Nonprecedential Disposition

United States Court of Appeals
ForȱtheȱSeventhȱCircuitȱ
ȱ Chicago,ȱIllinoisȱȱ60604ȱ
ȱ
ȱ ArguedȱJanuaryȱ28,ȱ2014ȱ
ȱ DecidedȱJuneȱ16,ȱ2014ȱ
ȱ ȱ
ȱ Beforeȱ
ȱ
DIANEȱP.ȱWOOD,ȱChiefȱJudgeȱ
ȱ
FRANKȱH.ȱEASTERBROOK,ȱCircuitȱJudgeȱ
ȱ
MICHAELȱS.ȱKANNE,ȱCircuitȱJudgeȱ
ȱ
No.ȱ13Ȭ2529ȱ
ȱ
TAMMYȱA.ȱSAMBROOKS,ȱ
ȱ PlaintiffȬAppellant,
ȱ
ȱ v.ȱ
ȱ
CAROLYNȱW.ȱCOLVIN,ȱActingȱ
CommissionerȱofȱSocialȱSecurity,ȱ
ȱ DefendantȬAppellee.
ȱ
ȱ AppealȱfromȱtheȱUnitedȱStatesȱDistrictȱ
CourtȱforȱtheȱNorthernȱDistrictȱofȱ
Indiana,ȱSouthȱBendȱDivision.ȱ
ȱ
No.ȱ3:12ȬCVȬ460ȱWCLȱ
ȱ
WilliamȱC.ȱLee,ȱJudge.ȱ
ȱ ȱ ȱ
OȱRȱDȱEȱRȱ
ȱ
ȱ TammyȱSambrooksȱhasȱbeenȱseekingȱdisabilityȱbenefitsȱandȱsupplementalȱsecurityȱ
incomeȱfromȱtheȱSocialȱSecurityȱAdministrationȱsinceȱ2009.ȱSheȱfailedȱtoȱconvinceȱtheȱ
agency’sȱAdministrativeȱLawȱJudgeȱthatȱherȱmentalȱhealthȱandȱphysicalȱailmentsȱ
renderedȱherȱdisabled,ȱhowever,ȱandȱsoȱsheȱturnedȱtoȱtheȱcourts.ȱTheȱdistrictȱcourtȱruledȱ
inȱtheȱagency’sȱfavor,ȱandȱthatȱresultȱmayȱultimatelyȱproveȱtoȱbeȱsustainable.ȱOurȱ
NONPRECEDENTIALȱDISPOSITIONȱ
ToȱbeȱcitedȱonlyȱinȱaccordanceȱwithȱFed.ȱR.ȱApp.ȱP.ȱ32.1ȱ

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No.ȱ13Ȭ2529ȱ Pageȱ2ȱ
ȱ
concernȱisȱthatȱtheȱALJȱdidȱnotȱadequatelyȱexplainȱwhyȱheȱrejectedȱtheȱopinionsȱofȱthreeȱ
treatingȱphysiciansȱandȱjustifiedȱhisȱdecisionȱinsteadȱonȱfactorsȱthatȱdoȱnotȱappearȱtoȱ
supportȱhisȱfinding.ȱWeȱthereforeȱreverseȱtheȱdistrictȱcourt’sȱjudgmentȱandȱremandȱthisȱ
caseȱtoȱtheȱCommissionerȱforȱfurtherȱproceedings.ȱȱ
ȱ
Iȱ
ȱ
ȱ Sambrooksȱworkedȱinȱclericalȱpositionsȱforȱmanyȱyears,ȱbutȱsinceȱAugustȱ2009ȱsheȱ
hasȱnotȱheldȱaȱjob.ȱInȱlateȱ2009ȱsheȱfiledȱanȱapplicationȱforȱdisabilityȱandȱsupplementalȱ
securityȱbenefitsȱwithȱtheȱSocialȱSecurityȱAdministration,ȱallegingȱthatȱasȱofȱAugustȱ1,ȱ
2009,ȱsheȱhasȱbeenȱunableȱtoȱwork.ȱHerȱprimaryȱcomplaintȱisȱbipolarȱdisorder,ȱbutȱsheȱ
alsoȱhasȱaȱvarietyȱofȱphysicalȱailments,ȱincludingȱmorbidȱobesity,ȱsevereȱlowerȱbackȱ
pain,ȱkneeȱandȱhipȱpain,ȱandȱfrequentȱmigraineȱheadaches.ȱAȱyearȱafterȱherȱapplication,ȱ
sheȱseriouslyȱinjuredȱherȱneckȱinȱaȱcarȱaccident.ȱBasedȱonȱherȱemploymentȱrecords,ȱherȱ
dateȱlastȱinsuredȱ(thatȱis,ȱtheȱdateȱbyȱwhichȱsheȱmustȱshowȱherȱdisabilityȱaroseȱinȱorderȱ
toȱbeȱeligibleȱforȱdisabilityȱbenefits)ȱisȱDecemberȱ31,ȱ2013.ȱȱ
ȱ
ȱ TheȱrecordȱshowedȱthatȱSambrooksȱnotȱonlyȱsufferedȱfromȱmentalȱhealthȱproblems,ȱ
butȱthatȱsheȱalsoȱhadȱtroubleȱcomplyingȱwithȱtheȱlaw.ȱHerȱprimaryȱpsychiatricȱ
symptomsȱareȱdepressedȱmood,ȱinabilityȱtoȱsleep,ȱanxiety,ȱandȱtroubleȱconcentratingȱ
andȱremembering.ȱSheȱhasȱengagedȱinȱillegalȱbehavior,ȱincludingȱshopliftingȱandȱdrugȱ
