Opinion
REPORT AND RECOMMENDATION FOR ORDER: (1) GRANTING PLAINTIFF'S MOTION FOR SUMMARY JUDGMENT AND FOR REVERSAL AND OR REMAND [Doc. No. 16]; and (2) DENYING DEFENDANT'S CROSS MOTION FOR SUMMARY JUDGMENT [Doc. No. 18].
NITA L. STORMES, Magistrate Judge.
Plaintiff Val Waldon brings this action under the Social Security Act, 42 U.S.C. § 405(g), seeking judicial review of the final decision of the Commissioner of the Social Security Administration ("Commissioner" or "Defendant") denying his claim for social security benefits. This case was referred for a report and recommendation on the parties' cross motions for summary judgment. See 28 U.S.C. § 636(b)(1)(B). After considering the moving papers, the administrative record, and the applicable law, the court RECOMMENDS that Plaintiff's motion for summary judgment and for reversal and or remand be GRANTED and the case be remanded for further administrative proceedings, and that Defendant's cross motion for summary judgment be DENIED.
I. FACTUAL BACKGROUND
A. Procedural History.
Waldon filed applications for a period of disability and social security disability insurance benefits (SSD) on August 27, 2008. Administrative Record (AR) 174-184. He did not apply for supplemental security income (SSI). Id. Waldon alleges his condition rendered him unable to work on March 1, 1997. Id. The request was denied initially on December 17, 2008, and on reconsideration on March 4, 2009. AR 21. On March 17, 2009 Waldon filed a written request for a hearing. Id.
An Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) held hearings on April 12 and August 30, 2010. AR 59-67, 34-58. Waldon testified at the first hearing. AR 59-67. Waldon, medical expert Arvin Klein, and vocational expert John Kilcher testified at the second hearing. AR 34-58. Based on the testimony and documentary evidence the ALJ issued a decision denying Waldon's application for benefits. AR 18-33. Waldon then filed an administrative request to review the decision. AR 16-17. The Appeals Council denied the request for review, and the ALJ's decision became final. AR 1-6.
Waldon filed this complaint for judicial review of Defendant's final decision. He argues that the ALJ committed reversible error by giving improper consideration to the treating physician's opinion and to Waldon's testimony. He asks that this court reverse and remand for further administrative proceedings.
B. Documentary Medical Evidence.
1. Examining Physicians.
Waldon has a history of insulin dependent diabetes mellitus, hypertension, depression, post traumatic stress disorder, substance, alcohol and Vicoden abuse, asthma, coronary artery disease, myocardial infarcation, peripheral neuropathy, cerebrovascular accident in 1996 with right lower extremity weakness, gastroesophageal reflux disease, and hypoglycemia. AR 23, 240-286, 380-851, 853-896. Those diagnoses are based on the following reports.
Aparna Kambhampati, M.D., reported Plaintiff was admitted to the hospital on January 25, 1998, for a suicide attempt. AR 23, 869-870. His urine tested positive for benzodiazepines, alcohol, and cocaine. Id. Waldon was discharged on January 31, 1998, with a diagnosis of depression, polysubstance abuse, non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and purified protein derivative. Id.
Dennis J. Dicampli, M.D., reported that Waldon was admitted to the hospital on June 20, 1998, for chest pain after being arrested for an outstanding warrant. AR 23, 271. Waldon had a two year history of insulin dependent diabetes mellitus and 18 year history of diabetes. Id. He reported a cerebrovascular accident in 1996 with residual right lower extremity weakness, myocardial infarction in 1986 with angioplasty, tuberculosis status post treatment, increased cholesterol, hypertension for 10 years, gastroesophageal reflux, and ulnar osteotomy secondary to fracture. AR 24. Waldon was admitted and placed on heparin. AR 271. He was scheduled for an angiogram but left the hospital against the advice of doctors, without having had the angiogram. Id. When he left on June 23, 1998, Waldon had a diagnosis of probable coronary artery disease, diabetes mellitus and hypertension. AR 24.
According to Linda Gonzales, Ph.D., on February 27, 2001 Waldon reported that he had been depressed since he returned from Vietnam in 1977. AR 24, 813-817. He was alcohol and cocaine dependent and attempted suicide three times. Id. He had been traumatized by his experiences of being shot and stabbed and was in two serious car accidents. Id. He attended an outpatient rehabilitation center in 1997 for his addictions. Id. Waldon was diagnosed with major depression, posttraumatic stress disorder, and alcohol and cocaine dependence in remission. AR 86.
