Opinion
04 Civ. 4515 (RJH) (DFE).
August 16, 2005
REPORT AND RECOMMENDATION TO JUDGE HOLWELL
On January 29, 2001, plaintiff Felix Roman filed an application for Supplemental Security Income ("SSI") benefits (Tr. 57-60), alleging that he has been unable to work since 1996 because he suffers from human immunodeficiency virus ("HIV"), chronic pain, insomnia, and a learning disability. (Tr. 57, 71.) His application was denied. (Tr. 25-28.) Plaintiff then requested a hearing by an Administrative Law Judge ("ALJ"). (Tr. 29-30.) A hearing was scheduled for May 6, 2002. (Tr. 40-45.) However, the hearing was postponed due to plaintiff's incarceration (from October 12, 2001 through April 17, 2003) for Burglary in the 3rd Degree. (Tr. 46, 153, 177, 237; New York State Department of Correctional Services Inmate Information.) On August 20, 2003, he appeared pro se for a hearing before ALJ Kenneth G. Levin. Dr. Jay Kislak, an infectious disease specialist, and Melissa Fass-Karlin, a vocational expert, were present throughout the hearing, and they testified briefly at the end. (Tr. 11, 237-258.)
References to the administrative record will be cited as "Tr. ___".
The Tr. says Kislate, but plaintiff's brief and the Government's reply brief spell his name as "Kislak."
On September 23, 2003, ALJ Levin issued an "unfavorable" decision to the plaintiff. (Tr. 8-18) The ALJ determined that plaintiff was not eligible for SSI benefits because he "was not under a `disability,' as defined in the Social Security Act, at any time through the date of this decision." (Tr. 17.) Plaintiff pursued an administrative appeal of the ALJ's decision. (Tr. 7.) On March 10, 2004, the Appeals Council denied his request for review and stated that the ALJ's decision stands as the Commissioner's final decision. (Tr. 4-6.)
On May 11, 2004, plaintiff filed a pro se complaint with our Court's Pro Se office. On October 21, 2004, Judge Holwell referred the case to me to write a Report and Recommendation. On January 11, 2005, the Commissioner served her answer and a copy of the administrative record. On April 22, 2005, the Commissioner moved for an order affirming her decision. On May 31, 2005, attorney Christopher James Bowes from the Center for Disability Advocacy Rights, Inc. ("CEDAR") filed a motion for remand on plaintiff's behalf; his brief annexed three medical reports made after the Commissioner's final decision. On June 14, 2005, the Commissioner filed a reply memorandum opposing remand.
For the reasons discussed below, I find substantial evidence in the record to support the ALJ's decision.
BACKGROUND
Plaintiff's Personal History
Felix Roman was born on January 21, 1961. (Tr. 57.) He is 56 tall and weighs 190 pounds. (Tr. 241.) He has either a ninth or tenth grade education. He says that because of his dyslexia, he reads English with "difficulty" and writes only "a little" in English. (Tr. 70, 77, 90, 243.) He smokes at least 1/3 to 1 pack of cigarettes a day. (Tr. 105, 118.)
In October 1991, plaintiff was incarcerated for First Degree Assault and for Attempted Robbery in the Second Degree. He was paroled on June 4, 1993. (See New York State Department of Correctional Services Inmate Information.) In 1992, he tested positive for HIV. (Tr. 105, 118.) He was treated for syphilis in 1984, which was apparently cured (Tr. 149), and he has survived both a stabbing and multiple gunshot wounds. (Tr. 105, 118, 140.)
Sometime prior to June 1999, plaintiff worked in the packing and shipping departments of two factories. (Tr. 80-87.) From June 1999 through October 13, 1999, he worked as a dishwasher for Buffalo State College's Dining Services. (Tr. 80-87.) From August 30, 2000 until September 25, 2000, he worked as a cook and a cleaner at a Kentucky Fried Chicken ("KFC") establishment. (Tr. 80-87, 89, 251-52.) He gave two reasons for leaving KFC. His first reason was because of his impending "[i]ncarceration [on] 11/25/00." (Tr. 89.) As his second reason, he said that "most of my quit[t]ing had to do with my being to[o] ill to work and to[o] embarrassed to tell any one there for fear of discrimination!" (Tr. 89.) (I note that plaintiff told the ALJ that, in the past 15 years, the only job he held was the KFC cook position. See Tr. 244.)
He may have only worked until September 1999. His October 10, 2000 medical records state that he was incarcerated from September 1999 through March 2000. (Tr. 105.)
From October 12, 2001 through April 17, 2003, plaintiff was incarcerated again. (Tr. 46, 153, 177, 251; New York State Department of Correctional Services Inmate Information.) On October 19, 2001, plaintiff was given "work classification/mess hall clearance" with a "limitation." (Tr. 180.) On October 10, 2002, the Washington Correctional Facility Medical Department approved his clearance to work in the mess hall. (Tr. 203.) It is not clear whether the October 10 clearance placed any limitations on plaintiff's ability to work. (Tr. 203.)) On March 5, 2003, his prison doctor wrote that plaintiff "likes to stay busy working." (Tr. 151, with my emphasis.)
