Jeffery Scott Peterson v. Kilolo Kijakazi

Case 2:20-cv-08813-GJS Document 18 Filed 01/28/22 Page 1 of 12 Page ID #:2172 [7] 8 UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT 9 CENTRAL DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA [10] 11 JEFFERY P.,1 Case No. 2:20-cv-08813-GJS 12 Plaintiff 13 v. MEMORANDUM, OPINION, AND ORDER 14 KILOLO KIJAKAZI, Acting Commissioner of Social Security,2 [15] Defendant. [17] 18 I. PROCEDURAL HISTORY 19 Plaintiff Jeffery P. (“Plaintiff”) filed a complaint seeking review of the 20 decision of the Commissioner of Social Security denying his application for [22] 1 In the interest of privacy, this Order uses only the first name and the initial of 23 the last name of the non-governmental party. 24 2 On July 9, 2021, Kilolo Kijakazi was named Acting Commissioner of the 25 Social Security Administration. See https://www.ssa.gov/history/commissioners.html. She is therefore substituted as the [26] defendant in this action. See 42 U.S.C. § 405 (g) (referring to the “Commissioner's 27 Answer”); 20 C.F.R. § 422.210 (d) (“the person holding the Office of the Commissioner shall, in [their] official capacity, be the proper defendant”). [28] Case 2:20-cv-08813-GJS Document 18 Filed 01/28/22 Page 2 of 12 Page ID #:2173 1 Disability Insurance Benefits (“DIB”). The parties filed consents to proceed before 2 the undersigned United States Magistrate Judge [Dkts. 9 and 10] and briefs 3 addressing disputed issues in the case [Dkt. 14 (“Pltf’s. Br.”), Dkt. 15 (“Def. Br.”), 4 Dkt. 16 (“Reply”)]. The matter is now ready for decision. For the reasons discussed 5 below, the Court finds that this matter should be affirmed. 6 II. ADMINISTRATIVE DECISION UNDER REVIEW 7 Plaintiff filed an application for DIB alleging disability as of June 7, 2016, 8 primarily due to a stroke and related complications. [Dkt. 13, Administrative 9 Record (“AR”) 213-216, 247.] Plaintiff’s application was denied initially, on 10 reconsideration, and after a hearing before Administrative Law Judge (“ALJ”) 11 Diana J. Coburn. [AR 1-6, 16-26.] 12 Applying the five-step sequential evaluation process, the ALJ found that 13 Plaintiff was not disabled. See 20 C.F.R. §§ 416.920 (b)-(g)(1). At step one, the 14 ALJ found that Plaintiff had not engaged in substantial gainful activity since the 15 alleged onset date. [AR 18.] At step two, the ALJ found that Plaintiff suffered from 16 hypertension, aortic dissection status post repair, right foot drop, right eye blindness, 17 cerebrovascular accident, stage 3 chronic kidney disease, and obesity. [AR 18.] 18 The ALJ determined at step three that Plaintiff did not have an impairment or 19 combination of impairments that meets or medically equals the severity of one of 20 the listed impairments. [AR 18.] 21 Next, the ALJ found that Plaintiff had the residual functional capacity 22 (“RFC”) to perform sedentary work with specific limitations. [AR 20.] Applying 23 this RFC, the ALJ found at step four that Plaintiff was not able to perform his past 24 relevant work. [AR 23, 38.] However, at step five, the ALJ found that Plaintiff was 25 capable of performing other work that exists in significant numbers in the economy. 26 [AR 24.] 27 Plaintiff sought review of the ALJ’s decision, which the Appeals Council 28 denied, making the ALJ’s decision the Commissioner’s final decision. [AR 1-6.] [2] Case 2:20-cv-08813-GJS Document 18 Filed 01/28/22 Page 3 of 12 Page ID #:2174 1 This action followed. 2 III. GOVERNING STANDARD 3 Under 42 U.S.C. § 405 (g), the Court reviews the Commissioner’s decision to 4 determine if: (1) the Commissioner’s findings are supported by substantial evidence; 5 and (2) the Commissioner used correct legal standards. See Carmickle v. Comm’r 6 Soc. Sec. Admin., 533 F.3d 1155, 1159 (9th Cir. 2008); Brewes v. Comm’r Soc. Sec. 7 Admin., 682 F.3d 1157, 1161 (9th Cir. 2012) (internal citation omitted). 8 “Substantial evidence is more than a mere scintilla but less than a preponderance; it 9 is such relevant evidence as a reasonable mind might accept as adequate to support a 10 conclusion.” Gutierrez v. Comm’r of Soc. Sec., 740 F.3d 519, 522-23 (9th Cir. 11 2014) (internal citations omitted). 