1/28/17- Courts have approved Babesia and Lyme tests (including those not meeting the CDC surveillance criteria) as reliable "objective evidence" in SS disability cases.
PLDS (Post Lyme Disease Syndrome- Chronic Lyme) is described by the CDC and others as having significant lingering symptoms. That diagnosis also helps support a claim of disability along with a positive test.
The first case below is a Kansas case, the second a California case. Links to full legal documents are below each section.
IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE DISTRICT OF KANSAS
CHARLES R. PENNINGER, Plaintiff,
Vs.
CAROLYN W. COLVIN,
Acting Commissioner of Social Security,
Defendant.
No. 12-2302-SAC
This is an action reviewing the final decision of the defendant Commissioner of Social Security ("Commissioner") that denied the claimant Charles R. Penninger’s (“Penninger”) application for disability insurance benefits (“DIB”) under Title II of the Social Security Act (AAct@). With the administrative record (Dk. 3) and the parties= briefs on file pursuant to D. Kan. Rule 83.7.1 (Dks. 4, 11, and 12), the case is ripe for review and decision.
QUOTE- "Relying on these medical opinions, the ALJ rejected the medical opinion of the treating physician, Dr. Brewer, that Penninger suffered from chronic Lyme disease and Babesia, as being “unsupported by objective evidence,” as being unsupported “by medically acceptable clinical and laboratory diagnostic techniques,” and as being “generally inconsistent with the more persuasive opinions in the record.” (R. 27-28). The ALJ described giving “little weight” to Dr. Brewer’s opinion. (R. 28)." (pg. 5)
QUOTE- "(“In claims in which there are no medical signs or laboratory findings to substantiate the existence of a medically determinable physical or mental impairment, the individual must be found not disabled at step 2.”).
QUOTE- “Social Security Ruling (SSR) 96–4p further states ‘[n]o symptom or combination of symptoms can be the basis for a finding of disability, no matter how genuine the individual's complaints may appear to be, unless there are medical signs and laboratory findings demonstrating the existence of a medically determinable physical or mental impairment.’ SSR 96–4p.” Simon v. Astrue, 2009 WL 684713 at *2 (D. Kan. 2009).
On the other hand, “[m]edically acceptable evidence includes observations made by a physician during physical examination and is not limited to the narrow strictures of laboratory findings or test results.” Loza v. Apfel, 219 F.3d 378, 393 (5th Cir. 2000)."
QUOTE- "The ALJ initially found that Penninger had only one medically determinable impairment, Lyme disease, and that Penninger suffered from this impairment through September 30, 2009. (R. 23). And yet, the balance of the ALJ’s decision is devoted to findings that Penninger did not have Lyme disease after September of 2007." (pg. 8)
QUOTE- "The ALJ found that Dr. Winkler had testified that Penninger had “a history of Lyme’s disease with positive testing for an acute infection, which resolved after treatment” and that “repeat testing showed the disease was resolved by August or September 2007 after . . . the appropriate treatment.” (R. 25).
The ALJ observed that Dr. Winkler had “noted there is no evidence of ongoing chronic Lyme’s disease” and had “determined that the claimant had no objective findings that would restrict him from a functional standpoint.” (R. 25, 26) (pg. 8-9)
QUOTE- "The ALJ also gave “great weight” to the state agency medical opinion of Dr. Bullock that chronic Lyme disease exists “only when” the disease has “never been treated” and that he had not found “any significant medical or scientific evidence supporting the existence of Lyme’s disease not being 100% cured within six months of therapy.” (R. 26, 27)." (pg. 9)
QUOTE- "The court is at a loss to explain how the ALJ first can find that Penninger has the “medically determinable impairment: Lyme’s disease” through September 30, 2009, but then find that all the medical evidence, specifically the opinions of treating physicians based on clinical findings and prior laboratory results, to prove a condition through September 30, 2009, should be rejected as unreliable in favor of the opinions from the non-treating physicians based on current laboratory findings that the claimant had no objective medically determinable Lyme disease after September of 2007.
This inconsistency marks the flawed analysis employed in evaluating the physicians’ differing opinions over chronic Lyme disease." (pg. 9)
QUOTE- "Jones v. Colvin, 2013 WL 1777333, at *3 (10th Cir. 2013). In this case, the ALJ found that the treating physician Dr. Brewer’s opinion “is not supported by medically acceptable clinical and laboratory diagnostic techniques and is generally inconsistent with the more persuasive opinions in the record” and so “accord[ed] it little weight.” (R. 27-28). If such deficiencies lie with Dr. Brewer’s opinion, then the ALJ would be justified in denying it controlling weight. Robinson v. Barnhart, 366 F.3d 1078, 1082 (10th Cir. 2004)."
QUOTE- "For her conclusion that Dr. Brewer’s opinion is not based on medically acceptable diagnostic techniques, the ALJ relies exclusively on the testimony of medical expert, Dr. Winkler, and the written statement of state agency physician, Dr. Bullock.
Specifically, she relied on Dr. Winkler’s opinion that “repeat testing showed the [Lyme] disease was resolved by August or September 2007 after he received the appropriate treatment.” (R.25).
The ALJ cited Dr. Bullock for his opinions that he did not find “any significant medical or scientific evidence supporting the existence of Lyme’s disease not being 100% cured within six months of the therapy” and that “available evidence shows that people can have chronic Lyme disease for years, but only when they have never been treated for it.” (R. 26).