2. Dr. Carol Sprague-Treating Physician.
Dr. Sprague from the Veterans Affairs Medical Center treated Plaintiff from December 2000 through March 2009. AR 289-348; 380-852. She diagnosed him as suffering from diabetes with significant peripheral neuropathy in his feet, significant numbness in his thighs with severe pain (meralgia paresthetica), distant history of a stroke with chronic right lower extremity numbness and mild weakness, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, obstructive sleep apnea, obesity, depression and PTSD symptoms. AR 852. She noted he takes the following medications: metformin, insulin, simvastatin, metoprolol, losartan, doxazosin, pantoprazole, testosterone, duloxetine, amitriptyline, trazodone and methadone. Id.
On April 8, 2010, Dr. Sprague described Waldon's functional impairments as follows:
Over the time that I treated Mr. Waldon he had significant functional impairment. This worsened over the time that I treated him. He was disabled when I first evaluated him in 2000, and became increasingly disabled over time. His symptoms include significant depression and anhedonia, severe neuropathy and pain which limit his endurance and ability to do many activities. Mr. Waldon has marked limitation in his concentration due to pain and fatigue and marked impairment in his social functioning. He would not be able to work in even a sedentary job and it is very likely his medical and mental functioning would likely worsen if he was in a competitive work environment. Although he is able to perform his activities of daily living, he would be unable to work in any capacity due to his medical and medication side effects. In my opinion he was unable to work since at least 6/30/02 and likely before that. His condition is not reversible and is likely to be progressive and I consider him fully and permanently disabled.
AR 852.
C. Relevant Testimony from the Hearing.
1. Dr. Arvin Klein-Medical Expert.
Dr. Klein, who is Board Certified in internal medicine, reviewed Waldon's medical file and found he had a history of diabetes mellitus, hypertension and substance abuse with a history of noncompliance. AR 27-28, 38-41. He noted that in June 1999 Waldon had a physical examination at the University of California, San Diego, with all normal results. Id. While Waldon refused the angiogram his basic cardiac tests were all normal. Id. Dr. Klein explained that even though Waldon did not comply with taking all his medications his blood sugar and blood pressure were reasonably well-controlled. Id. Finally, Dr. Klein opined that Waldon did not meet or equal the criteria of any listing, had no exertional limitations or postural limitations, and can sit for six hours, stand for six hours and walk for six hours in an eight hour work day, and should avoid hazards. Id.
2. Plaintiff.
Waldon testified that various impairments prevented him from working since at least 1997. AR 26, 43-51. He testified that he broke his right wrist and had three operations on it. AR 26. While recovering from his wrist injuries he had a stroke followed by right sided weakness. AR 26, 43. He has used a cane since the late 1990s due to weakness on his right side. AR 41, 45. While he was treated at UCSD for the stroke, those records are no longer available. AR 43, 65-66.
Waldon was insulin-dependent due to his 1993 diagnosis of diabetes. AR 26. Diet and medicine helped his diabetes. Id. He stopped using cocaine in 1999, after he was incarcerated. Id. Waldon said that he could not sustain an eight hour workday and 40 hour workweek due to his energy level and medication levels. Id.
3. Vocational Expert.
The ALJ explained to the vocational expert Waldon's age, education, work experience and residual functional capacity, and asked if any jobs existed in the national economy through June 30, 2002 that would accommodate these parameters. AR 28. The vocational expert stated that jobs were available as an assembler, packager and garment sorter, which all required a light exertional level. AR 28-29.
D. ALJ's Written Decision.
The ALJ found that Waldon last met the insured status requirements of the Social Security Act on June 30, 2002. AR 23. He did not engage in substantial gainful activity from the alleged date of the onset of his disability, March 1, 1997, through the date last insured of June 30, 2002. Id.
1. Rejection of Treating Physician's Opinion.
The ALJ considered and rejected Dr. Sprague's testimony that Waldon was disabled as unsupported. AR 27. Specifically, he found that Dr. Sprague failed to establish any timeline for when Waldon's alleged mental impairment and stroke began. AR 26. He found no objective evidence to support a finding of severe residuals of a stroke, and there was no evidence of testing and examination of his extremities. Id. While Waldon has an extensive history of severe alcohol and cocaine abuse during the insured period, there is no evidence this prevented him from doing all work. Id. The ALJ found no significant increase or change in prescribed medication, indicative of an uncontrolled condition. Id.
Further, the ALJ said that Dr. Sprague's conclusion that Plaintiff is "disabled" and "unable to work" is not a medical opinion but an administrative finding that is dispositive of a case. AR 27. Those statements require familiarity with the Dictionary of Occupational Titles and are decisions reserved for the Commissioner. Id. He disagreed with the number of ailments that Waldon suffered from through the date last insured. AR 23. The ALJ also found that the record did not support Dr. Sprague's opinion that Waldon is incapable of all work. AR 27.