12 The Court will uphold the Commissioner’s decision when the evidence is 13 susceptible to more than one rational interpretation. See Molina v. Astrue, 674 F.3d 14 1104, 1110 (9th Cir. 2012). However, the Court may review only the reasons stated 15 by the ALJ in his decision “and may not affirm the ALJ on a ground upon which he 16 did not rely.” Orn v. Astrue, 495 F.3d 625, 630 (9th Cir. 2007). The Court will not 17 reverse the Commissioner’s decision if it is based on harmless error, which exists if 18 the error is “inconsequential to the ultimate nondisability determination, or if despite 19 the legal error, the agency’s path may reasonably be discerned.” Brown-Hunter v. 20 Colvin, 806 F.3d 487, 492 (9th Cir. 2015) (internal quotation marks and citations 21 omitted). IV. DISCUSSION [22] 23 A. The ALJ’s Credibility Determination is Supported by at Least One Clear 24 and Convincing Reason 25 Plaintiff contends that the ALJ failed to provide sufficient reasons for 26 rejecting his testimony regarding his subjective symptoms and functional 27 limitations. [Pltf’s. Br. at 3-7.] The Court disagrees. [3] Case 2:20-cv-08813-GJS Document 18 Filed 01/28/22 Page 4 of 12 Page ID #:2175 1 Because there is no allegation of malingering and the ALJ found that 2 “claimant’s medically determinable impairments could reasonably be expected to 3 cause the alleged symptoms” [AR 21], the ALJ’s reasons must be clear and 4 convincing. Lingenfelter v. Astrue, 504 F.3d 1028, 1036 (9th Cir. 2007). Even if 5 “the ALJ provided one or more invalid reasons for disbelieving a claimant’s 6 testimony,” if he “also provided valid reasons that were supported by the record,” 7 the ALJ’s error “is harmless so long as there remains substantial evidence 8 supporting the ALJ’s decision and the error does not negate the validity of the ALJ’s 9 ultimate conclusion.” Molina v. Astrue, 674 F.3d 1104, 1115 (9th Cir. 2012) 10 (internal quotation omitted). 11 Here, the ALJ gave three reasons to reject Plaintiff’s credibility: (1) Plaintiff’s 12 treatment was routine and conservative; (2) Plaintiff had an unexplained failure to 13 seek treatment; (3) Plaintiff participated in daily activities that were inconsistent 14 with his subjective symptom allegations; and (4) there were inconsistencies between 15 the objective medical evidence and Plaintiff’s allegations of disabling limitations. 16 1. Plaintiff’s Relevant Testimony 17 Plaintiff testified that he suffered a stroke in June 2016 which caused a variety 18 of impairments including weakness on his right side, blindness in his right eye, 19 “drop foot,” and fatigue. [AR 35, 43.] When asked about the specific impairments 20 that limited his ability to work, Plaintiff testified at length regarding his blindness 21 and resulting eye strain. Plaintiff explained that he is blind in his right eye which 22 causes additional strain in his left eye. [AR 44.] Due to his vision impairment, 23 Plaintiff struggles to read, use the computer or watch television for extended periods 24 of time. [AR 44.] Plaintiff stated further that the he is unable to read regular sized 25 newspaper print and in order to read his mail he takes a picture with his phone so 26 that he can enlarge the font. [AR 44.] The ALJ followed up this testimony by 27 asking Plaintiff the following: [4] Case 2:20-cv-08813-GJS Document 18 Filed 01/28/22 Page 5 of 12 Page ID #:2176 Q: So, what about your day that you described 1 would prevent you from—that you’d be absent four days from work? [2] A: Well, I, think the thing that would, would be 3 absent is because most work nowadays is either reading something or getting on a 4 computer or something like that. And then— 5 Q: Right. 