At the time plaintiff filed his application for benefits, he was living in Buffalo, New York with his wife and children. (Tr. 58, 88.) At some point after October 2001, plaintiff became divorced. After his April 2003 release from prison, he moved to New York City to live with his mother. (Tr. 241.) Plaintiff and his mother live in a third floor walk-up apartment. (Tr. 242.) Plaintiff does the grocery shopping, helps his mother get out of bed, and sometimes cleans the house and washes their clothes. (Tr. 242.)
Plaintiff travels by public transportation, mainly buses. (Tr. 243.) He can walk about one or two blocks before he gets tired or his legs hurt or his asthma kicks in. (Tr. 248.) He can stand for about "an hour or ½ an hour," and he does not have any limitations with respect to sitting. (Tr. 249.) He can also lift and carry about 50 pounds. (Tr. 249.) Plaintiff testified that he spends a "normal day" laying down and sleeping, going to drug treatment programs, and going to his parole officer. (Tr. 250-51.) He constantly sees his two sisters; he says that "when they call me out the window I come down and then we stand for about ½ an hour, maybe 45 minutes and I'm back upstairs again." (Tr. 252.) He does not have any friends because his old friends are involved in "all kinds of wrong things." (Tr. 252.) He enjoys fixing things around the house and attends church (by bus) three times a week. (Tr. 253.)
Plaintiff testified that he cannot work because he gets dizzy, constant diarrhea, headaches, nausea and drowsy from his HIV medication. However, he did not consistently take the medicines, and he has given inconsistent information to both his care givers and to the Social Security Administration about his use of medications. For instance, his November 10, 2000 and January 4, 2001 Evergreen Health Services ("EHS") records say that, "[h]e has not had any meds since March 2000" and that EHS restarted him on them in January 2001. (Tr. 105, 119, 124, 129.) On May 14, 2001, in his request to the SSA for a hearing, plaintiff wrote that he was taking the HIV medications. (Tr. 96.) However, his April 2, 2001 medical records state that he made "a conscious decision at times not to take the medications even though he does verbalize an understanding of the importance of medication adherence" (Tr. 96), and his May 16, 2001 records say:
He has not been taking his antiretroviral medications since his last visit here in April. Actually he stopped the medications the last week in March. The patient says this was a faith decision. He believes that this was influenced by religion and that a higher power has cured him and he did not need the medications. His wife also, at the same time, made the same decision. So, they have both been off their medications.
(Tr. 129.)
Nor did plaintiff take his HIV medications during his October 12, 2001 through April 17, 2003 incarceration. Plaintiff claims that he kept asking for the medicine, but that the medical staff only gave him Tylenol. (Tr. 253-54.) However, the medical records during his incarceration state that he refused to take his HIV medications. (Tr. 178.) He started taking the HIV medications in May 2003, approximately three months before the hearing. (Tr. 246, 250.)
Plaintiff testified that after he started taking the antiretroviral medicine in May 2003, he started suffering from dizziness, diarrhea, headaches and nausea. (Tr. 244-45.) On the other hand, he testified that, during the prior 18 months, he had almost daily dizziness and headaches from not having the medication. (Tr. 246-47.) He also testified that his headaches may have been caused "about nine years ago," when he passed out in the shower and banged his head against the toilet. (Tr. 247-48.)
With respect to asthma, he testified that he gets attacks "once in a while," and that he has not used his pump "for a long time." (Tr. 248.) Plaintiff did not discuss his learning disorders during the hearing.
Reports from Treating Physicians (including Prison Physicians)
From November 10, 2000 through September 13, 2001, plaintiff was treated at Evergreen Health Services in Buffalo, New York. (Tr. 104-138.)
On November 10, 2000, plaintiff complained of heartburn, frequent headaches, joint pain, leg pain and back pain. He weighed 177 pounds and measured 56 tall. Blood tests revealed that plaintiff had a viral load of 7,779 and a CD4 count of 367. He exercised by walking and bike riding. (Tr. 105, 116-17, 138.)
"Viral load" measures HIV replication in the body. T-helper lymphocyte ("CD4") cells help the body fight off infection and disease. CD4 cell counts in someone with a healthy immune system range from 500 to 1800. When the CD4 count falls below 200, the person has AIDS. There is usually a correlation between the CD4 count and the viral load; if there is a low CD4 count, then there will be a high viral load. A low baseline viral load is considered 500 or less; a high baseline viral load is over 40,000. See "Living With AIDS", a booklet produced by the National Center for HIV, STD and TB Prevention which is available online at WWW.CDC.GOV/HIV/PUBS/BROCHURE/LIVINGWITHHIV.HTM; "AIDS 101: Guide to HIV Basics," which is available at WWW.SFAF.ORG/AIDS101.
