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SLATER v. ASTRUE
DEMON V. SLATER, v. MICHAEL J. ASTRUE, Commissioner of Social Security.
March 23, 2012.
Demon Victorell Slater, Plaintiff, represented by Quinn Eric Brock, Brock & Stout.
Michael J. Astrue, Commissioner of Social Security, Defendant, represented by Dorrelyn K Dietrich, Social Security Admin, Office of General Counsel Region VIII, John Jay Lee, Social Security Administration, & Robert Randolph Neeley, U.S. Attorney’s Office.
MEMORANDUM OPINION AND ORDER
TERRY F. MOORER, Magistrate Judge.
Demon V. Slater (“Plaintiff” or “Slater”) originally applied for supplemental security income under Title XVI of the Social Security Act (“the Act”), 42 U.S.C. §§ 1381 et seq., on August 23, 2007. After being denied, Slater timely filed for and received a hearing before an administrative law judge (“ALJ“) who rendered an unfavorable decision on February 18, 2010. Slater subsequently petitioned for review to the Appeals Council who rejected review of Slater’s case on March 17, 2011. As a result, the ALJ’s decision became the final decision of the Commissioner of Social Security (“Commissioner”). Id. Judicial review proceeds pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 405(g), and 28 U.S.C. § 636(c). After a thorough review of the record in this case and the briefs of the parties, the Court concludes that the decision of the Commissioner should be REVERSED and this case REMANDED to the Commissioner for further proceedings.
I. NATURE OF THE CASE
Slater seeks judicial review of the Commissioner’s decision denying his application for disability insurance benefits. United States District Courts may conduct limited review of such decisions to determine whether they comply with applicable law and are supported by substantial evidence. 42 U.S.C. § 405. The court may affirm, reverse and remand with instructions, or reverse and render a judgment. Id.
II. STANDARD OF REVIEW
The Court’s review of the Commissioner’s decision is a limited one. The Court’s sole function is to determine whether the ALJ’s opinion is supported by substantial evidence and whether the proper legal standards were applied.
“The Social Security Act mandates that `findings of the Secretary as to any fact, if supported by substantial evidence, shall be conclusive.’” Thus, this Court must find the Commissioner’s decision conclusive if it is supported by substantial evidence. Substantial evidence is more than a scintilla — i.e., the evidence must do more than merely create a suspicion of the existence of a fact, and must include such relevant evidence as a reasonable person would accept as adequate to support the conclusion.
If the Commissioner’s decision is supported by substantial evidence, the district court will affirm, even if the court would have reached a contrary result as finder of fact, and even if the evidence preponderates against the Commissioner’s findings. The Court “may not decide facts anew, re-weigh the evidence, or substitute [its] judgment for that of the [Commissioner],” but rather it “must defer to the Commissioner’s decision if it is supported by substantial evidence.”
The Court will also reverse a Commissioner’s decision on plenary review if the decision applies incorrect law, or if the decision fails to provide the district court with sufficient reasoning to determine that the Commissioner properly applied the law.
III. STATUTORY AND REGULATORY FRAMEWORK
The Social Security Act’s general disability insurance benefits program (“DIB“) provides income to individuals who are forced into involuntary, premature retirement, provided they are both insured and disabled, regardless of indigence. See 42 U.S.C. § 423(a). The Social Security Act’s Supplemental Security Income (“SSI”) is a separate and distinct program. SSI is a general public assistance measure providing an additional resource to the aged, blind, and disabled to assure that their income does not fall below the poverty line. Eligibility for SSI is based upon proof of indigence and disability. However, despite the fact they are separate programs, the law and regulations governing a claim for DIB and a claim for SSI are identical; therefore, claims for DIB and SSI are treated identically for the purpose of determining whether a claimant is disabled. Applicants under DIB and SSI must provide “disability” within the meaning of the Social Security Act which defines disability in virtually identical language for both programs. A person is entitled to disability benefits when the person is unable to
Engage in any substantial gainful activity by reason of any medically determinable physical or mental impairment which can be expected to result in death or which has lasted or can be expected to last for a continuous period of not less than 12 months.
A “physical or mental impairment” is one resulting from anatomical, physiological, or psychological abnormalities which are demonstrable by medically acceptable clinical and laboratory diagnostic techniques.
The Commissioner of Social Security employs a five-step, sequential evaluation process to determine whether a claimant is entitled to benefits.
(1) Is the person presently unemployed?
(2) Is the person’s impairment(s) severe?
(3) Does the person’s impairment(s) meet or equal one of the specific impairments set forth in 20 C.F.R. Pt. 404, Subpt. P, App. 1?3
(4) Is the person unable to perform his or her former occupation?
(5) Is the person unable to perform any other work within the economy?
An affirmative answer to any of the questions leads either to the next question, or, on steps three and five, to a finding of disability. A negative answer to any question, other than step three, leads to a determination of “not disabled.”
The burden of proof rests on a claimant through Step 4. Claimants establish a prima facie case of qualifying disability once they meet the burden of proof from Step 1 through Step 4. At Step 5, the burden shifts to the Commissioner, who must then show there are a significant number of jobs in the national economy the claimant can perform. Id.
To perform the fourth and fifth steps, the ALJ must determine the claimant’s Residual Functional Capacity (“RFC”). Id. at 1238-39. RFC is what the claimant is still able to do despite his impairments and is based on all relevant medical and other evidence. Id. It also can contain both exertional and nonexertional limitations. Id. at 1242-43. At the fifth step, the ALJ considers the claimant’s RFC, age, education, and work experience to determine if there are jobs available in the national economy the claimant can perform. Id. at 1239. To do this, the ALJ can either use the Medical Vocational Guidelines (“grids”) or hear testimony from a vocational expert (VE). Id. at 1239-40.
The grids allow the ALJ to consider factors such as age, confinement to sedentary or light work, inability to speak English, educational deficiencies, and lack of job experience. Each factor can independently limit the number of jobs realistically available to an individual. Id. at 1240. Combinations of these factors yield a statutorily-required finding of “Disabled” or “Not Disabled.” Id.
IV. ADMINISTRATIVE FINDINGS AND CONCLUSIONS
Slater, age 36 at the time of the hearing, completed the twelfth grade and received a certificate of completion. Slater had special education classes in high school and has limited reading and writing abilities. Slater performed past relevant work as an industrial cleaner (unskilled, medium). Slater has not engaged in substantial gainful activity since his alleged disability onset date of August 23, 2007. Slater has not “ever really worked,” except for a couple positions which spans from a few days to a few weeks. Slater’s mother supports him from her fixed income. Slater claims he is unable to work because he suffers from major depression, anxiety, diabetes, depression, and an IQ score that falls within the range of mental retardation. Slater received disability benefits in the past until the benefits were terminated upon his incarceration.
Slater’s alleged disabilities stem from multiple sources.A doctor diagnosed Slater as suffering from diabetes in 1997. He received regular treatment to control his diabetes, while he received disability benefits and also while incarcerated, but upon release Slater has been unable to afford his medications except when he was able to attain his medications free of charge. Id. Slater alleges that his diabetes has caused him to be admitted to the hospital and the doctors have had to increase his insulin dosage. Slater alleges that he has diabetic neuropathy which causes pain and numbness in his lower legs, feet, and sometimes in his left hand. Id. Slater also alleges that he suffers from hypertension (high blood pressure). Id. Slater is also unable to afford the medications to control his neuropathy and hypertension.
Since Slater’s release from incarceration, he alleges that he suffers from anxiety and major depression. Slater alleges that his anxiety and depression cause him to randomly begin crying, to feel shortness of breath and pain in his chest, and difficulty sleeping. Slater claims that when on his medication these symptoms subside and he is able to sleep well, but at the moment he is unable to afford his medications. Slater also claims that he has difficulty getting along with other people and mostly keeps to himself. Slater alleges that he suffers from mental retardation as defined in the listings of impairments section 12.05. IQ tests reveal Slater has a score of 64 in verbal intelligence IQ, 62 in performance IQ, and a full scale IQ of 60. Slater was in special education classes in high school and alleges that he cannot read or spell very well. Slater also claims that while watching television he is unable to concentrate or follow the storyline.
