Opinion
10-CV-1431 (JS) (ARL).
September 30, 2011
Jonathan R. Klee, Esq., Klee Woolf, Mineola, NY, Attorney for Plaintiff.
Candace Scott Appleton, Esq., Robert Randolph Schriver, Esq., United States Attorney's Office, Eastern District Of New York, Brooklyn, NY, Attorney for Defendant.
MEMORANDUM ORDER
Robert Nigro ("Plaintiff") commenced this action pursuant to Section 205(g) of the Social Security Act, as amended, 42 U.S.C. § 405(g), challenging the Defendant Commissioner of Social Security's (the "Commissioner") decision that Plaintiff was not disabled prior to February 9, 2009. Pending before the Court is the Commissioner's motion for judgment on the pleadings. For the following reasons, this motion is DENIED, and this matter is remanded to the Commissioner for further administrative proceedings consistent with this Memorandum Order.
BACKGROUND
In this section, the Court sets forth the facts necessary to put its analysis in context. Plaintiff applied for disability insurance benefits and supplemental security income, claiming that he became disabled on March 1, 2004. Following a hearing, Administrative Law Judge Brian J. Crawley (the "ALJ") issued a partially favorable ruling that awarded Plaintiff benefits as of February 9, 2009. On January 29, 2010, the Commissioner issued a final decision denying Plaintiff benefits for the period between March 1, 2004 and February 9, 2009. Plaintiff appeals that decision here.
Plaintiff has a high school diploma and some vocational training in electronics. His prior jobs include a deli worker, a delivery van driver, a department store stockroom worker, a warehouse worker, and a vacuum salesman and repairer. (R. 94, 100.) He stopped working on March 1, 2004 because of pain in his back. (R. 23.) On his initial claim, he indicated that he was suffering persistent, right-sided, lower back pain and pain that radiated into his left thigh. He also reported dizziness that would cause him to fall occasionally. (See R. 24.)
I. Evidence Before the ALJ
The following is a brief recitation of the evidence most relevant to the present appeal. An overview of the records available to the ALJ is summarized in the letter Plaintiff's counsel sent to the ALJ prior to the hearing. (R. 122-24)
A. Plaintiff's Testimony
Plaintiff testified about his symptoms, treatment, and daily activities. He has constant or near constant pain in his feet, left thigh, the right side of his back, and neck. The neck pain varies; "[s]ometimes it's ok, sometimes it's not." (R. 30.) His left thigh starts the day numb and eventually becomes more painful than a toothache. (R. 31.) His toes are always numb. (R. 32.) Throughout the day, he gradually loses strength in his legs to the point where he cannot stand. (R. 31.) The numbness and pain eventually become so bad that he just falls down. (R. 35.) These falling episodes happen without warning, (R. 37), and they occur approximately twice monthly. (R. 39.)
Plaintiff said that his pain is such that he usually cannot sleep through the night. (R. 33.) He also experiences headaches three times per week. He has discussed these with his chiropractor, but so far no one has been able to discern their cause. (R. 39.)
To relieve the pain, Plaintiff can lie down and elevate his legs. This sometimes works, but even then he still suffers from muscle spasms. (R. 33.) He sometimes soaks his feet in a foot massage bath, which helps relieve the pain in his foot and thigh. (R. 34.) He does not use a cane or brace. His chiropractor suggested a back strap, but Plaintiff could not get his insurance to cover the expense. (R. 35.) Plaintiff also takes prescription Motrin, which helps moderate his pain. (R. 34.)
Sitting and standing aggravate Plaintiff's condition, and his fingers lock up if he sits for too long. (R. 35). He estimated that he could not sit for more than a half hour, (R. 36), and that he could stand for approximately 20-30 minutes and walk for maybe a block and a half (R. 35).
Plaintiff rents a room in a house on Long Island. Three other people live in the house, and they share a bathroom. (R. 23.) Plaintiff does not need help bathing or dressing, (R. 35), and he can lift a quart of milk (but not two quarts) (R. 37). Because he cannot sit for extended periods, Plaintiff does not drive. His friends will give him rides when necessary, but he cannot sit in a car for long. (R. 28.)
