Branum v. BarnhartBranum v. Barnhart
Sheldon J. Sperling, U.S. Attorney, Cheryl R. Triplett, Muskogee, OK, Tina M. Waddell, Linda H. Green, Michael McGaughran, Dallas, TX, for Defendant-Appellee.
Before HARTZ, McKAY, and PORFILIO, Circuit Judges.
ORDER AND JUDGMENT**
PORFILIO, Circuit Judge.
After examining the briefs and appellate record, this panel has determined unanimously to grant the parties’ request for a decision on the briefs without oral argument. See
Plaintiff-appellant Christel Branum appeals from an order of the district court affirming the Social Security Administration’s decision denying her application for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) payments. We exercise jurisdiction under
Plaintiff claims she has been unable to work since January 1998 as a result of back pain, obesity, and depression. After her application for SSI payments was denied initially and on reconsideration, a dе novo hearing was held before an administrative law judge (ALJ), and plaintiff was represented by counsel at the hearing. In a decision dated September 24, 2002, the ALJ denied plaintiffs application for SSI
In January 2003, the Appeals Council denied plaintiff’s request for review of the ALJ’s decision. Plaintiff then filed a complaint in the district court. After the parties consented to having a magistrate judge decide the case, a magistrate judge entered an order affirming the ALJ’s decision denying plaintiff’s application for SSI payments. This appeal followed.
Because the Appeals Council denied review, the ALJ’s decision is the Commissioner’s final decision for purposes of this appeal. Doyal v. Barnhart, 331 F.3d 758, 759 (10th Cir.2003). In reviewing the ALJ’s decision, we “neither rеweigh the evidence nor substitute our judgment for that of the agency.” Casias v. Sec’y of Health & Human Servs., 933 F.2d 799, 800 (10th Cir.1991). Instead, we review the ALJ’s decision only to determine whether the correct legal standards were applied and whether the ALJ’s factual findings are supported by substantial evidence in the record. Doyal, 331 F.3d at 760. “Substantial evidence is such relevant evidence as a reasonable mind might accept as adequate to support a conclusion.” Id. (quotation omitted). “A decision is not based on substantial evidence if it is overwhelmed by other evidence in the record or if there is a mere scintilla of evidence supporting it.” Bernal v. Bowen, 851 F.2d 297, 299 (10th Cir.1988).
In this appeal, plaintiff claims the ALJ’s decision denying her application for SSI payments is not supported by substantial evidence in the record because: (1) the ALJ failed to develop a record containing all of her medical records; (2) the ALJ erroneously determined that her mental impairment is not severe and failed to develop an adequate record concerning her mental impairment; (3) the ALJ improperly discredited her subjective complaints regarding her back pain; (4) the ALJ failed to give appropriate weight to the opinion of her treating physician; and (5) the ALJ incorrectly assessed her RFC and incorrectly found that she can perform jobs that exist in significant numbers in the national economy. We disagree with plaintiff on each of these points, and we therefore affirm the ALJ’s denial of plaintiff’s application for SSI payments.
A. Duty to Develop the Record.
The administrative record contains medical records from the Cherokee Nation Indian Clinic in Stillwell, Oklahoma, and the records document medical care that plaintiff received at the clinic in 2000. See A.R. at 99–103. The administrative record also contains medical records from the Redbird Smith Behavioral Health Center in Sallisaw, Oklahoma, аnd the records document medical care that plaintiff received at the center from February 1999 through October 2001.1 Id. at 128–62. Plaintiff claims
The burden to prove disability in a social security case is on the claimant, and to meet this burden, the claimant must furnish medical and other evidence of the existence of the disability. Bowen v. Yuckert, 482 U.S. 137, 146, 107 S.Ct. 2287, 96 L.Ed.2d 119 (1987). A social security disability hearing is nonadversarial, however, and the ALJ bears responsibility for ensuring that “an adequate record is developed during the disability hearing consistent with the issues raised.” Henrie v. United States Dep’t of Health & Human Servs., 13 F.3d 359, 360–61 (10th Cir.1993). As a result, “[a]n ALJ has the duty to develop the record by obtaining рertinent, available medical records which come to his attention during the course of the hearing.” Carter v. Chater, 73 F.3d 1019, 1022 (10th Cir.1996). Nonetheless, in cases such as this one where the claimant was represented by counsel at the hearing before the ALJ, “the ALJ should ordinarily be entitled to rely on the claimant’s counsel to structure and present claimant’s case in a way that the claimant’s claims are adequately explored,” and the ALJ “may ordinarily require counsel to identify the issue or issues requiring further development.” Hawkins v. Chater, 113 F.3d 1162, 1167 (10th Cir.1997).
During the hearing before the ALJ, plaintiff’s counsel did not indicate or suggest to the ALJ that any medical records were missing from the administrative record, nor did counsel ask for the ALJ’s assistance in obtaining any additional medical records. Moreover, under the governing regulations, the ALJ was required to develop plaintiff’s medical history only for the twelve months preceding the month in which she filed her application “unlеss there is a reason to believe that development of an earlier period is necessary.”