abuse.ȱWhenȱsheȱwasȱarrestedȱforȱshopliftingȱinȱ2009,ȱsheȱsoughtȱtreatmentȱatȱaȱmentalȱ
healthȱcenter,ȱwhereȱsheȱadmittedȱthatȱsheȱhadȱshopliftedȱmoreȱthanȱ100ȱadditionalȱ
times.ȱSheȱadmittedȱtoȱweeklyȱuseȱofȱcocaine,ȱalthoughȱsheȱclaimedȱtoȱhaveȱabstainedȱ
forȱtheȱlastȱyear.ȱSheȱalsoȱsaidȱthatȱsheȱbelievedȱsheȱwasȱaddictedȱtoȱpainȱmedications.ȱ
Atȱaȱlaterȱappointmentȱatȱtheȱcenter,ȱsheȱaddedȱinabilityȱtoȱkeepȱherȱtemper,ȱpanicȱ
attacks,ȱpoorȱsleep,ȱandȱnightmaresȱtoȱtheȱlistȱofȱherȱproblems.ȱTheȱpsychiatristȱ
diagnosedȱherȱwithȱbipolarȱdisorderȱandȱgeneralizedȱanxietyȱdisorderȱandȱassignedȱherȱ
aȱGlobalȱAssessmentȱofȱFunctioningȱ(GAF)ȱscoreȱofȱ45.ȱ
ȱ
ȱ Onȱtheȱphysicalȱside,ȱSambrooks’sȱprimaryȱcomplaintȱwasȱlowerȱbackȱpain,ȱwhichȱ
sheȱreportedȱbeganȱinȱ2006.ȱTwoȱyearsȱlater,ȱherȱfamilyȱdoctor,ȱJamesȱCarroll,ȱdiagnosedȱ
herȱwithȱdegenerativeȱdiscȱdisease.ȱDr.ȱCarrollȱsubmittedȱaȱquestionnaireȱinȱMarchȱ2010ȱ
toȱtheȱagency,ȱinȱwhichȱheȱreportedȱthatȱheȱbasedȱhisȱdiagnosisȱonȱbothȱSambrooks’sȱ
complaintsȱandȱonȱdiagnosticȱtestsȱ(perhapsȱxȬraysȱ–ȱitȱisȱhardȱtoȱtellȱfromȱtheȱform).ȱDr.ȱ
CarrollȱgaveȱaȱpessimisticȱassessmentȱofȱSambrooks’sȱabilityȱtoȱfunction:ȱheȱopinedȱthatȱ
sheȱcouldȱnotȱsit,ȱstand,ȱorȱwalkȱforȱevenȱoneȱhourȱinȱanȱeightȬhourȱworkday;ȱthatȱsheȱ
wouldȱneedȱaȱ30Ȭminuteȱbreakȱafterȱ30ȱminutesȱofȱwork;ȱthatȱsheȱcouldȱliftȱonlyȱfiveȱ
pounds,ȱandȱonlyȱoccasionally;ȱandȱthatȱsheȱwasȱmarkedlyȱlimitedȱinȱherȱabilityȱtoȱ
grasp,ȱturn,ȱorȱtwistȱobjects,ȱtoȱuseȱherȱarmsȱtoȱreach,ȱandȱtoȱtolerateȱevenȱlowȱstress.ȱ

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No.ȱ13Ȭ2529ȱ Pageȱ3ȱ
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Withȱallȱtheseȱproblems,ȱheȱestimatedȱthatȱsheȱwouldȱmissȱworkȱmoreȱthanȱthreeȱtimesȱ
perȱmonth.ȱȱ
ȱ
ȱ InȱOctoberȱ2009ȱSambrooksȱmovedȱtoȱIndiana,ȱwhereȱsheȱsoughtȱtreatmentȱfromȱDr.ȱ
WilliamȱForgery.ȱHeȱinitiallyȱprescribedȱpainȱmedicationȱforȱher,ȱbutȱheȱlaterȱdiscoveredȱ
evidenceȱthatȱsheȱmightȱhaveȱbeenȱabusingȱtheȱsystemȱbyȱobtainingȱmedicationȱfromȱ
severalȱdoctorsȱatȱtheȱsameȱtime.ȱHeȱwroteȱaȱletterȱtoȱtheȱstateȱagencyȱinȱFebruaryȱ2010ȱ
inȱwhichȱheȱstatedȱthatȱheȱcouldȱnotȱsupportȱherȱclaimȱofȱdisabilityȱbecauseȱofȱdoubtsȱ
aboutȱherȱcredibility.ȱȱ
ȱ
ȱ InȱMarchȱ2010,ȱtheȱstateȱagencyȱhadȱSambrooksȱevaluatedȱbyȱPatrickȱMcKian,ȱaȱ
psychologist,ȱandȱDr.ȱKanayoȱOdeluga,ȱaȱphysician.ȱMcKianȱdiagnosedȱherȱwithȱbipolarȱ
disorderȱandȱassignedȱaȱGAFȱscoreȱofȱ50.ȱDr.ȱOdelugaȱconcludedȱthatȱsheȱwasȱmorbidlyȱ
obeseȱ(atȱtheȱtime,ȱsheȱstoodȱ5’3”ȱandȱweighedȱ250ȱpounds,ȱforȱaȱbodyȱmassȱindexȱofȱ
44.3),ȱandȱthatȱsheȱsufferedȱfromȱlumbarȱdiscȱdisease.ȱHeȱthoughtȱthatȱosteoarthritisȱ