Slater received treatment from various medical practitioners and the ALJ considered the medical records from these practitioners. The records of Charles A. Wood, M.D. from September and October of 2002 show that Slater was monitored for hypertension, diabetes, and peripheral neuropathy. Slater had elevated glucose and hemoglobin A1C levels. Id. Also, Dr. Woods found Slater suffers from depression post a suicide attempt.
In November of 2007, Mark B. Ellis, D.O. performed a consultative physical evaluation. Id. Slater reported to Dr. Ellis that he sufferes from depression, poor reading skills, diabetes, neuropathy with bilateral leg burning and numbness, decreased sensation to light touch in the feet, and leg weakness. Dr. Ellis found decreased sensation to light touch from Slater’s knees down “becoming more prominent” at the feet, as well as decreased sensation on the bottom and back of Slater’s feet. Dr. Ellis’ diagnostic impression was “poorly controlled diabetes with diabetic neuropathy; and hypertension, high cholesterol, and depression all by history.” Dr. Ellis recommended optimal diabetic care; however, a month later Slater was admitted to Dale Medical Center for uncontrolled diabetes mellitus with a glucose level of 700, blurred vision, nausea, vomiting, hypertension, and neuropathy.
Also in November of 2007, Randall Jordan, Psy.D saw Slater for a consultative mental evaluation. Slater reported depression with chronic sadness, sleep disturbances, and being in special education classes while in school. Id. Dr. Jordan noted that Slater exhibited restricted affect, compromised memory, and below average fund of information. Dr. Jordan administered a Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale Third Edition (“Wechsler”) which tested Slater on verbal, performance, and full scale IQ. Slater earned scores of 64, 62, and 60, respectively. Dr. Jordan noted that these scores are indicative of intellect in the range of mental retardation. Id. However, Dr. Jordan also noted a diagnostic impression of malingering.
In June of 2009, Slater returned to Dale Medical Center with complaints of chest pain. In July of 2009, Slater underwent a stress test which revealed “resting baseline hypertensive heart disease and a marked accelerated hypertensive response to chemical stress.” After being released from Dale Medical Center, Connie Chandler, M.D. followed Slater for chest pain, diabetes, and hyperlipidemia. Slater received numerous medications to control his symptoms. Id. The ALJ noted that no noticeable physical symptoms or complications associated with hyperlipidemia were evidenced, and because of such the ALJ found that it has no effect on Slater’s ability to work. In August of 2009, Dr. Fernando Lopez at Spectra Care saw Slater for his “depressive disorder” and “psychotic features.” Slater claimed he had “sleep disturbances with intermittent nightmares, visual hallucinations, panic attacks, nervousness, and paranoia.” Id. Dr. Lopez proscribed psychotropic medications to Slater to manage his depressive and psychotic symptoms. Id.
V. ISSUES
Slater raises two issues for judicial review:
(1) Whether the ALJ failed to consider if Slater’s medically determinable impairments met or equaled listing 12.05(C); and
(2) Whether the ALJ’s Residual Functional Capacity finding failed to include the required “function-by-function” assessment. See Doc. 12 at 3.
VI. DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
The plaintiff raises several issues and arguments related to this Court’s ultimate inquiry of whether the Commissioner’s disability decision is supported by the proper legal standards and substantial evidence. “[n]o presumption of validity attaches to the Secretary’s determination of the proper legal standards to be applied in evaluating claims”). However, the Court pretermits discussion of the plaintiff’s specific arguments because the Court concludes that the ALJ erred as a matter of law at step three of the sequential analysis. Ergo, the ALJ’s conclusion that the plaintiff is not disabled is not supported by substantial evidence.
The ALJ notes:
At step three, the undersigned must determine whether the claimant’s impairment or combination of impairments meets or medically equals the criteria of an impairment listed in 20 CFR Part 404, Subpart P, Appendix 1 (20 CFR 416.920(d), 416.925, and 416.926). If the claimant’s impairment or combination of impairments meets or medically equals the criteria of a listing and meets the duration requirement (20 CFR 416.909, the claimant is disabled.
The burden of proof rests on a claimant to establish a prima facie case of qualifying disability. Phillips, 357 F.3d at 1237-39. Slater argues that “the ALJ failed to consider whether Mr. Slater’s medically determinable impairments met or equaled listing 12.05(C).” (Pl. Br. 3). Slater provided sufficient medical evidence to meet the prima facie requirement in Phillips, 357 F.3d at 1237-39. The record is replete with references to anxiety and depression, with the ALJ also noting the “full scale IQ scores of 64, 62, and 60.” Plaintiff directly argues the listing of 12.05(C) in the record of the hearing as well as testifying to other limiting factors.
In Fitts v. Massanari, the court “notes that the ALJ made an error more fundamental regarding the listings in that he never once mentioned Listing 12.05, specifically 12.05(C), in his decision denying benefits.” The court held that the ALJ erred in failing to include mild mental retardation in the list of severe impairments and in failing to analyze the evidence in light of the specific requirements of listing 12.05. Id. at *2. In Fitts the court noted that the ALJ’s finding documented both a physical impairment which imposed an “additional and significant work-related limitation of function” and that the record also contained evidence of a valid verbal, performance or full scale IQ score of 60 through 70. Id.
The Court recognizes that a valid IQ score does not mean that conclusive evidence of mental retardation exists, however the validity of IQ score must be addressed by the ALJ. Thomas v. Barnhart, (11th Cir. Dec. 7, 2004)(where the Eleventh Circuit specifically noted that the ALJ did not specifically address the validity of the claimant’s IQ score of 69 and there was “significant evidence” that the score was valid and remanded the case so that the ALJ may properly consider the validity of the claimant’s IQ score.). While the Court concludes there is some question as to the validity and accuracy of the IQ score of Slater, there is no analysis done by the ALJ for the Court to consider. See e.g. Outlaw v. Barnhart, 197 Fed.Appx. 825 (11th Cir. 2006) (where the court held that a “valid IQ score is not conclusive of mental retardation when the IQ score is inconsistent with other evidence in the record about claimant’s daily activities.”).
The Commissioner argues that Slater did not carry his burden to produce evidence that he met the criteria of the listing. (Def. Br. 13, at 7). “[A] claimant must have a diagnosis included in the Listings and must provide medial reports documenting that the conditions meet the specific criteria of the Listings and the duration requirement.” The ALJ must consider whether the claimant meets or equals the listings presented by the claimant. While the ALJ does not need to mechanically recite the fact that a claimant does not meet a listing in his decision, and that the failure to meet the listing may be implied from the record, the ALJ must develop a full and fair record sufficient for this Court to review. Additionally, the Court notes that Slater bears a burden “of proving that he is disabled, and consequently, he is responsible for producing evidence in support of his claim.” The Court makes the limited ruling that the issue of mental retardation pursuant to the listing 12.05(C) was raised sufficiently by Slater to show a prima facie case of a possible ailment that, by itself, can be found to be disabling, or disabling in conjunction with other disabilities, and the ALJ failed to address it in either the hearing or the opinion. The Court notes that the ALJ directly addressed and discussed the Listings for 12.04 and 12.06, looking at the “paragraph B” and “paragraph C” requirements, but conspicuously failed to address the 12.05(C) Listing that was directly argued by the Claimant.
Furthermore, because the ALJ did not recognize the evidence that Slater suffers from mental retardation, he did not properly consider the effects of this impairment on Slater’s ability to work. Consequently, the Court cannot determine whether the ALJ’s conclusion that Slater is not disabled is properly supported by substantial evidence. It is plain that the plaintiff suffers from physical and non-physical impairments, but it is less clear as to the effect of those impairments. “Even a `mild’ mental impairment may `prevent [a] claimant from engaging in the full range of jobs contemplated by the exertional category for which the claimant otherwise qualifies.’”
For these reasons, the Court concludes that the Commissioner erred as a matter of law, and that the case warrants remand for further proceedings regarding whether the IQ score is valid, and if there are other mental or physical impairments that would cause the claimant to meet the listing under 12.05(C). The ALJ must consider every impairment alleged by the plaintiff and determine whether the alleged impairments are sufficiently severe — either singly or in combination — to create a disability. All of the plaintiff’s impairments must be considered in combination even when the impairments considered separately are not severe. In light of the ALJ’s failure to fully and fairly consider the evidence in the record of the plaintiff’s possible mental retardation, the Court concludes that the ALJ failed to meet his burden in this regard. As a result of his failure to consider the plaintiff’s impairments in combination, doubt is necessarily cast upon the ALJ’s conclusion that the plaintiff is not disabled.
V. ConclusionAccordingly, this case will be reversed and remanded to the Commissioner for further proceedings consistent with this opinion. A separate order will be entered.