The ALJ instead relied on opinion evidence from the State's consulting physicians to support his conclusion that Waldon is not incapable of all work. Regarding the physical impairments, on October 7, 2008, Steven G. Steinberg, a State cardiology consultant, reported that Waldon had nonsevere diabetes and hypertension, and insufficient evidence to document the severity of his alleged coronary artery disease during the insured status period. AR 27. Robert Hoskins, M.D., affirmed this opinion on March 4, 2009. Id. He also relied on the opinion of the medical expert, Dr. Klein. AR 27-28, 38-41.
Regarding the mental impairments, on October 17, 2008, Sonia Tyutyulkova, M.D., a State psychiatric consultant, found that the objective medical evidence showed insufficient evidence that Waldon had a medically determinable mood disorder or drug addiction. AR 27, 355-368. But she also noted that there were no treatment records from prior to 2008, so she did not have enough evidence to determine the severity of any mood disorder. AR 370. She found no evidence to support the allegation of PTSD. Id. Her opinion was affirmed by Bruce Eather, Ph.D. and again by Robert Hoskins, M.D. AR 27, 377-378.
Ultimately, the ALJ found that during the time period in question, Waldon had severe diabetes mellitus, hypertension and substance abuse disorder. Id. In sum, the ALJ disagreed with Dr. Sprague that Waldon also had significant numbness in his thighs with severe pain (meralgia paresthetica), distant history of a stroke with chronic right lower extremity numbness and mild weakness, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, obstructive sleep apnea, obesity, depression and PTSD symptoms. See AR 852. He also disagreed with Dr. Dicampli's 1998 diagnosis of probable coronary disease. AR 24, 271.
2. Rejection of Plaintiff's Testimony.
The ALJ found that while Waldon's medically determinable impairments could reasonably be expected to cause the alleged symptoms, his testimony regarding the intensity, persistence and limiting effects of his symptoms was not credible to the extent it conflicted with the residual functional capacity assessment. AR 26. He found that the record of reports from the treating and examining practitioners did not document any objective clinical findings that established Waldon could not work. Id.
Despite the wide variety of impairments Waldon alleged, the ALJ found that he did not establish a timeline for when these impairments began, specifically with regard to the allegations of stroke and mental impairments. AR 26. No objective evidence supported a finding of severe residuals of stroke, and there was no evidence of specific testing and examination of extremities. AR 26. Even though Waldon had an extensive history of alcohol and cocaine abuse during the time period, there was no evidence that this prevented him from working. AR 26. Waldon did not describe side effects from his medications that would prevent him from engaging in substantial gainful activity. Id. Ultimately, the ALJ concluded that Waldon's allegations of disabling pain were out of proportion with the record. AR 27.
3. Determination of Non-Disability.
The ALJ found that through the date last insured Waldon could not perform any past relevant work as a manufacturer's service technician, sales associate or truck driver. AR 28. As for his Residual Functional Capacity (RFC), the ALJ concurred with the RFC assessment by Dr. Klein, and found that Waldon "had no exertional limitations and no postural limitations and is able to sit for six hours, stand for six hours, and walk for six hours in an eight hour workday, but should avoid hazards." AR 27-28. He said he could perform a full range of work with these nonexertional limitations: mild restrictions of activities of daily living, moderate difficulties maintaining social functioning, and mild difficulties maintaining concentration, persistence or pace, and the need to avoid hazards. AR 25. Ultimately, the ALJ found that Waldon was not disabled and that there were a significant number of jobs with light exertional levels available in the national economy through the date last insured. AR 29.
The RFC is the most an individual can still do despite his or her limitations. S.S. Ruling 96-8p.
II. DISCUSSION
A. Evaluating Social Security Disability Claims.
To qualify for disability benefits under the SSA, an applicant must show that he or she cannot engage in any substantial gainful activity because of a medically determinable physical or mental impairment that has lasted or can be expected to last at least 12 months. 42 U.S.C. § 423(d). The Social Security regulations establish a five-step sequential evaluation for determining whether an applicant is disabled under this standard. 20 C.F.R. § 404.1520(a); Batson v. Comm'r of the Social Security Admin., 359 F.3d 1190, 1194 (9th Cir. 2004).
First, the ALJ must determine whether the applicant is engaged in substantial gainful activity. 20 C.F.R. § 404.1520(a)(4)(I). If not, then the ALJ must determine whether the applicant is suffering from a "severe" impairment within the meaning of the regulations. 20 C.F.R. § 404.1520(a)(4)(ii). If the impairment is severe, the ALJ must then determine whether it meets or equals one of the "Listing of Impairments" in the Social Security regulations. 20 C.F.R. § 404.1520(a)(4)(iii). If the applicant's impairment meets or equals a Listing, he or she must be found disabled. Id. If the impairment does not meet or equal a Listing, the ALJ must then determine whether the applicant retains the residual functional capacity to perform his or her past relevant work. 20 C.F.R. § 404.1520(a)(4)(iv). If the applicant cannot perform past relevant work, the ALJ-at step five-must consider whether the applicant can perform any other work that exists in the national economy. 20 C.F.R. § 404.1520(a)(4)(v).
