MEMORANDUM OPINION AND ORDER

JOHN T. COPENHAVER, JR., District Judge.

Pending are the objections to the magistrate judge's Proposed Findings and Recommendation ("PF&R"), filed by defendant Nancy A. Berryhill (the "Commissioner") on January 19, 2018.

I. Procedural History

The plaintiff, Delana Lynn Turley ("Claimant"), instituted this action in this court on March 17, 2017, pursuant to 42 U.S.C. §§ 405(g), 1383(c)(3) (2016). Claimant seeks judicial review of the Commissioner's final determination denying her two applications for disability insurance benefits and supplemental security income.

In accordance with 28 U.S.C. § 613(b)(1)(B) and the standing order in this district, this action was referred to United States Magistrate Judge Dwane L. Tinsley for findings of fact and recommendations for disposition. Claimant and the Commissioner have filed cross motions for judgment on the pleadings.

On January 16, 2018, the magistrate judge filed his PF&R, finding that "[t]he ALJ's step three evaluation is lacking the information necessary to inform a reviewing court of the specific impairments the [administrative law judge ("ALJ")] considered and the criteria for those impairments." (PF&R 10.) Step three, which is part of a mandatory five-step analysis conducted by the Commissioner, involves comparing a claimant's impairments to listed impairments in the social security regulations. See 20 C.F.R. §§ 404.1520(a)(4)(iii), 416.920(a)(4)(iii) (2017). Thus, the magistrate judge recommends that the court

(PF&R 11 (emphases and citations omitted).)

The Commissioner filed objections to the PF&R on January 19, 2018. The Commissioner argues that the ALJ's step three conclusion is amply supported by record evidence and that remand is thus unwarranted. (See Obj. 7.) Claimant responded on January 30, 2018, urging the court to adopt the magistrate judge's analysis. (See Resp. 1.)

II. Standard of Review

The court reviews de novo those portions of the magistrate judge's PF&R to which objections are timely filed. 28 U.S.C. § 636(b)(1)(B); see Orpiano v. Johnson, 687 F.2d 44, 47 (4th Cir. 1982); see also 20 C.F.R. § 416.927(e)(1) (ultimate decision regarding disability determinations rests with the Commissioner). On the other hand, the standard for review of the Commissioner's decision is rather deferential to the Commissioner, for "a reviewing court must `uphold the determination when an ALJ has applied correct legal standards and the ALJ's factual findings are supported by substantial evidence.'" Brown Comm'r Soc. Sec. Admin., 873 F.3d 251, 267 (4th Cir. 2017) (quoting Preston v. Heckler, 769 F.2d 988, 990 (4th Cir. 1985)); Oppenheim v. Finch, 495 F.2d 396, 397 (4th Cir. 1974) (court must scrutinize the record as a whole to determine whether the conclusions reached are supported by substantial evidence); see also 42 U.S.C. § 405(g). Substantial evidence is that which "a reasonable mind might accept as adequate to support a conclusion." Richardson v. Perales, 402 U.S. 389, 401 (1971) (internal citations omitted); accord Brown, 873 F.3d at 267.

"In reviewing for substantial evidence, [a district court does] not undertake to reweigh conflicting evidence, make credibility determinations, or substitute [its] judgment for that of the ALJ." Johnson v. Barnhart, 434 F.3d 650, 653 (4th Cir. 2005) (per curiam). Substantial evidence is by definition more than "a mere scintilla," Smith v. Chater, 99 F.3d 635, 638 (4th Cir. 1996), but "may be somewhat less than a preponderance," Blalock v. Richardson, 483 F.2d 773, 776 (4th Cir. 1972) (quoting Laws v. Celebrezze, 368 F.2d 640, 642 (4th Cir. 1996)).

III. Discussion

20 C.F.R. §§ 404.1520(a)(4) and 416.920(a)(4) set forth "[t]he five-step sequential evaluation process" that the Commissioner applies when deciding whether a claimant is disabled. As explained by the United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit,

Radford v. Colvin, 734 F.3d 288, 290-91 (4th Cir. 2013) (full citation added). At issue in the present action is step three.