mightȱbeȱtheȱcauseȱofȱherȱkneeȱpain.ȱȱ
ȱ
ȱ Laterȱthatȱmonth,ȱtwoȱstateȬagencyȱconsultantsȱreviewedȱSambrooks’sȱmedicalȱ
records;ȱtheyȱdidȱnotȱexamineȱher.ȱInȱtheirȱopinion,ȱsheȱwasȱableȱtoȱwork.ȱTheȱ
consultingȱpsychologist,ȱJ.ȱGange,ȱconcludedȱthatȱsheȱwasȱableȱtoȱperformȱsimpleȱtasksȱ
onȱaȱroutineȱbasisȱbecauseȱitȱappearedȱthatȱsheȱhelpedȱwithȱherȱchildrenȱandȱdidȱsomeȱ
householdȱchores.ȱHeȱalsoȱnotedȱthatȱDr.ȱForgey’sȱletterȱraisedȱaȱquestionȱaboutȱherȱ
credibility,ȱbutȱheȱdidȱnotȱspecifyȱwhetherȱheȱthoughtȱthatȱunderminedȱtheȱunderlyingȱ
diagnosisȱofȱbipolarȱdisorderȱorȱtheȱsymptomsȱsheȱreported.ȱTheȱconsultingȱphysician,ȱ
Dr.ȱJ.ȱV.ȱCorcoran,ȱdeducedȱfromȱtheȱrecordsȱthatȱSambrooksȱcouldȱliftȱ10ȱpoundsȱ
frequentlyȱandȱ20ȱpoundsȱoccasionally,ȱandȱthatȱsheȱcouldȱsit,ȱstand,ȱorȱwalkȱforȱsixȱ
hoursȱoutȱofȱanȱeightȬhourȱworkday.ȱHeȱacknowledgedȱDr.ȱCarroll’sȱdisagreementȱwithȱ
theseȱnumbers,ȱbutȱheȱassertedȱthatȱDr.ȱForgey’sȱsuspicionȱofȱherȱabuseȱofȱprescriptionȱ
drugsȱcausedȱhimȱtoȱquestionȱherȱreportedȱpainȱandȱincapacitation.ȱTheȱstateȱagencyȱ
deniedȱherȱapplicationȱforȱbenefitsȱinȱAprilȱ2010.ȱAfterȱherȱrequestȱforȱreconsiderationȱ
wasȱdenied,ȱsheȱaskedȱforȱaȱhearingȱbeforeȱanȱALJ.ȱ
ȱ
ȱ Shortlyȱafterȱtheȱstateȱagency’sȱaction,ȱinȱMayȱ2010,ȱSambrooksȱinjuredȱherȱneckȱ
whenȱherȱcarȱwasȱrearȬendedȱbyȱaȱsemiȬtruck.ȱThisȱledȱanȱorthopedicȱsurgeonȱtoȱorderȱ
anȱMRI,ȱwhichȱrevealedȱthatȱsheȱhadȱaȱherniatedȱdiscȱ“withȱspondylosesȱabuttingȱtheȱ
anteriorȱsurfaceȱofȱtheȱcord.”ȱTheȱsurgeonȱrecommendedȱsurgery,ȱprescribedȱaȱpainȱ
killer,ȱandȱreferredȱherȱtoȱaȱfacilityȱforȱepiduralȱinjections.ȱSheȱreceivedȱseveralȱsuchȱ
injections,ȱbutȱbyȱSeptemberȱheȱreportedȱthatȱtheyȱwereȱnotȱrelievingȱherȱpain.ȱSheȱ
turnedȱforȱhelpȱtoȱDr.ȱMichaelȱKelly,ȱaȱfamilyȱphysician.ȱDr.ȱKellyȱthoughtȱthatȱherȱMRIȱ
showedȱ“significantȱpathology”ȱofȱtheȱcervicalȱandȱlumbosacralȱspine,ȱandȱheȱ

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No.ȱ13Ȭ2529ȱ Pageȱ4ȱ
ȱ
recommendedȱtreatmentȱatȱaȱspineȱclinic.ȱHeȱalsoȱagreedȱtoȱrenewȱherȱpsychiatricȱ
medications,ȱincludingȱXanax,ȱbutȱheȱreferredȱherȱtoȱaȱpsychiatristȱtoȱensureȱproperȱ
treatment.ȱ
ȱ
ȱ InȱOctoberȱ2010ȱSambrooksȱsawȱpsychiatristȱDewnzarȱHoward,ȱwhoȱconfirmedȱ
(again)ȱtheȱdiagnosisȱofȱbipolarȱdisorderȱandȱprescribedȱthreeȱmedications,ȱincludingȱ
Xanax.ȱHeȱconcludedȱatȱaȱlaterȱvisitȱthatȱsheȱwasȱmoderatelyȱdepressed.ȱUnfortunately,ȱ
SambrooksȱappearsȱtoȱhaveȱliedȱtoȱDr.ȱKelly,ȱtellingȱhimȱthatȱsheȱhadȱnotȱseenȱaȱ
psychiatristȱbecauseȱsheȱcouldȱnotȱaffordȱtoȱdoȱso;ȱDr.ȱKellyȱthereforeȱcontinuedȱherȱ
Xanaxȱprescription,ȱthoughȱatȱaȱlowerȱdosage.ȱSheȱalsoȱreportedȱtinglingȱandȱnumbnessȱ