While the applicant carries the burden of proving eligibility at steps one through four, the burden at step five rests on the agency. Celaya v. Halter, 332 F.3d 1177, 1180 (9th Cir. 2003). Applicants not disqualified at step five are eligible for disability benefits. Id.
Here, at Step 1 the ALJ determined that Waldon was not engaged in any substantial gainful activity. AR 23. At Steps 2 and 3, the ALJ found that Waldon did not suffer from an impairment or combination of impairments that met or medically equaled one of the impairments in the Social Security Regulations. AR 24; see 20 C.F.R. 404.1520(d)). Moving on to Step 4, the ALJ found that Waldon had the residual functional capacity to perform a full range of work at all exertional levels but with these nonexertional limitations: he had mild restrictions of activities of daily living, moderate difficulties maintaining social functioning, and mild difficulties maintaining concentration, persistence or pace, and needed to avoid hazards. AR 25. Alternatively, the ALJ found that Waldon could be limited to light exertional work with the same restrictions. Id. Finally, at Step 5 the ALJ found that Waldon could work in a significant number of jobs in the national economy at the time he was last insured. AR 29.
B. Standard of Review Regarding Substantial Evidence.
The SSA provides for judicial review of a final agency decision denying a claim for disability benefits. 42 U.S.C. § 405(g). A reviewing court must affirm the denial of benefits if the agency's decision is supported by substantial evidence and applies the correct legal standards. Id., Batson v. Comm'r of the Social Security Admin., 359 F.3d 1190, 1193 (9th Cir. 2004). Substantial evidence means "such relevant evidence as a reasonable mind might accept as adequate to support a conclusion." Osenbrock v. Apfel, 240 F.3d 1157, 1162 (9th Cir. 2001). If the evidence is susceptible to more than one reasonable interpretation, the agency's decision must be upheld. Batson, 259 F.3d at 1193. Further, when medical reports are inconclusive, questions of credibility and resolution of conflicts in the testimony are the exclusive functions of the agency. Magallanes v. Bowen, 881 F.2d 747, 751 (9th Cir. 1989). The reviewing court cannot reinterpret or re-evaluate the evidence however much a re-evaluation may reasonably result in a favorable outcome for the plaintiff. Batson, 259 F.3d at 1193.
Where, as here, the Appeals Council denies a request for review, the ALJ's decision becomes the final agency decision reviewed by the court. Id. at 1193 n.1.
C. Assertion of Error.
In challenging the ALJ's denial of benefits, Waldon argues that the ALJ erred by failing to 1) give specific and legitimate reasons for rejecting the opinions of Dr. Sprague, Waldon's treating physician; and 2) give clear and convincing reasons for rejecting Waldon's testimony.
1. The ALJ's Rejection of Treating Physician's Opinion.
a. Legal Standard.
Where a treating doctor's opinion is not contradicted by another doctor, the commissioner can only reject the treating doctor's opinion for "clear and convincing" reasons. Lester v. Chater, 81 F.3d 821, 830 (9th Cir. 1995.) Where the treating doctor is contradicted by another doctor, the commissioner must provide "specific and legitimate" reasons based on "substantial evidence" in order to properly reject a treating physician's opinion. Id. at 830-831. The opinion of an examining physician alone can constitute "substantial evidence" because it rests on an independent examination. Tonapetyan v. Halter, 242 F.3d 1144, 1149 (9th Cir. 2001). Moreover, "When confronted with conflicting medical opinions, an ALJ need not accept a treating physician's opinion that is conclusory and brief and unsupported by clinical findings." Id., Finally, the "ALJ is the final arbiter with respect to resolving ambiguities in the medical evidence." Tommasetti v. Astrue, 533 F.3d 1035, 1041 (9th Cir. 2008.)
A failure to properly consider the treating opinion is reversible error. Lester v. Chater, 81 F.3d 821, 829-830 (9th Cir. 1995).
b. Whether the ALJ Cited Specific and Legitimate Reasons for Rejecting Dr. Sprague's Opinion.