From the opinions of Dr. Winkler and Dr. Bullock alone, the ALJ concluded that Dr. Brewer’s diagnosis and treatment of chronic Lyme disease and Babesia was “not supported by medically acceptable clinical and laboratory diagnostic techniques.” (R. 27-28)."
QUOTE- "The court cannot accept the ALJ’s findings as supported by substantial evidence. First, the ALJ calls Dr. Winkler a “specialist” but without establishing the relevance of her specialization to the diagnosis and treatment of Lyme’s disease or Babesia.
More importantly, the record simply does not show Dr. Winkler to possess certification, training or experience that is superior to Dr. Brewer, M.D. F.A.C.P., who practices in a clinic named, “Plaza Infectious Disease, PC” (R. 1210) and who began treating the claimant in April 2008 based on a referral for ongoing neurological symptoms from Lyme’s disease (R. 911).
Dr. Winkler’s familiarity with Social Security policy and regulations is hardly relevant or significant to her contrary medical opinion on the diagnosis and treatment of these diseases.
As the claimant points out, the ALJ apparently erred in characterizing Dr. Winkler’s review to have included the “complete documentary record.” (R. 27).
Dr. Winkler testified to reviewing exhibits 1f through 30F, (R. 48), but it is not established that she reviewed the function reports of the claimant and third parties, medical treatment diaries, medication lists, or the consultative examination report of the psychologist Todd Schemmel.
Nor did Dr. Winkler hear the claimant testify about his symptoms or examine the claimant for any clinical signs.
Finally, the ALJ’s regard for Dr. Winkler’s opinion being detailed and supported by references to laboratory findings (R. 27) begs the central question of what are medically acceptable clinical and laboratory diagnostic techniques for chronic Lyme’s disease and Babesia."
QUOTE- "Based on the cursory opinions of Dr. Winkler and Dr. Bullock, neither of whom presumed to lay a foundation for establishing what would be the full range of medically acceptable diagnostic techniques for these diseases, the ALJ was quick to discount Dr. Brewer, and presumably Dr. Sahgal, both of whom appear to be specialists in infectious diseases, as having opinions based on diagnostic techniques outside the range of medical acceptability.
The medical record shows that Dr. Winkler and Dr. Bullock both regarded Lyme disease as cured quickly with treatment and that chronic Lyme disease was either the result of complete failure to treat or misdiagnosis. (R. 48, 50, 1102).
As the claimant points out, the medical literature available through the Center for Disease Control1 and through the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services National Institutes of Health, Allergy and Infectious Diseases2 confirms the difficulty in diagnosing and explaining chronic Lyme disease and further confirms the medically accepted fact that some patients experience persisting severe symptoms even after treatment despite the absence of other evidence to confirm an active infection:
(Blue font- CDC quoted in legal text)
After being treated for Lyme disease, some patients still report non-specific symptoms, including persistent pain, fatigue, impaired cognitive function, or unexplained numbness. These patients often show no evidence of active infection and may be diagnosed with post-Lyme disease syndrome (PLDS). In patients with PLDS, studies have shown that more antibiotic therapy is not beneficial and the risks outweigh the benefits.http://www.niaid.nih.gov/topics/lymeDisease/research/Pages/antibioti c.aspx
What is “chronic Lyme disease?”
Lyme disease is an infection caused by the bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi. In the majority of cases, it is successfully treated with oral antibiotics.
The term “chronic Lyme disease” (CLD) is very confusing, as it has been used describe people with different illnesses. While the term is sometimes used to describe illness in patients with Lyme disease, in many occasions it has been used to describe symptoms in people who have no evidence of a current or past infection with B. burgdorferi (Infect Dis Clin N Am 22:341-60, 2008).
In other cases, “CLD” is used in patients who have non-specific symptoms (like fatigue and pain) after treatment for Lyme disease, but who have no evidence of active infection with B. burgdorferi. Physicians sometimes describe these patients as having post-Lyme disease syndrome (PLDS)." (pg. 15)
QUOTE- Because of the confusion in how the term CLD is employed, experts in this field do not support its use (New Enl J Med 357:1422-30, 2008). How is Lyme disease treated?
For early Lyme disease, a short course of oral antibiotics such as doxycycline or amoxicillin is curative in the majority of the cases. In more complicated cases, Lyme disease can usually be successfully treated with 3 to 4 weeks of antibiotic therapy.
In patients who have non-specific symptoms after being treated for Lyme disease, and no evidence of active infection (patients with PLDS), studies have shown that more antibiotic therapy is not helpful and can be dangerous.
Has NIAID looked at the potential benefits of long-term antibiotic therapy on PLDS?
Yes.
In an effort to address the confusion regarding appropriate therapy, NIAID has funded three placebo-controlled clinical trials on the efficacy of prolonged antibiotic therapy for treating PLDS. The published results were subjected to rigorous statistical, editorial, and scientific peer review.
....
The studies reinforced the evidence that patients reporting PLDS symptoms have a severe impairment in overall physical health and quality of life. However, results showed no benefit from prolonged antibiotic therapy when compared with placebo in treating those symptoms. http://www.niaid.hih.gov/topics/lymeDisease/understanding/Pages/chr onic.aspx
Post-Treatment Lyme Disease Syndrome
Approximately 10 to 20% of patients treated for Lyme disease with a recommended 2-4 week course of antibiotics will have lingering symptoms of fatigue, pain, or joint and muscle aches. In some cases, these can last for more than 6 months. Although often called “chronic Lyme disease,” this condition is properly known as “Post-treatment Lyme Disease Syndrome” (PTLDS).
