Jason Kim v. The Guardian Life Insurance Company of America

[7] UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT [8] CENTRAL DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA - SOUTHERN DIVISION [10] 11 JASON KIM, Case No.: 8:23-cv-01579-DOC-ADS 12 Action Filed: August 23, 2023 Plaintiff, 13 vs. Trial Date: April 15, 2024 14 THE GUARDIAN LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY OF FINDINGS OF FACT AND 15 AMERICA; and DOES 1 through 10, CONCLUSIONS OF LAW inclusive, [16] Defendants. [28] 1 FINDINGS OF FACT 2 After consideration of the parties’ trial briefs, oral argument at trial, and the 3 evidence submitted, the Court determines that the following facts have been 4 established in this case: 5 1. Any finding under this category that is a conclusion of law is also 6 hereby adopted as a conclusion of law. 7 Plaintiff’s Employment with Dreamhaven, Inc. and 8 Enrollment For Long-Term Disability Benefits 9 2. Plaintiff Jason Kim (“Plaintiff”) was employed by Dreamhaven, Inc. 10 (“Dreamhaven”). (Administrative Record (“AR”) 1490). 11 3. Through his employment, Plaintiff became a participant in his 12 employer’s employee benefits plan (the “Plan”). (AR:5464). 13 4. Plaintiff enrolled for coverage under the group long-term disability 14 (“LTD”) policy (the “Policy”), issued by Defendant The Guardian Life Insurance 15 Company of America (“Guardian”). (AR:1490). 16 5. As of May 1, 2020, and at all relevant times, he was a participant in, 17 and eligible for benefits under, the Policy and Plan. (AR:5464). 18 The Pertinent Policy Terms 19 6. The Policy states that an employee is “Disabled” under the following 20 circumstances: Total Disability or Totally Disabled means that as a result of Sickness [21] or Injury, during the Elimination Period and the Own Occupation 22 period, You are not able to perform with reasonable continuity the substantial and material acts necessary to pursue Your Usual Occupation [23] and You are not working in Your Usual Occupation. (AR:273) [24] 7. The Policy excludes coverage for pre-existing conditions. It states: [25] Pre-Existing Conditions: You are not covered for a Disability caused [26] or substantially contributed to by a pre-existing condition or medical or 27 surgical treatment of a pre-existing condition. 28 You have a pre-existing condition if: 1 e You received medical treatment, care or services for a diagnosed condition or took prescribed medication for a diagnosed 2 condition in the three months immediately prior to the effective 3 date of Your insurance under this Certificate; or 4 You suffered from a physical or mental condition, whether diagnosed or was misrepresented or not disclosed in Your 5 application (1) for which You received a Doctor s advice or 6 treatment within three months before the effective date of Your insurance under this Certificate, or (11) which caused symptoms 7 within three months before the effective date of Your insurance under this Certificate for which a prudent person would usually seek medical advice or treatment; and e Disability caused or substantially contributed to by the condition 10 begins in the first 12 months after the effective date of Your il insurance under this Certificate. (AR:260-61). 12 8. Benefits are payable after the employee has been disabled for 90 days, 13 ||zZe. the plan’s “Elimination Period.” (AR:286). 14 9, The effective date of coverage under the Policy was May 1, 2020, 15 || making the 3-month “lookback” period run from February 1, 2020 through April 30, 16 |} 2020. (AR:2715). 17 Plaintiff's Occupational Duties 18 10. Plaintiff worked for Dreamhaven as an art director. He was responsible 19 || for setting the artistic aspects of various computer projects’ artistic look and feel. 20 || He worked with a variety of physical media and digital tools. He addressed 21 || recruiting, hiring, and managing an art team. This was a sedentary occupation that 22 ||involved working with a wide variety of people. (AR:1490). 23 Plaintiff's Medical History Prior to His Employment at Dreamhaven 24 11. When examining the Record, the Court notes discrepancies between the 25 || opinions of different physicians and sources of information about Plaintiff's 26 || condition. The Court places greater emphasis on doctors that examined Plaintiff in 97 || person and accords greater weight to medical assessments than Plaintiff's own 9g || accounts. Plaintiff repeatedly reported that he had never suffered from conditions 1 that the Record clearly documents that, in fact, he did suffer from. For example, he 2 repeatedly reports that he never suffered from issues related to abnormal panicking 3 even though his medical records clearly document that he had. (Compare AR:932, 4 1096, 1141 with 518, 730, 818, 4900). He also reported that he never suffered from 5 psychosis even though his treating physician had diagnosed him with that condition. 