6 A: --just if I did that, it would just, it would just wear me out. [7] Q: Okay. [8] A: You know, I would be –I wouldn’t feel like I 9 can fulfill my job duties because I can’t concentrate on reading or, or looking at a 10 computer all the time. … [11] Q: And correct me if I’m wrong, so, you’re 12 saying if you had to do any of the reading type of requirements that it would -- on one 13 day it would knock you out the next day? 14 A: Oh, yeah, it, it, would, I mean, it would just— like just trying to read a letter from, you 15 know, a basic letter, you know, it takes so long because I got to, you know, enlarge all 16 the letters to do everything; it just takes a long time to do it. 17 … 18 Q: Okay. Who do you see for -- you talked about the text and not being able, you know, 19 needing to be large font, and the fatigue, the eye fatigue, and vision fatigue. [20] A: Right. [21] Q: Who do you see, or what doctors do you talk 22 to about your vision issues? 23 A: Well, I, I don’t have a vision doctor, I don’t have an optometrist or anything like that. So, 24 the only one--- 25 Q: You just see your primary care doctor? 26 A: Yeah, my primary care, which is Dr. Shu. 27 Q: Okay. I just didn’t see much in the record with regard to complaints about vision. [5] Case 2:20-cv-08813-GJS Document 18 Filed 01/28/22 Page 6 of 12 Page ID #:2177 A: Oh. [1] Q: Including, you know, needing to enlarge text 2 and – 3 A: Right. 4 Q: -- what not. 5 A: Right. Well, I think when I, when I go to Dr. Shu’s office or Dr. V’s office, I think their, 6 their main concern is, you know, from the heart issues. So, I never even thought to 7 bring the, you know, it’s just—I never thought to bring up the eye issues. Because 8 they know I’m blind in the right eye, so, so I would think—I thought they would take it 9 that I’m using the left eye, that it would, you know? [10] [AR at 52-54.] [11] The ALJ questioned Plaintiff further about whether, given his vision [12] impairment, he still maintains a driver’s license. [AR 55.] Plaintiff explained that [13] although he no longer drives due to his foot drop and his impaired vision, his [14] driver’s license is still active, and his physicians have not recommended that his [15] license be revoked, nor that he stop driving. [AR 55.] [16] 2. Unexplained Failure to Seek Treatment [17] In considering Plaintiff’s subjective statements about his disabling limitations, [18] the ALJ noted that Plaintiff claimed that “he is unable to read” even a “standard [19] letter.” [AR 20.] But in viewing these statements along with Plaintiff’s testimony [20] during the hearing, the ALJ found that Plaintiff’s subjective complaints were not [21] comparable to the extent of the treatment he sought. Specifically, that “nowhere in [22] the record does the claimant offer a sufficient explanation for not seeking treatment [23] consistent with the degree of subjective complaints.” [AR 21.] [24] It is settled law that an ALJ may consider “unexplained or inadequately [25] explained failure to seek treatment or to follow a prescribed course of treatment” to [26] bear on a claimant’s credibility. See Tommasetti v. Astrue, 533 F.3d 1035 , 1039 [27] (9th Cir. 2008) (ALJ may consider “unexplained failure to seek treatment or to [6] Case 2:20-cv-08813-GJS Document 18 Filed 01/28/22 Page 7 of 12 Page ID #:2178 1 follow a prescribed course of treatment”); Burch v. Barnhart, 400 F.3d 676 , 681 2 (9th Cir. 2005) (“The ALJ is permitted to consider lack of treatment in his 3 credibility determination.”). However, “although a conservative course of treatment 4 can undermine allegations of debilitating pain, such fact is not a proper basis for 5 rejecting the claimant’s credibility where the claimant has a good reason for not 6 seeking more aggressive treatment.” Carmickle, 533 F.3d at 1162 . 7 Here, the ALJ’s reliance on Plaintiff’s treatment history was a clear and 8 convincing reason for finding him less than fully credible. The ALJ specifically 9 questioned Plaintiff about his failure to seek treatment, and Plaintiff failed to offer 10 any cogent explanation for that failure―he simply “never thought to bring up the 11 eye issues” to his primary care physician that he admittedly saw “every three to four 12 months.” [AR 42-43, 54.] This is significant because, as seen above, when Plaintiff 13 was asked to explain the impairments that would prevent him from working full 14 time, Plaintiff said he is precluded from work because he is unable to look at a 15 computer all the time. [AR 44.] Plaintiff’s failure to seek any treatment whatsoever 16 for the primary cause of his work-related disability casts significant doubt on 17 Plaintiff’s argument that his claims of disabling conditions are not exaggerated. 