The exact cause of PTLDS is not yet known. Most medical experts believe that the lingering symptoms are the result of residual damage to tissues and the immune system that occurred during the infection.
Similar complications and “auto-immune” responses are known to occur following other infections, including . . . . In contrast, some health care providers tell patients that these symptoms reflect persistent infection with Borrelia burgdorferi. Recent animal studies have given rise to questions that require further research, and clinical studies to determine the cause of PTLDS in humans are ongoing." (Blue font- CDC quoted in text) http://www.cdc.gov/lyme/postLDS/index.html
QUOTE- This governmentally accepted and published medical information on Lyme disease establishes that there is a condition, sometimes called chronic Lyme disease, but more accurately described as post-treatment Lyme disease syndrome, in which a person who has been treated with antibiotics and who has no evidence of an active infection may still be experiencing symptoms of fatigue, pain and aches that “have a severe impairment in overall physical health and quality of life.” Id.
While the research and study into the cause of this condition is ongoing, the medically accepted facts are that this condition exists in 10 to 20% of patients treated for Lyme disease and it results in lingering symptoms that are a severe impairment.
Thus, Dr. Brewer’s clinical diagnosis of chronic Lyme disease without laboratory findings of an ongoing active infection following antibiotic treatment is medically acceptable, contrary to the opinions of Dr. Winkler and Dr. Bullock. Additionally, the published information recognizes that some health care providers in this field may tell their patients “that these symptoms reflect persistent infection” and even prescribe continuing antibiotic therapy. Id.3" (pg. 17)
*3As the claimant discusses in his memorandum, there are two recognized schools of thought in the medical community on long-term antibiotic treatment for chronic Lyme disease. Dk. 4, p. 26. See alsohttp://www.lymedisease.org/lyme101/lyme_disease/lyme_treatment.html
The ALJ offers no sound reason for discounting Dr. Brewer’s opinion on chronic Lyme disease simply because his treatment approach on a medically recognized condition follows a school of thought different from that followed by Dr. Winkler and Dr. Bullock."
QUOTE- "The ALJ’s reliance on the opinions of Dr. Winkler and Dr. Bullock to discount Dr. Brewer’s diagnosis and treatment of Babesia (WA-1) is no less problematic.
The claimant properly cites from the medical record those blood test results by Quest Diagnostics which were positive for antibodies of “WA1 . . . a Babesia-like piroplasm associated with cases of an illness similar to babesiosis in the Pacific Northwest.
Little, if any cross reactivity occurs between Babesia microti WA1.” (R. 1002, Sept. 2008; R. 1025, Apr. 2008).
Dr. Brewer’s treatment records and letters consistently reference this co-infection as Babesia (WA-1). (R. 909-910, 927, 962, 1209-1210, 1216).
Nonetheless, neither Dr. Winkler nor Dr. Bullock discussed these positive test results for Babesia (WA-1) or the medical acceptability of Dr. Brewer relying on these test results in making that diagnosis.
At best, Dr. Winkler testified that, “Looking at his records I’m not sure his titers were ever elevated.” (R. 50).
The above medical records establish they were for Babesia (WA-1). Dr. Bullock limited his review to Quest Diagnostics’ other test results for “Babesia IgC and IgM levels” without referencing the WA-1 results. (R. 1102).
Again, the court concludes there is not substantial evidence to sustain the ALJ’s decision that Dr. Brewer’s diagnosis of Babesia (WA-1) is “not supported by medically acceptable clinical and laboratory diagnostic techniques.” (R. 27-28).
For that matter, all of the same analysis likewise demonstrates that substantial evidence is lacking for the ALJ to find Dr. Winkler’s and Dr. Bullock’s opinions more persuasive on the existence of a medically determinable impairment at step two." (pg. 19-20)
QUOTE- "The court concludes there is not substantial evidence to sustain the ALJ’s finding that the claimant did not have a severe impairment for purposes of step two. The plaintiff seeks to have the Commissioner’s decision reversed with instructions to grant his claim for disability benefits. A key factor in remanding for further proceedings is whether it would serve a useful purpose or would merely delay the receipt of benefits. Harris v. Secretary of Health & Human Services, 821 F.2d 541, 545 (10th Cir. 1987). The court finds that a remand would be useful to insure a proper evaluation of Dr. Brewer’s opinions as a treating physician and for the sequential evaluation process to be completed with a full consideration of the record as a whole. In that regard, the court would expect the ALJ on remand to give full consideration to the different third-party information and observations found in the record and to consider the results of Dr. Schemmel’s consultative mental status examination despite his failure to administer the MMPI-2." (pg. 21)
Link Here
https://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/USCOURTS-ksd-2_12-cv-02302/pdf/USCOURTS-ksd-2_12-cv-02302-0.pdf
FEDERAL CASE
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No. 2:14-cv-2243-EFB.
173 F.Supp.3d 989 (2016)
Kelly A. MOORES, Plaintiff, v. Carolyn W. COLVIN, Acting Commissioner of Social Security, Defendant.
United States District Court, E.D. California.
Signed March 23, 2016.
Attorney(s) appearing for the Case
Barbara Arlette Arnold, Law Office of Barbara Arnold, Oakland, CA, for Plaintiff.
Bobbie J. Montoya, SS, United States Attorney's Office, Sacramento, CA, Carolyn B. Chen, Govt, Social Security Administration OGC, Region IX, San Francisco, CA, for Defendant.
ORDER
EDMUND F. BRENNAN, UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE.