At "step three, the ALJ decides whether the claimant has an impairment that meets or equals an impairment listed in the regulations for being severe enough to preclude a person from doing any gainful activity." Brown, 873 F.3d at 254. The listings of specific impairments are found in Appendix 1 to Subpart P of the regulations. See 20 C.F.R. §§ 404.1520(a)(4)(iii), 416.920(a)(4)(iii). To meet a listing, a claimant "must meet all of the specified medical criteria. An impairment that manifests only some of those criteria, no matter how severely, does not qualify." Sullivan v. Zebley, 493 U.S. 521, 530 (1990). To equal a listing, a claimant "must present medical findings equal in severity to all the criteria for the one most similar listed impairment." Id. at 531. A claimant who meets or equals a step three listing is conclusively disabled. 20 C.F.R. §§ 404.1520(a)(4)(iii), 416.920(a)(4)(iii); accord Radford, 734 F.3d at 291 (citing Bowen v. City of New York, 476 U.S. 467, 471 (1986) and McNunis v. Califano, 605 F.2d 743, 744 (4th Cir. 1979)).

The ALJ determined that Claimant suffered from the following severe impairments: "chronic lumbosacral strain, with left radicular symptoms; fibromyalgia[;] and hyperlipidemia." (Tr. 23.) At step three of the five-step sequential analysis, the ALJ concluded that "[C]laimant does not have an impairment or combination of impairments that meets or medically equals the severity of one of the listed impairments in" the regulations. (Id. 25.) The entirety of the ALJ's step three analysis is as follows:

(Id.)

The magistrate judge found the ALJ's step three analysis lacking, concluding that "[a] reviewing court is unable to know which listed impairments were considered and how the ALJ determined whether the criteria was met for that particular listing." (PF&R 10.) The magistrate judge relied upon Radford, which he interpreted as "stat[ing] that a necessary predicate to engaging in substantial evidence review is a record of the basis for the ALJ's ruling." (Id. 9 (citing Radford, 734 F.3d 288).) Thus, because "[t]he ALJ did not specify which Listing(s) were considered[] nor . . . discuss the criteria for each listing," the magistrate judge held that it could not engage in meaningful review of the ALJ's decision. (Id. 10.)

The Commissioner disagrees with the magistrate judge's reading of Radford. In her view, "Radford does not require categorical remands for detailed Listing discussions in all cases, regardless of the facts." (Obj. 5.) Instead, the Commissioner insists that "the rule in Radford is not categorical, but rather fact-dependent," such that factual findings elsewhere in an ALJ's decision can negate a claimant's satisfaction of the listings. (See id. 4-7.) Claimant responds in agreement with the magistrate judge's decision. (See Resp. 3-5.)

The court recently confronted similar arguments in Marcum v. Berryhill, No. 16-2297, 2017 WL 1095068 (S.D. W. Va. Mar. 23, 2017) (Copenhaver, Jr., J.). In that case, after reviewing case law of both the Fourth Circuit and the district courts, the court concluded that an ALJ's "failure to include a pertinent discussion of the evidence at step three of the analysis" is of no moment if the whole of the ALJ's decision provides substantial evidence to support the step three determination. See id. at *3-4 (citing Radford, 734 F.3d 288; Fox v. Colvin, 632 F. App'x 750 (4th Cir. 2015); Kiernan v. Astrue, No. 3:12-cv-459, 2013 WL 2323125 (E.D. Va. May 28, 2013); McDaniel v. Colvin, No. 2:14-cv-28157, 2016 WL 1271509 (S.D. W. Va. Mar. 31, 2016) (Johnston, J.); Six v. Colvin, No. 3:15-cv-14377, 2016 WL 7040850 (S.D. W. Va. Dec. 1, 2016) (Chambers, J.)).