B. Medical Records
Plaintiff's medical history reveals ongoing chiropractic treatment (see R. 148) as well as occasional consultations and examinations by medical doctors. A non-exhaustive description of his medical records includes the following reports and opinions.
Dr. Frank Anderson, a chiropractor, treated Plaintiff for periods during 2004 and 2006. (See R. 129, 152-154). After a March 6, 2006 examination, he opined that Plaintiff suffered "decreased lumbar spine ranges of motion, tenderness to palpation of the lumbar paraspinal musculature (most severe on the right side), loss of sensation over the right anterolateral thigh, and a positive Kemp's test bilaterally for moderate to severe low back pain." (See R. 153.)
Dr. Keith Pastuch, another chiropractor, treated Plaintiff in 2006. (R. 133.) On June 23, 2006, Dr. Pastuch concluded that Plaintiff's prognosis was "guarded." In Dr. Pastuch's opinion, Plaintiff was not capable "of performing his normal working duties and does in fact suffer with a `Permanent Disability.'" (R. 133.)
On December 7, 2006, Linell Skeene, M.D. performed the consultative examination for the Commissioner and diagnosed Plaintiff with "disc disease of [the] lumbar spine." (R. 139.) Among other things, Dr. Skeene observed that Plaintiff (1) was not in acute distress; (2) was unable to walk on his heels and toes without difficulty; (3) needed no help changing for the exam or getting on and off exam table; and (4) was able to rise from his chair without difficulty. (R. 138.) Dr. Skeene noted that Plaintiff's hand and finger dexterity was intact and that his grip strength was normal, (R. 139), and concluded that Plaintiff had "moderate limitation for prolonged standing, walking and heavy lifting due to limited range of motion of lumbar spine." (R. 140.)
Bradley Cohen, M.D., examined Plaintiff on February 27, 2007, shortly after Plaintiff was involved in a car accident. Dr. Cohen noted that Plaintiff complained of headaches, dizziness and feeling off-balance. (R. 167.) His impression was that Plaintiff's symptoms were consistent with post-traumatic headaches and vertigo, and he recommended a nerve conduction velocity study. (R. 168.)
II. The ALJ's Decision
The Commissioner must apply a five-step analysis when determining if a claimant is disabled. See Shaw v. Chater, 221 F.3d 126, 132 (2d Cir. 2000). First, the claimant must not be engaged in any substantial gainful activity. See 20 C.F.R. § 404.1520(b). Second, the claimant must prove that he suffers from a "severe impairment" that significantly limits his or her mental or physical ability to do basic work activities. See 20 C.F.R. § 404.1520(c). Third, the claimant must show that his impairment is equivalent to one of the listed impairments in 20 C.F.R. Part 404, Subpart P, Appendix I. See 20 C.F.R. § 404.1520(d). Fourth, if his impairment or its equivalent is not listed in the Appendix, the claimant must show that he does not have the residual functional capacity to perform tasks required in his or her previous employment. See 20 C.F.R. § 404.1520(f). Fifth, if the claimant successfully makes these showings, the Commissioner must determine if there is any other work within the national economy that the claimant is able to perform. See 20 C.F.R. § 404.1520(g).
The claimant has the burden of proving the first four steps of the analysis, while the Commissioner bears the burden of proof for the last step. See Shaw, 221 F.3d at 132. "In making the required determinations, the Commissioner must consider: (1) the objective medical facts; (2) the medical opinions of the examining or treating physicians; (3) the subjective evidence of the claimant's symptoms submitted by the claimant, his family and others; and (4) the claimant's educational background, age and work experience." Boryk v. Barnhart, No. 02-CV-2465, 2003 WL 22170596, at *8 (E.D.N.Y. Sept. 17, 2003) (internal citation omitted).