18 Thus, the ALJ had good reason to question to limiting effects of Plaintiff’s vision 19 impairment and as a result, this was a particularly compelling reason to afford 20 Plaintiff’s subjective statements less weight. Because the ALJ provided at least one 21 clear and convincing reason, based on substantial evidence, for discrediting Plaintiff 22 claims of debilitating pain and the severity of his symptoms, the Court’s analysis 23 could end here. 24 3. Inconsistency with the Objective Medical Evidence 25 The ALJ also discounted Plaintiff’s statements because the objective 26 medical evidence was inconsistent with Plaintiff’s testimony regarding his 27 limitations as follows: [7] Case 2:20-cv-08813-GJS Document 18 Filed 01/28/22 Page 8 of 12 Page ID #:2179 The claimant alleged right leg weakness. Muscle atrophy [1] is common side effect of prolonged lack of physical 2 activity. However, there is no evidence of atrophy in the claimant’s right lower extremity. It can be inferred that, 3 although the claimant experience some degree of difficulties using his right leg, it has not altered his use of 4 those muscles to an extent that has resulted in atrophy. The claimant’s subjective complaints and alleged [5] limitations are out of proportion to the objective clinical 6 findings and observed functional restrictions as noted above. There is also no evidence of loss of muscle tone, 7 bulk, mass, or strength that would be compatible with his alleged level of inactivity and inability to function. [8] 9 [AR 22.] As the Commissioner points out, at least when it is one reason among 10 others, lack of evidence of “disuse [muscle] atrophy” can be a legitimate reason to 11 discount a claimant’s allegations of severe pain. (Def’s. Br. at 4); see also Gates v. 12 Colvin, 621 Fed. Appx. 457 (9th Cir. 2015) (unpublished) (lack of muscle atrophy 13 deemed a sufficient reason for adverse credibility determination); Stiles v. Astrue, 14 256 Fed. App’x 994, 997-98 (9th Cir. 2007) (upholding ALJ’s discounting of 15 claimant’s credibility based in part on the lack of evidence of “muscle atrophy or 16 wasting”); Osenbrock v. Apfel, 240 F.3d 1157, 1166 (9th Cir. 2001) (upholding an 17 ALJ’s rejection of a claimant’s credibility where the ALJ made specific findings 18 including, but not limited to, a lack of atrophy); Nasir v. Colvin, No. 5:15-cv-0141919 GJS, 2016 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 134955 (C.D. Cal. Sep. 29, 2016) (ALJ could properly 20 determine that lack of “evidence of disuse muscle atrophy” was a legitimate reason 21 to discount a claimant’s allegations subjective complaints); but see Valenzuela v. 22 Astrue, 247 F. App’x 927, 929 (9th Cir. 2007) (ALJ’s adverse credibility 23 determination was not supported by substantial evidence where the record was 24 devoid of any medical testimony to support ALJ’s finding that absence of evidence 25 of muscular atrophy indicated claimant’s symptoms were not as severe as alleged). 26 The Court concludes that the ALJ provided clear and convincing reasons, 27 supported by substantial evidence, for finding Plaintiff less than fully credible, and 28 therefore declines to remand based on this issue. [8] Case 2:20-cv-08813-GJS Document 18 Filed 01/28/22 Page 9 of 12 Page ID #:2180 1 B. The ALJ’s Step Five Finding is Supported by Substantial Evidence 2 Plaintiff next argues that ALJ erred in finding that the skills obtained from his 3 past occupation transferred to the alternative occupations suggested by the VE. The 4 ALJ found at step four of the sequential process that Plaintiff is unable to return his 5 past relevant work as a sales representative for Nestle food company. [AR 24.] The 6 VE, however, testified that Plaintiff acquired skills from his sales representative, 7 food products jobs that are transferable to sedentary occupations of order clerk and 8 appointment clerk. [AR 60.] Specifically, the VE indicated that Plaintiff’s 9 transferable skills included “using a computer and telephone with the customer. 