Waldon argues that the ALJ ignored portions of Dr. Sprague's opinion and failed to articulate a legally sufficient rationale for rejecting those ignored portions. First, he says that the ALJ simply rejects Dr. Sprague's opinion that Waldon is disabled on the basis that it is not a medical finding but an administrative decision on an issue reserved to the Commissioner, and argues that the ALJ's rationale does not constitute a specific and legitimate reason for rejecting the opinion. Second, he argues that the ALJ rejects Dr. Sprague's opinion and instead favors the opinions of non-treating physicians, some of whom do not explain the bases for their conclusions. Third, because the record does not contain any independent examinations, and the non-examining doctors relied on the same clinical findings as the treating doctors, Waldon argues the opinions of those reviewing doctors cannot constitute substantial evidence.
i. Dr. Sprague's opinion that Waldon is disabled.
The ALJ rejected the "statements that a claimant is disabled', unable to work' [and] can or cannot perform a past job" because they "are not medical opinions but are administrative findings dispositive of a case, requiring familiarity with the Regulations and legal standards set forth therein and in the Dictionary of Occupational Titles. " AR 27. First, this court finds that Dr. Sprague was not trying to make an administrative decision but rather was offering her opinion. She couched her statements with, "In my opinion, he was unable to work..." and "I consider him fully and permanently disabled, " and therefore, she was not trying to substitute in her opinion for a definitive administrative decision. AR 852.
Second, the ALJ's rejection of her "administrative opinion" is not supported by specific and legitimate reasons, and cannot serve to reject all of Dr. Sprague's clinical findings and evidence as to the nature and severity of Waldon's impairments. See Reddick v. Chater, 157 F.3d 715, 725 (9th Cir. 1998) (finding the ALJ could not reject the physicians' uncontroverted opinion on the ultimate issue of disability without citing to clear and convincing reasons). The court notes that the ALJ's rejection of Dr. Sprague's conclusion simply highlights that the determination of whether Waldon is "disabled" is left to the Commissioner. See 20 C.F.R. 404.1527(d)(2).
ii. Opinions of non-treating and non-examining physicians as to physical impairments.
Reliance on the opinions of non-treating physicians can constitute specific and legitimate reasons to reject a treating doctor's opinions. Morgan v. Apfel, 169 F.3d 595, 602 (9th Cir. 1999). But "[a] report of a non-examining, non-treating physician should be discounted and is not substantial evidence when contradicted by all other evidence in the record." Gallant v. Heckler, 753 F.2d 1450, 1454 (9th Cir. 1984) (internal quotations omitted).
Here, the treating physician, Dr. Sprague, found that Waldon suffered from these physical impairments: diabetes with significant peripheral neuropathy in his feet, significant numbness in his thighs with severe pain (meralgia paresthetica), distant history of a stroke with chronic right lower extremity numbness and mild weakness, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, obstructive sleep apnea, obesity, depression and PTSD symptoms. AR 852. The ALJ compared these diagnoses with the conclusions drawn from non-treating and non-examining doctors who reviewed Waldon's medical records.
"Peripheral neuropathy is damage to nerves of the peripheral nervous system, which may be caused either by diseases of or trauma to the nerve or the side effects of systemic illness." Definition on Wikipedia, available at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peripheral_neuropathy, last visited April 18, 2013.
Meralgia paresthetica "is numbness or pain in the outer thigh not caused by injury to the thigh, but by injury to a nerve that extends from the thigh to the spinal column." Definition on Wikipedia, available at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Meralgia_paraesthetica, last visited April 18, 2013.
The ALJ first cited to Dr. Steinberg, the State cardiology consultant, who concluded:
Claimant's diabetes is a non-severe impairment.
Claimant's HBP [high blood pressure] is a non-severe impairment.
There is insufficient evidence to evaluate the severity of claimant's "coronary disease" during the relevant period (3/1/97-6/30/02). The sole MER from UCSD indicates that the claimant signed out AMA prior to any documentation (by cathererization) of his disease.
AR 351. Dr. Hoskins, another reviewing physician, affirmed Dr. Steinberg's findings. Dr. Klein, the medical expert, found that Waldon had a history of diabetes mellitus, hypertension and substance abuse with a history of noncompliance. AR 27-28, 38-41. In sum, the ALJ agreed with Drs. Sprague, Steinberg and Klein that Waldon suffered from diabetes, high blood pressure (hypertension) and substance abuse.
Regarding coronary disease, Dr. Sprague did not specifically diagnose Waldon with coronary disease. The only ailment she lists related to the heart is "high cholesterol." Only Dr. Dicampli, who examined Waldon in 1998, diagnosed him with "probable coronary disease." AR 271. Dr. Klein reviewed all notes regarding any medical issues with the heart, and noted that in June 1998 Waldon had a physical examination at the University of California, San Diego, with all normal results. AR 27-28, 40. Further, while Waldon refused the angiogram, his basic cardiac tests were all normal. Id. The court finds, therefore, that to the extent Waldon claims he suffers from coronary disease, the lack of a diagnosis by his treating physician combined with the little documented evidence of "coronary disease" that Dr. Steinberg noted and the record of all basic cardiac tests being "normal, " constitute specific and legitimate reasons for the ALJ to reject Waldon's claim that he suffers from coronary disease.