Here, the ALJ followed the five-step analysis. He determined that Plaintiff had not engaged in meaningful work since March 1, 2004, the alleged onset date (step one). (R. 13.) The ALJ further concluded that Plaintiff suffered the following severe impairments: "cervical and lumbosacral spine sprains/strains" (step two). (Id.) He determined that Plaintiff's impairments were not among the list of per se disabling impairments (step three) and went on to determine Plaintiff's residual functional capacity (step four). (Id.) The ALJ concluded that Plaintiff had the residual functional capacity to perform sedentary work and that, prior to February 9, 2009, there were a significant number of jobs in the national economy that Plaintiff could have performed. (R. 17.) Following agency guidelines, the ALJ ruled that Plaintiff's age category changed on February 9, 2009 (approximately three months before Plaintiff's fiftieth birthday). (Id.) Taking into account the adjustments that flowed from Plaintiff's new age category, the ALJ determined that there was not a significant number of jobs in the national economy that he could perform, given his age, education, work experience and residual functional capacity. (Id.) Accordingly, the ALJ determined that Plaintiff was not disabled during the time between his alleged onset date and February 9, 2009, but that he became disabled on that date. (Id.)
In reaching his decision, the ALJ summarily discounted the opinions of Plaintiff's chiropractors:
Dr. Frank Anderson, D.C., a chiropractor, reported treatment from February to November 2004 and then resuming in March 2006, for moderate to severe low back pain as well as frequent pain and numbness in the anterolateral right thigh (Exhibit 8F); reports from Dr. Keith Pastuch, D.C., a chiropractor, showed treatment from June through August 2006 and October through December 2006 (Exhibits 3F and 10F) and a report from Dr. James Benston, D.C., a chiropractor, showed treatment from June 2007 through December 2007. (Exhibit 12F). Pursuant to 20 CFR 404.1513 and 416.913, evidence from chiropractors does not constitute the evidence from the "acceptable medical sources" needed to establish a medically determinable impairment; thus, the earliest evidence from an acceptable medical source is Dr. Cohen's report of May 22, 2006.
(R. 15.) That is all the ALJ wrote concerning the records of Plaintiff's chiropractic treatment.
In evaluating Plaintiff's testimony concerning his symptoms, the ALJ relied heavily on Dr. Skeene's opinion that Plaintiff had normal dexterity and only moderate physical limitations. (See R. 16.) The ALJ concluded that although Plaintiff's medically-determinable impairments could be expected to produce the claimed symptoms, the alleged severity of those symptoms was not supported with objective medical evidence. With respect to Plaintiff's dizziness and falling spells, the ALJ concluded that there was "no objective medical evidence whatsoever to substantiate" these allegations. (R. 16.)
DISCUSSION
In reviewing the ruling of the ALJ, this Court will not determine de novo whether Plaintiff is in fact disabled. Thus, even if the Court may have reached a different decision, it must not substitute its own judgment for that of the ALJ. See Jones v. Sullivan, 949 F.2d 57, 59 (2d Cir. 1991) (internal quotations omitted). Instead, this Court must determine whether the ALJ's findings are supported by "substantial evidence in the record as a whole or are based on an erroneous legal standard."Curry v. Apfel, 209 F.3d 117, 122 (2d Cir. 2000) superseded by statute on other grounds 20 C.F.R. § 404.1560 (internal quotations omitted). If the Court finds that substantial evidence exists to support the Commissioner's decision, the decision will be upheld, even if evidence to the contrary exists. See Johnson v. Barnhart, 269 F. Supp. 2d 82, 84 (E.D.N.Y. 2003). "Substantial evidence is such evidence that a reasonable mind might accept as adequate to support a conclusion." Id. The substantial evidence test applies not only to the ALJ's findings of fact, but also to any inferences and conclusions of law drawn from such facts. See id.
To determine if substantial evidence exists to support the ALJ's findings, this Court must examine the entire record, including any conflicting evidence and any evidence from which conflicting inferences may be drawn when deciding if the findings are supported by substantial evidence. See Gonzalez v. Barnhart, No. 01-CV-7449, 2003 WL 21204448, at *2 (E.D.N.Y. May 21, 2003) (internal quotations omitted). "The findings of the Commissioner of Social Security as to any fact, if supported by substantial evidence, shall be conclusive. . . ." 42 U.S.C. § 405(g).
