Ronning v. Colvin

Citation: 555 F. App'x 619Docket: No. 13-2074

Court: Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit; February 17, 2014; Federal Appellate Court

SummaryOriginalCytator Case TreatmentBackward CitatorAnalysis

EnglishEspañolSimplified EnglishEspañol Fácil

Daphne Ronning, a 46-year-old former restaurant cook with a chronic pain condition, appeals the district court’s ruling that upheld the denial of her disability insurance benefits and supplemental security income. She contends that the administrative law judge (ALJ) failed to adhere to Social Security Ruling 03-2p regarding the evaluation of claims related to her reflex sympathetic dystrophy syndrome (RSDS), and that her testimony was improperly discredited. Ronning's injury occurred in August 2003 when she fell at work, resulting in a diagnosis of a sprained left hand. An orthopedic surgeon later indicated severe limitations in her hand's range of motion and suspected RSDS, a condition characterized by persistent pain often following an injury. Subsequent evaluations by two other orthopedists confirmed her RSDS diagnosis.

After returning to work with restrictions, Ronning was later terminated due to tardiness and forgetfulness, which she attributes to her medication. She then worked as a prep cook but was let go because she was unable to perform her duties without using her left hand. Ronning applied for Social Security benefits, claiming she became disabled on December 26, 2004, due to her hand condition and depression. Treatment for RSDS included a left stellate ganglion block, which reduced her pain, and occupational therapy that improved her hand's range of motion, though insurance issues limited further treatment.

Physical evaluations in late 2006 indicated severe impairment in her left hand but noted that other upper extremities were unaffected. A consulting physician assessed her Physical Residual Functional Capacity, determining she could lift and carry limited weights and sit or stand for six hours, but could not use her left hand for handling or fingering. A consulting psychologist found no medically determinable impairment related to her psychiatric condition. The Social Security Administration denied her benefits in November 2006, with the decision upheld in May 2007 upon reconsideration.

Ronning sought worker's compensation benefits following evaluations by two orthopedic surgeons in early 2008, who concluded she could work with specific limitations. One surgeon indicated she could work with permanent restrictions, while the other noted her condition, Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy Syndrome (RSDS), had been inadequately treated but still allowed for light duty work without using her left hand. During a July 2008 hearing, Ronning testified about her physical limitations, including medication side effects affecting her memory and dizziness, and persistent pain in her left hand and shoulder. A vocational expert determined that while she could not return to her previous job as a cook, she could perform alternative roles such as a hostess or furniture-rental consultant, assuming she didn’t miss more than three days of work monthly and could maintain concentration.

The Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) applied a five-step evaluation process, ultimately denying Ronning's application for benefits. The ALJ confirmed Ronning had not worked since her alleged onset date, recognized her RSDS as a severe impairment but found no mental impairment, concluded her condition did not meet listed impairments, and determined she had the residual functional capacity for light work. The ALJ discredited Ronning’s claims about her physical symptoms, citing her doctors' clearance to work and lack of corroborating medical evidence. Following the Appeals Council's denial of her review request, Ronning filed a lawsuit, arguing the ALJ failed to consider whether her condition aligned with specific mental disorder listings and improperly discredited her testimony regarding her limitations. The district court upheld the ALJ's decision, stating there was no evidence of a psychological impairment and affirming that the ALJ provided sufficient reasons to discredit her testimony based on the medical record.

Ronning argues that the Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) erred by concluding at step 3 that her Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy Syndrome (RSDS) did not meet or equal a listed impairment. Although RSDS is not a listed impairment, she cites SSR 03-2p, which requires the ALJ to compare severe impairments to relevant listings for medical equivalence. SSR 03-2p instructs the ALJ to assess any psychological manifestations of RSDS under mental disorders listings. Ronning claims her RSDS symptoms resemble those of a somatoform disorder due to their discrepancy with objective injury signs. However, the ALJ found no evidence of a somatoform disorder in the record; all medical professionals agreed her symptoms stemmed from RSDS linked to her hand injury. Treatments like stellate ganglion blocks and occupational therapy reportedly alleviated her symptoms.

Additionally, Ronning criticizes the ALJ's credibility assessment, arguing it relied on "boilerplate" language. The ALJ discredited her testimony on the grounds of inconsistency with the residual functional capacity assessment and the absence of medical findings supporting her claims of shoulder pain or medication side effects. The ALJ also considered the consistent opinions of her orthopedists, who asserted that she could work with certain restrictions. Consequently, the district court's judgment is affirmed.