SOMETIMES SOCIAL SECURITY WILL IGNORE YOUR TREATING PHYSICIAN'S OPINION.

OSMORE v. ASTRUE

COULETTE OSMORE v. MICHAEL J. ASTRUE, Commissioner of the Social Security Administration

No. 11-35212.

United States Court of Appeals, Ninth Circuit.

Filed March 20, 2012.

Before: PAEZ and FERNANDEZ, Circuit Judges, and GWIN, District Judge.***

MEMORANDUM

Coulette Osmore appeals the district court’s judgment reversing the Commissioner’s final decision that Osmore was not disabled within the meaning of Title XVI of the Social Security Act, 42 U.S.C. §1383c(a)(3), and remanding the matter for further administrative proceedings. With her appeal, Osmore seeks an order that, on remand, the Adminstrative Law Judge (ALJ) must complete an entirely new evaluation of Osmore’s Supplemental Security Income and Disability Insurance Benefits applications. We affirm.

Evaluation of the Medical Evidence

The Commissioner says that, on remand, he will both consider the effects of Osmore’s mental impairments and allow Osmore to argue that medication side effects limit her residual functional capacity. Accordingly, Osmore’s claim that the ALJ improperly disregarded evidence of Osmore’s depression and medication side effects is moot. (“An appeal is moot if there exists no `present controversy as to which effect relief can be granted.’” On remand, the ALJ must consider Osmore’s mental impairments and medication side effects.

The ALJ did not err by failing to discuss specifically Osmore’s MRI and CT scan results. “[I]n interpreting the evidence and developing the record, the ALJ does not need to discuss every piece of evidence.“Here, Osmore’s MRI results were consistent with her CT scan results. Both revealed that Osmore has the severe impairment spondylolisthesis. The ALJ properly considered Osmore’s medical records—including records that evaluated her MRI and CT scan—in evaluating Osmore’s impairments.

The ALJ provided specific and legitimate reasons for rejecting Dr. Tim Truschel’s (a treating physician) opinion: other treating and non-treating physicians’ opinions, along with Osmore’s treatment records, contradicted Dr. Truschel’s opinion. A non-examining physician’s opinion may constitute substantial evidence to disregard the opinion of an examining physician if it is consistent with other independent evidence in the record and the ALJ does not rely on the non-examining physician’s report alone.

The ALJ did not err in evaluating the medical records from Osmore’s twelve other physicians. The ALJ noted Osmore’s history of back pain, cited several of Osmore’s physicians’ medical opinions and treatment records, and appropriately developed and considered the record.

Evaluation of Other Evidence

The ALJ did not err in discrediting Osmore’s symptom testimony based on inconsistencies with 1) the objective medical evidence and 2) Osmore’s daily activities. (Inconsistencies with clinical observations can “satisfy the requirement of a clear and convincing reason for discrediting a claimant’s testimony.”); (The ALJ may reject the claimant’s testimony when inconsistent with the claimant’s daily activities and contrary to the medical evidence.).

The ALJ did not err in failing to consider Osmore’s lay-witness evidence. In 2004, Osmore’s husband and sister prepared reports for Osmore’s prior Social Security benefits applications; the present application concerns disability beginning March 2005. Accordingly, these out-of-date lay-witness reports are not probative evidence of Osmore’s 2005 disability status. (“[T]he evidence which the Secretary ignored was neither significant nor probative.”). On remand, however, Osmore may seek leave to submit additional evidence from lay witnesses.