inȱherȱrightȱarmȱandȱsaidȱthatȱsheȱwasȱconsideringȱbackȱsurgery.ȱEightȱdaysȱlater,ȱbackȱ
withȱDr.ȱHoward,ȱsheȱagainȱlied,ȱtellingȱhimȱthatȱsheȱwasȱrecoveringȱfromȱsurgery.ȱHeȱ
keptȱherȱonȱtheȱsameȱmedications.ȱNeitherȱDr.ȱKellyȱnorȱDr.ȱHowardȱseemsȱtoȱhaveȱ
knownȱaboutȱtheȱdeceptionsȱorȱaboutȱDr.ȱForgey’sȱalert.ȱ
ȱ
ȱ SambrooksȱhadȱherȱhearingȱbeforeȱtheȱALJȱinȱMarchȱ2011.ȱBothȱDr.ȱKellyȱandȱDr.ȱ
Howardȱstatedȱthatȱsheȱcouldȱnotȱwork.ȱDr.ȱKelly,ȱwhoȱhadȱtreatedȱherȱfiveȱtimesȱ
betweenȱSeptemberȱandȱMarch,ȱnotedȱthatȱsheȱhadȱ“chronic,ȱradiatingȱpain”ȱinȱherȱbackȱ
thatȱheȱestimatedȱasȱanȱ8ȱonȱaȱ10Ȭpointȱscale.ȱTheȱherniatedȱdiscȱcausedȱherȱtinglingȱandȱ
numbnessȱinȱherȱarmȱandȱintoȱherȱthumb,ȱandȱheȱbelievedȱthatȱanyȱrepetitiveȱreaching,ȱ
handling,ȱfingering,ȱorȱliftingȱwouldȱcauseȱherȱpain.ȱHeȱalsoȱnotedȱthatȱsheȱhadȱaȱ
bulgingȱdiscȱinȱherȱlowerȱback,ȱasȱwellȱasȱdegenerativeȱdiscȱdisease.ȱByȱhisȱestimate,ȱsheȱ
couldȱliftȱfiveȱpoundsȱoccasionally,ȱandȱsheȱcouldȱsitȱforȱonlyȱoneȱhourȱinȱanȱeightȬhourȱ
workday.ȱDr.ȱHoward’sȱassessmentȱwasȱsimilar.ȱHeȱbelievedȱthatȱsheȱhadȱmarkedȱ
limitationsȱinȱsustainedȱconcentrationȱandȱpersistence,ȱunderstandingȱandȱmemory,ȱ
socialȱinteractions,ȱandȱabilityȱtoȱadaptȱtoȱchangesȱinȱtheȱworkplace.ȱHerȱpsychiatricȱ
condition,ȱheȱnoted,ȱcouldȱexacerbateȱherȱphysicalȱproblems,ȱandȱsheȱcouldȱnotȱtolerateȱ
evenȱlowȱstress.ȱLikeȱDr.ȱCarroll,ȱheȱestimatedȱthatȱifȱsheȱhadȱaȱfullȬtimeȱjob,ȱsheȱwouldȱ
missȱmoreȱthanȱthreeȱdaysȱperȱmonth.ȱȱ
ȱ
ȱ Atȱtheȱhearing,ȱSambrooksȱwasȱforcedȱtoȱclarifyȱaȱnumberȱofȱpoints.ȱSheȱconfirmedȱ
thatȱsheȱhadȱnotȱundergoneȱsurgery,ȱandȱafterȱanȱinitialȱdenial,ȱsheȱadmittedȱthatȱsheȱ
hadȱusedȱcocaineȱandȱmarijuanaȱinȱtheȱpast.ȱSheȱdeniedȱrecentȱuse,ȱandȱsheȱdeniedȱ
abusingȱprescriptionȱdrugs.ȱNoȱoneȱquestionedȱherȱaboutȱDr.ȱForgey’sȱletterȱorȱaboutȱ
theȱstateȱconsultants’ȱuseȱofȱhisȱletter.ȱNorȱdidȱanyoneȱpressȱherȱaboutȱherȱliesȱtoȱDrs.ȱ
KellyȱandȱHoward.ȱȱ
ȱ
ȱ InȱAprilȱ2011,ȱafterȱtheȱhearing,ȱSambrooksȱsoughtȱtreatmentȱfromȱDr.ȱDanielȱChaȱ
forȱherȱneckȱpain.ȱHerȱreportȱofȱherȱmedicalȱhistoryȱincludedȱtheȱstatementȱthatȱsheȱhadȱ
hadȱsurgeryȱinȱNovemberȱ2010ȱthatȱmadeȱtheȱneckȱpainȱworse,ȱandȱtheȱ

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No.ȱ13Ȭ2529ȱ Pageȱ5ȱ
ȱ
misrepresentationȱthatȱsheȱdidȱnotȱhaveȱaȱpsychiatrist.ȱDr.ȱChaȱexaminedȱher,ȱreviewedȱ
theȱJuneȱ2010ȱMRIȱresults,ȱandȱprescribedȱpainȱmedication.ȱHeȱalsoȱscheduledȱaȱ
“diagnosticȱcervicalȱmedialȱbranchȱblock,”ȱwhichȱheȱdescribedȱasȱaȱprocedureȱtoȱnumbȱ
someȱnervesȱinȱherȱneckȱtoȱdetermineȱwhetherȱdegenerativeȱarthritisȱwasȱcontributingȱ
significantlyȱtoȱherȱpain.ȱHeȱapparentlyȱperformedȱthatȱprocedureȱandȱconcludedȱthatȱ