Plaintiff's January 4, 2001 medical records indicate that: (1) he has no history of any AIDS defining illness or condition; (2) his weight remained at 177 pounds; (3) he had full range of motion in all extremities, and his muscle strength was within normal limits; (4) he had mild thrush on his tongue and the right buccal mucosa; (5) he was diagnosed as having HIV, chronic dyspepsia (most likely gastroesophageal reflux disease ("GERD")), chronic joint and back pains due to his history of multiple traumas, and chronic frontal headaches and near-syncopal episodes. The following medications were prescribed: (a) HIV antiretroviral medications (Combivir and Viracept) for his HIV; (b) Prilosec for his GERD; (c) Diflucan for his thrush; (d) Elavil and Naprosyn for chronic pain and sleep problems. The records also state that plaintiff denied using any drugs or alcohol, but that he did smoke ½ to 1 pack of cigarettes a day. (Tr. 118-20.)
"Thrush" is the development of creamy, white, slightly elevated plaques which may be stripped off from the surface of tissue, leaving a raw bleeding surface. Dorland's Illustrated Medical Dictionary, at 1719 (27th ed. 1988).
Plaintiff's February 6, 2001 records report that: (1) he was taking the antiretroviral medications without problems or side effects; (2) his GERD symptoms had been relieved by Prilosec; (3) Naprosyn and Elavil relieved his chronic pain; (4) he has a history of depression but was not receiving any counseling for it; (5) he does not have a history of any AIDS defining illness, although he did have thrush in January, which did not improve much with the Diflucan; (6) he did not have any syncopal (fainting) episodes and that his headaches decreased in severity and frequency; and (7) his weight increased by 13 pounds to 190 pounds. (Tr. 124-25.) Blood tests revealed that plaintiff had a viral load of 1,788 and a CD4 count of 412. (Tr. 128-29, 138.)
Plaintiff's April 2, 2001 records report that he was taking his antiretroviral medications, but that he "makes a conscious decision at times not to take [his HIV] medications. . . ." The records show that he complained of epigastric (stomach) discomfort with GERD symptoms, but denied having nausea, vomiting, diarrhea or constipation. They also say that he complained of chronic joint pain that was not responding to Naprosyn. Upon physical examination, he did not have thrush or lesions, and his skin did not have any rashes. He weighed 190 pounds. He was advised to stop taking Naprosyn and to use Celebrex instead. His Prilosec dosage was increased. (Tr. 129.)
Plaintiff's May 16, 2001 records state that he stopped taking his antiretroviral medications the last week in March, 2001, due to his belief that "a higher power has cured him." He had oral thrush and GERD symptoms. Plaintiff's Elavil dose was increased and he was strongly advised to go to the GI clinic for his GERD symptoms. (Tr. 132.) Blood tests revealed that plaintiff had a viral load of 11,455 and a CD4 count of 266. (Tr. 138.)
Plaintiff's June 28, 2001 records report that he did not have any skin rashes, oral thrush, nausea, vomiting or diarrhea. He was told that he could restart the antiretroviral medications and switch back to Naprosyn. (Tr. 134.)
Plaintiff's August 21, 2001 records report that he resumed taking his antiretroviral medications, without any missed doses or side effects. He did not have nausea, vomiting or diarrhea, but he did complain of chronic back pain. A physical examination revealed that he had full range of motion of his lumbar spine, although he complained of discomfort at the extremes. He had some oral thrush but no skin rashes or lesions. (Tr. 135.) Blood tests revealed that plaintiff had a viral load of 997 and a CD4 count of 267. (Tr. 138.)
Plaintiff's September 13, 2001 records report that his weight increased to 207 pounds. He did not have nausea, vomiting or diarrhea. Nor did he have cervical or axilary lymphadenopathy (disease of the lymph nodes). He did not have any skin rashes, but he did have some oral thrush. He was advised to temporarily stop taking his antiretroviral medications until test results could determine whether he had any mutations that showed resistance to the medications; his last genotype showed some resistence to Epivir and Nefinavir, but not to the AZT. (Tr. 136.) Blood tests revealed that plaintiff had a viral load of 8,285. (Tr. 138.)
During the period of October 2001 through April 2003, plaintiff's health was monitored by Department of Correctional Services medical providers. (Tr. 149-209.)
Plaintiff's October 11, 2001 medical records state that he refused to take his HIV medications. (Tr. 178.) On October 16, 2001, new antiretroviral medications were prescribed.
Plaintiff's November 13, 2001 records state that he "has not taken any [of his antiretroviral medications] since 11/9." (Tr. 155.) His November 26, 2001 records report that he has a "history of non-compliance with HIV meds." (Tr. 157.) The November 26 records further say that plaintiff "need[s] ARV [antiretroviral] tx [treatment] but want[s] to start when sx [symptom] free." (Tr. 158.) It was also reported that he did not have thrush. (Tr. 157.)
Plaintiff's December 3, 2001 records state that he "is resistant to 3TC and NLV so he has leeway from treatment perspective." Blood tests revealed that his viral load was 5,000 and that his CD4 count was 265. He did not have any symptoms or history of opportunistic infections. (Tr. 159.)
Plaintiff's March 18, 2002 records say that he: (1) "feels well"; (2) does not have thrush; (3) does not want treatment "at present"; and (4) was either told to stop smoking or stopped smoking. Blood tests revealed that plaintiff had a viral load of 7,000 and a CD4 count of 308. (Tr. 160.)