Other Claims of Error

The district court explained that because “the ALJ erred in evaluating the medical evidence in the record concerning [Osmore's] mental impairments and limitations,” the ALJ also erred “in assessing [Osmore's] residual functional capacity.” In its judgment reversing and remanding, the district court ordered the ALJ to make a new determination of Osmore’s residual functional capacity and of Osmore’s ability to perform past relevant and current work. Accordingly, Osmore’s remaining allegations of error—regarding the ALJ’s determination of Osmore’s residual functional capacity and ability to perform past relevant and current work—are also moot. See W. Coast Seafood, 643 F.3d at 704.

AFFIRMED.

How a Social Security Judge Can Tell When A Claimant Is Telling A Lie Under Oath.

GORREMANS v. ASTRUE
MICKAEL GORREMANS v. MICHAEL J. ASTRUE, Commissioner of Social Security.

United States District Court, D. Idaho. March 16, 2012.
Mickael Gorrmans, Plaintiff, represented by Louis Garbrecht.
Commissioner Michael J. Astrue, Defendant, represented by Benjamin J Groebner, SOCIAL SECURITY ADMINISTRATION & Joanne P Rodriguez, US ATTORNEY’S OFFICE.




MEMORANDUM DECISION AND ORDER
RONALD E. BUSH, Magistrate Judge.
Now pending before the Court is Petitioner Mickael Gorremans’ Petition for Review filed September 16, 2010, seeking review of the Social Security Administration’s final decision to deny his disability benefits. This action is brought pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 405(g). Having carefully reviewed the record and otherwise being fully advised, the Court enters the following Memorandum Decision and Order.
I. ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEEDINGS
On January 9, 2009, Mickael Gorremans (“Petitioner”) applied for SSI disability benefits, alleging a disability onset date of December 24, 2008, when he was 56 years old. Petitioner’s claim was initially denied and, again, denied on reconsideration. Petitioner timely filed a Request for Hearing before an Administrative Law Judge (“ALJ”). On February 9, 2010, ALJ James W. Sherry held a hearing in Spokane, Washington at which time Petitioner, represented by attorney Louis Garbrecht, appeared and testified. A vocational expert, K. Diane Kramer, also appeared and testified. At the time of the hearing, Petitioner had past relevant work as a groundskeeper, machine operator, janitor, floor cleaner/buffer, certified nurses assistant, and home health aide.
On April 8, 2010, the ALJ issued a decision, denying Petitioner’s claims, finding that Petitioner was not disabled within the meaning of the Social Security Act. Petitioner timely requested review from the Appeals Council on June 3, 2010. The Appeals Council then denied review on August 23, 2010 rendering the ALJ’s decision the Commissioner’s final decision. Plaintiff now seeks judicial review of the Commissioner’s decision to deny benefits. Petitioner contends the ALJ erred by not giving controlling weight to the opinion of his treating physician, Dr. Dirks, and improperly rejecting Petitioner’s own testimony. He also argues that the residual functional capacity finding is not supported by the record and that Medical-Vocational Guideline 202.06 directs a finding of disabled.
II. STANDARD OF REVIEW