B. Mental Impairment.
The medical records in the аdministrative record indicate that plaintiff has suffered from depression for several years, and that she has been prescribed Zoloft to treat her depression. See A.R. at 129, 130,
Because of the lack of information in plaintiff’s medical records pertaining to her mental impairment, it was necessary to have рlaintiff evaluated by a consulting psychologist. In July 2001, Dr. Douglas A. Brown, a clinical neuropsychologist, performed a consultative psychological examination of plaintiff, and he diagnosed her as suffering from a dysthymic disorder, a chronic pain disorder, and a personality disorder. Id. at 105. However, Dr. Brown did not report any significant limitations with respect to plaintiff’s ability to function on a day-to-day basis. Id. at 104–06. To the contrary, he reported that plaintiff communicates effectively with no specific limitations in speech or language, and he also observed no abnormalities with respect to persistence, concentration, or pace. Id. at 105–06.
Based on Dr. Brown’s evaluation and the administrative record as a whole, the ALJ concluded that plaintiff does not suffer from a severe mental impairment. Id. at 19–21; see also
We conclude that the ALJ properly analyzed plaintiff’s mental impairment. First, as required by
C. Subjective Complaints Regarding Back Pain.
With respect to plaintiff’s back pain, the ALJ did “not find credible the testimony and statements of functional limitations and pain of such severity as to preclude the performance of any substantial gainful activity.” A.R. at 19. We conclude that the ALJ’s credibility determination is supported by substantial evidence in the record.
“A claimant’s subjective allegation of pain is not sufficient in itself to establish disability.” Thompson v. Sullivan, 987 F.2d 1482, 1488 (10th Cir.1993). Instead, “[b]efore the ALJ need even consider any subjective evidence of pain, the claimant must first prove by objective medical evidence the existence of a pain-producing impairment that could reasonably be expected to produce the alleged disabling pain.” Id. (citations omitted). As this court has explained:
The framework for the proper analysis of Claimant’s evidence of pain is set out in Luna v. Bowen, 834 F.2d 161 (10th Cir.1987). We must consider (1) whether Claimant established a pain-producing impairment by objective medical evidence; (2) if so, whether there is a “loose nexus” between the proven impairment and the Claimant’s subjective allegations of pain; аnd (3) if so, whether, considering all the evidence, both objective and subjective, Claimant’s pain is in fact disabling.
Id. (quotation omitted).
In this case, there is objective medical evidence in the administrative record establishing that plaintiff has a pain-producing back impairment, and the Commissioner does not dispute that plaintiff has met the first two prongs of the three-part inquiry. Consequently, the ALJ was required to consider plaintiff’s assertions of severe pain and “decide whether he believe[d] them].” Id. at 1489 (quotation omitted). To determine the credibility of pain testimony, the ALJ should consider such factors as:
the levels of medication and their effectiveness, the extensiveness of the attempts (medical or nonmedical) to obtain relief, the frequency of medical contacts, the nature of daily activities, subjective measures of credibility that are peculiarly within the judgment of the ALJ, the motivation of and relationship betweеn the claimant and other witnesses, and the consistency or compatibility of nonmedical testimony with objective medical evidence.
Hargis v. Sullivan, 945 F.2d 1482, 1489 (10th Cir.1991) (quotation omitted).
The ALJ found that plaintiff’s allegations of disabling pain were not credible for the following reasons:
[T]he [ALJ] has carefully considered claimant’s allegations of disabling impairments and pain. Despite her complaint of remitting disabling back pain, the evidence fails to reflect that claimant has sought any definitive treatment. Apparently following her 1998 motor vehicle accident in order to rule out severe injury, her lower back was x-rayed. Although she has continued to complain of lower back pain, apparently her medical doctors have not considered her clinical presentation severe enough to warrant additional evaluation, or even the [simple] measure of repeat lower back x-rays. The social security сonsultative examiner reached the conclusion, which appears to be consistent with the evidence as a whole, that claimant’s lower
back pain was related to her morbid obesity (as opposed to trauma). Nevertheless, the record fails to reflect claimant has made any sustained effort to lose weight. It would appear that if claimant were, in fact, as uncomfortable as alleged, she would be motivated tо follow a concentrated weight loss program. This she has not done. The consultative physician advised that claimant was neurologically intact. This negates the presence of nerve root compression consistent with a diagnosis of disc herniation. Indeed, it would appear that if claimant’s treating physicians thought that it was likely claimant had a herniated disc, they would have requested additional diagnostic studies, such as a MRI. Claimant doеs not appear to take much in the way of medication for pain. She has advised that she takes ibuprofen. Apparently this medication does provide her with some relief, as she has not requested from her treating physicians stronger medication for pain relief. Claimant takes two ibuprofen every 6 hours, which [is] not demonstrative of an excessive need for pain medication.