Plaintiff's May 13, 2002 records state that there was no evidence of thrush. (Tr. 161.) His June 3, 2002 records state that he passed out while working. (Tr. 161.)
Plaintiff's June 24, 2002 records show that his viral load on that date was 5,700 and his CD4 count was 308. He again refused treatment for HIV, but was noted to be "stable" and did not have thrush. (Tr. 162.)
Plaintiff's September 24, 2002 records state that: (1) his HIV was "stable"; (2) there was "no dramatic" change in CD4 or viral load; (3) he did not have thrush; (4) he feels well; and (5) he is a non smoker (but that was while he was in prison). (Tr. 164.)
Plaintiff's October 7 and 10, 2002 records say that his HIV was "stable." His September 2002 lab work revealed that his viral load was 5,190 and that his CD4 count was 248. (Tr. 166.) He was approved to work in the mess hall. (Tr. 203.)
Plaintiff's November 5, 2002 records state that he was "doing well" and "feeling well" on no HIV medication. They also say that he had symptomatic GERD. (Tr. 170.)
Blood tests conducted on December 13, 2002 revealed that plaintiff's viral load was 4,800 and his CD4 count was 138. (Tr. 172, 205.) Undated records citing the December 13 tests state that plaintiff's intravenous drug use put him at risk. (Tr. 205.)
Plaintiff's March 4 and 7, 2003 records note that he was still not taking any HIV medication at that time. They further say that he "is at high risk for AIDS related illness due to low CD4 count." (Tr. 173.) Medical records dated March 5, 2003 state that the only opportunistic infection plaintiff had was oral thrush. (Tr. 150.) Moreover, plaintiff denied a history of drug use. (Tr. 150.) It was reported that his behavioral status was appropriate and that he "likes to stay busy working." (Tr. 151.)
By March 19, 2003, plaintiff's viral load had increased to 12,884 and his CD4 count had increased to 162. (Tr. 174.) His March 25 records say that he had "advanced AIDS" and was at "high risk of opportunistic infections." Plaintiff agreed to seek treatment at Bellevue Hospital upon his April 17, 2003 release. (Tr. 176.)
On April 24, 2003, plaintiff started HIV treatment at Bellevue Hospital. (Tr. 210-236.) Blood tests conducted on that day showed that his CD4 count was 140. (Tr. 213.)
Plaintiff was seen for the first time at Bellevue's clinic on May 9, 2003. He had no complaints, "no pain issues at this time," and felt "well." (Tr. 216-17.) He denied intravenous drug and alcohol use. (Tr. 216.) His physical exam was normal. (Tr. 217.) Blood tests conducted on that day revealed that his CD4 count was 138. (Tr. 223.)
Plaintiff's May 19, 2003 records state that he was "well" with no complaints and "no pain issues at this time." He was prescribed HIV medications. (Tr. 225.)
Plaintiff's June 19, 2003 records also report that he had "no pain issues at this time." (Tr. 227.) June 19 blood tests revealed that his CD4 count had increased to 196. (Tr. 230.)
On July 25, 2003, Marie Antoine Cameau, a physician assistant, reported that: (1) plaintiff had "no history of psychiatric disorders"; (2) plaintiff had "normal mood, no evidence of thought disturbance"; (3) plaintiff's July 17 physical examination was normal; (4) plaintiff "has been doing well on new antiretroviral regimen"; (5) plaintiff "recently started Nexium for GERD with relief of symptoms"; and (6) plaintiff has had "no recent asthma exacerbations." (Tr. 232-35.)
Reports from Consulting Physicians
On March 15, 2001, Dr. C. Gowda, a consulting physician, examined plaintiff. (Tr. 139-143A.) Plaintiff complained of severe headaches, generalized body pain, dizziness, and occasional blackouts, but he did not complain of nausea, vomiting, blurred vision or aura. (Tr. 139.) Plaintiff denied using alcohol or drugs. He reported that he quit smoking "about a year back," but I note that his January 4, 2001 medical records say that he smokes ½ to 1 pack of cigarettes a day. (Tr. 139, 118.)
Upon examination, Dr. Gowda found normal range of motion in plaintiff's back and neck, as well as normal posture and gait. No joint abnormalities were noted, and plaintiff's chest x-ray was normal. Dr. Gowda diagnosed chronic headaches, generalized lumbar radiculopathy (disease of the nerve roots) and dizziness. Dr. Gowda further stated that plaintiff's prognosis was guarded due to multiple medical problems. However, in Dr. Gowda's opinion, plaintiff "can do some occupation without any physical limitations." (Tr. 140-43A.)
New Medical Reports Submitted on May 31, 2005
Annexed to Attorney Bowes's motion for remand are: (1) a March 15, 2004 letter from Beata Jackowska, a psychotherapist/counselor at St. Mark's Place Institute for Mental Health, Inc. ("St. Mark's"); (2) an October 14, 2004 Functional Capacity Questionnaire for Psychiatric Disorders signed by a Dr. B. Bukholtz of St. Marks; and (3) an October 14, 2004 Assessment of Functional Limitations Resulting from a Mental/Intellectual Impairment signed by Dr. Bukholtz. I will now summarize each of these documents. The problem is that these reports are dated long after ALJ Levin's decision, although the first report does mention a course of treatment that began in May 2003 — three months before the hearing and four months before the ALJ's decision.