To be upheld, the Commissioner’s decision must be supported by substantial evidence and based on proper legal standards. 42 U.S.C. § 405(g). Findings as to any question of fact, if supported by substantial evidence, are conclusive. 42 U.S.C. § 405(g). In other words, if there is substantial evidence to support the ALJ’s factual decisions, they must be upheld, even when there is conflicting evidence.
“Substantial evidence” is defined as such relevant evidence as a reasonable mind might accept as adequate to support a conclusion. The standard requires more than a scintilla but less than a preponderance, and “does not mean a large or considerable amount of evidence.”
With respect to questions of fact, the role of the Court is to review the record as a whole to determine whether it contains evidence that would allow a reasonable mind to accept the conclusions of the ALJ. The ALJ is responsible for determining credibility and resolving conflicts in medical testimony, resolving ambiguities, and drawing inferences logically flowing from the evidence. Where the evidence is susceptible to more than one rational interpretation in a disability proceeding, the reviewing court may not substitute its judgment or interpretation of the record for that of the ALJ.
With respect to questions of law, the ALJ’s decision must be based on proper legal standards and will be reversed for legal error. Matney, 981 F.2d at 1019. The ALJ’s construction of the Social Security Act is entitled to deference if it has a reasonable basis in law. See id. However, reviewing federal courts “will not rubber-stamp an administrative decision that is inconsistent with the statutory mandate or that frustrates the congressional purpose underlying the statute.”
III. DISCUSSION
A. Sequential Process
In evaluating the evidence presented at an administrative hearing, the ALJ must follow a sequential process in determining whether a person is disabled in general (see 20 C.F.R. §§ 404.1520, 416.920) — or continues to be disabled (see 20 C.F.R. §§ 404.1594, 416.994) — within the meaning of the Social Security Act.
The first step requires the ALJ to determine whether the claimant is engaged in substantial gainful activity (“SGA”). 20 C.F.R. §§ 404.1520(a)(4)(I), 416.920(a)(4)(I). SGA is defined as work activity that is both substantial and gainful. “Substantial work activity” is work activity that involves doing significant physical or mental activities. 20 C.F.R. §§ 404.1572(a), 416.972(a). “Gainful work activity” is work that is usually done for pay or profit, whether or not a profit is realized. 20 C.F.R. §§ 404.1572(b), 416.972(b). If the claimant has engaged in SGA, disability benefits are denied, regardless of how severe her physical/mental impairments are and regardless of her age, education, and work experience. 20 C.F.R. §§ 404.1520(b), 416.920(b). If the claimant is not engaged in SGA, the analysis proceeds to the second step. Here, the ALJ found that Petitioner had not engaged in SGA since January 9, 2009, the application date. (AR 16).
The second step requires the ALJ to determine whether the claimant has a medically determinable impairment, or combination of impairments, that is severe and meets the duration requirement. 20 C.F.R. § 404.1520(a)(4)(ii), 416.920(a)(4)(ii). An impairment or combination of impairments is “severe” within the meaning of the Social Security Act if it significantly limits an individual’s ability to perform basic work activities. 20 C.F.R. §§ 404.1520(c), 416.920(c). An impairment or combination of impairments is “not severe” when medical and other evidence establish only a slight abnormality or a combination of slight abnormalities that would have no more than a minimal effect on an individual’s ability to work. 20 C.F.R. §§ 404.1521, 416.921. If the claimant does not have a severe medically determinable impairment or combination of impairments, disability benefits are denied. 20 C.F.R. §§ 404.1520(c), 416.920(c). Here, the ALJ found that Petitioner had the following severe impairments: “multilevel cervical degenerative disk disease with facet arthrosis, status post disectomy and fusion and cervical laminectomy at C3 & C4 with autograft; and central cord syndrome.” (AR 16).
The third step requires the ALJ to determine the medical severity of any impairments; that is, whether the claimant’s impairments meet or equal a listed impairment under 20 C.F.R. Part 404, Subpart P, Appendix 1. 20 C.F.R. §§ 404.1520(a)(4)(iii), 416.920(a)(4)(iii). If the answer is yes, the claimant is considered disabled under the Social Security Act and benefits are awarded. 20 C.F.R. §§ 404.1520(d), 416.920(d). If the claimant’s impairments neither meet nor equal one of the listed impairments, the claimant’s case cannot be resolved at step three and the evaluation proceeds to step four. Id. Here, the ALJ concluded that Petitioner does not have an impairment (or combination of impairments) that meets or medically equals a listed impairment (AR 16).
The fourth step of the evaluation process requires the ALJ to determine whether the claimant’s residual functional capacity is sufficient for the claimant to perform past relevant work. 20 C.F.R. §§ 404.1520(a)(4)(iv), 416.920(a)(4)(iv). An individual’s residual functional capacity is her ability to do physical and mental work activities on a sustained basis despite limitations from her impairments. 20 C.F.R. §§ 404.1545, 416.945. Likewise, an individual’s past relevant work is work performed within the last 15 years or 15 years prior to the date that disability must be established; also, the work must have lasted long enough for the claimant to learn to do the job and be engaged in substantial gainful activity. 20 C.F.R. §§ 404.1560(b), 404.1565, 416.960(b), 416.965. Here, the ALJ ruled that Petitioner has the residual functional capacity to perform the full range of medium work as defined in 20 C.F.R. § 416.967(c). The ALJ also determined that Petitioner could perform his past relevant work as a janitor, certified nurse’s assistant, home health aide, and groundskeeper. The ALJ determined that this work does not require performance of work-related activities precluded by Petitioner’s residual functional capacity. (AR 21).
In the fifth and final step, if it has been established that a claimant can no longer perform past relevant work because of his impairments, the burden shifts to the Commissioner to show that the claimant retains the ability to do alternate work and to demonstrate that such alternate work exists in significant numbers in the national economy. 20 C.F.R. §§ 404.1520(a)(4)(v), 416.920(a)(4)(v), 404.1520(f), 416.920(f); see also Matthews v. Shalala, 10 F.3d 678, 681 (9th Cir. 1993). If the claimant is able to do other work, he is not disabled; if the claimant is not able to do other work and meets the duration requirement, he is disabled. Because the ALJ found Petitioner capable of performing past relevant work, he did not have to proceed to step five. However, the ALJ did found that even if Petitioner was restricted to less than a full range of light work, there were jobs that existed in significant numbers in the regional and national economies, of cleaner I and electronics assembler, that Petitioner could perform. (AR 21).
B. Analysis
1. Petitioner Credibility
Petitioner contends that the ALJ gave insufficient reasons for rejecting his testimony. In his opinion, the ALJ stated the claimant’s statements concerning the “intensity, persistence and limiting effects of these symptoms are not credible to the extent they are inconsistent with the above residual functional capacity assessment.” The ALJ further stated that the objective evidence established that Petitioner is capable of performing basic work activities. The ALJ remarked that Petitioner did not follow through with physical therapy as recommended by his treating physician, Dr. Dirks, because he could not afford it and that he only medicates his pain with over-the-counter medications every other day. The ALJ also noted that while the claimant described daily activities which are fairly limited, great weight was not given to this evidence because the “allegedly limited daily activities cannot be objectively verified with any reasonable degree of certainty” and because of the difficulty attributing “that degree of limitation to the claimant’s medical condition, as opposed to other reasons, in view of the relatively weak medical evidence . . .” The ALJ further concluded:
The claimant’s statements on the function report are not entirely credible. He said he can perform his personal care slowly. He is able to prepare simple meals. He claims he is fairly limited in several areas as a result of paralysis. He claimed he cannot do any housework, he cannot drive, and he cannot handle money. He also stated that he is under doctor’s orders to not go outside. There is no evidence in the record of continued paralysis in the upper extremities. The treatment notes show the claimant’s strength in his upper extremities has continued to improve (at least 4/5 strength). Furthermore, there is no reference in the treatment record to any doctor directing the claimant to not go outside. The claimant testified he has problems gripping and grasping items with his hands; however, after the first surgery, it is noted to have improved (4/5 strength after first surgery). Furthermore, this testimony is not consistent with the claimant’s testimony that he is able to fish, which shows he is able to hold on to a fishing pole and reel in a fishing line, which requires an ability to grip and grasp items.
The claimant testified he has difficult reaching overhead, but there is no indication in the treatment notes of any limitations in this area. There are no range of motion tests and no significant signs of weakness. The claimant asserted he has problems with stairs; however, he also said he has several flights of stairs at home to climb and descend. This suggests the claimant is able to climb and descend stairs with little difficulty. The bulk of treatment notes do not support the claimant’s assertions regarding his limitations in walking and standing. It has been noted the claimant has no difficult with ambulation. Finally, the claimant stated he can only sit for no more than ½ hour; yet, the hearing lasted longer than ½ hour and the claimant showed no signs of needing to change positions.
(AR 19-20).
The ALJ is responsible for determining credibility, resolving conflicts in medical testimony, and for resolving ambiguities. The ALJ’s findings must be supported by specific, cogent reasons. If a claimant produces objective medical evidence of an underlying impairment, an ALJ may not reject a claimant’s subjective complaints of pain based solely on lack of medical evidence. Unless there is affirmative evidence of malingering, the ALJ must provide clear and convincing reasons for rejecting pain testimony. The reasons an ALJ gives for rejecting a claimant’s testimony must be supported by substantial evidence in the record.
In evaluating credibility, the ALJ may engage in ordinary techniques of credibility evaluation, including consideration of a claimant’s reputation for truthfulness and inconsistencies in claimant’s testimony, or between claimant’s testimony and conduct, as well as claimant’s daily activities, claimant’s work record and testimony from physicians and third parties concerning the nature, severity and effect of the symptoms of which claimant complains. Also, the ALJ may consider: location, duration and frequency of symptoms; factors that precipitate and aggravate those symptoms; amount and side effects of medications; and treatment measures taken by claimant to alleviate those symptoms. See Soc. Sec. Ruling (SSR) 96-7p. Here, the ALJ focused on inconsistencies in claimant’s testimony as well as between his claimed limitations and the support for those limitations in the medical record. The ALJ noted that while Petitioner claimed to have great difficulty grasping and gripping many everyday items, he also testified that he would go fishing which would be inconsistent with the claimed limitations.1 Additionally, the ALJ remarked that although Petitioner stated he could not sit for longer than 20 to 30 minutes at a time, the hearing lasted longer than 30 minutes and he did not appear to need to switch positions. The ALJ also observed that Petitioner testified to extreme limitations in his upper extremities as well as with walking and standing, yet the medical evidence demonstrated improved strength (at least 4/5) in his upper extremities after his surgeries and indicated no problems with ambulation. While lack of medical evidence cannot be the sole reason for rejecting pain testimony, “medical evidence is still a relevant factor in determining the severity of the claimant’s pain and its disabling effects.” The ALJ also focused on treatment measures taken by Petitioner, which he testified was to use over-the-counter pain medication every other day. Over-the-counter pain medication is an example of “evidence of `conservative treatment’” that “is sufficient to discount a claimant’s testimony regarding severity of an impairment.”