II. Plaintiff's Appeal
In this appeal, Plaintiff challenges the ALJ's determination that Plaintiff had the residual functional capacity to perform even sedentary work during the period between his alleged onset date and February 9, 2009. Among other things, he contends that the ALJ's decision was not supported by substantial evidence because the ALJ gave no weight to his chiropractors' opinions. The Court agrees.
Sedentary work involves "lifting no more than 10 pounds at a time and occasionally lifting or carrying articles like docket files, ledgers, and small tools." 20 C.F.R. § 404.1567(a); 20 C.F.R. § 416.967. Although sedentary work primarily involves sitting, "a certain amount of walking and standing is often necessary in carrying out job duties." 20 C.F.R. § 404.1567(a); 20 C.F.R. § 416.967. As discussed above, Dr. Anderson found that Plaintiff suffered numbness to his thigh and severe lower back pain. Dr. Pastuch concluded that Plaintiff was not capable of performing his normal working duties. In the Court's view, these findings contradict Dr. Skeene's findings and tend to corroborate Plaintiff's version of his symptoms. The ALJ ignored these reports — and virtually every other piece of evidence from Plaintiff's chiropractors, who appear from the record to have had a treating relationship with Plaintiff (see R. 15) — without explaining why.
Inasmuch as Plaintiff was not working at the time of this exam, it is not clear to what "normal working duties" Dr. Pastuch was referring.
Although the ALJ need not "reconcile explicitly every conflicting shred of medical testimony," he may not unreasonably reject all of the medical evidence in Plaintiff's favor. Colling v. Barnhard, 245 Fed. Appx. 87, 88 (2d Cir. 2007); Glover v. Barnhart, No. 06-CV-0195, 2009 WL 35290, at *10 (N.D.N.Y. 2009). And, though chiropractors are not "accepted medical sources" whose opinions are entitled to controlling or even special weight, the ALJ should have considered Plaintiff's chiropractic records. See Mortise v. Astrue, 713 F. Supp. 2d 111, 126 (N.D.N.Y. 2010); Fuller v. Astrue, No. 09-CV-6279, 2010 WL 5072112, at *6 (W.D.N.Y. Dec. 6, 2010); Carlantone v. Astrue, No. 08-CV-7393, 2009 WL 2043888, at *5 (S.D.N.Y. July 14, 2009) ("The opinions of chiropractors, however, are acceptable to show the severity of . . . [claimant's] impairment[s]. Therefore, the ALJ should consider the opinions of Dr. Hall and Dr. Sonn and explain what weight he gives those opinions." (internal quotation marks and citations omitted)); see also Figueroa v. Astrue, No. 04-CV-7805, 2009 WL 4496048, *12 n. 5 (S.D.N.Y. Dec. 3, 2009) (citing SSR 06-3p, 2006 WL 2329939 (S.S.A. Aug. 9, 2006)). How much weight to give their opinions is within the ALJ's discretion, but he may not flatly reject them without explaining his basis for doing so. See Mortise, 713 F. Supp. 2d at 126; Carlantone, 2009 WL 2043888, at *5; c.f. Figueroa, at *12 (upholding ALJ's decision to give "minimal weight" to chiropractor's opinion where the ALJ explained that the chiropractor's and physician's opinions conflicted). Accordingly, the Commissioner's decision cannot stand.
On remand, in addition to considering Plaintiff's chiropractic records, the Commissioner should take care to consider all of the evidence concerning Plaintiff's dizziness and falling spells. The Court notes that the ALJ's conclusion that there was no evidence substantiating Plaintiff's allegations of dizziness and falling, (R. 16), is belied by Dr. Cohen's observation that Plaintiff's symptoms were consistent with vertigo (R. 168).
CONCLUSION
For the foregoing reasons, the Commissioner's motion for judgment on the pleadings is DENIED and this matter is remanded to the Commissioner for further administrative proceedings consistent with this Memorandum Order. 42 U.S.C. § 405(g). The Clerk of the Court is directed to mark this case CLOSED.
SO ORDERED.