1. Ms. Jackowska's March 15, 2004 letter
This letter states that plaintiff has been attending the St. Mark's clinic for psycho education, anger management and relapse prevention since May 14, 2003. The letter says that plaintiff "remains sober since admission, reports sobriety since 1985." It also says (with my emphasis in bold):
Mr. Roman has good attendance and fully participates in his treatment. . . .
Mr. Roman is unable to work at present moment and needs treatment for a long duration.Axis I: Marijuana Dep. in full, sustain[ed] remission Mood D/O (disorder) due to medical condition R/O (rule out) Major Depressive D/O, recurrent, Severe * * * Axis III: HIV(+), Migraine headaches, Chronic Arthritis Axis IV: Problems with primary social support Axis V: Moderate impairment in social occupational functioning Medications: none, psychotherapy recommended, compliant. 2. Dr. Bukholtz's October 14, 2004 Functional Capacity Questionnaire for Psychiatric Disorders
Dr. Bukholtz writes that:
Axis I: Marijuana Dep. in full remission Mood D/O [disorder] due to med[ical] con[dition] R/O [rule out] MDD [Major Depressive Disorder], recurrent, moderate * * * Axis III: HIV(+), Chronic Arthritis Axis IV: [illegible] financial difficulties Axis V: Moderate impairment in social occupational functioning GAF 40-31 Dr. Bukholtz reports plaintiff's symptoms as "dysphoric [restlessness], depressed, tense, depressed, sad, apathetic, anxious mood, increased irritability, [and] situational anxiety." Dr. Bukholtz says that:(1) plaintiff can travel alone by bus and by subway;
(2) plaintiff has moderate limitations with respect to restrictions of daily living activities, maintaining social functioning and concentrating;
A "moderate" impairment is defined as one which affects, but does not preclude, the ability to function. A "marked" impairment is defined as one which seriously affects the ability to function.
(3) with respect to plaintiff's ability to work on a regular and continuous basis, he has moderate limitations regarding his abilities to: (a) understand, remember and carry out instructions, (b) respond appropriately to co-workers, and (c) perform simple tasks on a sustained basis in a full-time work setting;
(4) with respect to plaintiff's ability to work on a regular and continuous basis, plaintiff has marked limitations in his ability to: (a) respond appropriately to supervision, (b) satisfy an employer's normal quality, production and attendance standards, and (c) perform complex tasks on a sustained basis in a full-time work setting;
(5) with respect to plaintiff's ability to work on a regular and continuous basis, plaintiff has mild limitation on his ability to respond to customary work pressures;
(6) plaintiff has problems dealing with authority figures and his anxiety increases under pressure.
3. Dr. Bukholtz's October 14, 2004 Assessment of Functional Limitations Resulting from a Mental/Intellectual Impairment
Along with his answers to the questionnaire, Dr. Bukholtz submitted a letter stating as follows. Plaintiff can take care of his daily needs. With respect to a work environment, however, plaintiff will be impaired due to an "increase of anxiety in social setting" and an "increase of irritability in response to supervisor." Moreover, in a work environment, plaintiff will have difficulties: (1) showing consideration for others; (2) displaying awareness of other feelings; (3) exhibiting social maturity; (4) responding to those in authority; (5) establishing interpersonal relationships; (6) persisting in tasks; (7) assuming increased mental demands associated with competitive work; (8) holding a job; (9) maintaining regular attendance and being punctual within customary tolerance; (10) working with or near others without being unduly distracted; (11) performing at a consistent pace without an unreasonable number and length of rest periods; (12) being able to accept instructions from supervisors; and (13) responding appropriately to criticism from supervisors. Dr. Bukholtz says he expects plaintiff's impairments to last for more than 12 months. Dr. Bukholtz's findings are supported by a Mental Status Examination, and by clinical observation during group and individual interactions. On the other hand, I note that his prediction about difficulties in "maintaining regular attendance" is contradicted by Ms. Jackowska's report that "Mr. Roman has good attendance and fully participates in his treatment."
DISCUSSION
In evaluating a disability claim, the Social Security regulations require the Commissioner, through the ALJ, to apply a five-step process:
First, the [Commissioner] considers whether the claimant is currently engaged in substantial gainful activity. If he is not, the [Commissioner] next considers whether the claimant has a "severe impairment" which significantly limits his physical or mental ability to do basic work activities. If the claimant suffers such an impairment, the third inquiry is whether, based solely on medical evidence, the claimant has an impairment which is listed in Appendix 1 of the regulations. If the claimant has such an impairment, the [Commissioner] will consider him disabled without considering vocational factors such as age, education, and work experience. . . . Assuming the claimant does not have a listed impairment, the fourth inquiry is whether, despite the claimant's severe impairment, he has the residual functional capacity to perform his past work. Finally, if the claimant is unable to perform his past work, the [Commissioner] then determines whether there is other work which the claimant could perform.Rosa v. Callahan, 168 F.3d 72, 77 (2d Cir. 1999), quoting Berry v. Schweiker, 675 F.2d 464, 467 (2d Cir. 1982) (my emphasis added).