Plaintiff seeks judicial review of a final decision of the Commissioner of Social Security ("Commissioner") denying her application for a period of disability and Disability Insurance Benefits ("DIB") under Title II of the Social Security Act. The parties' cross-motions for summary judgment are pending.1 For the reasons discussed below, plaintiff's motion is granted, the Commissioner's motion is denied, and the matter is remanded for further proceedings.
I. BACKGROUND
Plaintiff filed an application for a period of disability and DIB, alleging that she had been disabled since September 17, 2009. Administrative Record ("AR") 154-160. Plaintiff's application was denied initially and upon reconsideration. Id. at 104-106, 108-109. On December 4, 2012, a hearing was held before administrative law judge ("ALJ") Amita Tracy. Id. at 43-93. Plaintiff was represented by counsel at the hearing, at which she, a third-party witness, and a vocational expert ("VE") testified. Id.
On December 28, 2012, the ALJ issued a decision finding that plaintiff was not disabled under section 216(i) and 223(d) of the Act.2 Id. at 25-37. The ALJ made the following specific findings:
1. The claimant meets the insured status requirements of the Social Security Act through June 30, 2014.2. The claimant has not engaged in substantial gainful activity since September 17, 2009, the alleged onset date (20 CFR 404.1571 et seq.).* * *3. The claimant has the following severe impairments: Lyme disease and bipolar disorder (20 CFR 404.1520(c)).* * *4. The claimant does not have an impairment or combination of impairments that meets or medically equals the severity of one of the listed impairments in 20 CFR Part 404, Subpart P, Appendix 1 (20 CFR 404.1520(d)), 404.1525 and 404.1526.* * *5. After careful consideration of the entire record, the undersigned finds that the claimant has the residual functional capacity to perform light work as defined in 20 CFR 404.1567(b) except she is limited to performing simple, routine, and repetitive tasks. The claimant should not work at production rate pace, but she is able to perform goal-oriented tasks. She is limited to no interaction with the public and only occasional interaction with coworkers. She is to perform work involving things and objects rather than people.* * *6. The claimant is unable to perform any past relevant work (20 CFR 404.1565).* * *7. The claimant was born on July 6, 1969 and was 40 years old, which is defined as a younger individual age 18-49, on the alleged disability onset date (20 CFR 404.1563).8. The claimant has at least a high school education and is able to communicate in English (20 CFR 404.1564).9. Transferability of job skills is not material to the determination of disability because using the Medical-Vocational Rules as a framework supports a finding that the claimant is not disabled, whether or not the claimant has transferable job skills (See SSR 82-41 and 20 CFR Part 404, Subpart P, Appendix 2).10. Considering the claimant's age, education, work experience, and residual functional capacity, there are jobs that exist in significant numbers in the national economy that the claimant can perform (20 CFR 404.1569 and 404.1569(a)).* * *11. The claimant has not been under a disability, as defined in the Social Security Act, from September 17, 2009, through the date of this decision (20 CFR 404.1520(g)).
Id. at 27-36.
Plaintiff's request for Appeals Council review was denied on August 4, 2014, leaving the ALJ's decision as the final decision of the Commissioner. Id. at 1-7.
II. LEGAL STANDARDS
The Commissioner's decision that a claimant is not disabled will be upheld if the findings of fact are supported by substantial evidence in the record and the proper legal standards were applied. Schneider v. Comm'r of the Soc. Sec. Admin., 223 F.3d 968, 973 (9th Cir.2000); Morgan v. Comm'r of the Soc. Sec. Admin., 169 F.3d 595, 599 (9th Cir.1999); Tackett v. Apfel, 180 F.3d 1094, 1097 (9th Cir.1999).
The findings of the Commissioner as to any fact, if supported by substantial evidence, are conclusive. See Miller v. Heckler, 770 F.2d 845, 847 (9th Cir.1985). Substantial evidence is more than a mere scintilla, but less than a preponderance. Saelee v. Chater, 94 F.3d 520, 521 (9th Cir.1996). "`It means such evidence as a reasonable mind might accept as adequate to support a conclusion.'" Richardson v. Perales, 402 U.S. 389, 401, 91 S.Ct. 1420, 28 L.Ed.2d 842 (1971) (quoting Consol.
[173 F.Supp.3d 994]
Edison Co. v. N.L.R.B., 305 U.S. 197, 229, 59 S.Ct. 206, 83 L.Ed. 126 (1938)).
"The ALJ is responsible for determining credibility, resolving conflicts in medical testimony, and resolving ambiguities." Edlund v. Massanari, 253 F.3d 1152, 1156 (9th Cir.2001) (citations omitted). "Where the evidence is susceptible to more than one rational interpretation, one of which supports the ALJ's decision, the ALJ's conclusion must be upheld." Thomas v. Barnhart, 278 F.3d 947, 954 (9th Cir. 2002).