6 (Compare AR:932, 1096, 1141 with AR:987, 1604). 7 12. Before working at Dreamhaven, Plaintiff had a history of suffering 8 from minor, low-grade and non-disabling depression, anxiety, and ADHD. Before 9 January 2021, these conditions were very minor and never interfered with his ability 10 to work. (AR: 931, 1019-23, 1490-91, 2239, 3256). 11 13. He was not seen by his therapist from 2019 to January 2021. 12 (AR:2239). 13 14. The last relevant testing before January 4, 2021 listed Plaintiff as 14 “Negative” for Depression and Anxiety. (AR:1019-23). 15 15. His medical records and Guardian’s internal notes document that he 16 had never been prescribed anti-psychotic medications or suffered from psychosis 17 before January 2021. (AR:556, 707, 987, 3411). 18 Plaintiff’s Post Hiring Medical Problems and Disability [19] 16. In November 2020, Plaintiff contacted the office of his then20 psychiatrist, Richard Moldawsky, M.D., about attempting Transcranial magnetic [21] stimulation (TMS) therapy. (AR:5581). When contacting Dr. Moldawsky’s office in [22] December 2020, he explained that his condition was not severe, but he was [23] inquiring because some relatives had used the treatment and he wanted to try it. [24] (AR:5581). [25] 17. On or about January 4-5, 2021, this changed. Plaintiff started to suffer [26] from fever, chills, aches, hyperkinetic movement disorder, insomnia, cognitive [27] deficits, “head pressure,” restlessness, agitation, panic attacks, and “cognitive [28] 1 clouding.” He lost the ability to organize his thoughts. His affect, cognition, and 2 behavior were significantly different. He became suicidal and paced all night. The 3 pacing was sufficiently severe that over a couple of days he wore out a pair of shoes. 4 For the first time, he developed symptoms of psychosis. (AR:562-63, 691, 695, 881, 5 931, 987, 2040, 2254, 3255-56, 3258, 3274, 3411, 5380) 6 18. On January 4, 2021, Plaintiff spoke with Dr. Moldawsky on the phone. 7 This was Plaintiff’s first contact with Dr. Moldawsky in two years and consisted of 8 a thirty-minute phone call. Dr. Moldawsky stated that he would support a trial of 9 TMS therapy. (AR:2239). 10 19. On January 5, 2021, Plaintiff became symptomatic for COVID-19. 11 (AR:2040, 3258, 3411). On January 7, 2021, Plaintiff tested positive for COVID-19. 12 (AR:691, 931, 3258, 3411). In light of Plaintiff’s symptoms starting on January 5, 13 the Record supports that Plaintiff likely had contracted COVID-19 earlier in January 14 2021 when his psychological symptoms started to quickly escalate. 15 20. The Record contains evidence that, while the likelihood is small, 16 COVID-19 can cause psychosis and a variety of other mental health problems. 17 (AR:708). 18 21. Plaintiff’s medical records also contain statements from one of 19 Plaintiff’s neurologist, Carolyn Neff, M.D, that COVID-19 likely caused Plaintiff’s 20 psychosis and sudden onset of severe anxiety. Those records state: “Note: onset of 21 psychosis and anxiety after covid in January, medical literature support this is a 22 possible sequelae.” (AR:707-08). 23 22. One of Guardian’s employees agreed that this was likely true. She 24 noted that: 25 The case could be strongly made [that] the problems with COVID-19 as well as his subsequent (& rather marked) problems with adverse [26] psychiatric medication reactions strongly exacerbated his MH issues. 27 One MD noted his problems as a possible sequela and noted recent research showing that 34% of COVID-19 survivors subsequently [28] 1 receive a neurological or psychiatric DC & 17% are specifically DX’s with Anxiety. (AR:562-63). [2] 23. The Record contains sufficient evidence to establish that Plaintiff’s [3] condition had subsequently changed from that of common anxiety and depression to [4] something far more severe and unconnected to his documented prior conditions. [5] (AR:691, 931-32, 987, 1263, 3255-56, 3411, 4900-01). He started showing signs of [6] altered cognition, affect, and behavior, including pacing all night. (AR:2040). A [7] statement from his wife notes that at this time he developed a “new onset of [8] psychosis.” (AR:556). [9] 24. On January 19, 2021, Plaintiff again called Dr. Moldawsky on a four [10] minute phone call. Plaintiff explained that he was suffering from agitation, pacing, [11] and feelings of doom. Dr. Moldawsky acknowledged that seeing Plaintiff in person [12] was problematic given Plaintiff’s COVID-19 diagnosis. Plaintiff was prescribed and [13] started taking olanzapine (Zyprexa). (AR:987, 3411, 4900-01). [14] 25. At about this time, Plaintiff developed a shuffled gait, made rocking [15] movements, and suffered from “horrible” skin sensations. He constantly shook his [16] head, stared at the ceiling, and made unusual and grotesque positioning/movements. [17] He grunted, jerked his hands, twitched, and made abnormal uncontrollable facial [18] actions such as movements of the jaw and abnormal facial/eye movements. His [19] cognitive problems worsened. They continued to affect his memory, and he was [20] constantly confused. (AR:690-91, 931-32, 2040, 3255-56, 3258, 3411). [21] 26. In addition to Plaintiff’s medical records, Plaintiff’s condition is also [22] recorded in various statements from his friends and family. (AR:3253-54, 3255-56, [23] 3273, 3276, 3909-12). Of note, Plaintiff’s wife and parents are therapists. [24] (AR:2268, 3910). [25] 27. Plaintiff sought treatment for his condition. Initially, Plaintiff sought [26] treatment from Dr. Moldawsky. (AR:2239). Plaintiff’s wife argued with Dr. [27] Moldawsky that Plaintiff’s cognitive problems were related to COVID-19. [28] 1 (AR:786). Dr. Moldawsky acknowledged that it “could be true in part” but 2 considered the psychiatry issues “more salient.” (AR:786). 3 28. Plaintiff attempted to see a neurologist, but the referral was cancelled. 4 (AR:2334). Plaintiff went to the hospital on March 25, 2021. (AR:1257). Plaintiff 5 then managed to meet with a neurologist, Dr. Neff. She diagnosed Plaintiff with 6 tardive dyskinesia (“TD”) and tardive akathisia (“TA”). (AR:695). TD and TA are 7 movement disorders characterized by involuntary movements. These conditions also 8 produce a myriad of mental health problems. The Zyprexa caused Plaintiff’s TA and 9 TD. (AR:3274-75). Dr. Neff also noted an “onset of psychosis[.]” (AR:707). Dr. 10 Neff treated Plaintiff in person on multiple occasions. (AR:658-59, 680-81, 690, 11 696, 703). 12 29. Plaintiff’s condition became sufficiently severe that he had to be 13 hospitalized in March and April 2021 for attempted suicide. (AR:1326, 2715) 14 30. Plaintiff ceased treatment with Dr. Moldawski and transferred to the 15 care of Robert Lee, D.O., M.S. (AR:928). Dr. Lee certified that Plaintiff was unable 16 to work and noted that “patient with significant symptoms and far from baseline 17 functioning, significant anxiety and depressive symptoms from movement 18 problems....” (AR:1223, 1381-82). In a June 11, 2021 medical record, Dr. Lee 19 addressed Plaintiff’s prescription of Zyprexa. By this time, Dr. Lee had treated 20 Plaintiff on an in-person basis on several occasions. Dr. Lee stated Zyprexa was 21 started due in part to “agitation from physical symptoms of COVID.” (AR:1222). 22 31. These medical conditions, which at times were dormant, significantly 23 impaired Plaintiff’s ability to work. His symptoms continued to worsen until he 24 could not work. (AR:988). 25 32. Dr. Neff certified Plaintiff’s disability. (AR:659, 681). 26 33. To treat his condition, Plaintiff was prescribed a variety of medications 27 and underwent psychotherapy. Some of the medications caused severe side effects 28 with limited documented benefits. (AR:3262) 1 34. On May 10, 2021, Plaintiff underwent a neuropsychological evaluation 2 that revealed that he suffered from “Mild Neurocognitive Disorder.” (AR:987-90). 3 He tested below average in a range of different aspects of “processing speed, timed 4 verbal fluency, immediate and delayed verbal memory for a list learning task, and 5 immediate visual memory.” (AR:990). “He was impaired with immediate and 6 delayed verbal memory for stories read to him.” (AR:990). 7 35. Kenneth Martinez, M.D., a neurologist, started treating Plaintiff on 8 May 11, 2021. (AR:3266). Dr. Martinez completed an “Attending Physician’s 9 Statement of Disability” (“APS”) for Guardian stating that Plaintiff could not return 10 to work until at least July 20, 2022. He explained that Plaintiff “has uncontrolled 11 movements due to tardive dyskinesia and is unable to stay in one position due to 12 tardive akathisia.” (AR:2694). Plaintiff’s TA and TD were “not consistent with a 13 conversion disorder or anxiety.” (AR:3260). Whereas his TA and TD had improved 14 some, the symptoms were “still magnified with anxiety and stimulants.” (AR:3260). 15 The Claims Process and Denial 16 36. Plaintiff submitted a claim for LTD benefits asserting a date of 17 disability of March 25, 2021. (AR:2714). 18 37. Guardian informed Mrs. Kim that the pre-existing condition clause may 19 apply. (AR:2062). 20 38. Various people, including the insurance broker responsible for selling 21 Dreamhaven the Policy, disagreed with Guardian’s proposed position. (AR:202522 26). Guardian’s case manager noted that “The records do not indicate prior 23 treatment for some of the employee’s current complaints.” (AR:2060-61). 24 39. Guardian denied the claim by letter dated August 18, 2021, concluding 25 that while Plaintiff was disabled, his disability was caused by pre-existing 26 conditions that were excluded under the Policy. (AR:2714-17). The denial letter 27 explained that Plaintiff was “prescribed Lexapro, an SSRI used to treat depression 28 and anxiety. You were given 100 days of refills, at 1 pill a day, with 1 refill. This 1 would imply you were taking this medication for the period of November 18, 2019 2 through June 4, 2020, during our lookback period of February 1, 2020 through April 3 30, 2020.” It further explained that “Because you received treatment for your Major 4 Depressive Disorder, Severe without Psychotic Symptoms, Generalized Anxiety 5 Disorder, and Mild Neurocognitive Disorder during the ‘look-back period’, these 6 conditions and all related conditions and/or complications are pre-existing conditions 7 as defined by the Plan.” (AR:2715-16). Plaintiff was not diagnosed with “Mild 8 Neurocognitive Disorder” until May 10, 2021. (AR:987-90). 9 40. On February 7, 2022, Plaintiff appealed the denial of his claim. 10 (AR:3238). Plaintiff submitted updated medical records and statements from his 11 friends, his family, Dr. Lee, and Dr. Martinez. (AR:3240). Drs. Martinez and Lee 12 both expressed continued support for Plaintiff’s disability claim. 13 41. In response to Plaintiff’s appeal, Guardian submitted Plaintiff’s medical 14 records to Leon Meytin, M.D., a neurologist. Dr. Meytin concluded that based on 15 his review of the medical records, it did not appear that Plaintiff was disabled due to 16 TA and TD. (AR5415-16). 17 42. On August 30, 2022, Dr. Martinez provided a response to Dr. Meytin’s 18 report. In his response, Dr. Martinez reaffirmed his position that Plaintiff was 19 disabled due to his TA and TD. (AR:5447). 20 43. In response to Dr. Martinez’s statement, Dr. Meytin noted a 21 “discrepancy” about Plaintiff’s condition and recommended that Guardian have 22 Plaintiff examined. (AR:5455-56). Guardian did not do so. 23 44. Guardian also submitted the claim to Arnold Lentnek, M.D. Guardian 24 failed to present Dr. Lentnek with Plaintiff’s actual medical records. Instead, as 25 reported by Dr. Meytin, Dr. Lentnek stated that he only received “abstracted” copies 26 of the medical records. (AR:5417). 27 45. Dr. Lentnek determined that Plaintiff’s COVID-19 did not cause his 28 disabling conditions in January 2021. (AR:5409-10). Dr. Lentnek did not address 1 that some of Plaintiff’s treating physicians disagreed with this position. (AR:54092 10). 3 46. Guardian submitted the medical records to Elbert Greer Richardson, 4 M.D., a psychiatrist. (AR:5375). Dr. Richardson examined Plaintiff’s medical 5 records and spoke with one of Plaintiff’s psychiatrists, Robert Lee, D.O., M.S. 6 (AR:5378). He concluded that Plaintiff was unable to work as of January 2021. 7 (AR:5379-81). He further concluded that “The conditions the claimant received 8 advice, treatment, or medication caused by, contributed to by, or resulting from 9 those conditions between 2/1/20-4/30/20; did not cause or contribute to the 10 conditions that are impairing as of 3/25/21.” (AR:5379). 11 47. On September 30, 2022, Guardian denied Plaintiff’s appeal. 12 (AR:5462). Guardian stated that “While Plaintiff did have Covid-19 in early January 13 2021, there was no mention in the records that these symptoms were related to 14 Covid-19 but that he had a history of anxiety and depression, for which he had 15 admitted had started to become worse prior to January 1, 2021.” (AR:5466). 16 Guardian concluded that Plaintiff was only disabled due to conditions falling under 17 the pre-existing condition exclusion and denied the claim on that basis. (AR:5466). 18 CONCLUSIONS OF LAW 19 After consideration of the parties’ trial briefs and counsels’ oral argument 20 during the April 15, 2024 trial of this action, the Court makes the following 21 conclusions of law: 22 1. Any conclusion under this category that is a finding of fact is also 23 hereby adopted as a finding of fact. 24 2. This case is governed by the Employee Retirement Income Security 25 Act, 29 U.S.C. Section 1001 , et seq. (“ERISA”) because it involves an employee 26 welfare benefit plan within the meaning of that statute. 27 3. In making the above Findings of Fact and the foregoing Conclusions of 28 Law, the Court employed a “de novo” standard of judicial review, per the parties’ 1 agreement, and conducted an independent and thorough inspection of the Record 2 without affording any deference to the plan administrator’s findings. Silver v. 3 Executive Car Leasing Long-Term Disability Plan, 466 F.3d 727, 728 (9th Cir. 4 2006). 5 The Pre-existing Condition Exclusion Does Not Apply [6] 4. Because Guardian relied on an exclusion to coverage under the Policy, [7] it has the burden to establish that the exclusion applies. See Dowdy v. Metropolitan [8] Life Ins. Co., 890 F.3d 802, 810 (9th Cir. 2018). The court in McClure v. Life Ins. [9] Co. of N. Am., 84 F.3d 1129 (9th Cir. 1996), determined that the proper standard is [10] whether a preexisting condition “substantially contributed” to the loss, “even though [11] the claimed injury was the predominant or proximate cause of the disability.” Id. at [12] 1136. [13] 5. The Court finds that Guardian has failed to meet its burden. [14] 6. An examination of Plaintiff’s medical records shows that Plaintiff had [15] not seen a therapist in years before January 2021. Moreover, his test results show [16] that the symptoms for his preexisting depression and anxiety were minimal. [17] (AR:1019-23, 2239). In early 2021, however, he started suffering from a variety of [18] severe symptoms, including: psychosis, brain fog, cognitive impairments, extreme [19] pacing, fever, chills, insomnia, panic attacks, restlessness, agitation, “pressure in his [20] head,” loss of the ability to communicate, short-term memory damage, and damage [21] to his ability to process information. (AR:691, 695, 881, 931, 987, 2040, 2254, [22] 3255-56, 3258, 3274, 3411, 5380). His minimal prior anxiety and depression were [23] categorically different than the symptoms he suffered beginning in early 2021, such [24] that any preexisting condition did not substantially contribute to his disability. [25] 7. Guardian’s own peer review doctor, Dr. Richardson, informed [26] Guardian that there was no connection between Plaintiff’s disability and his pre27 existing conditions. Dr. Richardson stated that “The conditions the claimant [28] 1 received advice, treatment, or medication caused by, contributed to by, or resulting 2 from those conditions between 2/1/20-4/30/20; did not cause or contribute to the 3 conditions that are impairing as of 3/25/21.” (AR:5379). An examination of Dr. 4 Richardson’s report shows that he was aware of Plaintiff’s mental health history. 5 He spoke with Dr. Lee and received medical records from the period in question. 6 (AR:5375, 5378). He concluded that the pre-existing conditions and treatment 7 therefore did not cause or contribute to the disability. No physician refuted this 8 position. 9 8. Contrary to Guardian’s assertion, multiple doctors considered that 10 Plaintiff’s treatment with Zyprexa was for psychosis. This included Drs. Neff, 11 Richardson, and Priscilla Armstrong, Psy.D. (AR:707, 987, 5376). 12 9. Plaintiff’s medical records demonstrate that COVID-19 has been 13 shown to cause psychosis and could potentially have caused psychosis here. 14 (AR:695, 707-08). Guardian’s own employee acknowledged this. (AR:562-63). It is 15 not necessary for Plaintiff’s claim, however, to demonstrate that COVID-19 16 triggered his health problems in early 2021. Plaintiff must demonstrate that what 17 rendered Plaintiff disabled was not caused or substantially contributed to by a pre18 existing condition or its treatment. The prior identified mental health 19 conditions/treatments did not “cause or substantially contribute to” the disability 20 during the lookback period. 21 10. The Policy inquires whether a pre-existing condition, or treatment 22 related thereto, “caused or substantially contributed” to the disability. As Dr. 23 Richardson explained, Plaintiff’s prior treatment for his depression, anxiety, and 24 ADHD during the lookback period had no connection with his disability. Plaintiff 25 was not disabled as a result of his preexisting common anxiety or depression. The 26 record shows that COVID-19 likely caused Plaintiff’s initially disabling symptoms 27 in January 2021. This, in turn, prompted the administering of Zyprexa which caused 28 Plaintiff’s debilitating TA and TD. 1 11. The weight of the evidence does not support that Plaintiff’s pre-existing 2 conditions or treatment related thereto caused the disability. Guardian has failed to 3 carry its burden. 