At Step One, ALJ Levin properly found that plaintiff has not engaged in substantial gainful activity since the alleged onset of "disability." (Tr. 16.)
At Steps Two and Three, ALJ Levin correctly found that:
2. The claimant has a combination of impairments considered "severe" based on the requirements in the Regulations 20 CFR § 416.920(b).
3. These medically-determinable impairments do not meet or medically equal one of the listed impairments in Appendix 1, Subpart P, Regulation No. 4.
(Tr. 16.)
At Tr. 15-16, ALJ Levin wrote:
I find that Dr. Kislak's assessment is more than fair in this case. Though claimant did have some complaints of dizziness and headaches before he filed his application and for a short period thereafter, they ceased over two years ago. (In any case, no disease was ever found to explain them anyway.) Since then, he has been pretty much asymptomatic, though he has had a depressed viral load from his HIV disease (a situation likely to correct itself now that he is back on HAARTs). . . .
I agree with Dr. Kislak that claimant's only obviously "severe" impairment is HIV disease. His GERD is controlled on medication. He carries a diagnosis of asthma, but it plainly has been quite inactive in recent years, and if it is "severe" it is only very marginally so. I do not find that he has any of the other symptoms of which he complained except for perhaps some fatigability, and further note that some of his complaints could not even reasonably be attributed to any proven medically-determinable impairment.
(Tr. 16.) The ALJ also found that plaintiff's allegations regarding his limitations were not totally credible, and that his subjective complaints were not documented in any of his recent records. (Tr. 15-16.) I find that the ALJ was in the best position to evaluate plaintiff's credibility.
Pursuant to 20 C.F.R. Pt. 404, Subpt. P, App. 1, § 14.08, a person is considered disabled with HIV infection if there is documentation of such infection and one of the following conditions exists (with my emphasis added):
I list only those sections which are applicable to plaintiff's condition.
A. Bacterial infections:
* * *
4. Syphilis or neurosyphilis — evaluate sequelae under the criteria for the affected body system (e.g., 2.00 Special Senses and Speech, 4.00 Cardiovascular System, 11.00 Neurological); or
* * *
I. HIV wasting syndrome, characterized by involuntary weight loss of 10 percent or more of baseline (or other significant involuntary weight loss, as described in 14.00D2) and, in the absence of a concurrent illness that could explain the findings, either:
1. Chronic diarrhea with two or more loose stools daily lasting for 1 month or longer;
* * *
J. Diarrhea, lasting for 1 month or longer, resistant to treatment, and requiring intravenous hydration, intravenous alimentation, or tube feeding.
* * *
N. Repeated (as defined in 14.00D8) manifestations of HIV infection (including those listed in 14.08A-M, but without the requisite findings, e.g., carcinoma of the cervix not meeting the criteria in 14.08E, diarrhea not meeting the criteria in 14.08J, or other manifestations, e.g., oral hairy leukoplakia, myositis) resulting in significant, documented symptoms or signs (e.g., fatigue, fever, malaise, weight loss, pain, night sweats) and one of the following at the marked level (as defined in 14.00D8):
1. Restriction of activities of daily living; or
2. Difficulties in maintaining social functioning; or
3. Difficulties in completing tasks in a timely manner due to deficiencies in concentration, persistence, or pace.20 C.F.R. Pt. 404, Subpt. P, App. 1, § 14.08 (with my emphasis underlined).
Upon my review of the evidence, I agree with the ALJ's finding that plaintiff's impairments fail to satisfy the § 14.08 criteria. Plaintiff's syphilis has been anergic (inactive) for a number of years. See Tr. 149, 232. Nor did plaintiff have HIV wasting syndrome during the time in question. (Tr. 265.) He did not lose a substantial amount of weight, and his complaints of "chronic" diarrhea and nausea did not necessitate the use of intravenous hydration, intravenous alimentation, or tube feeding. (Contrary to plaintiff's position, the medical records show that those conditions were not "chronic," but were instead isolated incidents. See Tr. 129, 134-36.) Moreover, the fact that plaintiff's CD4 counts have declined at times to less than 200 is irrelevant at this juncture. The low CD4 counts have led to an opportunistic disease, but the medical records show that he did not have any. Indeed, his July 25, 2003 records said, "Patient has been doing well on new antiretroviral regimen," and his CD4 count showed an increase. (Tr. 235.)
With respect to Steps 4 and 5 of the five-step process, ALJ Levin consulted with Dr. Kislak, an infectious disease specialist, and with Melissa Fass-Karlin, a vocational expert. The ALJ determined that plaintiff could not return to his past relevant work. He also found that plaintiff had the residual functional capacity to perform a "significant range of light work" as long as he avoided very strong environmental irritants. He gave, as examples of work that plaintiff could perform: cashier, counter attendant, order clerk, and charge account clerk. (Tr. 17.)