10 And also setting up appointments or confirming appointments with a customer.” 11 [AR 60.] The VE indicated that Plaintiff could perform alternate jobs in the 12 national economy, including order clerk and appointment clerk, with his acquired 13 skills from his past relevant occupation. [AR 24.] The ALJ accepted the testimony 14 of the VE and consequently found Plaintiff not disabled at step five of the sequential 15 process. [AR 24-26.] 16 1. Relevant Federal Law 17 Social Security Regulation § 404.1568(d) informs the transferability of skills 18 analysis (“TSA”). Section 1568(d)(1) defines transferable skills that can be used in 19 other jobs “when the skilled or semi-skilled work activities you did in past work can 20 be used to meet the requirements of skilled or semi-skilled work activities of other 21 jobs or kinds of work.” Transferability “depends largely on the similarity of 22 occupationally significant work activities among different jobs.” Id. Section 23 1568(d)(2) provides that transferability is most probable when: 24 (i) The same or lesser degree of skill is required; 25 (ii) The same or similar tools and machines are used; and 26 (iii) The same or similar raw materials, products, processes or services are 27 involved. [9] Case 2:20-cv-08813-GJS Document 18 Filed 01/28/22 Page 10 of 12 Page ID #:2181 1 Section 1568(d)(3), however, cautions that complete similarity of these three factors 2 is “not necessary for transferability.” SSR 82-41, 1982 SSR LEXIS 34 ( 1982 WL 3 31389 ) provides further gloss on transferability of skills. SSR 82 41, 1982 SSR 4 LEXIS 34 , at *3, [WL] at *5 provides that transferability is most probable and 5 meaningful among the jobs in which the same or lesser degree of skill is required 6 and that, generally, the greater the degree of acquired skills, the less difficulty an 7 individual will experience in transferring skills to other jobs. SSR 82-41, 1982 SSR 8 LEXIS 34 , at *10, [WL] at *5. SSR 82-41, 1982 SSR LEXIS 34, at *10, [WL] at *7, 9 moreover, requires the ALJ to make findings of fact and include them in the written 10 decision. More specifically, “when a finding is made that a claimant has 11 transferable skills, the acquired skills must be identified and specific occupations to 12 which the acquired work skills are transferable must be cited . . . in the ALJ’s 13 decision.” See also Bray v. Comm’r of Soc. Sec. Adm., 554 F.3d 1219, 1223-26 (9th 14 Cir. 2009) (ALJ transferability decision reversed for failing to make the findings 15 required by SSR 82-41, 1982 SSR LEXIS 34); Renner v. Heckler, 786 F.2d 1421 , 16 1423 (9th Cir. 1986) (ALJ transferability decision reversed because no finding on 17 amount of vocational adjustment required). 18 2. Analysis 19 Based on the VE’s testimony, the ALJ found that Plaintiff acquired 20 transferable skills from his past relevant work as a sales representative of food 21 service including: placing orders, using telephones and computers, communicating 22 with customers person-to-person, making appointments, and confirming 23 appointments. [AR 25, 66.] Following the administrative hearing, Plaintiff’s 24 counsel submitted a post-hearing brief objecting to the VE’s testimony. Plaintiff 25 argued that transferability “must be rejected because [Plaintiff’s] past relevant work 26 does not share MPSMS codes, work field codes, GOE codes, or occupation group 27 codes with the alternative jobs identified by the VE. The ALJ rejected that 28 argument and reiterated that Plaintiff’s skills in sales (the past relevant work in this [10] Case 2:20-cv-08813-GJS Document 18 Filed 01/28/22 Page 11 of 12 Page ID #:2182 1 case) and clerical “are highly likely to transfer” to other sedentary or light work.” 2 [AR 25.] The ALJ further found that the representative occupations of order clerk 3 and appointment clerk required “lesser skill” than his previous work, and cited the 4 VE’s testimony that the skills he acquired were generalized skills, not specific to 5 any one industry. [AR 25, 60, 63.] 