The remaining physical impairments for which Dr. Sprague's conclusions are not contradicted by another doctor are: significant numbness in thighs with severe pain (meralgia paresthetica), distant history of a stroke with chronic right lower extremity numbness and mild weakness, obstructive sleep apnea and obesity. Dr. Klein did not acknowledge that Waldon suffered from these impairments. He simply addressed the diabetes, hypertension and substance abuse and opined that Waldon did not meet or equal the criteria of any listing and had no exertional limitations or postural limitations. Because these opinions are not contradicted by other doctors, the ALJ can reject them for only clear and convincing reasons. Lester, 81 F.3d at 830.
Regarding the diagnosis of distant history of stroke, the ALJ noted there was no evidence of testing and examination of his extremities for residuals of the stroke. AR 26. Waldon has not provided or cited to any evidence of such testing. The court, therefore, finds the lack of testing and evidence from the relevant time period to be a clear and convincing reason to reject that diagnosis.
It appears Waldon tried to obtain the UCSD records regarding the stroke but they were not available. AR 43, 65-66.
As for the remaining physical impairments, the only medical evidence comes from examinations by the treating physician, Dr. Sprague. Those clinical findings were reviewed by the reviewing doctors, namely, Drs. Steinberg, Hoskins, and Klein. But preference for the findings of the reviewing doctors alone cannot constitute substantial evidence:
When an examining physician relies on the same clinical findings as a treating physician, but differs only in his or her conclusions, the conclusions of the examining physician are not "substantial evidence."... By contrast, when an examining physician provides independent clinical findings that differ from the findings of the treating physician, such findings are "substantial evidence." Independent clinical findings can be either (1) diagnoses that differ from those offered by another physician and that are supported by substantial evidence, or (2) findings based on objective medical tests that the treating physician has not herself considered.
Orn v. Astrue, 495 F.3d 625, 632 (9th Cir. 2007) (internal quotations omitted).
Defendant does not point to any findings based on objective medical tests or to any conflicting medical tests that the treating physician did not consider in making her diagnoses. The non-examining, non-treating physicians looked at the same clinical findings that the treating physician looked at and they differed only in their conclusions. Yet the ALJ "assigned significant weight to the State medical consults' opinions with regard to the claimant's lack of severe physical impairment... because they were based on a thorough review of the evidence and familiarity with Social Security Rules and Regulations and the legal standards set forth therein." AR 27.
The court finds that the ALJ did not give Dr. Sprague's opinion the deference it deserved. The factors set forth in 20 C.F.R. § 404.1527(c) increase the weight that should be afforded to Dr. Sprague's opinions. Dr. Sprague treated Waldon for over nine years, from December 2000 through March 2009. AR 289-348; 380-852. She therefore "obtained a longitudinal picture" of Waldon's impairment that the nonexamining and reviewing physicians did not possess. 20 C.F.R. § 404.1527(c)(2)(i). Contrary to the ALJ's conclusion, the record contains several hundred pages detailing clinical tests and referrals and treatment by several specialists including neurologists, endocrinologists, urologists and psychiatrists. See AR 852. The only other medical opinions on which the ALJ relies are those of non-treating and non-examining physicians who did not have any relationship with Waldon and simply reviewed his medical records.
This court finds that the ALJ did not properly defer to the opinion of the treating physician as required by 20 C.F.R. § 404.1527 with regard to the physical impairments of significant numbness in thighs with severe pain (meralgia paresthetica), obstructive sleep apnea and obesity. The ALJ cannot simply exclude a physician's testimony for lack of objective evidence as the ALJ did here; rather, the "ALJ must evaluate the physician's assessment using the grounds on which it is based." Orn, 495 F.3d at 635. The ALJ failed to do so here.
iii. Opinions of non-treating and non-examining physicians as to mental impairments.
In examining the mental impairments, the ALJ cited to a "check the box" form by Dr. Tyutyulkova, a State psychiatric consultant, who found that the objective medical evidence showed insufficient evidence that Waldon had a medically determinable mood disorder or drug addiction. AR 27, 355-368. Dr. Eather and Dr. Hoskins affirmed her opinion. AR 27, 377-378. But at the end of the form, Dr. Tyutyulkova said she did not review any treatment records from before 2008. AR 370. She suggested obtaining old treatment records, including the correctional record, for the time period between the alleged onset of disability on March 1, 1997 through the date last insured, June 30, 2002. AR 370.
In spite of Dr. Tyutyulkova never looking at any medical record from the relevant time period the ALJ relied on her opinion to reject Dr. Sprague's conclusions that Waldon suffered from depression and PTSD. Dr. Tyutyulkova's opinion is unreliable, though, for at least two reasons. First, she did not evaluate records from the time period in question, March 1, 1997 to June 30, 2002, and, at least one record from a consulting psychologist-Dr. Gonzales, who evaluated Waldon on February 7, 2001-noted that Waldon suffered from major depression and posttraumatic stress. AR 816. Dr. Gonzales referred Waldon to chemical addictions rehabilitation, PTSD orientation class, anger management classes and individual psychotherapy treatment. AR 816-817. Dr. Tyutyulkova did not consider that evidence in her review. Second, Dr. Tyutyulkova's opinion is filled out in a "check the box" form. Such forms are given less weight than detailed reports that explain the bases for a doctor's conclusions. Crane v. Shalala, 76 F.3d 251, 253 (9th Cir. 1996); Murray v. Heckler, 722 F.2d 499, 501 (9th Cir. 1983).
With regard to the mental impairments, the court finds that the ALJ did not properly defer to the opinion of the treating physician as required by 20 C.F.R. § 404.1527. Orn, 495 F.3d at 632. Further, there are no specific and legitimate reasons based on Dr. Tyutyulkova's review to reject Dr. Sprague's findings that Waldon suffered from depression and PTSD.
This court therefore finds that remand is appropriate because the ALJ erred by not duly considering the treating physician's opinion and not relying on specific and legitimate reasons to reject that opinion. On remand, the ALJ must provide due consideration to Dr. Sprague's findings and opinions with regard to these impairments: diabetes, high blood pressure (hypertension), substance abuse, significant numbness in thighs with severe pain (meralgia paresthetica), obstructive sleep apnea, obesity, depression and PTSD.
The court notes that the ALJ already determined that Waldon suffers from diabetes, high blood pressure and substance abuse, and asks the ALJ to reconsider the impact of those diseases in combination with the other diagnoses that must be reconsidered on remand.
2. Rejection of Plaintiff's Testimony.
In rejecting Waldon's testimony, the ALJ stated:
After careful consideration of the evidence, the undersigned finds that the claimant's medically determinable impairments could reasonably be expected to cause the alleged symptoms; however, the claimant's statements concerning the intensity, persistence and limiting effects of these symptoms are not credible to the extent they are inconsistent with the above residual functional capacity assessment.
AR 26.
Waldon argues that his testimony shows he can do nothing more than a few basic daily activities. AR 42-54. He contends the ALJ improperly assessed his subjective testimony when determining his RFC and failed to give clear and convincing reasons for disregarding his testimony as to the limitations caused by his pain and fatigue.
a. Legal Standard.
A claimant's subjective symptoms must be considered in a disability evaluation. 20 C.F.R. § 404.1529; Smolen v. Chater, 80 F.3d 1273, 1291 (9th Cir. 1996). In deciding whether to credit a claimant's testimony about subjective symptoms or limitations, the ALJ must engage in a two-step analysis. Batson, 359 F.3d at 1195; Smolen, 80 F.3d at 1281. Under the first step, the claimant must produce objective medical evidence of an underlying impairment that could reasonably be expected to produce pain or other symptoms. Batson, 359 F.3d at 1195; Smolen, 80 F.3d at 1281. If this test is satisfied, and there is no affirmative evidence that the claimant is malingering, then the ALJ must determine the credibility of the claimant's subjective complaints.
In assessing the credibility of the claimant's subjective complaints, the ALJ may consider such factors as the claimant's reputation for truthfulness, any inconsistencies in the claimant's statements, and the claimant's daily activities. Tonapetyan, 242 F.3d at 1148; Smolen, 80 F.3d at 1284. The ALJ may reject the claimant's testimony about the severity of symptoms as long as he gives specific, convincing reasons for doing so. Batson, 359 F.3d at 1195; Lingenfelter v. Astrue, 504 F.3d 1028, 1036 (9th Cir. 2007). "General findings are insufficient; rather, the ALJ must identify what testimony is not credible and what evidence undermines the claimant's complaints." Lester, 81 F.3d at 834.
b. No Clear and Convincing Reasons Cited to Reject Plaintiff's Testimony.
The ALJ did not dispute that claimant has proven impairments which could reasonably be expected to produce pain and fatigue. See AR 26-27. There is no evidence of malingering here. The sole issue is whether the ALJ provided any clear and convincing reasons to reject Waldon's testimony. Defendant argues that the ALJ properly discredited Waldon's testimony because it was inconsistent with one of Dr. Sprague's statements, that any impairment he had was controlled, that Dr. Sprague failed to establish a timeline for the onset of some of the impairments, and there was no evidence that Waldon's substance abuse prevented him from working. D's MSJ at 9.