Indeed, in Radford, the Fourth Circuit ultimately concluded that the ALJ's cursory step three analysis precluded meaningful review "[g]iven the depth and ambivalence of the medical record." 734 F.3d at 296. A necessary corollary to that holding is that in some instances an ALJ's cursory step three analysis nonetheless enables meaningful review. For example, in Ezzell v. Berryhill, the Fourth Circuit instructed that "[w]hen there is `ample evidence in the record to support a determination' that the claimant's impairment meets or equals one of the listed impairments, the ALJ must identify `the relevant listed impairments' and compare `each of the listed criteria to the evidence of [the claimant's] symptoms.'" 688 F. App'x 199, 200 (4th Cir. 2017) (quoting Cook v. Heckler, 783 F.2d 1168, 1172-73 (4th Cir. 1986)) (second alteration in original). Again, the corollary is that an in-depth step three analysis is unnecessary in some instances, particularly when there is not ample evidence supporting a step three listing.

The court has not located any authority, nor have the parties here cited any authority, compelling it to reevaluate its conclusion. See, e.g., Smith v. Astrue, 457 F. App'x 326, 328 (4th Cir. 2011) (finding that the ALJ's cursory step three analysis was supported by the thorough examination of the record in subsequent steps); McCartney v. Apfel, 28 F. App'x 277, 279 (4th Cir. 2002) (same); Ebison v. Colvin, No. 4:14-CV-135-FL, 2015 WL 5725643, at *4 (E.D.N.C. Sept. 30, 2015) (finding that no step three analysis is required where there is no evidence to support a listing); cf. Bishop v. Comm'r of Soc. Sec., 583 F. App'x 65, 67 (4th Cir. 2014) ("[A]ny error [in an ALJ's decision] is reviewed under the harmless error doctrine. Thus, if the decision is overwhelmingly supported by the record though the agency's original opinion failed to marshal that support, then remanding is a waste of time." (quotation marks omitted)); McCartney, 28 F. App'x at 279 (finding that an ALJ need review medical evidence only once in a decision).

Thus, the court will proceed according to the analysis that it previously set forth in Marcum:

2017 WL 1095068, at *4.

As earlier noted, the ALJ provided only a cursory analysis in step three, concluding that "the claimant's impairments, combined or separately, did not meet or equal any impairment described in the Listing of Impairments at any time relevant to this discussion." (Tr. 25.) At steps two and four, however, the ALJ developed a comprehensive summary of the evidence that plainly supports the step three conclusion that Claimant does not meet or equal any of the referenced listings.

The ALJ described Claimant's testimony at the hearing, during which she detailed her alleged symptoms. (See id. 26.) Claimant claimed that she suffered debilitating emotional, mental, and physical symptoms that severely limited her personal and social life as well as her ability to work. (See id.) The ALJ also recounted the litany of symptoms that Claimant reported to her healthcare providers and the consultative healthcare providers. (See id. 27-29.) However, the objective medical evidence thoroughly described by the ALJ supports only a few of Claimant's symptoms, and certainly not to the alleged degree. (See id. 27-30.) The court discusses each referenced listing in turn.

A. Listings 1.00 — Musculoskeletal System

Listing 1.00 pertains to the musculoskeletal system. See 20 C.F.R. Pt. 404, Subpt. P, App'x 1, § 1.00. Under this listing,

Id. § 1.00(B)(2)(a). Thus, to meet or equal Listing 1.00, a claimant must first establish either "the inability to ambulate effectively on a sustained basis . . . or the inability to perform fine and gross movements effectively on a sustained basis." Id.

Generally speaking, "[i]nability to ambulate . . . means an extreme limitation of the ability to walk; i.e., an impairment(s) that interferes very seriously with the individual's ability to independently initiate, sustain, or complete activities." Id. § 1.00(B)(2)(b)(1) (citation omitted). Also generally speaking, "[i]nability to perform fine and gross movements . . . means an extreme loss of function of both upper extremities; i.e., an impairment(s) that interferes very seriously with the individual's ability to independently initiate, sustain, or complete activities." Id. § 1.00(B)(2)(c).