Where, as here, there is substantial evidence in the record to support the ALJ’s credibility finding, the Court will not engage in second-guessing. In other words, if the evidence can support either outcome, the Court may not substitute its judgment for that of the ALJ. The Court reviews the administrative record as a whole to determine whether substantial evidence supports the ALJ’s decision. The issue is not whether the Court agrees with the ALJ’s credibility assessment, but whether the assessment is supported by the requisite findings and record evidence. Here, it is, and the Court will not substitute its own assessment for that of the ALJ.
2. Treating Physician’s Opinion
Petitioner argues that the ALJ improperly rejected the opinion of his treating physician, Dr. Dirks, by relying on the opinion of a non-examining physician.
Ninth Circuit case law distinguishes among the opinions of three types of physicians: (1) those who treat the claimant (treating physicians); (2) those who examine but do not treat the claimant (examining physicians); and (3) those who neither examine nor treat the claimant (nonexamining physicians). Generally, more weight is accorded to the opinion of a treating source than to nontreating physicians. In turn, an examining physician’s opinion is entitled to greater weight than the opinion of a nonexamining physician. If the treating physician’s opinion is not contradicted by another doctor, it may be rejected only for “clear and convincing” reasons. If the treating doctor’s opinion is contradicted by another doctor, the Commissioner may not reject the treating physician’s opinion without providing “specific and legitimate reasons” supported by substantial evidence in the record for doing so.
An ALJ is not required to accept an opinion of a treating physician if it is conclusory and not supported by clinical findings. Additionally, an ALJ is not bound to a physician’s opinion of a petitioner’s physical condition or the ultimate issue of disability. If the record as a whole does not support the physician’s opinion, the ALJ may reject that opinion. Items in the record that may not support the physician’s opinion include clinical findings from examinations, conflicting medical opinions, conflicting physician’s treatment notes, and the claimant’s daily activities.
The ALJ provides a detailed description of Petitioner’s medical records, which come from his treating surgeon, Dr. Dirks. On January 27, 2009, following Petitioner’s second surgery, Dr. Dirks stated that Petitioner was not released back to work and the issue should be reevaluated in three months. On April 9, 2009, he opined that Petitioner was “disabled and unable to return to work at this stage.” On November 3, 2009, the last treatment note from Dr. Dirks, he stated that he supported Petitioner in his quest for obtaining Social Security disability as he did “not believe he will be able to have gainful employment at this time.” (AR 304).
In regard to Dr. Dirks’ opinions as to disability, the ALJ gave his opinion little weight and stated:
Dr. Dirks provides no range of motion testing in the treatment notes. His treatment notes show the claimant’s condition has improved after both surgeries. Muscle strength testing shows the claimant has at least 4/5 strength in the upper extremities. There is no evidence of ongoing paralysis in the upper extremities. Although the doctor stated the claimant is `disabled,’ it is not clear that the doctor was familiar with the definition of `disability’ contained in the Social Security Act and regulations. The possibility always exists that a doctor may express an opinion in an effort to assist a patient with whom he or she sympathizes for one reason or another. Another reality which should be mentioned is that patients can be quite insistent and demanding in seeking supportive notes or reports from their physicians, who might provide such a note in order to satisfy their patient’s requests and avoid unnecessary doctor/patient tension. While it is difficult to confirm the presence of such motives, they are more likely in situations where the opinion in question departs substantially from the rest of the evidence of record, as in the current case.
While a treating physician’s opinion is entitled to great weight, the ALJ is not bound by his or her opinion on the ultimate issue of disability. This is especially true if the opinion is conclusory and not supported by the clinical findings. The ALJ does not discount the medical records from Dr. Dirks, instead he provides a thorough discussion of Petitioner’s medical history. However, the ALJ found that Dr. Dirks’ opinion of disability departed “substantially” from the rest of the evidence in the record and conflicted with his own treatment notes and the clinical findings. Under the Social Security regulations, the ALJ is not required to follow a treating physician’s opinion that a claimant is “disabled” or “unable to work.” 20 C.F.R. § 416.927(e)(1). Additionally, these opinions of treating physicians are not entitled to any special significance. Id. at § 416.927(e)(3). Lastly, while, as Petitioner contends, the ALJ did give significance to the Physical Residual Functional Capacity Assessment completed by a non-examining physician, this assessment was not used as a basis for rejecting Dr. Dirks’ opinion on disability. Instead, the ALJ provided specific and legitimate reasons for giving Dr. Dirks’ opinion regarding disability little weight.
3. Residual Functional Capacity Finding
Petitioner contends there is not substantial evidence in the record to support the ALJ’s finding of a medium residual functional capacity. A claimant’s residual functional capacity is the most he can do despite his limitations. 20 C.F.R. § 404.1545(a). An ALJ considers all relevant evidence in the record when making this determination. Id. The regulations define “medium work” as “lifting no more than 50 pounds at a time with frequent lifting or carrying of objects weighing up to 25 pounds.” 20 C.F.R. § 416.967(c).
In finding that the Petitioner could perform the full range of medium work, the ALJ relied, in part, on the opinions of two non-examining state agency physicians who reviewed the medical record and opined that Petitioner could perform medium work. (AR 286-98, 299). Petitioner contends that the ALJ should not rely on these opinions because they were made without the November 3, 2009 treatment note of Dr. Dirks which stated that he “continued to show signs and symptoms of central cord syndrome” and that he “continues to exhibit poor walking ability and poor strength.” (AR 304). Although the ALJ gave “significant weight” to the assessment of the state agency physician, Dr. Dickey, this was not the only evidence he relied upon in forming his assessment. The ALJ also evaluated the medical evidence from Dr. Dirks, including this November 3, 2009 treatment note, and Petitioner’s own testimony. See Batson v. Comm’r Soc. Sec. Admin., 359 F.3d 1190, 1197 (9th Cir. 2004) (finding the ALJ was not required to incorporate opinion evidence which was permissibly discounted). The ALJ commented on the November 3, 2009 treatment note and remarked that other treatment notes found “claimant’s strength was measured as at least 4/5 and it has been noted the claimant’s ambulation is good.” (AR 19). The ALJ has considered all the relevant evidence in making his residual functional capacity finding and it is supported by substantial evidence.
Although it was not raised by Petitioner, when evaluating the ALJ’s residual functional capacity finding, the Court sua sponte examined whether the ALJ should have further developed the record in this case. Under Ninth Circuit law, an ALJ has “an independent duty to fully and fairly develop the record and to assure that the claimant’s interests are considered.” The ALJ must supplement the record if there is “ambiguous evidence” or the ALJ has found “the record is inadequate to allow for proper evaluation of the evidence.” When reviewing this, the Court determined that the evidence was in conflict, rather than ambiguous and the ALJ’s duty to develop the record was not invoked. Even though this is a case in which the Court has some misgivings about the result and those misgivings may have caused the Court to decide the case differently, the ALJ is entitled to deference when the decision is supported by substantial evidence. In other words, if the evidence can support either outcome, the Court may not substitute its judgment for that of the ALJ.
4. Medical-Vocational Guideline 202.06
Petitioner contends that under Medical Vocational Guideline 202.06, he should be found disabled. Medical Vocational Guideline 202.06 directs a finding of disability where a claimant is limited to light work, is of advance age (55 and older), has a high school education and does not have transferrable skills. 20 C.F.R. Pt. 404, Subpt. P, App. 2, Table 2, Rule 202.06.
In his decision, after finding that Petitioner was capable of performing past relevant work, thus directing a finding of not disabled, the ALJ went on to state that even if claimant was “restricted to less than a full range of light work . . . the vocational expert testified [he] could perform the jobs of cleaner I and electronics assembler, jobs which exist in significant numbers in the regional and national economy.”
Petitioner is correct that under Ninth Circuit law, a vocational expert’s testimony cannot “supplant or override a disability conclusion dictated by the Guidelines.” The Commissioner contends that any error made by the ALJ in this regard is “harmless error.”
The Ninth Circuit has affirmed “under the rubric of harmless error where the mistake was nonprejudicial to the claimant or irrelevant to the ALJ’s ultimate disability conclusion.” For example, in Matthews v. Shalala, the ALJ failed to include one of claimant’s limitations in his hypothetical to the vocational expert. However, because the claimant had failed, at step four, to show that he could not return to his past work, the burden remained on him and the ALJ was not required to rely on the vocational expert’s testimony to show that the claimant could perform other kinds of work. Id. The court concluded: “The vocational expert’s testimony was thus useful, but not required . . . Any error would have been harmless.” Id.
Similarly, in this case, the ALJ concluded that Petitioner had the residual functional capacity to perform the full range of medium work (AR 16) and thus could perform his past relevant work. The ALJ then found, alternatively, that even if Petitioner was limited to light work, significant jobs that he could perform existed in the national economy. This was an unnecessary step that the ALJ was not required to perform having found Petitioner capable of performing past relevant work and not disabled at step four. Accordingly, if an error was made by the ALJ in not following the Medical-Vocational Guidelines, it was harmless.
IV. CONCLUSION
The ALJ is the fact-finder and is solely responsible for weighing and drawing inferences from facts and determining credibility. If the evidence is susceptible to more than one rational interpretation, one of which is the ALJ’s, a reviewing court may not substitute its interpretation for that of the ALJ.
The evidence upon which the ALJ relied can reasonably and rationally support his well-formed conclusions, despite the fact that such evidence may be susceptible to a different interpretation. Indeed, in this case, this Court might well have found differently if was to decide the case de novo. However, such a statement is drawn from a cold record, and it is not this Court’s role to alter the ALJ’s decision without some appropriate basis under the law for doing so, consistent with its role as a reviewing court only. Here, the ALJ’s decision as to Petitioner’s alleged disability is based on proper legal standards and supported by substantial evidence. Therefore, the Court concludes that the Commissioner’s determination that Petitioner is not disabled within the meaning of the Social Security Act is supported by substantial evidence in the record and is based upon an application of proper legal standards.
Accordingly, the Commissioner’s decision is affirmed.
V. ORDER
Based on the foregoing, Petitioner’s Petitioner for Review (Dkt. 1) is DENIED, the decision of the Commissioner is AFFIRMED, and this action is DISMISSED in its entirety, with prejudice.

Sexual Assault Conviction Thrown Out By Armed Forces Court Of Appeals.
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Captain Nicholas Stewart, USMC.

The Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces threw out this week the sexual assault conviction of Marine Captain Nicholas Stewart, citing issues with the prosecution as well as improper action by a military judge.

Stewart, who served as a fighter pilot in Iraq, was convicted of sexual assault under a 2006 law that enabled the military to make charges in cases in which the victim was "substantially incapacitated" from alcohol. Stewart was accused by a longtime friend who said although she was not forced by Stewart, she was too inebriated to have consented to sex. Stewart challenged the accuser, but was convicted and sentenced to two years in prison. He was also registered as a sex offender.

As McClatchy reported Thursday, Stewart's case was appealed, and the court found that the prosecution lacked evidence to support the accuser's claims. The court also stated in its ruling that the military judge at Stewart's initial trial had "created the framework for a potential double jeopardy violation" by having the jury re-deliberate the charges against Stewart. In the first deliberation, Stewart was found not guilty. However, when asked by the judge to consider what was essentially the same charge, the jury found the Marine to be guilty.

"As a result of the military judge's instructions, [the jurors] were placed in the untenable position of finding Stewart both guilty and not guilty of the same offense," wrote the appeals judges.

The 33-year-old Stewart, who had served more than a year of his sentence, expressed relief after the appeals court's decision.

"I am grateful for this long-awaited proof of the integrity of our judicial system," he said. "I look forward to continuing to serve our country and our Marine Corps."

Stewart's case illuminates issues that some have taken with the 2006 law. As McClatchy reported last year, the law has been described as "flawed" for its confusing language, as well as the fact that it shifts the burden of proof to the accused.

However, with recent Pentagon reports showing that sexual assault in the military has taken a dramatic rise, others worry that not enough is being done to prevent assault. After the report, which showed a 64 percent jump in assaults since 2006, was released, Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta announced plans to create new initiatives aimed at curbing the growing problem.

Several cases invoking the 2006 law have made the news recently, including the charging of three Air Force cadets with sexual assault. Two of those cadets were charged with assaulting women who were "substantially incapacitated." These cases were also reportedly complicated by a lack of forensic evidence.



Compare this case to the Webster Smith case and you will see how fickle this court can be. The Smith Case was appealed to the Supreme Court. Most Supreme Court watchers had expected the Supreme Court to hear the case or at the very least to give an explanation of why not. We were all sorely disappointed.

Coast Guard Academy Cadet Webster Smith

This Smith Case implicated a deep federal circuit conflict regarding the standard of review that applies when a trial judge’s restriction on the cross-examination of a prosecution witness is challenged on appeal as a violation of the Confrontation Clause. The Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces (CAAF) held that the standard of review is abuse of discretion rather than de novo. Applying the former standard, the court rejected Webster Smith’s Confrontation Clause claim by a vote of 3-2.