III. ANALYSIS
Plaintiff argues that the ALJ erred in (1) failing to adequately address the medical opinion evidence of record, and (2) rejecting her testimony without legally sufficient reasons. ECF No. 12-1. Medical opinions were provided by a treating physician and a treating nurse practitioner. Consultative opinions were obtained from an examining psychologist, and from a non-examining physician and a non-examining psychologist
Plaintiff first argues that the ALJ failed to properly weigh the medical opinion evidence of record. Id. at 12-1 at 22-30. The weight given to medical opinions depends in part on whether they are proffered by treating, examining, or non-examining professionals. Lester, 81 F.3d at 834. Ordinarily, more weight is given to the opinion of a treating professional, who has a greater opportunity to know and observe the patient as an individual. Id.; Smolen v. Chater, 80 F.3d 1273, 1285 (9th Cir.1996). To evaluate whether an ALJ properly rejected a medical opinion, in addition to considering its source, the court considers whether (1) contradictory opinions are in the record; and (2) clinical findings support the opinions. An ALJ may reject an uncontradicted opinion of a treating or examining medical professional only for "clear and convincing" reasons. Lester, 81 F.3d at 831. In contrast, a contradicted opinion of a treating or examining medical professional may be rejected for "specific and legitimate" reasons that are supported by substantial evidence. Id. at 830. While a treating professional's opinion generally is accorded superior weight, if it is contradicted by a supported examining professional's opinion (e.g., supported by different independent clinical findings), the ALJ may resolve the conflict. Andrews v. Shalala, 53 F.3d 1035, 1041 (9th Cir.1995) (citing Magallanes v. Bowen, 881 F.2d 747, 751 (9th Cir.1989)). However, "[w]hen 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.'" Orn v. Astrue, 495 F.3d 625, 632 (9th Cir.2007).
On August 26, 2011, nurse practitioner Rachelle A. Goering completed a Residual Functional Capacity Questionnaire. AR 461-469. She reported that she had been treating plaintiff since March 2007 for Lyme disease and bipolar disorder. Id. at 461. Plaintiff's symptoms included nonrestorative sleep, chronic fatigue, morning stiffness, muscle weakness, irritable bowel syndrome, premenstrual syndrome, breathlessness, anxiety, panic attacks, depression, chronic fatigue syndrome, and pain in cervical spine and feet. Id. at 461-462. She opined that plaintiff's symptoms were severe enough to interfere with attention and concentration necessary to complete even simple tasks 40 percent of the time, and that she was incapable of performing even low stress jobs. Id. at 462. It was Ms. Goering's opinion that plaintiff could only walk one block without rest or severe pain; sit for six hours in an eight hour work day; and stand/walk for less than 2 hours in an 8-hour workday, but for only 10 to 15 minutes at one time. Id. at 463-464. She further opined that plaintiff could lift 10 pounds occasionally
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and 20 pounds rarely; would require unscheduled one hour breaks every 20 to 30 minutes; could rarely perform postural activities; and would be absent from work three or more days a month. Id. at 464-465. It was also her opinion that plaintiff could only work about 2 hours per day and was unable to engage the public or co-workers due to being easily stimulated, mental fogginess, and high anxiety. Id. at 465.
Plaintiff's treating physician, Dr. Eleanor Hynote, agreed with Ms. Goering's opinion and subsequently signed the Residual Functional Capacity Questionnaire Ms. Goering completed. Id. at 530-534. Dr. Hynote also completed a Medical Source Statement for Neuroborreliosis/Neurologically-Involved Lyme Disease, which is dated June 12, 2013, after the ALJ's decision. Id. at 456-552. In that statement, Dr. Hynote opined that plaintiff could walk two to three blocks without rest or severe pain, sit for 45 minutes at one time, stand for 10 minutes at one time, and sit and stand/walk for less than 2 hours in an 8-hour workday. Id. at 549. It was also her opinion that plaintiff would need to shift positions at will, walk around for 15 minutes every hour, and would need to take unscheduled breaks "very often" for 2-3 hours. Id. at 550. Dr. Hynote further opined that plaintiff would need to keep her legs elevated when seated; could occasionally lift 20 pounds; rarely perform postural activities; and was limited in reaching, handling, and fingering. Id. at 551.
Plaintiff underwent a comprehensive psychiatric evaluation, which was conducted by Silvia Torrez, Psy. D. Id. at 448-454. Plaintiff reported that she was seeking disability benefits due to Lyme disease and bipolar disorder, which she treated with homeopathic remedies and supplements. Id. at 448-449. Dr. Torrez diagnosed plaintiff with bipolar disorder not otherwise specified and alcohol abuse, in remission. Id. at 453. She found that the likelihood of plaintiff's condition improving in the next 12 months was fair but that her attitude towards seeking employment was poor. Id. Dr. Torrez opined that plaintiff had a good ability to understand and remember very short and simple instructions and to sustain an ordinary routine without special supervision. Id. at 453-454. She further opined that plaintiff had a fair ability to understand and remember detailed instructions; accept instructions from supervisors and respond appropriately; complete a normal workday and workweek without interruptions at a constant pace; interact with coworkers; and deal with various changes in the work setting. Id. It was also her opinion that plaintiff had a fair likelihood of deteriorating in the work environment. Id. at 454.
The record also contains a Mental Residual Functional Capacity Assessment completed by Dr. Winston Brown, a non-examining physician. Id. at 501-504. Dr. Brown opined that plaintiff was moderately limited in maintaining attention and concentration for extended periods, completing a normal workday and workweek without interruptions from psychologically based symptoms, responding appropriately to changes in the work setting, and setting realistic goals or making plans independently from others. Id. at 503. It was his opinion that plaintiff was able to perform work where interpersonal contact is routine but superficial and that she would require supervision for routine tasks. Dr. Brown's opinion was subsequently affirmed by non-examining psychologist Sheri L. Simon, Ph.D. Id. at 523.
Non-examining psychologist Tawnya Brode, Psy.D. also completed a Mental Residual Functional Capacity Assessment. Id. 527-529. She opined that plaintiff was moderately limited in interacting appropriately with the general public and in accepting
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instructions and responding appropriately to criticism from supervisors. Id. at 528. It was Dr. Brode's opinion that plaintiff was able to understand and remember work locations and routines, maintain adequate attention and concentration, sustain a workday/workweek schedule, interact with others in a superficial manner, adapt to changes, and respond to hazards. Id. at 529.
Plaintiff first argues that the ALJ failed to give legally sufficient reasons for rejecting the opinion provided by Dr. Hynote and Ms. Goering. ECF No. 12-1 at 22-28. In assessing plaintiff's RFC, the ALJ gave little weight to the opinion provided by Ms. Goering, and later affirmed by Dr. Hynote, while giving great weight to the opinions from the non-treating sources, Drs. Torrez, Brown, and Brode. Id. at 34. Dr. Hynote was plaintiff's treating physician and provided an opinion assessing plaintiff's physical limitations as well as mental limitations, while examining and non-examining physicians Drs. Torrez, Brown, and Brode only provided opinions concerning plaintiff's mental limitations. Accordingly, Dr. Hynote's opinion regarding plaintiff's physical limitations is uncontradicted and could not be rejected absent clear and convincing reasons.3
The ALJ provided the following explanation for why he rejected the opinion provided by Dr. Hynote and Goering:
Ms. Goering's opinion is given little weight because the objective medical evidence does not support such severe functional limitations on the part of the claimant. In addition, the undersigned accords little weight to Ms. Goerging's opinion because a nurse practitioner is not an acceptable medical source (20 CFR 404.1513 416.913). Furthermore, the claimant's lack of medical treatment and her overall activities of daily living are inconsistent with a complete inability to work.
AR 34.
As an initial matter, the ALJ fails to acknowledge that Dr. Hynote provided a treating-source opinion. The ALJ acknowledges that Dr. Hynote signed the Residual Functional Capacity Questionnaire completed by Ms. Goering, but ultimately treats the opinion as only given by Ms. Goering. Id. at 33-34. The ALJ consistently refers to the opinion as that of Ms. Goering and disposes of it with reduced weight because Ms. Goering is a nurse practitioner and not a medical doctor. Id. at 34. The effect is to ignore entirely Dr. Hynote's participation in providing a medical opinion as to the plaintiff's functional capacity. Yet the record contains two copies of the Residual Functional Capacity Questionnaire, one containing only Ms. Goering's signature, id. at 461-465, and another copy that includes Dr. Hynote's signature, id.at 530-534. This evidence establishes that Dr. Hynote reviewed the opinion initially provided by Ms. Goering and adopted it as his her own. Thus, the fact that Ms. Goering is not an acceptable medical source under the Commissioner's regulations, see 20 C.F.R. §§ 404.1513 & 416.913, provides no basis for rejecting Dr. Hynote's opinion.
The ALJ's other reasons for rejecting Dr. Hynote's uncontradicted opinion
[173 F.Supp.3d 997]
are not clear and convincing. First, the ALJ rejected Dr. Hynote's opinion because "the objective medical evidence does not support such severe functional limitations on the part of the claimant." This conclusory statement, without any explanation, falls short of satisfying the clear and convincing standard. As explained by the Ninth Circuit:To say that medical opinions are not supported by sufficient objective findings does not achieve the level of specificity our prior cases have required even when the objective factors are listed seriatim. The ALJ must do more than offer his own conclusions. He must set forth his own interpretation and explain why he, rather than the doctors, are correct.
Regennitter v. Comm'r of Soc. Sec. Admin., 166 F.3d 1294, 1299 (9th Cir.1999). The ALJ provides no such explanation for his conclusion that Dr. Hyote's opinion is not supported by objective medical evidence.
Furthermore, objective evidence appears to support Dr. Hynote's opinion. Dr. Hynote indicated that plaintiff's physical symptoms include nonrestorative sleep, chronic fatigue, morning stiffness, muscle weakness, and pain in the cervical spine and feet. AR 530-531. The ALJ specifically found that plaintiff's severe impairments include Lyme disease, id. at 27, and "[s]ymptoms of Lyme disease include fatigue, chills, fever, headache, muscle pain and weakness, a stiff neck, speech problems, joint swelling, memory and concentration problems and vision problems." Pugliese v. Astrue, 2012 WL 4061355, at * 2 n. 9 (M.D.Penn. Sept. 14, 2012). The fact that plaintiff has tested positive for Lyme disease provides an objective basis for Dr. Hynote's opinion. See Morgan v. Colvin, 2013 WL 6074119 (Nov. 13, 2014) (concluding that positive blood test for Lyme disease provided an objective basis for physician's opinion that plaintiff was functionally limited due to aches and pains). Thus, the ALJ's conclusory statement that Dr. Hynote's opinion is unsupported by objective evidence is not supported by the record or any explanatory analysis and is not a legitimate basis for rejecting his opinion.
Lastly, in rejecting Dr. Hynote's opinion, the ALJ found that plaintiff's "lack of medical treatment and her overall activities of daily living are inconsistent with a complete inability to work." AR 34. An ALJ may reject the opinion of a treating physician who prescribed conservative treatment, yet opines that a claimant suffers disabling conditions. Rollins v. Massanari, 261 F.3d 853, 856 (9th Cir. 2001). But here, the record indicates that Dr. Hynote prescribed medication to treat plaintiff's Lyme disease. Treatment notes from September 2010 indicate that plaintiff was doing well on antibiotics. AR 406. She reported that pain in her body and joints were clearing, and that she experienced less fogginess. Id. However, the following month plaintiff reported that her symptoms had returned and that she was having difficulty sleeping and experiencing issues with low energy and body pain. Id.Plaintiff attributed her reports of improvement during the previous visit to a manic episode. Id. Plaintiff was directed to continue taking Zithromax and was prescribed Mepron. Id. In November 2010, plaintiff reported that her energy was still low, but that her joint and body pain were "under control." Id. at 407. She also stated that she had not started Mepron, as she had been denied Medi-Cal. Id.Treatment notes form December 2010 reflected that plaintiff was continuing to take her a Zithromax, but stated that she could not afford Mepron.4 In May 2011, plaintiff reported
[173 F.Supp.3d 998]
that she did not fill her prescription for antibiotics because she was "running out of money."5 Id. at 470.
The record shows that Dr. Hynote treated plaintiff's Lyme disease with prescription medication and while plaintiff eventually stopped taking her prescribed medication, it was due to a lack of funds and not Dr. Hynote's decision to cease the treatment. Thus, the ALJ's conclusory statement that Dr. Hynote's opinion is inconsistent with plaintiff's "lack of medical treatment" does not provide a clear and convincing reason for rejecting her opinion.
Furthermore, it is unclear precisely how plaintiff's reported activities are inconsistent with Dr. Hynote's opinion. In assessing plaintiff's credibility, the ALJ summarizes plaintiff's daily activities, AR 32-33, but the ALJ fails to specify which activities were inconsistent with the limitations assessed by Dr. Hynote. Cf Burrell v. Colvin, 775 F.3d 1133, 1138 (9th Cir.2014) (finding that the ALJ erred by "not elaborate[ing] on which daily activities conflicted with whichpart of Claimant's testimony.") (emphasis in original). This is especially problematic given that plaintiff's reported activities are limited. As noted by the ALJ, plaintiff reported that she can care for her general hygiene, prepare simple meals such as soup or protein shakes, go grocery shopping, attend church, pay bills, watch television, and drive to a health food store to pick up meals.6 Id. at 219-222, 449. The ability to perform these activities is not at odds with Dr. Hynote's opinion.
The ALJ did observe, however, that a treatment note from December 2010 indicated that plaintiff "goes to health food store for few hrs work-not on payroll." Id. at 473. One could logically conclude that maintaining the ability to work at a health food store for a few hours is inconsistent with the severe limitations assessed by Dr. Hynote. However, the treatment note provides no insight into the type of work plaintiff performed at the store, nor does indicate how frequently plaintiff was able to perform a few hours of work. Other evidence in the record, however, indicates that plaintiff's visits to the store were more social in nature and any work she performed was de minimis. Plaintiff testified that she previously worked at the health food store and that she had friends that continued to work there. Id. at 52-53, 219. Plaintiff also reported that her friends would prepare her meals and that she would go to the store to pick them up. Id. at 219. The manager of the health food store, Tina Kauffman, completed a Functional Report Adult-Third Party statement, id. at 270-275, which the ALJ found to be "generally persuasive except in regards to the severity of [plaintiff's] impairments," id. at 31. She reported that plaintiff comes to the store 2-3 days a week, and during these visits she may work on the computer for 10 minutes. Id. at 270. Ms. Kauffman further stated that plaintiff might talk to customers from her chair but that she was unable to perform tasks that required her to be on her feet for more than five minutes. Id. at 270.
Thus, the limited activity plaintiff performed at the health food store was not
[173 F.Supp.3d 999]
inconsistent with the limitations assessed by Dr. Hynote. Accordingly, none of the reasons articulated by the ALJ provided a basis for rejecting Dr. Hynote's opinion.
Equally problematic in the rejection of Dr. Hynote's opinion is the lack of any explanation as to how the evidence of record demonstrates that plaintiff can perform light work with only non-exertional limitations. Light work involves lifting no more than 20 pounds at a time and frequently lifting and carrying objects weighing up to 10 pounds, with "a good deal of walking or standing." 20 C.F.R. 404.1567(b). Here, all the medical opinions that were accorded great weight addressed only plaintiff's mental limitations. Dr. Hynote's opinion is the sole assessment of plaintiff's physical limitations. The ALJ rejected Dr. Hynote's opinion, yet failed to cite to any specific evidence demonstrating that plaintiff could perform light work notwithstanding the opinion of Dr. Hynote. As noted above, plaintiff's daily activities were limited and do not demonstrate the ability perform "a good deal of walking or standing." AR 219-222, 449.
Accordingly, this matter must be remanded for further consideration of plaintiff's physical impairments and how they impact her ability to work.7 See Dominguez v. Colvin, 808 F.3d 403, 407 (9th Cir.2015) ("Unless the district court concludes that further administrative proceedings would serve no useful purpose, it may not remand with a direction to provide benefits.").
IV. CONCLUSION
The ALJ's failed to apply the properly legal standard and the decision was not supported by substantial evidence. Accordingly, it is hereby ORDERED that:
1. Plaintiff's request for oral argument on the cross-motions for summary judgment, ECF No. 20, is denied;
2. Plaintiff's motion for summary judgment is granted;
3. The Commissioner's cross-motion for summary judgment is denied;
4. The matter is remanded for further consideration consistent with this order; and
5. The Clerk is directed to enter judgment in plaintiff's favor.
FootNotes
1. Plaintiff filed a request for the court to hold a hearing on the cross-motions for summary judgment. ECF No. 20. The court finds that oral argument would not be of material assistance to resolution of the pending motions, and therefore plaintiff's request for a hearing is denied.