In step two of the analysis, the ALJ sufficiently detailed Claimant's musculoskeletal functioning. Dr. Kip Beard, a consultative internist, examined Claimant, and his records indicate that her "lumbar spine showed some mild discomfort with motion testing and small paravertebral tenderness, but no spasm;" "knees revealed some intermittent, very mild patellofemoral crepitus, but without pain, tenderness, redness, warmth, swelling or range of motion limitation;" cervical spine "had some mild discomfort on motion testing . . . with mild tenderness;" "shoulders revealed some mild discomfort on motion testing, and some intermittent AC crepitus, with normal range of motion;" and "hips were without pain or tenderness and normal range of motion." (Tr. 23-24.) Dr. Beard observations also show that Claimant could "stand on one leg alone." (Id. 23.) Further, the ALJ separately noted in step two that despite Claimant's diagnosis of osteopenia, "there is no evidence that this condition has resulted in any fractures of her bones." (Id.)

The court finds that the ALJ's decision as a whole provides substantial evidence supporting his determination that Claimant does not meet an impairment under Listing 1.00. As recounted by the ALJ, Dr. Beard's motion testing of Claimant's musculoskeletal functioning consistently resulted in only mild levels of tenderness and discomfort. (See id. 23-24.) Moreover, Claimant had a normal range of motion and exhibited the ability to stand on only one leg. (See id.) There thus exists no evidence in the ALJ's decision that could be categorized as either an "extreme limitation of the ability to walk" or an "extreme loss of function of both upper extremities." 20 C.F.R. Pt. 404, Subpt. P, App'x 1, §§ 1.00(B)(2)(b)(1), 1.00(B)(2)(c). Consequently, the ALJ's determination that Claimant's symptoms do not meet Listing 1.00 is supported by substantial evidence.

In her response, Claimant takes note that the Commissioner's objections failed to address fibromyalgia, one of Claimant's severe impairments from step two. (Obj. 3.) On this note, Claimant insists that meaningful review is precluded in particular because the ALJ did not explicitly discuss in his decision fibromyalgia. (See id.) Fibromyalgia is "a . . . nonarticular (not affecting joints) rheumatic disease[] . . . characterized by dull and persistent pain, tenderness, and stiffness of (1) muscles, (2) regions where tendons are inserted into bones, and (3) nearby soft tissues." Fibromyalgia, Attorneys' Dictionary of Medicine. Fibromyalgia manifests itself in "[t]he fibromuscular tissue" at the following sites: "(1). . . in the back of the skull . . .; (2) in the neck, shoulders, and chest . . .; (3) in the lower part of the back . . .; and (4) in the thighs." Fibromyalgia, sites commonly affected, id. Thus, inasmuch as the ALJ plainly discussed pain and discomfort associated with those regions, which the court describes in its discussion of this listing as well as that of the neurological listing below, the court finds that the ALJ satisfactorily discussed fibromyalgia such that meaningful review of the ALJ's decision is enabled.

B. Listing 4.00 — Cardiovascular System

Listing 4.00 concerns the cardiovascular system. See 20 C.F.R. Pt. 404, Subpt. P, App'x 1, § 4.00. A cardiovascular impairment is "any disorder that affects the proper functioning of the heart or the circulatory system." Id. § 4.00(A)(1)(a). Such an impairment is characterized by

Id. § 4.00(A)(1)(b)(i)-(iv). Hyperlipidemia — Claimant's cardiovascular impairment, (Tr. 23) — is not a specific impairment delineated in the cardiovascular listings, see 20 C.F.R. Pt. 404, Subpt. P, App'x 1, §§ 4.02-4.12. Instead, the Commissioner "evaluate[s a claimant's] lipoprotein disorder [hyperlipidemia] by considering its effects [on the claimant]." Id. § 4.00(H)(7).