arthritisȱwasȱaȱmajorȱfactor.ȱUponȱhisȱrecommendation,ȱSambrooksȱunderwentȱ
“radiofrequencyȱablation”ȱonȱthoseȱnerves.ȱ(Thisȱappearsȱtoȱinvolveȱzappingȱnervesȱ
withȱhighȬfrequencyȱradioȱwavesȱtoȱdestroyȱtheirȱabilityȱtoȱtransmitȱpainȱsignalsȱtoȱtheȱ
brain.)ȱ
ȱ
ȱ Shortlyȱafterȱthatȱprocedure,ȱSambrooksȱlearnedȱthatȱtheȱALJȱhadȱruledȱthatȱsheȱwasȱ
notȱdisabled.ȱApplyingȱtheȱfamiliarȱfiveȬstepȱevaluationȱprocess,ȱtheȱALJȱconcludedȱ(1)ȱ
thatȱsheȱhadȱnotȱengagedȱinȱsubstantialȱgainfulȱactivityȱsinceȱherȱAugustȱ2009ȱonsetȱ
date;ȱ(2)ȱthatȱherȱbipolarȱdisorder,ȱmajorȱdepressiveȱdisorder,ȱandȱdegenerativeȱdiscȱ
diseaseȱwereȱallȱsevereȱimpairments;ȱ(3)ȱandȱthatȱsheȱwasȱnotȱdisabledȱunderȱanyȱofȱtheȱ
listings.ȱAtȱthatȱpoint,ȱtheȱALJȱhadȱtoȱassessȱherȱresidualȱfunctionalȱcapacity.ȱInȱdoingȱ
so,ȱtheȱjudgeȱconcludedȱthatȱtheȱopinionsȱofȱDrs.ȱCarroll,ȱKelly,ȱandȱHowardȱwereȱ
entitledȱtoȱlittleȱweightȱbecauseȱtheyȱwereȱnotȱsupportedȱbyȱ“medical”ȱevidenceȱandȱ
theyȱwereȱcontradictedȱbyȱSambrooks’sȱdescriptionȱofȱherȱdailyȱactivities.ȱTheȱjudgeȱ
reliedȱinsteadȱonȱtheȱopinionsȱofȱtheȱtwoȱnonȬexaminingȱconsultants.ȱWithȱrespectȱtoȱ
Sambrooks’sȱcredibility,ȱtheȱALJȱusedȱanȱoftenȬcriticizedȱformula,ȱfindingȱthatȱherȱ
“statementsȱconcerningȱtheȱintensity,ȱpersistenceȱandȱlimitingȱeffectsȱofȱ[herȱalleged]ȱ
symptomsȱareȱnotȱcredibleȱtoȱtheȱextentȱtheyȱareȱinconsistentȱwithȱtheȱaboveȱresidualȱ
functionalȱcapacityȱassessment.”ȱTheȱjudgeȱwentȱoutȱofȱhisȱwayȱtoȱsayȱthatȱthisȱ
credibilityȱdeterminationȱwasȱmadeȱ“independentȱofȱDr.ȱForgey’sȱopinion”ȱandȱwithoutȱ
consideringȱSambrooks’sȱliesȱunderȱoathȱaboutȱherȱpastȱdrugȱuse.ȱInstead,ȱheȱbasedȱhisȱ
credibilityȱrulingȱonȱthreeȱotherȱpoints:ȱtheȱinconsistencyȱheȱperceivedȱbetweenȱherȱ
dailyȱactivitiesȱandȱherȱassertedȱlimitations;ȱherȱinconsistentȱstatementsȱaboutȱtheȱonsetȱ
ofȱherȱbackȱpain;ȱandȱ“theȱlackȱofȱobjectiveȱmedicalȱevidence”ȱrelatingȱtoȱtheȱ
degenerativeȱdiscȱdisease.ȱTheȱALJȱconcludedȱthatȱSambrooks’sȱresidualȱfunctionalȱ
capacityȱwasȱsufficientȱforȱlightȱworkȱwithȱcertainȱrestrictions,ȱandȱthatȱthereȱwereȱ
enoughȱjobsȱinȱtheȱregionalȱeconomyȱthatȱsheȱcouldȱperformȱtoȱjustifyȱtheȱfindingȱofȱ
“notȱdisabled.”ȱ
ȱ
ȱ SambrooksȱappealedȱtheȱALJ’sȱdecisionȱtoȱtheȱAppealsȱCouncil.ȱBeforeȱitȱdecidedȱ
herȱcase,ȱsheȱsoughtȱadditionalȱtreatmentȱfromȱDr.ȱCha.ȱAlthoughȱtheȱablationȱ
procedureȱhadȱinitiallyȱprovidedȱsomeȱreliefȱforȱher,ȱbyȱFebruaryȱ2012ȱherȱsevereȱneckȱ
painȱhadȱreturned,ȱandȱDr.ȱChaȱrecommendedȱanotherȱround.ȱItȱisȱunclearȱwhetherȱsheȱ
followedȱthroughȱwithȱthatȱtreatmentȱorȱwhatȱhowȱsuccessfulȱitȱwas.ȱInȱJuneȱ2012,ȱtheȱ