Although claimant’s ability to engage in activities is significantly restriсted due to her marked obesity, she does perform various household chores, as related to the consultative examiner.
A.R. at 23–24.
While we have some concerns regarding the ALJ’s reliance on plaintiff’s alleged failure to follow a weight loss program and her performance of certain minimal household chores, we conclude that the balance of the ALJ’s credibility analysis is supported by substantial evidence in the record. In partiсular, it appears that plaintiff has not made any extensive attempts to obtain relief for her back pain, as the medical contacts regarding her back pain have been infrequent. In addition, although plaintiff is correct that “the ALJ may not discredit [her] for a lack of treatment or aggressive testing when ... she has a legitimate reason for [failing] to get additional treatment, such as lack of funds,” Aplt. Br. at 20 (citing Thompson, 987 F.2d at 1490), the determinative factor here is that there is no indication in the administrative record that plaintiff has ever been diagnosed with a back problem that required any form of extensive evaluation or treatment.
D. Dr. Wyly’s Opinion.
Dr. Michael Wyly is plaintiff’s treating osteopath, and he filled out a “Physical Residual Functional Capacity Evaluation” form for plaintiff. See A.R. at 183–85. As noted by the ALJ, in the evaluation form, “Dr. Wyly enumerated specific functional limitations which would restrict [plaintiff] to less than a full range of pаrt time sedentary work.”5 Id. at 22. The ALJ rejected Dr. Wyly’s opinion, concluding that “[t]he state of the record compels the [ALJ] to neither give Dr. Wyly’s opinion controlling weight nor to afford it as much weight as other evidence of record.” Id. We conclude that the ALJ did not err in rejecting Dr. Wyly’s opinion.
In deciding how much weight to give the opinion of a treating physician, an ALJ must first determine whether the opinion is entitled to “controlling weight.” Watkins v. Barnhart, 350 F.3d 1297, 1300
Even if a treating physician’s opinion is not entitled to controlling weight, “[t]reating source medical opinions are still entitled to deference аnd must be weighed using all of the factors provided in
(1) the length of the treatment relationship and the frequency of examination; (2) the nature and extent of the treatment relationship, including the treatment provided and the kind of examination or testing performed; (3) the degree to which the physician’s opinion is supported by relevant evidence; (4) consistency between the opinion and the record as a whole; (5) whether or not the physician is a specialist in the area upon which an opinion is rendered; and (6) other factors brought to the ALJ’s attention which tend to support or contradict the opinion.
Id. at 1300–01. After considering these factors, the ALJ must “give good reasons in [the] notice of determination or decision” for the weight he ultimately assigns the opinion.
In his decision, the ALJ rejected Dr. Wyly’s opinion that plaintiff is unable to perform sedentary work based on the following analysis:
[T]he [ALJ] has very carefully examined claimant’s treatment records from Redbird Smith Health Center, where Dr. Wyly is on staff. Although claimant was seen on a frequent basis at the clinic, the [ALJ] has been unable to confirm that Dr. Wyly saw claimant on more than .two occasions. . . . Accordingly, claimant’s treatment records reflect little in the way of clinical findings or diagnostic tests in supрort of Dr. Wyly’s conclusion that claimant is disabled. Nor did the doctor otherwise provide supportive evidence when he submitted his residual functional capacity evaluation. He did reference remote x-ray findings, but he did not provide the x-ray report. Nor did he provide the results of any other diagnostic tests.
. . . As previously observed, during a period of several years, Dr. Wyly has seen claimant on only a very infrequent basis. Furthermore, the record fails to reflect what treatment, if any, other than medical prescriptions, Dr. Wyly has provided for claimant’s complaint of lower back pain. Finally, . . . the undersigned notes that Dr. Wyly is not an orthopedist.
In short, the [ALJ] is unable to give much weight to Dr. Wyly’s [opinion] because it is not supported by appropriate clinical and/or laboratory findings, because Dr. Wyly has had a limited “treatment relationship” with claimant, and because Dr. Wyly is not an orthopedic specialist.
A.R. at 22–23.
Thе ALJ’s treating physician analysis is in accordance with the sequential analysis required under the governing regulations and case law, and it is also supported by substantial evidence in the record. Accordingly, we hold that the ALJ did not err in rejecting Dr. Wyly’s opinion.
E. RFC Assessment.
Plaintiff claims the ALJ incorrectly as-
Plaintiff’s challenge to the ALJ’s RFC assessment is based on three arguments: (1) the ALJ erred in failing to include limitations arising from plaintiff’s mental impairment; (2) the ALJ erred in concluding that plaintiff’s subjective complaints regarding her back pain are not credible; and (3) the ALJ erred in rejecting the opinion of Dr. Wyly. As set forth above, we have rejected each of plaintiff’s arguments.
The judgment of the district court is AFFIRMED.