Although the ALJ's step three analysis was merely cursory, the ALJ's determination finds support in the whole of his decision. The ALJ discussed additional notes from Dr. Beard, concluding that Claimant's "heart examination was unremarkable." (Tr. 28.) In fact, from the ALJ's decision, Claimant's hyperlipidemia appears to be under control. The ALJ described "[p]rogress notes from Iva E. Moore, M.D., [C]laimant's treating physician," which indicated that Claimant's blood pressure and LDL levels were controlled with medication. (Id. 27.) Accordingly, there is no evidence supporting a positive finding under any of the four Listing 4.00 factors, noted above. Substantial evidence supports the ALJ's determination.

C. Listing 5.00 — Digestive System

The digestive system falls under Listing 5.00. See 20 C.F.R. Pt. 404, Subpt. P, App'x 1, § 5.00. Listing 5.00 contemplates disorders that meet or equal the effects of "gastrointestinal hemorrhage, hepatic (liver) dysfunction, inflammatory bowel disease, short bowel syndrome, and malnutrition." Id. § 5.00(A). The effects must, of course, meet or equal the severity described in the listings. See §§ 5.02, 5.05-5.09.

On this system, the ALJ summarized treatment notes from Dr. Moore and from an examiner at Thomas Memorial Hospital ("Thomas"). Dr. Moore's records indicate that Claimant's gastroesophogeal reflux disorder is controlled by medication. (Tr. 27; see also id. 24.) The Thomas examiner performed "an upper endoscopy with biopsy" and found that Claimant had a "prominent fold at the esophagogastric junction, likely of no clinical significance and minimal gastritis." (Id. 27.) Neither of these records describe symptoms that meet or equal those in Listing 5.00. Thus, the ALJ's decision shows substantial evidence supporting his decision as to Listing 5.00.

D. Listing 9.00 — Endocrine System

Listing 9.00 covers the endocrine system. See 20 C.F.R. Pt. 404, Subpt. P, App'x 1, § 9.00. The listing instructs an ALJ to "evaluate impairments that result from endocrine disorders under the listings for other body systems." Id. § 9.00(B). Thus, an impairment from an endocrine disorder must manifest itself in a way that meets or equals a separate listing. For example, because "pituitary hypofunction affects water and electrolyte balance in the kidney and leads to diabetes insipidus, [an ALJ] evaluate[s] the effects of recurrent dehydration under 6.00." Id. § 9.00(B)(1).

As earlier noted, the ALJ thoroughly described Claimant's record medical evidence, and there is simply no evidence that Claimant's symptoms of endocrine system issues have manifested themselves in a way that meets or equals a separate listing. Indeed, the ALJ recounted from Dr. Moore's notes that Claimant's hypothyroidism was stabilized with replacement therapy. (Tr. 27; see also id. 24.) Consequently, the court finds that the ALJ's Listing 9.00 determination is supported by substantial evidence.

E. Listing 11.00 — Neurological System

Listing 11.00 concerns the neurological system. See 20 C.F.R. Pt. 404, Subpt. P, App'x 1, § 11.00. Under this listing, "[an ALJ] evaluate[s] epilepsy, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, coma or persistent vegetative state (PVS), and neurological disorders that cause disorganization of motor function, bulbar and neuromuscular dysfunction, communication impairment, or a combination of limitations in physical and mental functioning." Id. § 11.00(A).

To meet or equal the last category of Listing 11.00(A), a claimant must show "a marked limitation in physical functioning and a marked limitation in at least one of four areas of mental functioning: Understanding, remembering, or applying information; interacting with others; concentrating, persisting, or maintaining pace; or adapting or managing oneself." Id. § 11.00(G)(1). A marked limitation in physical functioning "means that, due to the signs and symptoms of your neurological disorder, you are seriously limited in the ability to independently initiate, sustain, and complete work-related physical activities." Id. § 11.00(G)(2)(A). A marked limitation in mental functioning "means that, due to the signs and symptoms of your neurological disorder, you are seriously limited in the ability to function independently, appropriately, effectively, and on a sustained basis in work settings." Id. § 11.00(G)(2)(b).