AppealsȱCouncilȱaddedȱthisȱadditionalȱevidenceȱtoȱtheȱrecordȱbutȱdeniedȱherȱrequestȱforȱ

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No.ȱ13Ȭ2529ȱ Pageȱ6ȱ
ȱ
review.ȱSheȱsoughtȱreviewȱinȱtheȱdistrictȱcourt,ȱseeȱ42ȱU.S.C.ȱ§ȱ405(g),ȱbutȱitȱupheldȱtheȱ
Commissioner’sȱdecision.ȱȱ
ȱ
ȱ
IIȱ
ȱ
ȱ Sambrooks’sȱprimaryȱargumentȱonȱappealȱisȱthatȱtheȱALJȱfailedȱtoȱprovideȱanȱ
adequateȱexplanationȱforȱhisȱdisregardȱofȱtheȱopinionsȱofȱherȱtreatingȱphysicians.ȱSheȱ
notes,ȱcorrectly,ȱthatȱtheȱopinionȱofȱaȱtreatingȱdoctorȱgenerallyȱisȱentitledȱtoȱcontrollingȱ
weightȱifȱitȱisȱconsistentȱwithȱtheȱrecord,ȱandȱinȱanyȱeventȱitȱcannotȱbeȱrejectedȱwithoutȱaȱ
“soundȱexplanation.”ȱJelinekȱv.ȱAstrue,ȱȱ662ȱF.3dȱ805,ȱ811ȱ(7thȱCir.ȱ2011);ȱPunzioȱv.ȱAstrue,ȱ
630ȱF.3dȱ704,ȱ710ȱ(7thȱCir.ȱ2011).ȱȱ
ȱ
ȱ TheȱALJȱhadȱveryȱlittleȱtoȱsayȱaboutȱDr.ȱKelly,ȱoneȱwayȱorȱtheȱother.ȱHeȱcriticizedȱtheȱ
questionnaireȱfilledȱoutȱbyȱDr.ȱKellyȱandȱhisȱassistantȱthatȱreportedȱthatȱSambrooksȱhadȱ
aȱ“marked”ȱlimitationȱinȱherȱabilityȱtoȱgrasp,ȱturnȱandȱtwistȱobjects,ȱperformȱfineȱ
manipulations,ȱandȱuseȱherȱarmsȱforȱreaching.ȱButȱtheȱALJ’sȱstatedȱreasonȱforȱhisȱ
skepticismȱwasȱthatȱheȱsawȱ“noȱobjectiveȱevidenceȱofȱanyȱimpairmentȱthatȱwouldȱcauseȱ
‘marked’ȱmanipulativeȱrestrictions”ȱ–ȱheȱfoundȱonlyȱevidenceȱofȱ“complaintsȱofȱwristȱ
pain”ȱandȱ“diminishedȱgripȱstrength.”ȱThatȱisȱnotȱanȱaccurateȱrepresentationȱofȱtheȱ
record.ȱSambrooksȱcomplainedȱaboutȱchronic,ȱradiatingȱpainȱinȱherȱneckȱthatȱwasȱnotȱ
responsiveȱtoȱmedication;ȱsheȱreportedȱpain,ȱtingling,ȱandȱnumbnessȱdownȱherȱrightȱ
armȱandȱintoȱherȱhand;ȱandȱsheȱhadȱdecreasedȱgripȱstrengthȱinȱbothȱhands.ȱDr.ȱKellyȱ
opinedȱthatȱtheseȱsymptomsȱwereȱcausedȱbyȱaȱherniatedȱdiscȱaffectingȱherȱspinalȱcord,ȱ
andȱheȱthoughtȱthatȱrepetitiveȱuseȱofȱherȱhandsȱandȱarmsȱwouldȱcauseȱherȱpain.ȱTheȱ
MRIȱshowedȱthatȱsheȱindeedȱhadȱaȱherniatedȱdisc.ȱTheȱALJȱdidȱnotȱattemptȱtoȱreconcileȱ
thatȱevidenceȱwithȱhisȱopinion,ȱnorȱdidȱheȱpointȱtoȱanyȱotherȱevidenceȱ(medical,ȱ
testimonial,ȱorȱotherwise)ȱthatȱwouldȱundermineȱDr.ȱKelly’sȱassessment.ȱEvenȱifȱoneȱ
mightȱdigȱsomethingȱoutȱofȱtheȱrecord,ȱneitherȱtheȱgovernmentȱnorȱweȱareȱentitledȱtoȱreȬ
writeȱtheȱALJ’sȱopinion.ȱSeeȱSecuritiesȱandȱExchangeȱComm’nȱv.ȱCheneryȱCorp.,ȱ318ȱU.S.ȱ80,ȱ
87ȱ(1943).ȱȱ
ȱ
ȱ TheȱALJȱbuttressedȱhisȱrejectionȱofȱDr.ȱKelly’sȱopinionȱwithȱtheȱobservationȱthatȱ
Sambrooks’sȱdailyȱactivitiesȱ(whichȱincludedȱmealȱpreparation,ȱgroceryȱshopping,ȱandȱ
lightȱhouseȬcleaning)ȱdemonstratedȱthatȱsheȱcouldȱstandȱforȱmoreȱthanȱanȱhourȱatȱaȱ
time,ȱliftȱandȱcarryȱweightsȱinȱexcessȱofȱfiveȱpounds,ȱandȱperformȱgrossȱandȱfineȱ
manipulations.ȱButȱdoingȱthatȱkindȱofȱhouseworkȱdoesȱnotȱshow,ȱwithoutȱmore,ȱthatȱtheȱ