Under 20 CFR 416.927(f), the ALJ may rely on Dr. Kislak's opinion, even though Dr. Kislak did not physically examine plaintiff.
Plaintiff's memorandum, at pages 7-8, argues that the ALJ erroneously discounted plaintiff's complaints of nausea and diarrhea. Those complaints had not lasted for 12 months as of the September 2003 decision. (Tr. 13.) But plaintiff's memorandum quotes 42 U.S.C. § 423(d)(1)(A) and argues that the ALJ should have considered whether those complaints "can be expected to last for a continuous period of not less than 12 months." With respect to this argument, I again find that the ALJ was in the best position to judge plaintiff's credibility with respect to these complaints. This is especially true in light of the fact that none of plaintiff's medical records show that he complained of nausea or diarrhea. (Tr. 105, 118-20, 124-25, 129, 131, 132, 134, 135, 136, 139, 149-52, 154-79, 180-81, 205, 216-17, 225, 227, 232-35.)
Plaintiff's memorandum, at pages 8-9, argues that the ALJ failed to consider his complaints of modest fatigue with respect to Steps 4 and 5. However, it is clear from Dr. Kislak's testimony that he took plaintiff's fatigue into consideration when he determined that plaintiff could perform "sedentary to light" work. (Tr. 255-56.) It is also clear from the ALJ's opinion that he considered Dr. Kislak's opinion, as well as plaintiff's testimony, with respect to his Step 4 and Step 5 findings; the ALJ wrote:
In Dr. Kislak's further opinion, claimant's HIV disease might be expected to have a modest effect on his ability to exert himself. However, he would not be expected to have difficulty with either sedentary or light exertional activity.
I find that Dr. Kislak's assessment is more than fair in this case. . . . Somewhat contradictorily, claimant asserted severe limitations on walking and standing, but hardly any on lifting and carrying. Even he admitted that he could do sedentary work activity. His attempt to portray himself as almost completely dysfunctional contrasted with the various activities he gradually admitted to doing on a regular basis. His doctors — even those from very recent times — consider him to be doing well. Mr. Roman himself told his doctors recently that he had no complaints and was feeling well. I find that his credibility is very seriously in question on a record like this one.
(Tr. 16.) Once again, I defer to the ALJ's findings with respect to plaintiff's credibility.
Plaintiff's memorandum, at page 8, complains that "ALJ Levin failed to include `modest fatigue' in his questioning of vocational expert Melissa Fass." But Ms. Fass-Karlin was sitting in the room throughout the hearing. (Tr. 17, 240.) Presumably, she heard Dr. Kislak's testimony regarding plaintiff's residual functional limitation of "modest fatigue." (Tr. 255.) In any event, pursuant to 20 C.F.R., Part 404, Subpart P, Appendix 2, a "younger individual between the ages of 18 and 44" with a "limited" education and no transferable skills from any past relevant work, is "not disabled" under either the "sedentary" work table (Table No. 1) or the "light" work table (Table No. 2). (See Tr. 17.) Moreover, under 20 C.F.R. § 404.1567(b) and § 416.967(b), if an individual has been found to have the ability to perform light work, he automatically has the ability to perform sedentary work. In the case at bar, plaintiff himself admitted to having the abilities to perform sedentary work. (Tr. 249.) Therefore, assuming arguendo that the ALJ was incorrect when he found that plaintiff had the residual functional capacity to do light work, SSI benefits would still be denied because he had the capacity to do sedentary work.
Plaintiff's Post-Decision Evidence
In his motion papers at Exhibit A, plaintiff submits post-decision evidence consisting of the three reports described above at pages 10-12. These new reports show that since May 14, 2003, plaintiff has been attending the St. Mark's clinic for a marijuana dependency problem and for a psychological disorder. The reports state the authors' findings with respect to plaintiff's ability to work; Ms. Jackowska writes that plaintiff "is unable to work at present moment," and Dr. Bukholtz writes that plaintiff has both moderate and marked impairments that will affect his ability to work. Plaintiff argues that a remand is justified because: (1) the new evidence is material, and (2) he had good cause for not submitting the records to the ALJ before the ALJ issued his opinion, namely that the records did not then exist. (Pl. Memo. pp. 9-11.) Plaintiff's memorandum, at pages 10-11, argues that one report is "particularly probative" because it says that, as of October 2004, plaintiff's Global Assessment of Function score was "50-41" (more commonly written as 41 to 50). It cites four cases saying that a GAF score below 50 is generally incompatible with the ability to work. But that score was dated 13 months after ALJ Levin's decision.
Pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 405(g), a court "may at any time order additional evidence to be taken before the Commissioner of Social Security, but only upon a showing that there is new evidence which is material and that there is good cause for the failure to incorporate such evidence into the record in a prior proceeding . . ." To satisfy these requirements, plaintiff must show that: (1) the evidence is new and not merely cumulative of what is already in the record; (2) the evidence is material; and (3) good cause existed for his failure to present this evidence earlier. Lisa v. Secretary of Dept. of Health and Human Services., 940 F.2d 40, 43 (2d Cir. 1991), quoting Tirado v. Bowen, 842 F.2d 595, 597 (2d Cir. 1988). To be material, the evidence must be "both relevant to the claimant's conditionduring the time period for which benefits were denied, and probative." Id. (with my emphasis). In addition, "[t]he concept of materiality requires . . . a reasonable possibility that the new evidence would have influenced the Secretary to decide claimant's application differently." Id. "`Good cause' for failing to present evidence in a prior proceeding exists where the evidence surfaces after the Commissioner's final decision and the claimant could not have obtained the evidence during the pendency of that proceeding." Lisa, 940 F.2d at 44.