The Courts Of Appeals Are Deeply Divided Over What Standard Of Review Applies To Confrontation Clause Claims Like Webster Smith’s. The CAAF employed abuse-of-discretion review in resolving Smith’s Sixth Amendment challenge to the military judge’s restriction on the defense’s cross-examination of Shelly Roddenbush. That approach conflicts with the holdings of five circuits, which consider comparable Confrontation Clause claims de novo, reserving abuse-of-discretion review for non-constitutional challenges. For example, the Seventh Circuit has stated that “[o]rdinarily, a district court’s evidentiary rulings are reviewed for abuse of discretion.

However, when the restriction [on cross-examination] implicates the criminal defendant’s Sixth Amendment right to confront witnesses against him, ... the standard of review becomes de novo.”

The First, Fifth, Eighth, and Tenth Circuits have adopted the same approach.

Six other circuits, by contrast—the Second, Third, Fourth, Sixth, Eleventh, and District of Columbia Circuits— Take the same approach that CAAF does, applying abuse-of-discretion review even when a restriction on the cross-examination of a prosecution witness is attacked on constitutional grounds. The Sixth Circuit, for example, stated in one case that “[defendant] argues that his right to confrontation was violated when the trial court ‘unfairly’ limited his cross-examination of [a] government witness .… We review the district court’s restriction on a defendant’s right to cross-examine witnesses for abuse of discretion.”

In short, CAAF’s use of an abuse-of-discretion standard in the Webster Smith Case perpetuated a clear—and recognized—conflict in the circuits.

The Question Presented Was Recurring And Important, And The Smith Case Was A Good Vehicle For Deciding It.

The circuit conflict warranted resolution by the Supreme Court. It was indeed a sad day for Supreme Court watchers when that court of Last Resort side stepped an issue of monumental importance without a word of explanation.

FOR THE LOVE OF BOOKS!

People take reading books for granted, especially now that they are available electronically. Not so long ago, there was a whole generation of children that did not have access to books in this country, not because there was a lack of books, nor because they were illiterate, but because of the color of their skin. Black children had no right to step across the threshold of a public library and read or borrow books.

Back in 1963, London Steverson, a young black man, a senior at an all black Woodstock High School, in Memphis, Tennessee, wanted to write a senior term paper on the topic of martial arts. The school had only a small library with a limited selection of books. There were no books on karate, taekwondo, judo, aikido, or kung fu in the school library. In fact there were no books at all on martial arts. So, when Mr. Steverson inquired concerning any other library that he could possibly use for his research, the school librarian, Mrs. R. J. Roddy, informed him that there was a public library in Memphis, TN. It was a much bigger one, and it had a large selection of books on many topics, but it was for whites only. Before Mr. Steverson lost all hope for his term paper, Mrs. R. J. Roddy told him, she could call the librarian in that other "whites only" library and see what books they had on the subject. It turned out that there were quite a few books on martial arts. The library sent over a two page list of titles. Mr. Steverson looked through the list and picked out some books that he thought he could use as references. Mrs. R. J. Roddy called back and told the librarian which books Mr. Steverson wanted, and they sent the books to his school by special delivery. He does not remember whether his books were the only ones sent to his school, but looking back, he is amazed at what lengths they were willing to go to keep him out of a public library. But unbeknownst to him and to everyone around him, a little seed was planted in Mr. Steverson's heart and soul, when he was denied access to the Memphis, Tennessee public library.

"It was not until a few years later when I was a cadet at the U.S. Coast Guard Academy (USCGA) that the implications of the incident really hit home" he said. "I was now at an all white college and had access to a well stocked library, not like the small library at Woodstock High, which had little more than some magazines, news papers, periodicals, and Readers' Digest Condensed Books."All this was taking place during the 60s when the Civil Rights Movement was in full swing. People were marching and sitting-in, and highlighting the inequities of the segregated public accommodations. "The more I used the library at the USCGA, the more I became aware of the great deprivation that I had suffered in high school in Memphis, TN. And many people all over the South were still suffering." he said.

So he began to develop a real love for books and an appreciation for what books could do for the spirit. He began to go to the drug stores in New London, Connecticut, and buy paperback books. At first, he bought any book he could afford, like James Mischner's "Hawaii'. He kept and treasured every book he purchased and slowly they began to stack up. Then, later as he traveled to foreign countries, he expanded his collection with foreign books. He joined book clubs, The Book of The Month Club, and later The Folio Society.

He has visited and used many libraries all over the country, except the one in Memphis. One day, more than 40 years later, when he visited Memphis, TN, his nieces and nephews asked him if I had been to the Benjamin Hooks Public Library. He said no. In fact, he never really associated going to a public library in Memphis, TN, based on his childhood experiences. "The idea felt strange to me because I had never been inside the Memphis Public Library, I did not think I was welcome" Mr. Steverson stated. He took his wife and children and has accomplished a major milestone in his life 44 years later. He was finally able to step foot inside the public library in his hometown, and on top of it all, apply for library card. The lady was an older white lady from Connecticut, who was processing his application. The lady was surprised that a 60 year old man born and raised in town, had never had a library card there. "I explained to her that when I had lived in Memphis, Blacks were not allowed to use the public library, and I had left Memphis at age 17." She was amazed and I was pleasantly taken aback that my minor children and I were getting library cards for the first time at the same time." His whole family became a member as a symbol to his freedom to read books anywhere.

"One day I looked around and I had so many books I did not know what to do with them" he said "nearly every room had wall to wall bookshelves filled with various books. Every room in his house had books in it, from the front door to the back door. Within 6 months of getting the library card, he moved to Hungary. "When the packers came to our home with boxes, we were surprised that the bulk of out possessions were books. We had over 400 boxes of books." There were high school, college, and law school text books, along with novels and books of every description. They were the accumulation of over 45 years of collecting books.

When he arrived to Hungary, his wife began to take him to visit the elementary and high schools she had attended. He found that every school was teaching English diligently to their students, and they discussed the idea of donating some of the books to her alma maters' libraries. Then, one day he visited the County Library in Veszprem. (ekmk.hu) To his surprise there was an American Corner in the library. American Corners are a State Department supported program that provides, without American personnel, a public diplomacy outpost - library, discussion forum, program venue and Internet access - available for the use of the local population in a host country. The American Corner had two shelves of English language books and plenty of space. The American Corner was also near the local university. Mr. Steverson decided that this was the best place to donate his books because they would get the most exposure to English speaking and reading people. After showing the Director some samples of the types of books that he had, she was delighted to accept all the books he could donate. The donation was called the Steverson Book Collection and since the initial donation, the collection has expanded from one corner to three corners in Hungary, helping students and teachers, Hungarians, foreigners and ex-patriots to have access to a wide variety of books and knowledge. The seed planted in 1963 has come to grow, blossom and bear fruit. Mr. Steverson has fulfilled a lifelong dream of helping young and old alike to have access to books and learning. His dream carried him even further than he had ever dreamed, giving him the opportunity to help a whole nation have access to something that he did not as a child.