claimantȱisȱcapableȱofȱwork.ȱSeeȱRoddyȱv.ȱAstrue,ȱ705ȱF.3dȱ631,ȱ639ȱ(7thȱCir.ȱ2013).ȱMoreȱ
importantly,ȱtheȱALJȱomittedȱimportantȱqualificationsȱSambrooksȱnoted.ȱHerȱ“cooking”ȱ
amountedȱtoȱheatingȱfrozenȱdinnersȱorȱmakingȱsandwiches.ȱSheȱwentȱtoȱtheȱgroceryȱ

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No.ȱ13Ȭ2529ȱ Pageȱ7ȱ
ȱ
storeȱonlyȱwithȱherȱhusband.ȱAndȱsheȱinsertedȱherȱlightȱcleaningȱintoȱshortȱperiodsȱofȱ
timeȱwhenȱsheȱwasȱableȱtoȱgetȱoutȱofȱbed.ȱȱ
ȱ
ȱ TheȱALJȱfinallyȱcriticizedȱDr.ȱKelly’sȱopinionȱbecauseȱitȱsaidȱthatȱSambrooks’sȱ
limitationsȱbeganȱinȱMayȱ2010,ȱafterȱtheȱcarȱaccident,ȱratherȱthanȱinȱAugustȱ2009,ȱherȱ
allegedȱonsetȱdate.ȱThereȱisȱaȱbenignȱexplanationȱforȱthat,ȱhowever:ȱSambrooksȱdidȱnotȱ
seeȱDr.ȱKellyȱuntilȱfourȱmonthsȱafterȱtheȱaccident.ȱNoȱoneȱaskedȱDr.ȱKellyȱtoȱofferȱanȱ
opinionȱaboutȱherȱimpairmentsȱbeforeȱMayȱ2010.ȱMoreover,ȱSambrooksȱwasȱinsuredȱ
throughȱ2013,ȱandȱsoȱtheȱfactȱthatȱsheȱinjuredȱherȱneckȱafterȱherȱallegedȱonsetȱdateȱdoesȱ
notȱaffectȱherȱeligibilityȱforȱbenefitsȱ(thoughȱitȱmightȱaffectȱtheȱonsetȱdate).ȱȱ
ȱ
ȱ TheȱALJ’sȱrejectionȱofȱDr.ȱHoward’sȱopinionȱisȱsimilarlyȱdifficultȱtoȱfollow.ȱDr.ȱ
Howard,ȱrecall,ȱgaveȱSambrooksȱaȱGAFȱscoreȱofȱ60,ȱwhichȱindicatesȱ“moderate”ȱ
symptomsȱorȱdifficultyȱfunctioning.ȱSeeȱD IAGNOSTICȱANDȱSTATISTICALȱMANUALȱOFȱ
MENTALȱD ISORDERSȱ34ȱ(4thȱed.ȱ2000).ȱTheȱALJȱthoughtȱthisȱcontradictedȱDr.ȱHoward’sȱ
viewȱthatȱSambrooksȱwasȱ“markedly”ȱlimitedȱinȱsomeȱareasȱandȱunableȱtoȱwork.ȱButȱaȱ
GAFȱscoreȱisȱnothingȱmoreȱthanȱaȱsnapshotȱofȱaȱparticularȱmoment.ȱSeeȱPunzio,ȱ630ȱF.3dȱ
atȱ710–11.ȱForȱDr.ȱHoward,ȱaȱpsychiatrist,ȱtheȱGAFȱscoreȱwasȱonlyȱoneȱpieceȱofȱdataȱthatȱ
heȱfactoredȱintoȱhisȱultimateȱopinion.ȱItȱisȱworthȱnoting,ȱtoo,ȱthatȱ60ȱwasȱaȱhighȱscoreȱforȱ
Sambrooks.ȱOnȱotherȱoccasions,ȱasȱweȱhaveȱnotedȱabove,ȱsheȱreceivedȱaȱ45ȱandȱaȱ50,ȱ
bothȱscoresȱindicatingȱ“serious”ȱsymptomsȱorȱimpairmentȱinȱfunctioning.ȱTheȱALJȱdidȱ
notȱexplainȱwhyȱheȱchoseȱnotȱtoȱtakeȱthoseȱscoresȱintoȱaccountȱwhenȱheȱrejectedȱDr.ȱ
Howard’sȱopinion.ȱȱ
ȱ
ȱ Finally,ȱtheȱALJȱrejectedȱDr.ȱCarroll’sȱopinionȱforȱreasonsȱthatȱareȱhardȱtoȱfollow.ȱDr.ȱ
Carroll’sȱopinionȱisȱhardȱtoȱread,ȱandȱheȱdescribedȱsurprisingȱlimitationsȱinȱit,ȱsuchȱasȱ
theȱgraspingȱandȱmanipulationȱproblemsȱthatȱSambrooksȱdevelopedȱafterȱtheȱneckȱ
injuryȱ(whichȱhadȱnotȱyetȱoccurredȱatȱtheȱtimeȱheȱwasȱtreatingȱher).ȱItȱisȱunclear,ȱalso,ȱ
whyȱDr.ȱCarrollȱincludedȱaȱnumberȱofȱenvironmentalȱrestrictionsȱinȱhisȱassessment.ȱ
Nevertheless,ȱthereȱareȱotherȱaspectsȱofȱhisȱopinionȱthatȱareȱsupportedȱbyȱobjectiveȱ
evidenceȱinȱtheȱrecord.ȱForȱexample,ȱDr.ȱCarrollȱdiagnosedȱSambrooksȱwithȱ