4 Plaintiff Was Disabled Under the Policy [5] 12. Given that the pre-existing condition exclusion does not apply, the [6] Court now examines whether Plaintiff was disabled due to his TA and TD. The [7] evidence shows that he was. [8] 13. The Court initially notes that Defendants have failed to argue that [9] Plaintiff was not disabled during the time period in question. As such, Plaintiff’s [10] disability is undisputed. [11] 14. The Court further notes that multiple physicians concluded that [12] Plaintiff was disabled during the time period in question. Dr. Richardson determined [13] that Plaintiff was totally disabled from January 2021 through July 4, 2021. [14] (AR:5379-80). Dr. Richardson based this conclusion on Plaintiff’s TA/TD and [15] hyperkinetic movement disorder. (AR:5380). However, the evidence establishes that [16] Plaintiff was still disabled well after that time period. (AR:2694, 3270-71, 3274-75). [17] An examination of Dr. Richardson’s report shows that he was not provided with this [18] evidence and could not know that Plaintiff was disabled beyond that date. [19] (AR:5375-77). [20] 15. Plaintiff’s own physicians also determined that Plaintiff was disabled. [21] Dr. Lee, certified that Plaintiff could not work as of October 26, 2021. He explained, [22] “The patient’s current ability to function is impaired to the extent that he is not able [23] to work.” (AR:3270-71). [24] 16. Dr. Martinez and Dr. Neff both concluded that Plaintiff could not work. [25] (AR:659, 681, 3274-75). On July 22, 2021, Dr. Martinez explained that Plaintiff had [26] an expected return to work date of July 20, 2022. (AR:2694). In a statement as late [28] 1 as October 25, 2021, Dr. Martinez continued to certify that Plaintiff was disabled 2 due to his TA and TD. (AR:3274-75). 3 17. In light of this evidence, and Guardian’s lack of argument to the 4 contrary, the Court finds that Plaintiff has sufficiently established that he was 5 disabled under the Policy. Treatment of Plaintiff’s pre-existing conditions did not cause his disability [6] 7 18. Guardian argues that Plaintiff suffered from depression and anxiety 8 during the lookback period, that the same depression and anxiety became severe, 9 that he took Zyprexa for that specific depression and anxiety, and that the treatment 10 of the pre-existing conditions caused Plaintiff’s TA and TD. Dkt. 27 at 17-18. The 11 Record does not support Guardian’s position. 12 19. An examination of the Record does not support Guardian’s conclusion 13 that Plaintiff’s mental health was quickly deteriorating before he developed COVID14 19. 15 20. Notably, Guardian’s own peer-review physician rejected this argument. 16 Having conversed with one of Plaintiff’s treating physicians, and having reviewed 17 Plaintiff’s medical records, Dr. Richardson addressed Guardian’s specific questions. 18 He concluded that Plaintiff had pre-existing conditions that he received advice or 19 treatment for. (AR:5379). However, when addressing Plaintiff’s disability, he 20 explained: The conditions the claimant received advice, treatment, or medication 21 caused by, contributed to by, or resulting from those conditions between 2/1/2022 4/30/20; did not cause or contribute to the conditions that are impairing as of 23 3/25/21. (AR:5379). 24 21. Guardian’s attempts to refute this statement are not persuasive. 25 Guardian insists that the context of the statement does not support the Court’s 26 reading thereof. However, Dr. Richardson was well briefed on Plaintiff’s mental 27 health issues and was asked specifically about them. He explicitly stated that pre28 1 existing conditions did not contribute to the disability. Guardian’s arguments to the 2 contrary are not persuasive. 3 22. No doctor in the evidence presented concluded that Plaintiff’s prior 4 depression and anxiety during the lookback period, or treatment related thereto, 5 caused his disabling symptoms in 2021. 6 23. Guardian focuses on the fact that the records from Dr. Moldawsky 7 reference pre-existing anxiety and depression. However, medical diagnoses often 8 change over time as symptoms develop and emerge. That Dr. Moldawsky believed 9 at the onset of Plaintiff’s severe symptoms that pre-existing anxiety and depression 10 may have been reasonable at the time, even though it later became clear that 11 Plaintiff’s condition was substantially different. Guardian’s insistence that 12 Plaintiff’s psychosis was simply a more severe form of his prior anxiety and 13 depression is not consistent with the facts or evidence. 14 24. Dr. Richardson cites Dr. Carolyn Neff’s comments that clearly make 15 that distinction. (AR:5376). When addressing Plaintiff’s hospitalization in March 16 2021, Dr. Neff explains that Plaintiff had been taking Zyprexa for “psychosis.” 17 (AR:5376), indicating that when Dr. Moldawsky prescribed the medications, it was 18 for psychosis, not for anxiety or depression. Plaintiff’s neuropsychological 19 evaluation also makes that distinction when analyzing Plaintiff’s medical history. 20 (AR:707-08, 987). 21 25. Guardian cites a single April 2021 medical record from Dr. Moldawski 22 wherein Dr. Moldawski stated that Plaintiff was not psychotic during that visit. Dr. 23 Moldawski did not state that Plaintiff was not psychotic in early January 2021. The 24 Record demonstrates that multiple practitioners concluded the contrary, with 25 different doctors reaching different conclusions from Dr. Moldawski based on more 26 complete evaluations of Plaintiff’s array of symptoms. Guardian’s characterization 27 of why Plaintiff was prescribed the medication, and his mental health problems, is 28 inaccurate. 1 26. Contrary to Guardian’s assertions regarding COVID-19, Plaintiff’s 2 neurological medical records from Dr. Neff’s treatments state that his COVID-19 3 could have caused his sudden deterioration in January 2021. They state: “Note: 4 onset of psychosis and anxiety after covid in January, medical literature support 5 this is a possible sequelae.” (emphasis added). (AR:707-08). Plaintiff’s medical 6 records from March 25, 2021 also noted that these changes were a “possible post 7 viral event[.]” (AR: 695) Robbin Holley, BHCM, a Guardian employee, noted that 8 made a note that the “case could be strongly made” that COVID-19 caused 9 Plaintiff’s mental health problems. (AR:562-63). 10 27. Guardian argues that Plaintiff’s COVID-19 symptoms “were the same 11 or similar symptoms of depression and anxiety for which he had been treated 12 previously.” Dkt. 27 at 19. By January 4, 2021, however, Plaintiff’s condition had 13 fundamentally changed from anything previously documented. For example, 14 Plaintiff’s neuropsychological evaluation explained that: Mr. Kim and his wife 15 reported that he contracted COVID-19 in early January 2021. After that time he 16 began experiencing difficulties with attention, increased anxiety, restlessness, and 17 new onset of psychosis. They reported that he had 4 days of pressure in his head 18 and he took ibuprofen. He began pacing outside at night and could not sleep. He 19 began with odd cognition and panic. He reported foggy recall about all of those 20 incidents. He began panicking about work related topics. His wife reported that he 21 became agitated and his affect changed. He was up all night for 4 total days without 22 any sleep. He was very apathetic to things and did not have any enjoyment. 23 (AR:987). All of these symptoms occurred before he was prescribed Zyprexa. 24 (AR:987). 25 28. Guardian argues that even if depression and anxiety did not contribute 26 to Plaintiff’s development of TA and TD, his depression and anxiety still 27 substantially contributed to his disability. Dkt. 27 at 23. This argument is flawed. [28] 1 29. Guardian fails to differentiate between (1) mild, low-grade, non2 disabling depression and anxiety, and (2) a psychotic breakdown triggered by some 3 outside cause, possibly COVID-19. The differences between these conditions, 4 however, are significant. 5 30. The parties dispute whether Dowdy v. Metropolitan Life Insurance Co., [6] 890 F.3d 802, 810 (9th Cir. 2018), or Estate of Maurice v. Life Insurance Co. of 7 North America, 792 F.App’x 499 (9th Cir. 2020), control. Having examined the 8 record, the Court finds that the current matter is governed by Dowdy. 9 31. In Dowdy, the insured, Tommy Dowdy, had diabetes. He was in a car 10 accident that resulted in a severe fracture to his left ankle that nearly amputated his 11 lower leg. His ankle injury failed to improve. He was transferred back to the 12 hospital after three months because he suffered persistent leg infections related to 13 his original injury that would not heal due to his diabetes. His leg was amputated 14 below the knee “due to his comorbidities” (wound issues complicated by his 15 diabetes) and his original injury from the car accident. He submitted a claim for the 16 dismemberment of his leg. MetLife denied his claim based on the policy’s insuring 17 clause – which required that an accident be the “direct and sole cause” of the 18 amputation “independent of other causes” – and the exclusion for losses 19 “contributed to by . . . illness.” MetLife asserted that Dowdy’s diabetes contributed 20 to the amputation and, therefore, it was not covered under the policy. Id. at 805-07 , 21 811. Even though the Ninth Circuit found that diabetes was a “contributing factor” 22 to the insured’s dismemberment loss, it held the loss was covered because diabetes 23 was not enough of a factor to meet the “substantial contribution” test, something the 24 court said applied to the policy as a matter of law. Id. at 808 . The court explained 25 that “[i]n order to be considered a substantial contributing factor for the purpose of a 26 provision restricting coverage to direct and sole causes of injury, a pre-existing 27 condition must be more than merely a contributing factor.” Id. at 809 (emphasis 28 original). The court reasoned that “a ‘predisposition’ or ‘susceptibility’ to injury, 1 whether it results from congenital weakness or from previous illness or injury, does 2 not necessarily amount to a substantial contributing cause. A mere ‘relationship’ of 3 undetermined degree is not enough.’” Id. at 808 (internal citations omitted). 4 32. Ultimately, the court held that there must be evidence showing that the 5 preexisting ailment contributed a “significant magnitude of causation” and was a 6 “substantial catalyst.” Id. The preexisting condition cannot “merely [be] related to 7 the injury.” Id. 8 33. The second case, Estate of Maurice, also involved an accident, 9 diabetes, and an amputation. See Estate of Maurice, 792 F.App’x at 500. The 10 exclusion in dispute there was similar to that in Dowdy. However, as opposed to the 11 serious car accident in Dowdy, the claimant in Maurice’s accident was that he 12 simply stepped on some glass. See id. Like in Dowdy, the claimant’s diabetes 13 stopped the injury from healing properly and resulted in part of his leg being 14 amputated. The Maurice court ruled that the injury was sufficiently minor that the 15 diabetes was a much more significant catalyst of the cause of the amputation. See [16] id. 17 34. Here, the pre-existing conditions Guardian asserts were excluded are 18 depression and anxiety, conditions so minimal that they did not even register on the 19 last tests before the lookback period in Plaintiff’s medical records. (AR:881). Based 20 on the Record, the Court concludes that Plaintiff would have become psychotic even 21 without his prior mild depression and anxiety. 22 General Conclusions of Law 23 35. The medical evidence in the Record supports Plaintiff’s claim that his 24 diagnoses, accompanying symptoms, and functional restrictions prevented him from 25 performing his own usual occupational duties in the usual and customary way. 26 36. Following a de novo review of the available evidence, the Court finds 27 that Plaintiff was disabled from performing his usual occupation due to various 28 conditions that were not connected to Plaintiff’s pre-existing conditions. These 1 || conditions include hyperkinetic movement disorder, TA, TD, and Psychosis. His 2 || disability is not excluded by the pre-existing condition exclusion. 3 37. For all these reasons, Plaintiff is disabled under the terms of Guardian’s 4 || policy under a de novo determination of the available evidence. The Court 5 ||}concludes Guardian’s denial decision was incorrect and is hereby overturned by this 6 || Court. 7 38. The Court awards Plaintiff his past-due LTD benefits from March 25, 8 2021 through March 2022, pre-judgment interest thereon, and attorneys’ fees and 9 || costs. 10 39. Plaintiff has achieved “some degree of success on the merits” under 11 || Hardt v. Reliance Std. Life Ins. Co., 560 U.S. 242 (2010) and is therefore entitled to 12 || reasonable attorneys’ fees and costs in this action. 13 40. The parties are to meet and confer on a Proposed Judgment, consistent 14 |} with the Findings of this Order and Plaintiff is to submit the same to the Court 15 || within ten (10) days of the date of these findings. Thereafter, the parties are to meet 16 || and confer regarding attorneys’ fees. If the parties are unable to reach an agreement 17 ||regarding the amount of fees, Plaintiff may submit his fee motion to the Court 18 || within thirty (30) days of Judgment. [19] Ah puid 0 Costin 21 || Dated: May 9, 2024 UNITED STATES DistRict COURT JUDGE