For the following reasons, I find that plaintiff failed to satisfy the requirements of § 405(g) with respect to Dr. Bukholtz's and Ms. Jackowska's records.
First. Although Dr. Bukholtz's report notes both moderate and marked impairments that would affect plaintiff's ability to work, it was based on an October 6, 2004 mental status examination.
Second. Ms. Jackowska's letter says that plaintiff "is unable to work at [the] present moment [i.e., March 15, 2004] . . ." (with my emphasis).
Third. Plaintiff's February 6, 2001 medical records show that plaintiff had a history of depression but was not receiving counseling "at this point." (Tr. 124.) With the exception of Ms. Jackowska and Dr. Bukholtz, none of plaintiff's other medical providers noted any treatment for depression during the period in question, namely January 29, 2001 (the day plaintiff applied for benefits) to September 23, 2003 (the day ALJ Levin issued his decision). The Appeals Council adopted the ALJ's decision as its final decision on March 10, 2004.
Fourth. Ms. Jackowska and Dr. Bukholtz write that plaintiff started treatment with them on May 13, 2003. However, Marie Antoine-Cameau, a physician assistant at Bellevue who first examined plaintiff on May 9, 2003, reported on July 25, 2003, that plaintiff had "no history of psychiatric disorders." She also reported that, as of July 17, 2003, plaintiff's mood was normal with no evidence of thought disturbance. (Tr. 232-33.) (The hearing before the ALJ was held on August 20, 2003.)
Fifth. The contemporaneous records kept by plaintiff's treating medical providers show that, during the time in question, plaintiff was not suffering from a mental impairment that would affect his ability to work. On March 5, 2003, the prison medical records said that plaintiff's behavioral status was "appropriate" and that he "likes to stay busy working." (Tr. 151.)
Sixth. Dr. Bukholtz writes that plaintiff is taking Remeron for his mental impairment. Dr. Bukholtz does not say when Remeron was first prescribed, but the evidence tends to show that it was prescribed after the ALJ's September 2003 decision. Remeron was not on the list of "Claimant's Medications," which was prepared sometime after May 9, 2003. (Tr. 236.) Moreover, Ms. Jackowska's March 15, 2004 letter does not mention that plaintiff was taking Remeron.
Courts in this circuit have held that an ALJ "has a duty to adequately protect a pro se claimant's rights `by ensuring that all of the relevant facts [are] sufficiently developed and considered.'" Abreu v. Apfel, 1999 WL 244105, at *3 (S.D.N.Y. Apr. 26, 1999) (Sand, J.), quoting, Cruz v. Sullivan, 912 F.2d 8, 11 (2d Cir. 1990) (internal citation omitted). In the case at bar, the ALJ questioned plaintiff about the two programs he attended at St. Marks. (Tr. 250-51.) Plaintiff stated that they were both drug programs. (Ibid.) He did not mention that he was being treated for depression.
Under 42 U.S.C. § 423(d)(2)(C), "[a]n individual shall not be considered disabled . . . if alcoholism or drug addiction would . . . be a contributing factor material to the Commissioner's determination that the individual is disabled."
Accordingly, I find that plaintiff has failed to show that Dr. Bukholtz's and Ms. Jackowska's reports meet the requirements laid out in 42 U.S.C. § 405(g).
CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION
The Commissioner's decision may be reversed only if it is based on legal error or if it is not supported by substantial evidence. See Balsamo v. Chater, 142 F.3d 75, 79 (2d Cir. 1998). I find that there is substantial evidence in the record to support the ALJ's findings, and I also conclude that he did not commit any legal errors. Accordingly, I recommend that Judge Holwell grant the Commissioner's motion for judgment on the pleadings and deny plaintiff's motion for a remand.
Pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 636(b)(1) and Rule 72(b) of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, any party may object to this recommendation within 10 business days after being served with a copy (i.e. by September 2, 2005,) by filing written objections with the Clerk of the U.S. District Court and mailing copies (a) to the opposing party, (b) to the Hon. Richard J. Holwell, U.S.D.J. at Room 1950, 500 Pearl Street, New York, NY 10007 and (c) to me at Room 1360, 500 Pearl Street. Failure to file objections within 10 business days will preclude appellate review. Thomas v. Arn, 474 U.S. 140 (1985); Small v. Secretary of Health and Human Services, 892 F.2d 15, 16 (2d Cir. 1989) (per curiam); 28 U.S.C. § 636(b)(1); Fed.R.Civ.P. 72, 6(a), and 6(e). Any request for an extension of time must be addressed to the District Judge.