First, the court finds no inconsistency between Waldon's statement that he had been disabled since 1997, and Dr. Sprague's statement that Waldon "was disabled when I first evaluated him in 2000." AR 852. Dr. Sprague did not say Waldon was not disabled before 2000, just that she did not meet and assess him until 2000. Second, even though the ALJ noted there were no significant increases or changes in prescribed medication to indicate an uncontrolled condition, the ALJ did not assess whether the amount of medication Waldon was taking indicated an underlying disability. While medical reports showing that the pain is under control constitute specific, clear and convincing evidence to disregard reports of pain, Celaya v. Halter, 332 F.3d 1177, 1181 (9th Cir. 2003), the treating physician opined that Waldon's pain "limit[s] his endurance and ability to do many activities." The ALJ cites to no clear and convincing evidence to disregard Waldon's reports of pain.
Third, even though the ALJ says there is no timeline for when Waldon's mental impairments and stroke began, Waldon did report that the stroke occurred in 1996. AR 271. As for lack of supporting medical records, his attorney explained that the UCSD treatment records for that stroke were no longer available. AR 43, 65-66. The court does not find the lack of available records a proper reason to discredit his testimony. Regarding the onset date for the mental impairments, in 2001 Dr. Gonzales said that Waldon reported that he had been depressed since he returned from Vietnam in 1977, and at that time diagnosed him with major depression, posttraumatic stress disorder, and alcohol and cocaine dependence in remission. AR 24, 86, 813-817. Finally, while the ALJ said no evidence showed Waldon's substance abuse prevented him from working, there is evidence that Waldon participated in rehabilitation programs, yet the ALJ did not address whether the time commitments required to participate in those programs might have interfered with his ability to work.
The ALJ based the finding of lack of credibility on the record's failure to document any objective clinical findings that Waldon could not work. AR 26. But this purported justification for rejecting the testimony is insufficient because an ALJ may not reject a claimant's testimony as to the severity of his subjective symptoms, including pain, on the ground that no objective medical evidence supports it. Robbins v. Soc. Sec. Admin., 466 F.3d 880, 884 (9th Cir. 2006). Further, even though "[c]ontradiction with the medical record is a sufficient basis for rejecting the claimant's subjective testimony, " the ALJ's inadequate discussion of the medical record and failure to identify contradictions within it, as well as contradictions between Waldon's testimony and the relevant medical evidence, impedes the court's ability to evaluate the ALJ's credibility determination. See Carmickle v. Comm'r of Soc. Sec. Admin., 533 F.3d 1155, 1161 (9th Cir. 2008) (citation omitted).
As this court has noted, the ALJ did not give enough weight to the opinion of the treating doctor. Reliance on the opinions of the non-treating and non-examining doctors do not constitute substantial evidence, as they do not rely on independent examinations and do not carry the weight of the opinions of the treating and examining doctors. Reliance on these opinions cannot now serve as clear and convincing reasons to discount Waldon's credibility. The issue of Waldon's credibility should, upon remand, be reexamined after proper consideration has been given to the medical evidence, including Dr. Sprague's opinion.
Conclusion
Based on the preceding discussion, this court concludes that the ALJ's denial of benefits is not supported by substantial evidence and there is no clear and convincing evidence cited to reject Plaintiff's testimony. Accordingly, the court remands this matter to the ALJ for further proceedings and consideration of the record because "[t]here may be evidence in the record to which the [ALJ] can point to provide the requisite" reasons for rejecting the opinion of Dr. Sprague and for discounting Plaintiff's credibility. McAllister v. Sullivan, 888 F.2d 599, 603 (9th Cir. 1989) (remanding so that the Commissioner can review the record and either provide legally sufficient reasons for rejecting the treating physician's report or award benefits). The Commissioner "is in a better position than this court to perform this task." Id.
Therefore, the court RECOMMENDS that Plaintiff's motion for summary judgment be GRANTED and the case REMANDED, and that Defendant's cross motion for summary judgment be DENIED.
This Report and Recommendation is submitted to the United States district judge assigned to this case pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 636(b)(1). Any party may file written objections with the court and serve a copy on all parties on or before May 13, 2013. The document should be captioned "Objections to Report and Recommendation." Any response to the objections shall be filed and served on or before May 20, 2013.
Failure to file objections within the specified time may affect the scope of review on appeal. Baxter v. Sullivan, 923 F.2d 1391, 1394 (9th Cir. 1991).
IT IS SO ORDERED