The ALJ discussed in his decision Claimant's neurological system evidence from a number of sources. According to the ALJ, in June 2014, Dr. Moore found that Claimant's neurological examination was normal. (Tr. 27.) At Thomas in June 2015, "a CT of the head . . . was unremarkable," and examination showed "no sign of acute neuro deficits or signs of central vertigo." (Id.) The Thomas examiner concluded that "[C]laimant had acute dizziness, with probable Meniere's disease, acute, right ear." (Id.) At Psychiatric Services in November 2014, an examiner diagnosed Claimant "with major depressive disorder, recurrent, severe without psychotic features." (Id.) Over the course of her treatment at Psychiatric Services through May 2016, Claimant was prescribed with a number of medications to treat her mental symptoms. (See id. 27-28.) In March 2016, Dr. Moore "report[ed] that [Claimant's] mood had been improving with medication." (Id. 27.)

The ALJ also included in his discussion a summary of the findings of consultative examiners Dr. Beard and Lisa Tate, M.A. The ALJ found Dr. Beard's records to note that Claimant's description of her headaches had "`migrainous features,' [but] . . . was not classic for that." (Id. 29; see also id. 23.) Further, Dr. Beard's "neurological examination revealed needlelike sensation or paresthesias about the plantar aspect of the left foot, but . . . [without] sensory loss," which "was reported as unremarkable." (Id. 23, 29.) And despite Claimant's history of stroke, Dr. Beard found "no clinical evidence of a stroke." (Id. 29.)

Tate, a psychologist, found Claimant to have "major depressive disorder, single episode, moderate, chronic." (Id. 29.) Ms. Tate also reported that Claimant's "social functioning was within normal limits," "concentration was mildly deficient," and "[p]ersistence and pace was . . . within normal limits." (Id.)

Based upon this evidence, the ALJ determined that Claimant did not meet or equal one of Listing 11.00's specifically-enumerated neurological impairments nor "a combination of limitations in physical and mental functioning." The court finds that the evidence contained in the ALJ's decision supports his conclusion. Claimant's neurological examinations were consistently normal. In addition, despite Claimant's mental health diagnoses, she received medications that appeared to remedy her symptoms, and her social functioning and persistence and pace were normal and her concentration only mildly deficient. Thus, the ALJ's decision provides sufficient explanation and evidence to support his determination.

IV. Conclusion

Based upon the ALJ's thorough development of the record, the court finds that the ALJ's decision supports his determination that Claimant does not meet or equal any of the referenced listings. Indeed, the ALJ's summary of the evidence decisively supports his step three conclusion and lead to his finding that Claimant could perform a range of medium work. There is simply no medical evidence here — let alone "ample evidence," Ezzell, 688 F. App'x at 200 — evincing an inability by Claimant to perform any gainful activity due to any medical condition, whether it be a musculoskeletal condition under Listing 1.00, a cardiovascular condition under Listing 4.00, or a neurological condition under Listing 11.00, including fibromyalgia which may be evaluated under multiple listings. The same is true of the digestive system and the endocrine system under Listings 5.00 and 9.00 that are of little prominence here.

At bottom, a positive finding at step three means that a claimant's symptoms "preclude [the claimant] from doing any gainful activity." Brown, 873 F.3d at 254. Consequently, this case readily falls outside that contemplated by Radford, wherein "the depth and ambivalence of the medical record" required a more rigorous step three analysis. 734 F.3d at 296. The court finds that substantial evidence supports the ALJ's determination that Claimant is not disabled, and the court does not adopt the magistrate judge's recommendations.

Accordingly, having received the PF&R, the Commissioner's objections, and Claimant's response, and having reviewed the record de novo, it is ORDERED that:

1. The Commissioner's request for judgment on the pleadings be, and hereby is, granted;

2. Claimant's request for judgment on the pleadings be, and hereby is, denied;

3. The decision of the ALJ be, and hereby is, affirmed; and

4. This action be, and hereby is, dismissed and stricken from the docket of the court.

The Clerk is directed to forward copies of this memorandum opinion and order to all counsel of record, to any unrepresented parties, and to the magistrate judge.