2. Disability Insurance Benefits are paid to disabled persons who have contributed to the Social Security program, 42 U.S.C. §§ 401 et seq. Supplemental Security Income ("SSI") is paid to disabled persons with low income. 42 U.S.C. §§ 1382 et seq. Under both provisions, disability is defined, in part, as an "inability to engage in any substantial gainful activity" due to "a medically determinable physical or mental impairment." 42 U.S.C. §§ 423(d)(1)(a) & 1382c(a)(3)(A). A five-step sequential evaluation governs eligibility for benefits. See 20 C.F.R. §§ 423(d)(1)(a), 416.920 & 416.971-76; Bowen v. Yuckert, 482 U.S. 137, 140-42, 107 S.Ct. 2287, 96 L.Ed.2d 119 (1987). The following summarizes the sequential evaluation:Step one: Is the claimant engaging in substantial gainful activity? If so, the claimant is found not disabled. If not, proceed to step two.Step two: Does the claimant have a severe impairment? If so, proceed to step three. If not, then a finding of not disabled is appropriate.Step three: Does the claimant's impairment or combination of impairments meet or equal an impairment listed in 20 C.F.R., Pt. 404, Subpt. P, App.1? If so, the claimant is automatically determined disabled. If not, proceed to step four.Step four: Is the claimant capable of performing his past work? If so, the claimant is not disabled. If not, proceed to step five.Step five: Does the claimant have the residual functional capacity to perform any other work? If so, the claimant is not disabled. If not, the claimant is disabled.
Lester v. Chater, 81 F.3d 821, 828 n. 5 (9th Cir.1995).
The claimant bears the burden of proof in the first four steps of the sequential evaluation process. Yuckert, 482 U.S. at 146 n. 5, 107 S.Ct. 2287. The Commissioner bears the burden if the sequential evaluation process proceeds to step five. Id.
3. The record contains a case analysis completed by Dr. Jerry Thomas. AR 447. Dr. Thomas opined that plaintiff's impairments were non severe, finding that there was no medically determinable impairment noted in the medical evidence of record. Id. The court finds no basis for treating Dr. Thomas's statement as an opinion contradicting Dr. Hynote's opinion. First, the ALJ makes no reference to Dr. Thomas's case analysis. Second, the ALJ implicitly rejected Dr. Thomas's opinion by specifically concluding that plaintiff's severe impairments included Lyme disease and bipolar disorder.
4. Plaintiff testified at the hearing that one of the medications she was prescribed cost more than $1,000 for one month's prescription. AR 77.
5. The ALJ states that plaintiff stopped all prescription in December 2012 (AR 32); however, the record indicates that she stopped sometime in mid-2011. Id. at 470.
6. Plaintiff's friends, who work at a health food store, help prepare meals for plaintiff. AR 219.
7. As this matter must be remanded for further consideration of the medical evidence of record, the court declines to address plaintiff's additional arguments.
LINK HERE- https://casetext.com/case/moores-v-colvin
Announcement 1/27/17
Barbara Arnold, Esq.
Ground-Breaking Lyme Disability Brief
A federal district court has recently ruled in favor of a Lyme patient, ordering that a claim for Social Security disability benefits is viable even when laboratory evidence falls short of two-tiered testing criteria.
The U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of California has issued a published order, stating that laboratory findings of limited antibody reactivity to Borrelia burgdorferi, when interpreted by a treating physician, meet the evidentiary threshold for proving a “medically determinable impairment” under Social Security law.
The written ruling, authored by Magistrate Judge Edmund F. Brennan, states that laboratory evidence such as that referenced in ILADS guidelines provides legally sufficient “objective evidence” to support a treating physician’s clinical assessment that the patient suffered from disabling Lyme and other tick-borne diseases.
The Plaintiff in the case, Kelly Moores, found her capacity to work cut short by the onset of symptoms of tick-borne illness.
As is common for many Lyme patients, Ms. Moores encountered difficulty and delay in obtaining diagnosis and treatment, and was eventually diagnosed with tick-borne illness by Eleanor Hynote MD of Napa, California.
Dr. Hynote, a former ILADS member, passed away suddenly while the case was pending. Fortunately, the Plaintiff’s attorney had previously recorded Dr. Hynote’s responses to detailed questions about the particular medical findings that led to the diagnosis, and thus laid the groundwork for the court’s ruling.
The ruling is a first of its kind, in that it is a published, citable court order in which laboratory findings in keeping with the ILADS standards are deemed a sufficient legal basis for a federal disability claim.
This means a federal district court has now issued an order consistent with a number of state laws, which recognize the validity of clinical-focused diagnostic criteria for Lyme disease, where laboratory findings play a supportive, but not determinative, role.
Calif. Bus. & Prof. § 2234.1, Conn. Stat. Ann. § 20-14m; Maine Rev. Stat. Ann. § 1646; Mass. G. L. ch. 112, § 12DD; New Hamp. H.B. 295 § 157; N.Y. Pub. Health § 230, 9-b; R.I. Gen. L. § 5-37.5-6; Vermont 18 V.S.A. § 1793; Virginia Code Ann. § 54.1-2963.2.
The authority of the present case is currently limited to the jurisdiction in which the order was issued. However, the order can be cited as persuasive authority for claims arising in other jurisdictions.
The case citation is Moores v. Colvin, 173 F. Supp. 3d 989 (E.D. Calif. 2016). Barbara Arnold, Esq., of Oakland, California, ably represented the Plaintiff. Link Here- http://barbaraarnoldlegal.com (Admitted to practice law in California, Connecticut, Maryland)