6 Plaintiff again repeats his post-hearing argument that the ALJ erred in not 7 using the codes for Work Fields (“WF”) and Materials, Products Subject Matter and 8 Services (“MPSMS”) from an internal agency Manual Program Operations Manual 9 System (“POMS”) DT 25015.017. (Pltf.s’ Br. at 11.). However, Plaintiff has failed 10 to demonstrate error in the ALJ’s determination. During the hearing, the VE 11 outlined Plaintiff’s past work, detailed his transferable skills, and, in responding to 12 questions about a hypothetical person matching Plaintiff’s limitations, concluded 13 Plaintiff could perform the order and appointment clerk positions. The VE noted 14 that her testimony was consistent with the DOT and her “expertise.” [AR 66.] That 15 testimony is substantial evidence supporting the ALJ’s determination and meets the 16 Commissioner’s burden. See, e.g., Osenbrock v. Apfel, 240 F.3d 1157, 1162-63 (9th 17 Cir. 2001); Migliore v. Colvin, 2013 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 106808 , 2013 WL 3935879 , 18 at *2 (C.D. Cal. July 29, 2013) (VE’s testimony was substantial evidence supporting 19 Step-Five determination because VE “identif[ied] a specific job or jobs in the 20 national economy having requirements that the claimant’s physical and mental 21 abilities and vocational qualifications would satisfy” (quoting Osenbrock)). 22 While Plaintiff offers a different analysis under various sources, he has not 23 shown those sources are binding on this Court or the Agency. See, e.g., Shaibi v. 24 Berryhill, 883 F.3d 1102, 1107 (9th Cir. 2017) (“POMS guidance is not binding 25 either on the ALJ or on a reviewing court.”). The law of this Circuit is clear that 26 POMS, as an internal policy guidance manual, does not impose judicially 27 enforceable duties. Lockwood v. Comm’r Soc. Sec. Admin., 616 F.3d 1068 , 1072 28 (9th Cir. 2010). Courts in this Circuit, moreover, explicitly have rejected the [11] Cas@ 2:20-cv-08813-GJS Document 18 Filed 01/28/22 Page 12o0f12 Page ID #:2183 1 || argument that transferability of skills requires similarity of work fields (“WF”) or 2 || Materials, Products, Subject matter and Services (““MPSMS”). Cordileone v. Saul, 3 || No. CV 18-06388-JEM, 2019 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 194178 , 2019 WL 5847832 , at *8 4 || (C.D. Cal. Nov. 7, 2019) (collecting cases that rejected the argument that 5 || transferability of skills requires similarity of WF or MPSMS codes); Russell v. 6 || Berryhill, No. 17-CV-00065-SVK, 2017 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 166424 , 2017 WL 7 || 4472630, at *11 (N.D. Cal. Oct. 6, 2017) (rejecting argument that use of specific 8 || vocational preparation, work fields, and “Material, Products, Subject Matter, and 9 || Services” codes are “the only acceptable methodology” as unsupported by any legal 10 || authority); Garcia v. Astrue, 2012 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 132493 , 2012 WL 4091847 , at 11 || *7 (E.D. Cal. Sept. 17, 2012); Engel v. Colvin, 2015 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 144467 , 2015 12 || WL 6453081, at *5 (C.D. Cal. Oct. 23, 2015). 13 In sum, the ALJ’s reliance on the vocational expert’s testimony regarding the 14 || transferability of Plaintiff's job skills was supported by substantial evidence and that 15 || determination is free of legal error. 16 Vv. CONCLUSION 17 For all of the foregoing reasons, IT IS ORDERED that the decision of the 18 || Commissioner finding Plaintiff not disabled is AFFIRMED. [19] 20 IT IS SO ORDERED. [21] 22 || DATED: January 28, 2022 [23] 74 GAIL J. STANDISH UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE