Todorova v. Commissioner, SSA ( 2019 )

FILED
United States Court of Appeals
UNITED STATES COURT OF APPEALS Tenth Circuit
FOR THE TENTH CIRCUIT January 31, 2019
_________________________________
Elisabeth A. Shumaker
Clerk of Court
DAGMAR MARIE TODOROVA,
Plaintiff - Appellant,
v. No. 18-2082
(D.C. No. 1:17-CV-00551-KRS)
COMMISSIONER, SSA, (D. N.M.)
Defendant - Appellee.
_________________________________
ORDER AND JUDGMENT*
_________________________________
Before McHUGH, BALDOCK, and O’BRIEN, Circuit Judges.
_________________________________
Dagmar Marie Todorova appeals pro se from a district court order that affirmed
the denial of her application for social security disability insurance benefits (SSDIB).
Exercising jurisdiction under 28 U.S.C. § 1291 and 42 U.S.C. § 405(g), we affirm.
*
After examining the briefs and appellate record, this panel has determined
unanimously that oral argument would not materially assist in the determination of
this appeal. See Fed. R. App. P. 34(a)(2); 10th Cir. R. 34.1(G). The case is therefore
ordered submitted without oral argument. This order and judgment is not binding
precedent, except under the doctrines of law of the case, res judicata, and collateral
estoppel. It may be cited, however, for its persuasive value consistent with
Fed. R. App. P. 32.1 and 10th Cir. R. 32.1.
BACKGROUND
Todorova has a college education and has worked as an accountant and a
controller. She suffers from mitral stenosis,1 mitral valve replacement surgery in 2000,
and reflex sympathetic dystrophy (RSD).2 To manage her medical conditions, she takes
prescription medications to prevent blood clotting and to lower her cholesterol and blood
pressure, as well as over-the-counter pain medications.
In 2013, Todorova applied for SSDIB, claiming her disability began in September
2004, at the age of fifty-one, and continued through her last-insured date of December
2009. After her application was denied, she sought review before an administrative law
judge (ALJ).
At a hearing, Todorova appeared pro se and identified her “big problem [a]s the
RSD” affecting her left foot, which, she said, was diagnosed in 1993 and has required the
use of crutches and a cane for ambulation. R. at 43-45, 171. When discussing her
accounting career, she said she could not “do it anymore . . . because after [her heart]
surgery [she developed a brain abscess and]. . . lost almost more than 60 percent of [her]
brain power.” Id. at 46, 172.
The ALJ determined that none of Todorova’s impairments, singularly or in
combination, was severe. The ALJ acknowledged that Todorova’s impairments could
1
Mitral stenosis is a “pathologic narrowing of the orifice of the mitral [heart]
valve.” Stedman’s Medical Dictionary 1695 (27th ed. 2000).
2
RSD “is also known as complex regional pain syndrome, and it occurs after
an illness or injury such as surgery or an infection.” R. at 354-55.
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produce the symptoms she alleged, but not to the degree she claimed. The ALJ explained
that the minimal medical record during Todorova’s period of disability showed no
functional limitations and few medication side effects. Indeed, during the only medical
appointment shown for that period, in December 2007, Todorova’s cardiologist wrote
that she “appear[ed] to have done quite well 7 years after mitral valve surgery,” with
well-controlled blood pressure, normal sinus rhythm, and normal balance, gait, and
coordination. Id. at 291. The cardiologist advised yearly prophylactic examinations and
the continued use of blood-thinning medication. Further, the ALJ cited Todorova’s own
function report, which indicated she could perform various light household chores, shop
for groceries once a week, and walk a half-mile before resting.
Finally, the ALJ cited the opinions of two State agency medical consultants. The
initial consultant noted the dearth of medical records from Todorova’s disability period
(2004-2009), and he concluded there was “insufficient evidence to evaluate the claim.”
Id. at 58. A different consultant on reconsideration obtained more medical records, but
he “affirmed the initial assessment,” stating there was not “sufficient functional evidence
in light of [Todorova’s] allegations to evaluate [her] claim for the relevant period.”
Id. at 64. In particular, the reconsideration consultant observed, “[t]here [wa]s no
evidence of treatment for, or functional limitations related to, [RSD] . . . during the
relevant period of evaluation,” and the “one cardiology visit on 12/26/07 . . . finds
[Todorova] doing quite well.” Id. at 65.
After the ALJ found Todorova not disabled, she retained counsel and sought
judicial review to overturn the ALJ’s decision. She argued that the ALJ erred in (1)
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finding her impairments not severe, (2) not developing her medical record, and (3)
finding her not entirely credible. The district court affirmed the ALJ’s decision.
Todorova appeals.
DISCUSSION
I. Standards of Review
We review the district court’s decision de novo, independently determining
whether the ALJ correctly applied the law and whether substantial evidence supports his
findings. Wall v. Astrue, 561 F.3d 1048, 1052 (10th Cir. 2009). “Substantial evidence is
more than a mere scintilla and is such relevant evidence as a reasonable mind might
accept as adequate to support a conclusion.” Flaherty v. Astrue, 515 F.3d 1067, 1070
(10th Cir. 2007) (internal quotation marks omitted).3 Because Todorova is pro se, we
liberally construe her filings, but we do not act as her advocate. Yang v. Archuleta, 525
F.3d 925, 927 n.1 (10th Cir. 2008).
II. Severe Impairment
Todorova challenges the ALJ’s determination that she is not disabled because she
lacks a severe impairment. We discern no reversible error.
“If the claimant has no severe impairments, the [ALJ] can end the review”
process. Smith v. Colvin, 821 F.3d 1264, 1266 (10th Cir. 2016). An impairment is “not
severe” when the “medical evidence establishes only a slight abnormality or a
3
Insofar as Todorova seeks “Judicial review by this Court with medical
professional staff’s opinion,” Aplt. Opening Br. at 4, she misapprehends this court’s
role on appeal. In reviewing the ALJ’s decision, “we neither reweigh the evidence
nor substitute our judgment for that of the agency.” Bowman v. Astrue, 511 F.3d
1270, 1272 (10th Cir. 2008) (internal quotation marks omitted).
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combination of slight abnormalities which would have no more than a minimal effect on
an individual’s ability to work.” Bowen v. Yuckert, 482 U.S. 137, 154 n.12 (1987)
(internal quotation marks omitted). In other words, “[a]n impairment or combination of
impairments is not severe if it does not significantly limit [the claimant’s] physical or
mental ability to do basic work activities.” 20 C.F.R. § 404.1522(a). To find that a
claimant is not severely impaired, an ALJ must “careful[ly] evaluat[e] . . . the medical
findings which describe the impairment(s) and [make] an informed judgment about its
(their) limiting effects on the individual’s physical and mental ability(ies) to perform
basic work activities.” SSR 85-28, 1985 WL 56856, at *4.
In Todorova’s case, the ALJ performed a proper severity analysis, and his finding
of no severe impairment(s) is supported by substantial evidence. Indeed, as noted above,
the ALJ discussed Todorova’s medical records from the relevant period, referenced the
medical consultants’ opinions, and relied on Todorova’s own characterization of her
activities. Doing so, the ALJ found no evidence that she was significantly limited in her
ability to perform basic work activities during the 2004-2009 disability period.
Todorova contests the ALJ’s severity determination by claiming “clear proof of
[the] [C]ommissioner’s fabricating mind.” Aplt. Opening Br. at 3. According to
Todorova, the Commissioner misstated that (1) she was taking the anticoagulant
medication Coumadin only in 2003-2004, and (2) she walks with a normal gait. Id.Todorova’s claims are unfounded. First, in regard to Todorova’s use of Coumadin, the
ALJ accurately observed that “although [she] was on Coumadin therapy in 2003 and
2004, there is no evidence [she] experienced any prolonged symptoms or limitation from
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this treatment.” R. at 31. Moreover, the ALJ observed that Todorova’s cardiologist in
2007 “referred [her] to a Coumadin clinic.” Id. Second, regarding Todorova’s gait, the
ALJ correctly noted that her cardiologist reported her gait was normal. Thus, the ALJ’s
observations are supported by substantial evidence.
Todorova points out that the ALJ mistakenly reported “[s]he is able to prepare and
cook daily meals,” id., despite her statement that she could prepare meals only “2 times a
week,” id. at 165. Further, Todorova notes that the ALJ failed to acknowledge she is able
to shop for groceries “only because her husband drives [her] to the store,” Aplt. Opening
Br. at 2. But minor factual discrepancies such as these do not serve as a basis for reversal
where, as here, the ALJ’s decision is otherwise supported by substantial evidence. See
Allen v. Barnhart, 357 F.3d 1140, 1145 (10th Cir. 2004) (stating that errors “minor
enough not to undermine confidence in the determination of the case” do not warrant
remand (internal quotation marks omitted)).
III. Record Development
Todorova contends generally on appeal that the ALJ failed to adequately develop
the record. She explained in the district court that the ALJ should have (1) focused her
testimony on “the years prior to 2009 [her last insured date]”; (2) asked “for specific
evidence of how her cognitive functioning affects her”; (3) obtained records about her
RSD that preceded her disability onset date by as much as a decade; and (4) ordered a
consultative examination. R. at 353-56.
A social-security claimant bears the burden of proving she is disabled, Maes v.
Astrue, 522 F.3d 1093, 1096 (10th Cir. 2008), while an ALJ must “ensure that an
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adequate record is developed during the disability hearing consistent with the issues
raised,” Cowan v. Astrue, 552 F.3d 1182, 1187 (10th Cir. 2008) (internal quotation marks
omitted). The ALJ’s “duty is heightened when the claimant is unrepresented.” Cowan,
552 F.3d at 1187 (internal quotation marks omitted).
We conclude that the ALJ met her record obligations in this case. First, the ALJ
clearly explained to Todorova that the critical time period for showing that she was
disabled was the period from her alleged onset date of 2004 to her last insured date of
2009. See Henrie v. U.S. Dep’t of Health & Human Servs., 13 F.3d 359, 360 (10th Cir.
1993).
Second, although Todorova mentioned a loss of “brain power” at the hearing, she
did not claim any sort of cognitive disability in her SSDIB application. “Isolated and
unsupported comments by the claimant are insufficient, by themselves, to raise the
suspicion of the existence of a nonexertional impairment” that requires further
investigation. Hawkins v. Chater, 113 F.3d 1162, 1167 (10th Cir. 1997).
Third, development of a claimant’s medical record generally involves “at least the
12 months preceding” the claimant’s disability application, 20 C.F.R. § 404.1512(b)(1),
or the last-insured date, id. § 404.1512(b)(1)(ii). An earlier period, such as the 1993
timeframe of Todorova’s RSD diagnosis, may be developed if “there is a reason to
believe that development . . . is necessary.” Id. § 404.1512(b)(1). But given Todorova’s
description of her daily activities, her continuing to work for over a decade after her RSD
diagnosis, and her cardiologist’s 2007 observation that she exhibited normal balance,
7
gait, and coordination, the ALJ could reasonably have concluded that record development
for the 1993 period was unnecessary.4
Fourth, an ALJ “has broad latitude” in determining whether to order a consultative
examination. Hawkins, 113 F.3d at 1166. Although a consultative examination may be
required if there is a direct conflict in the medical evidence, the medical evidence is
inconclusive, or “additional tests [we]re required to explain a diagnosis,” id., there were
no such circumstances here. Indeed, there is no need for a consultative examination
where the ALJ had enough information to make a disability determination. See Cowan,
552 F.3d at 1187 (concluding that “sufficient information existed for the ALJ to make her
disability determination” without ordering a consultative examination concerning
claimant’s mental impairment).
IV. Credibility
“Credibility determinations are peculiarly the province of the finder of fact, and
we will not upset such determinations when supported by substantial evidence.”
4
We note that Todorova has not identified any omitted records for the period
from her disability-onset date to her last-insured date. She has, however, attached to
her opening appellate brief a 2018 letter from a medical provider indicating that in
2006 “she established as a new patient for anticoagulation therapy” and was
“followed for Hypertension and Hyperlipidemia, for which she takes medications.”
Aplt. Opening Br. at 7. Also attached to the brief are six pages of medical records
from the 1992-1993 period, reflecting (1) diagnoses of a heart infection, brain
abscess, and RSD; and (2) physical therapy for her RSD. The Appeals Council
apparently considered some, if not all, of this evidence and concluded it did not
provide a basis to overturn the ALJ’s decision. We conclude that remand for
consideration of this evidence is not warranted. Specifically, there is no indication
that “the [ALJ’s] decision might reasonably have been different had the new evidence
been before him when his decision was rendered.” Wilson v. Astrue, 602 F.3d 1136,
1148 (10th Cir. 2010) (brackets and internal quotation marks omitted).
8
Newbold v. Colvin, 718 F.3d 1257, 1267 (10th Cir. 2013) (internal quotation marks
omitted). Here, the ALJ reviewed the record medical evidence and substantiated his
conclusion that Todorova’s description of her limitations was not entirely consistent with
the record evidence. Todorova provides no contrary argument. Her challenge to the
ALJ’s credibility determination is, therefore, waived. See Coleman v. B-G Maint. Mgmt.
of Colo., Inc., 108 F.3d 1199, 1205 (10th Cir. 1997) (“Issues not raised in the opening
brief are deemed abandoned or waived.”).
CONCLUSION
The district court’s judgment is affirmed.
Entered for the Court
Carolyn B. McHugh
Circuit Judge
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