degenerativeȱdiscȱdisease,ȱandȱDr.ȱKellyȱconcludedȱthatȱtheȱMRIȱtakenȱlaterȱshowedȱ
degenerationȱandȱaȱbulgingȱdiscȱinȱherȱlowerȱback.ȱBasedȱonȱthatȱMRI,ȱsheȱreceivedȱ
epiduralȱinjectionsȱforȱherȱneckȱandȱlowerȱbackȱpain.ȱOnceȱagain,ȱtheȱALJȱdidȱnotȱ
explainȱhisȱreasonȱforȱapparentlyȱdisregardingȱorȱrejectingȱthisȱevidenceȱ(weȱdoȱnotȱ
knowȱwhich).ȱȱ
ȱ
ȱ Afterȱhisȱquickȱrejectionȱofȱtheȱtreatingȱphysicians,ȱtheȱALJȱturnedȱtoȱtheȱtwoȱstateȬ
agencyȱconsultantsȱ(whoȱneverȱsawȱSambrooks)ȱandȱdecidedȱtoȱrelyȱheavilyȱonȱtheirȱ
opinions.ȱRelyingȱheavilyȱonȱDr.ȱForgey’sȱreportȱthatȱSambrooksȱwasȱgettingȱpainȱ

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No.ȱ13Ȭ2529ȱ Pageȱ8ȱ
ȱ
medicationsȱfromȱseveralȱdoctorsȱatȱtheȱsameȱtime,ȱDr.ȱCorcoranȱdecidedȱthatȱherȱ
physicalȱimpairmentsȱwereȱnotȱdisabling.ȱTheȱALJ,ȱhowever,ȱsaidȱthatȱheȱdidȱnotȱputȱ
anyȱweightȱonȱtheȱForgeyȱletter.ȱWorse,ȱDr.ȱCorcoranȱevaluatedȱherȱapplicationȱbeforeȱ
theȱneckȱinjury,ȱandȱsoȱhisȱopinionȱhasȱlimitedȱrelevance.ȱDr.ȱGangeȱalsoȱfoundȱnoȱ
disabilityȱbasedȱonȱmentalȱhealth,ȱbutȱheȱreliedȱonȱbothȱtheȱForgeyȱletterȱandȱtheȱ
incompleteȱreportȱofȱherȱhomeȱactivities.ȱȱ
ȱ
ȱ TheȱALJȱalsoȱgaveȱsomeȱadditionalȱreasonsȱforȱfindingȱthatȱSambrooksȱwasȱnotȱ
credible.ȱFirst,ȱheȱnotedȱthatȱsheȱcaredȱforȱyoungȱchildrenȱatȱhome.ȱHeȱdidȱnot,ȱ
however,ȱacknowledgeȱthatȱsheȱwasȱnotȱdoingȱthisȱonȱherȱown;ȱsheȱwasȱhelpedȱbyȱbothȱ
herȱmotherȬinȬlawȱandȱherȱhusband.ȱNext,ȱtheȱALJȱthoughtȱthatȱsheȱmadeȱinconsistentȱ
statementsȱaboutȱherȱbackȱpain,ȱbutȱinȱdoingȱsoȱheȱseemsȱnotȱtoȱhaveȱdistinguishedȱ
betweenȱtheȱbackȱandȱtheȱneckȱpainȱandȱwhatȱgaveȱriseȱtoȱeachȱone.ȱThird,ȱheȱ
complainedȱaboutȱaȱlackȱofȱobjectiveȱmedicalȱevidence,ȱwithoutȱacknowledgingȱtheȱ
evidenceȱofȱdegenerativeȱdiscȱdisease,ȱtheȱbulgingȱdisc,ȱandȱtheȱherniatedȱdiscȱinȱherȱ
neck.ȱFinally,ȱheȱthoughtȱthatȱsheȱmadeȱinconsistentȱstatementsȱaboutȱherȱhobbiesȱandȱ
interests.ȱ
ȱ
ȱ Takingȱallȱofȱthisȱintoȱaccount,ȱweȱfindȱourselvesȱunableȱtoȱfollowȱtheȱALJ’sȱreasonsȱ
forȱfindingȱthatȱSambrooksȱisȱnotȱdisabled.ȱThisȱdoesȱnotȱmeanȱthatȱtheȱALJȱshouldȱ
haveȱfoundȱherȱcredible:ȱtoȱtheȱcontrary,ȱthereȱareȱmanyȱreasonsȱinȱthisȱrecordȱpointingȱ
inȱtheȱoppositeȱdirection.ȱTheȱproblemȱisȱtheȱCheneryȱone:ȱtheȱALJȱdidȱnotȱrelyȱonȱthoseȱ
reasonsȱforȱrejectingȱherȱapplication,ȱandȱtheȱreasonsȱtheȱALJȱgaveȱdoȱnotȱstandȱupȱ
underȱevenȱourȱlimitedȱscrutiny.ȱWeȱthereforeȱR EVERSEȱtheȱdistrictȱcourt’sȱjudgmentȱ
upholdingȱtheȱagency’sȱdeterminationȱandȱR EMANDȱtheȱcaseȱtoȱtheȱCommissionerȱforȱ
furtherȱproceedingsȱconsistentȱwithȱthisȱorder.ȱ

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