/May 2011, [sic] timeframe." (Tr. 17). The ALJ stated that "the first evidence that he complained of neck pain occurred after he obtained an MRI of the neck in April 2011 and this showed degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine." (Tr. 18). The ALJ then found that Plaintiff's allegations failed to satisfy both parts of the symptoms analysis mandated by SSR 96-7p "due to the absence of significant objective and laboratory medical findings which provide confirmation of an impairment(s) that could reasonably be expected to cause the subjective complaints." (Tr. 19). He "allowed that [Mr. Powell] may have some mild discomfort associated with his spine." (Tr. 17). SSR 96-8p provides that the "RFC assessment is a function-by-function assessment based upon all of the relevant evidence of an individual's ability to do work-related activities." As Plaintiff argues however, the above statements are not supported by the record.
First, while the ALJ stated that Plaintiff had difficulties or sought treatment for his neck pain and headaches prior to April or May 2011, the treatment notes from April show that x-rays of his cervical spine from a couple of years prior showed anterolisthesis of C4 on C5 with moderate multiple degenerative disease (Tr. 231). The ALJ stated that Plaintiff did not complain of neck pain until after his MRI was performed which showed degenerative disc disease (Tr. 18). However, as Plaintiff argues, this MRI would not have been performed unless Plaintiff was reporting significant symptoms and, in fact, the MRI report specifically states that it was being performed due to "neck pain radiating into the shoulders, both hands and both upper extremities." (Tr. 255); (
Finally, Plaintiff argues Plaintiff's credibility was not properly evaluated and assessed as required by Social Security Ruling 96-7p. Because I am recommending remand of this case for other reasons, I will not address this issue in detail.
Having carefully reviewed the entire administrative record and the briefs of the parties filed in support of their respective motions, I conclude the findings of the ALJ and the decision of the Commissioner are not supported by substantial evidence when one looks at all of the evidence of the record. However, evidence of disability is not overwhelming and there is some evidence to support the Commissioner therefore remand is the appropriate remedy. Accordingly, I RECOMMEND
